Road Trip Wednesday - Kick Me Into Shape!

This week on the YAHighway, the topic is:

What kind of writing coach do you need? What kind are you?(This is in relation to Sarah's post on Mentors)

As for me, I think I fit right into the gentle honesty category (and I happen to think Tim Gun is pretty fabulous).  When I critique I'm very honest.  I'm not going to let anything slide, but I'm also going to make my comments and suggestions in the nicest possible way.  I use lots of smiley faces when I crit, just ask my buddies.  ;)  They say it softens the blow, and I have to agree.

As for what kind of coach I need, I think it depends on the day.  Some days I need that gentle honesty -- some days I just need someone to say, "Hmm, I really like the idea of super space raccoons invading the supermarket, but I don't think I quite understand where they came from.  I thought we were in contemporary Kansas?"  lol

Other times, I need some Brutal Honesty.  And I'll ask for it when I'm ready.  I want to know point blank what is weak, and don't worry about my feelings, I can handle it.

Probably most people will agree that having more than one type of coach/feedback on your writing is necessary and preferred even.  Not only does it help improve your writing on multiple levels, but it also thickens your skin and readies you for what's to come down the road.

What kind of coach do you prefer?

Road Trip Wednesday -- Why do You do it?

This week's topic over at the YAHighway is:

What's your numero-uno reason for writing?

Honestly?  I write because I have to.  

I'm sitting here trying to pinpoint just when in my life I haven't been writing *something* (even if not a novel), and I guess the only time I wasn't was...when I couldn't write.

I've always had these words swirling around in my head.  Before I wrote novels, I wrote a lot of really bad poetry, and I journaled like it was nobody's business.  Nothing felt better than ending the day by spilling all of my thoughts and emotions out on the page, and I guess that's just it.

I write because I need to, because I want to, and because I love it. 

If I didn't write, I'd be missing a piece of my heart...

Road Trip Wednesday - A Winding Road

This week's topic over at the YAHighway is:



 What has your writing road trip looked like so far? Excitement? Traffic Jams and detours? Where are you going next?

Well I'd say my road trip has been fairly twisty, with lots of hills and valleys, but a very fun ride.




I started writing my first novel (well, not the first, first, but the first one I took seriously) in August of 2009.  The next year was full of excitement and learning.  This was the first novel I ever *finished* writing, and I even started dipping my toes into the blogging world in early 2010.

Along with meeting some fantastic writer friends, I learned about the industry, and even got to meet a real live agent at a conference.  In October 2010 I wrote yet another book (much faster and cleaner than the first) and polished it until it shined.

Then I took a dive into the querying world, which I know I haven't said much at all about.  I started querying Happily Never After on February 28th, and with success!  But that's where my first real traffic jam hit.  I got a lot of requests, and had some dream-worthy agents reading my material, but none of them loved it enough.  Which is fine, and I totally respect that.

But that's where my journey detoured from what I expected.  The detour I wound up on though?  Not so bad!  I've written another book that I love, I've learned even more about my craft and the industry.

And just around the corner?  Who knows.  Could be another hill to climb, could be another detour, but whatever it is I'll just keep trucking on.  I mean, what's more fun than road tripping with the music blaring and great friends beside you?

Road Trip Wednesday -- Cover that up!

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This week's topic:

What are your all-time favorite book covers?

All time?!  I don't know how I would ever even begin to choose.

How about this, I'll share my recent favorites that I've pinned on Pinterest?  Call it even?  Good.

 

Road Trip Wednesday -- Really, again?

It has been a while since I've joined in on the Road Trip, but this weeks topic sucked me in.  :)

This Week's Topic:

What themes, setting, motifs, scenes, or other elements do you find reoccurring in your work?

Something that always seems to crop up in my stories is a forest.  Like, trees, bushes, animals...yeah.  Why?  Well, I guess it's because I've lived around the forest my whole life.  I've always had this sense of wonder when venturing into the great unknown depths of the woods.  My dad used to teach my sister and I ways to find safe food and water if we ever got lost.

Which, I suppose was a real possibility looking back.  We were always out there running and playing, hiding behind the giant palmettos so we could jump out and surprise one another.  Heck, my best friend lived out in the middle of the forest, and we'd venture off for hours trying to discover new things.  So, yeah.

I also happen to live next to a forest that has a bit of legend surrounding it.  That's a story for another time though.

What about you?  Do you find reoccurring things in your writing?

Also, don't forget to go visit the Read for Relief auction!  Our YA Super Critique Pack is up!

