We all have different ways of starting to work on our WIPs. Some of us plan, working out the details with a a keen eye until they know the blocks are there to write from. Some of us are pantsers (waves). We kinda, sorta know what we want to achieve, but the hows are a bit fuzzy.
My planning technique revolves around the beginning, middle and end. I write them down and build from there. It kind of looks like a dot-to-dot picture in the beginning, but the image builds up from there. This has advantages. I love the way I can see my story grow/adapt/shift as I write.
But the more I write/develop ideas, the more I seem to plan without realising it. Most of the time, I write the rough idea for the next chapter/scene down before I write it. There's still room to change things, but the fear of the 'I have no clue what comes next' is gone when I open the word document.
I've dubbed this hybrid as pantsplot.
Speaking of outlining, Amparo has started a new feature today... Outlining with Robert Pattinson. Trust me, it's genius.
What about you? Plotter? Pantser? Bit of both?
Showing posts with label links. Show all posts
Showing posts with label links. Show all posts
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Friday, 14 January 2011
La-La-Links
Time to spread some love. I have a few linkies that I noticed around the blog today.
Amparo talks about having a Deus ex Machina
Michelle tells it like it is: English is a stupid language.
Katrina talks to SCORE author Miranda Kenneally. You can also leave questions in the comments for Miranda to answer.
Jen over at Unedited interviews Shannon McMahon (And be sure to visit Shannon's blog for the awesome Anonymous Critique)
You can pop over and help Katie with synopsis tips.
Or check out Stina's cool links Friday.
Happy Friday.
Amparo talks about having a Deus ex Machina
Michelle tells it like it is: English is a stupid language.
Katrina talks to SCORE author Miranda Kenneally. You can also leave questions in the comments for Miranda to answer.
Jen over at Unedited interviews Shannon McMahon (And be sure to visit Shannon's blog for the awesome Anonymous Critique)
You can pop over and help Katie with synopsis tips.
Or check out Stina's cool links Friday.
Happy Friday.
Friday, 10 December 2010
Edits And Awesome
Yay it's Friday.
To celebrate the closeness of the weekend, I have some little links to spread around the blogosphere.
1. Today is Mystery Agent reveal day over on Operation Awesome. I feel like a secret Santa today (but a girl version... with prettier shoes). As well as the name of the winner of a full MS submission, we also have some other exciting news for the entrants. So feel free to hop over and check it out.
Couldn't enter this time? Not your genre? Don't despair. We are hard at work lining up some more awesome agents for next year.
2. Sticking with the awesome vibe, Katrina is holding a New Year's Revision blog party. Want to join in the fun? Pop over and add your blog to the Mr. Linky.
2. Beth Revis is holding the epic of epic contests to celebrate her debut novel, Across The Universe. I'm talking bookmarks, ARC's, watches... it is serious epicness.
3. The wonderful, soon to be published, Jessica Bell is spreading her editing awesome across the blogosphere. Is your MS is ready to send to agent? Want some professional editing before you send it? Jessica has two packages to offer you:
Copyediting, basic: 0.015 USD (or 0.013 Euro) per words in your manuscript. This includes:
•Grammar
•Spelling
•Capitalization
•Punctuation
•Usage
•Flagging repeated words and/or phrases
•Some formatting
Copyediting, heavy: 0.02 USD (or 0.018 Euro) per words in your manuscript. In addition to above, this includes:
•Wordiness, awkwardness
•Redundancy
•Transitions
•Paragraphing
•Word, phrase, and sentence flow
•Consistency of names, setting, character traits, plot points
P.S. If you'd like to enter for the chance to win a UK paperback of Matched by Ally Condie, my contest is still open until the 15th of December.
Happy Friday everyone.
To celebrate the closeness of the weekend, I have some little links to spread around the blogosphere.
1. Today is Mystery Agent reveal day over on Operation Awesome. I feel like a secret Santa today (but a girl version... with prettier shoes). As well as the name of the winner of a full MS submission, we also have some other exciting news for the entrants. So feel free to hop over and check it out.
Couldn't enter this time? Not your genre? Don't despair. We are hard at work lining up some more awesome agents for next year.
2. Sticking with the awesome vibe, Katrina is holding a New Year's Revision blog party. Want to join in the fun? Pop over and add your blog to the Mr. Linky.
2. Beth Revis is holding the epic of epic contests to celebrate her debut novel, Across The Universe. I'm talking bookmarks, ARC's, watches... it is serious epicness.
