Take me in your arms and kiss me til I die
I want to bring you down with me
down to the devil's eye.
Five and a half months in the making and as of yesterday, I finished the first draft of Devil's Eye. I had originally planned four months, which I almost hit, but took the month of December off to write shorts, then attacked the novel in January. This wasn't an easy sheemsy book to write, but I'm glad this part is over. I never knew what was going to happen next, and that was simply driving me nuts!
So what's next? I leave next thursday to visit family in the Pacific Northwest, then I'll come back and ship out to sea, the Sea Of Imagination, that is.
In May, I return to Devil's Eye, to edit, edit, edit, polish then probably edit again. I'll also be writing query letters until I figure out one that's perfect ( a few of you will probably get bugged about reading them for me). I plan to take a two week break in Sept for short stories, start sending out queries, then jump into my second novel in October. The second novel will be much lighter than DE, but hopefully equally as entertaining.
Thank you all for your support and friendship. It carries me through those doubts all of we writers have from time to time. I hope I can provide the same support for you.
~Jodi
ps. The book cover is playing around concept art, not the actual cover art.
So what's next? I leave next thursday to visit family in the Pacific Northwest, then I'll come back and ship out to sea, the Sea Of Imagination, that is.
*Note
(For those who thought I was in a cave)
there's a door
in the crack
of the cave
that i wrote
that leads
to the bottom
of the sea
*Un-Note
(For those who thought I was in a cave)
there's a door
in the crack
of the cave
that i wrote
that leads
to the bottom
of the sea
*Un-Note
I'll be writing and sending short stories out like a crazy mad writer, because I am a crazy mad writer. They will feel like mini lifts compared to the heavy weight my main character in DE, Shail, put on me.
In May, I return to Devil's Eye, to edit, edit, edit, polish then probably edit again. I'll also be writing query letters until I figure out one that's perfect ( a few of you will probably get bugged about reading them for me). I plan to take a two week break in Sept for short stories, start sending out queries, then jump into my second novel in October. The second novel will be much lighter than DE, but hopefully equally as entertaining.
Thank you all for your support and friendship. It carries me through those doubts all of we writers have from time to time. I hope I can provide the same support for you.
~Jodi
ps. The book cover is playing around concept art, not the actual cover art.
25 comments:
Congrats, Jodi. A well-deserved break is due...and look forward to more shorts from you, and wish you the best with your editing when the time comes.
Well done Jodi. I second what Paul said - take that break and enjoy yourself. Good luck with everything. ;-)
P.s. Did you take the photo? I used to do a lot of diving before we had kids and wreck dives were a real buzz...
Much congrats to you! You certainly churned out DE fast. The fun part begins in May ;^)
This is a HUGE accomplishment. And bug away... on anything, especially query hell.
Is the photo your proposed cover? Very eerie...
Peace, Linda
Excellent!! I'm so proud (and slightly jealous) of you. Completing a novel is what most writers dream about and you've successfully achieved. Enjoy your mental break with family in the northwest. Although, most times family can make you mental...but...have fun anyways.
You know I'll be the first on line at the bookstore for my copy of Devil's Eye. I think the sequel should be called Angel's Nostril.
What a great accomplishment, congratulations!
You definitely deserve the break. Enjoy.
And what a busy bee you'll be for the rest of the year. Go, you!
Yay you! Like Angel I'm proud and also a little jealous. What a huge accomplishment.
I look forward to seeing some more shorts from you (thay're always amazing) and I can't wait to read that book cover to cover.
Well done, Jodi. I'm looking forward to reading those short stories and the book. Have a wonderful break. :)
Jodes it sounds like more work than birthing a baby, but oh what a baby it is. And it is your baby, baby! I'm thrilled beyond repair for you and look forward to what bon mots will flow from that fiendish mind of yours! Enjoy the PSW and come back refreshed and ready to go!
