First up, ROW80 updates. It's been a good week for me. I've gotten a fair bit done on Verity but I'm still stuck on the same problem. It's at 62k right now and basically needs one or two chapters adjusted and a little bit of rewriting once I figure out how to link the new and old stuff properly. If/when I figure out that niggling problem, it's done and I'm on to Taunt.
One of my original ROW80 goals was to edit Verity and, technically, I have so I sort of feel like I've accomplished something in January. The best bit is that I don't hate the story and I'm enjoying the characters again. I told my OH earlier that I think I might actually be done with it this year. So whoop whoop for that. One month done, lots of up and downs, but I'm a happy camper. :) Hope you're all feeling optimistic for February!
ETA: Okay, been waffling to my OH again. The poor thing (he's not a reader) has no idea what the book is about or who the characters are but he helped me figure out how to bridge the gap I've been moaning about. It's just for now so I have an actual complete story to edit but it might work long-term. We'll see. It'll bulk up the action, which is good because I'm crap at the romance. I feel a little guilty for what I'm putting these kids through. :D
On to other schtuff. Fellow ROW80er, Vicki Keire, author of Gifts of the Blood, made me cry this week. Actual tears, people. She gave Thirst a really generous, thoughtful review on her blog. See, I'm not used to people talking about stuff I've written. When Andrew Mocete interviewed me, he did a little intro about Thirst and said what it was about and I swear, I was on a high for days. Days. That stuff is addictive. My stories are in my head, I talk about them to nobody, yet the characters are like family so when somebody else "knows" them, it gets to me. Sad, I know!
Congratulations on Verity. Its great that your works being recognised.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for Verity, sounds to me like you've done really well. :)
ReplyDeleteThat *is* a wonderful review--awesome. (It also made me want to check out the book!) And well-done on Verity.
ReplyDeleteWhen the reviews for Hush Money started coming in, I giggled, grinned, and wept a lot (she says, as though this doesn't continue to be a thing.) Glad to hear it's not just me.
ReplyDeleteVery exciting to be on the verge of completing something you worked so hard on. Here's to your continued success!
ReplyDeleteThanks all. I'll probably be back to whinging next week so I'm making the most of the joy for now. Just finished Verity (well, I have a full draft ready for an edit) so I'm feeling good.
ReplyDeleteYour post left me breathless. You are totally rocking! Way to go. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your rave review! And just so you know, you're not alone. My hubby doesn't read either and or what my book is about...but he does help me with some of the details as my MC is a chef and he is a former chef :)...but he still has no clue as to what I'm doing!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the intervies and review. Really wonderful! I know what you mean about the romance. Just went through that one too. You had a great January - on to the next month!
ReplyDeleteGo Claire! I'm stoked you had such an awesome week. Yay for getting the first draft completed.
ReplyDeleteI totally cry when I get good reviews too. :)
Hey Claire - how exciting!!! I love when the feedback turns into a feedback-loop, where you crank on the writing and....more people like it....so you keep on with the writing :-)!!!
ReplyDeleteI mainly write poetry and damned if my husband doesn't loathe it. Not his fault, and he'll read mine if asked, buuuuttt it's asking a Lot. So here's to understanding partners, and what they do for us!
Congrats on your week, I'm excited to hear how you are doing on Wednesday (if it's anything like this week!) I'll definitely find time to check the interview.
Don't be too jealous of my cooking skills - dinner was pretty good but I gave myself (thankfully, noone else!) a terrible, terrible stomach ache ;-)
Sounds like you made a lot of progress! I love getting through the first draft, even though I know there's a lot of editing and tweaking to do later. And I LOVE it when people like my work. Keep riding the high, Claire!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on meeting your goals, and on the positive reviews! It's true that we try not to think about readers as we write, but getting positive feedback is so helpful afterward.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one with an OH who doesn't like to read. :D
LOL @ Shari!
Congratulations on finishing Verity, and on the great review! I hope you continue to enjoy this high for days and days to come. :)
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