L.M. Long's Blog, page 30
July 25, 2012
My Fave Children's Books
(Original post published on my writer's blog May 7, 2012)
In honor of National Children's Book week, I'm rounding up a list of some of my favorite children's literature from picture books to chapter books. I suppose I wouldn't be a writer/mother worth my salt if my kids didn't have books. Don't worry. They have plenty. They have four, over-flowing shelves full of books. Granted, not many are those award-winning, deeper-meaning books. Most come from Walmart, or from my sister, a second grade teacher. But we still have a few we love to read over and over.
1. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault Illustrated by Lois Ehlert
This book is sort of like a big "duh" on the list. It's got an awesome rhythm, fun stuff happening to the letters, and of course, the alphabet itself! Both my six-year-old and my four-year-old request it numerous times a day.
2. I'm a T. Rex! by Dennis R. Shealy Illustrated by Brian Biggs
Whenever I say, "Let's read a book," this is the one my four-year-old brings. It's a rhyming, rhythmic, growling story about a little T. Rex, and the four-year-old loves to yell along with the oft-repeated line, "I'm a T. Rex!"
3. Hop On Pop by Dr. Seuss (Board book version)
You know those 3-in-1 Seuss board books you can buy at Costco? Yeah, we bought lots of those when my six-year-old was a toddler. He LOVED books (and still does). And later on, when he got in kindergarten, this book basically taught him to read. Of course, after several hundred readings he probably had it memorized.
4. Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton
My four-year-old thinks he's so awesome because he can "read" this book to Grandma over Skype. And all of us giggle non-stop at every page. SO adorable. Every child needs this book. Seriously.
5. Utterly Me, Clarice Bean by Lauren Child
I'll brag here for just a second. My kindergartner is a pretty awesome reader and is more interested in chapter books than picture books. (He can read a Magic Treehouse Book in a matter of hours.) He's always plucking books off my shelf like Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and even the Gallagher Girls. Once, when I told him he could bring one chapter book on a long trip, he chose my all-in-one collection of Chronicles of Narnia. In an effort to help he read something more along his level, I picked up Utterly Me at Sam's Club one day. Then I started reading with him. And started laughing my head off. We haven't finished it, but the voice is the most darling thing in the world. Believe me, there's a review coming soon!
In honor of National Children's Book week, I'm rounding up a list of some of my favorite children's literature from picture books to chapter books. I suppose I wouldn't be a writer/mother worth my salt if my kids didn't have books. Don't worry. They have plenty. They have four, over-flowing shelves full of books. Granted, not many are those award-winning, deeper-meaning books. Most come from Walmart, or from my sister, a second grade teacher. But we still have a few we love to read over and over.
1. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault Illustrated by Lois Ehlert
This book is sort of like a big "duh" on the list. It's got an awesome rhythm, fun stuff happening to the letters, and of course, the alphabet itself! Both my six-year-old and my four-year-old request it numerous times a day.2. I'm a T. Rex! by Dennis R. Shealy Illustrated by Brian Biggs
Whenever I say, "Let's read a book," this is the one my four-year-old brings. It's a rhyming, rhythmic, growling story about a little T. Rex, and the four-year-old loves to yell along with the oft-repeated line, "I'm a T. Rex!"3. Hop On Pop by Dr. Seuss (Board book version)
You know those 3-in-1 Seuss board books you can buy at Costco? Yeah, we bought lots of those when my six-year-old was a toddler. He LOVED books (and still does). And later on, when he got in kindergarten, this book basically taught him to read. Of course, after several hundred readings he probably had it memorized.4. Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton
My four-year-old thinks he's so awesome because he can "read" this book to Grandma over Skype. And all of us giggle non-stop at every page. SO adorable. Every child needs this book. Seriously.5. Utterly Me, Clarice Bean by Lauren Child
I'll brag here for just a second. My kindergartner is a pretty awesome reader and is more interested in chapter books than picture books. (He can read a Magic Treehouse Book in a matter of hours.) He's always plucking books off my shelf like Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and even the Gallagher Girls. Once, when I told him he could bring one chapter book on a long trip, he chose my all-in-one collection of Chronicles of Narnia. In an effort to help he read something more along his level, I picked up Utterly Me at Sam's Club one day. Then I started reading with him. And started laughing my head off. We haven't finished it, but the voice is the most darling thing in the world. Believe me, there's a review coming soon! 
July 23, 2012
Writing Your Novel with Baby Steps
Valerie J. Steimle
Writing a novel has romantic overtones. Thoughts of sitting at a computer near a window of beautiful landscapes, typing away a story which will mesmerize the world can hold a writer at task for months at a time. The reality is we are staring at a blank screen, holed up in a room at night when everyone else is asleep. For me, writing a novel is very scary. I started one eight years ago and finished the first 100 pages. Since my forte is nonfiction, I get shaky and weak when I think about finishing what I started.
Grandson Rex....baby steps
Some time ago, I stumbled over an article in the February 2008 issue of Writer’s Digest called Baby Steps written by Bill O’Hanlon. He had authored or co-authored 28 books so I thought he would be a good source of information. As I was reading through what he had to say about writing a novel, the thought popped into my head that I needed to take notes and use them later on when I get to “that novel”. So I am passing his words of wisdom on to you.
The first thing he says is to focus on the smallest pieces of the task. Instead of thinking, I need to write this whole novel now. How am I going to do that? Think: I need to divide my project up into bite sized chunks so it is easier to work with. He illustrates this idea with a Chinese proverb: "Enough shovels of earth--a mountain. Enough pails of water--a river". I always say the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time but I think the Chinese have a more poignant way of communicating. Either way, Mr. O’Hanlon says you start with a simple outline. Then with that outline you write a more detailed outline which would include any anecdotes, quotations, excerpts, scenes, and plot points which characters are in the scene and where it takes place.
