Developing my fictional world

I feel like I haven't done much - but in reality I have taken my book from novella to novel. I finally broke the 50K word mark.

I'm trying to find the balance between being descriptive and overloading the reader with too much detail. When I speak - I am a rambler. I have worked so hard to NOT ramble in my writing that I have made it too succinct.

It always comes down to balance, doesn't it?

I finished another round of edits, and I am getting the manuscript reviewed by another person. However, I know I have to increase the book by 50% so I have continued to write and fill out what scenes I keep identifying as needing help.

One weird problem I have - this book is written from a man's perspective, which I have been mostly successful to date - but I have both sex and kissing scenes in it. I'm having a really hard time writing these scenes in general but especially writing them like a man. Normally when I am struggling on a perspective or style issue, I try to read books I like which parallel that aspect - but I can't even think of an example of a sex scene written from a guy's perspective.

Ooh - just thought of one, but I can't remember the name or author of the book. It's about a Druid, at the time of Caesar, who ends up befriending Vercingetorix - there's a few "action" scenes, including some for ritual purposes, and the protagonist is a man.

Off to start googling and finding this book! If you can think of it - or have another recommendation - please let me know!

Still Pushing Through

I never expected to be struggling so much through these final stages. I need to get my revision finished this weekend, because I have someone lined up to copyedit starting next weekend. There is no way I will get writing done during the work week.

The goal for this work is to be able to start querying agents in January.

I am still working through the notes of the last round of edits/recommendations. She gave really great feedback, and this has been immensely helpful. It is really interesting to see how another person interprets the clues and foreshadowing I include throughout the book. This was exactly what I needed to see! She has also been really great in identifying scene or characters I need to flesh out to make it more satisfying to the reader.

On a side note, did you hear about the sister site near Stonehenge which has been discovered? The new nickname seems to be Bluehenge. I am trying to see if there is a way to appropriately include it in my book. I haven't gotten up to the Stonehenge and Woodhenge scenes yet, so I will probably see it this afternoon.

Here is a link if you want to read about this discovery: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1217752/Henge-stones-Unearthed-site-monuments-little-sister.html

Not a lot written, but more great feedback

So I couldn't get into a writing mindset, despite my research and downtime - but that's OK. However, a friend of mine who is giving me feedback (clarity of storyline, character development, etc) is going back and reading it again.

She said, like my husband did, that she couldn't put it down. In fact, she finished it in 2 sessions!

Still have more to do, and still need some professional help, but this is certainly keeping the motivation going!

Back on track this week

I have taken the week off from work, and have already caught up on my recorded shows on the history of the Druids, Celts and some really interesting stuff on underground Dublin. (Right now I am loving the inventor of DVR - I've had these shows sitting there for as much as 5 months!)

No more excuses - writing commences today!