No email day! I think I've professed my great love of email before. But dude. I am exhausted. Every time I think I'm caught up, I get like 25 more.
So today, now, as of this moment, I'm declaring a complete and total email freezeout for the next 24 hours. I just can't take anymore!
I might really hate this decision tomorrow when I get on to check my email, but for now, I'm at the edge of the cliff. And I'm jumping. So, don't email me, and if you do, don't expect an answer until tomorrow.
What's overwhelming you right now? What normally doesn't bother you that has become a thorn in your side? I'm lookin' at you, Gmail.
Find Me Online
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
From Query Letter to Cover Copy
Okay, so I teach some classes on writing query letters. It's kind of fun, because I have a powerpoint presentation, but I don't have a script. Which means the class is different every time I teach it, because you never know what's going to come out of my mouth. #beafraid
So I was teaching a couple of weeks ago, and I said something that I totally believe is true. I teach that the query letter has four parts, and that the author should be able to draw a box around each part, thus evaluating every word in their letter.
Then I said something like, "Every word needs to be boxed up." meaning that every single word in the query letter counts. Every single one has to either A) drive the reader through the letter or B) reveal character and/or plot.
Then I showed my cover.
At the top it says, "Control or be controlled."
Then I showed my query letter.
In a world where Thinkers brainwash the population and Rules are not meant to be broken, fifteen-year-old Violet Schoenfeld does a hell of a job shattering them to pieces.
After committing her eighth crime (walking in the park after dark with a boy, gasp!), Vi is taken to the Green, a group of Thinkers who control the Goodgrounds. She’s found unrehabilitatable (yeah, she doesn’t think it’s a word either) and exiled to the Badlands—until she demonstrates her brainwashing abilities. That earns her a one-way trip to appear before the Association of Directors.
Yeah, right. Like that’s gonna happen. She busts out of prison with sexy Bad boy Jag Barque, who also has no intention of fulfilling his lame sentence.
Dodging Greenies and hovercopters, dealing with absent-father issues, and coming to terms with feelings for an ex-boyfriend—and Jag as a possible new one—leave Vi little time for much else. Which is too damn bad, because she’s more important than she realizes. When secrets about her “dead” sister and not-so-missing father hit the fan, Vi must make a choice: control or be controlled.
How did it end? "Control or be controlled."
I wrote my cover copy.
In my query letter.
A very long time ago.
And that's why every single word in the query letter is crucial. You never know which ones are going to make it all the way through to the book.
So...how's your query letter writing going? What do you need help with in that regard? Trust me, no one understands query angst like I do. Remember, I sent a few. And by "a few," I mean "hundreds." Tomato, tomahto.
So I was teaching a couple of weeks ago, and I said something that I totally believe is true. I teach that the query letter has four parts, and that the author should be able to draw a box around each part, thus evaluating every word in their letter.
Then I said something like, "Every word needs to be boxed up." meaning that every single word in the query letter counts. Every single one has to either A) drive the reader through the letter or B) reveal character and/or plot.
Then I showed my cover.
At the top it says, "Control or be controlled."
Then I showed my query letter.
In a world where Thinkers brainwash the population and Rules are not meant to be broken, fifteen-year-old Violet Schoenfeld does a hell of a job shattering them to pieces.
After committing her eighth crime (walking in the park after dark with a boy, gasp!), Vi is taken to the Green, a group of Thinkers who control the Goodgrounds. She’s found unrehabilitatable (yeah, she doesn’t think it’s a word either) and exiled to the Badlands—until she demonstrates her brainwashing abilities. That earns her a one-way trip to appear before the Association of Directors.
Yeah, right. Like that’s gonna happen. She busts out of prison with sexy Bad boy Jag Barque, who also has no intention of fulfilling his lame sentence.
Dodging Greenies and hovercopters, dealing with absent-father issues, and coming to terms with feelings for an ex-boyfriend—and Jag as a possible new one—leave Vi little time for much else. Which is too damn bad, because she’s more important than she realizes. When secrets about her “dead” sister and not-so-missing father hit the fan, Vi must make a choice: control or be controlled.
How did it end? "Control or be controlled."
I wrote my cover copy.
In my query letter.
A very long time ago.
And that's why every single word in the query letter is crucial. You never know which ones are going to make it all the way through to the book.
So...how's your query letter writing going? What do you need help with in that regard? Trust me, no one understands query angst like I do. Remember, I sent a few. And by "a few," I mean "hundreds." Tomato, tomahto.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Why I Like Bacon Like Vampires Like Blood
It's more a need, a craving. I mean, it's bacon. Salted, cured meat. How can anyone pass it up??
