It's Tuesday, so it must be my day over at Books, Boys, Buzz.... This week I'm buzzing about what I love about winter and my new motivation for finishing FINS2.
Hugs,
TLC
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Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Before You Write a Word (Part 2)
Last week I posted the first part of my advice for aspiring writers, about how important reading it to developing your skill as a writer. But your writing skill is only a part of what it takes to become a published author. The writing business is about writing great books, of course, but it's also a business.
Now, I don't know about you, but when I first started writing I had no clue about the business of publishing. I had these romantic images of women in silk robes and maribou slippers or men in rumpled clothes with a hefty drink in one hand and a pen in the other. They would send off their manuscripts to their hard-nosed agents and ... ta-da, a few months later their books would be on the shelves.
Only that's not exactly how it happens.
Thankfully, before I took my first big step into this career, I knew that I need to know more. That I would stand a better chance of actually getting published if I knew more about the industry.
Here's where Before You Write a Word advice part two comes in.
Step Two: Research
If you're reading my blog (and, I guess, that we can reasonably make that assumption) then you have access to the greatest research resource ever made: the internet. When I was trying to educate myself about the intricacies of the publishing industry, I lived approximately in the middle of nowhere. But (thankfully) the internet had already become a tremendous reservoir of information about writing, publishing, agents, organizations, and anything else you could possibly need to know to begin your career.
Now, that reservoir is even bigger. Agents and editors and even copyeditors are blogging. Organizations, big and small, are active on Twitter. Bestselling authors are on every possible social network. Meaning that all this information is instantly available to you.
The sheer volume of these resources can be overwhelming. Never fear. I have compiled a list of the very best (in my opinion) online resources for aspiring writers.
Loads of Tips and Articles
Hugs,
TLC
Now, I don't know about you, but when I first started writing I had no clue about the business of publishing. I had these romantic images of women in silk robes and maribou slippers or men in rumpled clothes with a hefty drink in one hand and a pen in the other. They would send off their manuscripts to their hard-nosed agents and ... ta-da, a few months later their books would be on the shelves.
Only that's not exactly how it happens.
Thankfully, before I took my first big step into this career, I knew that I need to know more. That I would stand a better chance of actually getting published if I knew more about the industry.
Here's where Before You Write a Word advice part two comes in.
Step Two: Research
If you're reading my blog (and, I guess, that we can reasonably make that assumption) then you have access to the greatest research resource ever made: the internet. When I was trying to educate myself about the intricacies of the publishing industry, I lived approximately in the middle of nowhere. But (thankfully) the internet had already become a tremendous reservoir of information about writing, publishing, agents, organizations, and anything else you could possibly need to know to begin your career.
Now, that reservoir is even bigger. Agents and editors and even copyeditors are blogging. Organizations, big and small, are active on Twitter. Bestselling authors are on every possible social network. Meaning that all this information is instantly available to you.
The sheer volume of these resources can be overwhelming. Never fear. I have compiled a list of the very best (in my opinion) online resources for aspiring writers.
Loads of Tips and Articles
- Gabrielle Luthy -- Billions of great links, organized by categories like "Beginning writers" and "Dialogue" and "Rejection" (which, trust me, you'll need).
- Charlotte Dillon -- More focused on romance writing in particular, this site was one of my favorite resources when I was first writing.
- Teen Author Challenge -- My friend and fellow author Kay Cassidy's year-long series of blogs for aspiring writers, featuring weekly tips, quotes, advice, and exercises.
- Writer Unboxed -- A multi-author blog about all topics on the craft and business of writing. They have terrific interviews with industry folk.
- Jenny Bent (aka my uber-fabulous agent)
- Miss Snark
- Janet Reid
- Kristin Nelson
- The Knight Agency
- Nathan Bransford
- BookEnds
- Evil Editor
- Editorial Anonymous
- Editorial Ass
- Meg Cabot
- Ally Carter
- Kristin Cashore
- Laurie Halse Anderson
- Maureen Johnson
- Justine Larbalestier
- Melissa Marr
- Diana Peterfreund
- Romance Writers of America -- A terrific organization for any writer, even if you're not writing romance. RWA is focused on educating authors in all aspects of the publishing world, from craft to contracts to promotion and everything in between. The monthly Romance Writers Report journal and numerous online, members only resources make it a great group to join.
- Young Adult RWA -- The newly-formed young adult (teen fiction) special interest chapter, focused exclusively on young adult literature within RWA.
- West Houston RWA -- My home chapter, with a great membership pool, a lively online loop, and some of the best workshop programs around.
- Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrations -- More oriented at picture books and middle grades authors, SCBWI produces a wonderful monthly magazine and a great only resource library.
- Teen Lit Authors -- An extraordinarily active loop for all writers (aspiring and otherwise) of teen fiction. This loop has several hundred members, tons of whom are published, and any question is sure to get plenty of answers.
Hugs,
TLC
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Very Exciting News
I know I've been keeping everyone in suspense since my Tweet last night, but I've finally got the go ahead, all clear to announce my news.
