Lanelle Hall's Blog, page 2

Querying?

I've never thought of traditionally publishing, never.  
Which is weird because I'm sure that's the goal of most writers, being on authortube has brought it into my mind.  Why not traditionally publish?  (or try anyways.)  I've always assumed it was this impossible intimidating vortex of being rejected.  Or being accepted and paid very little while waiting years for your book to come out.  But the closer I get to finishing MB the more the idea of it intrigues me.
This maybe premature and I might change my mind but I think I'm going to start querying to literary agents.  
Yes, to be traditionally published.  
This is a huge thing for me because I've never thought of doing it, I've been adamant about self publishing for years, but why not?  Why not try?  I have nothing to lose in the process except being told no which is life.  Mean Boys deserves the chance to be traditionally published so it can get into the hands of as many readers as possible.  So I've decided once I'm done editing and getting the opinions of beta readers I'm going to begin querying.
This is huge but I don't think I realize how HUGE it is.  Of course if querying fails I'll go back to my original plans and self publish.  I wanted to make this post to get it off my mind so I can focus back on editing. 
I'm terrified but excited to try.

Mean Boys is on Goodreads!

Mean Boys is back on Goodreads, please add it to your bookshelves
if you're interested!  Thanks.

Taking a break from social media!

As of today I'm working on chapter 8 of my edits, I had to split a chapter so now my overall amount is 29.  I'm realizing I'm not editing as fast as I'm capable of, for me editing isn't hard.  I think I'm a good self editor and I also use text to speech.  The problem is I get distracted easily.  I've had this problem forever which is why it's taken me so long to get to this point.  So I've made the conscious decision to take a break from social media except YouTube, Blogger, and Facebook (which I'm rarely on anyways).  I want to do it for 30 days to focus entirely on editing.  Soon I'll start job hunting and I know that once I find one I won't have as much time to dedicate to MB.  I want to utilize the time I have now as much as possible.  
The first 10 chapters of MB are the WORST.  They're the longest, I wrote them years ago, and they're in past tense (I changed the story to present).  After I get through those I have a feeling editing will be smooth sailing even with a job, then off to the betas.  I've decided to have a complete document for the beta readers instead of going chapter by chapter because I feel it'll be easier and less chaotic.  Especially for the amount of betas I hope to get.  (At least 10, contact me if interested!)
I've been thinking about my cover and how I want it too look.  It'll be entirely different from the old one, the ideas I have excite me so much!  If done right it's going to be gorgeous , the type of cover you can't look away from.  I'm even thinking of doing a rough sketch so the artist knows exactly what I'm going for.  In YA you must have a cover that stands out, no matter what.  Teens are attracted to vivid pretty things, people are in general.  
I can't wait to start the process, hopefully by October at the latest.
There's so much to do till then.

Over editing!

This is a collage I created of imagery from "Mean Boys".
 I've finished editing the first 5 chapters of 28 and it wasn't easy.  I'm finding that my book needs lots of work, as it should, but also I feel that I'm over editing if that makes sense.  I've only started editing but I'm obsessing over silly things in the book like certain words that are being overused.  Words that must be used for a sentence to make sense.  I want to do three big edits and that's it because I don't want to memorize my story or forever editing it.  The more I read it the more I hate it, I'm sure these are the emotions most authors go through during this phase.  I might have to start searching for beta readers even sooner than I thought and I'm so nervous about that.
 My interest to read has increased ever since I started watching booktube and I'm so happy about that.  After becoming a working adult my reading has been terrible, everything gets in the way.  I realized I've been forcing myself to read books I don't like.  They either don't excite me, are over-hyped, or involve too much romance (I don't like books strictly with romance or a romance that takes over the plot).  This specific channel Jen Campbell is my favorite, I've been going through all of her videos, they're amazing and calming in a way.  She's opened my eyes to books I wouldn't have thought of reading.  
 Hopefully I'll continue editing at this nice pace and not pull all my hair out.

Mean Boys Edit Update #1

I'm not sure if I'll do these often but ever since finishing my full draft I've been anxious to start editing.  The first thing I've done is a read through and surprisingly the plotting isn't as bad as I thought (at least I hope it isn't).  I feel my biggest obstacle is grammar and making sure I don't use words over and over.  Also my draft (with errors still included) is 146k words, around 330 pages.  This book started at 150 pages so I'm proud I was able to expand it as much as I have.  My editing deadline is the end of the summer then it'll go off to the beta-readers (if I have some people rounded up by then).  And my overall publish goal is the beginning of 2018.  There's so much that needs to happen in the next six months but I'm excited to go on this journey!
Also if anyone is curious Goodreads deleted my book but that's the best case scenario for me because I'll be able to re-add and start fresh with a new cover.

I FINISHED MY NOVEL! (Video)

After years of putting this book off, rewriting it, hating it, and ignoring it I can say that I've finally finished Mean Boys!  Sort of.  Now I have to begin the edits but I've never been this far, it's always been me drafting and rewriting but never completely finishing.  I can say now that I've finished and oddly it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  I'm sure that's because I have so much time on my hands and I've been reading which inspires me.  Now the editing process begins, then beta reading, etc.  I'm in disbelief but I'm so proud of myself for finally finishing.  I want to move on to other projects and book ideas so finishing Mean Boys by 2018 is my top goal.
And I made a video on my author channel documenting the entire process.  It's long so grab some snacks (I also cry in it

fears

I have five more chapters of my rewrite then I'll be starting edits.

I'm excited but afraid. 

As an avid Goodreads user seeing all the amazing books, and reading them, makes me feel like why should I even bother?  
My book sucks, it has no hype, and I can't write. 
I don't even have the money yet for an editor or to get a new cover made.  These thoughts keep hammering at my mind and I want to give up so bad.  I know it's my anxiety.  Thoughts like these is why it's taken me so long to write this book in the first place.  I keep having too remind myself why this story needs to be told.  I enjoy writing and I want to share my ideas with an audience.  I'm not special and that's okay.  Back to writing.

gofundme + new Instagram!

Since 2013 I've gone through so much when it comes to my book.  I've rewritten it twice, changed the plot, added more chapters, even changed my author name.  I've done so much to get too the point that I'm at now.  Currently I'm rewriting Mean Boys and am getting to the final chapters.  I'm excited but also nervous because I don't have the funds I need to publish it like I want.  I'm planning too possibly do a gofundme but I'm not sure if anyone will donate.  That worry aside I'm doing everything I can to make sure it's published as soon as possible and praying it makes some kind of impact.  I know it will.
Also I have a new Instagram specifically as an author, please follow me!

In a better place

Sorry about the last urgent post I'm in a much better place as of today, my money issues are becoming stable and I still have a home and food, thank God.  At the moment getting my life together is my top priority, and my health, I was rushed to the hospital some days ago but I'm fine now. 

Soon to be homeless? Please donate!

Like the title says I might be homeless soon.  I no longer have a job due to my mental illnesses, luckily I do qualify for benefits but it'll be awhile before I start receiving money.  Of course I have so many bills due, my family has done everything they can.  I'm not sure what to do.  I've set up donation links on my sidebar, anything will help.

Donate? Buy me a coffee?  Thank you!