Léna is also a Regional Manager for Writopia Lab whose mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in kids and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing.

"Well, the question is, what do you want to believe? Do you want to live in a world where things are possible, or in one where they aren't?" Cin, Edges.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Novel Nerves and Friday Feedback

I just hit the SEND button with an attachment of my new novel, India Flips to my agent, Edward Necarsulmer. Here's what will happen: he will clear off all other things from his desk, eager to start reading right away because I am oh so fabulous.

NOT.

Okay, yes, he adores me, but there will be no clearing of the desk. What will happen is that India Flips will get into his MASSIVE reading queue. And the EARLIEST he will get back to me is late July.

But I obsessively read it through, editing and copyediting it no less than five times this week. Now it is 46,000 words instead of just shy of 45,000.

I am scared, but I must let go of it, and it's a good thing that I have a very busy summer of teaching writing camp, and then reading as many books as I can possibly get my hands on.

If you are interested in reading the opening page of India Flips, I have bravely posted it over on Gae Polisner's blog today. (You know my friend Gae - of Pull of Gravity fame?)  She is working in concert with Kate Messner's big summer project, Teacher's Write.

She has a new weekly feature called Friday Feedback, in which she, or a guest author, posts an excerpt of something he, she, (I?) are working on, and then invites peeps not only to give feedback, but to post their own excerpts for feedback from her (and the guest author.)

Isn't that the coolest? So what are you waiting for?

If you need another push, here is the link to Friday Feedback - I'd love to hear your thoughts!

12 comments:

  1. Thanks, Lena. Friday Feedback's been around for like two years now, but is more zooey now that it's part of the Teachers Write! project.

    Lot's of great stuff being tossed about there. So glad you are there with me today. As you know, I LOVE your voice and am already enthralled with India Flips. Let's hope your agent feels the same way. ;)

    Now, go relish the summer!

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  2. It's been so much fun! But it was a real leap of faith for me - the feedback is really interesting.

    (Oops - that's what I get for trying to economize my words! Question - is Friday Feedback a world-wide web thing, or is it just your thing - I only know it as yours!)

    Fingers crossed!

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  3. Except for (;-) the fact that I'm chomping at the bit to hop over and read your opening lines, I'll slow down long enough to tell you how perfectly you capture the mix of uncertainty (insecurity?) and hope I grapple with all too often. Now I get to say that you inspire me.

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