tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19070388392337318012024-03-13T14:33:09.683-05:00Darkly Delicious YAWe are a collective of traditionally published young adult authors who are passionate about writing suspenseful, intriguing novels for teens and adults. Our works range from contemporary, romance, paranormal, magical realism, or supernatural, but each of our novels feature a darkly delicious storyline that will leave you craving more.Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-87950976359495734392014-09-01T03:00:00.000-05:002014-09-01T03:00:04.809-05:00Back to School Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;">
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<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-24189426466965617272014-08-14T03:00:00.000-05:002014-08-14T03:00:01.497-05:00A Darkly Delicious Detail about Shades of Atlantis by Carol Oates<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Like many people
in Ireland, I suffered through eleven years of Irish lessons and left school
with hardly more than an ability to introduce myself as Gaeilge. Not a little
bit shameful considering it’s the national language of the country, although
it’s only spoken daily by a relatively small fraction of citizens. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">All languages
evolve. Irish has gone from <i>Primitive Irish</i> in Ogham inscriptions to <i>Modern
Irish </i>in its many dialects. With the English occupation of Ireland, the use
of Gaedhilge declined, mostly declined by mid-18th century. Speaking as
Gaedhilge was discouraged to the point of prohibition in schools and it almost
died out. Late 19th century saw a revival of the culture and language in
reaction to Ireland becoming almost completely anglicised (English culture and
language).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Irish was reintroduced
to schools during political upheaval leading to independence. National
examinations came into play in the 30’s. However, also during this time the
written language went through a dramatic shift and in 1950’s, a new written
standard was published to regulate the many dialects and new written form
called </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">An Caighdeán
Oifigiúil, The Official Standard.</span><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Shades of
Atlantis is heavily influenced by Celtic legends. So, I suppose it’s not
surprising that it inspired me to re-visit my first language. While I’m still not
fluent, I can now pick out words and phrases in both verbal and written Irish.
Enough to get the gist of a radio show at least. That’s a lot more than when I
left school. It’s coming in handy as I write book three where there are
references to both Irish Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Find out more about Carol Oates</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.caroloates.com/"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Website</span></a><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/CarolOates"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Twitter</span></a><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/caroloates.author"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Facebook</span></a><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3988619.Carol_Oates"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Goodreads</span></a><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"></span></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-84831194537853302512014-08-12T03:00:00.000-05:002014-08-12T03:00:05.608-05:00Tip of the Day – Don’t Break the Chain from Kendall Kulper<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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One of my most favorite productivity tips is so simple, it
sounds like a joke: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Step 1. Figure out what it is you want to do every day (say:
writing for an hour a day)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Step 2. Get yourself a big ole calendar, the kind that hangs
on the wall, and a big, fat marker, preferably red.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Step 3. Every time you accomplish your goal for the day, put
a big X in the calendar.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Step 4. Don’t break the chain.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://lifehacker.com/5886128/how-seinfelds-productivity-secret-fixed-my-procrastination-problem">Jerry
Seinfeld famously invented this method</a>, and it works because it is so easy
and so rewarding. It can be tailored for anything—exercising, cleaning your
house, reading—but I love it for writing, and it’s my go-to technique for
prodding myself along when I’m on deadline.</div>
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<br /></div>
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There is just something <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so
satisfying</i> about seeing all those Xs line up, fill up a week, a month,
several pages of calendars. The rewards become cumulative, because each time
you give yourself another X, it feels like you’re adding to a long chain of
work you’ve already accomplished (which, hey—you are!). And focusing on the
mantra “don’t break the chain” takes some of the stress off the goal. You’re
not sitting down at the computer thinking “Oh man, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> should be doing this…” You’re thinking “Look at all those
Xs! This can’t be the day I leave a spot blank!”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me, I gave myself different challenges. I printed out a
blank calendar and hung it on the wall. Every time I wrote a thousand words in
a day, I drew a little picture for that day. If I wrote two thousand words, I
got to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">color the picture in</i>. If I
wrote three thousand words? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GLITTER!!</i>
It was stupid, but it was effective, and there were many days that I’d
otherwise have looked at the clock and called it quits if not for the little
voice inside of me saying “I WANT TO COLOR IN THE PICTURE!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve seen other people get themselves books of stickers or
cutesy stamps, and those work great, too. The most important part? Find a goal,
get a calendar, don’t break the chain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-37259471093867080342014-08-11T03:00:00.000-05:002014-08-11T06:44:06.834-05:00Agent Interview: Jordy Albert of The Booker Albert Literary Agency<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With us today on <i>Monday Meet and Greet</i> is literary agent
and co-founder of <i>The Booker
Albert Literary Agency, </i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jordy Albert </span></span><i>. </i> She was
gracious enough to answer some questions for us on writing and the type of
books that hook her.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>My followers would like to get to know
you better for stalking purposes. Tell us a little about yourself and what made
you want to be an agent. </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve
always loved to read, and I was interested in the publishing industry from an
early age.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What advice would you give aspiring
authors? </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep
writing! It might not happen with your first dozen projects, but I think
practice does make perfect and eventually it will happen. Also, READ. A LOT.
Especially in the genre you write. Join writing groups, get a Beta
reader/critique partner (group), enter pitch contests, and attend conferences.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What elements are MUST HAVES in a story
you’d ask to see more of? </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Characters
that draw me in right away.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Besides basic grammatical errors and
writers sending stories in genres you don’t represent, what are most common
problems with the submissions you receive? </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many
submissions just don’t follow guidelines. For instance, we ask that you don’t
send attachments unless requested, or the author will just send sample pages
with no query. I also receive submissions that have no name or contact
information, and sometimes the author will just send a link to a website.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What’s on your wish list? </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am
such a sucker for historical romance (especially Regency). I’d also like to see
more realistic MG/YA…Oh! And contemporary, and sci-fi YA.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Okay,
now for some fun questions to get to know you.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>All time favorite villain – </b>Voldemort.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Last book that made you cry – </b>The
Fault in Our Stars.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Guilty pleasure – </b>French
fries and chocolate shake, and binge watching Doctor Who/Sherlock when I have
time.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Book you feel everyone must read
that’s not from one of your clients? </b>To Kill A Mockingbird.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hobbies – </b>Reading
lol …knitting, trying to learn more French and Japanese.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Favorite place you’ve ever visited – </b>Japan.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks, Jordy, for being with us today. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To learn more about Jordy Albert, follow her on <a href="https://twitter.com/bluedragonfly81" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://www.thebookeralbertagency.com/" target="_blank">visit </a><i><a href="http://www.thebookeralbertagency.com/" target="_blank">The Booker Albert Agency</a>. </i><i> </i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-- Cherie Colyer, author of <i>the Embrace Series</i> and <i>Challenging Destiny</i></span></span></div>
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Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-27917224631765565432014-08-07T03:00:00.000-05:002014-08-07T03:00:02.717-05:00Darkly Delicious Detail about Dorothy Dreyer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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The Reaper’s Rite series is a young adult paranormal series
with a horror bent. Knowing this, you’d probably guess that I’m one of those
full-on horror movie fangirls who gets a kick out of jump scares and screaming
teenagers being chased by guys in hockey masks. Well, the truth is this: I hate
horror movies!</div>
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Okay, hate is a pretty strong word. I don’t hate them. And I
do admit that watching a few scary movies with my hubby (who loves the horror
genre), I have been enlightened with a few ideas for both stories and
characters. And to tell you the truth, watching scary movies has helped me out
with my writing, especially when I’ve needed to convey a really spooky tone.</div>
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That said, there are some movies that will always frighten
me, even though I’ve seen them more than once. To the point I sit huddled up
under a blanket, peeking through my fingers and whimpering like a toddler. Like
The Exorcists. Probably the first scary movie I ever saw and the one I’m most
frightened of. I mean, talk about creepy! *shudders*</div>
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Are you a horror movie fan? What’s your favorite one? And if
you’re not a fan, what is the one movie that will forever give you nightmares? </div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-13198351437563038092014-08-06T03:00:00.000-05:002014-08-06T03:00:00.849-05:00Mystery in Post-it Notes?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Intrigue plays a bit part in my
YA novel <i>The Monster Within</i>. My MC
Sam faces mystery after mystery from the moment she’s brought back from the
dead. One of those mysteries involves yellow Post-it notes that come to strike
fear in Sam. Check out this scene that occurs immediately after Sam has one of
her Mr. Hyde attacks:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>My head felt woozy, like I was
hung over, but I hadn’t had anything to drink. I slowly got to my feet, still
scanning the yard, looking for whoever had done this. Maybe it was the same
person who had stolen my necklace. I thought back to the guy who was peeking in
the window. The one who’d broken into the house. He knew my name. He knew I
could kill with my bare hands. It had to be him. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Suddenly the realization that I
was outside alone in the dark with a stranger lurking around set in. I ran back
into the cottage and locked both locks behind me. I went around the house
checking all the windows, too. He wasn’t getting inside again. </span><span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>I pulled the curtain back into
place after checking the lock on the window above the kitchen sink. I was
breathing hard. I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on my face. No
way would I be able to go back to sleep after all this, so I grabbed a paper
towel and dabbed my face, trying to think of how I’d pass the time until
morning without waking Ethan. I reached for a second paper towel when I saw the
note on the counter. A yellow Post-it note. I froze. </span><span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>My eyes zeroed in on the
handwriting. Every letter was perfectly straight. </span><span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span>Where’s your necklace? </span></i><span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Those three words sent terror
coursing through my body. Whoever had given me the necklace had been in my
house tonight. He—or she, now I wasn’t so sure—had come into the cottage while
I was out in the yard having a vision and trying not to die. </span><span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Two break-ins in one night? It
was hard to believe, but it had to be two different people. One stole my
necklace, and the other wanted to know why I wasn’t wearing it anymore. How had
so many people discovered where I lived?</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Are you intrigued? If so, check
out <i>The Monster Within</i>.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LYSiK8FxjyE/U3opO8I0CgI/AAAAAAAAAdM/qqtZRXNyxrk/s1600/TheMonsterWithin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LYSiK8FxjyE/U3opO8I0CgI/AAAAAAAAAdM/qqtZRXNyxrk/s1600/TheMonsterWithin.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The moment seventeen-year-old
Samantha Thompson crawls out of her grave, her second chance at life begins.
