Ink in the Book

Just letting all my lovely readers and followers know I am goooooone on VACATION so posting and reading my favorite blogs will be limited for the next few days! Hope your weekend is fantastical everyone:) I'm sending you a post card. *i wish*

Writing a good novel includes much more than a good story or a unique character. I think it goes hand in hand - the character and story, I mean. There must be a plot that is spell bounding and a character who is irresistible. Then there is a setting that passes the normal and then you've got to be a good writer. Lots of stuff to remember! Somewhere in the beginning of your story, there needs to be an inciting incident. When I was first learning to write, I had no idea what that meant. Do you? The inciting incident is the event or reason your MC decides he/she is ready to make a move to achieve. What is he achieving? Well, it could be the answer to a problem he is facing. Examples: *The family safe is broken into and the MC must find out who stole the contents. *Someone close to the MC dies and this forces the MC to live a new life, to strike out on his own. *The MC finds an old letter, written to his Grandmother and it is mysterious. There is a map to a treasure. ...

 Thank You Suezanne, from over at The Word is...blogspot ( http://suzannefurness.blogspot.com/ ) for tagging me in the Inspired Meme.  Here's your chance to learn a little bit about my manuscript I just finished working on:)  What is the name of your book? Wish Where did the idea for your book come from? An old fairy tale entitled The Pink. The story is about a king's son who can make a wish and it always comes true. In what genre would you classify your book? YA Historical Fantasy If you had to pick actors to play your characters in a movie rendition who would you choose? Alexander Ryan played by Josh Hutcherson Prism Chase played by Christa B. Allen Give us a one sentence synopsis of your book?  He wished for revenge, but all she wanted was love. Is your book already published? No. I know. Sad, right? How long did it take you to write your book? I'm still working on this one. Edits, revisions, spell check... But I actually ...

Hey everyone and Good Morning! I have some good news! Deana Barnhart has asked me to host a round in the Small Press Pitch Contest! I'll be hosting Week #5 round one, held the week of Monday, Oct 1st - Friday, Oct 5th   Other news for this week: 1. I'll be posting my "Be Inspired" tag I received from Suzanne over at The Word is... Tuesday morning. Well actually I'll post it late tonight. 2. I joined Write Motivation for the month of September with the theme of Achieving Goals. I think it will be a good motivator AND a boost of morale, which  I am pleading for:) 3. I found some AMAZING critique partners!!! I am thrilled with their suggestions, thus far, and the writing samples I have read from each lady has been stupendous! Woopty Doo!!!

As you head into the weekend, here's something for you to think about. As a writer, many times it's hard to focus on anything but my manuscripts. Or the writing industry in general. Sometimes it's nice to get away from anything writing and rest. Just think about other things. Really, I don't do that very often. Sure, my mind can focus n other "things" when needed, like homework help with the children or conversations with family and friends. I'm not talking about those times. I'm talking about when my mind is free to think about whatever I want. Always, well almost always, my mind loves to dream about my characters. What about you? Do you find you can't stop thinking about your writing? If so, how to you drag yourself away? Enjoy your break this weekend! Photo from the Graphics fairy via here on earth Talynn

It's cool! It's neat! It's Wordle!!  Here's my MEMORIES OF ME Query in Wordle form:)

Hello to all my lovely blog readers and followers:) I am quickly writing a short post (again) to let everyone know I am sorry for th elack in my social networking this past week. I have been really, super busy. Who isn't, right? I am taking three separate workshops, and participating in three different contests. I have been critiquing a couple new CP's work and trying to respond to their suggestions and advice in my own manuscripts or queries. I have an agent who requested a partial of one of my manuscripts, so I spent a day reading and editing, which I had already done, but wanted to double check my work before sending. Would you believe I found FIVE typos AFTER I hit the send button. I am anguishing over that. Then I am dealing with the start of school. And of course the moving-to-a-new-house-new-state issue. That hasn't made much progression. Then I have life in general: cleaning, cooking, and life. So, I've been a tad busy and my social networking ...

Hey Everyone! Have you heard about the Three Two One Pitch Contest over at We Do Write ? If not, you might want to run over and take a look. Today is the last day to pitch your book. Dorothy Dreyer is the host! Literary agent Bree Ogden  of D4EO Lit will judge and pick a winner. If you have manuscript ready that matches Bree's genre, now a great opportunity to get your work in front of the amazing agent!

Where do you go after you introduce the character and the conflict? Well, that thing you need it the choice. What are the chices your MC has to make? Is there a multitude of choices? Does the choice he or she needs to make come with consequences? Tell us about the choice your MC needs to make. Here is my last paragraph: To unlock the powers for the book, River connects with some underground forces who promise they have the answers she need. The choice comes at a high price for Shae. Now River must choose between finding her own identity or doing what is right for Shae. Or, she can search for the answer that will save them both. I know. Mine is way too vague. I need to be more precise. More detailed. And it would be an obvious choice to try and help out both girls, wouldn't it? So my "hanger" isn't very compelling. What about you? How's your query? Does it match up to the outlines given by Matt? Have you changed yours? Let me know!

