P.J. Hoover's Blog, page 11
April 23, 2013
TLA! Here I come!
It's that awesome time of year when I head to the Texas Library Association annual conference. This year the conference is in Fort Worth, Texas (which sadly means I won't be able to stop in Italy, Texas) and is sure to be a blast.
If you're heading there, please come by and say 'Hi!'
Here is where I will be:
THURSDAY, APRIL 25th
1:00-1:50 pm - I'll be on the Other Worlds: Science Fiction and Fantasy for Teens Panel with Ilsa Bick, Joelle Charbonneau, Marissa Meyer, and Kristen Simmons
3:00-4:00 pm - I'll be signing with Jessica Lee Anderson at Booth 1601 (not ARCs of SOLSTICE yet. That's on Friday.)
FRIDAY, APRIL 26th
12:00-1:50 pm - I'll be a participating author at the YART Texas Tea
3:00-4:00 pm - I'll be signing ARCs of SOLSTICE in the author area
5:00-8:00 pm - I'll be a participating author in the TT4L Event
See you there!
If you're heading there, please come by and say 'Hi!'
Here is where I will be:
THURSDAY, APRIL 25th 1:00-1:50 pm - I'll be on the Other Worlds: Science Fiction and Fantasy for Teens Panel with Ilsa Bick, Joelle Charbonneau, Marissa Meyer, and Kristen Simmons
3:00-4:00 pm - I'll be signing with Jessica Lee Anderson at Booth 1601 (not ARCs of SOLSTICE yet. That's on Friday.)
FRIDAY, APRIL 26th
12:00-1:50 pm - I'll be a participating author at the YART Texas Tea
3:00-4:00 pm - I'll be signing ARCs of SOLSTICE in the author area
5:00-8:00 pm - I'll be a participating author in the TT4L Event
See you there!
April 22, 2013
Spring Cleaning your Manuscript: Part 2
Hey there! I hope the weekend was awesome for you all. If you missed it last week, I decided spring was the perfect opportunity to spring clean your manuscript. If you missed Part 1, you can find it here. Otherwise, it's on to Part 2, in which I dig a little bit deeper!
Here are 5 more ways to Spring Clean your Manuscript…
1) The beats
Some beats in a manuscript are great. Some are kind of in the middle. And then some...they are pretty much worthless.If you're like me, you throw these needless beats into the story without even thinking about them. You revise without ever noticing them. And you know what? They are so inconsequential, we are blind to them. "He laughed." "She turned." "He smiled." I know what you're thinking. But my characters are really doing these things. It doesn't matter. The reader doesn't need to be told. They will figure it out.
2) The names
As with a title change, sometimes characters need a fresh, new start. When you started your story, you probably named your characters for really deep meanings. Do these meanings still matter? Does a clunking or confusing character name make the story harder to follow? Do you have too many clever nicknames for people? Basics are good when it comes to names. So go through and re-think them. See if naming your supporting character something new will spark a nice new perspective.
3) The tags
Every time someone speaks, they do not need a dialogue tag. Sure, some are very nice to help the reader follow along. After all, the reader doesn't know your characters as well as you do. But every single piece of dialogue does not need a "he said" or a "she said." Once you pare down your tags, simplify them. Characters say things. They don't have to grumble them or exclaim them or even snap them. Said is the least intrusive and generally the safest way to go.
4) The doubt
Depending on who your main character is, consider how much doubt would be in their point of view. When you character has dialogue or internal monologue, how would they phrase it? "I think we should go to the park" or "We should go to the park." How confident is your main character and how much do they take action?
5) The stereotypes
There is no room for characters that fit the mold. Help your characters step out and be different than their stereotypical counterparts. Remove your bitchy cheerleaders and your dumb jocks. Craft your nerds to be more than glasses-wearing kids who carry around too many books. Sure, some traits belong with certain types of people. But that doesn't mean the characters have to be stereotypes. They can be whoever they want to be.
Happy Spring! And Happy Writing and Revising!
Here are 5 more ways to Spring Clean your Manuscript…
1) The beats
Some beats in a manuscript are great. Some are kind of in the middle. And then some...they are pretty much worthless.If you're like me, you throw these needless beats into the story without even thinking about them. You revise without ever noticing them. And you know what? They are so inconsequential, we are blind to them. "He laughed." "She turned." "He smiled." I know what you're thinking. But my characters are really doing these things. It doesn't matter. The reader doesn't need to be told. They will figure it out.