She died of cancer with her long-time boyfriend, Ethan, by her side—a
completely unfair shot at life. But Ethan found a way to bring her back, like
he promised he would. Only Sam came back wrong.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>She's now a monster that drains
others' lives to survive. And after she kills, she’s tortured by
visions—glimpses into her victims would-have-been futures had she not killed
them. Barely able to live with herself and trying to make things right, Sam
ends up a pawn in a vicious game of payback within the local coven of witches.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>But when the game reveals what
Ethan had to do to save Sam, she must make a choice that will change all their
lives forever.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0fu-RTVmqg/Upolwv0B_WI/AAAAAAAAAGo/kunr86lRZrw/s1600/author%252Bpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0fu-RTVmqg/Upolwv0B_WI/AAAAAAAAAGo/kunr86lRZrw/s1600/author%252Bpic.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Kelly
Hashway grew up reading R.L. Stein’s Fear Street novels and writing stories of
her own, so it was no surprise to her family when she majored in English and
later obtained a masters degree in English Secondary Education from East
Stroudsburg University. After teaching middle school language arts for seven
years, Hashway went back to school and focused specifically on writing. She is
now the author of three young adult series, one middle grade series, and
several picture books. She also writes contemporary romance under the pen name
Ashelyn Drake. When she isn’t writing, Hashway works as a freelance editor for
small presses as well as for her own list of clients. In her spare time, she enjoys
running, traveling, and volunteering with the PTO. Hashway currently resides in
Pennsylvania with her husband, daughter, and two pets. Visit her website: </span><a href="http://www.kellyhashway.com/"><span>http://www.kellyhashway.com</span></a><span>.</span></span></span><br />
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</span></span>Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-26044736481628604072014-08-05T16:21:00.001-05:002014-08-05T16:21:33.178-05:00Tip of the Day: Getting Over Writer’s Block by Kate Evangelista<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2rG098lxYo/U949RMmSrKI/AAAAAAAAJSE/2TdkoUdbNxE/s1600/1655875_10152070698253558_2081313222_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2rG098lxYo/U949RMmSrKI/AAAAAAAAJSE/2TdkoUdbNxE/s1600/1655875_10152070698253558_2081313222_n.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
Not knowing what to write doesn’t come from a lack of ideas. As writers, I find that the biggest obstacle we all face is self-doubt. Those voices inside our heads that tell us we’re not good enough or that what we’re writing is full of crap can be crippling. When we allow the voice to take over is when writer’s block strikes. <br />
<br />
I usually struggle with writer’s block when I haven’t written in a while. A good example is when I took a good two weeks off from writing. I know, right? Insane when you’re writing two thousand words a day for six months. When it came time to start writing again, I found my mind as blank as the page sitting in front of me. <br />
<br />
Based on experience, I have a go to solution. A two-pronged approach, if you will. <br />
<br />
When faced with writer’s block you should first take a walk, like literally. Preferably somewhere with nature. A park is good. Or even tree-lined streets. There’s something so freeing about being under the great expanse of the true, blue sky. Makes you think of the possibilities. Endless, endless possibilities. Let the endorphins of being outside help you push away your self-doubt. I usually go in the evenings so I can look up at the stars. Fifteen to thirty minutes would do. Count it as your exercise for the day. <br />
<br />
Afterwards, I take a shower. Not only for the purposes of washing away all the sweat you’ve worked up walking. There’s something about having running water fall over your body that opens up the mind. The shower is a place where you are at your most vulnerable, but at the same time it’s a space where there’s nothing between you and your thoughts. Not the self-doubt, of course. Think about your story. What you would want to write. I find that I come up with my best ideas in the shower. If there’s a certain scene you enjoyed reading in one of my books, chances are I wrote it while in the shower. <br />
<br />
There are many ways to deal with writer’s block. Some writers advice just pushing through like when you feel a cramp during a run, just keep going and it will go away. Others say run errands, take a break—get your mind off what you’re writing. These are all good methods that I have also used. So, with this post, consider yourself having not one but three ways of getting over the dreaded block. <br />
<br />
If you want to know more about me and my books, please don’t hesitate to visit my <a href="http://www.kateevangelista.com/">website</a>. Also, I just started a <a href="http://kateevangelistaauthor.tumblr.com/">Tumblr account</a> where I post inspirational pictures and my crazy obsession with anime. Come visit me sometime and see what I’ve been up to. It’s usually something crazy. <br />
<br />
Other places you can follow me:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/KateEvangelista">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Evangelista/165693410143202">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5752810.Kate_Evangelista">Goodreads</a> | <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kateevangelista/">Pinterest</a> | <a href="http://instagram.com/kateva11">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kate-Evangelista/e/B007Z723R4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1">Amazon</a></div>
<br />
And excerpts of my books can be found <a href="http://kateevangelistapublished.blogspot.com/">here</
</a>Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-39776978863712081862014-08-04T03:00:00.000-05:002014-08-04T03:00:00.928-05:00Editor Interview: Rhonda Helms from Carina Press<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Visiting
with us today on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Monday Meet and Greet</i>
is author and editor Rhonda Helms. I have had the pleasure of speaking with
Rhonda about editing an upcoming book, and quickly discovered that she is a
sharp professional in her field, as well as being a delightful person! Rhonda
wears many literary hats; by turns she is a professional editor for <a href="http://www.carinapress.com/">Carina Press</a>, a respected freelance
editor, and a prolific author of YA and NA romance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I know you’re not here for my signature quick wit and
abuse of animated GIFs, so let’s get into the interview and get to know Rhonda!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What made you want to
be an editor?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got into editing with nonfiction (my degrees are in
English), but when I moved to fiction, I realized it was the perfect fit for
me. My editing has helped shape my writing craft, and vice versa. And I
continue to grow in my editing craft all the time because I learn from other
authors and editors too. This job makes me blissfully happy. :D</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What elements are
MUST HAVES in a story you’d acquire?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It must have a compelling storyline. I'm seeking
storytellers who can hook readers and make them keep turning the pages. I'm not
seeking perfect manuscripts; we can work on cleaning up and tightening
language, strengthening character, fixing plot holes, etc. But in the end, I
just want a story that won't let me go.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What are your
story/plot/character pet peeves?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I see the same openings ALL the time: characters waking from
dreams, characters in a bar looking to hook up, characters walking in on a
significant other cheating, characters arriving at a new place, etc. Fresh
opening hooks help me get into your story quicker. Be original! Even if you do
one of the above, how can you spin it so it's unique?<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Describe a “day in
the life” in your job.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I get up in the morning, answer emails, wake up and generally
take care of minor administrative things. Then I work on editing. In the
afternoon, I usually shift to writing and/or reading submissions. I work at
home, so I set my own schedule, which I super love. LOL!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is one essential
writing tip you would give to writers aspiring for publication?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read. Read a ton of books. Read good books and analyze what
the author is doing that hooked you, regarding character and plot and setting
and all those things. Read bad books and analyze where the shortcomings were.
That's my top tip for writers--you should read!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tons of great advice here! Now, Rhonda was a great sport
about answering some not-so-serious questions too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Who is your all-time
favorite villain?</b></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, probably the hottie bald dude from The
Mummy movie. I know he's bad, but he just wanted to be reunited with his
love. How can I argue against that? Plus it doesn't hurt that he's attractive.
OKAY, YOU CAN BE SUPER EVIL. Here, take my heart too. /sigh<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xz62QSAr56M/U9lu-En_srI/AAAAAAAAAmU/hwS2XxR7iws/s1600/the+mummy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xz62QSAr56M/U9lu-En_srI/AAAAAAAAAmU/hwS2XxR7iws/s1600/the+mummy.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Last book that make
you either laugh out loud or reach for the Kleenex.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just finished reading Midnight in the Garden of<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> Good and Evil, and there were some LOL moments in there.
Those characters were super eccentric, so unlike anyone I've ever met in my
life. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What’s your favorite
place that you’ve ever visited? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New Orleans is an amazing place. It's so different than
anywhere else. But I also loved Hawaii--hello, sunshine and beautiful water.
Not sure I can pick. lol</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If you were not an
editor or a writer, what would be your dream job?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'd be a lounge singer. I loooooooove singing and performing
music. I was in a cover band for a while, even!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And there you have it folks! You can find Rhonda on Twitter
at <a href="https://twitter.com/RHelmsBooks">@RHelmsBooks</a>, her <a href="http://www.rhondahelmsbooks.com/">author page</a>, or her <a href="http://www.rhondaedits.com/">editing page</a>. Thanks for stopping by,
and let us know what you think in the comments!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-89934844946064591512014-08-01T03:00:00.000-05:002014-08-05T16:16:58.907-05:00Dear Author Dearest<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paatNlxWkHw/U7_rTWq7iXI/AAAAAAAAAlE/saMiVGClU9Q/s1600/ID-100134017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paatNlxWkHw/U7_rTWq7iXI/AAAAAAAAAlE/saMiVGClU9Q/s1600/ID-100134017.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Ideas_and_Decision_M_g409-Figure_Thinking_With_Question_Mark_p134017.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dear
Author Dearest,</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
just finished my first draft. Should I query agents or just go ahead and
self-publish?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sincerely,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excited
Writer</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Excited Writer,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First: Congrats on finishing a novel!
