I’ve got line edits again! And line edits often feel like this…
I have a quick deadline rushing at me. Since I’m trying to make sure I boomerang this baby back on time, in addition to working diligently on book number two, I’m going to stream line this blog post and direct you to the always informative and entertaining
Jackson Pearce. Fasten your safety harness because she has some interesting information on publishing that you might not know.
Just curious–did you know know how bookstores are stocked? And isn’t Jackson adorable?
Tags: Jackson Pearce, Kimberly Sabatini, revision, Simon Pulse
Just a quick little post because I’m trying very hard to hit a daily word count…starting…yesterday! I knew that the summer was going to a tough one for trying to juggle everything I needed to do. I had three kids home and for the first time and an “official” job. I say official because three boys are a job and a half any way you slice it. But now, I have a writing career to nurture and an editor and an agent to hold me accountable for my actions or lack there of.
I’m not going to go so far as to say that a soggy, rain-filled August was a good thing. The swarm of mosquitoes outside my house and the flooding from Irene will tell a different story, but it did allow me to ease my conscious a little when I said…”How about you guys pick out a movie this afternoon while mommy does her edits.” Sunny days were harder. I was also able to manage the unpredictable writing schedule because there was a light–a bright and shining light at the end of my summer tunnel. All my kids are in school full-time for the first time in just over a DECADE! I knew that I would be able to write soon. So, I waited it out and here I am and I have more time to write than I ever have had in my life. Of course, I’ll add the caveat that I have more to do besides “writing” than I could ever imagine either. It’s astounding to realize how much more there is to the publication process than meets the eye. This should in no way be taken as a complaint, rather a simple statement of busy-as-a-bee happiness.
Now I’m here, standing in the light and I realize something unpredictable has happened. I’ve become afraid of my work in progress. *gasp* It has been marinating for a long time, I’d even gotten over four chapters written prior to this and they’re good chapters–cleaner, tighter, better by a mile than my last first draft because I have grown as a writer. But here’s the thing–I know that TOUCHING THE SURFACE is “good.” It has been critiqued by a lot of people, my agent loves it, and my editor bought it. *squee* Now, for the first time I am back to writing in the dark again. I’m moving forward, following the sound of my own heart and soul and hoping that THE OPPOSITE OF GRAVITY will grow to be something I love and that others connect with. The idea that I could fail is paralyzing.
But inertia will not write a book–a good book or a bad book. Besides, I wouldn’t be writing it if I didn’t think it was the right book and if it’s the “wrong” book, it’s still something that I will learn from on the way to writing the “right” book.
I don’t know about you, but I find it’s often the very first step that hampers my progress and once I take it I look back and think…”Why am I such a dork? I love this!” I’ve also learned that working with a support system and the threat of possible public humiliation does wonders for me. Who knew? That made this a perfect time to once again join Jo Knowles and her JoNoWriMo. Here is her description of the group…
“JoNoWriMo+1.5 is a COMMUNITY effort, and as such, being a member means checking in and providing helpful feedback and encouragement to others. You can do this buy posting something inspirational, commenting on other people’s posts, and showing up on check-in days to check in and cheer everyone on. What is JoNoWriMo+1.5? Inspired by NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), JoNoWriMo+1.5 is similar, but allows writers 2.5 months to complete a project(s) of their choice. On September 14, participants will state their goals, and then for the next 2.5 months we will work on those goals together. Our challenge ends on midnight, December 1.”
Exactly what I need. In fact, yesterday was day one and I wrote 1,000 words. Of course, I was so into it that I didn’t manage to write this blog post in a timely fashion, but I know you don’t mind. I’d write more, but I’ve got writing to do. If you need a little inspiration and the threat of public humiliation, come join us.
What gets you writing when your stuck?
Tags: First Draft, Jo Knowles, JoNoWriMO, Kimberly Sabatini, livejournal, WIP
It’s Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2011!!!! I love book bloggers. They are passionate, hard-working people who love books, support authors, and provide a wonderful service to readers. (((hugs))) They are also really nice people.
