"Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless." ~Bill Watterson
TGIF!
Got my latest Writer's Digest yesterday. Among the articles (how relevant!): Romance: Why It's Hot and How to Break In (read and read some more, learn the subgenres and the heat levels your audience expects); Young Adult: Top Editors and Agents on What it Takes to Make It (be original, don't follow a trend, don't talk down to teens); and Top 101 Websites for Writers.
Of those top 101, I check a few pretty regularly and recommend them:
Absolute Write - the forums are terrific ~ you'll find an answer to any writing-related question you might have
Agent Query - up to date profiles on agents, what they're seeking, and how to query them
Preditors and Editors - lets you know who you can trust and who you can't, in the publishing biz
Nathan Bransford's Blog - this YA agent is personable and honest about what's going on the world of young adult publishing
WOW! Women on Writing - publishes monthly e-zines filled with information for writers of all levels and all genres
******
It's been a crazy week for me, so I'm hoping to do a little relaxing, yard work, and writing this weekend. What about you?
Friday, April 23, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Writers' Wednesday: I Need More Hours in my Day!
Busy! Busy!! No time today to write anything long, and here's why:
1. I'm trying to proof the audio files for One Night in Memphis, which is behind schedule for release.
2. I'm trying to write blog posts for my upcoming One Night in Memphis release tour, which begins (yikes!) next week.
3. I'm trying to put together promo for One Night in Napa's print release, which is May 4th (ooh, just got my author copies in the mail yesterday - beautiful!).
4. I'm trying to help hubby finish the master bathroom renovations and keep the house relatively free of dust in the meantime.
5. Oh, and I also have that full-time teaching job with ALL the papers to grade.
Whew ~ I'm off! Have a great day and I'll see you back here Friday!
1. I'm trying to proof the audio files for One Night in Memphis, which is behind schedule for release.
2. I'm trying to write blog posts for my upcoming One Night in Memphis release tour, which begins (yikes!) next week.
3. I'm trying to put together promo for One Night in Napa's print release, which is May 4th (ooh, just got my author copies in the mail yesterday - beautiful!).
4. I'm trying to help hubby finish the master bathroom renovations and keep the house relatively free of dust in the meantime.
5. Oh, and I also have that full-time teaching job with ALL the papers to grade.
Whew ~ I'm off! Have a great day and I'll see you back here Friday!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday's Mentionables: YA Conference in Review
This past Saturday I attended WPU's Spring Writers' Conference, with a focus on "Writing Childhood." What did I think?
Breaskfast: Not enough variety. A few small pastries and that was it (hey, I can be picky if I want to be...)
Keynote Speaker, David Means: Really enjoyed the two short stories he read, "The Knocking" and "The Botch." High literary writing, which means a focus on language and character rather than plot. He was engaging and funny, though not a terrific lecturer - had a hard time answering questions.
Morning Workshop, Panel of YA Authors: I loved this workshop. 3 featured authors all talked about their books and their approach to writing/YA. My favorite by far, though, was Neesha Meminger, whose debut YA novel Shine, Coconut Moon has received lots of accolades AND was on sale there, so I managed to snag a copy and have it signed. I loved her the minute she started talking about her background and confessed that she writes erotic romance under a pen name! We talked afterwards about the fact that I'm also a romance author looking to write YA, and why that's such a natural bridge - I think because in both genres, you're exploring how love (and life) can be all-consuming. So interesting!
Lunch: Yummy! A great variety, lots of fresh fruit, and to-die-for brownies. Made up for the skimpy breakfast!
Afternoon Workshop, Coming of Age Fiction: This one was run by one of the authors in the morning panel I saw, Marina Budhos. A lovely, lovely woman, speaker and teacher - I confess I wouldn't mind taking a class from her someday. She had us do some hands-on activites and writing prompts related to coming-of-age experiences. I liked it but it wasn't long enough to really dig deeply into the things she was presenting.
And that was it! It was small, probably only about 100 attendees, but that really allowed for a nice connection with the presenters. I'm inspired and ready to write~
Breaskfast: Not enough variety. A few small pastries and that was it (hey, I can be picky if I want to be...)
Keynote Speaker, David Means: Really enjoyed the two short stories he read, "The Knocking" and "The Botch." High literary writing, which means a focus on language and character rather than plot. He was engaging and funny, though not a terrific lecturer - had a hard time answering questions.
Morning Workshop, Panel of YA Authors: I loved this workshop. 3 featured authors all talked about their books and their approach to writing/YA. My favorite by far, though, was Neesha Meminger, whose debut YA novel Shine, Coconut Moon has received lots of accolades AND was on sale there, so I managed to snag a copy and have it signed. I loved her the minute she started talking about her background and confessed that she writes erotic romance under a pen name! We talked afterwards about the fact that I'm also a romance author looking to write YA, and why that's such a natural bridge - I think because in both genres, you're exploring how love (and life) can be all-consuming. So interesting!
Lunch: Yummy! A great variety, lots of fresh fruit, and to-die-for brownies. Made up for the skimpy breakfast!
Afternoon Workshop, Coming of Age Fiction: This one was run by one of the authors in the morning panel I saw, Marina Budhos. A lovely, lovely woman, speaker and teacher - I confess I wouldn't mind taking a class from her someday. She had us do some hands-on activites and writing prompts related to coming-of-age experiences. I liked it but it wasn't long enough to really dig deeply into the things she was presenting.
And that was it! It was small, probably only about 100 attendees, but that really allowed for a nice connection with the presenters. I'm inspired and ready to write~
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