Monday, February 28, 2011

Critique Partners: Finding a Good Fit

Here's what I've discovered:

1. Finding a good fit with a critique partner is essential
2. Having multiple critique partners is essential
3. Staging your critique partners is essential
4. Providing thorough critiques in return is essential

Today, let's tackle #1, and then tomorrow we'll address #2, and so on.

What is a "good fit" and how do you find it?

First, you really need to establish critique styles. If you are brutally honest and your potential partner is passively nice... the relationship could be painfully short lived. You need to agree to the format of the critiques. Frankly, I prefer giving and getting the brutally honest feedback. I figure, how else can the ms be improved if there isn't honesty? Now, understand, as the author, you don't have to agree with the opinions of others, but I think you need to at least consider it.

Second, you need to test the waters of your writing styles. Sometimes authors with completely different styles can make excellent partners, but sometimes not. So, before committing, read writing samples of the potential partner and share some of your writing samples with them. If he/she writes with long flowery descriptions and you barely write any descriptions, your two styles may drive one another crazy and prove to be counter productive. But, on the other hand, if your personalities mesh, you may be able to utilize your differences to strengthen each others writing.

Third, observe some of your potential partner's critiques of other people's writing samples. If you like what they have to offer, pursue the opportunity.

So... where do you find these potential critique partners?

I've tried several methods, but I have found the "Weekly Chapter Challenge" Group and the "Critique Corner" Group at http://community.writersdigest.com/ to be the best resources for critique partners. So, check the site out, post some of your writing samples to be critiqued, and critique other samples. Then pursue potential partnerships with people you connect with there.

Another useful place to find critique partners is at writers' conferences, especially ones where you get a taste of their writing abilities, but again, you need to follow the steps above, because even if someone is an excellent writer, it doesn't mean they'll be an excellent critique partner.

Where did you find your critique partner? And, what is your best tip for finding a good fit?

Friday, February 25, 2011

4 Tips 4 Writing Awesome YA

Want to learn how to write AWESOME YA? Here are four simple tips for writing a great young adult manuscript:

#1: Hang Out With Young Adults


#2: Listen to Young Adults


#3: Observe Young Adults


#4: Play with Young Adults


Okay... Okay... Maybe there are a few other necessary skills required for writing AWESOME books for young adults. But this is certainly a fun way to start! :-)

And, frankly, it is necessary for the research!

What research methods do you utilize for your writing?

Thursday, February 24, 2011

REVISING: Voice

Yup, I'm still deep in the trenches of revisions. I keep asking myself why this revision is taking SO LONG. I think there are multiple reasons, but one is: VOICE.

I'm striving to make each character's voice their own.

I'm also in the trenches of reading THE DOME by Stephen King, and I'm wondering why is this book taking me SO LONG to read? If it were any other author, I probably would have quit the book by now. But, the major reason I'm sticking with the book, is: VOICE. King has a gazillion characters in this book, and they each started out with such strong voices - some even seemed a little over the top to me. But I learned some things from his writing style in this book. Word selection is so important.

Duh. Right?

Maybe I'm a little slow in the head. But here's what I'm grasping... You can use the word WALKED in a sentence. We all get what that means, right?

But what if your character is angry? STOMPED
What if your character is giddy with happiness? SKIPPED
What if your character isn't right in the head? STAGGERED
What if your character is always in a hurry? DASHED

Walking is more than just putting one foot in front of the other. And, *how* your character walks lends to his VOICE. So, as you and I work on revisions and VOICE, consider each and every word (not just verbs) and make sure that is a word choice the character would make, in dialogue, monologue, and action.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Follow Up's Follow Up... right?

Ha. So, yesterday's post was fun. Eh?

I totally twisted the post to double as a challenge entry for the Crusade. It was tricky because there were "rules."  One rule was to bury a lie within the post. Now, I *never* said the lie was within the dialogue. Many of you assumed it was. Now... you know what assuming can do... ha. JK

The lie was actually the word count. Since the post was limited to 300 words or less, I really had to pare it down. That was hard! So, I barely made it under the wire, and lied that the post was only 251 words. In case that wasn't a *good enough* lie (ha),I could also argue that I actually am a pretty good judge, and I do my best to judge everyone fairly and give them the benefit of the doubt. :) But, no one guessed either of these. So, I win. Right?

Anyhow, I wanted to let you know, that yes those two BOYS were judges. There are often a lot of YOUNG judges at these competitions. I can only assume (there's that word again) it is because the organizers can't find enough older people to volunteer, and they cannot afford to hire judges, especially with all of the budget cuts.

