Why am I not voting? Because I can't.
No, I'm not an illegal, and no, I'm not a felon.
I'm a permanent resident, originally from Canada. Being a permanent resident gives me all the rights and responsibilities as a citizen. Except the right to vote. And let me tell you, I would LOVE to be able to cast a vote in this election!
Becoming a permanent resident is not an easy process. It took two years, and was expensive. Some of the things you do to gain permanent residency (a green card) are:
--fill out a long, long, long questionnaire, including employment history, residency history, affiliations to any groups or organizations and just about everything except what kind of underwear you wear!
--get fingerprinting, photographed, and consent to a criminal record check
--get a physical, and get checked for communicable diseases (like TB and AIDS)
--get referrals from people who will vouch for your good character
It was a little intimidating, I must say, and I'm really, really glad I've never cheated on my taxes or broken any laws!
At any rate, that's why I'm not voting. So do me a favor. Don't let your right to vote go to waste! It's a right I won't have, unless I go through the process of applying for citizenship.
So get out there, if you haven't already!!!

Does anyone else but me find this disturbing? I can see SNL doing an election show. It’s funny to see them parody the candidates, and, after all, that’s one of the strengths of SNL. But when the real candidates come on the show, I have to wonder. It seems, to me, to make light of the election. Reality gets a little fuzzy—who is the real candidate, and what did they say, or was that their SNL counterpart…?
Maybe I lack a sense of humor. Or, maybe there’s a reason why it bothers me to watch the lines between serious issues and entertainment blur. When candidates go on talk shows or variety shows what are they trying to prove? That they are popular, like movie stars? Should there be a talent portion for the election?

Yesterday was one of those gorgeous late fall days that you sigh about fondly when the wind is howling in December and spring seems like a dream. I spent the afternoon digging up a patch of backyard which was filled with weeds, invasive (but pretty) little violets and scrub bushes. I had just written a scene in my wip where my mc helped build a retaining wall, so I figured I'd share her hard physical labor.
It was wonderfully satisfying to see my progress at the end of the day. It's something you don't get while writing--that satisfaction of finishing something. It's always a work-in-progress--write, write, revise, revise...right up until the book is printed (and even then I want to change things!)
While I worked, my wip ran through my head. Plot ideas, characters, scenes--they unwound like a ball of thread. Okay, stupid analogy but it's the best I can come up with. After scrubbing vigorously in the shower (I'd been working near poison ivy) I grabbed my computer to jot down my ideas before they disappeared. I used Writer's Cafe. I had downloaded a free copy last week. It doesn't do everything the full copy will do, but it's enough for me, for now anyway. In Outlines, I was able to create virtual index cards, then move them around on a clipboard. Right now I have three storylines--the main plot, the background info, and one subplot. The software lets you create as many storylines as you wish, then create index cards and move them around on the story lines. You can make longer notes for each index cards.
I have a PC, so couldn't use Scrivener, which I've heard a lot about. But, for now, Writer's Cafe is doing the job for me. I haven't tried the competitors--you can get too hung up comparing software and spend not enough time writing, and I wanted to avoid that.

So, today is the first day of NaBloMoPo (National Blog Posting Month). My task is to blog every day in November.
I didn't join NaNoWriMo, though I was tempted, because the rules said no starting mid-way in a book. Start from fresh. Well, I'm 12,000 words into a new book and want to work on it. So, I'm doing my own DebNoWriMo and keeping track of my word counts myself. I'll let you know how that turns out.
About BAH, HUMBUG, Let me say I love Christmas as much as anyone, and do my best to be a good little consumer and go into debt and all that. Last year, we even had TWO Christmas trees--one real and one artificial! One went in the family room, and one in the living room.
However, I like Christmas in it's place. In December, you know? Not on Halloween. Our local radio station started playing Christmas music on the afternoon of Oct. 31. You can check them out online at http://www.99wmyx.com/
They call it the Christmas Mix. Rest assured, I won't be listening to it.

Okay, so something that bugs me about the town I live in. They hold "Halloween" on the last Sunday before the REAL Halloween. Yup. From 4 until 7.
Go figure.

This year, because we were still on daylight saving time, it didn't even get dark until 6:30. Wow. Lotsa fun, eh? Plus, there was a wind warning (gusts up to 50 mph) and rain. Maybe someone up there (or down below) was trying to tell us something.

