Rose on Prose

What? It's December?

2011-12-03T14:09:00.001-06:00

Anyone else out there shocked that it's December already? As for me, I still can't believe it! As much as I LOVE the holidays, they totally stress me out. And for once, I'd like to just enjoy this month. So, here's my plan...

* Today we are decorating the house. (inside and out). Whatever doesn't get done, will NOT get done. Period. I'm not stretching out this whole decorating thing.

*Crazy but true, I've completed almost ALL my holiday shopping!! Hooray for me!! I will, I must, no matter what, finish my holiday shopping THIS WEEKEND. This is non-negotiable.

*I'm not sure how much writing I'll get done this month, but to keep my creative juices flowing, I've decided to make a writing plan. This is something I should've done a long time age, but because this will be a busy month with parties, luncheons, etc, I need to do it! And there's no time like the present!

*I will not over-extend myself this month. I cannot go to all the parties, luncheons, dinners, happy hours that I've been invited to. I just can't! Instead, I will choose to spend time with the people who REALLY matter to me; the friends that I love and who love me back.

So... that's all I can think of right now!! Now back to the decorations...

The Universe is Messing with Me!

2011-11-16T14:03:00.001-06:00

(Note: the above is not my kitchen, but may as well have been!)

I love my house, but hate my kitchen! So, I decided to remodel. The job was supposed to have started and finished last month. But alas, the universe found out that I had signed up for NaNoWriMo and decided to mess with me.

Instead of starting on my kitchen last month, the builder couldn't start until this month. And then, everything that could go wrong, went wrong. I will spare you the gory details on that one, but will say that not having a kitchen sink for over a week really bites. Really, really, bites. But it seems like the worst is over, and if all goes well, my kitchen should be finished tomorrow!! Hooray!

So what to do with Nano? Even though I won't meet my goal, I'm NOT throwing in the towel. My plan is to write full steam ahead as soon as I'm able. (Looks like I can focus on writing Friday!)

What about you? Did you sign up for Nano? If so, how's it going?

Pitch U and the Write Lawyer

2011-09-19T11:28:00.001-05:00

I subscribe to and read tons of blogs. They keep me up to date on writers, publishers, agents and more. One blog I regularly read is the Pitch University blog.

Last week I noticed the Pitch U blog featured a column by Jeffrey V. Mehalic of the Write Lawyer. It was to be a featured column in which Mr. Mehalic would review and give his legal opinion on various publishing contracts.

As a lawyer, this really caught my interest, and so I read his review of the contracts from Sourcebooks, Crescent Moon Press, and Entangled Publishing. The rating for each? Sourcebooks: SHRED IT; Crescent Moon Press: BURN IT; Entangled Publishing: SHRED IT.

Today, as I review my RSS feeds, I find that Mr. Mehalic has announced the following: "Starting Monday, September 19, 2011, I will be posting my column on publishing contracts on this blog, rather than on Pitch University. I had my posts removed from PU (appropriate, eh?) after my post was altered by the owner of the site."

WOW.

First, let me say that contracts are ALWAYS skewed to favor the interest of the party who is presenting the contract. Which is, a no-brainer. That's why one must always have a contract evaluated and negotiated before signing. Plain and simple.

As a writer in search of a dream agent who will sooner than later be reviewing my own contract, I appreciated the advice and the heads up by Mr. Mehalic on some of the issues I will soon face. On the other hand, I can see how publishers might not appreciate their contracts on display without having a chance to first address the issues in the post.

But the question is: what do you think of Pitch U allegedly altering the posts? What does that say to you?

The Emily Contest is Open!

2011-09-02T12:27:00.000-05:00

Calling all writers! The Emily contest is open!

The Emily is sponsored by the West Houston Chapter of the RWA. According to their website, the contest started back in 1990 to promote publication of previously unpublished writers of romance.

The contest evolved and is open to published and unpublished writers. (You do not need to be a member to enter.) Unpublished authors may enter in any category not contracted in (book-length) by September 30, 2011. Published authors may enter in any category not published (book-length) in the past three years. For a full list of categories, please visit the website. NOTE: there IS a YA category!

The Emily is a highly respected contest. In fact, many Emily winners and finalists have gone on to be published. The contest is capped at 300 entries, and multiple entries are allowed. The contest asks for your first 7000 words. And, there is no synopsis requirement! (Hooray!) The deadline is September 30th, but because of the cap you don't want to wait!

For more info, and to enter, go to the website link above. Good luck!

Back in the Saddle

2011-08-25T11:30:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I'm officially back in the saddle again! And glad to be back! For those of you who don't know, I lost my mother-in-law to cancer. We were very close, and it was a very difficult time in my life that one day I will most definitely write about. Although I miss her dearly, I know she's up in heaven shaking her first at me and telling me to GET ON WITH IT! So that's what I'm doing.

Then, of course, I had the regular craziness associated with kids and summer. Now that my lovely darlings are back at school, I'm back at my desk and moving forward with finding my dream agent.

My plan is to be more active here on my blog, and to focus on my goals because I know that this is my time. I can feel it!

Until next time!

Not a Regular Blogger

2010-07-13T15:19:00.003-05:00

Hey guys! I have a confession to make...I'm not a regular blogger. Which, you probably knew already. Why? Because my first order of business is to find an agent. So...that's what I've been doing...in addition to working on a new WIP.

