Gut Wadding

Mangled Manuscript Monday

Gut Wadding. A colloquial term invented over fifty years ago by a busy farmwoman during gardening season. As in: “I could get something done around here if I didn’t have to stop and fix gut wadding for the men.”

My version of ‘gut wadding’ set me back on my wip. Blogging went by the wayside as well. Because of my inattention, I haven’t visited my blogger-buddies as I should. I apologize.

But Life and major repairs to the house took over nearly every second of the day. Up at 3:30 am and asleep by eight in the evening. Trips to town to get the paint I didn’t know we’d need and the trim that I didn’t know I had to buy.

Re-modeling. Going from a two-step kitchen (one step, hit the fridge; another step, hit the stove) to a massive family room and lots of cabinet space. Never again will I have to store my pans and pottery in the garage or laundry room. A revelation, to be sure.

And a shower. The flooring under our nearly hundred-year-old tub was gone. I mean one leg was hanging over empty space. Termites and water damage was about to drop our first story bath into the basement. Quite a sinking feeling.

I love old houses and the neat cast iron sink and tub. But at some point, there must be a reckoning with age and the damage done in those years. Time to go from 1919 to 2012 in a hurry.

At some point, I’ll clean up the plaster dust on my computer table and get back to normal. Until then, find a tall glass of tea and a good book.

As Ahhnold said, “I’ll be back.”

Two Fer Tuesday

Need a Crit?

I want to give back to the writing community that has given me so much. 

Tuesdays are my Two Fers, your chance for a critique of your query, first page, dialogue, or a scene.

I will take the first two that leave a comment and give a thorough critique regarding style, hook, and what works for me.

Send your query or 250 – 300 word excerpt to beccoff(at)nwmo(dot(net

And

Keep On Truckin’

Mangled Manuscript Monday

What genre do agents want most?

According to QueryTracker the answer is YA with Fantasy coming in second.

Many agents rep only YA. The queries flood the market with the force of Niagara.

Speaking of The Force, YA contests and writer’s blogs are like a swarm of Death Star fighters, crowding and jostling to get to the head of the line.

What is a writer of adult to do when another genre grabs all the attention?

Should they follow the market as some agents suggest and change their adult manuscript to YA? Or stay true and soldier on with their overlooked novel?

It is a quandary.

Songs Sunday

I break music into two categories. 

One, the kind that gets moves me like Lady Gaga, Shinedown, Nickelback, and Daughtry. Treadmill music actually.

Two, a playlist I named, My Writing Music

For writing, I need instrumental in various tempos according to what my characters are doing at the time.

In the gentle scenes, the oddly contrasting soundtracks from True Blood or Pride and Prejudice help me see the MC weep. Or imagine the kiss.

For combat/fight scenes, high drama or experiencing great fear, I go with 30 Seconds to Mars.

Their album, This is War, helps me envision the hall where swordplay breaks out. When the wizard raises his arms and calls down Hellfire. Or as my MC dies by the hand of her foe.

Plus it drowns out the TV when the hubby is watching ESPN.

Two Fer Tuesday

On June 5, I begin a new posting schedule.

And a proposition.

Be the first two that comment and receive a crit of your choice.

Need a fresh eye to scan your first page? Your query? I will critique two, 250 – 300 word submissions.

It can be one-on-one comments, just between us. Or I can post it for others to critique as well. Your choice.

Next Tuesday, the 5^th of June, leave a comment on my Two Fer post and receive opinions on style, grammar, flow, and hook.