I don't know -- it sounds kind of cozy to me. What do you think?
So I'm catching a few typos, changing a word here and there -- and now and then saying to myself, 'Dang, this is better than I remembered!'
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Number Six!
I don't know -- it sounds kind of cozy to me. What do you think?
So I'm catching a few typos, changing a word here and there -- and now and then saying to myself, 'Dang, this is better than I remembered!'
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29 comments:
Congratulations. btw, I am reading "Signs in the Blood". I purchased quite a few of your books at the bookstore in Asheville. I'm enjoying the mystery and the story of Sylvie. I find myself wanting to skip ahead and find out what happened to her.
That's good news for us all! I'm sequestered in my corner of the house under a weighty comforter and equally lumpy collection of cats. I will finish off Day of Small Things tonight. It's a major page turner w/ characters and settings that rival dark chocolate!
About the title being proposed to you "The Full Circle Farm Mysteries": Are they leading one down the path to think of Coming full circle? on a farm, no less? Hmmmm. My linguistic tuned ear isn't thrilled with the cadence. Full and Circle are awkward companions... I'm just saying. I trust your judgement to set the sounds that pique the attention.
It is, as Judith pointed out, a bit awkward sounding, but it doesn't sound particularly 'cozy' to me. And, since all of the action doesn't take place on Elizabeth's farm, it's a bit of a misnomer, too.
I guess I just liked 'The Elizabeth Goodweather Mysteries."
Ooops, forgot...CONGRATULATIONS! I'm looking forward to reading it so much.
Good luck with reading, Vicki. You may be pleased to know, I'm actually under way, myself, at last!
Incidentally, I love the idea of an audio clip in the blog profile. You've given me an idea.
I would think the re-reading would be hard for you ... good luck.
I'm still liking 'The Elizabeth Goodweather Mysteries' ... why change it now?
Oh, CONGRATULATIONS, Vicki! And what is the photo of the incredibly lovely gate?
Elora
Clever you!
Presumably they know what will sell. Apart from the fun writing the books that is surely what you intended, that they will sell.
Sit back and enjoy the fall-out!
better than you remember is a good thing right? smiles....nice. like that first pic too....neat gate...
Congratulations Vicki. Reading backward makes my brain hurt too. Ouch. Not sure if I could do that....I like reading out loud to catch errors but it doesn't catch misspelled words.
You won't believe how many times, especially lately, when my husband is reading a novel, he'll say, "You're not going to believe it, but here's a misspelled word in so-and-so's book." Must happen to everyone. It would drive me absolutely crazy if the book were mine.
Sam
I love that you find yourself seeing how good your work is!
Kath
Congratulations! I can't wait until it comes out and I can read it. I'm not sure I like Full Circle either - particularly at this stage. It seems a bit odd to rename a series with the sixth book.
As far a proof-reading, such a chore sometimes! I have tried to teach my kids to read their work out loud to see if it sounds right, but as Sam pointed out that still doesn't catch misspellings. Good luck with it.
Margaret -- Little Sylvie is one of my favorite characters. She about stole that book.
Judith -- Full Circle IS the name of Elizabeth's farm -- but as Victoria says, certainly all the action doesn't take place there. I'm not sure what They have in mind.
Martin -- That clip was recorded in a radio studio (Random House paid for it.) I'm still working on getting a recording of my reading a bit from DAY OF SMALL THINGS -- I made a recording on my laptop but find it's not in MP3 form -- which it needs to be if I want to embed it. Now to download a free program... I'll get this figured out eventually.
My question exactly, Pat. I like Eliz. G. Appalachian Mysteries for those with Eliz. and Marshall County Chronicles for ones like DAY OF SMALL THINGS.
The gate, Elora, is one that John built. It's at the back of our house and screens, somewhat, the view of the woodpile, the potting bench, the fuel tank, and such like. The picture is shot from the back porch looking out to our entry way.
Oh, yes, Friko -- that they sell is indeed my intention. Of course I love it when people enjoy the books but when I've put in a year of fairly intense work, I'd like to be paid. At present, it's not even minimum wage.
It's always that way, Brian. Such doubts when I send off a manuscript...
Which is one reason, Sam, I never read my books once they're published.
Me too, Kath!
Their ways are mysterious, Karen.
