I'd really prefer to stay home in my pajamas today and write...but... I need to shower, get dressed, and head to work (selling Berninas today!).
However, I am always writing. In my head.
Right now, I'm considering the advice of two agents. One said my m.c. was "too babyish" and the other said the "tone was too adult." Okay. Let's take one at a time.
Main character too babyish: This feels like a whack upside the head (in a good? way, maybe?) because I *thought* I utilized techniques to show Thia as a strong character who makes bad (naive) choices. So, as I approach another revision, my eyes will be wide open to places where she came across "too babyish" because that was never my intent. I kept a notebook next to me while writing, and I used it to employ concepts from Donald Maass' book "The Fire in Fiction." But now, as I flip through the character pages, I have pages detailing Seth (the brother), Josh (one antagonist), Janie (the best friend), and Mike (the main antagonist); actually, there are several pages devoted to Mike. Maybe I did let parts of Thia's character fall through the cracks. I'm going to go back through Maass' book and use his character building concepts solely on my m.c. during this revision.
So, while I'm at work today selling Bernina sewing machines, I'm going to be running through the ms in my head thinking of ways her character may have fallen short. I'm always writing!
I even dream about my characters and plot lines. ha.
How about you? Are you always writing? Where's the "strangest" place you've worked on your ms? What's the best character building tip you have to share?
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
to MFA or not to MFA ... that's today's question
I'm trying to decide if I should enroll in an MFA program (Master's of Fine Arts in Creative Writing). If time and money were not an issue, I would simply enroll. However, I've got three teenagers who not only eat up all my money, but also eat up all my time. Love them...and they are my main focus right now.
However, I told myself a year and a half ago that if I didn't have an agent by now...I would enroll in an MFA program.
What to do?
Interestingly enough...as I've been contemplating this decision, I've come across a lot of blogs and magazine articles that point toward: NO don't do it. Comments like, MFA programs only focus on literary achievement and not commercial publication; or MFA doesn't mean anything in a query letter to an agent; or MFA programs only focus on publishing short stories not how to get an agent; and so forth.
Opinions? Do you have an MFA? Are you going to pursue one? At a local university or online? Do you think it will help in the publishing process?
However, I told myself a year and a half ago that if I didn't have an agent by now...I would enroll in an MFA program.
What to do?
Interestingly enough...as I've been contemplating this decision, I've come across a lot of blogs and magazine articles that point toward: NO don't do it. Comments like, MFA programs only focus on literary achievement and not commercial publication; or MFA doesn't mean anything in a query letter to an agent; or MFA programs only focus on publishing short stories not how to get an agent; and so forth.
Opinions? Do you have an MFA? Are you going to pursue one? At a local university or online? Do you think it will help in the publishing process?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
What to post?
WOW! The last several days have been a whirlwind! So, what should I post about today?
Should I tell you about the speaker I listened to on Saturday? How she described the heart breaking scene she witnessed as her brother's arms and legs were chopped off with a machette because he refused to join the rebel forces in her African town? Or how she waited in a line of girls and women to be raped and mutilated? She watched them torture her sister and was spared herself at the last possible moment when opposing forces came into the village. What a soul wrenching story. She now lives in the U.S. and speaks to groups of women about "HOPE." What an amazing woman. There is a DVD available with her story on it. I plan to purchase it (haven't had a chance yet...I've been so busy) and show it to my family. She even retells how her sister broke one pencil into tiny bits so that each child in her small classroom could have a pencil to write with. I know, I am so wasteful. I will think twice before throwing things away. We are so spoiled and blessed to live in this country. Buy her DVD here.
Or should I tell you about how my mother nearly collapsed in church on Sunday? Sheesh. She sat on the same pew as the rest of my family. I happen to glance her direction and saw her slowly droop forward. I swapped seats with my daugher, who had sat in between us, and touched my mom on the arm. She raised her eyebrows to look at me. Sadly, I know what she looks like when she's about to drop, and I recognized the signs. I told her I was taking her home, and she objected at first. But, then she began to droop again, and she conceeded. I took her out and drove her home. While I was getting her settled into bed, she said, "I wanted to just lay down on the pew for a minute, but I thought you'd get mad at me." Oh. My. Gosh. Well, she's doing much better now. She over did her physical activities Saturday and has been paying the price since.
Or should I tell you how my husband rearranged a TON of furniture in the house, and now it is all in total and utter disarray? I figured if I have to go through everything and reorganize and clean out...I should just put some of it on eBay. Right? Well, so...Monday, I put my first six things up on eBay. Tuesday, I got an email saying it's illegal to sell a bear skin, so they pulled it from the eBay listings. Great. So, I asked around, and a friend told me it's illegal to even have a bear skin in your possession unless you have the original tags issued to harvest the bear in the first place. Harvest. You mean KILL? Sheesh. So, I could get arrested for having a bear in a box. Nice!
Or should I tell you about...well...the rest of my crazy event filled days?
Ha.
What's the craziest most significant thing that's happened to you in the last few days?
Should I tell you about the speaker I listened to on Saturday? How she described the heart breaking scene she witnessed as her brother's arms and legs were chopped off with a machette because he refused to join the rebel forces in her African town? Or how she waited in a line of girls and women to be raped and mutilated? She watched them torture her sister and was spared herself at the last possible moment when opposing forces came into the village. What a soul wrenching story. She now lives in the U.S. and speaks to groups of women about "HOPE." What an amazing woman. There is a DVD available with her story on it. I plan to purchase it (haven't had a chance yet...I've been so busy) and show it to my family. She even retells how her sister broke one pencil into tiny bits so that each child in her small classroom could have a pencil to write with. I know, I am so wasteful. I will think twice before throwing things away. We are so spoiled and blessed to live in this country. Buy her DVD here.
Or should I tell you about how my mother nearly collapsed in church on Sunday? Sheesh. She sat on the same pew as the rest of my family. I happen to glance her direction and saw her slowly droop forward. I swapped seats with my daugher, who had sat in between us, and touched my mom on the arm. She raised her eyebrows to look at me. Sadly, I know what she looks like when she's about to drop, and I recognized the signs. I told her I was taking her home, and she objected at first. But, then she began to droop again, and she conceeded. I took her out and drove her home. While I was getting her settled into bed, she said, "I wanted to just lay down on the pew for a minute, but I thought you'd get mad at me." Oh. My. Gosh. Well, she's doing much better now. She over did her physical activities Saturday and has been paying the price since.
Or should I tell you how my husband rearranged a TON of furniture in the house, and now it is all in total and utter disarray? I figured if I have to go through everything and reorganize and clean out...I should just put some of it on eBay. Right? Well, so...Monday, I put my first six things up on eBay. Tuesday, I got an email saying it's illegal to sell a bear skin, so they pulled it from the eBay listings. Great. So, I asked around, and a friend told me it's illegal to even have a bear skin in your possession unless you have the original tags issued to harvest the bear in the first place. Harvest. You mean KILL? Sheesh. So, I could get arrested for having a bear in a box. Nice!
Or should I tell you about...well...the rest of my crazy event filled days?
Ha.
What's the craziest most significant thing that's happened to you in the last few days?
Friday, September 17, 2010
Cinnamon Roll French Toast
I won't be writing today (well, except for this post)... instead I will be enjoying the day with a friend (yes, I actually have ONE!).
First, we will go to breakfast at a little hole-in-the-wall cafe.
They make the cinnamon roll from scratch (huge), and then they slice it, dip it into egg batter, and cook it up on the grill.
Oh. My. Heavenly. Food.
YUM!!
......
After the sugar high has been ignited, we will go shopping (maybe for a couch, maybe for nothing).
When the sugar high wears off, we will go to PF Changs for lettuce wraps. Can I tell you - I've never had one? Can you assure me they will be just as mouth watering as the breakfast?
Hmm.
We'll see.
Looks funny.
Hope it delivers.
.......
I'm certain we'll be hungry after the movie, so we plan to have an AMAZING sandwich from a restaurant that slow-roasts its own meat (go figure) and bakes its own bread (YAY!).
So, I haven't been there in a year.
To finish off the day, we are going to "Time Out for Women" because, clearly after a fun filled day, we will need a "time-out" - - right?
Ha.
.......
See ya later.
What are you going to do today? What's your idea of a great escape day?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Query Magic (or skill?)
Okay. So, one of my critique partners (shout out to Shannon) sent a query for critique to the A.MAZ.ING. Elana Johnson. I read the before and after versions, and could NOT click fast enough to get myself over to Elana's website.
Here's how it works:
Click Here to go to Elana's website.
Then download her book, From the Query to the Call, for $10.
With the purchase of the book, you then get to send Elana your query.
She critiques it and sends it back to you.
My critique pal sent her revised query out and lightning fast got a request for a full from a top-notch agent!
Wanna read my before and after queries? Here ya go:
Before:
Thirteen-year-old Cynthia Reid (Thia) falls in love with an internet predator. Of course she doesn’t know Mike is a predator. She just wants a boyfriend, and her over-protective parents won’t let her date until sixteen. So, hooking up with a boy during an online game seems like the perfect solution…until Thia’s mom catches her emailing innocent pictures. Then she loses her computer for weeks. When Thia finally gets it back, she learns that Mike attempted suicide in her absence.
Out of fear and guilt, Thia gives Mike her cell phone number, because she doesn’t want to be responsible for his death. The burden becomes too heavy to bear, but she doesn’t know who to trust. She knows Mike would never lie to her, because he loves her, and she chooses to believe him over her friends and her parents. As her online relationship with Mike intensifies, Thia’s real world begins to crumble. Her friendships shatter, her lies come more easily, and her relationship with her parents teeters on the brink.
Thia’s life spins out of control when her mom calls the police after discovering text messages from Mike on Thia’s phone. But even after Thia is shown evidence of who Mike really is, she stills chooses to believe Mike…until he shows up on her doorstep as a forty-five-year-old man.
Inspired by actual events, The Education of Thia is a 62,000 word young adult novel.
This is a multiple submission, and three agents are currently reviewing the full manuscript. Thank you for your time and consideration.
After:
Thirteen-year-old Cynthia Reid desperately wants a boyfriend but her parents won’t let her date until she’s sixteen—so she turn to the Internet, where she finds Mike. When Thia’s mom catches her hooking up with Mike during an online game, and then finds out she’s been emailing him innocent pictures, Thia loses her computer. When she finally gets it back, she learns that Mike attempted suicide in her absence.
She’s convinced Mike loves her, and would never lie to her, but as her online relationship intensifies, Thia’s real world begins to crumble. Her friendships shatter, her lies come more easily, and her relationship with her parents teeters on the brink.
