Query Letter Purgatory

It's not that it's hard, exactly.

It's just that it's hard.

I figure while I'm awaiting feedback from my editor *coughsistercough*, I may as well accomplish something. So, even though I'm at least one rewrite away from actually sending out queries, I can get the letter ready-ish.

The cool thing is there is an incredible amount of help online. Thus far I have discovered:
agentqueryconnect.com and queryshark.blogspot.com. FABULOUS.

Now, if only I could get it exactly right...

Book Review: The Sweetest Spell, by Susan Selfors

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Goodreads synopsis:
Emmeline Thistle, a dirt-scratcher's daughter, has escaped death twice-first, on the night she was born, and second, on the day her entire village was swept away by flood. Left with nothing and no one, Emmeline discovers her rare and mysterious ability-she can churn milk into chocolate, a delicacy more precious than gold.

Suddenly, the most unwanted girl in Anglund finds herself desired by all. But Emmeline only wants one-Owen Oak, a dairyman's son, whose slow smiles and lingering glances once tempted her to believe she might someday be loved for herself. But others will stop at nothing to use her gift for their own gains-no matter what the cost to Emmeline. 

Magic and romance entwine in this fantastical world where true love and chocolate conquer all.

My thoughts: 

This book was yummy. 

I'm being serious. A book about chocolate as magic? Yes please!

I've read all of Susan Selfor's YA novels, which are usually set in modern times, with magic as an undercurrent to the real, modern world. I enjoyed them all as light, fun, cute and romantic reads. 

The Sweetest Spell sticks with the formula that magic is more in the periphery rather than the main theme, while telling a story of love, acceptance, friendship in unlikely places and good verses evil, in a mythical renaissance-like world. 

The story has two narrators which is enjoyable. It did take me a couple of sentences in some chapters to catch that a switch between story-tellers was made, but it  wasn't really bothersome. Owen's narration was fun and pithy. Emmaline's is honest and innocent. It makes a nice contrast between the two, while drawing the tale together nicely. 

Like all of Selfor's novels, the story is all wrapped up nice by the end, which I'd say is a spoiler but really, would you expect anything else? 

It's a fun weekend read for sure. 

First Major Rewrite: DONE!

I have the second one coming right on its tail, but the first major rewrite is DONE.

I have officially made it beyond any point of book-writing I've done in the past! GO MORGAN GO!

(Yes, I just pep-squad cheered myself, I'm okay with that.)

My fabulous sister is acting editor right this minute, and as soon as she's done her thing, then begins round two.

I love this work. Rewriting is sometimes a drag, but oh my goodness, I love that there is always improvement (is that weird?). I feel like even when this book is all done, published and in the hands of readers that I'll be like, "Oh, I should have done XYZ on page 123!".

I think that is fine because nothing is ever perfect. We are aiming for near-perfection here, and I'm happy to be working toward it.

I.love.writing.

Social Media says What?

I'm overwhelmed with the task of social-media-ing. I mean, facebook, blogging, pinterest twitter, instagram, oh my! There is so much!

I don't do much of it either. I am on the Facebooks, and then there is this silly little blog. And...that's about it.

I think maybe I should be doing these things? Twittering and instagraming and and and...

oh, there is that bit about writing the actual BOOK that I'm hoping will actually be a BOOK that PEOPLE READ.

But how can people read it?? If no one knows it exists?

See? Full-circle, back to social media.

I am failing at something I haven't even done yet...

Dreaming

I haven't had much time to write this week. It's been a busy, long week. But I find in the rare quiet moments my brain drifts into that spot where the characters are real, and the stories flow. And I'm never near a computer or a post-it.

I need a pen and paper or a recording device or something. I don't know, I just know that if my book was linked directly to my brain the whole thing would be done already.

Why hasn't anyone invented stream of consciouness computing? This is something I would pay money for.

I just know that so much of my life is NOT writing. But much of my thinking is.

That *should* count for something.

Shoot.

All in a Day's Work

I so wish there were more hours in the day.

I know! It's ridiculously cliche to feel that way, but it's true. I can not get everything done that I need to, let alone the things I WANT to. Children must be educated, fed, cared for, loved on, laundry done, meals prepared, errands run, on and on and on...

And what do I WANT to be doing?

Playing my cello or piano, reading books to the kids, reading my own books, napping and oh yes, writing that book of mine.

I find moments to squeeze most of what is required of me, some of what would be good to get done and almost none of what I want to be doing in a day.

I need to work on balance more. But really, with five tiny children, there isn't much wiggle room.

Unless I get less sleep, which doesn't sound appealing.

I better stop writing this blog post and get to work!

Insanity, Thy Name is Author

I found a new character yesterday.

I wasn't expecting that. I mean, I'm in editing! I wasn't expecting that rewrites would birth NEW people to deal with.

This book-writing thing is an absolute trip. I texted my sister (aka EDITOR-FANTASTIC) to explain the new character (I am ruining everything she is trying to edit) and told her that when stuff like this happens (Characters appearing and talking to me in my mind), I feel literally insane.

Or perhaps, a more apt term- literarily insane.

Yes, that's it. I am literarily insane.

And I kind of like it.