Adventures with a synopsis.

Before I jetted off on holiday I knew there was something to tackle. Something I had put off in the hope it would write itself.

We all know the pain. You spend hours writing your manuscript then endure hours of revision, eating chocolate, pulling of hair and caffeine induced hazes.

Finally the pain ends. To begin again with the synopsis.

I have always had a fear of the synopsis. I don't know why, it just terrifies the British stiff upper lip off me.

So, when I was reading Frankie Writes and she said she'd participated in an awesome query workshop I had to check it out.

But I thought you were talking about the synopsis?

I promise I'm getting to it.

After finishing the query workshop I found C.J also does synopsis workshops, so I signed up.

I have now finished my synopsis. Yes, the terror has ended and I am the proud owner of a shiny mini-version of my book.

So, if you ever need any help then check out C.J's site here.

The Incredible Invisible Blogger

I have, unfortunately, been absent from the blogosphere since Monday due to hectic life, and I want to apologise.

*Big hugs and virtual chocolate bars all around*

Seriously, the guilt is awful, and I've missed reading your blogs everyday.

I shall be a bit of a mirage for the next three weeks. My brother gets married on the 4th of July...in Las Vegas. After a week in Vegas, I am off to explore Los Angeles with my parents.

I am taking my laptop but my Internet access may be sporadic (since I don't know where the Wi-Fi hot spots are yet) so please don't think I don't love you all if I can't visit you, or desert me in my absence. I have a few posts scheduled while I am away and will be back, refreshed, and ready to make you giggle with my adventures on the 19th of July.

Warning: They will probably include me falling over with my dodgy balance, dropping stuff and general dumb stupidity moments. I am a klutz!

If anyone has any tips on things to do in Las Vegas and L.A let me know.

Oh, and if you are anywhere in my area, and you see a petite brunette with a lost look, please point me in the right direction. Better yet, draw me a map. :)

We Are All Different.

Yesterday I took my goddaughter to the recreation ground near our houses. There are the usual swings, slides and football pitch. There is also a wide expanse of space between the two.

Except there was something new in the space. Travellers had pitched up close to the trees.

There were already some council members asking them to move on.

I accept everyone has a right to live the lifestyle they want. It would be a pretty boring world if we were all the same. What frustrated me was the reactions of people around me. The whispering, the staring, the shouting one guy did out of the window calling them names.

Why?

Because of the stereotype of travellers/gypsies. They are typically portrayed as as thieves, people who don't pay taxes or contribute to the community.

When writing we are told to avoid stereotypes if possible. Give your character identity, quirks, flaws. Make them more than what we expect. Show the person behind the image.

So I thought about the travellers. I thought about the individual. The man who fell in love with a girl from a neighbouring caravan. They got married, had children and live their lives together in the same way my parents have.

The only difference is the one we label them with.

Today they have moved on. But I'm left wondering, unless we look deeper, who knows what people are like behind the stereotypes?

Within both life and writing.

Pitch Contest

Today the fabulous Renae at The Siren's Song announced a little contest.

On Monday agent Sarah LaPolla with Curtis Brown LTD. will be featured in an interview.

An interview, you said a contest. Well hold on here's the best bit...she is also judging a query pitch contest.

The contest starts Monday June 21st and will run through Tuesday June 22nd.

Here are the rules:

1. Be a follower of Renae's blog.

2. Follow Sarah LaPolla's blog Glass Cases

3. Enter only one pitch - check out what she is looking for submission wise.

The pitch can only be 1-3 sentences long. (not long run on sentences!) The pitches should be left in the comment section of Renae's blog.

Prizes:

1st place: The winner can submit the entire manuscript.
2nd place: The winner can submit a partial.
3rd place: The winner will get a query critique .

And in the words of Renae: "Be sure to spread the word and polish those pitches until they are bright and shiny and come back Monday to join in the excitement! Good luck to everyone!"

And thanks to Renae for holding such an awesome contest.

Fun Friday Facts

Since it's Friday, I thought I'd reveal a bit about my weirdness in a fun fact post. Hold on tight.

1) I love writing, reading and blogging. But you knew that already.

2) I love those lip balms/glosses that smell like fruit.

3) I like chocolate...but that's a different topic.

4) I like the free toys you get in cereal that you have to dig right down to the bottom of the packet to reach.

5) I have the ability to be reduced to childlike status when I take goddaughter in toy shops. I have to make sure they are suitable for her. :)

6) I save receipts until I can't close my purse anymore.

What about you? Do you have any fun facts to share?

Happy Friday :)

Book Thoughts: Before I Die

I decided I wanted to share a book that I love. A book with a personal story behind it.

I'd been editing my MS for about a month. No one knew. No one had read it (other than me)because I was scared out of my mind.

Then I read this:

The book is about a teenage girl called Tessa with a few months to live. Tessa writes a list. A To Do list. Full of things to do before she dies. You know, the usual stuff: have sex, go to a club, visit certain places. And she sets off on a journey of self discovery, love and life.

There is an awkward first time sex experience, an estranged mother, and a love interest who isn't a gorgeous sparkly God. Add in a best friend who can be a bit of a bitch and who....nah, I promised no spoilers.

Tessa captured my attention from the first page. Her voice is sometimes biting, bitter, hopeful and raw but always honest. A teenager experiencing life while her body fails her.

I love books that grab hold of me and won't let go. I've read very few books that I can't stop thinking about once I've read them. Even fewer that make me cry. * By this I mean blub in epic proportions *

This book made me a tiny bit braver.

It helped me decide to push forward with my writing. To do the things I wanted rather than just dreaming about them. I joined Query Tracker and I started my blog. I thank Tessa for giving me the courage to start my journey. Not just dream about it.

At least that's one of the things ticked off my list. :)

"This is an affecting and brave novel...a reminder to value the people that matter, seize the moment, wish with courage, adventure with relish, even if it's just a trip to the swimming pool, drinking hot chocolate or driving down a duel carriageway in the rain." The Guardian

WriteOnCon.

I'm sure a lot of you know about this by now but I still wanted to share.

Are you tired of never being able to go to a conference?
Do you write Kidlit? (Edit: Thanks Stina)
Do you want to get in on the action and talk to real life agents and everything?

You do. * Phew*

The awesomeness of Elana Johnson, Casey McCormick, Lisa & Laura Roecker, Shannon Messenger and Jamie Harrington have an announcement for you.





As an International bunny who never gets to conferences (and really, really wants to go) I've already marked the dates in my diary.

WriteOnCon.com August 10th-12th 2010

Edit: This piece of info has beeb posted on the WriteOnCon website.

What WriteOnCon isn’t:

"WriteOnCon is also not exclusive to kidlit writers. In order to stay organized, the curriculum has been focused on picture book, middle grade, and young adult writers. However, much of the information provided will apply to all writers, and since the conference is free, any interested writer is encouraged to attend. "

So anyone can take part. Feel free to pop over and check it out. :)