The rain falls and water creeps up the back of the farm. A field of rolling green spelt has turned into a lake. It changes the view at the horizon. It shouldn't be there.
Water was rushing over the road when we returned from our farmer's market yesterday. We barreled through with the farm truck and water splashed over the side mirrors. I wouldn't have risked it in a car. Mill Creek has left it's banks. It spreads and spreads trying to find the path of least resistance.
This all makes me think of my novel, Black River. I've finished it and now I have to begin the irksome task of composing the query, a writer's least favorite thing to do. It's a tidy manuscript at 105,000 words. Short for me.
We have problems but I'm glad I don't have to deal with the ones my protagonist farm boy has to confront.
The rains fall as the ice caps melt.
18 comments:
Lovely writing, Yvonne. I have to say I always enjoy the point when the ms stands at 100,000+. There's a real sense of achievement, that the hard slog is over.
Deborah,
Thank you! I agree. The 100,000+ benchmark is a real accomplishment. It was a hard slog but it was the fun part. I'm so glad I met you. I love talking to those over the ocean.
Yvonne, I can so relate to your ambivalence about the whole query process. You know, for me, it's like doing admin work with a creative undertaking. Yes, it's certainly a challenge. And I wish you all the luck with having your novel placed. I'm sure you did an outstanding job with it!
Nevine
Nevine,
Thank you. I will certainly give it my best shot. It's always good to hear from a fellow "Notes From Underground" author.
Oh the query! Just keep it tight. That's my only advice.
I hope the rain lets up for you soon. We have sun (finally) after 5 days but we're supposed to go right back to rain tomorrow. Ugh!
Queries are such fun! Hmm... where is that 'sarcasm' font when you need it! Good luck :)
Beautiful post. I can picture all of it.
I'm glad I don't have to deal with the problems your protagonist has to face either. ;)
Anne,
Thanks for the advice. It has finally stopped raining but the clouds persist. The weather across the country has been less than ideal. We had a beautiful sunset last night which gave us hope.
Jemi,
Fun? Right. Like running a marathon. At least I've been doing my exercises. Thanks!
Suzanne,
Thank you so much. I almost started to think of them as mine.
" It changes the view at the horizon. It shouldn't be there." I love those words. So true and so telling at the same time. Good luck with the queries! :)
Thanks for your writing! So, querying, well as Anne said 'keep it tight' and make the conflict clear. I'm really excited for you. Can't wait for our farmer's market to start up in June, wahey!
Jayne,
Thank you for your support. It's a watery world where all should just be green.
Sarah,
Thanks! I will. I will. I feel like Kurt Cobain saying, "I don't have a gun, no I don't...."
Thanks for supporting farmers and their markets!
Good luck with the query. And congrats on finishing your novel!!
(I see that you are from the Great Lakes Region. I've spent a lot of time on the shores of Lake Michigan when I was growing up. I love it there.)
Hi Paul,
Thank you so much. Michigan is a beautiful state and the lakes are a treasure. I hope they will always be protected.
Thanks again for visting my blog
Hey, Yvonne, good luck with the querying!
Trav,
Thank you. I've opened up a blank document, and here I sit, looking at it.
Yvonne, if all 105,000words are as beautifully put together as your posts, you will no doubt find success.
Today we finally see light. Not the sun, but a lighter shade of gray than what's been haunting us for weeks. I empathize with you and your MC!
Cat,
Thank you very much! I hope you're right. Yes, we actually had some sunshine today. Maybe it's coming your way.
Lovely writing, Yvonne. I have to say I always enjoy the point when the ms stands at 100,000+. There's a real sense of achievement, that the hard slog is over.
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