So just like vampires have this extreme craving, this unquenchable thirst for blood, I feel this way about my salted, cured meats.
Especially bacon. The crispiness. The salty explosion on your tongue.
I love it. I cannot get enough of it. Just thinking about bacon makes my mouth water. I'm sure vampires go through this too. I've read enough stories to feel their hunger, see their delight at the thought of bacon, er, blood.
It's one of my favorite foods. What do you like they way vampires like blood? (Translation: What's your favorite food?)
So just like vampires have this extreme craving, this unquenchable thirst for blood, I feel this way about my salted, cured meats.
Especially bacon. The crispiness. The salty explosion on your tongue.
I love it. I cannot get enough of it. Just thinking about bacon makes my mouth water. I'm sure vampires go through this too. I've read enough stories to feel their hunger, see their delight at the thought of bacon, er, blood.
It's one of my favorite foods. What do you like they way vampires like blood? (Translation: What's your favorite food?)
Monday, September 27, 2010
Housekeeping
No, I totally don't mean the kind where you get your bathrooms cleaned. But that would be awesome!
Anyway, there's a few things I have to tie up, and I'm using today to do it.
1. WriteOnCon Live Panel!
It's tonight, on the WriteOnCon site, at 9 PM EST. Be there or be square. We've got two literary agents--Jessica Sinsheimer and Roseanne Wells--and two editors--Jocelyn Davies (Penguin) and Kari Sutherland (HarperCollins).
You so don't want to miss this. (And the winners to all the WOC giveaways will be up on Tuesday!)
2. The Great Blogging Experiment. I can't even think of the words to describe this awesomeness. If you missed it, you can click here to see my post and then all the other people who signed up. If you forgot, post yours and send me a link.
I think I got to all the posts, but there were several of you who snuck in after I'd read. And some of you who didn't have your posts up when I went to your blogs. If I missed yours, send me an email with the link.
It was fabulous. I think I might get to keep my kidney.
3. Winners. I had a contest on my blog for signed copies of LOSING FAITH by Denise Jaden and BREAK by Hannah Moskowitz. I used random.org to determine the winners.
LOSING FAITH: Joseph D Miller
BREAK: PK Hzero
Please email me (elanajohnson (at) gmail (dot) com) with your mailing address, so I can get these books out to you.
Whew. I think that's it. What else did I miss? What loose ends do you need to tie up?
Anyway, there's a few things I have to tie up, and I'm using today to do it.
1. WriteOnCon Live Panel!
It's tonight, on the WriteOnCon site, at 9 PM EST. Be there or be square. We've got two literary agents--Jessica Sinsheimer and Roseanne Wells--and two editors--Jocelyn Davies (Penguin) and Kari Sutherland (HarperCollins).
You so don't want to miss this. (And the winners to all the WOC giveaways will be up on Tuesday!)
2. The Great Blogging Experiment. I can't even think of the words to describe this awesomeness. If you missed it, you can click here to see my post and then all the other people who signed up. If you forgot, post yours and send me a link.
I think I got to all the posts, but there were several of you who snuck in after I'd read. And some of you who didn't have your posts up when I went to your blogs. If I missed yours, send me an email with the link.
It was fabulous. I think I might get to keep my kidney.
3. Winners. I had a contest on my blog for signed copies of LOSING FAITH by Denise Jaden and BREAK by Hannah Moskowitz. I used random.org to determine the winners.
LOSING FAITH: Joseph D Miller
BREAK: PK Hzero
Please email me (elanajohnson (at) gmail (dot) com) with your mailing address, so I can get these books out to you.
Whew. I think that's it. What else did I miss? What loose ends do you need to tie up?
Friday, September 24, 2010
How to Write Compelling Characters
Dude! It's Friday, September 24--which means The Great Blogging Experiment is underway. Today, over 150 people (holy. chocolate. cows. I will try to get to every post) will be talking about Writing Compelling Characters.
It's an experiment, because I believe wholeheartedly that every single post today will be unique. Because we're all unique. I hope I'm not wrong, but I suppose anything is possible. ;-)
So let's get to it. How to write compelling characters.
I only have one bit of advice: Exaggerate their humanness.
1. Humans have flaws.
2. Humans have secrets.
3. Humans have fears.
4. Humans have emotions.
5. Humans do stupid things and pay the price because of them.
6. Humans grow and change.
So to create a compelling character, they need to do/have these things too. Easy peasy, right? Uh...right.
