Julianna Scott's Blog: Julianna's Blog, page 3
November 2, 2013
A New Class (and a sorry)!
Morning all!
Okay, first and foremost, to anyone who has had trouble getting to my site lately, I apologize. I had a major problem with our GoDaddy hosting which is who hosts the domain for this site, ergo, it wasn't working. Everything is fixed now, so welcome back all, and sorry again!
Due in part to the problems many of you had getting to my site, as well as the overall interest, I have decided to add one more writing class to the schedule:
Don't tell anyone... but I want to write a book(and actually finish it!)
Do you have an idea for a book, but no idea how to get started? Have you written and re-written and even re-re-written the first few chapters but can't seem to get any further? Have you finished your first draft but have found that editing is going in circles? What about the business of agents, queries and submissions; does it have your stomach turning? This is going to be the class for you!
6 Week Session
Class will be offered on Saturdays, and due to the interest I have had form UK writers who were unable to register for the last batch of classes, this class will be held twice a day to accommodate those in and near Greenwich Mean Time. Both classes start on November 12th and end on December 17th.
Class time options:
8:00 to 9:00am Central Standard Time (which is 2:00 to 3:00pm GMT)2:00 to 3:00pm Central Standard Time (which is 8:00 to 9:00pm GMT)
In this class: We will work on exactly how to write and finish your book, no matter what stage of the process you are in. We will cover everything from the basics of choosing and defining genre, making sure your story idea is complete and cohesive from start to finish, the different styles of drafting and how to choose the one that works best for you. We will learn the art of constructive criticism--how to give it, how to take it, when to listen, when to ignore, and using it improve your story and even your writing overall. We will also work on the 'paperwork' of submissions, learning the finer points of the query, the synopsis, and how to make sure your work is submission ready when the time comes.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a solid outline for your novel(or a solid first or second draft depending on what you came to class with), a synopsis of the story, several chapters of your novel drafted and critiqued, have a drafted and critiqued query, as well as a solid plan for moving forward on your project.
Class Fee: $25.00 for six week course
IMPORTANT NOTE: This class is now open for enrolment, however, due to the amount of people who were unable to register for the previous classes due to either the speed that the courses filled up or their location, this class will ONLY be open to those who HAVE NOT registered for any of my other classes. Just trying to keep it fair, thanks to everyone for understanding! :-)
As before, you can register either on the sidebar, or at the 'Classes' tab above, and if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to drop me a line and let me know!
Good luck to all of you out there taking part in NaNoWriMo, and talk to ya'll soon!
xo
Okay, first and foremost, to anyone who has had trouble getting to my site lately, I apologize. I had a major problem with our GoDaddy hosting which is who hosts the domain for this site, ergo, it wasn't working. Everything is fixed now, so welcome back all, and sorry again!
Due in part to the problems many of you had getting to my site, as well as the overall interest, I have decided to add one more writing class to the schedule:
Don't tell anyone... but I want to write a book(and actually finish it!)
Do you have an idea for a book, but no idea how to get started? Have you written and re-written and even re-re-written the first few chapters but can't seem to get any further? Have you finished your first draft but have found that editing is going in circles? What about the business of agents, queries and submissions; does it have your stomach turning? This is going to be the class for you!
6 Week Session
Class will be offered on Saturdays, and due to the interest I have had form UK writers who were unable to register for the last batch of classes, this class will be held twice a day to accommodate those in and near Greenwich Mean Time. Both classes start on November 12th and end on December 17th.
Class time options:
8:00 to 9:00am Central Standard Time (which is 2:00 to 3:00pm GMT)2:00 to 3:00pm Central Standard Time (which is 8:00 to 9:00pm GMT)
In this class: We will work on exactly how to write and finish your book, no matter what stage of the process you are in. We will cover everything from the basics of choosing and defining genre, making sure your story idea is complete and cohesive from start to finish, the different styles of drafting and how to choose the one that works best for you. We will learn the art of constructive criticism--how to give it, how to take it, when to listen, when to ignore, and using it improve your story and even your writing overall. We will also work on the 'paperwork' of submissions, learning the finer points of the query, the synopsis, and how to make sure your work is submission ready when the time comes.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a solid outline for your novel(or a solid first or second draft depending on what you came to class with), a synopsis of the story, several chapters of your novel drafted and critiqued, have a drafted and critiqued query, as well as a solid plan for moving forward on your project.
Class Fee: $25.00 for six week course
IMPORTANT NOTE: This class is now open for enrolment, however, due to the amount of people who were unable to register for the previous classes due to either the speed that the courses filled up or their location, this class will ONLY be open to those who HAVE NOT registered for any of my other classes. Just trying to keep it fair, thanks to everyone for understanding! :-)
As before, you can register either on the sidebar, or at the 'Classes' tab above, and if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to drop me a line and let me know!
Good luck to all of you out there taking part in NaNoWriMo, and talk to ya'll soon!
xo
October 20, 2013
Writing Classes Open for Enrollment!
Update: All classes are now full as of 10/30/2013.
Thanks to everyone for the amazing amount of interest, and if you missed your chance this time around, not to worry, another bath of classes will be posted in January. If you would like to get a reminder when they go up, send me your email and I'll put you on a notification.
Original Post:
So, I need to start of by saying that I am sorry for the confusion about the online writing classes. I have gotten some emails from a few of you who found the writing classes I am teaching online wondering how you can enroll. It's true, I am teaching three classes over the next few months, but unfortunately they are being sponsored by a CSA education enrichment program and enrolment is limited to members of the CSA.
However, since there has been interest, I have decided to offer the classes on my own to anyone interest in taking them. They will be entirely online and open to anyone, and the best news is that since all we have to worry about covering is the fee they are charging me for opening the class publicly, these courses will be some of the cheapest out there! (Woohoo, right?) :-)
So here are the details:
Each class will run once a week for the number of weeks listed in the class description.
The classes will take place in a virtual classroom (chat room) so to be able to participate, you will need a reliable internet connection.
The fees listed for the classes are paid one time only and are not weekly fees.
Each class enrolment also includes a one on one session with me to discuss your work and get personalized notes and critique.
Each class will be limited to 20 seats, so some may fill quickly.
To register for classes, click the 'Writing Classes' tab above or use the Registration widget in the sidebar.
The Classes:
YA Novel Springboard
6 Week Session
Class will be offered on both Tuesday and Sunday evenings, and you may choose the day that best fits your needs.
Tuesday Class: Meets each week from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 12th and ending on December 17th
Sunday Class: Meets each week from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting November 9th and ending December 14th
In this class: We will work on plotting, organizing, outlining and drafting your YA novel. We will cover the basics of the genre and market, making sure your story idea is complete and cohesive from start to finish, the different styles of drafting and how to choose the one that works best for you, as well as the art of constructive criticism--how to give it, how tot take it, when to listen when to ignore, and using it improve your story and even your writing overall.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a solid outline for your novel, a synopsis of the story, several chapters of your novel drafted and critiqued, as well as a solid plan for moving forward on your project.
