Lighthouse Saga

It's been quite a while since I've taken the opportunity to blog. My time has been comsumed with finalizing my historical romance I've been working on for almost a year and a half. I spent about 4-5 months researching, and about six months of writing the novel. Then I had a couple months break while I recovered from shoulder surgery. Next was two and a half months of editing. My goal was to be completed before September 15th because I wanted to enter some writing contests. Each of the ones I entered provide feedback from the judges.

My story is set near Camden Maine during 1878 in a lighthouse which is currently called Curtis Island light. At the time period I wrote, it was then known as Negro Island light. It's about a seventeen-year-old girl who longs to follow her dying mother's bidding to be a keeper of the light. Problem is, her brother's best friend has the same ambition - to be a lighthouse keeper and he's old enough to be considered. Hopefully one day soon you'll be able to read the tale of Abi and Jacob.

Getting Close

Well, I'm about at the point where I'm sick of seeing my manuscript. I'm going through my novel with a fine tooth comb to pick up words that need changing, typos, etc. It's quite tedious. I'm also comparing notes from about four women who critiqued my manuscript for me. It's quite time consuming, so much so, that I'm delaying the start of homeschool until I complete my edits. Once I get through this series of edits I plan to do one final read through. Then on to writing the dreaded synopsis. I pray it will flow smoothly when I sit down to write it. The synopsis is condensing my 300+ page novel down to no more than three pages. Whew!

In the midst of trying to do all this, our monitor went out, which means I'm working off an old one that isn't real clear, and is hard on the eyes. Praise God, our new monitor should be arriving today.

Edits and Synopsis

The month of July has zoomed by, as well as half of August. I had hoped to get a lot of things accomplished.... Well, one thing I have been consistent with working on, is editing my historical fiction novel. The main bulk of edits is accomplished at this point. There still is some fine tuning to do. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever be finished. I can always find a word to change or improve upon. At some point I'll have to stop and say, "It's as good as I'm going to get it." :) I've heard back from my critique group and they have enjoyed my story. Always good to hear! :) Now I need to go through all the specifics of the things they suggested to improve upon.

In the next few weeks I need to come up with a synopsis of said manuscript. In other words, condense my novel down to no more than three pages. Whew! I think my work is cut out for me! :) Oh, and then there's the thing of working on lesson plans for my son's final homeschool senior year. At some point we need to start school too. So I'm praying for strength and wisdom in the next several weeks as I finalize my novel and eventually start homeschool.

New Insights

It's been a busy month with editing my Christian historical romance I've written. I'm about half way through the process, although sometimes I wonder if I'll ever be at a stopping place. There always seems to be one more word or scene to tweak and improve. Such is the life of a writer I suppose. :)

This month I participated on an on-line course through ACFW - American Christian Fiction Writers, on deep POV - point of view. I found it to be an insightful and informative class and enjoyed the personal feedback from the instructor. I've learned a lot through the course, as well as from other Christian writers. I now have a better understanding of character arcs and passive vs. active verbs. I love to learn more things about writing and how to become a better writer.

Plugging Along

I've managed to work on six chapters of editing thus far. My goal is five - six chapters per week, which will take about six weeks to complete. I'm pleased with how things are going despite a slight setback with my shoulder on Monday and some continuing sciatic nerve issues. I have ice on my shoulder at the moment, and soon need a break from my computer chair! :)

I find the editing process challenging. It's difficult to see past when I know what's going to happen, to examine each individual sentence for its quality. I'm learning to have more of a critical eye, but it definitely is an acquired trait. It's taking training to discern some of the errors. I'm thankful and blessed to have some critique partners who are helping me.

Observations

I started a new book this afternoon I had picked up from the library. It's called A Heart Divided by Kathleen Morgan. I was struck by two things within reading a few pages. Some authors have a definite knack of pulling you into the story by the words they weave. They allow you to take a small glimpse into a character's life. I can't help but feel Jesus often did this when he was teaching/preaching to the crowds. He wove a story, causing listeners to make a decision - to stay on the path they were on, or chose to follow Him.

The other observation wasn't quite so deep.:) Kathleen Morgan named one of her characters Cord. It immediately struck me as a strong masculine name. It's funny how some names make you think of something right away. This name had to belong to a cowboy wearing a stetson.

Plethora of Ideas

I find my edits for my historical novel have been SLOW. I don't know if it's a matter of getting my brain into rewrite/edit mode or what. But when it comes to coming up with creative ideas for additional books, I have a plethora. I already have come up with three different story ideas for my lighthouse series. Now my newest brainstorm involves a set of three books about different mail-order bride situations. Now the decision of what to work on and what to put aside until later.