Sydney Salter's Blog, page 24

Revision Report: Filling Holes

Flashbacks are great, right? Type a few snappy lines and voila--you can move ahead with your story.
Unless, you've used those snappy lines to avoid writing a key scene. I do this. In every single manuscript. Every single time I write a manuscript. Why? Key scenes are hard to write, especially when the characters brim with emotion, passion, and tension.
Sometimes writing those scenes makes me crabby.
Today I reached one of those unwritten key scenes. So, I put some towels in the dryer, soaked a...

Exercise--Yes, That Kind

I've written about how I do daily writing exercises, but I also do daily physical exercise--because it's also good for my writing (and allows me to eat more chocolate).
First of all, I've noticed that the people sharing my genetic code who live the longest exercise. I have so many ideas to write about that I'm going to need to grow very old.
But I also get ideas while exercising. High school starts at an unreasonably early hour around here, so I see a lot of teens during my walk. Mostly...

Back To School Day. YAY!!!

Today my daughters headed off to school, wearing cute new outfits, backpacks filled with blank notebooks, sharp pencils, and new markers. I miss that fluttery first-day-of school feeling! And I wish it had to do with the anticipation about all that I would learn, but it really boiled down to: will I have a class with [insert crush-of-the-day here:]?

I didn't need any supplies this year--I still have half a writing exercise notebook to fill, and if I look hard enough I will find the post-its...

SCBWI LA Tidbits (Part Two) + Giveaway!!!

Welcome to Part Two of my SCBWI LA conference tidbits. Don't miss the giveaway!

EB Lewis (illustrator of Coming On Home Soon): We need to fill ourselves to overflowing and then give it all back. I loved this, because it reminded me that we all need to take creative breaks--I've done that this summer. Lots of games, cupcake parties, matinee movies...

Rachel Vail (Lucky, Gorgeous, and Brilliant): Rachel talked about how she collects characters in the notebook she carries with her all the time. ...

Contest Winner!

Congratulations!!!!


Sidni M. won a signed copy of Carolyn Mackler's novel Guyaholic! Didn't win? Watch for this week's SCBWI LA conference signed giveaway!

SCBWI LA Tidbits + Giveaway!!!

I had a great time at the SCBWI conference in Los Angeles. Since I'm a Regional Advisor, I arrived a couple of days early for meetings. The highlight was having dinner at the SCBWI Headquarters-such beautiful, cozy offices! And so many books!!! Here's a photo of Lin Oliver, one of the founders of SCBWI, in her office. Below you'll find Part One of my conference tidbits. Plus I'm doing a giveaway: a signed copy of Carolyn Mackler's Guyaholic. Just leave a comment!

MT Anderson (Feed, Octavian...

Holly Cupala's Tell Me A Secret Trailer Contest

If you enjoyed reading Holly's recent relationship advice, please check out her new book trailer contest:

Party Prizes! Here's what people can win:

Signed TMAS books!
TMAS t-shirts!

Fan-made bracelets by Hannah S!
Music that inspired the book!
Sneak Previews!
Bookmarks and Handmade Magnets!

and...

A Tell Me a Secret handmade necklace!

[I attached a graphic of the necklace, etc. to include if you want:]

HOW TO WIN? Share the Trailer Love!

Click here to go to YouTube, then click the Share button to...

Off To SCBWI LA!

For the past few days my physical self has been camping in Nevada's beautiful Ruby Mountains with lots of cousins--very fun!

My virtual self has been hanging out at:
The Mixed Up Files of Jennifer Bertman--talking about my writing space (and habits).
and
YA Central Books Blog--talking about Swoon At Your Own Risk.
My virtual self doesn't have any bug bites! Today I'm off to learn all kinds of cool things at the SCBWI conference in LA. I'll pass along some of the best tidbits to you!

Contest Winner!

Congratulations!

Cheryl Herbsman is the winner of JT Dutton's Stranded!!!

Interview with JT Dutton About STRANDED

One of my favorite recent releases is Stranded by JT Dutton. I love beautifully written stories that make me think! Here's my interview with JT, and, of course, I can't resist giving away a copy of one of my new favorites. Leave a comment to win.

Many of the characters in Stranded get labeled: good girl, bad boy, etc. What do you think are the worst labels that we stick on girls?

I think all labels are a trap. It is as unhealthy to impose unrealistic ideals of perfection on girls as it is...