A Description of My Novel, THE QUEEN’S PAWN
Friday, May 29th, 2009 | Once It Is Sold, The Writing Life | 3 Comments
The Queen’s Pawn by Christy English
Princess Alais of France travels to England to marry Richard the Lionhearted, the son of King Henry II, armed only with her dowry, the valuable Vexin. When Alais arrives in the land of her father’s enemies, she is welcomed by the beautiful and powerful queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Eleanor, the richest and most influential woman in Europe, sees a kindred soul in the young French princess. Intrigued by the girl’s strength and fire, Eleanor adopts Alais as her protégée, teaching the girl what it takes to be a woman of power in a world of men. But Eleanor and Alais’ love for each other is threatened when the capricious and imperious King Henry meets the lovely young princess. Fascination with the king draws Alais deep into political intrigue, and she soon discovers what Eleanor is prepared to do to retain her position as queen. Alais, the one-time pawn, takes ruthless action of her own, as the two women become rivals both for the king’s love and the throne of England itself.
The Victory of a Finished Draft
Saturday, May 16th, 2009 | Once It Is Sold, The Writing Life | No Comments
Finally, I have implemented all the notes my editor gave me. Finally, I have completed the newest draft.
I have no doubt that once my editor goes over it, The Queen’s Pawn will need a few more changes. I am meticulous, but out of a 510 page novel, I may have missed something. Also, I am so close to this novel, after having worked on it for almost three years, that something may yet be unclear to the reader. If there are flaws left, my editor will catch them on her next pass. And when she does, I will fix them.
Patience is a Virtue and Irony is a Hoot
Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 | Once It Is Sold, The Writing Life | 1 Comment
Ironic. The same day I wrote my last post, wondering where my notes were from my editor, she sent the manuscript to me, with notes attached. I have spent the last weeks working on my novel, and I am very happy with my progress. I have a new deadline, and it is good to know that The Queen’s Pawn is going to be worlds better for all the wonderful notes Claire has given me.
I have not mentioned her name before, but my editor is Claire Zion, and she is a genius.
Waiting on The Editor
Friday, April 10th, 2009 | Once It Is Sold, The Writing Life | No Comments
There are many things I did not know when I started the process of trying to sell my work, and still more about the process of publishing after my book was sold. One of those things is that it’s hard to wait for notes.
Now that’s obvious, right? But for some reason, it never occured to me that I would find it difficult to be patient and wait to hear what changes need to be made on the manuscript that I turned in to my editor.
Writing and Re-Writing
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 | Once It Is Sold, The Writing Life | No Comments
I disappeared for months again. In spite of all my best intentions, I keep doing that. This winter, I had a good excuse.
I was re-writing my book.
When I say re-writing, I don’t mean going over it once more and checking for errors. I meant that I started again at page one, and re-wrote the whole thing. Almost 500 pages. 483 pages, to be exact.
If I sound like I’m bragging, it’s because I am.
