How this all began.....

I thought some of you might be interested in how dominion day got started. So I thought I'd post the story behind the story. Here it goes...

The story behind Dominion Day

The original version of Dominion Day was written while I was in high school. It was 189 pg. of hand written yuck (and I was so proud of it…) there’s even a chapter in green ink written while I was on Nyquil. Lovely I tell you.
I wrote a second version out of high school a few years later while the story had played around in my head for a while. I had stronger characters by then and a better idea of what I wanted and left it somewhere in the middle. I suppose it was to raise my children or just the end of a mania episode. I don’t remember. At this time it was a two book series. A present the problem, and a solve the problem.
So… many years later, my oldest was 13 at the time, I was waiting for Harry Potter # 6 to come out and had read everything in my house at least twice. I pulled out my old bag and folder of manuscripts and started to read them to pass time. When I came across my book idea (21 pages) about Tsien’s. As I read it I thought, I could go so much farther with this now. So I sat down at the old desktop and started to type; now mind you I was a much slower typist then, almost 2-3 years ago. And pounded out a 101 page book.
As I sat at the computer looking at the last page that said “The End” I had an epiphany: I could work on more of my old ideas. So I pulled out the manuscript that was at the time a separate manuscript from Dominion Day. It became “Foxproof” Dominion Day 2. Dalton was, in the original scenes, Basile’s housekeeper and seducer. (BLUSH) So I started to write it and as usual I got a little distracted and pulled out my post high school version of Dominion Day. And started on it too. When I’d get bored with “DD1” I’d work on “Foxproof”. And wrote a sequel to “The Tsien’s” that I just spliced together and combined it into one book.
When “Dominion Day” looked like it’d take off I went out into my garage and found the old high school manuscript and lots of other nifty stuff I forgotten I had. The H S manuscript is complete minus three pages that I can’t find at all, hmmmm.
Using the two versions I started to really get into Dominion Day while adding a third distraction “Creek Road” I work better while I have distractions to dabble in. Well about two thirds of the way through Dominion Day My main character takes A Major Diversion, and the book suddenly opened up. (Chpt. 25 for all those interested. The Ordination.)
I started to work on “Prophecy Rising” (DD2 at the time) while finishing up “Dominion Day” (DD1), and “Foxproof”. It was then that I thought it would be cool if Dalton met Noble and would end up on the same team. So I wrote the scene for “Foxproof” (the new DD2) and copied and pasted it to “Dominion Day” and altered it a little. Then the scene was set for when Dalton moves to Altine and becomes part of Delta Group. So as “Prophecy Rising” (the new DD3) started to flesh out Dalton became an integral part of Noble’s life. Interestingly the scene with Gloria/Natalie and Jason in the chemical lab was a dream I had in high school.
I wrote “P R” and for a few days felt satisfied, but then wrote an addendum -- evidently the characters in my head had decided that there was more story to tell. So after about ten addenda’s “Arrival” became a book of its own. It was about this time that I met my writer friend Paulette. And my writing started to change and evolve.
So, I’m writing “Arrival” and I get to the part where Noble sees some boys in a vision, and a scene explodes in my head I immediately pull down a blank page and started book #5 “Destined”. I finished “Destined” #5 before finishing “P R” #3 and “Arrival” #4. After #5 was finished I had to go back and finish #3 & 4. As I’m writing the last of 3 & 4, ideas for #6 “Guardian War” were forming in my head concluding the story and building on the world building that Paulette and I had done for story ideas. I went back and wrote “From Ashes” an addendum to #4. As Noble my MC was telling me story’s about his childhood and teenage years.
With DD #1-5 written and #6 mulling as well as the prequel in my head. I find out about a conference that Paulette and I scramble to go to and after taking the classes especially the plot and outlining one that Paulette took we start talking restructuring our books. So now I took pieces out of DD1 and placed them in #3 and split #3 into two books, so now there is DD #1-7. Adding in “Awaiting” the new #3. You should have seen me, I had every chapter laid out on my gigantic table. I pulled them one by one into the new books and punched holes in them and placed #1, 3 & 4 into binders so I can look at them while I type using an old cook book holder behind my laptop, Which I finally talked my dear hubby into. (Tha laptop not the cook book holder that was a wedding present but I digress.)
I start to rewrite DD1 after being so pumped by the conference and with just 8 chapters left I get stuck on a chapter and succumb to the voices in my head and write 5 chapters of “Guardian Wars” DD6 now DD7.
The story is on paper now. I have sent it to a line editor. I am now ready to finish DD1 and start rewriting DD2 “Foxproof”. I get my edits back and decide that DD2 Foxproof can wait as I fine-tune DD1. Besides I still haven’t finished the restructure of books 2, 3, 4,.
So… I have differentiating opinions about chapter 27, all of my readers say it has to be rewritten. One says there is no resolution but I say there is, it is just in #3 so after arguing with my friend and line editor, I move it to book #3 and rewrite Chapter 27, and tweak 26 and 28 to follow current story line. I take the scene out that everyone loves to argue about (the rape scene) in Ch. 15. I fix all of the edits both from my friend and the ones that the computer insists are there; and then send it out to my readers again.
Now I wait for it to come back so I can polish it and print the first three chapters of it to send to the publishers. My next assignment is to write a querry and synopsis. Eek! Now that is really intimidating.

