I so wasn't ready. My writing wasn't ready either.
I have been following Authoress on Miss Snarks First Victim Blog for a short time and love everything she has done over there. I just read the other day her Blog is less then a year old. She rocks!
She's the one who has gotten agents to agree to look at submissions (usually first 250 words of a completed manuscript) and then the same agent makes comments. Anonymously. Other readers can make comments too. Feedback. Isn't that what we, as writers, want and need?
Well, she also has contests she calls Drop the Needle - where she can pick anywhere in a book or WIP (doesn't have to be complete manuscript) and you submit your 250 words taken from whatever point she chooses. This time it was the last 250 words of any last page of any chapter. Cool concept.
I should have thought twice before submitting.
Actually I needed to hear that I used too many comma's, my punctuation in general was not so great. I should have given more "back story or introduction to the scene". But I didn't. Lesson learned. Not one of the commenter's said anything that was negative. And several we quite nice. I mean I know we are out there to get constructive criticism, but I have seen some crits that maybe just come off wrong. I'm glad that there wasn't anything to take out of context on the crits. They told it like they saw it. Exactly what I wanted right?
I was disappointed that some were confused with a characters speech. Had I given a decent intro into the story (Like Authoress gently requested) they would have understood the speech to be that of a developmentally disabled girl, not a robot or a hillbilly. I can giggle about it now, but reading those two comments made me cry at first, but I got over it real fast. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the comments. They told me how it came across to them, the reader.
Staring at the submission I tried to pretend that I have just dropped in and know nothing about the characters. I read it and I don't see robot or hillbilly. But who am I kidding? I can't fake it. I know the characters. I really know the characters. I couldn't put myself in the readers shoes, no matter how hard I tried.
There was one commenter who hit the nail on the head - they interpreted the speech to be that of a very young girl (toddler) or someone who was mentally challenged. Bingo! Developmentally Disabled. Had I introduced the character as such, the readers may not have been so lost. I also needed a better grip on my writing so the reader could see who the MC was and understand the POV. Needless to say I "head hopped" as a couple of commenter's put it.
Though no one stated it was the absolute finest writing they had ever seen, no one said they wouldn't read any further. That's good, right?
I still have to go back and read and comment on more. There are some good submissions. I wish mine had been one of them.
Do you ever cry unnecessarily?
Thanks for checking in.
Cass
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Book Trailers
You know I was really surprised the first time I saw a book trailer. I was confused, and thought it was a movie trailer and couldn't wait til it came out. Then I learned to was Book Trailer and thought what a great marketing idea.
One of Ms Nelson's clients (I think it was a client) posted a book trailer recently on Pub Rants and I thought it was kind of cute. The author posted about the filming, how it was done, where it was done, etc. and the info was good.
I play with Microsoft Movie Maker and some of our family photo's to make slide show type movies with sound and wondered how hard it would be to make your own book trailer.
Remember me - putting the cart before the horse? Well, I'm at it again. I played around on the computer last night and put together a 4 minute (probably a tad bit too long) book trailer. Now of course this first time out was for my own amusement (I copied some pics I found out on the net and used a song from Blue October) so because of copyright laws, I can't even post it, but you will have to take my word for it IT WAS ACTUALLY OKAY. NOT GREAT, BUT OKAY.
Do you want to know the best thing about it? By the time I was done last night, I was inspired to work on my WIP, which in the end was a good thing. Every once in a while I need to have some inspiration, even if it is a book trailer that only I can watch. (okay, I was able to save it to my iTouch, so if you ask nicely I'll let you watch it :8])
Someday I'd like to have book trailers out on the web, and on tv to draw interest to my book(s), but until then I will just create my own to keep me amused.
Do you think of ways to promote your work once it's done?
Thanks for stopping by!
Cass
One of Ms Nelson's clients (I think it was a client) posted a book trailer recently on Pub Rants and I thought it was kind of cute. The author posted about the filming, how it was done, where it was done, etc. and the info was good.
