Mindee Arnett's Blog, page 11
June 20, 2012
THE NIGHTMARE AFFAIR Cover Reveal
That's right! The cover for The Nightmare Affair has been revealed over on www.tor.com. You can see it here and read about the process it took to create it. It's fascinating, and I hope you love the final cover as much as I do.
But make sure you tune in tomorrow because I'm celebrating the cover reveal with an fantastic giveway supported by the fabulous blogs below. We will also be revealing the jacket cover for the The Nightmare Affair. There will be two winners a piece for the following prizes:
1st Winner: An ARC of Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake + an ARC of The Nightmare Affair (available in Oct)
2nd Winner: A copy of any current YA title of your choice + an ARC of The Nightmare Affair (available in Oct)
You can enter at any of the participating blogs below.
(in alphabetical order):
Angels, Demons, and Portals, Oh my!
Cat York
Farrah Penn
I Eat Words
Icey Books
Lil Red's Hood
Lori M. Lee
Once Upon a Time in Writer Land ***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
But make sure you tune in tomorrow because I'm celebrating the cover reveal with an fantastic giveway supported by the fabulous blogs below. We will also be revealing the jacket cover for the The Nightmare Affair. There will be two winners a piece for the following prizes:
1st Winner: An ARC of Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake + an ARC of The Nightmare Affair (available in Oct)
2nd Winner: A copy of any current YA title of your choice + an ARC of The Nightmare Affair (available in Oct)
You can enter at any of the participating blogs below.
(in alphabetical order):
Angels, Demons, and Portals, Oh my!
Cat York
Farrah Penn
I Eat Words
Icey Books
Lil Red's Hood
Lori M. Lee
Once Upon a Time in Writer Land ***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
June 11, 2012
Be Here Now Auction - Win a Query + 1st Chapter Critique
Attention writers! There's an online auction starting Wednesday where you have a chance to bid on manuscript critiques from several published and up-and-coming writers and help fund the BE HERE NOW documentary on Andy Whitfield. I have a query letter plus 1st chapter critique available. The minimum bid is just a dollar! The auction is taking place on the blog of the fabulous writer, Kathy Bradey, Once Upon a Time in Writer Land.
For more information on the BE HERE NOW project, including a clip from the film check out this post on Entertainment Weekly.
Good luck and happy writing!
***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
For more information on the BE HERE NOW project, including a clip from the film check out this post on Entertainment Weekly.
Good luck and happy writing!
***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
June 5, 2012
Book Red: SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo
So yeah, the title of this blog deserves the "understatement of the year" award. I'm not just recommending this book. I'm screaming as loud as I can, "GO BUY IT NOW!" Seriously, I had the fortune to get my hands on an Advanced Readers Copy, and I was completely enamored with the story, the writing, the characters, and the world. Yeah, everything in this is as good as good can be. Read the description from Goodreads below and then get thee to a book store as soon as you can. You won't regret it. I guarantee it!
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.
***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.
***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
May 30, 2012
World-Building Avengers Style (Let Your Characters Be Your Guide)
World-building is hard. World-building takes a lot of time and energy. And for a lot of aspiring writers, poor world-building is the kiss of death. Getting the world right, making it believable, is essential for your story to be successful, especially if you’re writing fantasy or sci-fi.
In my experience, the best key for unlocking the mysteries of your make your believe world is the characters. They hold all the answers as to how the world exists and why, because they already live in it — yeah? All you have to do is start asking them for the answers.
Okay, that sounds a little existential, but I really mean it. If you’re uncertain about the shape or your world, explore your characters. What’s character A’s backstory? What does he/she like to wear? Why? How did he/she get those clothes or that type of spaceship or that particular magical skill set? The more you answer these questions, the deeper and richer your world will become and the more it will make sense to your readers.
Your characters will also provide you the level of world-building you actually need to include in your story. A lot of writers I know tend to skimp on the world-building in early drafts (myself include). Consequently, my feedback on these drafts tends to be full of questions on how stuff works and why. A lot of these questions occur to me because I don’t understand why a character is behaving a certain way or how they had access to these particular resources, etc. Which means, that the answer to these questions will come through the characters themselves.
