Status of my Life: Oscillating back and forth on point of view - again! Argh! What is wrong with me?
So I've been watching a lot of really cool book trailers lately. Of course, that inspired me to make my own. I made it in iMovie, and I'm not really sure if I can figure out how to post it, but I'm going to try. Um, yeah. Here goes nuthin'.
I think it might have worked. I guess we'll see!
Reading: A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY by Libba Bray
Find Me Online
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
11 Minutes Until Writing Time
Status of my Life: I've spent the last week out of town, borrowing bandwidth from neighbors, and then in a lodge in Park City on a family reunion. It's a good thing everyone goes to bed early around here. I still get my late-night writing (ahem, Internet-surfing) time. I'm down to ten minutes until it's time to write. Yikes!
Okay, so I had fun with the blog chain. It was exciting to read what other people had to say about their writing methods. I was totally justified by downloading that last iTunes song because of Leah's post. Thank you! Distractions do work.
I'm glad I've still been getting my writing time. Yesterday I wrote 1300 words between 11 and midnight. And then I got up and made breakfast for 30 people and went on a hike that had sweat dripping down my back well after I returned. So not fun. Hiking and Elana don't usually go in the same sentence, just so you know. Neither do Heights and Elana, but there I was, riding the chair lift to the bottom of the mountain. *sigh*
I've been reading a manuscript for a guy in my crit group. (Here's lookin' at you, Jeff!) It's wonderful! Sometimes I wonder if my stories will ever be as good as some that I read. Published ones as well as unpublished ones. I'm hoping they will be, and that someone will think they are too. I guess I'll never know unless I keep trying.
Dang, only six minutes left. I still have a couple blogs to check, a link to find for this post, and I need a drink. So...later!
Reading: MAXIMUM RIDE: SCHOOL'S OUT--FOREVER by James Patterson
Okay, so I had fun with the blog chain. It was exciting to read what other people had to say about their writing methods. I was totally justified by downloading that last iTunes song because of Leah's post. Thank you! Distractions do work.
I'm glad I've still been getting my writing time. Yesterday I wrote 1300 words between 11 and midnight. And then I got up and made breakfast for 30 people and went on a hike that had sweat dripping down my back well after I returned. So not fun. Hiking and Elana don't usually go in the same sentence, just so you know. Neither do Heights and Elana, but there I was, riding the chair lift to the bottom of the mountain. *sigh*
I've been reading a manuscript for a guy in my crit group. (Here's lookin' at you, Jeff!) It's wonderful! Sometimes I wonder if my stories will ever be as good as some that I read. Published ones as well as unpublished ones. I'm hoping they will be, and that someone will think they are too. I guess I'll never know unless I keep trying.
Dang, only six minutes left. I still have a couple blogs to check, a link to find for this post, and I need a drink. So...later!
Reading: MAXIMUM RIDE: SCHOOL'S OUT--FOREVER by James Patterson
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
I'm a Chainer...A Blog Chainer
Since I love to blog, but sometimes I run out of things to talk about (I know, I know, most of you are not simply fascinated by my life! Shocking!), I signed up (at QT, no less) to be part of a blog chain. Check out the other bloggers in the chain. I put their links on my sidebar.
So I guess it's my turn. You can visit the first post in this chain here, and the second post here. The next post can be found here (well, whenever GG posts it, that is). The topic is Writing Methods. Here's my attempt to offer my own methods--but be warned, they are methods of madness. :)
First a brief bio of how I became a writer. I'm sure you'll all read this several times, memorizing every word. Ha, ha!
I've been an avid reader for much of my life. I never gave writing a second thought. It was just something I had to do to pass my English classes. I hated English. I mean, really, really hated it. I took the AP test as a junior in high school just so I wouldn't have to take English anymore. Seriously.
I started writing over Thanksgiving last year, 2007. I thought, "Hmm, maybe I should try this whole writing thing." A month later I had my first novel typed out. It stunk. Really, really bad. But I believed in myself, and decided that my newfound friends--the ones talking to me in my head--deserved to be heard (read) by others. So I joined an online critique group, and the rest is history.
Not that I've published my novel yet. But I'm on my way. Every journey begins with a single step. So now that I've gotten the boring backstory out of the way, here's my writing methods.
I write almost exclusively on the computer. Almost always from 9 or 10 PM until 1 or 2 AM. I have a goal to write 1000 words every single day of the week. Sometimes I write more--a lot more if the voices are talking. I rarely write less. If I don't feel like writing, or the characters aren't telling me the next part of the story, I free write. Every word counts.
