Monday, September 9, 2019

I Finished My Book, Now What? Some ABC's of Being Between Books

Congratulations to Theresa Milstein who won Tomorrow's Bread from last week's blog.


********

One of the television shows my husband and I enjoy is ChoppedBesides watching the incredible creations the cooks come up with out of their mystery baskets, I like the final second when the cooks' time is up. They throw up their hands and step away from the plates. There is nothing more they can do.


That's how I felt last week when I typed "The End" on HALF-TRUTHS, tweaked it a few more times, and pressed SEND.

After over eleven years, my young adult historical novel was on its way to an agent. 


NOW WHAT?


I step back, but I'm not about to throw my hands up in the air.

Instead, here's a peak at what will keep me busy--and keep me from checking my email every minute of the day as I wait for an answer. 


A is for agents. I'll continue to work on my list of agents who I'll query next. I have a folder in my email box in which I've been saving agents I've read about who are interested in YA historical novels; most of them from Kathy Temean's excellent blog, Writing and Illustrating. (If you are serious about writing or illustrating for children or teens, you need to follow this blog.) I'll study each agent's wish list and if I think they're a good fit, I'll move their name and agency information to my list on Query Tracker. For $25.00/a year you get the premium membership with many benefits. 


B is for brochure. Mine is out of date and it'll probably take hours for me to come up with a new design template. Not my favorite thing to do. 


Old brochure.


C is for clean up my computer. I keep running out of room on my hard drive! Time to move photos and files. 


A little old-school, I know. But I still like them!

D is for dentist. Overdue.  


E is for EQUAL.  




Joyce Hostetter sent me the manuscript for her last book in the Baker Mountain Series several months ago. She has given me a tremendous amount of feedback and input into HALF-TRUTHS. Time to return the favor. 




F is for the Federlin files.


One of Henry Federlin's genealogy lists.

I inherited many things from my father, Henry Federlin, including his desire to document his life. I have two folders full of papers that he saved which I promised to copy for my brother and sister.  


I is for Instagram. 
Apparently Instagram (not Facebook!) is the way to connect with teen readers. I have an account, but have only a smidgen of knowledge how to use it. 

L is for lunch with friends.

via GIPHY
 (my friends are less furry but I couldn't resist this!)

M is for Marguerite Higgins.



While researching HALF-TRUTHS, I came across Marguerite Higgins, a journalist who covered WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. She becomes Kate's heroine and perhaps, my subject for a non-fiction picture book biography. 

M is also for Dr. Marie Maynard Daly.



I also discovered Dr. Marie Daly, who becomes Lillian's heroine. I think she would make an excellent subject for a non-fiction picture book biography. 

S is for Scrivener 3.  



See comment on Instagram above about learning something new. Except that I've begun my next book in both Scrivener 2 and 3. First off: figure out how to import one to the other.

T is for Talking Story.  Our fall issue is on Native Americans and First Nations. 

T is also for THREADS. The working title for my sequel to HALF-TRUTHS.  
Charlotte textile industry roots
Image courtesy Bank of America.
https://about.bankofamerica.com/en-us/our-story/charlottes-textile-industry-roots.html#fbid=oK529mgLEX0

The textile mills are as much a part of Charlotte, NC's history as the Jim Crow laws. The story will take place in 1954, involve the textile mills, and revolve around Frank, Kate Dinsmore's younger brother, and Isaac, Lillian Harris's older brother who has just returned from his service in Korea. 

W is for Write2Ignite. Our annual conference is less than two weeks away and I need to finish getting ready. I'm giving three talks for teens and am excited to encourage these burgeoning authors. There's still time to register!


*********

How about you? What do you put off doing until you've completed a project? 

Which item on my "to do" list will I tackle first? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 




23 comments:

Theresa Milstein said...

Congratulations and good luck!

Unknown said...

Thanks, Theresa!

Jilanne Hoffmann said...

Congrats, Carol! I hope the next steps go faster! Good luck! I put off filing until I'm done with everything else. ha!

Carol Baldwin said...

Me too!! Thanks Jilanne!

Helena George said...

This is great!!! (And also, CONGRATS ON FINISHING!!!!!)

I wish I could go to W2I. Hopefully next year! :)

I'll be praying for you and this next stage of your writing journey.

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks Helena! That means a lot to me. And yes, we want you back next year!

Joan Y. Edwards said...

Dear Carol,
I am very happy for you and proud of your determination and perseverance. Hurray for you!

Never Give Up
Joan

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Joan! I appreciate your vote of confidence!

Young Authors Program said...

How exciting, Carol! Congratulations on finishing your book and pressing send! Make sure you take time celebrate this accomplishment.

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks so much, Dorothy!

Christa M. Miller said...

These are great suggestions. I usually just start the next story! You know, the ones that have been nudging at my brain to work on them instead. ;)

Carol Baldwin said...

Yes--I know exactly what you mean, Christa!

Rosi said...

Mostly I just put off finishing my projects. (sigh)

Kathleen said...

Woohoo! Congratulations on this achievement! I hope you also add another C for celebrate this step of your author journey. So proud of and happy for you ❤

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Kathleen!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on finishing your book! I've noticed I'm doing a lot of reading after finishing my book. I have a pretty big to-read stack to get to.

Linda A. said...

Great news! Congratulations!!!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks so much, LInda!

Jolene Gutiérrez said...

Congratulations, Carol! I can't wait to hear more updates as your book moves closer to publication! You have a wonderful list of things to keep me busy, but the picture book biographies is what I'd want to dive into if I were you. :) I'm so happy for you!!

Carol Baldwin said...

thanks, Jolene. I don't know what to do first!! Good problem, right?

Jolene Gutiérrez said...

Absolutely! You have some great options to choose from. :)

Joyce Moyer Hostetter said...

Congratulations on the submission! And great that you aren't throwing your hands in the air. Love the ABC post and I look forward to your feedback on Equal!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks Joyce, your support has been priceless!

PUSH-PULL MORNING: Dog Powered Poems About Matter and Energy

I wouldn't have believed that a book about matter and energy would be read by the picture book crowd, except that my third-grade and kin...