The Strange Saga of Kelly's Castle

My agent in Pennsylvania tells me she's snowbound so will get to read the proposal I sent last night. She's happy that I've been willing to work on my craft...and so am I.

I've put in a great deal of thought into this story. It all began when some Malaysian friends took us to see a most unusual sight. An English-style castle set well apart from the town of Pusing. It was in ruins, and naturally I questioned who it once belonged to. Everyone had their own opinions and even the local authorities told me they hadn't any data on it, except that it had something to do with a man named Kelly, so I felt a story coming on. Kelly just had to be Irish, didn't he? Anyway, the partial manuscript of The Strange Saga of Kelly's Castle is now being read through, and here's hoping!!!

PROPOSALS

Being deluged with thousands of submissions is enough to make publishers choose only those authors who clearly spell out what their book's all about in their book proposal. That's much easier to do on a small book, but a full-length historical is some challenge. Still, it does cause one to get to the nub of the plot and what the characters's goals and motives are. I've decided the genre I love to write most is Historical Romantic Intrigue.

There's something about a woman living in the Victorian era who is independent and forthright, but has to conduct herself within the parameters of a society which could be hypocritical. People guessed what went on but as long as it wasn't done openly that was OK. It seems self righteousness was rampant then. This gives plenty of room for twists and turns in the plotline.

Mmm! I love complications. After all, life today can be complicated. But back then with limited communication, misunderstandings were rife. Well, they are in my stories.

Thailand Tour

I'm finally over the jetlag bit. Taking 28 services in a little less than a month is hectic, especially when travelling from place to place. Still it's amazing how you quickly adjust to travelling there, unpacking, getting ready for the night service, performing and preaching, talking to folk, eating late supper, going back to the hotel(usually a 1 star job) then off again the next morning!

We met some wonderful folk who want us to return. But we leave all the booking of our next itinerary to Somchai-our evangelist interpreter. So, health permitting, we'll be returning around the 2010 Christmas season. We love Saenthong, she looks after us food wise and also likes to do a bit of "roadying". We got to Phuket this year and you'd never guess a tsunami had struck. We dunked-in our jeans- in the Andaman Sea. A great experience!

Now it's finishing off my proposal to my agent, after working for a short time with an editor. I'm deeper into the point of view of my characters now and have strengthened all my verbs. It sure makes the writing sharper.

learning as I go

When I find out how to place pictures here, I'd like to take shots of the different artworks I do while my husband preaches. I have some already on my website at www.ritastellagalieh.com but a friend put them there. Now I need to ask this friend to show me how to do it for myself. I mean you can't strain the friendship can you?

writawrites

Being at a crossroads is always an interesting point in your life. Right now I'm waiting from an editor to see what corrections and/or suggestions she's made on my book proposal. I'm also waiting for a promised contract on another title. So I just sits and waits. And waits.

This is also the first time I've ever blogged and as I'm not a techie sort of person, I don't even know whether this will work out or not. By that I mean whether anyone will read this. In the meantime, I'm rambling while I'm waiting.

The most important thing I've learned lately is that presenting a book proposal to an agent or editor is quite a formidable task. It's a lot more than presenting your story. It's acquiring the art of making them want to read YOUR book above others. Therefore the actual publishing of said book gets one step closer.

When thousands of good writers are struggling to get their words into print you have to have an edge. A good hook first of all. eg. "How could she believe in her future when she couldn't escape her past?" (Does that sound interesting enough?) Then you need a short overview of the story, a synopsis of about 3 pages, your bio, market analysis, comparative book analysis and so on. Next, the first 3 Chapters. They've got to grab the attention or else why should they bother?