I. Am. A. Bad. Blogger.
I ran a contest last week. The deadline was Saturday night. And yet, I still haven't announced a winner. *facepalm*
It's not because I don't have the follow-through, or because I don't want you all to know who wins, or even because I don't want to give away the book (cuz, I still get to keep my copy). There is a reason, and not just that I-forgot-and-I'm-so-sorry (even though, temporarily, the announcement thing obviously did slip my mind).
Did you know that google docs in the form of a spreadsheet are really hard to read on a netbook? And since my desktop is in the computer hospital, when I originally went to pick the winner, I couldn't scroll to the bottom of my spreadsheet without switching computers. That's when I got distracted and forgot.
But. I intend to rectify that issue right this minute. I have entered all the numbers into my handy-dandy random generator (scroll down on the sidebar, you'll see it) and it has drawn--of all numbers--13.
Lucky number 13, you ARE the winner of the signed copy of The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum.
cheerclapclapclapclapdancecheerscreamclapclapclap...
Wait. You don't know who that is. I bet you want to, don't you? Okay, fine. Lucky number 13 is...
Mariah O!
Congratulations! Please email me at writenichole @ gmail . com so I can get your deets today. (If I don't here from you by Thursday at 5:00 pm, I'll draw an alternate winner.)
For all the rest of my participants, thanks for playing, and better luck in my next contest (which MIGHT be tomorrow, just in case you're wondering).
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Hitting the Right Target
On a recent shopping trip, my daughter and I discovered that our favorite anchor retailers have done away with certain sections of the women’s clothing department, and chosen to instead merge all previous sections into an entire floor of woman’s clothing chaos. We spent thirty minutes wandering around, searching, and then gave up and went to a smaller store that could be more easily navigated.
I understand what store executives are trying to accomplish. By merging all the departments together, they hope shoppers will look farther and wider, expand their vision, and theoretically purchase more, or spend more money on higher-end clothing items.
On paper it makes sense. But in reality, there are problems with the logic.
People are different. They just are. In size, shape, tastes, needs, desires, color-choices, and a million other important ways. Dividing the store into sections according to size, occasion, and style makes shopping easier on consumers.
For instance, had Dillards not done away with the juniors department, I most likely would have paid more for my daughter’s shorts, because I could use my store card, and also because the bigger stores guarantee a quality that will last. They stand by their products.
Ahem. If you can find them. Since I couldn’t, we chose to shop elsewhere. I still bought shorts for my daughter. But we got them in a store that was easier to navigate.
The same thing can be said for booksellers dividing books by genre, subject, author, purpose. It helps people find what they want faster. (And in today’s world, we want everything fast.) If I’m looking for a cupcake recipe book, I don’t want to search through the fiction section to find it. Or the self-help section. Or the computer section. I want to go straight to the cooking section and browse the stock there.
Dividing by section doesn’t prevent people from shopping widely, it helps them find what they want faster, allowing more time for shopping in other areas of interest.
Maybe this is why agents and publishers are so specific about what they’re looking for. It thins out the manuscripts, narrows down the choices, makes their jobs easier. Querying, like shopping, is all about researching your target audience or consumer, and hitting the right mark.
In a world rife with chaos, do you think it’s comforting to shop in places that have some semblance of order? Or do you prefer to search for your treasure like a needle in a haystack? (I know some people do, so if you’re reading, speak up!)
I understand what store executives are trying to accomplish. By merging all the departments together, they hope shoppers will look farther and wider, expand their vision, and theoretically purchase more, or spend more money on higher-end clothing items.
On paper it makes sense. But in reality, there are problems with the logic.
People are different. They just are. In size, shape, tastes, needs, desires, color-choices, and a million other important ways. Dividing the store into sections according to size, occasion, and style makes shopping easier on consumers.
For instance, had Dillards not done away with the juniors department, I most likely would have paid more for my daughter’s shorts, because I could use my store card, and also because the bigger stores guarantee a quality that will last. They stand by their products.
Ahem. If you can find them. Since I couldn’t, we chose to shop elsewhere. I still bought shorts for my daughter. But we got them in a store that was easier to navigate.
The same thing can be said for booksellers dividing books by genre, subject, author, purpose. It helps people find what they want faster. (And in today’s world, we want everything fast.) If I’m looking for a cupcake recipe book, I don’t want to search through the fiction section to find it. Or the self-help section. Or the computer section. I want to go straight to the cooking section and browse the stock there.
Dividing by section doesn’t prevent people from shopping widely, it helps them find what they want faster, allowing more time for shopping in other areas of interest.
Maybe this is why agents and publishers are so specific about what they’re looking for. It thins out the manuscripts, narrows down the choices, makes their jobs easier. Querying, like shopping, is all about researching your target audience or consumer, and hitting the right mark.