To start this, you should only write in small amounts of time. Choose anywhere from five to fifteen minutes a writing period. Your writing periods could be five days a week or three days a week. Whatever you can do and decide by month or week. For example, say you decide to write four days a week. Commit yourself to a two week writing period of four days a week When that time is up, recommit yourself for the next time period and you can adjust how many days if you need to. You can do it by the month or two months. Whatever you are comfortable with really helps to break down your commitment of a certain amount of time per writing period. Its “baby steps” as Mr. O’Hanlon named his article.
After your detailed outline is done then transfer each of those detailed points onto in index card that you can carry around with you everywhere you go and write on them. Keep chapters together with rubber bands and work on them as you can.
Once you have all of your cards done, you can start writing your pages using your index cards to help you. But remember: the most important thing is to write in small increments of time. If you have more time then keep going but start your allotted time each day you are to write. That will get you into the habit. There is much more to say about what I learned so in next month’s newsletter there will be another article with more great ideas. The most important thing is to stay motivated to finish your book.......one step at a time.
I need to practice what I preach so for my next month goal I am going to write my detailed outline. Not everyone can write this way but for those who are stuck somewhere between gazing at a blank computer screen and thinking, I really need to start that novel, baby steps is the way to go.
Writing a novel has romantic overtones. Thoughts of sitting at a computer near a window of beautiful landscapes, typing away a story which will mesmerize the world can hold a writer at task for months at a time. The reality is we are staring at a blank screen, holed up in a room at night when everyone else is asleep. For me, writing a novel is very scary. I started one eight years ago and finished the first 100 pages. Since my forte is nonfiction, I get shaky and weak when I think about finishing what I started.
Grandson Rex....baby stepsSome time ago, I stumbled over an article in the February 2008 issue of Writer’s Digest called Baby Steps written by Bill O’Hanlon. He had authored or co-authored 28 books so I thought he would be a good source of information. As I was reading through what he had to say about writing a novel, the thought popped into my head that I needed to take notes and use them later on when I get to “that novel”. So I am passing his words of wisdom on to you.
The first thing he says is to focus on the smallest pieces of the task. Instead of thinking, I need to write this whole novel now. How am I going to do that? Think: I need to divide my project up into bite sized chunks so it is easier to work with. He illustrates this idea with a Chinese proverb: "Enough shovels of earth--a mountain. Enough pails of water--a river". I always say the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time but I think the Chinese have a more poignant way of communicating. Either way, Mr. O’Hanlon says you start with a simple outline. Then with that outline you write a more detailed outline which would include any anecdotes, quotations, excerpts, scenes, and plot points which characters are in the scene and where it takes place.
To start this, you should only write in small amounts of time. Choose anywhere from five to fifteen minutes a writing period. Your writing periods could be five days a week or three days a week. Whatever you can do and decide by month or week. For example, say you decide to write four days a week. Commit yourself to a two week writing period of four days a week When that time is up, recommit yourself for the next time period and you can adjust how many days if you need to. You can do it by the month or two months. Whatever you are comfortable with really helps to break down your commitment of a certain amount of time per writing period. Its “baby steps” as Mr. O’Hanlon named his article.
After your detailed outline is done then transfer each of those detailed points onto in index card that you can carry around with you everywhere you go and write on them. Keep chapters together with rubber bands and work on them as you can.
Once you have all of your cards done, you can start writing your pages using your index cards to help you. But remember: the most important thing is to write in small increments of time. If you have more time then keep going but start your allotted time each day you are to write. That will get you into the habit. There is much more to say about what I learned so in next month’s newsletter there will be another article with more great ideas. The most important thing is to stay motivated to finish your book.......one step at a time.
I need to practice what I preach so for my next month goal I am going to write my detailed outline. Not everyone can write this way but for those who are stuck somewhere between gazing at a blank computer screen and thinking, I really need to start that novel, baby steps is the way to go.
July 20, 2012
Day 29: Character Arc
This has been a LONG 30 days, yeah? (I mean aside from the fact that it literally has been longer than 30 days...)
At the beginning of your project you may have had a clear direction of where you wanted your story to go, but now it has shifted and taken on a life all its own. Perhaps you were vague on the details, but had a general idea floating in your head that has come together through the process. Either way, you've been so immersed in your story of late, that it's time to take a step back and see the overall picture; specifically as it deals with the transformation your character has made from the beginning of the novel to this point, and will make from this point to the end. This transformation is often termed the "Character Arc," and deals with the character's emotional development throughout the story.
Photo Credit: Sarah LucasI've spoken a lot about story structure and some of the key points at which major things are happening to the character (external), or the character is making a decision that changes her circumstances (internal). Using Victoria Lynn Schmidt's awesome Character Arc Tracker (scroll down to page 282), from her Book in a Month system, we're going to take a look at the way your character has changed throughout your story.
[image error]
(Does anyone else wonder how a group of lines shooting every which way can be considered an "arc"? Just thinking out loud here....)
Point 1 - Your character at the start of Act IThis is where we meet your character and learn what normal life is like. We should have a clear idea of how good (Fun with Dick and Jane) or bad (Cinderella) things are for her - understand where she is emotionally - so as to appreciate the changes that are about to come into her life.Here you will introduce the character's flaw which threatens to be her undoing by the end of the story.