So, tonight is REAL Halloween, and being kind of a rebel I've lit my pumpkins--AGAIN. Yes, I gave out candy last Sunday, but I've lit my pumpkins again and if any kid comes to my door--WOW--will they get a lot of candy or what? We had a low turn-out on Sunday, so I've got a whole bowl left of good stuff.

So come and get it, you REAL Halloweeners! If you dare.... Read the rest of this post

At our recent SCBWI regional retreat, I had the pleasure of attending a presentation by Ann Bausum, http://www.annbausum.com who reminded us to "make haste slowly" in our wip's.
However, I've been feeling a great need to make haste QUICKLY on my latest work-in-progress. It's an idea that hasn't been written about, but that's only a matter of time and I want to write it first! So, after taking Monday off to go see the City of Ember (loved it!) I started fresh on Tuesday morning. Yup, even set my alarm. Got up, grabbed a coffee and sat down to write. Writing first, that was my motto. No watching the Today Show, no checking email, no radio--just me and my computer.
Two hours later I had managed exactly 73 words. After five hours of intense writing, I managed 333 words. Most of them mediocre.
So, Wed. I decided I needed a new strategy. I went to Mrs. Sippy's (terrific local coffee shop) So three hours at Mrs. Sippy's (one soup, one sandwich, one coffee, one tea later....) followed by an hour at the library and--ta da!--550 words. ALL of them sucked. I'm not kidding. I will probably throw most of them out today.
My problem was making haste quickly. Trying to punch out words, without really thinking deeply about "what is my character thinking? Feeling? Looking forward to? Dreading" What I actually wrote was backstory, thinly veiled as a day at school, but it bored even me!
So today--no gimmicks, no techniques. No setting the clock to write for a full hour (tried that), no setting a word count minimum (I've tried that) and no reaching for a set number of pages (tried that.) Just writing, and trying to get into the head of my mc.
So, everyone, what process works for you???

Well, it's been ages since I've blogged. Bad me. Blame it on a frantically busy spring/summer, with a huge family reunion (two weeks in Vancouver) and my son's wedding (it was fabulous!)
So, about calling your agent a bad name. Well, I called mine a poop. In public. At a conference. During my presentation.
Here's the facts, ladies and gents.
I was at our Wisconsin SCBWI fall conference(www.scbwi-wi.com)(Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). It's a three day yearly retreat, full of presentations, big names, terrific breakouts, and lots of eating and gabbing. I was especially excited this year because my agent, Steven Chudney,(www.thechudneyagency.com) would be coming. I've been his client since 2003 or so, and we've talked by phone, but I'd never met him. I'd scoured the Web for a picture of him, to no avail. So, I was dying to meet him face to face.
I was half-way through my presentation. It's a pre-conference thing for people who attending for the first time. We call it, From Beginner to Pro: What You Need To Know. Unofficially, we call it the Newbie Orientation.
Partway through my talk, a good looking guy came into the room and sat down. No big deal. People often arrive late and join the session in progress. I handed him the handouts. I was finishing up a section, and asked the group of 17 or so participants if there were any any questions.
"Yes," said the guy. "How do you get an agent?"
It caught me off guard, since he'd just walked in and basically asked his question without having a clue of where we were in the presentation, or if we'd covered that or whatever.
"Good question," I said. "We'll be covering that a bit later."
Well, then he stood up and gave me back the handouts. I can't remember exactly what he said, since adrenaline rush has obliterated my memory, but it was something like, "I won't need these. I'm Steven Chudney."
That's when I said, "Oh, my god. You poop, you!" Or maybe I called him a big poop. Or a big ol' poop. Again, that adrenaline thing...blurs the memory.
So we hugged, and laughed, and hugged a bit more, and I walked him to the door where our Regional Advisor and Assistant Advisor and New Assistant Advisor and some of my friends were totally cracking up laughing.
I walked back in, red faced, and had to ask if someone had a tissue or paper towel or something to mop my face....! I explained he was my agent, and this was our first meeting and so on.
Someone asked, "Is it okay to call your agent a poop?"
"I sure hope so!" I told her, and then tried to collect my thoughts and move on with the subject matter.
At any rate, it was a great introduction, and broke the ice immediately with this agent-man who has been such a part of my life, unseen, for several years.
More on the retreat later!
Debbie

