Book I'm currently reading: Sweep: Book of Shadows Book 1by Cate Tiernan***
Just read: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting *****
Okay, so I think I've got a good hook for my query, and even for my first page. I've revised nine times, had three different beta readers over the last two years. So, I decided to sign up for Query Tracker, which is a snazzy little program by the way, and it's FREE, and I sent off to three agents. (My goal is one agent a day until my list is exhausted, but so far I'm a little slower than that.)
I already heard back from one. Apparently my first five pages didn't reel her in to want more. So, I revised and started with my second chapter instead. I've always liked that chapter, but one of my beta readers thought I should start with a different chapter, and at the time, it made sense. After reading my first chapter again, I decided it doesn't make sense to start like that anymore.
Now, I'm thinking I need another full on revision before I try to send it off to another agent. A couple of things need to be added or rearranged, and maybe even readded from a previous revision. AHHH!!!
Writers aren't kidding when we say revision is the hardest work. It is. The whole problem with the industry though is that agents are inundated with so many queries and sample chapters that they can't really give any feedback as to why something didn't grab their attention. Right now, the market is tough. Even at the bookstores in the Teen section, I noticed few new writers and mostly the same dark vampire books that have been on the shelves for years. Yet, when I talk to my students they are TIRED of vampires and werewolves. They want something different. Dystopia is hot right now, but unfortunately, my book is not set in a dystopia.
I've been told over and over again by friends, by other authors' websites, by agent websites: DON'T GIVE UP - keep writing and keep sending it out. So, there you have it. I have to keep baiting my hook and casting that reel until I get lucky enough to snag an agent.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
My Summer Goals
Book I'm currently reading: The Passage by Justin Cronin
In order to be a successful writer, you have to set goals for yourself. The only way I was able to write three books in three years was through creating goals for myself and then meeting them over time. It takes consistency and clear vision.
Here are my writing goals this summer that I have to post. This will make me more likely to meet them.
1st: Rewrite my synopsis and update my query letter to find an agent who will represent me for Dreaming Dangerously, Book 1 of the Children of the Psi series.
2nd: Continue working on book two Darkness Descends revision.
3rd: Plot third book in series What Dreams Will Come, so I can start writing pieces of it once I'm finished with book 2.
The great thing is that I already have a marketing plan in several different increments, so that I can also discuss this with an agent/editor.
Finally, Will and Cassie might be out in book form - may the Children of the Psi prevail!!
In order to be a successful writer, you have to set goals for yourself. The only way I was able to write three books in three years was through creating goals for myself and then meeting them over time. It takes consistency and clear vision.
Here are my writing goals this summer that I have to post. This will make me more likely to meet them.
1st: Rewrite my synopsis and update my query letter to find an agent who will represent me for Dreaming Dangerously, Book 1 of the Children of the Psi series.
2nd: Continue working on book two Darkness Descends revision.
3rd: Plot third book in series What Dreams Will Come, so I can start writing pieces of it once I'm finished with book 2.
The great thing is that I already have a marketing plan in several different increments, so that I can also discuss this with an agent/editor.
Finally, Will and Cassie might be out in book form - may the Children of the Psi prevail!!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
We all Make Mistakes
This blog is from a language arts assignment written by my daughter, Erin in her journal:
If we all make mistakes
Then how come people judge us for it?
If we all make mistakes
Then how come we treat them so cruelly?
How come we treat them like their terrible?
Why do people make them seem so stupid or rude?
Why do we pick on them?
Why do we ruin their souls?
Why do we treat them like their ignorant?
Why are they so much different from us?
Why do we give them death threats?
Why do we follow the others?
I bet you're wondering who I mean by "them."
I mean people...
People who have made a mistake...
If we all make mistakes
Then how come people judge us for it?
If we all make mistakes
Then how come we treat them so cruelly?
How come we treat them like their terrible?
Why do people make them seem so stupid or rude?
Why do we pick on them?
Why do we ruin their souls?
Why do we treat them like their ignorant?
Why are they so much different from us?
Why do we give them death threats?
Why do we follow the others?
I bet you're wondering who I mean by "them."
I mean people...
People who have made a mistake...
Sunday, December 26, 2010
NEW LAPTOP!
I am SOOO excited! My husband bought a laptop for me for Christmas. It's my first laptop in nearly ten years! And this one is for my writing only. Nothing else, but my writing. I won't be doing lesson plans or anything schoolwise on this one, unless I find something really cool to do on here. That's what the school-issued laptop is for. Anyway, my new laptop is an HP. I'm still getting used to the keyboard action. It's different from my Apple because the keys are kind of slippery, and I keep typing incorrect letters. The keyboard is also set up differently, and so is the tracker mouse. I may have to go into settings and modify the mouse just a bit, if I can. This will sure beat having to edit on my iPhone this summer.
