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Row80 Check In 11-20-11

 

This is no joke. Catie Rhodes will attest to this. I’ve analyzed every word of my query, synopsis, and manuscript. Repeatedly. The time has come for partials, and I have worked on the first page for THREE DAYS. A first page, mind you, that had already been re-written 957 times. At least.

Thanks to Catie’s help, I think I’ve finally got that great first line. The first page is ready. Except…after I sent out five pages…I found two little errors that should have been caught. How could I miss them? I berated and berated myself. I’m hoping the overall quality of the writing and story will offset the errors, but I’m still kicking myself. After all this time, I missed something so simple.

Needless to say, my eye twitched like crazy most of last night. Apparently that’s my new thing when I’m stressed. It hasn’t done that since I was pregnant.

Sleep helped (when I wasn’t dreaming about being chased around by a manuscript full of red marks). I fixed the errors for the next pages I’ll send out, and that’s all I can do. I’ve got to step away and refocus. Getting ready to query has taken a lot more time than I anticipated, and it’s completely stalled writing THE PROPHET.

So I’m going to send out three more queries today, and that’s it until at least mid-December. I’m taking a break from INTO THE DARK, because I’ve worked my butt off and done everything I can. If I don’t let it go, my hair’s going to start falling out.

Goals for Wednesday Check In
*Send three more queries
*Participate in Row80 word sprints on Monday and Tuesday
*Yoga on Monday and Tuesday.

How’s your week going? Have you guys been doing the word sprints on the Twitter hash tag?

33 comments on… “Row80 Check In 11-20-11”

  1. Oh, how I hate those typos, especially when you find them AFTER you’re sent out the manuscript. Breathe, Stacy! What doesn’t kill us makes us writers!

  2. I think we’ve all done this at some point. You read it so many times that you can’t catch the mistakes. Always have someone new (who’s never seen it before) proofread before you send. They will catch the typos.

  3. Nothing worse than finding mistakes after hitting send! Kelly’s advice is the same I would make…ask for another pair of eyes to proof prior to sending anything out.
    I’ve had that eye twitch thing myself. It usually signifies an oncoming bout of writer’s insanity. Nothing to worry about. 🙂

    • Thanks, Cynthia. I was under a bit of a time crunch so having someone else look it wasn’t something that came to mind. LOL, good to know!

  4. I think querying is a whole new journey so you’re bound to feel anxious and I’m always kicking myself for typo’s, like you I never seem to spot them until I’ve hit send or publish. Anyway a big yay for choosing that route.

    • That’s very true. It’s definitely a new journey, and no matter how much you prepare, you’re still going to learn along the way.

      Thanks!

  5. We have been using #wordsprint and #ROW80 hashtags. The “organized” time when a lot of people sprint together is 11 am Pacific time. I’m looking forward to them this week….. they raise my word counts like CRAZY!

    And wow, I know how it is to catch little measly errors after completing something (obsessively!) Congrats for continuing to fight the fight with succinct, specific goals. YOU ROCK!

    Finally, thank you for commenting on my blog ROW80 check in!!

    • Thanks, Julie! That’s 10 central and works perfectly for me (as long as nothing comes up, lol). I really want to get back into just writing the next couple of days, and the sprints sound like a great way.

      I really appreciate the encouragement. I tend to second guess and sabotage myself, lol.

      You’re very welcome!

  6. When I sent out queries, I had no clue what I was doing. I felt like I was sending them to a black hole. I think it’s easier to write a book, than it is to do queries. Congrats on sticking to it and making your query great! I’m sure you will get some responses! Have a happy Thanksgiving too!

    • Thanks, Jillian. That’s a great analogy. And yes, it’s definitely easier to write a book than query. Congrats on your self-publishing success. Would love to hear what made you decide to make the jump:)

  7. Kudos to you for getting all those edits done! And I know exactly what you mean about the typos — they’re so darn hard to catch. Don’t beat yourself up too badly over it. I’m sure the rest of your query shines. 🙂

    I’ve also been dropping in on the word sprints a few days each week, and they’re so helpful. It’s nice to have a concentrated period of time where I just sit and write, instead of getting distracted by everything around me.

    Have a great rest of the weekend, and a lovely holiday week!

    • Thanks, Lena. It’s just frustrating when you’ve read it SO many times. But oh well.

      Awesome to hear about the word sprints. They sound like a great motivator! And so true about the distractions. That’s the worst thing about being at home – I can always find distractions;)

  8. let it go – we all miss them and if current books are to beleived even those powerful folk up there miss them – so many typos even I’m beginning to see them and am world’s worst at picking them up. I bet yours are insignificant – the fresh ones are good – relax let the twitch go to sleep and look forward – what if’s are wasted moments.

    keep smiling and all the best for coming week

    • Thanks. I’m an obsessive worrier, but I’m working on it. One of the issues was a clunky bit of prose that has me stressed, but like you said, I have to let it.