When Thia’s mom finds text messages from Mike on Thia’s phone, she digs for answers. Even when Thia is shown evidence of who Mike really is, she doesn’t believe her mom—until Mike shows up on her doorstep.
He’s a forty-five-year-old man.
......
So... what do you think? Which one do you like better? I vote for Elana's version, and I can't hardly wait to send it out. I've had to use massive amounts of will power to not send it... but I really want to make a few additional revisions to the ms before I send it. I don't want to "waste" any full requests!!
Go visit Elana's website and buy her book! Purely amazing critique.
Here's how it works:
Click Here to go to Elana's website.
Then download her book, From the Query to the Call, for $10.
With the purchase of the book, you then get to send Elana your query.
She critiques it and sends it back to you.
My critique pal sent her revised query out and lightning fast got a request for a full from a top-notch agent!
Wanna read my before and after queries? Here ya go:
Before:
Thirteen-year-old Cynthia Reid (Thia) falls in love with an internet predator. Of course she doesn’t know Mike is a predator. She just wants a boyfriend, and her over-protective parents won’t let her date until sixteen. So, hooking up with a boy during an online game seems like the perfect solution…until Thia’s mom catches her emailing innocent pictures. Then she loses her computer for weeks. When Thia finally gets it back, she learns that Mike attempted suicide in her absence.
Out of fear and guilt, Thia gives Mike her cell phone number, because she doesn’t want to be responsible for his death. The burden becomes too heavy to bear, but she doesn’t know who to trust. She knows Mike would never lie to her, because he loves her, and she chooses to believe him over her friends and her parents. As her online relationship with Mike intensifies, Thia’s real world begins to crumble. Her friendships shatter, her lies come more easily, and her relationship with her parents teeters on the brink.
Thia’s life spins out of control when her mom calls the police after discovering text messages from Mike on Thia’s phone. But even after Thia is shown evidence of who Mike really is, she stills chooses to believe Mike…until he shows up on her doorstep as a forty-five-year-old man.
Inspired by actual events, The Education of Thia is a 62,000 word young adult novel.
This is a multiple submission, and three agents are currently reviewing the full manuscript. Thank you for your time and consideration.
After:
Thirteen-year-old Cynthia Reid desperately wants a boyfriend but her parents won’t let her date until she’s sixteen—so she turn to the Internet, where she finds Mike. When Thia’s mom catches her hooking up with Mike during an online game, and then finds out she’s been emailing him innocent pictures, Thia loses her computer. When she finally gets it back, she learns that Mike attempted suicide in her absence.
She’s convinced Mike loves her, and would never lie to her, but as her online relationship intensifies, Thia’s real world begins to crumble. Her friendships shatter, her lies come more easily, and her relationship with her parents teeters on the brink.
When Thia’s mom finds text messages from Mike on Thia’s phone, she digs for answers. Even when Thia is shown evidence of who Mike really is, she doesn’t believe her mom—until Mike shows up on her doorstep.
He’s a forty-five-year-old man.
......
So... what do you think? Which one do you like better? I vote for Elana's version, and I can't hardly wait to send it out. I've had to use massive amounts of will power to not send it... but I really want to make a few additional revisions to the ms before I send it. I don't want to "waste" any full requests!!
Go visit Elana's website and buy her book! Purely amazing critique.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Write On Con - - Amazing!
WriteOnCon (link on the lower right of this blog) is an amazing resource for writers. A.MAZ.ING! Check them out, and while you're there - (go today) - sign up for all the super cool prizes they're giving away, everything from critiques to books. YAY. Prizes = Good.
Also, check out the separate prizes on:
Elana Johnson's website
Shannon Messenger
Jamie Harrington
Casey McCormick
Lisa & Laura
Also, check out the separate prizes on:
Elana Johnson's website
Shannon Messenger
Jamie Harrington
Casey McCormick
Lisa & Laura
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
What does this mean?
Okay... so yesterday, I burned the tip of my finger because I had to iron a "no ironing necessary" shirt. The label on this shirt says to not put it in the dryer, but instead, take it from the washer, twist it into a rope and let it dry. This results in fun crinkly wrinkles all over the shirt. If you'd like to see a close up of the shirt visit the Lane Bryant website (link below). But, see here's the problem. Yesterday, I was selling Bernina sewing machines, and I didn't want customers to think I was too lazy to iron my shirt. Seriously. Now, give me some credit... I didn't iron the whole thing. I only ironed the collar, the cuffs, and the pocket flaps. But still. Do you think it's wrong to wear a shirt all wrinkly?Lane Bryant's website
Monday, September 13, 2010
Jaded? or Guarded? or Concerned?
Saturday, I received another request for a full manuscript from an agent. YAY! Right? Then why am I not jumping up and down for joy?
Have I become jaded already from the number of rejections I've received (but... I've *only* received one rejection on a full... so far).
Or am I guarded because of the rejection I received on the full ms. Does a rejection on a full mean the writing isn't good enough and I should stop sending queries and revise and improve more? Or does it just mean the one agent didn't like it? Oh my.
Or am I concerned because what if this agent likes it, really really likes it? And she offers me representation? Then what? I've worked so long and hard to get an agent... do I know what to do if one actually offers me representation? Should I start researching and planning for THAT big event?
Or do I just have a chemical imbalance... a mental disorder... hormone swing?
Ack. This waiting. Not knowing. Hoping. Revising. Writing. Hoping. And not knowing is taking its psychotic toll on me today.
Maybe I should just go take a shower and then go sell some Bernina sewing machine at Quilt Crossing today.
What do you think? Do I need to be medicated?
Have I become jaded already from the number of rejections I've received (but... I've *only* received one rejection on a full... so far).
Or am I guarded because of the rejection I received on the full ms. Does a rejection on a full mean the writing isn't good enough and I should stop sending queries and revise and improve more? Or does it just mean the one agent didn't like it? Oh my.
Or am I concerned because what if this agent likes it, really really likes it? And she offers me representation? Then what? I've worked so long and hard to get an agent... do I know what to do if one actually offers me representation? Should I start researching and planning for THAT big event?
Or do I just have a chemical imbalance... a mental disorder... hormone swing?
Ack. This waiting. Not knowing. Hoping. Revising. Writing. Hoping. And not knowing is taking its psychotic toll on me today.
Maybe I should just go take a shower and then go sell some Bernina sewing machine at Quilt Crossing today.
What do you think? Do I need to be medicated?
Friday, September 10, 2010
Food Descriptions in Manifested
My daughter arrived home from school just now and sliced right into that delicious blueberry thing I bought last night. As she licked her lips, I continued to work on my ms, Manifested. Strangely enough, one of the characters in the ms jumped forward and described how he wanted his breakfast cooked.
I had to stop and chuckle (yes, really, I chuckle!) as I thought about how many food scenes there are in this ms! Ha. I love food.
And, so, yes... I've decided to rewrite Manifested... Doing everything I can to make it more marketable. So, I've decided to change the entire ms to third person and modify the chapter formats. It's been a fun and interesting process so far. I love writing maybe more than I love food. Maybe. Let me think about it for awhile...
I had to stop and chuckle (yes, really, I chuckle!) as I thought about how many food scenes there are in this ms! Ha. I love food.
And, so, yes... I've decided to rewrite Manifested... Doing everything I can to make it more marketable. So, I've decided to change the entire ms to third person and modify the chapter formats. It's been a fun and interesting process so far. I love writing maybe more than I love food. Maybe. Let me think about it for awhile...
Maybe sugar wasn't a good choice for breakfast?
So, last night there was an employee meeting at the Quilt Crossing. We have a dinner buffet during these meetings, and these ladies KNOW how to cook. YUM! Me? Not so much. When I learned I needed to bring a side dish or dessert, I thought, crap. So what did I do? Stopped at the store on the way and bought an $8 muffin-blueberry-almond-icingtopped-bundtcake-thing.
I took the plastic cover off before I set it on the table, so it would look homemade. Several people told me I was wasting my time. Go figure.
Anyhow, when I finally got a taste of it last night, I thought, Oh. My. Yum. And, I hoped hoped hoped nobody would want any because it was "store bought." Fine. By. Me.
Hardly any was eaten. YAY!
So, I brought it home, and did not let myself have anymore last night. Talk about self-control.
But, I had dreams about it! Mmm.Hmm.
As soon as I got the kids out the door for school, guess what I did? Yup. That's right. Cut myself a BIG ol' piece and sat down and ate it. Most of it. I kinda feel a little woosey (is that a word) from it. I think I might have a sugar buzz.
Does that means I'm going to have a sugar crash in 30 minutes? I hope NOT. Because I've got a book to write/revise today. I have goals to accomplish. Maybe not in 30 minutes. I think I feel a crash coming already. I can hear my bed calling me... Margo. Margo. Margo.
I. Will. Fight. The. Urge.
What did you have for breakfast? Healthy? Not Healthy? Jealous of my cake?
I took the plastic cover off before I set it on the table, so it would look homemade. Several people told me I was wasting my time. Go figure.
Anyhow, when I finally got a taste of it last night, I thought, Oh. My. Yum. And, I hoped hoped hoped nobody would want any because it was "store bought." Fine. By. Me.
Hardly any was eaten. YAY!
So, I brought it home, and did not let myself have anymore last night. Talk about self-control.
But, I had dreams about it! Mmm.Hmm.
As soon as I got the kids out the door for school, guess what I did? Yup. That's right. Cut myself a BIG ol' piece and sat down and ate it. Most of it. I kinda feel a little woosey (is that a word) from it. I think I might have a sugar buzz.
Does that means I'm going to have a sugar crash in 30 minutes? I hope NOT. Because I've got a book to write/revise today. I have goals to accomplish. Maybe not in 30 minutes. I think I feel a crash coming already. I can hear my bed calling me... Margo. Margo. Margo.
I. Will. Fight. The. Urge.
What did you have for breakfast? Healthy? Not Healthy? Jealous of my cake?
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Finding Your Voice
Many writers discuss the topic of "voice." Many agents say they will only sign a writer with a strong "voice."
What is "voice" and how do you get it? Well, the answer to that is quite vague, and you could spend days blog hopping and researching to find a "maybe" kind of answer. However, after reading one issue of Glimmer Train from cover to cover, I understand much better what "voice" is. And, I think I'll start reading the next issue right away, because I've learned more about voice from this one issue than I have from any other form of reading or research I've done on the topic.
While I was impressed, confused, and moved by the first story in the issue, I was even more influenced as I went from one story to the next. The stories in this issue each have an obvious and distinct voice. It's been a great lesson to read one story and immediately go into the next story and see, read, feel, the distinct change in voice. Amazingly, Glimmer Train provides not only a great demonstration of voice, but it also gives examples of impressive language, word choices and sentences, which leaves the reader considering the images long after setting the story down.
