Friday, February 18, 2011

Goodbye, My Favorite Library


I'm going to start this post with a fact; I'm moving. No, not to a new house across town, but to a familiar state a bit north from here. Washington. It's my home state, and where all my family reside so to say I'm thrilled is an understatement. Maybe in the future I'll write a post on why we're moving, but today I wanted to write about the library here. I know, I know, this isn't the first time I've written about it. I don't even think it's the second time. I just love the Farmington library and will miss the place so much!

I think the library has been my favorite building in this town. How many of you feel at ease near rows of shelves of books? I do. In fact, I always have two full bookshelves in my bedroom because of the relaxation they bring. The feeling of gently allowing my fingers to flow from book spine to book spine calms me in a weird way. I can't explain it.

When we were between homes, living with friends, I could take my girls to the library to sit and read stories together of far off places and familiar cartoon characters. Then we ended up renting a house directly down the street from the library which meant that at least once a week, the girls and I pursued the many familiar and colorful rows the library had to offer.

No matter what difficulty we were facing, or how often it felt like things had been turned upside down on us without our permission, the library welcomed us with serene continuity. When it felt like everything was changing for the worse, the library stayed the same.

Now, I realize it's just a building with paid government employees, but what makes it so special is that this government building is not only huge and beautiful, but filled to the brim with books. Amazing, colorful, calming, story-filled books. And because of that fact, I'll miss this government building very much.

What's your favorite book-filled building?

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Done, but is it Complete?



I'm Done. I've finished. But is it complete?

Last May I queried an agent that I really wanted to represent me. She replied by asking for the manuscript. Three months later, in August, she emailed me to tell me that I needws to add depth to my character. I freaked out for a few weeks, and then eventually emailed her back and asked if she wanted me to let her know when the rewrite was done. She said "Yes". That in itself was a reason to jump up and down!

Fast forward to today.

I'm done. Today I finished the rewrite, but I can't take a sigh of relief yet. My critique partner read up to chapter 9 (page 50) and then had to care for a sick family member. Thankfully her family member is doing much better, but she's found herself busier than she'd expected and unsure if she can finish critiquing my manuscript. I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and email the agent that I'm done, or if I should wait until I can have someone critique the whole manuscript.

Nevertheless it feels great to be finished, except that I miss Eva (my main character) already. :( That's okay, she'll be back in the sequel.

Here's the question: What would you do? Let agent know it's done or wait for a second opinion?