Since I have kids, I have to drive them places, wait for them at lessons, etc. I started taking a 6-inch by 9-inch notebook in my purse. I'll write scenes out by hand while I wait. That's my "good" notebook. My "notes" notebook has notes, thoughts, lines of dialog, whatever I think of as I'm driving. Most of it is written sideways in illegible writing, little snippets of thought that I don't want to forget. I hardly ever read it again, but if I don't jot it down, it flies out of my brain and I can't get it back.
The writing is backward because that's how PhotoBooth works. Not that you could read it anyway. This is the beginning of one of my novels. You never know when inspiration is going to strike!
I don't outline. Like ever. I may write a few lines about something I think might come up in the novel later on at the end of the working draft. When I finally get to that part, I delete that paragraph. I have only started a novel at the beginning once, and it was a sequel, so I'm not sure if that counts. The novel I'm currently shredding in crit group, the first scene I wrote is now chapter 30.
Just to recap my Mindless Musings:
1. My goal is to write 1000 words every day.
2. I do most of my writing at night after my life has calmed down.
3. I carry notebooks with me everywhere I go in case inspiration strikes.
4. I don't outline, but I do make rough notes.
5. I believe in myself.
:) There's my post for the chain! Man, I thought I wouldn't have much to say, but I sure can ramble! Tag, Leah, you're it!
Reading: MAXIMUM RIDE, THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT by James Patterson
So I guess it's my turn. You can visit the first post in this chain here, and the second post here. The next post can be found here (well, whenever GG posts it, that is). The topic is Writing Methods. Here's my attempt to offer my own methods--but be warned, they are methods of madness. :)
First a brief bio of how I became a writer. I'm sure you'll all read this several times, memorizing every word. Ha, ha!
I've been an avid reader for much of my life. I never gave writing a second thought. It was just something I had to do to pass my English classes. I hated English. I mean, really, really hated it. I took the AP test as a junior in high school just so I wouldn't have to take English anymore. Seriously.
I started writing over Thanksgiving last year, 2007. I thought, "Hmm, maybe I should try this whole writing thing." A month later I had my first novel typed out. It stunk. Really, really bad. But I believed in myself, and decided that my newfound friends--the ones talking to me in my head--deserved to be heard (read) by others. So I joined an online critique group, and the rest is history.
Not that I've published my novel yet. But I'm on my way. Every journey begins with a single step. So now that I've gotten the boring backstory out of the way, here's my writing methods.
I write almost exclusively on the computer. Almost always from 9 or 10 PM until 1 or 2 AM. I have a goal to write 1000 words every single day of the week. Sometimes I write more--a lot more if the voices are talking. I rarely write less. If I don't feel like writing, or the characters aren't telling me the next part of the story, I free write. Every word counts.
Since I have kids, I have to drive them places, wait for them at lessons, etc. I started taking a 6-inch by 9-inch notebook in my purse. I'll write scenes out by hand while I wait. That's my "good" notebook. My "notes" notebook has notes, thoughts, lines of dialog, whatever I think of as I'm driving. Most of it is written sideways in illegible writing, little snippets of thought that I don't want to forget. I hardly ever read it again, but if I don't jot it down, it flies out of my brain and I can't get it back.
The writing is backward because that's how PhotoBooth works. Not that you could read it anyway. This is the beginning of one of my novels. You never know when inspiration is going to strike!
I don't outline. Like ever. I may write a few lines about something I think might come up in the novel later on at the end of the working draft. When I finally get to that part, I delete that paragraph. I have only started a novel at the beginning once, and it was a sequel, so I'm not sure if that counts. The novel I'm currently shredding in crit group, the first scene I wrote is now chapter 30.
Just to recap my Mindless Musings:
1. My goal is to write 1000 words every day.
2. I do most of my writing at night after my life has calmed down.
3. I carry notebooks with me everywhere I go in case inspiration strikes.
4. I don't outline, but I do make rough notes.
5. I believe in myself.
:) There's my post for the chain! Man, I thought I wouldn't have much to say, but I sure can ramble! Tag, Leah, you're it!
Reading: MAXIMUM RIDE, THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT by James Patterson
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Why I Read, Why I Write
I've been thinking about why I read and why I write. I really only read fiction - yes, I'm that shallow - and usually only speculative fiction. I'll read a little bit of straight young adult, but hardly any realistic fiction for adults, no mysteries, no romances, nada. The books I've been recommending to others, they don't like. So, I've been thinking about why I like them when others don't. Here's what I came up with.
