IWSG 26 -How Do You Know?

Hello and happy July! Man it's July already. This is my kids' last month of summer as they start early August. This year is really flying by. New month, means a new post for the IWSG monthly blog hop.

Normally this is done on Wednesdays, but since tomorrow is a holiday in the states, the powers that be moved it up a day. So, I've blogged a few times about putting myself out there and querying a project. The same project I talked about falling completely out of love with. Well, last week I got not one, but two rejections on this project. My reaction? I laughed. I went into querying it expecting to be rejected so I guess I can say expectations were met. All in all both were very nice and not just a 'form' rejection some in my CP group have talked about getting.

One was even sorta detailed and talked about the thing that didn't work for her. I appreciated the feedback. That lead to another conversation with a member of my CP group that asked me why I was opposed to changing the subplot of the project. Should be noted what the editor wanted change is not the same thing.

My answer to her was the editing required to remove the subplot. Anyone that has been around this blog around knows how much I hate editing. Taking out an entire subplot, one of which has helped shaped the characters and their relationship is no easy thing. I can't just delete it and move on.

I value the feedback from my CPs. Over the last year they've made a huge impact on my writing. That said, on this point I'm stuck. I don't like deleting things, especially large chunks of things that will fundamentally change the story. And another part of it is I don't really understand the opposition. Yes it's a heavy topic (infertility) but I put time and effort in trying to make sure it was given the attention it deserves.

I'm a pantser, so this was not part of the original idea when I started writing. It was supposed to be a fun, light, and sexy erotic romance about a married couple spicing up their sex life, but as I was writing the infertility worked it's way in. It changed the landscape of the story by taking it away from more of a 'fluff' piece to something a little deeper, but I went with it.

Now I'm faced with the dilemma of to cut or not to cut the subplot. On top of making the changes suggested by the first editor, who did invite me to resubmit it should I make those changes. So how does a writer know when to stick to their guns about their story and when to separate themselves from the work and just cut?

This month's optional question: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?

~My goals for my writing are pretty simple. To keep improving and growing and to hopefully earn enough from my writing to support hiring a weekly maid service. I'm not a fan of cleaning. And I'd say my goals have changed in I didn't really have any before. When I started writing I didn't set out thinking it would be a career or anything like that. I did it because I enjoyed it and wanted to share my stories with others.

That is still my general look on things because why do it if you're not enjoying it? But I would like to do better, keep learning and build a business. I'm not thinking I'll be a bestseller, but having a handful of people that look forward to my next book would make me a happy person.

That's it for this month. This is a blog hop so take a look at how the other participants answered this month's question, or see how they are feeling about their writing life at the moment.

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support.

Thank you to this month's co-hosts!  Nicki Elson, Juneta Key, Tamara Narayan, and Patricia Lynne!

Until next time
~Meka