With a hello, a wave and the lowdown of my NaNo 2013 month. Did I reach 50k, you ask?
No, I didn’t. In fact, I didn’t even come close! I wrote 33k, but in spite of not reaching the NaNo goal, I’m still super stoked about my word count, and I’m having so much fun writing this new book. Plus, it was a great excuse to ingest lots of caffine!
It does mean that I’ll be going into December needing to write as much or perhaps more than November. So there will be no relaxing for me this holiday season. BUT lots more Starbucks!
If you’re curious about what I’ve been up to the last month, you can watch my video showing all the small clips that I made throughout the month.
It’s that time of the year guys- National Novel Writers Month! The goal is to write 50k in one month. Sounds pretty crazy. Well, it is crazy. There’s no doubt about that. That’s why it’s a challenge and definitely not for the weak and weary. *grin*
I like to participate each year. I never get 50k written. I teach full time and work a seasonal job as well. Plus I happen to be a mom! So yeah, 50k is tough. But I do try to write 30k. It’s a very doable goal. It means I must write 1k a day. Sometimes I write more a day and sometimes I don’t write at all (like on my birthday and Thanksgiving).
I’ve written a number of books during NaNo including GILDED. There’s something motivating knowing there are thousands of others typing away at their stories with you.
But writing a novel is more than just sitting down at your computer. If you’ve been reading my blog a while, you know that the magic behind writing a book is actually the REVISION process.
Tips:
1. Click here for a video of tips that I use to prep for NaNo.
2. I also use a plot grid to guide me. Think of it as a road map. Detours are totally allowed.
3. I don’t edit while I fast draft. I just listen to my characters, dive into my world and WRITE. The book will be a WRECK. Some sentences won’t make sense. There will be plot holes and unbelievable characters.
But. Afterwards, I reemerge into the real world and I realize that I’ve written a book! This is what my friends and family tell me:
It’s a starting point. And I’m always amazed how it’s actually a lot better than I think it will be. And that’s kind of crazy and wild and awesome.
Can I just say it’s so amazing to be a part of a group of author who are breaking new ground as writers? My critique partners from the MiG Writers who have stood by me through tough times and helped me grow as a writer continue to have incredible successes!
A big shout out to Debbie Ridpath Ohi who just sold two more picture books. She’ll be writing and illustrating SAM AND EVA (title might change), which will be published in Fall 2016. A second picture book, yet to be written and illustrated, will be published in 2017. This will make 9 books coming out in the next 4 years for her. NINE people. Tell me that isn’t amazing? And she totally deserves it. Not only are her illustrations captivating but they carry a sense of magic and wonder with them.
I am also thrilled to announce that Carmella Van Vleet’s ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG FAT QUITTER has been selected for the Junior Library Guild! This is a big honor and it will give her book the audience it deserves. Eliza is such a real and fascinating character. You never know what she’ll do next!
And finally, Susan Laidlaw’s latest book, THE VOICE IN MY HEAD, has a release date for Mar. 11, 2014! This book will take you on an unexpected adventure. Warning: You won’t be able to put it down!
Now tell me this all isn’t awesome? Because it is!!!!
Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi atWriters Helping Writers (formerly The Bookshelf Muse) have added two more books to their Descriptive Thesaurus Collection: The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Attributes and The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Flaws.To celebrate, they are hosting a race, and not just any old race, either. It’s the…
Writing is hard, isn’t it? Create the perfect hook. Make your first page compelling. Craft an amazing 25 word pitch. Knock out a query that will blow an agent’s mind. On and on it goes. And sometimes, well, you just wish someone would help.
WISH NO MORE!
From October 21st until October 27th, Writers Helping Writers is posting an OPEN CALL for writers. You can fill out a form, requesting help with critiques, book visibility, social media sharing, blog diagnostics, advice and more.
An army of Amazing Racers are standing by (ME INCLUDED!) waiting to help with your submissions. How many people can we help in a week? Let’s find out! Did I mention there areCelebrity Racers too–amazing authors and editors who know their way around a first page. Maybe one of them will pick your submission to help with!
Each day this week, there’s an AMAZING giveaway, too. So stop in at Angela & Becca’s new Writers Helping Writers website and find out how to take advantage of this unique, pay-it-forward event for writers. I’ll see you there!