1. I read because I want to escape my real life.
2. I want to fly to another world.
3. I want to have my first kiss again, and again, and again.
4. I want to find a note in my locker from a cute guy.
5. I want to explore mountain tops and see the ocean every day.
6. I want to have a cool super power that allows me to do cool things.
7. I want to fall in love for the first time--again.
8. I want to ride on a yacht and not be afraid.
9. I want to be brave, and strong, and defeat evil, even if I'm only five feet tall.
10. I want to experience heartache without any pain.
11. I want to cry when my mother dies.
12. I want to time travel to a new location.
13. I want to learn how to drive again.
14. I want to tell the mean girl in high school to shove it.
15. I want to travel the world.
I'm sure I could come up with a thousand reasons why I read, and why I write. I adore young adult and middle grade literature, from realistic fiction to urban fantasy and science fiction to high fantasy. I want to go through what kids 9-18 go through, over and over. And I've realized that some people don't. They don't like the books I do, and that's okay. That doesn't mean the books are bad, or that I'm bad, or that my book is bad. It just means they're writing political thrillers, or memoirs, or nonfiction, and they don't read or write for the same reasons I do.
Whew! I feel better already.
1. I read because I want to escape my real life.
2. I want to fly to another world.
3. I want to have my first kiss again, and again, and again.
4. I want to find a note in my locker from a cute guy.
5. I want to explore mountain tops and see the ocean every day.
6. I want to have a cool super power that allows me to do cool things.
7. I want to fall in love for the first time--again.
8. I want to ride on a yacht and not be afraid.
9. I want to be brave, and strong, and defeat evil, even if I'm only five feet tall.
10. I want to experience heartache without any pain.
11. I want to cry when my mother dies.
12. I want to time travel to a new location.
13. I want to learn how to drive again.
14. I want to tell the mean girl in high school to shove it.
15. I want to travel the world.
I'm sure I could come up with a thousand reasons why I read, and why I write. I adore young adult and middle grade literature, from realistic fiction to urban fantasy and science fiction to high fantasy. I want to go through what kids 9-18 go through, over and over. And I've realized that some people don't. They don't like the books I do, and that's okay. That doesn't mean the books are bad, or that I'm bad, or that my book is bad. It just means they're writing political thrillers, or memoirs, or nonfiction, and they don't read or write for the same reasons I do.
Whew! I feel better already.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Cool New Blog
Status of my Life: I've been writing like crazy. The sequel to Shadows is coming along great. I'm at 55 K now. It's amazing how much you can write when you don't do anything else... ha, ha!
I've stayed away from most of the blogs for almost 5 weeks now. I have to say, I feel freed up by this. I don't feel like I have to know every little thing that's going on in the publishing world. (Well, I've been checking The Buried Editor for a few days now. Stalking is more like it. :) ) I've been able to focus on just writing and critiquing. And I got sucked into another forum, but that would require an entire post of it's own, and sadly, we don't have time for that purging today.
*sigh*
But today, a friend of mine let me know about a first page contest on this blog, Miss Snark's First Victim. I was so impressed with it, it's going on my sidebar of cool blogs to visit. In honor of Miss Snark.
Reading: Critiques. Sadly, I haven't read a published book for about a week now.
I've stayed away from most of the blogs for almost 5 weeks now. I have to say, I feel freed up by this. I don't feel like I have to know every little thing that's going on in the publishing world. (Well, I've been checking The Buried Editor for a few days now. Stalking is more like it. :) ) I've been able to focus on just writing and critiquing. And I got sucked into another forum, but that would require an entire post of it's own, and sadly, we don't have time for that purging today.
*sigh*
But today, a friend of mine let me know about a first page contest on this blog, Miss Snark's First Victim. I was so impressed with it, it's going on my sidebar of cool blogs to visit. In honor of Miss Snark.
Reading: Critiques. Sadly, I haven't read a published book for about a week now.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Seeing Shadows? on WordPress
Status of my Life: Currently writing the sequel to SHADOWS. It's called REFLECTIONS. Not that I think the first one will sell, but I'm just in love with my characters and wanted their story to keep going. And you never know...
I've started another blog (yeah, like I need that!) exclusively for my novel Shadows. It's my first novel, and I wrote it in just under two months. It's been going through a critique group for about four months now and I have a goal to query for this novel in September. So I thought it would be fun to start a blog just for that book. I'm going to post little excerpts, blurbs, things I have to cut but that I love, pictures of my characters, and whatever else I feel like. I added the link in my sidebar under "Find Me Online" and here's the link. Seeing Shadows?