What is "voice" and how do you get it? Well, the answer to that is quite vague, and you could spend days blog hopping and researching to find a "maybe" kind of answer. However, after reading one issue of Glimmer Train from cover to cover, I understand much better what "voice" is. And, I think I'll start reading the next issue right away, because I've learned more about voice from this one issue than I have from any other form of reading or research I've done on the topic.
While I was impressed, confused, and moved by the first story in the issue, I was even more influenced as I went from one story to the next. The stories in this issue each have an obvious and distinct voice. It's been a great lesson to read one story and immediately go into the next story and see, read, feel, the distinct change in voice. Amazingly, Glimmer Train provides not only a great demonstration of voice, but it also gives examples of impressive language, word choices and sentences, which leaves the reader considering the images long after setting the story down.If you want to read great stories, buy a copy. If you want to improve your writing craft, buy a copy. :)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Straighten Up!
Did your parents ever tell you to "Straighten up!" ... ?? Mine must have, because those words easily come to mind. heh, heh ((insert awkward smile here))
Anyhoo... received some GREAT "legal" advice regarding my previous post. (Uh, yah, the one I just deleted - so don't go looking for it.)
I'm so silly... it didn't occur to me that the whole world could read my blog. (OF COURSE IT DID! I just pretended not to care.)
So, if you're an avid follower of this blog (which I know you are) - I thought I'd let you know why a couple of posts disappeared. Now, you know. I don't really want to get sued. ((insert sincere but kinda fake smile here))
A big thanks to the kind soul who gave me great advice via email. Remind me - and when my book gets published, I'll send you a signed copy! :) FOR REALS!
'Cause we all know it WILL happen.
If I straighten up!
Anyhoo... received some GREAT "legal" advice regarding my previous post. (Uh, yah, the one I just deleted - so don't go looking for it.)
I'm so silly... it didn't occur to me that the whole world could read my blog. (OF COURSE IT DID! I just pretended not to care.)
So, if you're an avid follower of this blog (which I know you are) - I thought I'd let you know why a couple of posts disappeared. Now, you know. I don't really want to get sued. ((insert sincere but kinda fake smile here))
A big thanks to the kind soul who gave me great advice via email. Remind me - and when my book gets published, I'll send you a signed copy! :) FOR REALS!
'Cause we all know it WILL happen.
If I straighten up!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sneak Peak
Hey - would you like to read the first chapter of The Education of Thia? (Say YES!) Visit my website (link below) and click on the Novels tab and then the tab for The Education of Thia. There you'll find the first chapter! Be sure to come back here and leave your critiques!
Click here to visit Margo's website!
Click here to visit Margo's website!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Hang in there!
Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.
Helen Keller
Helen Keller
Monday, August 30, 2010
Who should follow the rules?
Yah, Yah... I know... RULES. Who makes the rules, and why should they be followed? Well, that's a huge discussion, and today, I'm only going to tackle part of it.
This weekend, I read the "Hunger Games" trilogy (check out my reviews on Goodreads by clicking on the box in the lower left of this blog). While I found the stories absolutely captivating, I was distracted and pulled out of the moment many times by the "rules" that were broken. Now, I understand that if you are a best-selling author, the rules may no longer apply, but it was still distracting! And, frankly, frustrating. I've been told and read many times that debut authors must follow the rules as much as possible in order to get that first book published. However, there are conflicting opinions that argue we should simply read the best-sellers and follow their examples in how to write a great book. Ack. Which is it?
According to Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, "Very nearly the only time you need [thinker attritubtions] is when you're writing from an extremely distant point of view..." (page 124).
And yet, in Catching Fire, which is written in a very close first-person point-of-view, Collins constantly uses thinker attributions and italics. "I can't do it, I think. I'm not that good" (page 30).
Another broken rule that constantly distracted me in the trilogy was the use of dialogue tags. Again, according to Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, "Name before the noun ("Renni said") rather than the other way around ("said Renni")" (page 95).
And yet... throughout the trilogy this "rule" was broken. "...says Octavia...says Venia..." (page 48, Catching Fire).
So, while I loved the trilogy (read it in three days) I was frustrated by the grammar.
What do you think? Are "rules" meant to be followed? Only by debut authors? Or not at all?
This weekend, I read the "Hunger Games" trilogy (check out my reviews on Goodreads by clicking on the box in the lower left of this blog). While I found the stories absolutely captivating, I was distracted and pulled out of the moment many times by the "rules" that were broken. Now, I understand that if you are a best-selling author, the rules may no longer apply, but it was still distracting! And, frankly, frustrating. I've been told and read many times that debut authors must follow the rules as much as possible in order to get that first book published. However, there are conflicting opinions that argue we should simply read the best-sellers and follow their examples in how to write a great book. Ack. Which is it?
According to Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, "Very nearly the only time you need [thinker attritubtions] is when you're writing from an extremely distant point of view..." (page 124).
And yet, in Catching Fire, which is written in a very close first-person point-of-view, Collins constantly uses thinker attributions and italics. "I can't do it, I think. I'm not that good" (page 30).
Another broken rule that constantly distracted me in the trilogy was the use of dialogue tags. Again, according to Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, "Name before the noun ("Renni said") rather than the other way around ("said Renni")" (page 95).
And yet... throughout the trilogy this "rule" was broken. "...says Octavia...says Venia..." (page 48, Catching Fire).
So, while I loved the trilogy (read it in three days) I was frustrated by the grammar.
What do you think? Are "rules" meant to be followed? Only by debut authors? Or not at all?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Techniques that look effortless
So... I took my daughter to the hairdresser for her fourteenth birthday. She got her hair cut and colored. Then the hairdresser styled her long locks in a super cool way. I watched carefully as she wrapped my daughter's hair around the outside of the curling iron. I asked why she was doing that instead of the usual way of using a curling iron."Because this is how Taylor Swift does it," the hairdresser replied. My eyes must've widened in obvious surprise, because she asked, "What? Are you not a Taylor Swift fan?"
"Taylor Swift is great," I quickly answered, as the hairdresser held my daughter's hair hostage with a burning iron (jk). "I'm just impressed (surprised) that you know how Taylor does her hair." I tried to smile politely.
She smiled back and continued curling my daughter's hair. It looked AMAZING when she was finished. And, it looked so easy to duplicate. Ha.
So, fast forward to last night. My daughter and I discussed her many hair options for picture day (today). She smiled and asked if I'd help her do the Taylor Swift hair-do.
"Sure, piece of cake!" I said. "Wake me up at 6:00a.m. and that will give us forty-five minutes. More than enough time to make your hair gorgeous!" Agreed on our strategy, my daughter headed off to bed.
Morning came extra early today as I heard my daughter bustling around at 5:30a.m. getting showered and ready for the day. At 6:10, she knocked on my door. I blew out her hair, just like the hairdresser did. I wrapped her hair around the outside of the iron, just like the hairdresser did. And... well... the results were not the same. I could not figure out what I was doing differently. But, it certainly did not look like Taylor Swift's hair.
So, we decided to straighten it. Which took longer. Which caused her to miss the bus. Which caused me to happily drive her to school.
For some reason, I'm not sure she appreciated me singing happily along to the radio in the car. Of course, I changed the words to one of Phil Collins songs. Ha. I sang, "I'm happy to go to Columbia... to get my picture taken... I'm gonna smile big and show my pretty expensive teeth... I'm happy to go to Columbia..."
Yah. Well. I'm not Taylor Swift's hairdresser either.
But, it made me think. Often times I read a book and think about how awesome the writing is and how the author makes it look so easy. Surely, just by observing it I should be able to duplicate the process... right? Not. Professionals know tricks, techniques, and methods for creating something amazing that looks effortless. Only through hard work and practice will we be able to achieve the same level of talent.
I need to call my hairdresser and ask her for lessons.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Writer's Conference
Since starting this adventure called writing, I've considered attending a conference. But... there are so many to choose from. And... are they really worth the massive amounts of cash involved?
Well, my pal, Melissa, did all the research for me (thanks) and picked a great one that features a lot of agent one-on-one-face-time. So... I took the plunge and registered! YAY!
Here's the link for the South Carolina Writers Workshop: http://myscww.org/conference/index.php
Seems crazy to travel from Idaho to South Carolina for my first conference, but Melissa will be there (YAY!) and I was able to get my airline ticket for only $60 (WOW!).
So, let me know if you plan to attend the conference as well... and we'll say "hey" to each other! :)
Well, my pal, Melissa, did all the research for me (thanks) and picked a great one that features a lot of agent one-on-one-face-time. So... I took the plunge and registered! YAY!
Here's the link for the South Carolina Writers Workshop: http://myscww.org/conference/index.php
Seems crazy to travel from Idaho to South Carolina for my first conference, but Melissa will be there (YAY!) and I was able to get my airline ticket for only $60 (WOW!).
So, let me know if you plan to attend the conference as well... and we'll say "hey" to each other! :)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Thanks Holly and Shannon!
Here's what paid off for me:
1. I had a critique partner read the ms and then read my query attempt. Having read the entire ms, she was able to give great feedback and advice for improving the letter. THANKS SHANNON!
2. Holly made a comment on a previous post suggesting that I should pretend to give the pitch verbally in person, and then transfer those words to paper. THANKS HOLLY!
3. Then, my "research" has taught me that you need to introduce the mc, problem, solution, complication, complication, complication, etc. to structure the query.
4. I put these three things together, and received a request for a full manuscript! YAY!
Here's my query letter:
Dear [Agent's Name],
Thirteen-year-old Cynthia Reid (Thia) falls in love with an internet predator. Of course she doesn’t know Mike is a predator. She just wants a boyfriend, and her over-protective parents won’t let her date until sixteen. So, hooking up with a boy during an online game seems like the perfect solution… until Thia’s mom catches her emailing innocent pictures. Then she loses her computer for weeks. When Thia finally gets it back, she learns that Mike attempted suicide in her absence.
Out of fear and guilt, Thia gives Mike her cell phone number, because she doesn’t want to be responsible for his death. The burden becomes too heavy to bear, but she doesn’t know who to trust. She knows Mike would never lie to her, because he loves her, and she chooses to believe him over her friends and her parents. As her online relationship with Mike intensifies, Thia’s real world begins to crumble. Her friendships shatter, her lies come more easily, and her relationship with her parents teeters on the brink.
Thia’s life spins out of control when her mom calls the police after discovering text messages from Mike on Thia’s phone. But even after Thia is shown evidence of who Mike really is, she stills chooses to believe Mike… until he shows up on her doorstep as a forty-five-year-old man.
Inspired by actual events, The Education of Thia is a 62,000 word young adult novel.