That being said, I'll come on here from time to time, but mostly I'm completely focused on finding my dream agent. And when I do, because I will, then you better believe I'll be blogging!!

Until then!

Top Agent Blogs

2010-05-07T09:22:00.005-05:00

The GLA Blog, authored by super awesome Chuck Sambuchino, listed the top 5 Agent Blogs for 2010. I subscribe to all of them, and I absolutely agree that they rock. Click here to read his blog, and see below for his list.

1. Chip MacGregor
2. Dystel & Goderich Literary Management
3. KidLit
4. Nathan Bransford
5. Rachelle Gardner

Not only do I get good tips and advice from these blogs, but they also keep me in the know. If you want to be a writer, you gotta do more than just sit at the computer and type. You need to know the industry, know the trends, see what's up with your peers.

Today I went to the book fair at my kids' school. It was so cool to see some of those books and say, "Hey, I know the agent for that book, I read their blog." It makes me feel one step closer to finding my own agent.

Below are some other agent blogs that I absolutely love. Check em out!

1. Scott Eagan
2. Jessica Faust
3. Jill Corcoran
4. Kristin Nelson
5. Kate Shafer Testerman

What agent blogs do you read?

Dear-Editor.com Giveaway!

2010-04-09T13:33:00.004-05:00

To celebrate the one month anniversary of Dear-Editor.com, former Harcourt Children's Books editor, Deborah Halverson, is giving away one substantive edit of a YA/MG fiction manuscript. For more details, you can click here.

According to Alice Pope's blog, Deborah has recently edited the work of four writers who've recently landed lucrative 2-book deals with major publishers. The deadline for this giveaway is April 14th.

I don't know about you, but I'm on it!!

Writing Contests

2010-04-08T10:18:00.003-05:00

Hello Writer Friends! There are some cool contests out there you should know about. Here they are:

Writer's Digest is having another "Dear Lucky Agent" Contest. They want your logline and the first 150-200 words of your YA/MG unpublished book-length work. The judge is Regina Brooks, founder of Serendipity Literary Agent. For more details, click here. The deadline for this contest is Wednesday, April 14th.

The awesome Hilary Wagner is having a contest via her blog. All you have to do is go to her blog, subscribe, and enter a comment. Her agent, Marietta Zacker of the Nancy Gallt Literary Agency, will pick three winners. For more details, click here. Please note that the deadline for this contest is TODAY, April 8th.

If I hear of anything else, I'll be sure to let you know! Good luck!

What I'm Reading Now- The Other Lands

2010-03-16T11:23:00.004-05:00

I've finally finished all the Percy Jackson books, and LOVED them! They were fast and fun, and made me feel like a kid again! Thank you Rick Riordan!

Now, I'm reading The Other Lands by David Anthony Durham. It's the second book of the Acacia Trilogy. This book is the exact opposite of the Percy Jackson books. Instead of fast and fun, this book, like the first one, is intricate and moving. I'm completely caught up in the characters, the setting, and the plot development. It's like a slow moving catastrophe that takes your breath away and leaves you on the edge of your seat. (And I say that with the utmost admiration for the story.)

What will happen to the heirs of Acacia? I have no idea, but I'm DYING to find out. I think I know what's going to happen, and I think I know how Aliver will return, but I don't want to get my hopes up, especially since David might throw me for a loop like he did in Acacia.

As a writer, I'm also learning a lot from David's books. First and foremost, how to show and not tell. The other thing I'm learning is character development. To me, these are the two most important parts of a book. And to say I'm inspired by David is an understatement.

That being said, I'm signing off to return to my WIP. See you next time!

Boys Gone Wild

2010-02-22T11:48:00.003-06:00

Today is my son's 9th bday, and this weekend was his party. When I say it was crazy, I'm not even kidding.

He had a bowling party with 19 of his closest friends. (the kid likes to socialize) Then, a handful came over after for a sleepover. I had to limit it to a handful for my own sanity, and thank the Lord I did! Those boys were monsters! We had decided to 'wrap' or 'TP' some houses. Of course, I alerted the moms just so they'd know and not freak out.

Here's what I learned from the experience: throwing toilet paper in the air is like a drug to boys. They went nuts, especially the oldest boy who happened to also be the tallest with the longest arms. They threw those rolls with all their strength. The higher, the better. I had to practically tear them away from each house. And then, when we got home, they were wired. I don't even know what time they went to bed, if they did at all.

So, was the party a success? According to my son and his friends, it was the best party ever. The only drawback will be the payback. I know we're gonna get it, and get it big time!

Ash Wednesday

2010-02-17T15:12:00.005-06:00

Today is Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. And, for those of you who don't know, Lent is the observation of the 40 days before Easter. This is the time where Jesus wandered alone in the desert in preparation of his crucifixion. During this time, he was plagued by temptation from the Devil.

During lent, many people "give up" things. I don't really have any vices to give up, but I do like to improve myself as person. Sometimes I tell myself I'll eat better, exercise, go to church instead of sleeping in--stuff like that.

Not sure yet what I'll be doing in observation of Lent. Traditionally, we sit around at the table and come up with ideas. It's a good exercise for the kids. So tonight I'll figure it out, and then I'll let you know!