Class Fee: $25.00 for six week course
* * *
The Art of Self-Editing
4 Week Session
Class will meet on Wednesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 20th and ending on December 11th
In this class: We will discuss the process of editing your own work from hacking though your first draft to polishing the small details at the end. You will learn to look at your own writing with a critical eye and begin to recognize and become more aware of your own voice as a writer. We will talk about the importance of beta readers, and the all important aspect of criticism, including how to take it, who to take it from, and how to use it to better not only your current work but your writing overall.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a better understanding of how you are as a writing including your common pitfalls, buzz-words, and strengths. You will have critically edited a piece of your work (either in it's entirety or just a potion), and you will have a strong handle on some of the key steps to self-editing and be confidently prepared to put them to use on future projects.
Class Fee: $15.00 for six week course
* * *
The Dreaded Duo: Queries and Synopses
4 Week Intensive (Two weeks on query, two weeks on synopsis)
Class will meet on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 20th and ending on December 11th
In this class: We will cover anything you every wanted to know about the query and synopsis. The first two classes will be devoted tot he query in which we will discuss the needed elements, formatting, do's and don'ts, and general structure. For the synopsis potion we will go over what is expected of a synopsis, the differences in writing the three page to the one page, details about details and when to leave them out, and how genre and theme can come into play. We will go over an example of each from everyone who wants to submit their work to the class and learn by active discussion and demonstration.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will no longer be afraid intimidated or confused by the query or synopsis, and have detailed notes on your current ones(if submitted).
Class Fee: $20.00 for four week intensive.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, and I hope you come and join the party! I think we are all going to have a great time! :-)
Thanks to everyone for the amazing amount of interest, and if you missed your chance this time around, not to worry, another bath of classes will be posted in January. If you would like to get a reminder when they go up, send me your email and I'll put you on a notification.
Original Post:
So, I need to start of by saying that I am sorry for the confusion about the online writing classes. I have gotten some emails from a few of you who found the writing classes I am teaching online wondering how you can enroll. It's true, I am teaching three classes over the next few months, but unfortunately they are being sponsored by a CSA education enrichment program and enrolment is limited to members of the CSA.
However, since there has been interest, I have decided to offer the classes on my own to anyone interest in taking them. They will be entirely online and open to anyone, and the best news is that since all we have to worry about covering is the fee they are charging me for opening the class publicly, these courses will be some of the cheapest out there! (Woohoo, right?) :-)
So here are the details:
Each class will run once a week for the number of weeks listed in the class description.
The classes will take place in a virtual classroom (chat room) so to be able to participate, you will need a reliable internet connection.
The fees listed for the classes are paid one time only and are not weekly fees.
Each class enrolment also includes a one on one session with me to discuss your work and get personalized notes and critique.
Each class will be limited to 20 seats, so some may fill quickly.
To register for classes, click the 'Writing Classes' tab above or use the Registration widget in the sidebar.
The Classes:
YA Novel Springboard
6 Week Session
Class will be offered on both Tuesday and Sunday evenings, and you may choose the day that best fits your needs.
Tuesday Class: Meets each week from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 12th and ending on December 17th
Sunday Class: Meets each week from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting November 9th and ending December 14th
In this class: We will work on plotting, organizing, outlining and drafting your YA novel. We will cover the basics of the genre and market, making sure your story idea is complete and cohesive from start to finish, the different styles of drafting and how to choose the one that works best for you, as well as the art of constructive criticism--how to give it, how tot take it, when to listen when to ignore, and using it improve your story and even your writing overall.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a solid outline for your novel, a synopsis of the story, several chapters of your novel drafted and critiqued, as well as a solid plan for moving forward on your project.
Class Fee: $25.00 for six week course
* * *
The Art of Self-Editing
4 Week Session
Class will meet on Wednesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 20th and ending on December 11th
In this class: We will discuss the process of editing your own work from hacking though your first draft to polishing the small details at the end. You will learn to look at your own writing with a critical eye and begin to recognize and become more aware of your own voice as a writer. We will talk about the importance of beta readers, and the all important aspect of criticism, including how to take it, who to take it from, and how to use it to better not only your current work but your writing overall.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a better understanding of how you are as a writing including your common pitfalls, buzz-words, and strengths. You will have critically edited a piece of your work (either in it's entirety or just a potion), and you will have a strong handle on some of the key steps to self-editing and be confidently prepared to put them to use on future projects.
Class Fee: $15.00 for six week course
* * *
The Dreaded Duo: Queries and Synopses
4 Week Intensive (Two weeks on query, two weeks on synopsis)
Class will meet on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 20th and ending on December 11th
In this class: We will cover anything you every wanted to know about the query and synopsis. The first two classes will be devoted tot he query in which we will discuss the needed elements, formatting, do's and don'ts, and general structure. For the synopsis potion we will go over what is expected of a synopsis, the differences in writing the three page to the one page, details about details and when to leave them out, and how genre and theme can come into play. We will go over an example of each from everyone who wants to submit their work to the class and learn by active discussion and demonstration.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will no longer be afraid intimidated or confused by the query or synopsis, and have detailed notes on your current ones(if submitted).
Class Fee: $20.00 for four week intensive.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, and I hope you come and join the party! I think we are all going to have a great time! :-)
Writing Classes Open for Enrollment!
So, I need to start of by saying that I am sorry for the confusion about the online writing classes. I have gotten some emails from a few of you who found the writing classes I am teaching online wondering how you can enroll. It's true, I am teaching three classes over the next few months, but unfortunately they are being sponsored by a CSA education enrichment program and enrolment is limited to members of the CSA.
However, since there has been interest, I have decided to offer the classes on my own to anyone interest in taking them. They will be entirely online and open to anyone, and the best news is that since all we have to worry about covering is the fee they are charging me for opening the class publicly, these courses will be some of the cheapest out there! (Woohoo, right?) :-)
So here are the details:
Each class will run once a week for the number of weeks listed in the class description.
The classes will take place in a virtual classroom (chat room) so to be able to participate, you will need a reliable internet connection.
The fees listed for the classes are paid one time only and are not weekly fees.
Each class enrolment also includes a one on one session with me to discuss your work and get personalized notes and critique.
Each class will be limited to 20 seats, so some may fill quickly.
To register for classes, click the 'Writing Classes' tab above or use the Registration widget in the sidebar.
The Classes:
YA Novel Springboard
6 Week Session
Class will be offered on both Tuesday and Sunday evenings, and you may choose the day that best fits your needs.
Tuesday Class: Meets each week from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 12th and ending on December 17th
Sunday Class: Meets each week from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting November 9th and ending December 14th
In this class: We will work on plotting, organizing, outlining and drafting your YA novel. We will cover the basics of the genre and market, making sure your story idea is complete and cohesive from start to finish, the different styles of drafting and how to choose the one that works best for you, as well as the art of constructive criticism--how to give it, how tot take it, when to listen when to ignore, and using it improve your story and even your writing overall.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a solid outline for your novel, a synopsis of the story, several chapters of your novel drafted and critiqued, as well as a solid plan for moving forward on your project.
