Chantele Sedgwick's Blog, page 6
February 21, 2013
Contemporary Love
Oh, contemporary. Where have you been all my reading life? I'm a huge fan of anything fantasy. And I mean HUGE. I read it, write it, dream about it ... you get it. So when I got an idea for my contemporary, I had no idea what to do about it. I don't write contemporary. Never have. But I jumped in with both feet and started writing.
I started my book on December 1st. I finished it January 29th. Pretty sure this is the fastest book I've ever written.
And honestly? I loved writing it. I loved the setting, the characters, and the story. It's pretty light, but deals with grief and some tough things, but it's full of hope. I don't know if it's what the market is looking for, but I wrote what was in my heart and that's all that matters. :)
I have another contemporary I'm starting. Call me crazy, but I think I'm in love.
Have you written outside your usual genre? Did you stick with it?
I started my book on December 1st. I finished it January 29th. Pretty sure this is the fastest book I've ever written.
And honestly? I loved writing it. I loved the setting, the characters, and the story. It's pretty light, but deals with grief and some tough things, but it's full of hope. I don't know if it's what the market is looking for, but I wrote what was in my heart and that's all that matters. :)
I have another contemporary I'm starting. Call me crazy, but I think I'm in love.
Have you written outside your usual genre? Did you stick with it?
February 14, 2013
The Day of Love!
When I was in high school, I always dreamed of getting flowers sent to class on Valentine's Day. Alas, it never happened. Actually, I did get two flowers my senior year from two of my closest guy friends, so I guess that counts.
When I met my hubby, we dated for less than a month before we got engaged. Yes, I know. It was super fast. I was so excited to finally have a Valentine for the rest of my life! Little did I know, the one holiday my cute hubby hated the most was VALENTINES DAY! Are you kidding me? I was shocked! And a little disappointed I didn't marry a hopeless romantic like myself. I still got a good one though. He's so funny. Every year he says Valentines Day is a stupid holiday, because he loves me every day. Not just one day a year. But even though he hates it, he still does something extra sweet for me each year. I'm not sure what he'll do today, but I'm sure it will be cute. :)
I love, LOVE. Especially in books. I love reading first kisses and tension between two characters who know they love each other but are too afraid to say it. As for my own writing, sometimes I have a hard time writing kissing scenes because I can't capture the perfect first kiss or the right emotion. It sounds cheesy to me when I go over my scenes, so I end up writing them like ten times I swear.
Do you have a hard time with romantic scenes in your own writing? Do you have a favorite steamy moment in a book? I LOVED Shatter Me. If you've read it, you know exactly which scene I'm talking about. Maybe ... Ha ha. ;)
When I met my hubby, we dated for less than a month before we got engaged. Yes, I know. It was super fast. I was so excited to finally have a Valentine for the rest of my life! Little did I know, the one holiday my cute hubby hated the most was VALENTINES DAY! Are you kidding me? I was shocked! And a little disappointed I didn't marry a hopeless romantic like myself. I still got a good one though. He's so funny. Every year he says Valentines Day is a stupid holiday, because he loves me every day. Not just one day a year. But even though he hates it, he still does something extra sweet for me each year. I'm not sure what he'll do today, but I'm sure it will be cute. :)
I love, LOVE. Especially in books. I love reading first kisses and tension between two characters who know they love each other but are too afraid to say it. As for my own writing, sometimes I have a hard time writing kissing scenes because I can't capture the perfect first kiss or the right emotion. It sounds cheesy to me when I go over my scenes, so I end up writing them like ten times I swear.
Do you have a hard time with romantic scenes in your own writing? Do you have a favorite steamy moment in a book? I LOVED Shatter Me. If you've read it, you know exactly which scene I'm talking about. Maybe ... Ha ha. ;)
January 29, 2013
Social Media
I read a post today by Nathan Bransford about blogging slowing down. You can check it out here. Does anyone else see this as well? I've noticed it for a while. Not a lot of people comment on blogs anymore. I read blogs, but with my limited time, I skip commenting. Which makes me feel horrible, but I don't have time to comment everywhere anymore. I've seen a lot of big time bloggers who don't blog anymore or blog once or twice a month. Does having a blog even matter now?
This social media thing changes so fast. I'm on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter, but I don't use Twitter nearly enough. I do like it though. But I wonder when those are going to stop trending as well.
I think it's sad that blogs are sort of on the way out. I've met so many wonderful people through blogging, but I'll admit I don't have time to keep up with it as much as I used to. I think it's because I used to waste so much time thinking of something to post, when I could have been writing. And there are so many useful blogs about writing, that I don't want to post anything because it has already been posted somewhere else. Know what I mean?
