Feb 25, 2009

Changes rippled ...

Apologies - I haven't been around. I have been working like stink on rippling the changes, that Camilla Bolton suggested, through the rest of the manuscript. It took a while to do, but I have to say what she suggested has really helped - as you would expect from a professional in the business. I am working on the sequel and Rita and I had a meeting yesterday to iron out some ideas on it. Research is going to be a slog, but it needs to be done. Might need another trip to Slovakia to sort out one of the elements of the organisation I am going to incorporate in the story. Then of course, the chase scenes in Washington, will probably need more research too, haha. Now, when can I plan that for? The Fall is too long away.

Had an email from an old friend this week. It was nice to catch up and brought a lot of memories flooding back of when we used to work together in the seventies and eighties. Those were the days! Flares, shoes you could fall off, collars so long you could tuck them in your trousers - as for the men, that was a different matter. Hair, moustaches and sideburns were almost black then - although they've changed a little over the years - where there is hair, everything's silver!

Right, better get on with the sequel planning. Catch you again.

Feb 11, 2009

Will she won't she?

I've been busy these last three days incorporating the changes in The Messenger that Camilla Bolton suggested. It's not only made a complete difference to the opening of the story, but made me think hard about how the changes will ripple through the rest of the book. I'm hoping to get the end result off to her on Friday.

The girl's death scene which I slogged over for a week is now condensed into the first quarter page in a very different format - which actually strengthens the story - so, Camilla's advice has had a profound and beneficial effect in a way I would never have thought of. I just hopes she likes what I've done with her critique. Catch you guys soon.

Feb 9, 2009

Second chance to make a first impression?

My chosen agent, Camilla Bolton of the Darley Anderson Literary Agency, came back to me with a rejection on Saturday. However, the letter she sent wasn't the standard 'thanks, but no thanks'. It was a most complimentary and constructive acknowledgement of The Messenger. Camilla made suggestions as to how the story (which she thought exciting) could be improved by cutting portions of chapters and making a couple of other alterations - in general, it was obvious that she had spent time reading and inwardly digesting my story. I emailed her to say I was going to incorporate the changes she had suggested and thanked her for her time. I also acknowledged that the road to mainstream publishing was a tough one, but that I was determined to succeed. This morning I received an email from Camilla to say if I was willing to make the alterations and, if I wanted to re-submit to her, she would not only be happy to reread it, but would be happy to read anything else I write. What a brilliant lady! Obviously, there is a god after all.