LUCY BURDETTE: It’s been a busy stretch, what with making the transition from Connecticut to Key West, finishing the first round of edits on my book 16 (coming next July), working on a short story, working on a murder mystery for the Friends of the Library, and so on.
I can’t tell you too much about the new book without spoilers – for some reason this seems more challenging than with other books. But I remember talking about the inciting event in an earlier essay. This involved Hayley Snow going along on a safe custody exchange, which I know some of you worried about. I think I’ve fixed the book so that is addressed—we’ll see.
Here is a bit of the opening again, but this time with a note from my editor. There are a lot of notes like this sprinkled throughout the book, which can feel impossible when they first arrive. But I’ve learned that addressing them always, always makes a book stronger. The trick is to read all the feedback a couple of times and let it sink in over a couple of days—the answers will come! In summary, I’m very lucky to have this editor! I’m also grateful to have my long-standing writers group pals Ang and Chris to bounce things off.
Next, the manuscript will be sent off to the copyeditor. She or he will look for grammar and spelling mistakes, errors in the timeline, and general consistency. Over the course of 26 books, I’ve hardly had the same copyeditor two times in a row, so this process can be a little more fraught. Keep your fingers crossed for me please. Meanwhile, as we were driving, the cover arrived! (You can preorder here.)
What do you think? My only complaint is I wish some of that fruit was plates of cake and cookies:). But I'm thrilled to get a little mental rest from the book and work on some other things. (Although I'm rediscovering that short stories are hard!)
How do you celebrate the end of a big project? or do you just move on to the next item on your list?
**Meanwhile, here are some deals for you. The ebook edition of A DISH TO DIE FOR is on sale this month for $1.99!
**The audio editions of THE KEY LIME CRIME and DEATH WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS are both on sale for $1.99! (Not sure how long this one will last...)
**Finally, after a several month delay, the audio edition of THE MANGO MURDERS is finally available!
I really like this cover, Lucy . . . .
ReplyDeleteAs for the celebrating the end of a big project . . . I usually just move on to the next thing on the list since there's always something else to do . . . .
thanks Joan--there IS always something else, isn't there? We can rest later:)
DeleteLucy, the cover is stunning and I love the title. I agree with you that a bit of cake should be there, too, but I didn't notice until you pointed it out.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a link to last year's blog detailing Darcy's visit. The editorial note surprised me because I think you give enough information without explaining the law. But noodling on it, she is right. More information will clarify exactly what Darcy is asking Hayley to get in the middle of and why Nathan isn't happy about it.
As for me, I can go from one project to the next. My projects don't have the same heft as finishing a book so celebrations are not necessary.
She's usually right Judy, including this time! But all projects should be celebrated, I'm beginning to think:)
DeleteGood edits are so valuable. As are good covers - I like the new one!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say I clean my desk at the end of a book and then crack the bubbly. I do back up the book files, but then I often just launch into the next book.
But Edith, that sounds like a good idea--clean the desk and crack the bubbly!!
DeleteIt is a good idea, and I always wonder why I don't do it!
DeleteI like the cover a lot and, oh dear, like Edith, I seem to always be starting again with all the nudging plot points that didn't make the previous cut.
ReplyDeletethanks on the cover--the waves were much closer in the first version and we worried the porch would be washed away!
DeleteLove the cover.
ReplyDeletethanks Dru!
DeleteCongratulations Lucy ! The new book cover and title are stupendous truly ! I am looking forward to next July. Oh, I understood what was being asked of Haley and why Nathan wasn’t happy without being edited although I did read it twice to make sure I understood what was being said.
ReplyDeleteYou've put a finger on it right there--if you the reader has to read it twice, it could probably use a rewrite!
Delete( Mary E. From anon above )
ReplyDeleteI love the cover. Not too many big projects here, but I give myself little pats on the back when I do things like presentations at church that have caused anxiety.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gillian, and yes to pats on the back! I'm beginning to think we need a special JRW reward system in place...
DeleteLucy, love the cover! I wouldn't mind a porch overlooking palm trees and that beautiful water right now! And a plate of sandwiches and a cold drink to go with that fruit. :-)
ReplyDeleteQuestion: is the snippet you shared edited to address your editor's comment? It makes sense to me as written--but maybe that's because I'm familiar with the subject. Congrats on #16, btw.
Finishing a big project means crossing it off the list and clearing the deck for the next one.
Yes the bubble was to give you all an example of the comments she makes.
DeleteLove th cover! I am always drawn to anything that has the ocean. Since you mentioned it …yes cake or cookies with some fruit and iced tea or lemonade would be nice.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all the edits and welcome back to Florida.
I agree, I'm thinking the over abundance of fruit -- hmm maybe like Lucy said goodies or like guac and chips and a margarita.
DeleteThanks Brenda! Anon, I asked for snickerdoodle cookies and a chocolate cake LOL, but apparently we were too far along in the process to make changes. I'm hoping the fruit doesn't keep someone from purchasing!
