Beth Revis

Lovely. I haven't written the book of my heart...

2012-05-29T22:13:09.596-04:00

Lovely. I haven't written the book of my heart yet. It's there, tucked away in that secret place inside of me, but I haven't dared open that door yet. I'm not sure I'd be able to write it the way it should be written. So I'll let it sit there until I'm ready.

I 100% agree on critique partners. Especially abou...

2012-05-29T20:08:34.722-04:00

I 100% agree on critique partners. Especially about finding good ones. I've had some who were not really helpful, some who would have been harmful if I'd followed their advice, and have found ones who are invaluable. Who call me on my bs, and aren't afraid to flat out tell me it didn't work.

In fact, I thought of you the other day, how you'd written a post between ATU and AMS about having sent the finished MS to crit partners and being told it didn't work and having to basically rewrite. (I may be remembering someone else and this wasn't you at all. It's you in my head, so we'll run with that.) Since the same thing happened to me recently it was nice to know that I'm not the only one. But also to see acknowledged how important crit partners are.

Totally agree about CP's. I remember when I ha...

2012-05-29T13:41:58.655-04:00

Totally agree about CP's. I remember when I had someone read How to Date an Alien they commented on me using 'as' alot. I didn't think I did, so I went through the manuscript and low and behold I did! Now when I critique other manuscripts I'm really keen on looking for that as well. I think it helps to get those great critiques and then use them to help ourselves and others.

Well to answer your question, I think the green bu...

2012-05-29T11:15:46.506-04:00

Well to answer your question, I think the green button is very cool (and kind of adorable how all the share buttons pop out). I'd say I'm not sure if people will get right away that that's how you share the post, but as all you have to do is roll your mouse over it to activate it, it's pretty self-explanatory.

As for critique partners, I agree 100%. The trick is finding critique partners that aren't afraid to be honest with you and give you an actual critique (versus a general "This is great!" or "Didn't like it."). Once you find the right ones, critique partners are truly invaluable to the writing process.

Thanks for great information you write it very cle...

2012-05-29T03:02:37.072-04:00

Thanks for great information you write it very clean. I am very lucky to get this tips from you.

Thinking of Sellinga

Great post, I completely agree. It can be easier t...

2012-05-29T02:39:36.917-04:00

Great post, I completely agree. It can be easier to notice things in other people's writing - you can see the woods for the trees better. Then one can say, hmm, do I do this myself? Plus you have the benefit of their eyes too.

Great post! One of the things I'm so excited a...

2012-05-29T01:01:13.382-04:00

Great post! One of the things I'm so excited about with this move is that I get to reconnect with my old critique group. I've missed them so, and just having my husband and editor isn't always enough.

i'm hoping to actually get some type of writin...

2012-05-28T23:50:38.372-04:00

i'm hoping to actually get some type of writing done to send to my critique partner.. i'm weird because i got a partner before I even start the writing process.

We have a book of our hearts that our agent hated....

2012-05-28T18:31:43.706-04:00

We have a book of our hearts that our agent hated. I still think about that damn book. I still haven't totally given up on it. Maybe that's the secret...put it away, but never ever give up.

I love this - so easy to remember and so handy to ...

2012-05-28T10:33:46.496-04:00

I love this - so easy to remember and so handy to refer to! More grammar tips please ;)

I love this post. Sometimes it's hard to give ...

2012-05-27T20:40:14.451-04:00

I love this post. Sometimes it's hard to give up on the book of your heart, even when you've sold another. You think, if I just rewrite it one more time...However, sometimes it's meant to be practice and that's okay. And sometimes the book will resonate with everyone and become a bestseller. Yow! You just never know.

I knew there was a reason I should have kidnapped ...

2012-05-27T20:39:03.990-04:00

I knew there was a reason I should have kidnapped you in Asheville--seems like you always say just what I need to hear! I too have a book of my heart that didn't sell and I know it's because it just wasn't sellable. But, thank you for the reminder that there is always more than one chance and always more than one story inside us. Kudos to you for moving on!

xo,
Tiffany

Beth, I didn't see this post until today. Wow....

2012-05-27T03:48:48.940-04:00

Beth, I didn't see this post until today. Wow. This is a fantastic post. It eerily parallels my own experiences. I posted about this on Ellen Oh's blog a while back http://elloecho.blogspot.com/2011/08/whats-best-writerly-advice-youd-give.html

... I also had a book of my heart - the *third* book I ever finished (first one that I started, though, and the second one queried, though). It got to acquisitions at one of the big six publishers... Then it got shot down. I was so crushed. I truly believed after that book that I'd never find the same love for a story again, the same magic again.