Road Trip Wednesday -- For the Cure

Well, the cure for Writer's Block anyway.

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This week's topic:  How do you defeat writer's block?

To be honest,  I don't believe in writer's block.  (Maybe that's a trick in itself!)  I have days where I can't focus or can't get the words flowing, sure.  Everyone does.  But it's not some mythical block that I have to break through.  That's not how I see it anyway.  To me, it is a sign that something isn't working.  Maybe I'm stressed or having a hard time with a plot point.  Could be that I need to get out of the house and, you know, have a life for a while to get some inspiration.

No matter what it is that's got me off kilter, I always see it as something that can be fixed.

What about you?  Do you believe in writer's block?

Road Trip Wednesday -- What's that smell?

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic:
The Five Senses. How you use them in your writing, how you are inspired by them, pictorial essays, that character with smelly socks, books that have used them well, the ones that are currently missing from your work, etc.

The senses are usually something I have to go back and add to my writing.  I'm not naturally very descriptive, so when I'm first-drafting, my character may just be laying on forest floor when really the experience is more like this:

 

When I revise I make a full pass through the story just to pay attention to the five senses to make sure I'm building enough description in without running on forever.

As for someone who got it right?  Well, I think we all know who I'll pick.  The master herself, J. K. Rowling.  I read the Harry Potter books and just marvel at the way she layered everything with detail without bogging the story down.

What about you?  Do you use all the senses in your writing, or does it take some extra work?

Road Trip Wednesday - It's a love/hate thing

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic:

 

Who are your favorite literary villains?

To me, the best literary villains are those who choose to be bad people (I'm using the term people lightly, not all villains are necessarily people, I know.).  Not the ones who are just bad for bad's sake -- the ones who are bad with intent.  They know the difference, and it would have been just as easy for them to stay on the straight and narrow, but they opted not to.  I think it makes them much more realistic, and much scarier.

For this reason, Voldemort tops my list of favorites.  He's a prime example of a villain who didn't have to be bad.  He was given a chance by Dumbledore when he went to Hogwarts -- he had the option of being a great student and going on to be a great, and good, wizard but he chose not to.

Another example would be Cruella DeVille. (Does she count as a literary villain?  I know I read a book, but I can't remember if it was a book first...)  I mean, killing puppies to make a coat out of their skin... That's pretty awful, and is purely a selfish choice.  She used to freak me out as a kid.  lol 

What about you?  Who are some of your favorite villains?

Road Trip Wednesday -- Oh, my bad!

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic:

What's the biggest writing / querying / publishing mistake you've made?

 

 

Well this should be entertaining.

 

This was a few years back, right about the time I finished my very first manuscript.  Oh, yeah.  You know where this is going.

 

I have a friend locally who writes as well.  She writes adult fantasy, and we like to get together and write on occasion.  So, we planned to go to a local writers conference.  My friend was already a member of the writers group putting the conference on -- so she nabbed us a couple of pitch sessions with agents.  Awesome, right?

 

--insert freakout--

 

The agent was lovely and sweet and funny and easy to talk to, but I realized about the time I walked into that room that I wasn't close to ready for this.  I mean, I had spent the few months prior scouring the internet and trying to learn everything I could, but -- yeah.  Not. Ready.

 

Things turned out alright -- the agent liked my concept and requested to read pages.  I went home and, lesson learned, truly immersed myself into the world of publishing.    

 

Yes, the agent ultimately rejected that MS.  Of course.  But some good came from it -- number one, I realized what I needed to do if I was serious about going after publication.  And two, I made a personal contact with one of the nicest agents in the industry.  That agent will forever have my respect for treating newbie me so kindly.

I still cringe when I think about it though.  ;)

 

What about you?  Made any cringe-worthy mistakes?

Road Trip Wednesday -- Picture This

The topic on the YA Highway this week is:

Share some images that inspire your WIP(s). 

I have two projects I'm in love with right now, so I'll include pictures for each.  I haven't told many about my newest WIP, so you'll get a tiny taste of what it could be about.  :)


My new WIP, which I'm calling (right now) Once Before a Time:

    

Happily Never After:

 

 

Road Trip Wednesday on Fire!

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic:

Your house is on fire, and you can only grab five things.  What are they?

Our neighbor's house actually burned down about a year ago, which prompted me to invest in a fireproof safe.  So most of my irreplaceable things and important documents are stored in there.  But there are definitely things I'd still need to grab and dash.

1)  Super Spawn.  Duh.

