Another November, Another NaNo

Sorry I didn't post anything on Monday. With the story done, trying to frantically finish NaNo for this year and a turkey hangover, I had nothing for a blog post. Now that I've had some recovery time (although I'm still working away at NaNo), I thought it was a good time to check in. So, hello!

First, and most importantly, first draft of WHAT THE WHOLE TOWN KNEW is obviously finished. Love it or hate it? Maybe you're indifferent. I'd love to hear opinions; all the Good, Bad and Ugly. I had stated when I first started posting the story that it was an experiment. During the last few months, I learned a lot from trying to get those posts done in a somewhat timely manner and balancing everything else (home, work, family, child-taxiing, and a book launch) to the difficulty in writing an extended piece all in second person. Needless to say, this was not an easy story to write.

I posted the story here so it would get read, and as "encouragement" to finish it. Both of these goals have been accomplished. Never did I consider publishing it or sending it on submission. As many of my fellow writers know, writing in second person is generally frowned upon in the publishing industry. Not to say there aren't books written this way, but it's extremely hard to get anyone to take you seriously if you're unpublished and approaching them with something like this. WHAT THE WHOLE TOWN KNEW was more of a fun thing, to see if I could do it and if people would read it. Again, both proved somewhat viable.

At this point, I should move on. I have several other pieces that need my attention. Finished manuscripts waiting to go out and see if they can land a deal. A few that I've received feedback on and want to revise again. But, I'm not quite ready to shelve Lizzy and the Bordens yet. I have story elements I want to add and a few lines of thought I want to expand upon. It looks like revisions are in my future.

It won't be right away. I'm finishing my project for NaNo first. A sequel to MOTHER OF MONSTER - YA Dystopian/Greek Mythology with *zombies*. Don't worry, they're not gratuitous zombies, thrown in there just for fun. I don't even like zombies, but this story couldn't be told without them. And I'm super excited about it. Unfortunately, I won't be posting it up here as I'm hoping to get a deal for it at some point. (I will need beta-readers once I get to that point, so if you're as excited about a mash-up like this as I am, what this space for reader requests.)

Going back to WHAT THE WHOLE TOWN KNEW and the upcoming revisions. What I need to know from you, the readers, is whether or not you would buy this in book or ebook form, should I decide to pursue publication for it? Would you recommend it to friends and family? I have not yet decided whether or not this is a direction I want to go with it, and your responses will help. It will be significantly revised and edited by someone other than myself.

So, what are your thoughts? Yea or Nay for publishing it? Something else you'd like to say about it? Leave me a comment and let me know what you're thinking. Or, just click your answer on the poll.

A Day of Thanks and Reflection

With Thanksgiving coming up tomorrow and the end of WHAT THE WHOLE TOWN KNEW coming up on Friday, I wanted to take a day to thank all my readers and followers. Without you, I would be doing little besides talking to myself. So, thank you to all of you.

I would like to remind all of you who have been following the story that the final chapter will post on Friday morning. Again, this has been an experiment for me and is only a first draft. When I go through to revise and edit, many story lines will have more added to them and some may get dropped. Such is the life of a novel.

What would make me a very happy writer is if all my readers left me a comment. Did you like it? Were you upset with the ending? Would you recommend it to your friends and family? More than anything, I would appreciate it if you did the last thing on the list. Word of mouth is the best publicity I can get.

Speaking of publicity, I know many of you don't wander over to my children & YA blog, but my book has officially been launched. If you're looking for presents for preschoolers, I'd love for my book to find its way under your tree.

Thank you all! Have a fantastic Thanksgiving and I'll see you all on Friday.