Paths to Getting Published

Today I am beginning the rewrites on my book.   It is a bit like visiting an old friend.   I am a little apprehensive but overall thrilled.   Tonight I will work on the story board.   The time off of writing has allowed me to stop being in love with the book as it is.   It is easier to chop it up and move things around now that the story is not fresh in my mind.   I can look at it through new eyes.   Adding and subtracting the bits that will make it a stronger read.     So here I go on day one of a three month schedule for rewrites.   JL Cooper

A character by any other name would not seem so deep, touch us so memorably nor affect us on a level that ripples out into our conscious lives.   Would Harry Potter have been so relatable if he were not given a commoners name?   Or Scarlett O’Hara be as pretty without a fiery adjective for a name? Who would you believe more?   The magic of a medicine man of the American west named Tony or Three Feathers?   If your heroine lives in the city, is young and vivacious don’t name her Edith, Mildrid or after Grandma Betty.   However if your character is not of this earth, try not to bestow him or her with names whose consonant or vowel combinations do not exist on earth.   With the name Uccabrasz or Tskasvalale not only will it be difficult to remember but it will interfere with your readers flow each time that names comes up.   Breaking the illusion your book has worked so diligently to create.    I myself have issues with naming my characte...

Over the past two months I have embraced some much appreciated advice, in regard to my book, from several published authors as well as a couple of well respected editors.     Their advice is that I should shorten the book and change the title.   So I am going to do a rewrite, which is just the next phase in my writing this book.   To prepare for the rewrite I have put my book aside for a few weeks in order to give my mind a rest.   The rewrites will include cutting a third of the book out.   I hope to have it completed and ready for beta reading again in three months.   I am ready to jump back into it!   I miss the story and my characters.   Wish me luck and know that I am excited to get re-started on this book!   And to all of my beta readers I will send you the updated version as soon as it is ready.   JL Cooper