Goals

Ok, so, a couple of writing blogs I read set out weekly goals every week, so I have decided to do the same thing - it seems like a sensible way of getting motivated, although I'm actually pretty motivated writing-wise at the minute! I wish some of that motivation could be for school work, but unfortunately it's not :s

It'll also give me a reason to blog twice weekly! So, my goals for the coming week - a little premature, I know, but hey - are:

8,000 words on Snap Shot.
Now, the amount I write a week varies ridiculously, so I'm not sure how I'm gonna get on with a set number of words to hit, but we'll see what happens!

Edit chapter one of Family Portrait
I have a lot of friends reading FP at the minute, so I'm waiting for any feedback, but I've got some great feedback on Absolute Write, so I think I'm going to attempt to improve Chapter One this week, and make it a more exciting opening to the book.

So, I'll let you know how I get on with those!

Name changes and good news!

Ok, so since the extracts were posted on here, there have been some major changes in Family Portrait - and that's because I decided the names just didn't work. Having begun editing, I decided that the names weren't quite right, and so now the main character is called Imogen. Hopefully this won't be too confusing when I next post an extract!

Now, the goods news: L has emailed me, and he liked it!! I thought I'd post the email here for you, because, hey, I'm happy!

Dear Becky

Just to let you know that I have read your Chapter 1 and am very impressed with the verve and vitality of the writing. You have a voice, which is the absolutely essential component of writing talent - the rest can be learned. I liked your story because it appeals so strongly to the heart, and does not let up in that respect. I imagine the ongoing story will reveal the domestic and family environment history that Imogen and Abby have lost, as well as showing how the two evolve in their relationship with Ella's new adoptive family [with all its crossflows and undercurrents]. I have the impression of a book which tells of a tragedy and explores the courage and spirit of a teenage girl/young woman who has yet to come to terms with what has happened. A see-sawing perhaps between two family environments - the one lost, the other found, and the search for a point of balance. There is bags of room here for development, and there seems to be a strong gestalt. You should definitely have faith in your writing.

With best wishes
L

He also put a PS saying he'd be happy to read some more, so I'm planning on printing off the next couple of chapters for him when I go back to school after study leave.

Right, off to edit some more now - 15 chapters to go!

He liked it!

So, I gave the first two chapters of my manuscript to the professor guy - from here on known as 'L', because I have a feeling his surname begins with an L - and then wandered over to a different table in the library in order to do some revision. About five minutes later he came over, and said he'd only read the first couple of paragraphs but that he loved the opening and thought I had a really great voice! So, I was very pleased, and got back to my revision with a smile.

Then, about five minutes after that, he came over again, and asked me for my email address so that he could email me some feedback. I gave it to him, and then he came over again and asked whether it was based on my life. I said no, it's purely fictional, and he said that that was even more impressive, as it seemed so realistic and plausible that he thought it was! Eek!

Saw him again today, as I was in school for an exam, and he said that he hadn't got round to reading the rest yet - he assured me it wasn't that it was unimportant, he was just very busy - but that he was going to read it over the weekend and give me some feedback. So I'm looking forward to what he has to say!

On other book news, a friend of the family heard I'd written a book, and begged to be able to read it - so I'm sending him chapters as I edit them. He's loving it too, which is really positive, as he's definitely not the target audience, and said I paint a very vivid picture, and he can't wait to find out what happens next. It's great to know that people don't just think it's rubbish!

The editing's going well - having someone badgering me for chapters is really useful - and I should have it ready for some beta readers ready soon! 14/38 chapters edited so far! I'll update as soon as I hear back from L :)