I play with Microsoft Movie Maker and some of our family photo's to make slide show type movies with sound and wondered how hard it would be to make your own book trailer.
Remember me - putting the cart before the horse? Well, I'm at it again. I played around on the computer last night and put together a 4 minute (probably a tad bit too long) book trailer. Now of course this first time out was for my own amusement (I copied some pics I found out on the net and used a song from Blue October) so because of copyright laws, I can't even post it, but you will have to take my word for it IT WAS ACTUALLY OKAY. NOT GREAT, BUT OKAY.
Do you want to know the best thing about it? By the time I was done last night, I was inspired to work on my WIP, which in the end was a good thing. Every once in a while I need to have some inspiration, even if it is a book trailer that only I can watch. (okay, I was able to save it to my iTouch, so if you ask nicely I'll let you watch it :8])
Someday I'd like to have book trailers out on the web, and on tv to draw interest to my book(s), but until then I will just create my own to keep me amused.
Do you think of ways to promote your work once it's done?
Thanks for stopping by!
Cass
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
I received my first Critique! Yeah!
My submission (1/2 half of 1st chapter to One Wish my WIP) went on line last night at 10:00 p.m. my time on http://www.critiquecircle.com/ . Of course I had to get out of bed and stare at the screen for a bit to see if I was receiving mass compliments, but after twenty minutes or so, I decided it was better to give it a while so I went back to bed.
Yes, sure thing, I check first things this morning. I had received my first crit. Okay - I have received feedback from friends and family, but for me this was my first official critique, and a positive one at that. How lucky am I? Someone I don't know, have never met liked my writing. Liked it enough to do a 427 word critique on it. She really went out of her way. I must return the favor when her submission comes out. Turns out the critter was a teacher, and she felt the narrator had an engaging voice. Yippeee! Okay - 1 critique so far for my first submission. Here's hoping for more.
I did receive a comment from another poster feeling I listed it under the wrong genre. Didn't say anything else about my writing, just that I listed it wrong. Hmm. I wish they had at least said it rocked! Just kidding.
The CC site has Children's and then they have YA. I am writing MG at the time and I always see MG and YA thrown together. Needless to say I submitted it as a YA then as a sub I said MG Fantasy. Mistake on my part I guess. I just wish they had a MG genre for the site. Wonder how many crits I will lose out on because of the mis-labeling?
I critted another story tonight and enjoyed it alot. Again I'm hoping the feedback I give is appreciated. So far I have now critted 3 stories.
I will have to keep an out for a particular blog poster. I think their icon is pair of legs with striped socks on the feet. Can't even remember the posters name, but I think that is who subtly mentioned CC. I must thank them the next time I see a post.
I received a package in the mail today. Yes it was expected. I ordered it. In the story I am currently working on, there is a bit of magic in the MC and her family, but she doesn't know it. She is given a gift that turns out to be a key to her magic. I decided it would be a glass ball that "glowed" in the hands of it's intended. I was doing some research on-line last week and guess what. I found glass balls that glow. Yes, you read me right, glass balls that glow. So of course I had to go off an order it - for inspiration. It is truly too cool. A little bigger then what I had originally intended, but then I am writing a story, not filming a movie right? But....I have to admit I already have plans for a little home made book trailer to put here.
Yep, that's me. Always putting the cart before the horse. Don't have the MS done, but am planning the book trailer.
Do you try to bring certain things to life from your writing?
Thanks for stopping by.
Cassidy
Yes, sure thing, I check first things this morning. I had received my first crit. Okay - I have received feedback from friends and family, but for me this was my first official critique, and a positive one at that. How lucky am I? Someone I don't know, have never met liked my writing. Liked it enough to do a 427 word critique on it. She really went out of her way. I must return the favor when her submission comes out. Turns out the critter was a teacher, and she felt the narrator had an engaging voice. Yippeee! Okay - 1 critique so far for my first submission. Here's hoping for more.
I did receive a comment from another poster feeling I listed it under the wrong genre. Didn't say anything else about my writing, just that I listed it wrong. Hmm. I wish they had at least said it rocked! Just kidding.
