Tess Hilmo's Blog, page 6

The Book that Changed My Life

What is the book that changed your life? You know...that one book you read that made you think

Books this fabulous actually exist?

Maybe it inspired you to write

Maybe it made you run to the library and look for other books by that author

Maybe it made you hug it and put it in a special place on your bookshelf

For me, that book was The Witch of Blackbird Pond


I think I was around 12 when I read it and

I adored it.

It took me away to another place and time.

It made me look at the world just a little bit differently.

Tell me: what was that book for you?

So Excited...

Local writing pal, Elana Johnson, has her new YA novel Surrender coming out soon and she is hosting a fabulous give-away-extravaganza on her blog.

Click over here and check it out! GOOD LUCK with it all, Elana - I am so excited for you!

Best Plot Help Ever

Saturday was an amazing day at our local Writing for Charity event. Good people, good food, good cause...fabulous! In any case, I promised my critique group (hi, guys!) that I would post my spectacular 9 box plot chart here on my blog this week. It is truly the best plot device I have found and suits me well as I like to generally outline - but really don't know everything going in. This chart tells you what needs to come next in your story and then, in revision, you can go back and make sure all the adjoining boxes are addressed. . So here goes... .Step #1: take a basic 9x13 piece of paper and fold it into 9 even squares .Step #2: write the numbers 1-9 starting with 1 in the upper left and ending with 9 in the lower right. .so like this... .1 2 34 5 67 8 9 .Then write the following in each box: .box 1: Triggering Event - why is your character here in this moment? Main characters introduced. Draw you line in the sand..box 2: characterization - build traits of your main character, evoke connection to him/her and introduce secondary characters.box 3: 1st major turning point in story - what happens to really get this story going? Some flip of circumstance will add great momentum here. It could be positive or negative, but it needs to matter to your character. .box 4: exposition, fleshing out the story and forshadowing the darkest hour (in revisions, you should connect box 4 issues to every other box it touches...box 1, 5 and 7).box 5: connect the dots - this is the most difficult box. In your revision drafts, think about every box it touches and comment in some way on the events in those boxes. Don't write a sagging middle, though - be sure to include some forward motion...some continuing conflict...some reason for emotional connection. Remember to refer to boxes 2, 4 and foreshadow to boxes 6 and 8.box 6: Negative turning point - things fall apart for character, relate back to the original turning point in box 3.box 7: antagonist wins! Protagonist seemingly defeated. You forshadow to events in box 8 .box 8: Revelation...main character vows to overcome obstical..remembers the defeat in box 7 and sets up to win for box 9....box 9: main character wins! .It might sound more complicated than it is, but once you fold your paper and jot this down then you'll see how it is really a map for moving your novel along. You don't have to know about box 7 when you start writing...just start and worry about each box as you come to it. Then, in your revisions, go back and make sure you have all of the touching boxes somehow addressed. .It is important to note that each "box" in your novel should not be even. It's not like you need three chapters for each box...no, it is just a flow chart for the story. Maybe box #1 is a chapter or two...but maybe box #5 is four chapters. That doesn't matter. What matters is that you have each area addressed..Does any of this make sense?. Hope this is helpful....do you use plotting devices like this? do you outline? . .

Blasted Blogger!

Dear Blogger:. I love blogging, I really do. I meet amazing people, find support, learn lots... . but, do you need to go and spoil it by making everything so much WORK?. seriously! . Now you require two verification words? two? and, not only that, you're going to twist them and mash them together into an impossible muddle so I am just shooting in the dark when I try to guess what you want me to type?. why do you delight in wasting my time and precious few brain cells? Stop! I am begging you.. You're driving me nuts!. sincerely,. me.. P.S. I care about my blogging buddies so much that I turned off my word verification requirements on comments. let the spam come - It's not worth the headache to avoid it anymore..

Poor Cat

My sweetie and I spent last week in Peurto Vallarta. It was a heavenly 80 degrees every day! One evening we were strolling along the boardwalk and saw this sign... had us laughing for the rest of the night. ..Tell Me: have you had any fun get aways recently? Any planned for the future? Anything make you giggle for hours you'd like to share?

Debut Tips from 5 Middle Grade Authors + 5 Book Giveaway

A fantastic blog, The Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors, is hosting a post from 5 debut authors (including me)

We're giving our best tips on what to do, how to plan, how to connect -- it even includes a five book give away! This is one post you're going to want to bookmark if your goal is publication, or even if you've been pub'd and want to do things differently, or even if you're just a curious cat.

Click over and check it out!

and, tell me: what are your thoughts on e readers? what are the best tips you've heard regarding marketing? how do you connect (or do you) to authors you enjoy?

Great Conference...Writing for Charity

A few years back, Shannon Hale started Writing for Chairty. It is a writing conference put on by amazing, local authors with 100% of the monies collected going to charity. . .This year it is on Saturday, March 17th at the Provo Library and the subtitle is "Not Your Grandma's Writing Conference" . It's super interactive...lots of break out sessions...wonderful critique opportunities....a stellar silent auction. The force of talent behind this event is jaw dropping. .It's A BARGAIN at only $45 for the day..including lunch! .Again, every dime goes to getting books into the hands of underpriviledged children both locally and globally. Schools within our state will receive book donations, but we are also working with the Future of Light Orphanage in Cambodia. .Click over and check it out!. http://writingforcharity.blogspot.com/

Enter to Win a copy of LOVE

Here's a link to an easy contest (comment only) for a signed copy of With a Name Like Love over at
And, today was my last day of 3 at Endeavor Hall. Amazing students, gracious teachers. I tried to prepare actual lesson plans (no self promo) and I think we all learned a lot about what makes good writing great.

Now to slide into jammies, slippers and a tub of Ben and Jerrys...

Tell me: What will you be doing this holiday weekend??

Exhausted

Five classes: two fourth grade, two fifth grade, one sixth grade.

One author with fun writing games...word flipping exercises...candy description shout out rallies

I'm exhausted.


It was such fun, but boy-oh-boy do I have a new appreciation for teachers who do that every single day.

thank you, teachers!!!!

Why Do You Write?

A friend asked me this recently and I've been mulling on my thoughts....

I write because it is an expression of myself
I write because I can't sing or paint or sew or play sports...it's really all can do
I write with a secret hope someone will read and know more about who I really am
I write because it feels good


What about you?  Why do you write (or do whatever your passion may be)?