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Saturday 28 April 2012

Update

I didn't want to write another post until I knew what was happening and thus has something to talk about, but today I received an email from my ed (yes, I am allowed to call her my ed, squeal) giving me the go-ahead on my new idea. And yes, it is a Saturday!
As she had promised, she phoned me a couple of weeks ago (less than a week after sending me the rejection email), and we chatted for forty minutes, discussing a whole range of things. I'd sent her three story proposals and there was one particular aspect of one that caught her attention. We talked some more and eventually came to an agreement of what the trope for the new book would be and discussed ideas to make it more twenty first century. She encouraged me to write character sheets for the h/h and I can honestly say they were a revelation to me (something for another post). Anyway, having sorted out my characters and the background of the story, I emailed her my main idea... and it was shot down in flames! There was little old me nibbling at the invisible barriers of the Presents/Modern line and the ed wants me to smash the barriers with a sledge hammer! Ok, maybe I've exagerated a little...
As usual, she was full of excellent suggestions which sparked further ideas in my brain. This time when I sat down to write the background to their relationship, I was buzzing and could see the h/h and their complexities with perfect clarity.
So, today, I got the go-ahead and a couple of pointers on aspects that could be a potential problem with regards to the h/h's motivations. She's taking a week off now and has asked me to get the first three chapters to her for when she returns and then she is going to call me that week to discuss my progress. As I get extremely angsty if I go for any length of time without writing, ie three hours, I had already made a start (figuring if this version was shot down in flames too, I would simply scrap it and start again) so that gives me plenty of time to finish the third chapter. I can then sit down and make sure that my h/h are coming across on paper as I envisage them in my head.

Thanks for reading, and take care all xxx

12 comments:

  1. Yay Michelle!

    And dammit that story is going to be awesome! If you need a set of eyes on the full before it goes off... :o)

    Lets hope this is 'the one' xxx

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    1. Thanks Aimee, and thanks for the offer - will most likely be taking you up on it!

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  2. Wishing you all the very best, Michelle. My fingers are tightly crossed that your hard graft pays off. Lindsxx

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  3. Oh, I am so glad to hear of your progress, Michelle...very very excited for you....

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  4. Loads and loads of luck, I'm so excited for you xx

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  5. Sri, Charlotte and LC, thank you all so much for your support xxx

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  6. Michelle
    Very very best of luck with this. To be working with an editor this closely must feel like magic -someone to point you in the right direction on a regular basis through a m/s. You've really earnt this chance and I know you will take it!
    Nina x

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    1. You're right Nina - it does feel like magic. I've just got to grab this chance with both hands and work my butt off! xxx

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  7. Ooh, excitement! Onwards and upwards :)

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