Two years ago this week ...

... I decided I was going to write a novel. I'd always thought the idea was intimidating -- worth bragging about, for sure -- but YIKES. Talk about a daunting project, but I was determined to prove to myself that I could do this. I'd read too many poorly executed books, and said too many times, 'I could have written that better.' Well, here was my chance.

I started with an empty paper sack and tossed in everything I love to read about: hackers, knitting, pink hair, adventures, European travel, British accents, geeks, romance, genetics ... I figured if I was going to put in the time and effort to write a book, I was going to make the process totally fun and, at the least, create something that I was proud of.

Six months (and many personal revelations) later, the rough 'dirty stone' (as Naomi Campbell refers to them) was 90,000 words of a mess, but it was my first finished novel and I loved it. I even went out and got fucshia highlights like Zellie in my hair to celebrate.

Without wasting a beat, I started in on ARCANE, my second novel, and five months later had completed that one as well.

... But MANAS fought it's way back to the foreground of my brain again. Now, knowing a little more of what I was doing re:writing, I retackled the novel, cutting 15,000 and adding back in another 10,000. I reworked passages so they read more smoothly and polished. Then, I gave it to very dear and very honest friend who ripped it to shreds -- and I actually found that I appreciated the criticism. Who was I becoming? I read, revised and edited until my eyes just couldn't take any more.

That fall, I gifted copies of the book to family -- they loved it, but once again I found I was unhappy with the final product. MANAS needed something, but not before I started my third novel (and current WIP) GLOW.

This spring, while taking a break from GLOW's Sundae and Brendan, the MANAS bug hit me again. I woke up one morning and realized I'd just dreamed up the opening to the sequel -- which means that my heroine, Zellie, had more story to tell. It then became my job to make sure her first story was the best I could make it. I read and re-read, and eventually subjected myself to the possibility of another heinous review from my friend. Thankfully, this time around, she loved it.

So, now it was time to show the new and improved MANAS off a little. Agents were contacted, copies were requested and here we are, back at present day.

I'm not sure exactly where this little-book-that-could is going to take me in the future, but I can tell you that it all started two years ago this week.

The Editor decides to get an Editor

It's been a while since I took to the blogosphere to chat about anything besides the work side of my life (www.captivate.com/byte-sized), but I have found myself with quite a bit to say over the past few weeks.

Let's do a recap.

At the beginning of April, I discovered the joys of a writers' retreat. Twelve members of my Toadstool writer's group rented a house in mountain country for a long weekend of eating and writing and more eating -- though truth be told, the delicious prose coming out of the event was much more satisfying than any bangers and mash and sticky mango rice I may have consumed (but just barely re: the mango rice).

Working off an idea that electrified my muse into near blathering hysterics, I furiously penned a 20,000-word novella in weeks, typing the final first-draft words over a schmeared bagel and cream cheese the day before we all left for home (the final copy has been sent off in hopes of publishing, so fingers crossed).

My story is about an island where men the likes of romance novel covers are created, imprinted and sold to women looking for life-long love. Meg, a strong girl tired of the dating scene, picks out her Mr. Perfect, only to secretly fall in love with the geeky doctor who owns the tropical lab but spends his nights online gaming. When the trio are stranded on the island, Meg must decide who she really wants. It's a very tingly, dense romance with the most beautiful men, a sarcastic heroine and the sexiest kind Clark-Kent geek I could imagine. If you're interested in reading it, shoot me an email (amplante@gmail.com) and I'll see what I can do.

The retreat also served another writing purpose: On the final morning, I woke up and was once again struck by lightning: The missing plot point I've been struggling with in GLOW solved itself. Well, I'll give my multiple muses (especially the one who looks like Eric Northman from 'True Blood') due credit: Someone found the missing film reel and played it in my mind before my feet even touched the floor -- and I knew instantly my months of stoppage was at a dramatic end.

Sundae and Brendan now know where they are going -- well, that's not really accurate. I always knew how my story about the universe-crossed lovers would end, I just couldn't see how they got there. But, now I know. And whooo boy it's epic.

Moving on, I've also realized something extremely important re: writing: Even editors need editors.

No matter how much experience one has as an editor (meaning my 8+ years and eagle-sharp eye), you simply *cannot* edit your own work. Ever. It's a certified impossibility, and anyone who disagrees with me needs a real editor like whoa.

I asked a dear friend of mine who has nearly 45 years experience teaching English grammar to please 'BE MEAN' to my book, 'Arcane' -- Miss Phyl took the whole thing and, in 12 days or so, gave me back a copy that made me squeal. Every single page had at least one mark of editing to help clarify, fix, edit, correct, etc. Not that 'Arcane' was messy or not well written by any stretch -- I am, after all, a professional and, as I've proffered a few times on this very site, pretty darn good -- but it just goes to show you how blind you can be to your own mistakes.

My favorite part of the whole editing process is the distance it's given me from my own work. I'm going back over passages I thought were perfect only to find they were A.) not necessary to the overall plot, B.) long-winded and verbose, or C.) too quick and needing more explanation. It's truly fascinating how things can change with another set of eyes.

I am happy to announce that the scrub of my 80,000-word paranormal romance/adventure is complete, as is the novella 'Mr. Perfect.' I expect to be querying agents within the next few weeks for 'Arcane,' then I'm going to finish 'GLOW' before the end of the summer.

It's going to be a busy few months.