Briana Vedsted's Blog, page 34
April 15, 2013
AIP #8
It is time for Author Interview #8!
Please give a warm welcome to Ms. Amanda Richardson!
Where can we find you?
Amanda : I am only on WordPress for now ( http://ramanda429.wordpress.com/ )
After this NaNoWriMo session is open I will be making a Facebook Page specifically for my novel and others to come. It will be my author page.
What is your author name? Or do you use a penname instead?
Amanda: I am in the process of thinking about a pen-name. I don’t think Amanda Richardson is authoristic. I want something that pops a little more. My name is so plain. BUT I am not for sure. I am thinking on it. If anyone has any pen-name ideas for me please feel free to share.
What is the title of the book you’re currently writing?
Amanda: It is called “A Whisper of Hope” and you all can give acknowledgement to Sarah Cradit for the name. She ran it by me and I loved it.
What is the genre of your book?
Amanda: New Adult
What inspires you to write?
Amanda: Honestly, I have no idea. I just get an idea and run with it. I have spent more time writing poetry, which there are a few on my WordPress page.
Self-publish or traditional publishing, and why?
Amanda: I am going to go with traditional publishing because it is my dream to be a signed author. I want to do book signings and everything else that comes along with being a signed author, BUT if for some reason the novel I am working on gets rejected from every company I send it to well then I’ll just do self-publishing and get my name out in the world. Either way I will be published hopefully by April 2014; though I’d like to be much sooner….A nice goal, realistic? We shall see…
What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Amanda: Seeings how I waiting so long to pursue my dream of being an author I would tell others who also have this dream, “Don’t wait, don’t be afraid of what others may say. You only live once. There is only one life to make your dreams come true. Do not give up and push forward even through the struggles. If you really want it than put your heart ad soul into your writing. Oh and just because one publisher may not like it, doesn’t mean another won’t think it is a master piece.”
April 14, 2013
Blog Hop
Hi everyone! Rachel at http://spilledxink.wordpress.com/ tagged me in a blog hop with the following questions about my WIP (work in progress)! Thank you so much Rachel!
What is the (working) title of your book?
Here with the Wolves
Where did the idea come from for the book?
For the last six years, I’ve written books all set in the 1800s or medieval times, so I really wanted to make a modern day book, which would require less research and I could include stuff like TV and cars!
What genre does your book fall under?
YA fiction/fantasy (someone called it paranormal because of the werewolves)
Which actors and/or actresses would you choose to play your characters in the movie rendition?
This is one of my all-time favorite questions.
Vanessa “Ness” Vancouver: Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss in The Hunger Games)
Kenneth (pack’s alpha): Jude Law (Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes)
Johnny (fellow-alpha): Chris Hemsworth (Thor in The Avengers)
Dustin (fellow-alpha): Liam Hemsworth (Gale in the Hunger Games)
Viviana “Viv” Vancouver: Anna Popplewell (Susan in the Chronicles of Narnia)
Keeton “Kite” Baptist-Murphy: Michael Welch (Mike in Twilight)
Gabriel Trojan: Taylor Lautner (Jacob in Twilight)
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Humans, wolves, and Slayers are the three species that live on earth: and it is the Slayer’s job to kill wolves and defend mankind, but being a Slayer isn’t all fun and games.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
It will be represented by an agent, I hope.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It took my about seven or eight months, but I was writing a couple other books at the same time.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I think Twilight would be similar, not that there are any vampires, but it’s about teenagers who aren’t completely human.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
That’s a hard question. I guess I just wanted to write a book that a movie could be based off of, something fast-paced and intriguing, but most of all, it was fun and entertaining for me to write.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
All Slayers (werewolf hunters) come from noble/notable bloodlines, Christopher Columbus, Sacajawea, Gorm the Old, Alfred the Great, and St. Patrick to name a few.
Now I pass this Blog Hop along to:
http://realmofthegoddess.wordpress.com/
http://dreamingcreatively.wordpress.com/
http://meloniekydd.wordpress.com/
April 13, 2013
AIP #7
Here comes author interview number 7! Hooray! it is my pleasure to introduce Ms. Melissa Lee LeGette!