Class Fee: $25.00 for six week course
* * *
The Art of Self-Editing
4 Week Session
Class will meet on Wednesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 20th and ending on December 11th
In this class: We will discuss the process of editing your own work from hacking though your first draft to polishing the small details at the end. You will learn to look at your own writing with a critical eye and begin to recognize and become more aware of your own voice as a writer. We will talk about the importance of beta readers, and the all important aspect of criticism, including how to take it, who to take it from, and how to use it to better not only your current work but your writing overall.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a better understanding of how you are as a writing including your common pitfalls, buzz-words, and strengths. You will have critically edited a piece of your work (either in it's entirety or just a potion), and you will have a strong handle on some of the key steps to self-editing and be confidently prepared to put them to use on future projects.
Class Fee: $15.00 for six week course
* * *
The Dreaded Duo: Queries and Synopses
4 Week Intensive (Two weeks on query, two weeks on synopsis)
Class will meet on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 20th and ending on December 11th
In this class: We will cover anything you every wanted to know about the query and synopsis. The first two classes will be devoted tot he query in which we will discuss the needed elements, formatting, do's and don'ts, and general structure. For the synopsis potion we will go over what is expected of a synopsis, the differences in writing the three page to the one page, details about details and when to leave them out, and how genre and theme can come into play. We will go over an example of each from everyone who wants to submit their work to the class and learn by active discussion and demonstration.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will no longer be afraid intimidated or confused by the query or synopsis, and have detailed notes on your current ones(if submitted).
Class Fee: $20.00 for four week intensive.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, and I hope you come and join the party! I think we are all going to have a great time! :-)
However, since there has been interest, I have decided to offer the classes on my own to anyone interest in taking them. They will be entirely online and open to anyone, and the best news is that since all we have to worry about covering is the fee they are charging me for opening the class publicly, these courses will be some of the cheapest out there! (Woohoo, right?) :-)
So here are the details:
Each class will run once a week for the number of weeks listed in the class description.
The classes will take place in a virtual classroom (chat room) so to be able to participate, you will need a reliable internet connection.
The fees listed for the classes are paid one time only and are not weekly fees.
Each class enrolment also includes a one on one session with me to discuss your work and get personalized notes and critique.
Each class will be limited to 20 seats, so some may fill quickly.
To register for classes, click the 'Writing Classes' tab above or use the Registration widget in the sidebar.
The Classes:
YA Novel Springboard
6 Week Session
Class will be offered on both Tuesday and Sunday evenings, and you may choose the day that best fits your needs.
Tuesday Class: Meets each week from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 12th and ending on December 17th
Sunday Class: Meets each week from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting November 9th and ending December 14th
In this class: We will work on plotting, organizing, outlining and drafting your YA novel. We will cover the basics of the genre and market, making sure your story idea is complete and cohesive from start to finish, the different styles of drafting and how to choose the one that works best for you, as well as the art of constructive criticism--how to give it, how tot take it, when to listen when to ignore, and using it improve your story and even your writing overall.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a solid outline for your novel, a synopsis of the story, several chapters of your novel drafted and critiqued, as well as a solid plan for moving forward on your project.
Class Fee: $25.00 for six week course
* * *
The Art of Self-Editing
4 Week Session
Class will meet on Wednesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 20th and ending on December 11th
In this class: We will discuss the process of editing your own work from hacking though your first draft to polishing the small details at the end. You will learn to look at your own writing with a critical eye and begin to recognize and become more aware of your own voice as a writer. We will talk about the importance of beta readers, and the all important aspect of criticism, including how to take it, who to take it from, and how to use it to better not only your current work but your writing overall.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a better understanding of how you are as a writing including your common pitfalls, buzz-words, and strengths. You will have critically edited a piece of your work (either in it's entirety or just a potion), and you will have a strong handle on some of the key steps to self-editing and be confidently prepared to put them to use on future projects.
Class Fee: $15.00 for six week course
* * *
The Dreaded Duo: Queries and Synopses
4 Week Intensive (Two weeks on query, two weeks on synopsis)
Class will meet on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 20th and ending on December 11th
In this class: We will cover anything you every wanted to know about the query and synopsis. The first two classes will be devoted tot he query in which we will discuss the needed elements, formatting, do's and don'ts, and general structure. For the synopsis potion we will go over what is expected of a synopsis, the differences in writing the three page to the one page, details about details and when to leave them out, and how genre and theme can come into play. We will go over an example of each from everyone who wants to submit their work to the class and learn by active discussion and demonstration.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will no longer be afraid intimidated or confused by the query or synopsis, and have detailed notes on your current ones(if submitted).
Class Fee: $20.00 for four week intensive.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, and I hope you come and join the party! I think we are all going to have a great time! :-)
Writing Classes Open for Enrolment!
So, I need to start of by saying that I am sorry for the confusion about the online writing classes. I have gotten some emails from a few of you who found the writing classes I am teaching online wondering how you can enroll. It's true, I am teaching three classes over the next few months, but unfortunately they are being sponsored by a CSA education enrichment program and enrolment is limited to members of the CSA.
However, since there has been interest, I have decided to offer the classes on my own to anyone interest in taking them. They will be entirely online and open to anyone, and the best news is that since all we have to worry about covering is the fee they are charging me for opening the class publicly, these courses will be some of the cheapest out there! (Woohoo, right?) :-)
So here are the details:
Each class will run once a week for the number of weeks listed in the class description.
The classes will take place in a virtual classroom (chat room) so to be able to participate, you will need a reliable internet connection.
The fees listed for the classes are paid one time only and are not weekly fees.
Each class enrolment also includes a one on one session with me to discuss your work and get personalized notes and critique.
Each class will be limited to 20 seats, so some may fill quickly.
To register for classes, click the 'Writing Classes' tab above or use the Registration widget in the sidebar.
The Classes:
YA Novel Springboard
6 Week Session
Class will be offered on both Tuesday and Sunday evenings, and you may choose the day that best fits your needs.
Tuesday Class: Meets each week from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 12th and ending on December 17th
Sunday Class: Meets each week from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting November 9th and ending December 14th
In this class: We will work on plotting, organizing, outlining and drafting your YA novel. We will cover the basics of the genre and market, making sure your story idea is complete and cohesive from start to finish, the different styles of drafting and how to choose the one that works best for you, as well as the art of constructive criticism--how to give it, how tot take it, when to listen when to ignore, and using it improve your story and even your writing overall.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a solid out line for your novel, a synopsis of the story, several chapters of your novel drafted and critiqued, as well as a solid plan for moving forward on your project.
Class Fee: $25.00 for six week course
* * *
The Art of Self-Editing
4 Week Session
Class will meet on Wednesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 20th and ending on December 11th
In this class: We will discuss the process of editing your own work from hacking though your first draft to polishing the small details at the end. You will learn to look at your own writing with a critical eye and begin to recognize and become more aware of your own voice as a writer. We will talk about the importance of beta readers, and the all important aspect of criticism, including how to take it, who to take it from, and how to use it to better not only your current work but your writing overall.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a better understanding of how you are as a writing including your common pitfalls, buzz-words, and strengths. You will have critically edited a piece of your work (either in it's entirety or just a potion), and you will have a strong handle on some of the key steps to self-editing and be confidently prepared to put them to use on future projects.