Michelle

September 29...

It snowed here in Tooele. it is the earliest in my 30+ years of rmemebering that it has snowed so early/ the wind blew like crazyt here yesterday hearalding the storm and then my DH and i were awakened to the children yelling about snow on the lawn.... I tell you the weather gets crazier every year. (DH and I saw a tornado on the way to St George 2 weeks ago.) there were three tornados in the tooele Valey last month that i heard of. I looked at these strange greenish yellow clouds and i said lok those look like tornado clouds. and sure enough they were... weird weather for sure.

Michelle

I love yard sales.

My neighbor has yard sales regularly. He goes to storage unit auctions and bids on them then sales the wares from inside them. He has had some awesome stuff. Last time I spent about 40 bucks but came home with curtains dishes silverware a huge cooking pan and other things. This time I got a whole box of stuff for my DD birthday for under 10 dollars. Brand new things I might add. One of the things I'm going to miss the most is his yard sales. Sigh at least I got to go one last time...

Michelle

I have had an apostrophe.....

Actually it was an epithany, but I like the play on words. I was talking to Karen as she droped me off today after the teen writers workshop. Both of us have had an awful week. Each having some serious problems and having resolved them. She said something about right before conference her life blows up. Right then the thought came to me clearly. That there is something important for my DH and I in the new area where we are moving. So important that the adversary has done his darndest to split us up, and nearly succeded. That is why we have struggled for months now and the feelings have gone from frustration to down right hate. But after hitting my knees and saying just one word "Help". We were able to talk and things although scarred by the events of the last few months look like they are going to be okay.

I wonder when, if ever, I will see this apostrophe come to fruition.

Michelle

I got an award....

Wow I am flattered. I never thought some one would think I was a wonderwoman.
Thanks Karen!!!!!

As for my nominees I choose Paulette and Wendy because they are trying to sell thier homes and living in the whirlwind that I am also caught in. I would nominate all of my writing group but they have allready been chosen.

With much love,
Michelle

middle name tag....

Well Paulette taged me with this middle name tag and she of all pwople know that my middle name is Michelle. however rather than using my first name whicn i detest more than michelle I'll use Michelle...

M for manic, whether it is good or bad i can be very focused on one thing at a time.

I for intelligent at least I think i am...

C for creative.

H For Honor which means alot to me.

E for enthusiasm which i have plenty of.

L for Love which i have for my family anfd friends.

L another one... for loyal to who i love.

E for endurance which i have endured alot.

Well there you go I should have done Christy....

Michelle thanks my BFF for making me reflective this morning.

I have created a monster.....

I signed up for the "write a book in a month," club thingie that Tristi is sponsoring. I made it a goal to write 1-2 hours or one chapter a day. Well I started at 0 and slowly worked to 2,000 then 3 then 6. Today I sat down and wrote about 6,000 words and I'm not done yet! But the scenes were in my head and I had to get them out. I wrote the last few chapters today and I'll spend the rest of the month filling the spaces in between. The book is so cool.