Point 2 - Your character at the End of Act I/ Beginning of Act II (AKA: Act I Turning Point, Plot Point 1, First Doorway of No Return, or Entrance into the Exotic World -- the myriad of names is one of the biggest reasons it can be so tricky to understand story structure!)Now something has occurred which has shifted the character's status quo and forced her into a new reality. Whether this change is pleasant (unexpectedly falling in love) or painful (finding out a spouse is unfaithful), the character is going to need a bit of time to adjust to this new normal. What is she feeling as she faces these changes? This is the point at which we begin to see the character's back story and understand why she behaves the way she does. Oftentimes we will realize that the character's flaw comes from some past experience that she has not yet overcome. Character arc is all about revealing how a character overcomes (or fails to overcome) a significant flaw that is preventing her from obtaining her goals. For more on Points 1 and 2 revisit my previous post Day 5: Turning Points
Point 3 - Your character at the Midpoint (AKA: End of Act II, Part 1 or Temporary Triumph)Notice this is the point in the "arc" which spikes upward. This is the high point for the character where we see she's accomplished, or is well on her way to accomplishing, her goals. Whatever little difficulties she has had to overcome to get to this point felt pretty big to her; she's probably pretty proud of her ingenuity and her ability to get what she wants despite the odds. However, we know she hasn't yet overcome her flaw - she hasn't learned her lesson - and thus, we suspect the triumph cannot last.For more on Temporary Triumphs see my post on day 18
Point 4 - Your character at the ReversalNo matter how bad things were for your character before, this is climatically going to be the hardest point for her within your story. She is at her lowest, couldn't-get-any-worse-than-this moment and she's feeling it! Despair, agony, defeat... all of those hackneyed and melodramatic words come into play here. (Not sure if you actually need to use those words... what with it being better to show than tell and whatnot). For more on Reversals see my post on day 23
Point 5 - Your character at the End of Act II, Part 2/ Beginning of Act III (AKA: Act II Turning Point, Plot Point 2, or Second Doorway of No Return)This is such an awesome point in the story. Here your character has had time to reflect on how things got so bad in the reversal, and she finally admits to herself that she needs to change if she is going to ever truly succeed. This anticipation of this turning point is what has been driving the story from the beginning. Without a realization of her flaw, and a desire to overcome it, she will not have any character arc.For more on Second Turning Points see my post on day 27
Point 6 - Your character at the ClimaxI haven't spoken about climaxes yet and that's for the simple fact that we haven't come that far in our 30 day journey. A brief explanation: this is the point where we get to see the character - oozing maturity and coolness from all of her new-found, hard won, wisdom - put into practice what she has learned along her journey. She is going to be confronting her antagonist in a final showdown, and if she hasn't figured out how to overcome her flaw, she has no chance at success.
Points 7 and 8 - Your character either succeeds or failsSucceeds: Show the new person your character has become now that she's proven to herself and the world how she has changed.Fails: Though your character may not reach the goal she hoped to attain at the start of the story, she has learned and grown through her experiences.
For more on character emotional development see this fantastic article.
MY DAY 29: Nothing unusual to report. I just kept at it and made slow progress.
At the beginning of your project you may have had a clear direction of where you wanted your story to go, but now it has shifted and taken on a life all its own. Perhaps you were vague on the details, but had a general idea floating in your head that has come together through the process. Either way, you've been so immersed in your story of late, that it's time to take a step back and see the overall picture; specifically as it deals with the transformation your character has made from the beginning of the novel to this point, and will make from this point to the end. This transformation is often termed the "Character Arc," and deals with the character's emotional development throughout the story.
Photo Credit: Sarah LucasI've spoken a lot about story structure and some of the key points at which major things are happening to the character (external), or the character is making a decision that changes her circumstances (internal). Using Victoria Lynn Schmidt's awesome Character Arc Tracker (scroll down to page 282), from her Book in a Month system, we're going to take a look at the way your character has changed throughout your story.
[image error]
(Does anyone else wonder how a group of lines shooting every which way can be considered an "arc"? Just thinking out loud here....)
Point 1 - Your character at the start of Act IThis is where we meet your character and learn what normal life is like. We should have a clear idea of how good (Fun with Dick and Jane) or bad (Cinderella) things are for her - understand where she is emotionally - so as to appreciate the changes that are about to come into her life.Here you will introduce the character's flaw which threatens to be her undoing by the end of the story.
Point 2 - Your character at the End of Act I/ Beginning of Act II (AKA: Act I Turning Point, Plot Point 1, First Doorway of No Return, or Entrance into the Exotic World -- the myriad of names is one of the biggest reasons it can be so tricky to understand story structure!)Now something has occurred which has shifted the character's status quo and forced her into a new reality. Whether this change is pleasant (unexpectedly falling in love) or painful (finding out a spouse is unfaithful), the character is going to need a bit of time to adjust to this new normal. What is she feeling as she faces these changes? This is the point at which we begin to see the character's back story and understand why she behaves the way she does. Oftentimes we will realize that the character's flaw comes from some past experience that she has not yet overcome. Character arc is all about revealing how a character overcomes (or fails to overcome) a significant flaw that is preventing her from obtaining her goals. For more on Points 1 and 2 revisit my previous post Day 5: Turning Points
Point 3 - Your character at the Midpoint (AKA: End of Act II, Part 1 or Temporary Triumph)Notice this is the point in the "arc" which spikes upward. This is the high point for the character where we see she's accomplished, or is well on her way to accomplishing, her goals. Whatever little difficulties she has had to overcome to get to this point felt pretty big to her; she's probably pretty proud of her ingenuity and her ability to get what she wants despite the odds. However, we know she hasn't yet overcome her flaw - she hasn't learned her lesson - and thus, we suspect the triumph cannot last.For more on Temporary Triumphs see my post on day 18
Point 4 - Your character at the ReversalNo matter how bad things were for your character before, this is climatically going to be the hardest point for her within your story. She is at her lowest, couldn't-get-any-worse-than-this moment and she's feeling it! Despair, agony, defeat... all of those hackneyed and melodramatic words come into play here. (Not sure if you actually need to use those words... what with it being better to show than tell and whatnot). For more on Reversals see my post on day 23
Point 5 - Your character at the End of Act II, Part 2/ Beginning of Act III (AKA: Act II Turning Point, Plot Point 2, or Second Doorway of No Return)This is such an awesome point in the story. Here your character has had time to reflect on how things got so bad in the reversal, and she finally admits to herself that she needs to change if she is going to ever truly succeed. This anticipation of this turning point is what has been driving the story from the beginning. Without a realization of her flaw, and a desire to overcome it, she will not have any character arc.For more on Second Turning Points see my post on day 27
Point 6 - Your character at the ClimaxI haven't spoken about climaxes yet and that's for the simple fact that we haven't come that far in our 30 day journey. A brief explanation: this is the point where we get to see the character - oozing maturity and coolness from all of her new-found, hard won, wisdom - put into practice what she has learned along her journey. She is going to be confronting her antagonist in a final showdown, and if she hasn't figured out how to overcome her flaw, she has no chance at success.