Class Fee: $15.00 for six week course
* * *
The Dreaded Duo: Queries and Synopses
4 Week Intensive (Two weeks on query, two weeks on synopsis)
Class will meet on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 20th and ending on December 11th
In this class: We will cover anything you every wanted to know about the query and synopsis. The first two classes will be devoted tot he query in which we will discuss the needed elements, formatting, do's and don'ts, and general structure. For the synopsis potion we will go over what is expected of a synopsis, the differences in writing the three page to the one page, details about details and when to leave them out, and how genre and theme can come into play. We will go over an example of each from everyone who wants to submit their work to the class and learn by active discussion and demonstration.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will no longer be afraid intimidated or confused by the query or synopsis, and have detailed notes on your current ones(if submitted).
Class Fee: $20.00 for four week intensive.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, and I hope you come and join the party! I think we are all going to have a great time! :-)
However, since there has been interest, I have decided to offer the classes on my own to anyone interest in taking them. They will be entirely online and open to anyone, and the best news is that since all we have to worry about covering is the fee they are charging me for opening the class publicly, these courses will be some of the cheapest out there! (Woohoo, right?) :-)
So here are the details:
Each class will run once a week for the number of weeks listed in the class description.
The classes will take place in a virtual classroom (chat room) so to be able to participate, you will need a reliable internet connection.
The fees listed for the classes are paid one time only and are not weekly fees.
Each class enrolment also includes a one on one session with me to discuss your work and get personalized notes and critique.
Each class will be limited to 20 seats, so some may fill quickly.
To register for classes, click the 'Writing Classes' tab above or use the Registration widget in the sidebar.
The Classes:
YA Novel Springboard
6 Week Session
Class will be offered on both Tuesday and Sunday evenings, and you may choose the day that best fits your needs.
Tuesday Class: Meets each week from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 12th and ending on December 17th
Sunday Class: Meets each week from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting November 9th and ending December 14th
In this class: We will work on plotting, organizing, outlining and drafting your YA novel. We will cover the basics of the genre and market, making sure your story idea is complete and cohesive from start to finish, the different styles of drafting and how to choose the one that works best for you, as well as the art of constructive criticism--how to give it, how tot take it, when to listen when to ignore, and using it improve your story and even your writing overall.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a solid out line for your novel, a synopsis of the story, several chapters of your novel drafted and critiqued, as well as a solid plan for moving forward on your project.
Class Fee: $25.00 for six week course
* * *
The Art of Self-Editing
4 Week Session
Class will meet on Wednesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 20th and ending on December 11th
In this class: We will discuss the process of editing your own work from hacking though your first draft to polishing the small details at the end. You will learn to look at your own writing with a critical eye and begin to recognize and become more aware of your own voice as a writer. We will talk about the importance of beta readers, and the all important aspect of criticism, including how to take it, who to take it from, and how to use it to better not only your current work but your writing overall.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will have a better understanding of how you are as a writing including your common pitfalls, buzz-words, and strengths. You will have critically edited a piece of your work (either in it's entirety or just a potion), and you will have a strong handle on some of the key steps to self-editing and be confidently prepared to put them to use on future projects.
Class Fee: $15.00 for six week course
* * *
The Dreaded Duo: Queries and Synopses
4 Week Intensive (Two weeks on query, two weeks on synopsis)
Class will meet on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00pm (Central) starting on November 20th and ending on December 11th
In this class: We will cover anything you every wanted to know about the query and synopsis. The first two classes will be devoted tot he query in which we will discuss the needed elements, formatting, do's and don'ts, and general structure. For the synopsis potion we will go over what is expected of a synopsis, the differences in writing the three page to the one page, details about details and when to leave them out, and how genre and theme can come into play. We will go over an example of each from everyone who wants to submit their work to the class and learn by active discussion and demonstration.
Class Goals: By the end of this course you will no longer be afraid intimidated or confused by the query or synopsis, and have detailed notes on your current ones(if submitted).
Class Fee: $20.00 for four week intensive.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, and I hope you come and join the party! I think we are all going to have a great time! :-)
October 15, 2013
Calling All Artists!
Do you like to draw? Or maybe dabble in graphic design? Then I want you!
Here's the deal...
I need images of the main characters from THE HOLDERS to use for the new Holders Series website, character cards for swag, and a few other random places. However, I don't have the time or the skills to do it myself, which is where you all come in! I know I have the most awesome readers ever, and I just know that deep down you are all incredibly talented, so I am leaving the designing and drawing of the characters up to you!
To enter your work, chose one or more characters from the list below, and create an image of what you think that person looks like. It can be in any medium you want; a hand drawling, painting, charcoal rendering, graphic art image, or anything else you'd like. Send a JEPG, GIF, PNG, or Photoshop, or MangaStudio file of your work by November 30 to me at juliannabooks@hotmail.com, and that's it! The entries will be judged by myself, as well as a few others involved in The Holders, the criteria of which will be the overall look of the work and how well the character represents the character. We will make a decision, and the winners will be announced on Tuesday December 3rd.
What the winners get:
Your work featured and credited to you on The Holders Series website, my author site(this one), your work mass printed in the form of character cards and other swag, also with your name and accreditation. Links to your own sites may also be included if desired.Several sets of the finished cards, as well as copies of anything else your work is used on or in.Signed Copy of The Holders and The Seers(upon release)
Other Odds and Ends:
One winner will be chosen for each character.There is no age restriction for entrants.You may enter as many times as you like, and for as many characters as you choose.The pictures must follow the general descriptions of the characters in the book, but beyond that it is up to you. They can look like realistic images, graphic novel style characters or anything in between. You can design them based on where they are from, or maybe their favorite things, you can use props, or backgrounds, or borders... whatever you want! Be creative and have fun!As for positioning of the characters, it is up to you, but keep in mind that these are to give people an idea as to what the characters might look like, so don't hide the face, etc. You can do full body, mid thigh up, waist up, or even chest up, and they can be doing anything you like. When in doubt, think baseball card style. :-)Each entry should contain only one of the listed characters. The only exception is Mr. Anderson and Mr. Reid who may be drawn as a pair if you wish.Included with your entry should be your name, the city, state/province, and country you reside in, as well as anything else you would like to share about your self.Lastly, and this is important, DO NOT SIGN YOUR WORK. Firstly because judging is to be done anonymously, but even more than that, signatures tend to get distorted and blurred during the rendering process for printing, and end up looking like little more than a smudge. Instead we will put your accreditation in print clearly on the back of the printed cards.
The Technical Stuff:
By entering in the contest, you also are confirming that all work submitted is entirely original, and belongs solely to you. Plagiarism and/or image theft in any form cannot be tolerated and are grounds from immediate disqualification.By entering you also confirm that you understand that the work may be used in a variety of mediums, both physical and electronic, for the purposes of promotion, for as long as the author, publisher, and/or other approved party deems necessary.
Okay, I think that's it! If you have any questions, you can ask them in the comments below and I will reply, or if you would rather, you can always email me at juliannascottbooks@hotmail.com, and I will get back to you within the day.
