I haven't posted in a while, so here I am! As most of you know, I recently moved and found myself near a pretty awesome library. Where I lived before had a library that was located in the heart of downtown and the parking was atrocious. For the longest time people kept saying: "How do you NOT have a library card?" Well . . . that's why.
Before we moved, I was searching online for the closest library in our new town. I was thrilled to find one just down the street with, and get this, PARKING. This is seriously one of the biggest reasons why I was anxious to move. Not because we'd have a beautiful new apartment. Not because the town is clean and safe. Nope. Because of the library. (Don't tell my husband that.) Anyway, the first thing I did once we were moved in was high tail it to the local library and sign up. I walked out of there with some awesome books and feeling like I was on top of the world. This, my friends, is where the madness began. I cannot for the life of me stop going to the library. It's become my favorite place in the world and I find myself going at least once a week.
Can we talk about how absolutely amazing these things are? I mean free books. Let me say that again. FREE. BOOKS. I try to buy as many books as I can, but financially I'm stuck in a rut. Though I'm hoping to change that soon, it's left me completely dependable on the library. I'm not exactly complaining, but it does make me feel a little bad that I can't support my friends and favorite authors all the time by actually purchasing the book. But you know what I can do? I can tell you guys ALL ABOUT THEM.
I've seen people complain about libraries recently (IKNORITE?) and I think we can all agree that the complaints are B.S. What those people don't realize is, yeah, okay, people aren't buying the books, BUT those people can help sell them by word-of-mouth. Isn't that the best way? So basically, I'm here to encourage you guys to talk about the books you love and share them with everyone that you possibly can. You see me on Twitter talking all about them and praising the authors that I admire. This is my way of giving back, and I hope that someday people will do the same for me . . . and you.
So cheers! Go support your local library and your fellow writers. You bet I will. xo
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Thursday, February 7, 2013
The Next Big Thing Blog Hop
I was lucky enough to get chosen by Nova Ren Suma (author of IMAGINARY GIRLS, 17 & GONE) when she did a shout out on Twitter for blog hop participants. It's been showing up in my feed a lot and I've been wanting to take part but had too much going on at the time. So I'm very excited to have this chance to share with you guys my newest project.
Originally I wanted to chat about DROWNING BAILEY. It was the manuscript that nabbed my agent and it seemed the best fit. However, I recently did an interview with another blog and talked all about it. I thought this would be a fun opportunity to share something different. These things are usually TOP SECRET for me, so this is going to make me feel exposed.
With that being said, here we go!
What is the working title of your book?
THE GATEWAY THROUGH WHICH THEY CAME
Where did the idea come from for the book?
Is it weird to say because I'm obsessed with dead people? I kid, I kid . . . sorta. Really I'm just fascinated with the idea of ghosts and where it is they come from. Whether they are real or just a figment of our imagination. But truly, I've seen way too many things to write them off. I've experienced some strange encounters and I know several people that have as well. My parents to name a few. And why would they lie?
I just love the idea of a person being used as a gateway to the "other side" and them also having an inner battle with their faith. That's something a lot of people have trouble coming to terms with and when someone is presented with this sort of gift, you have to expect them to ask: Why. Having the dead appear to the MC in ways in which they died just gave that extra punch the story needed. Also it's fun describing, and picturing, their fatal wounds. I'm weird like that.
What genre does your book fall under?
I'd definitely say YA Supernatural/Horror. That's pretty much my thing.
What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I was asked this during my interview about DROWNING BAILEY and I have a hard time answering. I came up with names for that one right off the cuff, but I don't think I can for this. When I write, I don't have actors in my head. They're my characters and I picture them as so. Giving them a face kind of ruins it for me, so I guess I'd have to say what Nova said. Unknowns.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Seventeen-year-old Aiden Ortiz has always known that being a Gateway means leading the dead to the other side, but he never anticipated the Gateway's power to bring things back.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I completed a really horrible first draft during NaNoWriMo last November. It was my first time participating and I definitely learned a lot about being on a tight schedule. I took a month long break before getting back to it. The idea of looking at the mess I made was just too much during the holidays. Somehow I found it in me to take a peek just after Christmas and realized it might not be as bad as I thought. Sometimes it's good to put things away for a while and give yourself some time to think things over.
It's currently going through four betas. I'm looking forward to getting back to it and fixing it up some more.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I'm not going to answer this BECAUSE I already have a hard time writing supernatural without it getting related to a certain book. As much as I loved said book, it kind of irks me every time someone says, "This is sort of like blah blah blah. Just so you know." It doesn't matter how much you try to differentiate your book from someone else's, someone will say it's similar to something else, which is fine! BUT I'd rather not put the idea in your head with hopes that when you read it you won't automatically think of certain books. Savvy?
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The biggest thing that inspired me is, and please don't judge me for saying this, my lack of religious background. Gateway is not a religious book by any means, but there is a religious element as far as Aiden having a gift that's been "sent by God" and not knowing why someone or something would leave him with such a challenge.
Personally, I have my own views on religion and writing a character that is struggling helped me see both sides. It's not the entire basis of the story, as I said, but it's kind of where the idea came from. I just threw in this awesome premise and BOOM. That was that.