Points 7 and 8 - Your character either succeeds or failsSucceeds: Show the new person your character has become now that she's proven to herself and the world how she has changed.Fails: Though your character may not reach the goal she hoped to attain at the start of the story, she has learned and grown through her experiences.
For more on character emotional development see this fantastic article.
MY DAY 29: Nothing unusual to report. I just kept at it and made slow progress.
July 17, 2012
The Seven Deadly Sins of Querying
After more hours than I care to count of writing, rewriting, insightful critique partners and beta readers, rewriting, hair-pulling and tears, rewriting again, and a few rousing rounds of Typo Search and Destroy, I am satisfied that I have a product ready to be represented. Now the real fun begins.
I have diligently done my homework, learned the dos and do-nots.
I now present for your benefit, Seven Deadly Sins* of Agent Querying:
photo credit
1. A proud look:
Certainly you should be confident when describing your work. Avoid self-deprecation and phrases such as “I hope that you will like this.” On the other hand, overconfidence or cockiness are off putting. Even if you are certain, in your heart of hearts, that your book will be adored by the masses (and why wouldn’t it be? You are gifted, darn it!), do not, I repeat, do not allow the words ‘blockbuster’ or ‘bestseller’ to come anywhere near your query letter.
Present your work in the best possible light, but avoid hyperbole.
2. A lying tongue:
You know, up there, where I said to avoid hyperbole? That applies to your entire query.
Do not exaggerate your education, publishing credits, blog visitors, connections, or word count. Just don’t. Shakespeare knew what he was talking about when he wrote, “The truth will out".
A simple Google search can tell volumes these days, and from what I’ve heard, many agents like to do lsome research when it comes to potential clients.
Exaggeration, or as I prefer to call it, lying, is no good way to make a good impression.
3. Hands that shed innocent blood pen the wrong agent’s name:
The preferred salutation is 'Dear Mr. or Ms.' followed by a correctly spelled last name – of one particular agent, not a cc’d list of all the agents you would like to query. Sure, agents know that you are likely querying widely, but a lack of personalization is just rude.
Rudeness is not helpful to your cause.
In the same vein, do not send your query to an agent that does not represent the type of work you do.
Do your homework!
4. A heart that devises wicked plots:
No wait, that’s a good one. Do that, then devise a wickedly smart query letter describing it.
See Query Shark or Slush Pile Tales.
5. Feet that are swift to run into mischief Fingers that are swift to create typos and eyes that are slow to correct them:
Read over your query. Have someone else read over your query. Read over your query again.
Be sure to have correct spelling, punctuation, and for the love of Pete, correct word usage. You are presenting yourself as a professional wordsmith. Show your mastery.
This is not to say that you should grab your thesaurus and fill your query with $10 words, but whatever words you choose to use, please use them correctly.
6. A deceitful witness that uttereth lies:
Lies again? I think this one may be important.
Don't lie. Even if you do land a contract, you will always be worried that your deceitfulness will be discovered. Just don't lie.
7. Him that soweth discord among brethren:
If you get a rejection that particularly stings, call up and cry to a friend, drown your sorrows in a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food, or take a day to lie on the couch staring vacantly at daytime television (but only one – that stuff will rot your brain).
Do not under any circumstances tweet, blog, facebook, google +, mass email, stumble, pin, or tumbl your displeasure about the obviously idiotic (and possibly drunk) agent who refused to see that you are the next J. K. Rowling.
The internet is a small town. Do not anger the villagers.
By the same token, do not reply to a rejection with annoyance, vitriol, or sarcasm. In fact, do not reply at all unless it is to say, “Thank you for your suggestions”.
An angry email is not going to convince anyone to take a second look. It may, however, convince someone to share your email address with colleagues, under the subject line: Avoid Like the Black Death.
*Though not the traditional seven (Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, Pride), I felt that Proverb's list of things the Lord hates fit quite nicely. To be on the safe side be sure to keep the traditional seven out of your query letter as well, unless they are describing your plot ( in a wickedly good way).
What query sins would you add to my list?
I have diligently done my homework, learned the dos and do-nots.
I now present for your benefit, Seven Deadly Sins* of Agent Querying:
photo credit
1. A proud look:
Certainly you should be confident when describing your work. Avoid self-deprecation and phrases such as “I hope that you will like this.” On the other hand, overconfidence or cockiness are off putting. Even if you are certain, in your heart of hearts, that your book will be adored by the masses (and why wouldn’t it be? You are gifted, darn it!), do not, I repeat, do not allow the words ‘blockbuster’ or ‘bestseller’ to come anywhere near your query letter.
Present your work in the best possible light, but avoid hyperbole.
