New news - Golfer Girl

I've just heard that a story of mine has been accepted for publication by Golfer Girl magazine. For those of you who don't know - I used to be quite a golfer back in the day... If you're interested, the link to the magazine is http://www.golfergirlmagazine.com/. My story hasn't been published yet, though.

It's a teen magazine targeted at girls who follow the game of golf. I have a great story about being a teenager and trying to compete in a male dominated sport. As one can imagine, angst and embarrassment ensue.

It's not a paid market, but another way to get my work out there! I really love this story, so I'm very excited!

Columbus Day

Ironically, since Columbus Day is Monday, I just finished my book on the discovery of America. It was a work-for-hire non-fiction project which, in equal parts, pit the an ancient tribe of paleo-Indians against Leif Eriksson and the Vikings; and Christopher Columbus. The punchline question is "Who won the race to discover America?"

I've been immersed in this stuff for 2 months. The "winners" of the race were, of course, the ancient Americans. They were here thousands of years before any Europeans. Well, duh. Right?

Imagine my chagrin, when my 5-year-old daughter comes home from school singing a song about how Christopher Columbus discovered America.

Go figure. Just wait 'til the book comes out...

Finished! Hurray!

I just heard from my editor - she's accepting the final draft! The consultant liked what I did with the revisions -and that's it! My first book!

I won't see it again until it's in the final layout - probably having been trimmed a bit (I was a wee bit over my word count). I can't wait to see what it looks like at the end.

It's been a really great process. I've learned a lot about the subject. I hope I've learned a bit about the process - and that I'll be on the list to have more assignments.

I still can't believe it - does this mean I can return all my library books?

Finished?

Thank you to everyone who has proofread, and those who have sent kudos. It's been so helpful to get your feedback, and positive thoughts.

I think I'm finished. My editor has tentatively accepted the text, and we're just waiting to hear back one last time from the consultant on the details. The next time I see it, it will look a lot more like a book! I can't believe it's done! I really can't wait to see the end result, but it may be a couple of months.

I'll be sure to keep you all updated!

3rd Draft

I'm really happy with the response from the editor - she was very happy with the sections on the Vikings and Columbus. I don't feel like quite the imposter I did at the beginning.

Unfortunately, I have to rewrite the entire text of the Paleo-Indians, or rather ancient Americans. We're talking coastal route, rather than land bridge. I've got some great suggestions from our consultant, though, and I think it will be fine in the end.

It's actually due back to the editor on Columbus Day. How ironic. Hmm.

I so hope that there will be other assignments after this - I am having fun!

2nd Draft

The second draft was submitted to my editor on Friday - I've already heard good reviews from her and the manuscript is now off to the content consultant. I'm kind of shocked - and I fully expect more revisions! My second draft was significantly different than the first - I had a week to revise!

I anticipate that my section on the Paleo-Indians might need to be changed - I took some liberties with generally accepted theory (basically, I combined two theories). I'm hoping she likes it, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to pick one rather than having a combination.

I feel really good about it at this point!

Next step

I just received the first round of revision recommendations from my editor.

I'm pleased with her feedback - she was complimentary on my focus, and has some great, specific suggestions with how to add some more dramatic flair. I took a few liberties in my first draft that I need to reel in, and I need to add some more action.

I feel good about it - but I have a fair amount of work to do in revising mode. The next draft is due one week from tomorrow. I'm on it!

One week to go

I'm working on my third draft, and I think it's pretty good. I've had some great feedback, and hopefully, it will be what the editor is looking for! I'm working on my back matter this weekend, and should be right on target for my deadline of next Friday.

Thanks to everyone who has sent their good wishes! I appreciate them all! (And to all of who have offered to proof my drafts for me -- Thank you!)

Done!

The final first draft has been submitted! I sent it to my editor tonight - 4 days early! I decided that I'll only be staring at it, changing little picky things here and there if I waited. This way, hopefully, we can start the editorial process!

I am very excited to see what comes next! Thanks to all my well-wishers!

First Draft Done!