In a world rife with chaos, do you think it’s comforting to shop in places that have some semblance of order? Or do you prefer to search for your treasure like a needle in a haystack? (I know some people do, so if you’re reading, speak up!)
Friday, May 27, 2011
A Fleeting Moment
The other day I was driving past a cemetery and a song came on. It had this really amazing piano refrain, and the singer had a soft, rugged voice as he sang about starting over—or something like that. Since we were between rainstorms (like, literally in the twenty minutes between), I had the convertible top down, and little bits of cottonwood tree fluff swirled around in the air.
I slowed the car, gazing over the headstones and multi-colored flowers, and realized that a cemetery is not really the scary, zombie-ridden place we thought it was as kids. Actually, it’s beautiful and sacred because it is the one common place where an entire community lays loved ones to rest. And I was inspired. Scenes in two different books will probably come out of that inspiration.
It wasn’t the kind of feeling that can be forced, but one that comes unbidden, in that perfect moment that embeds itself in your memory and changes you, even though you weren’t doing anything to deserve it.
Sometimes inspiration is like that. Momentary. Fleeting. A throbbing ache that reaches up and grabs you by the throat and squeezes. (Feel free to change my description to one that fits you more accurately. Perhaps you prefer something more like: A 200lb boulder that slams into your chest and steals your breath, your very soul…) And in that moment, you just know you have the power to change the world, or at least the thinking of one person in the world.
That moment, my friends, is a gift. When you find one of those, be very careful and please don’t waste it.
What moments have inspired you lately? And what will you do with that inspiration?
*Don't forget to enter to win a hard cover copy of The Forgotten Locket.*
I slowed the car, gazing over the headstones and multi-colored flowers, and realized that a cemetery is not really the scary, zombie-ridden place we thought it was as kids. Actually, it’s beautiful and sacred because it is the one common place where an entire community lays loved ones to rest. And I was inspired. Scenes in two different books will probably come out of that inspiration.
It wasn’t the kind of feeling that can be forced, but one that comes unbidden, in that perfect moment that embeds itself in your memory and changes you, even though you weren’t doing anything to deserve it.
Sometimes inspiration is like that. Momentary. Fleeting. A throbbing ache that reaches up and grabs you by the throat and squeezes. (Feel free to change my description to one that fits you more accurately. Perhaps you prefer something more like: A 200lb boulder that slams into your chest and steals your breath, your very soul…) And in that moment, you just know you have the power to change the world, or at least the thinking of one person in the world.
That moment, my friends, is a gift. When you find one of those, be very careful and please don’t waste it.
What moments have inspired you lately? And what will you do with that inspiration?
*Don't forget to enter to win a hard cover copy of The Forgotten Locket.*
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Scorching June--Another Hot Release (and another giveaway!)
Okay you guys, seriously, I’m thinking June is turning into the BEST month for book releases. Or, at least it is this year. Cuz, not only is Possession coming out on the 7th, but then two days later, The Forgotten Locket, third book in The Hourglass Door series by Lisa Mangum, comes out on the 9th. Do you have any idea how EPIC this is? It’s summer reading gone wild.
And check out this trailer.
If you haven’t read The Hourglass Door and The Golden Spiral yet, I’m shocked and ashamed. Your life is not complete. Not even a little. You should get on that. In fact, hurry and order them online, right now. I’ll wait. (Not sure what these books are about? I reviewed The Hourglass Door here and you can find another great review here.)
*twiddles thumbs* Doot ,do, do.
Okay, now that you’ve done that, let’s talk about the final book in the trilogy, The Forgotten Locket. Oh. My. Gosh. I know I’ve said it before, but Lisa Mangum is a writing genius. Not only is this story brilliantly crafted, expertly plotted, and absolutely tight—but people, it’s poetry. Pure and simple poetry.
I have a tendency to figure out what happens at the end of a book or series somewhere before midpoint of book one, but not so in this story. I never once guessed what was going to happen, so I believe bonus points are in order.
Wanna see the blurb?
Awesome, right? Oh believe me, it is. I just finished reading it. Yes, I know—you’re all totally jealous right now. But don’t worry. You, too, will have the opportunity to WIN a free Hardcover copy of The Forgotten Locket.
But Nichole, you say, how can that be? The book is not out yet, and no one is giving them away yet. Well. Ahem.
I am.
And YOU can enter to win. All you have to do is two things.
1. Be a Random-ish follower (See the icon in the sidebar? Just click follow and complete a few easy steps.)
2. Fill out this form, telling me what you love most about this series OR why you want to read it so badly AND why you deserve to get a free copy. (Your answers will likely be forwarded to the author, just so ya know.)
3.*Optional* Help spread the word so others can enter too. (If I hit 400 followers, I may have to find another fun prize and draw two names. And if I do draw a second name, the prize will be equally excellent. Just sayin.) So, tweet, Facebook, blog—whatever. The more entries I get, the more prizes I’ll give. I’m just nice like that.
