It’s always been a mystery to me why just getting started on a new writing project is almost always the hardest part. Not so much when you’re starting on a new manuscript but mostly when it comes to revisions — at least for me. Sitting on my desk is the full manuscript of the book that took third place in the Harlequin American contest. I’ve already gone through one set of revisions for them, and now I’m facing a second. I want to do them. I’m just having a tough time figuring out how to get started. You see, I’m more of a concrete details person, and the ideas I have for the revisions are vague. Me no likey the vague. I know what needs to be done, but I’m having difficulty figuring out how to do it.

Yesterday, I wrote all the editor’s comments on my hard copy and I let them percolate for the rest of the day. In fact, they were zipping through my head as I went to sleep last night. I guess the only thing I can do now is just dive in, start cutting a lot of the suspense elements that don’t tend to appeal to Harlequin American readers. When I’m done cutting, I’ll figure out how to put different romantic story elements back in so that the manuscript isn’t just a destroyed mess. I can’t think of the big, overall picture. It’s too overwhelming. I’ll have to take it a scene at a time.

If you’re a writer, how do you approach substantial revisions?

I’m in employed writer mode this morning (I’m writing), so here’s a fun video that uses a mixture of the audio for the Pride & Prejudice trailer (the one with Keira Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen) with video from the Harry Potter movies to show the developing love story between Ron and Hermione. I love it since I’m a big Ron/Hermione fan.

Selling a book is almost like having another birthday without getting a year older. People send you presents and flowers. I already blogged about the fabulous bouquet and balloon Stephanie Rowe sent me earlier in the week. But here are some of the other great things my wonderful friends and family have sent.

San Antonio pal Sydney Alfrido sent me this lovely bracelet. Sydney’s the president of San Antonio Romance Writers and keeps all those crazy San Antone gals in line.

Stephanie Feagan, long-time writing pal who I think I “met” eons ago on Cataromance and is now a fellow Noodler and member of the RWA board, knows how much I love Santa Fe. So well before I sold, she bought this pin for me, aiming to give it to me when I made that first sale. Isn’t it gorgeous?

I was on the phone today with friend Michellet Butler when I saw a floral delivery van drive up in front of the house. This lovely arrangement arrived from my critique and all-around-great buddies Annie Solomon and Beth Pattillo.

And my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and nephew couldn’t decide which card to send me, so they sent me two — and they arrived on different days. This first one cracked me up. Inside, it says, “I’m so happy for you, my face hurts!” LOL!

And on this second one, the little duck part is actually a pin, so I can wear it around declaring that I’m a “Thuperstar!”. Hee hee.

Health woes update: Rash seems to be better today. At least I don’t have the compulsive need to scratch off all my skin, which I take as a good sign.

Seriously, 3/4 of my body is covered in either red spots or blotches. And I itch! Thank you, sulfa drugs. I’ve never been allergic to a medication before, but it bites. I would scare people if I went out in public. This has got to be the most interested “Call” week ever.

Okay, into writing mode — I’m thinking way ahead for promo. Do any of you have suggestions for where it would be good to promo young adult books other than the typical bookstores? I’m thinking online review sites that cover young adult, maybe blogs (not necessarily writing or even book related) or online communities where teens hang out, any other crazy and out-of-the box ideas.

Since I arrived home from Dallas, I’ve had an infected foot, then a fever and sinus infection, and now I have a rash. Dude, what is up? I finally make a sale, and my body goes haywire.

I’m blogging today over at Romance Bandits about my call story and the journey leading up to it.

It’s finally beginning to sink in a little that I actually made my first sale yesterday. The fever’s gone and people keep e-mailing me congrats, so it must be true! Whee!

So what happens on the day after The Call?