I think that all characters in a novel should be made human. I'm sort of tired of the perfectly sculpted male in YA lit. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of cute boys (who isn't?), but if they're too beautiful, too fearless, too perfect, I just don't believe it. Even if my MC sees them that way, they can't actually be that way.
I think it's actually more interesting to allow your narrating character to have a glimpse of their boy/girlfriend's humanness. And love them anyway. That's real life.
That's human.
That's compelling.
What do you think? How do you make your characters more human? I actually make note of interesting things I see in the human life around me. That green hat. Those earrings. His personality trait. Her quirks.
And then I exaggerate them into (hopefully) endearing characteristics into (hopefully) compelling characters.
Want more opinions on this? Check out the (amazingly awesome) list below.
It's an experiment, because I believe wholeheartedly that every single post today will be unique. Because we're all unique. I hope I'm not wrong, but I suppose anything is possible. ;-)
So let's get to it. How to write compelling characters.
I only have one bit of advice: Exaggerate their humanness.
1. Humans have flaws.
2. Humans have secrets.
3. Humans have fears.
4. Humans have emotions.
5. Humans do stupid things and pay the price because of them.
6. Humans grow and change.
So to create a compelling character, they need to do/have these things too. Easy peasy, right? Uh...right.
I think that all characters in a novel should be made human. I'm sort of tired of the perfectly sculpted male in YA lit. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of cute boys (who isn't?), but if they're too beautiful, too fearless, too perfect, I just don't believe it. Even if my MC sees them that way, they can't actually be that way.
I think it's actually more interesting to allow your narrating character to have a glimpse of their boy/girlfriend's humanness. And love them anyway. That's real life.
That's human.
That's compelling.
What do you think? How do you make your characters more human? I actually make note of interesting things I see in the human life around me. That green hat. Those earrings. His personality trait. Her quirks.
And then I exaggerate them into (hopefully) endearing characteristics into (hopefully) compelling characters.
Want more opinions on this? Check out the (amazingly awesome) list below.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
LOSING FAITH by Denise Jaden
At the same time, I find myself flying through these contemp books. I just finished LOSING FAITH by Denise Jaden, and it was a real page-turner. I just had to know what the secrets were. Let's break it down a little more.
Writing: Another present tense first-person narrative, but yet again I really enjoyed the writing. It's fast-paced and unnoticeable. Which means it's good.
Characters: Brie is a fabulous narrator. I found her real and believable, if not a little on the innocent side. Which isn't a bad thing. I just knew something in the book WAY earlier than Brie did, and I sort of wish she could've figured it out. Or at least wonder about it. But you know what? It totally worked in the story, and
Plot/Pacing: There is the whole mysterious death thing that keeps you turning the pages. I read this book over a two-day period and never once wished I'd been given another clue at a crucial point. Denise does a great job of giving you what you need exactly when you need it.
Cover: Okay, I'm partial, since this is a Simon Pulse title, but it's gorgeous. I love how the butterflies come out of the flowers. And I may or may not have a thing for butterflies...
Extra: I'm giving away a signed copy of LOSING FAITH! Click here for details -- contest ends September 26. It's an amazing debut, so make sure you get your copy today!
Check out what the other Bookanistas are up to this week:
Christine Fonseca - is showering praise for her BOOKANISTA buds and their covers
Beth Revis recommends INCARCERON
Carolina Valdez Miller dives into DARK WATER
Lisa and Laura Roecker are gushing over some fab covers
Kirsten Hubbard praises PARANORMALCY
What have you read recently that you loved?
And you haven't forgotten about the Writing Compelling Characters Blogging Experiment have you? It's happening tomorrow, and I have a link here. The details are at the bottom of the post.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
My Name is Elana
Okay, so there's some confusion about my name. I wholeheartedly blame my parents. I mean, seriously, Mom and Dad? So anyway, since it's my name and I'm using it and all that, I'm here to clear up the confusion.
Number 1: I only have one E in my name, and it's at the beginning. The other two vowels are both A's. elAna.
*insert song "My name is Jonas"* It's all I'm thinking as I write this post. "My name is Elana..."
Number 2: You say it "Uh-lay-nuh." Well, that's how I say it. If you're my dad, you say "Ee-lay-nuh." Sometimes my husband says it like this too, and sometimes I do, if I'm in a more formal situation. Go figure. But it is not Ee-lawn-uh.
So yeah. I pretty much answer to anything. And if you forget, just put an I in it. Ela(i)na, and go with that.
Okay, phew. That's off my chest.