This is a multiple submission, and four agents are currently reviewing the full manuscript. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Margo Kelly
Monday, August 16, 2010
Are people born mean?
Nah. I don't think so! But, I often wonder what happened to a person to make them so MEAN!?
Saturday, at Quilt Crossing in Boise (I sell Bernina sewing machines), I thought I would be nice (ha - sometimes requires effort on my part). I told a couple of the ladies working they could go take their lunch breaks, and I'd cover the registers. So, multi-tasking (my first mistake), I cut fabric, answered questions, rang up sales, and tried to smile and be nice to everyone...
I had cut a piece of fabric for one lady and started her sale in the computer. She walked off to look at more fabric, so I thought I could quickly ring up a sale for a customer who patiently waited. As I'm doing that, the other lady stomps toward the front door. I asked her if she still wanted the fabric I'd already cut for her. She turned and told me how I was to slow for her and she didn't have all day to wait for me. She huffed and stormed out the door.
For some reason that really flustered me. Usually, I don't allow people to upset me so much. But, when I am working for someone else, I feel like I can't necessarily say the things I would normally if it was just me on my own time. This lady was MEAN! And I wanted to tell her to not bother coming back. Stinker. But, I bit my tongue and let her stomp away.
Afterward, the other employees looked at her name (it was in the computer for the sale I'd started for her) and they said, "Oh, no!" They went on to tell me that this lady would be calling the owner of the store to tell her how awful I was... because she's done it before to them. She's a repeat offender.
Whatever.
People like that need to be hit upside the head. Or be given free counseling. Something.
So, I wonder, what happened to her to make her so mean?
Why are mean people mean?
Do they just need a hug? Or a serious whack?
Saturday, at Quilt Crossing in Boise (I sell Bernina sewing machines), I thought I would be nice (ha - sometimes requires effort on my part). I told a couple of the ladies working they could go take their lunch breaks, and I'd cover the registers. So, multi-tasking (my first mistake), I cut fabric, answered questions, rang up sales, and tried to smile and be nice to everyone...
I had cut a piece of fabric for one lady and started her sale in the computer. She walked off to look at more fabric, so I thought I could quickly ring up a sale for a customer who patiently waited. As I'm doing that, the other lady stomps toward the front door. I asked her if she still wanted the fabric I'd already cut for her. She turned and told me how I was to slow for her and she didn't have all day to wait for me. She huffed and stormed out the door.
For some reason that really flustered me. Usually, I don't allow people to upset me so much. But, when I am working for someone else, I feel like I can't necessarily say the things I would normally if it was just me on my own time. This lady was MEAN! And I wanted to tell her to not bother coming back. Stinker. But, I bit my tongue and let her stomp away.
Afterward, the other employees looked at her name (it was in the computer for the sale I'd started for her) and they said, "Oh, no!" They went on to tell me that this lady would be calling the owner of the store to tell her how awful I was... because she's done it before to them. She's a repeat offender.
Whatever.
People like that need to be hit upside the head. Or be given free counseling. Something.
So, I wonder, what happened to her to make her so mean?
Why are mean people mean?
Do they just need a hug? Or a serious whack?
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Performance Anxiety
Truth. I currently suffer from performance anxiety.
I can stand up and speak in front of thousands of people, on the spot, with no preparation, and love every minute.
But, for some reason I lack the polished ability to write a stinkin' query letter. ACK.
Yes, I've studied the topic. Yes, I've written a gazillion versions for BOTH of my manuscripts. But, I just can't seem to hit the nail on the head.
Today, in the attempt to study the topic even MORE, I came across an uplifting post:
http://www.sarahjanefreymann.com/perfect_pitch.html
I like the idea.
What I liked most was her suggestion:
"It’s authenticity. By authenticity I mean the assurance and dignity that comes from being genuinely knowledgeable and truly intimate with the subject you are writing about; that you’ve immersed yourself in it; that you’ve walked the walk so you can talk the talk (or write the write). This authenticity makes me feel as if a book had to be written. Not just because the author would love to be published, but also because the author has something of importance to say, something to add to the world."
So, back to the drawing board. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.
Are query letters easy for you to write? If so, wanna write mine?
I can stand up and speak in front of thousands of people, on the spot, with no preparation, and love every minute.
But, for some reason I lack the polished ability to write a stinkin' query letter. ACK.
Yes, I've studied the topic. Yes, I've written a gazillion versions for BOTH of my manuscripts. But, I just can't seem to hit the nail on the head.
Today, in the attempt to study the topic even MORE, I came across an uplifting post:
http://www.sarahjanefreymann.com/perfect_pitch.html
I like the idea.
What I liked most was her suggestion:
"It’s authenticity. By authenticity I mean the assurance and dignity that comes from being genuinely knowledgeable and truly intimate with the subject you are writing about; that you’ve immersed yourself in it; that you’ve walked the walk so you can talk the talk (or write the write). This authenticity makes me feel as if a book had to be written. Not just because the author would love to be published, but also because the author has something of importance to say, something to add to the world."
So, back to the drawing board. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.
Are query letters easy for you to write? If so, wanna write mine?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Thought for the day (I have them sometimes)
When you are employed by someone else, you are limited by their expectations of you. When you are employed by yourself, you are only limited by the expectations you can imagine.
This profound thought is brought to you by MARGO KELLY.
This profound thought is brought to you by MARGO KELLY.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Value of a bear...
We were going to sell a bear skin in a garage sale this weekend for $65, but then I thought maybe I should google the going price for bears. HA. I found a website that is selling a smaller bear skin for $1600. Yup. So, we've decided we'd be happy with $800. Wanna buy our bear skin? We even brushed his fur tonight before taking the photo. hahaha. Kinda creepy, really.Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Cough, Cough
I went to Education Week last week at BYU-Idaho in Rexburg (I'm 41 years-old and I've never been to Rexburg before, ha), and I came home with a bad chest cold. Maybe it's pneumonia. Hack. Cough. Gag.
I went with my fifteen-year-old son, his sixteen-year-old friend, and the friend's mother. So, two moms and two boys. We stayed in the dorms together. I haven't slept on the top bunk in ... well EVER! Maybe once I slept on a top bunk at girls' camp... but I think even then it was a lower bunk. Holy Hannah. Climbing up and coming down that sucker, I think my life flashed before my eyes.
The classes were great and the company was fun. There were youth classes the boys could have attended, but no... they went to classes about Hebrew words and how to study Isaiah. A couple of brainiac scriptorians.
Me? I went to classes on how to raise teenagers. Ha. (Yah, I went to other classes as well.)
I took my book club book with me to read in my free time. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It was a white and black experience going from classes about Jesus Christ to reading a book with so much sadistic behavior in it. I had to skip many passages in the book, because it was too awful, too cruel.
I would not recommend that book to anyone. The violence against women was horrifying. A friend told me the book was originally called, Men who Hate Women. Well, if that had been the title, I would never have even picked up the book in the first place. Bummer.
Anyhow, enough soapbox. I'm going to go cough and write today. I may need to disinfect my keyboard afterward.
Have a great day!
I went with my fifteen-year-old son, his sixteen-year-old friend, and the friend's mother. So, two moms and two boys. We stayed in the dorms together. I haven't slept on the top bunk in ... well EVER! Maybe once I slept on a top bunk at girls' camp... but I think even then it was a lower bunk. Holy Hannah. Climbing up and coming down that sucker, I think my life flashed before my eyes.
Me? I went to classes on how to raise teenagers. Ha. (Yah, I went to other classes as well.)
I took my book club book with me to read in my free time. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It was a white and black experience going from classes about Jesus Christ to reading a book with so much sadistic behavior in it. I had to skip many passages in the book, because it was too awful, too cruel.
Anyhow, enough soapbox. I'm going to go cough and write today. I may need to disinfect my keyboard afterward.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Time to write a synopsis... BLECH!
I think in a perfect world, agents would simply want to read the entire manuscript - not a query - not a synopsis - but the MANUSCRIPT!
But, then in a perfect world, I would also get to be a sizesix four, get to eat cake for breakfast, pizza for lunch, and ice cream for dinner.
Ahh... yes...
(pause for the daydream)
BUT NO - -
A query letter and synopsis are required if you want to entice an agent to read the whole story.
That's where I am today.
But, luckily for me, there are awesome bloggers who post tips to make my life easier. Check it out:
http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-write-synopsis.html
Thanks Elana, will you be my friend? Or maybe write my synopsis for me? At least?
But, then in a perfect world, I would also get to be a size
Ahh... yes...
(pause for the daydream)
BUT NO - -
A query letter and synopsis are required if you want to entice an agent to read the whole story.
That's where I am today.
But, luckily for me, there are awesome bloggers who post tips to make my life easier. Check it out:
http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-write-synopsis.html
Thanks Elana, will you be my friend? Or maybe write my synopsis for me? At least?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wanna read the first chapter?
Yesterday, I finished a revision of The Education of Thia. (YAY!)
I would LOVE to share the first chapter with you - - but I need your help first! Help me get my Facebook "fans" up to 250 (currently 229), and I will post the first chapter for you to read. :-D
If you are not currently a FB fan, you can simply click below on the FB box in the lower right hand side of this blog. Tell your friends! Help a gal out!
Thanks...
:-)
I hope you like the story...
I would LOVE to share the first chapter with you - - but I need your help first! Help me get my Facebook "fans" up to 250 (currently 229), and I will post the first chapter for you to read. :-D
If you are not currently a FB fan, you can simply click below on the FB box in the lower right hand side of this blog. Tell your friends! Help a gal out!
Thanks...
:-)
I hope you like the story...
Monday, July 26, 2010
Pillars of the Earth
Did you read "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett? Did you like it?
I know people who LOVED it and people who HATED it. Not very many people had a middle of the road attitude about the book (at least not that I know personally!).
Now the book is a series on television!
Today, when I was supposed to be revising my WIP, I accidentally watched the first episode:
http://www.starz.com/originals/thepillarsoftheearth/screeningroom#/episode-101-anarchy/
Have you watched the series? What's your opinion? hahaha... (evil laugh, because I know what happens to the bad guy in the end...)
The book is always better than the movie/series/whatever.
I know people who LOVED it and people who HATED it. Not very many people had a middle of the road attitude about the book (at least not that I know personally!).
Now the book is a series on television!
Today, when I was supposed to be revising my WIP, I accidentally watched the first episode:
http://www.starz.com/originals/thepillarsoftheearth/screeningroom#/episode-101-anarchy/
Have you watched the series? What's your opinion? hahaha... (evil laugh, because I know what happens to the bad guy in the end...)
The book is always better than the movie/series/whatever.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Is email going away?
As many of you know, my current work-in-progress is about a teenage girl who falls prey to an internet predator.
