Thursday, December 03, 2009

Resetting Goals

I know, I know, I shouldn't be changing so many elements of my piece Divine Injustice so soon after completing what is a pretty good (IMO) novella, but I really want to stretch my writing "legs".  I want to know how far I can really go, if I can surpass the boundary in my mind.  Because I have the bones already completed, it seems easy to add details I'd previously cut out and see where the story will now take me.

Wonder why I bother?  Well, after much practicing, I realized I can restrict myself to writing fewer than 15,000 words (the max word count for submitting to Nocturne Bites), but trying to reach 70,000 with this paranormal (per the Silouhette Nocturne guidlines) seems impossible.  Though I still hope to submit to them - someday - I honestly don't see it happening right now.

What these changes will entail:
  • Reaching a word count of 50,000 - minimum
  • Adding secondary (or tertiary) characters
  • Lengthening existing secondary character's parts
  • Reworking elements to suit the new path my story will take
  • Playing out my Hero and Heroines background
  • A lot  more dialogue (not my strong suit)
  • Probably adding more sensory details, visuals being a main one as I skimped in this shorter piece
*Sigh*  I doubt I'll meet my original goal of finishing by the end of '09, but if I can complete - and submit - by Jan 31st, '10, I'll consider this a win.  Even if I don't get picked up by either of my first choice places, I hope it will end up somewhere it can be loved.

~Hetal
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2 comments:

  1. NikkiDecember 14, 2009 at 4:20 AM

    I know these changes so well...LOL...I started with 15 chapters and once I went in and added more discription, I not have 22 chapters. And thast's for the first book. Question, how did you decide what publishers to submit your works to? I'm hesitant about how to go into that area.

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  2. HetalDecember 14, 2009 at 9:19 PM

    Well, can't say that I really chose...it kind of chose me. I follow a few ePub sites (look left) and periodically check to see what's "hopping". Ran across an open call on one, so submitted for it. I'm so glad I did, though, because I finally felt that nerve wracking thrill of submission.

    Before submitting, think about which house you ultimately want to pubbed with. Check out their sites, because there are often submission guidelines on them.

    When you're ready to let go of your baby, you'll know. I'll hold your hand, so keep me updated. :)

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