      Thanks again:)

  9. I HATE when that happens – and it almost always does! The whole querying process is nerve-wracking enough, then to find this crap… yeah. Same thing with self-publishing. You invariably find a typo (or more) right after you hit Publish. You don’t have to write queries, but you do have to write product descriptions, which are almost the same thing, only it’s readers you want to entice to read. And it seems the typo gremlins always seem to creep into those, too. All you can do – with any of them – is fix it and move on. Congrats on your progress and on getting them out there, and good luck with your submissions!

    • I’m glad I’m not the only one, Jennette! That’s one of the many reasons I’m afraid to self-publish. No way would I find all the errors. Not to mention the business end of it, such as the blurbs, product descriptions, etc. Thanks so much for the encouragement!


  10. S. Cunningham Ortiz


    Hi Stacy,
    I’m so glad @DonnaGalanti clued me into you! I’m not as far along in the process as you, but I can only imagine that eye twitching stress you’ve been under. Take a few deep breaths and focus on your awesome accomplishment of getting that query out! I vaguely remember agent Rachel Gardner saying that a type wouldn’t bother her if the content of the query was good enough, but I’d hate to quote her just on my lame memory. Anyway, congrats and thanks for the heads up about #ROW80 and #wordsprint. Will hopefully join you tomorrow…

    • Me, too, and welcome! Yes, the eye-twitching is so irritating I want to scream. And thank you for the advice. I think the query itself is rock solid (as far as typos go), but there were two or three stupid, little things I missed in the MS.

      Thanks again, and I’ll look for you during #wordsprint!

  11. Oh my goodness, that’s a TERRIBLE feeling! especially the bit about dreaming of your manuscript chasing you with its big red correction marks on it. Mean thing!

    It’s a nasty feeling finding those typos after you’ve sent something out, isn’t it? Especially after you’ve gone over it with a fine-tooth comb. Don’t stress. I mean, we’re all human, and you did the absolute best you could. That’s all an editor / agent / publisher asks for. Good luck!

    • Seriously! I have some crazy dreams, but that one might be the scariest, lol. Yes, it’s a horrible feeling. It felt like I was back in elementary and being chastised for not taking enough time. But I did!

      Thank you for the encouragement:)

  12. Try a cup of relaxing tea perhaps *smile* We have all had those hair-pulling-punch-myself-in-the-face moments, comes from having a passion for our work. That’s the story I’m sticking with anyway. I’m sure Catie is taking great care of you, she’s pretty fantastic.

    Deep breath. No more eye twitching. Have a calm and productive week, Stacy 🙂

    • Oh, some chamomile is definitely on the menu tonight. Possibly spiked with some libations, lol. Yes, Catie’s a lifesaver. I would have dissolved into a puddle of stress goo by now without her.

      Thanks so much, Gene. You, too!


  13. heatherishither


    Great job this week. I hate eye twitches; they are the worst.
    I have no internet so no check-in for me but I moved all weekend so not much writing anyway. Good luck. I hope you have happy news from one (or all)! Let the bidding wars begin. 🙂

    • Thank you! It’s good to know I’m not the only dealing with eye twitches. And oh my goodness on the moving. That’s something I wouldn’t want to go through again. Hope you’re getting all settled in.

      Thanks so much!

  14. HAHA! I only laugh because my eye twitches too. Go easy on yourself!! It’s easy to miss the simple things when you’re so wrapped up in trying to make it perfect. At least you’ve caught it and fixed it for the next round.

    We’d love to have you for sprints – the regular one is 2PM est, 1PM cst, 12 PM mst, 11AM pst 😀 Hop in and of course start your own if that time doesn’t work!!

    Good luck with your queries and have a wonderful week!

    • It’s so nice to sisters in eye-twitchhood, lol. You’re right, I do need to go easy on myself. Stressing now isn’t going to change anything. I’m polishing the full and that’s it.

      I’ll be there for the 1PM central for sure. Can’t wait, and thanks so much!

  15. Woo-hoo! You’re in querying mode. I’m praying that it all goes well for you. Try to relax. It sounds like you’ve done everything you can. You just have to put your writing out there. Best wishes!

    My ROW80 progress has been slow this week for personal reasons. But I’m hoping to make some big strides this week.

    • Thank you. I just have to brace myself for the long haul and hope to learn something.

      I hope things are all right for you. I’m always here if you need to talk. Good luck for this week!

  16. I just hope I get to querying at some point. I’m sure your query is fine, Stacy. You are doing a great job, and the results will work out great. Have a great Thanksgiving. ~clink~

    • Thank you, Kerry. I know you’ll get to querying. You’re putting a lot of work in, and it will pay off. Have a great holiday as well!

  17. Pingback: Manic Monday: Big Girl Panties and Being Thankful | Stacy Green – Turning The Page

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