Nothing beats that feeling of accomplishment after you finish a manuscript. Whether it's your first draft or your tenth, you walk away knowing your manuscript is only getting better and better. Sure it's gotta go through a few CPs and get ripped apart along the way but that's the beauty of it. How else will your manuscript get to where it should be?
I couldn't wait to get THE GATEWAY THROUGH WHICH THEY CAME into the hands of my critique partners. The idea that someone else gets to read my words and get to know my characters is exciting. They see things that I can't and knowing that their feedback is gonna make this story everything it needs to be gets me hyped. It's a little scary sometimes because you're afraid they'll hate it or pick it bone dry until your soul feels ripped to shreds. But they wouldn't tell you the truth if they didn't care about you and your manuscript. Those are the type of people that'll help you succeed.
So. As I wait anxiously for their feedback, and prepare myself to jump back into the drafting trenches, I'm gonna enjoy this moment of knowing that I've completed yet another story. And you know what? I feel pretty damn good about that.
Cheers!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Reading Challenge
So I'm challenging myself to read AT LEAST fifty books this year. That doesn't sound like much, but with the hustle and bustle of things it seemed like a decent goal. And if I end up reading a hundred books, well, I'll just have to high five myself.
How about it? Give yourself a challenge. What's your reading goal for 2013?
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
A New Year is a Fresh Start
Happy New Year! I've been neglecting my blog and I feel just awful about it. Things were getting pretty hectic for a minute with NaNo in November and the kick off of Pitch Wars in December. Even though I was still interacting a bit on Twitter, I took a semi-break from social networks last month. Things in real life were getting crazy and I was beginning to feel a little overwhelmed. Usually I'm so good at balancing everything and keeping up on my online presence, but I just couldn't hang.
So I'm back!
I can't promise that I'll update the blog as much as I should, but I am on Twitter quite a bit and I'm still blogging over at The Secret Life of Writers. We'll be starting back up on Monday January 7th.
As for me, I've been working on a few manuscripts, which has put a damper on my reading. If you follow me on Twitter then you know all about our new awesome apartment. We don't get to move in for another month, but we're really excited and anxious to start fresh. Along with moving, I've been thinking a lot about my career outside of writing and considering some changes in that aspect as well. That alone is pretty scary.
Several things are changing in my personal life, and it's left me feeling anxious and exhilarated. This year is going to bring a lot of changes and challenges, so I'm hoping that as it progresses I'll have more to share with you. I'll keep you updated as much as I can along the way.
Cheers!
So I'm back!
I can't promise that I'll update the blog as much as I should, but I am on Twitter quite a bit and I'm still blogging over at The Secret Life of Writers. We'll be starting back up on Monday January 7th.
As for me, I've been working on a few manuscripts, which has put a damper on my reading. If you follow me on Twitter then you know all about our new awesome apartment. We don't get to move in for another month, but we're really excited and anxious to start fresh. Along with moving, I've been thinking a lot about my career outside of writing and considering some changes in that aspect as well. That alone is pretty scary.
Several things are changing in my personal life, and it's left me feeling anxious and exhilarated. This year is going to bring a lot of changes and challenges, so I'm hoping that as it progresses I'll have more to share with you. I'll keep you updated as much as I can along the way.
Cheers!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Pitch Wars . . . The Agents!
Pitch Wars ... the agents!
Are you ready for this? We have 16 incredible agents vying for our Pitch Wars team manuscripts. We're so excited to see what pitches they fall in love with, and what teams will win the coveted Pitch Wars Most Requested Manuscript title.
And, in no particular order, here are the agents...
Louise is seeking teen Sci-Fi and Young Adult horror. She's also on the hunt for deep, dark contemporary YA and select Middle Grade fiction with a literary feel--it must be realistic and thought provoking and the characters must be authentic and original. Louise loves horror and romance, especially Regency and Victorian.
