Don't Get in a Hurry!

Being a goal-oriented kind of gal, I like to skip over the details and get to the good stuff when I'm writing. I've talked about this manifesting by telling vs showing and other problems. Another way this comes out is by skipping ahead.

If I have Leslie eating breakfast, and then she goes to the barn, I'll talk about breakfast and then suddenly she's on the way to the barn. In other words, I missed getting her into the car. In my mind, I'm skipping unneeded details. For the reader, though, this can be confusing, disruptive, and/or choppy. Although I don't need to have her walk out to the car, open the door, get in, and put on her seat belt, I do need to make some sort of transition. For example, her father can say it's time to go and they go. It only needs to be a sentence or two to smooth it out.

The closer I get to the end of the book or story, the more likely I am to get in a hurry and rush. I can see the goalpost in the distance, and I want to sprint to get there! It's hard to slow down and and get in all the necessary details!

Done with the first round of rewrites!

Tonight I finished my first round of rewrites on Bubba Goes National...at last! I started in February and had to put it away a few times, but it's done at last. Greg made a pass through it and fixed my boneheaded silly mistakes, and now it's off to Michy to edit when she has time. I sure hope she finds less to fix this time!

I have some more lessons learned to discuss, so stay tuned and I'll post them over the next couple of days. I'll also keep you updated with Michy's progress! What a relief to finally finish this step. Writing and publishing a book is such a horridly lengthy process! It's a huge leap for goal-oriented, complete each task quickly, Jennifer. It takes forever to just WRITE the thing, then you have to revise it umpteen billion times, then the query process is forever to get someone to accept you, then more waiting and revising and finally when you're old and grey your book is finally available for sale. How can anyone bear it? Yet, bear it we do, and some of us over and over again. It's a sickness! And it's the life I've chosen to live.

June Short Story Contest on Accentuate Writers

The June short story contest has been posted here. The theme is "Summer Heat," how appropriate! There are cash prizes and a chance to be published in a short story anthology and professional editing, so I highly encourage you to participate!

I haven't decided what to write about yet, which is fair I suppose since I just read about it an hour or so ago. I do have a short story I wrote a while back that I could add some heat to to make it fit the theme, but I'd like to write something especially for the contest if I can. I always struggle with ideas...once I have an idea I can generally flesh it out, but that first step is a doozy!

Two for two...second place again!

My story The Assignment won second place in the Accentuate Writers Forum short story contest! If you're a member, you can read it in the Critiques and Feedback thread! Here's the announcement: http://michysthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/05/short-story-contest-winners.html

I'm a finalist!

My short story, "The Assignment" is one of six finalists in the Accentuate Short Story Contest! If you are a member of the forum, you can view it in the critiques and feedback thread. I'm very excited! We should find out the winners in the next week or so.

Why are some people so nasty?

You have read how I've gone on and on singing Michy's (Michelle L. Devon) praises. It may even appear a little silly, like I have some kind of girl crush on her, but she has just helped me so much, out of the goodness of her heart, that it's ridiculous. I'm beyond grateful. Most people who know her know she is one of the kindest, most generous people you will ever meet.

However, there is a small faction of people who, for some unexplained reason, have some kind of personal issue with her. One such person, who blogs as "Amy Lynn", has somehow concocted this vast conspiracy between Associated Content and Michy, claiming Michy's some kind of AC pet, getting all kinds of special treatment, etc. Amy Lynn is saying some horribly vicious things about Michy and calling her horrible names, all because of this supposed conspiracy.

Amy Lynn is really just ridiculous. If Michy gets higher offers on her content at AC, it's because she's a high performer--her page view average is over 2000, and if you take out her poetry it's almost double. Why wouldn't she get higher offers? Beyond that, with all the free advice she gives on the AC forums, how can you hold that against her?

Amy accuses Michy of "prostituting" herself on the internet. Amy, let me give you a little life lesson. Adults have to have jobs to pay their bills. Some adults have their own businesses, offering services for hire. Michy runs Accentuate Services. In order to get customers, you do something called "promotion" or "advertising". This is not to be confused with "prostitution". Does McDonald's prostitute itself?

Amy Lynn, get a life. Stop attacking someone who spends more time helping others than anyone I know, just because you don't understand how Associated Content works.

Michelle L. Devon, keep on doing what you're doing. You know how many of us love you, so please keep reminding yourself of that!

Jennifer Walker Writing Services

Until I get my website up and running, this is just a reminder that I offer writing and editing services. Send me an email at twnkltoz@gmail.com to ask about articles, ghostwriting, editing, or website content.

New blog

I have started a new blog to track my progress toward quitting my job! Check it out: http://jenniferfreelances.blogspot.com/

The Value of a Professional Editing Service

I have posted about how Michelle L. Devon, owner of Accentuate Services, is working with me on the developmental editing of my book, Bubba Goes National. Through the process, I am learning a lot about fiction writing that I never knew I didn’t know! After making the rewrites she suggested, I feel better armed to write my next book, knowing I won’t make the same mistakes again. In addition, I have a more saleable and engaging book as a result of these rewrites. I thought I'd give Michelle and Accentuate a little plug today.

Accentuate Services offers a wide range of services, including proofreading and editing, e-book services, publishing preparation, critiques and reviews, writing services and administrative services. When you visit her website, visit the Accentuate Writers Forum to network with other writers, enter contests, and get some good advice.

Michelle L. Devon has written four published books, with contracts in place for more, as well as many articles in print and on the web. She runs a number of blogs, including one for proofreading and editing tips and one where she providers book reviews and interviews of authors.

Thanks Michelle, for all your help!