After the deadline, I will enter everyone into a random generator and draw a name (or two, or three—depending on the number of entries). You have until midnight on Saturday, May 28 (that’s this Saturday, and mountain time) to enter.
Don't forget to fill out the contest form.
Go. Enter. Spread the word. Good luck, and happy reading!
And check out this trailer.
If you haven’t read The Hourglass Door and The Golden Spiral yet, I’m shocked and ashamed. Your life is not complete. Not even a little. You should get on that. In fact, hurry and order them online, right now. I’ll wait. (Not sure what these books are about? I reviewed The Hourglass Door here and you can find another great review here.)
*twiddles thumbs* Doot ,do, do.
Okay, now that you’ve done that, let’s talk about the final book in the trilogy, The Forgotten Locket. Oh. My. Gosh. I know I’ve said it before, but Lisa Mangum is a writing genius. Not only is this story brilliantly crafted, expertly plotted, and absolutely tight—but people, it’s poetry. Pure and simple poetry.
I have a tendency to figure out what happens at the end of a book or series somewhere before midpoint of book one, but not so in this story. I never once guessed what was going to happen, so I believe bonus points are in order.
Wanna see the blurb?
The future is uncertain. The battle to control the past has begun.
The final book in the riveting Hourglass Door trilogy begins when Abby steps through the black door, and she doesn’t dare look back. Though it means leaving Dante–wounded, bleeding, and possibly blind–she knows it is the only way to save her family and stop Zo from manipulating the river of time and throwing the future into chaos. In the end, Abby must face a final confrontation that will take her to the very origins of the hourglass door.
Awesome, right? Oh believe me, it is. I just finished reading it. Yes, I know—you’re all totally jealous right now. But don’t worry. You, too, will have the opportunity to WIN a free Hardcover copy of The Forgotten Locket.
But Nichole, you say, how can that be? The book is not out yet, and no one is giving them away yet. Well. Ahem.
I am.
And YOU can enter to win. All you have to do is two things.
1. Be a Random-ish follower (See the icon in the sidebar? Just click follow and complete a few easy steps.)
2. Fill out this form, telling me what you love most about this series OR why you want to read it so badly AND why you deserve to get a free copy. (Your answers will likely be forwarded to the author, just so ya know.)
3.*Optional* Help spread the word so others can enter too. (If I hit 400 followers, I may have to find another fun prize and draw two names. And if I do draw a second name, the prize will be equally excellent. Just sayin.) So, tweet, Facebook, blog—whatever. The more entries I get, the more prizes I’ll give. I’m just nice like that.
After the deadline, I will enter everyone into a random generator and draw a name (or two, or three—depending on the number of entries). You have until midnight on Saturday, May 28 (that’s this Saturday, and mountain time) to enter.
Don't forget to fill out the contest form.
Go. Enter. Spread the word. Good luck, and happy reading!
Monday, May 23, 2011
To Get Into the Ice Capades
*Last week I blogged about Possession by Elana Johnson. This week, I shared more thoughts on the Star Crossed Book Reviews blog. Come see what I thought!*
There’s a line in the movie Pretty Woman, it’s toward the end, but a supporting character says, “You gotta have a goal. Do ya have a goal?” to which the other woman replies, “Well. I always wanted to be in the Ice Capades.”
And okay, in the context of the movie and the way it’s said, the line gives you a good chuckle. But it’s also one of the movie’s most identifiable, universal truths. It boils down to this. If you don’t start out with at least one goal—say, to learn how to ice skate—you will most certainly never reach the end result—aka make it to Ice Capades.
When I first started writing (and by “first started” I mean, right after I made a conscious decision to make a career attempt at it) someone said to me, “The most important thing you can do is to finish.”(And by finish, he meant the rough draft of a manuscript.) To a non-writer, that might sound kind of lame. I mean, duh, right? But the truth is finishing a manuscript is one of the hardest parts of writing. And at the time, it was exactly the direction I needed in order to set my first big goal. FINISH. It didn’t have to be perfect. In fact, it didn’t even have to be good. It just had to have a beginning, middle, and end.
And so I did. I finished a terrible, indescribably awful story that will never, ever, ever see the light of a publishing press, because I won’t torture the world in that way. But I finished. I reached my first big goal. Then it was time to set other goals: Edit, revise, query, scrap it, start over, finish another book, edit, revise, query, submit, start a new book, edit, revise, query, query, query…and on goes the process of setting milestones.
Six years later, I’ve learned a LOT more about writing, and my plans and ambitions have grown in size and space and height.
Finish.
No matter what we’re trying to do, that original truth will always remain. You must first learn how to skate before you can perform. You must first learn how to write before you can publish. You must first SET a goal before you can reach it.
What are your goals this year and how will you go about reaching them?