More Contests!

2010-02-10T10:55:00.003-06:00

Right Now: Listening to Daylight by Coldplay. Sending out queries.

One of my writing buddies just told me about two agent contests! Wanted to pass along the info for those wanting to jump on the bandwagon.

First, agent Nephele Tempest of the Knight Agency is having an "I'm in the Mood for Love" pitch contest. The guidelines can be found here on her Live Journal.

Second, the GLA blog is having their second "Dear Lucky Agent Contest." You'll want to visit the blog for the guidelines. Judging the contest this go-around is Jennifer Laughran of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Any contest that gets you in front of an agent is good. Just be sure your manuscript is finished and in tip-top shape. In other words, don't rush if you're not ready. If you do, you'll end up shooting yourself in the foot. Anywho, good luck everyone on your submissions!

kidlit.com contest TODAY!

2010-01-30T16:58:00.004-06:00

Mary Kole, literary agent at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is having a contest! And the deadline is today, January 30th!! She's had contests before, but this time around she's doing something different. She's asking for novel beginnings. Specifically, the first 500 words of your YA or MG finished novel.

For more info, go here. So hurry up with those submissions and good luck!

What I'm Working On

2010-01-25T10:23:00.004-06:00

Right Now: Thinking of having Mexican food for lunch. It's gorgeous and sunny outside. Listening to Viva La Vida by Coldplay

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, been busy with a million things. I promise to be more consistent! Anyhow, here's what's going on with me:

1. I'm back to making some edits to my YA paranormal romance. I plan on finishing this week. Then, back to queries.

2. I've hooked up with three awesome Houston writers. One agented, me and the other two not agented as of yet. We are forming a local YA/MG writers group. I'm so psyched! It's going to be a great group. Stay tuned for more details.

3. I've started a new book. (on the back burner right now, though) It's a YA mystery with a supernatural undertone. I'm really excited about this one. It's got a lot of suspense, and several twists and turns.

I promise to post more frequently. That's it for now!

A Look Back on 2009

2010-01-07T10:15:00.005-06:00

Right Now: The Arctic blast is moving into Houston. So windy and cold outside! Listening to Let Go by Frou Frou.

I've always been the kind of person who looks at my circumstances and my experiences for a message--a lesson if you will. In order to keep moving forward, it's necessary to make such reflections. And so, that's what this post is all about, a look back at 2009. Here we go...

1. The biggest part of 2009 was, for me, spent on writing. I love my story, my characters, my setting. It was such an incredible experience for me, living in another world that was so vivid that I even dreamed about it. And even though the experience was positive, I learned something...see below.

2. As good as I thought my writing was, I needed help. Enter the critique group. Having your "baby" critiqued isn't easy, but boy was it good for me. Show, don't tell. Add some sensory perception to your story. Less dialogue please, more action. These are just a few of the things I learned, and I'm so grateful!!

3. Revisions are just as important as the initial writing. I've got some more to do before I plunge back into the hunt for an agent, and I'm cool with that. It's all about producing the best possible story, right? Revisions are just part of the game.

4. Another important lesson I've learned is to NOT put all your eggs in one basket. To that end, I've written a PB and I'm currently writing another YA book that I'm really crazy about based on a short story I wrote for a competition. I'm only on the first chapter, but my brain is busily plotting out the entire book.

I'm sure I could say more, but that's really the most important things I learned in 2009. As for 2010? All I have to say is this, 2010 is going to be MY YEAR. You just wait!

Writing for Contests

2009-12-11T12:11:00.004-06:00

Right Now: Listening to One Time by Justin Bieber. Heating up some chicken noodle soup for a late lunch.

With the holidays upon us, and literary agents either playing catch-up or taking time off, I've decided to put my query sending on hold. I'll be back in the hunt mid-January.

Until then, I've decided to enter some contests. Here's why:

1. Writing a short story is a great way to hone your craft.
2. If my story is good enough to get published, it might catch the attention of an agent. (crossing my fingers here)
3. Success will add to my bio. (crossing my fingers again)
4. You can win a nice chunk of change.
5. The most important reason? I repeat, you get to hone your craft and really develop as a writer.

The first contest I entered (last night) was the Writer's Digest Short Short Story Contest. Yes, I said short twice. What does that mean? Simple: the contest is for super short stories. After completing an almost 100K book, writing a super short story (1500 words) was way hard for me. But, I learned a lot from it. I was forced to be really concise with my writing, and to the point. All in all, I think I did a good job. In fact, I love my story and characters so much that I can seriously see myself writing an entire book about them. A series even.

The second contest I'm going to enter is the Boulevard Short Fiction Contest for Emerging Writers. All entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2009. Note: there is no online submission process for this contest.

Boulevard is a very well-respected magazine, and I'm looking forward to writing for them. I have an idea for a story, and since I don't have a lot of time, I'm just going to plunge right into it. If I hear of any more contests, I'll be sure to post them here. Until then!

I LOVE BOOK FAIRS!

2009-12-02T13:58:00.003-06:00

RIGHT NOW: It's nice and cold outside! Listening to Meet Me Halfway by the Black-Eyed Peas.