There are also those writers who love to world-build so much that they include too many, and usually pointless, details. Again, the solution here is to stick as close to the characters as possible Would character B, a teenager sneak thief and orphan, really know the name of the son of the cousin of the regional governor of Outlandia? Yeah, probably not.
The best visual metaphor I can use for this idea comes from the super-awesome movie you might have heard of known as The Avengers. There are many reasons why this movie is so good (the biggest of which is because it was written/directed by the Geek God of Awesome known as Joss Whedon), but one of the most critical reasons is because of all the other movies which came before it. Think of those other movies, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, as really extensive backstories, all of which were necessary for The Avengers to make sense and for the characters and world to be believable. Do the same with your characters. Answer all the questions, explore of their reasons for being. And then remember to only include the details that really matter in your manuscript for your Avengers story.
Happy Writing!
***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
In my experience, the best key for unlocking the mysteries of your make your believe world is the characters. They hold all the answers as to how the world exists and why, because they already live in it — yeah? All you have to do is start asking them for the answers.
Okay, that sounds a little existential, but I really mean it. If you’re uncertain about the shape or your world, explore your characters. What’s character A’s backstory? What does he/she like to wear? Why? How did he/she get those clothes or that type of spaceship or that particular magical skill set? The more you answer these questions, the deeper and richer your world will become and the more it will make sense to your readers.
Your characters will also provide you the level of world-building you actually need to include in your story. A lot of writers I know tend to skimp on the world-building in early drafts (myself include). Consequently, my feedback on these drafts tends to be full of questions on how stuff works and why. A lot of these questions occur to me because I don’t understand why a character is behaving a certain way or how they had access to these particular resources, etc. Which means, that the answer to these questions will come through the characters themselves.
There are also those writers who love to world-build so much that they include too many, and usually pointless, details. Again, the solution here is to stick as close to the characters as possible Would character B, a teenager sneak thief and orphan, really know the name of the son of the cousin of the regional governor of Outlandia? Yeah, probably not.
The best visual metaphor I can use for this idea comes from the super-awesome movie you might have heard of known as The Avengers. There are many reasons why this movie is so good (the biggest of which is because it was written/directed by the Geek God of Awesome known as Joss Whedon), but one of the most critical reasons is because of all the other movies which came before it. Think of those other movies, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, as really extensive backstories, all of which were necessary for The Avengers to make sense and for the characters and world to be believable. Do the same with your characters. Answer all the questions, explore of their reasons for being. And then remember to only include the details that really matter in your manuscript for your Avengers story.
Happy Writing!
***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
May 8, 2012
Sinclair Writers Workshop Wrap up
I had a wonderful time participating in my first writers workshop as a presenter, and I want to say a big thank you to everyone who attended.
During the course of the sessions I presented, some of you asked for a copy of the PowerPoint I put together. I've attached it below. Enjoy and happy writing!
Sinclair Writers Workshop Presentation - Working
***originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
During the course of the sessions I presented, some of you asked for a copy of the PowerPoint I put together. I've attached it below. Enjoy and happy writing!
Sinclair Writers Workshop Presentation - Working
***originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
April 30, 2012
Sinclair Writers Workshop – AKA Come See Me (please)
So this Friday I have been invited to present at my very first writers conference. To say I’m excited would be a disservice to the art of understatement. I’ve wanted to do this for a very long time. I love talking about writing nearly as much as I love the act itself. And I’m beyond thrilled that Sinclair Community College has extended me this invitation. And I want to offer a big thanks to horror-writer extraordinaire Tim Waggoner for suggesting me.
If you live near the Dayton, Ohio area and are interested in attending, here is the session I will be presenting:
Breaking into the Young Adult Market, From Draft to Query:
In this session we will discuss what makes a novel “young adult” and how to engage with the online YA community, including agents and editors. Next, we will finish up with a look at effective query letters. Session will include handouts and some hands-on exercises for developing your pitch.
To find out about the other sessions as well as times, click on Sinclair Writers Workshop2012 Program.
And here’s a link to the online registration for the conference, which at only $25.00 is incredibly affordable. They also will have walk-in registration on Friday.
