Monday, September 11, 2006

Writing Challenge: How's it Going?

So...how'd you do this week? Come on, guys, we only have a few more weeks until we're done! (We're going through the end of Sept.) So get motivated! Since my WIP is currently in with my agent, I devoted my fiction time this week to my copy-edits for TDLF. Oof. NOT FUN. For those who don't know, after you've sold your book and before it goes to the printer, you get a copy of your ms back in which every last error or potential grammatically-incorrect phrase (like slang or creatively used adjectives or whatever) has been red-lined. You then have to go through it and approve or deny each change. Yay, that sounds like a lot of run, right? Only not. Oh well. Means to an end and all of that.

Okay, we had a nutso weekend, so I'm limiting this post to writing challenge updates. I'll be back tomorrow with more on breaking up with an editor and all of that good stuff. In the meantime, can I just say that I finally finished my Entertainment Weekly Fall TV Preview, and my crush on Patrick Dempsey is back in full-force? Wow. If you haven't picked up a copy, do so stat and check out his photo spread. Wow once again. In fact, one of the characters in TDLF is based on him, and it's my wildest dream that he'll play the character in the (potential!) movie. Damn, if that man isn't a picture of aging well, I don't know who is.

Swoon.

I also want to say, on a heavier note, that today marks the 5-year anniversary of what was the most gruesome day in the lives of many NYC-ers, myself included. It's hard to live here and not think of the attacks in some capacity nearly every day, like when my husband rides the subway during rush hour or when you hear a perilously low-flying plane. However you do it, please take a moment today to honor the memory of those who had the horrid misfortune of standing in the paths of men who seem to equate ruthless, mindless murder with their quest for righteousness and martyrdom.

Anyway. How'd you do this week?

11 comments:

xxxx said...

I'm rationing out my Fall TV preview :) Of course I went to the Patrick Dempsey part first!

I went to an Emily Giffin reading this summer, and she said PD is reading Something Borrowed to see if he'd be interested in playing Dex in a future movie. Not too much of a stretch from Derek, but I'd take it! (I believe I actually squealed--shocker. Ha.)

Allison Winn Scotch said...

Swishy-
I actually know a close family member of PD, and she's told him about my book. I almost DIED. Literally, thought I was going to pass out when she told me. So once I get the ARCs, maybe I'll work up the nerve to send it to him. :) He's literally mentioned in the book!

He'd totally be a good Dex, though I always thought that Dex was a little younger...
Allison

Larramie said...

Dex IS younger, yet a few years older than Rachel if I remember correctly. And you have to send PD an ARC, we'll challenge you! *bg*

Regarding my own writing challenge, I've had the misfortune of being abandoned by my heroine. Guess she doesn't like her storyline and -- upon honest reflection -- neither do I. Forcing the issue isn't working so I'll play with some ideas outside of the box.

Sara Hantz said...

OMG, wow.... I agree you have to send him an ARC

This week has been a bit hit and miss. But yesterday I did manage to do my 3 pages after a few days off. Well, I was writing an article about YA for the RWNZ mag, which I agreed to do when I waas at conference... I don't beliefve I was pissed at the time!

Sara Hantz said...

But judging by the typos in my post, I could very well be now!!!!

Allison Winn Scotch said...

Thanks guys! Okay, I just might take you up on that challenge. Actually, some of this movie stuff is out of my hands, so I have to wait to see what happens with it, but I do get a tiny thrill at the thought of PD reading a part that I actually wrote with him in mind! :)

Anonymous said...

You have some great info on your blog. Really great for folks starting out. But I have to comment, especially since your mistake is so ironic:

I'ts "grammatically incorrect phrase" -- no hyphen. Never place a hyphen after an -ly word. You made that mistake twice in the few entries I read.

Frankly. I'm surprised that you don't know that -- as a "frequent contributor to consumer magazines" and all...

Allison Winn Scotch said...

Well, see, Kara, that's why copy-editors have jobs...for things like this that I really don't know about and that they do! My editors have never complained, and really, I'm not sure that they'd know the difference either. But thanks for the tip.

I'm going to take your comment as having come with the best of intentions and assume that the last line wasn't meant to be rude. I'm just trying to help out here, and if an extra hyphen makes you doubt my expertise, by all means, discount whatever I have to say.

Anonymous said...

Ooooooh, catfight.

Isn't Copy Editor non-hyphenated?
Does one hyphenate non-hyphenate? I haven't a clue myself.

Allison Winn Scotch said...

Anon- LOL. Yep, you're right. Copy ed is def non-hyphenated. I guess I'm over-zealous (whoops, there I go again!) with those hyphens. :)

Allison Winn Scotch said...

PS - in case it wasn't clear, I know that overzealous *doesn't* have a hyphen!