Looking forward to a Break

[The juggle continues: source]

 With the crazy juggle that has been my life this semester, I've been thankful for every scrap of time I could use for writing. I have made some progress, but much of that was with getting feedback to improve what I've already written, as I said last time.  Over the next month, the holidays pick up, and the obstacles between me and getting the time to write start fading again. I will be able to make much faster progress and actually use that feedback.  

[The publisher question: source]

I'm hoping that I'll be done with books 3 and 4 by the end of the break, so I'll be able to explore the next steps of bringing you these books. If I can make connections and find a regular publisher, I'd love that because it's likely to get more widespread readership.  

[Talking animals: source]

However, I know chapter books and middle-grade fiction are hard to place with agents and publishers because they're considered not very profitable.  Add the variety within the lore and series and the essential aspect of talking animals, and my optimism is not high.  However, I still have the plan of a hybrid publisher who can spread word of these fun series far and wide.  One way or another, I will keep working to bring these books to you.. 

(Almost) Full Time Writing

[Recovering from burnout-source]

It took me a while to recover from burnout from a very long, difficult school year.  Now, I'm trying to spend all the time I can, as close to full time as I can, rewriting the books and getting them ready for publication using the editor's feedback. During the school year, I gather up the few scraps I can and try to write a little bit.  But during the summer, I get real time. When I'm not teaching or transcribing (my two full or part time jobs during the school year, which become very part time jobs during the summer), I'm focusing all my time on writing. 

[Editing-source]

I'm now able to dig right into writing.  First, I'll go over the feedback I've received from various sources and make sure I know which direction I'm headed in, then I'll dig into each chapter, making sure I follow the right format and have at least one turning point per chapter.  Some chapters and even spans of book have to be completely rewritten.  It's not as fun as the freedom of writing in the first place, when a rough idea of what will happen that chapter guides me, and just about anything can happen.  But it's still gratifying to know where I've come from, where I'm going, and more about who these characters are and what they're doing over the course of these ten books and the next ten besides.  I'm making good progress and hope to make better progress still as I push through July.  I look forward to bringing you some actual published works soon.