"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Once More Unto the Breach, Dear Friends...

Five years ago, after the birth of my first daughter, I began an historical romance manuscript with the title Stone of Destiny. Like every great pantser, I just started writing until I hit a wall at about 25,000 words. I left it sitting in a drawer.
Two years later, after the birth of my second child, I picked it up again. This time I wrote a partial outline and picked up the story where it left off. I finished the manuscript at about 70,000 words. Not long, but an adequate length…or so I thought. (See Word Count Woes for why).
Not wanting to wait for the birth of a third child to finish it, I pulled it out again in November. This is the first story I ever pitched to an agent.  In November 2011 I pitched the manuscript to an agent at a writer’s conference. She requested the first three chapters and a synopsis. I sent her both and a few weeks later I received my first rejection. She said they had too many historical under contract at the time and she gave me some helpful comments and advice. I stuck those in the drawer with the MS.
Two months ago, I pitched the same story to an agent at another writer’s conference. After my initial pitch, we discussed my project for a while and she asked a lot of questions. In just twenty minutes, she was able to give me some excellent advice about the story. Some things I couldn’t believe I had not caught myself. Her final advice “Take a few months away from it. Return, fix the mistakes, add about 30,000 words and send it to me.”
So, now I’ve taken a few months away. My first day rewriting and editing?  I’ve just trashed half of chapter two and may eliminate it altogether. I’m revisiting my outline.  I still feel the story ends just where it should, but I can see some holes leading up to the climax, actually the climax itself has a big hole.
So, here I go. Once more unto the breach, dear friends...

15 comments:

Aimée Jodoin said...

Good luck, Sylvia!

ejwforeman said...

Good luck! I am glad you haven't given the project up. It'll feel that much better when you're done with it!

Annalisa Crawford said...

Good luck! I love the feeling of a MS that needs re-writing - I may even prefer it to writing the first draft.

Angela said...

Good luck! The fact that you've garnered attention is fabulous. I hope you can pick up where you left off and do exactly as you plan.

Callie Leuck said...

All that work wasn't for naught -- it got you here! Good luck with the rewrite. :)

Carolina said...

Ohhhh, Good luck!!! Very exciting!

Susan Kane said...

Happy writing! This sounds like something could really happen.

Unknown said...

That's good motivation to do some more work. Happy writing, Sylvia.

Rob-bear said...

The good news is
1. you are writing, and
2. you have been given some good advice.

Here's to more writing for you! I hope the project is a success.

Anonymous said...

This is great news! The universe forcing your hand, if you will. :) Good for you! Congratulations and good luck but I know you'll be just fine! I raise my celebratory glass in advance! Cheers! :D

Pat Carroll Marcantel said...

May the Force be with you, Sylvia! God Bless your work.

Nicole said...

Good luck! That's so exciting.

Sylvia Ney said...

Thank you all for the encouragement!

Sylvia Ney said...

Thank you all for the encouragement!

LM Preston said...

We are cheering for you!