Do you guys have a name no one can spell right or pronounce? Does your main character? Because I think that's pretty uh, not good. I don't want to guess at how to pronounce your MC's name. So yeah. Things to consider. And now when we meet in person, you won't have to avoid using my name. (Not that that's ever happened...)
Number 1: I only have one E in my name, and it's at the beginning. The other two vowels are both A's. elAna.
*insert song "My name is Jonas"* It's all I'm thinking as I write this post. "My name is Elana..."
Number 2: You say it "Uh-lay-nuh." Well, that's how I say it. If you're my dad, you say "Ee-lay-nuh." Sometimes my husband says it like this too, and sometimes I do, if I'm in a more formal situation. Go figure. But it is not Ee-lawn-uh.
So yeah. I pretty much answer to anything. And if you forget, just put an I in it. Ela(i)na, and go with that.
Okay, phew. That's off my chest.
Do you guys have a name no one can spell right or pronounce? Does your main character? Because I think that's pretty uh, not good. I don't want to guess at how to pronounce your MC's name. So yeah. Things to consider. And now when we meet in person, you won't have to avoid using my name. (Not that that's ever happened...)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
[Insert Lame Title Here]
Yeah, I can't even title this post. Moving on.
Okay, so I attended the League of Utah Writers Annual Roundup over the weekend. It was pretty dang exciting, if I do say so myself (and not just because I was presenting). My brain is fried, and therefore I'm sure most of my posts this week will be subpar. You've been warned. Like today, I give you a random mishmash on conferences, writing, and life in general. #getexcited
1. James Dashner (best-selling author of The Maze Runner) is pretty awesome to hang out with. Even if he does hog all the horseradish. ;-)
2. I like to chew gum. A lot. I usually chew gum for about 6 hours every day. No lie. Guuummmm.
3. Meeting other authors is awesome. Driving 100 feet to a convenience store is even awesomer. Yeah, walking is totally overrated. And sodas are needed for sanity.
4. I've used awesome four times in this post already. Is that a problem?
5. I randomly pull up my cover just to look at it, even though I know what it looks like. In my defense, this is a step down from just having it open permanently.
6. This "break" I'm taking from writing? It's not a good fit for me. I'm going insane. Remember yesterday's post and why I write? Well, yeah. I'm on edge, almost to the snapping point, so clearly this separation isn't working for me.
7. I wish this school year were over. And in case you didn't know, it's September. And we get out in June. Le sigh.
8. I hate getting my picture taken. More than slow drivers. More than going to Wal-mart, more than just about anything. In fact, I'd rather trudge uphill through snow--both ways--to school than get my picture taken. Again.
9. Finally, some good TV is going to be on this week!! Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, Glee. Man, I love TV.
What's weighing on your mind today? Got some opinions you gotta unload? Lay 'em on me. And what would you have titled this post??
Okay, so I attended the League of Utah Writers Annual Roundup over the weekend. It was pretty dang exciting, if I do say so myself (and not just because I was presenting). My brain is fried, and therefore I'm sure most of my posts this week will be subpar. You've been warned. Like today, I give you a random mishmash on conferences, writing, and life in general. #getexcited
1. James Dashner (best-selling author of The Maze Runner) is pretty awesome to hang out with. Even if he does hog all the horseradish. ;-)
2. I like to chew gum. A lot. I usually chew gum for about 6 hours every day. No lie. Guuummmm.
3. Meeting other authors is awesome. Driving 100 feet to a convenience store is even awesomer. Yeah, walking is totally overrated. And sodas are needed for sanity.
4. I've used awesome four times in this post already. Is that a problem?
5. I randomly pull up my cover just to look at it, even though I know what it looks like. In my defense, this is a step down from just having it open permanently.
6. This "break" I'm taking from writing? It's not a good fit for me. I'm going insane. Remember yesterday's post and why I write? Well, yeah. I'm on edge, almost to the snapping point, so clearly this separation isn't working for me.
7. I wish this school year were over. And in case you didn't know, it's September. And we get out in June. Le sigh.
8. I hate getting my picture taken. More than slow drivers. More than going to Wal-mart, more than just about anything. In fact, I'd rather trudge uphill through snow--both ways--to school than get my picture taken. Again.
9. Finally, some good TV is going to be on this week!! Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, Glee. Man, I love TV.
What's weighing on your mind today? Got some opinions you gotta unload? Lay 'em on me. And what would you have titled this post??
