Wednesday 6 December 2017

#IWSG post -- If you could backtrack anything in 2017, what would you do differently?


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Hello all! Remember me? Probably not, so I'll be chatting to myself. I've missed the past two IWSG posts, being busy meeting writing deadlines and travelling. So I'm glad to be back and look forward to reconnecting and doing a great lot of reading.

Alex's awesome co-hosts for the December 6 posting of the IWSG are Julie Flanders,Shannon Lawrence, Fundy Blue, and Heather Gardner! Try to visit if you have the time.

I'm so rusty at this, I actually went to the IWSG Page and checked out the question of the month, something I don't usually do, but I think it's a great idea when you're stumphhed for what to be insecure about, LOL!

So here's the December 6 question - 

As you look back on 2017, with all its successes/failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently?


There is always the benefit of hindsight, but if I had known I'd have 2 publishers asking for my full manuscript for my 'American in Paris' women's fiction, I wouldn't have planned a 5-week holiday right after the RWA conference, which left me scarcely any time to write. 

But it was kinda cool working on my story from my cruise ship balcony as we powered through the Aegean and Ionian Seas passing by the Greek Islands. I'll never have that experience again. So, no matter if I was tardy delivering my manuscript to Avon and Tule, and they toss it in the rubbish bin because it took me 2 months to get it to them, I had a magical time.



No matter what, I'm a writer, so I'm insecure. I've plenty of projects to work on while waiting on the powers-that-be. I'm revamping my paranormal story, getting a chapter done of book two, so I can include it when I re-publish my Under the Tuscan Moon as Vampire Obsession.

  • So, now tell me, are you insecure about anything?
  • What would you change about 2017 if you could?
Thanks for coming by...


Now, a shout out for WEP (Write...Edit...Publish). We posted our December challenge on Dec 1st. If you'd like to write something for us, we post on Dec 20th or before. You can sign up here in my sidebar or visit WEP and check it out. We also have all our challenges prepared for 2018. All is revealed HERE.

WEP CHALLENGE FOR DECEMBER ............THE END IS THE BEGINNINGS


68 comments:

Cherie Reich said...

If you have to work on your manuscript, on a cruise doesn't sound like the worst place to do so. It sounds like a beautiful vacation, even if things didn't work out with publishing the manuscript. :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Denise - I'm guessing you made the most of the various opportunities - and two publishers expressing an interest - that's great: good luck now.

Bliss ... Greek Islands - and the opportunity to experience another scenario - a story line at some stage ...

Welcome home - cheers Hilary

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I traveled the Greek Island once and it was the most magnificent trip of my life. Your five week vacation must have been like heaven.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I think no matter what, that will be a special time you will always remember!

Botanist said...

Two publishers asking for fulls? That's something to be pleased about!

And I can't look at a Greek island without thinking of Shirley Valentine :)

Denise Covey said...

Me too, but we didn't get to 'her' island, LOL!

Denise Covey said...

I agree, Alex. I'll never regret my sojourn!

Denise Covey said...

It certainly was, thanks. I feel head over heels with Santorini. Could happily spend the off-tourist months there! Only one of the five weeks was spent in Greece, but in hindsight, I would have liked much much more!

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Hilary! Lovely to see you taking time out of your Canadian sojourn to pop over, or down, to see me! I've already written a story set in ancient Santorini (called Thera then). Not sure what to do with it, but I loved it so...

Denise Covey said...

Hi Cherie. Lovely to see you! I hope I didn't sound boasty about writing from the balcony, but I had to keep pinching myself. It was pretty surreal!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I'm sure that cruise writing was better for the surroundings ;)

Denise Covey said...

Hmm. Hope so Lyn! Only my fault if it isn't!

Nilanjana Bose said...

I'll bet the redrafting/editing went better because of the views!

I'd send the whole of 2017 back to the manufacturers, if they had a return policy, and demand a fresh piece. This one sucked big time :)

Denise Covey said...

I'm so sorry 2017 sucked for you, Nila. 2018 has got to be awesome to make up for it, agree? I wish you every good wish!

Pat Garcia said...

I am so happy to here that you have two publishers wanting to look at your novel. That is fantastic news and a great encouragement for me.
All the best and have a safe crossover into 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

lostinimaginaryworlds.blogspot.com said...

Just popped in to wish you every success in 2018 and a very happy Christmas 🎄 x

Natalie Aguirre said...

Sounds cool to write while on a cruise--if you had time for fun too. Awesome you got two requests for full submissions. Fingers crossed for you.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Pat. You too. I wish you every good wish for 2018.

Denise Covey said...

How sweet Carole Anne. Happy Christmas 🎄 to you too and the best 2018!

Denise Covey said...

It’s very cool Natalie. I just get on with it and keep writing ✍️

Deniz Bevan said...

Good luck on your submission!
Ooh, love the idea of writing while looking out on the Aegean. I need more of that in my life!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I finished writing the third book in my series on a cruise ship and it was wonderful.

I hope you get a big yes from one of those submissions.

Julie Flanders said...

Oh wow, that's so wonderful that two publishers asked for your book. Yay! I hope you get a yes from both of them so you can pick and choose. :)
I can only imagine how beautiful it must have been on that cruise ship.
See you on the 20th for the WEP! :)

Pat Hatt said...