I'm so nervous! I'll be on The Morning Blend, a Milwaukee morning talk show that runs daily from 9:00 until 10:00. The date is THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 19. Most of you can't pick it up, as it's local, but here's the link.
www.themorningblend.com
Please, please don't let me babble. Or monopolize the conversation, as I'm appearing with Janet Halfmann, another Wisconsin author. Or clam up shut. Or make a fool of myself. Or, you know how your mouth goes dry, and you can't talk, but the rest of you is sweating like a pig...can T.V. hosts smell fear????
So far I have:
--decided on an outfit, white pants and a patterned top
--called the executive producer, because her email said don't wear white or patterns
--done a test drive run down to the studio so I won't get lost
--decided on makeup and shoes
--looked for earrings, but didn't find any
--programmed my GPS navigator, which wouldn't cooperate and, I swear, is SENTIENT and is laughing at me
Oh, yeah, and sent them the stuff they asked--put together a bio, answered the guest questionnaire, came up with questions for the hosts, resized photos of my book covers, etc. This is all impressive, if I do say so myself, since I just got the invite on Sunday!!!!
Wish me luck!

Well, I got back from Wiscon (more about that later!) and found I had the most wonderful email. CHOICES has been shortlisted for the SUNBURST AWARD. You can check out all the entries, and the judges full remarks at http://www.sunburstaward.org/2008_Shortlists.htm

The Sunburst jury says: "Jacobs' second novel is original and fast-paced, with characters we’d love to know. Kathleen, Kay, Kate, Kathy—Jacobs juggles realities with dazzling confidence. The resolution satisfies but keeps you thinking—about love and loss, and the choices we make."

Don't'cha just love it? "Juggles realities with dazzling confidence." Whoohoo! Here's the OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE!


***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Contact person: Rebecca Simkin
[email protected]


FINALISTS FOR EIGHTH ANNUAL SUNBURST AWARD ANNOUNCED

TORONTO, ONTARIO (May 26, 2008) - The short-listed works in the adult category for the 2008 Sunburst Award are:

Double-blind - Michelle Butler Hallett
Darkness of the God - Amber Hayward
The New Moon's Arms - Nalo Hopkinson
Wonderfull - William Neil Scott
Axis - Robert Charles Wilson

The short-listed works in the young adult category for the 2008 Sunburst Award are:

Choices - Deborah Lynn Jacobs
Retribution - Carrie Mac
Darkwing - Kenneth Oppel
Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet - Joanne Proulx
The Night Wanderer - Drew Hayden Taylor

The Sunburst Award for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic is a prized and juried award that is presented annually. Named after the debut novel by Phyllis Gotlieb, one of the first published authors of contemporary Canadian speculative fiction, the award consists of a cash prize of $1,000 and a hand-crafted medallion, which incorporates the "Sunburst" logo, designed by Marcel Gagné. It is based on excellence of writing; the jury selects five short-listed works and one winner, representing the finest of Canadian fantastic literature published during the 2007 calendar year. The requirements of the young adult award are the same as for the adult award except for the age of the audience to which the work is addressed. The winner of the annual young adult award will also receive a medallion and prize of $1,000.

The jurors for the 2008 award are: Timothy Anderson, Kelley Armstrong, Barbara Haworth-Attard, Dena Bain Taylor, and Robert J. Wiersema.

The Sunburst jury says about:

Double-blind - Michelle Butler Hallett

"Sanity, madness, torture in the name of science--Double-blind is wonderfully original while chillingly based in history. It really shook us up. Through the chronically self-deceived mind of the narrator, the novel delves into profound questions of ethics in a morally ambiguous world, and comes up with tragically ironic answers. The writing is incredibly layered, with metaphor and symbol perfectly balanced against the hard neutrality of scientific language."

Darkness of the God - Amber Hayward

"With Darkness of the God, the second book in the Children of the Panther series, Hayward really finds her footing. Melding old mythology with contemporary society, she creates a different kind of urban fantasy for readers tired of the old supernatural tropes."

The New Moon's Arms - Nalo Hopkinson

"Nalo Hopkinson crafts an engrossing story featuring an unforgettable character. With generous doses of mystery, humour, magical fantasy and insight, The New Moon's Arms is a entrancing read."

Wonderfull - William Neil Scott

"Scott follows the tradition of Canadian magic realism in a first novel brimming with quirky writing that would seem forced in less capable hands. The novel has huge scope--bigger on the inside than it appears on the outside and covering the entire lifecycle of a magical town--without ever sacrificing intimacy or detail. Scott has said he was inspired by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and the ghosts conjured by his own family's stories."