Have fun and good luck! :-D
List of desired characters:
BeccaAlexRylandJocelynChloe
Here's the deal...
I need images of the main characters from THE HOLDERS to use for the new Holders Series website, character cards for swag, and a few other random places. However, I don't have the time or the skills to do it myself, which is where you all come in! I know I have the most awesome readers ever, and I just know that deep down you are all incredibly talented, so I am leaving the designing and drawing of the characters up to you!
To enter your work, chose one or more characters from the list below, and create an image of what you think that person looks like. It can be in any medium you want; a hand drawling, painting, charcoal rendering, graphic art image, or anything else you'd like. Send a JEPG, GIF, PNG, or Photoshop, or MangaStudio file of your work by November 30 to me at juliannabooks@hotmail.com, and that's it! The entries will be judged by myself, as well as a few others involved in The Holders, the criteria of which will be the overall look of the work and how well the character represents the character. We will make a decision, and the winners will be announced on Tuesday December 3rd.
What the winners get:
Your work featured and credited to you on The Holders Series website, my author site(this one), your work mass printed in the form of character cards and other swag, also with your name and accreditation. Links to your own sites may also be included if desired.Several sets of the finished cards, as well as copies of anything else your work is used on or in.Signed Copy of The Holders and The Seers(upon release)
Other Odds and Ends:
One winner will be chosen for each character.There is no age restriction for entrants.You may enter as many times as you like, and for as many characters as you choose.The pictures must follow the general descriptions of the characters in the book, but beyond that it is up to you. They can look like realistic images, graphic novel style characters or anything in between. You can design them based on where they are from, or maybe their favorite things, you can use props, or backgrounds, or borders... whatever you want! Be creative and have fun!As for positioning of the characters, it is up to you, but keep in mind that these are to give people an idea as to what the characters might look like, so don't hide the face, etc. You can do full body, mid thigh up, waist up, or even chest up, and they can be doing anything you like. When in doubt, think baseball card style. :-)Each entry should contain only one of the listed characters. The only exception is Mr. Anderson and Mr. Reid who may be drawn as a pair if you wish.Included with your entry should be your name, the city, state/province, and country you reside in, as well as anything else you would like to share about your self.Lastly, and this is important, DO NOT SIGN YOUR WORK. Firstly because judging is to be done anonymously, but even more than that, signatures tend to get distorted and blurred during the rendering process for printing, and end up looking like little more than a smudge. Instead we will put your accreditation in print clearly on the back of the printed cards.
The Technical Stuff:
By entering in the contest, you also are confirming that all work submitted is entirely original, and belongs solely to you. Plagiarism and/or image theft in any form cannot be tolerated and are grounds from immediate disqualification.By entering you also confirm that you understand that the work may be used in a variety of mediums, both physical and electronic, for the purposes of promotion, for as long as the author, publisher, and/or other approved party deems necessary.
Okay, I think that's it! If you have any questions, you can ask them in the comments below and I will reply, or if you would rather, you can always email me at juliannascottbooks@hotmail.com, and I will get back to you within the day.
Have fun and good luck! :-D
List of desired characters:
BeccaAlexRylandJocelynChloe
Caling All Artists!
Do you like to draw? Or maybe dabble in graphic design? Then I want you!
Here's the deal...
I need images of the main characters from THE HOLDERS to use for the new Holders Series website, character cards for swag, and a few other random places. However, I don't have the time or the skills to do it myself, which is where you all come in! I know I have the most awesome readers ever, and I just know that deep down you are all incredibly talented, so I am leaving the designing and drawing of the characters up to you!
To enter your work, chose one or more characters from the list below, and create an image of what you think that person looks like. It can be in any medium you want; a hand drawling, painting, charcoal rendering, graphic art image, or anything else you'd like. Send a JEPG, GIF, PNG, or Photoshop, or MangaStudio file of your work by November 30 to me at juliannabooks@hotmail.com, and that's it! The entries will be judged by myself, as well as a few others involved in The Holders, the criteria of which will be the overall look of the work and how well the character represents the character. We will make a decision, and the winners will be announced on Tuesday December 3rd.
What the winners get:
Your work featured and credited to you on The Holders Series website, my author site(this one), your work mass printed in the form of character cards and other swag, also with your name and accreditation. Links to your own sites may also be included if desired.Several sets of the finished cards, as well as copies of anything else your work is used on or in.Signed Copy of The Holders and The Seers(upon release)
Other Odds and Ends:
One winner will be chosen for each character.There is no age restriction for entrants.You may enter as many times as you like, and for as many characters as you choose.The pictures must follow the general descriptions of the characters in the book, but beyond that it is up to you. You can design them based on where they are from, or maybe their favorite things, you can use props, or backgrounds, or borders... whatever you want! Be creative and have fun!As for positioning of the characters, it is up to you, but keep in mind that these are to give people an idea as to what the characters might look like, so don't hide the face, etc. You can do full body, mid thigh up, waist up, or even chest up, and they can be doing anything you like. When in doubt, think baseball card style. :-)Each entry should contain only one of the listed characters. The only exception is Mr. Anderson and Mr. Reid who may be drawn as a pair if you wish.Included with your entry should be your name, the city, state/province, and country you reside in, as well as anything else you would like to share about your self.Lastly, and this is important, DO NOT SIGN YOUR WORK. Firstly because judging is to be done anonymously, but even more than that, signatures tend to get distorted and blurred during the rendering process for printing, and end up looking like little more than a smudge. Instead we will put your accreditation in print clearly on the back of the printed cards.
The Legal Stuff:
By entering in the contest, you also are confirming that all work submitted is entirely original, and belongs solely to you. Plagiarism and/or image theft in any form cannot be tolerated and are grounds from immediate disqualification.By entering you also confirm that you understand that the work may be used in a variety of mediums all for the sole purpose of promoting and THE HOLDERS Series, for as long as the author, publisher, and/or other approved party deems necessary.
Okay, I think that's it! If you have any questions, you can ask them in the comments below and I will reply, or if you would rather, you can always email me at juliannascottbooks@hotmail.com, and I will get back to you within the day.
Have fun and good luck! :-D
List of desired characters:
BeccaAlexRylandJocelynChloeMinMr. Anderson (may be combined with Mr. Reid)Mr. Reid (may be combined with Mr. Anderson)
Here's the deal...
I need images of the main characters from THE HOLDERS to use for the new Holders Series website, character cards for swag, and a few other random places. However, I don't have the time or the skills to do it myself, which is where you all come in! I know I have the most awesome readers ever, and I just know that deep down you are all incredibly talented, so I am leaving the designing and drawing of the characters up to you!
To enter your work, chose one or more characters from the list below, and create an image of what you think that person looks like. It can be in any medium you want; a hand drawling, painting, charcoal rendering, graphic art image, or anything else you'd like. Send a JEPG, GIF, PNG, or Photoshop, or MangaStudio file of your work by November 30 to me at juliannabooks@hotmail.com, and that's it! The entries will be judged by myself, as well as a few others involved in The Holders, the criteria of which will be the overall look of the work and how well the character represents the character. We will make a decision, and the winners will be announced on Tuesday December 3rd.
