After reading this post at the Girlfriends Book Club by Carleen Brice, I got to thinking about my novel’s beat sheet. And I was surprised to learn that yes, I had one already in place—definitely not as organized as Carleen’s I’m afraid, (the Hubby would love it if I used Excel more for my writing. He uses an Excel spreadsheet just to go grocery shopping. And no, I’m not kidding…)

I use the trusty Post-It note system. I have notes scattered all over my desk about what should happen and when. My notes usually consist of phrases like this:

Don’t forget to have Sam’s best friend fired in chapter five!

You left out part about Rebecca’s mom in chapter 13. Imperative to growth of character!

Beard or no-beard on Jonathan?

Dog must die in chapter seventeen. Mean, but necessary. Car or bus? Or even better—poisoned?????

I also keep a notepad with more pertinent details, like which sub-plot is weak, or if I’ve dropped a sub-plot altogether, (which I have, sadly, more than once.) The Post-It’s are my daily reminders, but my notepad goes into detail on how I can make those reminders happen.

Now it might not be as technical, but it works for me. But after reading that post, it made me think, why don’t I try a hand at setting up an Excel spreadsheet for my characters and my sub-plots? Or at least use the beat sheet link that they provided?

I know of a sub-plot that’s weak in my book, why am I waiting for my critique partner to point it out? I need to take the time to fix it now. I’ve always been the type to get the hard stuff out of the way first, so I’ll just get it done now, instead of whining about it later. Either way, it needs to be fixed, and there’s no time like the present.

I’m glad I was made aware that I already have my version of a beat sheet in place. And now to improve on my Post-It method. Excel anyone? (I can just hear the Woo-Hoo! from the Hubby. Oy…)

And the writing has been divine. It’s been the kind of writing that reminds you why you started this profession, the sheer love of seeing words jump off the page and make you gasp, “I actually wrote that?” The chapters are piecing together like links in a chain—everything just fits. (I have to add though, that since this is technically still a major re-write, I’m probably writing so fast because I know these characters in and out. I had pacing and plot issues before that I needed to work out so using a chapter outline has truly saved my life. It’s a tool that I plan on using from now on. But more on that tomorrow…)

So, yes while everything is going tremendously well, me being a sick and twisted glutton for punishment, have decided to up the ante and really speed up my writing. I want to finish this book in 40 days. That’s right, I want this book completed by August 20th. I’m dying for my critique partner to read it, and the only way for her to actually read it, is for me to finish the thing.

This could all blow up in my face of course. I’m almost expecting it too. But a part of me—a big part I might add—thinks I can do it. Thinks that it’s at least worth a try. And so off I go to write. And then write some more.

Think I can do it?

In my book, one of my major characters gets injured. I researched this injury (casually) on the internet. I also read a few books (more like browsed) on the topic. I felt confident that the information I found was enough to get me through the book. I was wrong. Dead wrong. After completing my first draft, a friend of the family suffered the exact same injury as my character. When I visited her in the hospital I was amazed at how she moved, and how much longer the healing process really was. I knew I was way over my head. It was time to call in an expert.

When doing my research online I kept seeing the same name over and over as a specialist in this field. But how would I contact her? And then it hit me. Facebook.

Just about everyone I know is on Facebook. (When your 72-year old friend convinces you to get on board with Facebook, then you know everyone is on it.) So I took a chance and searched for her on Facebook. And boom, there she appeared. I sent her a direct message, explaining to her that I’m an author and doing research for my next book and asked if she wouldn’t mind answering a few questions about her specialty. Within a few hours she contacted me back and let me know that would be fine. We exchanged numbers and she called me the next day.

I have to admit, talking to her has truly saved my book. I’m one of those readers that hate coming across inaccuracies in the book I’m reading. So I want to work hard to get it right. And she helped me do that, but I had to be humble enough to realize that I needed the help in the first place.

Stay tuned because tomorrow I’ll discuss how to interview an expert.

Okay guys, you remember when my book was ripped apart and my critique partner said I needed to dump the first 100 pages? (Well if you don’t it’s because you don’t follow me on Twitter you silly-nilly!) Yes, as gut-wrenching as that was I’ve decided to continue what I’ve started. Meaning that I will finish the book as is and then go back and fix the beginning. I’ve never been one of those writers that could revise as I write, I feel compelled to finish everything from start to finish. It’s a habit that has served me well in life, but can be quite annoying at times, because it’s not the easiest thing to do. Sure it would be easier to stop and fix my beginning but every time I get the urge to do it, a nagging voice—my Mama’s of course—screams in my head how I need to finish what I start. And so I keep plunging forward to the end of this book, even when I know I’ve got my work cut out for me on my next draft. Sigh.

Some days it feels like I’ll never finish this book. And as my fingers keep typing to The End, all I can think about is my Beginning. Oy.

Writers, when you revise do you go back and forth, revise as you write, or are you like me and revise from start to finish and then back again?

So I’ve decided to add another character to my book. I know, I know—I foresee all sorts of trouble in adding one but my book has left me no choice. It demands another character and so I have to relent and and do its evil bidding. Really though, it can be all kinds of trouble adding another character to your novel this late in the game. And I wouldn’t do it normally, but the changes I’ve made warrant adding another character. I’ve already got her outlined and I’m surprised at how real she already is. And I’ve made things a little easier for myself. How? I seriously considered making this character have a Jamaican accent. But doing that would require lots of more research, (even though I have been to Jamaica before) to get the dialect just right. So I scrapped the accent altogether. (Because after a few, “Hey mon,” she began to sound like the biggest cliché ever.) So a new character is added. Wish I could say after this it’s smooth sailing, but I’m afraid not. Welcome to the world of a writer.

