Wednesday 4 December 2013

Insecure Writers Support Group Post - December - Will I ever submit a manuscript?

Hello from Amsterdam! Brr..brr...Midsummer in Oz, to this...


Yeah, it's pretty cold up here!

Aren't I clever posting from The Netherlands! Well, I missed last month's IWSG post due to being flat out with NaNo, so I couldn't miss two in a row or Alex might strike me off the list.


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So what am I insecure about? Well, other than everything, I'm insecure about ever getting a manuscript ready to submit to a publisher, but the time is getting closer. I've nearly got one romance polished to distraction, and the story I wrote over this year's NaNo is pretty interesting -- an historical fiction set in Gallipoli, Ireland and Australia. Such fun to research. I'm nothing if not versatile. Due to the amount of research needed, I gave up on the word count and after writing 30k words, I continued to research.

I hope to post regularly on my travels. Will be in Amsterdam for two more days, then off to Paris for two weeks. During that time we will be visiting Prague, so that will be an exquisite first!


  • So, if you're published, self or traditional, how did you know when to let your baby loose on the world?
  • Join Write...Edit...Publish for the Christmas 'TRADITIONS' blogfest. What traditions do you follow over the holiday season? Post on December 18th, one week before Christmas Day.





46 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sometimes it's the quality not the quantity.
Glad you're edging closer.
How did I know? When I started editing things back into their original form that I knew I was done. Actually, over-done at that point!

Luanne G. Smith said...

I can relate to that. And, wow, enjoy your wonderful trip! I'd love to go to Amsterday…in the summer. :P

Remembering Grace said...

I've been to the Netherlands twice, the second time was in the summer, but the first time was in the fall, and it was rainy and chilly. :( I urge you to go in spring/summer when the tulips are blooming, it is amazing, or have you been before?
I am so happy to hear you're getting closer and closer to done!

D.G. Hudson said...

Like that snowy street. I'd prefer no snow when I'm traveling. Looking forward to your Paris shots.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Have a wonderful, wonderful trip!!
I know all too well that feeling of wondering if a manuscript will ever be ready.

Unknown said...

Will be interested in your Gallipoli, Ireland, australia story. Lovely photo by the way.

Annalisa Crawford said...

Amsterdam looks beautiful in the snow. I went in the summer one year, but it rained almost the entire time! Your research sounds really interesting. Enjoy Paris and Prague. I've never been to Paris, even though it's my closest European capital!

Denise Covey said...

Overdone would be me !

Denise Covey said...

Just arrived this morning at 7 and was astounded that it was dark until 8 ish. Gorgeous place though.

Denise Covey said...

Melissa haven't before but we are going to miss the tulips. Anne Frank's house is on top of my list and it is only 8 minutes away.

Denise Covey said...

There'll be plenty of Paris pics don't you worry.

Denise Covey said...

It's hard for some of us to know...especially if we are perfectionists.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Hilary....i can't wait to get it finished.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Annalisa. I could quite happily move to Paris.

Trisha said...

I loved Prague when I was there in 2004. Enjoy, Denise!

Can't wait to hear a bit more about your latest adventures when you return! :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

Can so relate to this. I've never tried to query yet and wonder when I'll feel ready to take the plunge. Have a great trip!

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

Some part of you will never think you are ready to let your baby go. That's why a lot of writers don't read their books after they are published. Trust me, you will always find something that you would change.

Pat Hatt said...

Enjoy your trip and yeah going over and over and over it can take its toll

Charmaine Clancy said...

Your manuscript will be well-received for how polished it is!

Enjoy Prague.

Michael Di Gesu said...

HI, Denise,

WHOA… Amsterdam and PARIS…. I am SOOOO ENVIOUS…. Yes, I had a world travel, but nothing as FUN as where you are headed!

I've ALWAYS wanted to go to Prague, ESPECIALLY during Christmas. Maybe in a few years…

I've missed our chats…

I have a Colombian post up with PICS…. so pleas drop by. Just scroll down after my IWSG post…

Happy TRAVELS and stay warm…

I leave for the frozen tundra of Chicago in a few weeks. Currently in sunny Florida and getting ready to have my morning walk on the beach...

J.L. Campbell said...

Pretty picture. Your books should be plenty interesting with the places you're been.

I know it's time to let a book go when I keep changing back things I fixed last time.

Laura Clipson said...

I haven't got that far yet, either, but I'm sure I will sometime in the future. Good luck!

Denise Covey said...

Some say Prague is more beautiful than Paris Michael. Will let you know.

Denise Covey said...

Is that why ? I can understand being sick to death of it.

Denise Covey said...

We need to talk sometime Natalie.

Chrys Fey said...

Good luck with your romance. I have my fingers crossed for you! You should check out The Wild Rose Press to see if you can submit your book there and if you like what they offer. They are a great group! :)

Your NaNo project sounds wonderful. I love ANYTHING that has to do with Ireland. :) And thank you sooo much for getting a copy of Hurricane Crimes. I appreciate it more than I can say. I hope you enjoy it. :)

Vallypee said...

Have a wonderful time in Holland, Denise! It's not that cold here in Rotterdam :-) As for your writing, you will get there and publish. Go for it!

mooderino said...

Welcome to Europe. Don't forget your scarf!

mood
Moody Writing

Jo said...

Have a fun trip, long time since I was in Amsterdam or Paris. Have a very good friend living in Paris, she isn't French by birth, but has lived there so long, she might as well be. Just published her second book.

Denise Covey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Denise Covey said...

Wild Rose Press is on my substantial list. Thanks for the recommendation.

Denise Covey said...

I must get her name. If she writes about Paris I'll buy her books !

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Denise - sounds like you're going to be having fun .. I was in Prague back in the Iron Curtain days .. it was all shrouded in plastic and thick dust after the revolution (albeit that was some years before) - I gather it's a stunning city .. happy travels .. cheers Hilary

Denise Covey said...

Can't wait to see it Hilary.

Manzanita said...

Denise
I've never been to Amsterdam but I love cold brisk weather. I enjoyed the picture. I never tried to write a book but it sounds like a ton of work, even after the book is written. Good luck with the publishing. Happy travels.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Manzanita.

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

Denise, you just have to let it go! Close your eyes and hit send and hope for the best! It's like jumping off a cliff, but you're savvy world traveller - there shouldn't be a cliff that scares you! So go! Jump!

Denise Covey said...

Great advice Cathy !

Bevimus said...

I am SO jealous! I would love to see Amsterdam, or Paris or Prague... so many places. But for now, I share your dream of seeing the inside of a publisher's office! Though I'm much further off from that than you are...
I leave the advice giving to the experienced authors, but I wish you wonderful fun in researching!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I submitted the first time way before my manuscript was ready. It took me about two years after that first foolish attempt to actually have a novel ready for a publisher to see.

Michelle Wallace said...

Paris is my first love destination...!
Can't wait to see your pics!
Writer In Transit

Shannon Lawrence said...

Wow, have a wonderful trip (or set of trips, really). Definitely a harsh change in weather for you, though! I'm looking forward to stories from your travels.

The Warrior Muse

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Bev. Here's to both of us !

Denise Covey said...

It takes an age to get it right. 2014 will be my year.

Denise Covey said...

Most will be on fb but I do hope to get the occasional post up.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Shannon. Stories coming up !