I can't give away too many details yet. (Must actually write the books first!) But I can tell you a few fun facts:
I also have to say, with no disrespect to my other books (which are awesomely fun and you should read them all), that I am more excited to write this trilogy than any other book I've ever written. As soon as (the still untitailed) FORGIVE MY FINS 2 is put to bed, I'm diving into this one. Woohoo!!!!
Hugs,
TLC
On Friday the 13th (eek!) I sold a brand new trilogy to my wonderful editor at Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins)!
I can't give away too many details yet. (Must actually write the books first!) But I can tell you a few fun facts:
- The high concept pitch is Buffy meets mythology.
- The first book should be out in Fall 2011.
- I had a working title for the series, but that'll change.
- It's about three sisters with a mysterious mythological past.
- It's set in San Francisco.
- If I had to imagine a cover it would be black and gray with highlights of silver and hot pink.
I also have to say, with no disrespect to my other books (which are awesomely fun and you should read them all), that I am more excited to write this trilogy than any other book I've ever written. As soon as (the still untitailed) FORGIVE MY FINS 2 is put to bed, I'm diving into this one. Woohoo!!!!
Hugs,
TLC
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Before You Write a Word (Part 1)
One of the most asked question that I--or probably all authors--get asked is, "Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?" And you know what? I do. I do have advice. Loads of it. More, probably, than anyone would ever want to hear. (Just get a writer talking about writing and you'd better pull up a chair.)
Okay, so if you're looking for advice we might as well start at the beginning, before you ever put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. Before your write a word of the story that's churning around inside you, begging to be told.
Step One: Read
One of the main reasons I started writing is because I was a ravenous reader. (I wasn't always so keen on reading, but that's a topic for another blog.) It was the inspiration I found in the words of others, of writers like Johanna Lindsey and Julia Quinn, Meg Cabot and Ellen Raskin, Agatha Christie and William Shakespeare. Their words, and the emotions they conveyed with those words, made me want to put together my own words and tell my own stories. To draw emotion from readers as those authors had drawn emotion from me.
But even more than inspiration, reading the writings of others--whether it's the classics or romance novels or magazine articles or blog posts like this one--teaches you how that particular author uses words to convey emotion, thought, and action. Writing is kind of like trying to explain a dream to someone else. You're taking something entirely inside your head and hoping that someone else will understand what you mean exactly. That kind of expression takes practice, but a great first step is studying how other writers use words to express their dreams. (This is what we call the author's "voice"--which is just a vague way of saying "how you speak to readers".)
Here are some great examples from authors with strong, unique voices:
This is a very important concept. A critical first step for an aspiring writer. Until you can figure out how they do it, there's a pretty good chance that you won't be able to.
Hugs,
TLC
Okay, so if you're looking for advice we might as well start at the beginning, before you ever put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. Before your write a word of the story that's churning around inside you, begging to be told.
Step One: Read
One of the main reasons I started writing is because I was a ravenous reader. (I wasn't always so keen on reading, but that's a topic for another blog.) It was the inspiration I found in the words of others, of writers like Johanna Lindsey and Julia Quinn, Meg Cabot and Ellen Raskin, Agatha Christie and William Shakespeare. Their words, and the emotions they conveyed with those words, made me want to put together my own words and tell my own stories. To draw emotion from readers as those authors had drawn emotion from me.
But even more than inspiration, reading the writings of others--whether it's the classics or romance novels or magazine articles or blog posts like this one--teaches you how that particular author uses words to convey emotion, thought, and action. Writing is kind of like trying to explain a dream to someone else. You're taking something entirely inside your head and hoping that someone else will understand what you mean exactly. That kind of expression takes practice, but a great first step is studying how other writers use words to express their dreams. (This is what we call the author's "voice"--which is just a vague way of saying "how you speak to readers".)
Here are some great examples from authors with strong, unique voices:
- Two months ago I capitulated to nonconformity-conformity and had my hair bleached white and then dyed stop-sign red. It cost sixty dollars and it pissed off my mother, but it didn't work. I'm still ordinary. ~ Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart
- "There are even a couple of police here right this minute scouring the school for gas leaks, which includes my brother Brian ( I don't mean my brother Brian is a gas leak, he's a cop), so I'm hoping they'll get to the lead in time and patch it up, maybe a bit of Blue Tack or chewing gum, whatever you do in an emergency. ~ The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty
- In the fall, a few brave souls sneak into the woods to harvest apples. But always in sight of the Meadow. Always close enough to run back to the safety of District 12 if trouble arises. “District Twelve. Where you can starve to death in safety,” I mutter. Then I glance quickly over my shoulder. Even here, even in the middle of nowhere, you worry someone might overhear you. ~ The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- If there was a criminal escaping on water skis with a satchel full of priceless diamonds, I would certainly not chase after her in any way. What I would do is yawn and be glad that they weren't my diamonds because for one thing, I don't have any diamonds. My dad has a lot of valuable paintings, but if an evil crook carried them off across a tightrope, it would be no big deal because he's a famous painter and he'd just paint some more. No death-defying pursuit necessary. ~ Lulu Dark Can See Through Walls by Bennett Madison
This is a very important concept. A critical first step for an aspiring writer. Until you can figure out how they do it, there's a pretty good chance that you won't be able to.