2)  My jump drive.  I can replace the computer, no problem, but if I can save all the work I've done since my last backup it'd save me some trouble.

3)  The picture of my brother and Super Spawn playing the last time we ever saw him. (This is also backed up on the web, but I'd still grab it if I could.)

4)  My cell phone.  Calling the fire department would be essential.

5)  Super Spawn's "Jack".  He's a little knight in shining armor doll that my sister brought back from Paris for him -- and he sleeps with him every day. 

What about you?  What would you save?

Road Trip Wednesday -- What are you reading?

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic:

You're re-reading one of your favs when someone asks the dreaded question: "What's that book about?" Give us your best off-the-cuff blurb of any book, any genre, and have your readers try to guess the title in the comments!

Okay, well...this is hard!  How do I even pick a book to use?!  AAAA!!!  ;)

Here it goes:

"Fifteen year old Nina lives in fear of turning sixteen.  Most girls her age are anxious to receive the Governing Council-ordered tattoo upon their sixteenth birthday, but to Nina, becoming a "sex-teen" is the last thing she wants.  Once she has that tattoo, there's nothing to stop the boys that eye her with such hunger."

Okay, go ahead and guess!  Do you know what book I'm using?

Road Trip Wednesday -- No Pants for Me!

Haha, sorry I couldn't help myself.

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.



This Week's Topic:
Are you a plotter or a pantser?

If you had asked me that same question a couple of weeks ago, you'd have gotten a very different answer than you will today.


As my posts from Monday and Tuesday will prove, I have developed into quite the organized plotter.  Who'd a thunk it?  ;)  As it turns out, writing to an outline is actually (Dare I say it?) easier.  Then there's the fact that I've already solved some major plot holes because I could see them in advance -- which means one less round of revisions later.


Dude, I'm in love.  :)


What about you all?  To plot or to pants, that is the question!  (hahaha I'm such a dork today!)

Road Trip Wendnesday -- You Inspire Me

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
Who in your life has most inspired your writing?   

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 1)  My son - he inspires me to be everything I can and more.  He reminds me of all the good in life, and keeps me guessing at what may come next.  He also helps me remember to slow down and enjoy the small things in life.  And all of that translates to my writing.

2)  My sister - she kicks my butt and makes me keep going even when I feel defeated.  She reminds me how much I love writing, and how important it is that I keep going.


3) My brother - though he isn't here to inspire me directly, Robby's death reminds me every day that life is short.  My brother inspires me to go for my dreams now because there is no promise of tomorrow.

What about you?  Who inspires your writing?

Road Trip Wednesday - Sing Me a Song

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered.

This Week's Topic:

If your WIP(s) or favorite book(s) were a song, which song would they be?

Well, I did a post similar to this not long ago for HAPPILY NEVER AFTER's song.

I have a new WIP though, (Which has a working title now!!) and a song actually inspired the whole concept of the book.  Are you ready for this?  Because I'm not sure you are.

The song that inspired my WIP is... 

F**K YOU by Lily Allen

Look inside, look inside your tiny mind, then look a bit harder
Cause we're so uninspired, so sick and tired, of all the hatred you harbour
So you say it's not OK to be gay, well I think you're just evil
You're just some racist, who can't tie my laces
Your point of view is medieval

F**k you (f**k you)
F**k you very very much
Cause we hate what you do and we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch
F**k you (f**k you)
F**k you very very much
Cause your words don't translate and it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch

Do you get, do you get a little kick out of being small-minded?
You want to be like your father, it's approval you're after
Well that's not how you find it
Do you, do you really enjoy living a life that's so hateful?
Cause there's a hole where your soul should be
You're losing control a bit
And it's really distasteful

F**k you (f**k you)
F**k you very very much
Cause we hate what you do and we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch
F**k you (f**k you)
F**k you very very much
Cause your words don't translate and it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch

F**k you, f**k you, f**k you
F**k you, f**k you, f**k you
F**k you

You say you think we need to go to war
Well you're already in one
Cause it's people like you
That need to get slew
No one wants your opinion

F**k you (f**k you)
F**k you very very much
Cause we hate what you do and we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch
F**k you (f**k you)
F**k you very very much
Cause your words don't translate and it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch

F**k you
F**k you
F**k you

F**k you
F**k you
F**k you 

I would put a video here for you, but I can't access youtube from this computer.  lol  So...yeah.  That's my song.  Hehe.  *hides*  Don't hate me.

