Monday, October 26, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Production Delays Suck...
Damn. I was this close, too...
I spent all of last week meditating on my query letter. It's daunting, you know, trying to condense two years of my work into a one-page sales pitch. I kicked the idea around all week, putting it together in my head. When I finally sat down to write it this past weekend the words did not come easily. But I did make progress. I found it funny that I could write 90,000 page books, but a measily 400 words was like authoring the US Constitution. Just when I started to feel okay about my query progress, my wife emerged from her months-long editing slumber to inform me that, "The new draft is just way too harsh."
"What?!" I thought. What did she mean, "harsh"? I mean, sure, I bash women and weddings and everything having to do with tying the knot, but that's not harsh. After pondering her comments, though, I began to ask myself who my audience was.
During, "The Plunge," often times the audience was myself. After pasting a love-themed heart stamp on the two-hundreth engagement party invitation, I'd just about had it. That moment made me angry and I wrote about it. But what my wife said I lost during the multiple rewrites was the light-heartedness that tied the whole thing together. Instead it was replaced by a hard-edged cynicism. Most times cynicism doesn't sell.
So what does that mean? Well, it means that I'm going to rewrite, "The Plunge," one more time. No really, this time I really mean it. This whole rewrite thing is really a bummer because I want to start on my novel. The novel is where I want to be mentally right now.
Looks like I'm about to fall asleep so I'm going to get started on another rewrite.
Until next time...
I spent all of last week meditating on my query letter. It's daunting, you know, trying to condense two years of my work into a one-page sales pitch. I kicked the idea around all week, putting it together in my head. When I finally sat down to write it this past weekend the words did not come easily. But I did make progress. I found it funny that I could write 90,000 page books, but a measily 400 words was like authoring the US Constitution. Just when I started to feel okay about my query progress, my wife emerged from her months-long editing slumber to inform me that, "The new draft is just way too harsh."
"What?!" I thought. What did she mean, "harsh"? I mean, sure, I bash women and weddings and everything having to do with tying the knot, but that's not harsh. After pondering her comments, though, I began to ask myself who my audience was.
During, "The Plunge," often times the audience was myself. After pasting a love-themed heart stamp on the two-hundreth engagement party invitation, I'd just about had it. That moment made me angry and I wrote about it. But what my wife said I lost during the multiple rewrites was the light-heartedness that tied the whole thing together. Instead it was replaced by a hard-edged cynicism. Most times cynicism doesn't sell.
So what does that mean? Well, it means that I'm going to rewrite, "The Plunge," one more time. No really, this time I really mean it. This whole rewrite thing is really a bummer because I want to start on my novel. The novel is where I want to be mentally right now.
Looks like I'm about to fall asleep so I'm going to get started on another rewrite.
Until next time...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
It is finished...
By Job, I've done it! I've actually done it! Six or seven rewrites, two years and lots and lots of coffee; it's done. The final-by-God-finished version of 'The Plunge' is finished. I don't know if there's anything else I can do to it to make it any better. From what I've gathered, that's when you're supposed to submit it to an agent for help. It's grammatically correct, and it transitions and flows just like any narrative should. The question remains; who the hell wants to read it?
Well, that's the real trick. I don't know who would want to read this book. I'm assuming that my friends would want to check it out, as would most of my family. But who else? The book is an insight into my head and thought processes while transitioning from a bachelor into a married man. Of course it's slathered with my cynicism and commentary on American culture, which adds a bit of comedy (or irritation, depending on your gender). I don't know, I guess I just think the idea has got some legs. I mean come on, we have an entire channel dedicated to weddings (WE). And have there ever been any books written from a guy's point of view?
So this week will be 'query letter' week. A query letter is a pretty big deal, as it's basically your personal ad saying 'please market/buy my book.' Even though the letter itself is going to be one page, I'm going to write and rewrite it a few times to make sure that's it's right. Then I'll start working my way down my list of agents. There are hundreds. Surely someone will take a chance on it.
Two weeks from now I'll begin rewriting my novel. I think it may be in line for a massive rewrite. I've got a decent story arc in mind, but the first book might be too plodding to snag the audience. I'll make-up my mind over the next two months.
