COSMIC CHAOS

Updates! Thoughts! And a new story out!

‘Ello!

So, I sent my novel back off for editing after adding 15,000 words. FIFTEEN THOUSAND WORDS. I don’t even know how that happened.

Well, yes I do. I worked my ass off, that’s what happened. I’ve written a book I know I’d like to query which, for some people, seems like a straightforward process of writing the thing, maybe getting some beta reader feedback, revising, then right into the query trenches.

I am no such person. I’ve shamefully shelved the first draft of FIVE novels because revising them became too overwhelming for my brain. (However…I’d also say that I’m okay those novels didn’t make it into the world because, even though I love them, I’m VERY glad I took time to establish my voice.)

This time, I sought out professional developmental editing (please note that I made this decision in the very early stages which means I was planning/searching/saving for about a year) to help me get it in shape because the process as a whole is too overwhelming for me to do alone. In the world of social media, it sometimes feels like the process is easier for everyone except me. But I know every writer has different strengths, and I’d bet there’s not a single author who would say they don’t struggle or feel insecure about some part of the process. If you’re struggling, please know you’re not alone.

I know my story is still far from perfect, but now that I’m working with an editor I’m able to move through those parts with a bit of a map. It doesn’t tell me exactly how to get to my destination (because there are things I have to figure out in my own story obv) but it provides spectacular clues that help me figure it out. Clues that lead to finding 15,000 words of story I desperately needed. It also confirms things I’m doing well that I was convinced I’d failed at, which is SUCH a relief when I’m unable to view my own work objectively.

I’m hoping that doing it this way will provide me with a better understanding of the process so that, as I keep writing, I’ll have better tools to finish future projects. I guess I’ll test the theory soon because I have an unfinished short story I was tinkering with to try and stretch it to a novelette. . .then the outline alone turned into a novelette, and it immediately became clear that this story was going to pass GO without stopping at novella and barrel right into novel status.

So I made a meme about it because obviously.

Anyway, we’re veering off to a new subject now!

I am excited to share a new story I have out in the horse issue of Luna Station Quarterly! I only wrote two short stories this year while I worked on my novel, and “High to Kolob on a Cosmic Clydesdale” is an unserious and unhinged gallop through my personal beef with a particular religion I grew up in. Hopefully you find it as funny as I did. You can read it HERE for free.

AND I realized this is the third LSQ themed issue I have a story in, and I think they look pretty neat together.

The other story I wrote this year is still out on submission. Fingers crossed I’ll be able to announce an acceptance before the year is over because I dare to dream such things.

Finally, I’m going to try and remember to share books here that I’ve recently read and loved.

The most recent few are:

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison: I knew I’d love this book because I have read and loved everything written by Rachel Harrison. I’ve only heard good things about this book and everyone is right. It’s soooooo fun. I’ve been on a bit of a religious trauma horror kick lately, so I was thrilled to dive into this one and even more thrilled in chapter 3 when a bit of a surprise is revealed. I don’t want to spoil it as I’m glad I didn’t know going into it. But I LOVED the subject matter in this story, loved the MC as her humor reminds me of my own, and couldn’t put it down. Seriously, read this.

Edenville by Sam Rebelein: I had a feeling I’d like this one after hearing Sam’s interview on the Talking Scared podcast. It sounded like Sam had accomplished things that I felt I was struggling to accomplish in my own novel and I was curious to see how he did it. Basically, he let every single bit of chaos run free and it was so refreshing and fucked up and weird and hilarious and I loved every second of it. I’m glad I read it because, most of the time, my unhinged ideas hit the page but get swept away when I over-analyze or get insecure about how weird it is. This book was an excellent reminder to me that I’m weird, I’ve always been weird, and I probably just need to stop trying to reign that in.

Well…that’s all for now! Take care and be kind!