That’s how far I am into the revision of my current novel. I have not reached the major conflict yet. Does that mean I am taking too long? I predict this novel will be long. My daily goal now is to try to write/revise 1,000 words or more. My son starts preschool at the end of July, which will give me at least a month and a half of solid writing time until… well, until my life will change again. More on that later. Oh, still no payment from the press… so the battle continues.
I have been submitting a bit more lately. I got a rejection from The Writer magazine. I really thought they were considering my article (“My First Book Tour”) because they held onto it for so long, but it was a generic rejection with no request for more work. Generic rejections from Blackbird and Ploughshares. Would you keep submitting if you kept getting a generic rejection after paying a submission fee?
I also received a very good rejection from elimae. I have not had much luck with them, but I will keep trying as I write stories that fit. In other news, I am considering entering (again) the Sustainable Arts Foundation grants awards. I spent a lot of time on my application the first time and did not even make it close. The winners seem impressive. I don’t know if my credentials are competitive enough. I don’t have a whole lot of time to be taking on additional projects, so maybe my application seems dull since most of what I do now is write and take care of my child/house. We shall see. I am also considering sending my novel for the McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns First Novel Prize. I have to weigh whether I have a chance and whether it is worth the money in postage and the cost of the books to be mailed.
Your life will change? Why, whatever could that be? Methinks I know.