That’s a huge accomplishment. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Second: You should do neither.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me know if you have any more
questions.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sincerely,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Author with Sage Advice</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
~~~~~</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dear
Author Dearest,</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
follow up question … what would you recommend I do now if I’m not to query
agents or self-publish?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sincerely,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Still
an Excited Writer (despite your previous advice)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Still an Excited Writer,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before making the decision to query
agents or self-publish, I highly recommend you do the following:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Read books on the
craft of writing (see recommended list below).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Revise your
manuscript based on the knowledge you gained from the reading assignment.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Join up with
critique partners and let them rip apart your manuscript.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Revise your
manuscript again based on the feedback you received from critique partners.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Have a couple of
beta-readers go through your manuscript with fresh eyes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>While they’ve got
your manuscript, read another book on the craft of writing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Revise again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Repeat the above
steps as many times as necessary, until you’re certain your manuscript is as
polished as humanly possible. Then you’re ready to consider your various
publishing options.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy revising,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Author with Sage Advice</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Margo Kelly’s Recommended Books on the
Craft of Writing:</u></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Elements of Style</i> by Strunk &
White</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Save the Cat</i> by Blake Snyder</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Self-Editing for Fiction Writers</i> by Browne &
King</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Story Book</i> by David
Baboulene</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Writing YA Fiction for Dummies</i> by Deborah Halverson</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Fire in Fiction</i> by Donald Maass</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNCDob5jock/Uz1D-Uzd_fI/AAAAAAAAAXI/-qp5-n9OkJs/s1600/margo_kelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNCDob5jock/Uz1D-Uzd_fI/AAAAAAAAAXI/-qp5-n9OkJs/s1600/margo_kelly.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Margo
Kelly’s debut novel, <i>Who R U Really?</i>,
comes out 9/18/14. You can pre-order your copy today: http://www.amazon.com/Who-R-Really-Margo-Kelly/dp/1440572763/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406569291&sr=8-1&keywords=who+r+u+really </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kirkus
Reviews said, “Kelly's first novel i<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>s a suspenseful
page-turner...”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>You can find Margo online:</u></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Twitter:
@MargoWKelly</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MargoKelly.author</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Website:
http://www.margokelly.net</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21444891-who-r-u-really </span></span></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-80581932292436037572014-07-31T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-31T03:00:01.923-05:00What's So Controversial about WANTED: DEAD OR IN LOVE? <div style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When someone says the
word “controversial,” my ears perk up. I rub my hands together and lean in so I
don’t miss a word. I’ve never been a strict “rules follower” kind of person,
which has gotten me into a fair bit of trouble over the years, so let’s just say
I enjoy hearing stories about others like me. </span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even as an adult, I despise
rules that don’t make sense––rules that someone deemed necessary but aren’t <i>really.
</i>For example, recently I was in a public bathroom and I saw the note, “Only
one towel per person” taped to the hand towel dispenser. I was like,
“Seriously? You’re going to dictate that?” So of course I took two. All right,
three. But I wanted to take like 50, to show that unknown rule maker that she
can’t boss me around. (Hopefully I’ll mature one day soon…)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140423104139/aceattorney/images/8/89/Take_that.png" class="decoded" src="http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140423104139/aceattorney/images/8/89/Take_that.png" height="133" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140423104139/aceattorney/images/8/89/Take_that.png" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
So when you ask what’s controversial about my novel, “Wanted: Dead or In
Love,” my immediate answer is EVERYTHING. Starting with the main character,
Monroe. She swears a lot, has been arrested three times in the past year, she
makes snap decisions, and worst of all, she inadvertently starts falling for a
guy who would make any parent scream, “He’s no good for you!” But my response
is, “Hey, busybody. Monroe represents <i>real</i> girls who are confused about
who to love and who make decisions without consulting their parents first.” And
who’s to say Monroe’s decisions are wrong? They’re just different than ones
her parents would make. (Okay, some decisions of hers <i>might </i>be wrong,
but she’s under a lot of pressure.)</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-soP79h5-nkk/T6pbiZPPoWI/AAAAAAAAExM/RnURHOPdVjc/s1600/YOLO05.jpg" class="shrinkToFit decoded" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-soP79h5-nkk/T6pbiZPPoWI/AAAAAAAAExM/RnURHOPdVjc/s200/YOLO05.jpg" height="200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="199" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thenailasaurus.com/2012/05/you-only-live-once-thats-motto.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I expect there will
be some (maybe even a lot) of readers who will get all “Barney Fife” over my
book, bustling about in overblown indignation. After all, Bonnie Parker and
Clyde Barrow––downright nasty criminals from the 1930’s who were in love––come
back to life, and they’re not necessarily typecast as “the bad guys.” No doubt
about it, Bonnie and Clyde did a lot of horrific things in their day and were
eventually gunned down for it by a posse of tough crime fighters called The
Texas Rangers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m not making
excuses for Bonnie and Clyde––they deserved to have been stopped. I think what
I tried to show is that most of us––Bonnie and Clyde included––are not solidly
“all good” or “all bad.” Many of us make decisions that seem like a good idea
at the time that later turn out to be not-so-great. Monroe has always lived by
the motto, “You Only Live Once,” but when she faces the counterpart to that,
“Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time,” she starts to reconsider. If she
could do it all over again, she might say, “Yes, you are in charge of your own
destiny. Just make sure it’s the destiny you really want.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
That’s the
thing with Monroe––sometimes she’s in too far to heed her own advice.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tell me about your book, or a book you've read - what were you most worried about? </span></h4>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Kym Brunner</b></span><br />
</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22W2qyQCN-g/UsSL8wS2YtI/AAAAAAAAALg/qwtxbmnz5fE/s1600/KymBrunner.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22W2qyQCN-g/UsSL8wS2YtI/AAAAAAAAALg/qwtxbmnz5fE/s200/KymBrunner.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Wanted: Dead or in Love,</b> </i>Merit Press, May 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>One Smart Cookie, </b></i>Omnific Publishing, Spring 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://kymbrunner.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699; font-family: inherit;">Website</span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kymbrunnerauthor" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699; font-family: inherit;">Facebook</span></a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/KymBrunner" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699; font-family: inherit;">Twitter</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #336699; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7256929.Kym_Brunner" target="_blank">Goodreads </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bio:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kym Brunner's method of creating a
manuscript: write, procrastinate, sleep, repeat. She's addicted to Tazo
chai tea, going to the movies, and reality TV. When she's not reading
or writing, Kym teaches 7th grade full time. She lives in Arlington
Heights with her family and two trusty writing companions, a pair of
Shih Tzus named Sophie and Kahlua. She's repped by Eric Myers of The
Spieler Agency.</span><br />
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Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-68992361150061633422014-07-30T17:23:00.001-05:002014-07-30T17:23:46.270-05:00Pacing—adding intrigue to your writing by Lisa M. Basso<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you follow any agents, editors, or authors on
blogs or social media, you’ll have heard about the importance of pacing—the
speed and timing of your story. We’ve all had both positive and negative experiences
with pacing while reading. Either the pacing has us flying through pages so
fast our fingers are practically on fire, desperate to see how the conflict is
resolved, or slogging through page after page of headdesk bashing boredom,
waiting—begging— for something juicy to happen.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I won’t lie. My life is busy. Too busy to waste time
on a book that’s slow (page after page with little to no character development,
story, plot, or importance happening on the page). I’m the kind of reader that will
put a book down if it isn’t engaging me somehow. And I know a lot of agents,
editors, writers, and readers feel the same way. So, how to make your writing
stand out? One way is to make sure your pacing is on point.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Good pacing doesn’t, by any means, translate to a
non-stop action thrill-ride from beginning to end. No. We don’t want the entire
book to keep the reader’s head spinning so fast they won’t remember what they read.
Good pacing is speeding up, slowing down, and adjusting as needed. Now to the
hard part, how to do this right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Knowing when to speed up and slo-o-oow it down is
something you can learn from re-reading some of your favorite books. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pick up one of your favorites and read the first
chapter. Be warned, I’m going to be using a lot of fish analogies. Because they
work. And because sushi is amazing (and now I’m kind of desperate for a spicy
tuna roll, but I’ll wait because I’m doing this post for you guys). The
beginning of a book. This is the hook, ideally it should contain something intriguing,
making you froth at the mouth for more. Hooks can be any pace you like, just
remember, the beginning of the book is a first impression. Would you tell a
complete stranger your life story the very first time you meet them? Probably
not. So please don’t info-dump in your hook. Small bits of info are great, in
fact, they can help increase pace by slipping them in here and there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now, read the next few chapters. I like to call this
the momentum. Ideally, within the first few chapters, the writer has baited the
hook with something delicious, something you—the awesome fish in this analogy—can’t
wait to bite onto and ride to the surface. You should, hopefully, be learning
the big problem that will want to propel you through the middle, toward the
climax, and ultimately, the conclusion. What keeps you engaged while reading? Characters,
story, plot—the ultimate trio. And pacing. If this part of the story all
strolled along at the same pace, you risk boredom. To keep the reader engaged,
something needs to kick up the pace. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Action, drama, mystery, intrigue, emotion—all of
these things have the capability to increase the pace. Shorter sentences.
Intense dialogue. Amped up heart rates. The threat of pain. Injury. Even death.
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">See what I mean?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s move on. Keep reading. You should be near the
middle of the book now. You’re introducing new characters or getting to know
the ones you’ve met better, you’re learning what more about this big bad issue
that the main character(s) needs to overcome, or you’re following them on their
chosen path, knowing something bad is coming. All of these things are good, as
long as you’re still on the hook, riding through these bumps in the water and
not struggling desperately, wishing you never bit the hook to start with. This
is because the pacing of the book is varied, increasing then slowing. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here is where pacing gets <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> important. It’s time to start building momentum for the big
climax. Usually the pacing leading up to the climax gets quicker, like a
racecar. This is the moment to let your pacing skills to shine. Action,
adventure, romance, whatever, as long as the tension is there and the conflict
is resolved.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The resolution. The final place in the book to tie
up all the loose ends. This becomes the perfect place to slow down. It’s your
last opportunity to savor living in this world. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A few other examples of great moments to slow the
pace down. </span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Romance. Yes,
it’s no secret I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lurve</i> me some
romance, but it’s best when there’s a build-up. A great way to do that is focus
on feelings and details. Slow those seconds down. This is the perfect
example of how slowing down can actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">add</i> tension.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An ah-ha
moment. When your character uncovers something s/he didn’t know before. Your
characters needs a few moments to process what they have learned, what this
new information could lead to, and how it makes things worse—because these
moments should almost always make things worse. ;)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Too-much,
too quick. To take a breather during a quick-paced moment. Occasionally, the
reader can get overwhelmed. This is when it becomes necessary to press
pause and look around. Clarify the stakes, use this moment to find a way
to raise them even further. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An injury.