Don't worry, this will remain my main blog. I know some of you were really concerned there for a minute. Pshaw! This will remain my main mindless musings on the journey of becoming a novelist, so stay tuned!
Reading: THE OUTCASTS OF 19 SCHUYLER PLACE by E.L. Koningsburg (still)
I've started another blog (yeah, like I need that!) exclusively for my novel Shadows. It's my first novel, and I wrote it in just under two months. It's been going through a critique group for about four months now and I have a goal to query for this novel in September. So I thought it would be fun to start a blog just for that book. I'm going to post little excerpts, blurbs, things I have to cut but that I love, pictures of my characters, and whatever else I feel like. I added the link in my sidebar under "Find Me Online" and here's the link. Seeing Shadows?
Don't worry, this will remain my main blog. I know some of you were really concerned there for a minute. Pshaw! This will remain my main mindless musings on the journey of becoming a novelist, so stay tuned!
Reading: THE OUTCASTS OF 19 SCHUYLER PLACE by E.L. Koningsburg (still)
Monday, June 30, 2008
I Wish I Had A Cool Job
Status of my Life: Editing and revising and I started a sequel yesterday! Exciting!
One of my friends just dropped by. She said, "I'm going up to the cemetery for a photo shoot." Isn't that the coolest job description? I laughed and laughed. Just so you know, she's a graphic designer for a craft magazine and they're working on the October issue and need some "spooky" shots. She's on her way to the grocery store for some dry ice right now. I thought it was hilarious.
This may reveal some stuff about me, but other cool jobs I wish I had:
Pilot - who wouldn't want to fly around? Sounds awesome, besides my fear of heights of course.
Cameraman - like for the show Heroes. How cool would that be? I love Hiro and Isaac.
Conductor - of like a symphony, not a train. To have that power and the wave of a hand. Phenomenal.
Professional gardener - I love flowers, it's just the bees and sunburns I don't like...
Editor - I love reading new books and offering my advice/suggestions. I guess that's why I love my critique groups so much. :)
Reading: OUTCASTS OF 19 SCHULER PLACE by E.L. Koningsburg
One of my friends just dropped by. She said, "I'm going up to the cemetery for a photo shoot." Isn't that the coolest job description? I laughed and laughed. Just so you know, she's a graphic designer for a craft magazine and they're working on the October issue and need some "spooky" shots. She's on her way to the grocery store for some dry ice right now. I thought it was hilarious.
This may reveal some stuff about me, but other cool jobs I wish I had:
Pilot - who wouldn't want to fly around? Sounds awesome, besides my fear of heights of course.
Cameraman - like for the show Heroes. How cool would that be? I love Hiro and Isaac.
Conductor - of like a symphony, not a train. To have that power and the wave of a hand. Phenomenal.
Professional gardener - I love flowers, it's just the bees and sunburns I don't like...
Editor - I love reading new books and offering my advice/suggestions. I guess that's why I love my critique groups so much. :)
Reading: OUTCASTS OF 19 SCHULER PLACE by E.L. Koningsburg
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Nothing To Say...
Status of my Life: My voices have gone quiet. To other people, this means "writer's block." To me, this means that my characters are quiet right now, and need a little break. So I give it to them. I went swimming and ate lunch, and now I'm been critiquing in all my groups, because I'm so far behind.
I don't really have much to say. I've been writing a lot lately, and then the voices went quiet. I know they'll come back, screaming at me to write their stories. But, for now, not so much.
Sometimes I wonder if any of the stuff I write is even worthwhile. It is to me, and that should probably be enough. And it is. I'm still aiming to query in September, and have had some friends getting agents recently. I'm glad for them, and hope my day will come soon.
Well, that's about it. I'm wondering if I should start something new or go back to one of my "stalled" starts. I have about four of them, and I like them all, but just have nowhere to go. Maybe some of them will start talking to me again if I open them up.
Reading: THE SISTERS GRIMM by Michael Buckley
I don't really have much to say. I've been writing a lot lately, and then the voices went quiet. I know they'll come back, screaming at me to write their stories. But, for now, not so much.
Sometimes I wonder if any of the stuff I write is even worthwhile. It is to me, and that should probably be enough. And it is. I'm still aiming to query in September, and have had some friends getting agents recently. I'm glad for them, and hope my day will come soon.
