Two-Do Lists

Firstly, happy 70th post! Secondly, excuse the pun (well not really). It fits with what I want to be doing, which is write about two different to-do lists that I have.

To-do lists keep me grounded. There is nothing better than the satisfied feeling of checking something off your list. Recently, in order to keep track of all the parts of Guardians I still had to write I started a to-do list specifically for it. 

The list not only keeps me on track it keeps me focused. For example, if one of my tasks is, "write chapter one" (just finished!!!!) then my job is to write chapter one. It's not to reread chapter one a million times, criticize it to an inch of its life, and want to delete everything and start all over. Editing should come only after I've written the whole story. That way, everything is put into perspective.

The second to-do list is a little more ambitious but at this point it's dream big or go home. Ready for it?

1. By the end of senior year of college finish a manuscript of Guardians of Cornerstone that I'm proud of

2. Start submitting to literary agencies

3. After an unknown number of rejections get signed by an agency

4. Wait for the agent to find a publisher (which will undoubtedly also involve rejection)

5. Have first book published

6. Smile as I check everything off my to-do list

This list is my reality in some ways. It's everything that has to happen in order to finish the journey that I started senior year of high school. And even though it will take a lot longer than finishing sections of my story, in the end, checking off those boxes will be so much more satisfying. 

Rereading, Series, and Advice

First, an apology for not having a catchy title. Now onwards and upwards.

I am a passionate advocate for rereading. I think that every time you read you can learn something different about the book, about the author, or about yourself. We're different at every point in our lives so we bring something new to a book every time we read. 

This time, I decided to pick up a series that I had read starting in sixth grade (don't judge) the Stravaganza series by Mary Hoffman. Hoffman's concept is that teenagers use talismans to be transported to an alternate Italy in the 16th century. Firstly, the series is engaging, touching, and I love the characters. This time around though I also gained some valuable insights into how I can improve Guardians.

As I've been saying for the past few months I'm working on doubling my manuscript. Part of this addition includes a further look at Ben and Rafi in our world before they're whisked off to Cornerstone. I'd been worrying about these parts. Where they moving too slowly? Did they actually add anything to the plot? 

Enter Mary Hoffman and her flawless transitions between our world and the one she has created. At the beginning of each book in the series (there are six) she introduces the problems in both worlds, sets the tone of the book, and then quickly has the main characters intersect. I had picked up the series on a whim but I gained actual writing advice as well.