Actually, the reason I banged out my next two manuscripts was basically because I hoped to get one of them published, just so I could use that platform as a published author to get the book of my heart published. But just like you, I suddenly was able to find magic in other stories again. With the sixth manuscript I wrote, I began to love a story again. With number seven, (INSIGNIA, the one that sold), I went into it knowing I could recapture the magic anytime, knowing the book of my heart hadn't been the end of it.

The funny thing is, now when I re-read the book of my heart, I don't really like it anymore. Have you re-read yours since you sold Across the Universe?

Great post!

2012-05-27T03:43:49.741-04:00

This comment has been removed by the author.

I love your honesty and your approach Beth. Thanks...

2012-05-26T19:31:56.992-04:00

I love your honesty and your approach Beth. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

Thank you so much for this post. It came at exactl...

2012-05-26T18:24:11.583-04:00

Thank you so much for this post. It came at exactly the right time, as I was just debating whether or not to put my current WIP on hold and start another one. I've been going through different scenarios in my mind, and I think you've been the final piece in the decision to stop and try again.

Hi Beth. I read this post twice last night and h...

2012-05-26T10:58:27.340-04:00

Hi Beth.

I read this post twice last night and had to sleep on it before I could respond. It moved me so deeply that I couldn't find the right words to express my gratitude. I'm not sure morning will make much difference in that regard, but I'm going to try.

The "book of my heart" is out with publishers right now. It's had some very nice rejections, but bottom line is it's been rejected multiple times. I just turned it back in on an R&R, and I'm desperate for the editor to see the value in the changes and say, "Yes, I'll take a chance on this book." The thought of trunking it is a miserable one for me, but my heart is definitely lighter after your blog. Why? Because no matter what, I wrote the story I had to tell, the one that my soul became attached to and that became a part of me. I am so proud of this book. I may look back in 5 years and see all its flaws, but it won't matter. Love is blind that way. But if it comes down to trunking it, I will do it with much more grace and security knowing that you, and so many of my fellow writers, have been there before me and will follow after. The book is worth something to ME, and that's what matters most. I guess your post helped me realize I can't put a dollar figure on the love I have for this project.

Thank you so much,
Denise

This is EXACTLY what I needed to see today. I'...

2012-05-26T10:23:00.162-04:00

This is EXACTLY what I needed to see today. I've been writing the book of my heart and it's clear that it's only in my heart and not my brain. It's going nowhere really fast. Thank you for stating that it's okay to move on to the next book. Being a published author is my dream of all dreams and I didn't know how to move on from my heart-book failure.

Thank you.

237 times??!? That's like me and Sister Hazel...

2012-05-25T22:05:21.199-04:00

237 times??!? That's like me and Sister Hazel's Your Winter.

This is a great song. I might have to listen to it again.

And again.

This post was just what I needed. :) I can't b...

2012-05-25T21:08:05.349-04:00

This post was just what I needed. :) I can't believe I've never heard the term "book of my heart" until now...but that's exactly what my WIP is. I've been writing it for YEARS (in fact, it's about to be 3 years old in November, when I first got the idea for it). It's my baby. If I could LIVE in the book, I would. The characters are so dear to me, so precious.

Thank you for this post, Beth. Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! :)

Love you, love you!

2012-05-25T21:04:06.000-04:00

Love you, love you!

For me my goal was always just to be read. I feel ...

2012-05-25T20:50:25.629-04:00

For me my goal was always just to be read. I feel like it's my job to tell the story the best way that I can and then have as many people experience it as I can. I've always said that I would still write even if it meant that I had to sell the stories on the street for pennies. I would do it. There are many things that I want to accomplish with my writing (Buying a house, quitting my job, holding the finished copy in my hands, ect...), but ultimately I would be happy as long as people were reading it.

Great post Beth. Really enjoyed both articles.

These two posts have been wonderful, Beth. I'm...

2012-05-25T17:20:18.603-04:00

These two posts have been wonderful, Beth. I'm planning on linking at my place soon.

Just wanted to tell you a fellow writer found out about SCBWI through your blog and was able to connect with our local chapter. You are a generous soul. Thank you for all you do for all of us. xo

Beth is an incredible gift not only because of the...

2012-05-25T17:17:12.617-04:00

Beth is an incredible gift not only because of the example she sets for "never give up," but also because she's an amazing writer and a very giving human being. These last two blog posts are gold. I'm sending my followers here to read both of them.

So many reasons why I <3 you, Beth, but this th...

2012-05-25T17:14:44.882-04:00

So many reasons why I <3 you, Beth, but this thoughtful, revealing post is one of them. Oh, the times I've tried to convince unpubbed friends not to obsess over one manuscript, rewriting it over and over.

It can sometimes be like a love affair... you think it's the book/boy/man of your heart, but maybe it's not. Maybe the one is to come.