S.Q. Eries's Blog, page 64

50 Page Critique Giveaway!

Hey all, the awesomeness is building up in Deana Barnhart’s Gearing Up to Get an Agent (GUTGAA) Blogfest/Pitch Contest.  For those needing an extra pair of eyes on their manuscripts, GUTGAA attendee RuthAnne is giving away a 50-page critique! For more details, go to her website here.

By the way, the big agent pitch contest is coming up soon. It’s not too late to join in on GUTGAA so head over to Deana Barnhart’s site and sign up!

Gearing Up to Get an Agent (GUTGAA) Meet and Greet!

As mentioned in my earlier post, Deana Barnhart is hosting the Gearing Up to Get an Agent (GUTGAA) Blogfest/Pitch Contest this month. This week she’s kicking it off with the Meet and Greet Bloghop! For those participating in the bloghop (or just wanting to get to know me better), here’s my mini-bio:

Once upon a time, I was an engineer who spent my days writing dry technical reports in passive voice. Then I chanced upon anime fanfiction and decided to give it a try. That was my first foray into creative writing, and I’ve been writing fiction, mostly YA, ever since.

So far I’ve had three short stories published (you can find links to them on the side bar) and have just finished my second novel-length manuscript, a historical about the ancient Olympics. I still write non-fiction, mostly in the form of book and manga reviews for The Fandom Post. When I’m not writing, I’m usually spending quality time with my extraordinary husband in a Korean-style spa, cosplaying (hooray for anime conventions!), or plotting ways to make LA County a better place.

And here’s the answers to Deana Barnhart‘s questions:

Where do you write? In the kitchen, dining room, or community college library, whichever is quietest.

Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see? The microwave.

Favorite time to write? Whenever it’s quiet.

Drink of choice while writing? Hot water.

When writing , do you listen to music or do you need complete silence? Silence.

What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it? A footnote in history texts about ancient Olympic victors when I was researching ideas for another story.

What’s your most valuable writing tip? Keep a pen and paper handy in all rooms and wherever you go. Can’t tell you how many times inspiration has struck while I was in the shower.

Light Novel Review: Spice and Wolf Vol. #06

Spice and Wolf is a wildly popular light novel series that has spawned off an anime, an Internet radio show, and a manga series. While its European medieval setting is typical of high fantasy, this series has  a unique bent. Rather than swordfights and magic, the plot focuses on economics, trade, and peddling in a way that skillfully blends adventure and romance.

Yen Press has recently released the sixth volume of this series, and you can read on for the review. (You can also click here for my reviews of previous volumes).

Back Cover Blurb

As Holo and Lawrence begin the final leg of their journey, Lawrence decides to accompany Holo to her ancient home of Yoitsu, if only to forestall their parting just a bit longer. Boarding a ship from the port of Lenos (much to the chagrin of the wisewolf, who is none too fond of water!), the pair’s fate becomes entangled with that of a boy named Col, whose tale of his circumstances – combined with the gossip of the sailors – leads to a shocking revelation about Holo’s homeland!

The Review

Volume 6 is very much a transitional novel in this series. Previous volumes contained standalone business type stories under the larger arc of Holo’s journey home. So when Volume 5 ended with Lawrence swindled by Eve, I anticipated Holo and Lawrence cutting their losses and moving on to a new location and venture. Instead, Volume 6 continues the fur scheme with the two going after Lawrence’s former business partner, and even by the end of this book, the matter of Eve remains to be resolved.

This installment is also transitional in that this is the first time Lawrence and Holo have deliberately detoured from their search for Yoitsu. Up till now, they’ve been traveling steadily north, but having gotten so close to Holo’s homeland, something new has to arise for their journey together to continue. That change comes in the form of a new mission they seize upon after hearing rumors of suspicious Church activities and in the shift in Lawrence and Holo’s relationship.