*Be sure to come by on Wednesday and enter my next frawesome giveaway!
There’s a line in the movie Pretty Woman, it’s toward the end, but a supporting character says, “You gotta have a goal. Do ya have a goal?” to which the other woman replies, “Well. I always wanted to be in the Ice Capades.”
And okay, in the context of the movie and the way it’s said, the line gives you a good chuckle. But it’s also one of the movie’s most identifiable, universal truths. It boils down to this. If you don’t start out with at least one goal—say, to learn how to ice skate—you will most certainly never reach the end result—aka make it to Ice Capades.
When I first started writing (and by “first started” I mean, right after I made a conscious decision to make a career attempt at it) someone said to me, “The most important thing you can do is to finish.”(And by finish, he meant the rough draft of a manuscript.) To a non-writer, that might sound kind of lame. I mean, duh, right? But the truth is finishing a manuscript is one of the hardest parts of writing. And at the time, it was exactly the direction I needed in order to set my first big goal. FINISH. It didn’t have to be perfect. In fact, it didn’t even have to be good. It just had to have a beginning, middle, and end.
And so I did. I finished a terrible, indescribably awful story that will never, ever, ever see the light of a publishing press, because I won’t torture the world in that way. But I finished. I reached my first big goal. Then it was time to set other goals: Edit, revise, query, scrap it, start over, finish another book, edit, revise, query, submit, start a new book, edit, revise, query, query, query…and on goes the process of setting milestones.
Six years later, I’ve learned a LOT more about writing, and my plans and ambitions have grown in size and space and height.
Finish.
No matter what we’re trying to do, that original truth will always remain. You must first learn how to skate before you can perform. You must first learn how to write before you can publish. You must first SET a goal before you can reach it.
What are your goals this year and how will you go about reaching them?
*Be sure to come by on Wednesday and enter my next frawesome giveaway!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Books, Events, Contests and Rain
1. First and foremost, before I forget, tomorrow from 1-4 pm, Barnes and Noble in Orem, UT, is holding a huge event called Authorpalooza. I will be there, along with about 40 other authors. If you’re anywhere in the area, you should come. It promises to be huge and fun and a great opportunity to meet your favorite local authors.
2. I just finished reading The Forgotten Locket, by Lisa Mangum. You want this book. It’s fantastic.Come back next Wednesday to see what I thought and what I might be giving away. (That's not an obvious hint or anything!)
3. Speaking of fantastic books and author events, put this one on your calendar, too. June 8th, The King’s English in Salt Lake City, epic launch party for Elana Johnson’s Possession. This place will be packed, so be prepared for buckets of awesome.
4. Guess what? My kids get out of school in three weeks. I am very excited about this, because it means less carpooling, more sleeping in, and zero homework. So yay!
5. You can now get my book The Sharp Edge of a Knife on your Kindle for $6.95. Just sayin.
6. Some areas of Texas have been over a hundred days with no rain, and some areas of Utah have been a hundred days with nonstop rain (or that’s how it feels). Just so Texas knows, we’re completely willing to share. Let’s petition Mother Nature to work out a swap of some kind, shall we?
7. Ever since the big blogger crash of last week, I’m paranoid that I’m going to lose my posts and comments. Is this paranoia or practicality? I don't know, I don't know, I don't know.
8. Since the LDStorymaker conference two weeks ago, I have like, 10 new books on my TBR pile. Tends to seriously cut into my writing time. Sigh. What’s a girl to do? The good news is I've already tackled two.
So what plans do you have this week? Fun events? New books you’re reading? Rain or sun?
2. I just finished reading The Forgotten Locket, by Lisa Mangum. You want this book. It’s fantastic.Come back next Wednesday to see what I thought and what I might be giving away. (That's not an obvious hint or anything!)
3. Speaking of fantastic books and author events, put this one on your calendar, too. June 8th, The King’s English in Salt Lake City, epic launch party for Elana Johnson’s Possession. This place will be packed, so be prepared for buckets of awesome.
4. Guess what? My kids get out of school in three weeks. I am very excited about this, because it means less carpooling, more sleeping in, and zero homework. So yay!
5. You can now get my book The Sharp Edge of a Knife on your Kindle for $6.95. Just sayin.
6. Some areas of Texas have been over a hundred days with no rain, and some areas of Utah have been a hundred days with nonstop rain (or that’s how it feels). Just so Texas knows, we’re completely willing to share. Let’s petition Mother Nature to work out a swap of some kind, shall we?
7. Ever since the big blogger crash of last week, I’m paranoid that I’m going to lose my posts and comments. Is this paranoia or practicality? I don't know, I don't know, I don't know.
8. Since the LDStorymaker conference two weeks ago, I have like, 10 new books on my TBR pile. Tends to seriously cut into my writing time. Sigh. What’s a girl to do? The good news is I've already tackled two.
