Tess Hilmo's Blog, page 4
November 24, 2012
Grateful
.So much to be thankful for this holiday season. One thing that has been surprisingly fun is meeting or hearing from readers of my middle grade novel, With a Name Like Love. Here are two recents that have me feeling so much gratitude. I still can't get over the fact that anyone would take the time to read something I have written. It's surreal..So, here is darling Hannah. She did a fun craft project about book facts .. making a crystal ball with all sorts of bookish events. She is smart as a whip, that girl.
..And below here is a really creative and cool timeline of the novel that another reader, Dylan, sent to me. His mom is a YA writer and one of the nicest gals I've met on this journey and I thought it was neat to have him put so much time and creativity into a book report. Thanks for reading, Dylan - You are amazing!.I can't get over the feeling of having kiddos connect to the Love family this way - and moms who take the time to let me know. Yes, much MUCH to be grateful for this year..Tell Me: What has your heart full? .
November 11, 2012
So You Want to Write?
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If you're local to the Wasatch Front - I'd love to see you at my upcoming workshop! Here are the details... all ages are welcome, spread the word!
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So You Want to Write by Bobbie Pyron and Tess Hilmo
Viridian Center - 8030 South 1825 West, West Jordan UT
Sponsored by the Salt Lake County Library
Saturday November 17th
1:00
Young Writers Discussion/Workshop
FREE and open to all!!!
*
If you're local to the Wasatch Front - I'd love to see you at my upcoming workshop! Here are the details... all ages are welcome, spread the word!
.
So You Want to Write by Bobbie Pyron and Tess Hilmo
Viridian Center - 8030 South 1825 West, West Jordan UT
Sponsored by the Salt Lake County Library
Saturday November 17th
1:00
Young Writers Discussion/Workshop
FREE and open to all!!!
*
October 21, 2012
Have You Ever...
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felt like there was something just out of your reach?
You can see it. You can imagine the weight of it in your hands.
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and yet - it remains elusive.
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That's where I've been. Musing on story. Trying to reach for something that melts and frays and disappears just as it hits the warmth of my fingers.
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Man, it sucks.
Tell Me: Have you ever felt this way?
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felt like there was something just out of your reach?
You can see it. You can imagine the weight of it in your hands.
.
and yet - it remains elusive.
.
That's where I've been. Musing on story. Trying to reach for something that melts and frays and disappears just as it hits the warmth of my fingers.
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Man, it sucks.
Tell Me: Have you ever felt this way?
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October 14, 2012
A Fiercely Fun Release
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My bloggerly pal Corey Rosen Schwartz released her fantastically fun and clever picture book
Three Ninja Pigs a couple weeks ago. It's a fabulous romp of a read!
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.There is something really cool about knowing a writer online and seeing her journey of writing, submitting, obtaining an agent and eventually a book deal and then having her great book release. We all have individual journeys...whatever our goal may be. No one path is the same.But when she released this book, I was jumping up and down and cheering her on like I had some stake in it (which I did not). Still, that's what being part of a community does to you.And it's a cool thing.Congrats, Corey -- I am so happy for you!!.
My bloggerly pal Corey Rosen Schwartz released her fantastically fun and clever picture book
Three Ninja Pigs a couple weeks ago. It's a fabulous romp of a read!
.
.There is something really cool about knowing a writer online and seeing her journey of writing, submitting, obtaining an agent and eventually a book deal and then having her great book release. We all have individual journeys...whatever our goal may be. No one path is the same.But when she released this book, I was jumping up and down and cheering her on like I had some stake in it (which I did not). Still, that's what being part of a community does to you.And it's a cool thing.Congrats, Corey -- I am so happy for you!!.
September 26, 2012
One Year Post Release - What I Learned
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Here we are exactly one year after the release of my debut novel, With a Name Like Love. Looking back over these past twelve months, I am amazed at what I have learned and wanted to share my top three "what I learned" items.
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First: People are amazingly gracious. Who knew librarians and kiddos and grandparents and teachers actually wrote letters to authors? And what a treat it has been. I have received the best cards and notes this year and each one brightened my day and is so special.
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In addition to mail, people invited me into their homes either in person or via skype for bookclubs. Wowza, was that fun! Check out what one extremely gracious book group made for me:
.
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For Real!!! A quilt that represents the novel! There's the church of Binder, the frogs in the Rutger's marsh, a quote from Camille ("Hope has to do with the heart") and Susanna's platter that she sold for Jimmy. I cried when they gave this to me. How could you not? Thank you Marnie Spencer's Book Babes -- you guys are amazing. But a quilt wasn't necessary to make me feel welcome and so many really great people have made me feel welcome.
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Second: I think it was worth it to hire a publicist in the beginning. This bit of advice is really for my writing pals out there. You see, when you're a new author, you tend not to get the huge promotional push of the more established guys and yet every book deserves attention. I appreciated everything my publisher did for this novel - sincerely. Still, I think it was smart to hire my own publicist to help create some buzz around launch. I went with the ladies at Blue Slip Media. They specialize in children's lit and have all the contacts to set up blog tours, reviews, get post cards and bookmarks going ... it was such a relief to have them in my corner and I'd spend their (reasonable) fee in a heartbeat if I had to do it over.