What the winners get:
Your work featured and credited to you on The Holders Series website, my author site(this one), your work mass printed in the form of character cards and other swag, also with your name and accreditation. Links to your own sites may also be included if desired.Several sets of the finished cards, as well as copies of anything else your work is used on or in.Signed Copy of The Holders and The Seers(upon release)
Other Odds and Ends:
One winner will be chosen for each character.There is no age restriction for entrants.You may enter as many times as you like, and for as many characters as you choose.The pictures must follow the general descriptions of the characters in the book, but beyond that it is up to you. You can design them based on where they are from, or maybe their favorite things, you can use props, or backgrounds, or borders... whatever you want! Be creative and have fun!As for positioning of the characters, it is up to you, but keep in mind that these are to give people an idea as to what the characters might look like, so don't hide the face, etc. You can do full body, mid thigh up, waist up, or even chest up, and they can be doing anything you like. When in doubt, think baseball card style. :-)Each entry should contain only one of the listed characters. The only exception is Mr. Anderson and Mr. Reid who may be drawn as a pair if you wish.Included with your entry should be your name, the city, state/province, and country you reside in, as well as anything else you would like to share about your self.Lastly, and this is important, DO NOT SIGN YOUR WORK. Firstly because judging is to be done anonymously, but even more than that, signatures tend to get distorted and blurred during the rendering process for printing, and end up looking like little more than a smudge. Instead we will put your accreditation in print clearly on the back of the printed cards.
The Legal Stuff:
By entering in the contest, you also are confirming that all work submitted is entirely original, and belongs solely to you. Plagiarism and/or image theft in any form cannot be tolerated and are grounds from immediate disqualification.By entering you also confirm that you understand that the work may be used in a variety of mediums all for the sole purpose of promoting and THE HOLDERS Series, for as long as the author, publisher, and/or other approved party deems necessary.
Okay, I think that's it! If you have any questions, you can ask them in the comments below and I will reply, or if you would rather, you can always email me at juliannascottbooks@hotmail.com, and I will get back to you within the day.
Have fun and good luck! :-D
List of desired characters:
BeccaAlexRylandJocelynChloeMinMr. Anderson (may be combined with Mr. Reid)Mr. Reid (may be combined with Mr. Anderson)
October 2, 2013
Does that make me a jerk?...
What would you say if I told you that THE HOLDERS had hit the NYT Best Sellers List? What if I said that I had just gotten a new six figure book deal? What about if THE HOLDERS had been contracted and green lighted for a movie?
All great news, right?
...right?...
For me, sure, but for you... maybe not so much.
For the record, nothing I said above has actually happened, I was simply making a point. The writing community is small, and we are all up in each other's business. We follow one another on Twitter and Facebook, we read the blogs, hear the news, and see the hype. Writers in general are also very supportive, quick to give congrats when earned, encouragement when needed, and consolation when it all goes to hell. All that love and support is great, but it can also make you feel like a real jerk when someone you follow gets a huge break and--while you say, "Congrats, that's awesome,"--all you can think is, "why not me?"
"When will it be my turn?"
"I read that book, it wasn't even good!"
"Great, cuz all we need is another YA book movie..."
"I read her blog, she can't even spell, and she sold a book?"
"My stuff is better then his!"
Thoughts like these may not be ones the we are particularly proud of, but they happen to all of us. And guess what; having them does not make you a bad person. I'll say that again. Having them does not make you a bad person. It makes you human. It also does not mean that you are being fake and are not genuinely happy for the person. Being happy for someone and being jealous of something they have done are not mutually exclusive ideas, and anyone who tells you otherwise, is either lying, or just isn't passionate enough about what they do to have had the feeling for themselves. Jealousy is natural when you put your all into something only to see someone else get what you are working so hard for, and you know what, sometimes it truly is unfair--but that's life.
The trick is to let jealousy drive you to the next level, not bring you down or defeat you. Instead of sulking the next time you read about a deal, or a contract, or a sale, whip out whatever project you are working on and give it hell. Tell yourself that you will get there too, and don't stop until you do. You can't fight something you can't control, but you can learn to use it to your benefit. Just remember that we are all there with you--whether we openly admit it or not--and that it's okay to cringe a little inside the next time you leave a "That is so awesome, congratulations!" comment on someone's blog post. We've all done it. Just keep on keeping on, and don't forget that no matter where you are in your own process, odds are good that there is someone out there who is jealous of you.
Dedicated to Cami ~ Hang in the babe! XO!
All great news, right?
...right?...
For me, sure, but for you... maybe not so much.
For the record, nothing I said above has actually happened, I was simply making a point. The writing community is small, and we are all up in each other's business. We follow one another on Twitter and Facebook, we read the blogs, hear the news, and see the hype. Writers in general are also very supportive, quick to give congrats when earned, encouragement when needed, and consolation when it all goes to hell. All that love and support is great, but it can also make you feel like a real jerk when someone you follow gets a huge break and--while you say, "Congrats, that's awesome,"--all you can think is, "why not me?"
"When will it be my turn?"
"I read that book, it wasn't even good!"
"Great, cuz all we need is another YA book movie..."
"I read her blog, she can't even spell, and she sold a book?"
"My stuff is better then his!"
Thoughts like these may not be ones the we are particularly proud of, but they happen to all of us. And guess what; having them does not make you a bad person. I'll say that again. Having them does not make you a bad person. It makes you human. It also does not mean that you are being fake and are not genuinely happy for the person. Being happy for someone and being jealous of something they have done are not mutually exclusive ideas, and anyone who tells you otherwise, is either lying, or just isn't passionate enough about what they do to have had the feeling for themselves. Jealousy is natural when you put your all into something only to see someone else get what you are working so hard for, and you know what, sometimes it truly is unfair--but that's life.
The trick is to let jealousy drive you to the next level, not bring you down or defeat you. Instead of sulking the next time you read about a deal, or a contract, or a sale, whip out whatever project you are working on and give it hell. Tell yourself that you will get there too, and don't stop until you do. You can't fight something you can't control, but you can learn to use it to your benefit. Just remember that we are all there with you--whether we openly admit it or not--and that it's okay to cringe a little inside the next time you leave a "That is so awesome, congratulations!" comment on someone's blog post. We've all done it. Just keep on keeping on, and don't forget that no matter where you are in your own process, odds are good that there is someone out there who is jealous of you.
Dedicated to Cami ~ Hang in the babe! XO!
September 22, 2013
Do Not Insult My Readers...
So as a rule, bad reviews don't bother me. Of course I don't like them, and yeah they can hurt, but they happen. Not everything is for everyone, that's just how it is. No big deal.
However I recently received a review that really made me mad, not because it insulted me and my work (which it did, but whatever) but because it insulted my readers as well as teenage readers as a whole. I am very not cool with that.
So not cool, that I decide to give my two-cents on the matter...