So what plans do you have this week? Fun events? New books you’re reading? Rain or sun?
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Top Five Favorites
I've been thinking lately about books I love, and what makes me love them, as opposed to books I don't love and why. Because what I love about a book is probably very different than what someone else loves about it. Or maybe my favorite thing is the very thing that someone else greatly dislikes.
So I'm staring at my overloaded, double and triple-stacked bookshelves, trying to decide which volumes I think about the most often and what about the pages inside impacted me the most.
The thing is, there isn't really a word that could describe what I love about all my books. But there is a common thread I think. There must be. So let's see...
1. All my most favorite books deal with relationships of one kind or another. Most of them have some kind of romantic elements, but also I think they deal with family relationships as well.
2. The endings all leave me feeling satisfied because even if all is not happy and well, it is hopeful and I have seen character growth.
3. The descriptions read like background.
4. I love the characters and empathize with them, even if I don't agree with their choices.
5. They make me smile unexpectedly at random moments.
Okay, so there are five elements off the top of my head that all my favorite books have in common. What's on your top five list?
So I'm staring at my overloaded, double and triple-stacked bookshelves, trying to decide which volumes I think about the most often and what about the pages inside impacted me the most.
The thing is, there isn't really a word that could describe what I love about all my books. But there is a common thread I think. There must be. So let's see...
1. All my most favorite books deal with relationships of one kind or another. Most of them have some kind of romantic elements, but also I think they deal with family relationships as well.
2. The endings all leave me feeling satisfied because even if all is not happy and well, it is hopeful and I have seen character growth.
3. The descriptions read like background.
4. I love the characters and empathize with them, even if I don't agree with their choices.
5. They make me smile unexpectedly at random moments.
Okay, so there are five elements off the top of my head that all my favorite books have in common. What's on your top five list?
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Other Side of the Line
**If you're looking to see who won the prize package including an ARC of Possession, scroll to the post below this one. Also, be sure to come back next Wednesday to see what I'm giving away next week. Because I'm not done giving away good stuff. Not even a little bit. Bwahahaha!**
My daughter recently told me a story about a high-school-age girl who conducted an interesting social experiment. This girl wanted to know how differently she would be treated if people believed she was pregnant and attending high school.
This was an elaborate project, since this girl wasn’t really pregnant—nor did she want to be. She enlisted the help of a boy—who may, or may not, have been her actual boyfriend—and her parents, who helped her acquire a prosthetic belly that could be adjusted as her faux pregnancy progressed through the school year.
From what I understand, the big “reveal” happened as part of an assembly, in which the nine-month-size prosthetic was removed. Can you even imagine the reaction of the people in the crowd—kids, teachers, and administration—when they discovered the whole thing was a hoax? Those who had treated this girl differently would probably feel shame, or anger at being disillusioned, or embarrassed for their words or actions. And those who had been kind, who had treated this girl as a person, with respect and friendship might have felt pride for being proven as true friends.
When I put the colored highlights in my hair, it wasn’t intended as a social experiment. To be honest, it started out as a nice change. Something to break up the monotony of winter. A fun accessory. A trend. A style.
But it’s been interesting to see the reactions of some of the people around me. I live in a very conservative area, where for some people, different = bad. And even the slightest difference has a tendency to stand out.
Some people have surprised me with their loving acceptance, while others have disappointed me in ways I never expected. In my head, I just keep thinking, “Holy crap, it’s only hair, not horns.” But as I’ve learned recently, to some people, a difference so dramatic can be seen as much, much more than what it really is.
In this way, I find myself identifying with characters from some of my favorite young adult books. Consider Vi in Possession, Cassia in Matched, Katniss in The Hunger Games, Calla in Nightshade, and Amy in Across the Universe.
So here’s the question of the day: Are you brave enough to stand on the other side of a line drawn by society, even if it means accepting unfair judgments as a consequence?
My daughter recently told me a story about a high-school-age girl who conducted an interesting social experiment. This girl wanted to know how differently she would be treated if people believed she was pregnant and attending high school.
This was an elaborate project, since this girl wasn’t really pregnant—nor did she want to be. She enlisted the help of a boy—who may, or may not, have been her actual boyfriend—and her parents, who helped her acquire a prosthetic belly that could be adjusted as her faux pregnancy progressed through the school year.
From what I understand, the big “reveal” happened as part of an assembly, in which the nine-month-size prosthetic was removed. Can you even imagine the reaction of the people in the crowd—kids, teachers, and administration—when they discovered the whole thing was a hoax? Those who had treated this girl differently would probably feel shame, or anger at being disillusioned, or embarrassed for their words or actions. And those who had been kind, who had treated this girl as a person, with respect and friendship might have felt pride for being proven as true friends.