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Third: I am not my book. And really, it's not about me. Love or lump my novel, it doesn't change who I am as a person or a writer. The story is its own. Holding on to this perspective has allowed me to relax and enjoy this journey a little bit more.
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Fourth: I am so glad I didn't give up! Okay, so I know I said three things, but I couldn't leave this one out. For all the times this story was rejected ... for all the times my earlier work was rejected ... for all the times I wondered if I could really have a book published on a national level -- I am so glad I didn't quit. Dreams take time. But here's the thing, If you keep trying and learning and believing, they will come true.
.
It is a great and glorious thing.
.
Here we are exactly one year after the release of my debut novel, With a Name Like Love. Looking back over these past twelve months, I am amazed at what I have learned and wanted to share my top three "what I learned" items.
.
First: People are amazingly gracious. Who knew librarians and kiddos and grandparents and teachers actually wrote letters to authors? And what a treat it has been. I have received the best cards and notes this year and each one brightened my day and is so special.
.
In addition to mail, people invited me into their homes either in person or via skype for bookclubs. Wowza, was that fun! Check out what one extremely gracious book group made for me:
.
.For Real!!! A quilt that represents the novel! There's the church of Binder, the frogs in the Rutger's marsh, a quote from Camille ("Hope has to do with the heart") and Susanna's platter that she sold for Jimmy. I cried when they gave this to me. How could you not? Thank you Marnie Spencer's Book Babes -- you guys are amazing. But a quilt wasn't necessary to make me feel welcome and so many really great people have made me feel welcome.
.
Second: I think it was worth it to hire a publicist in the beginning. This bit of advice is really for my writing pals out there. You see, when you're a new author, you tend not to get the huge promotional push of the more established guys and yet every book deserves attention. I appreciated everything my publisher did for this novel - sincerely. Still, I think it was smart to hire my own publicist to help create some buzz around launch. I went with the ladies at Blue Slip Media. They specialize in children's lit and have all the contacts to set up blog tours, reviews, get post cards and bookmarks going ... it was such a relief to have them in my corner and I'd spend their (reasonable) fee in a heartbeat if I had to do it over.
.
Third: I am not my book. And really, it's not about me. Love or lump my novel, it doesn't change who I am as a person or a writer. The story is its own. Holding on to this perspective has allowed me to relax and enjoy this journey a little bit more.
.
Fourth: I am so glad I didn't give up! Okay, so I know I said three things, but I couldn't leave this one out. For all the times this story was rejected ... for all the times my earlier work was rejected ... for all the times I wondered if I could really have a book published on a national level -- I am so glad I didn't quit. Dreams take time. But here's the thing, If you keep trying and learning and believing, they will come true.
.
It is a great and glorious thing.
.
September 24, 2012
Las Vegas, Baby!
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Went to Las Vegas this weekend to see Rod Stewart in concert -- it was fabulous! When he sang Maggie May I about lost it -- ah, what a great time.
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Tell Me: Any Rod Stewart fans out there? What's your favorite song?
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Went to Las Vegas this weekend to see Rod Stewart in concert -- it was fabulous! When he sang Maggie May I about lost it -- ah, what a great time.
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Tell Me: Any Rod Stewart fans out there? What's your favorite song?
September 14, 2012
Building Character
.Creating a character can be far more complex than people realize. Even more complex than we as writers realize when we begin this journey. For the next few posts, I am going to share some of the insight I have learned from conferences, friends and the intense editorial process with my publisher in regards to creating believable, multi dimensional characters..
Today we'll hit on
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Using one character as a lens for another
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A very important concept, as it performs a double duty. It offers dimension on BOTH characters...the one who is thinking/talking/reacting and the one who is causing that thought or reaction.
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It would be easy to have a character say something like...
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Mom put green beans on my plate. I hate green beans. They look like chopped up zombie fingers..
not bad..
but much stronger, and also a way to include variety in your writing, is to have another character say something like...
.
Mom scooped a mound of green beans onto Frankie's plate. As if Frankie ate green beans. As if Frankie ate green anything. .This does two things: it lets us know Frankie isn't much of a veggie eater. It also lets us know this second character is a little sassy and thinks Frankie gets away with more than he should. Hey! I just thought of a third thing..it lets us know a little bit about mom, too.
The trick with all these concepts is moderation, of course - but using one character as a way to see more about another character is a great writing method.
.
Tell Me: Do you do this? If you're a reader not a writer, do you notice this in books you enjoy?
Today we'll hit on
.
Using one character as a lens for another
.
A very important concept, as it performs a double duty. It offers dimension on BOTH characters...the one who is thinking/talking/reacting and the one who is causing that thought or reaction.
.
It would be easy to have a character say something like...
.
