Wednesday 1 August 2018

IWSG (August)



Thanks as ever to Alex  and this month's co-hosts: Erika Beebe, Sandra Hoover, Susan Gourley, and Lee Lowery

Hello everyone, I hope you are enjoying your summer with plenty of opportunities for writing and catching up with reading. It has been very hot in the UK (apologies to those who normally live in warmer climes but we are not so used to it here!) I do like it, it is so lovely to wake up to the sun shining and not to have to think about taking a coat everywhere but I know a lot of folks are finding it harder to cope with and our once green lands are looking decidedly brown at the moment. And of course, we cannot fail to have heard about the terrible fires that have resulted around the globe. We did have a rainy weekend here though, for which the plants and wildlife are grateful.

My summer didn't start so well this year when my husband was taken into hospital for an emergency operation, but thankfully he is well on the mend now. Life knocks you sideways sometimes.

I am delighted to report that my latest MG manuscript is now finished, edited and ready to query to agents! I'm so happy to have got here again as there have been times when I doubted myself. This is the fourth MG manuscript I have completed and tried to find an agent for. I am really hoping that the odds are in my favour this time. My writing has improved and I have learnt so much over the last few years. 

I think this is a positive post today. A little celebration of the end of another story. What comes next, well, I'll just have to wait and see. 


Question: What pitfalls would you warn other writers to avoid on their publication journey?
I can't really give any specific advice as I am still on this particular journey myself, but I can say that one of the biggest things to find is the persistence and resilience to keep getting up and carrying on when all you seem to hear are doors slamming in front of you. Anyone who's been there knows how hard it can be. Prepare yourself for a long haul flight! 

Thanks for stopping by today and reading. Just to let you know it will probably be Friday or over the weekend before I get to return comments and visits. I am off to do some walking today and tomorrow, so computer access is likely to be limited!



22 comments:

  1. Oh, yikes, how scary about that emergency operation! So glad to hear your husband is doing better now.

    And hurray about the manuscript! That's awesome how it's finally complete. Know too well how stressful querying can be, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

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  2. It has been very hot in Germany also. Yesterday it was 39.1 Celsuis. Normally our summer temps reach 25 Celsius.
    Congratulations on finishing your MG manuscript and I do wish you the very best in finding an agent.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

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    1. Thank you, Pat. The heat can be quite tiring can't it?

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  3. So glad your husband is doing better. I know how hard health problems can be. Congrats on finishing your manuscript and querying. Fingers crossed for you.

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    1. Thanks Natalie. He is doing much better now. I have sent out a few queries and the waiting begins. . .

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  4. I'm glad your husband is doing better. Scary.
    You're ready to query - that's awesome!

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  5. Glad your husband is doing better.

    I agree that persistence and resilience keeps us going.

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    1. Hi Rachna, thanks for dropping by. I think they are crucial in this business! Hope your writing is going well.

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  6. So glad your husband is on the mend. That must have been scary.
    Congratulations on finishing the manuscript!! Hooray! Best of luck with the querying.

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  7. Good luck on your submission and never giving up is exactly the way to succeed. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  8. Persistence is the way. Glad your husband is doing better. Congrats on the manuscript being ready to go too.

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  9. Glad to hear your hubby is on the mend. And congrats on your MG. Best wishes for the querying process.

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    1. It's good to get to the querying stage again, although it is always a long and winding road!

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  10. So glad your husband is getting better. Always scary. Being in this biz for the long haul explains a lot. If we understand that, we can weather it.

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    1. That's very true, Diane! Writing and publishing is a long haul!

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  11. Oh my goodness, I'm glad your husband is doing okay. There are times when all else falls away and we realize what's most important, eh?

    Wishing you all the best with your MG.

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  12. That is very true Crystal. Thanks for the good wishes.

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  13. Good advice for those going the traditional route.
    Good luck with your writing and a get well to your spouse.

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