Doing a Little Wandering...

No baby yet, which is actually okay as I'm only 37 weeks. But my doctor is probably going to have me induced at the end of next week *fingers crossed*. In the meantime, I'm going to let my nesting instinct take over (why did the front room closet never bother me before this week?) and pull back on blogging.

While I'm taking a break from writing actual posts, I'm going to be busy making friends for the Gearing up to get an Agent blogfest (GUTGAA). If you haven't heard about it, it's going to be an awesome pitch extravaganza with lots of agents and even a few small publishers involved. So if you're in query mode you'll want to check it out for sure.

The details are here.

Even if you're not pitching you should check out the blogs on the linky and make a few new friends. That's what I'm planning on doing until baby is born. I'm hope to meet lots of you before September 1st!

Are you joining GUTGAA? Anything else fun happening in September?

Writing Should be Fun

I think we often forget the reason we started writing in the first place. I know I often get caught up in the details of "is it good enough?"  It may not be, and since I'm trying to take writing as a serious career choice, I have to work for constant improvement.

Here's the thing, I started writing becasue I love it. It should be the reason I'm still writing. Because writing should be fun. If you're not enjoying it anymore, is it worth it? (BTW, your answer should still be yes. You have to hope you can get back to that happiness at some point.)

So how do we do it? How do we remind ourselves that writing should be fun and that our writing will be better if we believe in it?

I don't have the perfect answer for everyone, but my first thought is that we all need to be reminded about how fun writing can be. If you're in a slump, try writing something without thinking about the technical. Go crazy, let your imagination take over and don't worry about anyone reading it, just let the story take you where it will.

You may find that your mind is a bigger place than you first thought it was and that rambling can actually help you apply creative technique to your writing. So write to enjoy, and when you're serious remember the good things and stop thinking your writing is crap!

I've read plenty of flash fiction from my followers and I know you all have real potential backing you up, so stop moping and start writing!

'What if?' Blogfest

Today is the start of the "What if?" Fairy Tale Blogfest.  The rules are simple:

Think of your favorite "well known" fairytale and ask "What If…!"
Then, pick one of these four categories: (be sure to mention which category you're joining, during your blog post!)

·       Best Plot Twist

·       Best Love Story

·       Best Tragedy

·       Best Comic Relief

Finally, write a scene(s) illustrating a new detail of the fabled fairy tale that changes our perspective. (300 words or less)

Today, I'm all about Team Love story!

The lamp glowed gold in the scattered starlight. Aladdin tensed and covered his face as smoke billowed from the spout. A woman, dressed in draped silk and bound with chains, collapsed next to the ancient artifact.

Aladdin took a step back. “Where did you come from?”

“You summoned me,” she said, not meeting his gaze.

He crouched beside her and moved a lock of raven hair from her face. She flinched and held up her chains in defense.

“I’m not going to hurt you. Who did this to you?”

“Another man, not unlike yourself.”

Her eyes flicked to his. A breath caught in his chest at the sight of her purple irises. She looked broken. Aladdin wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and save her from whoever did this.

“Can I help?”

“You are my master now. I’m bound to serve you until three wishes are made.” She stole another glance. “I see your clothes are tattered, I can give you wealth untold.”

“What’s your name?”

The girl looked up, curiosity lighting her face. “Genie.”  The name was spoken as a curse.

“Genie, I had wealth once. It never brought me happiness. Is there no one you can turn to for shelter?”

“I’m bound to you.”

Aladdin smiled. “As a free man, I don’t believe in bonds. Let’s find a blacksmith to remove your chains.”

“The only way these chains can be removed is if you wish me free.”

“Then I wish you free.”

“You want nothing for yourself?”

“I have made my choices.”

Genie gasped as the chains fell to the ground in a flash of dust and sparks. She took a step toward Aladdin. 

“Whoever you are, I owe you my life.”

With a longing look back, Genie was gone.

 What's your favorite fairy tale?

Wanna Guest Post?

If you haven't heard (I feel like it's all I talk about) I'm having a baby soon. He could be born as soon as next week soon. And I'm just starting to realize that I can't do it all. (shocker, I know)

That's where my lovely blog peeps come in. I'm looking for three or four guests posts to help me through the month of September.

