I follow way too many blogs (all of them writing related) and there are three that stand out, again and again.
Don't Pet Me, I'm Writing by Tawna Fenske
Tawna is hilarious. Her quirky wit comes through on every post, making me want to comment. I can scroll through a hundred blog posts on Google Reader and when I come to one that makes me laugh, more often than not, it's hers.
Adventures in Children's Publishing
Even if you're not writing for kids, this blog has a weekly feature called "Best Articles This Week for Writers" where they go through all the trouble of linking up great blog posts, tweets and other writing-related items of interest. Save yourself time and follow this blog to get the weekly download!
Literary Rambles by Casey L. McCormick
Casey has put together an impressive collection of agent bios, and has them tagged by the genres they represent. The work she does in putting together her agent spotlights saves hours of doing research yourself on potential agents. The YA list she has is the most comprehensive I've seen, and she keeps them up to date. Invaluable resource for the aspiring author!
Congratulations to these blog owners and well done! You continue to light up the writing blogsphere with your contributions.
Do you have a favorite blog (or three) that you can recommend? Be sure to tell us why you like it!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
NaNoReaMo update
I quickly realized that NaNoWriMo was not within my grasp, so I decided to buy a boatload of books and have a reading month instead. I've been streaming through them at a pretty decent clip, to be honest. Some have exceeded my expectations, others have fallen far short. I have had a couple of 4 stars, a 3 star, a 2 star and a 1 star that was so bad, I didn't finish it.
The one I just finished earned a 2 star, I'm sad to say. It started out well, but over the course of the book, continued to drop in my esteem until it barely eeked out 2 stars when all was said and done. Funny thing is, I'd say she was a skilled writer.
It was the story that sucked.
I've been noodling on that the last couple of days. This writer had a knack for a descriptive turn of phrase, her dialogue was believable, and the tension between her characters was palpable. However, I didn't really love any of the characters and ultimately, I didn't like the story. That's it.
I might really like something else she wrote.
I received a critique note on a contest a while back where the reviewer said I had "definite potential". I think this writer had definite potential as well. Maybe I should give her another try, and myself as well. Hmm... we'll see.
The one I just finished earned a 2 star, I'm sad to say. It started out well, but over the course of the book, continued to drop in my esteem until it barely eeked out 2 stars when all was said and done. Funny thing is, I'd say she was a skilled writer.
It was the story that sucked.
I've been noodling on that the last couple of days. This writer had a knack for a descriptive turn of phrase, her dialogue was believable, and the tension between her characters was palpable. However, I didn't really love any of the characters and ultimately, I didn't like the story. That's it.
I might really like something else she wrote.
I received a critique note on a contest a while back where the reviewer said I had "definite potential". I think this writer had definite potential as well. Maybe I should give her another try, and myself as well. Hmm... we'll see.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Books, Books and More Books!
So I signed up for NaNoWriMo (National November Writing Month) in which I, along with 300,000 of my closest writerly friends, did steadfastly swear to commit the month of November to writing at least 50,000 words. I'll save you the math: that's 1,667 words per day. For some, that's no big deal; for me (who writes at a snail's pace), that's crazy.
Turned out it was. It's the end of the first week and I've barely surpassed the word count required by the end of Day One. No catching up now. So, I could feel bad about it, stress out, eat a bunch of ice cream and get down on myself... Or I could get over it. In the interest of sanity and family harmony, I have chosen the latter.
I still have a good story idea I plan on fleshing out (one excruciatingly slow word at a time), but I no longer fancy that I might claim victory in the NaNoWriMo winner's circle. Instead, I rejoiced in the 40% off Used Book Sale at my local store and went Book-Bonkers!
Welcome to Cyndi's NaNoReaMo! Yay, me! *grin*
Turned out it was. It's the end of the first week and I've barely surpassed the word count required by the end of Day One. No catching up now. So, I could feel bad about it, stress out, eat a bunch of ice cream and get down on myself... Or I could get over it. In the interest of sanity and family harmony, I have chosen the latter.
I still have a good story idea I plan on fleshing out (one excruciatingly slow word at a time), but I no longer fancy that I might claim victory in the NaNoWriMo winner's circle. Instead, I rejoiced in the 40% off Used Book Sale at my local store and went Book-Bonkers!
Welcome to Cyndi's NaNoReaMo! Yay, me! *grin*
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The CreATION Process From Idea to Bookshelf
1) Inspiration: Wow, this idea is so awesome. My muse totally loves me and I can't believe I never thought of it before. I am SO gonna write this story so it sings! *does happy dance around the room*
2) Perspiration: Ok, this is harder than I thought it was going to be. I can't think of the right words, the dialogue is not coming out right, I feel like I'm dragging this thing, kicking and screaming, to the end. Oh right, and then I've got to edit. And edit. And edit. I'm gonna need another drink.