2. A lying tongue:
You know, up there, where I said to avoid hyperbole? That applies to your entire query.
Do not exaggerate your education, publishing credits, blog visitors, connections, or word count. Just don’t. Shakespeare knew what he was talking about when he wrote, “The truth will out".
A simple Google search can tell volumes these days, and from what I’ve heard, many agents like to do lsome research when it comes to potential clients.
Exaggeration, or as I prefer to call it, lying, is no good way to make a good impression.
3. Hands that shed innocent blood pen the wrong agent’s name:
The preferred salutation is 'Dear Mr. or Ms.' followed by a correctly spelled last name – of one particular agent, not a cc’d list of all the agents you would like to query. Sure, agents know that you are likely querying widely, but a lack of personalization is just rude.
Rudeness is not helpful to your cause.
In the same vein, do not send your query to an agent that does not represent the type of work you do.
Do your homework!
4. A heart that devises wicked plots:
No wait, that’s a good one. Do that, then devise a wickedly smart query letter describing it.
See Query Shark or Slush Pile Tales.
5. Feet that are swift to run into mischief Fingers that are swift to create typos and eyes that are slow to correct them:
Read over your query. Have someone else read over your query. Read over your query again.
Be sure to have correct spelling, punctuation, and for the love of Pete, correct word usage. You are presenting yourself as a professional wordsmith. Show your mastery.
This is not to say that you should grab your thesaurus and fill your query with $10 words, but whatever words you choose to use, please use them correctly.
6. A deceitful witness that uttereth lies:
Lies again? I think this one may be important.
Don't lie. Even if you do land a contract, you will always be worried that your deceitfulness will be discovered. Just don't lie.
7. Him that soweth discord among brethren:
If you get a rejection that particularly stings, call up and cry to a friend, drown your sorrows in a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food, or take a day to lie on the couch staring vacantly at daytime television (but only one – that stuff will rot your brain).
Do not under any circumstances tweet, blog, facebook, google +, mass email, stumble, pin, or tumbl your displeasure about the obviously idiotic (and possibly drunk) agent who refused to see that you are the next J. K. Rowling.
The internet is a small town. Do not anger the villagers.
By the same token, do not reply to a rejection with annoyance, vitriol, or sarcasm. In fact, do not reply at all unless it is to say, “Thank you for your suggestions”.
An angry email is not going to convince anyone to take a second look. It may, however, convince someone to share your email address with colleagues, under the subject line: Avoid Like the Black Death.
*Though not the traditional seven (Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, Pride), I felt that Proverb's list of things the Lord hates fit quite nicely. To be on the safe side be sure to keep the traditional seven out of your query letter as well, unless they are describing your plot ( in a wickedly good way).
What query sins would you add to my list?
July 13, 2012
Guest Mommy Author: Josi S. Kilpack
When I first saw that my interview would post on Friday the 13th, I immediately began brainstorming authors appropriate to the day. Lots of choices ran through my head, but one stuck out right away, Josi S. Kilpack, author of several cozy culinary mysteries. As a mystery writer, she's the perfect choice for an interview on Friday the 13th. As a mom of four, she's the perfect choice for this blog. About Josi: Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and accredits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and never stopped. Her novel, Sheep’s Clothing won the Whitney Award 2007 for Mystery/Suspense. Lemon Tart, the first book in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series was a finalist in 2009. Josi currently lives in Willard, Utah with her husband, children, dog, and varying number of chickens.
Josi's latest culinary mystery, Banana Split.Me: First off, as a teen I read every Marry Higgins Clark my small-town library had and once thought I, too, could write mysteries. Alas, such is NOT the case. How did you get into writing mysteries and what made you choose cozy, culinary mysteries?Me: Have you ever used incidences from real life for scenes in your novels? Or have any real people inspired characters?Josi: I had never written a mystery when I started Lemon Tart, and I started it as a contest entry--Jeff Savage did a contest for the first chapter of a mystery novel that involved food. I only wrote that one chapter at first, but had a good time and kept going. In the process, I had to read up on the formula for a mystery and learn a lot of craft-skills that I hadn't had to use with my other books. I was about half-way through when I realized my story was fitting into the "cozy" spere of things, and it was actually my publisher who suggested I put recipes in it. Sadie talked about food and made food throughout the book, so it wasn't hard, but I'd never actually read one before.Me: Where do you get your inspirations for your culinary mysteries? How do you research for them?Josi: Each book has either started with a recipe or a region. The region parts take a lot of research but I tend to 'spot-research' which means I'll write based on my best guess and when I get to a part where I need a factual thing, I look it up. I get myself in trouble sometimes when I later find out I was 'guessing' wrong, but for the most part it works. I'm not a really great researcher so I never recommend that people do it my way. The story comes together through trial and error and error and error. I'm a sloppy writer and tend to poke around until a plot takes off. I don't recommend doing that either.
Josi: Most of my character start with a real person, but then they always morph into someone completely different. I do use real scenes in my books, but they are always highly fictionalized by the time I finish with them.
Me: You have four non-culinary mystery books, one book out for the Newport Ladies Book Club and another in the works, seven in the Sadie Hoffmiller culinary mysteries series and another in the works, and any other projects you don't mention on twitter ;) PLUS four kids. So the question is: how?Josi: I'm neurotic and always stressed. I'm thrilled to be where I am, but it keeps me running. It certainly helps that I love what I'm doing, therefore it's easier to make it a priority, but I'm always unbalanced somewhere in my life and trying to keep up. For now, it's working and it's worth the sacrifices. I've learned to do everything fast and I don't have a lot of down time.
