Novel: The Reluctant Scribe – Page 2

5 year writing goal: October Update

5 Year Writing Goal: October update

I’m taking part in Misha and Beth’s Five Year Project and my five-year goal is to write a novel and get it published.

It’s two years since I joined the project. My first task was to finish the manuscript for my historical novel, The Reluctant Scribe, and lick it into shape through several rounds of editing. This I’ve done.

Now, I’m supposed to be looking for an agent . But, after several standard rejection emails, with no requests for the whole manuscript, I’m finding it hard to keep motivated
Continue reading “5 year writing goal: October Update”

June: and rethinking the opening of my novel

My aim was to approach a new agent every week. But I’ve failed to keep up with that self-imposed schedule. The whole process is very time-consuming – and stressful. What should I do?

5 Year Writing Goal: June update

I’m taking part in Misha and Beth’s Five Year Project and my five-year goal is to write a novel and get it published.

I’ve been looking for an agent for my historical novel, The Reluctant Scribe, without any success so far.

My aim was to approach a new agent every week. But I’ve failed to keep up with that self-imposed schedule. The whole process is very time-consuming – and stressful. So it’s easy to find other things to do! Continue reading “June: and rethinking the opening of my novel”

Submissions, submissions, submissions.

My aim was to approach a new agent every week. But I’ve found whole process is very time-consuming.

5 Year Writing Goal: May update

I’m taking part in Misha and Beth’s Five Year Project and my five-year goal is to write a novel and get it published.

For those who have been following my progress, you will know I have finished my novel, The Reluctant Scribe, and have been sending it off to agents. Just after my last update, I received my first rejection. It was polite but firm. The agent did not feel passionate enough about my work to want to take it on. Fair enough. Continue reading “Submissions, submissions, submissions.”

April and my weekly task…

There is a distinction between carpet bombing and precision targeting… but you have to keep firing.

5 Year Writing Goal: April update

I’m taking part in Misha and Beth’s Five Year Project and my five-year goal is to write a novel and get it published.

For those who have been following my progress, you will know I have finished my novel, listened to feedback, re-written it and re-edited the manuscript, changed the beginning (three times) and made many major and minor adjustments. Continue reading “April and my weekly task…”

In search of an Agent

5 Year Writing Goal: March update

I’m taking part in Misha and Beth’s Five Year Project and my five-year goal is to write a novel and get it published.

This is my update on progress this month with my historical novel, The Reluctant Scribe.

After the last piece of very helpful advice from an experienced reviewer, I have completed the following changes:

Inserted some introspective reflection to clearly explain my main protagonist’s final actions.
Rewritten the ending to include a very satisfactory revenge scene, where the main villain gets his just reward.
Inserted a prologue in order to set the context of the story for my reader.

Continue reading “In search of an Agent”