The CC site has Children's and then they have YA. I am writing MG at the time and I always see MG and YA thrown together. Needless to say I submitted it as a YA then as a sub I said MG Fantasy. Mistake on my part I guess. I just wish they had a MG genre for the site. Wonder how many crits I will lose out on because of the mis-labeling?
I critted another story tonight and enjoyed it alot. Again I'm hoping the feedback I give is appreciated. So far I have now critted 3 stories.
I will have to keep an out for a particular blog poster. I think their icon is pair of legs with striped socks on the feet. Can't even remember the posters name, but I think that is who subtly mentioned CC. I must thank them the next time I see a post.
I received a package in the mail today. Yes it was expected. I ordered it. In the story I am currently working on, there is a bit of magic in the MC and her family, but she doesn't know it. She is given a gift that turns out to be a key to her magic. I decided it would be a glass ball that "glowed" in the hands of it's intended. I was doing some research on-line last week and guess what. I found glass balls that glow. Yes, you read me right, glass balls that glow. So of course I had to go off an order it - for inspiration. It is truly too cool. A little bigger then what I had originally intended, but then I am writing a story, not filming a movie right? But....I have to admit I already have plans for a little home made book trailer to put here.
Yep, that's me. Always putting the cart before the horse. Don't have the MS done, but am planning the book trailer.
Do you try to bring certain things to life from your writing?
Thanks for stopping by.
Cassidy
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Wow - 17 days and nothing from me here. Will you allow the excuse "I've been busy?" I have. Really busy.
I can't get my story out of my head. Not the right thing to say exactly. I get it out while typing, but then go to work (I wish writing was my job), or go out for date night with the LH and find myself always always going back to the story. I come up with a new spin on it, or something I want to add. Luckily my iTouch (Christmas present) has a notepad app and I find myself making notes there all the time. This is good right?
One of the things I have found myself doing is not so good though. I have a stand alone computer in one room, then I have a personal laptop, and then I have my work computer (which of course I only use at lunch ;-]. I have found myself transferring files from one to another with a flash drive but have discovered I don't always transfer the changes I make back. Actually thought I was going bonkers and had imagined a nice writing burst until I double checked each one and found what I was looking for. New rule - write on one computer only. I used this weekend to consolidate the files onto one computer and then cull through them and get rid of duplicate pages. Yep, combining three computers did leave me with a whole bunch of duplicates. Don't worry I didn't delete the dups (just in case there was some hidden treasure) I named a folder "Possible Duplicates" and put everything there.
I also joined Critique Circle http://www.critiquecircle.com/ and critiqued two stories there. (These were my first crits I have given on any ones writing. I hope they found my input helpful) I submitted the first half of the first chapter of my WIP One Wish and it comes up for review tomorrow Wednesday February 18 2009. I am so very excited.
Authoress of Miss Snarks First Victim runs a monthly Secret Agent contest titled "Are You Hooked?". She has gotten Agents to agree to crit submissions and give feedback. This is above and beyond what Agents tend to do unless it is work they love and are looking to represent. The contest is held towards the first of the month, so I was also was trying to rush and compelte my WIP because I wanted to be able to enter. Only writers with a complete MS ready for submission is allowed. There is a chance the Agent is interested in your work and wants to read more. I wonder how many people decide to ignore the Rule and enter anyway. How sad would that be if an Agent shows interest and then you don't have enough to show them. I think it would make me cry.
Okay, rushing didn't work for me. Needless to say I could not enter. I recognized the Secret Agents remark(s) "I'm on notice" in particular. Turned out to me none other than Kristin Nelson of Pub Rants (another agent blog I follow). I really wished that she could have held off until I was ready to enter my first page, but no such luck. See she has posted several times over the last 2 months what Publishers are looking for. Middle Grade was big. Middle Grade with a Girl protag big. Middle Grade Fantasy big. I'll just have to query her the old fashioned way when I am ready.