I’ve talked about it a gazillion times on the blog—how I’m deep in revisions for my third novel. As I’m nearing completion of my third draft, (or is it my fourth? A girl stops counting after a while…) I am beginning to get anxious. I look at all these great books out there, and I start thinking, “That could be me! The beginning of my book is strong enough let me send it to a few agents and see what happens…”

This is what gets me in trouble every time. Sending my book out before it’s ready. And I know that it’s 80% there. But 80% is not 100%, so I have to wait and finish revising. I want to be able to say this time, without a doubt, that I sent my best work. (That thought should console me as I cry into my rejection letters…) I’m always rushing the process, because I want to hurry to that finish line—which for me is a published book. And I’ve been published before so I know some of the ends and outs of publishing, but I don’t know everything. (I can feel the hubby reading this and rejoicing, “It’s official! She finally admits that she doesn’t know everything!) I feel like having an agent will teach me so much about the publishing industry and it’s time to fess up and realize that I can’t go it alone. I need help.

I have a list of my top-ten agents that I want to work with. So I’m feeling anxious because I constantly wonder, “Is their client list full? Will they stop accepting submissions just as I’m ready to press send?”

So I’ve been taking a lot of deep breaths, and reminding myself that if that happens I will still be okay. That if my dream agent is no longer accepting submissions then I will do what all my author friends before me have done and just pick another agent off my list. And life will go on.

I want to act like a pimple faced 13 year old and shout that if my book doesn’t get published then I’ll just die. Literally. Just. Die.

But that’s happened already. I’ve written a book that didn’t sell, and hold on let me check—yep, my heart is still pumping. The sun shined the next day and life went on.

So yes, I am pretty nervous about whether or not this book will publish. People don’t realize how hard you work to make another world on paper. And to make that world come alive and become real? That’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, my friends. I have confidence that it will sell, that this is my best work yet, but I still hear a small voice in the back of my head… “What if?” “What if this book isn’t good enough? What will you do then?”

“Same thing, I do every day Pinky. Try to take over the world.” (Pinky and the Brain was one of my favorite cartoons growing up, sue me.)

Basically, I would do the same thing I’m doing now. Write the next book. As much as I want this work validated by my peers and readers, as much as I don’t want this book to grow dust on a shelf, (or in my filing cabinet) I know that writer’s write. And if this book makes the rounds and no one bites it doesn’t mean I failed. Because being published doesn’t mean I succeeded. Writing and finishing a book—that is what deems success to me. Sitting a desk when no one asks you to, when no one is watching and pounding out the words day in, day out—that’s my idea of success.

So I’m nervous. I know that’s normal. But at the end of the day, I know no matter what, I’m doing what I love. And how many people can say that?

Welcome 2011! So hmm, what’s new? Well, I am feeling very encouraged with my book. I’m happy to say I’m back on track. After getting tons of research material and interviewing an expert, (more on that later this week) I feel that I’m shaping this novel into something—dare I say it?—great. There. It’s out there. I know I won’t feel this way forever, so I’m reveling in the fact, truly enjoying that I’ve been having some pretty good writing stints. Because, when all is said is done, I started writing because it brings me joy. So it’s good to revel in moments when you read a scene in your book and think, “Who wrote that? Measly little ‘ole me?” So yes, I feel like I used my time wisely while on my blog hiatus. Hubby was off work too, so we enjoyed plenty of family time. But now I’m back!!!

Breaks. We all need them. Most employers know that giving their workers a ten-minute break during the day, helps them relax their brain for a minute, so they can come back and tackle their job. As a writer, you have to be extremely self-disciplined. Sure, your publisher may give you a deadline, but how to meet that deadline is left totally up to you. So you work up a schedule, promising to write so many words a day, or so many pages a day, or you break your work day into chapters or scenes written. “If I write this many ______________ a day, then my book should be finished in six months.” (Six months? You can see I’m dreaming in this analogy…)

But in all this scheduling, do we remember to give ourselves mini-breaks during the day? (And no, doing laundry, eating, or helping the kids with the homework do not count as breaks. They count as work, as all chores do.) I’m talking about giving yourself 30 minutes to roam on Facebook, or to watch that show right now, (sorry TiVo) or spending that time to finish knitting that scarf, before the winter ends. Or even to polish your nails.

And let’s be honest, most writers never really stop writing. Our minds wander, taking us back to our novel as we rack our brains to improve our craft.

How should Tina and Jake meet?

Does Peter’s father really have to be abusive?

Did I really need to name Amanda’s dog Tootsie Roll?

That my friend, is called writing. Sure, you haven’t gotten a chance to write everything down, but when you let your mind wander long enough to finish applying your clear top coat, or Tweet about what you ate for lunch—you’ll be hurrying to your computer or notebook trying to get that idea down. All this zeal from just a few minutes of sitting down and wandering who arches Jennifer Lopez’s eyebrows as you watch American Idol.

How? With a fresh perspective. I knew something was wrong with my story, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. When I talked to this person about the troubles I was facing with my novel, she was able to point out exactly what was wrong and got me on the path to fix it. Working on this book has been like looking for a contact lens on the floor. You can search for hours, and then somebody comes along and plucks it off the floor in seconds. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh pair of eyes.

I feel exhilarated and ready to dive in. If I keep to my schedule I should be finished by December. I’m on Chapter Three now, and I feel my book calling—so gotta get back to work!