Twitter: @Natalie_Lakosil
Natalie is looking for commercial fiction, with an emphasis in children’s literature (from picture book-teen), romance (contemporary, paranormal and historical), and upmarket women’s fiction. Specific likes include historical, multi-cultural, paranormal, sci-fi/fantasy, gritty, thrilling and darker contemporary novels, and middle grade with heart.
Natalie is looking for commercial fiction, with an emphasis in children’s literature (from picture book-teen), romance (contemporary, paranormal and historical), and upmarket women’s fiction. Specific likes include historical, multi-cultural, paranormal, sci-fi/fantasy, gritty, thrilling and darker contemporary novels, and middle grade with heart.
Twitter: @BookaliciousPam
Pam represents young adult and middle grade children’s book authors, and adult romance authors.
Pam represents young adult and middle grade children’s book authors, and adult romance authors.
Twitter: @bluedragonfly81
Jordy is on the look out for Romance (contemporary, historical/Regency, and paranormal). YA contemporary/historical or dystopian, sci-fi/fantasy with romance elements. She's also open to YA GLBT within those genres. She'd love to see unique, well-developed plots featuring time travel, competitions, or travel.
Jordy is on the look out for Romance (contemporary, historical/Regency, and paranormal). YA contemporary/historical or dystopian, sci-fi/fantasy with romance elements. She's also open to YA GLBT within those genres. She'd love to see unique, well-developed plots featuring time travel, competitions, or travel.
Twitter: @andreasomberg
Andrea's looking for the following categories: Fiction; literary, commercial, womens fiction, romance, thrillers, mystery, paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, young adult, middle grade.
Andrea's looking for the following categories: Fiction; literary, commercial, womens fiction, romance, thrillers, mystery, paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, young adult, middle grade.
Twitter: @literarycounsel
Jennifer is seeking Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult Contemporary, Young Adult Literary, and Young Adult Historical.
Jennifer is seeking Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult Contemporary, Young Adult Literary, and Young Adult Historical.
New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc.
Twitter: @sztownsend81
Suzie represents adult and children's fiction. In adult, she's specifically looking for romance (historical and paranormal), and fantasy (urban fantasy, science fiction, steampunk, epic fantasy). In Childrens' she loves YA (all subgenres) and is dying to find great Middle Grade projects (especially something akin to the recent movie SUPER 8).
Gelfman Schneider Literary Agents, Inc.
Victoria is looking for literary fiction, commercial fiction, pop-culture non-fiction, and young adult. She is very interested in acquiring engaging Literary fiction and mysteries / suspense, commercial women's fiction (romantic suspense, sci-fi, fantasy), and Young Adult (contemporary, sci-fi/fantasy, thriller and horror ).
Kerry is looking for Young Adult and Middle-Grade fiction, both commercial and literary. She tends to shy away from werewolves, zombies, faeries, and the like, but she’ll read anything with a fresh voice and compelling characters. She is particularly keen on contemporary YA, quirky MG, books with a strong cinematic element.
Drea is currently seeking: fiction, memoir, crime, non-fiction and YA. Her roster consists of British, American, and Canadian clients. International talent is welcome.
Katie specializes in fiction and memoir, especially women’s fiction and commercial-scale literary fiction, and realistic YA. She is most interested in coming-of-age stories and stories of unique relationships.
Elise is interested in serious character-driven literary fiction, well-written narrative nonfiction, and short story collections. (Note: She is not interested in Fantasy, young-adult/middle-grade, picture books, romance, and sci-fi.) She aims to work with writers who have a realistic sense of the market and their audience.
Jodell is interested in YA, MG (especially funny) , fiction and nonfiction, book proposals, and picture books. She will also coach writers wanting to self publish. She simply loves a well-paced story that moves her between joy and tears.
Brittany and Michelle are teaming up to look for Adult, YA, and MG manuscripts.
Twitter: @MJsRetweet
Michelle’s published one novel, The Footloose Killer, and edited several others for publishing houses and private clients. She also is a Script/Story consultant on an independent film in Halifax, NS, Canada, and enjoys working closely with writers to help them develop their voice and craft.
