Creating an Editorial Map

As you know I'm working on the revisions of my current manuscript. I came across an article from Janice Hardy's Fiction University on how to create an editorial map to help in the revision process. Here is the link: How to Create an Editorial Map

Ms. Hardy is also holding an At-Home Revision workshop in March. Details are on the Fiction University blog.

2017 - A New Year, A New Start

As many of you know 2016 was not a good year for me productivity-wise. I had plans, goals I was going to accomplish in 2016 that were derailed by an unexpected surgery and by the fact that I let things influence my mood by giving them and the people causing them more power than I should have.

I am determined that this will not happen in 2017. I will persevere regardless of who and what I have to deal with this year. When I started thinking about writing this post, I was looking at various posts about managing time better. I ran across a blog called Writers In The Storm. There is a wonderful post by a guest blogger named Janice Hardy titled How The Bad Times And New Starts Affect Our Writing.

To say I identified with what she wrote is an understatement. Everything she dealt with in 2016 seemed to be very close to what I dealt with. This is a wonderful post that applies to anyone who wants to get back on track whether it is writing, weight loss, quitting smoking, exercising more, or anything that you want to accomplish. Take a moment to read it, you'll be glad you did.

Learning to Write

I'd written for years before deciding to seriously pursue publication. Once I started on that path, I realized there were a lot of things I didn't know or didn't know how to do correctly such as point of view, proper manuscript format, and more.

When I decided to submit my story to editors and agents for the first time, I was told I needed a synopsis in at least 2 forms - one ranging from a single sentence to a couple of paragraphs to include in my query letter. The second form was a longer version to submit to an agent/editor upon request along with the first 3 chapters. The general rule of thumb for a synopsis is to summarize the highlights of the story into 4 to 5 pages. My first attempt at a synopsis was 24 pages long. And I felt I'd only included the "important stuff." Luckily, I met a few great women who were more than willing to share their wisdom and their time.

If you live in an area that doesn't have a writing group close enough to join (like me), there are some great places on the web that can teach you what you need to know. One of the best places that I've come across is Janice Hardy's Fiction University - Fiction University    Ms. Hardy has posts on nearly every aspect of writing as well as posts on how to query agents/editors and editing after that 1st draft is finally finished. She also has a section on the writing life.  Just one word of caution, make sure you have a few hours to spend online. Once you get started reading all the great articles posted, you'll lose track of time pretty easily.