How to Tackle Your Edit Letter Without Self-Destructing

When I got my first big edit letter, I about collapsed into a sobbing mess. There was just so much I had to do that I was completely convinced I wouldn't be able to do it. So much for having faith in myself right? Anyway. Believe it or not, the first letter came before I even signed my contract for GATEWAY. I've mentioned this before, but there were a lot of revisions that needed to be done. I read that letter over and over again and had to let it all sink in for a few days. I had absolutely no idea where to start.

About a week later, I came up with a way to make the edits less terrifying (if that's even possible). I created a map key. You know those little "keys" you learn about in elementary school that mark designated spots on maps? Like this: 

Yep. Except mine went a little something like this: 

A triangle = easy

A square = medium

A star = holy sh**balls (Not kidding. That's what I put for the BIG changes. haha)

I put these symbols next to each bullet point, essentially giving it a sort of rating, and started with the easiest. So as I went throughout the manuscript, I would then put a line through that bullet point and move on. Let me tell you, it feels amazing watching that list dwindle line by line. It gives you a visual of what you've completed, which helped me feel a bit more accomplished. 

Having some kind of order to the madness made the edits less complicated and I didn't fall apart while doing them. I think little things like this are great tools to keep yourself focused. As writers, we have to find an easier way to accomplish our goals somehow, because there are just so many things about what we do that are hard enough as it is. And this was one of those things that made all the difference. So next time you have big revisions to tackle, I highly recommend trying this method. You'll be amazed how well it works. Cheers!

Heather Marie is a YA writer who loves all things creepy. She enjoys writing horror/supernatural stories that make you question that feeling of someone watching over your shoulder. Heather spends most of her days reading and writing and plotting her next idea. When she's not in her writing cave, she enjoys watching creepy TV shows with her husband and picking apart plot holes in movies.

Her YA debut, THE GATEWAY THROUGH WHICH THEY CAME, releases August 25th, 2014 from Curiosity Quills.

You can find her on Twitter @: http://twitter.com/HeatherMarieYA And visit her website @: http://heatherxmarie.blogspot.com/

That Time I Conquered the First Round of Revisions

Helloooooo, Secret Lifers!! Gosh, it's been a while, hasn't it? So much has happened for all of us here at the Secret Life of Writers, and I know a lot has changed for some of you. This blog topic has come at the perfect time, because before last night, I really had no idea what I was going to talk about. But as it is, last night around 8:50 p.m. PST, I sent in my first round of revisions for my YA debut, THE GATEWAY THROUGH WHICH THEY CAME.

As most of you know, I announced my book deal with Curiosity Quills back in November, and since then my life has been a whirlwind of emotions. It's crazy how things can go from OMG I'M SO EXCITED MY BOOK IS GOING TO BE PUBLISHED to OMG MY BOOK SUCKS WHY DID I WRITE THIS SOMEBODY PUNCH ME. If you follow me on Twitter, then you saw this tweet from me posted last weekend:

Yep. That happened. I was stuck on a chapter for SIX HOURS. One stupid chapter. I just couldn't get my mind to process how to fix it. None of the sentences were making any sense and all the words were just jumbled together. My neighbors were stomping around above us, and the cars outside were so loud, and the TV screeched in my ears, and I completely broke down. I got up. Removed myself from the living room. Stood in my kitchen. And cried. 

I cried because everything was just so damn loud. I couldn't write. Couldn't concentrate. I was completely convinced that I couldn't do this. That I wouldn't get my revisions back in time. That my book was going to make absolutely no sense. And I was terrified that not a single person would even enjoy my book. 

In all honesty, that is the real reason I broke down. Because for the first time since I've become a writer, I'm working on a book that is actually going to see the light of day. People are going to read my words. REAL PEOPLE are going to read something I wrote and either love it, or completely rip it apart. And as much as I want to be published, nothing can ever prepare you for that. Because you WANT people to like it. Hell, love it, even! But I know some people won't. It's so, so scary to picture your book on a website like Goodreads where people will tell you how it is and not blink an eye. Meanwhile, you're behind your computer doing this: 

Let's be real. People can tell you to ignore Goodreads, but it's easier said than done. A part of me wants to know what people love or hate about my books, because guess what? Maybe I can learn a thing or two. I'm not perfect. No writer is. And if people don't enjoy GATEWAY, that's okay. I've been there. I can't tell you how many books I've read that everyone loves that I...didn't. It happens. But for me, it's the people who will enjoy it, maybe even love it, that make everything worthwhile. 

So even though GATEWAY is on its way to becoming a real book, I'm unbelievably excited and equally as scared. But this is something I've wanted more than anything, and I cannot wait to share it with you. My friends. 

With all that being said, I'm really excited to share with you that THE GATEWAY THROUGH WHICH THEY CAME has an official release date. Are you ready for this? 

Mark your calendars, you beautiful people you, for AUGUST 25TH, 2014!! 

That's right!! GATEWAY has been bumped up from the fall to late summer. I am so freakin' excited I can't even! Follow me on Twitter at: @HeatherMarieYA to keep up with cover reveals and tour info as the year goes along. 2014 is going to be the best yet! 

Heather Marie is a YA writer who loves all things creepy. She enjoys writing horror/supernatural stories that make you question that feeling of someone watching over your shoulder. Heather spends most of her days reading and writing and plotting her next idea. When she's not in her writing cave, she enjoys watching creepy TV shows with her husband and picking apart plot holes in movies.

Her YA debut, THE GATEWAY THROUGH WHICH THEY CAME, releases August 25th, 2014 from Curiosity Quills.


You can find her on Twitter @: http://twitter.com/HeatherMarieYA
And visit her website @: http://heatherxmarie.blogspot.com/