When I put the colored highlights in my hair, it wasn’t intended as a social experiment. To be honest, it started out as a nice change. Something to break up the monotony of winter. A fun accessory. A trend. A style.
But it’s been interesting to see the reactions of some of the people around me. I live in a very conservative area, where for some people, different = bad. And even the slightest difference has a tendency to stand out.
Some people have surprised me with their loving acceptance, while others have disappointed me in ways I never expected. In my head, I just keep thinking, “Holy crap, it’s only hair, not horns.” But as I’ve learned recently, to some people, a difference so dramatic can be seen as much, much more than what it really is.
In this way, I find myself identifying with characters from some of my favorite young adult books. Consider Vi in Possession, Cassia in Matched, Katniss in The Hunger Games, Calla in Nightshade, and Amy in Across the Universe.
So here’s the question of the day: Are you brave enough to stand on the other side of a line drawn by society, even if it means accepting unfair judgments as a consequence?
Winner of the Possession Prize Pack
I know you're all dying to know who won here. Believe me when I say I am too. I just finished tallying the numbers (almost 400) and plugged them into the random generator.
The number that was pulled is 317. (Yay for lucky numbers!)
Now here's the tricky part. For some reason, the name section of my spread sheet comes up completely blank. That part has even disappeared off the form, from what I can see. This spreadsheet is where all the form information went. I'm going to blame it on Blogger and all the problems it caused during this contest, because, well, it's the only explanation, really. The good news is the email address portion still shows just fine, so even without a name, I can contact the winner.
Lucky number 317's email address starts with sshandem. Congratulations, lucky winner! I don't know your name, but I will be emailing you shortly (after which I will come back and add your name on this post).
Thanks for playing everyone. Keep reading. You never know when I might offer another rockin giveaway. (Ahem, like, maybe Wednesday.)
The number that was pulled is 317. (Yay for lucky numbers!)
Now here's the tricky part. For some reason, the name section of my spread sheet comes up completely blank. That part has even disappeared off the form, from what I can see. This spreadsheet is where all the form information went. I'm going to blame it on Blogger and all the problems it caused during this contest, because, well, it's the only explanation, really. The good news is the email address portion still shows just fine, so even without a name, I can contact the winner.
Lucky number 317's email address starts with sshandem. Congratulations, lucky winner! I don't know your name, but I will be emailing you shortly (after which I will come back and add your name on this post).
Thanks for playing everyone. Keep reading. You never know when I might offer another rockin giveaway. (Ahem, like, maybe Wednesday.)
Friday, May 13, 2011
A Cherry Flavored Slush-Pile
*Dear non-writer readers, sorry for all the writing posts this week. This is what happens after certain conferences. Can’t be helped. Still, be sure to enter the awesomesauce contest to win a doodled and signed advance copy of Possession by Elana Johnson.*
At the conference last weekend, Becca Stumpf from Prospect agency said something profound, something that put the slush pile in a whole new light for me. She mentioned that writers often ask what they can do to avoid the slush pile, but then she said, “Why would you want to avoid it? The slush pile is this really amazing place to be.”
And you know what? She’s totally right.
I mean, from an agent’s perspective, it must be like sifting through the racks at a one-of-a-kind clothing boutique, or looking for a single pair of custom-made shoes that fits them just right. It must be like…looking for the perfect piece of jewelry. So exciting! Thrilling. A sheer mind-spinning, heart-pounding, limb-shaking adrenaline rush.
If you’re a guy (or a girl who is not a big shopper) you might not get that analogy. So here’s another one. It must be what it feels like getting ready to play a championship sports game. Like a buildup of energy just waiting to explode out of you.
And then—then, when an agent finds that one special book—it probably feels like winning that championship game or finding a sparkly, perfect gem (for an unbelievable price) which you then buy and take home to keep forever and ever.
So yeah, I get that. Maybe the question is not how to avoid that amazing, wonderful, cherry-flavored slush, but rather how to make our work sparkle enough so an agent or editor will want to snatch it up and take it home (to their agency or publishing house) like a trophy.
Our work will get read. Agents and editors are always reading, reading, reading. It’s what they do. Our job is to make sure that once they see OUR manuscript, they will know how special it really is. That, my friends, is the real trick.
Do you agree?
Monday, May 9, 2011
Recapping (and a Contest)
Before I get to the actual bloggy-portion of this post, I have to tell you a secret. On Wednesday, I am a stop on Elana Johnson’s Possession virtual blog tour. Prepare for epic awesomesauce, in the form of a vlog interview and FREE stuff. Or, well, one free thing. But it’s possibly the COOLEST giveaway I’ve ever done. You do NOT want to miss this. Just sayin.
Okay, moving on.
First of all, let me just say that my brain is still on overload from last weekend’s conference. It was fabulous. No, more than fabulous, it was…fanta-bulous. Awesomesauce. A.Maz.Ing. And yes, I had a great time.
