I now have 14 days left until deadline, but the ASKING FOR IT revisions are going well. I’m excited about what I’ve written the past couple of days. I can see why people enjoy writing suspense, because when exciting stuff happens, you write faster! At least, I do.
Joe won’t wear suspenders
I am deep in rewrites for Asking For It. My editor, Grace, and I had a discussion about the changes, and the book is going to be fantastic, however, one of the changes we discussed was changing Joe’s profession from Army man to firefighter. I was all gung-ho, until I started enacting the change.
He didn’t take well to being a firefighter. The words that had come from his mouth didn’t feel right for a firefighter to utter. I think it’s because in my mind soldiers are raw, gritty and unashamedly aggressive–living, breathing hunks of masculinity. Firefighters, on the other hand, are like contemporary knights–noble, brave, and honorable–living, breathing hunks of chivalry. They’re sort of evolved and a little more civilized.
I know I’m stereotyping, but there ya go. A man’s profession is vital to his character. And Joe’s just not liking the idea of being a firefighter. Not. One. Bit.
Sorry, Grace.
Where’s that Drawing Board?
…because I need to get back to it. Grace had many good things to say about Asking For It, but also identified many major problems, so many that she can’t offer a contract yet. I’ve been invited to revise and resubmit.
Needless to say, I’m disappointed. There’s a lot of work ahead. A lot. I think I may have to write two thirds of the book anew.
Yeah. I don’t want to think about that right now. Still in the “licking my wounds” phase.
The Wait
So, my editor, Grace (I love that name), has my manuscript. Tomorrow she’ll have had it a week. If I had nails, I’d be biting them. (They’re in very sorry shape from all the water exposure at work.) I really am dying to know what she thinks.
It’s a little ridiculous to take so long writing something and then be impatient afterward. Oh, well. It’s not like I don’t have Woman’s World stories I need to write.