Road Trip Wednesday -- Smooches Galore

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered.




This Week's Topic:
Compare your first kiss with your favorite characters first kiss.


Oh boy.  Who do I choose to compare with?  Hmm.  That's hard...I don't have a very good memory for little details like that in a book.  Unless it's Harry Potter which I've read so many times I've practically memorized it.  So I guess I'll go with Ron and Hermione.  They're two of the best characters, like, ever anyway.  ;)

 

Well, my first kiss was nothing to write home about.  Where Ron and Hermione's had years worth of build up and liking each other, but not wanting to act on it because omgwhatifhehatesme.  Mine was...sudden.  I'd just met the guy actually. lol  He kind of attacked me, and I just stood there in shock.

Wet, slobbery shock.

*shudder*

He was a funny guy...very dramatic.  If I remember correctly after shocking me with a kiss he dropped to one knee and asked me to date him.  lol   I'm sure I turned beet red, because if I remember correctly this was done in front of all of our friends. (And remembering it, I can't seem to stop giggling.)

R & H's first kiss was much more tender and sweet.  Mine was just the byproduct of an overzealous baseball player.  Ha.

What about yours?

Road Trip Wednesday

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's  contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that  begs to be answered. Then we hop from blog to blog and get everybody's take on the topic.



This Week's Topic:
Assuming we make it through the 2012  apocalypse, what do you imagine the publishing world will look like 100  years from now?  

 

In a hundred years, I think publishing will still exist even if not exactly like it does now.

A lot can change in 100 years.  I mean, look at 1900 vs 2000.  Mmmkay, see what I mean?  In my opinion, books will still exist, but probably in a different form.  If the evolution of music through the years teaches us anything, I think it has showed us the power of electronic media.

First came the ipods, then came the ebooks. 

I think our electronic media will continue to move forward.  We'll be using more technology for a richer experience.  Maybe books will become holographic...words with pictures, so you can see exactly what the author intended.

Or maybe the publishing model will move to a more animated form.  Maybe they'll even be whole experiences 100 years into the future.  Maybe you won't read a book, but instead you'll walk inside a book and experience the story first hand.

That would be totally cool unless you wound up somewhere full of, ya know, zombies.

What do you think?  Where do you see publishing going in the next 100 years?

Road Trip Wednesday

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YAHighway posts a weekly writing- or reading-related question and we answer the prompt on our own blogs.






This Week's Topic:
Which book character would you like most as a next door neighbor? 

Well, right now I'm reading DEMONGLASS by Rachel Hawkins...and I don't think I want any sassy prodigium to move in next door.  I don't like the idea of bringing the whole world of magic down on my head.  Yikes.

It might be entertaining to have Kayla from YOU WISH by Mandy Hubbard next door.  I mean, then you get to watch her battle her dolls-come-to-life, a life-sized pink pony, and ridiculous amounts of gumballs.  Yes, that would make for quite a show.

What about you?  What character would you like to live next door?

Road Trip Wednesday

Road Trip Wednesday is a "Blog Carnival," where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and we answer it on our own blogs.  This week's topic:

Who (from real life) have you written into a book?

 The only person I've directly written into a book is my best friend.  I've taken personality traits and such from others, but my best friend is the only one who can totally claim a character.

I wrote her into my first book, Emerald's Keeper, as a teacher who's a fairy-type creature.  See, the bestie has always been obsessed with fairies.  A love of fairies is something we have shared for, oh, a decade at least.  :)  Plus, she kinda looks like a fairy, and she is a teacher for real.

What about you?  Have you written someone you know into a book?

Road Trip Wednesday

This week's Road Trip Wednesday:  

In honor of the release of Like Mandarin ~ Growing up, who did you want to be like?

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 When I was a little girl, I would sit out in our front yard beneath an old oak tree and dream.  I dreamed of exploring the rain forests in Bangladesh, and scrubbing the oceans free of toxins and dangers to the sea-life.  I dreamed of curing cancer and treating pediatric patients with the greatest care.  I dreamed of being a mother.

There were two people that I can say I truly dreamed of one day being like them, and still strive to be like the kind souls that they were:  Mother Theresa and Princess Diana.

As a child I watched, rapt, as Princess Diana visited children in third world countries, bringing them more than food or money -- she brought them hope.

And Mother Theresa gave everything she ever had to better the lives of so many people.

Both of these women effected me more than I could ever express.  They are the women I always wanted to be like -- heck, I still want to be like.

What about you?  Who did you want to be like growing up?