The Tea Ain't Cutting It

I'm at my parent's house for a few weeks before I can move back on campus . . . just imagine all the fun I'm having.

Ha. Well, anyway. I've never been so bored in my LIFE. I'm actually one of the top posters on AQC because I have nothing better to do. 

For some bright reason, I decided to re-do my query--which was suicide--only to find out that it was fine the way it was before (Yeah, I'm that girl.) I don't know why I did that. Granted, the query is better than it was before, but not by much. I added and removed a few sentences. 

I'm going crazy over here. I just want to send my query letter out! Is that too much to ask? But I'm trying to patiently wait for my last content reader to go over my manuscript . . . which I'm not even sure he/she received. Isn't three beta readers enough? Do I actually need four? Can I just send my query out already? Please?!?! Is that too much to ask? Seven months of editing has been far too long. 

Plus, the tea ain't cutting it. Yes, I said tea. I purchased a great amount of tea yesterday from the the dollar store down the street. It was cheap, and it was their brand. But it's terrible (sorry, dollar store.) And yet, I'm drinking it anyway because I'm broke, and I'd feel bad if I let it go to waste. 

*Sighs. 

Can I just send my query out already?

Please enjoy a photo of me trying to do the duck face.

Till next time blog world. Also, please send help. I'm going crazy over here. 

The Truth About My Summer

I wasn't expecting a summer like this. Actually, I didn't know what to expect at all.
I mean, here I am, at one am writing a blog post.
Because this is the only time, in weeks, that I'm able to make a post--It's ONE AM PEOPLE. Almost two!

But I'm not going to rant about not having time to breathe between heartbeats. Because, in all honesty, I kind of like being busy. It keeps me focused on what's ahead, you know?

A normal week for me involves sleeping, eating, praying, speaking, and working with people in a small community/camp six days a week up to twenty-four hours. (In other words, I'm a cabin leader. However, where I'm from, we call it Home Host.)

Between all that I mention above, I find time to smile, stuff my face with carbs, speak to my sister on the phone, and pet a few cats in the neighborhood.

But what I've also been doing is editing my manuscript like a crazy person. And I don't use the word "crazy" lightly.

In the last 3 weeks I've re-edited twenty-five chapters (for probably the billionth time) and in the last four weeks my first chapter has been changed at least five times. And I finally like my first chapter--though I'm kind of sick of looking at it.

At the same time I've also been working on a friend's manuscript, and helping her get some chapters in tip-toe shape.

The writing life is hard.

However, I do this all with pleasure. Literally, I love my job(s). I probably couldn't ask for any other better opportunity. And to know that this is my talent absolutely bewilders me every stinkin time. What the heck? I'm a writer. How did that happen?

Tah. It's almost two am and I'm day dreaming about writing another novel. I must be asleep, eh?

Till next time blog world.

Er, don't fix it . . . ?

I usually say, "If it ain't broken, don't fix it." But I think I might start going back on my word.

You see, the thing is, I tend to want to fix a lot of things that aren't broken. For example, people--specifically men--movies, friendships . . . stuff like that. 

And lately, I've been fixing a lot of things with my finished manuscript, Unbroken. 

I've been going through these editing processes, and I can't help but think, "What if this could be better?" My book might be solid as a whole--from beginning to end--but what if it could be better than that? What if it was better than my best? Is that even possible? Can something actually be better than the best?

And it's questions like that that make me want to fix a whole lot of things. Because anything can be improved, even if it's not broken, right?

Okay, now I just feel like i'm preaching to the choir here.......

But on a serious note, I've been making a lot of changes to my manuscript--not big changes, but just a few tweaks here and there that would improve my overall book. I'd just hate to look back one day and think, "Maybe i should have done this....or maybe I should have taken this out." Because really, my characters are actual people to me, and I want to be able to express them, and their personalities, as much as possible. They deserve that. They deserve better than the best. And it's my duty to give it to them. 

So I am. And I truly hope that it's an even more enjoyable read. 

Also, some very important news, I changed the title of my book. It was completely unexpected--but a good unexpected--and I think that this new title suits my book a whole lot better than it did before. So, so long Unbroken. And hello, The Willow Tree. 

I truly believe that this title has a way deeper meaning than the title before, and I also feel like it's more original!

I really do hope to share this book with the world someday. I really know that it could, and can, fix many, many, broken hearts. 

Till next time blog world. 

Summer....no free time at all

Here Ye, Here Ye,

I cannot wait to be on here all day, everyday, like I was before.

My summer is redundantly busy. It sucks.

But, I've promised to keep updated, so here's what's new:

One of two beta/critique readers have finished the manuscript and have completely adored it--which warms my heart! As a writer, it's so hard to believe that someone, besides myself, could enjoy my novel. And really, that's all I want from my readers--I want them to enjoy themselves while their reading my book.

Secondly, my newest manuscript (which is nameless for the moment,) is still under construction. Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to work on it--which isn't beneficial for me nor the unwritten project.

Blah.

However, I write down any ideas any chance I get, and I'm trying hard not to FREAK OUT!

*sigh.

Welp, that's it for today's  blog post. Wish me luck with my hectic life!