I was revising a chapter yesterday that dealt with the use of email, and I decided to put some research time into the process. And... I found an interesting statistic.
Only 11% of teenagers use email on a daily basis.
click here to see more about the end of email
According to the above website, fastcompany.com: "If you want to know what people like us will do tomorrow, you look at what teenagers are doing today," Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg told the audience at Nielsen's Consumer 360 conference. And according to Sandberg, only 11% of teens email daily--clearly, a huge generational drop. Instead, they are increasingly turning to SMS and social networks for communication. "E-mail--I can't imagine life without it--is probably going away," she said.
So... I put some serious thought into it, and I don't know if email will ever go away (fax machines are still around), but she's right about the teenagers. My teenagers don't check their email every day. They check Facebook and their cell phones. Hmm.
What do you think? Do you think email is going to disappear? Replaced by cell phone and social networks?
I was revising a chapter yesterday that dealt with the use of email, and I decided to put some research time into the process. And... I found an interesting statistic.
Only 11% of teenagers use email on a daily basis.
click here to see more about the end of email
According to the above website, fastcompany.com: "If you want to know what people like us will do tomorrow, you look at what teenagers are doing today," Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg told the audience at Nielsen's Consumer 360 conference. And according to Sandberg, only 11% of teens email daily--clearly, a huge generational drop. Instead, they are increasingly turning to SMS and social networks for communication. "E-mail--I can't imagine life without it--is probably going away," she said.
So... I put some serious thought into it, and I don't know if email will ever go away (fax machines are still around), but she's right about the teenagers. My teenagers don't check their email every day. They check Facebook and their cell phones. Hmm.
What do you think? Do you think email is going to disappear? Replaced by cell phone and social networks?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Creating Order from Chaos
Yesterday, I read an interesting article in the June issue of Woman's Day magazine.
Click here to read the article online.
One part of the article read, "One great way to give yourself a mood boost is to tackle an untidy area one step at a time. Get rid of some things you don't use (you probably don't need eight glass vases that came with floral arrangements). Chuck broken things" (Woman's Day, June 2010, page 16).
Then... I received a very helpful critique of the first chapter of The Education of Thia. (From my fabulous new critique partner Christi!!)
Click here to read a description of the story!
One part of the critique read, "I wonder why you use this? ... Clarify or dump it."
Ha. Perfect.
So, I plan to give myself a mood boost today and tackle one untidy area at a time. Ha. Chapter by chapter, line by line, word by word, I will tidy up my manuscript and make it the best thing ever! Well... besides chocolate and sex and love and ... okay, maybe I'll just make it the best possible story it can be!
Off to work.
But, first, let me know what chaotic thing in your life you plan to eliminate, or improve, today?
Click here to read the article online.
One part of the article read, "One great way to give yourself a mood boost is to tackle an untidy area one step at a time. Get rid of some things you don't use (you probably don't need eight glass vases that came with floral arrangements). Chuck broken things" (Woman's Day, June 2010, page 16).
Then... I received a very helpful critique of the first chapter of The Education of Thia. (From my fabulous new critique partner Christi!!)
Click here to read a description of the story!
One part of the critique read, "I wonder why you use this? ... Clarify or dump it."
Ha. Perfect.
So, I plan to give myself a mood boost today and tackle one untidy area at a time. Ha. Chapter by chapter, line by line, word by word, I will tidy up my manuscript and make it the best thing ever! Well... besides chocolate and sex and love and ... okay, maybe I'll just make it the best possible story it can be!
Off to work.
But, first, let me know what chaotic thing in your life you plan to eliminate, or improve, today?
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Funny...
Uh, what happened to the last seven days? Blinked. And they were gone. Scary. Man. Scary.
But, here's a funny... check it out: http://slushpilehell.tumblr.com/page/1
But, here's a funny... check it out: http://slushpilehell.tumblr.com/page/1
Friday, July 9, 2010
Ping Pong
I was in a business class a few years ago where the instructor spoke of communicating with his son (using it to compare to employees and finding a way to motivate them). The instructor referred to his method of communication as ping pong.
He would ask his son a question. His son would give a general answer, and then the dad would ask, "And then what?" or "Why?" or "How come?" And the son would give another answer, and the dad would ask again, "And then what?" or "Why?" or "How come?" The dad would continue this method of ping-pong with his son until he really got to the meat of the situation.
He would ask his son a question. His son would give a general answer, and then the dad would ask, "And then what?" or "Why?" or "How come?" And the son would give another answer, and the dad would ask again, "And then what?" or "Why?" or "How come?" The dad would continue this method of ping-pong with his son until he really got to the meat of the situation.I tried it in business with people I was attempting to motivate, to find the root of their "blocks" to success. It worked. It was weird, but cool.
So, then the other day, I read this great article in Writer's Digest (July/Aug 2010, page 70). The article was called "Upping the Ante" by Victoria Lynn Schmidt. The first sub-heading was "Identify Character Motivation." The article goes on to discuss why your characters are doing what they're doing. And, it made me think of the ping-pong method.
So, I sat down with my main character, and I asked her, "What are you doing?" She answered. (I know, I'm a little crazy.) Then I asked her, "Why do you want to do that?" She answered. I asked, "So, why does that matter?" She answered. I asked, "How is that going to bring you pleasure?" "What difference is that going to make?" etc.
I learned some interesting things regarding my character's motivation.
Have a ping-pong conversation with your main character and see what happens.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
My amazing critique partner...
Not only can she write - she can also sing! WOW! This video gave me serious chills. Just like when I read her scenes about LEO in her awesome book!! :) check out her blog, also: http://www.melissaddean.com/
Maybe done?
"All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth." — Aristotle
I have just been blowing through my writing. It's felt so great! I think I may have finished my first draft this morning! It seems odd to me, because if you would've asked me two days ago, I would've told you I have a long way to go yet. But, then yesterday, my characters made unexpected choices and the story took an unexpected turn. So, today, I just typed the last page!! OH MY GOSH!
So... I think I'll go eat a bagel.
And, then start at page one and do a little REVISING!
I have just been blowing through my writing. It's felt so great! I think I may have finished my first draft this morning! It seems odd to me, because if you would've asked me two days ago, I would've told you I have a long way to go yet. But, then yesterday, my characters made unexpected choices and the story took an unexpected turn. So, today, I just typed the last page!! OH MY GOSH!
So... I think I'll go eat a bagel.
And, then start at page one and do a little REVISING!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Visually impaired teens in the Treasure Valley have life-changing summer | Local News | Idaho Statesman
My super cute son is in the newspaper today! Check it out:
Visually impaired teens in the Treasure Valley have life-changing summer Local News Idaho Statesman
Visually impaired teens in the Treasure Valley have life-changing summer Local News Idaho Statesman
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The police are involved!
Oh my... I haven't worked on my current work-in-progress for six weeks... YES! Really! Six weeks. I've been super busy starting a new job and finishing up girls' camp and just getting used to the summer schedule with kids home and kids at volleyball and kids on youth trips and kids in summer programs. OH MY. {deep breath}
So, I knew I had today to get back at it. But... I had trouble deciding if I should just flat out pick up where I left off and continue writing, or if I should read through (not revise, just read) what I've alread written. Due to the fact that I have a compulsive personality, I had to read from the beginning.
Well... I just finished reading all 167 pages and I'm astonished that I could walk away from the writing at such a crucial moment in the story! The police are involved, the main character is in BIG trouble, the bad guy is lurking, and the mom is TICKED OFF!
I feel a little wound up now! Like I was reading an interesting story, it just got to the good part, and someone yanked the book out of my hands!
HA! I want to know what's going to happen next. What will the police do? What will my main character do? And what will the bad guy do? EEK!
But, I can't just turn the page and find out. I need to write the page first.
So, I'm back to work.
I hope you will enjoy "The Education of Thia" (when you can buy it off a book shelf at your favorite book store!!!) as much as I have.
So, I knew I had today to get back at it. But... I had trouble deciding if I should just flat out pick up where I left off and continue writing, or if I should read through (not revise, just read) what I've alread written. Due to the fact that I have a compulsive personality, I had to read from the beginning.
Well... I just finished reading all 167 pages and I'm astonished that I could walk away from the writing at such a crucial moment in the story! The police are involved, the main character is in BIG trouble, the bad guy is lurking, and the mom is TICKED OFF!
I feel a little wound up now! Like I was reading an interesting story, it just got to the good part, and someone yanked the book out of my hands!
HA! I want to know what's going to happen next. What will the police do? What will my main character do? And what will the bad guy do? EEK!
But, I can't just turn the page and find out. I need to write the page first.
So, I'm back to work.
I hope you will enjoy "The Education of Thia" (when you can buy it off a book shelf at your favorite book store!!!) as much as I have.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Teenagers vs. Adults
Throughout my life, I've heard adults make the comment, "Just wait until they're teenagers." And to this day, so many adults make negative comments about kids being in those teenage years. Why is it such a dreaded time period?
Yeah, yeah, I know... teenagers are going through hormonal changes, body changes, social changes, and trying to figure out who they are... So? This still doesn't explain to me why so many adults fear this time period and why so many teenagers resent adults at the same time.
I have three teenagers and I think they're great. I work with teenagers at church... and I think they're great.
But maybe the real problem rests with the communication skills between the two groups. Maybe.
Last week at Girls' Camp I heard one young lady tell a friend, "I hate all adults. They can't be trusted. They say one thing to us and then turn around and lie about it to someone else." I've been thinking about that comment and wondering how can I influence her to know that not all adults behave this way? Is it possible to even convince her of this? Are her own thoughts clouding her judgement or does she have factual experience that has led her to this belief?
Then my sixteen-year-old son came home to visit for a few hours yesterday (he's spending seven weeks in the local college dorms participating in a summer work program). He was frustrated because despite his attempts to communicate intelligently with the adult in charge of the program, the adult keeps shutting him down saying things like, "This is not open for discussion." and/or "The door is closed on this topic, don't bring it up again."
So, based on these two examples, I think adults are to blame. Yup. At least with these two instances. With the young woman, clearly her trust in adults has been violated. Whether only in her perception or in reality, her trust has been violated. With my son, the adult in charge is treating him like a small child. He is not. He is intelligent and will be moving out of the house in less than two years.
As adults, we need to impower these teenagers to be able to function and live responsibly on their own.
I think adults need to take more responsibility here and stop blaming it on the teenagers.
"Education...is a painful, continual and difficult work to be done in kindness, by watching, by warning,... by praise, but above all -- by example." — John Ruskin
Yeah, yeah, I know... teenagers are going through hormonal changes, body changes, social changes, and trying to figure out who they are... So? This still doesn't explain to me why so many adults fear this time period and why so many teenagers resent adults at the same time.