This could be physical or psychological. Nothing ever goes perfect.
Someone’s bound to get hurt. Whether it’s your main character(s) or a
secondary character, injuries are serious, even if it’s an injury of the
heart. Show this emotion.</span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Aaaaand…scene.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whew. That was a boat-load of information. And, with
any luck, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the author has left you, the
reader, flopping on the deck—and hopefully threw you back in so you get do this
over and over again with their next book.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now that you have the building blocks to great
pacing, I hope you guys are off to go pick up your pace. (Ah! See what I did
there? Heh. Okay…yeah, I’m off to spicy tuna roll heaven).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpahmyfddy0/U9lwFYDDrII/AAAAAAAAAmc/YekXXV1Ys1U/s1600/Author+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpahmyfddy0/U9lwFYDDrII/AAAAAAAAAmc/YekXXV1Ys1U/s1600/Author+photo.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lisa M. Basso was born and raised
in San Francisco, California. She is a lover of books, video games, animals,
and baking (not baking with animals though). As a child she would crawl into
worlds of her own creation and get lost for hours. Her love for YA fiction
started with a simple school reading assignment: S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders.
When not reading or writing she can usually be found at home with The Best Husband
that Ever Lived ™ and her two darling (and sometimes evil) cats, Kitties A and
B.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You can also find her prowling
the internet (when not writing)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://lisa-basso.blogspot.com/">http://Lisa-Basso.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://twitter.com/LisaMBasso">http://twitter.com/LisaMBasso</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-M-Basso/340213186037936">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-M-Basso/340213186037936</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://instagram.com/lisambasso">http://instagram.com/lisambasso</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-55221198965131057312014-07-29T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-29T03:00:07.363-05:00TIP OF THE DAY: Stay Flexible by Kat Ross<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I used to be obsessive about writing
stories in order. I would start at Chapter One, Line One and plod my way
through to the end, and if I got mired down, I would just tread water and force
myself to put words on paper until I somehow got through it. Those times, which
happened fairly often, were no fun at all. In fact, they really sucked the joy
out of writing. I'm sure what came out was not my finest effort, either. But I
had written two books that way and I knew it worked in the sense that it would
get me to the end, even if it was sometimes utter misery.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I should note that I'm a plotter, so I know
what's going to happen—in detail. I was just afraid to jump ahead because I
worried that the story wouldn't flow right. But then I finally got tired of
writing scenes just because they were next on my list, and starting writing
whatever scene I was in the mood to write. The scene that was burning a hole in
my brain and seemed like it would be SO much fun to jump straight into with
both feet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I only took the plunge about a month ago
with my latest WIP, so it's an experiment in progress. I know that my first
draft is going to be a lot messier than I'm used to. It will have more bits
that need to be stitched together, and will need more polishing. But you know
what? I'm having a great time. I'm <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">looking
forward </i>to my writing time again, instead of procrastinating by any means
necessary. And that's the ultimate point, right?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">You probably have your own habits and
rituals and systems to get you from point A (awesome idea) to point B (finished
novel). Or maybe you're still learning—I certainly am. Habits and rituals and
systems are totally necessary for what we do. But when they're broken or just
not working the way they used to, don't be afraid to toss them out the window
and try something different. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://quotepixel.com/images/quotes/inspirational/quotes-about-inspirational_15459-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://quotepixel.com/images/quotes/inspirational/quotes-about-inspirational_15459-1.png" height="320" width="235" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">You can find Kat on <a href="https://twitter.com/katrossauthor">Twitter</a> and her <a href="http://katrossbooks.com/">website</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>.</span></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-7978432432252950772014-07-25T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-25T03:00:08.075-05:00Dear Author Dearest<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
Dear Author Dearest...<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">“I’m an aspiring author. I’ve finished my manuscript, but
keep getting rejections. What do I do?</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> -Sincerely, Stuck in Query Land </span></blockquote>
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<br /></div>
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First of all, every author has received his or her share of
rejections. Isn’t it nice to think even the greatest best-sellers were told…
“Nope. Not good enough” at one point in their career? That always gave me hope.
Just because Ms. Agent is being a picky-pants on the day she scanned your query
doesn’t mean you should toss out your book baby.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xk-jdvPcVE/U8bSUVOhybI/AAAAAAAAB48/uKjEKX4fl8k/s1600/rejectionletter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xk-jdvPcVE/U8bSUVOhybI/AAAAAAAAB48/uKjEKX4fl8k/s1600/rejectionletter.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Despite all the “stay positive” mumbo jumbo, it still
stings when you get that form letter in the mail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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So…what do you do when you can’t hook the big fish agent?</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my experience it’s all about who you know. Now maybe
that’s just me. Maybe there are a ton of authors who queried, agented, and sold,
but that isn’t my story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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I got picked up at a writer’s conference.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A writer’s conference can help in a ton of ways. First, it
will put you face to face with agents/editors who can clue you in on why they think you're getting turned down. The other awesome thing about the conference is it
will give you the opportunity to revisit and work on your query, synopsis,
first ten pages, etc. It’s always nice to have fresh eyes review your work. Not
to mention you might actually meet some pretty amazing people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hope my advice helps! Good luck, and keep writing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember, this is actually the fun part. You have all the
free time and creative license in the world right now. No deadlines, no
redrafting the storyline. Enjoy the freedom of writing when you please. It’s
never the same with the pressure of a deadline stressing you out…<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>-- </i>Jessica Therrien, author of <i>Oppression (Children of the Gods #1)</i> and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Uprising (Children of the Gods #2)</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><b>Connect with Jessica Therrien</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jessicatherrien.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Website</span></a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Therrien/215976241749831?ref=hl" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Facebook</span></a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaTherrien" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Twitter</span></a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5406182.Jessica_Therrien" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Goodreads</span></a></div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-20372117930606796872014-07-24T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-24T03:00:03.241-05:00My Writing Space—Rebecca Taylor<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For some writers, the place they go to in order to create is
sacred to them. Maybe it’s a private office, maybe it’s a favorite coffee shop,
or even propped up in bed. Wherever their space, it NEEDS to be that space, the
same space—ALWAYS.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I get that.<span> </span>Working
in psychology, I know how powerful setting events can be with regards to
prompting behaviors. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For me, I have always been able to read pretty much anywhere
and under almost any conditions. Growing up in a chaotic household and now
having one of my own, I have become something of a master at ‘tuning-out’ the
external world.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fortunately, I can usually do the same thing with my
writing. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I do have a loft-space office in our home, but I will tell
you that there is no door and it is used for pretty much everything except
writing. I do revise there because the monitor screen is bigger and it’s easier
to work on multiple documents at once.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But as far as the initial writing, I do it everywhere:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My backyard</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the car (when husband is driving)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Various coffee shops and restaurants</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In my family room (sometimes during commercials when I’m
watching a show)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In bed</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the bath (paper and pen propped on the side of the tub)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Airplanes and airports</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once, in line at Six Flags (paper and pen during a 60min
line!)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On a bench at Six Flags while my kids are riding a
rollercoaster I won’t</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the pool</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the beach</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the bus commuting to work</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Etc, etc</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have two kids (11 and almost 10), I work full time as a
school psychologist, and I am hell bent on creating a successful writing
career. (as I personally define it <span>J</span>
) My life is busy, and fast, and highly prone to colossal interruptions. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And I love ALL of it. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I take my laptop (MacBookAir so it’s small) and a pen and
notebook with me everywhere so that if and when a ‘writing-time opportunity’
presents itself, I’m prepared to take advantage. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s not a method that would work
for everyone—but if it didn’t work for me, I probably wouldn’t ever write at
all. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-14754480050605642412014-07-23T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-23T03:00:07.919-05:00Bite me, Yoda. (Or Spice Things Up!) by Wendy Russo<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Adventure.
Excitement. A Jedi craves not these things!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>
Yeah, bite me, Yoda. That’s why the prequels sucked. I mean <i>seriously. </i>I
think its because the Jedi, arguably the most important people in the <i>Star
Wars Universe </i>were dead inside. Ask the question, how does any movie with a
lightsaber battle suck? As evidence, I present the <i>Execution of Zett Jukassa</i>.
You have <i>no </i>idea what I’m talking about, right?</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Well, during Anakin Skywalker’s slash and burn mission at
the Jedi Temple in Episode III, there was a padawan who <i>almost</i> escaped.
Senator Bail Organa had landed at the temple. The guards sent him away, but
before he flew out, a young boy, about ten years old or so, ran out of the
docking bay doors. He swung his lightsaber with precision and grace, fending
off the blaster shots until one got him. And Organa watched helplessly and
cried as the boy went splat.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Zett Jukassa didn’t fail because he was outnumbered, though
he was, or because he didn’t have the skills, because he did. He died because
the Jedi had successfully squashed any desire for excitement and adventure. He
had no fear, but he also had no joy, no creativity. Just a Force and a
lightsaber, and in the end, they weren’t enough.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>What does this have to do with spicing things up? <i>Everything</i>.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>In Zett Jukassa, we have a perfect character. He’s young,
handsome, gifted, powerful, rational, and well trained. He’s also
ten-years-old, and when a kid gets shot, the audience <i>should</i> care. But,
we don’t. We actually <i>need </i>Bail Organa in that scene to care on our
behalf. You know whom we <i>do </i>care about?</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>R2-D2. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>That’s right. A rolling trashcan stuffed full of computer
crap that emits beeps and fart noises. He gets fried and the whole audience
takes a collective gasp. Why? Because the audience can relate to him. He’s
weirdly shaped and put in horrible situations he’s <i>not </i>designed to
handle. (He's a <i>wheeled</i> robot who treks alone through Tatooine sand
dunes. There was a doubt my boy could handle the Death Star? Please.) R2-D2
says exactly what’s on his mind, often mortifying his comically uptight
companion C-3PO.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>I can’t tell you <i>how</i> to add spice to a story, but I
can tell you <i>what</i> spice is. Flaws. Snark. Normal people in
extraordinary circumstance. Failure, and the consequences that follow.