Well, that's about it. I'm wondering if I should start something new or go back to one of my "stalled" starts. I have about four of them, and I like them all, but just have nowhere to go. Maybe some of them will start talking to me again if I open them up.
Reading: THE SISTERS GRIMM by Michael Buckley
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Good Things, Bad Things
Status of my Life: Writing the end of one of my WiP's. Oh, and I better get that steampunk polished and sent off to WOTF! Not much time left...
Bad Thing: I realized I forgot to blog the last day of the conference on Friday. Oh well, I must have been so overwhelmed with so many good things, that I couldn't think straight. I highly advise anyone to go to a writing conference. Just being around other authors is intoxicating.
Good Thing: I started in a new critique group on the Forward Motion Writer's Forum this week. Yeah, like I need another forum to frequent. I don't actually read through all the forum talk, because let's face it, I'm busy enough on QT and AQ Connect. I'd like to get over to Verla Kay eventually, but I haven't made it there yet.
Bad Thing: My voices are going dim again...
Good Thing: I was able to coax the voices back last time and have some good starts to stories that fizzled when the voices stopped. And I know how to get the voices back when they go quiet. Some call this writer's block. I have voices...that could be labeled under a "Bad Thing" too, I guess.
Bad Thing: I hear voices...
Good Thing: A friend of mine finally read SHADOWS--a novel I've been shredded on continually for the past four months. I know it has problems, as everyone keeps pointing out to me. She loved it. Said it was her favorite one. I was stunned. I think I had to lift my chin off the floor with a Bobcat. So maybe there's hope...
Bad Thing: Sleeping through the alarm and being late to tennis. I love tennis and every minute counts!
Good Thing: Live crit group tomorrow. I love meeting with those ladies and laughing. It's so fun!
Bad Thing: Staying up until 1 AM, getting up at 6 AM, rinse and repeat. I feel like a zombie.
Good Thing: Swimming pools in the summer.
Bad Thing: Kids who won't go to bed when you tell them to.
Good Thing: Writing. I love being a writer.
Reading: THE EDGE OF MEMORY by H.L. Dyer and THE HOST by Stephenie Meyer
Bad Thing: I realized I forgot to blog the last day of the conference on Friday. Oh well, I must have been so overwhelmed with so many good things, that I couldn't think straight. I highly advise anyone to go to a writing conference. Just being around other authors is intoxicating.
Good Thing: I started in a new critique group on the Forward Motion Writer's Forum this week. Yeah, like I need another forum to frequent. I don't actually read through all the forum talk, because let's face it, I'm busy enough on QT and AQ Connect. I'd like to get over to Verla Kay eventually, but I haven't made it there yet.
Bad Thing: My voices are going dim again...
Good Thing: I was able to coax the voices back last time and have some good starts to stories that fizzled when the voices stopped. And I know how to get the voices back when they go quiet. Some call this writer's block. I have voices...that could be labeled under a "Bad Thing" too, I guess.
Bad Thing: I hear voices...
Good Thing: A friend of mine finally read SHADOWS--a novel I've been shredded on continually for the past four months. I know it has problems, as everyone keeps pointing out to me. She loved it. Said it was her favorite one. I was stunned. I think I had to lift my chin off the floor with a Bobcat. So maybe there's hope...
Bad Thing: Sleeping through the alarm and being late to tennis. I love tennis and every minute counts!
Good Thing: Live crit group tomorrow. I love meeting with those ladies and laughing. It's so fun!
Bad Thing: Staying up until 1 AM, getting up at 6 AM, rinse and repeat. I feel like a zombie.
Good Thing: Swimming pools in the summer.
Bad Thing: Kids who won't go to bed when you tell them to.
Good Thing: Writing. I love being a writer.
Reading: THE EDGE OF MEMORY by H.L. Dyer and THE HOST by Stephenie Meyer
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Conferencing, Day Four
Status of my Life: Shredded. 'Nuff said.
Thursday at the conference. I just have to say that I love the MC's at this conference. They are so funny and really liven the mood and atmosphere. It's been such a blast.
Today, I got to "mingle" with Brandon Sanderson. I'm a big lover of science fiction and fantasy, and his advice is good for those of us who are speculative fiction writers. But, his advice overall is just good. Today he said not to fall into the 3/4 trap. Authors tend to get annoyed/bogged down/sick of their novel about 3/4 way through. So they throw in a new character or conflict. He very strongly advises against this. Yeah, I've probably done it, so I'm going to have to go check for that...
