Hell’s Kitchen - and a few book details
I have to say, this season of “Hell’s Kitchen” was the first one I’d ever watched. I couldn’t see what the hype was with Gordon Ramsay, but now having followed it, I can say that it sucks you in like a chocolate addiction. It’s fascinating to see how a kitchen truly works (Okay, I know they dramatize it, but still….).
When Rock picked his team last week, I was a bit worried about him getting Josh. For whatever reason, Josh tends to flip out under pressure and starts burning things. And sure enough, the boy couldn’t make crab cakes to save his life. What I liked about Rock was his way of building up the team, of encouraging them to do their best. Bonnie, in contrast, was just bossing them around. Even in a crisis, Rock kept the team together.
He deserved to win. But in the end, I was worried that they would give it to Bonnie, simply for drama’s sake. She didn’t deserve to be head chef at a restaurant, whereas Rock really gave it 100%. I was so glad to see him take away the prize, and I’ll admit, I get a warm fuzzy feeling when I see a grown man crying and holding onto his wife and family, knowing that he’s changed their lives for the better.
I hit page 176 on the new book, and I’m feeling good about the progress. Right now it’s very bare bones, but I think the skeleton is strong. It will need a bit of fleshing out and development, but I usually do that a little later. I often write several chapters raw (maybe 80 pages worth) and then when I go back to fill them in, it sets me up for the next portion of the book. It’s an odd process, but it works for me. I think do I about six drafts on a book, all in all. Many of the “drafts” are done along the way, but I still have to do a massive revision pass at the end. That’s when I do some serious deleting (perhaps 40-50 pages of deleting), but then I also go back and add in the scenes that were missing, along with any emotional development that wasn’t there. Then a final proofreading pass, and I send it onto my editor. She does a wonderful job of finding “undercooked” scenes and areas that need more exploration.
Depending on when I’ve sent it, I have to fill out an Art Facts sheet so that the creative department can begin working on the cover. That’s the only input I have, and even then, they may not choose anything I suggested. My first cover, for example, had almost none of my ideas. Which is fine by me because I love what they came up with anyway. They did do a few things that I thought were interesting. Bevan MacEgan is a scarred hero, but I didn’t want them putting a hero on the cover who had a heavily scarred face. Their solution was to show only part of his face. For Connor’s book, they made a very subtle nod to the plotline. Connor’s hands are crushed in a fight, and a good deal of the story involves a hero who cannot touch the heroine or take care of himself without her help. The art department drew Connor with one hand on his sword, and the other hand isn’t in the picture. I like that.
I’m dying to see Patrick’s cover. So far I feel very blessed to have such wonderful book covers.
So, is there anything you ever wondered about the publishing process? I’d be happy to answer whatever I can. 
Michelle posted in Writing @ 7:18 am | Viewed 2270 times
beth Says:
Great minds!
I posted on the HK Finale today too. I was seriously worried about Rock’s team - but after seeing how well the girls continued to not get along, I was considerably less worried.
I’m surprised about the first cover - cause it goes with the story so well, I figured you’d had lots and lots of input. That aside, you have had good covers to date and I’m sure that Patrick’s will be awesome as well. When do you get it, do you think?
Suzanne Says:
You’ve had great covers so far! Good luck with the next one!
Kelly Says:
I like the cover description for Connor. I can’t wait to read that book!
holly Says:
The art department does a great job finding covers for your books. I love them. I think that was what drew me to Her Irish Warrior in the first place..the colors caught my attention on the shelf so I had to check it out and after I read the back I just knew I had to get it.
I do have a question or two in regard to publishing.
I just finished writing the “bones” of my 3rd novel, which is historical, set in the late 1700’s in Virginia, but I’m wondering about word count. I checked Harlequin’s site and they want 100K/approx. 400 m/s pages.
How many words or m/s pages do you average or that you aim for? Are they strick about the word count/pages? I’m reading one book that I thought would be helpful and it is to a degree, but I’m also waiting on some research books I ordered so I can add more details in the scenes, but I’m still under 80K on word count and quite a ways off from 400 m/s pages.
Michelle Willingham Says:
Holly–for the historicals, they’ve changed their guidelines. Now they do computer word count instead of the old page counts. Run a computer word count on your manuscript, and if it’s between 75,000-90,000 words, you’re fine. I usually aim for 360 manuscript pages and sometimes it’s over, sometimes under. It really does need to be 325 pages or more, but if you start hitting 400, you’ve gone too high. Anything in that range is fine. good luck!
Larissa Says:
I used to watch Hell’s Kitchen, but then something came on at the same time and…well, HK lost out. But it’s a great show!
Heidi Dahlquist Says:
Michelle,
I was wondering how the editor sends you things she wants you to edit. I assume it’s all done with MS word and emailed to you? Do you make the changes and then email the script back to her?
Heidi
LeAnne Says:
Great!! I’m glad Rock won, I was really rooting for him. As for the cover, I’m sure it will be fantastic and sexy looking.
Hope everyone has a great day today.
LeAnne
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Woo Hoo on page 176, Michelle!!!
Michelle Willingham Says:
Heidi–actually, no. My revisions are sent in a regular e-mail and they’re grouped according to what type of revisions they are. The overall issues such as character motivation might be listed first. Timing issues, emotional tension, anything like that might be next. Then it’s specific page numbers and scenes that might need more work. It isn’t any sort of line-editing, but more of the overall book issues. The actual manuscript isn’t touched–it’s up to me to make the changes. Hope that helps!
Tori Lennox Says:
You’ve been very blessed by the Good Cover Fairy.
holly Says:
Thanks Michelle!
Now with the computer word count, is that the same as the word counter in Microsoft Word(which I use) or do I need to find something else?
Melissa Mc Says:
You’ve had great covers, Michelle! I can’t wait to see the next one. I’ve only caught a few minutes of Hell’s Kitchen the first season it was on. Sounds like an interesting show.
Good luck with the book! I have one due December 1st and need to get busy on it. So hard with summer though!
Michelle Willingham Says:
Holly–yes, it’s the same word counter. Again, though, as long as you’re in the ballpark, that’s all that counts.
holly Says:
Ok, cool!
I’m sitting on almost 77k right now and about 285 pages, so I’m not far from it. I know my problem is I have a LOT of emotion and not enough description of surroundings, which is what I’m working on research-wise right now.
)
Thanks again Michelle!:thumbsup: That makes me feel better(been stressing about it for a few days now