Don't miss Laurie's past journal entries. Here are the archives:
2010 Journal
I'll keep you posted here on all my
writing adventures...
December 27, 2010: We've arrived at my final journal entry of
the year, and as has become my custom for, I believe, the entire ten
years I've had this website (wow -- that's quite a milestone in itself!)
I will repost the goals I set for myself at the beginning of this year,
and report on how I did. So here we go:
1. Finish final revisions on Hidden Agenda and Keeper By Surprise by March 1, 2010.
Progress: Yes and no. Here's
what I did accomplish towards this goal:
* I made final revisions on Keeper By Surprise. I attempted to
convert it to a YA novel, and realized 3/4 of the way through that it
really isn't a YA story. But the revisions were retainable.
A current update on this book that I haven't mentioned in this journal
before: I have begun talks with a colleague about self-pubbing the book,
and looking into possibly creating a screenplay and movie from it.
So, stay tuned on that exciting news. I will create a new goal for
next year for this manuscript.
* I thought I'd made final revisions on Hidden Agenda, however, after having it critiqued by a professional editor, I realize it needs a lot more work on the first chapter or two. I still don't have it starting at the right place. I need to spend some time figuring out where I'm going to submit it to, so that I can decide what the beginning should be like.
2. Conduct agent search to try to contract with a literary agent to represent me.
Yes. I did conduct an agent search, because I was trying to break into Harlequin Special Edition with Inner Diva and Hidden Agenda. However, I was unsuccessful in acquiring an agent, and my attempts at submitting ID to Harlequin directly were also unsuccessful. So after some soul searching, I have decided that HQ may not be the place for me right now. So a goal that I will carry over into 2011 will be continued submission plans for these two manuscripts.
3. Win the EPIC contest in March!
Yes! I won the EPIC contest with Preacher Man in the category of Spiritual/Inspirational Romance and it was a highlight of my writing career! If you want to read or re-read my report of that trip, here you go!
4. Write at least half of a new manuscript this year.
No. I did start a new manuscript, but I fell far short of hitting the halfway mark. I'm on Chapter Two of a manuscript I'd like to be about 80K words when completed. I will get hard at work on that manuscript, titled Roadtrip to Redemption, in the new year. It's an inspirational fiction manuscript intended for the inspirational women's fiction market. Wish me luck!
Thank you for visiting my website and particularly, my journal chronicling all my ups and downs as a published author. Because I've had this website for a decade, and I start a new decade next year, stay tuned in the new year for a fun contest celebrating Decade 2!
Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy New Year!
November 7, 2010: Jeff had his surgery and we got the results we all prayed for -- a successful surgery and a relatively pain-free recovery. As I sit in my living room writing this journal entry, he's watching a football game, the narcotic painkillers from the first two days cleansed out of his system and anticipating his return to school tomorrow. He'll be on crutches, with three inches worth of metal staples in his wrapped-up knee, but he's past the worst of it. Now the physical rehab remains -- we'll receive the details on Friday -- we know it will be tough, but we also know this well-conditioned athlete is up to the challenge and will be back on his sporting fields before we know it.
Meanwhile, I received the news that my Young Adult novel, The Chronicles of Casey V was NOT selected as a finalist in next year's EPIC contest. After my big win with Preacher Man at this year's contest I entered Casey with the giddy hope of being a two-time winner in two different categories. But, it was not to be. After a momentary flash of disappointment, a truth enlightened me: Preacher Man was a very special book, and the accolades and praise it earned are not to be accepted lightly.
For years I've struggled as a writer to find my niche. I can point to entries in this very journal from years ago where I found myself writing a little bit of this, a little bit of that, wherever the whim led me, but not knowing where I was really supposed to focus. Now, I think I know. It's Christian fiction. I think I need to combine my love for God and my love of writing, and write stories about everyday people as they encounter the power of God in their lives, with the hope that these stories will inspire people. The fact that my debut in that genre won acclaim in the form of a major national award, is hard to dispute.