What do you guys think? Is blogging on its way out? Are you a fan of Twitter or Facebook? Thoughts?
This social media thing changes so fast. I'm on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter, but I don't use Twitter nearly enough. I do like it though. But I wonder when those are going to stop trending as well.
I think it's sad that blogs are sort of on the way out. I've met so many wonderful people through blogging, but I'll admit I don't have time to keep up with it as much as I used to. I think it's because I used to waste so much time thinking of something to post, when I could have been writing. And there are so many useful blogs about writing, that I don't want to post anything because it has already been posted somewhere else. Know what I mean?
What do you guys think? Is blogging on its way out? Are you a fan of Twitter or Facebook? Thoughts?
January 23, 2013
The beginning
I didn't always want to be a writer. When I was younger I wanted to be a vet, since I loved animals so much. Then I figured out that they had to put animals asleep. I don't think I could have handled that, so I changed my mind to being a nurse who worked with babies. Then I realized I'd have to draw blood, help deliver a baby and sometimes the babies didn't always make it. I couldn't handle that either. When I graduated high school, I started going to college to become a teacher. I could handle being around kids every day. But then I realized how much I didn't like college. After going for a year and a half, I decided not to go back. I met my hubby and got married and had four kids and have never looked back.
Do I regret not finishing college? Sometimes. But my life has gone exactly where I want it to go. As I look back now, I see a lot of signs that I was meant to be a writer. I made up stories a lot when I was a teenager and secretly typed them up when no one was looking. I thought everyone did it. I also thought everyone had stories in their heads all the time. It was normal for me. I didn't realize how much I loved making things up until I had my first child. After my second child I thought I'd pursue publication.
I never thought it would be such an emotional rollercoaster. And SO hard. But it has all been worth it. I've met so many amazing people while chasing after my dream. I wouldn't trade my experiences for the world.
I've come a long way since I wrote my first book. I'm almost finished with my 7th. It's crazy to think I've written seven books. And out of those seven, my 3rd and 6th are the ones that have gotten contracts. So many things have happened in the past few years, both good and bad. I've had an agent, left an agent, published a book and have a sequel under contract. It's been a crazy ride and it's not over yet. I'm entering the query waters again with my new book soon. I'm just as scared as I was with my first book. But I've learned these past few years that if you love something, you don't give up, even if you get a hundred rejections. You may have to set a book or two aside and work on something else for a while, but if you love writing, keep going. Good things will happen when the time is right.
What made you want to be a writer?
Do I regret not finishing college? Sometimes. But my life has gone exactly where I want it to go. As I look back now, I see a lot of signs that I was meant to be a writer. I made up stories a lot when I was a teenager and secretly typed them up when no one was looking. I thought everyone did it. I also thought everyone had stories in their heads all the time. It was normal for me. I didn't realize how much I loved making things up until I had my first child. After my second child I thought I'd pursue publication.
I never thought it would be such an emotional rollercoaster. And SO hard. But it has all been worth it. I've met so many amazing people while chasing after my dream. I wouldn't trade my experiences for the world.
I've come a long way since I wrote my first book. I'm almost finished with my 7th. It's crazy to think I've written seven books. And out of those seven, my 3rd and 6th are the ones that have gotten contracts. So many things have happened in the past few years, both good and bad. I've had an agent, left an agent, published a book and have a sequel under contract. It's been a crazy ride and it's not over yet. I'm entering the query waters again with my new book soon. I'm just as scared as I was with my first book. But I've learned these past few years that if you love something, you don't give up, even if you get a hundred rejections. You may have to set a book or two aside and work on something else for a while, but if you love writing, keep going. Good things will happen when the time is right.
What made you want to be a writer?
January 8, 2013
That Feeling.
You know the one. When you're so in love and invested in your new idea that you have a really hard time focusing on anything else in your life. Like changing out of your pajamas every day. Or feeding the kids... Totally kidding. Sort of... ;)
That's happening to me right now.
I love this book. Love it. I don't know why. It's nothing special, but I love it just the same. I haven't loved a book as much since I wrote my fairytale. Which is a good thing.
I love my MC. Her name is Oakley. She's very fragile and shy. She lost her brother to cancer, and is having a really hard time dealing with it. She's distant and super awkward, and I'm loving where the story is going with her love interest. I can't wait to see him break down all of her walls and help her heal.
