Latest progress, and also why it's pointless to try to please every reader

Here is an early review of Once Upon A Project that someone posted on an Internet review site (which one really isn't important):

"This is the first book I have read by this author and I must say I read the book in two days!!! It was very well-written and the characters had substance. I also liked the fact that the stories were based on older, more mature characters. I would recommend this book to others."

Not too shabby, eh? Well, this is a review that recently posted:

"This book was very slow! It was very difficult for me to get involved in the storyline. I would not recommend."

'Nuff said.

Now, moving on, I still haven't defined what precisely is my damn problem. This weekend just flew by. I'm late getting invitations out for my mother's 90th birthday celebration, we're still unpacking (I finally found the tablecloth and doily overhang for my bedside table), and on top of that we're giving a party next weekend. (I've made it clear to my husband that no one is to go upstairs, since that area simply is not ready to be shown.)

So here's my latest count:




As you can see, I'm feeling awfully sleepy these days. Just about every day a new subplot comes to me, and I know that this will be a really juicy page-turner, but for some reason it's taking me forever to get it done. In the meantime my editor called me Friday (which was D (deadline) day, and my agent is on vacation.

I'd better get cracking. I've got a phone call to make.

Cross your fingers for me.

5 comments:

Gwyneth Bolton said...

Good luck, Bettye. I swear I hate it when the deadline creeps up and thebook just won't let itself be written... Sending positive thoughts and energy!

Gwyneth

Anonymous said...

Hang in there, Bettye.

Reon

PatriciaW said...

You're fighting yourself but you can do it!

You've had so much going on in the past six months that has demanded your attention that the other YOU is taking a break, by hook or by crook. Too bad it's not an opportune time for YOU to do so.

Not sure whether to tell you to push through or take a legitimate break for a few days, then jump back in. You know best what to do with YOU.

More positive thoughts and energy!

Anonymous said...

Bettye, maybe after the party things will begin to flow. It seems you do have a lot going on with trying to unpack and plan a party.

bettye griffin said...

Gwyneth, Reon, Patricia, Shelia, thank you for all your positive thoughts! I feel them flowing my way!

You're absolutely right, Patricia! The thing is that most women take vacation time when they move. I'm a contractor, and they cut my vacation pay around October/November, when I've worked a certain number of hours. As soon as I get it I'm taking off a week (other absences, like my recent vacation, are unpaid). Bernard has been handling most of the unpacking and furniture re-arranging . . . but he's taken off nearly two weeks since we moved, so I don't feel one bit guilty about his hard work.

Shelia, planning a party? This is my husband's baby. I plan to chill with a drink in my hand, maybe change the CD, or get out the extra bottle of ketchup, or direct guests to the powder room!