There it is–my book. My sporadic summer writing schedule has significantly changed my timeline. I’ve completed only one entire revision beginning to end with several smaller scene fixes. Just before we left on vacation I printed it out so I could work on it in the car. (Who was I fooling?)
This week I took my daughter to her orthodontist appointment. I’m always scrambling at the last minute to find something I can work on while I wait for her. This time I had the perfect project. I grabbed the box housing my manuscript and a pen. The time passed far too quickly in the tiny waiting room. The pages I worked on are filled with scribbled notes waiting for their turn on the keyboard.
A separate page contains ideas for yet another query letter. That thing is a beast to write. I’ve been working on it off and on since mid-March. When I think I’ve finally written a winner, I realize it’s only a shorter synopsis than my last attempt instead of a true query. But I’m hopeful that maybe, just maybe, my new letter is an actual query.
I’ve reworked the first five chapters to be submission ready. Now for the rest. Perhaps by August I’ll be making trips to the Post Office and sending off large manilla envelopes. Whew–I get butterflies just thinking about that!
This is so exciting!
good for you! Someday I’d love to see the query letter that sticks.
Kate, I think that photo is priceless. Who would ever think of taking a picture of their manuscript with a pen on top but a true blue, never give up writer!! Don’t give up, you’re going to make it! Just looking at that photo makes me happy. I remember at age ten getting so excited to buy a yellow pad and a box of pencils, because I was going to be a writer!! That photo of yours sure brings up a lot of emotions for me, thanks for sharing.
I honestly think that in some ways the query letter is harder to write than the manuscript, don’t you?
Ooops, That was me–I forgot to put my name/email in there, I guess. I thought my google account would automatically log me in.
@Kimber, I agree the qery letter is harder and more nerve racking. It has to be perfect.