Oh, have I told you what I was writing about? MG Urban Fantasy inspired by a family trip to the ocean last October. Okay enough - I'll tell you more of the story later.
Last but not least I signed up for a writers conference. SCBWI Western Washington 5/16/09.
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - Western Washington. How cool is that. A conference for Children's Book Writers right here practically in my own back yard. And guess who will be there holding a session or two there. Nathan Bransford. (Yep, another agent blog I follow). Of course there are many more talented Agents - Editors - Publishers - Authors - Illustrators that will be there. I will pull my registration papers and write more about it tomorrow.
Yes tomorrow. I want to post some of the crits I receive (or hope to receive on my story)
Okay so in the last 17 days I have consolidated all my writing onto one computer; joined a critique group and submitted my first writing, signed up for a writers conference. What have you done?
Thanks for stopping by.
Cassidy
I can't get my story out of my head. Not the right thing to say exactly. I get it out while typing, but then go to work (I wish writing was my job), or go out for date night with the LH and find myself always always going back to the story. I come up with a new spin on it, or something I want to add. Luckily my iTouch (Christmas present) has a notepad app and I find myself making notes there all the time. This is good right?
One of the things I have found myself doing is not so good though. I have a stand alone computer in one room, then I have a personal laptop, and then I have my work computer (which of course I only use at lunch ;-]. I have found myself transferring files from one to another with a flash drive but have discovered I don't always transfer the changes I make back. Actually thought I was going bonkers and had imagined a nice writing burst until I double checked each one and found what I was looking for. New rule - write on one computer only. I used this weekend to consolidate the files onto one computer and then cull through them and get rid of duplicate pages. Yep, combining three computers did leave me with a whole bunch of duplicates. Don't worry I didn't delete the dups (just in case there was some hidden treasure) I named a folder "Possible Duplicates" and put everything there.
I also joined Critique Circle http://www.critiquecircle.com/ and critiqued two stories there. (These were my first crits I have given on any ones writing. I hope they found my input helpful) I submitted the first half of the first chapter of my WIP One Wish and it comes up for review tomorrow Wednesday February 18 2009. I am so very excited.
Authoress of Miss Snarks First Victim runs a monthly Secret Agent contest titled "Are You Hooked?". She has gotten Agents to agree to crit submissions and give feedback. This is above and beyond what Agents tend to do unless it is work they love and are looking to represent. The contest is held towards the first of the month, so I was also was trying to rush and compelte my WIP because I wanted to be able to enter. Only writers with a complete MS ready for submission is allowed. There is a chance the Agent is interested in your work and wants to read more. I wonder how many people decide to ignore the Rule and enter anyway. How sad would that be if an Agent shows interest and then you don't have enough to show them. I think it would make me cry.
Okay, rushing didn't work for me. Needless to say I could not enter. I recognized the Secret Agents remark(s) "I'm on notice" in particular. Turned out to me none other than Kristin Nelson of Pub Rants (another agent blog I follow). I really wished that she could have held off until I was ready to enter my first page, but no such luck. See she has posted several times over the last 2 months what Publishers are looking for. Middle Grade was big. Middle Grade with a Girl protag big. Middle Grade Fantasy big. I'll just have to query her the old fashioned way when I am ready.
Oh, have I told you what I was writing about? MG Urban Fantasy inspired by a family trip to the ocean last October. Okay enough - I'll tell you more of the story later.
Last but not least I signed up for a writers conference. SCBWI Western Washington 5/16/09.
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - Western Washington. How cool is that. A conference for Children's Book Writers right here practically in my own back yard. And guess who will be there holding a session or two there. Nathan Bransford. (Yep, another agent blog I follow). Of course there are many more talented Agents - Editors - Publishers - Authors - Illustrators that will be there. I will pull my registration papers and write more about it tomorrow.
Yes tomorrow. I want to post some of the crits I receive (or hope to receive on my story)
Okay so in the last 17 days I have consolidated all my writing onto one computer; joined a critique group and submitted my first writing, signed up for a writers conference. What have you done?
Thanks for stopping by.
Cassidy
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