Tag Archives: Second-Hand Daughter

Peace and Quiet

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It was all go until 31 May, now it is quiet. And tomorrow is King’s Birthday weekend, so a long weekend to relax.

I’ve finished my assignments and handed them all in.

Second-Hand Daughter has launched.

And I have so many things I could be doing, and I really don’t feel like doing much. I’ve spent time in the garden weeding, planting and trimming, and napping.

I haven’t written much or edited. I’m just enjoying having some quiet time after a busy few months. It doesn’t mean I’ve given up on writing, or crafting, it just means that I’m having a week holiday. I will back into editing this week, with Compromised Positions being the next up, and that will be released later this year! So excited about that.

But in the meantime, I’m relaxing and taking some me-time.

And all it once…it ends!

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Man, the last few weeks have been hectic, emotional and very disturbing. I’m ready for a break!

I am currently in the middle of getting my final assignment done for my organic’s course, and then I am done. I’ve given myself until 31 May to get this done (course ends on 17 June). I wasn’t sure I was going to get there, but two assignments have been submitted, so just the last one to go.

Also happening on 31st May is the launch of Second-Hand Daughter! I’ve had it up on pre-order for a while and got everything ready for it to be released on time. The books look amazing in real life, and I’ve ordered some to arrive by Friday. Saturday I’ve registered for a book sale, so it should get a few hits then too. It won’t put me on any best seller lists, but it is a successful launch.

My big boss from Aucktown is coming down this week for work to do performance reviews. I have a list of things that I intend to talk to him about, so whether I have a job or not on Tuesday is a different matter. He’s pretty good to talk to, and most of it is just niggling shit that annoys me, and probably shouldn’t.

And I have been back writing Faith’s story, been a bit here and there, but I’ve been writing. Will be nice to get everything above finished and then I can focus on writing, editing and cardmaking.

How was your week?

Catherine

Much Excitement Abounds

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By the time you’ve written your story, rewritten it, edited it and re-edited it, it just feels like something isn’t right with it, or that it’s crap. That is how I felt when I finally sent Second-Hand Daughter off to my editor in February. I was pleased to see the back of it.

Then I spent weeks wondering if the editor was liking it or having to drag herself through pages of mud, just to edit the story (hopefully she would have said as much as not continued editing) but of course, that is what you think.

Then you get an email from your editor with this little gem – “I’m on track to have your edited manuscript back to you by Friday. What a great story – very emotional and intense! I’m enjoying it so much.”

Which is great to start with, but then you start to wonder if she actually means that. And whether she’s just trying to be nice.

And when the manuscript arrives back, there is this note on it. “I thought the overall arc of Peyton and Sylvia’s character and relationship development was done extremely well! I absolutely love how close they are a year after … and how Peyton found what could be considered her real family. Just excellent!“

And then I went into the manuscript, and I was blown away. There are a few changes to make, but other than that, it seems that I have an actual story that people may actually enjoy. And so now, I’m at the excitement stage of fixing the problems and getting it ready to publish on 31 May 2024!

It’s surprising how you can write something, edit it within a hair’s width of its life, hate it, and it comes back polished and shiny and new. I wish I had more faith in myself, but it seems I’m not the only writer who thinks a story is stink once they’ve sent it off to the editor!

How’s your week been? Have you had an exciting moment happen?

Take care

Catherine