I Am Finished!
Lots of interesting things happened along the way. After Revision Two, my manuscript was at 117K words. I made some brutal cuts, shaving it down to ~97K, really close to my target of 95K. Guess what? After 2+ months of revision, it’s right back to117K. WTF? Well, many of those cut scenes contained critical information, so that information returned into other scenes. I’ve done some calculations, and to get back to 95K, I’d have to cut 140 words from every scene (1/2 page). That doesn’t sound like much, but there are 98 scenes. Or by chapter, it’s 1,400 words per chapter (5.5 pages). I don’t think I can cut 20% of the book at this point without spending many more months at it.
So what’s my plan from here? Work on a marketing plan, figure out my target agents/houses, and Sell, Sell, Sell!
My query letter will go up on query critique sites, here too if you want to take a look. At the same time, I am plotting out Steam Palace II. I have tons of ideas rattling around my head.
On Nov. 1, I put all this aside and write Steam Palace II for NaNoWriMo. Will having two of a series help me sell? Who knows? Time is running short.
Congrats! its always nice to achieve this very moment. I`m finishing my 6th revision (Im going mad!) but after that is send, send send too! Weeee!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is great news. Congrats! I'm still rewriting myself and it would be great to see comments to your query and learn.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Doesn't it feel great. Now take a break before looking at it again.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good plan to work on pinning down your agent list. Also, you may find that after Nano you can go through one more revision easier.
Last year I wrote a second book for my world of Sendek. The clarity that I gained while exploring its history helped when I returned to revise the novel that counts. (And gave me lots of stuff for a collection of short stories from Sendek.)
That's awesome Andrew. And I like the McCain pix - very motivating.
ReplyDeleteYou always have the best plans :) cutting 20 percent of the novel really doesn't sound like a viable option. You know, an agent or editor somewhere will make those desicions and tell you to either or add or subtract.
Well done with the revisions.
I bet you're real anxious for November to get here?
.......dhole
Congratulations Andrew, that's fantastic. And I wouldn't worry about cutting from your book, the editors will do that very nicely for you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! My coauthor and I are about a third of the way through our own steampunk epic.
ReplyDeleteHave your betas already gotten hold of it or not yet?
Congrats!! Great accomplishment. you should be very proud of yourself.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Isn't that a great (but terrifying) feeling? Good luck with querying. I'm in the throws of that stage... As for what to do with the length, well, I'd see what your beta readers say.
ReplyDeleteOhhh! Congrats and good luck with starting II!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! How scientific of you...I'm beginning to see the inner steam punk genius coming through. Good luck with your next installment. Can't wait for more excerpts...what DID they do with that guy's body???
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! It is a great relief.
ReplyDelete@Clara: Woot! Great job!
@Myne: Query should come soon.
@Charity: Having the next draft will help.
@Donna: Actually I could use more time before then.
@Piedmont: Just need some of those "editors" :)
@Ian: got a few betas. Interested?
@Cheryl: Thanks!
@asa: Yes, it's terrifying
@Michelle: Thanks!
@Raquel: Sorry, no more excerpts...maybe from Book 2 when I have them. In fact, probably will take down what's up there soon.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'd been wondering where you had been, now I know you were actually working instead of procrastinating by blogging.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your query.
Best of luck!
Congratulations on being done and good luck with the sell, sell, sell!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I was gonna email you on this today and see how you were coming along.
ReplyDeleteLemme know where you post your queries.
- Eric
Andrew!! What a load off your shoulders this is! How refreshing! I'm so happy for you! Congrats.
ReplyDeleteHow are you going to celebrate this? :)
Curious ... Steam Palace, how many words?
ReplyDelete