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!
Monday, November 23, 2009
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!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Importance of Critique
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!!
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!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
And now...the rewrites!
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.
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.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Death by Synopsis
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!
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!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
On Writing...and Stephen King
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.
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.
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