It's an exciting time for me, as I
mentioned in an earlier entry -- my artistic trifecta:
-- my favorite author Pat Conroy's new book My Reading Life
arrived in my mailbox a few days ago and I'm almost done with every
delightful word of it
-- my favorite singer Brad Paisley's new CD Hits Alive will be
arriving in my mailbox on November 9
-- my favorite movie series has a new installment coming out later this
month, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
As I close for today, I want to share with you a blog I wrote recently about an actual event. Enjoy:
October 16, 2010: Do you believe the sentiment that God only sends your way what he knows you can handle? I'm being tested on that in the last few days. Thursday morning I was driving to work (minding my own business) when someone rear ended me from behind while I sat waiting at a stoplight. It was a harried young mom with two small children in car seats. She was probably distracted and hit her accelerator instead of her brake, and rammed right into my bumper. Although there wasn't much damage, there's still the hassle of submitting claims, getting estimates, talking to a complete stranger about bills and payments and responsibility. On the other hand, no one was hurt and the cars can both be fixed.
Then, Thursday night I had 37 Varsity football players over to my house to eat dinner and dessert. Every Thursday of football season some gracious parent does this, and it was my turn. It was a lot of people to put in our house, took some planning and expense. On the other hand, I had plenty of help, and it turned out to be lots of fun.
Friday was the next to last football game of the regular season. It was an important game, because if we lost, there went our hopes of qualifying for the playoffs this year. If we won, it all came down to another win next week. Late in the second quarter, my son got tackled by first one guy, then another, approaching from two different directions. In the process, his knee got hit and his knee cap twisted, and he was suddenly lying on the field, yelling in pain and writhing. A parent's nightmare. As I watched him from the stands I prayed that it wasn't his head or his spine. That his pain would subside and he'd be all right. And now, it appears that he will be. He's seen a doctor and he'll have an MRI on Tuesday. Meanwhile, he's in forced relaxation, and the pain has subsided. He's got a good attitude about it -- it's just one of those things that can happen when you play football. Hopefully it'll be a quick recovery.
I'm almost afraid to leave the house. Ha ha. What is waiting for me next? Well, whatever it is that life brings, I know God is there to help me deal with it and recognize the silver lining in each dark cloud.
There are some really great things happening too:
1. If you haven't seen my winners of my Essay Extravaganza contest, take a look at this page and read through them. Very enjoyable.
2. I'm off and running on my new writing project, an inspirational women's fiction I'm calling Roadtrip to Redemption. I took a scene into my critique group last week and they had overall positive comments about it, and gave me some things to rework to make the beginning more engaging.
Enjoy our Indian summer, everyone!
October 3, 2010: Fall has hit us with a vengeance here in central Illinois! I pulled out a SWEATER for the first time today and was actually happy I had it on, to protect me from the brisk temperatures. I always mourn the loss of summer, but I must say, there's so much good going on right now, that I'm loving fall.
One of the great things is that I'm happy to announce the winners of my Essay Extravaganza contest! Danielle Murphy, Mary Jean Schiller and Rebecca Bidwell were my three contest winners and I thoroughly enjoyed their essays. And I know you will too. Please take a look at this page for a peek at their winning entries.
In other exciting news, I've started my new novel. It's a straight inspirational novel (not a romance) about a woman who takes a road trip to escape the shambles her own life has become, only to open her heart to God's will and discover that in His hands, she is a very powerful tool to help others. I'm having a wonderful time with it already, but I'm only a chapter in, so stay tuned.
September 12, 2010: So, how did all of my American friends out there do with the 9th anniversary of the terrorist attacks yesterday? I didn't do any special commemorating, other than thinking a little bit about what I was doing that morning in 2001. And marveling over the fact that it's been 9 years, when it still seems like just yesterday. How about you?
My family is making the adjustment to my oldest son being away at college. He's doing so well, and I'm so proud of him, but I miss him terribly. But I guess that's how all parents feel. You raise them to be educated and independent, and when it's finally time for them to fly the coop, it's just ... tough.
This fall is going to be absolutely fantastic for a number of reasons. I have so much to look forward to, sort of the perfect storm of anticipation:
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my favorite author Pat Conroy has a book coming out in September
-
my favorite musician Brad Paisley has a new album coming out in November
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and my favorite movie series, Harry Potter has a new installment coming out in November!
I really need to start writing. I have a new project in mind and I need to buckle down and do the hard work of brainstorming my characters and plot, and then ... it's time to start writing! It's exciting, but a little slow in the coming.
August 23, 2010: Hey, check out this blog that I wrote for a cool writer's blogspot called Blame It On the Muse. It's all about how writers find and draw on their muses to help them with their writing. I found the whole concept intriguing. My chapter-mate Claranne asked me to guest blog and I was happy to do it.
