Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Wading Into Revision

High tide at Simpson's Point, photo by my husband
Midway through a Maine summer, the water is finally "warm" enough to swim without a wetsuit. I wade in slowly, giving my body time to acclimate.

Above me, an osprey is circling. Without any hesitation, she dives toward the sea with a big splash. Flapping in her claws is an enormous fish. She wings off to her nest before a bald eagle can steal her catch.

As greenhead flies buzz toward me, I plunge into the water. The islands are too far away, but the point across the estuary is close enough. I rest on the rocks, admiring the view, before swimming back to shore.

At home there's an email from my agent with editorial notes on my manuscript. She has reread my YA novel and is bubbling with enthusiasm. There are no major changes but a myriad of tweaks. Although her critique is excellent, I'm overwhelmed by the number of notes, listed chapter by chapter. Then I remember that rocky point within my reach. I wade into the first chapter.

I'm taking a blog break to finish my manuscript revisions. You may find me in the ocean or tweeting at day's end. I'll be back to blogging regularly in September. Enjoy your summer!

Bookstore Watch: Main Point Books is moving from Bryn Mawr to Wayne, Pennsylvania. I'll be helping my friend reopen her bookstore on Saturday July 30th for the midnight release of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. If you live nearby, stop in to say hello. I'll be wearing a witch's hat with a little black dress just because.

Blogging Tip: Recently an artist's lifework was erased when Google deleted his blog. To back up your Google content, including your blog archive, follow this link. It took me only a few minutes to create and to download a zip file of nearly a decade of blog posts. You may need to download an app to unzip it.

6 comments:

thecuecard said...

Hi Sarah: I wish you a great summer in lovely Maine and much success with your revisions. I'm sure it takes a lot of focus and time to get everything done. I think your book sounds like a great premise of a story and I would interested to read it once it is ready. Cheers. look forward to your blog in September.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Best of luck with the revisions. Exciting, yet lots of work, I'm certain. Glad the water has warmed up. That is how it used to be in Minnesota -- wading in and always feeling so brave when you finally made the plunge. I'm a lightweight now. Our Texas lake is like bathwater now.

tina said...

Good luck with the new manuscript!

Rose said...

If your description of the scene as you begin to swim is any indication, your book will be a great success. Good luck with your revisions!

Amanda Summer said...

Fantastic news from your agent - that must be so gratifying to have her express such enthusiasm and not be asking for huge changes in the manuscript! Enjoy the coming weeks and good luck as you tweak away, chapter by chapter. Great photo, by the way (even though that water is probably way too cold for this Greece girl! :))

Haddock said...

I am sure that after that myriad of tweaks it is going to be published.