As I said the other day I like to check out other Blogs and Literary Sites out here on the internetosphere Yes, I borrowed that word from NB's blog. Did he coin that word? Does he have copyright on it? I don't know. I hope not because I liked it so I'm borrowing it. He if asks, I will return it though.
Anyway, it seems if you want to write a book/novel/novella and get published there are a few things you need to do besides the obvious - Finish Writing The Book.
Of course, I had read about these few things before I decided to blog my journey. Now I will have to venture back into the internetosphere (yes like I said I like the word) and search for them so I can blog about them here.
One of the things that was suggested somewhere (and when I find it, I will link it back here) was to start a blog. Make sure the blog is pertinent to you as a writer and or your writing. With a blog you can build up a fan base and with the tricky little gadgets on blogger now you can actually see who your fans are (or in case of the gadget - your followers). You can also see how many people check your profile, which helps you see how many people might be stopping by the Blog even if they don't comment. Though that one isn't a real fair number, because you can increase the "Profile Views" by just refreshing the screen. ;0}.
I'm writing my story. I'm blogging my journey. Am I building up a fan base? Only time will tell.
Are you writing a story?
Thanks for stopping by.
Cass
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Nathan Bransford's Blog
I stumbled across this Agent's Blog some time ago (roughly a year), and admit I go there daily. Yes daily. I even check in on the weekend on the off chance that Nathan has decided to leave us with tidbits of information during "non business hours". So far no such luck. I know, he has a life too.
Yesterday he ran a poll asking the readers of his blog if they each (individually) thought they were better writers then a majority of the other blog readers. Wow, some of the comments. I thought it was a fun question. I answered yes. Like a few commented, maybe he should have had a 3rd choice. I probably still would have answered yes. Fooling myself maybe? I don't know.
After I answered, I sat and thought about it a bit more and realized that my entry into his "First Paragraph Contest" definitely was not better then the average entry, But I did feel I was just as good as most. But I keep looking past my first paragraph. I know where the story goes, but anyone reading that first paragraph certainly did not. I have a great storyline, but it definitely did not show in the first paragraph. Since the contest, I have revised it to include what I'm hoping will be "the hook". Gotta get that hook in early or the reader may not be interested.
Nathan has a great Blog, like so many other agents and writers. They freely give information on their sites to help others striving to enter and excel in this industry. I'm slowly but surely culling through all of the links from one site to another, and adding them here as Blogs or sites I visit frequently. I encourage you check these out if you haven't already.
Do you have a favorite Literary Blog you follow?
Thanks for stopping by.
Cass
I even entered his "First Paragraph Contest" he held recently, and though I was not selected as a runner up or winner, I felt good about the entry. I have lots to learn, but feel I have great stories to tell and as I continue to write them, the writing improves.
Yesterday he ran a poll asking the readers of his blog if they each (individually) thought they were better writers then a majority of the other blog readers. Wow, some of the comments. I thought it was a fun question. I answered yes. Like a few commented, maybe he should have had a 3rd choice. I probably still would have answered yes. Fooling myself maybe? I don't know.
After I answered, I sat and thought about it a bit more and realized that my entry into his "First Paragraph Contest" definitely was not better then the average entry, But I did feel I was just as good as most. But I keep looking past my first paragraph. I know where the story goes, but anyone reading that first paragraph certainly did not. I have a great storyline, but it definitely did not show in the first paragraph. Since the contest, I have revised it to include what I'm hoping will be "the hook". Gotta get that hook in early or the reader may not be interested.
Nathan has a great Blog, like so many other agents and writers. They freely give information on their sites to help others striving to enter and excel in this industry. I'm slowly but surely culling through all of the links from one site to another, and adding them here as Blogs or sites I visit frequently. I encourage you check these out if you haven't already.
Do you have a favorite Literary Blog you follow?
Thanks for stopping by.
Cass
Monday, January 19, 2009
Happy Birthday to Me
Yep, that's right. Today was my Birthday, and a nice one at that.
We had pizza and chocolate cake at work. Mmm Mmm good.
Since my loving husband (from here on out he will be known as my LH) works week nights, we ended up celebrating my birthday over the weekend. (Yes, I stretched it into a two day celebration.)
I like Fairies. I like Monsters. I like Vampires. I like Aliens. Yes, I like Sci Fi and Fantasy. So what did I get for my birthday?