3. The wonderful, soon to be published, Jessica Bell is spreading her editing awesome across the blogosphere. Is your MS is ready to send to agent? Want some professional editing before you send it? Jessica has two packages to offer you:
Copyediting, basic: 0.015 USD (or 0.013 Euro) per words in your manuscript. This includes:
•Grammar
•Spelling
•Capitalization
•Punctuation
•Usage
•Flagging repeated words and/or phrases
•Some formatting
Copyediting, heavy: 0.02 USD (or 0.018 Euro) per words in your manuscript. In addition to above, this includes:
•Wordiness, awkwardness
•Redundancy
•Transitions
•Paragraphing
•Word, phrase, and sentence flow
•Consistency of names, setting, character traits, plot points
P.S. If you'd like to enter for the chance to win a UK paperback of Matched by Ally Condie, my contest is still open until the 15th of December.
Happy Friday everyone.
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Half-Way Day
Yay it's Wednesday. It's also cold and getting dark early.
I don't know about you, but it makes me want to wrap up warm, watch the previous Harry Potter films (my The Deathly Hallows countdown for Friday) and eat cookies. I also want to attack my MS with the red pen of editing death and do some more plotting/writing on my wip, but that's a given. :)
But there's the slump of doubt that kicks in this time of year. Holidays are fast approaching along with the daily routine. It ends up feeling like there's so little to do and so much time... strike that, reverse it.
How to combat this? I would suggest copious amounts of cookies/chocolate or any other treat of choice. Also, pop over and see Elana.
Oh, I'm also posting over on Operation Awesome today.
So what do you do to combat the winter slump?
I don't know about you, but it makes me want to wrap up warm, watch the previous Harry Potter films (my The Deathly Hallows countdown for Friday) and eat cookies. I also want to attack my MS with the red pen of editing death and do some more plotting/writing on my wip, but that's a given. :)
But there's the slump of doubt that kicks in this time of year. Holidays are fast approaching along with the daily routine. It ends up feeling like there's so little to do and so much time... strike that, reverse it.
How to combat this? I would suggest copious amounts of cookies/chocolate or any other treat of choice. Also, pop over and see Elana.
Oh, I'm also posting over on Operation Awesome today.
So what do you do to combat the winter slump?
Monday, 15 November 2010
It's Almost Time...
So release day is almost upon us. Release of what?
Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Part 1.
And I booked my ticket today. On Friday I'll be cinema bound (not for the midnight screening though, I'll be asleep) to see my first HP in the cinema.
Yes my first! I waited to see all the others until they were out on DVD, but I can't wait this time. I need to go see it on the big screen.
There's also a bit of a theme around the blogosphere today with HP related posts. So, without further ado, here are links to some of my favourites.
Amparo, one of my awesome CP's, is hugging the world building of HP tight.
Renae, my fantastic beta (and excessive TBR book partner in crime), is taking part in a HP blogfest. Pop over to enjoy her daily fix of all things Potter this week. Today she has awesome quotes.
Jen over at Unedited has a letter to J.K.Rowling.
Before I go, Laura Diamond has a fabulous guest post over on Operation Awesome on writers perseverance.
Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Part 1.
And I booked my ticket today. On Friday I'll be cinema bound (not for the midnight screening though, I'll be asleep) to see my first HP in the cinema.
Yes my first! I waited to see all the others until they were out on DVD, but I can't wait this time. I need to go see it on the big screen.
There's also a bit of a theme around the blogosphere today with HP related posts. So, without further ado, here are links to some of my favourites.
Amparo, one of my awesome CP's, is hugging the world building of HP tight.
Renae, my fantastic beta (and excessive TBR book partner in crime), is taking part in a HP blogfest. Pop over to enjoy her daily fix of all things Potter this week. Today she has awesome quotes.
Jen over at Unedited has a letter to J.K.Rowling.
Before I go, Laura Diamond has a fabulous guest post over on Operation Awesome on writers perseverance.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
If I were...
I saw this on two of my CP's blogs and decided I wanted to play. The idea is just to fill the sentences in with the first thing that pops into your head. So here I go...
- If I were a season, I’d be Spring.
- If I were a month, I’d be May.
- If I were a day of the week, I’d be Friday.
- If I were a time of day, I’d be Midnight.
- If I were a planet, I’d be Venus.
- If I were a direction, I’d be North.
- If I were a tree, I’d be an oak.