Hugs,
TLC
Thursday, November 12, 2009
FORGIVE MY FINS Trailer by YABookNerd
The always wonderful Jennifer Rummel (aka YABookNerd aka fabulous YA librarian for Otis Library) made this awesome trailer for Forgive My Fins.
My official trailer will be coming early 2010, but for now this one definitely fits the bill. I love it! Thanks, Jennifer!!!
Hugs,
TLC
My official trailer will be coming early 2010, but for now this one definitely fits the bill. I love it! Thanks, Jennifer!!!
Hugs,
TLC
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Magic Stopwatch Method
As I've mentioned on Twitter (over and over and over) I'm under deadline. I mean really under deadline. Between moving to the next state up, helping out the family with a big to do, and battling allergies and viruses off and on I'm going to be cutting it close to the wire. I needed a way to churn out pages. Then I remembered something my friend Shana Galen told me....
(Before she had a baby) Shana wrote ten pages every morning. Like clockwork. The trick was, she told me, was knowing how long it took her to write a page. She had timed herself and knew it took X minutes to write a page. Then, every day when she started to write, she also started a stopwatch. Once she started writing she couldn't stop to go to the bathroom, get a drink, or succumb to any other distraction because it would throw off the timing.
The Stopwatch Method
Day 1
Time: 1:25
Pages: 14
Day 2
Time: 1:15
Pages: 13
That's like NINE pages an hour!!!
I'm trying not to think about how I managed to waste all that time before--daydreaming, people watching, doodling, brainstorming. Blah, blah, blah. I could have written twice as many books in the same amount of time.
Why Does it Work?
I think it's knowing that the clock is ticking. It's like a race and, as a former competitive swimmer, I know all about racing to beat the clock. It encourages me to stay focused for those short(ish) bursts of time.
Will it work for you? I don't know. It might not work for me tomorrow, or on the next book, or five years from now. But it's working for me now. And with my deadline screaming closer, I'll keep trying until I have to click send. Fingers crossed.
Hugs,
TLC
(Before she had a baby) Shana wrote ten pages every morning. Like clockwork. The trick was, she told me, was knowing how long it took her to write a page. She had timed herself and knew it took X minutes to write a page. Then, every day when she started to write, she also started a stopwatch. Once she started writing she couldn't stop to go to the bathroom, get a drink, or succumb to any other distraction because it would throw off the timing.
The Stopwatch Method
- With the Alphasmart at the ready, I open the stopwatch on my iPhone and click start.
- If I need a mental break (usually after about 25-30 minutes) I stop the timer for a few minutes.
- Then I click start and dive back in.
Day 1
Time: 1:25
Pages: 14
Day 2
Time: 1:15
Pages: 13
That's like NINE pages an hour!!!
I'm trying not to think about how I managed to waste all that time before--daydreaming, people watching, doodling, brainstorming. Blah, blah, blah. I could have written twice as many books in the same amount of time.
Why Does it Work?
I think it's knowing that the clock is ticking. It's like a race and, as a former competitive swimmer, I know all about racing to beat the clock. It encourages me to stay focused for those short(ish) bursts of time.
Will it work for you? I don't know. It might not work for me tomorrow, or on the next book, or five years from now. But it's working for me now. And with my deadline screaming closer, I'll keep trying until I have to click send. Fingers crossed.
Hugs,
TLC
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
A Bad Spam Moment
Okay, I have my author email set up to feed into my Gmail account so I only have to check in one place. My Gmail account has been really good about filing actual Spam into my Spam folder. I usually just click the Spam folder, do a quick skim, and then click Delete All Spam. (Because, really, who wants Spam? Well, maybe the canned meat, but not the email.)
Anyway... Have you ever had one of the moments where you clicked send and, as the email was going, you realized you had: a) said something wrong, b) forgotten an attachment, c) replied a snarky remarked to the person you're snarking about? Well, today, when I clicked Delete All Spam my eye skimmed over the titles as the Spam went away ... and saw a subject line that read: Really Big Fan!!! I did a double-take, saw that it had come from my website contact form, and then cried ... because the "Spam" was gone. And you can never get it back. :-(
The moral of this story is: If you sent me a message from the contact form on my website in the last couple of days PLEASE resend, because Gmail failed me. I won't absently Delete All Spam again anytime soon.
Hugs,
TLC
Anyway... Have you ever had one of the moments where you clicked send and, as the email was going, you realized you had: a) said something wrong, b) forgotten an attachment, c) replied a snarky remarked to the person you're snarking about? Well, today, when I clicked Delete All Spam my eye skimmed over the titles as the Spam went away ... and saw a subject line that read: Really Big Fan!!! I did a double-take, saw that it had come from my website contact form, and then cried ... because the "Spam" was gone. And you can never get it back. :-(
The moral of this story is: If you sent me a message from the contact form on my website in the last couple of days PLEASE resend, because Gmail failed me. I won't absently Delete All Spam again anytime soon.
Hugs,
TLC
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