So Busy

Well, there's a lot to talk about but my mind isn't focusing very well at the moment. There's just too much going on. I have gotten two new regular copyediting gigs. One is shorter, more regular assignments (so far, so good), the other is editing books for a university press (one job so far, but they were very happy with the work I did, including the author). I've also gotten a couple of writing jobs. So I've been busy with the extra work, but in a good way. I hope that continues.

In book news, a few kind readers have read my book and I'm trying to incorporate some of their ideas and suggestions. I agree with some, and am having a hard time with others. Having a hard time because some of the ideas are very large in scope which mean big changes. For instance, getting rid of one character entirely. First, I'm not sure I agree (but are my feelings about that character getting in the way?), and second, holy shit that's a lot of work. So I'm doing the changes I agree with and thinking about some of the others.

Sometimes I think I would like a professional opinion (as in agent or editor) on some of these ideas. Because as I read my friends' suggestions, I realized that they sounded a lot like the debate you hear about pretty much any book. One of my friends loved one character and wanted to see a lot more of her. Another reader found that character particularly annoying and thought her chapters were enough, no more. Some want more of this, or less of that. But I have heard a lot of comments on the structure, as in it is sometimes confusing. So that might totally have to change. I don't know. Should I start sending the book out and see what kind of response I get? Maybe some of the agents might have similar ideas as the readers and that would help me decide what to do? Maybe they'll just reject me outright. I think I'm going to make the changes that feel right and take my chances with the submissions.

Still running. Not making much headway in the training, but I'm maintaining, which is maybe the best I can do right now.

In other news, Nate is at jury duty this week. His co-workers are moving into their new office this week as well, but he'll have to wait until the trial is over to really settle into his new digs.

Also, we're getting the front room painted. Man is it nice to have someone else paint instead of working on it ourselves, for a change. We picked a red for the dining area and what we thought was sort of a tan for the entry way. There's a lot more gold to the tan that we realized. We'll see how it looks once a couple of coats are up, but right now I'm thinking it looks a little pimp. We'll see how that all turns out.