I attended my first conference yesterday here in Sacramento. SCBWI was truly amazing and full of inspiration. The sessions I enrolled in consisted of: One Page Synopsis in 30 minutes with Linda Joy Singleton, An Editor's Take On Revision with Andrea Tompa, and Creating a Successful Series with Lin Oliver.
There was a lot of note taking, and a whole heck of a lot of YA chit chat. I can honestly say it was one of the best days of my life. Some friends and I are talking about going to BEA next year in NYC, and I'm already preparing to save for that little adventure.
Seriously, if you're a writer (and if you're reading this blog, you most likely are) I totally recommend attending an SCBWI conference. I intend to become a member as soon as I can. Such a great experience to learn from published writers, agents, editors, and publishers. Also, it's a great way to meet other aspiring writers in or around your area.
Can't wait to attend another conference!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
It has begun
The query process has officially started for DROWNING BAILEY. Without saying too much, let's just say that I have a good feeling. I don't want to jinx anything, but I might be sort of secretive from here on out. I really don't want to push my luck. Positive thoughts and such are always welcome! ::hugs you all::
Monday, March 26, 2012
What I've learned so far...
Patience. I believe that is one of the things you need to learn as a writer. That, and how to take criticism.
Once you finish a manuscript, you get so excited you want to query it immediately, but you can't! Oh no, no. That is a big, fat NO. Sure, everything sounds great to you, and you read it about a million times, but it's never complete until you get other opinions. After looking at the thousands of words for so long, your eyes start memorizing and skipping over things that others will catch for you. It's also important to have a Critique Partner to tell you to take out the word vomit you spewed all over the page just to add on a couple hundred words. Your CP's and Beta readers will tell you if your characters are realistic, if there's any plot holes, and if the story itself is any good. You have to be realistic. There will almost always be something wrong with your manuscript, whether it's a big deal or nothing but small grammar issues.
So far, I've been really lucky. My CP helped me tighten up DROWNING BAILEY, and let me tell you, it needed it. I had some wonderful Betas that read it over the last few weeks, and an awesome friend who offered to edit it for me. Seriously, I have some truly talented people in my life. (Thanks, Twitter!)
I used to think that when an agent says, "Please query when your manuscript is in the best possible shape," that it meant when you, yourself, have reread and edited it as much as possible. What a newb! As if I could prep a publish-ready-manuscript all by myself. It's all about having a team of friend's who are in the same boat as you, who understand you, and who support you the whole way. Everything takes time, and you have to be ready to sit and wait. This is a good thing. You don't want someone to rush through your manuscript as if they'd hardly given it the time of day. You want those people who are going to sit down, absorb your words, and critique it little by little.
Yes, I am anxious to get DROWNING BAILEY in the slush pile, but I'm thankful that I've taken the steps needed to make it as good as it can be. And you'll feel that way too. Just remember...patience.
Once you finish a manuscript, you get so excited you want to query it immediately, but you can't! Oh no, no. That is a big, fat NO. Sure, everything sounds great to you, and you read it about a million times, but it's never complete until you get other opinions. After looking at the thousands of words for so long, your eyes start memorizing and skipping over things that others will catch for you. It's also important to have a Critique Partner to tell you to take out the word vomit you spewed all over the page just to add on a couple hundred words. Your CP's and Beta readers will tell you if your characters are realistic, if there's any plot holes, and if the story itself is any good. You have to be realistic. There will almost always be something wrong with your manuscript, whether it's a big deal or nothing but small grammar issues.
So far, I've been really lucky. My CP helped me tighten up DROWNING BAILEY, and let me tell you, it needed it. I had some wonderful Betas that read it over the last few weeks, and an awesome friend who offered to edit it for me. Seriously, I have some truly talented people in my life. (Thanks, Twitter!)
I used to think that when an agent says, "Please query when your manuscript is in the best possible shape," that it meant when you, yourself, have reread and edited it as much as possible. What a newb! As if I could prep a publish-ready-manuscript all by myself. It's all about having a team of friend's who are in the same boat as you, who understand you, and who support you the whole way. Everything takes time, and you have to be ready to sit and wait. This is a good thing. You don't want someone to rush through your manuscript as if they'd hardly given it the time of day. You want those people who are going to sit down, absorb your words, and critique it little by little.
Yes, I am anxious to get DROWNING BAILEY in the slush pile, but I'm thankful that I've taken the steps needed to make it as good as it can be. And you'll feel that way too. Just remember...patience.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Onward
The critique process is complete, and now it is time to send it off to Beta readers. Of course, revisions are never over until the manuscript has been printed, but I have some wonderful people who are going to dive into the world of Bailey Green and tell me what they think.
My eyes are exhausted and in need of sleep. Until next time!
My eyes are exhausted and in need of sleep. Until next time!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
The Process
As of now, I am finishing up on my critiques and getting everything ready for the query process. I'm taking it slow this time around, as I've been known to rush this process in the past, and being that this is THE most important process, rushing it is no good. I've sent my query in for critiquing and when I receive the last few pages from my CP, I will get started.
I'm extremely excited and very nervous. This manuscript means a great deal to me and deep down I feel like this story could be "the one." Before I query, I do intend to send it out to Beta readers to make sure it is up to par. I'm lucky to have a reader who is an awesome teenager who gives amazing feedback. Best way to test your YA ms is to test it on the age bracket you're writing it for, right?
That's what I've been up to. If you haven't checked out the excerpt of DROWNING BAILEY, you can find it in the projects section. Please leave feedback! I'd love to hear what you think.
I'm extremely excited and very nervous. This manuscript means a great deal to me and deep down I feel like this story could be "the one." Before I query, I do intend to send it out to Beta readers to make sure it is up to par. I'm lucky to have a reader who is an awesome teenager who gives amazing feedback. Best way to test your YA ms is to test it on the age bracket you're writing it for, right?
That's what I've been up to. If you haven't checked out the excerpt of DROWNING BAILEY, you can find it in the projects section. Please leave feedback! I'd love to hear what you think.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
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