- If I were a flower, I’d be a daisy.
- If I were a fruit, I’d be a banana.
- If I were a land animal, I’d be a rabbit.
- If I were a sea animal, I’d be a dolphin.
- If I were a bird, I’d be an swallow.
- If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be a bookcase.
- If I were a liquid, I’d be water.
- If I were a stone, I’d be an emerald.
- If I were a tool, I’d be a hammer.
- If I were a kind of weather, I’d be the snow.
- If I were a musical instrument, I’d be a guitar.
- If I were a colour, I’d be blue.
- If I were a facial expression, I’d be a smile.
- If I were an emotion, I’d be empathy.
- If I were a sound, I’d be a sigh.
- If I were an element, I’d be the wind.
- If I were a car, I’d be a Mini Cooper.
- If I were a food, I’d be spaghetti.
- If I were a place, I’d be Italy.
- If I were a flavor, I’d be mint.
- If I were a scent, I’d be jasmine.
- If I were an object, I’d be a pen.
- If I were a body part, I’d be an eye.
- If I were a song, I’d be "Starlight," by Muse.
- If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be sneakers.
- If I were transportation, I’d be a boat.
- If I were a fairy tale, I’d be The Little Mermaid.
- If I were a holiday, I’d be Christmas.
- If I were a novel, I'd be Pride and Prejudice.
- If I were a movie, I'd be The Princess Bride.
Oh, and check out Katrina and Kristal's choices.
Finally: I let out a huge squee when I read Jessica Bell's good news. Jessica is going to be published! Woot. I'm sure most of you know Jessica's news, but I had to add my squee to the list. Oh, and don't forget to enter her 400 follower contest for a chance to win Amazon gift cards (or something Greek!). Deadline to enter is December 2nd.
- If I were a season, I’d be Spring.
- If I were a month, I’d be May.
- If I were a day of the week, I’d be Friday.
- If I were a time of day, I’d be Midnight.
- If I were a planet, I’d be Venus.
- If I were a direction, I’d be North.
- If I were a tree, I’d be an oak.
- If I were a flower, I’d be a daisy.
- If I were a fruit, I’d be a banana.
- If I were a land animal, I’d be a rabbit.
- If I were a sea animal, I’d be a dolphin.
- If I were a bird, I’d be an swallow.
- If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be a bookcase.
- If I were a liquid, I’d be water.
- If I were a stone, I’d be an emerald.
- If I were a tool, I’d be a hammer.
- If I were a kind of weather, I’d be the snow.
- If I were a musical instrument, I’d be a guitar.
- If I were a colour, I’d be blue.
- If I were a facial expression, I’d be a smile.
- If I were an emotion, I’d be empathy.
- If I were a sound, I’d be a sigh.
- If I were an element, I’d be the wind.
- If I were a car, I’d be a Mini Cooper.
- If I were a food, I’d be spaghetti.
- If I were a place, I’d be Italy.
- If I were a flavor, I’d be mint.
- If I were a scent, I’d be jasmine.
- If I were an object, I’d be a pen.
- If I were a body part, I’d be an eye.
- If I were a song, I’d be "Starlight," by Muse.
- If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be sneakers.
- If I were transportation, I’d be a boat.
- If I were a fairy tale, I’d be The Little Mermaid.
- If I were a holiday, I’d be Christmas.
- If I were a novel, I'd be Pride and Prejudice.
- If I were a movie, I'd be The Princess Bride.
Oh, and check out Katrina and Kristal's choices.
Finally: I let out a huge squee when I read Jessica Bell's good news. Jessica is going to be published! Woot. I'm sure most of you know Jessica's news, but I had to add my squee to the list. Oh, and don't forget to enter her 400 follower contest for a chance to win Amazon gift cards (or something Greek!). Deadline to enter is December 2nd.
Monday, 8 November 2010
Repetition Is Delicious
I love that toddlers are like human sponges. I also like that they are kind of repetitive when the talk, especially when they find a few words they like.
Some words I've heard on repeat last week:
Delicious. Wow (which said by a toddler with curly hair and big brown eyes is adorable). Gosh. Yay.
No. I'm ready (said as soon as she's in the car seat before I've clipped her in). No. Clever girl. No. Hot dog, hot dog hot diggity dog. Mickey Mouse.
And it's the same in writing (come on, you knew I was going somewhere didn't you!) We all have our crutch words, favourite descriptions and phrases (I myself am having an excess word vomit of 'skin,' 'lips' and 'mouth' at the moment). We pepper them into our manuscripts without thinking because they feel natural to us.
