Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Thank You

"Development is the sweaty part of writing. This is what separates the writer from the onlooker, the person who is always going to write a novel 'some day' from the one who in fact does. It's wearying. It's dull. It's not nearly as much fun as the research. It is hard. It takes a long time."

~ David Poyer

Most of us have our alpha and beta readers, our CP's, our whatever-you-want-to-call-them readers who provide feedback on our writing. We all know by now that the real work begins once we have completed that first draft. Regardless of our skill, ALL writing needs editing. The key is in choosing the right people to evaluate and critique our work and in how we respond to the feedback that is provided.

"Evaluation should move writers forward, helping them grow by identifying the strengths of the process and the product, as well as those elements or conventions that need to be addressed."
~ Linda Rief




After two years, I am finally ready to query my chapter book.

THANK YOU

Valerie
Bethany
Angela
Shannon
Elana J.

I have learned that a novel is not a solitary creation. It requires a qualified support group and a great deal of trust. I could not have done it without all of you.

53 comments:

  1. SO TRUE! Good luck! Fingers crossed for you!

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  2. Yip, most of writing is in the editing. I agree, a writing group whose opinions you trust are priceless. I've been in mine for many years, and I don't know what I'd do without them.

    Much luck with your chapter book!

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  3. It definitely took me longer to edit my book then it did to write it. Good luck with the book.

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  4. I've had an insane number of people help me with revision--I'm a bit of a feedback junkie. I dream of the day when I get to thank them all in a published acknowledgements section.

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  5. The pleasure was all mine. You've got a winner of an idea, and I wish you all the luck in the world!

    Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

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  6. Support is what it's all about! Glad you found five great sources! Now go out there and conquer the publishing world!

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  7. How exciting! Good for you to have so many readers and to take your time. I can't wait to hear how the query process goes. Best of luck!

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  8. So exciting. Looking forward to being here with you for the next part of the journey. :)

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  9. It takes a village to raise a...book:)

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  10. Congrats! Wishing you the best of luck with the query process.

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  11. AWESOME!
    The idea of querying just gets me all giddy inside so i'm super excited for you!

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  12. Congratulations and good luck! I'll be sending good vibes your way!

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  13. Congrats! THat is so awesome! Best of luck Shannon!

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  14. Woohoo! Best of luck with your queries...I hope it finds a home very soon. :-)

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  15. Now the even more exciting part!! WHOO HOO!!! I hope soon we will read the news that it's been accepted!

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  16. Yay--crossing fingers AND toes for you. Querying is a wild ride with tons of ups and downs, but I have no doubt you'll end up exactly where you want to be. Can't wait for you to announce signing with your dream agent!

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  17. Best of luck, Shannon. Willing good mojo....

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  18. Congrats! That is a huge milestone in your writing life. So glad I popped over here to hear about your news. Keep us posted and keep your chin up!

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  19. Crit partners are the best!

    Congrats on being ready to query! Good luck! :)

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  20. I'm so excited for you. Good luck with your querying journey!

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  21. Fabulous! Keeping my fingers crossed for you through the queries and beyond!

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  22. Good luck! Now... the important stuff... just let us know when it gets taken and when it comes out so we can make plans to buy a copy!

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  23. Woohoo! Good luck with the submission process. I hope you land an agent quickly!

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  24. oh wow, yay for you!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!

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  25. A milestone to celebrate! Yes. I'm blowing good luck air into your querying vessels.

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  26. Thank goodness for supportive writer friends to help us along!
    Good luck on your querying!

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  27. Congrats and good luck! And it's so true, a novel is only as good as those who helped it along the way. Looks like you had a great support team.

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  28. Congrats! I can't wait until I'm ready to query. I'm so excited for you!

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  29. congratulations!! You can do it!!

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  30. That's great! It's nice to reach a point to have something to query, huh. Congrats! And yes, it's necessary to have a support team. :)

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  31. Often, the process is the most valuable part of our work.

    Congrats!

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  32. Congrats on making the querying stage! That's huge :)

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  33. You're so right that we can't do it all on our own.

    Good luck with the querying process. I'm excited for you!

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  34. Yep. It takes a village to write a book! And you go for i. I hope the querying comes off really well for you!

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  35. Congratulations and good luck! You have a great support team. ***fingers crossed***
    Great Job! Go Shannon!

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  36. Shannon, how exciting! This is a big step and I have a great feeling about it. I remember how humbled I was to realize what you've realized about the community effort. It's so true, and almost made me feel as if I should include all those names on the covers of my books along with my own. Blessings as you walk boldly forward. We will be waiting with you! :)

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  37. Hmmmm I should thank my beta readers, too!

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  38. *blush* Awww shucks. Waiting on pins and needles over here!!

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  39. This is going to be an exciting and nerve wracking next step but you can do it! Good Luck!

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  40. Congrats! All the best in queryville!

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  41. Go, you! You are so right about finding the right people to crit along the way!!

    Good luck!

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  42. Good luck! YOu have a stellar crit group there! Good luck querying!

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  43. Yay, Shannon! I'm SO happy for you! I'm keeping my fingers crossed and sending you good-luck querying vibes across the blogosphere!

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  44. I just blogged about arduous editing. It's the heavy lifting part of our job. Someone told me, it's easier the second time. It's not. You know more. You worry more. Editing is its own beast.
    Tame the beast.
    Then move on to querying with a smile. You've made it, baby!

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  45. Oh my garland I am so EXCITED!!!!!

    I will be praying like mad crazy that you find an agent and get published, because then I will buy your book and it will be AWESOME!!!!

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