I should note that Yen Press makes a critical (in my opinion) bit of rewording in Lawrence’s dialogue. In Volume 5′s epilogue, Lawrence kisses Holo’s cheek and says, “I like you,” which felt rather wishy-washy. But in Volume 6, that phrase (which comes up in a moment of reflection) gets translated as, “I love you.” That changes Lawrence’s confession into something much stronger and passionate, which is definitely necessary as the two engage in a not-exactly-lovers’-quarrel in Volume 6. As to the source of the quarrel, it is not surprisingly Lawrence’s fault, and like a new boyfriend blundering through his first relationship, he spends half the book trying to figure out why Holo is mad at him.

Another thing that sets the story apart from the others in the series is that the economics element isn’t as strong. There’s a kind of accounting mystery and some talk about coinage, but it’s more along the lines of a scammer’s tricks than business strategy. Plus, Lawrence isn’t directly involved in this scheme; he’s just trying to puzzle it together to while away the time as he and Holo travel downriver. The really annoying thing is that Hasekura-sensei doesn’t reveal the secret behind the extra chests of copper at the end. (And no, I haven’t been able to figure it out on my own.)

What Hasekura-sensei does give us is a new character in the cast. Originally from the north, the boy Col has his own mission, but he’s the type that’s book smart and street stupid. Lawrence and Holo come across him when he’s at the end of his rope, and when his plight arouses their sympathy, we get to see a hitherto unseen gentler side of Holo. Lawrence, for his part, has fun playing “master” to his “apprentice.” Also, Col, despite his desire to study Church law, has pagan roots and provides an interesting new perspective on the Spice and Wolf world.

This light novel includes the title page, three two-page spreads, and the table of contents printed in color as well as eight black-and-white illustrations. It also comes with a dust jacket that doesn’t match but mimics the cover illustration. (Ayakura’s cover illustration depicts Holo in peasant clothes, and the dust cover features a Holo cosplayer.)

In Summary

Hasekura-sensei mentions in the afterword that this volume “had fewer economic elements,” which I found to be the case. There is a bit of an accounting mystery, but our traveling duo’s lives and funds aren’t directly impacted by that scheme so the story lacks the energy and urgency other volumes have. Still, fans of the series will want to pick up this volume as Lawrence and Holo become entangled with the waif Col, and from the looks of it, he’s going to be a regular in the series.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Writing Contest Alert: Pitch Madness!

Remember what I wrote yesterday about it being the season for writer contests? Well, here’s yet another one hosted by Brenda Drake! This contest involves 9 agents who will judge pitches for finished manuscripts for ADULT, YA and MG.

What will you need to submit: A 35-word (exact-anything over will be disqualified) pitches and the first 150-words of your manuscript.

The submission windows for Drake’s semi-annual Pitch Madness go live on Saturday, September 1 at 12PM EDT (EST – NY time) and 6PM EDT (EST – NY time).

Interested? Then go to Ms. Drake’s website for more details!

Writing Contest Alert: Gearing Up to Get an Agent Pitch Contest!

Wow, seems like it’s the season for writer contests! This latest one,  Gearing Up to Get an Agent (GUTGAA), is being hosted by Deana Barnhart and will take place the month of September.It includes random drawings for prizes and an agent pitch contest! The current roster consists of 8 agents who will accept ADULT, YA and MG.

Interested? Got a complete manuscript in those genres? Then go to Ms. Barnhart’s website for more details!

Manga Review: Maoh: Juvenile Remix Vol. # 10 (Final)

I don’t usually review a whole lot of shonen manga, and I review even fewer violent shonen titles. Somehow, though, I wound up with the Maoh series, which has murder and mayhem in spades.(My reviews of earlier Maoh: Juvenile Remix volumes can be found here.) However, it’s more of a supernatural thriller than a gratuitous show of blood splattering and has some interesting heroes (if you can stomach all the casualties). Viz has recently released the final volume, and you can read on for the review.

Back Cover Blurb

As the world’s greatest killers assemble at the bowling alley for all-out war, the plan to assassinate Inukai begins. Can Junya fulfill his brother’s goals and stop Inukai from taking control of Japan? And when the dust settles, who will be the true Maoh?

