It happens in your head, voices speaking to you in the shower. It happens on the way to the park, overhearing a quippy phrase that sparks a plot twist. It happens when you steal time to write, write, write while the kids are occupied with an elaborate board game, or a new friend, or their scooters.
But there are times when writing requires devotion: a demanding, all-consuming focus in order to birth that first draft into life or put every last edit into place.
I need to load an entire manuscript into my brain and comb through it for every last detail, every final change to plot or character or tech gadget.
Because I’m sending it out.
Eep. <–this is the sound I make when facing the lion of querying with my tiny slingshot of determination
So I’m taking a blog-cation until September 1st, to get those final edits in place and push this MS out of the nest. It’s time for it to fly (or crash), but first I need to make sure I’ve done everything I can to get it ready to soar. And for that I need focus.
So fear not, lovely blogger friends. I will return in two weeks. Try not to have too much fun without me. 🙂
p.s. the winner of a copy of Hunger Games is … Bryan Russell!!
Now, Bryan is sure to think I rigged this, so I’m including the randomizer number sort I used to select a winner: that little number one in the 20th position means that the 20th commenter was selected winner…
I, on the other hand, believe this is fate’s hand at work! 🙂 Perhaps Suzanne Collin’s prose will convince him of the worth of YA after all.
Best of luck, Susan…but you won't need it.
Good luck with your final edits! :o)
Are you a writer? Then you MUST enter this CONTEST!
Good luck!
Good luck in getting the MS ready! And congrats to Bryan, you lucky devil 😉
Good luck–and this post is soo true, for all of us!
@everyone Thanks so much for the well wishes!
Ha ha ha! I won! This is quite amusing. Now I have to read the book!
And, yes, demanding and all-consuming focus… Especially since I just got new edits back. Focus, focus, focus…
@Bryan You are a tremendously good sport! You just can't resist the hand of fate … 🙂
p.s. good luck on your edits!
I don't blame you for taking a break. Sometimes it just has to happen or the writing doesn't work. We'll all be here when you get back.
Good luck, Susan!
And speaking of writing anywhere, anytime: Today, Raging Waves water park, kids going nuts on the slides w/ friends, no computer to distract me, notebook, pencil, raspberry iced tea. It was magical. 😉
@KarenG I'm missing the blogosphere already!
@Nicki Yay for the writing time! Now I want a raspberry iced tea.
Nose to the grindstone. Have a blast eh?
Get a lot done!!! Will mis syou!
多謝美味的心靈雞湯…...................................................
感謝你的分享 要繼續發表好文章喔..................................................
Good luck in finishing those edits, we'll be here when you get back.
Hey, Sue! Thanks for adding a link to this blog at the Scribblers Cove. Enjoy your editing!
Thanks for inviting me to join your merry band! I also added a link to the Cove on my sidebar –>
Hope you're having a good blogcation.
I'm stopping by to let you know that the Platform Contest is over. Thanks for your help!