2) The names
As with a title change, sometimes characters need a fresh, new start. When you started your story, you probably named your characters for really deep meanings. Do these meanings still matter? Does a clunking or confusing character name make the story harder to follow? Do you have too many clever nicknames for people? Basics are good when it comes to names. So go through and re-think them. See if naming your supporting character something new will spark a nice new perspective.
3) The tags
Every time someone speaks, they do not need a dialogue tag. Sure, some are very nice to help the reader follow along. After all, the reader doesn't know your characters as well as you do. But every single piece of dialogue does not need a "he said" or a "she said." Once you pare down your tags, simplify them. Characters say things. They don't have to grumble them or exclaim them or even snap them. Said is the least intrusive and generally the safest way to go.
4) The doubt
Depending on who your main character is, consider how much doubt would be in their point of view. When you character has dialogue or internal monologue, how would they phrase it? "I think we should go to the park" or "We should go to the park." How confident is your main character and how much do they take action?
5) The stereotypes
There is no room for characters that fit the mold. Help your characters step out and be different than their stereotypical counterparts. Remove your bitchy cheerleaders and your dumb jocks. Craft your nerds to be more than glasses-wearing kids who carry around too many books. Sure, some traits belong with certain types of people. But that doesn't mean the characters have to be stereotypes. They can be whoever they want to be.
Happy Spring! And Happy Writing and Revising!
April 16, 2013
Must-Be-There Austin Events This Week!
Hey, peeps! For those around and about the Austin, Texas area (and for those who aren't, you should move here), there are three fabulous places I'll be where I would love to see you.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 6:30 pm
BOOKPEOPLE
It's the Writer's League of Texas Third Thursday meeting and panel, and this month, I am thrilled to be on a panel with Stephanie Barko and Rhiannon Frater. We'll be talking about all things marketing and giving tips on nurturing relationships with readers! It's free and open to the public, and sure to be a blast!
*****
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 8:00 pm
BAR 96
If you do come to the meeting, or even if you don't, later Thursday evening at 8:00 pm is the CLAWstin event downtown at Bar 96 on Rainey Street. Head out and cheer on my pal Gina Tonic as she arm wrestles her way to helping charity!
*****
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 7:30 pm
BOOKPEOPLE
BookPeople is holding an event to celebrate the release of POISON by Bridget Zinn (Hyperion, March 12, 2013) . I am honored to be reading from the novel along with Austin authors Nikki Loftin and Cory Putman Oakes. (And I picked such a fun passage to read). So please come support the book that Bridget would have loved to have seen published. Buy a copy for yourself. Buy a copy for a friend. And if you haven't read this book, you are in for a true delight!
See you there!
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 6:30 pm
BOOKPEOPLE
It's the Writer's League of Texas Third Thursday meeting and panel, and this month, I am thrilled to be on a panel with Stephanie Barko and Rhiannon Frater. We'll be talking about all things marketing and giving tips on nurturing relationships with readers! It's free and open to the public, and sure to be a blast!
*****
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 8:00 pm
BAR 96
If you do come to the meeting, or even if you don't, later Thursday evening at 8:00 pm is the CLAWstin event downtown at Bar 96 on Rainey Street. Head out and cheer on my pal Gina Tonic as she arm wrestles her way to helping charity!
*****
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 7:30 pm
BOOKPEOPLE
BookPeople is holding an event to celebrate the release of POISON by Bridget Zinn (Hyperion, March 12, 2013) . I am honored to be reading from the novel along with Austin authors Nikki Loftin and Cory Putman Oakes. (And I picked such a fun passage to read). So please come support the book that Bridget would have loved to have seen published. Buy a copy for yourself. Buy a copy for a friend. And if you haven't read this book, you are in for a true delight!
See you there!
April 15, 2013
Spring Cleaning your Manuscript: Part 1
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Today I’m talking about Spring Cleaning! There’s nothing quite like a little change in the weather to motivate me to clean around the house. But it doesn’t stop with the house. Why not take this wonderful time to spring clean your current manuscript?
