I know, I know… I’ve been strangely quiet this week! With my kids off to camp this week (well, one off to camp, the other at Grandma’s & Grandpa’s), I spent the days focusing on my re-write of Shaken. I’m still trying to hit the 60K word goal set for me by two agents at the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference and I’m finally within 2000 words of my goal. I am as pleased as punch, let me tell you! And the best part is that the story is so much better than before. The characters are sparkling, the plot more “twisty” and the action more lively than it was 28k words ago. I don’t feel like I’ve been “padding” the story to reach a word goal. Every time I add a scene, I end up thinking, “Of course! That HAS to be in there.”
I have a few people who will critique it for me, then a little more re-writing and hopefully it will be ready to send to those agents. I’ve also had some inspiration that could potentially expand Shaken into a three-part series.
So, I hope you’ll excuse the quiet week — it’s been well worth it.
For those of you wondering about the progress of “Freedom” the butterfly (see the butterfly saga in the posts The Power of a Name and It is for Freedom… ) she is still in her bungalow with a crumpled wing. We’re feeding her daily and right now she is on the back porch enjoying some fresh air. Unless God intervenes in her life, she will live out the rest of her days with us. Every time she tries to fly, she ends up upside down on the floor of her tent. I told her not to feel too bad. That’s what happens to me when I try to fly, too.
Have a great fourth of July weekend everyone!
GOD BLESS you and CONGRADULATIONS!!
andrea
You used your quiet week well! Those are so few and far between. Glad it was mostly uninterrupted! How wonderful to find those added words were what the story really needed. Sometimes developing a story is like a butterfly developing in it’s cocoon. When it’s fully developed, then it’s ready to be released to fly!
As for Freedom…you’re right, some of us are meant to only let our spirits soar.