Struggling Writers 6

But I'm warm enough, lol. Don't worry Crystal, they'll be along shortly. :)

Dee

Oh, here's everyone!  Hi all!  :)

Hello room... I have been scanning the site for days, partly 'looking for everything i need to submit', but also perhaps procrastinating on submitting!

I have a full ms done with the first three chapters polished and shining, have written and re-written my query (btw, how long of a hook in the query? 25 word? 50 word?)  AND ~  I can't seem to break through the synopsis.  When I am writing it, I am not sure how long it should be???  From what I have gathered, a couple of pages?  And how casual should the voice be?  Like a really excited girlfriend chat, or just the facts?  (I am a nurse, so I know how to do the really dull stuff quite well.)

 Thank you to anyone available to dry me off a bit and put a diaper on.  After my questions are answered, I will consider myself swaddled and content!

The eHarlequin site has a link for a sample query, synopsis and manuscript page here:

http://www.eharlequin.com/store.html?cid=598

I feel your pain; I'm currently whittling my six-page synopsis for Blaze down to two. I'm currently at 2.5, and might just have to call it good as far as length goes. The synopsis is definitely the hardest part of the submission process for me!

Karen

Hi everyone!

I hope you don't mind, but I just stumbled across this thread and it looks like a nice place to hang out. There's nothing like the writing and submission process, so I'm happy to cheer on those in the process and cross fingers with those waiting to hear news.

Briana, you got some great advice. Best of luck with your synopsis fun!

Dee, it's great to "see" you. Looks like you have a nice bunch in here. I'll be sure to visit often and bring my tooty-horns for support. 

Thanks for the warm welcome.  I look forward to continued gleening from the pros.  Have been soaking up a lot of stuff from many threads and archives.  Hope to submit by the end of the month.... if I can muster up the courage!

Briana

I've been lost in the day job of late - really stressful at work lately - so I just wanted to say that I've read the posts and right this minute - I worked to 11:10 p.m. last night - started at 8:00 a.m. - my brain cells haven't floated to the top so to speak.

Welcome to all the newbies!  You will find some outstanding ladies in here, who are published and those of us who are waiting "our time in the sun"!  These ladies give wonderful advice on the publishing world, what it is like to meet those deadlines, those that are self-imposed and those that aren't, and it is just grand.  Pull up a chair and just absorb all that they have to offer!  You won't regret coming in here!

Waving to Biddy - good luck on your ST!

Love to all - I think there is an aspirin on my desk somewhere that's calling my name!  Bye for now!  Jamie

Bernadette – Nine? Nine!? Holy crap. That’s impressive. Best of luck with the process and here’s wishing you some very good luck for Nationals. Nine… sheesh. I’m blown away!

Got it done!  Will re-read tomorrow.  Nothing better to do on a rainy day without the kids, but write, huh?  Thanks again for the comments and suggestions.

Wow, good job on the hard work, Briana and Lou. Looks like you guys have been working hard this weekend. Good for you. Best of luck Briana! Way to go Lou! Keep us posted as to your progress.

Happy writing to all the other quiet ones out there!

My poor hubby... I just made a monster list of household things-to-do for us to accomplish today so we're all caught up around here... so I can focus all my efforts on wips and writing projects this week. He doesn't mind. Not really. He knows there'll be cookies or cupcakes in it for him, to reward the good behavior. Ha. Whatever it takes to ensure I get a solid week of productivity. :)

Best to all.

Great to have you join in. This place is wonderful for finding courage and encouragement, so you found a great spot. 

What line are you targeting, if I may ask? What do you like to read?

I hope you come back soon and get to know everyone here. It’s a great bunch!

That sounds like it’s going to be a demanding job! Way to go. You’ll no doubt find lots of inspiration for stories during your crazy shifts. Glad to hear the job search is over. Hopefully you can find a way to carve time out for writing. Best of luck!

Hello everyone. It's been forever since I stopped by SW's. I miss talking shop. I think my Facebook addiction took over my eHarlequin addiction!

Good to "see" everyone here.

Mary Beth

Lori I checked out your new website and it was a pleasure to read. I have just recently come to the eHar site so do not have any knowledge of what your site looked like previously but the current lay out and white space made for an easy journey. Thanks!

Thank u Lori!! And, yeah...finally my job search is over...i sure do have my work cut out for me...it's gonna be hell of a time for me to squeeze some hrs for my writing...The job so far..well...it's rather gruelling for me as I(being a newbie) have to work office hours for a start(note:9 hrs!)...but i'm gonna start doing shifts from next week onwards i think...