This week is the Scholastic Book Fair at my kids' school. I'm not sure who's more excited, me or them! I seriously LOVE books! And so do they! We even braved the cold and wet weather to attend family night last night. We spent about $80.00. Not bad really considering there was a whole lot more that we all wanted! In fact, I'm thinking we may need to go back before it's over!!

Another YA Contest

2009-11-23T09:53:00.003-06:00

Right Now: It's a glorious day today in Houston, Texas. Can't beat that! Listening to Warning Sign by Coldplay (one of my favorite songs of all time). On my third cup of coffee, may need one more!

YA writers, hold your hats! Serendipity Literary Agency, in collaboration with Sourcebooks and Gotham Writers' Workshop, is hosting its first Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition. All you have to do is submit the first 250 words from your YA novel. For more info, and to submit, click here.

The contest ends November 30, 2009. But don't wait, get your submission in now! And good luck!

St. Martin's Press Contest

2009-11-19T10:21:00.003-06:00

Right Now: Listening to Linkin Park, Shadow of the Day

For those who don't already know, St. Martin's Press is holding a contest for submissions! They're looking for works that would fall under a category they're calling "New Adult" and I couldn't be happier!

I've always thought my MS falls just beyond YA. Why? My characters are older teens and the story follows them into adulthood. It's definitely a crossover book. Plus, my MS is on the edgy side with issues like drugs, magic and, of course, relationships.

For those who want to enter, the contest ends TOMORROW, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH. Just click here to read more about the guidelines and, of course, to enter. And, thanks to Georgia McBride for her efforts in making this contest happen. You rock, Georgia!

Thank You Rick Riordan and R.L. Stine

2009-11-03T12:49:00.004-06:00

Right now: Listening to Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park. Need to go back into my MS and add something that I just thought about. Working on my query, synopsis and list of agents.

I've been reading as long as I can remember, seriously. I've always had a book on my nightstand, and several others waiting for me on my bookshelf. I even remember coming home from elementary school with the Scholastic flyer and circling all the books I wanted to order. (Thanks Mom for always ordering everything I wanted!) I guess you could say reading is just my thing.

So, now that I'm a Mom, it's interesting to see how my kids are developing into young readers.

Let's talk about my eight-year-old son. He loves for me to tell him stories in bed, the scarier the better. And, of course, I'm always happy to comply. But then, starting last year in 2nd grade, he had to keep a reading journal. Enter R.L. Stine. Yes, my son is a HUMONGOUS R.L. Stine fan. He can't get enough of Goosebumps. We even record all the shows on TV (only aired in October) and search for episodes online. So, to R.L. Stine: thank you for writing scary books! You rock!

Now, let's talk about my eleven-year-old daughter. She's a really good reader. For a 5th grader, she tests at almost the 9th grade reading level. But...she doesn't love to read, and you know as well as I do that there's a big difference. In fact, finding a book for her to read and really enjoy has always been a challenge...until the day she met Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon. Yes, thank you Rick Riordan for finally writing a book that my daughter LOVES! I mean, this is a girl who now tells me she wants to read at night, or before dinner, or instead of watching TV. It's a miracle! I'm reading the books, too and I love them! So, to Rick Riordan: thank you for writing such a fun, action packed series! You rock!

The Importance of Critique

2009-10-29T14:50:00.004-05:00

Right Now: It's a rainy day, warm and muggy. Kids should be home from school soon. Listening to Fireflies by Owl City. Oh yeah, just finished my rewrites!

All I can say is WOW! I just finished my rewrites and edits, and I feel fine... And, grateful that I found the right critique person to help me get where I need to be. You know who you are, my own personal sensei, and all I can say is THANK YOU!! I feel better about my writing than ever before!! So, with that said, I want to pass on the lessons that I've learned in the hopes that I can help someone out there.

First, don't send out any queries until your MS is perfect! I don't mean until you think it's perfect, because we, the writers, are so in the thick of things that we can't see the forest through the trees. So, when you think your MS kicks butt, then it's time to find a critique group or partner. Please do not skip this step. Repeat: please do not skip this step.

Your critique partner and or group should know your genre, know how to write well, and have the ability to be honest with their critique. This might hurt, but it's necessary. And if you really want to improve, you will listen to what they have to say!

Then, take this info, and fix your MS. Then, get that query the best that it can be. And have your synopsis ready to roll.

Whew...this process has taken me A YEAR! Yes, that' right, a year. The actual process of writing my story only took about six months. The rest of the time I've been editing, tweaking, revising, and sometimes just plain leaving it to the side. But it's been A YEAR!

The good thing? My MS rocks. My story has angels in it, which, as you may know, is all the rage right now, and on an upswing. (When I started writing, I had no idea this would be the new thing) Good for me. Now I just need to get this story in the right hands. Wish me luck!!

And now...the rewrites!

2009-10-12T08:53:00.005-05:00

Right Now: Working on my second cup of coffee. Listening to Kings of Leon, Use Somebody. It's warm and muggy outside.

Today is all about rewrites. Rewrites are like editing, but deeper. More like reworking concepts, changing plot, and stuff like that. Here's my to-do list for my rewrites:

1. Delete the first 3 chapters or so and start with some serious character interaction and paranormal activity.

2. Work on show and not tell.

3. Change the paranormal activity that my main character experiences.

4. Let me repeat, show and don't tell.

5. Change the ending so that it's not too open-ended. Possibly even write an alternate ending.

6. Make one of the characters, Infiniti, a little more edgy.

So, that's my to-do list. It's A LOT, but I'm so ready to get this bad boy done! Once all these rewrites are made, I KNOW I'm going to find my agent.