T-Shirt that had a drawing of a castle on it and "Approved By the Monster's Council"
"What Would a Fairy Do?" Pee Che (Folder) that had a Fairy on the front that spun on a wheel when you tapped it. The wheel resembled the "Wheel of Fortune" wheel but instead of Money, it listed things a Fairy would do.
Tin of Vampire Repellent Mints (Made with Artificial Garlic) Whew, yes those will definitely repel Vampires, my LH, and just about anyone else if I decide to start eating them. (eating the mints silly!)
Two Glow in the Dark Alien Head Suckers (the sticks turn into bracelets when the candy is all gone!) I imagine that my daughters will eventually get those, but for now they are displayed on the kitchen counter.
Bacon Scented Car Freshener - mmm bacon.
In Case of Emergency Yodeler. Press the button and you get to listen to about one minutes worth of yodeling.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Blu Ray edition) Yeah! I hadn't seen that movie in so long. Had to watch it again Saturday. Loved it!
All in All I thought the birthday gifts from my LH and DD (darling daughters) were very original and exactly what I would have asked for! Well, maybe not the bacon scented air freshener...
Tomorrow is a pretty exciting day. New family heading into the White House. Hope I can watch some of it on TV. Will you be watching?
We had pizza and chocolate cake at work. Mmm Mmm good.
Since my loving husband (from here on out he will be known as my LH) works week nights, we ended up celebrating my birthday over the weekend. (Yes, I stretched it into a two day celebration.)
I like Fairies. I like Monsters. I like Vampires. I like Aliens. Yes, I like Sci Fi and Fantasy. So what did I get for my birthday?
T-Shirt that had a drawing of a castle on it and "Approved By the Monster's Council"
"What Would a Fairy Do?" Pee Che (Folder) that had a Fairy on the front that spun on a wheel when you tapped it. The wheel resembled the "Wheel of Fortune" wheel but instead of Money, it listed things a Fairy would do.
Tin of Vampire Repellent Mints (Made with Artificial Garlic) Whew, yes those will definitely repel Vampires, my LH, and just about anyone else if I decide to start eating them. (eating the mints silly!)
Two Glow in the Dark Alien Head Suckers (the sticks turn into bracelets when the candy is all gone!) I imagine that my daughters will eventually get those, but for now they are displayed on the kitchen counter.
Bacon Scented Car Freshener - mmm bacon.
In Case of Emergency Yodeler. Press the button and you get to listen to about one minutes worth of yodeling.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Blu Ray edition) Yeah! I hadn't seen that movie in so long. Had to watch it again Saturday. Loved it!
All in All I thought the birthday gifts from my LH and DD (darling daughters) were very original and exactly what I would have asked for! Well, maybe not the bacon scented air freshener...
Tomorrow is a pretty exciting day. New family heading into the White House. Hope I can watch some of it on TV. Will you be watching?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
What do I write about?
Last spring I found myself talking at work about dreams I had. Not the dreams-of-what-I- want-to-be-when-I-grow-up kind of dream, but the pictures-that-run-through-your-head-when-you-are-sleeping kind of dream.
These were a string of dreams I have like a "to be continued" television show. These dreams were in no way new to me, in fact I had similar dreams dating all the way back to my childhood. There might be weeks, months or even years between episode's of the "show in my head", but when the next dream came it was like the show was continuing, with maybe a blurb at the beginning of the next episode like 6 years later.... The dreams are always very vivid, and I enjoyed retelling the previous nights dream escapades to co-workers.
The nuts and bolts of the dreams had to do with lights in the sky, and visitations from outer space type beings (Sadly not Time Traveling Alien Vampires though). Anyway someone mentioned that the whole thing might make for a good written story, so I decided to write it down. Very excited was I to take on this new creative outlet. I happily set about putting my most recent dream on paper as I could not wait for glowing reviews from my co-workers. When I was done with that first evenings entries, I went about counting each word. Yep, you guessed it, by hand. Shouldn't even admit it, but at the time I was unaware that there was even such a thing as "proofing tools." Actually, I knew that there were proofing tools, but hadn't really needed anything other than spell checker.
Getting those first words on paper (into the computer, then printed on paper) was exhilarating. I could not believe how much I enjoyed it. Since that first night there has been times of not so much joy, but that is part of the journey right?
The dream story ended on a big cliffhanger this summer, and I have been waiting for the new season to begin. I guess you might say that the "show in my head" is still in production.
I'm working on another storyline right now, but willing to get back to the dream story when it is ready for me.
What do you write about?
