July 2010

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Some of my favorites from the last month, in case you missed them.

Canyonlands National Park

 

We did take a family vacation to Colorado and Utah. I posted some photos at Shutterfly if you're interested.

 

Publishers and editors aren't buying manuscripts right now. Authors aren't getting offers. Competition is ridiculously fierce as everyone tries to hedge their bets. 

 

So that leaves me still in limbo and exploring my options. (The publisher who has Contingency hasn't rejected it outright, but …)

 

In the meantime, I finished major edits for the follow-up book, Indemnity. I'll be getting back to technical edits in a few more days. You can read the first chapter. (Fair warning: It may blow the ending of Contingency.) 

I also have plans to outline a discussion guide for Contingency. This is new territory for me. I'd love to hear suggestions and comments. Have you participated in a book group? Do you like discussion guides? Can you think of books that have especially good ones (that I can model)?

 

Finally, to satisfy that need to create (and NOT edit- blech), I've written some backstory for my two favorite characters, Doug and Cass. They appear in some other books I've drafted. (Books 4, 5, & 6 – Yep, if we can ever get these things to press, I can keep you reading for a little while.) 

 

Backstory is a tricky thing. I love it, editors hate it, so it rarely makes the cut for the final draft. I use it to help deepen and fill in the characters. In that sixth book, Doug's memories are critical so it's good for me to work through what he remembers.

 

That's where things stand. I hope to have more substantial news for you soon. Until then, stay cool!