Twitter: @brittanydhoward
When reading, Brittany loves to be introduced to new and interesting people and places. She looks for strong voice, good storytelling, and fascinating relationships between characters—romantic or otherwise. More than anything, she loves when a book surprises her.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Pitch Wars: What I'm looking for.
Hi guys!! The time has finally come for us to share what we'll be looking for as mentors during Pitch Wars. If you don't know me already, I'm a YA writer represented by Michelle Witte (that's Witt-y) at Mansion Street Literary. I'm also a blogger over at The Secret Life of Writers. I've been writing all my life, whether it was short stories, poems, blogs, etc. It wasn't until summer of 2011 that I wrote my first YA manuscript and considered querying.
It's been a dream of mine to become a published author since I was kid. I never pursued it because, well, I thought you had to be some fancy college graduate who spent six years of their life taking writing classes. It never occurred to me that becoming a writer was all about practicing the craft and doing it because you love it. The intimidation of it alone was frightening. Am I any good? Will anyone read it? Do I even know how to write? Finally, one day I just started typing. I kept writing and writing, not knowing how many stories I've had buried inside me all this time. It was such a relief, not to mention so much fun, finally getting the words and images out of my head. After a solid year of writing and querying (if you want to hear more about my query process, keep an eye on the Secret Life of Writers blog. I'll be sharing my experience soon.), I found myself an amazing agent who loved my story as much as me. It was so surreal.
So. When I found out about Pitch Wars, I just had to take part. If there's any way that I can help another writer pursue their dream, just like all the published and unpublished writers helped me, I have to do it.
With that being said, let's get to it!
What I'm looking for:
YA manuscripts in these sub genres.
YA Horror/Supernatural: I'm not a fan of gore, but if you've got something like ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD or THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER, CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT, SCREAM, SLEEPAWAY CAMP etc. I want to see something involving ghosts that has a great twist or a slasher that I could find in a classic horror movie. These are the things I'd love to read about. I want to be scared.
YA Psychological Thriller: If you've got something like SLICE OF CHERRY–– serial killers and crazy storylines with an unreliable narrator, I want it! I love twisted narrators that make me want to know what they're all about. It doesn't necessarily have to be first person. I like action, but I'm not looking for guns and car chases. I want the premise to be so bizarre that I can't figure it out until I read the end.
YA Magical Realism: Personally, I don't think there's enough of this out there. If you've got a story like BIG FISH, THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS, NIGHT CIRCUS or IMAGINARY GIRLS, please please please send it to me! I want to read this story and feel as if I've stepped into another world without even realizing it. I'm not asking for straight fantasy. This is all about real world colliding with the impossible. I want your story to make me feel like magic truly exists.
If you pick me as your mentor, not only will we have a blast, but we'll be Vandancing our way through this contest.
Now for all the details.
Submissions start today (11/26)! The cut off time to get your applications (query & first five pages of manuscript) in is 8AM EST on December 5.
Send your applications to brendadrakecontests@gmail.com. Writers can apply for up to 3 coaches. The coaches' categories are set. Coaches can only consider the categories they've signed up for. Writers cannot apply for a coach that is not in their category.
For additional information about this contest go HERE!
· This is open to finished manuscripts only.
· You may only enter one manuscript.
· Only the genres requested by each coach will be considered for the contest.
Formatting...
Subject line: Pitch Wars Application: Coach Name you want to apply for: Title (Example: Pitch Wars Application: Brenda Drake: GONE WITH THE WIND)
Name: Your Name Genre: The genre of your manuscript
Word Count: The word count of your manuscript
Query letter here (embedded in email). Single spaced. No indentions. A space between each paragraph.
First five pages of the manuscript here (embedded in email). Single spaced. No indentions. A space between each paragraph.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
REMINDER: You can send an application for up to 3 coaches.