Mom put green beans on my plate. I hate green beans. They look like chopped up zombie fingers..
not bad..
but much stronger, and also a way to include variety in your writing, is to have another character say something like...
.
Mom scooped a mound of green beans onto Frankie's plate. As if Frankie ate green beans. As if Frankie ate green anything. .This does two things: it lets us know Frankie isn't much of a veggie eater. It also lets us know this second character is a little sassy and thinks Frankie gets away with more than he should. Hey! I just thought of a third thing..it lets us know a little bit about mom, too.
The trick with all these concepts is moderation, of course - but using one character as a way to see more about another character is a great writing method.
.
Tell Me: Do you do this? If you're a reader not a writer, do you notice this in books you enjoy?
September 12, 2012
Winner!
Our Clean Read Hop Giveaway is officially over ... I chose the winner with Random.org
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True Random Number GeneratorMin:Max:Result:1
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Faith E Hough!!.
I thought that was cool ... when does #1 ever get chosen? Anyway - congratulations, Faith! Email me at tess(at)tesshilmo(dot)com with your address and I'll get your copy of With a Name Like Love sent out pronto.
.
.
True Random Number GeneratorMin:Max:Result:1
.
Faith E Hough!!.
I thought that was cool ... when does #1 ever get chosen? Anyway - congratulations, Faith! Email me at tess(at)tesshilmo(dot)com with your address and I'll get your copy of With a Name Like Love sent out pronto.
.
September 5, 2012
Giveaway Hop -- over 100 books!
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Welcome to a Book Giveaway Extravaganza!
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Clean Teen Fiction , One Librarian's Book Reviews and I'm a Reader, Not a Writer have put together an amazing blog hop with over 100 "clean teen fiction" books up for grabs. These are books free from sex, language and gratuitous violence.
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Win a copy of With a Name Like Love (my award winning Southern Murder Mystery) just by being a follower of this blog and answering this simple question:.
Why do you appreciate a clean read?
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I'll tell you my answer: it is because I have young children and I try to walk the talk, you know?
.
And, after you've entered here ... hop over to these great blogs and enter to win again and again!
.
Contest runs Thrs Sept 6 (but you can enter early here!) through September 12. Winner will be drawn at random. Good luck!
.
Welcome to a Book Giveaway Extravaganza!
.
Clean Teen Fiction , One Librarian's Book Reviews and I'm a Reader, Not a Writer have put together an amazing blog hop with over 100 "clean teen fiction" books up for grabs. These are books free from sex, language and gratuitous violence.
.
Win a copy of With a Name Like Love (my award winning Southern Murder Mystery) just by being a follower of this blog and answering this simple question:.
Why do you appreciate a clean read?
.
I'll tell you my answer: it is because I have young children and I try to walk the talk, you know?
.
And, after you've entered here ... hop over to these great blogs and enter to win again and again!
.
Contest runs Thrs Sept 6 (but you can enter early here!) through September 12. Winner will be drawn at random. Good luck!
.
August 20, 2012
Why I've Been Wearing this Goofy Grin
.I can't seem to stop smiling and having random fits of giggles lately....
Why? Two reasons..
.first, I sold my second novel - another middle grade stand alone currently titled Skies Like These - set in Wyoming - traces of cowboys and adventure and a city girl who needs to find her way in life. It's slated for Spring 2014 and I'm in the middle of some wicked hard edits...but I'm tackling them with a grateful heart..second, I just recently got word that With a Name Like Love will make it to paperback Spring 2013. This is something I've worried about ... as I once thought it was an automatic thing to go to paperback, but learned it is not at all. A book has to earn its way and making it to paperback is more difficult than one might think. The reason I care so much is because, as cool as a hard bound book is, it's pricey and I know a lot of readers just can't afford to make those kinds of purchases. To me, paperback means a lower sticker price and more potential readers. I know my kiddos spend their hard earned chore money very carefully -- they almost always opt for paperback when making a purchase. The thought of this little story being in the hands of more children just makes me giddy with excitement..
There must be some good August news floating around out there...care to share yours?
.
Why? Two reasons..
.first, I sold my second novel - another middle grade stand alone currently titled Skies Like These - set in Wyoming - traces of cowboys and adventure and a city girl who needs to find her way in life. It's slated for Spring 2014 and I'm in the middle of some wicked hard edits...but I'm tackling them with a grateful heart..second, I just recently got word that With a Name Like Love will make it to paperback Spring 2013. This is something I've worried about ... as I once thought it was an automatic thing to go to paperback, but learned it is not at all. A book has to earn its way and making it to paperback is more difficult than one might think. The reason I care so much is because, as cool as a hard bound book is, it's pricey and I know a lot of readers just can't afford to make those kinds of purchases. To me, paperback means a lower sticker price and more potential readers. I know my kiddos spend their hard earned chore money very carefully -- they almost always opt for paperback when making a purchase. The thought of this little story being in the hands of more children just makes me giddy with excitement..
There must be some good August news floating around out there...care to share yours?
.
