A word about those awesome freakin' medieval Knights that insist on monopolizing my mind, my world and my waking moments! Okay, I have to say I'm in love with the idea, the time period, the merging of technology --
But really, it's been a while since I first began writing this series. Along with investing much time and energy into science and technology, I also love medieval history. So when I began work on the Knight series --what I called my SFR time travel it seemed exciting to combine history and technology in such a way that romance ruled. The series has now evolved into The Quantum Portal series, and I invested tons of research to put this idea into play.
I wrote and wrote. But to this day I don't think the Knights are up to my own self imposed publishing standards. The word counts are there, also beginnings, middles and endings. But I keep finding things to uncover, add, change, rewrite, research and make better. You get the picture. So none of these books have ever been submitted to a publisher. Yet.
Though I did have a close call on the first in the series, working title Knight of Magic. The title may be misleading because the 'magic' in this story is 24th century future technology which ends up in the 12th century. You can imagine what a 12th century knight might think of this kind of technology. It seems like magic, right? Yeah. Yet KOM almost got submitted after a pitch session and a publisher's request. Then I decided it wasn't ready. I want these books published, yes! But I feel they need to be the best I can make them. I refused the publisher's request. (Not a good idea and one I wouldn't recommend anyone ever do!)
I believe the biggest problem I have besides being a perfectionist is every time I go into the revision process, I find things that need to be changed. I also think this is the fallacy of updating. I have learned much about writing, characterization, plot and most of all what I really want to say as an author.
So revising these stories to fit who I am and what I want them to say, and when I feel they will be ready to submit is my main goal for now. Never doubt this is a grueling process!
Here's to the Knights and seeing them finished and in publication before I lose my freakin' mind!
We all have stories that plague us so how about you? Do you have any that beg for your attention and won't let you go? Stories that need work and yet you can't seem to get it right, so you are compelled to do the work on them no matter what?
Kaye
(Inspiring Knight photos from Kingdom of Heaven and Merlin)
10 comments:
I do have a few contemporary romance like that. I can't seem to edit it enough.
Some day I hope to get them submitted.
Good luck to you. I really hope you get the series out there. It sounds like a must read. :)
I have a set of novels i've been playing around with in my head for years. I don't know if i'll ever put them down, though
Galactic Game has been somewhat like that--it started as a 10k short, but I didn't want to leave the characters alone. As a story I think it is much better now!
Sometimes the best thing is a deadline. Something about deadlines makes things click.
Perhaps on your writing contacts you'll run across a publisher you are really interested in submitting to!
But how smart you are not to let something go until it's ready. That's the difference between a veteran and a newbie.
I bet you're being to hard on yourself, Kaye. Your idea sounds fascinating.
I have a contemporary story that is driving me nuts. I've started it a couple of times and keep putting it aside. I plan to focus on it in March. The time has come!
Amber - I hope you can get yours finished as well.
Sarah - Good luck getting yours finished also. It seems daunting sometimes but it is good too.
Melisse -- Thanks for the idea! I do have a publisher in mind so that can help. I am making these stories the best I can.
Maria - Thank you! You are so right. I feel better about it now.
Shelley - Perhaps I am. But that's how this series is going. Good luck on your own story!
Thanks for all the advice everyone!
Kaye
I feel ya Kaye! I have a SFR set underworld and I just can't seem to get it right. Every time I think I have it I realize that plant couldn't be at that depth or that animal doesn't have the right anatomy for that action. Drives me bonkers.
Your idea sounds fabulous and I can't wait to read it when it does get published.
I think with something as complex in concept as your's though, you're doing the right thing. Otherwise you won't have just SF readers squawking but could have midevil readers poo-pooing your concept to!
Good luck!
I'm currently having issues with the sequel to my upcoming release. It's been in draft form for two years now, and yet I can't seem to get the editing right. And it's been asked for the last two months by my editor so now I feel the pressure to complete it even more!
However, the sfr that I started Christmas day and that I entered for the pitch contest won't leave me alone and I keep sneaking off to work on it. And even though it isn't quite finished, I've already had ideas for a sequel. O.o
It's a real balancing act. You don't want to submit something too soon when more work on it could give it a better polish. Too much revision, though, can actually hurt a work and make it feel tortured or flat. Like waiting for a piece of fruit to be perfectly ripe. Timing is everything.
AR - I hear you! That's what I was thinking-- I am tapping the fantasy/medieval market as well with these stories!
Pippa -- wow! you do sound like me. I'm actually doing a similar thing with another story too. Strange how our creative minds work.
Allie - It sure is a balancing act. I love your idea about the fruit!
Thanks to all for the support and advice!
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