Check back soon for a complete list of the amazing agents participating in the contest. There's over a dozen!
Today all the coaches are posting bios/wish lists on their blogs. So before choosing your top 3 picks, check all the coaches' posts in your category before deciding which coach to submit. To jump from blog to blog, just click on our pictures below.
It's been a dream of mine to become a published author since I was kid. I never pursued it because, well, I thought you had to be some fancy college graduate who spent six years of their life taking writing classes. It never occurred to me that becoming a writer was all about practicing the craft and doing it because you love it. The intimidation of it alone was frightening. Am I any good? Will anyone read it? Do I even know how to write? Finally, one day I just started typing. I kept writing and writing, not knowing how many stories I've had buried inside me all this time. It was such a relief, not to mention so much fun, finally getting the words and images out of my head. After a solid year of writing and querying (if you want to hear more about my query process, keep an eye on the Secret Life of Writers blog. I'll be sharing my experience soon.), I found myself an amazing agent who loved my story as much as me. It was so surreal.
So. When I found out about Pitch Wars, I just had to take part. If there's any way that I can help another writer pursue their dream, just like all the published and unpublished writers helped me, I have to do it.
With that being said, let's get to it!
What I'm looking for:
YA manuscripts in these sub genres.
YA Horror/Supernatural: I'm not a fan of gore, but if you've got something like ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD or THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER, CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT, SCREAM, SLEEPAWAY CAMP etc. I want to see something involving ghosts that has a great twist or a slasher that I could find in a classic horror movie. These are the things I'd love to read about. I want to be scared.
YA Psychological Thriller: If you've got something like SLICE OF CHERRY–– serial killers and crazy storylines with an unreliable narrator, I want it! I love twisted narrators that make me want to know what they're all about. It doesn't necessarily have to be first person. I like action, but I'm not looking for guns and car chases. I want the premise to be so bizarre that I can't figure it out until I read the end.
YA Magical Realism: Personally, I don't think there's enough of this out there. If you've got a story like BIG FISH, THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS, NIGHT CIRCUS or IMAGINARY GIRLS, please please please send it to me! I want to read this story and feel as if I've stepped into another world without even realizing it. I'm not asking for straight fantasy. This is all about real world colliding with the impossible. I want your story to make me feel like magic truly exists.
If you pick me as your mentor, not only will we have a blast, but we'll be Vandancing our way through this contest.
Now for all the details.
Submissions start today (11/26)! The cut off time to get your applications (query & first five pages of manuscript) in is 8AM EST on December 5.
Send your applications to brendadrakecontests@gmail.com. Writers can apply for up to 3 coaches. The coaches' categories are set. Coaches can only consider the categories they've signed up for. Writers cannot apply for a coach that is not in their category.
For additional information about this contest go HERE!
· This is open to finished manuscripts only.
· You may only enter one manuscript.
· Only the genres requested by each coach will be considered for the contest.
Formatting...
Subject line: Pitch Wars Application: Coach Name you want to apply for: Title (Example: Pitch Wars Application: Brenda Drake: GONE WITH THE WIND)
Name: Your Name Genre: The genre of your manuscript
Word Count: The word count of your manuscript
Query letter here (embedded in email). Single spaced. No indentions. A space between each paragraph.
First five pages of the manuscript here (embedded in email). Single spaced. No indentions. A space between each paragraph.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
REMINDER: You can send an application for up to 3 coaches.
Check back soon for a complete list of the amazing agents participating in the contest. There's over a dozen!
Today all the coaches are posting bios/wish lists on their blogs. So before choosing your top 3 picks, check all the coaches' posts in your category before deciding which coach to submit. To jump from blog to blog, just click on our pictures below.
Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Thumb-Linky widget will appear right here!
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For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.
Good luck! I can't wait to read your entries. xo
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Monday, November 19, 2012
The Secret Life of Writers
It's official! The blog I've been working on with fellow agented writers is finally up. Find out who they are and what we're about here!
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