Friday 20 January 2012

A New Start

After only a week or two of nailbiting I was really lucky this week to get a phone call from the editor who's dealing with me. And so I have news about Honeymoon and a new direction.

I hadn't expected anything like this quick a response and was grimly settled into revising the second half of Honeymoon, all the while trying to ignore my gut feeling that it really wasn't good enough. Unfortunately I was absolutely right. I got some really great feedback though, and any low feelings passed pretty quickly. She reiterated that they like my voice and that they like my portrayal of the heroine very much. She said there were moments of brilliance, which was lovely. But the feeling was the story itself wasn't strong enough. If I'm honest I can see where she's coming from. I found it very difficult to keep writing as I got further through the story, it was like pulling teeth, but I plodded on regardless. So Honeymoon goes onto the backburner, at least for now. Perhaps I will go back and finish it at some point in the future when I'm more experienced and have a better grasp of what is required.


I am thrilled, however, that she liked one of my story ideas and after giving me lots of advice, has let me loose to start on a new project! I am beyond excited about this and filled with all the optimism that always seems to accompany starting a new story. I'd only supplied her with a brief idea of the story and a few lines about the possible conflicts for hero and heroine, so my next step is to go back to her with a more detailed synopsis and story plan. As a result I am now up to my ears in research, which is something I did hardly any of for Honeymoon, and I can't help wondering if that was part of the problem. As it was a New Voices entry, I dashed off one chapter of it without doing any of the usual groundwork beyond basic character sketches. When Liz Fielding first got in touch with me after it went through to the second round I had only the vaguest idea of where the story was heading and I could never have produced such a strong Chapter Two without her excellent guidance. I can't help thinking that the way the story weakened as it progressed was partly to do with my lack of planning before I started writing the thing.


So I'm determined not to let that happen this time. I'm doing lots of background research first, which currently involves watching episodes of Made In Chelsea (completely insane but strangely addictive). I also intend to spend loads of time on my character plans. Only then will I look at coming up with a skeleton plot. I hope (crossing fingers) that all this background work will stand me in good stead when it comes to actually writing it.

In terms of advice I can share...well what I can say is the editor used the terms 'sparkling, daring, edgy, glamorous..' an awful lot, and there's very much a feeling that it needs to have global appeal. I was told to make sure my hero remains extremely alpha as that was something I was losing sight of now and then in Honeymoon. She also advised me to read lots of the line, which I am already doing - I find this helpful in showing what kind of story and feel they are after, but at the same time it often fills me with a desperate 'I'll NEVER be that good..' kind of feeling!

So to sum up, one project on the back burner, and another at the starting line. I will post progress updates as I go along, but for now its back to King's Road for me!

15 comments:

  1. Well I give you full points for plodding on with Honeymoon. It shows you've got determination and self-motivation and what editor wouldn't want to work with you, huh?

    I can't wait to hear how the new project goes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your lovely comment, Lacey! I will keep you posted.

      Delete
  2. Hi Charlotte
    Really exciting news about the new project and what a fantastic opportunity to work alongside an editor on your story. I'm sure it must be a bit daunting too, but they wouldn't be investing this time and energy if they didn't think you could pull it off.

    And, as you say, you can always go back to Honeymoon at a later stage with a fresh approach. You're bound to learn loads in this experience.

    Best of luck with it and keep us posted as to how it goes.

    Maddie/aka Jill/aka Lizzie from New Voices - still plodding away on my entry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Maddie/Jill/Lizzie! Are you Mince Pies Lizzie? Plodding away on your NV entry, I can really relate to that, definitely worth doing. Even though Honeymoon is sidelined I know I've learned lots more in the process (probably more of what not to do than anything). Lots of luck with it!

      Delete
    2. Yes, I'm mince pies Lizzie, although I am trying to give them up now!

      Delete
    3. Aaaargh just realised how that sounded! Lol! You must not stop writing it, yours was my favourite entry out of all of them. I read it before the final 20 went up and it was in my top right from then. Love a Christmas story!

      Delete
    4. Aw, thanks for the lovely comment, Charlotte. I loved yours too, but then fresh and sassy contemporaries are right up my street. I really hope Honeymoon reaches its HEA! I'll definitely be following your journey to publication.

      Delete
  3. A shiny new project -- how exciting!! Thanks for keeping us posted, and I look forward to hearing your updates. :-)

    Oh, and that "I'll never be that good" feeling when you read a published book -- YES. Same here. But we can't underestimate the value of a good edit. I have no doubt that one day your books will be read with awe, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Natalie! Glad it's not just me! Very excited to follow the progress of The Seven Day Target, I can't wait to read the finished story.

      Delete
  4. Well, I for one hope that one day you return to Honeymoon because I love that story BUT the new project sounds so exciting, can't wait to find out more. And honestly, I'd settle for one flash of brilliance - flashes would be even better! Very exciting times.

    ReplyDelete
  5. How exciting, Charlotte...Can't wait to hear how the new story goes...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sri! Thank you! I will keep you posted.

      Delete
  6. Hi Jessica! I would love to finish Honeymoon, the experience has been great, I just feel like I've gone astray with the story really. Hopefully it will be fixable when I go back to it. I think we all have brilliant flashes, it's the rest of it that's my problem!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Charlotte, I've just come to your blog to see if there was any news (sorry, thought I was following you)and I have to say it all sounds incredibly exciting. I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed that this is your year xxx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Michelle! It is exciting and flippin scary! I'm hoping it's your year too, you must be really really close, hope you hear soon! Xx

    ReplyDelete