Denise Jaden's Blog, page 72

Friday Four: SIWC Conference Notes - Finally!

I thought I'd do this as a Friday Four this week, so I would actually do it! Here are a few of the great things I learned at the recent Surrey International Writers' Conference. (I'm just offering a few highlights - it wouldn't be fair to share all the hard work of the presenters, but I do want to show how amazing they were!)

1. You Think That's Funny? Using Humor in Writing with Eileen Cook. (http://www.eileencook.com/)
Oh my gosh, I had a great time in this workshop! Eileen used examples from...

We Interrupt This Regularly Scheduled Program...

Teen Author Tuesday will be back! I promise I have some AMAZING authors lined up, but with the hecticness of starting NaNo, I had to put it on hold for a couple of weeks.

The truth is, I've always fit NaNoWriMo into my schedule with a bit of fudging, but really not dropping the ball in any area. This year, however, hit me like an out of control elephant on roller skates (sorry, my decent metaphor quota has already been used up for the day.)

Three days before D-day (November first), my edits arr...

Ready, Set, NANO!!!

Am I the only one who JUST realized November is only two days away?!?

So who's with me? Who's going to do this ridiculous task of trying to write a novel in a month?
We have to do this as a team, people, or it Just Won't Work! Let me know if you're going to attempt NaNoWriMo and if you have the time, go add me to your buddy list. My handle over there is denisej.

I'm not much of a pep-talker (just ask my poor critique partners) but if you sign up at http://www.nanowrimo.org/, I promise you sever...

Thankful Thursday

In keeping with the SIWC highlights I plan to post (but can never seem to find time to do!) I thought I'd quickly list a few of the things (and people) I'm thankful for from the conference.

1. I'm thankful that I could attend and stay with two good writer friends. It gave us a chance to catch up, share new story ideas, and oh yeah, drink some wine.
2. Which brings me to number two...the great party we had on Saturday night (602 at 6:02!) with our new Vancouver and Alberta writer friends. A grea...

Teen Author Tuesday: Bonnie Doerr

I'd like to welcome the first of my classmates from Class of 2k10, Bonnie Doerr. Her debut novel, ISLAND STING (Leap Books) hits the shelves on January 6, 2010. It's a contemporary YA/tween novel for ages 10-14.
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Welcome Bonnie! Can you tell me about your book in seven words or less.



Relocation, friendship, endangered species, green teens, mystery, Florida...

SIWC Highlights

I had a fab time at the Surrey International Writers' Conference this past weekend. I haven't had a chance to really collect my thoughts or summarize my notes yet, but I thought I'd start by sharing a highlight from my weekend each chance I get.

Let's see...where to start.

Okay, I know...

The Surrey conference has a really helpful structure in that registrants can duck out of workshops to have a private session with authors, agents and editors. In fact, last year that's how I met my editor. This...

Friday Four

Real quick, because I have to pack...

1. I'm terribly excited for the Surrey International Writers Conference this weekend. Meeting up with lots of writer friends, editors, agents and Simon & Schuster writer sisters. Can't wait!

2. It was a long time in coming, but I finally received my contract for LOSING FAITH this week. I guess it's official now: I have a book deal.

3. And FYI, I can now have a LOSING FAITH theme park if I want one. My contract says so.

4. The second chunk of my second edits ...

Teen Author Tuesday: Lauren Strasnick

Teen Author Tuesday is a weekly feature introducing up and coming authors who write for teens. This week features a wonderful author who not only shares the same publisher with me, but also the same editor. I was fortunate enough to meet Lauren Strasnick on my recent trip to L.A. and she's just a wonderful addition to the YA writing community. She's also a member of Class of 2k9, which is a great lead-in to feature some of my Class of 2k10 mates in coming weeks.

Lauren's debut novel, NOTHING L...

Friday Four: Anxiety Disorder, Anyone?

1. Oh, the waiting. It really never ends. First you wait for critique partners to read your work. Then you wait while queries are out with agents. After that you wait while your book is on submission to editors. Then for first edits. Now I'm waiting for second edits. Actually for the second half of my second edits (I've already received and completed the first 10 chapters). I honestly don't know why I haven't gotten better at this waiting thing by now. Besides, the minute I finish second edit...

Thankful Thursday

It is Thursday, right?

1. I'm thankful that the week has flown by so quickly I had to re-check my days.
2. With the new Arctic breeze that's blown in to town, I'm exceedingly thankful for my new slippers and remote starter on my car.
3. I'm thankful to have received (and completed) the first chunk of my edits on LOSING FAITH. And they were actually easy!
4. I'm thankful for a son who still naps at nearly six years old.
5. I'm thankful for the wonderful support of YA writers I've found myself in th...