This blog is all about the writing journey. More importantly, it's about finding the positive in this writing journey. So I'd love to get posts from any of you about lessons learned on your writing journey, or just something inspirational to keep people motivated in obtaining their dreams.

Interested? Leave me a comment below. If you have your email set to private then give me your email address as well so we can get in touch.

Thank you for your help and I look forward to hearing from you! :)

Never Back Down

Most of you know, I'm going through the query process right now. Without getting into specifics, let me just say I made a decision the other day that I never thought I would.

Here's the thing, I want a certian type of writing career. The facts may be that I'm not good enough to be there yet. And you know what, that's okay. The fact remains that I'm not going to give up.

I have an opportunity to work hard and dream big. I don't need to settle for something that I don't really want. What I need to do is keep working and keep improving myself.

What I guess I'm saying is-you are worth it! Your writing is worth it. And if that means it's going to take you a few more years to get where you want to be, then take those years. Most bestsellers are not made overnight. If you want something, be prepared to wait for it, but keep working your butt off. More importantly, NEVER. BACK. DOWN..

Oh yeah, and don't forget to Dream Big --

July Mini-Reviews

It's a new month, and time for a new round of Mini-Reviews. I didn't quite read a book a week in July (partial bed rest issues have interfered)  but I didn't do too bad considering all of my pregnancy problems.  (Two more weeks and this baby can be born safe and sound!)

Goodreads

Partials by Dan Wells was a new twist on a lot of dystopian novels that are already out there. I would almost classify this book as science fiction instead. The characters were really strong and the plot kept me turning pages. A must read for anyone worried about genocide via incurable disease. 

Goodreads

Surrender by Elana Johnson. I was a little worried when I read that this was a companion novel to Possession and not a direct sequel. I loved Jag and Vi, and I really did not want to leave their story line. Those feelings promptly disappeared once I was in the heads of Gunner and Raine. In fact, the more I read the more I liked the characters and I would even go as far as to say I like these characters more. We still find out what happens to Jag and Vi and get a new set of character to care about in the world. Although my one complaint is another cliff hanger ending. Good thing Elana announced that there will be a book three. I can't wait.

Goodreads

Change of Heart by Roseanne Wilkins. This isn't my usual read. I normally stick with the genre I write (YA sci-fi & fantasy) and I very rarely read LDS novels even though I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Roseanne is a good friend and neighbor of mine who agreed to help me edit my MS so I helped edit hers. I read this book without the last 5 or 6 chapters. It KILLED me. I had to know what happened next. Luckily (almost a year later) Roseanne finished the story and gave me a copy. Thank goodness she did, I was dying not knowing what happened to Christina. Great characters and an even better suspense/love story. If you're LDS, pick this one up, you won't regret it! 




That was it for the month of July. Hopefully I'll do better this month. If this baby comes then I'm sure I'll have plenty of late night feedings in which to read.

What was the best book you read last month?

Over-thinking It

I was having a conversation with a good friend the other day (sorry for using you Sarah) about over-thinking it.

She has this AMAZING novel. It's a New Adult Contemporary Fantasy that is one of the most original ideas I've ever seen.  The characters where solid and the story had me flipping page after page with ease. Compared to how much she marked up my manuscript, her book had hardly any errors.

So when I saw her the other night I couldn't wait to hear how well her querying was going. I thought for sure she had already signed with some big agent and was just waiting for her $5,000 contract. But no. She hadn't even sent it out.

When I asked her why, a little grumble came out of her mouth that sounded something like "well, it could use a few more changes." I stopped her before she could even finish. She was over-thinking it. Big time.

Of course we all know that we shouldn't send in a manuscript that hasn't been looked over, agents and editors want something that they can work with, but that isn't the case with my friend. I KNOW she's put in the work to get her MS shiny. It may not be perfect (when is a book ever perfect?), but I sure enjoyed reading it and I'm positive anyone with a brain would pick her story up.

The thing is, I've been there. I've rung my hands and worried over every little thing, but if you over-think it too much you could lose the magic that once resided in the story. Sometimes you have to cast in your line and see if anything bites. It never hurts to put yourself out there. And if you're not having any success, you can always reel back in and try again.

So if you're over-thinking it, I urge you to stop and take the plunge. It will be worth it in the end!