I survived the delivery of my older son to college! The move itself went smoothly, he settled in well, and even today, after his first day of classes, he says he really likes it there! WHEW. I miss him desperately but I know this is an important step in his growing up. I'm not the first parent to go through it and I certainly won't be the last! <<smile>>
August 17, 2010: The summer is winding down and I've had a fantastic fun season complete with several trips doing the things I love to do most. This summer I spent a week on the beach, visited family and friends, and just last week, took a quick trip to visit Hogwarts! Yes, I went to the Orlando Universal Studios theme park and toured the brand new Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was awesome and a must-see for all HP fans (like yours truly). Best of all I met two lovely ladies Denise and Emma on the shuttle to the park and we've become fast friends (hi guys!). Funny what a love for Harry can get you!
My Essay Extravaganza contest is still running so get out your creative muses and pens and paper, get your thoughts down and enter. Also, take a look at this cool interview with me that just made its way to the internet. Magan from The Punching Bag Fights Back was a fantastic interviewer!
This Friday I take my #1 Son away to college to move into the dorm. Can I survive? Time will tell!
July 31, 2010: I'm proud to announce my summer contest: my Essay Extravaganza Contest! This is a perfect chance for writers with a topic they're passionate about to spread the word. Or, a perfect chance for aspiring writers to start or advance their writing career with an internet publication credit in their pocket. Because the top three essays will be published right here on my website for the entire internet world to see! AND the winners will receive a free copy of one of my books -- your choice which one you want. So ... get busy and write your best essays and submit them. Read here for all the details.
Meanwhile, my writing sabbatical is about over and praise the Lord, I was inspired with a story idea just a few weeks ago! I LOVE it when that happens. I'm not one of those writers who are blessed with a multitude of story ideas cascading through my brain all the time. But I know that when the time comes for me to start writing again, and I get a good idea that I'm passionate about -- I better go for it, because that's IT. The story and the characters that will keep me company for the next 9 months or so. I won't reveal much about it yet (because I really don't know much yet) but stay tuned for more on that.
We finished judging the first round of the Magic Moment contest sponsored by my RWA chapter, Heart and Scroll, so congratulations to the finalists!
Also, I completed my submission of The Chronicles of Casey V into 2011's EPIC Contest! Wouldn't that be the coolest thing in the world if I won next year too, and became a "multi-award winning author?"
June 3, 2010: My intentional sabbatical from writing continues. Meanwhile, the first three agents I queried on my Agent Search came back with rejections. And, I received a critique on the opening chapters of my latest manuscript, Hidden Agenda which made it clear to me that I have some rework to do to allow it to grab the attention of an agent or an editor. So I won't be choosing new agents to query till I get done with that task.
I'm judging entries of the Magic Moment contest, sponsored by my RWA chapter, Heart and Scroll. I really enjoy reading the entries and providing comments that will hopefully help their authors to become better writers.
Hey, stay tuned. I'm getting a contest together for the summer that will involve reading and writing! If that appeals to you, stop back here in a week or less.
April 22, 2010: My son's baseball season is in full swing, and as has become my habit over the last few years, I'm taking an intentional sabbatical from writing until his season wraps up. Meanwhile, I'm planning a half day seminar for my RWA chapter in June. And I'm shifting lots of ideas around my brain for my next writing project. And I'm pursuing my Agent Search. So I'm keeping the wheels on, even though I'm not actively writing. Nothing else new to report!
March 17, 2010: Fun and excitement continues following my win at the EPIC award contest! My thanks to everyone for their excitement and support. A special thank you to my church choir for helping me celebrate with a couple dozen cupcakes that all said, "Laurie, Laurie, Laurie!" Take a look:
I've also had a couple blogs published about my win -- one I wrote myself for the Climbing Rose blog, and one written about me by a cool blog I just became aware of called A Follow Spot. Check them out.
Happy St. Patrick's Day for all Irish and Irish wannabes out there, and happy 15th birthday to my youngest son!!
March 7, 2010: I won! I won! I won the EPIC Award for the best Metaphysical/spiritual Romance e-book of 2010! I'm so excited. I've written a complete trip report of my weekend in New Orleans -- click here for all the gory details -- but I'm going to extract just the moment of my name being called for you here ...