Paul & David - Thanks for the good wishes, guys. To be honest, I love every single step of the writing process whether it be creating or editing. In a month or so I'll probably be pulling out my hair, but until then, I'll think pretty shiny thoughts. (I didn't take that picture, but would LOVE to go deep sea diving to sea ship wreck sites)
Linda ~ The cave is yours incase the mountain top gets to chilly. ;) I will definitely be pestering you when it comes to the query hell stage (for heaven's sakes). ;p The cover is something similar I would like it to be. However, I have no idea how that works when it comes to the publishing house. Perhaps they'll let me send to the artist who designs the cover?
Angel ~ If I write a sequel to DE, I will indeed name it Angel's Nostril. It will be about how an orange gummy bear got stuck in it. Thanks for the congrats. ;)
Marisa, Laurita, and Mariyln ~ Thanks so much for the congrats! I'm looking forward to being more socialable and reading your stories as well, whether published or Flashfriday. ;)
Mike S ~ Yeah, that's a good analogy. It's as if the story has been in the womb for the last couple months, the actual labor will be the end result. I sure hope it ain't Ugly! (Bad BAD joke). Thanks, Mike!
Yeah, late to the party as always, but great stuff - isn't it just such a sense of exaltation (check spelling) to get there. Oh, but now the big job starts. Can't wait to see it in the stores.
I know that good feeling you mentioned. I just finished a story myself that I had been wrestling with for a few months.
Congrats.
Really awesome, Jodi- your dedication and persistence is inspiring! I've got to get crankin on my second as well, just too many distractions.
Good luck editing-and enjoy your trip my way-the weather has been great...but tomorrow could be a different story! You know how it goes:)
Sean ~ I remember your mad dash to finish your novel before the end of the year. I felt like I was doing that before the trip. I know edits are going to be rough, but I'm really looking forward to it.
Hi David, congrats on finishing your own story! Wrestle is a good word to describe writing a first draft, especially without any kind of outline.
Thanks Erin! I'm so excited for your own novel as well. I wish I could be at the stage you are. The best of luck to you.
The weathers been nice up north, huh? I sure hope that holds. At the same time, I don't mind seeing some rain. (sounds crazy, I know!)
I'm selfish and glad to have you back. Out where I can see you anyway. ;)
But at the same time I want your book. I want to hold your baby for just a little while.
I love you and your work Jodi. <3
Gosh, Jodi ... You seem to have it so together... I wish I had a gameplan like that. Such persistence of vision... Congrats!!
Aw, I love you to Carrie! I'm so happy to be social again & to write shorts. Book will come soon enough.
Hey Ant,
Thank you for your kind words. Extreme circumstances can make us look at life and what is truly important. I decided what I wanted two years ago, and yes, very determined to get there.;)
Congratulations on finishing the first draft of your first novel. That's an important writer's milestone. I wish you well with the edits and seeking publication.
Thanks for giving pride of place to the LGP on your sidebar too! I haven't been here in a while!
Thanks Barry! And of course, I'm going to showcase Lame Goat Podcast. ;)
This will be nice to read. Is that the final cover art? How did you arrive at that? Just curious... :)
Jodi, I am so happy for you I could just cry. Oh, there it goes. What an accomplishment!!!! You know I'm a huge fan of yours and I cannot even wait to read "Devil's Eye". Love you girl! Very, very un-unhappy for you! BTW - please think of The New Flesh when you're submitting the shorts!
Thanks, Mark! The cover art is just from messing around on my mac and with various apps. I feel it represents the book fairly well.
Suzie! You brought me to tears. Thank you so much for your sincerity and care. Love you too! And course, I'll be sending something to New Flesh in April. ;)
Yep, that's a big accomplishment. I really like that picture! Might even be worth 1.5 or 2K words. Glad you are doing good work and enjoying yourself.
--John
Thanks, Detective! I hope you are enjoying your new little one and squeezing in some writing yourself! I'm feeling sooooooo guilty on not getting back to you on your story. I've had no time since before or after vacation- argh! SOON.
Such a woman with all that OMG I've been a in cave, shit girl. We worship you and you know it. Lol.
<3
<3
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