Monday, September 20, 2010
Why I Write Young Adult
Okay, so this is a new series I'm starting. No trifecta. #dangitall
Just me. I'm calling it my "Why I" series, and it'll range from writing topics to food to Why I Dye My Hair. Okay, that one is lame, but you get the gist.
Today: Why I Write Young Adult
So I started writing just after Thanksgiving in the year 2007. I never wanted to be a writer (I know, that's like a cardinal sin or something). I hated English. I took the AP test as a junior in high school for the sole purpose of being able to skip English as a senior.
I did not take English in college. I majored in Chemistry Education before switching to Elementary Ed, with a math minor.
That's like, as far from English as you can get.
So I'm teaching school. Raising my family.
Then something devastating happened to me. I won't bore you with the details. But I will say that I vanished. Became ghostly. I disappeared inside my pain. My days were gray. My husband would ask me how my day was, and I couldn't answer.
Because it was just another day and I'd made it through.
I'm sure we've all had times like this in our lives. And if you haven't, color yourself lucky.
So, I'd been living-but-not-living for about three months when Thanksgiving came around. Two weeks later, I'd be turning 30.
So I sat down to write a personal history of the first three decades of my life. And it was theraputic. I could get the yuck out in words.
When the personal history was done, I immediately started writing a novel. It was not something I knew how to do. I'd never looked at books as more than an escape.
And as I was writing my first (very terrible) novel, I realized that all the angst, depression, etc. inside could live on the page. And if it was living on the page, then it wasn't living inside me.
What better character to carry that angst, confusion, anger, hopelessness, mingled with some rays of light (I'm not all thunderheads and frowny faces), than a teenage girl? I mean, seriously.
So that's why I write YA (almost always girls). It's the perfect place for me to unload my emotional baggage. Betcha didn't think I was going to go there, did ya?
Well.
Why do you write in the genre you've chosen?
Just me. I'm calling it my "Why I" series, and it'll range from writing topics to food to Why I Dye My Hair. Okay, that one is lame, but you get the gist.
Today: Why I Write Young Adult
So I started writing just after Thanksgiving in the year 2007. I never wanted to be a writer (I know, that's like a cardinal sin or something). I hated English. I took the AP test as a junior in high school for the sole purpose of being able to skip English as a senior.
I did not take English in college. I majored in Chemistry Education before switching to Elementary Ed, with a math minor.
That's like, as far from English as you can get.
So I'm teaching school. Raising my family.
Then something devastating happened to me. I won't bore you with the details. But I will say that I vanished. Became ghostly. I disappeared inside my pain. My days were gray. My husband would ask me how my day was, and I couldn't answer.
Because it was just another day and I'd made it through.
I'm sure we've all had times like this in our lives. And if you haven't, color yourself lucky.
So, I'd been living-but-not-living for about three months when Thanksgiving came around. Two weeks later, I'd be turning 30.
So I sat down to write a personal history of the first three decades of my life. And it was theraputic. I could get the yuck out in words.
When the personal history was done, I immediately started writing a novel. It was not something I knew how to do. I'd never looked at books as more than an escape.
And as I was writing my first (very terrible) novel, I realized that all the angst, depression, etc. inside could live on the page. And if it was living on the page, then it wasn't living inside me.
What better character to carry that angst, confusion, anger, hopelessness, mingled with some rays of light (I'm not all thunderheads and frowny faces), than a teenage girl? I mean, seriously.
So that's why I write YA (almost always girls). It's the perfect place for me to unload my emotional baggage. Betcha didn't think I was going to go there, did ya?
Well.
Why do you write in the genre you've chosen?
Friday, September 17, 2010
*mumble* *wheeze* *gasp* COVER *cough* *choke* *dies*
Dude, you guys! The cover. MY cover!
I present *clears throat nervously* POSSESSION:
In the words of Stevie Wonder, isn't she lovely? Okay, I'm off to die now. Or maybe just smile a little more.
Have a fabulous weekend!
I present *clears throat nervously* POSSESSION:
In the words of Stevie Wonder, isn't she lovely? Okay, I'm off to die now. Or maybe just smile a little more.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
FIRELIGHT (twitter version) by Sophie Jordan
Today, I've got Firelight by Sophie Jordan, and I'm bringing you my review, twitter style. So strap in for 140 characters or less of pure awesome!
Wow-who doesn't want to just stroke this cover? The girl with scales, the elongated pupil. Stunning. And the font on FIRELIGHT? #coverlove (with 2 characters to spare!)
About Firelight-Finally something new. I mean, dragons! Not vamps. Not weres. *insert Shrek voice* DRAG-ons. And a hot boy. Need I say more? (Exactly 140 characters. And that was holy hard.)