It's kind of like word poop, but repeated a few times a chapter.
There's nothing wrong with repeating words. Sometimes it is an effective tool, sometimes it's just a mistake or a habit -- like stuffing in that extra cookie in your mouth while watching TV, or eating the crusts you've cut off your goddaughter's sandwich (I really need to stop that habit, btw). But the best thing about being a writer is finding new ways to describe or write things. Like a toddler sponge in the quest for the new, next time I find myself going for the tried and tested crutch word I'm going to stop, think and write something else.
Oh, and even though I'm sure you know it already, here is somewhere I love to visit for inspiration: The Bookshelf Muse
Because learning something new is just as delicious.
Some words I've heard on repeat last week:
Delicious. Wow (which said by a toddler with curly hair and big brown eyes is adorable). Gosh. Yay.
No. I'm ready (said as soon as she's in the car seat before I've clipped her in). No. Clever girl. No. Hot dog, hot dog hot diggity dog. Mickey Mouse.
And it's the same in writing (come on, you knew I was going somewhere didn't you!) We all have our crutch words, favourite descriptions and phrases (I myself am having an excess word vomit of 'skin,' 'lips' and 'mouth' at the moment). We pepper them into our manuscripts without thinking because they feel natural to us.
It's kind of like word poop, but repeated a few times a chapter.
There's nothing wrong with repeating words. Sometimes it is an effective tool, sometimes it's just a mistake or a habit -- like stuffing in that extra cookie in your mouth while watching TV, or eating the crusts you've cut off your goddaughter's sandwich (I really need to stop that habit, btw). But the best thing about being a writer is finding new ways to describe or write things. Like a toddler sponge in the quest for the new, next time I find myself going for the tried and tested crutch word I'm going to stop, think and write something else.
Oh, and even though I'm sure you know it already, here is somewhere I love to visit for inspiration: The Bookshelf Muse
Because learning something new is just as delicious.
Friday, 22 October 2010
Awesome And Reminders.
When Operation Awesome launched we had an amazing one-sentence pitch contest. And I did a happy squee when I found out one of the entrants, Nancy Herman, has been offered representation with our September Mystery Agent, Mandy Hubbard.
For all the amazing info check out Katrina's post over on OA.
Oh, and polish those one-sentence pitches. You may need it sooner than you think. :)
And don't forget on Thursday the 28th of October is the frawesome query chat with Elana Johnson and all us OA gals.
Now I have to go finish my entry for Hannah's contest before midnight. Wish me creepy thoughts. :)
Happy Friday everyone. :)
For all the amazing info check out Katrina's post over on OA.
Oh, and polish those one-sentence pitches. You may need it sooner than you think. :)
And don't forget on Thursday the 28th of October is the frawesome query chat with Elana Johnson and all us OA gals.
Now I have to go finish my entry for Hannah's contest before midnight. Wish me creepy thoughts. :)
Happy Friday everyone. :)
Monday, 11 October 2010
Interview Alert. Interview Alert.
Oh, here I am. Yes, I'm back after a rather weird few days where my poor little blog baby went unloved and abandoned. Sorry blog baby, I was with the wip baby.
Okay, it wasn't just the wip. I had another friend's birthday, an evil cold, and (like I mentioned) the wip that stole me away. Yes, even with a cold, my word rampage continues. I was also arranging some awesome things for here and over at Operation Awesome.
So. Excited.
So today you don't want to hang out with me. Nope. Nope. Nope. Why? Because Amparo, Katrina and I have joined forces to interview some awesome debut and published authors, and we're chatting with some of their MC's! So head across to Amparo's blog and check out the interview with Bianca from THE DUFF by Kody Keplinger.
Oh, and later this week we'll have the sexy demon from hell, Luc (from Personal Demons by the fantastic Lisa Desrocher's) on this very blog. Woot. Squee. Yay.
P.S. Don't forget the All White For Twilight contest is still rocking over on Operation Awesome until 12pm (BST) on the 31st of October. Click here to find out how to enter.
Okay, it wasn't just the wip. I had another friend's birthday, an evil cold, and (like I mentioned) the wip that stole me away. Yes, even with a cold, my word rampage continues. I was also arranging some awesome things for here and over at Operation Awesome.
So. Excited.
