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.

54 comments:

Christina Lee said...

SO TRUE! Good luck! Fingers crossed for you!

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

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!

Patti said...

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

Laurel Garver said...

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.

Angela Ackerman said...

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

Bossy Betty said...

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

Theresa Milstein said...

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!

Lindsay said...

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

Candyland said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Courtney Barr - The Southern Princess said...

Awww!! How wonderful for you!!!

I will be cheering for you! ;o)

Visit My Kingdom Anytime

Sarah Ahiers said...

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

Jamie Grey said...

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

Crystal Cook said...

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

Jamie D. said...

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

Terri Tiffany said...

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

Shannon Messenger said...

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!

Jen said...

I'm so excited for you! Best of luck! I can't wait to hear the happy (most certainly happy) news :)

Jen

S.A. Larsenッ said...

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

Karen Harrington said...

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!

Abby Annis said...

Crit partners are the best!

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

Anonymous said...

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

Gail said...

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

Les Edgerton said...

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!

Tracy Loewer said...

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

Katie Anderson said...

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

Mary Aalgaard said...

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

Kelly Polark said...

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

Kasie West said...

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.

Tina Lynn said...

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

Hannah said...

congratulations!! You can do it!!

Lisa_Gibson said...

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. :)

Joshua McCune said...

Exciting... Good luck, Shannon!

Erin Frost said...

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

Congrats!

Jemi Fraser said...

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

Kimberly Franklin said...

I'm totally with you. Congrats!!

Jaydee Morgan said...

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!

Jonathon Arntson said...

I am so excited for you, Shannon!

Tabitha Bird said...

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

Christine Danek said...

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

Roxane B. Salonen said...

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! :)

Aubrie said...

Hmmmm I should thank my beta readers, too!

Valerie Geary said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Unknown said...

Congrats! All the best in queryville!

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

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

Good luck!

Lydia Kang said...

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

Stephanie Thornton said...

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

Natasha said...

Good luck!

jdsanc said...

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!

Sherrie Petersen said...

Cool!! Good luck!

Guinevere said...

Good luck with your querying!

Nishant said...

You've got a winner of an idea,
PPC Advertising India

Unknown said...

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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