Here are 5 ways to Spring Clean your Manuscript…
1) The darlings
They must be killed. Yes, I know they are special to you, but that’s where it stops. Those jokes that seem so funny in your mind might actually not be very funny to anyone else. So identify as many darlings are you can, call them out for what they are, and destroy them.
2) The cliches
Yes, every single one. The road to hell isn’t paved with good intentions. It’s paved with cliches. The time for cliched writing is gone with the wind. So if your kid comes home and mentions a great cliche they learned in class today and you have that cliche in your manuscript, take that as a sign from the universe and give it the ax.
3) The title
Are you sure your title works? Is this perhaps the perfect time to take a look at it and really consider if it is going to capture the attention your wonderful darling-free and cliche-free manuscript deserves? Did another book just come out with the same title? Take a step back and at least consider some other options. You may surprise yourself with what you come up with.
4) The adverbs
Yes, these are the words we all love that end in “ly.” Cut. Them. All. And then, only if you desperately feel like you need one badly, put it back in sparingly. They don’t have a place. And I’m talking about after dialogue tags, too. People may say things gruffly, but I don’t want to be told that. I want to be shown that.
5) The backstory
Sure, you care about what happened to your characters before. You’ve mapped out their lives. Their parents have jobs. Their siblings have best friends. You know all the places they frequent. But that doesn’t mean your reader needs to know or will care one hoot about any of this stuff. Drop us in the action and then dribble in ONLY THE IMPORTANT DETAILS later on.
Happy Spring! And Happy Writing and Revising!
Here are 5 ways to Spring Clean your Manuscript…
1) The darlings
They must be killed. Yes, I know they are special to you, but that’s where it stops. Those jokes that seem so funny in your mind might actually not be very funny to anyone else. So identify as many darlings are you can, call them out for what they are, and destroy them.
2) The cliches
Yes, every single one. The road to hell isn’t paved with good intentions. It’s paved with cliches. The time for cliched writing is gone with the wind. So if your kid comes home and mentions a great cliche they learned in class today and you have that cliche in your manuscript, take that as a sign from the universe and give it the ax.
3) The title
Are you sure your title works? Is this perhaps the perfect time to take a look at it and really consider if it is going to capture the attention your wonderful darling-free and cliche-free manuscript deserves? Did another book just come out with the same title? Take a step back and at least consider some other options. You may surprise yourself with what you come up with.
4) The adverbs
Yes, these are the words we all love that end in “ly.” Cut. Them. All. And then, only if you desperately feel like you need one badly, put it back in sparingly. They don’t have a place. And I’m talking about after dialogue tags, too. People may say things gruffly, but I don’t want to be told that. I want to be shown that.
5) The backstory
Sure, you care about what happened to your characters before. You’ve mapped out their lives. Their parents have jobs. Their siblings have best friends. You know all the places they frequent. But that doesn’t mean your reader needs to know or will care one hoot about any of this stuff. Drop us in the action and then dribble in ONLY THE IMPORTANT DETAILS later on.
Happy Spring! And Happy Writing and Revising!
April 11, 2013
Five on a Friday
Happy Friday! I hope you all have tons of wonderful weekend plans made. Or maybe you plan to relax. Maybe, just maybe, there is a perfect medium between the two. If so, let me in on your secret :)
It's been a few weeks since my last five on a Friday, but here are my five:
1) I had a blast earlier this week presenting at St. Stephen's Episcopal School as part of their Literary Fest. I caught up with Austin author Sara Bird (who I haven't seen in ages), met Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith who helped orchestrated the whole thing, had a wonderful lunch with Austin author Mari Mancusi, met Nita Shuffler who is the librarian extraordinaire at St. Stephen's, and even met former Go Go Kathy Valentine who was just a doll. The event was really well run, and the faculty and parents were so appreciative. So let's hear a big "Woot" for people who love books and reading!
2) There's nothing quite like wearing a tiara! So I couldn't resist donning one during the reception after my daughter's First Communion last weekend.
(yes, I realize I look like I'm getting married)
3) Over on the Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels this week, we're featuring Danny and Julie Woodfill, co-owners of The Book Spot in Round Rock, Texas, and the creative minds behind the upcoming YAB Fest on May 11th at Round Rock High School! If you have a moment, stop over and show some love for an awesome, local indie bookstore!
