What a Week!
To listen to the post, press the Play button below:
This week was a milestone week for me. I sent the June Rymellan story and the time travel fantasy to my editor. The Rymellan story is called Crossroads, and the fantasy is called Threaded Through Time. I feel especially good about the fantasy because I took a leap of faith and scheduled the editing date back in February, when I was only halfway through the first draft. I'm usually not reckless that way, but there was a reason for my madness.
When I was working on The Salbine Sisters, I finished the first draft and then contacted my editor to book the editing. At that point, it was May, 2010. Her earliest available slot was in January, 2011. Ouch! I was going to ask her to recommend another editor, but then I got a break. An author booked for August wasn't sure if his manuscript would be ready, so he agreed to be bumped and I took his spot. He'd probably done the same thing I did for Threaded Through Time—booked his spot well in advance.
I'm friends with my editor on Facebook, and back in February, she mentioned that she was already booked into April. I thought, "Oh boy, if I wait until I'm finished the first draft of the time travel fantasy to book an editing date, I probably won't get a spot until the fall." So I went ahead and set a date with her, and then crossed my fingers and put my nose to the grindstone. I came in well under my target date, and now I have a good idea of how long it will take me to write and edit the sequel. I'll be able to book an editing date in advance with more confidence.
Yes, there will be a sequel. A few weeks ago I said that I was considering a sequel and that I wanted my beta reader's feedback before I made a decision. It turns out we were on the same wavelength, so the story I just sent to my editor is actually Threaded Through Time, Book One.
When I posted my 2011 release schedule, I also said that I was going to write a science fiction story over the summer and that I'd start the sequel after that, if there was going to be one. I've changed my mind. I'm starting the sequel in a couple of weeks. The characters want it, I want it, and I might as well write it while Book One is still fresh in my mind. I'm hoping to release Book Two by the end of the year.
On a different topic, I've tinkered with my website. The most noticeable change is that I've done away with the WIP page. My feeling was that people visited the page to find out when a book or story would be released, not for the nitty-gritty details. I've posted my 2011 release schedule on the homepage, where it's easy to find.
I'm also doing a little experiment. I'm going to offer an audio version of lengthier posts and see how many people listen, rather than read. If I see that there's interest, I'll continue to do it. This week's audio is available at the top of the post.
That's all for this week. Have a great weekend!