I have three teenagers and I think they're great. I work with teenagers at church... and I think they're great.
But maybe the real problem rests with the communication skills between the two groups. Maybe.
Last week at Girls' Camp I heard one young lady tell a friend, "I hate all adults. They can't be trusted. They say one thing to us and then turn around and lie about it to someone else." I've been thinking about that comment and wondering how can I influence her to know that not all adults behave this way? Is it possible to even convince her of this? Are her own thoughts clouding her judgement or does she have factual experience that has led her to this belief?
Then my sixteen-year-old son came home to visit for a few hours yesterday (he's spending seven weeks in the local college dorms participating in a summer work program). He was frustrated because despite his attempts to communicate intelligently with the adult in charge of the program, the adult keeps shutting him down saying things like, "This is not open for discussion." and/or "The door is closed on this topic, don't bring it up again."
So, based on these two examples, I think adults are to blame. Yup. At least with these two instances. With the young woman, clearly her trust in adults has been violated. Whether only in her perception or in reality, her trust has been violated. With my son, the adult in charge is treating him like a small child. He is not. He is intelligent and will be moving out of the house in less than two years.
As adults, we need to impower these teenagers to be able to function and live responsibly on their own.
I think adults need to take more responsibility here and stop blaming it on the teenagers.
"Education...is a painful, continual and difficult work to be done in kindness, by watching, by warning,... by praise, but above all -- by example." — John Ruskin
Monday, June 14, 2010
Listening to teenagers
So... you think you want to write a book for young adults, huh? Many agents say when they receive sample pages, they skip ahead to the first lines of dialogue. Many writers struggle with realistic dialogue - especially teenage dialogue.
To make things more challenging, teenage boys converse much differently than teenage girls. Truth! ha.
Girls are SO dramatic, in actions and in words. Boys, on the other hand, can be very flat. Ah, yes... both are the stereotypes, but stereotypes exist for a reason.
Here's a conversation that occured between my son and another teenage boy yesterday. We were moving Mitchell into the dorms of a local university for a summer work program sponsored by the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Mitchell leaned against the wall while he balanced a paper plate in one hand and a potato chip in the other. He surveyed the group of boys and girls mingling and eating. Mitchell popped the potato chip into his mouth as a guy about his own age, maybe a year or two older, approached him and asked, "So what's your vision problem?"
Mitchell finished chewing and answered, "I can't see out of this eye." He used his thumb to indicate his right eye.
"Oh," the other boy nodded his head and squinted. "Cool." Then he shook his head and corrected, "I don't mean cool you're blind. I mean cool."
"Yah," Mitchell smiled. Both boys laughed. "How 'bout you?" Mitchell asked. The other boy went on to explain how his right eye didn't work at all and he had no peripheal vision with his left eye.
... Could you imagine two bubbly outgoing girls having this same conversation? Maybe. Maybe not.
Lucky me, I get to spend this entire week observing and listening to girls aged twelve to eighteen. I'm in charge of thirty girls at girls' camp. YAY. (exclamation point intentionally left off... jk) I plan to listen carefully and observe their interactions. I may even take a couple of notes. Then I plan to write lots when I get back into town.
I do have a book to finish.
Back to work!
Oh, by the way, have you heard any great dialogue between teens lately? Do share.
To make things more challenging, teenage boys converse much differently than teenage girls. Truth! ha.
Girls are SO dramatic, in actions and in words. Boys, on the other hand, can be very flat. Ah, yes... both are the stereotypes, but stereotypes exist for a reason.
Here's a conversation that occured between my son and another teenage boy yesterday. We were moving Mitchell into the dorms of a local university for a summer work program sponsored by the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Mitchell leaned against the wall while he balanced a paper plate in one hand and a potato chip in the other. He surveyed the group of boys and girls mingling and eating. Mitchell popped the potato chip into his mouth as a guy about his own age, maybe a year or two older, approached him and asked, "So what's your vision problem?"
Mitchell finished chewing and answered, "I can't see out of this eye." He used his thumb to indicate his right eye.
"Oh," the other boy nodded his head and squinted. "Cool." Then he shook his head and corrected, "I don't mean cool you're blind. I mean cool."
"Yah," Mitchell smiled. Both boys laughed. "How 'bout you?" Mitchell asked. The other boy went on to explain how his right eye didn't work at all and he had no peripheal vision with his left eye.
... Could you imagine two bubbly outgoing girls having this same conversation? Maybe. Maybe not.
Lucky me, I get to spend this entire week observing and listening to girls aged twelve to eighteen. I'm in charge of thirty girls at girls' camp. YAY. (exclamation point intentionally left off... jk) I plan to listen carefully and observe their interactions. I may even take a couple of notes. Then I plan to write lots when I get back into town.
I do have a book to finish.
Back to work!
Oh, by the way, have you heard any great dialogue between teens lately? Do share.
Monday, June 7, 2010
What does the setting say about your character?
I remember watching an episode of Oprah many years ago. An idea was suggested that I've never forgotten. The guest on the show told everyone to picture the room in their house that embarrassed them the most - the room that if anyone walked in to it unexpectedly, would cause you to be mortified. Well, to be honest, I pictured my master bathroom. It's the last room of my house to ever get cleaned. (TMI?)
Anyway, the guest went on to suggest that this one room says a lot about you. The feelings you have about this room say a lot about you. And, the fact that this room is the way it is, says a lot about you. Why is that room a disaster? Or why does that room cause you stress? These ideas have made me think and analyze myself.
Today in my writing, I plan to take ideas from a chapter in "The Fire in the Fiction" by Donald Maass and apply it to some revisions. The chapter from his book happens to be "The World of the Novel" - - which discusses the setting in your book. As I re-read highlighted passages, I was reminded of the Oprah episode.
Maass writes, "The trick ... is to discover in your setting what is unique for your characters. ...make them grapple with it as surely as they grapple with the main problem and their enemies. ...it is the combination of setting details and the emotions attached to them that, together, make a place a living thing" (pages 82-83).
So... I'm off to discover which room of the house embarrasses my characters the most and why. I can't guarantee these passages will make it into the final draft, but who knows? Maybe this revision will be part of a new masterpiece! ha.
Anyway, the guest went on to suggest that this one room says a lot about you. The feelings you have about this room say a lot about you. And, the fact that this room is the way it is, says a lot about you. Why is that room a disaster? Or why does that room cause you stress? These ideas have made me think and analyze myself.
Today in my writing, I plan to take ideas from a chapter in "The Fire in the Fiction" by Donald Maass and apply it to some revisions. The chapter from his book happens to be "The World of the Novel" - - which discusses the setting in your book. As I re-read highlighted passages, I was reminded of the Oprah episode.
Maass writes, "The trick ... is to discover in your setting what is unique for your characters. ...make them grapple with it as surely as they grapple with the main problem and their enemies. ...it is the combination of setting details and the emotions attached to them that, together, make a place a living thing" (pages 82-83).
So... I'm off to discover which room of the house embarrasses my characters the most and why. I can't guarantee these passages will make it into the final draft, but who knows? Maybe this revision will be part of a new masterpiece! ha.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Oh my gosh!
Okay, a huge shout-out to moms who work jobs outside the home. I don't know how you do it in addition to all the other responsibilities required of moms!
I was offered a job selling Bernina sewing machines - and I said, "Sure!"
Last week was my first week... now granted I'm not working full-time, because I want to write full-time. However, to get trained, I need to work more hours. So, Thursday of last week was my first day. I had either the flu or serious food poisoning on Wednesday and was down for the count. Great. Couldn't call in sick to my first day of work... so I sucked it up and went in to work eight hours Thursday. Did great. Came home and crashed. Worked eight hours Friday. Came home and prepped a Stampin' Up! class, and then taught a SU! class Saturday. Came home and crashed.
Writing? Who has time to be a writer? Oh my gosh.
So, I thought I'd get up early, get chores done, and get 2000 words written before heading out to work today. Well... I need to leave in twenty minutes. Do you think I can get 2000 words written in twenty minutes?
This job thing is interferring with my writing thing.
I was offered a job selling Bernina sewing machines - and I said, "Sure!"
Last week was my first week... now granted I'm not working full-time, because I want to write full-time. However, to get trained, I need to work more hours. So, Thursday of last week was my first day. I had either the flu or serious food poisoning on Wednesday and was down for the count. Great. Couldn't call in sick to my first day of work... so I sucked it up and went in to work eight hours Thursday. Did great. Came home and crashed. Worked eight hours Friday. Came home and prepped a Stampin' Up! class, and then taught a SU! class Saturday. Came home and crashed.
Writing? Who has time to be a writer? Oh my gosh.
So, I thought I'd get up early, get chores done, and get 2000 words written before heading out to work today. Well... I need to leave in twenty minutes. Do you think I can get 2000 words written in twenty minutes?
This job thing is interferring with my writing thing.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Contest Deadline Today! Hurry and enter!
Here's another quick and easy contest, but hurry, the deadline is today!
http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/CategoryView,category,Contests.aspx
http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/CategoryView,category,Contests.aspx
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
I can eat cookies for breakfast, if I want to!
Interestingly enough, as an adult, I can choose to eat cookies (homemade chocolate chip cookies) for breakfast, if I want to! Now, granted, eating cookies for breakfast might not necessarily be the healthiest choice, but none-the-less, it's a choice I can make.Another choice I can make as an adult, is not to explain myself. I remember many many years ago, little neighborhood kids were playing with my kids inside our house, the commotion was grinding on my nerves (I'm so NOT a patient mother), and I wanted the neighbor kids to GO HOME! But, I let the commotion continue thinking, what excuse can I give the kids for sending them home? Then it occurred to me. I'm the adult. It's my house. I can send them home if I want to, with no excuses. So, I went to the kids and told them it was time for them to go home. Of course, they whined and asked why. I said, "Because I said so." Ha. I remembered as I kid, I hated that answer from an adult. Ha. But, now I know it's absolutely okay to say - to anyone. Don't want to go to the movies with the annoying person who chatters all the way through it? Just say no thank you. When they whine and ask why? Just say, "Because I don't want to." We don't have to give excuses. And guess what? If the friend is offended and never asks you to the movies again... what's lost?
Anyhow. I need to be a writer. That way, when things get on my nerves, I can rewrite the scene. When a character annoys me, I can eliminate them from the script. When I make an unpopular choice, I can say the characters in the story did it (ha). When I'm craving a certain food, I can describe it and have my characters eat it all they want.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
What I did over the weekend
This is just one 15"x15" block of a nine block quilt. A crazy amount of embroidery and piecing make up this quilt. But, when I saw it - I instantly fell in love with it. I bought the instructions and supplies and was promised by the seller that the packet contained complete instructions. Right. Well, I had to google applique techniques and then I had to google instructions for a blanket stitch. Not to mention, the fabric in the kit does not match the fabric pictured in the instructions! Sheesh.Talk about buying a book because of its cover and then being disappointed with the contents! Never-the-less, I've come up with a strategy and I'm back to enjoying the quilting process.