Characters you care about: yes. Jacinda was a fabu narrator. And the boy! Holy fire-breathing dragon my friends. The boy. Read it. Love him. (Exactly 140 characters. I think I deserve a prize.)
So yeah. If you like YA and you're looking for something special and fresh, get Firelight. It's a masterpiece of character and storytelling. (Exactly 140 characters. That's it, I'm buying myself something bacon.)
Question: What book have you read lately that made you breathless? What did it? The characterization or the actual writing? (17 extra characters. Me = twitter review champion!)
Check out what else is going on around the Bookanista-sphere today:
Christine Fonseca is celebrating THE DUFF
Shannon Messenger is loving THE MOCKINGBIRDS
Carolina Valdez Miller is gushing about THE UNIDENTIFIED
Lisa and Laura Roecker are praising NIGHTSHADE CITY
Scott Tracey is ravenous about HUNGER
(-218 characters. Deal with it.)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
What I Learned from Chopped
Dude, you guys, if you haven't seen the Food Network show Chopped, you're really missing out. In a nutshell, there are four chefs and they get a mystery basket of ingredients. They then have a certain amount of time to create a dish. If theirs isn't good enough, chop! They're gone. If they make it to the end, they win ten grand.
So I love watching this show, because it marries two of my favorite things: reality TV and food. And who knew I'd learn a lesson while watching? But I did. I think it applies to life, but it most definitely fits writing/publishing as well.
So I'm watching, and there's this one chef who is supposed to be fabu, and he works for a world-renowned chef. He got pretty slammed by the judges during one round, and afterward, in the back room all the other chefs were chatting while they waited for the judges to decide who was getting chopped that round.
Fabu chef: "I've had people screaming in my face. That [critique] was nothing."
Other chef: "How do you deal with that?"
Fabu chef: "What do you mean how do you deal with that? You put your head down and work harder."
I jerked my attention back to the TV (I usually fast-forward through these parts, but I was all caught up with live TV) and rewound the clip to listen again.
"You put your head down and work harder."
That's what you do with your writing too. Every critique. Every time you get notes from someone. To get better, you put your head down and work harder.
Oh, and the Fabu Chef got chopped. It just goes to show that everyone has bad days, dark times. Doesn't mean you quit. It means you work harder.
What have you been working hard at? Could you work harder?
One more thing: Nicole Zoltack was drawn to win the Personal Demons swag package from Lisa Desrochers! Congrats! Nicole, please email me so I can get some info from you, okay? Okay. (elanajohnson(at)gmail(dot)com)
Oh! And I have a giveaway up on the WriteOnCon site today!! *squee* Go check it out! I'm excited and terrified in the holy-cow-I-might-puke kind of way. So yeah.
So I'm watching, and there's this one chef who is supposed to be fabu, and he works for a world-renowned chef. He got pretty slammed by the judges during one round, and afterward, in the back room all the other chefs were chatting while they waited for the judges to decide who was getting chopped that round.
Fabu chef: "I've had people screaming in my face. That [critique] was nothing."
Other chef: "How do you deal with that?"
Fabu chef: "What do you mean how do you deal with that? You put your head down and work harder."
I jerked my attention back to the TV (I usually fast-forward through these parts, but I was all caught up with live TV) and rewound the clip to listen again.
"You put your head down and work harder."
That's what you do with your writing too. Every critique. Every time you get notes from someone. To get better, you put your head down and work harder.
Oh, and the Fabu Chef got chopped. It just goes to show that everyone has bad days, dark times. Doesn't mean you quit. It means you work harder.
What have you been working hard at? Could you work harder?
One more thing: Nicole Zoltack was drawn to win the Personal Demons swag package from Lisa Desrochers! Congrats! Nicole, please email me so I can get some info from you, okay? Okay. (elanajohnson(at)gmail(dot)com)
Oh! And I have a giveaway up on the WriteOnCon site today!! *squee* Go check it out! I'm excited and terrified in the holy-cow-I-might-puke kind of way. So yeah.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
WriteOnCon Amazing Amazingness
First, have you ever realized how hard it is to title a blog post? Mine are getting lamer and lamer.
But what we have going on today ISN'T lame (thankfully). Announcing...
A WriteOnCon Live Event AND an Epic Giveaway of Epic Epicness! (That's right!)
When: Monday, September 27. 7:00 PM EDT.
Where: WriteOnCon site.
What: A live chat with industry professionals!