Surprises. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span>Humans </span></i><span>are spicy,
when they manage to shake off their Jedi training.</span></span></span></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-59252892362317971752014-07-21T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-21T03:00:01.679-05:00Editor Interview with Kerri-Leigh Grady from Entangled<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I have the pleasure
of sharing an interview with Kerri-Leigh Grady,
Editorial Director of Select. She was generous enough to take the time to
answer some questions on writing and editing for us here at DDYA.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.
What made you want to be an editor?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16pt 24pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f3a65;">I
wanted to pay off my student loans. </span><span style="color: #1f3a65;">I fell into editing by
accident after graduating with an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction. I had worked
with Liz Pelletier before she started Entangled, and when she offered me the
opportunity to test for the editorial position, I was ridiculously excited.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.
What elements are MUST HAVES in a story you’d acquire?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16pt 48pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f3a65;">Voice.
Fully realized characters. A strong plot.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.
What are your story/plot/character pet peeves?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16pt 48pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f3a65;">Cliché
and bigotry. Women in refrigerators. The sassy gay friend (love the Youtube
show, hate the two-dimensional stereotype of the hilarious gay friend), as well
as homophobic and transphobic jokes. Oh! And the use of rape in paranormal romance/urban
fantasy to give the heroine a reason to own her strength/become a critter.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Women in
refrigerators. What is that? </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mab22KZu-8I/U8fDDZKi7aI/AAAAAAAAAlo/pxT6ZGOGazo/s1600/wif.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mab22KZu-8I/U8fDDZKi7aI/AAAAAAAAAlo/pxT6ZGOGazo/s1600/wif.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f3a65;">Women
in fridges: It comes from graphic novels, where many superheroines, who should
have stories of their own and agency, end up murdered or violated in order to
further the superhero’s story (</span><a href="http://lby3.com/wir/"><span style="color: #0023f2;">http://lby3.com/wir/</span></a><span style="color: #1f3a65;">). Extend
that out to any character whose existence is solely to further the main
character’s arc, especially when that character should have a story of her/his
own. It’s way more common to see in speculative fiction, literary, and
cross-genre stories.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fun Stuff</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.
All time favorite villain</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f3a65;">
I would say Spike from BtVS, but for the attempted rape. Or I could go with
Loki because Tom Hiddleston, but trickster gods aren’t really villains so much
as they’re just sad [sexy] little button-pushing immortals. Cigarette-Smoking
Man from X-Files, perhaps? Or maybe Joker because he created Oracle? I guess I
don’t have one favorite villain. There are so many ways to make a delicious
villain, from flat-out cray to someone who’s just been broken by the system.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6NNrWiMpno/U8fDV9h8TTI/AAAAAAAAAlw/lJ3u0M9dZJc/s1600/SPIKE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6NNrWiMpno/U8fDV9h8TTI/AAAAAAAAAlw/lJ3u0M9dZJc/s1600/SPIKE.jpg" height="320" width="257" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"></span><span style="color: red;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.
Last book that made you cry / laugh hysterically</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16pt 48pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f3a65;">I
totally didn’t cry. That was allergies. But Horns by Joe Hill was such a fun,
riotous, and completely romantic horror novel, and I totally <s>cried gnarly
tears</s> had the worst allergies at the end of that. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.
Guilty pleasure</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16pt 48pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f3a65;">Making
jewelry. I don’t wear any, but I love to play with colors and textures and
patterns and chaos. It’s a guilty pleasure because I totally should be working.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.
Top three books you’ve read in the past year that were not from one of your
clients?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16pt 48pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f3a65;">I
haven’t had the chance to read-read a book in three years, but I do listen to
audiobooks while I’m walking or driving. My faves in the last year have been <i>Sharp Objects</i> by Gillian Flynn, <i>My Life as a White Trash Zombie</i> by Diana
Rowland, <i>and First Lady</i> by Susan
Elizabeth Phillips. Bonus: <i>Redshirts</i>
by John Scalzi. High-larious, that one.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5.
Meal/Dessert/ Drink of choice</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16pt 48pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f3a65;">Coffee/Coffee/Tea.
I should honestly just live off these. If I have to name a solid food, I’ll say
anything Thai. I will cut a bizatch for green curry. Or panang curry. Or
coconut soup. Mmm. Coconut.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6.
Favorite Place You’ve Ever Visited</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 16pt 48pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f3a65;">Panama
City Beach, Florida. I grew up at my grandmother’s summer home there, and I
miss being there every summer. There’s nothing as healing as digging your toes
into the sand at the edge of the Gulf, and nothing as homey as the Redneck
Riviera.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How would someone
interested in submitting work to Entangled go about doing that? </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wgm5c0nOVk/U8fDtvE0tMI/AAAAAAAAAl4/5vtDGiGXue0/s1600/EntTeen-Logoblack-ver-580x360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wgm5c0nOVk/U8fDtvE0tMI/AAAAAAAAAl4/5vtDGiGXue0/s1600/EntTeen-Logoblack-ver-580x360.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f3a65;">Entangled welcomes full submissions to our Submittable
page at </span><a href="http://entangledpublishing.submittable.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">http://entangledpublishing.submittable.com</span></a><span style="color: #1f3a65;">. We’re
always hungry for good YA, preferably with a romance if not a strong romantic
element. In addition to Entangled Teen’s full-length novel line, we have two
new YA category romance lines, Teen Crave and Teen Crush. For more information:
</span><a href="http://www.entangledinromance.com/2014/07/14/introducing-teen-crave-and-teen-crush/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">www.entangledinromance.com/2014/07/14/introducing-teen-crave-and-teen-crush/</span></a><span style="color: #1f3a65;">.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Sounds great!
Thanks so much for taking the time to “talk” with us today. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kerri-Leigh Grady is the Editorial
Director for the Select line at Entangled Publishing. She loves to sink into
happily-ever-after tales and blow-up-all-the-things tales, especially when her
testosterone-loaded house has hit its monthly limit of athletic socks and
slapstick. She holds an MFA from Seton Hill University and a BS in computer
science. She’s a nerd with an unnatural love of dark humor, gadgets, chickpeas,
and ATS bellydancing. When the zombie apocalypse happens, she’s likely to be
patient zero. If you see her bite someone, grab your water and head for your
bunker.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-- Shawna Romkey, author of </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Speak of the Devil</i> and </span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The Devil Made Me Do It</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Connect with Shawna Romkey </span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.shawnaromkey.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></span></span> | <a href="http://www.shawnaromkey.com/?page_id=13" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blog</span></a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.shawnaromkey.com/?page_id=13" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.shawnaromkey.com/?page_id=13" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></span></span> | <span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shawna-Romkey-Author/137998326331706?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span> | <span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://twitter.com/sromkey" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span> | <span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869437.Shawna_Romkey" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-55178672266788990052014-07-18T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-18T03:00:03.287-05:00Dear Author Dearest<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">DEAR AUTHOR DEAREST</span>:<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paatNlxWkHw/U7_rTWq7iXI/AAAAAAAAAlE/saMiVGClU9Q/s1600/ID-100134017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paatNlxWkHw/U7_rTWq7iXI/AAAAAAAAAlE/saMiVGClU9Q/s1600/ID-100134017.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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</h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Do your stories grow organically or do you know the
certain capstone events and develop stories around them? OR</span></b></span></span><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do you write more character-centric or plot/event-centric?
</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="uficommentbody"><span lang="EN-GB">I consider
myself an organic/character-centric writer for sure. Story usually starts with
a ‘what if’ for me. Pretty Dark Nothing, for example, started with the question
– What if a teenage girl’s inner demons came to life and nobody else could
see them? From there, I move on to character. Everything grows from there as I
ask question after question. What would this girl be like? What is her
personality? What kind of friends would she have? What kind of
background/family/house would they live in? What are her flaws? What does she
want out of life? Why is she being haunted by demons nobody else can see? How
does this affect her decision making, her relationships, her life? The story develops
from these answers as the answers spark ideas for scenes. I do this for all the
characters, even minor ones, and use a character interview and personality
tests to help me make them real to me. I consider all of this pre-work. Some
writers outline as pre-work, but I prefer this kind of brainstorming to a hard
outline. I love discovering what happens along with my characters. It’s
exciting to me and tends to create more chances for the unexpected to happen. That
being said, before I ever put words to page, I usually have at least some idea
of the ending and maybe one or two high moments, but not much. The story flows
out of action and reaction for me. Throw my character in a situation and see
what happens. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="uficommentbody"><b><span lang="EN-GB">DEAR AUTHOR DEAREST, </span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="uficommentbody"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Any chance you would be willing to share
your winning query with readers?</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="uficommentbody"><span lang="EN-GB">Yes! Here is the
query that got me several full requests, and ultimately, a two book deal for <i>Pretty Dark Nothing</i>. Best advice I can
give is to try to get</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> the maximum impact
possible out of every sentence. Find the absolute best words to communicate the
essence of your story without going into too much detail. It’s a hard balance,
but focusing on what happens rather than who it happens to, helps. Also, don’t
put in info about sub plots or secondary characters. Another thing that really
helps is to <span class="uficommentbody">tailor each and every query you send
out. It’s a lot of work, but I promise it’s worth it in the end. And without
further ado, here’s my example. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Dear
<span>X</span>,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Your wish
list states you are currently looking for paranormal romance in a high-school
setting with something other than vampires or demon love interests. My
completed 60,000 word YA paranormal romance, <i>Touched by Darkness</i>, does have demons in it, but not the sexy bad
boy kind. Quinn’s demons are shadowy beasts and not the least bit loveable. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Seventeen-year-old
Quinn hasn’t slept in twenty three days. Not since the demons killed her
Sentinel. Without his protection they freely enter her dreams, whisper of her
death and feed on her fears and self-doubt. Now, she’s on academic probation,
benched from cheerleading, and popping caffeine pills to keep them away. The
demons are ruining her life until Aaron, an amnesiac with a psychic ability,
accidentally enters her thoughts. He’s the light in her darkness and she’s the
key to his past, but the last thing the demons want is for them to be together.