He also said something about traitors and villians today that really set me thinking. And now I think I'm going to have to do some major rewriting in SHADOWS. There is a traitor, but I don't do a good enough job of leading the reader to believe it's someone else and then hitting them with who it really is. So I've got to work on that. SHADOWS actually needs a lot of work before I query in September. But the goal still stands. I'm going to be giving it the attention it deserves. I've just gotten sidetracked by Freedom and Jess Harper. And another idea popped into my head on the way home from the conference today. I think I'm going to write it in a notebook instead of on the computer and see how it develops.
Okay, the conference. So many good things today! First off, the agent talked to us. He was wonderful and gave really sound advice.
Good: Writing advice from Brandon Sanderson. You should check out his writing podcast if you haven't yet.
Bad: 3/4 New Conflict/problem. Don't do it.
Good: Find out what works for you by trying different things. The best advice I got today.
Bad:
Good: Quote from agent, "I forgot to wear a belt." It was pretty funny. The MC's played "Secret Agent Man" and said agent came running down the steps with sunglasses on. We all stood and cheered as if we were on the Price is Right. The MC's had shades too, and they all danced around on the stage. We sang along. When the song was over, the agent said, "I forgot to wear a belt." :)
Bad:
Good: Agent said, "Not everything needs to be loud and smart-alecky." Thank you Secret Agent Man. I like snarky just like everyone else, but one of my main characters is not, and I've been wondering about him.
Bad:
Good: More good advice: Be bold, confident, and fearless writers. Love it!
Bad:
See? It was a great day! One more to go. Even though I'm pretty exhausted, I'll be sad when it's over.
Reading: Crits I'm behind on. Lots and lots of crits...
Thursday at the conference. I just have to say that I love the MC's at this conference. They are so funny and really liven the mood and atmosphere. It's been such a blast.
Today, I got to "mingle" with Brandon Sanderson. I'm a big lover of science fiction and fantasy, and his advice is good for those of us who are speculative fiction writers. But, his advice overall is just good. Today he said not to fall into the 3/4 trap. Authors tend to get annoyed/bogged down/sick of their novel about 3/4 way through. So they throw in a new character or conflict. He very strongly advises against this. Yeah, I've probably done it, so I'm going to have to go check for that...
He also said something about traitors and villians today that really set me thinking. And now I think I'm going to have to do some major rewriting in SHADOWS. There is a traitor, but I don't do a good enough job of leading the reader to believe it's someone else and then hitting them with who it really is. So I've got to work on that. SHADOWS actually needs a lot of work before I query in September. But the goal still stands. I'm going to be giving it the attention it deserves. I've just gotten sidetracked by Freedom and Jess Harper. And another idea popped into my head on the way home from the conference today. I think I'm going to write it in a notebook instead of on the computer and see how it develops.
Okay, the conference. So many good things today! First off, the agent talked to us. He was wonderful and gave really sound advice.
Good: Writing advice from Brandon Sanderson. You should check out his writing podcast if you haven't yet.
Bad: 3/4 New Conflict/problem. Don't do it.
Good: Find out what works for you by trying different things. The best advice I got today.
Bad:
Good: Quote from agent, "I forgot to wear a belt." It was pretty funny. The MC's played "Secret Agent Man" and said agent came running down the steps with sunglasses on. We all stood and cheered as if we were on the Price is Right. The MC's had shades too, and they all danced around on the stage. We sang along. When the song was over, the agent said, "I forgot to wear a belt." :)
Bad:
Good: Agent said, "Not everything needs to be loud and smart-alecky." Thank you Secret Agent Man. I like snarky just like everyone else, but one of my main characters is not, and I've been wondering about him.
Bad:
Good: More good advice: Be bold, confident, and fearless writers. Love it!
Bad:
See? It was a great day! One more to go. Even though I'm pretty exhausted, I'll be sad when it's over.
Reading: Crits I'm behind on. Lots and lots of crits...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Conferencing, Day Three
Status of my Life: Getting back good crits from a guy! Yay for the male perspective!
So today, the afternoon session of the conference was "registrant writing time." I drove down to BYU anyway. Number one, I went to the mingle where I sat 5 feet away from an editor at Greenwillow Press. I got to pick her brain, ask her questions, get a feel for what she wants. And since they don't take unsolicited submissions unless you've been to a conference where one of their editors attends, it was priceless. I think I'm going to submit, but probably not for a month or so. I think she'll be swamped after the conference.
