The Next Circle of Hell

Calla, good luck with your story submission. Isn't Duotrope the best?

Whiporee, congrats on getting your revisions done. That's huge. Good luck!

Needlessly, welcome! What do you write? Good luck!

Sending you both wishes for a short wait with happy endings.


* passes banana bread for the wait *

Thanks! Not sure what magic realism she's referring to: Ramirez leaves his ghost behind when he heads off to Cuba. But hey, that's okay! I had a reviewer complain that in the second book, I hadn't mentioned Ramirez's wife who was pregnant at the end of book one. Only problem: she wasn't! There's a reference to how maybe they'll have another child someday, that's it. Which all goes to prove that the books we write aren't the ones they read ....

Dang, Peggy. A NYT review is a NYT review no matter how you slice it! I'd kill for publicity like that.

tri

Thanks! Yes, pretty wild. And totally unexpected!

Another R&R...but this one? No. It was long and extensive. She wanted me to completely re-write the heroine into one who's cliche..er, I mean one who's proven to sell. The worst part? the editor didn't even finish the story! Loved the hero and the storyline (even commented on some of the minor details that she loved), just not the heroine. If I wanted her to be a typical college student without a tortured past who *swoons* the first time she sees the hero and goes all gaga over him, I'd have written her that way.

Rant over... time for more coffee.

Mandy, sounds like you've got to stick to your original guns on this one. I think (tortured) inner character conflict is a vital and necessary ingredient to the storyline-MC. And instant obsession with the male? Uh, not real unique, if not atypical in most cases. I mean, damn, my characters have to fight for love and experience several roadblocks before everything is bliss. And still, I pour it on, testing their mettle.

You do what you think is important to the story, or really put up a case for your viewpoint on how the character/s should evolve.

tri

Thanks y'all. Honestly, could I make her suggestions work? Sure. Publishing is a business, and I get that revisions are part of the deal. Been there, done that. But it'd be months before I could even get to it unless I wanted to completely change my current writing schedule. Which I don't.

On the bright side...I know what kind of story this particular editor wants. I'll be filing away that knowledge for later.

Calla Lily said:

Mandy, I'm in a similar situation. I got a very complimentary R&R from HQ Digital... last May. I can totally make the changes, that is, if I had 3-4 clear weeks.

*eyes schedule*

Um... has anyone invented 48-hour days yet? Because, HQN, yanno? But I've made commitments, and they take precedence.

If only I didn't need to eat, sleep, or do laundry.

Click to expand...

Who needs clean clothes?

Sign me up for those 48-hour days!

(pokes head in). Hi! This is my first time posting in here. I've read through the entire thread and longed for the day I could join. I recently landed an agent and will go on submission soon. There is some editor interest already so I'm biting my fingers (because I don't have any fingernails left).

I just wanted to say that reading through this thread has really inspired me to keep going. I'm hoping for the best, but I kow it's a long process. I'm okay with that. I brought chocolate!

May I officially pipe you aboard, LadyLex. Many/most of us are in the same boat here. It's a ride, to be sure.

tri

Thank you Tri and Calla! I'm buckled in. And now, thanks to Calla, I have whisky!!!

Why hello, LadyLex! Welcome aboard. Congratulations again on your agent and also on the interest!!

Hi everyone! (waves).

Another newb to the thread here . I'm not yet on sub (working on another revision round for awesome agent) but I'm excited about the next stage (especially if there's plenty of chocolate and whiskey available ).

And LadyLex, I want to visit your avatar.

Thank you so much, Calla! And mega CONGRATS!!!

Welcome Hester! And you're more than welcome to visit my avatar... as long as you take me with you. lol

CONGRATS Calla! That is SO awesome!

Calllllllllaaaaa!! You are a persevering goddess, and look at your reward for that. Congratulations!

Hi Hester! Pull up a chair. Good luck with your revisions. I'm revising right now, too.

Er, I'm supposed to be...on that note, I'm off.

Hi'ya, Hester. Tweeeeeeddddeeeeetweeeeehhhtweeee....

There, I just officially piped you aboard, sailor. We be cruisin, and mostly end up getting bruisin', but we suffer or succeed together.

tri

Hi LadyLex and Hester!

OMG WOOOOOO HOOOOO, CALLA!!!