Me: You wrote your first book with two young children and while on bed rest during your third pregnancy, right? How did you hold down the fort at home while writing? Josi: With that first book, I had two sisters who were working hard to keep my life going and a wonderful husband who took on a lot of extra responsibility. It was a very hard and frustrating time, for all of us I'm sure, and yet I think it was to distract myself from the hard stuff that I began that first story. I needed to think of something else, and it has grown into something fabulous. A friend said to me once "Thank goodness for bedrest" and it took me a minute to realize what a blessing that was. I've wondered if I'd have taken the time and uncovered the passion for writing if I hadn't truly had nothing else to do. It was a lesson to me that sometimes our trials end up being the door to something unexpected.
Me: How big of a role does your husband play in your ability to pursue a writing career?I could not do this without Lee. From the very start he encouraged me to pursue it and he's always behind the scenes encouraging me to keep going, letting me vent about hard things, and yet keeping me grounded as well. It's easy for me to get completely lost in my fictional worlds, and he's there to pull me back and remind me of reality and my responsibility here. His confidence in me has been the most important aspect of my writing, without his support I can't imagine my ever seeking this in the first place, let alone sticking to it on the really hard days. He's priceless for me.
Me: What system works in your house for just getting it all done -- kids, writing, housework, etc. etc. etc.!Josi: My kids have chore days where once a week they are in charge of almost everything--dishes, bathrooms, pets, straightening, etc. It's about an hour of work, but I only have one kid I have to hound and if they all keep up with it then we stay on top of things. I get up early (5:00 most days) in order to exercise and do some home maintenance before they go to school or, since it's summer time, before they wake up. My kids start doing their own laundry at 11, so I only have one that I have to wash clothes for and this helps a great deal as well. I try to write in blocks of time, rather than in small snippets so I'm usually trying to get everything done so I can sit down for a couple of hours. Some days it works, some days it doesn't. For the last year and a half I have gone to our office once a week in the evening and written until midnight with some other writer friends. It's been a very effective thing for me, since getting away from the distractions at home helps me to focus. AND, just a couple of months ago I hired a housekeeper to come in twice a month and do floors and bathrooms. I just couldn't keep up and my kids didn't do a good enough job and it was worth the $200/month to not have to stress out about it. I felt guilty about it for the first hour :-)
Me: The Newport Ladies Book Club series is centered around, well, women and books! Daisy is a mother. How much of your parenting style went into creating her character?
Josi: Daisy is very different from me, but she was reflective more of my 'place' as a mom as my style. My oldest daughter just started college, living on campus, and as her departure got closer I found myself panicking. I have struggled with motherhood, I don't feel like I'm very good at it and it hasn't been as satisfying as I thought it would be when I started it out. For many, many years I was counting the days until my kids grew up and left, and yet now as they are doing that, I'm overwhelmed by it and realizing things I missed or things that will never be the same again. Daisy was an extreme example of someone realizing those things too and through writing it I worked out some of my own demons.Me: What can you tell us about SHANNON's character for your next NLBC book?Josi: Shannon is a pharmacist with a good family and good career. She has a step-daughter who has struggled with drugs and alcohol and who comes to Shannon for help. Shannon sees so much potential and wants her success so much that she hides things from her husband and son, and justifies her actions because of her goals, but finds out that in the process she's gone against her own values. I'm only about half way done with it so far and it's been another important journey for me personally. I'm eager to see how it turns out :-)
Me: Finally, and most importantly, what ice cream flavor is an absolute necessity in your freezer?Josi: Vanilla. I'm a very exciting person. :-)
Thanks, Josi for taking time to answer my stimulating questions. ;) You can find out more about Josi by stopping by her web page and blog or following her on twitter.
July 9, 2012
July Short Story contest
The prompt for our Short Story competition is up on our Mommy Author Goodreads group. You do not have to be a mommy to participate, so please help us spread the word!
This month's prompt is pictured below.
To submit an entry simply title your work as a reply to the topic in our group. The word count this month is 1000 words or less.
The winner will receive a 25$ gift card from Amazon and have their story published on the "Mommy Authors" blog.
We ask for previously unpublished content. You retain the rights to your written work. Please remember we are a Mommy blog, so no erotica, bad language, or graphic situations are accepted. The contest will close midnight PST July 25th and the winner announced by email on the 31st.
If you haven't joined our goodreads group yet, here is the link http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/68881-mommy-authors
This month's prompt is pictured below.
To submit an entry simply title your work as a reply to the topic in our group. The word count this month is 1000 words or less.
The winner will receive a 25$ gift card from Amazon and have their story published on the "Mommy Authors" blog.
We ask for previously unpublished content. You retain the rights to your written work. Please remember we are a Mommy blog, so no erotica, bad language, or graphic situations are accepted. The contest will close midnight PST July 25th and the winner announced by email on the 31st.
If you haven't joined our goodreads group yet, here is the link http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/68881-mommy-authors
Don't Ever Quit Writing......
Valerie J. Steimle
In our normal living from day to day, life gets busy and we set aside our writing goals of the future. I'm right in the middle of organizing a manuscript that needs to be ready for publication by the end of August. With all of my summer activities, it is difficult to keep on track. Sometimes it is easy to get very distracted. Sometimes life calls us away to do other things, but the most important virtue a writer can have is DETERMINATION. Don't Quit!!! Just be determined when you have a load of other people and activity calling you away find some time....somewhere when you can write. When life takes us on a journey in a different direction, we need a little boost to get us back on track. Although it's beach weather for the next few months, serious writers--that is all of us--can organize our time to write, write, write!!!
We can't do it all at once. We have families and friends to spend our time and those are great opportunities. We just need to be determined to keep our writings going.....
I received this poem a while ago through an email. I wish I had written it but I didn't. The author is unknown, but it is a great shot in the arm and we all need that once in a while. This poem gives it to us.