And, yes, that was the most interesting conversation I eavesdropped on... it was actually much longer, but I chopped out the middle where they went on and on about their "hot" debate and speech partners from their senior year in HS and how none of those relationships ever worked out for the long term, but they were great while they lasted.

Another conversation I eavesdropped on, this girl (probably 19 or 20) went on and on about how she was so upset for forking out $7 WHOLE dollars to send off a transcript to another college. Oh my! If that's her biggest problem... *head shudder*

The creepiest thing of the day was when a beautiful young woman performed a first person point of view interpretation of a book written by a serial killer. It was as though Satan had taken over her body. I wanted to cry and shake her at the same time. She describe in awful detail the first murder she ever committed. And, I read HORROR all the time. You'd think it wouldn't have bothered me. But it did. Because it felt so *wrong* for THOSE words to come out of her mouth.

Where is the teacher who approved that content?

Where is the mother?

... Okay ... maybe I am an unfair judge! Good thing I lied about the word count yesterday.

This young woman made it to the finals. My judging placed her third after her performance in the finals, but there were two other judges on the panel as well, and I don't know how they voted. We didn't attend the ending ceremony, so I don't know if she qualified for Nationals or not.

I thought the content was totally inappropriate. And, based on the instructions for judges, for that category (Dramatic Interpretation) we were supposed to judge the content for literary value as well as the delivery by the competitor.

Do you know what books your kids are reading? Do you know what they're turning in as schoolwork? Do you think it matters? 

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Conversations Overheard

One of my favorite things is judging high school speech competitions; and frankly, volunteering is one of my better character traits (these are few, so I must make note). Before I bloviate, let me get to the good stuff.

An interesting quirk of mine is I love to eavesdrop, especially around teenagers.

Here's a conversation overheard in the judges' lounge (these guys were probably 19 yrs-old):

"Dude, you judgin?"
"Yeah. You?" Brown Jacket Guy (BJG) asked.
"Yeah. Dude, you still with your partner?" Hairy Leg Dude (HLD) asked, clearly not realizing it SNOWED. He wore SHORTS.
"Nah. She went to BYU. I went to Basic."
"Oh. BYU. That's bad."
"Those guys down there are players." BJG said.
"She was hot." HLD lounged back and crossed his hairy legs.
"Judge any hot girls today?" HLD sipped his water bottle.
"Actually..." BJG smiled. "I judged O.O. and this one girl was --"
"Remember that competition last year and those --"
"Yeah. That was chill." Both pause.
"What are you majoring in?" BJG asked.
"Electrical Engineering."
"That's a lot of math."
"Yeah, but I'm keeping it all balanced," HLD said.
"How?"
"Our frat parties at least four nights a week."
"Dude."
"Yeah. Friday classes are tough cuz Thursday's our biggest drinking night, but it's chill."
"You think ballots are out?"
"Maybe."
HLD and BJG left to check the ballot table.

Seriously.

Why were these guys judges? Shouldn't they have been out developing their fuliguline skills, raising rabbits, or sharpening their basic training blades? Yup, that's a bad habit of mine: judging others unfairly. Maybe they *were* good judges.

And, I have a secret to confess... while sitting there, I pretended to read. I even turned the pages.

Crusader Challenge #1: complete. And I did it in only 251 words.

Can you find the lie?

Monday, February 21, 2011

NFL - National Qualifiers - Follow Up

Okay - I know you all have been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting to hear how the speech competition went Friday. Well... it was different from other competitions I've judged. For sure. Previous competitions, many of the teenagers were there (clearly) because it was a requirement of some sort. This competition was a national qualifier where scholarships are at stake and entry fees were assessed. So, it seemed, everyone in the competition was there by choice, and they were there to win it.

Oh. My. Gosh. Each and every competition was great.

Interestingly enough, we had expected my son (a Junior) to go pretty far in the competition because he's taken first place in a previous competition. However, he was "out" after two rounds. My daughter (a Freshman), on the other hand, we did NOT expect to go far (not because we're mean) because 1: she's a Freshman competing against some Juniors but mostly Seniors and 2: she recently performed a major overhaul on her "Original Oratory" piece. She was using this competition as practice for the next competition which she really wants to do well in. - - - She made it to the semi-finals!! Ah. It was so exciting! Of course, we were sad when she was eliminated, but it was so much fun!