These were a string of dreams I have like a "to be continued" television show. These dreams were in no way new to me, in fact I had similar dreams dating all the way back to my childhood. There might be weeks, months or even years between episode's of the "show in my head", but when the next dream came it was like the show was continuing, with maybe a blurb at the beginning of the next episode like 6 years later.... The dreams are always very vivid, and I enjoyed retelling the previous nights dream escapades to co-workers.
The nuts and bolts of the dreams had to do with lights in the sky, and visitations from outer space type beings (Sadly not Time Traveling Alien Vampires though). Anyway someone mentioned that the whole thing might make for a good written story, so I decided to write it down. Very excited was I to take on this new creative outlet. I happily set about putting my most recent dream on paper as I could not wait for glowing reviews from my co-workers. When I was done with that first evenings entries, I went about counting each word. Yep, you guessed it, by hand. Shouldn't even admit it, but at the time I was unaware that there was even such a thing as "proofing tools." Actually, I knew that there were proofing tools, but hadn't really needed anything other than spell checker.
Getting those first words on paper (into the computer, then printed on paper) was exhilarating. I could not believe how much I enjoyed it. Since that first night there has been times of not so much joy, but that is part of the journey right?
The dream story ended on a big cliffhanger this summer, and I have been waiting for the new season to begin. I guess you might say that the "show in my head" is still in production.
I'm working on another storyline right now, but willing to get back to the dream story when it is ready for me.
What do you write about?
Monday, January 12, 2009
Time Traveling Alien Vampire
Sound's kind of like a character in a story maybe? Actually it is what my loving hubby had inscribed on the back of my Christmas present, an iPod Touch. Apple allows for free personalization and he took advantage of the opportunity. Story goes he tried to have something "off color" inscribed on the back, but the system wouldn't allow certain words. Hmm. Can I say "Thanks Apple!" Not sure what he would have put on there.
Time Traveling Alien Vampire - so where does that come from? Well, he knows me well is all I can say. I love stories about all three and if I can ever find one that includes all three, I think I will have hit the jackpot.
Did you all have a nice holiday - which ever holiday you might be celebrating in your family? I hope so. My whole family was able to get together this year with the exception of two. My 91 year old Poppa Harry from Billings Montana who doesn't like to fly anymore, and my baby brother Corbin who is off serving his country in Baghdad. Both were greatly missed. Learned that my little sister Cinnamon and her husband Doug are expecting a new addition this summer. I can't wait to meet my new niece or nephew.
I love the fact that I can use this blog as a way to talk about the sheer joy and despair I have found in my new creative outlet - WRITING. I have always loved telling stories; embellishing tales what have you, but actually writing it down? Well wasn't that a novel idea! (did you get the pun?)
Maybe I will make some friends here, I hope so. I have found this Internet to be a wonderful place with a community for just about every need a person could have. I have a need to network with writer type folk and thankfully have discovered that the Literary World has a huge community and have stumbled across a treasure trove of information from various Literary Agent's Blogs or Agency and Publisher Websites.
Thanks to Justin (earlier post) my computer is up and running again, and I did not lose any of my files. YEAH! Now I can continue with the journey.
Thanks for stopping by!
Time Traveling Alien Vampire - so where does that come from? Well, he knows me well is all I can say. I love stories about all three and if I can ever find one that includes all three, I think I will have hit the jackpot.
Did you all have a nice holiday - which ever holiday you might be celebrating in your family? I hope so. My whole family was able to get together this year with the exception of two. My 91 year old Poppa Harry from Billings Montana who doesn't like to fly anymore, and my baby brother Corbin who is off serving his country in Baghdad. Both were greatly missed. Learned that my little sister Cinnamon and her husband Doug are expecting a new addition this summer. I can't wait to meet my new niece or nephew.
I love the fact that I can use this blog as a way to talk about the sheer joy and despair I have found in my new creative outlet - WRITING. I have always loved telling stories; embellishing tales what have you, but actually writing it down? Well wasn't that a novel idea! (did you get the pun?)
Maybe I will make some friends here, I hope so. I have found this Internet to be a wonderful place with a community for just about every need a person could have. I have a need to network with writer type folk and thankfully have discovered that the Literary World has a huge community and have stumbled across a treasure trove of information from various Literary Agent's Blogs or Agency and Publisher Websites.
Thanks to Justin (earlier post) my computer is up and running again, and I did not lose any of my files. YEAH! Now I can continue with the journey.
Thanks for stopping by!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
New Years Resolution - Blog More
Happy 2009 to all!