We all got dolled up -- me in the navy sparkly knee-length dress I borrowed from my niece Brianna (thanks Bri!) and proceeded to the banquet. We chose our seats at the banquet and enjoyed a filet mignon dinner (more delicious food -- we definitely didn't go hungry at this conference!), and then it was time for the awards ceremony. EPIC had put together a beautiful program with all the categories and finalists -- I was on page 17. When it was time for my category the presenter read our names and then said, "And the winner is ..." I had told myself all day that I might win, but I might not win, and it didn't really matter -- it was a fun weekend regardless and it was an honor to be a finalist, and if I don't win, since there were two finalists, that means I came in second ... "Laurie Larsen!" A cheer arose and I just looked around and soaked in the moment, a huge grin on my face. You've got to be kidding ... I won!
I made my way up to the stage amidst happy applause and I gave an acceptance speech that I'd been contemplating for several weeks. Fortunately, I'd thought it over enough times that I didn't need to write it down and read it. For posterity, here's the acceptance speech.
It was magical! The love and support in the room were palpable. My mother had been telling me, "Soak in every moment of this. This is your dream." She was so right. It was one of those magical nights that I'll always remember for the rest of my life.
We went to the bar and I sucked down an authentic New Orleans Hurricane in celebration. I called several of my friends and family members who'd requested a phone call THAT NIGHT -- as soon as I knew! It was a wonderful end to a memorable weekend! Thanks EPIC!
March 2, 2010: Oh my gosh, I'm off to a terrible start with my 2010 journal! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to write a second entry. BUT I do have big news today ... and that is, my trip to New Orleans is right around the corner! I leave in two days to attend the EPIC Conference and at the very end of that, Saturday night, is the big banquet and awards ceremony. Preacher Man is a finalist in the EPPIE contest and I can't wait to get there and start mingling with other authors and ultimately, to find out if I won my category!
Honestly, I'd love to win, but it's been so much fun being a finalist the last few months and I'm really looking forward to escaping the cold winter weather and experiencing New Orleans during Mardi Gras! It'll be my first visit and I'm excited about visiting some of the city's "can't miss" spots. I will post the results on Saturday night, whether I win or lose. But remember: it's an honor just to be nominated! : )
In other news, I have begun the Great Literary Agent Search. Years ago, I was represented by an agent through my second, third and fourth books. He never made any sales for me. It was a combination of his lack of contacts in the women's fiction/romance market, and my manuscripts not being ready for prime time. But now, years have passed and I've built my skills and written many more manuscripts and I think my writing career could really benefit from the guidance of an agency professional. The time is right. I've begun pretty selectively and queried three agents, and sent the requested material. I will keep you posted of my progress.
Have a wonderful week. I certainly intend to!
January 17, 2010: Wow. New journal page. New year. New decade! Is it possible that I started this website a decade ago? Is it possible that writing and publishing have been a constant part of my life for over ten years now? Actually, 12 years. It was a fateful business trip to Atlanta, Georgia that found me with a free weekend in August, 1998 and I visited the Margaret Mitchell House for the first time. I got so inspired by the writer of Gone With the Wind, and how she fit her writing hobby into an otherwise busy life, that I immediately, that day, went back to my hotel room and started writing. That preliminary, uneducated effort eventually became my first published novel, Whispers of the Heart. And I haven't stopped since.
If you want to review my journey, page down just a little and look at the links to my journal archives. Maybe you're a writer who's just trying to get started. Maybe you're a more experienced writer who has hit a rough spot in your career and wonder if you'll ever get out. Or maybe you're an avid reader and want a behind-the-scenes look at what authors go through to get those beloved books in your hands. Hopefully reading through my journal entries will enlighten you.
But anyway ... it's a new year, and like I do every year, I will document my writing goals and try to hold myself to them as the months fly by. So here we go:
1. Finish final revisions on Hidden Agenda and Keeper By Surprise by March 1, 2010.
2. Conduct agent search to try to contract with a literary agent to represent me.
3. Win the EPIC contest in March!
4. Write at least half of a new manuscript this year.
My writing hiatus that I took over the holidays hasn't quite ended yet. I have been doing some revisions, and I'm also judging seven entries in the Golden Heart contest. But I need to get going on my goal #1 so I can get to #2 and eventually, #4. A recent conversation with one of my best friends prompted an idea for a new manuscript so I'm glad to have that in my back pocket.
Happy winter, everyone, and stay warm!
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