I've finished my first draft! It's crappy and needs lots of revising - for one thing I'm over my target word count by almost 400 words. But, the hard part is done.

I've got a few volunteers to read the first draft - and the editor gets it on September 19. I've still got all the back matter to complete before then.

Yay!

Three weeks to go

My first draft is due to the editor three weeks from today. Yikes! I've got the draft of a first chapter completed - all three "teams" are preparing for their journey to the New World. Chapter two will be focused on the journey itself. Chapter three is the arrival. Chapter four, wraps it all up.

So, I guess I'm 25% there -- except for back matter, glossary, bibliography, fun facts...

I have a self-imposed deadline of the 12th, and then I'll be looking for critiquers to take a look at the draft.

Research Update

For those of you keeping score...it's research: 1, Kris: 0.

Actually, it's not really that bad. I had company all weekend, so I'm feeling a bit behind. But, I skipped the gym last night (gasp!) and went to the library instead to get a couple of hours of quiet time. I've started writing the first section and, although it's very very rough, it feels good to have some actual writing done.

So far, I feel like the Native American research is hard to find. I feel like Columbus was not a very nice man. And, Leif Erikkson should have been a pop star. Oh, right, that was Leif Garrett! I'm getting punchy...

Research

I haven't done this much research since grad school! For a 2000 word manuscript, I've got at least 25 books out of my local library. Actually, I've got almost 50, but the rest are from the Children's room and those aren't part of the research.

The hardest part right now is deciding which theory of the first Americans is the one I want to use for the book. There are at least three viable options for when the continent was first populated. Most of my research has been trying to figure out which is the most viable (and of course interesting to third graders). Columbus and the Vikings are well documented so there's not much deviation - I just need to figure out which angle to write from.

I'm having a blast!

Discovering History

So, it's not like anyone reads this blog, right? It's been quite a while since I've updated...lots of excuses -- started a new job, summer activities, blah, blah, blah. I haven't had time to write at all, let alone update my blog, right?

Yesterday, however, I was offered a contract-for-hire opportunity to write a title for Capstone Press' Racing for History series. An actual contract. To write something. Whoo-hoo!

So now, I'll MAKE time to write, as my first draft is due in about 4 1/2 weeks.

I've always loved history, so I'm thrilled to be working on this project. Yeah!

Don't Give Up!

I did, indeed, attend the New England SCBWI conference in Nashua, NH this past weekend. I'm invigorated, motivated, and generally excited about what I experienced. I met some very nice people who are "pre-published" and attended some wonderful sessions. Laurie Halse Anderson was the keynote - wonderfully honest and hysterically funny - I'm committed to trying to find 15 minutes every day to work on my craft. Though, part of me thinks "there's no way I'll ever be that good."

I had a chance to meet one of my critique partners (in person!) and made some great new friends.

That aside, last week was pretty sucky. My purse (and all it's contents including credit cards, check book, license, flash drive, and ipod) was stolen. It's been discouraging and sad trying to replace things I thought I couldn't live without.

Happy [Belated] Valentines Day

Well, so much for updating weekly...

It's been a busy month with vacation, and procrastination, and other distractions.

As for the update...I finished the Cobblestone proposal on the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The deadline was February 1, but I haven't heard back yet, so my research for that article is on hold. I'm also waiting to hear about a story I submitted to Spider magazine back in September.

I'm hoping to attend the New England SCBWI conference in April in Nashua, NH. I need some motivation! I'm definitely in a funk right now with my writing. Should I pursue it, or just give up!!??

Happy New Year

Well, it's 2008 and I've taken the last several weeks off from anything to do with writing. That's not exactly true, I've staying in touch with my crit group. I got a great self-editing book for Christmas. I've been working on a proposal for Cobblestone Magazine. And, yesterday, I got a really helpful "free-tique" from Cynthea Liu (see my links) for one of my picture book manuscripts. Thanks, Cynthea!

My new year's resolutions are the same, really, as they always are. Lose 10 pounds. Keep writing. And this year, I'd like to attend the New England regional SCBWI conference in Nashua, NH.