July 17, 2007

It’s Easy Once You’re Published

Right.

Let me tell you what’s going on with me lately. Bear in mind that I’ve published thirteen books with two major publishers, and the fourteenth is scheduled to be released in April ’08. I am a professional! I gave this last manuscript to my editor in mid-May, as scheduled. Since that time, I’ve been doing a lot of reading in preparation for writing my next book.

Around the first of July, just as I had a new release that needed some promotional attention, I started to write the proposal for the new book. At the same time, I received a note from my editor about the changes she’d like to see in the book I’d just turned in. OK, they’re good insights. But they’re not things that can be changed on pages 17, 149, 210, 336 and 401! Her suggestions are subtle and pervasive. For example, here’s a revision request I received a couple of years ago when I was working on The Bride Hunt: “While your h&h come alive for me on the pages, I would like you to delve a bit more into their emotions and motivations …” See what I mean? This is a page by page issue that takes a good bit of thought, care, and insight!

I put it on the back burner. Better to get the proposal for Book 15 finished and mailed, then work full-time on the revisions for Book 14. But wait! Dallas is July 10th! How much writing can I do there? Ahem … none. But I have a really great time meeting up with the Jaunties and all my other writer friends. I don’t even think about writing while I’m at the, er … writers’ conference.

And since I whittled away my proposal-writing time with promo activities, going to Nationals, and doing research, I really must get to the revisions for Book 14. My editor needs them by the end of July, and an extension won’t work because I’m going on vacation in mid-August.

OK, new goals: Get the revisions done and sent off to NYC ASAP. Write up the synopsis and chapters for Book 15 and get them to my agent before I go on vacation. That’s doable, right?

Did I mention that my three kids are all home for the summer?

  6 Responses to “It’s Easy Once You’re Published”

1. On July 17th, 2007 at 11:35 am
   Shana Says:
   

   Ugh, Margo. I feel for you. I always have revisions to my proposals, too. Some have been very major. Good luck!

2. On July 17th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
   Lacey Says:
   

   LOL! You can do it I’m rooting for you.

3. On July 17th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
   Haven Rich Says:
   

   Honey, it was great meeting you in Dallas and since you seem overly busy, I will offer myself to be your crying gal. Cause after that, I’m stressed enough to cry for you! Yikes!!

   I wish you so much luck and I know you’ll be able to do it!!

4. On July 17th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
   Clarisse Says:
   

   Ouch, Margo. Deadlines at every turn totally washes out the pleasant afterglow of a nice vacation. Like Haven, I am delighted to have had the chance to meet you and if I could send you magic vibes to help you I would. Hey, how about magic? You could magic up a duplicate you and she could work on one project while you work on the other. lol
   Seriously, good luck.

5. On July 17th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
   Rainy Says:
   

   Best of luck with your deadlines. But a question…..13 books??? Has this happened before. Something tells me it has and something also tells me that you managed to pump up some adrenaline, find some hidden, hard-working muses and get the job done!

6. On July 18th, 2007 at 7:37 am
   AndreaW Says:
   

   Best of luck to you, Margo!!

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