What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
I'm gonna copy Nova (again) and put an excerpt:
Originally I wanted to chat about DROWNING BAILEY. It was the manuscript that nabbed my agent and it seemed the best fit. However, I recently did an interview with another blog and talked all about it. I thought this would be a fun opportunity to share something different. These things are usually TOP SECRET for me, so this is going to make me feel exposed.
With that being said, here we go!
What is the working title of your book?
THE GATEWAY THROUGH WHICH THEY CAME
Where did the idea come from for the book?
Is it weird to say because I'm obsessed with dead people? I kid, I kid . . . sorta. Really I'm just fascinated with the idea of ghosts and where it is they come from. Whether they are real or just a figment of our imagination. But truly, I've seen way too many things to write them off. I've experienced some strange encounters and I know several people that have as well. My parents to name a few. And why would they lie?
I just love the idea of a person being used as a gateway to the "other side" and them also having an inner battle with their faith. That's something a lot of people have trouble coming to terms with and when someone is presented with this sort of gift, you have to expect them to ask: Why. Having the dead appear to the MC in ways in which they died just gave that extra punch the story needed. Also it's fun describing, and picturing, their fatal wounds. I'm weird like that.
What genre does your book fall under?
I'd definitely say YA Supernatural/Horror. That's pretty much my thing.
What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I was asked this during my interview about DROWNING BAILEY and I have a hard time answering. I came up with names for that one right off the cuff, but I don't think I can for this. When I write, I don't have actors in my head. They're my characters and I picture them as so. Giving them a face kind of ruins it for me, so I guess I'd have to say what Nova said. Unknowns.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Seventeen-year-old Aiden Ortiz has always known that being a Gateway means leading the dead to the other side, but he never anticipated the Gateway's power to bring things back.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I completed a really horrible first draft during NaNoWriMo last November. It was my first time participating and I definitely learned a lot about being on a tight schedule. I took a month long break before getting back to it. The idea of looking at the mess I made was just too much during the holidays. Somehow I found it in me to take a peek just after Christmas and realized it might not be as bad as I thought. Sometimes it's good to put things away for a while and give yourself some time to think things over.
It's currently going through four betas. I'm looking forward to getting back to it and fixing it up some more.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I'm not going to answer this BECAUSE I already have a hard time writing supernatural without it getting related to a certain book. As much as I loved said book, it kind of irks me every time someone says, "This is sort of like blah blah blah. Just so you know." It doesn't matter how much you try to differentiate your book from someone else's, someone will say it's similar to something else, which is fine! BUT I'd rather not put the idea in your head with hopes that when you read it you won't automatically think of certain books. Savvy?
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The biggest thing that inspired me is, and please don't judge me for saying this, my lack of religious background. Gateway is not a religious book by any means, but there is a religious element as far as Aiden having a gift that's been "sent by God" and not knowing why someone or something would leave him with such a challenge.
Personally, I have my own views on religion and writing a character that is struggling helped me see both sides. It's not the entire basis of the story, as I said, but it's kind of where the idea came from. I just threw in this awesome premise and BOOM. That was that.
What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
I'm gonna copy Nova (again) and put an excerpt:
I always believed that there had to be other people like me, that do what I do. How could I be the only one? With all the people dying every day, having one gateway would be ridiculous. One person couldn’t possibly send thousands of Bleeders through the gate. I’d kill myself if that were the case.
“I don’t know about others like you," Bennie says. "No one knows for sure. But they’ll find you, just like I have.”
Great. That’s what I want to hear.
“What does He look like? Who is He? Can you tell me that?” I’m fighting the urge to freak out and demand an answer. The last thing I want is to scare the kid more than he already is, but I’m desperate.
He shakes his head innocently. “I’ve never seen him.”
Frustration consumes me. This guy is sending Bleeders my way, but why? How does He even know about me?
I fall silent, having an inner battle with myself.
Bennie asks, “So . . . Can you send me away now, like you promised? I don’t want to be here anymore.” He searches the room before whispering, “The others scare me.”
At his words, I realize he has no idea. He doesn’t know what he looks like, that his injuries have followed him even in death. The sadness in his eyes put my problems aside. What more could I possibly ask of him? I made a promise. I plan to stick with it. He has no idea who sent him here, and my mission to find Him is no closer than before.
I shove aside my unresolved issues, and say, “Yeah, Ben. I’ll send you home. You just have to walk through me, okay?”
He nods with relief. For the first time since he died, he looks somewhat alive. His shoulders relax and his face brightens, just a little. If this is the last thing I could do for the kid, I’m not going to make him wait any longer. I take a deep breath, bracing myself for the iciness that’s about to surge throughout my body.
“Go ahead,” I tell him. “I’m ready.”
With careful steps, he comes closer. He’s only a step away when he pauses. “Don’t go looking for Him,” he warns. Confusion hits me. I want to stop him, to ask why, but it’s too late. Bennie doesn’t falter as he steps into my body, melting into my skin, and fading into whatever waits for him on the other side.
Thank you so much to Nova for choosing me to participate in the blog hop! This was fun!! And now I'm tagging five other writers for "The Next Big Thing."
Thursday, January 31, 2013
The Finish Line
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!
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!
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.
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