Hilary Wagner's Blog, page 8

Thoughts on Writing a Series

I'm always up for a good series. I like them, because if I really am fond of a book, I don't want it to end! Since I wrote Book II of the Nightshade Chronicles (which comes out any day now), I've been thinking a lot about series, and what makes one successful against another.
Recently, I read a middle-grade series that started off great. The first and second books were really entertaining, and the third book was good, though I did skim a little with that one. By the fourth book, the writing felt completely different--and not in a good way. The author seemed genuinely bored with the plot, and the writing was rambling and clunky, not to mention the book was 500 pages. The story seemed to be copied from the first two books, just with different characters and settings, even the action sequences reeked of past scenes from earlier books. It was a real disappointment, at least to me, though I'm sure others loved it.
When I had a talk with my editor about Book II, she told me flat out the book has to be super special, perhaps even more so than the first. That was kind of a light bulb moment for me. Readers want what they read in the first book, but they don't just want a continuation; the book needs to be extraordinary on its own. I think if you're going to write a series, each book needs to be standalone great! Characters need to evolve, as does the story...not just continue.
What is your take on writing an amazing sequel or series? What are some series you've read that were in your opinion successful?
Oh, and I really just liked the cat in the above picture. Don't think I'm hinting that I didn't like the Harry Potter series! A. I've never read it. B. I don't want hate mail!!  ;)

GOBLIN SHARK RISING, Fall 2012

Above is a quick video of the goblin shark. In this video, he's just swimming, looking kind of cute. Just wait until you see the video below. Cute is not a word I'd use for that one! :)
So, I finally get to tell everyone the new title for my middle-grade undersea adventure, which releases Fall 2012! GOBLIN SHARK RISING is an undersea adventure that takes place in Tokyo Bay. Not only will this book take you under the sea, exploring the mysterious world of sharks, specifically the goblin shark, who is over one hundred million years old, with a fantastic jaw that lurches out of its head, but it will also take you into Tokyo, Japan, highlighing this amazing city, and exploring two of its most famous demons! I'm so excited! The book is off to my publisher in one month, so, back to writing!
In this video, the goblin shark or Tenguzame as the Japanese call it, is taking a bite! Don't worry, the diver is protected! Wait until you see this guy take a bite in slow motion! They are named after the Japanese Tengu because of their long beak-like snouts and well, goblinish appearance! 


Right up my alley! :)

Hilary

The Rhythm of Words or Why I Write Better Than I Dance!

I've found something out about myself. I'm what you'd call a Rhythmic Writer, which is ironic, because I'm an utterly tragic dancer (think of the zombie dancers from Michael Jackson's Thriller video).
I'm a firm believer in the rhythm of words and how they form our thoughts, eventually becoming sentences in our books. I'll write a sentence over and over, until I finally feel that its right--that it flows effortlessly off the tongue, or through your mind as you read it. I'm not sure if that means I write more with my brain or my gut. It just has to feel right.
How about you?

What's happening, Hot Stuff??

When do you think they'll churn out a remake of this??

Hello, my pretties! How is everyone?? I've had an entirely crazy month so far, working on my new book that takes place in Tokyo and writing some stories for Nat Geo, and let me tell you, they have the coolest editors EVER! 
I'm in a great mood not only because it's Friday, but because THE WHITE ASSASSIN, Book II in the Nightshade Chronicles got a great review from Kirkus! Until they publish it next month, you can't see it unless you're a subscriber, but I was so shocked (and relieved). Sequels are really tough to write. My editor told me a sequel has to actually be more special than the first book. Wow, was she right! I never put much thought into that until I actually had to write one. I can't wait to dive into Book III, though I fear it might kill me! :) 
So, Hot Stuff?? What's happening you? Anything good going on? Finish or start anything new? For those who attended, how was WriteOnCon???

POSSESS Scavenger Hunt is on!

ARE YOU POSSESSED?
My writer buddy, Gretchen McNeil's debut YA novel POSSESS releases August 23rd!! Join in on her scavenger hunt trickery and get POSSESS'ed!!! Find out more about Gretchen and POSSESS via the links below and  be sure to join in on the scavenger hunt! 
Congrats, Gretchen!!! ;)
POSSESS (Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, August 23, 2011)http://www.gretchenmcneil.com

How Do You Tackle Research??

