Just Between Us

(This picture made me laugh. So. Hard.)

All righty, everyone! How's your week going so far? Good, I hope. I'm glad to report mine has been pretty good so far. I've gotten lots of writing done--both with DARK WATER and OPHELIA--and I revised another few chapters in BROKEN. Ahhhh, BROKEN. How you torment me. Y'know what--hang on a second, guys. I want to talk directly to my WIP right now. Shoo, shoo. This is between me and my WIP. You can come back in a minute and I'll give you a cookie or something for waiting so patiently.

Ahem...all gone? Okay. Hi there, darling WIP. You know me--I'm your author, the person who's spent quite a lot of time and effort into giving you life and making you the best she possibly can. We've been through a lot together, haven't we? Let's just take a moment and look back at all the good times. *Long sigh* That's nice.

But, we're not here to reminisce. I have something I need to say. Why is it that you seem to want to do the exact opposite of what I need you to do? Huh--you don't understand? Well, take this for example, I need to cut words off of you. No offense, but you're pretty damn long and that can be a bit of a turn-off for agents and publishers. But here you are, begging me to add words instead. I know, I know...it's for the good of the story, but c'mon! There has to be a line.

Hm? Well, yes, I see where you're coming from. The things I've already added are pretty nice...and they do help paint a clearer picture. And yes, when I did the read-though, I did think it could use some more description and...maybe even a little more character development. BUT C'MON! Oh! No, I'm sorry--I didn't mean to snap at you. Really, come back--I won't let it happen again. Please, just try to see if from my perspective. I've been working on you for so long...I just want the satisfaction of actually finishing you. You can understand that, can't you?

Oh...well...when you put it that way, I suppose I am jumping the gun a bit. I shouldn't try to rush you. If I get jumpy and tell you you're finished when you're obviously not, I'm hurting both of us...especially you. And that's not fair. Okay. I'll admit it: I was wrong for getting so upset. You're just not ready yet, and that's okay--it's no one's fault. We've just got a little more work to do, that's all.

I'm glad we could come to this understand. I knew we could work this out--we just needed to talk about it. Now, c'mere! Give me a hug!

Okay, everyone. You can come back in now. Thanks so much for being so patient.

Here, enjoy one of these fine cookies for the trouble:

(Those do look good...now I want a cookie. Crap.)

Annnnyway, there is actually a point for me bringing you here today. (Surprising, am I right?) I kind of want to test the first few chapters of BROKEN out on someone (once I'm finished tweaking, of course) who I know will be completely honest with me. I don't know how I want to play it off though. Maybe a few people could volunteer...or!

I could post a couple of them (two? Maybe three?) right here for you guys to pick apart and critique. It would be amazingly helpful and I would be forever indebted to you. Maybe I could make it a little more fun and put everyone who gives a critique into a drawing for a prize of some sort. I dunno. What do you guys think? Run some ideas passed me and I'll come up with something.

Are you/have you ever had trouble with a defiant WIP?

HAPPY WRITING, LOVELIES!