The Review

Intrigue, suspense, and violence have been the signature characteristics of Maoh, and these elements come on strong in the final volume with Fraulein out to get both Inukai and Junya Ando. The creators do an excellent job of making Fraulein look like it has the upper hand on all fronts up until they fire at Inukai. Unfortunately, the tension breaks at that critical moment because the action in those panels is unclear, and it wasn’t until seven pages later when the Fraulein assassin says “fluke earthquake” that I realized that that was what took place.

However, once past that bit of confusion, the tension quickly picks up again with Inukai’s status unknown and Terahara’s demented killers closing in on Junya’s friends. What follows is a gripping series of upsets that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. These pages, not surprisingly, are a bloodbath as Junya proves more deadly and formidable than any of his enemies thought possible. Apparently, he took Iwanishi’s lesson in Volume 9 to heart, and as a result, Maoh’s deadliest assassins get a final appearance–on Junya’s payroll.

Despite all the dramatic changes in Junya, one thing remains constant, and that is his love for his brother. Once the killing ends, Junya has a near breakdown as he reflects upon his actions. Even Shiori’s comfort isn’t enough to save him, and it’s an unexpectedly moving moment when he finds solace in his older brother.

Probably the oddest outcome of this arc is that Grasshopper emerges from the conflict practically unscathed. Junya’s decision to destroy one enemy but spare the other left me boggled, especially considering it was Inukai whom his older brother wanted to ruin. Even when Inukai’s assassin-girl threatens him, Junya extends a sort of olive branch to her. By the way, I should mention that the finale contains quite a bit of her panty-free fanservice.

The last two chapters skip several years into the future, but even with the earth-moving events at Nekota Stadium, the series’ postscript is disappointing. Future Inukai has lost his demonic aura and seems more a run-of-the-mill politician than an agent of the devil. As for Junya, even though his brother’s spirit is closer than before, he’s more of a casual observer than an active participant in the world. He does spend a ridiculous amount to ruin Inukai’s rally but does nothing more with the opportunity than stare Inukai down. Considering the nature of their feud, I expected an ultimate winner in this conflict, but the story ends without any definite resolution.

In Summary

Given the previous showdown between Inukai and big brother Ando, I expected a similar winner-takes-all-duel-to-the-death between Inukai and Junya, but their finale turns into something completely different. It is packed with the plot twists and excitement we’ve come to expect from Maoh, but after the dust and bloody chaos settles, neither side can claim total victory. Considering how diametrically opposed Inukai and the Ando brothers have been throughout the series, the ending leaves readers without a sense of full closure, which I found disappointing.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Writing Contest Alert: Three-Two-One Pitch contest!

For those of you who are writing graphic novels, YA, new adult, or middle grade, Author Dorothy Dreyer is hosting a contest that goes something like this:

THREE - Pitch your story in only three sentences.

TWO - Two days to enter: August  20th and 21st.

ONE - One agent will judge and pick a winner.

Interested? Polish up your pitch and go to Dreyer’s website We Do Write for more details!

SCBWI Summer Conference, Part 5: Karen Cushman and Strong Girl Characters

In addition to her keynote speech, Karen Cushman did a breakout session entitled, “Not Pale or Frail: The Case for Strong Girl Characters in Historical Fiction.” Actually, her talk was less an argument for having strong girl characters in historical fiction and more about challenging stereotypes. If asked for an example of a strong fictional female character, many might think of Wonder Woman or Katniss Everdeen, but Cushman argued that Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web is also one. She might be a spider that lacks physical strength, but Charlotte is the one who makes things happen and drives that story forward.

Cushman spoke at length about depicting females in a proper historical  context, and she warned against “putting boobs on a boy.” In other words, creating a girl character whose strength draws from masculine behavior and action. To be honest, I don’t think that that is something limited to historical works. I think that “strong” females who are essentially girls with boy attributes can be found across genres. So it was refreshing to hear Cushman talk about creating characters that exhibit strength even as they fulfill traditional female gender roles and work within boundaries such as limited employment opportunities and arranged marriages. That the strength one girl demonstrates in tending a sick parent is just as valid as that in another wielding deadly weapons.

She closed by having attendees call out elements that would be found in a strong female character. Some traits named were determination, compassion, sense of self, and the drive to survive. One attribute that Cushman stressed, though, was the ability, willingness, and courage to make choices. Because when decision-time arises, it is the strong character that does not hesitate–something that I think is true of either gender.