Where you can find her:
https://twitter.com/MelissaLeGette
http://pinterest.com/melissalegette/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/M-L-LeGette/119655051430835
What is your author name? Or do you use a penname instead?M.L. LeGette, but my full name is Melissa Lee LeGette.
What is the title of the book you’re currently writing?Quest for Milo. The first draft is nearly completed. I keep shifting between being really proud of it to being really worried it’s missing great chunks of information. I’m fickle.
What is the genre of your book?
Fantasy. Middle grade. But more than anything it’s a fun (hopefully silly) adventure.
What inspires you to write?
That’s an interesting question. It’s rather hard for me to put my answer into words. Inspiration comes in so many forms and at such random times! Sometimes it’s a song. Sometimes a walk in the woods gets the spark ignited. Other times it’s a glass of red wine or a box of chocolates. What I have noticed though is that inspiration usually always hits when I am particularly happy.
The first time I remember writing creatively for fun was when I was stuck at my dad’s law office. I don’t remember how old I was, but still too young to be left alone at home, so pretty young. I was supposed to be entertaining myself and out of the blue, I started writing this silly autobiography. It was packed with misspelled words and utter randomness, but I had had a total blast writing it. I was so absorbed that I didn’t even realize I was writing. And that I was big for me because I had an awkward love/hate relationship when it came to books. Why did the urge to write hit then at that time? I have no idea. I believe that if writing is in your blood, you’ll find yourself doing it. Simple as that.
Self-publish or traditional publishing, and why?
I am self-published. Honestly, I don’t know where I would be if I was on the traditional path — I’m not even sure if I would still be writing with the constant hail storm of rejection emails and distant hopes. I’m already very hard on myself and to always be in the dark, hoping that someone somewhere would give me a chance at publishing would crush me. I’m not made of the right stuff to travel down that road.
Which is why I am SO grateful that the self-publishing option exploded when I decided to become a published writer. Both publishing sides have their pluses and minuses. I understand the allure of having a team of marketers and agents and publicists all working to help you succeed. There are times when I envy that, especially when I am struggling to self promote myself. But on the other hand, I love the fact that I call all the shots. I make all the choices: what I want to write, when I write it, what my cover will be, how I promote it, how often I promote, etc, etc. And even though these choices and responsibilities are overwhelming at times, they’re still my choices and that is powerful. It’s a fabulous thing to be the boss of your own career. Self-publishing has allowed me to do the thing that I love and be self-employed.
What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
I’ve always found it difficult to give fellow writers advice, as I’m still very much in the thicket of trying to learn, but I’ll try.
1. Try not to give your ego too much importance. Don’t get me wrong. We need our egos. They help us critique our work and help us improve, but egos can easily run amok and turn on us, making us feel worthless, often leaving us believing that we are the WORST writers in history. There’s a fabulous video of Elizabeth Gilbert talking about the danger of putting too much weight on our egos and the beauty of creativity. She’s spot on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86x-u-tz0MA
2. Embrace revision. Realize that most of the time spent on your novel will be spent revising. Pass it around to friends and family. If you’re game for critiquing groups, take it there, too. Listen to what your readers say even if you don’t agree with them. This process will help you find your voice and help you learn to stand by it. And remember, there is no rush to publish — especially now that we can publish so easily. Give your manuscript the time and focus it deserves to blossom.
3. Find a confidant and share your brainstorming with them. I often find that many problems I have in my own manuscript get worked out this way. Plus I am left energized!
4. Always, ALWAYS keep it fun. If you’re sitting at your computer, grumbling at the screen, take a break. Walk away. Give it space. You and the manuscript will be better for it.
Thanks so much Melissa!
AIP #6
Here it is: the sixth installment of my Author Interview Program! Presenting Ms. Rosie Amber!