4) I am so so so behind on reviewing books! It's not that I haven't been reading. In fact, I've read some amazing stuff recently. So that said, I am going to be doing some whirlwind reviews to catch up.
5) As for what I'm working on these days, revisions are keeping me happy and busy. Day and night, it's the Egyptian mythology book, TUT (Starscape/Tor, 2014).
Why happy? Because there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Why busy? Because that light is kinda far away.
So that's it for me this week! How about you guys? What is going on? And I leave you with my favorite video of the week. Enjoy!
It's been a few weeks since my last five on a Friday, but here are my five:
1) I had a blast earlier this week presenting at St. Stephen's Episcopal School as part of their Literary Fest. I caught up with Austin author Sara Bird (who I haven't seen in ages), met Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith who helped orchestrated the whole thing, had a wonderful lunch with Austin author Mari Mancusi, met Nita Shuffler who is the librarian extraordinaire at St. Stephen's, and even met former Go Go Kathy Valentine who was just a doll. The event was really well run, and the faculty and parents were so appreciative. So let's hear a big "Woot" for people who love books and reading!
2) There's nothing quite like wearing a tiara! So I couldn't resist donning one during the reception after my daughter's First Communion last weekend.
(yes, I realize I look like I'm getting married)
3) Over on the Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels this week, we're featuring Danny and Julie Woodfill, co-owners of The Book Spot in Round Rock, Texas, and the creative minds behind the upcoming YAB Fest on May 11th at Round Rock High School! If you have a moment, stop over and show some love for an awesome, local indie bookstore!4) I am so so so behind on reviewing books! It's not that I haven't been reading. In fact, I've read some amazing stuff recently. So that said, I am going to be doing some whirlwind reviews to catch up.
5) As for what I'm working on these days, revisions are keeping me happy and busy. Day and night, it's the Egyptian mythology book, TUT (Starscape/Tor, 2014).
Why happy? Because there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Why busy? Because that light is kinda far away.
So that's it for me this week! How about you guys? What is going on? And I leave you with my favorite video of the week. Enjoy!
April 2, 2013
Newest Featured Sweethearts!
Hey, all! We've had some amazing Featured Sweethearts over on the Texas Sweethearts and Scoundrels blog including Debbie Carroll VanZandt, Laura Stiles, and Renee DeHoyos just to name a few! So when you get a chance, please head over and check out all the amazing things they are doing for the kidlit community! And, as always, thank you for reading!
*****
p.s. If you know of someone who would make a great Featured Sweetheart, please let us know! The best part? If you nominate someone, we'll send you a $5 Starbucks gift card :)
March 28, 2013
See you at YAB Fest!
I'm excited to announce that I will be a featured author at the upcoming YAB Fest (Young Adult Book Fest)!
There are some amazing authors coming for the festival including David Levithan (INVISIBILITY), Andrea Cremer (INVISIBILITY), Keira Cass (THE SELECTION), Amy Tintera (REBOOT), and C. C. Hunter (BORN AT MIDNIGHT) just to name a few.
You can check out the authors that have been announced so far here.
And you can keep up to date on new featured authors as they are announced here.
You can also like the YAB Fest page on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @YABFest.
FESTIVAL DETAILS
When: Saturday, May 11, 2013
Where: Round Rock High School, Austin, TX
See you there!
March 26, 2013
Guest Blogging This Week
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Hey Everyone! Hope the week is off to a fantastic start!
Just a quick note that I am blogging over on the League of Extraordinary Writers all week! You can check out my first couple posts here:
CREATING THE FUTURE WORLD: KEEP IT THE SAME
CREATING THE FUTURE WORLD: NOTHING IS PERFECT
And check back over there tomorrow and Thursday for the rest of the posts in the series!
March 22, 2013
See you at the Region 13 Library and Literacy Summit
Hey, Austin area educators!
I'll be at the Region 13 Library and Literacy Summit this coming Monday, March 25th, 2013, on a panel with my fellow Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels. We'll be talking about inspiring kids to love writing! I'd love to see you there!
WHEN: March 25, 2013
WHAT: Author panel: SPREADING THE LOVE FOR BOOKS WITH EVERY WORD WE WRITE
WHERE: Region 13 Education Service Center, Austin, TX
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I'll be at the Region 13 Library and Literacy Summit this coming Monday, March 25th, 2013, on a panel with my fellow Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels. We'll be talking about inspiring kids to love writing! I'd love to see you there!
