Lucky Number Three

Well it has been 3 years as of late May, since I first had the idea of the Legend of Light. For my adoring fans, allow me to provide you with some little known trivia. I first had the idea for the Legend of Light while I was listening to a sermon during our church's Homecoming Revival. I was enamored with the idea of a snatcher, and the series was birthed. That night I scratched out the first formative thoughts. It's been a long journey since then. I have no estimate for the completion of my first rewrite as family matters have seriously delayed my work time, but I do estimate some much needed time to work will arrive this summer. So we'll have to wait and see.... Ahhhhh, three years....that's an era.

Rewrites and Additions

It is a time consumming process to generate new scenes, scenes that are desperately needed to give the story more relatability. It is an entirely different thing to edit all of those additions and every other previously written chapter. I worked very slowly in April and May, but June and the beginning of July saw many favorable strides. I have acquired several people whose opinions I respect, and who are not intimately familiar with my story, that have agreed to read my entire book inorder to supply editorial comments. I look forward to having a finished second draft to present them, but I long to read it myself as well. I have never read my story begining to end and I am anxious to see its rhythm, pace, and overall appeal. The next few months should see the realization of that dream, and bring me one step closer to my end goal.

The Quiet Months

I have been quiet these last few months, reflecting on the purpose and pace of my story. Some changes have been made, and the story has been improved, but there is still more work to be done. I have not been working at regular intervals, but I am constantly thinking of plot twists, character traits, and editorial rewrites. I feel that there might be something essential missing from the story, but I don't know what it is. Byron, my research assistant and friend, says that I am being to critical, but I'm not so certain. One positive note is that I have overcome my great need to get the story immediately published, and am now free to work as I can to produce the greatest product that I can. I have been greatly inspired by the many works of J.R.R. Tolkien and the entire canon of Middle-Earth. He truely created the greatest fantsy world of mondern times, maybe of all times. Geneologies, histories, interwoven stories, love, tragedy, hate, hope, racial strife, and wonderful unions of Elf and man are all present in this fantastic, broad-reaching story. I hope to create a world that holds true to my original purposes, but that ignites the imaginations of others, as Tolkien's has mine.

I'm Back!

The Hiatus actually ended a long time ago, but I suppose the Hiatus to this blog is only ending just now, with this post. I have received my first official rejection letter from Tor publishers. I plan to frame it.
Being rejected has been a very good thing for my novel though, since it has spurred me on to write an even better story; and I believe I have done just that. The characters are becoming more familiar and more personable and I hope to be accepted by any one of three publishers that i will be sending my work off to in the near future. Also, I have started looking for a literary agent to promote my book to publishers that only speak with agents. There is no telling what God has in store for the Legend of Light, but He does have something in store, and that is good enough for me.

Hiatus

I have taken a brief Hiatus from the novel since I am moving at the end of the month. There is much work to do, so I have had little time to work on it, or write posts on the blog. I am excited about starting in on it again and I believe that the break will help me bring fresh ideas to the story. I am already considering a major change in the family structure of Elocin. Also, I have allowed my imagination to run a bit and I believe that I have some interesting ideas about cultural details for my new world. I really need to delve into Melukore and discover the history and nuiance of this strange place.

Away to the Publisher

On Saturday, August 16, 2008, I mailed off a cover letter, a seven page synopsis, and the first three chapters and the prologue of my book to the editors at Tor Publishing. I requested a return reciept and I expect to get that back by the end of the week. It could take up to six months to hear back from the publisher, though I don't suppose it will take that long. when they finally get around to reading my proposal they will either send me a small form letter saying thanks but no thanks, or they will request to see the rest of my manuscript. That still doesn't gaurantee that they are going to publish, but I have a feeling that these overworked editors don't go around reading every manuscript in the world unless they are reasonably sure it will be good, and the senior editors will want to publish it. I will admit to being as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, but the Lord will do what He wants with it, so I would appreciate any of your prayers.

Good News about the Packet

I sent an email to the Senior Scifi Editor at Tor asking him if my submission could be a little longer than the normal proposal due to chapter divisions and all. He responded by saying, "Don't sweat it, send what works." This was a huge relief to me partially because I wanted to be able to include the beginning of Chapter 3 in the proposal, and because I was nervous to hear from an award winning editor, who will eventually be the last men to say "yeah or nay" on publishing my work.
Also, I have finished the first draft of editing on the chapters I'm submitting, so I'll read over it, have some of you read over it, and then start making more changes. It has to be the best I can do, so I'll be giving it my all. My goal is to send the packet off the day I leave for vacation, Wednesday, July 30, 2008.