3) Elation: It's done! I did it! I can't believe I set my mind to it, I powered through, and I made it. It sparkles, it shines, it's the best story that ever was. Yay me! I so totally rock.
4) Aspiration: I hope hope hope hope hope hope everyone else loves it as much as I do (though how could they not, since it's clearly amazing). I'm going to send it off to multiple agents and I'll have to pick among many who'll call me to offer representation. Hmmm... maybe I should be looking at which one is best with foreign rights negotiations, 'cuz it may well come down to that.
5) Constipation: It's been months of agonizing rejections and no one wants me. Sure, there are still agents left I haven't queried yet, but could that many agents be wrong? I mean, really, I probably totally suck. The story sucks, I suck, everything sucks. I don't know why I wanted to be a writer. Well, maybe if I changed that one thing...
6) Determination: Repeat steps 1 through 4.
7) Desperation: A full request! I got a full request! From a real, live agent! Oh, please please please please please love the story....
8) Expiration: I've died and gone to heaven! The agent's on the phone, saying she loved it and knows just the right editors she wants to send it to. I can't believe it's really happening. Wow, I'm a little light headed and-- wait, why am I crumpled in a pile of drool on the floor? *picks up phone* Yes, I'm still here...
9) Deflation: What? You mean it needs some more work before we send it out? Okay... Repeat steps 2 through 3. Send it out to editors, repeating step 4 (and likely step 5), then steps 7 and 8.
10) Celebration: I'm holding it, I'm signing it, you're buying it. It's finally happened. *grabs a tissue so my autograph doesn't smear on the page* Yes, I'm fine, it's just... *hugs total stranger buying my book* Thank you- what's your name?-Minerva Mingles. Cool name, maybe I could use that in my next book...
And, as they say in the music biz'... Take it from the top, boys!
2) Perspiration: Ok, this is harder than I thought it was going to be. I can't think of the right words, the dialogue is not coming out right, I feel like I'm dragging this thing, kicking and screaming, to the end. Oh right, and then I've got to edit. And edit. And edit. I'm gonna need another drink.
3) Elation: It's done! I did it! I can't believe I set my mind to it, I powered through, and I made it. It sparkles, it shines, it's the best story that ever was. Yay me! I so totally rock.
4) Aspiration: I hope hope hope hope hope hope everyone else loves it as much as I do (though how could they not, since it's clearly amazing). I'm going to send it off to multiple agents and I'll have to pick among many who'll call me to offer representation. Hmmm... maybe I should be looking at which one is best with foreign rights negotiations, 'cuz it may well come down to that.
5) Constipation: It's been months of agonizing rejections and no one wants me. Sure, there are still agents left I haven't queried yet, but could that many agents be wrong? I mean, really, I probably totally suck. The story sucks, I suck, everything sucks. I don't know why I wanted to be a writer. Well, maybe if I changed that one thing...
6) Determination: Repeat steps 1 through 4.
7) Desperation: A full request! I got a full request! From a real, live agent! Oh, please please please please please love the story....
8) Expiration: I've died and gone to heaven! The agent's on the phone, saying she loved it and knows just the right editors she wants to send it to. I can't believe it's really happening. Wow, I'm a little light headed and-- wait, why am I crumpled in a pile of drool on the floor? *picks up phone* Yes, I'm still here...
9) Deflation: What? You mean it needs some more work before we send it out? Okay... Repeat steps 2 through 3. Send it out to editors, repeating step 4 (and likely step 5), then steps 7 and 8.
10) Celebration: I'm holding it, I'm signing it, you're buying it. It's finally happened. *grabs a tissue so my autograph doesn't smear on the page* Yes, I'm fine, it's just... *hugs total stranger buying my book* Thank you- what's your name?-Minerva Mingles. Cool name, maybe I could use that in my next book...
And, as they say in the music biz'... Take it from the top, boys!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
That Awkward Question
If you're a single girl of child-bearing age, the dreaded question is likely to be, "So, are you dating anyone yet?" The cringe-worthy question that makes you want to scream, "It's none of your damn business!" You probably want to wear a sign that notifies the world that asking is not necessary; if and when that time arrives, you will make sure they all know.
For an unpublished writer, the question becomes, "How's the book thing going?"
Admittedly, if you are in my close circle of friends and family, I've spent countless hours boring you with every bump on the emotional rollercoaster, so you are not the person asking this question.
It's casual acquaintances, mostly, who ask it in a friendly way, knowing that it's important to me, that it's cool I wrote a book, feeling like they're bonding with me by asking. One word: Don't.