You can find Rosie here: I write a blog that supports authors and where I review books that I read, come a visit me at http://rosieamber.wordpress.com/
Find me on Twitter @rosieamber1
Finally here is a link to my book called “Talk of the Playground” it is a fun book about life in an English Village School. http://tinyurl.com/cv5ak94
What is your author name? Or do you use a penname instead? Rosie: My name is Rosie Amber and I come from Hampshire, UK
What is the title of the book you’re currently writing? Rosie: The working title for my current writing is “The Farmer’s Wife”. It started off as my second book but I had so many ideas for a sequel to my first book that this one got overtaken in the race to the completion post.
What is the genre of your book? Rosie: What is the books genre? For me as the author I’d say it’s a mix of Humour/ Life and Fiction, my readers might choose otherwise!
What inspires you to write? Rosie: My inspiration? My life experiences and books that I’ve read influence me. I’m always learning from authors and books that I enjoy.
Self-publish or traditional publishing, and why? Rosie: Self publish or traditional? My only experience is self-publishing. It offers a quick, easy, low cost option and freedom to choose your own path to market. It is certainly changing the world of publishing along with e-books.
What advice would you give to an aspiring author? Rosie: My advice: Write a book, it’s very satisfying! Then get it published and then be brave and get out there and sell it! One book now seems to be not enough, so don’t spend too much time tweaking your first, learn from your experiences and have fun writing another. Look to your future buyers, they are all into technology, so seriously consider e-books.
Thanks Rosie!
April 12, 2013
Not accepted
Nope, not accepted: rejection #2 for today.
AEC Stellar Published turned my book down. But that’s okay. They sounded too much like a vanity press, and I’m glad I didn’t have to be the one to say I’d changed my mind. Unfortunately though, I received a PDF with their view on my book, and it wasn’t good. Everything was scored below 75%, and (I know, I got a personalized reply AND a reason why it was rejected) but I was told that my book was like being told a story being told by the fireplace…and now-a-days readers want to be at the movies.
But I’m happy. Another rejection under me belt means just one more “Author Badge” for me!
An acception?
OH MY GOODNESS!
Is it really posible to get a rejection and a possible acception in the same day? Yes, it is!
The possible acception came from Raymond Vogel at: http://aecstellar.com/Home_Page.html
Does anyone know about them? Have you worked with them? Is it a Vanity press? Are they a reputable company? Does it cost more money to work with them than you make in return?
Thank you in advance for your help!
AIP #5
Here is the fifth instalment of my Author Interview Program. If anyone is interested in participating, please let me know!
But for now, please welcome Ms. Helen Valentina!
Blog: http://helenvalentina.com/
What is your author name? Or do you use a penname instead?
Helen: I write under the name Helen Valentina. This is a pen name. I do this deliberately because I want my creative life to be separate from my day to day work life. In real life my name is Helen, but the surname Valentina comes from another part of my family, and just sounds nice I think.
What is the title of the book you’re currently writing?
Helen: There are two books I’ve written and I am currently in the last stages of preparing to self publish. The first is called ‘The Seed’ and the second is called ‘Curiosity’. There is a third novella I will be getting manuscript assessed later this year called ‘Denial’.
What is the genre of your book?
Helen: ‘The Seed’is probably psychological/dark romance….not sure if that is a specific genre!! ‘Curiosity’ is a black comedy. If I proceed with ‘Denial’ it would fall into the same sort of category as ‘The Seed’. I’m working on another novel now more in the black comedy vein, but it’s a work in progress so we will see how it goes.
One of my challenges is I don’t just write in one genre – which is creatively satisfying but I recognise makes marketing the work more complex.
I also write a lot of poetry on my blog – again this crosses genres, or possibly poetry is a genre in itself. Some people have suggested I write and publish a poetry book so I’m thinking about that too. The other challenge, of course, is having time to do it all!!!
What inspires you to write?