Personally, my wife and I spent the weekend in San Antonio. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed getting the hell of Houston for a bit. Houston can suck the life out of you sometimes. The commuting and all that; it blows, hard. We've already been married a year, and we'll have a baby on the ground by the end of March. That's when the REAL plunge begins!
Not much on the horizon for me this weekend outside of my nephew's birthday party on Saturday. Other than that, the Cathey's will be chilling at the house and putting the finishing touches on decor before we start on the nursery in January.
Until next time...
Well, that's the real trick. I don't know who would want to read this book. I'm assuming that my friends would want to check it out, as would most of my family. But who else? The book is an insight into my head and thought processes while transitioning from a bachelor into a married man. Of course it's slathered with my cynicism and commentary on American culture, which adds a bit of comedy (or irritation, depending on your gender). I don't know, I guess I just think the idea has got some legs. I mean come on, we have an entire channel dedicated to weddings (WE). And have there ever been any books written from a guy's point of view?
So this week will be 'query letter' week. A query letter is a pretty big deal, as it's basically your personal ad saying 'please market/buy my book.' Even though the letter itself is going to be one page, I'm going to write and rewrite it a few times to make sure that's it's right. Then I'll start working my way down my list of agents. There are hundreds. Surely someone will take a chance on it.
Two weeks from now I'll begin rewriting my novel. I think it may be in line for a massive rewrite. I've got a decent story arc in mind, but the first book might be too plodding to snag the audience. I'll make-up my mind over the next two months.
Personally, my wife and I spent the weekend in San Antonio. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed getting the hell of Houston for a bit. Houston can suck the life out of you sometimes. The commuting and all that; it blows, hard. We've already been married a year, and we'll have a baby on the ground by the end of March. That's when the REAL plunge begins!
Not much on the horizon for me this weekend outside of my nephew's birthday party on Saturday. Other than that, the Cathey's will be chilling at the house and putting the finishing touches on decor before we start on the nursery in January.
Until next time...
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Nobody Likes You When You're.....28
It's the eve of my 28th birthday and honestly, I don't feel any different that I did 10 years ago.
It's been awhile, I know. I think I tried to post something on Wednesday of last week, but I fell asleep at the keyboard, a line of the letter 'j' the only work that I got through. My head was cocked against back of the couch in our sun room (now with furniture!), and my head hurt the entire next day from the enormous crick. That was the only earnest stab I took at writing on the blog. But here I am on October 3rd, watching college football. Amanda's sleeping on the couch next to me. Her tummy's getting pretty paunchy. If I didn't know any better I'd think she had a beer drinking habit.
This past week Amanda bought me an Iphone, which has been near the top of my 'wantlist' for months now. With my work schedule, I'm not able to keep up with my personal affairs. So when I finally do get home from work at 7:30 p.m., I have to spend an hour catching up on email and current events. Now I'll be able to communicate with everyone in a more timely fashion. I'm even kicking around the idea of creating a Facebook.com page. I always knew I'd put one up when the books were finished. If I can ever force myself to sit down and do it, I'll put myself out there. I've got to be honest, though, there're more than a few people that I don't want to be in contact with.
I'm still on a Beatles kick. Their stuff is just so damned good and influential. I'm looking to expand my musical interests a little bit. I'll start playing around a little more on Itunes to see if I can't pick anything out. Movie wise, I picked-up the new Wolverine film and I'm still working through season 2 of Dexter while keeping up with the new season of The Office.
So, back to my birthday. Tomorrow my in-laws are coming by to drop off a few things. I have to get a haircut, get the grocery shopping done and get back before kickoff of Week 4 of the NFL. I can't wait. Amanda's in a pick-em league (where she picks winners of games each week) and she's in second place. Both of my fantasy teams are in contention, and the Texans should right the ship this weekend. Plus it's going to rain. Rain makes me feel justified in my laziness.
My friend Martin and I caught the Blink-182 concert last week at the Woodlands Pavilion. For some reason, there are a lot of high school kids into Blink. I just don't get it. They were last truly relevant in 2002, and their 2003 album didn't do much commercially. So where's this cult Blink love coming from? If anyone knows, drop me a line at tomcathey2@gmail.com The concert was pretty damned fun, though. It was nice to spend some time with Martin, too.
So, an update on writing...