I am so excited about this new endeavor that a team of Florida-based young adult authors are doing and I’m a part of. We’ve created a Facebook page for teens, media specialists, librarians, teachers, and anyone who loves literacy to keep tabs on all of our:
· New books
· Events
· Contests
· Workshops
Our goal is to reach out to our readers and support our community in any way that we can in order to get our communities and schools excited about reading, writing, and YA literature.
A big shout out to Hafsah at IceyBooks for creating our stunning logo. Not only did she nail the concept we wanted to portray, but she was quick and helpful.
I hope you’ll check us out and be a supporter with us in promoting literacy, not only in Florida, but around the world.
Once upon a time there was a dog who had crazy adventures, unbelievable stories, and perhaps even super powers. Her name was Rue.
And Rue took the world by storm because we all loved her so very much.
If you are on Facebook, you can read all about Rue’s adventures here: facebook.com/ruesroadtorecovery
Every day I’d wait anxiously (along with thousands of her fans) to see what new schemes and crazy adventures she’d come up with that day.
Until last week Rue unexpectedly passed away.
To commemorate Rue’s super power adventures, Jessica Vaughan-Reimann, Rue’s caretaker, put together a digital copy of all Rue’s escapades called SUPER RUE’S ADVENTURES.
Here’s the blurb:
Rue started life as a regular dachshund, but after a surgery for her back and a trip into a hyperbaric oxygen chamber she ended up with super powers. She keeps track of her daily adventures in her journal and on her blog. She is a very active differently-abled dachshund whose determination and love of life will inspire you.
Jessica was using the sales of this e-book to pay for the costs of Rue’s surgeries, but now a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Dachshund Rescue of South Florida’s IVDD surgery fund.
I know I’m going to miss hearing about Rue’s adventures, but I love how Rue’s memory will live on through her book.
There are so many milestones along the way toward publication. Each step is kind of crazy and wild and full of adventure.
Today I’m super excited to share with you my first blurb from NY Times bestselling author of the ACROSS THE UNIVERSE series, Beth Revis.
Here’s what she says about GILDED:
An amazing contemporary fantasy that explores the vast legends of Korea, this richly detailed novel kept me turning the pages well into the night. Jae Hwa starts off as a strong character and ends as a noble one, using both her brains and her brawn to win the day–she’s exactly the kind of girl YA literature needs.
Squee!!!! Amazing, isn’t it? I’m beyond thrilled.
And to top off amazingness, GILDED is finally available for preorder. Check it out here!
I know you are all waiting to see the cover. Bad news. You’re going to have to wait until January when I’ll be having a big cover reveal. I know! Waiting is tough, but I think it will be worth the wait!
The other day Vivi Barnes and I got together to hang out and chat about her book. We videoed it so you could join us!
Here’s the blurb from Amazon on Vivi’s upcoming YA contemporary, OLIVIA TWISTED:
Tossed from foster home to foster home, Olivia’s seen a lot in her sixteen years. She’s hardened, sure, though mostly just wants to fly under the radar until graduation. But her natural ability with computers catches the eye of Z, a mysterious guy at her new school. Soon, Z has brought Liv into his team of hacker elite—break into a few bank accounts, and voila, he drives a motorcycle. Follow his lead, and Olivia might even be able to escape from her oppressive foster parents. As Olivia and Z grow closer, though, so does the watchful eye of Bill Sykes, Z’s boss. And he’s got bigger plans for Liv…
And here is the video!
Intrigued yet about her book? If so, check out her incredible book trailer over at Hypable.com here.
I’m super excited about going to Vivi’s book launch in November! OLIVIA TWSTED is a retelling of Oliver Twist, and as a big fan of retellings, I can’t wait to read this book. How about you? What are some of your favorite retellings?
Amy has been such an amazing support to me over this past year as both were preparing to launch our YA novels. So it was just so heartwarming to see Amy’s book enter the world. What an exciting time!
Her book launch was held at the adorable Inkwood Books in Tampa. We don’t have any cute bookstores like this in Orlando so it’s fun to browse the shelves and check out books I haven’t heard of before.
She had all kinds of fun goodies such as cake, kisses, and gift bags for the winners of her raffle. Everything was decorated in teals and greens that matched her cover.
I thought, what better way to ‘experience’ her launch then to take video clips and show you! Once you’ve finished watching the video, comment below to enter to win an autographed copy of GATED!
Tweet the contest and just let me know that you did in the comments section for an extra entry. Deadline is Sept. 30th. Open to US residents.