Looking back, I think I was inspired to write through being a frustrated philosopher who was, quite frankly, too lazy to make that an academic profession, LOL. So I use writing to process what I experience and think about the world, and to uncover the themes that drive my – and from my observation – other people’s decisions. In the end, that’s what it is in essence to me – an exploration of why we do the things we do, or why we think the way we think. Whatever genre I write, whatever story, whatever poem, has that at is heart. It’s me just trying to figure it all out…always failing of course…but the journey is the thing!
What this has also meant for me is that I tend to write in bursts during particular periods of my life rather than all the time. This is also partly the need to earn a living too. I think it’s a form of therapy for me in some way, and it’s like I’m a creative creature of hibernation…I go for long periods writing nothing and just observing the world (literally years at a stretch) then tend to write a lot, fast, over other periods of time, like I ‘wake up’ to do so.
It may be I would write more consistently if I did it for my actual living…who knows? I also expect the joy I get from my blog may be a real incentive to not ‘go back to sleep’ creatively, so that’s a great side benefit of this community of writers.
Self-publish or traditional publishing, and why?
Helen: Self publish…partly because of the aforementioned laziness I suspect. I actually only dusted off the novels recently because in downloading some stuff from Kindle there was a book on how to publish on Amazon and I thought, why not? I wrote the books to process thoughts, as I said above…I didn’t have the author ambition to be published, even though I got some good feedback on them (which I mainly pursued out of curiosity for whether they’d worked as novels). But self publishing looked a bit easier to navigate. Once I’ve gotten into it I’ve realised it’s not so simple, but it’s still very creatively liberating.
I’m not averse to traditional publishing if a publishing house approached me, but for the moment I’m quite happy to publish myself. Even a small readership is better than having the books gather dust, so to speak, in my house, unseen.
What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Helen: Write the way that suits you. Write what really interests you rather than what you think will be popular or marketable. If you are excited by your story, others are likely to be. It starts with really caring about the story.
Also, take lots of advice, but stay true to yourself in the end. Some people tell you to structure out everything very methodically, before you start to write – there are even programs you can buy to help ‘build’ a book’s plot etc. That may work well for some, but when I tried one once I was bored after plotting it out – it had served its purpose to make me think everything through (given that is essentially why I write in the first place) so I had no motivation left to write the actual novel (no matter how interesting the original premise might have been)
Instead, for me, if I have the story ‘whole’ in my head (and by this I mean..this is how it starts, this is broadly what will happen, and this is how it ends), but without all the plot detail intricately though out, I find I will write the book to find out all that detail…why did I have that whole story in my head, what was really driving it? That works for me but won’t for others.
I do find, though, if I just start with an idea but I don’t know the overview and the book’s end, I never finish it. Perhaps the more formless idea in itself is not sufficiently compelling as a philosophical premise for me to sustain it.
So my main message is be yourself. Don’t write like others because that won’t work..find what drives you and follow that path without doubt or regret.
Thank you so much Helen!
Rejection
*sigh*
I just got my first rejection for my modern day werewolf book. The agent said “Your premise is interesting, but your opening pages failed to engage me. You have a ton of back story and set up without anything actually happening.“
*another, longer sigh*
I’ve put a few samples of the book here on my blog (links below) and would love it if you could read them and give me your feedback. This was a book I thought would be easy to snag an agent’s attention with, but I guess I’ll have to wait and see.
I’m not sure what should be in a synopsis, so for any of you dear readers, could you tell me what should be included in a good, strong synopsis? I’ve pasted my original one below.
Oh, maybe I should add something like ***SPOILERS***
Synopsis:
Ness is a slayer. It is her duty to kill wolves. Her family has upheld this tradition ever since Christopher Columbus, the Grandfather, married a wolf and set his daughter to the task of killing wolves. But Ness doesn’t want to be a killer. The only thing that’s keeping her from running away is her best (and only) friend in the world, her pack’s alpha, Kenneth. Kenneth chose Ness to be his successor, meaning that she, along with two other boys, will be the pack’s future alphas. Gently, and without forcing her, Kenneth tries to show Ness that while killing a wolf can be painful at times, it is necessary, as it is ever Slayer’s job to protect humans from the brutality of the wolves. Her whole pack is counting on her to accept her role, and one, Malcolm, mocks her constantly.