Well, it's going. I still try to write everyday, but I don't get very far. I fall asleep too easily. I do my best writing first thing in the morning after a few cups of coffee. But if I'm in the right mood, I can do good stuff with a shot of caffeine. But now I'm still on editing 'The Plunge." I'm nearly two-thirds finished with the final (and I really mean it this time) draft. I read a few paragraphs to my parents today (in town for a birthday lunch), and they thought it was hilarious. Amanda and I were talking today about just how bad planning that damned wedding sucked. And everything was a ball of contention. The good thing is, though, it makes for really interesting reading. So, I'm a little up on my writing right now. The book just feels good. I'll be sending out query letters pretty soon. I think I'll be ready by the end of November. There's a chance that if I meet that goal (I know, I said I wouldn't set goals), I can get my novel done by 2010. Then I'll start on my all-of-the-sudden project.
This coming Sunday Amanda and I are heading to San Antonio to celebrate our first anniversary. It's going to be so nice to get away. I can't believe I've already been married a year. Time flies...
Until next time...
It's been awhile, I know. I think I tried to post something on Wednesday of last week, but I fell asleep at the keyboard, a line of the letter 'j' the only work that I got through. My head was cocked against back of the couch in our sun room (now with furniture!), and my head hurt the entire next day from the enormous crick. That was the only earnest stab I took at writing on the blog. But here I am on October 3rd, watching college football. Amanda's sleeping on the couch next to me. Her tummy's getting pretty paunchy. If I didn't know any better I'd think she had a beer drinking habit.
This past week Amanda bought me an Iphone, which has been near the top of my 'wantlist' for months now. With my work schedule, I'm not able to keep up with my personal affairs. So when I finally do get home from work at 7:30 p.m., I have to spend an hour catching up on email and current events. Now I'll be able to communicate with everyone in a more timely fashion. I'm even kicking around the idea of creating a Facebook.com page. I always knew I'd put one up when the books were finished. If I can ever force myself to sit down and do it, I'll put myself out there. I've got to be honest, though, there're more than a few people that I don't want to be in contact with.
I'm still on a Beatles kick. Their stuff is just so damned good and influential. I'm looking to expand my musical interests a little bit. I'll start playing around a little more on Itunes to see if I can't pick anything out. Movie wise, I picked-up the new Wolverine film and I'm still working through season 2 of Dexter while keeping up with the new season of The Office.
So, back to my birthday. Tomorrow my in-laws are coming by to drop off a few things. I have to get a haircut, get the grocery shopping done and get back before kickoff of Week 4 of the NFL. I can't wait. Amanda's in a pick-em league (where she picks winners of games each week) and she's in second place. Both of my fantasy teams are in contention, and the Texans should right the ship this weekend. Plus it's going to rain. Rain makes me feel justified in my laziness.
My friend Martin and I caught the Blink-182 concert last week at the Woodlands Pavilion. For some reason, there are a lot of high school kids into Blink. I just don't get it. They were last truly relevant in 2002, and their 2003 album didn't do much commercially. So where's this cult Blink love coming from? If anyone knows, drop me a line at tomcathey2@gmail.com The concert was pretty damned fun, though. It was nice to spend some time with Martin, too.
So, an update on writing...
Well, it's going. I still try to write everyday, but I don't get very far. I fall asleep too easily. I do my best writing first thing in the morning after a few cups of coffee. But if I'm in the right mood, I can do good stuff with a shot of caffeine. But now I'm still on editing 'The Plunge." I'm nearly two-thirds finished with the final (and I really mean it this time) draft. I read a few paragraphs to my parents today (in town for a birthday lunch), and they thought it was hilarious. Amanda and I were talking today about just how bad planning that damned wedding sucked. And everything was a ball of contention. The good thing is, though, it makes for really interesting reading. So, I'm a little up on my writing right now. The book just feels good. I'll be sending out query letters pretty soon. I think I'll be ready by the end of November. There's a chance that if I meet that goal (I know, I said I wouldn't set goals), I can get my novel done by 2010. Then I'll start on my all-of-the-sudden project.
This coming Sunday Amanda and I are heading to San Antonio to celebrate our first anniversary. It's going to be so nice to get away. I can't believe I've already been married a year. Time flies...
Until next time...
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