And finally — just for kicks — here’s a fun
Happy Writing!
***originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
If you live near the Dayton, Ohio area and are interested in attending, here is the session I will be presenting:
Breaking into the Young Adult Market, From Draft to Query:
In this session we will discuss what makes a novel “young adult” and how to engage with the online YA community, including agents and editors. Next, we will finish up with a look at effective query letters. Session will include handouts and some hands-on exercises for developing your pitch.
To find out about the other sessions as well as times, click on Sinclair Writers Workshop2012 Program.
And here’s a link to the online registration for the conference, which at only $25.00 is incredibly affordable. They also will have walk-in registration on Friday.
And finally — just for kicks — here’s a fun
Happy Writing!
***originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
April 27, 2012
Write Bravely
So this is an old post, but I feel like sharing it again. It might even become an annual thing. Enjoy!
The annual Kentucky Rolex Three Day Event is happening right now in Lexington. It’s four days of the toughest, scariest horseback riding in the United States. But these horses and riders face jump like this:
And this:
Without fear. With the determination that they will get over and move on to the next.
As writers, we need to be the same way. Sending out your work to critique partners, beta readers, and eventually agents and editors is scary, scary business. But you’ve got to face it bravely and head on, determined to get past one hurdle and move on to the next. What have you got to lose? Oh, and don't go looking for me on the interwebs tomorrow. I'll be in Kentucky, watching it live. Happy Writing! ***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
The annual Kentucky Rolex Three Day Event is happening right now in Lexington. It’s four days of the toughest, scariest horseback riding in the United States. But these horses and riders face jump like this:
And this: Without fear. With the determination that they will get over and move on to the next.
As writers, we need to be the same way. Sending out your work to critique partners, beta readers, and eventually agents and editors is scary, scary business. But you’ve got to face it bravely and head on, determined to get past one hurdle and move on to the next. What have you got to lose? Oh, and don't go looking for me on the interwebs tomorrow. I'll be in Kentucky, watching it live. Happy Writing! ***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
April 24, 2012
UNRAVELING Celebration!
So today, me and a whole bunch of other fabulous people on the blogosphere are all celebrating the release of Unraveling by the lovely and talented debut author Elizabeth Norris. I’m so excited for this book, guys! You can read about it below and enter a chance to win one of two copies.
But first, I’ve chosen this prompt to write about in celebration: "In her blurb for Unraveling, Andrea Cremer describes it as Veronica Mars meets X-Files. Who are your favorite fictional sleuths?”
This one is soooooo easy (although that’s not the reason I chose it, I swear). But my favorite fictional sleuth of all time is Veronica Mars. I just love her. Love, love, love. She’s tough, smart, clever, and best of all — a girl. Don’t get me wrong. I love a whole bunch of male sleuths (Sherlock, Magnum, Angel, Vic Mackey, Castle) but a female sleuth and a teenager to boot is always going to win out in my book.
Now, there’s no way for me to capture the awesomeness that is Veronica Mars in a post like this. You need to just go out and watch it and you’ll understand. But in case you’re looking for a quick glance into some of the fun, I leave you with this link (beware of spoilers, on and make sure you read about Unraveling AND enter the contest before getting lost in the wonderment of VM).
About Unraveling:
Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.
But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.
From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming. You can read the first 90 pages of UNRAVELING here.
About the author:
Elizabeth Norris briefly taught high school English and history before trading the southern California beaches and sunshine for Manhattan's recent snowpocalyptic winter. She harbors dangerous addictions to guacamole, red velvet cupcakes, sushi, and Argo Tea, fortunately not all together. Her first novel, UNRAVELING (Balzer+Bray, April 2012), is the story of one girl’s fight to save her family, her world, and the one boy she never saw coming.
The giveaway.
Fill in the giveaway form for a chance to win one of two copies of UNRAVELING. Open anywhere the Book Depository will ship.
***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
But first, I’ve chosen this prompt to write about in celebration: "In her blurb for Unraveling, Andrea Cremer describes it as Veronica Mars meets X-Files. Who are your favorite fictional sleuths?”