But it makes me think... when we write a query letter for our manuscripts, what are we promising? When an agent then reads are manuscript, are they thinking "What the heck?" Or are we delivering exactly what we advertised in our query letter? The two need to match up. No bait and switch.
I've promised myself, I must finish my first draft of my current WIP before I go back and rework the query for my first ms. It's been motivating to write more and write faster on my WIP. But I still keep thinking about my first ms... I'm determined to get it published... but I need to re-work a few things first!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
New contest - Go VOTE!
Great contest on Melissa Marr's website. Check it out and vote for my short story, "Fire Opals!"
Click here to view and vote for short stories!
Click here to view and vote for short stories!
"The human brain moves faster...
"The human brain moves faster than any author's fingers can type" (Donald Maass).
Ha. I was reading The Fire in Fiction by Maass this morning while walking on the treadmill and I loved this quote. It makes me laugh now as I type - why? Because apparently it is a challenge for me to use a highligher while walking on the treadmill. HA ha. You should see the yellow squiggle line across the page from trying to highlight this sentence.
Anyhoo... The point of the quote is to cut the unnecessary words from your manuscript. Cut the stuff people don't want to read (an "important" person said that one, but I can't remember who it was).
Sometimes as writers we think all of our words are important, but they're not. The trick is to keep our voice and say the important things with the least amount of words possible.
So, with that, I'll stop typing.
Ha. I was reading The Fire in Fiction by Maass this morning while walking on the treadmill and I loved this quote. It makes me laugh now as I type - why? Because apparently it is a challenge for me to use a highligher while walking on the treadmill. HA ha. You should see the yellow squiggle line across the page from trying to highlight this sentence.
Anyhoo... The point of the quote is to cut the unnecessary words from your manuscript. Cut the stuff people don't want to read (an "important" person said that one, but I can't remember who it was).
Sometimes as writers we think all of our words are important, but they're not. The trick is to keep our voice and say the important things with the least amount of words possible.
So, with that, I'll stop typing.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Day at the spa...
Mmm, Hmm. We all need one. If I could figure out how to get pictures off my new cell phone - I'd show you my pretty toes. Oh well... use your imagination (but imagine my feet skinnier than they actually are).
[Sidenote: did you know you can find pictures of anything via google? Crazy. These are not my toes. But totally how I picture my toes in my head. In fact, my toes are fatter.]While at the spa getting a pedicure, I sat and thought about characters. The more I write the more I think about writing. I meet people, watch people, talk to people, and think to myself: you need to be a character in my book.
I've even stopped and typed notes into my cell phone (uh, oh! that reminds me... I need to get those notes off my old cell phone! I'd better write another note...). I write reminders of what these larger than life characters said and did. For example, one day I was driving down the road and a guy in an old beat up pickup truck swerved a bit. I thought, what the heck is he doing? And then, he spat out the window. Ew. He must be chewing tabacco and spitting. Ick. Mental note, stay out of his spit-zone. But then, we stopped at the stop light. He was next to me. I had to look. He was brushing his teeth! REALLY! He had a toothbrush in one hand and picked up a water bottle with the other. Rinsed and spat out the window again. Huh. Light turned green. He drove on, still brushing his teeth.
I could tell you about the red-neck dad in Cabella's (camping & hunting store) with two little toddlers in tow and a baby in the shopping cart and what he explained to them about his truck. (Lots of trucks in Idaho)
I could tell you about the optometrist who spoke so fast I could hardly keep up. He kept waving his hands and asking, "Do you know what I mean? Do you know what I mean?" I'm pretty sure he meant he had to much coffee to drink that day. HA.
Anyhow... I enjoyed my day at the spa... but I had trouble focusing. I had a physical need to write.
Friday, April 30, 2010
You're FIRED!
Well, you see... I hooked up with a second critique partner last week. My first critique partner is so AWESOME (shout out to Miss Melissa Dean!) and gives such great feedback, I figured, a second partner would make things twice as helpful... right? WRONG!
She fired my sorry butt yesterday. Ouch. Well, can't say I'm terribly sad she fired me. I can only say I was terribly sad at the very mean things she said in the "dismissal" letter. Sheesh. People. Words actually are sticks and stones, and they actually can hurt! Oh my. She basically said my writing stinks and I'll never get published. Okay. Whatever. Your opinion. But, one of the purposes of a critique partnership is to HELP each other. Hello!?
So, anyway... I could rant all day about this (but I did that yesterday). Ha. So, I will learn from it and move on. But, my research has made it clear that many published authors wish they would've gotten critique partners earlier in the process. I'm determined to be published, so therefore, I will follow the advice of those who've traveled this road before me.
Done ranting.
She fired my sorry butt yesterday. Ouch. Well, can't say I'm terribly sad she fired me. I can only say I was terribly sad at the very mean things she said in the "dismissal" letter. Sheesh. People. Words actually are sticks and stones, and they actually can hurt! Oh my. She basically said my writing stinks and I'll never get published. Okay. Whatever. Your opinion. But, one of the purposes of a critique partnership is to HELP each other. Hello!?
So, anyway... I could rant all day about this (but I did that yesterday). Ha. So, I will learn from it and move on. But, my research has made it clear that many published authors wish they would've gotten critique partners earlier in the process. I'm determined to be published, so therefore, I will follow the advice of those who've traveled this road before me.
Done ranting.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Writing goal...
Here are the books that have helped me:
"Self-Editing for Fiction Writers" by Browne and King
"The Fire in the Fiction" by Donald Maass
I'm going to read another Donald Maass book next.
Websites that have helped me are listed in the sidebar. Check them out.
Back to writing...
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Email In-Box... WAHOO!
Well, as my usual routine goes... I got my sorry butt out of bed this morning and immediately went to check email. Because... of course, agents only work during the midnight hour. And guess what?! Not only did I receive six more Viagra emails, I also received a request for a partial manuscript from an agent! WAHOO!
Monday, April 26, 2010
So much to do, to do, to do!
I would be perfectly happy writing all day long.
But for some reason dust, laundry, dishes, bills, and other annoying little things tend to accumulate.
So, what's a writer to do? I suppose I could hire a maid, a cook, an accountant, and a personal assistant, but I should probably sell a book first.
HA. So, logically, I should write all day so that I can sell the book so that I can hire those assistants so that I can write more... right?
But for some reason dust, laundry, dishes, bills, and other annoying little things tend to accumulate.
So, what's a writer to do? I suppose I could hire a maid, a cook, an accountant, and a personal assistant, but I should probably sell a book first.
HA. So, logically, I should write all day so that I can sell the book so that I can hire those assistants so that I can write more... right?
Friday, April 23, 2010
Daughtry
I saw Daughtry in concert Friday night. It was great.
He explained to the crowd that they wrote seventy songs for their current album. "Most were crap," he said. They recorded twenty songs. Twelve made it on to the album.
Interesting. I sat there and contemplated how that related to writing. We write seventy words, seventy pages, maybe seventy chapters. Most are crap. We keep the best twenty. Then it gets cut down to twelve.
Then we have a best seller and millions of people pay to see us in person. I wish.
Rock on...
He explained to the crowd that they wrote seventy songs for their current album. "Most were crap," he said. They recorded twenty songs. Twelve made it on to the album.
Interesting. I sat there and contemplated how that related to writing. We write seventy words, seventy pages, maybe seventy chapters. Most are crap. We keep the best twenty. Then it gets cut down to twelve.
Then we have a best seller and millions of people pay to see us in person. I wish.
Rock on...
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Give up my cookies?
So... awhile back on the kidlit site (link below) I read that when it comes to YA novels, writers should not incorporate parental point-of-views or worse yet villian point-of-views. No parental POV because teenagers don't really want to read that. No villian POV because it's too jarring for the YA reader.
Oops. My work-in-progress has multiple points-of-view. Including the parental and the villian. The kidlit site also suggested that writers who include a parental POV in YA novels are trying to "teach" the teenager something. Na-uh. (That is TOO a word! Look it up.)
Okay... well, maybe the kidlit site is right. Maybe I was trying (without realizing it at first) to teach something, and maybe the villian POV is too jarring.
However, I love a good thriller (granted usually written for the adult market) that has some chapters from the villian's POV. Is it really too jarring for the YA readers to jump into the head of the icky icky bad guy?
So, I'm reworking (from page one) my WIP. I've successfully removed the parental POV. That was actually pretty easy. But, I'm struggling with removing the villian's chapters. These chapters are really creepy and I'm concerned I'll lose too much of the story by taking them out. What to do. What to do.
I feel like the Cookie Monster. I love cookies. But someone has just told me to do without them. Oh no...
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
What I do in my spare time...
Now, not only am I a writer, I'm also a video producer (not really). Check it out:
(and yes, I know a word is spelled wrong in the video, but that's what happens when you hire a teenager to spell check for you.)
(and yes, I know a word is spelled wrong in the video, but that's what happens when you hire a teenager to spell check for you.)
Parental point of view versus teenager point of view
One of the tricky things about writing young adult books is to not infuse it with parental point of view - preaching - or obvious moral lessons.
Young adult books are supposed to be from the teenager's perspective, their journey.
So... it's an interesting process for me. On one hand I'm in the parental role raising three teenagers of my own. On the other hand, I'm writing a young adult book that is NOT supposed to be from my perspective. It's hard when I want to slap the m.c. upside the head. I have to keep telling myself, I am not writing from the parental perspective. It's even harder considering my work in progress is inspired by actual events.
Here's the quote for the day that describes the chapter I finished:
“One of the hardest things to teach a child is that the truth is more important than the consequences.” – O.A. Battista
Young adult books are supposed to be from the teenager's perspective, their journey.
So... it's an interesting process for me. On one hand I'm in the parental role raising three teenagers of my own. On the other hand, I'm writing a young adult book that is NOT supposed to be from my perspective. It's hard when I want to slap the m.c. upside the head. I have to keep telling myself, I am not writing from the parental perspective. It's even harder considering my work in progress is inspired by actual events.
Here's the quote for the day that describes the chapter I finished:
“One of the hardest things to teach a child is that the truth is more important than the consequences.” – O.A. Battista
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Who influences our children?
Someone asked me the other day, "Do you think it helps (raising kids) belonging to a church that supports your moral beliefs?"
My answer was, "Heck, yah!"
