R.I.P - Unnecessary Characters

I had not one, but two characters that didn’t make the cut. One major and one minor. They just had to go. The good news is that there is no longer a love triangle in my book…yes, I know it’s over played anyway.

It’s strange to get rid of them, but it definitely makes the book flow better. Even so, I’m having trouble weeding out/rewriting all the references.

What about you guys? Ever have to sacrifice a character to the editing gods?

The Never-Ending Edit

Hi everyone…still editing. It may seem like it has been forever and it sure feels that way to me J I’m not a super slow editor, but I’m not super speedy either. Taking time just comes with the territory. I want to make sure I get it right, since this is my first book. It’s also taking double long because my original editor left Harper Collins and my new editor had different suggestions.

What about you guys? Fast with edits, slow with edits?

Editing is Hard!

I know...most of you are thinking, "Duh!" But really, it is. You take something that you love, and mold it into something else (hopefully that you love as well.)

When you edit for yourself, you're completely in charge. When you edit for a group...well, you're still in charge...but when you edit for a publisher you lose some of that control. Not that it's completely a bad thing but it's definitely difficult for someone to tell you they want something done that you yourself didn't think of. I'm learning a lot from this experience, namely, how to be a better writer. How to think, parden the cliche, outside of the box...or  I guess more outside of the book.

What about you all, any good editing experiences, bad ones?

Back From the Fringe

Hi everyone. I just got back from the Fringe Festival in Scotland...thanks for not robbing my house while I was gone :) Edinburgh is an awesome city, really inspiring. I love going there.

What cities/places inspire you?

Since Monday is a holiday I'll be back the week after with another (longer, I promise) post.

The Name Game

Through the editing process, I’ve had to change a few names. One was the name of my creatures, which was too juvenile, one the name of one of my characters, which was too old fashioned, and one was the name of a place, which was just plain stupid. J

The problem is that I still think of these things as their original names. When I’m editing, I have to go through the whole process of reading the name and associating it with the original name to trigger my memory and the story line of the character/creatures/place.

I’m sure I’ll get over this soon and start to think of these things as their new names. What about you all. How attached are you to the names in your writing? Can you easily change these? Or are you like me and have trouble accepting name changes?

Back next week!

Money, Money, Money

It's the question everyone wants answered, but know one want to ask: When do I get paid? Here are a few things you should know about getting paid for your book deal.

1)      The price your agent negotiates is an advance. This means you won’t earn any more unless you sell enough books to make up the advance. Don’t worry if your book doesn’t sell enough copies (and not many actually do) you don’t have to pay the publisher back. They’re basically “betting” on you and hoping for the best.

2)      Royalties are your portion of money earned by each book sold. Again, you won’t see any royalties unless you sell enough books to reach the amount of your initial advance.

3)      You don’t get paid until you sign the contract. Don’t forget that contract negotiations can take a couple of months.

4)      The price your agent negotiates includes their 15%. Most large publishers will cut a check directly to you (for your 85%) and send the rest to your agent. The smaller publishers may still send out a check for the full amount…to your agent. Your agent would then send you your share. Ask your agent about a publisher’s policy on this.

5)       You don’t get all your money all at once! For a single book, you’ll get paid three times.

a)      1/3 when you sign your contract.

b)      1/3 when you finish your edits.

c)      1/3 when the book is released.

Hope this was helpful! Back next week!

MIA No More!

Sorry for being such a super sucky blogger...I'm just finishing up some more edits due tomorrow. Thank you all who have bothered to shame me :) I'll be back Monday with a real post, I promise!