Axis - Robert Charles Wilson

"Original and creative, with strikingly lyrical prose, Wilson shows insight into the human need to dominate every landscape he or she sets foot upon, be it the West in 'olden' times or a new planet in the future--and the mistakes and pitfalls that occur while rushing to do so. He also shows the determination and fortitude our ancestors possessed and passed on, and the ability to learn from our errors and go forward."

Choices - Deborah Lynn Jacobs

"Jacobs' second novel is original and fast-paced, with characters we'd love to know. Kathleen, Kay, Kate, Kathy--Jacobs juggles realities with dazzling confidence. The resolution satisfies but keeps you thinking--about love and loss, and the choices we make."

Retribution - Carrie Mac

"A timely novel, given the current rise of child armies in parts of the world. Strong writing pulls the reader through this sequel to The Droughtlanders. The sibling characters Eli, Sabine and Seth continue to grow as an exciting, action-packed yet thoughtful story unwinds."

Darkwing - Kenneth Oppel

"Kenneth Oppel always spins wonderful fantasies about worlds hidden within our own, and in Darkwing he imagines one of those sub-worlds before our own. Darkwing takes the reader back to the earliest evolutionary form of bats and gives them a well-crafted, fast-paced adventure sure to please both grade schoolers and young teens."
Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet - Joanne Proulx

"Proulx doesn't shy away from showing the tumultuous mix of beauty and ugliness at work in the mind of a teen stoner. Her debut novel tackles ESP, drug use, teen sexuality and the mores of small town conservative Michigan all foregrounded against the soundscape of Luke Hunter's life. There is no doubt teens will recognize many of the characters in this uncomfortable novel. The book, like the protagonist, is not without flaws; Proulx's huge accomplishment here is writing a character whose rage, frustration and love are palpable through the disaffected teen voice."

The Night Wanderer - Drew Hayden Taylor

"Taylor crafts a fast-paced tale of old magic meeting the modern world in this coming-of-age novel set in an Ontario reserve. With a spare, effective narrative style, he draws compelling portraits of teenage Tiffany, her struggling father, and a grandmother who carries the old world and the old Anishinabe language in her head. The mysterious Pierre brings a darkly gothic element to the prosaic setting, settling in the Hunters' basement room while he looks for a cure for his cravings. Taylor is an accomplished storyteller tackling themes of alienation and compromise with an accessible and engaging voice."

For further information about the Sunburst Award, including information about past nominees, winners, and jurors, please visit: www.sunburstaward.org

A lot of authors are asked, "Where do you get your ideas?" The best answer I've heard is "I steal them." I can't remember if I saw this on an author's blog or an interview, and I apologize for not providing a link, but it struck me as so honest and so funny.
Of course she doesn't really steal other author's ideas, but ideas can come from things you read in the paper, see in the news or hear on the radio. For some time I kept an idea box under my bed, filled with newspaper clippings. Old tech, eh? Now, the Internet is a virtual idea box, filled with cool, new stuff.
Since I write speculative fiction, I read Discover magazine, National Geo, Pop. Mechanics, and so on. Right now, I'm watching NOVA on TV. There are ideas everywhere!
Powers and Choices came from stuff I thought about, wondered about, philosophized about, as a teen. The book I just finished writing comes from some ideas we tossed about in Philosophy 101, back in college. And my new work-in-progress, which is just in the brainstorming stage, began as a "what if?" question.
Ideas are cheap. Maybe that's why so many people say, "oh, I could have written that" or "I could be a writer." Developing those ideas, doing your research, extrapolating from that one "what if?"--well that's the real work of writing.

I have a reputation of having a terrible sense of direction. Don't tell me to go west on the Interstate. Even if I found the Interstate, I couldn't find west with a compass and a sextant.
I know why this happens.
I pay attention to the wrong things. For me, roads are a way of getting to where I want to go, but I rarely notice such things as street names, north or south, parallel roads or intersecting roads. In fact, I think the entire road system is magical, and switches around with the frequency of a Hogwart's staircase.
Today I went for a walk--past the fire hydrant with the day lilies that will bloom in August, loop around to the redbud tree (not yet in bloom) past the marsh (no ducks yet) and right on the street with the nasty dog, right at the neighbor who is a master gardener. From there I could see my house.
It's easy to get anywhere with my directions. For example, when I go to pick up my new glasses I go past the marsh (no ducks yet) left on the street with the croaking frogs (just woke up today!) make a right just past the lawn with the purple wildflowers, and look for the turquoise sign.
Easy, right?

