Revision

The World of Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes

Tuesday, March 3, 2020
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I’d always thought of world-building as something that happened in science fiction and fantasy, which is probably how I ended up with such a dialogue-heavy draft of MINOR DRAMAS that my agency’s in-house editor, in a fit of exasperation, asked me if I thought I was writing a play. Layering in setting (for me, it goes hand-in-hand with inner thinking), led me to a much richer, seemingly tangible final product….

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Not Writing in a Post-Revision World (aka Kathleen’s Gone Round the Bend)

Tuesday, December 17, 2019
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Today’s topic–the importance of Not Writing–is coming at a perfect time, as I just turned in a major revision yesterday at about 6pm Central Time. I’ll be a professional Not Writer (except, of course, for some blog entries, a newsletter, and the addresses on many-a-Christmas card) for at least the rest of the week. Also, I’m admittedly a little punchy, a side effect of revising my face off for many…

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Kathleen’s Query Letter!

Minor Dramas
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
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So many aspects of being a writer are anxiety-producing. I’ve basically been bathing in cortisol since I finished a first draft of MINOR DRAMAS & OTHER CATASTROPHES in 2016. Finding an agent? Going on submission? Working on revisions? Writing another whole book? To be honest, I’m pretty much red-lining with anxiety all the flipping time. I’m not trying to be a downer (and maybe being an author is different for…

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3 Tips for Working with an Editor

Tuesday, October 22, 2019
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Kathleen here with three tips for working with an editor. I think the aim of our prompt this week is to discuss our work with editors at publishing houses, and I’ll get there. But, really, my book (and all other books I know of) went through multiple rounds of editing before it was acquired for publication.  Here’s what I think you should do to get ready for those last rounds…

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Attacus Atlas & Other Inventions: Burying The Time

Tuesday, October 23, 2018
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When I was a reporter, the best and worst part of my workday resided next to each other. The best moment was when I beat the deadline and turned in my news story to the impatient copy editors. The worst moment came next, when the copy editors and I would engage in a competitive dance off, figuratively speaking, questioning each other’s word choices and grammar (I have a thing for…

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Deb News Flash: BECOMING BONNIE Has Launched!

Sunday, May 14, 2017
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Congratulations to Rebecca Wasniak, winner of our #DebBallGiveaway of FORKS, KNIVES AND SPOONS by Leah DeCesare. It was wonderful having sister Debutante Jenni L. Walsh as our guest yesterday. If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of BECOMING BONNIE or enter to win a copy by sharing our post on Facebook and/or retweeting the following tweet: RT to Enter! Interview w/ @jennilwalsh + #DebBallGiveaway of #BecomingBonnie! https://t.co/3XGPXGkSUH pic.twitter.com/VxV6VbAOJ6 — The Debutante Ball (@DebutanteBall)…

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NewsFlash: Passover/Easter Edition

Sunday, April 16, 2017
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Congratulations to Patty Smith, winner of our #DebBallGiveaway of THE DAY I DIED by Lori Rader-Day We send our thanks to Alyssa Palombo for being our guest yesterday on The Debutante Ball. If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN FLORENCE or enter to win a copy by sharing our post on Facebook and/or retweeting the following tweet: RT to Enter! Interview w/ @AlyssInWnderlnd + #DebBallGiveaway of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN FLORENCE…

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The Evolution of a Title: THE LOST EVANS GIRL SISTERS OF STILLWATER BROKEN ARROW LAKE WHO WERE LIGHT ON THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER ONCE

Wednesday, February 3, 2016
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When you sell your book to a traditional publisher, it quickly becomes apparent that the story you lavished for years with the meticulous attention of a cat licking its fur doesn’t belong wholly to you any more. It’s now the foster child of an entire consortium of professionals whose sole purpose is to bring it into the world and sell as many copies of it as possible. Of course, this…

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My editorial letter: if it’s nice, say it twice

Friday, January 8, 2016
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I was in a mild panic when I received my editorial letter. I’m grateful that my editor was especially encouraging. In particular, she wrote a glowing opening in the email and then repeated it in the opening of the word doc letter she attached. I tackled the issues in three parts: 1) the chapter-by-chapter changes she requested 2) the line-by-line edits on the manuscript and 3) the big picture edits….

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Teflon, some people. Not me.

Thursday, January 7, 2016
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I imagine the easygoing among us don’t remember their first time receiving constructive criticism; teflon, some people, or indifferent. Not me. In primary school the report card system was E for excellent, S for satisfactory, and U for unsatisfactory. I swam in a pool of excellence until the day I received an S in handwriting. By the time my father returned from work I’d been crying so hard for so long I…

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