So today you don't want to hang out with me. Nope. Nope. Nope. Why? Because Amparo, Katrina and I have joined forces to interview some awesome debut and published authors, and we're chatting with some of their MC's! So head across to Amparo's blog and check out the interview with Bianca from THE DUFF by Kody Keplinger.
Oh, and later this week we'll have the sexy demon from hell, Luc (from Personal Demons by the fantastic Lisa Desrocher's) on this very blog. Woot. Squee. Yay.
P.S. Don't forget the All White For Twilight contest is still rocking over on Operation Awesome until 12pm (BST) on the 31st of October. Click here to find out how to enter.
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Yawns, Rests and Links and Contests.
Sorry if I'm a little yawny, but I was up late after the Operation Awesome chat and I think my body still needs to catch up. For anyone who couldn't join us, we missed you! But I'm sure we'll have another one. :)
So with my brain in less gear than usual, I'm taking a day off. Not off blogging all together, you can still find my cookies and smiles over on Operation Awesome today. I'll also be reading the post delights around the blogosphere and working on my wip.
I'll also be getting my agent list ready to query my completed MS some time in the future. So I'm heading off to visit Katie (a.k.a Creepy Query Girl) for her agent hunt tips.
I'm also writing my entry for the awesome Horror at Hannah's contest.
Then remind myself I still need to enter Justine Dell's 250 follower contest.
And I'm dancing with happiness at Jessica (a.k.a The Alliterative Allomorph) who has some awesome news.
And sending congrats to the lovely Jen from Unedited on her 3 year wedding anniversary.
Oh yeah, and before I forget. If you'd like the chance to win a UK limited edition set of white Twilight Saga books (sent by my fair hand -- I may also slip in some chocolate!) then pop over to Operation Awesome and enter the All White For Twilight contest. Entries close Midnight (BST) on the 31st of October.
Yeah, I guess my break didn't really last long there. :)
Happy Wednesday everyone.
So with my brain in less gear than usual, I'm taking a day off. Not off blogging all together, you can still find my cookies and smiles over on Operation Awesome today. I'll also be reading the post delights around the blogosphere and working on my wip.
I'll also be getting my agent list ready to query my completed MS some time in the future. So I'm heading off to visit Katie (a.k.a Creepy Query Girl) for her agent hunt tips.
I'm also writing my entry for the awesome Horror at Hannah's contest.
Then remind myself I still need to enter Justine Dell's 250 follower contest.
And I'm dancing with happiness at Jessica (a.k.a The Alliterative Allomorph) who has some awesome news.
And sending congrats to the lovely Jen from Unedited on her 3 year wedding anniversary.
Oh yeah, and before I forget. If you'd like the chance to win a UK limited edition set of white Twilight Saga books (sent by my fair hand -- I may also slip in some chocolate!) then pop over to Operation Awesome and enter the All White For Twilight contest. Entries close Midnight (BST) on the 31st of October.
Yeah, I guess my break didn't really last long there. :)
Happy Wednesday everyone.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Awesome Chat
Today Kristal, one of my Operation Awesome CP's, has taken over my blog to announce this:
AWESOME CHAT:
Today, from 5-6pm EST, come join the Operation Awesome girls in the OA Writing Lab (password: awesome) for some tantalizing discussion about magical limitations in your writing. The OA bloggers LOVE their magical story elements. In fact, I think every single one of us is writing a sparkly-magical story right now, so we have lots of opinions/tips/thoughts about how to do it convincingly, and we'd love to hear yours as well.
Door prizes include:
Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard
Voice of Crow by Jeri Smith-Ready
Torment by Lauren Kate (UK edition)
So, if you are free between 5-6 tonight, please feel free to come say hi. I'll do my best to be as sparkling and witty as I can (even though it will be 9pm BST). I'll be the one in the corner with the cookies. :)
AWESOME CHAT:
Today, from 5-6pm EST, come join the Operation Awesome girls in the OA Writing Lab (password: awesome) for some tantalizing discussion about magical limitations in your writing. The OA bloggers LOVE their magical story elements. In fact, I think every single one of us is writing a sparkly-magical story right now, so we have lots of opinions/tips/thoughts about how to do it convincingly, and we'd love to hear yours as well.
Door prizes include:
Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard
Voice of Crow by Jeri Smith-Ready
Torment by Lauren Kate (UK edition)
So, if you are free between 5-6 tonight, please feel free to come say hi. I'll do my best to be as sparkling and witty as I can (even though it will be 9pm BST). I'll be the one in the corner with the cookies. :)
Monday, 4 October 2010
1k A Day Challenge: UPDATE
So the 1k a day challenge from Operation Awesome officially started on the 1st of October, and that means today is an update day.
