Well, I'm back...but not for long. My kids go on summer break this week, so I'll be taking the summer off blogging. My oldest is going to be a junior in high school next year, and it's really starting to hit me that I don't have that much longer before they start leaving home. I figure I'd better get all the "mom time" in with them that I can while they're off school for the summer.
I did promise to tell you all about the writer's retreat I took a few weeks ago. It was amazing! On Friday night we all had critique sessions with Viking Children's Books editor Kendra Levin. She critiqued our first fifteen pages and our synopses. She had great things to say about my pages, which made me very happy. She made me realize that my plot, on the other hand, needed a lot of work. So over these past few weeks I completely reworked the outline, finishing it up just this morning. I must say, this new version is infinitely better thanks to Kendra's comments and suggestions. I can't wait to get started with the writing!
So, my summer goal is to finish the rough draft. My kids start back to school mid-August, and by that time I hope to be back here on the blog announcing the completion of my draft. That's a very ambitious goal for me, since I'm a slow drafter. Wish me luck!
And have a wonderful summer everyone - I'll see you all in August!
Susan, enjoy the summer with your kids!
ReplyDeleteOh, Susan, I'll miss you this summer. But I'm glad for your kids. And I'm so glad Kendra was helpful. She's a writing coach as well as an editor, right? I would love to meet her in person someday. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you! I plan on doing the same, aside from a couple posts in June. They don't stay kids forever. Happy summer!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like the feedback on your plot was really helpful! I can relate to that, I got some seriously good feedback earlier in the year that has made me entirely revamp my plot for SUNDOWN. I'm totally excited about the potential new form of the novel :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the draft. I'll be taking a couple of one week vacations this summer too to work on my MS.
ReplyDeleteI was in a critique round table with Kendra. She is amazing. Talk about an eagle eye. Wow. Have a super summer with your kiddos.
ReplyDeleteHave a fantastic summer break!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice summer break, Susan!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Susan!! Awwww yay for your writerly retreat and coming out of it all rejuvenated and revived writerly-wise! Yay!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a brilliant break with your kids! They can't fly the nest - NOT YET!! :-) Take care
x
Wow! Summer break is coming up FAST. But enjoy your time and good luck getting that rough draft finished.
ReplyDeleteWow - sounds like you got some awesome, invaluable advice! Hope it all works out for you!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy a fabulous summer with your kids. I'm a bit jealous - we still have 5 weeks left of school!
I hope your summer off is purrfect and that rough draft becomes smooth!
ReplyDeleteoh, my, I didn't even notice the summer is almost here
ReplyDeleteHave a nice vacation and send us a postcard from Hawaii!
Have a lovely summer, Susan! We'll miss you!
ReplyDeleteHave fun woman! But keep in touch. You have my email. Yanno? The retreat sounds like just what the doctor ordered. I'm glad you showed it to her. Now get to reworking that plot! (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time this summer with the kids...I know what you mean about appreciating the time we have left with them.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got some good and useful feedback on your wip....
Hi...bye! :) Enjoy your summer Susan! PS. You probably shouldn't read my blog post today, if you're feeling sappy about your kids leaving! :)
ReplyDeleteHey! Good for you, taking the summer off from blogging. Tempting to do that myself. LOL Glad you got to go to a writer's retreat! I'm also glad you got some constructive feedback on your manuscript. Invaluable! Good luck as you draft this summer!!
ReplyDeleteI will miss you Susan (but summer is a great excuse for a break). I can't wait to hear how the summer project goes! =D
ReplyDeleteSusan!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the summer!
Hope you and your family have an amazing summer! I'm hoping to be ready for betas myself - I hope we both meet our goals!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful summer with your kids. Happy writing. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great time this summer. My daughter's break starts today so I've got a few more posts and then I'm off as well.
ReplyDeleteHappy summer to you, Susan! Enjoy the time with your kids and good luck with that draft. I love writing and revising after some trustworthy direction and advice.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals! Sounds like the retreat steered you the in right direction.
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful summer too. I'll miss you!
Susan, have an amazing summer with your family, and good luck with your writing! I'll check back here in August! :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals, Susan and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteRiya
Enjoy your time with your kids!
ReplyDeleteHave a great summer, enjoy the time with your kids, and good luck on that draft!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your summer and good luck with the draft.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Susan, have a wonderful time!!
ReplyDeleteAnd good luck with your writing, great news that you good some great feedback, it's really hard to get these nowadays!
Best of luck--and way to put your priorities in order. =) Kids don't stick around forever, eh?
ReplyDeleteWhen you get back, I've nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger award.
http://crystalcollier.blogspot.com/2012/06/procrastination.html
Congrats on working out that outline! I'm still in outlining hell.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the kiddos growing up so quickly; time does slip away. Enjoy your this summer and see you in September!
Have a great time with the kids and good luck with the draft. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteI took a little break, too, but a whole summer? I may have needed to do that. August isn't too far off, so I'll see you again soon! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the summer and good luck on your rough draft:)
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com