WHEN: March 25, 2013
WHAT: Author panel: SPREADING THE LOVE FOR BOOKS WITH EVERY WORD WE WRITE
WHERE: Region 13 Education Service Center, Austin, TX
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
March 18, 2013
Sherwood Forest Renaissance Faire FTW!
It was off to the Sherwood Forest Ren Faire this past Saturday. This time I managed to convince a few writing peeps to come along with me, namely Salima Alikhan, Bethany Hegedus, and Sam Clark (our new Austin SCBWI Assistant Regional Adviser). Also it was great in that it was only about 45 minutes away from Austin.
And as always, I think pictures summarize the whole event best!
We walked in and there was Peter S. Beagle signing books. Salima Alikhan was going to fangirl him, but his line was kind of busy.
I was thinking about wearing a costume, but then I figured why have chainmail unless I am going to wear it. And it is SO COMFORTABLE. Seriously.
This executioner was so soft-spoken and did not cut off any of our heads!
It was a dragon wishing well/fountain. Any guesses as to what a bunch of authors would wish for?
A highlight of my day was seeing Salima trying to climb the Jacob's Ladder...
...and falling! 3 times!No, I didn't try it. I did try ax throwing which was a blast. I plan to build a knife/ax throwing thing in my backyard soon.
Nothing says Ren Faire like licking your funnel cake plate.
Giant Chess set.I could not figure out why my camera was taking fuzzy pics. Turns out the lens was covered in funnel cake grease :)
There were lots of these things where you put your head through and take a picture. This one with Bethany Hegedus was my personal favorite.
Also it was fun to go to pretend-jail. Here are Salima and Bethany. They are lucky we let them out.
Watching jousting complete with fox tail, wizard hat, and feather hat.
It was starting to get hot, and people were starting to fade. Here are Sam Clark, Salima, and Bethany.
And me with my two minions.
But we had to stop and eat The King's Nuts.
I have to say that the Sherwood Forest Faire had a beautiful wooded location. It was gorgeous with lots of shade and lots of space.
I tried to walk to Constantinople, but the troops were not up for it. So we attempted Narnia next, but the wardrobe was not cooperating. All agreed upon Austin, and we headed home.
Thanks, Sherwood Forest Faire, for a great time! We will definitely be back again next year! And for those interested, they are open until March 31. Easter Ren Faire, anyone?
And as always, I think pictures summarize the whole event best!
We walked in and there was Peter S. Beagle signing books. Salima Alikhan was going to fangirl him, but his line was kind of busy.
I was thinking about wearing a costume, but then I figured why have chainmail unless I am going to wear it. And it is SO COMFORTABLE. Seriously.
This executioner was so soft-spoken and did not cut off any of our heads!
It was a dragon wishing well/fountain. Any guesses as to what a bunch of authors would wish for? 
A highlight of my day was seeing Salima trying to climb the Jacob's Ladder...
...and falling! 3 times!No, I didn't try it. I did try ax throwing which was a blast. I plan to build a knife/ax throwing thing in my backyard soon. 
Nothing says Ren Faire like licking your funnel cake plate. 
Giant Chess set.I could not figure out why my camera was taking fuzzy pics. Turns out the lens was covered in funnel cake grease :)
There were lots of these things where you put your head through and take a picture. This one with Bethany Hegedus was my personal favorite.
Also it was fun to go to pretend-jail. Here are Salima and Bethany. They are lucky we let them out.
Watching jousting complete with fox tail, wizard hat, and feather hat.
It was starting to get hot, and people were starting to fade. Here are Sam Clark, Salima, and Bethany.
And me with my two minions.
But we had to stop and eat The King's Nuts. 
I have to say that the Sherwood Forest Faire had a beautiful wooded location. It was gorgeous with lots of shade and lots of space.
I tried to walk to Constantinople, but the troops were not up for it. So we attempted Narnia next, but the wardrobe was not cooperating. All agreed upon Austin, and we headed home.Thanks, Sherwood Forest Faire, for a great time! We will definitely be back again next year! And for those interested, they are open until March 31. Easter Ren Faire, anyone?