This one is soooooo easy (although that’s not the reason I chose it, I swear). But my favorite fictional sleuth of all time is Veronica Mars. I just love her. Love, love, love. She’s tough, smart, clever, and best of all — a girl. Don’t get me wrong. I love a whole bunch of male sleuths (Sherlock, Magnum, Angel, Vic Mackey, Castle) but a female sleuth and a teenager to boot is always going to win out in my book.
Now, there’s no way for me to capture the awesomeness that is Veronica Mars in a post like this. You need to just go out and watch it and you’ll understand. But in case you’re looking for a quick glance into some of the fun, I leave you with this link (beware of spoilers, on and make sure you read about Unraveling AND enter the contest before getting lost in the wonderment of VM).
About Unraveling:
Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.
But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.
From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming. You can read the first 90 pages of UNRAVELING here.
About the author:
Elizabeth Norris briefly taught high school English and history before trading the southern California beaches and sunshine for Manhattan's recent snowpocalyptic winter. She harbors dangerous addictions to guacamole, red velvet cupcakes, sushi, and Argo Tea, fortunately not all together. Her first novel, UNRAVELING (Balzer+Bray, April 2012), is the story of one girl’s fight to save her family, her world, and the one boy she never saw coming.
The giveaway.
Fill in the giveaway form for a chance to win one of two copies of UNRAVELING. Open anywhere the Book Depository will ship.
***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
April 20, 2012
The Nightmare Affair Character Peek
I blogged today over at the Lucky 13s, a group of 2013 debut children's books authors,which I'm thrilled to be a part of. So if you want a sneak peek into the MC of THE NIGHTMARE AFFAIR, go check it out: http://goo.gl/V8yVK
April 4, 2012
Lucky Seven Meme
So I got tagged for this by my brilliant critique partner and agency sister, Lori M. Lee. Thanks Lori!
The Lucky 7 Meme Rules
Go to page 77 of your current MS/WIP Go to line 7Copy down the next 7 lines--sentences or paragraphs--and post them as they're written. No cheating.Tag 7 authors Let them know Here it goes. The following is from the current version of The Nightmare Affair
********************************************************************************
I alighted onto the field behind a hulking player I recognized as Brian Johnson. Seeing him brought back memories of the first time I ever dream-walked. Not particularly good ones. Nobody thought I'd inherited any Nightmare powers until I woke up one night feeling a hunger no Snickers bar could satisfy. Half-dazed, half-terrified I broke into Brian's house, climbed on top of him, and found myself in a dream-world populated by naked girls with big boobs. One of them had been a friend of mine. When I caught Brian trying to grope her, I kicked him, not knowing any better.
Yeah, it didn't end well.
I contemplated giving Brian another kick now for old time's sake, but I needed him for cover, not trusting Eli wouldn't spot me again.
********************************************************************************
Now for the tags:
Cat YorkKathy BradeyMallory HayesKimberlee TurleyStepanie JonesChelsea FineSarah L. Blair***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
The Lucky 7 Meme Rules
Go to page 77 of your current MS/WIP Go to line 7Copy down the next 7 lines--sentences or paragraphs--and post them as they're written. No cheating.Tag 7 authors Let them know Here it goes. The following is from the current version of The Nightmare Affair
********************************************************************************
I alighted onto the field behind a hulking player I recognized as Brian Johnson. Seeing him brought back memories of the first time I ever dream-walked. Not particularly good ones. Nobody thought I'd inherited any Nightmare powers until I woke up one night feeling a hunger no Snickers bar could satisfy. Half-dazed, half-terrified I broke into Brian's house, climbed on top of him, and found myself in a dream-world populated by naked girls with big boobs. One of them had been a friend of mine. When I caught Brian trying to grope her, I kicked him, not knowing any better.
Yeah, it didn't end well.
I contemplated giving Brian another kick now for old time's sake, but I needed him for cover, not trusting Eli wouldn't spot me again.
********************************************************************************
Now for the tags:
Cat YorkKathy BradeyMallory HayesKimberlee TurleyStepanie JonesChelsea FineSarah L. Blair***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