I truly believe in the philosophy that it takes a village to raise a child. Think of all the people who influence our children: teachers, friends, non-friends, neighbors, church leaders, sports leaders, coaches, etc. How many hours a day are we, the parents, influencing our children versus the time others are influencing them?
With this in mind, think about this quote:
"The group consisting of mother, father and child is the main educational agency of mankind." -- Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
So, while it might take a village, it is ultimately up to the family unit. Parents must be involved in the lives of their children. Parents need to know what is going on... and we do that by actively engaging our children in conversation. AND listening to what they have to say.
I'm currently working on my second manuscript, titled "The Education of Thia." Originally, I was going to begin each chapter with an interesting educational quote (such as the one above). However, other people in the publishing industry have told me that it is nearly impossible to get quotes published in a novel. Too many hoops to jump through. So, I need to research it more. I'm considering eliminating them from the novel. But, none-the-less, the quotes have stirred my thought process.
My answer was, "Heck, yah!"
I truly believe in the philosophy that it takes a village to raise a child. Think of all the people who influence our children: teachers, friends, non-friends, neighbors, church leaders, sports leaders, coaches, etc. How many hours a day are we, the parents, influencing our children versus the time others are influencing them?
With this in mind, think about this quote:
"The group consisting of mother, father and child is the main educational agency of mankind." -- Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
So, while it might take a village, it is ultimately up to the family unit. Parents must be involved in the lives of their children. Parents need to know what is going on... and we do that by actively engaging our children in conversation. AND listening to what they have to say.
I'm currently working on my second manuscript, titled "The Education of Thia." Originally, I was going to begin each chapter with an interesting educational quote (such as the one above). However, other people in the publishing industry have told me that it is nearly impossible to get quotes published in a novel. Too many hoops to jump through. So, I need to research it more. I'm considering eliminating them from the novel. But, none-the-less, the quotes have stirred my thought process.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass
Fantastic book! Donald Maass refers to secondary characters as "special" characters. He writes, "Look at the special character through the eyes of your protagonist. List three ways in which they are exactly alike. Find one way in which they are exactly the opposite" (page 51). Great character building tip!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Donald Maass
Now, Janet Reid will think I'm stalking her, because I stole the above clip from her website. Couldn't resist. It's a funny video, AND, I just purchased Donald Maass' books a few days ago for myself. Funny.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Janet Reid, Literary Agent
Last night I enjoyed a fantastic dream...
Janet Reid, superstar agent, sent me a telegram (first clue it was a DREAM!). Her telegram read something like this:
Dear Margo. stop.
After seeing your blog. stop. And reading your short stories on your website. stop. I have reconsidered. stop. I made a terrible mistake rejecting your query. stop. Please send me a full right away. stop. Actually, forget the full. stop. I've enclosed a contract. stop. I want to represent you. stop.
Sincerely. stop.
Janet Reid, Literary Agent. stop.
HA Ha ha.
Then I woke up and checked my email...
Four new Viagra emails, but nothing from Janet or any other literary agent. *sigh*
If you'd like to read my short stories, check out my website:
http://www.margokelly.net/
If you'd like to know more about Janet (aka the Query Shark) visit her blog:
http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/
Janet Reid, superstar agent, sent me a telegram (first clue it was a DREAM!). Her telegram read something like this:
Dear Margo. stop.
After seeing your blog. stop. And reading your short stories on your website. stop. I have reconsidered. stop. I made a terrible mistake rejecting your query. stop. Please send me a full right away. stop. Actually, forget the full. stop. I've enclosed a contract. stop. I want to represent you. stop.
Sincerely. stop.
Janet Reid, Literary Agent. stop.
HA Ha ha.
Then I woke up and checked my email...
Four new Viagra emails, but nothing from Janet or any other literary agent. *sigh*
If you'd like to read my short stories, check out my website:
http://www.margokelly.net/
If you'd like to know more about Janet (aka the Query Shark) visit her blog:
http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Win a Substantive Edit of your YA or MG manuscript!
I love easy contests to enter. Here's a great one. The winner will be selected at random for editing by a professional editor.
http://dear-editor.com/
http://dear-editor.com/
"It doesn't mean I get to shoplift the jelly"
Why write my own post when I can simply direct you to a totally awesome post written by someone else? HA! Check it out: A Matter of EthicsThursday, April 8, 2010
Henry's Box
This short-short story is based on the following prompt: Seated to your left at a coffee shop, he takes out a cigar box and pulls out jewelry, piece by piece. You strain to hear the conversation taking place.
For more fun prompts, visit: http://blog.writersdigest.com/promptly/
Henry, my lover and companion of seventy-eight years, sat to my left on the tattered red vinyl bench of the coffee shop booth. He reached into his satchel and pulled out an old cigar box. Odd, since he never smoked. I peered into his crystal clear blue eyes and glanced again at the box. His knobby knuckled hands rested on top. He said something.
“What? I can’t hear you,” I said.
Henry turned toward me. “You didn’t wear your hearing aids, did you?” Henry always boasted that while he was two years older than me, he could still hear better and see better. A prideful man. But still a pleasure to look at after all these years.
“What?” I asked, but I heard him this time. I leaned closer and placed my own arthritic hands on the diner’s table. My nails were brittle, but I kept them trimmed and manicured. No rings would fit over my large knuckles anymore, and age spots decorated the skin where jewels no longer rested.
Henry opened the box lid to reveal black velvet boxes with gold trim nested inside. He mumbled again. I looked at him, and he stared at me. A tear ran down his cheek and then another.
“What’s a matter with you?” I asked.
Henry placed his hand on mine and said loudly, “This is important.”
“Go ahead,” I said and focused on his lips.
Henry opened the smallest black box and held it out to me. A large marquee cut diamond engagement ring sat inside along with a wedding band embellished with smaller diamonds. I looked back at Henry determined to hear his words but unable to focus on his lips due to my own tears.
“Rings I should’ve offered to you eight decades ago. I bought them for you all those years ago.” Henry’s hands trembled as he set the open box in front of me. I struggled to catch my breath. Henry reached for the next box. He opened it. Inside was a sapphire bracelet.
“I bought this for what should’ve been our twenty-fifth anniversary.” Henry continued to pull out boxes and identify them as gifts for the milestones of our lives: birthdays, anniversaries, births of children, grandchildren, and so on.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“I’m saying sorry.”
I understood. He couldn’t have given me these markers of love any sooner. I wouldn’t have accepted them. But with the death of his wife last year, Henry was now available.
“Will you marry me?” Henry asked and held up the engagement ring.
Tears ran down both our faces as I said yes. He kissed the knuckle which refused to allow the ring a home. He returned the ring back to the box and said, “We’ll have it resized.”
For more fun prompts, visit: http://blog.writersdigest.com/promptly/
Henry’s Box
by Margo Kelly
Henry, my lover and companion of seventy-eight years, sat to my left on the tattered red vinyl bench of the coffee shop booth. He reached into his satchel and pulled out an old cigar box. Odd, since he never smoked. I peered into his crystal clear blue eyes and glanced again at the box. His knobby knuckled hands rested on top. He said something.
“What? I can’t hear you,” I said.
Henry turned toward me. “You didn’t wear your hearing aids, did you?” Henry always boasted that while he was two years older than me, he could still hear better and see better. A prideful man. But still a pleasure to look at after all these years.
“What?” I asked, but I heard him this time. I leaned closer and placed my own arthritic hands on the diner’s table. My nails were brittle, but I kept them trimmed and manicured. No rings would fit over my large knuckles anymore, and age spots decorated the skin where jewels no longer rested.
Henry opened the box lid to reveal black velvet boxes with gold trim nested inside. He mumbled again. I looked at him, and he stared at me. A tear ran down his cheek and then another.
“What’s a matter with you?” I asked.
Henry placed his hand on mine and said loudly, “This is important.”
“Go ahead,” I said and focused on his lips.
Henry opened the smallest black box and held it out to me. A large marquee cut diamond engagement ring sat inside along with a wedding band embellished with smaller diamonds. I looked back at Henry determined to hear his words but unable to focus on his lips due to my own tears.
“Rings I should’ve offered to you eight decades ago. I bought them for you all those years ago.” Henry’s hands trembled as he set the open box in front of me. I struggled to catch my breath. Henry reached for the next box. He opened it. Inside was a sapphire bracelet.
“I bought this for what should’ve been our twenty-fifth anniversary.” Henry continued to pull out boxes and identify them as gifts for the milestones of our lives: birthdays, anniversaries, births of children, grandchildren, and so on.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“I’m saying sorry.”
I understood. He couldn’t have given me these markers of love any sooner. I wouldn’t have accepted them. But with the death of his wife last year, Henry was now available.
“Will you marry me?” Henry asked and held up the engagement ring.
Tears ran down both our faces as I said yes. He kissed the knuckle which refused to allow the ring a home. He returned the ring back to the box and said, “We’ll have it resized.”
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Coloring outside the lines...
Great post today (as is the case MOST days!) on Kidlit.
Mary writes, "When a first-time novelist “colors outside the lines” in terms of novel craft or structure, I don’t give them the benefit of the doubt that they’re a mad genius and that they’ve totally revolutionized the novel form. I assume that they don’t exactly know what they’re doing yet."
If you'd like to read the entire post: http://kidlit.com/
If you'd like to read the entire post: http://kidlit.com/
Monday, April 5, 2010
Printable coupons
Did you know you can google coupons for some of your favorite stores? Then you print off the coupon, take it into the store, and possibly save 40% on the purchase of one item.
As I was doing this a few days ago, I thought, "Wish I could google a coupon for free agent advice, or 40% off the time my journey will take to get an agent." ha. Wouldn't that be nice?
Then I realized. There are many opportunities for the unpublished writer to get some of these "discounts" online. Visiting different agent blogs and writer's forums on a regular basis can often alert you to a contest or agent advise that you might not get otherwise.
Here's a contest you might want to check out:
Dear Lucky Agent Contest for Middle Grade and Young Adult
Who knows? Maybe you will win a free agent critique of your first ten pages! Can't hurt to try, and it's easy to enter. So, check out the link and let me know if you win! (or even if you enter!) I'm entering today.
As I was doing this a few days ago, I thought, "Wish I could google a coupon for free agent advice, or 40% off the time my journey will take to get an agent." ha. Wouldn't that be nice?
Then I realized. There are many opportunities for the unpublished writer to get some of these "discounts" online. Visiting different agent blogs and writer's forums on a regular basis can often alert you to a contest or agent advise that you might not get otherwise.
Here's a contest you might want to check out:
Dear Lucky Agent Contest for Middle Grade and Young Adult
Who knows? Maybe you will win a free agent critique of your first ten pages! Can't hurt to try, and it's easy to enter. So, check out the link and let me know if you win! (or even if you enter!) I'm entering today.
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