novel – Page 3 – Ruth Livingstone

5 year writing goal: November update

My quest for an agent for my historical novel, The Reluctant Scribe, continues. I’ve written to eight so far, with six polite rejections and two still pending.
Meanwhile, I’m moving on. From the past and into the future…

5 Year Writing Goal: November 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.

My quest for an agent for my historical novel, The Reluctant Scribe, continues. I’ve written to eight so far, with six polite rejections and two still pending.

In the meantime, I’m moving on with my next novel. It’s completely different in tone and style. This time it’s a fast-paced, sci-fi adventure, written in the first person, present tense, and aimed at the young adult reader. Continue reading “5 year writing goal: November update”

50,000 words and onwards…

Today I hit the 50,000 word NaNoWriMo milestone. Actually, I raced past it at some speed.

So, I’ve collected my certificate, some stickers for the blog, and – when November is over and done – will find some free goodies in the end-of-NaNoWriMo winner’s bag.

BUT – and this is important – I’ve not finished my novel. Yes, I’ve got over 50,000 words down and that is quite an achievement. No, I haven’t got to the ending yet.

This is my promise to myself: this year I WILL finish my NaNo novel.

After that, of course, what I’ve got is a rough first draft. A very rough first draft. Then the hard work really begins.

Stuck in the mud: July

I’m no nearer to my goal. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy writing.

5 Year Writing Goal: July 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 have been looking for an agent for my historical novel, The Reluctant Scribe. But, after four standard rejection emails, with no requests for the whole manuscript, my search has ground to a halt.

A way forward?

Thank you for everybody’s suggestions and advice last month. I’m now convinced I need to revamp the opening of the novel. Continue reading “Stuck in the mud: July”

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.”