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Post by Admin on Mar 9, 2020 3:02:32 GMT
Good news. I got nothing done this week except survive. As of yesterday the house was okay. Still sitting on a truck but okay. I have no idea what the wind has done to it today. I'm trying not to think about it.
I took a look at the conference and ended up feeling so old. I don't know if I'm simply out of the loop or if their level of keynote speakers is sliding but I didn't recognize very many names. It depressed me.
I wish all the best for you. A great experience. I miss being around other creative minds. I need it but don't know when that will happen.
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Post by bill on Mar 9, 2020 3:29:23 GMT
I think ideally 2-3 of these a year would be helpful, but with my career change I'm lucky to afford one.
The wind has been awful! I hope your house gets put in soon. I know delay happen, but this is ridiculous!
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Post by Admin on Mar 9, 2020 10:07:41 GMT
I need to get you paid for this year if you still want to keep track of Joshua's account. At least with me close enough to run down, you should have an easier time of keeping track.
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Post by bill on Mar 12, 2020 1:03:27 GMT
LOL! Actually, I only did about half the job last year because we're still missing bank statements.
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Post by Admin on Mar 12, 2020 17:52:51 GMT
It was signed and you just reminded me that I need to pay the lawyer. My mind has been so focused on Hank I forgot. Life isn't looking too good right now. I'm checking out nursing homes and feeling very, very sad.
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Post by bill on Mar 13, 2020 4:46:13 GMT
Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that! Does he just not have fight left?
I'm glad that the lawyer accepted the report though.
And, I just received this note:
Bill, here is a note from the VIP judge for Mystery/Suspense/Thriller - Becky LeJeune
"I would be interested in seeing more of When the Time Is Right as well!"
LeJeune is actually the agent I listed first on my selection for one-on-ones. I don't know what she's asking for exactly, but it's exciting!
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2020 11:45:25 GMT
You may have your foot in the door for a traditional publish. I'd look her up and see what they ask for and have it with you. Do you have a full ms?
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Post by bill on Mar 14, 2020 0:12:43 GMT
Yes, it's one I've been querying. She will be my number one target at the conference, for sure! She may read it and not like it, but this is as close I've come yet.
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Post by Admin on Mar 14, 2020 1:40:34 GMT
They usually ask for a sample if you get a face to face but I've known some authors to get an agent at the conference. She may be one how likes your voice. She might option your entire ms. if you have it with you. Go for it.
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Post by bill on Mar 16, 2020 2:54:53 GMT
Rhonda's conference was canceled, so if PPWC goes, she will attend the banquet with me. They announced they were taking another week to consider what to do. My suspicion is that they are looking at alternative dates to postpone until; or they're hoping that things might calm a bit in a week. I suspect it will end up at least postponed.
The Most Important Thing - I've been reading through and making notes. I also read through the feedback I received from the contest and have made numerous notes I think will really help. This entry I rushed to get done (and in fact the manuscript wasn't complete when I entered), so I didn't expect it to do well. But it was worth entering as I got some useful comments. I'll enter it again next year and see how much better I can do.
When the Time is Right - I love reading through the notes from the judges because they all said some good things. Here's my favorite: "Your work is worth the time I’ve spent on it. I hope to see you soon in PPW success stories, and I’m excited to see your finished work."
I read through the notes and made some small changes to the synopsis and first chapter. I'm going to update my query letter and wait to see what happens with PPWC. I know the one judge who specifically asked for more of the story, but I don't know the other two judges involved. That means I'll query every agent that attends the conference, eventually.
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Post by bill on Mar 20, 2020 3:42:14 GMT
Okay, I'm super excited! I just sent a query letter to the Zebulon judge who had requested to see more of When the Time was Right. Now I just hold my breath...and wait!
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Post by Admin on Mar 21, 2020 16:07:43 GMT
Supper pleased. It's a matter of taking one step at a time and keeping momentum. Crossing my fingers for you. As for me? I want the weather to be dry long enough to set the second part of the house. Then get it finished enough to get Hank home. That is my most fervent wish. And for the judge to ask for a full ms. Good Luck.
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Post by bill on Mar 23, 2020 2:33:12 GMT
When the Time is Right - As I said, I read through, made some changes, and sent to one of the judges. I have a list of five changes I need to make to the manuscript. I need to decide how many of those I want to go ahead and change (will include some additional writing) and how many I want to wait on. I'll probably try to make the changes this week, hoping I can finish before the full manuscript is requested. Then I want to send queries to each of the contest judges (at least two other judges also like the entry), and to each agent who had planned to attend the conference. I figure the winning entry should at least get the interest of some of them.
The Christmas Parade Miracle. I read through the notes from the Zebulon contest and made some significant changes. I'll let it sit for a few days then read through to see how it sounds. Then I want to submit it for the PPW anthology currently open to submissions.
PPW - I want to consider other potential stories I could submit for the anthology. You can only have one story in the book, but the more entries I submit the more opportunities I have that one will be selected. They're judged anonymously.
The Most Important Thing - This sat on the back burner this week, and may sit for another week before I return to it. Still have a lot of work to do on it.
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Post by Admin on Mar 27, 2020 17:47:13 GMT
I sort of see a light at the end of the tunnel. Second piece of the house is on site and hopefully, it will get set today. I hope so because rain is in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday. I want the basement covered before it rains again. Then we can get electric hooked up and the sump pump running. I'm so tired of waiting. Hank's physical ability is fading. I don't even know how to face what is coming. He wants out of the nursing home and I think he has a right to make the decision. I have an appointment with mental health clinic but its by facetiming so I don't know how well that will go. I'll give it a try and see.
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Post by bill on Mar 29, 2020 3:16:06 GMT
I've seen your pictures on Facebook. Exciting that you're getting close! How long before you can actually move in? I bet having his own place would help Hank, I would think.
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