Death by Synopsis

2009-10-05T08:44:00.004-05:00

Right Now: Listening to Never Say Never by the Fray

I've finally written the perfect query and logline for my YA book. Yippee! Talk about a labor of love! The rewrites, the agonizing, the turmoil...I mean, the query will make or break you and I had to get it right! And, I hope, I've accomplished just that.

Now I'm working on the synopsis. I'm having a hard time with it because there's a lot of information to include. I'm worried that my synopsis might be too long. Or, worse yet, not written with enough umph. Anyhow, back to it!

On Writing...and Stephen King

2009-09-23T08:26:00.006-05:00

Right Now: Listening to: Mix 96.5

I'm almost finished with Stephen King's On Writing. I can't tell you how much I have LOVED that book. When you read it, it just feels like he's right there next to you, chatting about his writing experiences, curse words and all. It's...real, ya know?

Whenever I read something like this, something instructional, I always wonder what the message is for me, because there's always a message. Well, I discovered three messages in this book. And here they are.

Message One: King says you should shut your door and just write your book with NO interruptions. Don't ask people for their opinions, don't edit as your write, don't think too much about what you're doing. Just write! Let it flow! Let your story come out! (This is exactly what I did with my book. Hooray!)

Message Two: When you're finished, seek out an independent reader who will give you some meat and potatoes feedback. You know, someone who will give you the nitty gritty, even if it hurts. And then do two edits. Make sure to cut out 10% of what you have. (Again, this is what I did, instinctively.)

I've had a few friends/family read my book, but only two of whom have served as my independent readers. First, to my awesome sister-in-law Liz, thank you for all the grammatical critique! (I really needed it!) Second, to Deborah, thank you for your critique on the story itself and some of the major scenes. You guys have definitely made me a better writer, and I can't thank you enough!!

Message Three: While working on his book, King was struck by a van and almost died. He recovered with the help of an awesome doctor, an incredible wife, and his love of writing. Which brings me to the third message. You need to write because you love it, because you find it fulfilling, because it makes you feel whole. Writing is not about the money or the fame. It's about the passion for doing something you were meant to do.

WOW. When I read that, I knew I was doing the right thing. When I started writing, I felt whole again-- fulfilled even. I felt...young. It's hard to explain, but if you do something that you really love, then you know what I mean. On the flipside, I do hope that someone will fall in love with my characters and my story as much as me. That would just be icing on the cake. But for now, I'm loving writing.

Almost Finished with My Edits!

2009-09-16T14:01:00.004-05:00

Right Now: Editing

Listening to: Four Calendar Cafe (the entire CD) by The Cocteau Twins

I'm on page 344 of 377 for my edits. Really not bad, except I've hit the hardest part to edit--the battle scene.

In my book, two main characters have a battle. Yep, a full on, supernatural throw-down. I'm taking out all the cliche's and making it more...unusual.

After that, I'm taking a major event from my first chapter and moving it further into the book. Which means, of course, rewriting the first chapter.

I'm really excited, and I can't wait to finish!

Just thinking...

2009-09-10T08:56:00.006-05:00

Right Now: Working on yet even more edits. I'm halfway through.

Listening to: Brothers and Sisters by Coldplay

Things I'm thinking about/needing to do:

1. When am I ever going to be finished with these edits??!!! It's never-ending. I wonder how long it takes the average writer to edit their work. Ugh... Maybe I should've hired a professional.

2. I've written about 4 query letters. Trying to figure out which one is the best. I need to run them by my critique group. We should be meeting next week. (I can't wait!)

3. Need to polish my synopsis. I want to be prepared for that agent who emails me asking for it!! (That's me being positive.)

4. I've got a great idea for a graphic novel, but I have no idea how to write one. Gotta figure that out. I already have an awesome illustrator.

5. That's it, I think, for now...

You'll Like My Book If...

2009-09-02T13:36:00.006-05:00

Right Now: Working on final edits following a very awesome lunch with my incredible critique group.

Listening to: Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses by U2

As usual, been thinking a lot about my story and my characters. I'm so wrapped up in them, and I can't wait to share them with the world...which got me thinking about my audience. My target readers are older YAs and beyond. (Maybe some younger, too). Is that you? I hope so, and I hope you'll love my characters as much as I do. I think you will if you like the following...

1. The Dollanganger Series by VC Andrews. You know it as the Flowers in the Attic books. I still remember being a young teenager and waiting on edge for each book to come out, wondering what each cover would look like. I was haunted by the siblings who loved each other, right or wrong. But there was something about Andrews' writing that made it all okay in a tragic and haunting way. I will never forgot those books--EVER, and I credit them for sparking my passion for reading. My book will take you to a forbidden love, and then will surprise you with a shocking truth that changes the entire course of the story.

2. The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. Who can deny the impact that these books have had on so many, younger and older alike? While I have to admit I was disappointed with the last book, I was completely caught up in the Bella, Edward and Jacob love triangle. Who doesn't love a messed up romance? The forbidden heat and passion? (Another reason why I love Lost so much.) Of course, my book has a love triangle that is so confusing and complex that you'll have to wait and see who, if anyone, will come out on top. (pun slightly intended).