I dont know if Noble my MC of Dominion Day is happy to have a break being the prominent one or is jealous.

LOL I love it when I have days like this!!!!!!

Michelle

Win a Free Book

A few weeks ago my writers group met with James Dashner. He ate lunch with us as he told us about his adventures in writing and publishing. It is an awesome story and inspiring. He is an awesome guy and very funny. He was interested in our work and asked us about it. When I told him I had one book finished he said I should start sending it out and I looked at him like a deer in the headlights and said okay. So Back to James, he has a book coming out in MArch of 08 and is giving them away and I want one so here is my plug for James and the link. Go read his blog, it is an interesting story.


The Dashner Dude: WIN A FREE BOOK

LUW round up

This weekend I went to the league of Utah writers round up. I had a good time. We won a night stay in a deluxe room at the hotel my DH frequents for his old job. It was nice, it had a king size bed, and a garden tub. I met alot of people and I hung out with Gary Hansen alot I talked with him extensively about his own road to self publishing. I met Orson Scott Card and got two books signed one which is a pre release book he dated that one GRIN! I also talked with Cathy Whitbeck, and we exchanged works, her short for my first 3 chapters. It is very good by the way, I am exited to see a revised version. Over lunch on Saturday we discussed my three chapters. I was very pleasantly surprised that there were very few things to change in it, some pages were completely comment free. Which for a writer is an awesome thing. I am getting exited for the deadline for the BIAM to be over cause then I am polishing and sending my baby off. (Well as soon as I have a permanent address.)

I loved the conference, I learned alot, I enjoyed meeting with Katie Day an aditor at Penguin to who I gave a buisness card of my own. I loved seeing Mr. Card, and meeting a guy from Price my soon to be new town. But the small ammount of comments on my three chapters was the most exiting thing. She liked it and wants to read more. I think I'm on the right track.

So untill tomorow when i try to get back into a groove of writing for two hours a day again Good night.

Michelle

sleep...

or lack of it. My toddler has something going on with him; I think it is a stomach flu. He was up untill three last night. He didnt want to nurse, or take a bottle, he just wanted to be held. So after a few hours of holding him I gave him some Tylenol which usually knocks him out. I was desperate by then. He'd lay there and rub his eyes and start dozing off, then when he realized he was falling asleep he'd open his eyes untangle himself from the blanket and stand up and start giving me things from his crib. When his crib was completely empty of his soft toys and animals I turned off the light and left the room shutting the door,(I know mean mom) and went to bed. He cried for a few minutes and fell asleep.

I am exhausted and a bit frustrated. Just because I named my son after my main character who is notriously stubborn, doesnt mean I need two stubborn Noble's in my life. One is enough. It probably serves me right ehe?

Michelle

When God closes a door,

He opens a window. MY DH has accepted a job offer in a town called Huntington UT. it is for a SIGNIFICANT ammout more money.

I feel pretty calm considering everything that must occur in the next few months. I thought I'd write it out for not only those that are invested in my life but for my self too.
So.... When God closes a door, I have to clean my house to sell it.
He opens a window, it needed to be cleaned anyway.
Door, I lose my job.
Window, more time to write and blog.
Door, move from friends
Window, move away from family.
Door, move from my ward.
Window, church is the same everywhere.
Door, loose writers group.
Window, get DSL and web cam.
Door, No spending money.
Window, DH will have more money,
Door, one hour away from conferences...
Window, only three hours from conferences
Door, Dh gone for a couple of months
Window, DH gone for a couple of months
Door, move to Orangeville
Window, I can be a writer from anywhere.
HMMMMMM looks about sixes.

Michelle

I am officially and absolutely carless.....

I was running errands on Labor day when iwas accellerating around a corner and heard a clunk and my car wouldnt move. The transmission is gone, and we just bought it and still owe close to what we paid for it. *SIGH* some how we'll make it right? I can walk some places....

Michelle

i am submitted....

i wrote an article on depression while i was in the depths of it. it is a raw piece and i think it turned out well. i heard that a author, in a group i am a member of, was compiling a book of profround life changing experiences. i decided to submit my article. i got an email back that i was in the pile for consideration. i am happy, it wasn't a rejection.

Michelle (typing one handed)