It's a cloudy day - maybe I'll be able to get some writing done.
I have a confession. When it's sunny and the weather is lovely, I have to be outside. Or if not outside, doing something active. It's like I'm solar powered - the sun comes out and I move!
The house is spring-cleaned - all except for the kitchen. I've saved it for last, and will take it apart this weekend (when hubby is not around to see the mess, lol.) The garden is mowed, the flowers blooming, the birds singing...So I suppose I should be sitting down and finishing the two books I have to finish. And today it's cloudy, so I will try and work on them.
I sent another query out. I haven't heard back from anyone on any of my queries. I've sent out partials and fulls - but no news. Yesterday I sent a query directly to an editor who told me to go ahead and query her with a proposal, so I sent off 'In the Cards'. We'll see what happens!
What is a proposal?
It's what it sounds like. It's getting down on your knee, looking imporingly at the one you covet, and saying 'Here I am - do you want me?'
In the book world, it's usually comprised of a synopsis, a chapter by chapter outline, and the first three chapters (more or less) of the book. I sent off a 'blurb' synopsis (with hook) and a detailed synopsis with the beginning, middle, and end plotted out to show what would happen, when, and why. I sent the first five chapters, because they're short, and they end in a logical place.
Hopefully, the editor will like the proposal and tell me to go ahead and finish it. She'll either offer to buy it outright, or wait until it's finished. But at least it will give me the push I need to sit down and finish the story! It's all in my head. Now I have to sit and type!!!!
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13 comments:
please, you seem to know your game, how do you write the first page of a book, the first sentence of a short story, are you insanely critical of youself like I am???
Sam, I think I'm pretty productive until I read what you are doing and then I think, "What are you doing blog hopping when you've got chores to do, errands to run, children to nag...get up and get going."
Hi Danny -
I just sit down and write, and yes, I am critical of myself - hopefully not to the point of insanity, lol.
Rosie - Most days I feel like I'm running on a hamster wheel - not getting anywhere. Oh well. Blog hopping helps me relax and gives me a glimpse into other people's lives. (I'm so nosy!)
:-)
Oh Sam, that was really useful info about a proposal. A few wee questions though:
1) So if you're a first time writer do you recommend sending out proposals,or do you think you should have a first draft first?
2) When you've finished your house do you want to come over and do my windows?
Sam, me too. I call myself a Nosy Nora all the time. Shhhh...don't tell GG I'm here. He's off today and thinks I'm writing a post not blog hopping. : )
Rosie - I promise, I won't say anything! LOL
Veriion (love that name!)If it's your first book, don't query until it's complete. I'm only sending a proposal to someone who knows my work.
On the other hand, if it's a non-fiction book, you can certainly send out a proposal on a book that hasn't been finished. You can even send out a non fiction proposal on a book you haven't even started!
(The strange world of writing...lol)
Oh, Verilion - forgot to say - I don't do windows!!!
LOL
I make my kids do them.
And I don't iron. My hubby does that.
I do everything else though.
:-)
I agree with Rosie. you're making me tarred, tarred with all that activity.
cleaning, writing, editing. PHEW, woman.
(Today I did pick up the yogurt container the dog chewed to bits. Does that count as cleaning)
OK thanks for the advice Sam. As for the cleaning, I don't do windows, ironing or anything else unless I really have to! My parents are visiting next week! Could I borrow your kids? ( :
Verilion, I'd love to lend you my kids. They're pretty nice, and they do a heck of a job on windows.
LOL
Kate - I am a slug most of the time. Today I got Nothing done. I baked a terrible angel food cake, because I CAN'T bake the darn things, but I never give up. So every two or three months, I get a dozen eggs, and I try, try again.
Still not angel food cake.
*sigh*
Back to watching TV. Feel better now?
;-)
I've got my fingers crossed for you Sam *s*
A proposal... down on one kneee and begging. That sounds about right.
I've heard authors say they feel like homeless alley cats wandering the back alleys of publishers, meowing at the doors hoping for some scraps to be tossed out.
I suppose that's actually par for the course for a writer though, to always be in an uncertain state of striving. At least that's how the author of 'The Writer's Book of Hope' seemed to define 'normal' for anyone in the publishing biz.
I currently have 4 different dummies out at 10 publishers... waiting for a nibble or two.
Thank you Erin, and John, I have my fingers crossed for you!!
(We all sit around with our fingers crossed for each other!)
Makes it hard to type, but it's such a heartwarming thought.
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