It's a waiting game...

Only one refusal- pink slip - sofar from those five agents. One acknowledged my submission (thank you!) but nothing from the other three. I haven't started another novel yet. Too much going on at home to concentrate, and I am seeking ideas.

My creative spark is dim...needs igniting!

Ready to go!

I'm done...I think. Now to compose the killer query letter and approach some agents. A terrifying step and I have little idea how to make this succeed. I've read a lot of suggestions, and have a smattering of understanding, but dread those awful, "Thanks, but no thanks" responses. It's not about being rejected, more about all the work being wasted!

I now need a new idea for the next attempt, as I know that is a good step - get another book going asap...

Almost done with first and second drafts

Completed the penultimate chapter of the novel today. I have the ending mapped in my head, and it is actually written on my brain. Now to commit to paper! My writing style means I not only get those ideas down, but I edit as I go. Not recommended by anyone as far as I know, but I am finding I cannot do this any other way. It comes from all those years of preparing lengthy papers for my degrees, when I found the same issue. I cannot let mistakes go by if I see them! Anal!
However it makes the editing much easier when I finally reach that point. I wonder if it really matters how you do this writing thingie, so long as you get it done.

Writers Block?

Now nearing the culmination of my novel - approaching both climax and culminating point - I am stuck with a mind block that defies me. I know how the characters want their story to end, but do I want the same. I have two very different avenues to take, and am so undecided and sitting on a most unomfortable picket fence!

So, who will win - depends, and I may have to write two versions - a good idea, and I only just thought of it!  Off we go again...

The novel has a life of its own!

Interestingly, my novel draft is taking on its own life!  The characters are telling me how they want to proceed, and I may agree.  There are two directions as I approach the third part...and I am undecided.  Who is in charge? Darned if I know.  Maybe many writers find this happening.  You plan it out, then find yourself in a segue - not necessarily good - but it may take you somewhere more thrilling or of interest to the reader.  Hmmm...now I must decide which way a reader would prefer, then NOT do that?  Do I want to surprise the reader, shock them, or satisfy?

A review I am proud of!

My first book, "Panama? Why Panama?" has been reviewed by Premium US Reviews and the result follows:

Panama? Why Panama?
by Iris M. Todd-Lewis
Trafford Publishing

reviewed by John E. Roper

"I guess it's my Parisian French spoken with an English accent that confuses them? If one more set of eyes roll into someone's forehead I'll smack him or her!"

Life in exotic destinations intrigues us, and due to this an entire subgenre of true adventure books revolving around the building projects of individuals determined to carve out a new life for themselves in a foreign locale have emerged. Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence along with Frances Mayes' Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy may be the premier examples of writing in this field, but newcomer Todd-Lewis' book seeks to do them one better by recounting her and her husband's experiences a full two and a half years before they ever emigrate!

Based on her ongoing blog but expanded for this format, the author's book starts out with the couple's decision to move somewhere close enough to Canada for family visits yet far enough south to be better for Iris' arthritis. After some careful research Panama is selected, and thus begins the long and frequently frustrating odyssey of trying to build a house in another country while closing down life in your own. In a weekly series of posts Todd-Lewis takes her readers on a lively and often humorous trek through foreign red tape, banking delays, building issues, house renting (and selling) hurdles, and the ever-looming anxiety of trying to unload a business that no one either wants or seems able to buy.

Written with transparency and a personable manner, Todd-Lewis' narrative retains the newsy appeal of a blog but with the clear beginning, middle, and end that a book requires. As a postscript she even includes a critical analysis of some of the decisions she and her husband made along the way to help guide future emigrants in their own moves. Overall, the author has constructed an enjoyable and well written memoir that practically begs for a sequel.

RECOMMENDED by the USR                                        

©2015 All Rights Reserved • The US Review of Books

Needless to say, I am elighted and agree with every word!  The sequel has been written and is out there for sale as "Postcards from Panama", also available through Trafford.

Update

Slow going again.  I want to get to the editing stage, but there is still a way to go before I can start.

This past week, I discovered I had sold all four books I placed at a local B&B, so I will collect the money and have left some more books.  These were my first book "Panama? Why Panama?" and I have personly sold about a dozen.  The sales are low with such a niche market and my royalty checks are very small!

The cover of my second book "POSTCARDS from PANAMA"

2015 - Resolved to complete the latest effort

After more than two weeks hiatus, my mind is running at full tilt with ideas for the next several chapters.  The brief rest must have done me good. I feel ready to tackle the second half of this novel!

Writing is a marvellous outlet, but one must be prepared for the down moments when it all seems to be trite and not worthy of a read. The editing process is hardest, according to my experience so far, and until that first draft is down and ready for the process, it is mostly fun just madly writing and not worrying where you are going. I think I take a lot of sidebars, but that can be fixed, and right now my challenge is timing - when what happens, to whom, in what order. And does it dovetail with other events and persons in the tale?  That will be a huge challenge when I edit - especially if I haven't kept good enough notes.  My outline helps, and I even laid it out in years with events for each one. Hope that worked!

Back to the computer. I picked up a 32G drive for back-up while away. One never knows!

Slower going than I would prefer

I'm back in the "groove", I suppose, but I feel undirected still.  I think I need to plan some more scenes.  obviously, I work best with an outline, but I finished that a while back, and am sort-of heading towards an ending with a few major moments to craft.

Writing should be disciplined, indeed!  Not a strong point with me, but I did well when I started this story.  I am interested in what will happen to these characters - they are beginning to demonstrate a will of their own.