DeleteFinishing a project! It’s less the finishing and more of the starting of the new one… I somehow become a rabid cleaner. I clean up my desk, I clean up the kitchen, I clean up my closet, everything suddenly needs a lot of attention. But yay, Lucy! Welcome back to Florida! And discover is marvelous, as always!
ReplyDeleteOh yes Hank, starting the new project is so hard. I was noticing last night that it's almost the same as choosing a new book to read. It takes some work to settle into the next story...
DeleteI'm always glad when I finish a big project. I take a moment to breathe a sigh of relief for sure. Depending on the time of day, I could just blow off the rest of the day to relax with some reading or TV.
ReplyDeleteBut because life keeps treating me as its punching bag, I usually have to get started with the next project if there's enough time in the day.
I hope you get some relaxation soon Jay!
DeleteGreat cover! Interesting new idea for Hayley.
ReplyDeletethanks!!
DeleteOh, Lucy, that cover is delicious! I can practically feel the ocean breeze on the porch and hear the whooshing of the waves.
ReplyDeleteI'm another "clean after finishing" person, probably because during the last few days with a manuscript I let everything around me fall into wrack and ruin!
yes Julia, I understand the wrack and ruin exactly:)
DeleteI must admit that once I am hooked on a writer, I don't pay as much attention to the cover because it isn't necessary to draw me to the book. That being said, once you made me concentrate on it, the proportions of everything seem exaggerated. Perhaps that was intentional on the artist's part?
ReplyDeleteRegarding your editor's comments, I can see where it would be advantageous to have a bit more explanation, but if not I would just fill in the blanks with my imagination. I'm weird that way.
When I finish a project, I'm usually relieved it is off the list but I don't necessarily rush to fill the space with a new project. Sometimes I just allow myself to breathe and appreciate what I have accomplished, ignoring the fact that the next project is huffing and puffing at the door of my brain. Sometimes we just need to breathe and let our brain roam freely. I find that when I'm not focused on anything specific, that is the time when ideas that have been waiting in the wings begin unfolding and creativity takes flight. -- Victoria
Yes to how we need to breathe! that is absolutely when some ideas rush in...
DeleteI clean my desk as soon as I send off a manuscript , treat myself to a meal out and then start the next one. I’m not good at doing nothing!
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to add that you can ask to change the fruit into cakes
DeleteAnd that is to our benefit Rhys:). I did ask for cookies but apparently the window for changes had slammed shut...
DeleteAs Rhys suggested, request a change from fruit to cakes on the cover. It is your book, you know!
ReplyDeleteI did ask Judi, but the cover art was too far down the pipeline. Most people probably won't notice:)
DeleteLucy, good cover. Wishing my beach looked like that right now! (Work to bring building to 2025 code compliance has cut off beach and landscaping is a mud hole.) My retired lawyer brain still having problems with legal implications …for a change I’m identifying with Nathan, not Hayley. Cover: Could it be no cookies and cakes because of the profusion of bake goods on Clue in the Crumbs? Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteI remembered that you have concerns Elisabeth! I think I've written it so it makes sense after consulting with a woman who works with these kind of cases.
DeleteThe cover is luscious, Lucy! It does seem a weird choice to have a tower of fruit, plus a mass of cut fruit, but no cutlery, etc. A smaller bowl of fruit and nothing else, or a plate of baked goods plus a tray of fruit makes more sense.
ReplyDeleteYour editor seems very thoughtful in her questions.
Yes she's amazing!
DeleteIt's a wonderful cover, Lucy - although I do understand the draw of cake and cookies!
ReplyDeleteI try to remember to take a break and reward myself with something at the end of a project - even if it's only an extra piece of dark chocolate. Sometimes I'm more successful than others.
Yes I get that Liz--depends on how pressing the next project is:)
Deletecute picture of the cat's paws on a stuffed animal (rabbit?).
ReplyDeleteWhat is a "safe custody exchange?"
I love that rabbit! It's my favorite part of the cover. Safe custody exchange is a place where parents who aren't getting along can exchange their kids with less chance of conflict. In Florida, it's usually on Sheriff's Office grounds. (Not where I put it in this book--that's fiction!)
DeleteLovely cover, Lucy. Shouldn't the porch ceiling be haint blue? I vote for margaritas and chips, not that anyone asked! Can't wait to read this story. Poor Nathan. No doubt outvoted.
ReplyDeleteI vote you in for cocktail hour Pat! Yes Nathan is realizing how strong-willed his wife is...
DeleteYep, the cover definitely needed cookies, Along with that luscious looking fruit. … Endings. Beginnings. I think they always look better in hindsight. -Hallie
ReplyDeleteNow I'm wondering how many of us would have said "you need cookies on the cover!" if I hadn't mentioned it?
DeleteKaren in Ohio
DeleteNot me, Lucy! I'm in the margarita and basket of chips camp.
Delete