Revision Update

Currently Reading: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (I've read it a million times, but it's summer so it's time for me to read the series again :D )

I'm one fifth of the way through my revisions. Woohoo! I'll be done before I know it! I think I've figured out how to pace the novel...I'm adding a lot more action. I think my novel is really shaping up!

My sister and her husband returned to Chicago. She had to go back into the hospital for a few days, but she got out today. Hurrah!

Revisions

Currently Listening to: Regina Spektor

Currently Reading: Unpredictable

I'm worried about the pacing of my novel. Michelle Andelman told me it's too slow, and now I have to figure out how to add more action. Sigh.

I've already been changing some of the dream sequences. I'm replacing scenes that repeat with new info on Imogene's background. I'm feeling particularly positive about these. I just finished a dream sequence that reviews her wedding, and I'm very proud of the gothic feeling. She was married in an old dark church, at night, with no guests present.

I think I'm going to begin writing for a local website soon. They review independantly owned businesses around Cincinnati. I'll put a link up soon. I'm not going to be paid for it but it will be experience that I can add to my query letter. :)

Old Friends and New Fancies OH MAN!

So a few days ago I went to a huge used bookstore in downtown Cincinnati (it's 5 floors, I love it), where I bought a copy of Old Friends and New Fancies (by Sybil G. Brinton) for $2.00. I did a little research this evening to discover that (drum roll please) it's a FIRST EDITION!!! I dug a little deeper and I believe it may be worth about $3,000!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've spent the past few days working on revising my novel. I think it's going well. I've found my stride I think...

The funeral for Rhys is tomorrow. He'll be laid to rest in an absolutely gorgeous cemetery called Spring Grove. All of the following pictures were taken inside the grounds. Beautiful isn't it?

Michelle Andelman's Request

She asked for a revision, which I am gladly giving her. I told her that I thought it would take about a month, and she said not to rush that it is a standing offer. I'm crossing my fingers that this revision will lead to a stronger novel and publishment!

Sorrow

Rhys Alexander (my sister's baby) died yesterday afternoon. If anyone reads this please keep my family in your prayers.

Michelle Andelman Part 2 :)

She just sent me an email and took it back! She asked to see my full! Crazy stuff!

Michelle Andelman

I just received a no from her.

Hopeful

Michelle Andelman requested a partial. Yey! She's the first to respond to the round of queries I sent out a few days ago. Hopefully this is a good sign! It's been a rough weekend. My sister is 25 weeks pregnant and was just diagnosed with preclampsia. She's going to have to stay in the hospital until she delivers. The doctors are hoping that they can keep her there for a month, but chances are she'll have to deliver much sooner. There was a point yesterday when her life was in real jeopardy...If anyone out there believes in prayer keep my sister and her baby in mind...

That Was Fast

Wow, okay I've already queried 5 agents tonight! Should I keep going? I think yes!

More actors

Romola Garai is actually 25. I always find it slightly irritating when an actor is cast in a much younger role...but if I were casting my movie I'd make an exception for her! Another actress that has the right look (but it's kind of wierd for me to say b/c she's a little kid to me) is Emily Osment. She's a little young now, but in a few years she'd be the right age...

Waiting

And so the waiting begins yet again. I'm writing a second novel about the Underground Railroad and I spend a lot of my free time on it, but not today. I'm feeling a bit discouraged so I emersed myself in Sophie Kinsella's new one Remember Me. Nothing perks me up like a little zany chick-lit. If you haven't read her novels go out and buy the Shopoholic series immediately!

Inspired by Cindy Pon I'm putting up a photo of the actress that I would want to play Imogene if my novel were ever made into a movie: Romola Garai. She's exactly what I imagined when I was writing. But I guess technically she's too old. Imogene is only 18....

2 Partials to Mail

I got two requests over the weekend for the first fifty pages of my novel. I'm cautiously optimistic. I've sent a lot of partials out over the last couple of months and it's all led to nothing. I do have an agent at Writer's House reading my full ms, but he's so late getting back to me that I'm tempted to just assume it's a no. He asked for a 2 week exclusive read over a month ago... Sigh...If anyone reads this keep your fingers crossed for me! Peace.