Yes, I edited one of my novels twice using my iPhone. I could only read three lines at a time. Excruciatingly slow process that I hope never to have to do again. I still need to upload iTunes and all of my music to this computer, too. I like to be inspired when I write.
Yes, I edited one of my novels twice using my iPhone. I could only read three lines at a time. Excruciatingly slow process that I hope never to have to do again. I still need to upload iTunes and all of my music to this computer, too. I like to be inspired when I write.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Writing Gifts Part Two
Writing a personal letter which describes why a person is special to you and significant in your life can be a great gift idea. The more specific you write, the more the person you are giving this letter to will love it. Check out this video to find out how to write with specific details.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Writing Gifts
A gift of writing is one of the most personal and cherished gifts you can give someone. This type of gift is not just reserved for elementary school children. On many occasions, I've given people I care about the gift of my writing.
These gifts could be in the form of writing a poem, creating a photo book with special memories written inside or writing a heart-felt letter. Mothers and grandmothers really love these types of gifts, especially if you put it in a frame with your picture. Girls really dig this, too, guys!
A couple of years ago, one of my students gave me a book of the poems she wrote in class complete with photos she had taken. It was one of the most wonderful things a student can give a teacher. Now whenever I read her book, I remember the different writing activities and specific classroom memories that each poem evokes for me. It's almost like listening to a song on the radio. Each poem takes me right back to that particular memory. (Let me just admit it. I cried when she gave it to me.)
So, if you're wondering what to give someone - give them the gift of time and give them the gift of shared memories.
These gifts could be in the form of writing a poem, creating a photo book with special memories written inside or writing a heart-felt letter. Mothers and grandmothers really love these types of gifts, especially if you put it in a frame with your picture. Girls really dig this, too, guys!
A couple of years ago, one of my students gave me a book of the poems she wrote in class complete with photos she had taken. It was one of the most wonderful things a student can give a teacher. Now whenever I read her book, I remember the different writing activities and specific classroom memories that each poem evokes for me. It's almost like listening to a song on the radio. Each poem takes me right back to that particular memory. (Let me just admit it. I cried when she gave it to me.)
So, if you're wondering what to give someone - give them the gift of time and give them the gift of shared memories.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
To Plan or Not To Plan
To Plan or Not to Plan? - that is the question that most beginning writers ask, including myself four years ago when my journey with Dreaming Dangerously began.
After writing three novels and planning novels 4 and 5, I've learned quite a lot about the way I work best. I'm the kind of writer who needs an idea I'm excited about, and then I have to plan. Writing 70,000 to 80,000 words is intimidating. Even more intimidating is revising and editing that much text.
What benefits me the most is following a plan. I don't really outline, per se. It's too rigid for me. However, I do know what I want to happen in each scene of my books. Each scene fits into the plot line like a puzzle piece. Some scenes I end up cutting, and some new scenes have to be added after the first three or ten revisions. (Yeah, I said ten revisions of 70,000 words - writing is hard work.) Other times, I just have to rearrange the scenes so the storyline makes more sense.
The benefit of the plan is that at least I have some sort of road map. I know the destination of my story before I begin writing it. I have to make sure it's worth the journey for the reader. I don't want to write 65,000 words and then not be able to end the story in a way that would satisfy my readers or myself.
One of the best ways to plan out a novel is using the Snowflake Method created by Randy Ingermanson on his website AdvancedFictionWriting.com. I had no clue how to plan out a novel, but his method makes a lot of sense. I also like his advice on writing scenes at Writing the Perfect Scene.
After writing three novels and planning novels 4 and 5, I've learned quite a lot about the way I work best. I'm the kind of writer who needs an idea I'm excited about, and then I have to plan. Writing 70,000 to 80,000 words is intimidating. Even more intimidating is revising and editing that much text.
What benefits me the most is following a plan. I don't really outline, per se. It's too rigid for me. However, I do know what I want to happen in each scene of my books. Each scene fits into the plot line like a puzzle piece. Some scenes I end up cutting, and some new scenes have to be added after the first three or ten revisions. (Yeah, I said ten revisions of 70,000 words - writing is hard work.) Other times, I just have to rearrange the scenes so the storyline makes more sense.
The benefit of the plan is that at least I have some sort of road map. I know the destination of my story before I begin writing it. I have to make sure it's worth the journey for the reader. I don't want to write 65,000 words and then not be able to end the story in a way that would satisfy my readers or myself.
One of the best ways to plan out a novel is using the Snowflake Method created by Randy Ingermanson on his website AdvancedFictionWriting.com. I had no clue how to plan out a novel, but his method makes a lot of sense. I also like his advice on writing scenes at Writing the Perfect Scene.
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