Feb 1: My bed is my office for the moment, with everything stationed around me. This is round two for me... In 2009, I had a nibble when an agent requested a partial and then my heart sank when they said, "No thanks."
I'm thankful for the experience. I've kept my rejection email from that literary agent and posted it on my corkboard to serve as a reminder that I can do this. It helps keep me in line and focused. So I take what I've learned and add it to my research pile.
Feb 2: Had to rewrite my synopsis. I've researched the agents’ information to update my notes. My old notes are from 2009.
Feb 4: I'm beyond stressed and out of my mind. I so need a break from my completed manuscript. I want the editing done like yesterday, but again I really need a break.
Feb 6: For the last two days I took advantage and finished up one of my favorite books that I started a year ago. Now I'm antsy. Maybe I should just take a quick peek at Led By Lies.
Feb 8: I broke down. Looked at my manuscript with a fresh mind and started adding additions.
Feb 9: My mind is not allowing a vacation...Ideas for my next book in this series and notes for my previous seem to be on the front burner. Not to mention the editing and merging of additions are bringing chaos to my world.
Feb 10: Distracted and finding it hard to focus.
Feb 11: Midway through my manuscript and my energy is zapped. A friend of mine, told me to push it to the side and take a day off. I told her that it's not as easy as it sounds. I've set a schedule and have disciplined myself to take my writing very seriously. I think of my writing as work.
Feb 15: Now in my third week of prepping for submissions, with sixty pages left, the anxiety has kicked in. I'm no longer stressed. I got over that in week 2 after telling myself that we need to do this the right way and make it count instead of being sloppy and unprofessional.
Feb 16: I'm done with the additions and editing. It has taken me six weeks to get this far. It’s time for a fresh pair of eyes. My manager will read it in hard copy.
Feb 17: Looking over my query and synopsis...AGAIN. I'm starting to see the words dance before my eyes. I'm not sure about my query. There is something missing. Taking a break.
Feb 21: Hmmm...Well my weekend did not work out as planned. Other priorities demanded my attention. It was bound to happen seeing as I put several things off to finish my book, query and synopsis.
Feb 22: Things have settled down and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I must say that it has definitely been an adventurous two months
Feb 28: I've decided to rewrite my query. After doing more research I felt it was too bland.
March 15: It took two weeks to complete my rewrite. I can assure you it had nothing to do with writer's block. It had more to do with endless research, for which I'm very grateful.
March 18: As I bring this diary entry to a close I want to leave you with this: With all of the research I've done in the last year and a half, I've realized that you can never stop learning. A while back I was told that I should have all of my research done before starting a book. Well for me it doesn't work that way. Something always happens with one of my characters that require me to make sure that I have all of the correct information.
From researching a subject, agents or formatting, to traveling and attending conferences I feel that it is imperative that we use all of the resources at our disposal to hone our craft.
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