But I’m going to tell you a little secret…
Despite how much I LOVE book bloggers–they scare the heck out of me. *insert music from Jaws*
I know it’s silly–they’re a bucket full of awesome–but here’s the thing. They haven’t actually read my book yet…but they will. *gasp* Obviously I didn’t think this whole “other people will actually read the book” thing completely through. (I’m certain this will be a reoccurring theme in future posts–watch for the tag.)
TOUCHING THE SURFACE is set to come out in the Fall of 2012. Right now, it’s pretty much the Fall of 2011, which means that the “365 days to go count-down-clock” could start ticking for me at anytime. *clutches stomach* But here’s the catch–book blogger receive ARC’s (Advanced Reader Copies) prior to publication. I don’t have any idea when my ARC’s will hit the world, but I know it’s in less than 365 days. The thought of it makes my stomach dance and I can’t even sort out which part is excitement and which part is pure, unadulterated fear. I feel like I’m standing on line for a really scary roller coaster ride.
Here’s the thing. I believe that I’ve written the perfect book–for me. And I should have, because I was the only audience that counted for a really long time. But that is no longer the case and when I think about baring my soul, to folks who publicly post a written report about it–I start to whimper. And while I’m optimistic that TOUCHING THE SURFACE will be embraced by many, I also know that there will be book bloggers who hate it. Yes, I said it–they will HATE it. How do I know this? Because it’s true. I hug puppies and drool when someone tells me that they just can’t get into a Harry Potter novel. I don’t understand it, but it happens. *squishes puppy and wipes mouth with sleeve* I also know there will be people who hate it because there are books that I…*covers mouth and whispers* HATE. And sometimes I hate a books that everyone else loves. *Bbbwwwaaaahhhhhh*
Hate is a strong word, but sometimes I tend to exaggerate in order to make my point. Or maybe I go to extremes to prepare myself for the worst possible outcome. Kind of like building up a thick skin as protection. And don’t worry, it isn’t like I spend all my time shaking in terror. I’ve had many a snuggly night, half asleep under a down comforter, dreaming of the NYT’s Best Seller List. Dreams are good. But there is middle ground and when I’m there, I am confident that the book bloggers are not out to get me. In fact, from everything that I’ve witnessed, they have done more to help books become a success than we authors could ever adequately thank them for.
Book bloggers are the best roller coaster ride that I’ve ever waited to go on. Every time I queue up for one of those thrill machines in an amusement park, I ponder chickening out. But then I do it–I take the ride. I scream the whole way through. I never throw my hands up to prove how tough I am. (I’m too busy making sure I don’t pee my pants.) And when I’m back down on the ground, I’m high-fiving everyone–pretty damn proud of having taken that ride, knowing that it was worth every moment of being scared.
It’s Book Blogger Appreciation Week and I’m standing on line for the biggest ride of my life. For all you book blogger out there, I know I’m going to be screaming and closing my eyes the whole way through this process. I also want you to know that I am looking forward to the ups and downs and I’m willing to accept all the fine print warnings that come along with taking this ride. I know how lucky I am and I appreciate having you out there.
Tags: Book Blogger Appreciation Week, Kimberly Sabatini, Other People Will Actually Read The Book
Yesterday was the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. I pretty much stayed off twitter and FB because I just didn’t know what to say. All I could come up with was this. I remember…
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| Photo By AP/Justin Lane, Pool |
I do. I watched it on TV. I live near NYC. My husband is a commuter. We had no cell phones. My first child was 7 months old. People jumped. Heroes filled my heart. The words are hard to come by. The memories are vivid. I took no massive personal loses. I know people who lost loved ones. I know people who were almost lost. They all effect me, but it is the ones who, for no logical reason, deviated from their routines that day who capture my attention. They are the ones that fascinate me the most. Why did that happen?
Like most people, I’ve been known to have regrets. When I’m caught in a personal tragedy, I’ll sit there, smack in the middle of the mess and wonder–why did that happen? What would life be like if I’d taken a different path, if I’d just made a different choice. What if I had deviated.