Having much on the go is a win indeed, keeps you busy while you wait. And hopefully 2018 will bring a sale.

The Armchair Squid said...

The things I would change about 2017 are not things I can change myself so for now I won't harp. As for 2018, my eternal hope for greater kindness in the world shall, as always, begin with me.

Nick Wilford said...

That does sound like an excellent experience, a working holiday while enjoying interest from two publishers. Definitely something to remember!

Tamara Narayan said...

Revising while on vacation? Now that's impressive. Best of luck in 2018!

cleemckenzie said...

I love taking notes and revising on vacation. There seems to be more time and my mind isn't so bound up with the daily humdrum the way it is at home. You had some inspiring places to revise, and I'll be those revisions are kick-ass!!!

Patsy said...

One really great thing about my writing achievements in 2017, is that I have plenty of room for improvement!

H. R. Sinclair said...

That you were able to do any writing and not just stare at the scenery is impressive. Not a bad place to write though.

Yolanda Renée said...

It does sound surreal, but magnificent. I've no doubt that you'll have a great response from the publishers. I'm looking forward to 2018, I'm sure the year will be full of wonderful surprises.

emaginette said...

Good Luck! Sounds exciting and I'm sure it will all work out in the end.

Anna from elements of emaginette

Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

That sounds like a fabulous place to write. Hindsight is good stuff. If only we could have it in advance....

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Santorini was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. If I didn’t have a family waiting for me at home, I would have stayed.

erica and christy said...

Ha, I always post so late in the day that I talk to myself each month! Glad you had a wonderful trip and congrats on the requests! You're an inspiration to continue to set goals and to write through the waiting. :) Christy

Denise Covey said...

Yes, me too. I'll never forget the sight of Oia on tha hills as we approached. So amazing!

Denise Covey said...

Ha Ha. Hate talking to myself but sometimes that's what happens. I posted early and got a few hits, LOL! Yup. I'm busy rewriting my paranormal and having such fun!

Denise Covey said...

If only, Joey, if only...

dolorah said...

As you say, I am writer (hear me mewling) and so insecurities are a staple for me. Hindsight would sure work better as forsight, lol. At least you did get some time to edit and send off the manuscript. I'll bet visiting the Greek Islands gave you lots of story ideas. I see (lol) sea settings in your future writings :)

I'm trying to remember to settle down sometime and write for this WEP prompt.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Anna!

Denise Covey said...

I hope so, Renee. I love wonderful surprises!

Denise Covey said...

I did plenty of staring that's for sure, Holly. Best place to write, ever!

Denise Covey said...

I'll drink to that, Patsy!

Denise Covey said...

Yes, Lee, I have fat journals of all of my travels yet to be opened! I hope they do kick ass!

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Tamara! You too!

Denise Covey said...

A pretty good experience, Nick! I'll not forget it in a hurry!

Denise Covey said...

I'll drink to world peace, AS, but I can't see it happening in a hurry!

Denise Covey said...

Hopefully, Pat!!

Denise Covey said...

It was indeed beautiful, JUlie. Looking forward to the WEP so much! Glad you signed up again!

Denise Covey said...

Writing on a cruise ship was wonderful. No cooking, no cleaning, all catered for. Hmm. Better head off again!

Denise Covey said...

Don't we all Deniz. Good luck with your novel!

Denise Covey said...

I couldn't access your profile, Carole Anne!

Denise Covey said...

I can see a sea story soon! LOL!
I do hope you get done for WEP!

Raimey Gallant said...

Hmmm...I'm pretty sure I did comment on your post already, but I can't see it. Oops! Anyway, I wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog, and also share this link, because I featured WEP in it some time back: Thanks, Olga! I actually featured WEP in my blog post about blog hops for writers here: https://raimeygallant.com/2017/06/06/bloghopslistforauthors/

Chrys Fey said...

Working on a book while on a cruise ship would certainly be magical. :) I have my fingers crossed for you! I hope you hear back good news from at least one of them.

Denise Covey said...

It was Chrys. Thanks.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Raimey. Yes, your comment has disappeared. Thanks for the shout out for WEP.

Victoria Marie Lees said...

Soo exciting, Denise! Bravo to you. All the best in your writing endeavors. Oh, and if you ever need a personal assistant when you're writing on a cruise ship, count me in. Have a wonderful holiday!

Denise Covey said...

Ha Ha, Victoria. I'll keep that in mind!

Lisa said...

It's been so long since I've visited your site, but keep up with you in other ways. Can't say I feel sorry for you having to write on a cruise!! Haha! Life is hard! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Lisa. Nice to see you. Nah. No need to feel sorry for me.

The Cynical Sailor said...

Two requests for fulls - that's fantastic! And writing from a cruise ship, even better :-)

TL said...

2 publishers in line for your novel is a whole lotta awesome. Best of luck!

Denise Covey said...

Yes, it is pretty special.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks, Tara.

DMS said...

How wonderful that 2 publishers asked for your novel. Bravo! Sounds like you were able to fit in writing during your vacation and the setting you described makes me jealous. :) Glad you got it done! Best of luck!
~Jess

Lidy said...

Welcome back Denise. And congratulations too. The waiting game is the worst but keeping fingers crossed for good news. Good luck with your revamp and Happy Holidays!😁

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Lidy for your good wishes!