I did not get to see either of my kids compete, because I was busy judging other competitions, but I know they did their best. *proud mama*

Anyhow... tomorrow, I will tell you some of the interesting conversations I eavesdropped on... so check back for that. It's one of my favorite reasons for attending these things. I'm totally immersed in the YA culture.

What did you do this weekend? Anything fun?

Friday, February 18, 2011

NFL Judge

Jealous? Sounds cool, eh?

Oh...wait...let me clarify. Not the NFL: National Football League



I am judging speech competitions Friday for the NFL: National Forensics League. And why is it called forensics? I always thought that dealt with crime scenes. Can someone explain the term to me? Maybe I should research it before I judge?



Two of my teenagers are competing in this qualifier. Fingers crossed. The only bummer about judging the competition is I don't get to see my own kids formally speak. I guess I'll just have to be happy watching them practice in the front room. :-)

I'm looking forward to my favorite categories: Humorous and Serious Interpretation. These two categories are when the speaker takes a favorite BOOK and dramatizes and interprets a section of the book. Click here for more info.

LOVE IT.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Ah... Deep Breath!

You know what? I LOVE my TiVo. Love it. Plain and simple. Why? Because I am THE MOST forgetful person in the ENTIRE world. So, did I remember that my FAVORITE (yes, that's right) show started Wednesday night? Nope.

But... my TiVo remembered!! YAY! TiVo!

Okay, this post was not intended to be a commercial. So, let me get to the point:

HAVE THESE CONTESTANTS NEVER WATCHED THIS SHOW BEFORE? Sheesh. Come on!

#1 rule of Survivor: Shut up! Don't talk so much, because it WILL come back to bite you in the butt!!

Oh. My. Gosh.

Anyhow. Just had to tell you how happy I am that my favorite show is back on, and that TiVo remembered.
:-)

What's your favorite show?

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

DETERMINATION

Oh my gosh. That last post was so depressing, I almost think I should delete it! How do we change our own attitude?

...by making a choice...

I'm a positive thinker by nature, and I don't care how hard the query process becomes...I will not quit. Why? Because I am a writer, and because I am determined.

So, I will be my own Tigger--and spring back!



Definition of DETERMINATION (from www.merriam-webster.com)


1a : a judicial decision settling and ending a controversy b : the resolving of a question by argument or reasoning

2archaic : termination

3a : the act of deciding definitely and firmly; also : the result of such an act of decision b : firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end

4: a fixing or finding of the position, magnitude, value, or character of something: as a : the act, process, or result of an accurate measurement b : an identification of the taxonomic position of a plant or animal

5a : the definition of a concept in logic by its essential constituents b : the addition of a differentia to a concept to limit its denotation

6: direction or tendency to a certain end : impulsion

7: the fixation of the destiny of undifferentiated embryonic tissue

See determination defined for English-language learners »

Examples of DETERMINATION

What he lacked in talent he made up for in determination.

The new instruments allow for more precise determination of the size of the tumor.

The document will be used for determination of ownership.

First Known Use of DETERMINATION

14th century

Related to DETERMINATION

Synonyms: decidedness, decision, decisiveness, determinedness, firmness, granite, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, resolve, stick-to-itiveness

Antonyms: hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution, vacillation
 
So, what will you be today? Determined or Hesitant?

I Stopped Reading at "Unfortunately"

On Monday evening, I told my family that I would be busy Tuesday working my Stampin' Up! business, and that I wouldn't be home when they returned from school and work. Pretty sure they all nodded and said, "Okay, Mom."

Maybe... "Okay, Mom" = "Whatever. I'm busy and not really listening to you anyway."

So, Tuesday afternoon, my sweet daughter called me on my cell and asked, "Where are you?" Well, of course, I lovingly reminded her of our conversation the previous evening. She responded, "You never said that." Well, of course, I did, but nonetheless...

"Anything else?" I asked her.

"Yeah. One more thing," she said. "Why did you write a letter to yourself?"

"I didn't."

"Well, there's an envelope in the mail with your handwriting on it that is addressed to and from you," she said.

"It's just another rejection," Eeyore said.

"How could you possibly know that?" she asked.

"Open it up and read it outloud."

"Thank you for giving us the opportunity to ... blah blah blah ... Unfortunately--"

"You can stop reading now," I said.

"But I'm not even half way through the letter!"

"Trust me," I said as she mumbled to herself quickly reading.

"Oh...oh...I'm so sorry, Mom."

Whelp, it's okay. I stopped reading at "unfortunately" ... at least I tried to. Truth be told I read the rejections in their entirety. Usually more than once. Then I log it in my excel file.

