Squeeee!!! (Insert annoying fangirl type squeal here.)
I am so excited about my latest story. I really am. In fact, I am giddy over it. Now, before my "fans" point out that I haven't given them their much needed Dillon & Gabe conclusion, I want to explain myself before anyone shows up on my porch with pitchforks and torches. (Because I know it's coming...ya'll are a bunch of crazy b*tches! But that's why I love you.)
I decided after finishing, polishing (sort of), and pitching book 1 of the Ominous Secret series, and finishing book 2 of the series, and finishing a rough draft of book 3....that I needed to take a long overdue break.
I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW....I still haven't given everyone the resolution they need to the Ominous Secret story, and so what right do I have to take a break!?
Believe me, I've heard it all before. So anyway...after pitching it at the conference, and getting some advice on what to change, what to keep, what to condense, what to toss...I felt really overwhelmed and just, for lack of a better way of putting it, completely
submerged in Dillon & Gabe's world. So, I followed the advice of a couple of published writers I met (and some of them even friended me on Facebook!! *
starstruck*) and decided to put D&G's story into a drawer for a few months.
They said to let the story marinate for a long while. Focus on other projects. Relax on the go-go-go thing, and just get back to what I love doing: Writing great romance. And so, after many tears, a very sappy farewell, a few kisses, and a whole lotta chocolate...I did it. I put the Ominous Secret series to rest for a while. I am still letting friends read it, but as far as book 2, it is not done or ready to be read by my "fans", and it won't be for a while. And book 3? Don't even ask. It wont be ready for even longer than that.
So once I went through that tearful process that required several counseling appointments, some shock therapy, and a few high doses of xanax....I followed the advice of the aforementioned authors and started working on some other story ideas that I'd been kicking around for a while. I had briefly mentioned one of them to one of the agents I pitched too, and her words were, "Do it! Write
that and then send it to me, and I'll read it!"
So.........I am.
I took notes. So many notes that I am pretty sure I came home from the conference with carpel tunnel syndrome. I also bought the CD recordings of the workshops I didn't get to. I absorbed all of the information I learned (from people who actually knew what they were talking about...go figure.) and then I entered the Cherry Adair (Don't know her? She's fabulous. Google her. You'll want to BE her someday.) "Finish The Damn Book" Challenge, in which I have to have started a new manuscript on October 3rd or later, that I will finish, edit, and polish to a sparkling shine by next September, in order to be entered into the contest. IF I complete the challenge, I will win a nifty certificate and get to go on stage with Cherry herself to receive it and get a hug. (Again...*
starstruck*) If I place in the contest (which before I wouldn't have even considered an option...but now? Maybe. Who knows? If George W. can get elected into office for two terms,
anything can happen!) Who knows...maybe I might win some private time with agents or editors.
Wouldn't that be the bees knees? I'd probably sh*t my pants and render myself speechless.
But, I digress...
So anyway, I started plotting my new book while I was still in Seattle. And this time around, I am taking a whole new approach. Instead of just writing writing writing until my head explodes, I am plotting the whole book out. I've got the whole thing planned, and I am working on a chapter by chapter breakdown. I am also plotting out the characters, something I've never done. Usually, I just let them grow and blossom on their own. The problem with this approach is:
That crap takes time. And when your genre prefers books between 60 and 100K....letting the characters meander through the story doesn't work out so well. (Hey, you are talking to the Queen of Backstory and 250K word epic saga's) So I am condensing. And only putting spurts of back story in here and there in small (SMALL) doses.
......*hands shaking*.......must.....write.....back......s.....s.....s....s-tory.....
And this time around, I have (
Miracle!) decided to pay attention to what the industry wants right now. As far as contemporary romance, there are certain details that are considered "hot" right now. (Anybody else having a
"That Hansel, he's so hot right now" moment? Maybe that's just me.) And instead of writing just for ME. I have decided to write for me....and a little thing called
The Market. This is going to make my book much more sellable. Which, until now, has never been anything remotely important to me. I considered writers who only write what is "hot" right now to be doing it for the wrong reasons. No offense to anyone. Well, okay. Offense intended to some, but everyone else...no offense.
Again, I digress.
So I've decided to write a story close to my heart, but still somewhat popular in content, location, length, character base, etc. I decided to take everything I've learned at that
fabulous conference and apply it over this next year, starting with working on a completely new project. *Shudder* Scary territory. But I am doing it. Then, in one year, I will go back to the conference and pitch my "polished to a shining gleam" because of the FTDB challenge manuscript...and
hopefully I will get more interest in my book. If not, maybe I will go back to writing writing writing without giving any "rules" a thought. (Rules? Who needs those stinkin' rules?) But for now....I am considering this an experiment. A social experiment, if you will.
P.S. Did I spell experiment correctly? I have no idea how to spell that. It doesn't look right to me.
So in close, I want to thank my loyal 27 (it's growing! Squee!) "fans" for loving Dillon & Gabe as much as I do. I will finish their story. I promise. It's already done, just not ready for public consumption. But in the meantime, I have to put this story idea that sparked an agent's interest onto paper. Besides...never fear. It's Brooke Moss we're talking about. There will be plenty of romance and drama and hotties to go around. I never fail to provide that. Don't doubt.
Ok, I've got to go. I have a story to work on. Much love...
Brooke Moss.