If Aaron remembers his life as Kaemon, Quinn’s dead Sentinel now living inside
the stolen body of the boy known as Aaron Collier, their combined power could
tip the scales for good. To keep them apart, the demons must convince Quinn
that Aaron will turn his back on her, that he’ll confirm her worst fear; that
she’s crazy. Quinn must learn to trust her heart before the demons lead her to
her death. In the end, it’s her choice: Love or lies, faith or fear, darkness
or destiny.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">I’m
a member of SCBWI and a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature.
I’ve been a guest blogger for the award winning Writer Unboxed website, am
founder of the newly launched Hugs and Chocolate blog for YA writers. I also frequent
twitter </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/HeatherLReid"><span style="color: blue;">@HeatherLReid</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB">, </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeatherLReid.author"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB">
and </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.heatherlreid.com/"><span style="color: blue;">my own website</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB">. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">I
hope you enjoy <i>Touched by Darkness. </i><span>I would be happy to send partials or the completed manuscript if you
should like to see them. </span>I look forward to hearing from you soon.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Yours
sincerely,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Heather
L. Reid</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="uficommentbody"><b><span lang="EN-GB">DEAR AUTHOR DEAREST, </span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="uficommentbody"><b><span lang="EN-GB">What has been the most challenging part
of getting your book from draft zero to published for you?</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="uficommentbody"><span lang="EN-GB">Great question!
There were so many challenges getting from draft zero to published writer,
including throwing out half the novel and starting over, that it’s hard to pick
one in particular. I guess, looking back, the hardest thing was deciding when
to start querying. On one hand, I worried I would query before the book was
perfect, on the other; I feared I was holding on so tight that I would squeeze
all the heart from my story. There had been so many revisions already. So many
tweaks, input, critiques, ideas, and changes had gone into the quest to make it
publishing perfect, that I wasn’t sure if the story was better or worse for it.
But at some point you have to let go, take a leap of faith, and see what
happens, right? For me, that moment came when I realized I was playing with
sentences and word choice and no longer working on the big picture. The major
issues, as far as I could see, had been dealt with. Now I was nit-picking my
novel to death to make it perfect and I couldn’t see any significant changes. At
this point, I had done all I could do with the skills I had. It was time to
take a deep breath, and leap. I got a lot of rejections, and made a few more
little tweaks before I got the deal, but in the end, I’m glad I listened to my
gut and took that chance. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="uficommentbody"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Thank you to all of my followers who took the time to
ask me your burning questions. It was hard choosing three, but I’m happy to
respond to any other questions here in the comments, so ask away! If you have
something you don’t want to ask on a public forum. You can also find me online
on <a href="https://twitter.com/@HeatherLReid" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeatherLReid.author?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://heatherlreid.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a>, o</span></b></span><span class="uficommentbody"><b><span lang="EN-GB">r <a href="http://www.heatherlreid.com/" target="_blank">My Website</a>. Feel free to private message me and I’ll do my best to
answer your question.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3IDuJsK3No0/U8ZvW6CC5JI/AAAAAAAAAlY/wxRq3xtPxYk/s1600/HReid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3IDuJsK3No0/U8ZvW6CC5JI/AAAAAAAAAlY/wxRq3xtPxYk/s1600/HReid.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Heather L. Reid is both American and
British and has called six different cities in three different countries, home.
Her strong sense of wanderlust and craving for a new adventure mean you might
find her wandering the moors of her beloved Scotland, exploring haunted
castles, or hiking through a magical forest in search of fairies and sprites.
When she’s not venturing into the unknown in her real life, she loves getting
lost in the worlds of video games or curling up by the fire with good story.
For now, this native Texan is back in the Lone Star State, settling down with
her Scottish husband and working on the sequel to her Young Adult paranormal
debut, PRETTY DARK NOTHING.</span></span><span class="uficommentbody"></span></span></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-80947724135683133812014-07-17T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-17T03:00:04.998-05:00Darkly Disturbing Discoveries or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Do the Research by L.V. Pires
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When researching my book, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Extension</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(Crescent Moon Press, June 2014<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">),</i> I learned one darkly delicious secret
– know how to be practical in your research, no matter how frightful it might
be.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is especially true when researching psychopaths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I first started out with an idea about a
character who had lost his soul, I immediately thought of crafting this
character based on a serial killer, but my knowledge was limited.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, one day, a friend in my writer’s group handed me Gerberth’s,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Practical Homicide Investigation Handbook</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wondered what could be practical about
homicide? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">practical</i> </b>felt
emotionless, detached, and even cold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I flipped open the book and then just as quickly slammed it
shut trying to erase from my mind what I had just seen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Several days later, I tried again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From a good three feet away, I turned each
page with the end of a spatula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mangled
corpses, burned, tortured, eaten, disemboweled (sorry, if you’re eating
breakfast) but it’s true – it’s out there, it’s happened, and these poor
victims are proof of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I managed a few more pages, taking notes on staging a body
and a few identifying characteristics of a murderer, then scrounged through my
house for a picture of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t
find one, but found a picture of Noah on his ark instead, cut it out, and placed
it squarely between a half eaten body and a train accident victim, and then closed
the book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a few days of sleeping with the lights on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only imagine how difficult it must be
for detectives who must see these images over and over again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From a writer’s perspective, the point of research is to
flood your mind with as much information as possible so when it comes time to
write you’re ready to draw on everything you know, or wish you didn’t know, but
still know anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helped, and a few
scenes in the novel are influenced from my research not just from this
practical guide but also from reading interviews with serial killers and
watching documentaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A few weeks into my research, I found myself bizarrely numb
to the images.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when I knew I had
to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of the reason why I kept
researching was because I wanted to figure out why these events occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept looking for reason behind the
madness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A broken family?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An abusive childhood?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A traumatic injury that damaged the frontal
lobe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, nothing seemed to justify the
deaths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was on a loop, searching for
resolution to traumatic events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
time to accept the obvious – sometimes resolutions are only found in fiction.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After the book was written, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Practical Homicide Handbook</i> went back to my writer’s group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My browser was erased for fear someone would
think I was planning something sinister and the notes were hole punched,
shelved in a binder, and labeled “practical research”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I realized <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">practical </i>is
the right word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it’s best to
be practical – especially when it comes to murder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">L.V. Pires</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Extension</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">,</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Crescent Moon Press,
June 2014<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #262626;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="http://www.lisavpires.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">lisavpires.com</span></a><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/lisavpires"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">@lisavpires</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span></div>
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Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-53400389555021243092014-07-16T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-16T03:00:04.508-05:00Spice Things Up—Add Intrigue to Your Writing<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _GoBack;"></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been told on several occasions that my twisting
plotlines can keep readers turning the pages. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me it’s all about false turns and
foreshadowing. Adding intrigue or mystery to a novel can be like navigating a
maze. Leading the reader down a few dead ends doesn’t do any harm. It keeps
them on their toes, throws them off guard. But there must be one of the
potential paths that leads cleanly from point A to point B. Otherwise what’s
the point?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a couple of ways to add believable mystery to a
plotline, one is to meticulous outline every plot point before sitting down to
write. It doesn’t allow for much freedom or free writing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another way to do it is what I do. I call it the Bill and
Ted method, based on the movies <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%26_Ted%27s_Excellent_Adventure">Bill
and Ted</a>. </div>
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Basically I know point A and I know point B, but I usually have no
more than the vaguest idea what’s going to happen between or what sort twists
and turns I’ll encounter. In Bill and Ted, when the guys find themselves in a
difficult situation, but with a time machine, they realize they have the
ability to change things to make the present what they want. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is what I do. I jump around in the point, dropping in
plot twists, or necessary foreshadowing. This allows me to make the plot as
complicated as I like while still reaching the same end point. For example, if
I’m writing and a character reaches a locked door but needs to get through that
door, I go back further and foreshadow the means for them to get through. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Find out more about Carol Oates</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.caroloates.com/"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Website</span></a><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/CarolOates"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Twitter</span></a><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/caroloates.author"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Facebook</span></a><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3988619.Carol_Oates"><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Goodreads</span></a><span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-82900647933433677542014-07-15T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-15T03:00:05.277-05:00AUTHOR TIP OF THE DAY: KEEP SMILING by KATIE O'SULLIVAN
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Ahh, summer. The season of book fairs, craft shows, book
signings, book festivals… plenty of opportunities to get you and your book out
in front of readers of all ages. And what’s the most important thing you need
to bring to those book signings? (Besides your well-written book?)</div>
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You might have guessed the answer from the title of this
article. A positive attitude is the most important thing to remember when
you’re interacting with the public for large stretches of time. </div>
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Smile, even if your feet hurt and you know the person you’re
talking with has no intention of actually buying your book. Keep smiling, even
if they’re the fourteenth person in a row telling you how they too would write
a book, if only they had the free time.</div>
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Smile, nod, and keep chatting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just had my first book signing of the summer season,
braving an hour and a half of brutal summer traffic and a desperate search for
a parking lot with an open spot. I spent three hours hanging out in the
bookstore of the pirate museum’s gift shop with my YA mermaid series, SON F A
MERMAID and the new sequel, BLOOD OF A MERMAID. (Mermaids and pirates seems a
natural fit, right?) (Especially since we don’t have a mermaid museum!)</div>
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<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6apVRlaPJpU/U762k85x6BI/AAAAAAAAAkU/Q1-y2cS9ShA/s1600/KatieO_piratemuseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6apVRlaPJpU/U762k85x6BI/AAAAAAAAAkU/Q1-y2cS9ShA/s1600/KatieO_piratemuseum.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I chatted with tourists from all over the U.S. about their
vacations and what they like to read. I met people from upstate New York,
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Oregon, Michigan and New Jersey, all on Cape Cod
vacations, all looking to relax and have fun. Domenic from Oregon will be
reading SON OF A MERMAID for his summer reading book report, and that thrills
me to no end! Emma from Westchester checked the books out three times before
dragging her parents over to the table.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some bought my books as souvenirs to take home to neighbors
and grandkids. Some merely bought my books for their kids as a better
alternative to the plastic pirate swords. Some bought books from me because I
engaged with their kids and added to their vacation experience – I helped kids
figure out how to focus the pirate telescopes, understand what “pieces of
eight” meant, and speculated about what the next Rick Riordan cover will look
like in his latest series. And no, I don’t personally know Rick Riordan.
