Still need a title :(

Done editing, for the third time! I vote to redefine the word editing. I would make it read "never ending process." :) But all very much worth it in the end.

Nadine, edited the book for me this time and I am giving it to a fellow teacher and one of my more advanced students. I think it is time for someone in the group I am targeting (adolescents) should read it. Here's hoping the reviews stay positive!

But, the point of this blog is to talk about title significance. I have been writing this book for over two years now and still am at a loss for a title. It's sad, I have the second book's title picked out but am very hesitant about the one. It sets the tone. It draws people in! What if I pick the wrong one?!

I recently went over title significance in my senior class and how it helps let a reader know what to expect from the text and for the first time, I am feeling the weight of this.

I still need a title!

A writer as a sketch artist? OK let's not go too far here!

I finished the grammar and mechanic edits that Marie did for me a few days ago. It is amazing how you miss things (like commas) that you know!

I have been talking with Nadine about about a new segment I need to add and I am very excited about it because I think will only expand my manuscript! Sorry to be so vague!

But what I wanted to talk about was how I have moved on to "plumping" up my novel. I have completely re-written the setting of my story, which is a boarding school. I did take some inspiration from a local college campus, Mercyhurst Main in Erie, PA. To fix my setting problem (which it was too vague), I had to draw the layout of the school, name the buildings involved, and come up with textures, colors and details. I have a very non-impressive sketch, but a sketch that helped to guide me writing... who knew that as I wrote, that I would draw!

My next job for the next few days is to develop some crucial characters that got passed over because they are not "main" characters. I have a great twist to add in too! (Again, sorry about being vague).

ePublishing

ePublishing is my latest branch of research that I have been exploring. I have read several blogs talking about the success and the downside of ePublishing. http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/ This blog was very informative and gave me a more concrete understanding of what is the trend and what one could gain or lose from ePublishing.
An important and old fashioned thought clings to me. I would love for people to read my books and if ePublishing is the way to do it, I will gladly go that route and hope for success. However, there is an old fashion side of me that would like to see my books in hardback on my shelf. There is something very beautiful about that vision and I don’t want to completely let it go.
But from the few blogs I have read about ePublishing, I have discovered there is a lot to learn including the rights on the internet, profit of selling on the internet versus print. There is a SUBSTAINAL difference is percentage, the increase in eReaders, and the self-promoting involved with ePublishing opposed to the promoting you would get with a publisher and/or agent.

Stemming from eBooks, I found this article http://ireaderreview.com/2010/04/24/kindle-vs-nook-review-2010/ for those interested in getting either a Nook or Kindle. It is the latest comparison of the two.

Beginning of Blogging

I finally broke down and created a blog. I have been following other people's and know that this is going to be a great avenue to find out more about topics of my interest and help others find information that I can offer.

I am currently an aspiring author who is in the process of editing. It is an overwhelming process and there are tons of tips and pieces of advice out there. I do have wonderful support through my friends Ellen and Nadine. I find it is a huge comfort that I had two friends who were willing to invest their time in my dreams. If I have learned anything yet, I would say that having someone you trust read your book to do some fine tuning, is something you should take advantage of. My book was so clear in my head but these two ladies picked out gaps and made great suggestions to improve my story.

If anyone else has a tip for me to help my book process move along, please let me know.

Michelle