But the version I am sending back, even after catching some motivation issues, adding some backstory from COMPULSION for people just coming into the series, and addressing queries from my copyeditor, I still managed to trim almost 4,000 words out.
4,000 words.
Those words came out of the manuscript bloodies and screaming, and damn, they fought not to go. But I won.
Was it worth it? I think so. I hope so.
Tonight, this is what I look like. (Okay, I've kind of looked like this for weeks, but still . . . )
And this is what it feels like to be a writer. Every. Single.
Hoping I got to 5 overall, but gotta say there are some brief glimmers of 6. (And I don't often say that about my stuff.)
And then there was this, which is silly but still made me laugh.
Also, psst, if you haven't got COMPULSION yet, my publisher is running a promotion at B&N and Amazon for the e-book. You can get it for $1.99!
This Week's Giveaway
I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN
by Jandy Nelson
Jude and her twin brother, Noah, are incredibly close. At thirteen, isolated Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude cliff-dives and wears red-red lipstick and does the talking for both of them. But three years later, Jude and Noah are barely speaking. Something has happened to wreck the twins in different and dramatic ways . . . until Jude meets a cocky, broken, beautiful boy, as well as someone else—an even more unpredictable new force in her life. The early years are Noah's story to tell. The later years are Jude's. What the twins don't realize is that they each have only half the story, and if they could just find their way back to one another, they’d have a chance to remake their world.
This radiant novel from the acclaimed, award-winning author of The Sky Is Everywhere will leave you breathless and teary and laughing—often all at once.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congrats on finishing your copyedits! That must be very exciting (though I'm sure it was loads of work). :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've been dying to read I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN, so...
It's sooooooo good! And you'll see. It's always both nail biting and a huge relief to turn an edit in! : ) In this case, I was super nervous, but my editor is a champ.
DeleteI'm sure it will rock, just like Compulsion!!
ReplyDeleteAnd it is awesome! :)
thank you so very much :)
Thank you! Sending you a huge hug for that. XO!
DeleteCan't wait - I know it's going to be fabulous too!!!
ReplyDelete<3333 Thanks, Jemi! I hope it turns out. It's always impossible for me to tell. I want to go back to that phase that my kids are in now, where everything they do is wonderful. Oh, to have that kind of confidence (or delusion) -- Of course, THEY are wonderful. (Proud mom.)
DeleteIt must have been a wonderful feeling to send that off. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rosi! Good and bad. You know that feeling right?
DeleteIt will be awesome! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ashley! : ) Hope so!
DeleteI believe you deserve around of applause! Your perseverance is phenomenal! Unfortunately, I've never bypassed step #4 in writing one of my stories. Maybe one day . .. . Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Huvi! And you will. I keep saying this, but it bears repeating. Doctors, lawyers, violinists, even teachers train for YEARS before they are turned loose on their chosen professions. Why do we think it takes less time to write something that has few rules and much fiercer competition? Hang in there and keep working, and give yourself credit for all you're already doing!
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ReplyDeleteThanks for the amazing chance :D
ReplyDelete: ) Good luck!
DeleteI wish I was ore creative but i alway end up crossing over to the dark side lol. I do want to read this book though so thanks for the chance!! *hugs Martina*
ReplyDelete<3 Britt
You're a reader, and we need those as much as we need writers. So thank you for that! And you'll love I'll Give You the Sun!
Deletefunny process list
ReplyDelete: )
DeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDelete: )
DeleteI really want to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDelete: )
DeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway!! Have a great week!
ReplyDelete: ) You too, Rachel!
DeleteCongratulations on tackling that tough rewrite and finishing. I'm sure it's going to be great. Compulsion was so atmospheric I can't wait to enter that world again. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tricia! I can't wait to share it and see what people think. The atmosphere is the same, but it gets in to the gifts and the history even more, with lots more magic and eeriness, but obviously not enough to give us all the answers.
DeleteCongrats for finishing your copy edits! You must feel a sort of sense of relief. I'm sure it's going to be a big success like Compulsion! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie! LOL! It's a huge relief. And I truly, truly hope that it will end up being successful. The last thing I want to do is disappoint anyone who enjoyed Compulsion!
DeleteCONGRATS on finishing those copyedits you worked so hard on!! Wow, and trimming 4K words. Go, YOU!! Can't wait to read the next book. :)
ReplyDelete