So, it's been a while since I last posted. There's not much I can add to the pandemic conversation, other than to say I hope this is behind us soon and I deeply hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during these times. Like the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. For me, all this time I've been writing, because it keeps me sane.
Last April (just after the world shut down) I got an idea for another mystery/thriller, post-Author Mentor Match (and a failed Pitch Wars submission), and started writing it pretty much immediately. Fast forward almost exactly one year later, and I finished the first draft (literally--I didn't plan it this way, but I started the first draft on April 12th, 2020, and finished it on April 10th, 2021). I've now begun revising, and am truly embarking on an earnest search for multiple CPs and objective feedback. Suffice it to say, this was the hardest book I've ever written. I think it was a combination of anxiety over the pandemic, the newness of working from home, and the fact that I'd somehow concocted a really difficult mystery for myself to write. Whether it turns out to be anything worthwhile remains to be seen (and isn't really up to me to say, anyway)! Regardless, I'm really proud of this one, and I'm strangely excited to revise, whip this book into shape, and dive back into the query trenches (try #4 for book #9, but who's counting?). In fact, I'm currently fairly deep in revisions at this point (since it's now early May), and have promptly come over here to write this blog instead of edit. Gah, this is hard! I hope whoever is reading this is safe and well. I'm glad to be back, and plan to update this blog more regularly with my writing progress and other thoughts. Onward, and May the 4th be with you!
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I recently wrote a post for the Author Mentor Match newsletter (something you should really consider subscribing to, if you haven't already; you can do so by clicking here) about not self-rejecting, and thought I'd go ahead and put my thoughts down on my blog, as well. Because for us writers, I think this is a genuinely serious topic, in terms of writing, and any creative endeavor, really. As the title states: Do Not Self-Reject.
I know, I know--it sounds simple. But let me tell you, from a guy who's broken out in cold sweats during writing workshops, and literally trembled as he read a query in front of a college creative writing class, it's all too easy to proclaim your work insubstantial or unworthy, and pack it up before even giving it a chance. No matter what you think of your writing, you have to give yourself that chance and start putting it out there, at some point. Of course, that "some point" is up to you. After the first draft? Awesome. After the second? Just as well. After the fiftieth, when you've fine-toothed every word and line and feel there's nothing more you can do? Fantastic. Just make sure you get it out there. I've been writing since about second grade, I'd venture, though of course I never got serious about publication until around high school. And though it's scary, I keep putting myself out there. Look, I get it; in this age of technology, with so many contests and opportunities flying at you, it's easy to get overwhelmed. It's easy to drown in the success stories and feelings that getting anything--a "like" on a tweet during a contest, a query response that's not a rejection, admission into a writing program, and so on--is impossible. So why even try, right? But it isn't impossible. In fact, it's very possible. If you try, that is. If you take a breath, click send, and do not self-reject. Friends, don't let imposter syndrome tell you your writing sucks. Stand above it and yell in its face and do the thing. Because here's the thing: I'm not there yet, either. But I'm trying. And I won't stop trying. For all of us who aren't there yet, I ask that you do not self-reject. Your words and experiences mean more than you know. Give yourself that chance, and hit send. I want to talk for a moment about Agatha Christie, and the brilliance of her novels. Having just finished CROOKED HOUSE about a week ago (shockingly, I guessed the killer correctly; I've never done that with any of her other novels...so maybe I'm getting better at reading mysteries?), I continue to admire her consistency and quality.
In my own YA mystery/thriller that I entered Author Mentor Match with, I was very much conscious of the genre I was writing in, and the greats that have preceded me--Agatha Christie, of course, being one of the biggest. My favorite novel of hers (of those that I've read so far) is DEATH ON THE NILE, though, unsurprisingly, I greatly enjoyed her other hits AND THEN THERE WERE NONE and MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, as well. Currently, I've started to wade into her lesser-known works, like SAD CYPRESS and THE SITTAFORD MYSTERY (as if one could really say any of her works are "lesser known," but I think you understand my point). In fact, I'm currently reading THREE ACT TRAGEDY (great title, right?) and rather enjoying it. I definitely tried to channel my inner Agatha Christie when drafting my own YA mystery/thriller. It was, for one, the first novel I legitimately outlined, because I had to know the ending and work backwards/build the plot around the ending. I also wrote it out of sequence, because I felt like every scene needed written right now, as if I would somehow forget it (where before I typically wrote my novels chronologically). Other mystery authors certainly influenced my book, but this post is about Agatha Christie. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I consider her a remarkable talent, and I'm a huge fan of her books. I hope to read all of them! Haven't read an Agatha Christie book? Definitely give it a try! I'd recommend starting with her big ones, like AND THEN THERE WERE NONE or MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, but from what I can tell, any of them is a great entry point. Of her major characters, Hercule Poirot is a favorite of mine. Perhaps you, too, can successfully employ your "little grey cells" (as Poirot puts it) to solve the crime before the end of the book. I'm on my tenth Christie right now with THREE ACT TRAGEDY, and as I said, I finally solved one before the end! As dangerously low temperatures grip the Midwest (and people stay snugly inside), I've been reading. I'm happy to report I've already made some good progress this year.*
So far this year, I've read THE CRUEL PRINCE by Holly Black and CROOKED KINGDOM by Leigh Bardugo. I plan to read the Grisha trilogy this year as well (in anticipation/preparation of the Netflix adaptation of Bardugo's Grishaverse), but that may be a bit down the line. Currently, I'm reading THIS SAVAGE SONG by Victoria Schwab. It's highly focused on music, of which its descriptions are lush and vivid (it reminds me of Lana Del Rey, to be honest). Between THE CRUEL PRINCE, CROOKED KINGDOM, and THIS SAVAGE SONG, the differences are striking--different plots, of course, but different writing styles and worlds--and reading them in relatively quick succession has been really enjoyable. Usually, I tend to read books simultaneously (we're talking three or four), but somehow, over the last few weeks, I've gotten into the habit of simply reading one at a time, albeit quickly. Hopefully, I can keep this pace up for the rest of the year. As I continue to pursue literary representation and eventual publication, next to writing a new book, I think we can all agree that reading, itself, is a great way to pass the time. Anyway, they say a big chunk of the publishing industry is waiting/having no news for months, then tons of news in the same week. In other (interesting? pointless?) news, I've been practicing different author signatures over the years, to see what fits, what I like, etc. Who knows when I'll be published, but I think I've finally landed on an author signature I'm happy with. Fingers crossed I can use it one day. Progress! So, that's it for now. If you're in the U.S. (especially the Midwest) stay safe and warm, and happy reading! *This is the first year I'm documenting what I've read; at the end of the year I hope to see how many books I've read. I've always wondered, so this time I'll finally be able to see! Well, as the title implies, I'm gearing up to read so many lovely YA novels this year, many of them by debut authors. Related, as you'll see, is the fact that I just picked up Holly Black's THE CRUEL PRINCE, and am really enjoying it so far (perhaps this is sacrilege, but I've never read a Holly Black book until now--but there's a first time for everything, right?).
As far as my most anticipated 2019 YA reads go, I've decided to put together a little list. Still in progress, of course, but here it is, nonetheless: In no particular order:
Side note: all these novels have stunning covers. Aaand that's it for now. I'm probably (read: absolutely) forgetting others, but hey, it's what's in my head right now. So, yes, you could say I'm very excited for the upcoming YA books of 2019. Bring it on! (Also, completed unrelated, but The Masked Singer premiered on the 2nd of this month, and I'm pretty much obsessed.) |
Miles McGuinnessYA writer traversing the path to publication. Archives
May 2021
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Photo used under Creative Commons from CarlH_