Finished Draft Woes and Longhand Binges

So I finished Dark Falcon with I think it was 73K. Have read through it a couple times since November. There are a few issues. It needs expansion in some places, and a lot of (rather difficult) research in others. Somewhat overwhelming amount of supporting characters. Can't think of any major revisions to the story though, and it's been bugging me whether or not that's a good thing. I spent so much time planning the story out in September and October, that I may have actually gotten it right in November.

Of course, I hope this isn't the wrong intuition.

While I work out this small conundrum, I have been writing another story (August 16th) longhand. It's made great progress, but I'm still sorting through any multitude of options for the story. (I always hated Choose Your Own Adventure stories. There would be pages I just could never find. Not that this story is one. Just feels that way.) Spent all of the last three days working on it.

Have to say, because I'm writing in time-coded sections, writing longhand has been easier for August 16th. I did once have this crazy idea about making it anchronological, a whim since abandoned.

Hope everyone is having a great 2011, and does anyone else find some stories just flow better in longhand?

:D

A Melodramatic, Exaggerated Breakdown

I love irony. I really do. I try to put it in my stories, I look for it in movies, news, life,etc.

Sometimes irony is just plain frustrating.

You see, whenever my mother tells someone that I write, she nearly always adds that I'm too shy to let anyone see my work.

I then reply it's not ready. I'd b willing to show off a polished manuscript, but I've yet to get there.

However, I have semi-polished several chapters of The Restored. I need my mother's input, as the library critique group is not meeting as the library caved in last year. So I asked her to read a few chapters. When she didn't have time for that, I tired discussing some issues I was having with her, but she wasn't listening to me.

Frankly, I'm frustrated and concerned. I mean, how much do they really believe in me? They think I'm too shy to have life, I guess. I know I can write stories. But just because I'm not sending out my rough-hewn, unfinished manuscripts to be deleted by every agent and editor in the hemisphere doesn't mean I don't want to be published!

Self-Promotion?

I've encountered quite a few writing how-to blogs lately that stress the importance of self-promotion. I know a lot of writers in the past would have killed to have half my chance to put their stuff out there. Unfortunately, a lot of the reason why I write as much as I do is because I'm not very eloquent. Novelling through the voice of my characters has become my way of speaking. The thought of writing a synopsis for my stories terrify me. Pitches are even worse. But going out there and making people want to buy my book? *Runs and hides in terror*

And that's pretty much how I feel.

And it's a feeling I'm apparently going to have to conquer unless I win the million-dollar jackpot and can hire my own promo agent. Unfortuantely, I'm not even 16 yet, so the lottery is out of the question leaving me with only one option: Self-promote.

I'm planning on being finished with Across the Stars by April. That's when I suppose I'll start. I should be done with Title Page by June. Selling two little novels off Amazon doesn't sound easy, exactly, but I'll put on a good attitude. Optimism and all that.

Curse the cynicism I got from my mother!

And I'm rambling. I can feel it. If you made any sense of the above, could you give some tips if you have any?

Planning and Goals

I really need to do something, I've realized: I need to put my writing out there. Submit it to a few online magazines. Send a poem I wrote to some different places as well.
Write a few short stories (which is really hard for me... but I know I can do it), maybe that sort of thing. If I start collecting rejections now, then I'll be in good shape for later on.
It suddenly seems important. I'm not sure how, but it does.

So I'll get to writing and I hope ya'll have a great week!

P.S. I opened a deviantART account under the name QueenAravis

48K (plus rant)

That's my count: 48K. Only 2,000 little words from winning. I still have 12,000 to go overall, but still. It's euphoria being so close to winning. And that brings to mind the age-old question: What do you win? (!!!!!) That is a dumbfounding question to me. What we win is a sense of superiority over everyone who asks. Plus a manuscript. We win that too. Plus the certificate. But that;s the best thing. Freaking people out. Awe-inspiring them with the sheer creative ability you possess. And they are faced with their own inferiority in a way that they feel unqualified to question any of your strange tendencies. Of course, there's always the chance they'll be like "Oh, I could do that if I wanted."
Which is why I am looking forward to my free proof copy.

And that brings to mind another age-old quote when you say you are a writer: "Have you published anything?"
*HEAD TO DESK*
I hate that question. It's like you can't really be a writer if you aren't in print and on the shelf of Barnes & Nobles. Which is why Nanowrimo is also great. Because they don't question your status as an author.

I'm not sure this rant was coherent. But I hope you understood it.