Eureka! I have discovered how to turn litter into catnip! Call me a nerd, but I love doing research. I buy used research books by the cart full, rent and record applicable documentaries, email experts, and do my best to make sure I get things right. Depending on what you're writing, research can be tricky. Even if you're writing fantasy the basics have to be right. I think it goes towards your story's credibility and can only strengthen it.
Currently, I have a new novel due to my publisher in less than two months and I've been doing not stop research on everything from ancient culinary arts to decompression sickness (don't ask)!  Luckily, I went to some tough schools, so proper note taking was a must. I never thought it would help me now. I openly apologize to all the teachers I secretly glared at during class who I thought were purposely trying to give me carpal tunnel! THANK YOU!!!! ;)
So, how do you approach research? Any nerdy research secrets you'd like to share? Do you love it or loathe it?

The White Assassin Book Trailer is HERE!!

Without further ado, here is the official THE WHITE ASSASSIN Book Trailer, courtesy of Steven Spielberg! Okay, that's last part about Steven Spielberg is NOT true, but hey, it was sure fun to say! 


xoxo -- Hilary

Facebook Cat is a Known Liar!!

Now Facebook Cat has to fake his picture on yet
another network. He is not happy....So, like everyone else (okay, almost everyone else) I was excited about Google+...for about five whole seconds. Is it a cool new tool? Sure. Is it a major pain in the neck to now have THREE different sites to look for your friends and reach out to your network? COMPLETELY! 
Last week, I quickly noticed a dramatic decrease of activity on my Facebook feed, though it has gone back up a lot in the last few days, which leads me to believe that others are as sick as I am of having to jump around. I'm sure they'll build a tool wherein you can be on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter all at once, and already there are a few tools that allow you to link your Facebook and Google+ accounts, but the ones I've come across (and yes, they work) have known security issues.
Hopefully, someone will buy out someone soon, and this post will become obsolete! I'm hoping for a hostile takeover! ;) So, I've just decided I'm not going to care anymore and post where I want to post, because in the grand scheme of life social networking is the last thing I want to be annoyed over. After all, isn't this stuff supposed to be fun??? 
xoxo -- Hilary

MEET TYPO CAT!

Typo Cat found a split infinitive in his latest novel.
He is noticeably upset.I LOVE TYPOS! Okay, no, I don't love them at all, but I'm certainly guilty of them. Now that THE WHITE ASSASSIN will soon be making its merry way to the printer, I get very nervous about typos in the printed book.
I had one really obvious typo in the NIGHTSHADE CITY hardcover, wherein "food" was printed in the book when it should have been "foot." Yes, that one made me cringe, (especially when it was not in the galley) and was of course corrected in the paperback.
In all my years of reading books, I'd say over a third of the books I've read have had some sort of typo(s) in them, and it doesn't matter how big or small the publisher is, or if the author is a bestseller or a debut--they're there. I don't mind them at all and I actually like finding them. After all, we're only human and when a book goes from writer to editor, back to writer, back to editor, off to copy editor, back to editor and writer, off to printer, back to copy editor, back to editor, then off to readers, and back to editor, and then, FINALLY, off to printer...mistakes happen! Wow, I'm exhausted!
How do you feel about typos? Do you give a little smile and move on or do they make you annoyed?
Come to think of it, there is probably a typo in this post, but just ignore it--if you can! ;)

Angry Writer Monkey Wants Advice!

FEED ME YOUR KNOWLEDGE!Okay, so maybe Angry Writer Monkey was just a ploy, but now that I have your attention, I have a lot going on these days, to the point where it can get overwhelming. It got me to thinking about what my agent told me about this time last year. Nightshade City was coming out in a few months, and of course, as a debut author, I was terrified about reviews, sales, and everything in between, to the point where I was getting a little nutty. To sum it up, she told me (nicely) to shut up about it and keep writing. She said the writing is what matters. If you don't have that...you've got nothing! She didn't actually tell me to shut up, but you get the point. Now with every step, with every new manuscript, hurtle, triumph, or even defeat, I go back to that. And as writers, this rule applies to everyone, no matter what stage of the publishing journey you are at.
So, what's the best writing advice you've gotten? It doesn't have to be something monumental, it can be a small tip that ended up changing the way you write or maybe something that was really encouraging to you. I think sharing advice (good and bad) is important. And with that in mind, feel free to share your words of wisdom! :)
xoxo -- Hilary