DON'T QUIT
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he'd stuck it out.
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are -
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.
We all need a way to remember what is important to us as writers and authors. We all need that reminder to never give up. So as we go through our summer months into the fall season, we should remember to fight the "fight when you’re hardest hit—when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit". Don’t ever quit writing.
In our normal living from day to day, life gets busy and we set aside our writing goals of the future. I'm right in the middle of organizing a manuscript that needs to be ready for publication by the end of August. With all of my summer activities, it is difficult to keep on track. Sometimes it is easy to get very distracted. Sometimes life calls us away to do other things, but the most important virtue a writer can have is DETERMINATION. Don't Quit!!! Just be determined when you have a load of other people and activity calling you away find some time....somewhere when you can write. When life takes us on a journey in a different direction, we need a little boost to get us back on track. Although it's beach weather for the next few months, serious writers--that is all of us--can organize our time to write, write, write!!!
We can't do it all at once. We have families and friends to spend our time and those are great opportunities. We just need to be determined to keep our writings going.....
I received this poem a while ago through an email. I wish I had written it but I didn't. The author is unknown, but it is a great shot in the arm and we all need that once in a while. This poem gives it to us.
DON'T QUIT
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he'd stuck it out.
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are -
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.
We all need a way to remember what is important to us as writers and authors. We all need that reminder to never give up. So as we go through our summer months into the fall season, we should remember to fight the "fight when you’re hardest hit—when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit". Don’t ever quit writing.
July 5, 2012
Cruel Summer
It is barely July and this summer has already exhausted me. There have been three (count them, three!) trips out of town. Each has required a three to five hour drive to arrive at the desired location and another three to five hours to get home.
Seems like there should be sun in that photo, doesn't it? Tell me about it. Now that it's July, perhaps the rain will let up for a few months.
We have gone to the zoo, the movies, the beach, the rodeo. My daughter has participated in 4H events - including walking a three-mile parade route, gone horseback riding, and joined the summer swim team. Hello daily practices. At 8:00 am.I have planned and begun executing a series of free community classes on how to make grocery store staples like chicken stock or homemade yogurt. We celebrated my husband's 39th birthday. We put in half a house worth of hardwood flooring (and have another half to go).We started up a mother/daughter summer book club.
What does any of this have to do with writing? Absolutely nothing - which is only slightly less than I am getting done.I was bemoaning my lack of productivity to my husband the other day.I asked him, "What would you say to one of your business partners if they were in the same situation? How would you coach them? Coach me!" (Which really meant: give me some magic beans and fix this problem, please.)His reply surprised me for a moment. "I would tell her to figure it out." Then he looked me in the eye and said, "Heidi, figure it out. If it's important to you, you'll make it work."
Too simple? Maybe. But he's right. If writing is important to me, I'll figure it out. I may need to cut back on other activities, get up earlier, enlist help when needed, and make sure that I eat well and exercise so I have the physical and mental energy I need.I'd like to say that I put all of those things in practice immediately and I am now cranking out pages, but that's not exactly the case. It is taking me some time, but I am working on it. Writing is important. I'm figuring it out.
How do you balance your writing with those extra busy periods at home? Have you figured it out?
Seems like there should be sun in that photo, doesn't it? Tell me about it. Now that it's July, perhaps the rain will let up for a few months.We have gone to the zoo, the movies, the beach, the rodeo. My daughter has participated in 4H events - including walking a three-mile parade route, gone horseback riding, and joined the summer swim team. Hello daily practices. At 8:00 am.I have planned and begun executing a series of free community classes on how to make grocery store staples like chicken stock or homemade yogurt. We celebrated my husband's 39th birthday. We put in half a house worth of hardwood flooring (and have another half to go).We started up a mother/daughter summer book club.
What does any of this have to do with writing? Absolutely nothing - which is only slightly less than I am getting done.I was bemoaning my lack of productivity to my husband the other day.I asked him, "What would you say to one of your business partners if they were in the same situation? How would you coach them? Coach me!" (Which really meant: give me some magic beans and fix this problem, please.)His reply surprised me for a moment. "I would tell her to figure it out." Then he looked me in the eye and said, "Heidi, figure it out. If it's important to you, you'll make it work."
Too simple? Maybe. But he's right. If writing is important to me, I'll figure it out. I may need to cut back on other activities, get up earlier, enlist help when needed, and make sure that I eat well and exercise so I have the physical and mental energy I need.I'd like to say that I put all of those things in practice immediately and I am now cranking out pages, but that's not exactly the case. It is taking me some time, but I am working on it. Writing is important. I'm figuring it out.
How do you balance your writing with those extra busy periods at home? Have you figured it out?
July 2, 2012
What is an American?
Wednesday is the Fourth of July—our Independence Day. The question I have is: What does it mean to be an American? What can we do to strengthen our land to make it better? In the early years of our nation, many fought for the independence from the British crown. We were such an underdog at the time; many other countries thought we would never make it. But with the prayers and courage of our colonial forefathers they made it through to independence and wrote our constitution signed by all those who wanted to band together to form an independent nation. They were all God fearing men and they had the conviction that what they were doing was the right. Because these brave men had foresight and inspiration, we have reaped the blessings of a free nation. But how long will we be free? How long will our nation’s government hold up to the multi-cultralism being pushed on us. Why do we have to learn Spanish? Why shouldn’t those wanting to live here in this free land doing as they please learn to speak English as my immigrant grandparents did? This is our country and if they want to live here they should incorporate our culture into theirs, not the other way around. When our forefathers fought to became an independent colony, they believed in God and I believe that the majority of Americans still believe in God regardless of what the media says. So why is the government trying to delete God from our society? We are still the citizens of this country and shouldn’t cow tow to what our "one-world" government elected leaders push on us. Shame on us for electing them but by the same token shame on us for keeping them in office if they prove to lead us in the wrong direction. This is still our country and our land and our lifestyle and we should be able to enjoy the freedoms our forefathers fought so hard to keep. We shouldn’t be griping about our flag, our pledge, or our Christian beliefs because if you are not happy here, you can always leave. So what is the answer to my question: What is an American? An American is a citizen who stands up for what they believe in regardless of what the government says. An American citizen supports it’s constitution in the fullest sense and not change it so drastically that there is nothing left but socialist propaganda. An American citizen does his/her best to vote in national and local leaders to move us forward as a stronger nation and independent of other countries, not giving our jobs and our sovereignty away in the name of "helping the world". Today, we need to display our flag and remember the great responsibility and blessing it is to live in this country. We need to keep the memories of our founding fathers in our hearts. We are Americans and we should never forget it.-Valerie
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June 30, 2012
June Short Story Winner!
