Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Weekly Progress Report


I've still been donning my editor hat since my last progress report two weeks ago. I finished critiquing a 147K MS for one house and started editing another for a different house.

As for Elena's Pen, it's not down to 71K, so that's 4K I managed to delete in two weeks! I'm going to finish this go through before the end of the month and send it to beta readers.

I had toyed with the idea of changing the POV from 1st to 3rd, but in the end, decided against it. If an agent or publisher asks me to, I would have no problem converting it, but until then, it's a lot of work that might not be necessary.

I'm really happy with how the story is shaping up and I think the converting to MG from YA was the right choice. It's definitely upper MG.

My goal is to start querying by November. *crosses fingers*


What's your progress report? Want to check out some awesome writers' reports?

15 comments:

Angela said...

Upper MG. So how old are the characters? These are such hard decisions to make.

And I relate to not wanting to change your entire MS from 1st to 3rd in less you need to. That is a lot of work.

Alexandra Shostak said...

November! That's a fantastic querying goal. I might join you in that, though my YA fantasy will really need some lovin' if I get that far. I did really fix up the first half of chapter four yesterday, so there is that... :-P

If you're not totally certain that a pov switch is what the ms needs then yeah, don't waste your time unless you get that advice from someone.

I'm not actually as familiar with MG, so I'm very interested in what made you switch from YA to "upper" MG! :)

Nicole Zoltack said...

Alexandra - Feedback from agents and other writers. I had queried this as YA fantasy and some agents told me that they thought the theme (saving a fantasy world with a magical pen) better fit MG than YA. After a lot of soul searching, I agreed and started to make the transition from YA to upper MG.

K.T. Hanna said...

Ooo November! That sounds awesome :D And I'm so glad you're happy with the decision to convert it from YA to MG. I'll cross my fingers for you too!

My progress? I'm 50% through the first draft of the 3rd book in my trilogy. I'm not going to revise the first book until the 3rd is done so I can make sure the consistency level is right.

Should be finished that by this time next week *Crosses fingers for that too*

Nicole Zoltack said...

Good luck finishing, K.T.!

Susan Oloier said...

Wow! You've been working hard, Nicole. And November is almost here for querying. Very exciting!

S.A. Larsenッ said...

So awesome to hear about your progress. You are definitely busy! I love hearing about Upper MG. I still wish there was a more definitive line between it and lower, mid, lower YA, etc... :)

Cherie Reich said...

That's awesome about your editing projects and cutting ELENA'S PEN a little more.

Changing POV is a pain. I don't blame you for waiting to see.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Definitely wait on the point of view - sounds like a lot of work and it might not be necessary!

Stephanie said...

Wow! Busy busy!! Lyrical needed line editors and I thought about applying for the job...but I don't think i will ever be in a place where I feel confident enough to correct someone's grammar!! LOL!! Kudos to you for having that confidence!!

And good luck on your project!!!

Leslie S. Rose said...

I'm glad your story found an audience home that feels right. It's fun to experiment with POV and get that gut feeling when you know you've found the right storyteller. Great job with the goals.

erica and christy said...

That's wonderful! Best of luck querying. I love the status updates, holds us more accountable, I think. And it helps me to reflect on my accomplishments for the week! Fellow WS4U-er. Finally getting around to all the blogs! Christy

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

You sound like a thoroughly fastidious editor.

Angela Ackerman said...

Each word cut is a victory! :)

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

Carol Riggs said...

Whoa, editing a 147K ms. That must've been exhausting! I think you're smart about the POV change, and waiting. Unless you think it'd be stronger, of course, in 3rd. Querying in November, how exciting!!