And you guys, the setting. I LOVE the setting. The story is set in Huntington Beach, California, and seeing how it's been like 7 degrees here the past few nights, I'm really wishing I lived there as well!
Mix the setting and characters with some surfing, guitars, first kisses and unwanted challenges and there's my book in a nutshell. I'm dying to finish it. I wish I had more time to write.
This book has been challenging for me, but not in the way you'd think. I don't write contemporary. Ever. And this has no magic at all. It's weird and foreign to me, which is silly, since it's like real life, but I'm so used to making up worlds and magic systems, that it's been interesting to write something without those things.
Maybe that's why I love this book. Because it's a challenge for me to capture my characters strengths and weaknesses more. To show how much emotion they're actually feeling. To watch them grow and change. We'll see how it goes.
Anyway, that's what I've been doing. Have you ever written something totally out of your comfort zone? You should try it. It feels good. And scary. And awesome. :)
That's happening to me right now.
I love this book. Love it. I don't know why. It's nothing special, but I love it just the same. I haven't loved a book as much since I wrote my fairytale. Which is a good thing.
I love my MC. Her name is Oakley. She's very fragile and shy. She lost her brother to cancer, and is having a really hard time dealing with it. She's distant and super awkward, and I'm loving where the story is going with her love interest. I can't wait to see him break down all of her walls and help her heal.
And you guys, the setting. I LOVE the setting. The story is set in Huntington Beach, California, and seeing how it's been like 7 degrees here the past few nights, I'm really wishing I lived there as well!
Mix the setting and characters with some surfing, guitars, first kisses and unwanted challenges and there's my book in a nutshell. I'm dying to finish it. I wish I had more time to write.
This book has been challenging for me, but not in the way you'd think. I don't write contemporary. Ever. And this has no magic at all. It's weird and foreign to me, which is silly, since it's like real life, but I'm so used to making up worlds and magic systems, that it's been interesting to write something without those things.
Maybe that's why I love this book. Because it's a challenge for me to capture my characters strengths and weaknesses more. To show how much emotion they're actually feeling. To watch them grow and change. We'll see how it goes.
Anyway, that's what I've been doing. Have you ever written something totally out of your comfort zone? You should try it. It feels good. And scary. And awesome. :)
January 1, 2013
Happy New Year!
It's a new year. Can you believe it? When I was younger, 2013 seemed like it was FOREVER away. And now it's here. So awesome.
As I've thought about all that happened in 2012, I've been trying to come up with new goals. New dreams. I've had an interesting writing journey so far to say the least. So, bring it on 2013!
I'm making my goals a little more realistic this year. I'll show you what I mean. :)
1. Finish my revisions and edits on Not Your Average Happy Ending. Turn into Editor so it can be published this year.
2. Finish my WIP. It's a contemporary YA and it's scary writing so far out of my magical fantasy comfort zone. But I love this book. And I think it's a good thing it scares me so much.
3. Query my WIP. I'm absolutely terrified of querying agents, but I'm going to be brave and do it. You'd think I'd be a little more brave since I've been there before, but no. That's why I'm so scared. Been there. Done that. Hated it.
4. Enjoy writing. Last year I was so caught up in what I was doing wrong and so critical of myself, I lost the joy of writing for a while. I only finished one book last year and gave up on a bunch of others for that very reason. I'm getting back into loving it again. I'm done stressing over if it's good enough to get an agent or not. I want to just love the words, the stories and characters I write about. That's enough for me.
5. Finish one more book and query it.
6. I'm going to blog more. I've missed it. I may have to do it only once or twice a week, but as long as I'm blogging a little, I'll be happy. :)
So, there you have it. My writing goals. I would LOVE to hear yours!
As I've thought about all that happened in 2012, I've been trying to come up with new goals. New dreams. I've had an interesting writing journey so far to say the least. So, bring it on 2013!
I'm making my goals a little more realistic this year. I'll show you what I mean. :)
1. Finish my revisions and edits on Not Your Average Happy Ending. Turn into Editor so it can be published this year.
2. Finish my WIP. It's a contemporary YA and it's scary writing so far out of my magical fantasy comfort zone. But I love this book. And I think it's a good thing it scares me so much.
3. Query my WIP. I'm absolutely terrified of querying agents, but I'm going to be brave and do it. You'd think I'd be a little more brave since I've been there before, but no. That's why I'm so scared. Been there. Done that. Hated it.
