C.K. Volnek's Blog, page 9

Introducing MG Author, Jenny Lundquist

Today I'm introducing MG Author, Jenny Lundquist. Jenny grew up in Huntington Beach, California, wearing glasses and wishing they had magic powers. They didn't, but they did help her earn a degree in Intercultural Studies at Biola University. Her favorite part of college was spending one semester living in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, where she drank lots of tea, met some really interesting people, and honed her Yahtzee skills. Jenny has painted an orphanage in Mexico, taught English at a university in Russia, and hopes one day to write a book at a café in Paris. Jenny and her husband live in northern California with their two sons, and Rambo, the world's whiniest cat. Jenny is represented by Kerry Sparks of Levine Greenberg Agency. Her middle grade book, Seeing Cinderella, will be published by Aladdin M!X in March 2012.

Welcome Jenny!

Hi C.K., thanks so much for having me. Every time I stop by The Mind's Eye I want to get lost in your blog banners!

Thanks Jenny. You're so kind. Please tell our readers something interesting about yourself.

For my last semester of college, I studied abroad at a university in Russia. Those four months were some of the best days of my life. The students I studied with played TONS of games of Yahtzee, and I never won a single game, except…one night we decided we just had to play a game of Yahtzee at midnight in Red Square and I WON!! It was the only time I won the entire semester, but it was awesome (and totally made up for the fact that being outdoors in Moscow in the middle of a November night is freeeeeezing!).

That is fascinating. So, what was your favorite book as a teen? Tell us about it and how it affected you as a person.

My favorite book as a teen/tween was THIRTEEN by Candice F. Ransom which was part of her Kobie Roberts series.  Kobie is a lovable character who has to navigate all the pain/confusion/excitement of junior high while watching her best friend slip away from her, something I really related to at the time. Like Kobie, my childhood best friend was ready to move into the crazy world of adolescence before I was and I watched silently on the sidelines while she got swept up into new friends, boyfriends, and dances. Kobie made me feel like there was someone else out there who knew what I was going through.

I will definitely have to check Kobie out. Tell us about the genre you have chosen to write for. Why do write specifically for them?

Currently I write middle grade (though I also have ideas for YA projects). For me, nothing beats a good coming-of- age middle grade book. Books were my secret sanctuary when junior high seemed so rough, and I still remember the thrill of taking a trip to the bookstore or getting the scholastic flyer from my teacher each month. My target audience is for those girls who stand in the shadows and feel confused by the changes around them. My hope is that after reading my books they'll believe they have what it takes to become the person they want to be, and can step confidently into the next phase of their life, when they're ready.

Tell us about your new book. How did it come about and share your favorite excerpt/scene.

My book is about Callie Anderson, a shy seventh-grader, whose goal is to survive middle school by "being as unnoticeable as possible."  The day before school starts she receives a pair of magic glasses that can read people's thoughts and she begins to see that the world, and the people around her, are much different than she believes.

I first got the idea from an embarrassing incident that happened to me in seventh grade which involved my glasses, a really cute boy, and spit. You can read about it here : http://jennylundquist.com/blog-2/.

One of my favorite scenes is two-thirds into the book when Callie approaches her crush to ask him an important question. The results are heartbreaking, but pretty true-to-life.  Also, she keeps a list of Super Freaky Glasses "Rules" which were so much fun to write.

How has writing affected your life? And what's your favorite part of being a writer?

I started writing at a time when I was struggling with being a stay-at-home-mom and just needed a creative outlet for myself. You can read more about it here: http://jennylundquist.com/2011/05/31/....   There are so many things I love about being a writer it's hard to choose just one. Nothing beats that sense of satisfaction I feel after writing a scene I love (until the next day, when I re-read it and decide I hate it!). Also, I love meeting new writers/readers/ bloggers, the kidlit community is extremely supportive and caring. And, I love being able to read for hours on end and then tell people I was "researching and studying my craft."

What advice can you give regarding the writing process?

Just keep writing. It's a common answer, but so true. The more you write, the more your writing improves. And read as much as you can. Find out what other writers are doing and learn from them. Some of the best textbooks on writing are other novels. Harry Potter, anyone?

Regarding publication and marketing, what advice can you offer aspiring writers?

Develop a tough skin and learn not to take things personally. A rejection doesn't necessarily mean your writing isn't good, it could just mean that the agent/editor isn't a good fit for you right now. And don't be afraid to seek out other writers (published and unpublished) and learn from them. The kidlit industry is filled with people who want to encourage you in your writing journey. Go find them! :0)

How can your fans find, follow or friend you?

I love meeting readers/writers/bloggers so come find me! When I'm not writing, I can be found hanging out at my website or on Twitter , goodreads , or facebook . I can also be contacted directly at jenniferlundquist@gmail.com

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today, Jenny. Your book sounds like a great read and one I will have to check out next March.
C.K. Volnek

Building a Promotional Platform – the Personal Side

For many months now I've been working on building my platform to market my brand and promote my books. Through my many friends at MIU Publishing and so many others I've met on-line, I've been encouraged to branch out, to reach beyond my comfort zone and put myself out there, exposing myself in more ways than I thought possible…no, not THAT way…grin…shame on you for thinking that. Ha.

But building a platform wasn't exactly easy for me. I'm usually the one in the shadows, an insecure introvert. I had always been happy to focus on the little world revolving around me…my husband, my children, my job. That was enough, wasn't it? It was hard to step beyond that. Would the rest of the world accept me? Was I worthy of having such outstanding authors and people befriending me?

