Success only flourishes in perseverance -- ceaseless, restless perseverance.
--Baron Manfred Von Richtofen

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

What I've Been Up To

Now that you know what's in my bag, I'll tell you all about what's on my plate. I've written four chapters of The Ransomed Returning, the sequel to my first novel, Zion Rising. I've also typed up the first two chapters, and will work on typing the rest. I have four short stories out trying to find a home: Highway Songs, Sofie and the Night Eagle, Joy Ride, and Star Blessed. I entered two stories in the Irreantum fiction contest: The Wings of Morning and Sweet Singing in the Choir. I am ready to begin revising my novella, Consecrated and then I'll start finding a home for that one, too. I have novel queries out at a couple of publishers (keeping my fingers crossed on that), and my novella The Bearer's Oath should be out in print soon. I also wrote a script for my women's choir concert, though that wasn't so much writing as skillful arranging of scriptures. Turned out nice, I think.

I have a high-tech submission tracking system, which is a calendar hanging on the wall where I write down when I send something out and when I get a response. I am very pleased that every month so far this year I've had a full calendar, so to speak. Sure they were mostly rejections, but I am proud of myself for being so active. Past calendars haven't looked so busy. In fact, the majority of months had nothing written on them at all. So, in spite of feeling some discouragement, I am glad that writing has become a high priority for me. It's time to make those dreams come true!

10 comments:

Danyelle L. said...

Good job on getting those queries out. Good luck!

*high five* for the chapters!

tiffany said...

im very proud of you i have always said you are very inspiring


what is the differicne between a noval and a novella?

Unknown said...

Congratulations. I hope to follow your good example and achieve a full calendar of my own.

Linz said...

Keep it up! You are so inspiring!

Michelle D. Argyle said...

When and where will your novella be available. I'm interested. :)

Have you tried Query Tracker? It's free and a great way to track queries. Although your calendar system sounds like it's working great. :)

Angie said...

The novella will be in the Mindflights print edition, issue #5, coming out in the next few weeks.

I actually joined Querytracker, but since I haven't been looking for an agent, I haven't really used it yet.

Angie said...

Oh, Tiff -- a novella is shorter than a novel. Novella's run from 15,000 to 40,000 words. Novels are 40,000 or more. My novel is about 90,000 words. The novella is 20,000.

Unknown said...

You're doing great! Definitely keeping busy! Does Brierly's Lilies already have a home?

Angie said...

Yes. It was published in Dragons, Knights, and Angels.

Unknown said...

Oh! You know I was thinking that Star Blessed had as well, but I was getting that confused with Soul Singer and I know some publishers do allow reprints so I assumed that's what you were doing. (I know, those two stories are nothing alike. My mind's just in a haze today I guess. I'm gong to blame it on all those Ss!)