It's not that I don't appreciate your interest, it's just that responding causes me pain. Where do I start? That I'm chewing my fingernails, waiting for the rejections to come, that I live with the constant fear of not being good enough, that I should move on to the next big thing but am paralyzed that the next one won't be any good either? What part of that do you want to know? You don't.
So I smile and say, "Good," because you're asking the equivalent of "How are you?" and it doesn't matter if I'm dying on the inside, it's not really worthwhile to go down that road with an acquaintance.
So if you know an unpublished author, wait for him or her to bring up the book. If you're in the inner circle, it won't take long. If you're not, you'll be doing that person a favor by asking about something--anything--else instead.
For an unpublished writer, the question becomes, "How's the book thing going?"
Admittedly, if you are in my close circle of friends and family, I've spent countless hours boring you with every bump on the emotional rollercoaster, so you are not the person asking this question.
It's casual acquaintances, mostly, who ask it in a friendly way, knowing that it's important to me, that it's cool I wrote a book, feeling like they're bonding with me by asking. One word: Don't.
It's not that I don't appreciate your interest, it's just that responding causes me pain. Where do I start? That I'm chewing my fingernails, waiting for the rejections to come, that I live with the constant fear of not being good enough, that I should move on to the next big thing but am paralyzed that the next one won't be any good either? What part of that do you want to know? You don't.
So I smile and say, "Good," because you're asking the equivalent of "How are you?" and it doesn't matter if I'm dying on the inside, it's not really worthwhile to go down that road with an acquaintance.
So if you know an unpublished author, wait for him or her to bring up the book. If you're in the inner circle, it won't take long. If you're not, you'll be doing that person a favor by asking about something--anything--else instead.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Planting, Then Uprooting Seeds of Darkness
I am reading Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instrument series (they are fab- check them out). The YA paranormal books feature demon-killers who have a variety of tricks up their sleeves, one of which is a "witchlight": a smooth rock that fits in the palm of your hand that casts a strong light when the demon-killer (aka Shadowhunter) wills it to. At one point, the author refers to the witchlight as a "seed of darkness".
It got me to thinking about the seeds of darkness that we all have within us, things that we lock away, that we're ashamed of, or that we're insecure about, things we don't want other people to know.
Seeds of darkness make characters interesting.
When a character has a deep-rooted insecurity, it colors the way he sees the world, the way he reacts to good and bad; it becomes the basis of his motivations. Exposing these seeds that you've planted in a character forces him to confront the things he'd rather keep hidden and either triumph over them or be dominated by them. Because we all have seeds of darkness within, we can relate to the pain the character is going through, which brings us closer and makes us fall in love with the book.
When you're working on character development, think of what seeds your hero or heroine has rooted down deep inside, what insecurities, failings, fears, and worries make up his or her past. Then think about how you can bring those to light and force a confrontation. You might be surprised to find the process ends up being cathartic for you as well, as I have.
What "seeds of darkness" can you think of that we can saddle a character with? Share your thoughts so that we can glean ideas!
It got me to thinking about the seeds of darkness that we all have within us, things that we lock away, that we're ashamed of, or that we're insecure about, things we don't want other people to know.
Seeds of darkness make characters interesting.
When a character has a deep-rooted insecurity, it colors the way he sees the world, the way he reacts to good and bad; it becomes the basis of his motivations. Exposing these seeds that you've planted in a character forces him to confront the things he'd rather keep hidden and either triumph over them or be dominated by them. Because we all have seeds of darkness within, we can relate to the pain the character is going through, which brings us closer and makes us fall in love with the book.
When you're working on character development, think of what seeds your hero or heroine has rooted down deep inside, what insecurities, failings, fears, and worries make up his or her past. Then think about how you can bring those to light and force a confrontation. You might be surprised to find the process ends up being cathartic for you as well, as I have.
What "seeds of darkness" can you think of that we can saddle a character with? Share your thoughts so that we can glean ideas!
Monday, October 4, 2010
#amDONEediting- Squee!
I finished editing my young adult paranormal romance, Between, and got through the final read-through tonight. It's as spit-polished and shiny as I can, in my humble human condition, make it. So now I set off toward the path of querying agents. *gulp*
Before I swim too far into those waters, I just wanted to take a breath, have a celebration with my blogger buddies, and enjoy the moment. Thanks to all of you, for your comments, for your support, for keeping me going when there was all tunnel and no light.
I loves ya! :)
And if you have YA agent recommendations, please shoot them my way. I'll be doing my homework and can always use helpful info from the writing community.
Before I swim too far into those waters, I just wanted to take a breath, have a celebration with my blogger buddies, and enjoy the moment. Thanks to all of you, for your comments, for your support, for keeping me going when there was all tunnel and no light.
I loves ya! :)
And if you have YA agent recommendations, please shoot them my way. I'll be doing my homework and can always use helpful info from the writing community.
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