I didn’t completely humiliate myself in my pitch session, learned a lot, hung with my terrific writing friends, and made TONS of new ones. Also, I discovered this really great little cupcake shop where I got more than my fill of sugar. (Thanks to Lani Woodland, Melanie Marks, and Nicole Bullock. Also, we missed you Debbie Cranberryfries!)
And dudes, that’s just the tip-top of the thing.
I’d totally love to share all, but since the classes are copyrighted, I can’t, like, share my notes or anything. BUT I will tell you one thing I learned, and which became my theme for the weekend.
Bravery. Pays. Off.
And also, doing brave things made me feel fantastic. Not only did being brave help me have an even better time, but it also opened doors I didn’t know were even there.
So yeah. It was great. And I am happy. The end.
Wait, no. Not the end. Check out this really cool video I made, which they played at the conference. This is the kind of people I get to hang with. (Oh, and by the way, at the end, it tells you to join now, but unless you were at this particular conference, you aren’t allowed—it’s the only requirement. So, so sorry! Ignore that part, okay? Okay. But if you’re really, really sad and need to find a group to join, let me know and I’ll see if I can help you out, okay?)
Okay, moving on.
First of all, let me just say that my brain is still on overload from last weekend’s conference. It was fabulous. No, more than fabulous, it was…fanta-bulous. Awesomesauce. A.Maz.Ing. And yes, I had a great time.
I didn’t completely humiliate myself in my pitch session, learned a lot, hung with my terrific writing friends, and made TONS of new ones. Also, I discovered this really great little cupcake shop where I got more than my fill of sugar. (Thanks to Lani Woodland, Melanie Marks, and Nicole Bullock. Also, we missed you Debbie Cranberryfries!)
And dudes, that’s just the tip-top of the thing.
I’d totally love to share all, but since the classes are copyrighted, I can’t, like, share my notes or anything. BUT I will tell you one thing I learned, and which became my theme for the weekend.
Bravery. Pays. Off.
And also, doing brave things made me feel fantastic. Not only did being brave help me have an even better time, but it also opened doors I didn’t know were even there.
So yeah. It was great. And I am happy. The end.
Wait, no. Not the end. Check out this really cool video I made, which they played at the conference. This is the kind of people I get to hang with. (Oh, and by the way, at the end, it tells you to join now, but unless you were at this particular conference, you aren’t allowed—it’s the only requirement. So, so sorry! Ignore that part, okay? Okay. But if you’re really, really sad and need to find a group to join, let me know and I’ll see if I can help you out, okay?)
Friday, May 6, 2011
Today
I will laugh and be happy.
I will attend classes that enrich my mind.
I will learn from my peers, mentors, and other knowledgeable people.
I will smile through disappointment, fear, or self-doubt.
I will give of myself.
I will meet new people and make new friends.
I will believe in myself and my work.
I will spend time with other writers/authors and absorb their greatness.
I will party with like-minded peeps.
Today, I will pitch my book to an agent—in person. And f she loves the idea of my book (or my pitch) I will smile. And if she doesn’t love it, I’ll smile anyway because hopefully, I will at least have made a new friend.
Wish me luck.
What are you doing today?
I will attend classes that enrich my mind.
I will learn from my peers, mentors, and other knowledgeable people.
I will smile through disappointment, fear, or self-doubt.
I will give of myself.
I will meet new people and make new friends.
I will believe in myself and my work.
I will spend time with other writers/authors and absorb their greatness.
I will party with like-minded peeps.
Today, I will pitch my book to an agent—in person. And f she loves the idea of my book (or my pitch) I will smile. And if she doesn’t love it, I’ll smile anyway because hopefully, I will at least have made a new friend.
Wish me luck.
What are you doing today?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Thing About Bravery
After my recent realization about writers and cops being similar, I’ve been thinking more about bravery. What it is. What it means. What it requires. All that stuff.
The thing is, the definition of bravery is probably different for everyone alive. We all have strengths and weaknesses, and what comes easily for you might be a huge undertaking for me. But we all have moments, defining ones (tee hee), when we are required to be brave—more so than we’ve ever been before.
And we wonder if we’re up to it. If we can handle it. If we can do it.
Am I brave enough to write a book? Am I brave enough to color my hair purple? Am I brave enough to travel to Mexico during a time of civil unrest? Well yeah, obviously I am. But are you?
Am I brave enough to submit that book to 300 agents? (FYI, I’m not even close to that number yet.) OR brave enough to shelf a book that’s not perfect and move onto another one? (Which might be more likely.) Am I brave enough to jump in and pitch my books to an agent face-to-face? Am I brave enough to try scuba diving even though it sounds kind of scary? Am I brave enough to teach my fifteen-year-old how to drive in my Mustang?
Maybe. I’m trying.