Malcolm, in an attempt to get back at Ness for humiliating him, kills a plumber she befriended. Furious, Ness embraces her birthright and joins her pack for the upcoming hunt. But the hunt turns into a disaster, and Ness is forced to make a life threatening decision: she must enter the wolves’ lair and steal, or kill, their weapon of mass destruction, a slayer named Kite. Ness rescues him and manages to escape, but only after Kenneth saves her from the evil wolf queen.
With Ness’s and Kenneth’s help, Kite joins the pack and vows to hunt down his wolf captures. But, in order for the rest of the pack not to know what his purpose with the wolves had been, Kenneth lies and tells everyone that Kite is Ness’s boyfriend. Ness goes along with it until she develops feelings for her fellow alpha, Johnny, who’s loved Ness for years. Ness ‘breaks up’ with Kite and dates Johnny, eventually marrying him, but not before finding out that her sister is in a relationship with the heir to the wolf throne. Any sort of relationship between slayers and wolves is strictly forbidden without the pack’s approval, and Ness sends her sister away, hoping to protect her and her beau until the next hunt is over. The hunt goes badly and Kite very nearly loses his life. Ness promised a wolf who is on her deathbed that she will raise her child as her own. And then, after bringing her sister home, asks the pack to allow the wolf to come into their pack and continue dating Ness’s sister. Reluctantly, the pack agrees.
But happiness never lasts long enough. The wolf king wants his son back and probably won’t allow him to marry a slayer. That is, until Ness finds out that the prince has an older sister, who was raised by humans, and is the rightful heir to the throne. Will the king accept the exchange? Will he promise not to harm his son’s betrothed or will he allow his envious wife to kill the lot of them? Ness has no idea, but with her husband and their adopted infant son, she is going to try.
http://whenibecameanauthor.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/here-with-the-wolves/
http://whenibecameanauthor.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/here-with-the-wolves-part-2/
(C) Briana Vedsted 2013
AIP #4
Okay, and now, I introduce to you, Ms. Emelyne Museaux!
Her blog: www.evocativewordsandsounds.wordpress.com
What is your author name? Or do you use a penname instead?
Emelyne: My real name is Emelyne Museaux, but my pen name is Alyx Mesun. At first, I’d decided to write under a pseudonym for the anonymity but then I realized that, in the long run, this would be detrimental to the marketing of my work. I still keep my pen name, though, because it is a lot easier to pronounce (and thus, remember) than my actual name. It is actually an anagram of my own name with the duplicate letters removed.
What is the title of the book you’re currently writing?
Emelyne: The novel that I am currently writing is “The Fates: Book One- Abigail”. It is the first in a series of 3 or 4 books (I haven’t decided yet on how many installments there will be).
What is the genre of your book?
Emelyne: It is mythology-based YA fiction about 3 teenage girls who learn that they are direct descendants of the original Greek Fates. Besides being heavy-laden with Greek lore, this novel is narrated in first person and the central character is female, which is a huge leap from my first novel (“The Normals”), which was a third-person narrative of realistic fiction, based around a male protagonist.
What inspires you to write?
Emelyne: An easier question to answer would be “What doesn’t inspire you to write?” I find inspiration from a great deal of things: Music, films, reading the work of other writers, experiences. Life has inspired me. I will stop writing on the day that I no longer have any commentary left in me.
Self-publish or traditional publishing, and why?
Emelyne: My first novel was self-published, a decision that I came to mostly from frustration at the process of agent and publishing house solicitation. I wanted to focus on writing this current manuscript more than I wanted to keep stressing about a finished product. This time around, though, I am willing to go the distance and find a great publisher who can help me better market my work because not only is this manuscript part of a series, it’s one that I can easily see becoming a film or television show and I want it to have as much exposure as possible.
What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Emelyne’s answers:
1. Write with passion and re-write with patience.
2. Never lose sight of why you decided to become a writer in the first place.
3. If you’re not in the mood to write, do it anyway. Sometimes, the mere act of doing can be inspiration that you were waiting on.