Ask me why I'm so happy today.
It's not that my paperbacks arrived, although I'm excited about them.

Or that my new business cards arrived



It's that my best friend turns 21 today. I'm so proud of her, not because she is beautiful (though she is a beauty) or a talented actor (which she is) or even that she has the voice of an angel. I'm proud because she shows the courage of her convictions, and is not afraid to follow her dream.

The incomparable Cynthia Leitich Smith, http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com, who wrote the wonderfully entertaining TANTALIZE, has posted an interview with me about CHOICES. You can read it at:
http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2008/04/author-interview-deborah-lynn-jacobs-on.html
http://cynleitichsmith.livejournal.com/75184.html
http://www.myspace.com/cynthialeitichsmith
http://spookycyn.blogspot.com/2008/04/author-interview-deborah-lynn-jacobs-on.html
Cynthia is a great supporter of ya authors. I don't know where she finds the time, but I'm glad she does!
Debbie

It's about time, too.





Even though all the snow hasn't quite melted:



It's a lot better than a month ago. Here's my drive, after I broke up the ice. Lovely, eh?

Here's the cover from Powers (paperback edition.) I love the connection between the two characters, and the font for the title!

When: April 1, 2008 (no kidding)
Name: Powers
Format: a very affordable paperback!
Proud parent: ME!
Grandparents: the nice folks at Square Fish Press.
Siblings: Choices (2007), Powers Hardcover (2006), The Same Difference (2000)
Available: Everywhere that books are sold!
Description: When Gwen and Adrian meet, they unlock each other’s latent psychic powers. It’s too bad they can’t stand each other, don’t trust each other, and do everything they can to manipulate each other. Will they use their power to save lives? Or will it destroy them both? Written in alternating voices, this is a compelling, suspenseful novel about power in all its forms—psychic, physical, sexual, romantic.

...spring has been delayed...
The huge snowstorm we had on Good Friday (twelve inches!) rocketed us into second place for the snowiest winter on record! Only ten more inches needed to break first place. I mean, really, we’re so close...
So today, we are getting thunderstorms, hail, risk of flooding, and later...yes, more snow. My crocuses and irises have poked their heads out and show signs of blooming soon--if the hail doesn’t get them, or the snow blight them.
Where are you, spring????

The PAGE FLIPPER posted a great review of CHOICES on her blog. Go to:
http://thepageflipper.blogspot.com/2008/03/choices-by-deborah-lynn-jacobs.html

My favorite line is this:
"...there are a thousand ends to one beginning. That’s Kathleen’s life."

Thanks, Chelsea, for the thoughtful review. And, the best part is that people are reading Chelsea’s blog and getting excited about CHOICES.

Note: I wrote this on Feb 11. I finished the revision on Feb. 14. Although it looks like I only spent 17 days in actual revision, I have revision notes and docs going back to October of 2007. I guess I did a lot of “pre-writing” and thinking and planning and plotting and so on. So, when I actually got down to it, the revision went quickly.
Okay, so here’s the post I was going to post on Feb 11, but didn’t!

Nearly done.
I can’t believe it. Day 17 of my revision, and I’m nearly finished. How did that happen? One minute I was moaning about how much work it would be and how inadequate I felt and how I didn’t even know where to start. And now, all I have left to do is read through once for line edits and read through another time to check consistency.

Here are some of the HOW TO’s that I’ve found useful.
1. Take a master copy of my work. Go through my agent’s and critique group’s comments and note them on the master copy.
2. Write down any plot criticisms that make sense to me.
3. Put away everyone’s comments, and start rewriting.
4. At some point, write down my premise, and the implications of that. Write down my theme, major plot points, climax and ending.
5. Print out the manuscript, and highlight things I want to track—theme, character, whatever I don’t think is “quite there yet.” I learned this technique from Darcy Pattison, http://www.darcypattison.com. Check out her Revision Notes—excellent advice!
6. If I’m not sure of a scene, paste it into a new document and play around with it.
7. Read through multiple times to catch missing words, awkward phrasing, repeated words, etc. Check through the notes on my master copy, looking for line edits.
8. Do a ‘search’ for over-used words—really, nice, etc.
9. Do a find and replace to get rid of extra spaces.
10. Eat chocolate.