Verdict: The weekend was writetastic. I got some major wordage down (7k), and welcomed the books 'Halo' by Alexandra Adornetto and 'Revolution' by Jennifer Donnelly into my bookshelf family.
So I'm happy.
But now for fun to kick start Monday.
It's October so it means it's time for QUERYPOLITAN. And this month there's signed Shiver books up for grabs.
Next there is an awesome excerpt from Alex. J. Cavanaugh's book CassaStar. And I'm super excited to have Alex's book trailer on the blog later this month!
And the query goddess herself, Elana Johnson is talking about why she wrote Possession. Unfortunately she doesn't mention me as one of the reasons. ;)
Finally, I missed this due to friend's birthday celebrations on Friday, but huge congrats to Lisa Roecker who gave birth to the gorgeous Benjamin. Check out the cutie here.
So, how was your weekend?
Verdict: The weekend was writetastic. I got some major wordage down (7k), and welcomed the books 'Halo' by Alexandra Adornetto and 'Revolution' by Jennifer Donnelly into my bookshelf family.
So I'm happy.
But now for fun to kick start Monday.
It's October so it means it's time for QUERYPOLITAN. And this month there's signed Shiver books up for grabs.
Next there is an awesome excerpt from Alex. J. Cavanaugh's book CassaStar. And I'm super excited to have Alex's book trailer on the blog later this month!
And the query goddess herself, Elana Johnson is talking about why she wrote Possession. Unfortunately she doesn't mention me as one of the reasons. ;)
Finally, I missed this due to friend's birthday celebrations on Friday, but huge congrats to Lisa Roecker who gave birth to the gorgeous Benjamin. Check out the cutie here.
So, how was your weekend?
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Brain. Set. Explode!
To quote Joey Russo a'la Blossom "Whoa!"
Yep, I'm posting waaay later than usual, but it's been one of those hectic days. My poor little brain just couldn't function until around 3pm BST.
I blame the chocolate fudge cake I had after dinner. It wasn't my fault, the goddaughter made me get it. I'm led astray by a 21-month-old. lol.
Anyway, back to my topic of the day...spread the love time!
First up, Amparo. While I procrastinate with chocolate cake, she takes the Veronica Mars approach.
Then it's a hop and a jump over to Renae, who's got details on the awesome happening in the blogosphere.
Oh, and don't forget my other home, Operation Awesome. Today Kelly talks about not being in a rush.
Maybe I'll read that post again. :)
Yep, I'm posting waaay later than usual, but it's been one of those hectic days. My poor little brain just couldn't function until around 3pm BST.
I blame the chocolate fudge cake I had after dinner. It wasn't my fault, the goddaughter made me get it. I'm led astray by a 21-month-old. lol.
Anyway, back to my topic of the day...spread the love time!
First up, Amparo. While I procrastinate with chocolate cake, she takes the Veronica Mars approach.
Then it's a hop and a jump over to Renae, who's got details on the awesome happening in the blogosphere.
Oh, and don't forget my other home, Operation Awesome. Today Kelly talks about not being in a rush.
Maybe I'll read that post again. :)
Monday, 13 September 2010
Weekends And Happy Dances.
Have you ever had a surge of writing that you don't know where it came from? Well, this weekend that was me...except, in this case, I know why it happened -- the neighbour somewhere near my house playing drum & bass music till 4am Sunday morning!
I should have put on my ipod and tried to ignore it, but for some reason I fired up the laptop, opened the wip and started writing. So at least some good came from the lack of sleep. :)
Anyway, there is awesome happening around the blogosphere.
Check out the exciting announcement from WriteOnCon
Oh, and a huge thank you to everyone for supporting, visiting, commenting, and following us over at Operation Awesome. We've passed the 100 follower mark and, to celebrate, Amparo is posting a special announcement later today. So feel free to check it out if you have time.
Oh, and in more happy dance news Paranormalcy FINALLY arrived (about time Amazon, about time.)
So, how was your weekend? :)
I should have put on my ipod and tried to ignore it, but for some reason I fired up the laptop, opened the wip and started writing. So at least some good came from the lack of sleep. :)
Anyway, there is awesome happening around the blogosphere.