3. The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling. To be "marked" and have some sort of higher destiny--talk about pressure. That is a theme in my book. But this person's destiny is tied to the destiny of the entire world, and beyond. You'll just have to see what I mean.

4. The TV Show Supernatural. Two hot brothers vs. Lucifer. So cool that I will say no more.

I could draw more comparisons, but will leave it at that, for now. I gotta do more edits!

Awesome Webinar Today with Chuck Sambuchino!

2009-08-27T13:45:00.005-05:00

Right Now: Kids are at school. Cleaning lady is here and she just broke something in the other room... Ugh... I'm afraid to see what it is.

Listening to: My snoring dogs.

I just finished listening to an awesome webinar with Chuck Sambuchino. The topic: How to Land a Literary Agent. I will share some of his wisdom here:

1. Really do your homework on your agents. Google them. Then rank them. Give them what they want. No more, no less.

2. You should have the following prepared before sending your query. (Other than a completed manuscript that has been edited and beta-tested): logline (1 sentence description), a pitch (like a jacket of a book), short synopsis (1-2 pages) and long synopsis (5-8 pages).

3. There are 3 parts to a query: Intro (name of book, genre, word count and why you're contacting that agent), Pitch (the heart of your query where you explain the story and the conflict without giving anything away), Bio (info about yourself).

4. A "no" from one agent at an agency is a "no" from all.

5. If you haven't heard back from an agent, it's okay to re-send the query by pasting it into a new email and saying that you're resending it in case it got caught in the spam filter.

6. Go to conferences! It's a great way to connect with agents! (I need to do this.)

Well, there was lots more, but I gotta get back to work!!

How to Land a Literary Agent-Webinar

2009-08-23T09:18:00.004-05:00

Right Now: Jake is crashed out. Olivia and her 2 friends just woke up. (Yes, we had a sleepover here last night.)

Listening to: Chatty girls in the other room. Why do they have to be so loud??

I was browsing the web and came across an ad for this webinar: Land a Literary Agent with Chuck Sambuchino August 27, 1 pm EDT. Just $79!

Here's the description: Subjects I'll be talking about include, but are not limited to: queries, pitching, proposals, synopses, conferences, avoiding scammers, where to find agents, self-publishing, and how to pick the best one for you. Do you know how to begin a query letter to an agent? I'll show you. Do you wonder about contacting multiple agents at the same time? We'll discuss that. Are you curious about how to protect yourself and your ideas from scammers and rip-off artists? We'll address that, too - and more. Finding a literary agent isn't an easy process, but I can help make it easier. Register Now!

I'm definitely going to sign up for this class.

Update on Editing and Querying

2009-08-18T12:23:00.007-05:00

RIGHT NOW: Kids are laying on the couch watching Hotel for Dogs. This is their last week of freedom--school starts next week!

LISTENING TO: Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls

So what's new with me? I've made a really cool online connection with Georgia McBride. Her website can be found here. She's a YA author who has also written a book about angels. She is way ahead of me with her agent search, and will probably get one soon! She was kind enough to look at my query and give me some suggestions. I'm super psyched about the changes and will be sending out my new query soon.

I also came across this great site. It has a list of Middle Grade and YA Publishers and Agents updated 8-1-09. It has several names that I haven't hit yet, so that's good!

And, of course, I'm still editing per my unofficial editors Deborah Lawson and Lisa Isgitt. I should be completely done by next week. I'm super excited! All this prep puts me one step closer to my agent. Yahoo!

My Query Letter Approach

2009-08-11T11:06:00.009-05:00

Right Now: Olivia and Jake are at Critter Camp. Olivia didn't want to go today, said there was a bratty girl in her group who uses the word 'like' in every sentence. I was like, are you serious? She was like, yeah.

Listening To: She's a Bad Mama Jama by Carl Carlton (a classic!) I'm feeling like a bad mama jama today...

I had one of my friends ask me why I haven't sent more queries. The answer is simple: I'm sending them very methodically.

First, I've tweaked my manuscript since sending my first query letter. Then, I put a hold on queries altogether while I polished and refined my work. Manuscripts today have to be perfect in this highly competitive market.

Second, I'm doing lots of research, following blogs and twitter, getting a pulse for what agents who represent YA authors are looking for. It's the lawyer in me, doing my research very diligently, and it's paying off.

Third, I'm sending my query to veteran agents and new agents. New agents are actively looking for clients. The agent who requested my partial is a new agent. They're hungry, like me. A new agent is more likely to take on a fresh new author as opposed to a more established agent. But don't get me wrong, I would be thrilled to get an established agent. Really, just any agent who loves my story.

So, with all my ducks in a row, I plug along. I know I'm going to find an agent soon. I can feel it.

An Awesome Vacation!

2009-08-10T11:37:00.007-05:00

RIGHT NOW: Jake and Olivia are at Critter Camp at the Houston SPCA. I know they're going to come home begging to adopt a new pet. The answer will be no. We've hit our limit in this house with pets. I'm listening to World In My Eyes by Depeche Mode.

We spent all last week enjoying my Up North family in beautiful Traverse City, Michigan. The weather was cool at night, in the 50s, and sunny during the day, in the 70s. Talk about paradise!