I have taken the following quotes from actual blog posts, book reviews (on both Goodreads and Amazon) and interviews. (Though for the record, I have not used any examples from the review I received as to protect the writer)
“What chance do [young girls] have at knowing what a healthy relationship is, when everything they read labels obsession and mental abuse as ‘love’.”
“… girls are being taught that being weak and subservient will lead to unending love…”
“…does nothing but confuse teenage girls, who have a heard enough time sorting out relationships as it is.”
“Now, all these young women will think that it’s okay to let a man manipulate and control them as long as he uses the word ‘love’.”
“’Disobey your parents, skip school, laugh at any authority, but as long as you are doing it for love, it is okay.’ This is the message that teens get from [book] and all the rest like it.”
“…the popularity of books like this only proves that teens today have no appreciation of true literature.”
You've all heard this stuff before, right? Well guess what?
Teenage girls are not stupid!
I am SICK of all teens being grouped together under the umbrella of naïve, mindless, drones, who will do anything that a show, or celebrity, or book tells them! There are hoards of intelligent, confident, well-adjusted young women out there who are anything but weak and mindless.
Do some girls get obsessed over books that present unhealthy relations ships? Yes, of course. But that doesn't not mean that they actually think that is the way a real relationship should be! It’s fantasy! They are reading it because they enjoy it. And don’t you DARE tell me that it they shouldn’t enjoy something that to some is only considered mindless garbage—not when the GROWN WOMEN in this country have made RIDICULOUS CRAP shows like ‘Toddler’s In Tiaras’ and ‘Dance Moms’ some of the highest rated shows on TV.
“Oh, but it’s okay for me, I’m an adult. I know it’s ridiculous, but young girls don’t realize. They are too impressionable, just look how obsessed they get…”
Give. Me. A. Break.
Everyone gets obsessive about something, it’s human nature. We see something we really like, and for a time, we want as much of it as we can get. Since when is that the sign of a weak mind?! Moreover, since when does obsessing with something automatically mean the obsessed person believes that the thing is real? There are tons of people who flock to Sci-Fi conventions every year, dressed as robots, and monsters, and their favorite characters—does that mean that they all believe all that stuff is real? Sure, a few do, but the vast majority know it’s a fantasy, and do it for fun.
The other thing that kills me is that not long ago, everyone was whining about the fact that, with modern technology, kids didn’t read anymore. Well, now kids read more than adults, but it seems that still isn’t good enough. “Yes, we want you to read, but only what we think you should read.”
Grrrr…
Here is the fact of the matter folks, if a teen girl believes that it’s okay to be mistreated and dominated by a man, and doesn’t know how to recognize and unhealthy relationship, then that is the case because no one has taught her otherwise—and sadly, she would be that way with or without YA books.
Now, I am not saying that there aren’t girls out there who are easily lead and influenced by others, as we all know there are. However, thanks to a few crazy fan girls, as well as shows like ‘My Super Sweet 16’, and the like, the world seems to think that if you are female and between the ages of 12 and 18, you have no choice but to be a weak-minded twit.
Do these people realize that teens today are doing harder work in high school than most of us did in college?! Do they realize that the average IQ of a girl between the ages of 14 and 17 is, on average, 2 – 5 points higher than the average IQ of a woman between 34 – 37?
Thant’s right folks, they are smarter than us.
Yes, they make bad decisions from time to time, but we all do. They are not all stupid, or shallow, or weak, and most of them have to put up with more in a day than most adults do in a week. If you really want to help young girls grow into smart, confident women, then how about giving them the respect they deserve.
However I recently received a review that really made me mad, not because it insulted me and my work (which it did, but whatever) but because it insulted my readers as well as teenage readers as a whole. I am very not cool with that.
So not cool, that I decide to give my two-cents on the matter...
I have taken the following quotes from actual blog posts, book reviews (on both Goodreads and Amazon) and interviews. (Though for the record, I have not used any examples from the review I received as to protect the writer)
“What chance do [young girls] have at knowing what a healthy relationship is, when everything they read labels obsession and mental abuse as ‘love’.”
“… girls are being taught that being weak and subservient will lead to unending love…”
“…does nothing but confuse teenage girls, who have a heard enough time sorting out relationships as it is.”
“Now, all these young women will think that it’s okay to let a man manipulate and control them as long as he uses the word ‘love’.”
“’Disobey your parents, skip school, laugh at any authority, but as long as you are doing it for love, it is okay.’ This is the message that teens get from [book] and all the rest like it.”
“…the popularity of books like this only proves that teens today have no appreciation of true literature.”
You've all heard this stuff before, right? Well guess what?
Teenage girls are not stupid!
I am SICK of all teens being grouped together under the umbrella of naïve, mindless, drones, who will do anything that a show, or celebrity, or book tells them! There are hoards of intelligent, confident, well-adjusted young women out there who are anything but weak and mindless.
Do some girls get obsessed over books that present unhealthy relations ships? Yes, of course. But that doesn't not mean that they actually think that is the way a real relationship should be! It’s fantasy! They are reading it because they enjoy it. And don’t you DARE tell me that it they shouldn’t enjoy something that to some is only considered mindless garbage—not when the GROWN WOMEN in this country have made RIDICULOUS CRAP shows like ‘Toddler’s In Tiaras’ and ‘Dance Moms’ some of the highest rated shows on TV.
“Oh, but it’s okay for me, I’m an adult. I know it’s ridiculous, but young girls don’t realize. They are too impressionable, just look how obsessed they get…”
Give. Me. A. Break.
Everyone gets obsessive about something, it’s human nature. We see something we really like, and for a time, we want as much of it as we can get. Since when is that the sign of a weak mind?! Moreover, since when does obsessing with something automatically mean the obsessed person believes that the thing is real? There are tons of people who flock to Sci-Fi conventions every year, dressed as robots, and monsters, and their favorite characters—does that mean that they all believe all that stuff is real? Sure, a few do, but the vast majority know it’s a fantasy, and do it for fun.
The other thing that kills me is that not long ago, everyone was whining about the fact that, with modern technology, kids didn’t read anymore. Well, now kids read more than adults, but it seems that still isn’t good enough. “Yes, we want you to read, but only what we think you should read.”
Grrrr…
Here is the fact of the matter folks, if a teen girl believes that it’s okay to be mistreated and dominated by a man, and doesn’t know how to recognize and unhealthy relationship, then that is the case because no one has taught her otherwise—and sadly, she would be that way with or without YA books.
Now, I am not saying that there aren’t girls out there who are easily lead and influenced by others, as we all know there are. However, thanks to a few crazy fan girls, as well as shows like ‘My Super Sweet 16’, and the like, the world seems to think that if you are female and between the ages of 12 and 18, you have no choice but to be a weak-minded twit.
Do these people realize that teens today are doing harder work in high school than most of us did in college?! Do they realize that the average IQ of a girl between the ages of 14 and 17 is, on average, 2 – 5 points higher than the average IQ of a woman between 34 – 37?
Thant’s right folks, they are smarter than us.
Yes, they make bad decisions from time to time, but we all do. They are not all stupid, or shallow, or weak, and most of them have to put up with more in a day than most adults do in a week. If you really want to help young girls grow into smart, confident women, then how about giving them the respect they deserve.