1. Putting stuff in, only to take it out.
Who was it that said that an author is someone who spends all morning inserting one work into a paragraph, and then spends all afternoon taking it out? I can't remember, but it describes my day yesterday. I have some great quotes, from a play that's in the public domain, and felt they'd be great to insert into my text. So, I started weaving the references through. At eleven last night, I realized I was only slowing my story down. I was writing stuff that people were going to skip. So, today, I will laboriously take out all the references. I still plan to use a quote, but probably just one quote at the start of the book.

2. The Ripple Effect
I realized my mc's mother was really a non-entity, and needed either to die, go on an extended trip, or actually have some meaningful interaction with my mc. So, I looked at scenes where the mc is with her mother and started making mom a little more real, with an actual personality. Ah, the dreaded ripple effect. If I change this scene, I have now changed the nature of their interaction. The following scene no longer makes sense. And I love the following scene.

3. Cravings
Does anyone else get cravings when they write? Last night I wanted popcorn. But it was late at night, and I didn't want to scarf down empty carbs. So, I had a few mixed nuts. Still wanted popcorn. Had a few crackers with the tuna salad leftover from lunch. Still wanted popcorn. Had half a low-carb ice cream bar, which tasted…um…like a low carb ice cream bar. Still wanted popcorn.
I am a slow learner, but I did learn this: next time, just have the stupid popcorn!

4. Letting things go
Unpaid bills, income tax returns, other financial stuff—it all just sits there, mocking me, nagging me. I have mostly kept to my resolve to take weekends off and do household stuff, but I worked through this weekend. I'm closing in on the deadline I set for myself, Valentine's Day, and really needed to put in some hours.

5. Butt-in-chair back problems
Ever spend so much time sitting and writing that your back complains? I'm trying to take breaks—go for a walk, turn on the music and do some aerobics, get up and do some stretching exercises. And all of this helps, but my back is letting me know that I've been sitting on my backside way too long!

Well, it's day 10 of my revision (I'm taking weekends off.) I'm on page 184 of a 230 page ms. Things are heating up as we head toward the climax. I've tied the two story lines together and have made some plot changes.BUT, I'm still frustrated by hurdle 3--lack of direction, not sure what to change, etc.I've figured out the big things, but am stuck on some little stuff. Like the ending. Seriously. Half of my critique group loved it, half were so-so, and at least one person just didn't get it. So, should I change it?And the scene with the hypnotist-- I have the start of another novel that starts with a hypnotist, so maybe I want to save the idea for that.Also, one of my main characters--is he half African-American? I don't know. In fact, the references to his race are all muddled in the story as it stands. In some chapters, he's got dark skin and in others he doesn't. Better fix that before I send this baby to an editor!Because I'm revising pre-editor, I'm making changes based on my gut feeling and the feedback my critique group and agent gave me on my first draft. The problem can be when critiques give conflicting advice. Then what?So, here goes. Take out the hypnotist. Make the character half Black. And write two endings. Seriously! I might tweak the current ending, and then write a totally different one and see which I like best. I keep copies of all major changes, with deleted scenes in a file called CUTS. Each version is dated, so I can always go back to an earlier version.Wish me luck!

Anatomy of a revision, Days 6 and 7
Over the last two days I've been concentrating on THEME and PLOT.
I'm mostly weaving in stuff to support the theme, since some members of my critique group felt confused about "what the story was about." Some of that confusion was planned on my part. I'm writing something that I want people to think about and decide for themselves. Let's just say I've been reading a lot about the nature of reality, and am playing around with that idea.
I've also been tying my two plot lines together more. (I have two story lines, which are somewhat but not exactly parallel.)
Mostly, the changes I'm making are fairly small. No huge plot revisions, just minor tweaking.
So, lets talk about the HOW TO of revising.

I've heard writers say, "But I don't know how to revise. What should I be doing?"
You might start by reading some books. THE FIRST FIVE PAGES, by Noah Lukeman, might help you read over your manuscript with a critical eye. It's especially useful for beginning writers, who might be making some common errors.
More experienced writers might enjoy SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS, by Renni Browne and Dave King.
The Elements of Fiction series, by Writers Digest, is great, especially BEGINNINGS, MIDDLES AND ENDS, by Nancy Kress. The Write Great Fiction series is also terrific.
If you check out either of these series, you'll see each book tackles one issue at a time: creating story, plot, characters, dialog, and so on.
That's how to tackle your revision--one step at a time.
Ask yourself some of the following questions:
--is there conflict in every scene?
--is every scene critical to the book?
--do I have a satisfying story arc?
--are my characters ALIVE and interesting?
--did I develop my theme?
--is my dialog fresh and believable?
--how's my pacing? Language? Description?
Now, ask yourself what is bugging you the most. You know what I mean. What nagging little thoughts keep running under the surface of your mind?
Weak plot? Stereotypical characters? Unsatisfactory ending?
Start your revision with the most critical problem. Concentrate on one thing at a time. Keep going back to work on other elements. So, you might work on plot first, then go back and beef up the characterization, then go back and eliminate all the weak verbs, etc.
If you try to focus on everything, all at once, you'll be lost!