Little by little, the light of platform crept into my world. I forced myself out to 'chat'. I imposed myself to be part of the group…and I found I liked it! I found most people to be kind and gracious and supportive; like I want to be. And as I stepped beyond my comfort zone, I realized ~ the world doesn't revolve around me! I must revolve around the world. If I don't make a move, the world will keep spinning and pass by me. If I want something I must take that first step; to be the one to make the first gesture.

It was an 'aha' moment for me; not just in building my writer's platform, but in my personal life as well. With this fact emblazoned in my mind I reached out, first to those closest to me, trying to create more solid relationships, trying to be a stronger person and friend. It wasn't about what others could do for me, it was about what I could do for others.

The hunger grew and I reached even farther. You see, I had a very special older brother who drowned when I was eighteen. He had two of the most darling daughters by his first wife and for some reason over the years we'd lost contact with them. In my small introverted cocoon, I'd been too blind to notice. I had not seen them for 20 years. I did not know how or why we lost touch. I only knew I missed them. With my new mindset I took a chance and mailed a note to their mother, apologizing for my many years of absence and asking her if I could get in touch with the (now adult) girls. I mailed the letter on Tuesday. On Thursday, I had a facebook friend request from one and by Monday I had talked with both of them on the phone. I could barely contain my happiness as we proceeded to share pictures and information of the missing times of our lives. Within a few weeks I was in for an even greater joy, the girls planned a visit to my house, their families in tow. What a fabulous reunion! Many tears were shared, hugs were abundant and talk was never-ending. All because I finally grew up, realized the world didn't revolve around me and reached out with hope that someone would reach back. If I hadn't jumped into life and made this move, life might have passed me by and I would have missed out on the joy these two girls and their families bring me.

So, thank you to all my family, friends and acquaintances. Life is truly what you make of it, and I hope to only make it better by building my writing and personal platforms each and every day. May you all do the same.
God Bless
C.K. Volnek

Free On-Line Blog Conference offered through Muse It Up Publishiing

Beginning June 1st until the 30th, Muse authors will be hosting a month long Muse Blog Conference.

PRICE:  FREE 

DETAILS: To register please send an email to: museitupeditor@yahoo.ca 

Place MUSE BLOG CONFERENCE on the subject heading and your name and email address within the body of your post. Why? Because those that register and participate get a chance to win one of several ebooks offered throughout the month.

CONFERENCE SITE: http://museituppublishing.blogspot.com/

FOR READERS: Every day beginning on June 1st at noon, a Featured 99cent E-book of the day will be offered for purchase. An incredible discount just for readers for participating and supporting the Blog Conference.

Each Muse Blog Conference workshop will run for one day, where attendees are invited to post their questions, and/or exercises the presenters will be posting during their daily workshops.

Below are the workshops. Come once, twice, every day! Enjoy!
C.K. Volnek

Conference Schedule

JUNE  1
Using Online Media to Build Your Author Brand
Learn how to tweet, facebook, blog, and build your website to sell your product-YOU!
    Presented by Amy McCorkle

JUNE 2
Developing Characters- How Do I Make My Characters Unique?   
    presented by Barbara Ehrentreu

JUNE 3
Research, Research, Research
    Presented by Nancy M. Bell

JUNE 4
EDITORS and YOU 
    Presented by J. Rose Knight

JUNE 5
WRITE ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW.
    Presented by Wendy Laharnar

JUNE 6
UNLEASH YOUR IMAGINATION
    presented by Lawna Mackie

JUNE 7
"Getting Into Character: Can you fill your Hero's Shoes?"
    Presented by Lady Rosalie Skinner.

JUNE 8
Writing in scenes.
    presented by David J. Normoyle

JUNE 9
Writing Memoirs
    presented by J. Q. Rose

JUNE 10
"Can you give as good as you get?"
    Presented by Christopher Hoare

JUNE 11
How to get your book to Film.
    Presented by AP Miller

JUNE 12
Steampunk
    Presented by AP Miller

JUNE 13
Harnessing the full potential of blogs.
    presented by Brian Knight

JUNE 14
The Four P's Approach to Writing: How My Sports Coaching Career Gave My Writing Career a Boost.
    presented by Mike Hays

JUNE 15
New Worlds?
    Presented by Rhobin L. Courtright

JUNE 16
To pen or not to pen. 
     presented by Karen Cote

JUNE 17
Go back to school and remember your persuasive essay techniques as we discuss the Art of Reviewing
    with paranormal author and online critic Kristin Battestella!  

JUNE 18
TRICKS OF THE TRADE WORKSHOP
    Presented by Mary Andrews

JUNE 19
BIG CONCEPTS: HOW TO PUT MIND-STRETCHING (AND DANGEROUS)
IDEAS IN YOUR FICTION
    presented by John B. Rosenman

JUNE 20
Who is that character?
    By Christine Verstraete

JUNE 21
Don't let them put your book down! Creating Page-turning Chapter Endings.
    Presented by C.K. Volnek

JUNE 22
Building the Paranormal Character – 
    Presented by Kay Dee Royal

JUNE 23
Writing From Unique Points of View
    Presented by Arlene Webb

JUNE 24
How to Write the Perfect Mystery
    Presented by Heather Haven

JUNE 25
Romancing the Beast: Beyond vampires and werewolves.
    presented by Lisa Blackwood 

JUNE 26
The Power of Allusion
    Presented by Anne Duguid with Hugh Fox

JUNE 27
Summer ToDo List...Write a Book with Your Kids.
    presented by Shellie Neumeier

JUNE 28
From Science to Science Fiction
    presented by Terri Main


JUNE 29
Differences Between Middle Grade and Young Adult Literature
    Presented by Rebecca Ryals Russell