So let’s see. It’s been a few months since I checked in here. What have I been up to in the writing world? I’ve been up to a few things. Writing some flash fiction, one of which I’m trying to sell right now. Took part in the NYC Midnight 250-word microfic challenge and made it to round two, but no further. Wrote an essay or two recently.

But mostly, I spent the last five months writing an entirely new YA novel. I started in October, spent most of that month planning and outlining and also writing and reworking the first few chapters until I felt comfortable with the direction of the book, then I dove into Nanowrimo 2022 to write an additional 60k words, ending up with an 80k draft. Whew! Then I let it sit for the month of December, and spent the last few months revising feverishly, trading pages with a friend who’s also neck-deep in a book, and doing research.

What I noticed on this book was that I feel like I’m getting more in control of my craft with each successive manuscript I work on. I noticed it in two areas: craft, and process.

Craft-wise, I felt a lot more in control of my narrative this time; it was easier to think in scenes and character arcs and maintaining control of things like pacing and making sure each new section changed the characters and moved the plot along. Not that there weren’t some excruciating moments when I wondered what the heck I was doing–it wouldn’t be writing a novel without a few of those. But overall, I felt like I had a lot better feel for what I was doing. And I was able to keep in mind some big things I struggled with last time, in terms of emotionality and tone.

Process-wise, man, it was just nice to be doing this seriously for the second time. I knew what to expect. I knew about how long it would probably take me to produce a well-revised draft, and I knew roughly when I would be looking for betas and edits, and I set a bunch of that stuff up in advance instead of having to research it all in a rush while I was heads down in revision and then wait a long time for the revelant folks to have openings in their schedules.

This time, I knew I wanted two things:

• Teen betas — and thanks to twitter, I found someone who runs an editorial company with a sideline in well-trained teen readers, and was able to book and complete two before the book went to edit. SUCH A GREAT SERVICE. I feel so much more confident about this YA book now that it’s been vetted by two fourteen year olds (both of whom loved it, btw).
• To not rush to query; I want to put off queries until at least June. This is always hard for me because I get excited about my story and want to send it out much too early, but I learned the last time what a mistake this is. Instead, this time, I was determined to “dote on the book,” as Josh Mohr put it, and I set up some scheduled items to make it impossible for me to jump the gun. Betas in February. A six week edit running through most of March and April, that will then result in at least another month’s work for me.

By summer, if it’s finished and I’m feeling good, I’m going to let myself go wild with sending it out to the world. But not one second before. No. Not happening. I already feel the urge to do so, but at least this time I have a bit of self control.

Because here’s the thing–I think this book is really, really good. Much better than the last one. I think this might be the one that gets agented. Responses to everything from betas to paid first 50 pgs reads on Reedsy and Manuscript Academy are immensely positive. I think it could happen. And I’m not going to shoot myself in the foot by rushing the process.

It’s out to edit right now and I’m trying to leave the file completely alone, work on cultivating my patience, and write other things. All of which is hard because when I get absorbed in a work, I get seriously single-minded. But I’m trying.

Only four more weeks until the book comes back! Wish me luck with continued self control.