(Several kids asked me that. Because all authors know each other, I guess.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No one had heard of my books before they walked into the
store. None of my friends or Facebook followers braved the traffic to come
visit. I didn’t see a single familiar face until my own kids showed up at the
end of the day to catch a ride home.</div>
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As an indie author, I don’t have a huge online buzz or
following. I can’t sit behind the table and wait for people to “discover” me. I
need to get out there and sell my book one at a time, to individual people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No one wants to chat with you if you look grumpy. Heck, they
have to talk to their own grumpy kids or grumpy parents. Who chooses to add
more frowns to life? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many people I chatted with walked away. Which you have to be
okay with and – you guessed it – keep smiling. Because without that smile, you
won’t sell <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">any</i> books. Several took
postcards of the book covers to order online for their ebook readers. But some
came back and bought the books.</div>
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So if you’re an indie author headed out to sell books this
summer – remember to bring along your best smile. It really helps.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~ * ~ * ~</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Katie O’Sullivan writes romance and adventure for young adults
and the young at heart. Her latest YA book is BLOOD OF A MERMAID, the second in
her Mermaids of Cape Cod series that began last summer with SON OF A MERMAID.
Follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKatieOSullivan">Facebook</a>
to catch her at her next book signing – where she’s sure to have a big smile on
her face!</div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-50866507135267121782014-07-14T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-14T03:00:01.709-05:00Five Serious Tips (and one silly one) for How to Write a Winning Query Letter<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Ooooh, query letters. Is there anyone who actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">likes</i> writing them? When I was a writer
looking to pitch my work to agents, I was obSESSed with query letters--studying
other people’s queries for what worked, what didn’t, how they changed and
evolved, and how writers finally got to YES.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My own query, for the book that would become my debut novel,
SALT & STORM (originally titled—terribly—THE ROE WITCH), started out pretty
much as humbly as you could imagine. I had my X meets Y hook (“CHIME meets MOBY
DICK!”), but aside from a few basics (character’s name, age, the setting, the
main players), I wasn’t sure how to structure it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Here was my first attempt: </div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0;">On the struggling whaling
community of Prince Island, sixteen-year-old Avery Roe grew up hearing her
grandmother’s words: “This will all be yours someday.” She knew exactly what
those words mean, They mean she has a job waiting for her, a responsibility, a
gift passed from mother to daughter for generations. They mean she will someday
replace her grandmother as water-witch of Prince Island and lead her island out
of ruin and back to the golden days. They mean it will be her, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her</i> and not her mother, the only Roe
woman to turn her back on magic. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0;">But before the words can come
true, Avery’s mother returns, stealing her away from her grandmother’s cottage
of the rocks with the intention to turn her into a lady and not a witch. Her
mother doesn’t know, though, that Avery still has one magical gift left to her:
the ability to tell dreams. When Avery awakes one night with a vision of her
own murder, she knows only her grandmother and her family’s magic will keep her
alive.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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And here, four months later, was the final result that
ultimately landed me an agent and a book deal:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0;">Dear [Mr. / Ms. Agent],</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0;">My Young Adult novel, THE ROE
WITCH, is complete at 87,000 words and a historical fantasy novel based on New
England folklore. THE ROE WITCH is CHIME meets MOBY DICK, and I’m submitting it
to you due to [your interest in historical fiction and fantasy or whatever.]</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0;">Sixteen-year-old Avery Roe wants
only to take her rightful place as the witch of Prince Island, making the
charms that keep the island’s whale men safe and prosperous at sea. But before
she could learn how to control her power, her mother, the first Roe woman in
centuries to turn her back on magic, stole Avery away from her grandmother.
Avery must escape from her mother before her grandmother dies, taking with her
the secrets of the Roes’ power.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0;">When Avery awakens from a dream
foretelling her own murder, she realizes time is running short—for her and for
the people of her island, who, without the Roes, will lose their ships and the
only life they know.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0;">With the help of Tane, a
tattooed harpoon boy from the Pacific Islands, Avery plots her escape from her
mother and unravels the mysteries of her mother’s and grandmother’s pasts.
Becoming a witch may prevent her murder and save her island from ruin, but
Avery discovers it will also require a sacrifice she never expected—one she
might not be able to make.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">I believe THE ROE WITCH will
appeal to fans of novels that blend the real and the fantastical, like Maggie
Stiefvater’s THE SCORPIO RACES and Franny Billingsley’s CHIME, as well as
character-driven historical fiction, like Elizabeth Wein’s CODE NAME VERITY.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve worked as a journalist with Bloomberg News, and I am a
graduate of Harvard University, where I was taught by authors Bret Anthony
Johnston and Suzanne Berne. I am also an active member of SCBWI. </span><span style="color: #0070c0;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">I’ve pasted [pages/synopsis]
below. Thank you for your consideration!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Best,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">Kendall Kulper</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0;">[email and snail mail address]</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0;">http://www.KendallKulper.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">@Kendall_Kulper</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay, so, what changed?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, I knew that my query had to start with my main
character, Avery. This book is her story, and although I liked the “struggling
whaling community” and the appeal of starting with a quote from her
grandmother, ultimately <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">it’s what Avery
wants that drives the whole story, which makes it the most important thing for
agents to understand.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, I drastically toned down the lyrical quality of the
query. There’s a debate about how much literary tone should go into a query.
Some writers are great at infusing a query with the tone of the writing, but I
think it’s tough to walk that line between evocative and distracting. I finally
decided that agents ask for a query and a writing sample for a reason: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the query is the place to present my story
in as clear terms as possible, while I can show off my style in the writing
sample.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was writing the first query letter, the story itself
was still evolving through edits and revisions. I wrote this first query way
before the book was finished, and while you should ONLY send queries to agents
for polished, completed work, I don’t think there’s ever a wrong time to start thinking
about how to pitch your book<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>. Actually, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I’ve found that writing quick, query-style
summaries as soon as I start a project is a great way to nail down the most
important plot points: who is the main character, what do they want, what’s
standing in the way, and what are the stakes.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So because I still wasn’t 100% sure where this story was going,
the one big thing my first query lacked over the final was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">stakes<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i></b> What was the
point of this story? Why should anyone—especially this agent—care about the
book? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tying Avery’s plight to her
grandmother’s legacy and the survival of her island made her story more
complex. It gave her a bigger reason to fight and more for readers to care
about (and want to know more about).</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I finally sent out these queries, I was careful about
who I sent them to and why. I tried to personalize every letter I sent in some
small way, especially if I had a connection to the agent. In the letter to the
person who would eventually become my agent, Sara Crowe, I included the
following:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0070c0;">You and I were in touch a few
months ago regarding my Young Adult manuscript [title of previous manuscript],
and you requested to see the full and asked me to get in touch with any future
projects. I’m seeking representation for THE ROE WITCH and would be delighted
to show it to you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just a small note to remind Sara of who I was, that she had
enjoyed my previous work, and that she wanted to see more from me. For agents I
hadn’t queried before, I tried to include something about their interests or
clients’ work that would suggest they might like my book. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Those little personalizations can do a lot to help a query stand out in
a very crowded landscape.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay. We’ve gotten through all the serious tips. Ready for
the ridiculous one? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Never underestimate
the appeal of a hot tattooed boy</b>. Seriously. Avery’s love interest, Tane,
was a part of the book from the beginning, but I had a hard time figuring out
how to get him in the query and debated even having him in there. Turns out it
was a good idea I did. Agents <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">loved</i>
him, and what’s more, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">readers</i> love
him—and want to know more. The official summary for SALT & STORM is based
off my query letter, and the NUMBER ONE thing that grabs people’s attention?
Yeah. Tattooed harpoon boy FTW.<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">-- Kendall Kulper,<span style="font-style: italic;"> author of </span><b style="font-style: italic;">Salt & Storm</b>, Little Brown, September 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Connect with Kendall Kulper</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.kendallkulper.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></span></span> | <a href="http://twitter.com/@Kendall_Kulper" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Twitter</span></a> |
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18302133-salt-storm" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span> </div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-83103498193551559272014-07-11T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-11T08:55:28.355-05:00DEAR AUTHOR DEAREST....by Cherie Colyer<br />
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<br />
<br />
<h3>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">DEAR AUTHOR DEAREST</span>:<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paatNlxWkHw/U7_rTWq7iXI/AAAAAAAAAlE/saMiVGClU9Q/s1600/ID-100134017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paatNlxWkHw/U7_rTWq7iXI/AAAAAAAAAlE/saMiVGClU9Q/s1600/ID-100134017.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Ideas_and_Decision_M_g409-Figure_Thinking_With_Question_Mark_p134017.html" target="_blank">Source</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h3>
<br />
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> "What's your take on
voice? Some people say it can't be learned. Do you agree?” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Yours Truly, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Frustrated Writer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Voice.
It’s something every novel has. It brings the characters alive. It’s unique and
beautiful and as important as plot. A novel lacking voice is doomed to fail. So
what’s a writer to do when their work lacks voice? The answer to that is study
their craft.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t believe voice is something that can be learned. Don’t leave
just yet. Most importantly, don’t stop writing, because odds are your voice
is there. You just haven’t discovered it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Voice is unique to the writer. It combines the distinct point of view,
style, and personality of a piece of literature. It’s diction, character
development, punctuation, dialogue, etc. If your work lacks voice, then you
need dig deeper within yourself to find it. Here are a few exercises to help
you develop your voice.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Think of your favorite character—one that has left an impression on you.