Back on track, I hope!

I'm writing again, and book 2 of the 3-book novel is moving again.  Ideas are springing about in my head now, and perhaps I can keep this on the move for a while.  Book 3 is also percolating, but I refuse to even begin the outlining as I need to complete this phase while sane!

I have no idea how long the process will eventually take, but it would be nice to find an agent and publish in the coming year.  Why not?  Think big, right?  My heroine seems to be in control, so should I...

Writers' Block?

My progress has slowed....I tried to plan ahead for added scenes, but I have used my original outline, and have a lot of territory to cover before the ending of this Book 2.  There are too many possibilities perhaps, and I need to sort what is necessary and what would be padding.
Tough time...

Revising that next novel

Having thought deeply, and concerned that I need a full length novel, I have revised my novella and the book I am working on, to become one novel with three books therein.  Book 1 will be the novella, Book 2 will be the current book, and I have my plans for the third Book.

I believe this is an improvement and will result in an adult oriented, full length novel that may especially appeal to women without being a Harlequin!

I am enjoying the process of writing but I struggle with "show, don't tell"!  I am only on th efirst draft of Book 2, so lots of time to revise.  Not my favourite part...

Some agents respond

I have had three responses thus far, ranging from 'I don't publish novellas...' to 'Not right now for me...', and 'Keep looking for an agent even though this submission is not for me...'.  I have sent courteous thanks to each agent and will keep their names for future consideration.

Meanwhile I have started a sequel to the novella - one that can stand alone, but follows the premise and will hopefully be a novel rather than a novella. My outline is strong, my throughline makes sense, and I have a 'hook'.

I am enjoying the creativity of the first draft, trying not to improve as I go, and waiting for the next stage to alter or adapt anything.  Not so easy when one is somewhat anal in approach!  Disipline seems to be a necessary part of writing.  More on this as we go along...

Progress on the NA novel/novella

My New Adult book is into its third draft now.  My only beta reader is Chris, my spouse, and I could do with two more for this important stage.  He is not enjoying the book very much on a personal level, but whether he likes it is totally beside the point.  I am asking for critique and identification of possible problems with plot, characterization, dialogue etc.  Not to solve any found problems - that is my job.  I am afraid for the time when I will submit this to agents!   The dreaded pink slips could drown me.  Yet, that is the reality of attempting to become an author.  I know all this - but to have an instant success would be a dream come true.
Enough of dreaming.  I already have the follow-up story in my head and have made notes.  The next one will be better as I practice this craft more and more.  It is consuming- it fills one with creativity and notions that I cannot keep up with on the keyboard.  Notes and an outline are mandatory for me - could never wing this!  I have been learning the skills from some excellent books on writing and Writers Digest is helpful.  At the end of the day....just start writing!

I am finding little spare time to contribute to this particular blog, so it is time to connect once more.

The expression, "Time Flies", is certainly proving true for me.  It is sad comment on our lives, that like so many I fail to reserve enough time for those I love most.  I have done this before, and neglecting friendships is tragic.  I treasure my friends, and have made more effort in that direction since moving to Panama, and away from so many people I truly care about. I know there will soon come the day that I will leave this little Paradise and return "home".  After all, paradise is never quite what we expected anyway, and home is wherever you hang your hat.

I have created many homes through my life.  I seemed to be unable to stay in one place for too long.  The longest in one house was actually just short of 13 years.  That speaks volumes.  This itchy feet syndrome must be inbred or inherited?  I actually now yearn to stay in one place, to not just hang my hat, but to bury it in the garden!  I thought the home I am in now might be that place.  But sadly, no.  A new friend told me last year to "enjoy wherever you are, while you are still there" and that seems good advice.

My writing is progressing and consuming much of my thinking hours right now.  After two self-published books about Panama, and a twice rejected children's book, I am attempting a full length novel aimed a the New Adult market.  Some struggles with this first draft, and now I am in the middle section, which is bogging down.  The plan is to keep going. The second draft will sort the grain from the chaff, and the third draft should be polishing!  Dialogue is an enormous challenge, as is the tendency to overuse adjectives.  A steep learning curve is underway.

The beginning...

I have enjoyed blogging about my Panama move and the experiences of that adventure, and now wish to become more philosophical. Not that my thoughts are better than or deeper than, or even more interesting than anyone else, or that anyone might read what I say/write, or perhaps respond. I am willing to take the risk that I will be ignored, to make my comments, remain polite and respectful, and just see what is the result. It may be like a diary, but I do hope I can be much more interesting than that would indicate, and will strive to be thoughtful, or even funny!

I recently completed reading P.D. James one year diary which is an example of excellent writing - yes, somewhat old-fashioned given today's communication style with blogs, text messaging, the overuse of FaceBook etc.  However, I enjoyed her so-called diary because her use of phrasing, her style, is so appealing to me. James loves the English language and written word even more than I do, and her respect for English shows in every line. Despite little formal education, she can teach us all to communicate in a more eloquent manner. I was born too late, I fear to come near  her style, so will try for my own!

By the way, I say her "so-called diary" as it is not really a diary but a fascinating discourse on a wide variety of topics, revealing of her age and time. Yes, she describes some daily doings, which consist mainly of teas, lunches, speeches, travelling around the country, with little or no writing as she is in the process of publishing a book at the time of writing, and says she writes one book per year. Most of her book strikes me as commentary, and philosophizing...

Until the next time, Constant Reader...