Check out the exciting announcement from WriteOnCon
Oh, and a huge thank you to everyone for supporting, visiting, commenting, and following us over at Operation Awesome. We've passed the 100 follower mark and, to celebrate, Amparo is posting a special announcement later today. So feel free to check it out if you have time.
Oh, and in more happy dance news Paranormalcy FINALLY arrived (about time Amazon, about time.)
So, how was your weekend? :)
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Oops...My Brain Is Vacant.
I'm blogging a little late today due to an evil headache. It's going now, but it seems to have wiped my mind of what I'd decided to blog on today.
It didn't wipe my love of chocolate and cookies though. Hmmm.
Anyway...while the brain cells swim around the inside of my head, waiting to wake up, I'm going to leave a few awesome links to perk up your day. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow, when I'll be talking about spending quality time with rats.*
My awesome CP Amparo talks about character sheets. Thanks Amparo.
Jen talks about not blogging crap.
Creepy Query Girl chats about the 'Revision Hater's Club'
Talli is having an identity crisis.
Oh, and over on Operation Awesome, another brilliant CP Kelly talks about pen names.
*Disclaimer: Not real rats. The rats of Nightshade City.
It didn't wipe my love of chocolate and cookies though. Hmmm.
Anyway...while the brain cells swim around the inside of my head, waiting to wake up, I'm going to leave a few awesome links to perk up your day. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow, when I'll be talking about spending quality time with rats.*
My awesome CP Amparo talks about character sheets. Thanks Amparo.
Jen talks about not blogging crap.
Creepy Query Girl chats about the 'Revision Hater's Club'
Talli is having an identity crisis.
Oh, and over on Operation Awesome, another brilliant CP Kelly talks about pen names.
*Disclaimer: Not real rats. The rats of Nightshade City.
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Hooray It's Wednesday!
So Wednesday is here. The weekend is so close I can taste it...and it's my post day over at Operation Awesome.
But today is not just about me. Nope. Today is about hopping over to Matthew Rush's blog and helping Emily White on her road to query sparkles.
Today is about checking out Elana's contest AND details on Lisa Desroches Personal Demons prize package.
Today is about going signing up for Talli Roland's blogsplash to make The Hating Game the biggest e-book on Amazon come December 1st.
Today is about visiting Jen and get the chance to win a pre-ordered copy of Rose Cooper's Gossip From The Girls Room.
Today is about getting over Humpday with some fun.
Oh yeah, and maybe I'll do some writing. Can't forget that.
How will you add some fun to Wednesday? :)
But today is not just about me. Nope. Today is about hopping over to Matthew Rush's blog and helping Emily White on her road to query sparkles.
Today is about checking out Elana's contest AND details on Lisa Desroches Personal Demons prize package.
Today is about going signing up for Talli Roland's blogsplash to make The Hating Game the biggest e-book on Amazon come December 1st.
Today is about visiting Jen and get the chance to win a pre-ordered copy of Rose Cooper's Gossip From The Girls Room.
Today is about getting over Humpday with some fun.
Oh yeah, and maybe I'll do some writing. Can't forget that.
How will you add some fun to Wednesday? :)
Friday, 6 August 2010
Spreading The Awesome!
I had a whole other post idea for today until I saw this on Lisa and Laura Write:
Launching WriteOnCon with a BANG - Query contest with Joanna Stampfel-Volpe.
Here is a peek at the squeesome news.
"In the meantime, one of our star panelists, über agent Joanna Volpe of Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation, has generously offered to get this party started with a mega query critique contest. And some of you (ahem) have some new and improved queries that we're sure will catch Joanna's eye."
So, feel free to hop over to LiLa's blog and check it out. I know I am :)
Another of my favourite things to do on a Friday is to check out posts I may have missed from around the blogosphere. There are great links worth checking out over at Adventures in Children's Publishing. Then it's over to Seeing Creative for Stina's Cool Links Friday. As well as the others I frequent...but this post would be way too long.
And finally.
With the release of Mockingjay so close I can taste it, The League Of Extraordinary Writers are having a contest where two people can win a copy of the book. I know I can't wait till the 24th of August for my last Katniss and Peeta fix.
Yeah, yeah I know there's Gale too, but this Brit gal is Team Peeta!
Happy Friday. :)
Launching WriteOnCon with a BANG - Query contest with Joanna Stampfel-Volpe.
Here is a peek at the squeesome news.