Thank you Emelyne, and good luck to you!
April 11, 2013
Author Interview Program part 3
Wow, I’m having a lot of luck with my AIP! Thanks everyone!
Without further ado, here is author Sarah Cradit!
What is your author name? Or do you use a penname instead?
Sarah M. Cradit, which is my real name. I think I would only use a pen name if I was writing for a niche genre like epic fantasy. Then I’d probably go with something like Magicstar McDragonpants.
Blog: sarahcradit.wordpress.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/houseofcrimsonandclover
Twitter: @thewritersarah
What is the title of the book you’re currently writing?
Sarah: Although I am currently working on a book for my literary fiction series, House of Crimson and Clover, I am thinking of revisiting the YA series I co-wrote with a good friend years ago. It was quite long- spanning over 10 books, and then additionally a spinoff series. We hadn’t named each of the books yet, but the overarching series name was “Provincetown,” which was also the name of the fictional town in New England that the stories take place in.
Provincetown follows the lives of the two main heroines, Ophelia and Emma, as they enter adulthood. Emma, ever the pragmatist, is entering medical school and dating Nicolas, an actor who is unlike her in every way. Ophelia, a writer, is trying to figure out what to do with her life, and is desperately looking for something to challenge her.
Neither of their lives are serene though, as each deal with unthinkable obstacles. Emma, a boss that threatens her job and career if she does not do exactly what he says, and Ophelia, an ex-lover whose power knows no bounds, as the son of the man who runs the entire town.
What is the genre of your book?
Sarah: I used to think it was YA, but now that the New Adult genre is starting to take hold, I think that is probably a better fit.
What inspires you to write?
Sarah: The act of creation. In a lot of ways, my brain operates in a very scientific and logical way, and my creative way of expressing that is through creation itself. This is why I tend to write long novels and series’, as opposed to short stories and standalones, as the bigger I build the world and the characters, the more attached I get, which is where my enjoyment comes in.
I think there is a real liberation in the knowledge that you can create anything you want, and no one can ever take that from you. There are few things in life that are so guaranteed.
Self-publish or traditional publishing, and why?
Sarah: Eventually I would like to try traditional publishing, but I like what self-publishing has to offer. I maintain full creative control, can publish/unpublish as I please, and would probably do an equal amount of marketing either way since most traditional houses nowadays require new authors to do most of their own promotion anyways. It means I get to keep my titles, design a cover that is meaningful to me, and have the flexibility to share it in any number of ways.
I also think its an incredibly accessible route for people. No doubt it is more work and money- the editing, design, etc- to do these things yourself than to have a company doing it for you, but the end result is something you can still be incredibly proud of.
What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Sarah: Self-doubt is normal. No, more than that, its necessary. If you aren’t asking yourself if your work sucks, then you are not self-aware enough to grow as a writer. So, embrace your self-doubt! Know that you SHOULD be asking yourself these questions, and then use the answers to be better. Most importantly, when you’re at your absolute lowest, don’t give up. Don’t ever listen to that voice that says, “yes…you are terrible,” because the truth is you’re probably not the best writer on the planet. But if that was your goal, then you probably never loved it enough to begin with. Do it because you love it, and don’t worry about being good enough.
Also, don’t go into publishing with starry eyes. I know the idea of an agent is a romantic and lovely notion, but I’ve seen so many indiie authors get taken advantage of by small vanity presses. Do your research. Do it some more even. Know exactly what you’re getting into. Sometimes self-publishing will be your best route, but even if it is, it also requires a lot of research. Find blogs from experienced epublishers, and read about their experiences. Regardless of what route you take, you simply need to be well-informed.
There’s quite a bit of additional advice I could give, but I don’t want to get carried away
One of the things I enjoy most about blogging is the opportunity to write articles about my own writing experiences in the hopes it might be helpful to others starting out in their own writing journey.Thank you so much Sarah!