1. E-mail with agent about details of deal in play and about potential pseudonyms.
2. Go to office where I used to work to tell everyone there. Much yahooing and hugging ensued.
3. Talked to the new Children’s/YA librarian at my local branch librarian about how I get my books added to the collection and the possibility of me donating them. I love the library!
4. Answer lots of wonderful congratulatory e-mails.
5. Call my wonderful friend from high school and college to tell her the news.
6. Receive a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from super pal Stephanie Rowe. I owe Steph big time because she’s the one who encouraged me to write YA. She’s an awesome YA and paranormal writer herself. Go forth and buy all her books! Here are the beautiful flowers and balloon she sent me:

OMG, it finally, finally happened! I got The Call today! After writing and submitting for 11 years, my agent called to tell me I’d sold two books to Razorbill, which is a young adult imprint for Penguin Putnam. The first book on the contract isn’t finished so as soon as I kick this horrid fever and sinus infection, it’s to work I go! The second book is to be determined.

Because of above-mentioned fever and sinus infection, I was actually asleep this morning around 10:20 when my agent called. We talked for a bit about both of us being sick, each of us pausing periodically to cough. Then she asked me if I’d decided to run for the RWA board again. I said I was running for a regional director position, not PRO Liaison. She says, “Well, that’s good because you’re not eligible for PRO Liaison anymore!” (For those of you who don’t know, PRO is a program for RWA members who have finished and submitted a manuscript but who have not yet sold.)

I have so many people to thank for this — my hubby for believing in me and saying it was okay to stay home and write and being there with support and a shoulder to cry on after rejections, Mary Fechter for being a great reader of my stuff and an all-around fabulous friend (I think she’s told the entire state of Texas I’ve sold ), Stephanie Rowe for being so supportive and urging me to write YA to begin with, my critique partners Beth Pattillo and Annie Solomon and former cp GayNelle Doll who have helped me get better at writing through the many years we’ve known each other, my agent (the terrific Michelle Grajkowski) for sticking with me for three years of not selling, supportive family members and too many supportive friends to possibly name.

Oh, my heavens, I sound like a total hick in this video, but it was cool to be interviewed. I think I’m the only Golden Heart winner in this video among a bunch of RITA winners. My cp Annie Solomon is interviewed too. And the video kicks off with Jessica Bird (aka J.R. Ward, whose books I LOVE!).

Last night, I did something I’ve never done before. I went to the midnight release party at my local Barnes & Noble to get the seventh and final installment in the Harry Potter series. I’ve never bought the Harry books in the past, choosing instead to check them out from the library. But I don’t want the big surprises spoiled for me in this book, so I can’t chance waiting until I can get a copy from the library. I was on the waiting list, but I was hold number 178 and thus decided to reserve and buy the book.

Hubby, being the great guy he is, went with me. While I was standing in line (I was number 449), he wandered off to a section where no lines were curling around the bookshelves and read. I’m glad I reserved the book because the poor souls who hadn’t had to stand out in the mall or outside until all the reserved copies had been sold.

Hubby took this photo as I was waiting in line to get my Reserved bracelet showing my spot in line.

This cute little dude, named Griffin (or possibly Gryphon), was behind me in line. His mommies had dressed him up like Harry when he was left on the doorstep of the Dursleys. So cute! And he’s all bug-eyed here because of the flash of my camera.

At approximately 12:45 a.m., I purchased my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

This is when we got home.

I’m currently on Page 168, so PLEASE no spoilers in the comments.

Okay, so I was a lousy blogger while I was in Dallas. I was sooooooo busy that I just didn’t have the time or energy.

But I’ve decided Dallas is my new best friend. I won my first Golden Heart when the RWA Conference was in Dallas in 2004, and I won my second this year (in YA for Coven). I think we should have the conference in Dallas every year. LOL!

Seriously, it was so incredibly wonderful to win — if for no other reason than to be able to publicly thank all the people who have helped me get to where I am now. And I love this book so much that the win was especially great.

Even though it was a long and tiring week, it was great to see so many friends and to have the unparalleled networking opportunities. I got to talk with several editors and my agent. And Linda Howard said she liked my GH night shoes, and trust me, Linda knows her shoes.

After such a long week, I’m in recovery mode. I’m in beautiful San Antonio visiting good friend Mary. We’re all heading out tonight to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Can’t wait!

I’ll post more about the conference — including pictures — as my brain recovers.