The real bummer, is when you PAY to be rejected. I wish all agents accepted email queries. It's a bummer to spend money on postage, paper, and envelopes to be rejected.

I need a little less Eeyore this week and a litte more Tigger.

Any words of wisdom to spring me out of my rejection slump?

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

HOUSE RULES by Jodi Picoult

Okay, I must tell the truth about yesterday's post...(the one that said as writers we should all read more)...well...it was really just a post to give myself permission to read all day. hahaha

So, yup. I read all day Monday. It was glorious. Be jealous (and go pick up a good book for yourself)!

What did I read, you ask?



HOUSE RULES by Jodi Picoult.

This was the first book I've read by this author.

I glanced at some of the other reviews on Goodreads for this book, and line is pretty clearly drawn between people who loved the book and those who did not.

I have to admit, I agree in general terms with the dissenting opinions regarding the fact:

1. It was predictable.

2. It was frustrating when the characters wouldn't just TALK to each other to find out the actual details of the murder. They were all just too afraid to discuss it - - which relates directly to their inability to function daily as a family before the event.

3. It was a political statement against vaccines.

Additionally, I wasn't blown away by the voices of the characters. I don't think a teenage character "sounds" like a teenager just because the author gives him plenty of cuss words. AND, I thought the cover was VERY deceptive. I'm a big fan of covers, and this was not an accurate representation. The m.c. is 18-yrs-old, not a child like the one pictured on the cover.

With that in mind, I'm still giving it five stars. Why? I loved the book. And while I did NOT like everything or fully agree with the content surrounding Asperger's syndrome, I found this to be QUITE a COMPELLING read. I blew through it. This is the first time I've read a book by Jodi Picoult, and I'm sure it won't be the last.

I love a book that challenges the way I think about life, challenges the way I parent, and challenges the way I discuss topics with friends. I have a friend who is the mother of a child who deals with Asperger's syndrome, and it's not easy...but parenting as a rule (if you try to do it well) is not easy.

What's the best book you've read recently?

Monday, February 14, 2011

SECRETS REVEALED: Become a Better Writer!

Simply, read more.

Seriously.

Okay...not *simply* read more, but read more WELL WRITTEN books by great authors.

What? You say you don't have time to read more because:
1. You're spending all of your time writing.
2. You have a full time job, and you're trying to write.
3. You have thirteen children, a full time job, and you're trying to write.
4. etc.

Whatever.

You still want to become a better writer?

It's still the same answer. Oh, and:
1. Write more
2. Get a critique partner (or four)
3. Read excellent books on the craft of writing
4. And, read more.

:-)

What's the best tip (aka secret) you have for becoming a better writer?

Friday, February 11, 2011

LEARNING TO SWIM - Winner Announced!

So... got teenagers?
I do. :-) And it is a pain JOY everyday.
Love them.
Really. I do!

Me: Wanna help me select a winner at random?
Teenager: WHAT?
Me: I'm giving a book away on my blog. Do you want to help me select a winner at random?
Teenager: WHY?
Me: I interviewed Sara J. Henry and she's giving away a copy of her awesome book LEARNING TO SWIM. I get to pick the winner. Do you want to help me select a winner at random?
Teenager: %-P   *crosses eyes and sticks out tongue*
Me: Nevermind. I can do it by myself.
Teenager: No! I want to help. What do we need to do?
Me: Select a winner at random.
Teenager: HOW?
Me: Oh. My. Gosh. I thought a teenager could come up with a fun creative way, so I could post a fun interesting story on the blog. NOPE! Clearly not going to happen.
Teenager: Wait.
Me: Okay.
Teenager: Assign them all a number.
Me: Okay. Done.
Teenager: Pick a number, any number.
Me: The point was for YOU to pick a winner, not me.
Teenager: I will. Trust me. Just pick a number. Don't tell me what it is, just think it.
Me: Okay.
Teenager: Now, add seven to it.
Me: K
Teeanger: Times it by two.
Me: %-P
Teenager: Minus eleven
Me: Seriously.
Teenager: :-) That's the winner.
Me: *sigh*

So...after all the teenage drama FUN - we have a winner!

SHELBY HUFF!
Please email me your shipping address (my email is on the right sidebar), and I will forward your address to Sara, and she will send you a copy of LEARNING TO SWIM.
YAY! Congrats.


If you didn't win - don't worry - you can order your copy on AMAZON!
And a big thanks to everyone for stopping by and commenting!

Tomorrow,
we will resume some sort of regular OUT OF THIS WORLD writing posts.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

It's a PARTY with CUPCAKES!

