End of Another ROW80 Round, Kedi's Paw Award, Stephen King, and LOTS of Blogger Love Links

ere we are at the end of another round of A Round of Words in 80 Days. I did really well - at least, working steadily - until last week. Then I got derailed by kilt hose.

With one chapter left to go, I'm going to jump into the next round, and promise to finish editing Rome, Rhymes and Risk, and query a few more agents off my list, for Out of the Water.

But I've been neglecting the blogs. So I thought, in case I can't make it to all the commenters on my last handful of posts, I'd give all of you an award! Presented by Kedi! (And I'll leave this post up through Sunday, and skip a Friday post for once.)

Kedi is a... spirit who currently happens to be in cat form. Only those with whom he is in direct contact realise that he's more than just an ordinary cat - currently he lets his guard down only around Austin, the English boy he's befriended in my middle grade novel The Face of A Lion.

As a cat, he's a soft grey colour with a white underside and paws, and very long whiskers. He makes chirping noises and purrs very loudly; to Austin and others who understand him, this sounds to them like English or whichever language it is they speak.

Here he is, passing on his Badge of Honour to you:

Please feel free to pass on the Paw!

And now, some of the links I'm meaning to follow as I get back into blogging:

Here's my latest review, of Alyson Reuben's A Beautiful Cage, on One Hundred Romances. And there are new reviews over at Romance Book Haven!

A snip from Siv Maria's story as part of the Lucky 7 meme.

The Daring Novelist types up old stories over at Daring Adventure Stories. What an amazing idea! Here's the latest, a story called Girl From Nowhere, from 1915.

Medeia Sharif was also tagged on the lucky 7!

Carol Riggs has got a great post on the effect your story has on readers.

Sara's recent post talks about the main character dilemma. What do you do when you like a book but dislike so much of the character?

Cherie Reich reveals cover art!

The Eagle talks about home schooling and features a Turkish March.

The Capillary's doing a 21 day challenge!

Robin McCormack has a friend for Kedi!

Madeleine has new limericks!

Susan Fields talks about revision.

I just read some wonderful truths by Stephen King about revision:

"My approach to revision hasn't changed much over the years. I know there are writers who do it as they go along, but my method of attack has always been to plunge in and go as fast as I can, keeping the edge of my narrative blade as sharp as possible by constant use, and trying to outrun the novelist's most insidious enemy, which is doubt. Looking back prompts too many questions: How believable are my characters? How interesting is my story? How good is this, really? Will anyone care? Do I care myself?.

When my first draft of a novel is done, I put it away, warts and all, to mellow. Some period of time later - six months, a year, two years, it doesn't really matter - I can come back to it with a cooler (but still loving) eye, and begin the task of revising."

--Foreword to The Dark Tower reissue, 2003

Nadja's got exciting news for the end of ROW80.

Jamie at Mithril Wisdom tagged me! He's also got great advice about tweaking your old blog posts.

Candy tells us what writers can learn from soap operas.

Sia Mycke's guest is Kim Sanders.

Misha's guest is Stephen Tremp.

Jessica Fritsche met all her ROW80 goals!

Vicki Tremper's been tagged.

The Science of Romance has a Lucky Leprechaun giveaway that ends tomorrow!

Naina Gupta's given a new interview.

Nas Dean features a new romance author.

Joshua features another excerpt of older writing...

Chris Kelworth's starting a new series...

Jessica Salyer has a guest poster discussing self-publishing...

...and Ali Dent talks about being overwhelmed sometimes. And KM Huber talks about silence.

Lauralynn Eliott has reached the end of ROW80, too.

Tia Bach talks about loving to write for teenagers.

Carolyn's got a post on tips she picked up at a writers' event - Publicity for Authors.

Suzanne's got tips too, on specificity.

Michael ...In Time... looks back on over a year of blogging!

Outlander Kitchen now has an index!

Julie Glover's got a great meme about reading habits.

And Marcia Richards' had a recent linky post too, featuring great stuff, including an interview of Diana Gabaldon by Authors Road, and writing tips from Steinbeck.

Finally, big congratulations to Theresa Milstein and Roland Yeomans and Connie Keller for reaching the quarter finals of ABNA!