Now read the first few pages of that book. Pay close attention to the
protagonist’s dialogue, the choice of narrative words and how they are used to
describe the scene. Note the character’s body language and what she’s doing.
Her social status. Her internal thoughts. All of these elements make up the
voice of the novel. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">List the qualities of the protagonist, good and bad.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What do you know about the character?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Her social status, temperament, fears and/or likes.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
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</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since dialogue and personality traits are an important part of voice,
your character has to be well developed. If you’re writing young adult, go to
places teens hang out and listen to their conversation. Watch how they
interact. If you’re writing adult or middle grade fiction, same thing. Go to
places where you can observe. Then go
back to your manuscript and revise adding action and thought.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This next exercise includes your favorite television show or movie, so
go ahead and make some popcorn, grab a cold drink, and kick up your feet. Only,
this time when you’re enjoying the show pay close attention to all the things
listed above. Watch the characters actions. Listen to their dialogue. Note
their ticks. Identify what makes them unique. That’s voice.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now take a look at the first pages of your novel. Create a personality
outline of your character. Look at the diction and dialogue. Does it match your
characters' social status, world, age?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Revise and repeat if necessary. With practice, you will find the right
voice for your work in progress.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> -- Cherie Colyer, author of <i>Embrace, Hold Tight, </i>and <i>Challenging Destiny</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect with Cherie Colyer</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b><a href="http://cheriecolyer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">Website</span></a> |
<span style="color: #336699;"><a href="http://cheriecolyer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog </a></span> |
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cherie-Colyer-author/250631921629169" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">Facebook</span></a> |
<a href="https://twitter.com/CherieColyer" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">Twitter</span></a> |
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5288487.Cherie_Colyer" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">Goodreads</span></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>If
you have a question for Dear Author Dearest, email
darklydeliciousya(at)gmail(dot)com with Dear Author Dearest in the
subject line. </i></span></span></span></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-53488669096305395892014-07-10T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-10T03:00:05.411-05:00Darkly Delicious Detail about BURN OUT by Kristi Helvig<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HlVaQlnlU3s/UxonlDj11aI/AAAAAAAAAS8/QS025gl9ijM/s1600/BURN+OUT+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HlVaQlnlU3s/UxonlDj11aI/AAAAAAAAAS8/QS025gl9ijM/s1600/BURN+OUT+Cover.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I had to
research some interesting things for BURN OUT. After googling (yes, that’s a
verb) something along the lines of “most deadly weapons,” I half-expected a
knock on the door from homeland security. The astrophysics part of the book
required more intense research and involved help from a well-respected
astrophysics department. </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJVRCX4hQ3c/U7wOpyGznFI/AAAAAAAAAj0/QUMeD6P1RiA/s1600/Red-Giant-Sun-Wallpaper-HD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJVRCX4hQ3c/U7wOpyGznFI/AAAAAAAAAj0/QUMeD6P1RiA/s1600/Red-Giant-Sun-Wallpaper-HD.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">One of the issues I had to resolve was how the sun
could plausibly burn out early, which was the crux of the book (and the title).
Nothing I’d found online could explain it and the detail I found most
interesting while researching BURN OUT was that the sun would not be harmed
even if all the nuclear weapons on Earth were detonated on it. That amazed me.
A very wise astrophysicist was able to tell me how the sun could burn out
early, but luckily, it’s a highly improbable scenario. Research is one of my
favorite parts of writing, so I’m going to continue googling random thing, but
I’m keeping a copy of my book close at hand—just in case homeland security
drops by for a chat. :)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jM1pcR-O3Fw/U0rWFuhUg1I/AAAAAAAAAYo/1LpIlLho5og/s1600/Author+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jM1pcR-O3Fw/U0rWFuhUg1I/AAAAAAAAAYo/1LpIlLho5og/s1600/Author+photo.jpg" height="200" width="191" /></a></div>
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<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Kristi Helvig
is a Ph.D. clinical psychologist turned sci-fi/fantasy author. She muses about
Star Trek, space monkeys, and other assorted topics on her <a href="http://www.kristihelvig.com/"><span style="color: #000099;">blog</span></a>
and <a href="https://twitter.com/KristiHelvig"><span style="color: #000099;">Twitter</span></a>.
Kristi resides in sunny Colorado with her hubby, two kiddos, and
behaviorally-challenged dogs. Grab a copy of BURN OUT on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Burn-Out-Kristi-Helvig/dp/1606844792"><span style="color: #000099;">Amazon</span></a>, <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781606844793"><span style="color: #000099;">Indiebound</span></a>,
or <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/burn-out-kristi-helvig/1115251509?ean=9781606844793"><span style="color: #000099;">Barnes & Noble</span></a>.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-58921971407658933972014-07-09T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-09T03:00:04.016-05:00An Intriguing Excerpt from My Tethered Soul by Dorothy Dreyer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
second book in the Reaper’s Rite series releases in just over a month. I don’t
know if you’re as excited as I am, but I thought I’d share an excerpt that I
hope intrigues you.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">***</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uuehxU2B9oY/U6y0_NJbALI/AAAAAAAAAis/CTza3tKyPmU/s1600/zadie+intrigue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uuehxU2B9oY/U6y0_NJbALI/AAAAAAAAAis/CTza3tKyPmU/s1600/zadie+intrigue.jpg" height="294" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I quickly found the girls’
bathroom and pushed the door open, glad that the school staff was considerate
enough to keep this light on.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Naomi?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I bent down to peek under the
stall doors, but didn’t see any feet. Maybe she ran into someone and had to
stop and chat. I was sure she would be along soon, so I checked my hair.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I tucked a stray hair back in
place, humming the song that Gavin and I had danced to. Like a soft breeze, a
whisper caught my ear.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Hello?” I turned toward the
stalls. Had I missed someone’s feet? I bent down, but saw nothing. “Is …
someone in here?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I took a few steps forward, the
sound of my heels on the tile floor echoing in my ears. I was probably just
imagining the whisper. After all, I’d just gone from the loud gym to the quiet
bathroom. My ears were simply adjusting to the noise variance. Weren’t they?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But I had to check. I couldn’t
let it go. Rubbing my sweaty hands on my dress, I licked my lips, trying to
muster up some moisture in my otherwise dry mouth. Holding my breath, I put my
hand on the first stall door.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Hello?” I called once more, just
to be sure. It wouldn’t be out of the question that a student had passed out
drunk in there after indulging in too much spiked punch. At least, that’s what
I was trying to convince myself.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When no one answered, I shoved at
the stall door. It banged against the inside wall and ricocheted back at me.
But the stall was empty. I peered at the remaining stall doors: there were four
more. Swallowing back the grit in my throat, I went to the next door. Was I
really doing this? There had to be an easier, quicker way.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course there was.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I took two steps back and concentrated on the remaining
doors. Focusing on the air in the room—as stale as it was—I pushed my energy
toward the doors, willing the air to drive them open. My body buzzed with
magic, and suddenly a wind swept through the space. All doors flew open at
once.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">***</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
here’s another bit of intrigue for you. Who will win a $30 Amazon gift code?
Enter and find out. It could be you!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/47d81c5/" id="rc-47d81c5" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907038839233731801.post-57000133644137423182014-07-08T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-08T03:00:04.949-05:00Tips for Fast Drafting from Kelly Hashway<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">I used to be the writer who thought everyone who
participated in NaNoWriMo was insane for writing a book that quickly. I didn’t
think I could ever do it. But then everything changed. I discovered fast
drafting and I’ve never looked back. Fast drafting is where you write large
word counts each day and get the manuscript drafted in a very short period of
time. My record is eight days for an 80K manuscript. Crazy? Not really.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Here’s my tip for getting those words out and
quickly. Set specific writing time each day and keep your fingers moving. You
can train yourself to be creative on cue. Yes, you heard me right. You can
train your brain to respond to writing at certain times of the day. I know I am
going to write from 9:00am to 2:40pm when my daughter is in school. My brain
expects to have to be in writing mode during that time, and it is. Does that
mean I never get stuck and stare at a blank screen? No. I’m only human. But I
have a tip for that, too. When you’re fast drafting you can’t tolerate writer’s
block. When I get stuck, I skip whatever is holding me up and jump ahead. If I’m
really feeling in a slump, I’ll write the ending or the climax because I know
those parts and they get me excited about the story all over again. After that,
I find I can go back and work through the part that was tripping me up earlier.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Also, when you’re fast drafting, don’t go back and
edit what you’ve already written. It’s about constantly moving forward and
typing new words until the manuscript is complete. Like I said, I thought I’d
never be able to write like this. Now, I can’t imagine writing any other way.
And fast drafting doesn’t just help me to get the manuscript written. I find
that during revisions, I’m pleased by how well the story flows because of the
pace in which it was written. Things stay fresh in your mind, and gaps or
inconsistencies that can result from writing a manuscript over the course of
months aren’t there anymore.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">So, give fast drafting a try and see if you
surprise yourself the way I did.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">About Kelly: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Kelly Hashway grew up reading R.L. Stein’s Fear
Street novels and writing stories of her own, so it was no surprise to her
family when she majored in English and later obtained a masters degree in
English Secondary Education from East Stroudsburg University. After teaching
middle school language arts for seven years, Hashway went back to school and
focused specifically on writing. She is now the author of three young adult
series, one middle grade series, and several picture books. She also writes
contemporary romance under the pen name Ashelyn Drake. When she isn’t writing,
Hashway works as a freelance editor for small presses as well as for her own
list of clients. In her spare time, she enjoys running, traveling, and
volunteering with the PTO. Hashway currently resides in Pennsylvania with her
husband, daughter, and two pets. Visit her website: </span><a href="http://www.kellyhashway.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">http://www.kellyhashway.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></div>
Darkly Delicious YAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270148858009520960noreply@blogger.com6