You may read part one here! Now, if you have your first paragraph written and have included your main MC, a splattering of backstory without being boring and ended with the inciting moment, you are ready for paragraph TWO! yay! Here we go. In the 2nd paragraph, Matt instructs us to add the conflict and mix it with a little of the setting details. Add in a bit of the stakes involved and AVOID cliches. Accomplish this, and you are 2/3 finished with your query. Woot, woot! Here is my 2nd paragraph: The Book steals memories when placed in the wrong hands. Shae Conniers thought she had swiped a cool looking journal but it ends up she gotten nothing but trouble. The powers of the Book sound intriguing to Shae but when the memories swirling around her head turn scary, she's glad the memories lead her to River so she can rid herself of the nightmare memories. Although the girls personality clash big time, they know they must unite to fight the powers of the Book. River has the Book...

I want to begin this new post with a quote I recently discovered. The original post and interview of this fabulous author can be found here at Christi Corbett's Blog. “Do your thing. Do what you love. If you want it badly enough, you’ll find the time to put in the necessary work to make it shine.” author Moriah Densley. I was encouraged when I read her interview the other day, and this quote seemed like a flashing sign of hope. Almost like one of those signs you see in Las Vegas. If I want it badly enough, I will find a way to make it work. Never. Give. Up. Never. Then, after reading the critiques on WriteOnCon, I just felt deflated. I NEEDED those remarks. I know I needed them. I was ab;e to look at me work through the eyes of others and the insight was pure gold. Be honest with yourself and everyone else. Who WANTS to read remarks about their work that aren't flattering? Even though it's helpful and informative and necessary it still hurts when no one says, "...

After sweating and crying and researching and WRITING, how do you know when what you've got needs to be put up? Forgotten? Shoved under the bed or even burned? How many times can you hear the words "No thanks" or "Please try another agent" or "This is really not very good and it doesn't draw me in at all." How do you improve your manuscript so that you don't feel like giving up? How do you make it amazing? Grrrrr. Sniff. Sniff. Now, that *that* is out of my system (cracks knuckles and picks up a brand new pen. Yes. I love to write. Not type.) Would you like to see my most recent query from my newest manuscript????

Hey everyone! Anyone else working on a query letter? I've been rewriting mine with little results. I think I need to just scratch what I have and start a new one. Trying to revise the old one only keeps the old stuff in there. I'm posting the most recent revise. What do you all think? Here it is: River Morgan received an extraordinary gift for her sixteenth birthday. Her grandfather gave her a Memory Book and taught her how to erase memories. To keep the memories from becoming her own she must write them in the Memory Book. When the Book is stolen, River is no longer able to tell the difference from her memories from those she's wiped away. Unless she finds the Memory Book, her identity will be lost forever. The Book becomes a memory stealing book when placed in the wrong hands. Shae Conniers thought she had swiped a cool looking journal but it ends up she gotten nothing but trouble. The powers of the Book sound intriguing to Shae but when the mem...

Jesse Holder Chutes, Beer, & Bullets Not Your Grandpa's War Story Overview Chutes, Beer, & Bullets: Not Your Grandpa's War Story is a humor filled narrative that takes place during the peak of The War on Terror. Follow Jesse is this uncut and unscripted adventure as he leads you through United States Army Airborne School, Europe, and ultimately to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Chutes, Beer, & Bullets is assured to have you laughing, sighing, looking away, and possibly even shedding a tear as you connect with the real life characters within. No doubt you will be longing for more as you turn the final page. Book Genre: Military, Humor Websites: http://www.facebook.com/#!/ChutesBeerBullets Purchase Links: http://www.amazon.com/Jesse-C.-Holder/e/B0089OWL74 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chutes-beer-bullets-jesse-c-holder/1111098658?ean=9781468575118...

This will be the most unusual blog tour I have ever done. Why? Because when I lost my computer to the spilled coffee I lost some files and lost a lot of time. I could list all the other bits and pieces of my unpleasant news - sick babies, daddy in hospital - but I don't want this post to be about me. I want it to be about... Mishap and Retribution by M.M. Shelley! So, I am making a list. Yes, a list. I'm going to tell you as much about Mishap and Retribution as I can with a list of some of the most memorable words from the book. I am writing out 20 items from this book that will give you just enough information to make you sit back and say, "What? Really? I want to read this!" I hope you will leave me a comment and let me know if I piqued your interest. If so, then I've done my job well in this most unusual blog tour yet! Let's Get Started! Hawaii gnomes lightening bolt traveling hospital glitter faeries lavender fields volcanoes twins Flames...

I missed yesterday's post! Poohy! Today is what are my plans for the summer? Well, I'll be moving. Sound exciting, huh? I will say this. We are buying a log cabin and the decorating will be an open canvas. The previous owners had started remodeling, but sold it before they could finish. The new buyers wanted the chance to fix it up to their tastes, so it was sold as is. Those owners couldn't afford the new payments, so it went back on the market and my family was the lucky buyer. I will be spending the last days of summer moving (23 hours from my family:() Decorating and painting. Unpacking boxes. And various other activities associated with moving. Yay for my new house!

Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success...                                    Napoleon Hill                                                                                                                         

Who doesn't love a good dream? Right? What about nightmares? Or dreams that haunt you? The Boy Who Dreams by M Cesar will keep you up at night, wondering what your dreams may be. And today, you have the chance to win a free copy! That's right. And today, there are FIVE books going to FIVE lucky people! What do you have to do to win your own copy? Comment! Say hi! Ask a question. Anything! Just comment!  Here. I'll give you something to comment about. I have a fantastic interview from Cesar and I think you will love the answers as much as I did! 1. What message do you hope readers take away from the book? I would hope that readers simply enjoy the book and that perhaps their eyes might be opened to some of the topics which the book delves into such as dream interpretation. 2. What is your favorite scene? Oh so hard just to pick one. Right now the one that springs to mind is when Jordan and his friends are at Mark’s house, and he an...

It's so nice to have P.W. Creighton with me today! He is the author of Nightfall and he has agreed to answer a few questions about his secret life of a PERSON. Now, I'm sure this is something that a few people forget when think of a star: They are humans, just like you! Here we go! Question and answer time with PW! Ink: Tell us, PW. where were you born? PW: I was born in the sunny state of California. Ink: Wow! That's a long way from where you live now. New York is like another world compared to California. PW: I know. And in between, I've lived in Vermont and Tennessee. Ink: So you've had you fair share of traveling. What are some things you have accomplished? PW: I went to college and earned my Bachelors in Folklore Anthropology, Archaeology and Art Studio. Of course, my writing and publishing is an accomplishment. I've also had some of my work in in TV documentaries and displayed in 'art galleries. Ink: That is most interesting! Your ...

What do you do to be kind to others? Kindness is often over looked because too many people are hyped up on crudeness. That's right. It's true. Who needs a smile or a hug? Why not throw them a smart remark? NO! I say be kind! I just received a message from my mom who told me my daddy has been admitted tot he hospital. He went in for a regular check up and his blood pressure was too high to let him go home. They admitted him at once and have given him meds to stabilize his irregular heart beat and bring his blood pressure down. I live 23 hours away. What has this got to do with being kind? I don't know.  I was posting the KINDNESS ACT post and this is what came out. I have received messages of friends and family who are at home supporting my mom. She needs hugs, prayers and support and they are reaching out to her when I can't be there for her. So, this is kindness at it's best. I'm not the one offering it (at the moment) but others are. And this, my ...

Isn't it wonderful when you don't "need" inspiration? When writing comes like summer breeze on a hot day, the world is a sweet place. What about the times you would rather have a root canal than write? When inspiration is miles away and left you standing in the middle of no where. Your muse flew the coup with your creativity and she laughed at you the whole time you were pleading for her stay. Those days cal for desperation, don't they? Or do they? Hmmmm.... Yes, I guess they do. What do you do? Where do your ideas come from? How do you capture your muse and make her talk? Make her write. Is it art? Music? Books? Friends? Movies? What? EXCUSE THE MESS HERE. What inspires me is finding a new template! I'm searching for one now so if things look mismatched or out of place, it's because I am experimenting!! How about a few pictures? Check out these lovely photos: Very unique and inspiring! Flickr Commons ...

Good afternoon lovely readers! Obstacles. We all face them. Sometimes we stand and state, mouth agape, no voice, tear stained eyes. Sometimes we fall in despair. Sometimes we look for a way over and march forward. What do you do? Tell me, dear readers, what do you do when life gives you lemons? Right now, I'm trying to figure out how to make better lemonade with the obstacles I'm facing:) Question #2 What obstacles have you faced lately?

Today, my feelings are mixed. On one hand, I've faced more rejection and that's not easy to write about or admit to the world. But I am not crying in my "milk" (no beer, folks:) I want to, but what good would it do??? I received a detailed critique from a "Best First Line" contest. The critique was the best I have ever received and seriously opened my eyes to "how" to improve my writing. Nice! Speaking of critiques, I am still looking for a critique partner. If anyone is looking back, please let me know and we can swap info. I'm sending off a YA query letter and first pages to 3 agents this week. Wish me luck. This will be the first time I have directly contacted and agent with a query. Yes, I'm nervous, so I'm saying again, WISH ME LUCK!!!

A blood drive? At a carnival? Why not? When characters in certain books need to raise the awareness for the need of blood donations, what better place to host a blood drive? Or booth's host name is Quinn. He is a character out Lisa Fecteau's novel, published by Curiosity Quills. In case you are wondering, he's a Roman Soldier!!!! He's rather, er, different I guess you could say. And it was all his idea to host a blood drive. I'm not for sure who or what organization he's collecting for, but I'm sure it will all be for a good cause. If you want to know more, hop on over to CQ headquarters and get Amy's book!! Photo by Free Digital Photos And so for this blood drive, you really won't be giving blood. But please, give a piece of advice. Any type of writing advice. You're a writer, right? I'm sure you have some kind of advice for new writers, or seasoned writers, too. After all, a writer never stops learning! Let'...

It's giveaway day here on the Buccaneer Blogfest, and I have the CQ giveaway ready for you:). Enjoy! and Good Luck!! a Rafflecopter giveaway