"In the meantime, one of our star panelists, über agent Joanna Volpe of Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation, has generously offered to get this party started with a mega query critique contest. And some of you (ahem) have some new and improved queries that we're sure will catch Joanna's eye."
So, feel free to hop over to LiLa's blog and check it out. I know I am :)
Another of my favourite things to do on a Friday is to check out posts I may have missed from around the blogosphere. There are great links worth checking out over at Adventures in Children's Publishing. Then it's over to Seeing Creative for Stina's Cool Links Friday. As well as the others I frequent...but this post would be way too long.
And finally.
With the release of Mockingjay so close I can taste it, The League Of Extraordinary Writers are having a contest where two people can win a copy of the book. I know I can't wait till the 24th of August for my last Katniss and Peeta fix.
Yeah, yeah I know there's Gale too, but this Brit gal is Team Peeta!
Happy Friday. :)
Thursday, 5 August 2010
The Power Of...You!
Yesterday Valerie Kemp over at Sisters in Scribe did an awesome post about inspiration and preparation. The thing that kept me thinking about this post was the inspiration.
"If someone wants A to happen, yet they prepare for B, they will always get B."
As writers we want agents (dream agent, agent x...hell, any agent we spend the lonesome hours researching) to love our work. We crave the ping of the email asking for a partial, full, even the one requesting a scheduled time to talk. And we know what that means. :)
But as human beings it's easy to get doused in the negative. The little voice says "but it might be bad news." We don't want to allow ourselves to get excited for fear that the walls will come crashing down. We panic rejection will follow, and the hope we allowed ourselves to feel is crushed beneath the weight of a form rejection.
Today I say adios to the fear, hello to preparing for A to happen. Allow the swell of hope in your chest. Embrace the dizzy feeling of happiness as you check the inbox for the hundredth time in twenty minutes. Good things happen. They will happen for us.
Why? Because each one of us is awesome. And don't shake your heads, I read your blogs, we tweet, we email...you rock!
We just need to believe it ourselves sometimes.
*And sorry about the cheesy post title. I've not had my cup of tea yet :(
"If someone wants A to happen, yet they prepare for B, they will always get B."
As writers we want agents (dream agent, agent x...hell, any agent we spend the lonesome hours researching) to love our work. We crave the ping of the email asking for a partial, full, even the one requesting a scheduled time to talk. And we know what that means. :)
But as human beings it's easy to get doused in the negative. The little voice says "but it might be bad news." We don't want to allow ourselves to get excited for fear that the walls will come crashing down. We panic rejection will follow, and the hope we allowed ourselves to feel is crushed beneath the weight of a form rejection.
Today I say adios to the fear, hello to preparing for A to happen. Allow the swell of hope in your chest. Embrace the dizzy feeling of happiness as you check the inbox for the hundredth time in twenty minutes. Good things happen. They will happen for us.
Why? Because each one of us is awesome. And don't shake your heads, I read your blogs, we tweet, we email...you rock!
We just need to believe it ourselves sometimes.
*And sorry about the cheesy post title. I've not had my cup of tea yet :(
Monday, 2 August 2010
We All Go A Little Mad Sometimes.
So we write.
Our family and friends know we write.
They've endured hours of us laughing to ourselves, talking to 'pretend' people, being distant, irritated, and glaring at them if they so much as interrupt out time with the device super glued to our fingers (a.k.a the laptop).
They even, if we let them, read our work.
But sometimes I look at their glazing eyes, the sigh as I say "I wrote this scene last night..."and wonder what they think of us as we tap away on our fictional worlds. Then the answer came in this post from Veronica Roth.
So I say hurrah for characters who wake me up in the night. The plot points which disturb me during mealtimes. The hair pulling frustration which accompanies editing.
It may be a mad world, but I can't imagine any other world than the one I'm in.
How about you?
Our family and friends know we write.
They've endured hours of us laughing to ourselves, talking to 'pretend' people, being distant, irritated, and glaring at them if they so much as interrupt out time with the device super glued to our fingers (a.k.a the laptop).
They even, if we let them, read our work.
But sometimes I look at their glazing eyes, the sigh as I say "I wrote this scene last night..."and wonder what they think of us as we tap away on our fictional worlds. Then the answer came in this post from Veronica Roth.
So I say hurrah for characters who wake me up in the night. The plot points which disturb me during mealtimes. The hair pulling frustration which accompanies editing.
It may be a mad world, but I can't imagine any other world than the one I'm in.
How about you?
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