How To Revise in One Hour a Week (??)

There's an assumption that writing and publishing get easier as you go. I know I used to think so. Or at least I hoped so.

Right before I had Bridget, I sent off my new WIP to my agent. I'd been working on it for about 8 months, had gotten good critique and positive feedback from my writing group, and even though I knew it needed some work, I thought it might be ready to send out soon.

*Sigh*. No such luck. I must have been all pregnant/hormonal/crazy to even think it was close to ready because my agent sent me back a very long, and, sadly, very correct letter with more than a few substantive changes to be made.

So it's back to the revising board for me. My plan is to start with a few weeks of just rereading the ms and thinking through its problems (that's about all I can manage with a newborn to take care of anyway), and then when I've really figured out a good plan for the revision, to get started on it and take my time.

Revision is my favorite part of writing, and I normally enjoy the beginning of a rewrite. This one will be hugely different though, because I won't be able to work with the same intensity that I normally do. I'll have to grab an hour here and there when I can, which is difficult for me because then I have to put myself back into the story every time and I lose my flow.

Any new mothers/full-time day jobbers out there have advice for making the most of short bursts of time?

*caroline hickey

Have you ever stolen someone else's guy??

Will 15-year old Taryn succeed in stealing a guy from Isabelle, the most popular girl in school? Will her dog stop getting her in trouble? Will her best friend ever speak to her again?

You can finally find out! ISABELLE'S BOYFRIEND is now in stores and available online!

I'd like to say I have big plans to celebrate today's launch of my second book, but so far the celebration has only included a 5:30am wake up call, being pooped on (2x), peed on (1x) and a bowl of frosted mini wheats. Still, I'm really excited because I LOVE this book and I can't wait for people to read it.

Check it out!

*caroline hickey