OKAY - before you read this post, put on your bestest game-show-announcer voice and read the whole post out loud.
Okay, maybe not out loud, but imagine that deep game-show-announcer voice as you read on!!

A drumroll please.....................

The second runner up in the fabulous 100 followers book giveaway is:

Melissa Dean for being one of the first followers, beta readers, and overall gal-pal! :)
And, WHAT does she win, you ask?
A CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE! YUM!


And the first runner-up
 (...as you know, if the contest winner is unable to fulfill her responsibilities as winner, then the first runner-up will take over the position as winner...)
So, a drumroll please................
The first runner-up is: Lady Antimony, because she's a Gemini (read it on her blog) and loves Strawberry Cupcakes (she said so in the comments)!
What does she win, you ask? Why... a STRAWBERRY CUPCAKE OF COURSE! 


And, our grand prize winner..............
selected randomly
(my husband pulled the name out of a basket - that's random enough for me!)
is.............................
 Clarissa Draper!
 She wins the bestest prize of all:

Send me your mailing address, Clarissa, and I will mail the book to you! YAY!!

And, don't be sad if you didn't win a major prize today - - because
WE HAVE PARTING GIFTS FOR EVERYONE!!!
More cupcakes!!!


YAY! Thanks for coming to the party, and thanks for participating in the 100 follower book give-away.
You are the best!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Want to Read More?

If you would like to read the first chapter of THE EDUCATION OF THIA (and/or other samples of my writing), visit my website:

www.margokelly.net

Increase Your Blog Traffic

Are you working hard to build your blog and increase your traffic? Well, there's a "crusade" going on  that you might be interested in joining.

Rach Writes: "We write insightful posts and articles, actively blog within the blogosphere, take part in challenges, competitions, and contests galore. We have the passion and the drive to make it, but…we could all do with a bit of support. So I started thinking. What if we link all these people together? What if we create a way to meet people in a similar position, people who genuinely want to help build our online platform while at the same time building theirs? People who want to pay it forward in the spirit of writerly writerness and blogging beautificity (and see it come back to them in turn)."


JOIN the Crusade at: http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Win a BOOK (or two!): THE FIRE IN FICTION ... LEARNING TO SWIM

Scroll down and leave comments on the posts and maybe you'll win an awesome book!
OR
If it's too much work to scroll down (sheesh!) ...

Click here for THE FIRE IN FICTION contest.

Click here for LEARNING TO SWIM contest.

Thank you.
:-)

Monday, February 7, 2011

Dark & Stormy BLOGFEST Contest


Great contest being offered by Brenda Drake (Click here for details)

And, if you like contests, scroll down...
I'm giving away TWO different books! YAY!

Here's my first line for the blogfest contest:
"Some old dead guy once said a journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step. "

Let me know what you think in the comments.
And, check out the previous two posts for a chance to win a book (or two)!

Sara J. Henry - LEARNING TO SWIM

Hold on to the seat of your pants, people!! ANOTHER book give away! HOLY SMOKES!

Today, I am featuring an interview with author Sara J. Henry. Her exciting new book, LEARNING TO SWIM comes out later this month!


Description from Amazon & Booklist:
When Troy Chance spots what she thinks is a small boy being tossed off the back of a passing ferry, she instinctively jumps into the icy waters of Lake Champlain. She rescues the youngster and discovers that his arms were bound with an adult sweatshirt. He’s incredibly frightened, speaks only French, and won’t tell her what happened. Troy determines that she will keep him safe rather than turn him over to the police. When he finally begins to confide in her, he tells a bizarre tale of being kidnapped, hearing his mother murdered by gunshot, and then being held for months. As Troy tracks down the boy’s father, she begins to question whether she will be able to let him go, since he has unleashed within her a maternal instinct she had no idea she possessed.


Sara J. Henry has been a soil scientist, sports writer, corresponding writing school instructor, book editor, freelance writer, magazine editor, bicycle mechanic, and webmaster. Her first novel, Learning to Swim, has been called “emotional, intense, and engrossing” by Lisa Unger and “an auspicious debut” by Daniel Woodrell. You can read the first chapter here.

I had the opportunity to ask Sara a few questions, and of course, I asked "writerly" questions.  Here's the interview:

1. You mentioned that you found your agent, Barney Karpfinger, on the acknowledgment page of a John Lescroart book. Was Karpfinger the only agent you queried? Can you describe that process of getting your agent a bit more?