September 19, 2013
Write What's Next, Not What's Now
The publishing world and the publishing industry are not always the same thing. The publishing world is fast, while the publishing industry can be very, very slow.
On average, it takes 18 to 24 months from the day an author signs a publishing contract to the day their book hits shelves. It takes an average of 8 to 12 months for that author's agent to get them that offer. Another 6 to 12 month is the average time it takes to find an agent, and it takes the average writer anywhere from 6 to 14 months to complete an average sized novel. This means that--again, on average--at BEST you are looking at three years from idea to book on shelf. And even that is only if everything goes perfectly, which we all know it never does.
What does that mean for trends in writing? That's easy: forget them. You will never keep up, so don't bother trying. Write the book you want to write because it is what you love and are passionate about. That is the only way t write your best book. If your story just happens to be about something that is hot, then so be it, but don't write about something ONLY because it is popular, because I can promise you that what may be hot while you are writing will be ice cold by the time it really matters.
Three years ago you might have said...
YA paranormal has moved from Vampires to Angels! How refreshing!Divergent? Is that a perfume?LOST is ending, we will finally get some GOD D@MNED ANSWERS!The new iPhone 4 is coming out!Should we go see Eclipse, or Harry Potter 7 Part 1?Did you catch the new Hanna Montana?Justin... what is it? Bieber? He sings, right?...
On average, it takes 18 to 24 months from the day an author signs a publishing contract to the day their book hits shelves. It takes an average of 8 to 12 months for that author's agent to get them that offer. Another 6 to 12 month is the average time it takes to find an agent, and it takes the average writer anywhere from 6 to 14 months to complete an average sized novel. This means that--again, on average--at BEST you are looking at three years from idea to book on shelf. And even that is only if everything goes perfectly, which we all know it never does.
What does that mean for trends in writing? That's easy: forget them. You will never keep up, so don't bother trying. Write the book you want to write because it is what you love and are passionate about. That is the only way t write your best book. If your story just happens to be about something that is hot, then so be it, but don't write about something ONLY because it is popular, because I can promise you that what may be hot while you are writing will be ice cold by the time it really matters.
Three years ago you might have said...
YA paranormal has moved from Vampires to Angels! How refreshing!Divergent? Is that a perfume?LOST is ending, we will finally get some GOD D@MNED ANSWERS!The new iPhone 4 is coming out!Should we go see Eclipse, or Harry Potter 7 Part 1?Did you catch the new Hanna Montana?Justin... what is it? Bieber? He sings, right?...
September 16, 2013
OMG Query Openers 2
Here we are again folks, more outrageously bad query openers provided by agents everywhere who were both amused and appalled...
Once again, as with my last OMG Query Openers post, all these are the opening lines to actual query letters an appear just after the 'Dear Agent' heading.
Hold on to your hats kids, here we go...
"This is my book, and I need an agent for it. It is mystery with love but no sex. It is called - title - and everyone who reads it thinks it's great."
"I am writing your firm to seek representation for my latest novel entitled - title. You currently represent a friend of mine who asked that I not use their name, and he said you would represent me. I have enclosed the complete manuscript as to save you the time of having to contact me."
(Yeah, either this person was lying about the 'friend', or that friend knew this person's writing was horrible and didn't want to be associated with them! Ha!)
"I have been forced to sen you an e-mail, as your receptionist is immature, rude, and practically useless in her line of work."
"My name is Janet Fisher, and I have been trapped it my house for 17 yeras. No one comes to see me, no one calls. Latly, I have become so lonely that man appears and keeps me company. He tells me strange thinhs about the world he is form. He wants to take me there. I cant go because he is imaginary. Or is he..."
(If you haven't realized yet, Janet Fisher is actually the name of this writer's character, and this opening is the plot of the novel. Any yes, those were her spelling mistakes, not mine.)
"Are you laughing at me, or is that just my book your reading? Maybe not yet, but soon you will be. Title- is my comedy novel about..."
(Yes folks, I do believe that was supposed to be a pickup line...)
"Are you still representing books? Do you have any openings? I just finished one, so let me know if you want it and I'll send it."
"I have suffered these past months to bring new life to this earth. Life takes many forms and mine is one of ink and paper. I have bled, labored, and trudged through the afterbirth of the mind, and now weary and soiled, it seeks new light and cleaner home..."
(Ummm... so I'm stuck somewhere between WTF and eww...)
And last but not least...
"David Cunningham never thought much of life. His existence was mundane, and mundane he expected it to stay. Sometimes however, the biggest of life's changes can come of the simplest of dry-cleaning bills...
Title- is a 92,000 word, completed literary fiction manuscript, for which I am seeking representation."
"But what's wrong with that?' you ask? Just this - it was a snail-mail submission. No SASE, no return address, no phone number, no email. The agent who received this flat out said they would have requested a partial had they have had a way to contact the writer.
*facepalm*
Once again, as with my last OMG Query Openers post, all these are the opening lines to actual query letters an appear just after the 'Dear Agent' heading.
Hold on to your hats kids, here we go...
"This is my book, and I need an agent for it. It is mystery with love but no sex. It is called - title - and everyone who reads it thinks it's great."
"I am writing your firm to seek representation for my latest novel entitled - title. You currently represent a friend of mine who asked that I not use their name, and he said you would represent me. I have enclosed the complete manuscript as to save you the time of having to contact me."
(Yeah, either this person was lying about the 'friend', or that friend knew this person's writing was horrible and didn't want to be associated with them! Ha!)
"I have been forced to sen you an e-mail, as your receptionist is immature, rude, and practically useless in her line of work."
"My name is Janet Fisher, and I have been trapped it my house for 17 yeras. No one comes to see me, no one calls. Latly, I have become so lonely that man appears and keeps me company. He tells me strange thinhs about the world he is form. He wants to take me there. I cant go because he is imaginary. Or is he..."
(If you haven't realized yet, Janet Fisher is actually the name of this writer's character, and this opening is the plot of the novel. Any yes, those were her spelling mistakes, not mine.)
"Are you laughing at me, or is that just my book your reading? Maybe not yet, but soon you will be. Title- is my comedy novel about..."
(Yes folks, I do believe that was supposed to be a pickup line...)
"Are you still representing books? Do you have any openings? I just finished one, so let me know if you want it and I'll send it."
"I have suffered these past months to bring new life to this earth. Life takes many forms and mine is one of ink and paper. I have bled, labored, and trudged through the afterbirth of the mind, and now weary and soiled, it seeks new light and cleaner home..."
(Ummm... so I'm stuck somewhere between WTF and eww...)
And last but not least...
"David Cunningham never thought much of life. His existence was mundane, and mundane he expected it to stay. Sometimes however, the biggest of life's changes can come of the simplest of dry-cleaning bills...
Title- is a 92,000 word, completed literary fiction manuscript, for which I am seeking representation."
"But what's wrong with that?' you ask? Just this - it was a snail-mail submission. No SASE, no return address, no phone number, no email. The agent who received this flat out said they would have requested a partial had they have had a way to contact the writer.
*facepalm*
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