I have to put in my vote as not being thrilled with "Full Circle Farm Mysteries" either. I like the link to Elizabeth Goodweather. Good luck with the re-read, I'm looking forward to the next.
Vicki...that must be a good feeling. Someday I'll know it. If I can just keep writing it. So easy to get sidetracked.
Yay!! I'm looking forward to seeing what EG has been up to. I've been meaning to tell you that I finished The Day of Small Things and started thinking about the early years in contrast to the end, so I just flipped back to the first page and re-read Least's story all over again. I really really thought you did a wonderful job sharing her story, and you have such a way with historical fiction! (That's my shameless plug for a whole book about turn-of-the-century Appalachian life!) Anyway, as I said, I'm really looking forward to reading the next 'chapter' of Elizabeth's story...though I'm a little worried about her and that gentleman suitor of hers!
I don't mind the suggestion, but why change something that's already good? I'm 2/3rds through 'Arts Blood' and enjoying it immensely.
Do you write every day? Roughly how many words a day? (I bet you've been asked that a million times already)
Blessings, Star
I don't care what they call the series, I just can't wait to read the next book!
The gate you have on your post is beautiful. I bet it flows with climbing flowers during the growing season.-- barbara
Vicki, might I suggest you read Number Six out loud? That will force you to slow down, and you can often catch stylistic infelicities when you hear your cadence going off. And, what between the dogs and the cats and the chickens and all, it's not like you lack for an audience. :)
"Full Circle Farm Mysteries" is ... well, okay. Especially if you ever decide not to have Elizabeth as the main character. (She could be off on a vacation, after all, and Laura or Ben play detective instead.) And the farm occasionally becomes almost a character, you describe it so well. Still, mystery series are usually referred to by their main character -- the Albert Campion mysteries, the Ellery Queen mysteries, the Elizabeth Goodweather mysteries ... I suspect your readers will continue that tradition, and booksellers will follow suit.
Having an official series title like this is largely a boon to the public library cataloguers who wish to tie a series together more easily (810 1 _ Lane, Vicki. $t Full Circle Farm Mysteries ; $v v. 6.) ... no one else but the publisher will use it. [wry grin and a shrug]
--Mario
It must be such a great feeling to do the final proofing. And especially gratifying when you actually like what you've written.
I must admit that while "Full Circle Farm Mysteries" has a nice ring, I don't think it fits with the new plans to branch out to characters beyond the farm.
I do love the gate!
Wonderful! So exciting, and it's great that you let us move through the writing process vicariously. I can't even imagine the burst of emotion you must feel when reading the proofs, knowing that your work will soon be published! I'm guessing that it never gets 'old'? :-) You're an inspiration!
How exciting it must be to get to this stage with a book. Though how you ever manage to stop tweaking the manuscript, I'll never know - even with my blogs I get tempted to keep altering them.
I love the gate too, it's both a screen and an invitation.
Congrats!! I'm so happy for you that another book is nearing the finish line. I look forward to reading it.
the gate in the photo is really lovely...yours i hope???!!!
Thanks for all the thoughtful comments re series name --I'm going to try to relay the gist of them to Herself.
I'm leaning in that direction, Amelia.
Star -- When I'm seriously in writing mode -- a book with a deadline, I write almost every day -- actually, every night. The word count varies from 200 to 2,000 (that would be an all-day thing.)
Louise -- UNDER THE SKIN probably won't be out till next fall. It takes a loooong time.
Barbara and Pat -- My talented husband built that gate. There are red roses growing on it and blue morning glories in season.
Mario -- I red it aloud in my head, if you know what I mean. Yes, it's the best way to hear if it's flowing.
NCmountainwoman and Darla -- yes, it's a good feeling -- kind of like a hen laying an egg -- I did THAT!!
Jennyfreckles -- Having a deadline in a contract lets one know it time to stop tweaking. Yes, one could go on ad infinitum otherwise.
Yes, this title sounds very well.
I think that your lovely gate with a perfect circle has something to see with your choice .
I can't wait!!!!!!!!!
After a month of being proofread, I got my manuscript back and opened it up to a random page. Before I realized it, I was deeply involved and enjoying the style and the voice of the story. Then I literally gave an inward gasp when I realized that I had written the words I was enjoying!
So I know what you mean when you say you felt pretty darn good during the reading of your own words.
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