I'd initially queried one other agent with this manuscript, and when I decided that person wasn't right for this book I went straight to my BEST AGENTS FOR MY BOOK list and sent out a batch of queries, Barney’s among them. Surprisingly, this part of the process went blindingly fast (mind you, I rewrote and polished the manuscript like mad first) - every time I sat at my computer requests for full or partial manuscripts were coming in. Then several offers followed, Barney's among them - I let the other agents know I had offers on the table; I met with Barney, decided, and signed. He really was perfect for me and for my book, and I’m well aware of how extraordinarily lucky I am.

2. If you could go back in time and tell yourself something you know now that you wish you would've known during the writing and editing phase of this book, what would that advice be?

That you can do it, even if you feel that your brain is going to break and this seems that it must be the stupidest book ever written. I’ll quote my friend Michael Robotham here: “It's like sleeping in a two-man tent with your best friend for a year. And it doesn't matter how good a friend they are, you're just so sick of them by the end of that process...” Although I’ve heard him tell the story when it’s a beautiful woman in the tent.

3. Was there an event or person that inspired this story? Who? What? And if not, how did this exciting plotline come to be?

I'd lived in Lake Placid and worked there as a sports editor and freelance writer, much as my main character, Troy Chance did. I was visiting the area and driving along the shore of the huge Lake Champlain on a cold and misty day and for some reason envisioned a woman standing on the deck of one of the ferries and seeing a child fall into the water from the other ferry - and then diving in to rescue him. Then I had to figure out how to write an entire book around that one scene. (I also had to figure out how to write a book in the first place, but that's another issue.)

4. Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you and/or your book?

I can beat Scott Phillips at arm wrestling. Or almost, anyway. And the sequel to this book will be out next year.

Thank you Sara for the interview. AND, a huge thanks to Sara for giving away an ARC of this book! Simply leave a comment on this post by midnight 2/10/11, and a winner will be selected at random. Sara will mail the book directly to you! YAY!

**Edited: deadline extended to 2/10/11**

Saturday, February 5, 2011

WIN A BOOK! Join the party & have a cupcake!

Okay people!! It's decided.

To celebrate reaching 100 followers (almost there!! 98 at the time I wrote this post) - - we will have a party (virtual) with cupcakes (virtual)

AND

GIVE AWAY THE FIRE IN FICTION
BY DONALD MAASS!!

Can I hear a WOOT WOOT!!??

Get multiple entries to win this awesome book by:
1. Following this blog
2. Leaving a comment on this post
3. Blogging, Tweeting, and/or Facebook-ing this give away (let me know which ones you do, so I can give you more chances to win!!)

You have until Noon (Mountain Time Zone) on WEDNESDAY 2/9/11 to enter. The winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Thursday 2/10/11.

So, get to it! Follow, comment, blog, and share!
Thanks for your support. :-)

Friday, February 4, 2011

Nearing Milestone

Hmm... what should we do when this blog reaches 100 followers?

1. Throw a party (uh - virtual - but you're all invited)
2. Have cupcakes (uh - again - virtual - but one for each of you)
3. Give away a super cool book (real, but just one to give away!)
4. Give away a super cool journal and pen (real, but just one set to give away!)
5. Give away Tootsie Pops (haha - real - but who knows how many?)

Hmm... let me know your opinion (leave it in the comments) - - - and we'll do whatever gets the most votes!!

YAY!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Writing Exercise: Be Specific

Oh. My. Gosh.

Check this out:

"In his Philosophy of Style, Herbert Spencer gives two sentences to illustrate how the vague and general can be turned into the vivid and particular:

"In proportion as the manners, customs, and amusements of a nation are cruel and barbarous, the regulations of its penal code will be severe.

"In proportion as men delight in battles, bullfights, and combats of gladiators, will they punish by hanging, burning, and the rack" (The Elements of Style, page 22).

Phew.

Now write your vivid sentence! :-)

Mine:
In proportion as women struggle in childbirth, equality, and faith, will they reward with devotion, strength, and eternity.

Okay... maybe mine is not specific enough in details. Try your hand at it and leave your sentence in the comments.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Say Something Nice!

Hey, it's easier for some of you than it is for others... but SAY SOMETHING NICE today... No, no. Not to *ME*... say something nice to this eleven-year-old aspiring writer:

Click HERE to visit Christi Corbett's Blog and SAY SOMETHING NICE!!

And, just in case you have NOTHING nice to say, you may leave those un-nice comments here. I can take it. Really. I can. I receive query rejections and writing critiques on a daily basis. I have a thick skin... and not just because I'm chubby!!