Just over a week now until Wizard retires! And then he’ll be home with me. ALL DAY LONG. Yay???
So for my Happy Friday news, I got EXPOSING THE HEIRESS back from my editor. You all know how much trouble that book gave me right? It was crazy-making. So when I got the email in my inbox, a voice in my head said, “Don’t open that! Ignore it!”
My fingers didn’t get the message, however and opened the email. It began like this: “Hi Jennifer! What a great story. I really liked this, and it’s in pretty good shape. Not much of a first pass to do here at all.”
I’m like, wait, did I send her the right book? So I opened the file she sent back to check. And yep, it’s the right book. Huh, what do you know, it doesn’t suck. She didn’t even send a revision letter, just put some notes in the manuscript, and those aren’t so much about the story as fitting the line (we’re talking about moving it to a hotter line, but more on that when the decision is final).
After I got over my surprise, I was relieved and then thrilled. So I sent Wizard the email. And got this back from him: “That’s fantastic. See I told you. Your too hard on yourself.:-)” I laughed. Nothing like the pot calling the kettle black. Wizard is a perfectionist and very hard on himself. While I’m just trying to write a good story. See the difference?
Now if only I can pull this off with the complex Wing Slayer Hunter Books. These plot lines are like herding a bunch of wet, pissed off cats brimming with serious attitude. And yet, I really missed those guys in all their crazy-alpha-dysfunctional-ass-kicking glory. Watching Linc fall for Risa (his soul mirror witch) is going to make all the agony worth it.
So this weened will be some cleaning and figuring out the menu for a small family party the next weekend to celebrate Wizard’s retirement. We’re keeping it small per Wizards request.
What are your weekend plans? And do you have Happy Friday news to share?
September 19th, 2014 at 2:48 am · Link
I won’t start with – We told you so, but……
Excellent news! I’m so happy for you. It’s funny how our minds and brains don’t always connect as with your fingers opening the email. Guess they wee clued in since they did the typing ;).
It must really be difficult writing the Wing Slayers if you can reference them along with wet pissed off cats ;). Funny thing is you have them marching right into the corral.
A party for Wizard – that’s nice. Is it just family?
Hubs said no to one. He would even let the work people do anything and he’d been with the company for 30 yrs.
So far having hubs around has thrown me off about 50% of the time. It will get better but I am a right to the minute scheduled person so it’s bugging me that I keep screwing up my plans. He on the other hand appears to be having fun doing “projects.”
My weekend will be more trash elimination.
Have a great one :)!
September 19th, 2014 at 7:01 am · Link
See?!? SEE?!?!?!!!!! I got one of those letters until Mr. Editor said, “But you need to cut the last two chapters and rewrite the ending.” LOLOL Ah well. My work is cut out for me.
This space is going to become hilarious with the Wiz underfoot all the time. I’m telling you, GET HIM A PUPPY! That’s his retirement gift.
Weekend? I’m going to my chapter’s writing retreat and giving a workshop on “What if? Using Visual and Audio Cues and Flashfiction to to Break Through Writer’s Block.” Wow, that’s a mouthful, isn’t it? I’m also considering submitting this as a workshop for RWA ’15.
I’d rather be at home rewriting the end of that book since I have a 10/1 deadline but…duty. And stuff…
Have a great weekend, witches! And yeah for herding cats. I love me some Wing Slayers Hunters!
September 19th, 2014 at 7:25 am · Link
I knew you could do it! No doubts at all. Seems there are two perfectionist in your family.
And so happy for Wizard! That’s a great accomplishment.
This weekend a friend of ours, whom we’ve known for 25 years is coming over with his wife. Hubster doing ribs and grilling. We haven’t seen our friend in a while (schedules are a pain) so I’m looking forward to it. Although it does make my eye twitch at the cleaning I’ll need to do beforehand.
I hope you have a fab weekend everyone!
September 19th, 2014 at 7:26 am · Link
Like Viki said… or didn’t say… Told ya so. Seriously, though, I’m so glad your fears about this book were unfounded. :hugs: And I’m totally sure you’ll herd those wet cats. They love you and you love them. They’ll toe the line eventually.
Have fun with your party. Hubs underlings threw him a party after he told them not to and I wasn’t going to go, but I needed to use the fax machine to send our home purchasing documents for this place. And actually he was glad they threw it and I was glad I showed.
The only happy news I have is that hubs finally got the windows in the sun porch unstuck, so we could wash them properly. Now they’re so clean it’s almost like there’s no glass at all. And we can enjoy our view sans gunk, spider webs or wasp nests. What can I say – we lead a simple life. LOL
September 19th, 2014 at 7:33 am · Link
So my only question about Wizard being home is- how many bathrooms do you have? Can you hide in one with your lap top if needed?
I totally agree with Silver- Wizard needs a puppy!!!! All the walking and playing and getting up in the middle of the night to let the dog out will definitely keep him busy.
Herding Cats huh. My answer to the herding cats problem is -“You don’t herd cats. You give them a reason to follow you.” A can of tuna does it at my house. or in the Wing Slayer’s world a witch in distress might work.
September 19th, 2014 at 1:21 pm · Link
Viki, hmmm, I’m saw Told You So in that comment, LOL! Everyone who listens to be whine deserves to say almost anything they want.
Wizard said no party too. The boys and I told him tough luck, we’re doing it, But it’s just family, it’ll be small. And he’s getting used to the idea
It’s more the plot threats I’m herding, but the guys are opinionated. I don’t mind though, it’s all part of the process.
Good luck with trash elimination!
September 19th, 2014 at 1:25 pm · Link
Silver, that sound great, actually! If the rest of the book is working, then you can totally handle that. Congratulations!
Oh I imagine things will be a combination of fun and tense around here, LOL!
Wow that is a mouthful! Sounds like a great workshop, you should definitely pitch it (says the woman who hasn’t put hers together yet).
Thanks on the hunters! Have a great workshop!
September 19th, 2014 at 1:26 pm · Link
Ahslynn, thanks! I don’t know how everyone else is so sure when I’m riddled with doubt. I’m not really a perfectionist…
Cleaning sucks but seeing your friends will be worth it! Although I’m betting your friends won’t care about how clean the house is. Have a great time!
September 19th, 2014 at 1:30 pm · Link
B.E., I’m jealous of your clean windows! We’re going to tackle that after Wizard retires. I’ll just do the two kitchen windows for the party.
So glad for your hubs that work threw the party and you went! Work is doing some stuff for Wizard too. If you ask him he says no, so it’s best not to ask
Some of my fears were dead on, but my editor had a solution. I’ll tell you all more when I’m sure how that will play out.
Enjoy your clean sun porch windows! And there’s no a dang thing wrong with the simple life–Wizard and it it most days.
September 19th, 2014 at 1:32 pm · Link
Kat, two and a half bathrooms, so that’s good
Wizard does need a puppy! I tell him constantly.
Good advice no herding cats, I love it! I’m not stressing about the book yet, mainly because I’m just working with it to figure out all the avenues. I’ll stress later, LOL!
Have a great weekend!