Happier Thoughts

After the ranting and negativity of agentfail#, agent Rachelle has asked writers and agents to share what they’re happy about. Also, agent Jessica Faust has posted authorpass and agentpass day, where she encourages others to share what makes them happy about working with agents (or working with authors if you’re an agent or editor).

Anyway, I’m still pushing forward in my first draft, even though I didn’t really have much opportunity yesterday to write. I did manage to do a very brief edit for my chapter for critique next week. I’m fully prepared for it to be torn to shreds next week and I’m welcoming it!

I’m grateful that today is Friday and that tomorrow is just an average Saturday–one where there is absolutely NOTHING planned! So grateful for that, since next weekend is the short notice wedding and the following one I have a writer’s conference I’m attending in Cincinnati. I’m really just looking forward to a lazy day, perhaps maybe a little shopping excursion to Kohl’s for some shorts for the approaching summer, but nothing major 🙂

That’s it from my end; have a great weekend!

Trying to be Positive

Being optimistic about things is hard for me. Unfortunately I tend to be pessimistic and cynical by nature, although not nearly as much as I once was (thankfully!).

Anyway, I am trying my best to apply this to my writing. If I focus too much on the negative, it takes the desire away. And I don’t want that to happen!

Of course there are times when I may be too frustrated or upset about continuing my book. For example, the whole name change thing was highly discouraging, but I wanted desperately to fix it and focused on that. I believe I may have decided on Kaiyo’s new name: it will be Naomi. I think it’s a good representation of my character; not only was it a common enough name used in Victorian times, but I’ve also heard it’s a Japanese name as well. So what better name to choose for my character who is part of two cultures? It may not mean “forgiveness” like I wanted, but that’s ok; I believe the story is going in a slightly different direction.

Another frustrating moment came yesterday when I began thinking about the actual story catalyst. I couldn’t quite figure how to word a short blurb about it, and that made me think that there’s a great deal of re-focusing to do. I then decided to try and edit my chapter that’s up for critique soon (I need to have it posted by next Thursday) and I realized I pretty much have to write the entire chapter again. Not a big deal though; I’ve had to do that for the past three. Oh well; it was written during NaNo last year; I’m certain most are going to need to be re-done.

I’m not giving up though. I’ve invested too much time in this story to be deterred or to trunk it. I just have to keep the creative juices flowing and hope that it will all be cohesive at some point.