Tag Archives: editing

What’s with the crickets?

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The final chapter has been dealt with, and I’m done. Walking away from the book. I can do no more! I’m happier with this ending so I’m glad I decided to rework it. There’s more of a finality to it than my first attempt which I like. Now I need some readers. Anyone up for it?

*Crickets chirping*

Oh, it’s like that? I’m not surprised. That’s fine. I have back up plans, which is to say I’ll make something up. I would have liked to have a few writers give me their take, but I’ll start with a few of my friends and hope someone says yes. Anyone?

*Crickets looking around awkwardly*

I think I need new friends.

C’est la vie!

I need an alpha…reader that is

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Okay, I’m almost done with my rewrites. That went faster than I had expected. Most of the changes happened in the middle of the book and there wasn’t a lot at the end that needed to be tweaked. I’m happy for it. I’m mulling changing the last chapter, however. I find that it’s not satisfying. It’s just flat.

For now, I’m sitting at 91,570 words, which surprises me since I’m not usually that wordy. I’ll get some feedback before I try to subtract from that total, though I don’t want to lose too much. I want to start looking for a few alpha readers. I desperately need some opinions as to whether the story works or not, what if any changes need to be done. I’m not looking for proofreading or editing work, just a general sense of what the reader takes away from it.

My feeling is I like the premise of the book, and I’m hoping my execution delivers. This all began as a short story back in 2012, which evolved to become that year’s NaNo. I’ve been tweaking it ever since. I’m ready to be done with it and let it out to the world. It’s part of me trying to let go. I want to publish it this year. I can do it. I will do it. I just don’t know how!

That’s okay. Let me work on the ending and if anyone wants to alpha read, let me know. I’m looking for no more than a couple of readers. You can either comment below or shoot me an email at joe@joehinojosa.com. Once I have that feedback, I’ll take your comments to heart, make any necessary corrections, then look for someone to proofread.

This is getting scary. Better not think too much more about it or I’ll get overwhelmed.

How do I let go?

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How ’bout them Cowboys? Holy hell, that was a brutal game to watch. I can’t believe they came back to win it, but I’m extremely happy that they did. Understandingly, I just now got back to work on my WIP, and I’m ready to get this finished, and find a few readers to give me an idea of what works or doesn’t, and if it’s even worth trying to save.

So I’m back, reading and rereading, writing, and rewriting. I’m stuck at this stage, of being unable to let go. I think I need a coach, someone to take my hand and guide me. Maybe what I need is a nun to whack my knuckles with a ruler. I don’t think I would like that all that much.

My main problem is that this is something I’ve never done, and I’m horrible at doing new things. I’ve just never been this bad at it. What do I need to do first? What’s my plan? Is there a plan? Can someone just tell me what the plan is? Why am I so bad at this?

My tendency is to make a bigger deal out of things than I should I need to relax and just let go. Who want’s to teach me how? Is there some class I can take? Enough obsessing. I need to get to work. Have a good night, and have an awesome week.

Back to work…er…writing

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After much waffling, I pulled out one of my books and got back to work. It didn’t last long, however, as life once again intruded into my intentions and I had to take care of business. No matter. I got started, and I’m back to do a little more work before I head off to bed.

I had to do a little catching up on what I had written, namely what I have changed prior to the beginning of NaNoWriMo back in November. I like what’s there, but I have a few more tweaks to go. The change is fairly major, but I’m hoping it doesn’t get out of control. I just hated what was there to begin with.

So, now I’m back to work, reading and rewriting. I should get someone else to do it. I’m way too neurotic to do anything constructive. Oh well, it’s already begun.

Feeling better

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It’s now the ninth of December, and whatever ailment that has kept me from doing anything meaningful is finally starting to wane. Thank you antibiotics! I was trying my best no to have to visit the physician, but come Sunday – a week after I started to become sick – and I could feel the junk building up in my chest. I knew that I had no choice but to go in and get myself checked out.

So my congestion is starting to clear up, I’m no longer coughing like a smoker hacking up a lung, and my voice is almost back to normal. It just sucks that I have to keep up the course of antibiotics until I’m done. Seven more days. Whoop-whoop! Now I can get back to what’s important and do nothing about writing until next week.

Well, not nothing. I’ve opened up my word file on Jasmine and I’ve started reading. I almost feel ready to tackle the second half of the book, rewriting what doesn’t work, and making the story a little stronger. I’m trying to make as few changes as possible because I quickly discovered what a fragile tapestry a story is. You pull one string and suddenly the whole narrative begins to unravel. It’s a little scary.

I’m going to sit back and start a little today. I work tonight and tomorrow night and then I will be back on days for good. I’ll be able to get into some loose rhythm, and maybe make some progress. At least that’s my hope. Then I’ll have a long weekend and I’ll head out of town, a trip that was beginning to look doubtful even a few days ago, and maybe I’ll feel relaxed and ready to tackle my goal.