Number two, time away from the hubby and two kids to write is double priceless. I sat on campus, put on the headphones and wrote, uninterrupted for a couple of hours. It was wonderful. And then I got a Big Mac, exchanged some clothes at JCPenney, registered my kids for swimming lessons, and went to the library. Surprisingly, they had about 8 of the books on my list. I checked them all out and will hopefully devour them over the next couple of weeks.
Tennis tomorrow, I better get to bed!
Reading: My crits. Thanks cujo!
So today, the afternoon session of the conference was "registrant writing time." I drove down to BYU anyway. Number one, I went to the mingle where I sat 5 feet away from an editor at Greenwillow Press. I got to pick her brain, ask her questions, get a feel for what she wants. And since they don't take unsolicited submissions unless you've been to a conference where one of their editors attends, it was priceless. I think I'm going to submit, but probably not for a month or so. I think she'll be swamped after the conference.
Number two, time away from the hubby and two kids to write is double priceless. I sat on campus, put on the headphones and wrote, uninterrupted for a couple of hours. It was wonderful. And then I got a Big Mac, exchanged some clothes at JCPenney, registered my kids for swimming lessons, and went to the library. Surprisingly, they had about 8 of the books on my list. I checked them all out and will hopefully devour them over the next couple of weeks.
Tennis tomorrow, I better get to bed!
Reading: My crits. Thanks cujo!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Writing Conference Notes
Status of my Life: Staying positive. Sending off my pages...
Another day of conferencing. It was really, really good.
Good: Cool speech from an editor about practicality vs. passion.
Bad: 11 new books I need to read. Add these to the 10 I wrote down yesterday. It's only day 2.
Good: Sitting 5 feet from a New York agent and listening to him talk. Amazing!
Bad: ADHD people raising their hands and asking a ten-minute question in which they reveal their ADHS-ness. (Snarky, I know!)
Good: Funny and delightful MC's. Seriously. Those ladies are funny!
Bad: More classes available than time. I missed the bit by bit, how to write an hour everyday and I really wanted to go to that one...but there was the editor chat, so that won out.
Good: Fun people, helpful presenters, good friends.
Reading: You think I have time to read?! I'm, uh, writing right now. Well, I'm blogging, but I should be writing.
Another day of conferencing. It was really, really good.
Good: Cool speech from an editor about practicality vs. passion.
Bad: 11 new books I need to read. Add these to the 10 I wrote down yesterday. It's only day 2.
Good: Sitting 5 feet from a New York agent and listening to him talk. Amazing!
Bad: ADHD people raising their hands and asking a ten-minute question in which they reveal their ADHS-ness. (Snarky, I know!)
Good: Funny and delightful MC's. Seriously. Those ladies are funny!
Bad: More classes available than time. I missed the bit by bit, how to write an hour everyday and I really wanted to go to that one...but there was the editor chat, so that won out.
Good: Fun people, helpful presenters, good friends.
Reading: You think I have time to read?! I'm, uh, writing right now. Well, I'm blogging, but I should be writing.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Writing Conference Goods and Bads
Status of my Life: Busy perfecting FREEBIES to send off. Probably tomorrow, then the real nail-biting begins. :)
I attended the first day of the Writers and Illustrators for Young Readers Workshop today. I met a friend I met at QT and we had a great afternoon. This is the third writing conference I've attended, and I'm going to compile a list of "goods" and "bads" about writing conferences.
Good: You feel inspired to be a better writer.
Bad: You have a list of no less than 10 new books to read - after the first day. The list grows with each session you attend.
Good: You get to talk to professional authors and editors.
Bad: Lunch is not provided. Dreyer's strawberry fruit bars are not available.
Good: You have time to reflect on what kind of writer you want to be.
Bad: The women's restroom always has a long line.
Good: No computer (at least for me) = no distractions from my thoughts and feelings on why I want to be an author.
Bad: You'll want to attend all the classes and have to choose which one you go to.
Good: You get to meet other aspiring authors, build a network of support, and really enjoy an afternoon with other fantastic writers!
Reading: LITTLE BROTHER by Cory Doctorow (2nd time!)
I attended the first day of the Writers and Illustrators for Young Readers Workshop today. I met a friend I met at QT and we had a great afternoon. This is the third writing conference I've attended, and I'm going to compile a list of "goods" and "bads" about writing conferences.
Good: You feel inspired to be a better writer.
Bad: You have a list of no less than 10 new books to read - after the first day. The list grows with each session you attend.
