Project update: Agent search and a new WIP!

_{Some friends have asked “How’s the publishing effort going?”}

And I thank you for asking!

As many of you know, I finished my first manuscript last year, a middle grade contemporary novel titled, A Bit About Vivian. I have been submitting queries to literary agents who research shows may be a good fit for representation. While I did get a few read requests, and some polite feedback, I haven’t found a match yet. No problem. It’s a long, long, long process.

Why do I need an agent? In today’s marketplace, most publishing houses will not review work from new authors (unless with the last names of Rowling, or Dahl for example 🙂 ). As I said it’s a long process, but worth sticking with over time to allow me to get to where I want to go in story telling. I will not be deterred.

_{But wait! There’s more…}

Along the way, an idea for a new upper middle grade novel had been taking shape in my brain. It eventually started rattling around at a high pitch, and demanded to be given its due attention. So, I put the query effort aside and am now about 25,000 words (so far) into The GirlZ, book two – Lucy’s Story.

You may remember Lucy from Vivian, a slightly introverted artist who recently moved to Massachusetts all the way from Florida. Lucy’s dad died unexpectedly when she was six. As she, her mom and sister tried to cope, they determined it was time to move away – to start over. And that’s when thankfully Lucy met her three best friends, Vivian, Katie and Mia – aka The GirlZ.

Fast forward to 7th grade – With summer approaching and plans for a return trip home to Florida to see her cousins, fading memories of her dad begin to consume Lucy. She misses him, wants to know more about him, and therefore about herself. For the first time in her life, Lucy is willing to break all the rules as she sets off on her own adventure to find answers to her questions, starting with – who am I?

Oh yeah, it all takes place smack dab in the middle of middle school – where drama rules the world!! So I get to pack in stories of friends being friends, friends who stop being friends, wild crushes, and the absolutely terrifying awkward moments that 7th grade tends to lavish upon all of us. It’s a lot of fun, and a continuation of the story of these four friends growing up. Lucy will be the second book of four, as the GirlZ grow into their young adult years in the future.

_{So, how about a sample?}

With all this in mind, I share with you an excerpt below from chapter one, page one to give you a glimpse into where this all may be heading. I must confess that when I finish the first version of the manuscript and move onto the re-write, it could all look totally different. But what the heck, maybe you will enjoy a glimpse at the raw material:

Chapter One

Illusion

I thought I saw him once – my dad. It was just a quick movement, a glimpse of a shadow. In reality it’s not possible, because he died when I was six.

I was walking home from art class on one of those chilly mid-November evenings when the sun drops from the sky before dinner time, dulling what few colors remain at that time of day. The funny thing is that whoever, or whatever I saw, was standing in the middle of a road that has always given me a happy feeling when I walk by. I have never been able to explain why this is, other than it runs through a pretty neighborhood, with overhanging maple trees and nice houses alongside.

For a split second, the scene in front of me blurred, like I was looking through a wobbly scoop of Jell-O. A person, or something in the shape of a person, was standing on the yellow line in the middle of the street. He didn’t move, and I felt like he was just minding his own business. I wasn’t even scared. His presence made me feel more curious than anything, like I wanted to stop and introduce myself.

I looked away, then back again, and he was gone. The blurred yellow lines having returned to their solid form, so boringly neat and orderly as if to say that there was really nothing to see here. But I am sure for a split second there had been.

Spooky? Mysterious? Confusing? D, all of the above? Shoot me a note and let me know. I love feedback of all kinds. All I can say is that I am happy to be writing again, creating new characters, researching different geographies and telling a story where I can’t wait to get to the end – because I already know what the ending is, and it’s going to be really cool. I will keep you posted along the way.

Thank you for reading and don’t forget to be a kid once in a while.

Rick