Who: Literary agents Jessica Sinsheimer and Roseanne Wells
As if that weren't enough, we WOC organizers are having giveaways tolure you in get you excited about this event and to motivate you to spread the word! (Shannon, LiLa, Jamie, Casey, Jen)
And if that's still not enough, be sure to check out the WriteOnCon site today and tomorrow--every stinkin' HOUR--for some amazing prizes from some Elevensies authors, including yours truly! We're talking pre-orders, ARC's, and critiques. That action is happening over on the WOC site, so go go go!!
Right here, on this blog, I've got some amazing young adult titles, signed by their equally amazing authors.
LOSING FAITH by Denise Jaden.
BREAK by Hannah Moskowitz.
There are many, many ways to get extra entries for this contest.
Mandatory thing:
1. Fill out the form by Sunday, September 26 at midnight.
Optional things:
1. +1 for commenting on this post
2. +2 for tweeting about this contest
3. +2 for posting or linking this contest on your blog/website/facebook
4. +1 for each of my co-organizer’s blogs or websites that you follow (Shannon, LiLa, Casey, Jamie, Jen)
5. +10 for donating to the WriteOnCon website (over on the right side, down under the follow widget)
Now…listen. WriteOnCon is something we designed to be totally and completely free for everyone, so we hate taking money from anyone. But, unfortunately, the only way we can avoid another Error 403 disaster is to have way better web hosting, and sadly, that doesn’t come for free—no matter how much we bat our eyelashes.
So sadly we have to pay to keep WriteOnCon 2011 EPIC. But we want to make a few things clear:
-You DO NOT have to donate to enter (or win) any of these contests
-You DO NOT have to donate to participate in the live events
-You DO NOT have to donate to attend our next conference
-IF you decide to donate, we’re only recommending something small, like $5.00
So it’s completely up to you if you want to donate. If you can—THANK YOU, and we wanted to reward you with extra contest entries. If you can’t—no worries. Absolutely none!
Okay?
Okay.
The FORM IS HERE.
Stealing from Candyland...Elana out.
Oh, wait! What do you have in your life that is amazingly amazing? Or epically epic??
But what we have going on today ISN'T lame (thankfully). Announcing...
A WriteOnCon Live Event AND an Epic Giveaway of Epic Epicness! (That's right!)
When: Monday, September 27. 7:00 PM EDT.
Where: WriteOnCon site.
What: A live chat with industry professionals!
Who: Literary agents Jessica Sinsheimer and Roseanne Wells
As if that weren't enough, we WOC organizers are having giveaways to
And if that's still not enough, be sure to check out the WriteOnCon site today and tomorrow--every stinkin' HOUR--for some amazing prizes from some Elevensies authors, including yours truly! We're talking pre-orders, ARC's, and critiques. That action is happening over on the WOC site, so go go go!!
Right here, on this blog, I've got some amazing young adult titles, signed by their equally amazing authors.
There are many, many ways to get extra entries for this contest.
Mandatory thing:
1. Fill out the form by Sunday, September 26 at midnight.
Optional things:
1. +1 for commenting on this post
2. +2 for tweeting about this contest
3. +2 for posting or linking this contest on your blog/website/facebook
4. +1 for each of my co-organizer’s blogs or websites that you follow (Shannon, LiLa, Casey, Jamie, Jen)
5. +10 for donating to the WriteOnCon website (over on the right side, down under the follow widget)
Now…listen. WriteOnCon is something we designed to be totally and completely free for everyone, so we hate taking money from anyone. But, unfortunately, the only way we can avoid another Error 403 disaster is to have way better web hosting, and sadly, that doesn’t come for free—no matter how much we bat our eyelashes.
So sadly we have to pay to keep WriteOnCon 2011 EPIC. But we want to make a few things clear:
-You DO NOT have to donate to enter (or win) any of these contests
-You DO NOT have to donate to participate in the live events
-You DO NOT have to donate to attend our next conference
-IF you decide to donate, we’re only recommending something small, like $5.00
So it’s completely up to you if you want to donate. If you can—THANK YOU, and we wanted to reward you with extra contest entries. If you can’t—no worries. Absolutely none!
Okay?
Okay.
The FORM IS HERE.
Stealing from Candyland...Elana out.
Oh, wait! What do you have in your life that is amazingly amazing? Or epically epic??
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Book? Or the Author?
So I've been doing some thinking lately. I know that's always a scary thought. But whatever. You guys get to spend some time in the pink folds of my brain today.
And the great debate I want to bring up is this: Do we promote books? Or authors?
