Another One Down...

My amazing CP, Robin, just signed with an agent. I am over the moon about this (whatever over the moon means, I think it's a good thing). You should go here or here to congratulate her. She absolutely deserves this. Her novel, LOVESENSE, is unique and funny with great voice and characters that I care about.

Robin also works harder than anyone I know. She wrote LOVESENSE last year during NaNoWriMo just a few days after the birth of her fourth child. I know, I could barely function with a newborn, she wrote a whole book while taking care of a newborn! She's extremely inspiring. You should go read her story. While it was a stressful, nerve-wracking week for her, it was delightful for me to watch agents battle for her awesome story.

In case you're keeping count. That is four of my CPs who now have agents. And, yes, I am the lone wolf still, barely, standing. But I have learned great things from these girls and their agents. And I'm so thrilled for all of them and am their biggest fan.

I'm curious, what are your stories to agent-hood? I love to hear the different ways people find their agents.

Post Traumatic Critique Retreat Disorder.

Robin, Ilima, Me, Taryn, Katie
We are enjoying a dinner at a Winery from my novel.

These amazing writers are my critique partners. We met less than one year ago at WIFYR. Since our amazing class with this lady, we have emailed each other nearly every day. That's right, every day. I don't know what I did before these girls made my inbox implode. We have written hundreds of thousands of words together. We all wrote NaNo together. We've argued over each other's first pages, first chapters and characters' flaws. We have fallen in love with each other's love interests. Right now, I have an ongoing crush on Theron, now Kai, Lancelot and Blue. And as soon as I start Robin's NaNo, I'm sure there will be another.

We've cried in front of each other. Talked on the phone. And tweeted (did I say that right?). I was so happy when every one of these gals answered my invitation for a Writing Retreat with a resounding YES.

We spent this last weekend writing, eating chocolate, talking way too much about fictional characters and caring too much about made up stories.

And we just get it.
We understand what it means to be an artist and a writer.
We know what it means to dream.
We love something we can't stop, even if we tried.

So, I'm toasting my friends with a blackberry Italian soda with a little cream and lots of ice. Thank you for coming and imagining with me.


And, no, I can't tell you the name of the winery. We don't want another Forks on our hands, do we now. Jeesh.

Feeling Vulnerable

Thoughts on letting your manuscript go:

I feel like I’m standing in front of my crit group completely naked. They’re standing there offering suggestions like, “Maybe you could lift here a little,” or “This whole area needs to be tucked, like this,” or “I’m not sure about the coloring.”

*sigh*

And then someone says, “But her eyes are nice.”

Thank you. I’ll focus on that for a few minutes and then get to work on the lifting and tucking—cause you know what—they’re right.

Nothing I can do about the coloring though.

My crit partners are skillful at making me feel good first…and then ‘helping’ me see the ‘problem’ areas. They’re the Best! It’s so great to get fresh eyes on a project. So thanks guys, I don’t know what I’d do without you.

What are your critiquing despairs or triumphs?