I think that 9/11 was the moment I began to play with the idea of choices. There were other moments, ones in the years to come that continued to fill me with question, but this one was an extremely large trigger. Were there forces at work that made one person miss their train and another get to work early? What was the defining line between a miracle and a tragedy? What was random and what was destined? I began to wonder if the picture of our lives is being painted on a canvas of massive scale and all we actually see is one small corner of it, like the story of The Blind Men and the Elephant. Maybe we think we understand, but perhaps from a single point of view, the full vision is impossible to comprehend. I began to feel that the universe was more than I could dare to dream–that is was truly beyond what I could possibly understand.
My curiosity, which I once thought was folly, has become too big to contain. I want to imagine the unimaginable. Could I find beauty in something ugly? I’ve come to believe that everything I write is now rooted in this mystery. Looking back I know that 9/11 was not the first time that this strange dichotomy made me restless. I just didn’t pay as much attention. As a school-ager, I was fascinated by the story The Gift of the Magi. I’m haunted by it. It is why Lois Lowry’s THE GIVER became my favorite book of all time. The ending left me insatiable. It is why I have written TOUCHING THE SURFACE.
On this anniversary, it’s expected that we ask…why did that happen? And rightly so. But I used to think that these words only came on the heels of a tragedy. They often do, but now I also believe they precede a mystery, a journey, a bigger picture, a chance to deviate. It isn’t just important to remember. Sometimes we must remember to ask ourselves–why did this happen? It’s then that we find something good…where we least expected it.
Tags: 9/11, Kimberly Sabatini
I’m sneaking in one more post for Random Acts of Publicity Week. I thought this would be an easy post. Silly me. Pick just one book and give it a shout out? Not easy at all. I’ve read so many amazing books that I’ve loved. Even now, I’m tempted to give you a laundry list of the books I wanted to pick in order to sneak in a round about shout out. But I’ve decided that I WILL chose only one and I WILL have a really good reason for choosing it. I will also try to pick something deserving, but off my beaten path.
*wrings hands and sweats*
Nobody said Random Acts of Publicity are easy…oh, wait…they are easy. *head thunk* Since it’s a breeze, don’t forget you still have time to give your favorite book or even a deserving, under appreciated book a huge boost! You don’t even have to pick just one, I’m only making it hard on myself, in order to emphasize why this one, special book should be on your To-Read list.
Okay….*drum roll*…here it is…
THE BOY WHO DARED By: Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Just as the Nazis are rising to power, Helmuth Hübener, a German schoolboy, is caught up in all the swashbuckling bravado of his time. The handsome stormtrooper uniforms, the shiny jackboots and armbands, the rousing patriotism all serve to draw him into this bright new world full of promise and hope. In the beginning his patriotism is unwavering. But every day the rights of people all over Germany are diminishing. Jews are threatened and their businesses are being destroyed. The truth has been censored, and danger lurks everywhere. Anybody can turn on you. The world has turned upside down: Patriotism means denouncing others, love means hate, and speaking out means treason. How much longer can Helmuth keep silent? Told in flashback, Newbery Honor Book author Susan Campbell Bartoletti magnificently explores the life of a heroic German youth who dared to stand up against the Nazi regime.
*synopsis taken from Goodreads
“It’s a Tuesday. The executioner works on Tuesday.”
I just finished reading this book with my boys. It was a wonderful experience. My husband and I have talked to them often of the horrors of the Holocaust/Nazi Regime and in contrast, the beauty of the German people. Prior to having children, we both lived in Germany for four years. This gave us a chance to visit two different concentration camps and to also fall in love with Deutschland and it’s citizens. The dichotomy that exists between Germany’s past and present is also seen in this wonderfully written tale of historical fiction.
Susan Campbell Bartoletti does and amazing job of putting the reader in a moment that is too painful to watch, yet too important to ignore.
I hope you read this book. In my humble opinion, Helmuth Hubner has earned the right to have his story heard and his bravery remembered…
Any Random Acts of Publicity that you would like to share with me? Leave them in the comments section. :o)
Tags: Bravery, Nazi Germany, Random Acts of Publicity, Susan Campbell Bartoletti