I've been wondering how much of a book's success is dependent on how good the book actually is, and how much author influence weighs. And I don't want anyone to bring up Suzanne Collins. I'm not talking about established authors. I'm talking debuts.
I'm sure we can all think of "big buzz" books. These are the ones we hear about on twitter, facebook, and blogs. These are the ones being talked about at book shows. It seems everyone is buying them, reading them, raving about them.
So is it a coincidence that these books also have authors that are accessible online? Likeable? Funny? Friendly?
Do we feel like we have to like the book because we like the author? How much does an author influence you in your decision to purchase a book? And after you read the book, how much does knowing the author/the author's personality influence your opinion of the book/the rating you give said book?
Are we promoting good books? Or nice/friendly/accessible authors? Can they be separated?
And...does it matter?
And dude! Go check out the WriteOnCon site today! Major announcement!
And the great debate I want to bring up is this: Do we promote books? Or authors?
I've been wondering how much of a book's success is dependent on how good the book actually is, and how much author influence weighs. And I don't want anyone to bring up Suzanne Collins. I'm not talking about established authors. I'm talking debuts.
I'm sure we can all think of "big buzz" books. These are the ones we hear about on twitter, facebook, and blogs. These are the ones being talked about at book shows. It seems everyone is buying them, reading them, raving about them.
So is it a coincidence that these books also have authors that are accessible online? Likeable? Funny? Friendly?
Do we feel like we have to like the book because we like the author? How much does an author influence you in your decision to purchase a book? And after you read the book, how much does knowing the author/the author's personality influence your opinion of the book/the rating you give said book?
Are we promoting good books? Or nice/friendly/accessible authors? Can they be separated?
And...does it matter?
And dude! Go check out the WriteOnCon site today! Major announcement!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
GCC: Bringing You Lucienne Diver
Okay, okay. So I know I don't normally post on Saturdays. But I recently joined a group of authors called the Girlfriend's Cyber Circuit, where we post interviews by amazing authors and rave about good books. And Lucienne's tour was in progress, so I jumped on board.
Sort of. I didn't have time to get any questions together, so today we're just going to rave about good books, but seriously, who ever gets sick of that? Um, no one!
First, welcome to Lucienne, who is a literary agent by day and a writer by night.
In ReVamped (Flux, September 1), Gina and her boyfriend Bobby are sent undercover to infiltrate a New York high school where some seriously weird stuff is going down. Worse than that, Gina’s new super-secret identity is as goth-girl Geneva Belfry. No color palette to speak of. More chains than a bike rack. And don't even get her started on the shoes. At least she won’t be too worried about blood spatter when kicking the butt of her newest nemesis, who’s decided that the high school makes a perfect playground.
Rave Reviews:
“This is a witty vampire romance/adventure with plenty of heart and action. Diver has written a supernatural sequel to Vamped (Flux, 2009/VOYA August 2009) that will attract even reluctant readers. It is filled with wry twists, such as the difficulties of trying to apply mascara when, as vampire, you don’t have any reflection in the mirror, as well as the typical agonies of being young and trying to fit in.” —VOYA
“Gina, the 17-year-old fashionista of the undead, is back and as sassy as ever (Vamped, 2009). Thoroughly enjoyable, this sequel is a light, fizzy read… listening in on Gina’s thoughts and quick-witted dialogue is what makes this such a treat.” —Kirkus Reviews
I can't wait to get my hands on this one! And be sure to check out Lucienne's blog, her website, and get your copy of ReVamped today!
And what do you think about those claws? Yikes!
Sort of. I didn't have time to get any questions together, so today we're just going to rave about good books, but seriously, who ever gets sick of that? Um, no one!
First, welcome to Lucienne, who is a literary agent by day and a writer by night.
Rave Reviews:
“This is a witty vampire romance/adventure with plenty of heart and action. Diver has written a supernatural sequel to Vamped (Flux, 2009/VOYA August 2009) that will attract even reluctant readers. It is filled with wry twists, such as the difficulties of trying to apply mascara when, as vampire, you don’t have any reflection in the mirror, as well as the typical agonies of being young and trying to fit in.” —VOYA
“Gina, the 17-year-old fashionista of the undead, is back and as sassy as ever (Vamped, 2009). Thoroughly enjoyable, this sequel is a light, fizzy read… listening in on Gina’s thoughts and quick-witted dialogue is what makes this such a treat.” —Kirkus Reviews
I can't wait to get my hands on this one! And be sure to check out Lucienne's blog, her website, and get your copy of ReVamped today!
And what do you think about those claws? Yikes!
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