Monday 15 March 2010

I am officially the most impatient person in the world.

After a truly pathetic nine day wait, I caved and emailed to double check when I might hear back about my partial.
I know, I know.
I regretted sending it as soon as I'd pressed the button, but it's too late then isn't it?

Thankfully though, they kindly humoured me and sent me some feedback without passing go - although given my email,they probably thought I was about to shove my head in the gas oven and didn't want my over dramatic death laid at their door! :o)

Anyhoo, I have work to do. They said really nice things about the newly revised chapter 1, it's much stronger for losing the child from the plot. Chapters 2 & 3 need work to make them more pacey, and ensure that the tension & sizzle stays as apparent as it is in the opening chapter.
All of the comments make perfect sense, and I can see just what they mean and want me to do to strengthen and tighten it up... am feeling nervous about it though as I've made a start and seem to be stumbling around a bit.
They suggested that I try and relax and have fun with it, so I'm consciously trying to do exactly that, and in doing so I've discovered a neat new trick.
Brace yourselves!
I'm generally barefoot when I'm at home, and usually curl my legs underneath me when I'm writing. But not anymore, ooooh no. In an effort to channel my inner sex kitten (!), I now put on my best high heels especially to write. And even more bizarrely, I think it's having a positive effect!
( Note to self: don't even THINK about getting a feather boa.. )

So, the next week or two will mostly find me editing in my stilettos, and then re-subbing and praying for more patience next time around.

14 comments:

  1. Ooh I think I need to get me a pair of stilettos!! Good that your email worked and sympathy on the revisions - I'm going through revision hell at the moment and just hoping it's all worthwhile in the end :)

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  2. Okay, jealous now! 11 weeks and no word for me... Sigh... Good luck with the revisions. When in doubt rewrite. It's the only way.

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  3. Oh I know a thing or two about killer revisions - at least yours are just on a partial - the one's that I'm living through now are on a full.

    Good luck!

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  4. Hey Rach - Try it, it instantly makes you feel more saucy! Good Luck with the revisions, you can pull this off. xx

    Hi Jackie - are you hanging in until 12 weeks to email them? You have mucho patience, I need to pratice that. Yeah, I'm into the re-writing just now - deleting words you like is hard isn't it?

    Hiya Janette! Ouch on full revisions, but YAY on them too really huh? It's a big step closer to that amazing call, which has to be pretty good really doesn't it. Buckets of luck to you! x

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  5. Had a laugh re stilettos - not that you're doing it - but the thought of me falling flat on my face if I did it. Graceful I am not so I named my daughter Grace in the hopes that she would be. Turned out it's a misnomer.

    Congrats on the feedback. Curious though - did you already finish the entire book prior to submitting?

    Gibb

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  6. Jeez, no Gibb! I wish, but no.
    I hadn't actually written a romantic word at all prior to the chapter I subbed for the comp, although I'd really REALLY wanted to for more years than I care to remember. I think my first posts on here covers it better of you have time for a nose back.. :o)
    You know,I don't actually walk around in the high heels, I kick them off every time I get up because we have wooden floors that dent easily, lol! I would so be flat on my face too, I am just about the clumsiest woman alive.
    Your blog looks so pretty! I'm guessing you have ironed out your problems?

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  7. Thanks re the blog. I'm also technologically challenged but am pretty stubborn. So I forged ahead and got it looking kind of the way I wanted.

    That is so awesome that you nailed it the first time out. Can't wait to find out more about your journey.

    Gibb

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  8. Joanne, last partial was about 17 weeks before I heard back. The editor I'm working with is really busy and I have been warned it could be longer than usual. Sigh. I could email at 12 weeks but I'll probably wait until the 16 week mark I think. The one good thing about waiting is that I've got another completed ms ready to go and one nearly half finished already! Nothing else to do but write. :-)

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  9. Thanks Gibb. xx

    Jackie, you inspire me (and scare me!) with your speed. Hats off to you girl! x

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  10. What a wonderful idea! I wrote my first ever love scene the other night and really wanted some 'get into the mood' music. Maybe all I needed was a pair of high heels :-)

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  11. that sounds like fun! i don't own any stiletto's but just the idea of slipping into something slightly sexy (shoe's i mean!) sounds fantastic. Glad it works for you.
    Patience is such a hard thing! Don't know how Jackie does it :)

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  12. Hang in there, Joanne. My waits were pretty killer. :-) Good you have some feedback though

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  13. Ohh what a great idea. Think I should maybe go shoe shopping.

    X

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