New Years Resolution. Blog more. My goal was to update this blog starting January 1 and enter something no matter how small at least 4 days a week. I was so excited to begin my journey as a writer (yes Cass has found her most creative outlet yet) All those plans got blown out of the water Christmas Eve when we somehow accidentally downloaded/accepted (without realizing it of course) a nasty little worm most people know as "Spywareguard 2008"on our home computer.
Can I just tell you about my dislike for this kind of infestation? It immediately attached itself to my Windows Security; made itself a nice little short cut on my desktop and started up every time I logged onto the Internet starting Christmas Day. At first it said it scanned my computer and found no risks. Every time it started up, I would decline purchase and go about my business on the Internet, but it kept popping up so often during my web surfing that I decided to go to my comcast.net security center and see why my spyware was not working. Of course by now it has been several days and has ample time to weave it's way all throughout my computer. I googled the name and found out it to be a foul little monster. I read up that I could try to uninstall - which I tried, and even though it looked like it was gone, it was not. Soon I had 3 shortcuts on my desktop and I was being informed I had 27 potential threats on my computer so I finally shut my computer down on the Saturday after Christmas and had a good cry.
The following Tuesday I brought my computer to work and asked a co-worker (our IT Guru) to take a look at it for me. He was happy to do so saying he could use the practice in case something made it's way into our network. I just want to take this time to shout out to JUSTIN SCOTT (same IT Guru) who has worked hard on trying to get rid of that which infests my computer, without wiping the hard drive and losing everything. All I can say is He's Rocksome! (My ten year old daughter lent me that term he Rocks + he's Awesome) Okay - I knew you got it, I shouldn't have spelled it out. Anyway he is so close to fixing this and I am soooo happy. See right now is the first time I have been able to log onto the Internet for fun since I brought in the computer for him to work on. I had to dig out an old computer that was stored in the closet, then found I had no keyboard to go with it. Do you know how hard it is to locate a Windows 98 serial keyboard? Well, once again, Justin came to my rescue and let me borrow one he had in storage. Again - He's Rocksome!
If any of you work with / know someone who takes the time to help you with your personal computer like he has helped me with mine - make sure you let them know just how much you appreciate them.
Justin the Fat Tire is coming as promised!
New Years Resolution. Blog more. My goal was to update this blog starting January 1 and enter something no matter how small at least 4 days a week. I was so excited to begin my journey as a writer (yes Cass has found her most creative outlet yet) All those plans got blown out of the water Christmas Eve when we somehow accidentally downloaded/accepted (without realizing it of course) a nasty little worm most people know as "Spywareguard 2008"on our home computer.
Can I just tell you about my dislike for this kind of infestation? It immediately attached itself to my Windows Security; made itself a nice little short cut on my desktop and started up every time I logged onto the Internet starting Christmas Day. At first it said it scanned my computer and found no risks. Every time it started up, I would decline purchase and go about my business on the Internet, but it kept popping up so often during my web surfing that I decided to go to my comcast.net security center and see why my spyware was not working. Of course by now it has been several days and has ample time to weave it's way all throughout my computer. I googled the name and found out it to be a foul little monster. I read up that I could try to uninstall - which I tried, and even though it looked like it was gone, it was not. Soon I had 3 shortcuts on my desktop and I was being informed I had 27 potential threats on my computer so I finally shut my computer down on the Saturday after Christmas and had a good cry.
The following Tuesday I brought my computer to work and asked a co-worker (our IT Guru) to take a look at it for me. He was happy to do so saying he could use the practice in case something made it's way into our network. I just want to take this time to shout out to JUSTIN SCOTT (same IT Guru) who has worked hard on trying to get rid of that which infests my computer, without wiping the hard drive and losing everything. All I can say is He's Rocksome! (My ten year old daughter lent me that term he Rocks + he's Awesome) Okay - I knew you got it, I shouldn't have spelled it out. Anyway he is so close to fixing this and I am soooo happy. See right now is the first time I have been able to log onto the Internet for fun since I brought in the computer for him to work on. I had to dig out an old computer that was stored in the closet, then found I had no keyboard to go with it. Do you know how hard it is to locate a Windows 98 serial keyboard? Well, once again, Justin came to my rescue and let me borrow one he had in storage. Again - He's Rocksome!
If any of you work with / know someone who takes the time to help you with your personal computer like he has helped me with mine - make sure you let them know just how much you appreciate them.
Justin the Fat Tire is coming as promised!
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