Thank u Tabitha!! Yeah...my plate is definately looking full...Looking forward to learning new things to spice up my ms...

Hello Mary Beth!!

I have been MIA a few days... the business I sold is givng me fits.  I sold it to my sister or the new owner would have probably killed me by now.  Someone hacked the site... well when they changed servers... guess what popped up!!!  OUI!!!!  So I'm behind on critique group, I leave for vacation on Thursday (Bday next Saturday) and then back home and off to DC.  I need to get my pitches together and now I'm reporgramming "my sister's" site this weekend.  I'm in so over my head.  I'm crossing my fingers hoping I come back with SOMETHING from DC to make it all worth while!!!!! :)

I guess today, I am on a writer's high (so to speak).  I officially mailed off my first MS to HAR.. *fingers crossed*.  I have about half the thing to re-write (some continuity details) but other than that, I am ready to send the whole thing in... if, no - when they call... lol!

Lori - LOVED your website!  Will be back to visit soon.  The FAQs were fun!  I actually guzzle coffee while I'm writing.  Will be looking for your poetry book.  I haven't done any poetry myself for decades... you might have inspired me to pick it up a bit... thanks.

Evangeliqa - WTG on the new job!  I also work in healthcare, and quite frankly, have decided that the hospital is crawling with inspiration... although I doubt that many readers would actually believe the stories. i.e: Actually had a pt call 911 on an RN for not giving her enough pain medication...  PEOPLE ARE ODD!  (I have to remind myself of this when I am writing: not everyone is as level headed and intelligent as I am, if they were, the world would not have any conflict, which according to the 'conflict discussion', *wink* this is very important!)

Bernadette - WHEW, girl... my head is spinning for you... Good Luck!

Lou & Elle - I am also struggling with a ms that has a bunch of jigsaw pieces and unruly characters that don't seem to want to follow my storyline!  -- my plan is

A) someone will give us some suggestions for raking all this together *hint hint!  

B) Apply what I have read in the conflict discussion (maybe I don't have enough conflict, or the conflict is murky)

C) Redefine my character... or kick her out - she is a little shifty on her personality -recently divorced and way too unstable to be pursuing a love interest so far... maybe she needs more time after her divorce?  lol... I might give her another couple months before I pick her up again -- or maybe the blonde bombshell that irritates her will have to get the guy in this one?  Or maybe it's the guy that is the problem?

Okay, thanks for putting up with my musings, I shall retire to bed, as the paying job has me scheduled for 7 am!

Good luck to all, and to all a good night!

Briana

Hey Lori - not sure how to enter the contest. I know the para says to follow your blog by clicking above. Do you mean by adding it to my favourites or is there an actual place on your blog to click?

Thanks Lori! Boy do I feel dumb - I thought the follow was for something to do with Google. Can you tell that I am just getting into the Facebook, Google and Twitter scene? Anyway I am now following your bllog!

Unfortunately not me. Hopefully next year! have fun to all those lucky to be going!

I can't believe I've been away for so long. We've got a shiny new room and lots of new faces, too! Yay!

Christyne and I will both be in D.C. Expecting to see pictures of, not only the Fecklett, but of your little ones, too, Michelle! I've got to see if I can pin my daughter down long enough to get her picture. She's gone camera shy lately. Must be the age. 

I'm exhausted tonight. Having trouble holding my eyes open. It has definitely been Monday for me. Hoping for a better tomorrow.

trish 

Trish--can't wait to see you and Christyne!  :)

I signed up on eHarlequin a few weeks ago, but this is the first time I've stopped by SW. Linda Atkinson here - pen name Jennie Marsland. I'm working on a historical series - first one is epubbed with Mystic Moon Press - and I'm generally looking for direction to stay afloat in the overwhelming sea of conflicting info on publishers, agents and the business in general. also, somewhere to go when I'm convinced that my writing is crap, lol! Great to meet you all.

Julie~

I like your site...  I too plan to write crap - and be proud of it!

Thank you all for your inspiration.  I enjoy your posts and links.

Briana

Thanks, Michelle. I'm going to check out some websites now, including yours. Mine is http://www.jenniemarsland.webs.com I've got a guest there today, Tanya Hanson. Her award-winning Western Marrying Minda is available now. If you like Westerns, check it out!