If you've been around the site for awhile you've likely heard me mention that I need to edit Dragonborn, the result of my first ever attempt at writing fantasy. In all honesty, I didn't plan to write the story I ended up writing. My main character was supposed to be a woman, a half-breed child capable of controling dragons. Well, when I sat down to write her story, I discovered I didn't know enough of the details necessary to begin.
I was anxious to start writing though. I hadn't written anything in such a long time. Years. Seven, to be exact. So to satify the urgency I decided I'd start writing a history of her world. The novel I ended up with serves as a prologue of sorts. Unfortunately, it's not even a complete one at that. I figured I'd draw it out into a trilogy.
The funny thing is I do like the story even though it's not what I originally set out to do. I've had a couple of beta readers take a look at it and, other than grammar and spelling issues, the comments were mostly positive. It even got a hand-written rejection from Tor.
Yes, I sent it out almost immediately after completing the first draft.
However, two years after sitting it in a drawer and ignoring it, I think it's time to take a serious look at either revising it or pitching it. For the record, I'm not sure I can pitch it.
Here is what I think I'd like to do:
1. Turn this proposed trilogy into a stand alone.
2. Clean up the cliches. (This will only require identifying them, I hope.)
3. Figure out how to write a kick ass synopsis.
4. Query at least 10 agents a week upon completion of revision.
My only question is when do you admit defeat? When do you suck it up and say "okay this one was a failure but at least I learned from it"?
I was anxious to start writing though. I hadn't written anything in such a long time. Years. Seven, to be exact. So to satify the urgency I decided I'd start writing a history of her world. The novel I ended up with serves as a prologue of sorts. Unfortunately, it's not even a complete one at that. I figured I'd draw it out into a trilogy.
The funny thing is I do like the story even though it's not what I originally set out to do. I've had a couple of beta readers take a look at it and, other than grammar and spelling issues, the comments were mostly positive. It even got a hand-written rejection from Tor.
Yes, I sent it out almost immediately after completing the first draft.
However, two years after sitting it in a drawer and ignoring it, I think it's time to take a serious look at either revising it or pitching it. For the record, I'm not sure I can pitch it.
Here is what I think I'd like to do:
1. Turn this proposed trilogy into a stand alone.
2. Clean up the cliches. (This will only require identifying them, I hope.)
3. Figure out how to write a kick ass synopsis.
4. Query at least 10 agents a week upon completion of revision.
My only question is when do you admit defeat? When do you suck it up and say "okay this one was a failure but at least I learned from it"?
Have you ever seen "The Mexican" They ask the question "When you truly love someone when is enough enough?" And the answer is never. I think it's the same with stories you love. In any case, it wouldn't hurt to look at it again, and if you find you're not ready yet, you can always put it aside a little while longer. But never never pitch it. Its day will come.
ReplyDeleteIn a similar vein, I just bought a book, The Writers Idea Workshop, by Jack Heffron. I think it might help. It contains advice similar to the above, and more. So far it makes more sense to me than Maass's Breakout Novel workbook. If you do look into it make sure you get the workshop one and not his first 'writer's idea book.'
I wondered about that too. My first novel is going on year 17 in being written. It took 15 just to get a completed rough draft. (It's now in revision.) At this point, I don't know an answere. I just keep plugging away at it.
ReplyDeleteBut I've always had . . . perseverance? lol