Good: You get to talk to professional authors and editors.
Bad: Lunch is not provided. Dreyer's strawberry fruit bars are not available.
Good: You have time to reflect on what kind of writer you want to be.
Bad: The women's restroom always has a long line.
Good: No computer (at least for me) = no distractions from my thoughts and feelings on why I want to be an author.
Bad: You'll want to attend all the classes and have to choose which one you go to.
Good: You get to meet other aspiring authors, build a network of support, and really enjoy an afternoon with other fantastic writers!
Reading: LITTLE BROTHER by Cory Doctorow (2nd time!)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Obsessed
Status of my Life: Trying to de-stress. Breathe in. Breathe out. I have some non-writing related activities scheduled for this weekend and I think that's really going to help me not be so obsessive over preparing my chapters to send to the editor. I wrote 1000 words today on my YA novel with no name. And I can't decide which WIP to use for a new critique group I just joined.
Hmm. I know I'm an obsessive person. I really try hard not to be, but that doesn't always work out. I'll keep you updated.
So today, I've been OBSESSIVELY checking my online crit group because I posted my synopsis there. One girl (love her!) shredded it for me and sent it back. She was right about everything. Writing the synopsis is so very hard. I'm glad I started early. I had a draft already done, about 7 paragraphs, one page. That's good, because the Buried Editor asked for a one-page synopsis. The problem now lies in making sure every word on that one page conveys something about me, the writing, the story, the plot, the characters, etc. I figured out that one page is about 550 words. For an entire 90 K novel. That's really, really hard.
And so I obsess. I read again. I post somewhere else, somebody else wonderful gives fantastic advice, and the cycle starts again. Read, change, post, ask someone...and before I know it, it's three-thirty, I'm not ready for my plans tonight, or tomorrow, and I really have to get off the computer.
And yet here I am blogging. I had a minute, really! O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D.
Reading: THE WARRIOR HEIR by Cinda Williams Chima
Hmm. I know I'm an obsessive person. I really try hard not to be, but that doesn't always work out. I'll keep you updated.
So today, I've been OBSESSIVELY checking my online crit group because I posted my synopsis there. One girl (love her!) shredded it for me and sent it back. She was right about everything. Writing the synopsis is so very hard. I'm glad I started early. I had a draft already done, about 7 paragraphs, one page. That's good, because the Buried Editor asked for a one-page synopsis. The problem now lies in making sure every word on that one page conveys something about me, the writing, the story, the plot, the characters, etc. I figured out that one page is about 550 words. For an entire 90 K novel. That's really, really hard.
And so I obsess. I read again. I post somewhere else, somebody else wonderful gives fantastic advice, and the cycle starts again. Read, change, post, ask someone...and before I know it, it's three-thirty, I'm not ready for my plans tonight, or tomorrow, and I really have to get off the computer.
And yet here I am blogging. I had a minute, really! O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D.
Reading: THE WARRIOR HEIR by Cinda Williams Chima
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Holy Nervous Energy
Status of my Life: Writing a new novel that has no name. It's about teenage pregnancy, we'll have to see where it goes. And now I'm a complete wreck and need about ten boxes of those strawberry fruit bars from Dreyer's...
Okay, so I haven't actually like, you know, queried. No nerves while I wait forever to be rejected. No checking the email 500 times an hour (I do that now!). But I entered this pitch contest that the Buried Editor had on her blog...
And she requested pages! I'm so nervous! Why, oh why am I so nervous?! I think someone would make a lot of money on drugs for this kind of thing. First, the habitual email checking. I need some pills for that. And now I need something to keep my heart from busting out of my chest as I copy and paste my pages into a new document to send to this woman. Pills, I need pills!
Reading: FREEBIES by Me. This is what I have to send to the editor. HOLY NERVOUS ENERGY. I need a chill pill. Bad.
Okay, so I haven't actually like, you know, queried. No nerves while I wait forever to be rejected. No checking the email 500 times an hour (I do that now!). But I entered this pitch contest that the Buried Editor had on her blog...
And she requested pages! I'm so nervous! Why, oh why am I so nervous?! I think someone would make a lot of money on drugs for this kind of thing. First, the habitual email checking. I need some pills for that. And now I need something to keep my heart from busting out of my chest as I copy and paste my pages into a new document to send to this woman. Pills, I need pills!
Reading: FREEBIES by Me. This is what I have to send to the editor. HOLY NERVOUS ENERGY. I need a chill pill. Bad.
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