Am I brave enough to stand in front of 10,000 people and sing The Star Spangled Banner? Or Happy Birthday? Or…anything? Probably not.
But I am brave. I can do hard things. Things I’ve never done before. Things I’ve never tried before. Things that sound out-of-my-league and impossible and just all-out scary. I am not afraid of living, of doing the things that will make me most happy in life.
I am far more afraid of not doing those things. Of not trying, not putting myself out there, not living.
The thing about bravery is that everyone needs it at some point. We all have it. But only you can decide when it’s time to pull it out and use it.
What brave thing have you done this week?
The thing is, the definition of bravery is probably different for everyone alive. We all have strengths and weaknesses, and what comes easily for you might be a huge undertaking for me. But we all have moments, defining ones (tee hee), when we are required to be brave—more so than we’ve ever been before.
And we wonder if we’re up to it. If we can handle it. If we can do it.
Am I brave enough to write a book? Am I brave enough to color my hair purple? Am I brave enough to travel to Mexico during a time of civil unrest? Well yeah, obviously I am. But are you?
Am I brave enough to submit that book to 300 agents? (FYI, I’m not even close to that number yet.) OR brave enough to shelf a book that’s not perfect and move onto another one? (Which might be more likely.) Am I brave enough to jump in and pitch my books to an agent face-to-face? Am I brave enough to try scuba diving even though it sounds kind of scary? Am I brave enough to teach my fifteen-year-old how to drive in my Mustang?
Maybe. I’m trying.
Am I brave enough to stand in front of 10,000 people and sing The Star Spangled Banner? Or Happy Birthday? Or…anything? Probably not.
But I am brave. I can do hard things. Things I’ve never done before. Things I’ve never tried before. Things that sound out-of-my-league and impossible and just all-out scary. I am not afraid of living, of doing the things that will make me most happy in life.
I am far more afraid of not doing those things. Of not trying, not putting myself out there, not living.
The thing about bravery is that everyone needs it at some point. We all have it. But only you can decide when it’s time to pull it out and use it.
What brave thing have you done this week?
Monday, May 2, 2011
Cops and Writers
You know what I realized recently? Cops and writers have a lot in common. I’m serious. Hear me out. I’m married to a cop, and I’m a writer, so I don’t know why this only just occurred to me. But think about it.
Both cops and writers have a tendency to sit in the back of a room—generally speaking—so they can see what’s going on around them.
Both cops and writers are people watchers, paying attention to what others wear, how they act, what they say, facial expressions, nervous ticks, body language, shifty eyes—you name it.
Cops and writers often work odd hours.
Cops write daily reports about the infractions and complaints of real people, while writers make up pretend infractions and complaints of fictional ones.
Cops and writers both spend time researching things that might get the average person put on a homeland security watch list: Bank robbery, drug labs, types of guns, forensic science, poisons, the effects of bombs and other weapons of mass destruction, computer hacking, etc.
Also, people easily misread both cops and writers. Cops tend to be criticized or seen as bad, when in reality, it’s their job to serve and protect everyone in a community. Writers tend to be criticized or looked down on for their creative streaks that may (or may not) seem eccentric, for the words or actions of the characters in their books (which are usually out of our control) or for their tendency to “daydream” mid-conversation or at other inopportune times, and yet these are often the moments when brilliance is born.
And…
Cops are brave. Their job sometimes requires them to run at a scary situation rather than away.
Writers are also brave. Our job requires dumping portions of our heart out in front of millions of people (potentially) and put it up for criticism from every one of those millions.
Yep. That’s a lot all right. Who knew! Did I miss anything?
Both cops and writers have a tendency to sit in the back of a room—generally speaking—so they can see what’s going on around them.
Both cops and writers are people watchers, paying attention to what others wear, how they act, what they say, facial expressions, nervous ticks, body language, shifty eyes—you name it.
Cops and writers often work odd hours.
Cops write daily reports about the infractions and complaints of real people, while writers make up pretend infractions and complaints of fictional ones.
Cops and writers both spend time researching things that might get the average person put on a homeland security watch list: Bank robbery, drug labs, types of guns, forensic science, poisons, the effects of bombs and other weapons of mass destruction, computer hacking, etc.
Also, people easily misread both cops and writers. Cops tend to be criticized or seen as bad, when in reality, it’s their job to serve and protect everyone in a community. Writers tend to be criticized or looked down on for their creative streaks that may (or may not) seem eccentric, for the words or actions of the characters in their books (which are usually out of our control) or for their tendency to “daydream” mid-conversation or at other inopportune times, and yet these are often the moments when brilliance is born.
And…
Cops are brave. Their job sometimes requires them to run at a scary situation rather than away.
Writers are also brave. Our job requires dumping portions of our heart out in front of millions of people (potentially) and put it up for criticism from every one of those millions.
Yep. That’s a lot all right. Who knew! Did I miss anything?
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