Mysterious Castle update

I just finished Mysterious Castle. I may or may not be using the pseudonym Dee Petersen-Griffin.

There are some things that I had to leave out from my original version because the word count for YA Fantasy genre is much less, 30k less, than for other novels. I'm still over the maximum word count, but I may epublish this one, with print-on-demand paperbacks. I will pursue a few agents/publishers first.

In the last month, I have also read almost a dozen novels by others and completely re-read two of my own and skimmed another. I find reading helps me refresh, regroup, and recenter my focus, to get beyond writer's block. I then read the story up to my stopping point or to the chapter to be edited and continue on. Fatigue is my greatest enemy. I spend a lot of time thinking instead of sleeping, deciding how I want to proceed next. No wonder I'm tired!

Mysterious Castle

I started Mysterious Castle yesterday. I hope that the third time really is the charm! Check out the way it begins... Just click on the titles to the right, folks.

Before Sunset update

I just finished BEFORE SUNSET. Now the proofreading and editing begin.

UPDATE: 12/12/12: Wow, what a project that was, making sure the dialects were true for each character and watching for typos. (Took my time and had fun with it.) I am ready for the next step.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

It's summertime, and that means more time with my grandchildren. I enjoy that, but that also translates into less time to relax, think, write, etc. Of course, grandchildren are distractions, too. Distractions from writing as well as distractions from everyday stresses. What shall I do? People first, things second, as I always say.


With grandchildren come the questions I deplore. They always start with "What's your favorite. . .?" I don't have favorites, although I have many preferences. So answering those questions has always been . . .a pain in the neck. Headache time. Don't get me wrong. I am extremely opinionated. No doubt about that. I just don't have favorites. Favorite color? I mostly wear blue, black, red, white, green. Favorite food? Potatoes fixed any way, Italian & Mexican. Favorite movie? Ever After, Somewhere in Time, The Lake House, Harry Potter (most of them), Back to the Future 1st & 3rd. I can't pick ONE favorite, not one that I prefer over the others, so don't ask!


Still trying to finish Before Sunset. It's getting close to completion. It is more in accordance with the traditional romance novel plot template. I have decided to pursue standard publication methods for Dreams & Secrets first. I have to consider my end goal. With the cost of ISBNs and the potential epub revenue from research I have done, it would be for vanity only. If for vanity, I could just release it on a website. I might try that somewhere down the road if all other efforts fail, in hopes of attracting positive attention and fans in order to eventually get published, but I would prefer an income-producing method over that. Then again I could test those waters with one of my other works. So many decisions!  :)

EBOOKS?

I am currently working on epublishing Dreams & Secrets and Magnetic Attraction. Hopefully they will both be available soon.

UPDATE: 5/23/12
    A successful author advised me to reconsider epub until I pursue hardcopy publishing again, for the benefits of distribution and potential profits. I am considering my options. The ebook/epub option is currently on hold.
    As a precaution, I've asked another peer, from the Brazos Writers group this time, to critique both novels. I am awaiting response. I am confident that she, as a teacher, will be brutally honest, red pen and all. I am hoping for the best [I love it!], dreading the worst [It's terrible.]--

UPDATE: 6/1/12
    So far so good! She finished one and is into the second. Positive feedback, and I asked her to be brutal. I am now leaning toward giving traditional publishing another try. It seems like the smartest way right now.

Magnetic Attraction

I just finished it! Now I have a new dilemma. Hearts Crossing has competition again. I have ideas for sequels nagging at me. Plus I have two more stories pestering me. I must focus on finishing Hearts Crossing. It is only fair.
If no one ever reads any of them, I am still very happy.

Moving Forward!

The best thing I ever did was retire. I love it! I have de-stressed, which allows me to write. I am still working on the cover design before epublishing Dreams & Secrets. I've almost finished Magnetic Attraction. Hearts Crossing is progressing, mostly set aside because of the other two! (Maybe I will have it finished by Mother's Day.)

Publishing Update

Earlier this week I received a rejection letter from the agent of my choice. He isn't looking for new, unpublished authors right now. He's older than I am, so maybe he's taking it easy. :) But that is okay, because after a program at the Brazos Writers club, I am considering the EPUB method (electronic publishing) instead. I am still excited about it. I prefer to do things myself, rather than waiting around while hoping someone else will do something for me. One thing I have noticed, when you let people know you are an author (in person or electronically) the proofreaders and editors pop up their heads offering their services. Be it known, right now, that I have been employed as a proofreader/editor so I am not looking for one. It IS nice that they offer. Thank you very much and good luck .

Merry Christmas Everyone!

And Merry Christmas to me.  My present to myself was getting my book submitted to an agent. Done.

Now, in preparation for a new year, I shall start another! In a few hours. Time to try to sleep now, but I know I'll be thinking about my storyline. I have been already, so a new obsession is starting. ;)

My Current Work: Dreams & Secrets

Late on October 16, I was about to start reading a new novel when suddenly an entire book idea flashed into my mind. It became an obsession, beginning early the next morning I wrote every chance I got, day and night, until I finished it on November 16, in just 31 days. As it flowed onto the pages, I could hardly keep up!

That is not how it usually happens. I am a daydreamer. Generally I am driving in the car when the vague idea for a new story or bits and pieces for one in the works come to me.

Then I got sick, a bad cold, which had my mind stuffy for almost two weeks. Now I am in the getting-it-published stage. The prep work the agent wants is more difficult than writing the manuscript. Funny how that works.

Duanna Lee (pronounced Dew-wanna Lee)