The Elders’ Touch
No one knows what we did. After today, no one ever will. I lay awake for hours, waiting for the perfect pitch of black before following Zamir’s path. We were leaving; traveling far away from home. Away from the misery. Away from the rules. Away from the pain.
Yesterday, Zamir spent the entire afternoon looking for stones. White ones only, so they’d reflect the moon’s glow. The timing had to be precise or else we’d be caught.
So much has changed since the war. Babies are now considered a commodity, like salt or corn, bought and sold at market. I didn’t know until month five. My thin frame had become round. If the elders found out, he or she would never be mine. I couldn’t live with that. Neither could Zamir.
After the war, all of the adult women in our village were round up like cattle, placed inside stables. They moaned inside for days. Once released, they fled to their homes, no longer willing or able to create life. Any hope of a new generation rested upon us. Our years were too young at the time, 16 being the age of consent. Still, the elders preyed upon us like wolves, the venom strong in their eyes. They were determined. I was determined too.
Zamir and I grew up together, years before the war. Our mothers carried fruit and water together from the market and well. By 13, we were more than friends.
The next three years zigzagged into a blur. What we had done was wrong. What we had created, love. We both knew our punishment was death. Still, we continued, never knowing it would lead to this.
The air was silent. I crept from my pallet to the entryway of our hut. Into the night I waddled, Zamir’s white stones guiding my feet. The path to the scarp that took ten minutes in daylight took three times as long against the moon. Where would we go? How would we eat? We did not know. That uncertainty led us to this dusk-filled night. No one would take our unborn child. He or she would never be ours if we stayed. Almost 100 feet to the edge of the scarp, I could feel the tension rising. Inch by inch, I made my way down the rocky slide, only to discover, I was alone. Had I followed the wrong stones?
Think, Mena think. He told me the white ones would lead me to him. Why is he not here?
Just as I began to retrace my steps, I heard a voice.
“Mena, come, down here.”
My fears quickly washed away. I saw Zamir’s hand reach for mine. Then, instantly, our touch was intercepted by another…an elders’. Just when I believed the three of us were free, bondage ensued. It was then that I knew, things would never be the same, again.
-Dorothy
Chills. Seriously love this.
Your story could appear here next month, our prompt will go live Monday. Haven't joined our goodreads group yet? Why not?
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/6...
No one knows what we did. After today, no one ever will. I lay awake for hours, waiting for the perfect pitch of black before following Zamir’s path. We were leaving; traveling far away from home. Away from the misery. Away from the rules. Away from the pain.
Yesterday, Zamir spent the entire afternoon looking for stones. White ones only, so they’d reflect the moon’s glow. The timing had to be precise or else we’d be caught.
So much has changed since the war. Babies are now considered a commodity, like salt or corn, bought and sold at market. I didn’t know until month five. My thin frame had become round. If the elders found out, he or she would never be mine. I couldn’t live with that. Neither could Zamir.
After the war, all of the adult women in our village were round up like cattle, placed inside stables. They moaned inside for days. Once released, they fled to their homes, no longer willing or able to create life. Any hope of a new generation rested upon us. Our years were too young at the time, 16 being the age of consent. Still, the elders preyed upon us like wolves, the venom strong in their eyes. They were determined. I was determined too.
Zamir and I grew up together, years before the war. Our mothers carried fruit and water together from the market and well. By 13, we were more than friends.
The next three years zigzagged into a blur. What we had done was wrong. What we had created, love. We both knew our punishment was death. Still, we continued, never knowing it would lead to this.
The air was silent. I crept from my pallet to the entryway of our hut. Into the night I waddled, Zamir’s white stones guiding my feet. The path to the scarp that took ten minutes in daylight took three times as long against the moon. Where would we go? How would we eat? We did not know. That uncertainty led us to this dusk-filled night. No one would take our unborn child. He or she would never be ours if we stayed. Almost 100 feet to the edge of the scarp, I could feel the tension rising. Inch by inch, I made my way down the rocky slide, only to discover, I was alone. Had I followed the wrong stones?
Think, Mena think. He told me the white ones would lead me to him. Why is he not here?
Just as I began to retrace my steps, I heard a voice.
“Mena, come, down here.”
My fears quickly washed away. I saw Zamir’s hand reach for mine. Then, instantly, our touch was intercepted by another…an elders’. Just when I believed the three of us were free, bondage ensued. It was then that I knew, things would never be the same, again.
-Dorothy
Chills. Seriously love this.
Your story could appear here next month, our prompt will go live Monday. Haven't joined our goodreads group yet? Why not?
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/6...
![[image error]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbdQygfEp5Y/UAjtbVq0UKI/AAAAAAAAAQM/VvLhvv_GoYg/s1600/character+arc.jpg){kind=link}