It has been just south of forever since I have posted here. I won't list my excuses but I now have some thing really exciting going on.
My question for you: (before I tell you my story) is how do you react to critiques? Even if you know it is for the best, is there some little part inside of you that twists and groans as you use that delete key? Before you make a change do you kind of resent it? Is it all okay the next day when you read it back?
Sometime ago, a young editor offered me some advice on MOON TREE BROTHERS. Recently, she contacted me and said she is opening her own Editorial service and would like to offer me a deal. She would do a major edit, then edit after I rewrite and then a final spelling/grammar/correction edit before I begin sending it out again. And, this is all for the price of "FREE." I am so excited. Not unlike half the world, we are very low income and it is wonderful of her to offer to do this. Hopefully, she will not shoot me for telling you that she is editing as
The Blue Pencil Parlor - www.BluePencilParlor.com - Mary@BluePencilParlor.com
I do not know what her fee schedule is, but I am very impressed with the thoroughness of her critique.
I have received her first edit and am excited about the rewrite. There were things I just knew needed changing. I was not really sure about others, and a few have twisted my gut, even though I think she is right. She has really clarified it for me and I am happily doing a major rewrite.
The second exciting thing is that Manju Howard, in the Indiana Chapter of SCBWI organized a get together of six MG/YA authors. Originally, there were double that number, but the city of Columbus, IN shut down on the day we were to meet, for a run. No cars were allowed to enter or park in the city, so the date of our meet was pushed back. They had a very safe run and the next weekend six of us did get together for a fantastic critiquing session. I was very proud to be a part of such a wonderful group.
I am working furiously now to 1. stay awake and 2. eat properly and 3. rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.
Medicine I am on, is making me sleepy. I have literally woke up with my head on the keyboard and a series of gggggg's running on my manuscript. I am also learning to eat well on a Vegetarian diet and am very happy with all the hints people are giving me. I also need to thank my husband, who listens every day to the rewrite and gives me his ideas.
And, I want to thank my followers for sticking by my during my long silence. I am back.
