That time has come upon us again. The Romantic Times conference is just around the bend and looming large in the summer is the RWA National conference (and a bunch of others somewhere in between.) Sadly, this year neither big conference is on my plate of attendance. Just not in the cards. But I am thrilled that in May, I’ll be attending a local chapter conference, spending some quality time with my writing and a big, fat red pen (and a whole bunch of other colorful markers). This conference is focused around the amazing Margie Lawson and her EDITS system. So yes, as you can imagine, I’ll be in writerly heaven and hell all at once. I can’t wait.
It’s still about a month and a half away, but I’m getting prepared to prepare for it. The first step is to choose which story to take, and I thought I’d toss it up for your opinions. Mind you, this is a bit of a decision because I’ve been out of the writing loop for a number of months now. Outside of reading them to reacquaint myself and about twenty minutes here or there of editing, it’s been six months since I’ve spent any dedicated time with my WIPs. This conference is the perfect jumping point to dive back in. So back to my decision…
The choices:
The first WIP is a historical romantic suspense that is 95% finished. The historical is part of a series about a family, and the first in a continued storyline that spans the next three books (sort of the trilogy inside the series.) About half of the story has been past my CP’s red pens, and the rest is still in need of some tweaks (as my most recent read through revealed) and then their review. Historical romance was my first book (and yes, this is the same family) and one of my favorite loves. That is choice #1.
The second WIP is a (somewhat romantic element-y) thriller, a new genre for me. I love this story. I’ve outlined it and written about five chapters. This particular book feels like a depth I haven’t hit before, in the storyline, in the damaged aspects of the heroine and the characters around her. It starts with a pretty brutal scene, so in order to match the sheer emotion of that throughout, I will need my absolute best. I’m dying to write this. (Probably also because the other one is close to wrapping up, I’m already looking forward.) It’s not as far along as the other one so even with a completed outline, I wonder if it’s the best use of the time spent at the conference.
There’s good and bad with taking either one. With the historical, I know the story, the characters in and out. So digging in to the details is easier, with the deep understanding I have. But I’m close to completion and I’m really ready to send it out as soon as it gets past the CPs. So I cringe a bit at the idea of red penning it to death. (I know you understand.) With the thriller, I know the storyline but I have yet to fully meet the characters. I’m pretty well acquainted with their histories and their mistakes, and I know what I plan to hit them with in the story, but a first draft always teaches me so much more about them and I haven’t finished that yet.
So which one would you take? I think I’m leaning toward the thriller, but I’m curious about what you would take — the 95% completed book you’ve already started writing query letters for or the new one on the horizon?
4 comments
I was going to say the historical because it’s almost done and you should complete that and get it out while you’re working on the other…but it sounds like you’re happy where that’s at and also that you trust your cp’s for help in polishing the rest.
So I changed my mind and say go with the romantic-y thriller. If you end up with rejections on the historical (hopefully not), you can always go back and apply what you learned then.
Hope that helps!
Jeannie, go with your gut. And it’s telling you the thriller. As Stacey said, the historical is all but ready to go out. Your CPs helped you polish your first book and will do a good job with this one. But the thriller has you exciting and wanting to plot, sketch, and write. I would grab that Muse by the tail and hold on!
Excuse me? You ever grab my tail, I’m turning my scissors on you!
At ease, Iffy. That was a figure of speech. 😉 Go with your heart, Jeannie, and I think it’s telling you the thrille.
When I took a weekend course from Margie (writer-heaven!), we didn’t get past the first three chapters. So I’m of the mind that it doesn’t matter how done the ms is. TAKE THE THRILLER. You’re already, as you indicate, deeper than you’ve gone before. Can you imagine what will happen after spending time with Margie Lawson?
Laurie, I always forget that..it’s not exactly as if we’ll be red-lining all 20-something chapters of the book. LOL So three to five is probably exactly what I need. And when I think about chapter two and three of the thriller, they need some serious TLC so it’s probably the best one to bring for improvement.
And, Stacey you are right – I absolutely trust my CPs. They are awesome with the red pens and advice. So if it’s lacking, they will tell me. And something learned and applied on one story will always translate to another, you’re absolutely right.
Thanks, Silver – I’m gonna go with the gut and take the thriller. Thanks ladies!