SCBWI Summer Conference, Part 4: Literary Agent Linda Pratt and Opening Lines

Linda Pratt of Wernick and Pratt Agency did a breakout session entitled, “To Market, To Market: Readying Your Manuscript for Submission,” which covered things to consider A) while creating a manuscript and B) once it’s ready for querying. In regard to the creative process, she focused on the basics, including the importance of a strong opening.

Much of her advice about openers echoed what I’ve picked up from other workshops and websites. That an opening should stir a sense of curiosity. That action can draw a reader in, but action alone doesn’t make an opener compelling. That whatever kind of opener we choose, it’s most effective when it’s evocative. And in the midst of that familiar advice, I had an “Aha!” moment.

To illustrate her point about evocative openings versus plain action, she used excerpts from a story about normal people dealing with witches (I didn’t get the title of it – sorry!). She first read the opening and then an excerpt from page 3. The opening did not contain much action but had a strong hook that hinted at the main character’s fear of witches. The other passage depicted kids running through a bustling marketplace. Pratt then went on to explain that the story would’ve been weaker if it started with the marketplace action because it would’ve come off as a generic market scene. In contrast, the first sentence took the most unique thing about the story (normal people and witches) and pushed it to the front.

That was where the “Aha!” came. I’ve heard time and again about needing a strong hook and starting the story in the right place. However, the part about picking the most unique thing about a story and pushing it to the front was new. Or at least this was the first time I really heard it. But it makes quite a bit of sense. If your story is about a guy trying to win back his girlfriend with his snake wrestling skills, you should introduce those elements upfront instead of starting with random horseplay with his best friend.

Of course, like many things, this is easier said than done. (I am currently on Version 5.2 of my WIP’s opener). But now that I’m better aware of what I should be aiming for, I at least have a better chance of hitting the target.

SCBWI Summer Conference, Part 3: What Editors Want and Historical Fiction

Elise Howard, editor at Algonquin Books, had a breakout session in which she talked about her list and spoke about the differences between a small press like hers and the large publishing houses. Of course, this being a writer’s conference with lots of writers dying to make their debut, the Q&A inevitably turned toward “What are you looking for now?” and one of the things she shared was a list of what she rejects and why.

1. A manuscript that’s good but not great. Often it’s because she doesn’t like the character enough, and when she reads manuscripts, she asks herself if she wants to spend time with this character.

2. A 100,000 word story that should be 50,000 words.

3. Manuscripts that don’t grab her by the first 10 pages. She can usually tell within 10 pages if she likes it or not.

4. A pile of idiosyncrasies defining a character that just doesn’t work.

5. Historical is really difficult to sell now.

Point number five she pretty much worded that way. It’s not like she has a vendetta against historical fiction, but businesswise it doesn’t make sense in the current market. Being the daughter of an accountant and having worked in a corporate setting for a decade, I totally get that.

Still… ouch.

That sentiment only got driven deeper during Deborah Halverson’s keynote about SCBWI’s latest market survey. Teen fiction is still a growing market, but historical fiction isn’t a big seller though there is a budding market for YA historicals with a paranormal or mystery element.

Unfortunately, my WIP has neither of those.

So what does that mean for me?

It means I take my pen and keep trying to make my historical WIP the best it can be.

When I chose to write about Cynisca of Sparta, it wasn’t because I said to myself, “I want to write a historical novel.” It was because I happened across her while researching another project and became so fascinated by her that I set that other project aside to write about her. To me, hers was a story worth telling, and even if the market isn’t trending her way right now, I still feel that way.

The next day, I went to Cushman’s breakout session about girl characters in historical fiction (which I’ll write more about in another post), and someone brought up the fact that other speakers had said historical fiction was a bad sell. Cushman responded by saying that was what people told her when she wrote her first book, and since then, she’s sold several books in that genre.

So Cushman’s words give me hope, and even if historical YA isn’t the hottest thing when I start to query, I hope people will be as fascinated by Cynisca’s unique story as I was.