We hiked in the woods by the Boardman River, took a pontoon trip to Torch Lake, kayaked, swam, (yes, the water was freezing) searched for Petoskey stones, had some awesome family dinners, and basically just enjoyed being unplugged.

I miss it already...

But now I'm back to reality! And excited to be sending out more query letters! I plan to send out about 5 today. I'm feeling really good about it. I just know I'm going to find an agent soon.

Busy Day

2009-07-29T10:20:00.006-05:00

RIGHT NOW: Jake is at a one week away camp. (I really miss him). Olivia and her friend Alexis are just now waking up. (10:20 am) Early for them. I'm listening to Absolute by the Fray.

I've got lots to do today. First, I've got a meeting with a potential new client for Media Masters. I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be seeing a lawyer I used to know when I was on the board of the Houston Young Lawyers.

After that, I'm back at my desk, monitoring the media coverage for the MJ case. And, of course, checking my emails for a response from the agent who requested a partial.

As far as partials go, I wonder how long it will take for her to get back to me. And, should I put all queries on hold until I hear from her? I'm debating that one. What do you guys think?

My First Positive Agent Response!

2009-07-27T11:27:00.005-05:00

RIGHT NOW: Jake is at a one week away camp. Olivia is on the couch watching HGTV. I'm listening to Glass of Water by Coldplay.

Most of you know that I've been working on my manuscript, getting it in tip-top shape before I charge ahead with more queries. Why? Because competition is stiff, and my manuscript needs to be absolutely perfect.

To that end, I met with Lisa Isgitt and Deborah Lawson for lunch last Friday. (Both AWA friends) Lisa, a former editor, has agreed to look at my manuscript. Deborah, an avid reader, is going to do the same. How lucky I am to have such awesome friends!

So, I left the lunch feeling great. When I got home I checked my email and guess what! I had an email from an agent asking for my first three chapters!!! Yahooo!!! I'm so excited because that means she liked my query enough to want to see my work. That's a huge accomplishment!!

I reviewed the three chapters again and again and again before sending. Even had Deborah give me her feedback before sending. I made some minor changes and sent it along. Wow...

So now I wait for her response. I pray she likes my work enough to want to see more. And if she does, I will FREAK OUT and do the happy dance.

Whether or not things will pan out with this agent is yet to be seen. But it is, nonetheless, a victory for me!

More Edits...

2009-07-22T10:44:00.004-05:00

RIGHT NOW: Jake and Olivia are at SMAC (Summer Music Activities Camp). The house is quiet!

I put out an SOS on my Facebook page and Twitter account looking for someone well versed in the Chicago Manual of Style. (fyi, the CMA is every editor's Bible). Luckily, I found someone who could help, someone I know through the AWA, Lisa Isgitt. THANKS, LISA!!!

See, this whole online networking thing really works!!

Anyhow, I'm meeting with her on Friday and so today I'm working on getting my manuscript in tip top shape for her. Wish me luck!!

My Character Tristan Garcia

2009-07-15T09:51:00.006-05:00

RIGHT NOW: Finishing coffee, listening to A Bad Dream by Keane. Jake is at golf camp. Olivia comes home from away camp today. Hooray!

SUBMISSION TALLY: Submissions on hold, pending more editing.

I love all the characters in my book, one in particular: Tristan Garcia. (Described as looking like Zac Efron) I didn't intend for him to be such a pivotal character, but as I wrote, he just took a life of his own.

Initially, he was a minor high school love interest of my main character, Dominique Wells. But when I went more into his personality, he just evolved, springing off the page almost, dictating his role and impact on the other characters.

Tristan is the humble and poor kid who takes nothing for granted; a good Catholic boy who works hard for everything he has. He cares deeply for Dominique, but can never "be" with her, for reasons that you'll see one day when my book is published. They are forced to break-up, but neither one can really get over the other.

At first I thought of limiting Tristan to just the first book of the trilogy, but I've decided I just can't do that to him. So, he'll be back. But in a way no one will ever expect.

Show, Don't Tell

2009-07-10T09:55:00.005-05:00

RIGHT NOW: Finishing coffee, getting ready to write. Kids are at sports skills camp. Listening to 95.7 until I put on my mood music: Cocteau Twins- Four Calendar Cafe. Glad it's Friday!

When I finished my book, my word count was just under 100K. Yep, 100K! When I started writing, I worried I wouldn't have enough to say, but instead my story just took off. My plot thickened, my characters evolved, secrets were revealed.

What a great feeling!

Happy to be finished, I handed my manuscript over to my sister-in-law for editing. She used to be an editor and is familiar with the Chicago Manual of Style. She made some cuts, did some red-lining, and impressed on me the importance of showing, not telling.

Well, hadn't I done that??

Taking her advice, I went back to my manuscript and found that I had a lot of fixin' to do. So I cut, condensed and sharpened my writing. But I still felt like my manuscript just wasn't "there."

Then my cousin Jan Burke sent me her suggestions and you guessed it...one of the things she said was, "you might want to go for more show than tell."

Hmmm... I said to myself.

I take constructive criticism well and so I took her advice and picked up my manuscript (after not touching it for over a month) and alas, I saw...really saw what they both meant!!!