Made it to the end of the week. And, even better, managed to get half way in my revision!

I've learned a few things. One, I need distraction to work. On Wed, I drove hubby to work. He busted up his shoulder, had surgery and is a sling, so I'm the designated driver for everything for a while. It was too far to drive home and go back to pick him up so I hung out at his work. I had everything a writer needs--my laptop, free coffee and diet coke, pizza for lunch, a nice, cozy office space. No phone calls, no Internet, no distractions.
It drove me nutty.
Really nutty.
Imagine staring at your book for five, straight, long, hours.
I realized something. I need distraction. Not much, but a little. When I hit a spot in my revision where I need to ruminate a bit, I need to get up, stretch, check my email, throw in a load of laundry, and so on.
I guess the whole "go on a retreat" thing, or "rent an office thing," really, really wouldn't work for me.
So, like, cool. Saves me money, eh?

Tomorrow--let's talk about the HOW TO of revising. (I know this was point four or so on my list of hurdles, but what the heck. If I followed the order, I'd be an accountant, not a writer!!!)

Hurrah! CHOICES is on the YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. The books on the list are ones that teens might pick up to read for themselves. They are all good, fast, engaging books. Some of my favorite authors are represented! I'm thrilled to be in such company!
See the list here:
http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/quickpicks/08qp.cfm
Deb

DEB'S REVISION LOG, DAY 2

Progress—I’m happy with it. 4 hours butt in chair.

Today I worked on some very critical scenes and solved a few knotty plot and world-building issues. Overall, I felt good about what I accomplished. I was actually BIC (butt in chair) for more than 4 hours, but some of that was doing research. I managed to fit in a walk, and some “household, bill paying, life-organizing” stuff.

Okay, so let’s talk about overcoming the obstacles, starting with the first and worst.

NO TIME!

It’s hard (and at certain times, well nigh impossible) to juggle job, kids, household stuff and writing. It’s even harder if you have aging parents, an ailing spouse or other family responsibilities. So how can you carve out enough time to meet your writing goals?

1. Compartmentalize. Set aside time just for writing. I have a writing friend who gets up obscenely early to sneak in writing time before going to her day job. Other people (sometimes me) write late at night when everyone else has gone to bed. Another solution is to go on a private retreat. Rent a cabin, house-sit for a friend, or go to a retreat center that offers inexpensive rates. Of course, it’s not always possible to leave home because of that whole job, kids, household, family thing…so….

2. Leave for a few hours. If you work full-time, maybe your partner could take over while you go to the library for two or three hours, perhaps in the evening or on the weekend. If you don’t work, but have little people underfoot, maybe you could trade off parenting time with a friend, or ask a willing mom or mom-in-law to take care of the kids an afternoon or two a week.

3. Grab bits of time when you can. I have written while in the dentist’s chair, while getting my car worked on, while watching my kids swim, etc. (Mind you, this doesn’t work well for me, since I work best when giving long, uninterrupted writing time.)

4. Set priorities. Writing might not be first in your life—job, kids, etc.—but you might be able to put writing above having a perfectly clean bathroom or a perfectly organized pantry, or a perfectly clean…well, you get the idea. Perfection is for people who have too much time on their hands. If you are a writer, forget perfection.

5. Come out of the closet. Yup, declare yourself as a writer. An aspiring author. Someone who doesn’t take phone calls during the day, and who is maybe even so rude to suggest to her neighbors that it is NOT okay to drop by for coffee unannounced or call during work hours. (This works for established authors as well.)

6. Keep telling yourself this: If I don’t write this, I can’t sell this. (Great motivator.)

7. It comes down to this—do you want to write? Want to be published? If so, you need to carve out some time in your life. How you do so will depend on your own style and life situation.

Opinions welcome!
Deb