4. Enjoy writing. Last year I was so caught up in what I was doing wrong and so critical of myself, I lost the joy of writing for a while. I only finished one book last year and gave up on a bunch of others for that very reason. I'm getting back into loving it again. I'm done stressing over if it's good enough to get an agent or not. I want to just love the words, the stories and characters I write about. That's enough for me.
5. Finish one more book and query it.
6. I'm going to blog more. I've missed it. I may have to do it only once or twice a week, but as long as I'm blogging a little, I'll be happy. :)
So, there you have it. My writing goals. I would LOVE to hear yours!
December 11, 2012
A year in review
I can't believe 2012 is almost over. It's crazy. This year has been full of ups and downs for me. Mostly in my writing career. In my personal life, it's been pretty dang good. My new baby was the highlight for sure! :)
I was looking through my goals I made from January of this year and wanted to cross a few things off that I accomplished. Let's take a look, shall we?
*1. Sell a book. Done. It didn't happen the way I thought it would, but it did happen. :)
2. Write 3 new books and polish at least two of them. I actually only wrote one. I blame it on the pregnancy.
3. Go to two conferences. Done and done! LTUE and Storymakers. Had. A. Blast!
4. Manage my time better. Eh. I could do better. And I will.
5. Be more patient. (HA!) Actually, I've accomplished this a little. This will definitely be on my goals again for next year though.
6. Read 50 books. I think I only read 20 or so books this year. Big fat fail. :(
7. Keep up my blog. Haven't been very good at this either. Again, I blame the pregnancy.
8. Make new bloggy friends! :) THIS I'VE ACCOMPLISHED!!
Did you guys accomplish any goals from January?
Also, I'll be taking a break from now until the new year. I have some new goals and am going to make it a point to blog more. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!! See you next year! :D
I was looking through my goals I made from January of this year and wanted to cross a few things off that I accomplished. Let's take a look, shall we?
*1. Sell a book. Done. It didn't happen the way I thought it would, but it did happen. :)
2. Write 3 new books and polish at least two of them. I actually only wrote one. I blame it on the pregnancy.
3. Go to two conferences. Done and done! LTUE and Storymakers. Had. A. Blast!
4. Manage my time better. Eh. I could do better. And I will.
5. Be more patient. (HA!) Actually, I've accomplished this a little. This will definitely be on my goals again for next year though.
6. Read 50 books. I think I only read 20 or so books this year. Big fat fail. :(
7. Keep up my blog. Haven't been very good at this either. Again, I blame the pregnancy.
8. Make new bloggy friends! :) THIS I'VE ACCOMPLISHED!!
Did you guys accomplish any goals from January?
Also, I'll be taking a break from now until the new year. I have some new goals and am going to make it a point to blog more. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!! See you next year! :D
December 3, 2012
"And You Are?"
I decided to do the "And You Are?" blogfest at the last minute. I want to stay off Santa's naughtly list! :) Head over to Emily R. King's blog for details!
1. How many speeding tickets have you gotten?
Just one. I was going to pick up my date for a dance in high school. The policeman was going the other direction and turned around to pull me over. I was only going 5 over, but he gave me a ticket anyway. At the dance, everyone asked me if it was me that got pulled over, since it was in an area that everyone passes and I had a bright red minivan that was pretty easy to recognize. So I had to answer, yes. Yes it was. It was pretty awesome. :P
I talked myself out of another... ;)
2. Can you pitch a tent?
I've never really tried, but if I had instructions I could do it. Which would probably never happen because I hate camping...
3. What was your worst vacation ever?
We went to a family reunion one year and camped in a tent for the first time ever. I think I was 15 or 16. It rained and poured all night long and we were all miserable. My little sister even woke up in a puddle. And yes, it was from the rain. :)
4. What was the last thing you bought over $100?
Tile. For our kitchen. We are in a huge mess right now. It's awesome.
5. We're handing you the keys to what?
A new minivan! I'm pretty sure I'll be driving one for the rest of my life. I have to have something to haul my kids AND my harp in.
6. What was the last meal you cooked that made even you sick?
I've never made anyone sick with my cooking. True story. :)
7. Fill in the blank: Oh my gosh! Becky, look at her butt! It is so big. She looks like a person who eats ice cream before bed every night. Lucky...
8. What was your first car?
A 1990 chevy astro van. AKA The Channywagon.
9. Your best friend falls and gets hurt. Do you ask if he/she's okay or laugh first?
My family is horrible I guess, because whenever one of us falls or something, we laugh WHILE we ask if they're okay. Admit it. Falling is funny. I would feel bad if he/she got hurt, but I'm sure they'd laugh later as well.