I get it now! Really get it!! So I've been editing, and I'm loving it. My word count is about 93K now, and I'm still not done with editing. But one thing's for sure, I'm enjoying being with my characters again and helping them to be better than they were.

I'm an Official Tweeter

2009-07-07T10:28:00.007-05:00

RIGHT NOW: Listening to MJ Memorial on CNN, kids are at sports skills camp, waiting for brother-in-law to call when the baby is born! They're in labor right now!

I've been resisting the whole tweeting thing, but went ahead and decided to do it...and I'm hooked!! (you can follow me @roseonprose.) I guess you could say I'm an official social media geek. I'm following 24 people and I have 12 followers. Not bad for just a few days, I think.... All I need to do now is hook up on Skype and I'm all set. Not sure for what, but I'm ready!

As for the MJ case, all is going well. I'm sure there will be a flurry of activity after the Memorial Service, but right now Media Masters is on auto-pilot.

As for the book, well, that's another story. I got some very valuable and much needed critique from my cousin-in-law Jan Burke. She's a rockin' author and an all-around cool person and I am sooo grateful that she read some of my book. THANKS, JAN!! She gave me some tips on writing and now I need to do some more editing before I charge forward with my queries again. I think I might even hire a professional editor, but not sure yet. I'll see how it goes with my own editing.

As for Book 2, I've been neglecting it but need to get back on it because I had a surge of story ideas over the weekend in Corpus. I think it was sitting at the beach at night and staring at the stars that did it to me. There's just something about sitting on the cool sand, staring into the vast ocean that does something to me. My creative juices are definitely flowing. I just need to sit and do it, which is what I'm going to do right now....

Been Busy with My Day Job

2009-07-01T11:51:00.002-05:00

Most of you know that I'm a partner in Media Masters. We manage high profile cases for lawyers and law firms. Well...we are working with the law firm of Stradley, Chernoff & Alford LLP, the Houston firm representing the personal doctor of Michael Jackson. To say we've been busy would be an understatement.

So, for the most part, my writing and my search for an agent is on hold. Which, as it turns out, is a good thing because my manuscript needs some more tweaking. I'm even thinking of hiring an editor to read through my book and help me with my grammar. I'll let you know what I decide.

Until then!

Networking is Key!

2009-06-25T16:05:00.007-05:00

Right Now: Jake is swimming at Joe's and Olivia is trying to teach Spotty Dotty dog tricks. HGTV is on in the background.

It's not just what you know...but who you know. And I know no one in the publishing/literary agent industry.... So I've decided to change that!

Today I joined the society of children's book writers and illustrators (scbwi). This is a national group of published authors and illustrators and those who want to get published--like me! I plan on attending the local meetings starting next month. In the meantime, I plan on perusing their online communities.

I'll let you know how it goes!

A Very Cool Blog

2009-06-23T15:20:00.003-05:00

RIGHT NOW: My kids are swimming at Joe's and I'm listening to Topaz by the B52s.

So today I was doing some research on agents and came across this blog and almost fell out of my chair. http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/.

This blog has great tips and advice for the writer (like me) in search of an agent. My favorite feature is the column called "How I Got My Agent." In fact, I even queried one of the agents mentioned in this column and plan on querying another later on. I'll let you know how it goes!

Divisionals Yesterday

2009-06-21T10:48:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was a very long day of divisionals for swim team. We got to the pool at 7am and stayed until 5 pm. Wheww... a long and hot day.

Olivia and Jake swam great, and now we've got one more week of training for Red White and Blue for Olivia. After that, swimming will be over and we can enjoy the rest of the summer. And I can continue writing and querying agents.

How Did This All Start?

2009-06-16T14:36:00.004-05:00

I've always been the kind of person that's done so much for others that I totally forget myself-- always. Well, a funny thing happened on the way to forty...I decided to do something that I wanted to do. Something for me. And what was that? Writing...

When I mentioned my plans to my neighbor down the street she was totally shocked. She had no idea that I even remotely wanted to write. It wasn't that she didn't know me well enough, or that she wasn't a good friend, it was that I had forgotten my dream. How could anyone even know about my dream if it wasn't even a dream anymore?

I still remember my sweet husband buying me a handheld recorder for my birthday way back when. He knew I wanted to write and he gave me the recorder to help me get started. Now, fifteen years later, I have no idea where that recorder is. But I know where my dream is... and it's alive and well!

So, around Octoberish of 2008, I sat in front of the computer and thought and thought about all the stuff that I wanted to write about. My first idea was to write about my family, and maybe one day I will, but when my fingers hit the keyboard something totally different came out of me. Weird I know. And now, some 10 months and ninety-seven thousand words later, I'm done with Final Life, the first book in my Descendant Trilogy.

I love my characters. I love the story. I just need to find that one agent who agrees with me! Where are you? I know I'll find the right person. So for now I'm continuing to query agents and I've started my second book. Wish me luck!

Welcome to My Blog!

2009-06-15T15:23:00.000-05:00

I've been wanting to do this for a long time and finally it's done--my literary blog! Most of you know that I've been spending lots of time writing my book and now finding an agent, but several of you have no idea why I've chosen this path. Well, this blog will detail my journey, beginning with why decision to start writing and continuing through the process of finding an agent.

So please stay tuned, okay? Thanks!