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!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
A Look Back on 2009
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!
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!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Writing for Contests
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!
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!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
I LOVE BOOK FAIRS!
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!!
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!!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Another YA Contest
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!
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!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
St. Martin's Press Contest
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!
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!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Thank You Rick Riordan and R.L. Stine
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!
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!
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