10. What's the worst song ever?
You're having my baby by Paul Anka. I'm sure people love this song, but I think it's cheesy and annoying! My husband even went so far as to play it while I was in labor with my 4th baby. He thought he was pretty funny. And I'll admit I did laugh... :)
1. How many speeding tickets have you gotten?
Just one. I was going to pick up my date for a dance in high school. The policeman was going the other direction and turned around to pull me over. I was only going 5 over, but he gave me a ticket anyway. At the dance, everyone asked me if it was me that got pulled over, since it was in an area that everyone passes and I had a bright red minivan that was pretty easy to recognize. So I had to answer, yes. Yes it was. It was pretty awesome. :P
I talked myself out of another... ;)
2. Can you pitch a tent?
I've never really tried, but if I had instructions I could do it. Which would probably never happen because I hate camping...
3. What was your worst vacation ever?
We went to a family reunion one year and camped in a tent for the first time ever. I think I was 15 or 16. It rained and poured all night long and we were all miserable. My little sister even woke up in a puddle. And yes, it was from the rain. :)
4. What was the last thing you bought over $100?
Tile. For our kitchen. We are in a huge mess right now. It's awesome.
5. We're handing you the keys to what?
A new minivan! I'm pretty sure I'll be driving one for the rest of my life. I have to have something to haul my kids AND my harp in.
6. What was the last meal you cooked that made even you sick?
I've never made anyone sick with my cooking. True story. :)
7. Fill in the blank: Oh my gosh! Becky, look at her butt! It is so big. She looks like a person who eats ice cream before bed every night. Lucky...
8. What was your first car?
A 1990 chevy astro van. AKA The Channywagon.
9. Your best friend falls and gets hurt. Do you ask if he/she's okay or laugh first?
My family is horrible I guess, because whenever one of us falls or something, we laugh WHILE we ask if they're okay. Admit it. Falling is funny. I would feel bad if he/she got hurt, but I'm sure they'd laugh later as well.
10. What's the worst song ever?
You're having my baby by Paul Anka. I'm sure people love this song, but I think it's cheesy and annoying! My husband even went so far as to play it while I was in labor with my 4th baby. He thought he was pretty funny. And I'll admit I did laugh... :)
November 26, 2012
Updates
It's been a while since I posted, so I'll do a little update. November and December are CRAZY! But I'm sure you guys all know that. :) Can you believe it's almost Christmas? I seriously can't. This year went so fast. Although, I'm pretty sure I say that every year.
How is everyone doing with NaNo? I've seen so many people finish their NaNo novels and it makes me all kinds of happy. :)
I'm still revising and hopefully will be finished with my first round this week. Then it's off to betas and then my editor.
I was originally planning to write three books in my fairy tale series, but I think it's going to be two now. Which is still great. I love Ash and Kendall's story, and I think it gets wrapped up nicely in this book. I think it will be out next summer if I get everything finished soon. It's weird that their story is almost finished, but I'm happy with it. And I'm excited to work on something else.
How is everyone else doing? Did you guys in the states have a good Thanksgiving? Are you meeting your writing goals? Did you NaNo?
How is everyone doing with NaNo? I've seen so many people finish their NaNo novels and it makes me all kinds of happy. :)
I'm still revising and hopefully will be finished with my first round this week. Then it's off to betas and then my editor.
I was originally planning to write three books in my fairy tale series, but I think it's going to be two now. Which is still great. I love Ash and Kendall's story, and I think it gets wrapped up nicely in this book. I think it will be out next summer if I get everything finished soon. It's weird that their story is almost finished, but I'm happy with it. And I'm excited to work on something else.
How is everyone else doing? Did you guys in the states have a good Thanksgiving? Are you meeting your writing goals? Did you NaNo?
November 5, 2012
Diving into the NaNo cave!
I finished my sequel!! Well, the first draft anyway. WOO HOO!! This book has seriously been so hard to write for so many reasons. I'm so happy to be done. So, now it's time to bring on the revisions. That's why I'm doing NaNoRevMo. Revising takes a while for me, so why not start now? I have another project I'm drafting, but I'll mostly be focusing on revising my sequel. :)
I'll be on and off this month on the blog. I think a lot of you are taking a little time off for NaNo as well, so good luck everyone with your goals! Are you drafting or revising this month? I'd love to know what you're working on! See you soon! :)
I'll be on and off this month on the blog. I think a lot of you are taking a little time off for NaNo as well, so good luck everyone with your goals! Are you drafting or revising this month? I'd love to know what you're working on! See you soon! :)
