Plan B! Reevaluating your Goals!

Hey fam, 

So the Indiegogo campaign is over. 

Unfortunately we didn't make our goal. Heck to be honest we didn't even make 10%. 

Whenever you don't make a certain threshold or goal you have to go back and reevaluate your choices. Was it my novel idea itself? Did I not explain in it a more engaging way? Or maybe the chapter I put up to entice people actually turned them away?

Fam, I went through every possible scenarios. But one conclusion came increasing clear. EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. I'm a firm believer that this process for me wasn't supposed to work. If it was suppose to, it would've. But!! It doesn't mean the overall plan to become a writer is in the trash. It just means we have to go another way about it. 

Ever have something happen to you where it reaffirms you commitment to your dream but you think you have better way to go about it (or don't trust what happened) and you go a different route? That's exactly what happened to me. I had attended a conference and made a couple of pitches to agents who were genuinely interested in reading. But in the fear of rejection (also because of the genre I'm in) I thought it would be best if I didn't go traditional. At least I knew I could publish myself. So I tried to raise money. Didn't happen. TWICE. 

You don't need a third time to tell you the first way was the way to go. Especially after all the effort, money and energy I put into making this campaign work. 

So where does that leave me? Back to the traditional. With a new novel. I've decided to put "The Balancer" on Wattpad and start on another one of my ideas. This way I can still get the exposure for my work and work on something that can have a fighting chance in this massive book market. Some of you might think don't write to simply appease the market. I'd like to think I'm not. I'm still getting my voice out there. With an idea that I genuinely like that just happens to fit in a hybrid genre (dytopian/fantasy). 

The major lesson in all this is just because one door isn't open doesn't mean others won't. Possibly before you started to learn more about the roadblocks in your way you had a simple idea. Return to the simple idea and make it happen. Listening to naysayers may educate you but possibly cripple you. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE. Preserve and it will happen!

So you can check out the Balancer on Wattpad. I'll be putting up the link once I make a couple of changes to the teaser chapter I put up. But you can see the new cover I created. 

Again fam, never give up and surrender. Reevaluating your choices is never a bad thing as long as you make a decision to keep moving and evolving. And if you are out there and you need motivation, let me know. Right behind being a lawyer and writer is a cheerleader! Motivation and inspiration are my pom-poms! 😜

Until next time (more than likely tomorrow)!

How Pinterest Saved My Novel

Family, I gotta testify and tell YOU how Pinterest save my book, gave it a second life and raised it from the dead.

I'm getting ahead of myself so let me back up a bit. You see, when you have been working on something so hard and take a break from it, you can lose your initial vision. How you saw your characters, how you saw the world you created. It's like a film that covers your eyes. Like sunglasses that are stuck to your ears and you can't get them off without doing yourself much harm.

Well, family, I had some dark sunglasses on. I couldn't get a handle on my protagonist. I started to forget my how evil my antagonist was. I was starting to forget how steamy the love connection between characters was. I was losing why my character would do certain things in certain places and I was losing why certain places did the things it did. And let me tell you that is the worst thing to happen to a writer. Sweat was pouring, itches broke out and panic was starting to come around the corner.

Something Wicked This Way Comes

It's not everyday that fantastic things happen that renews your invigoration for life. Or where a series of events breathes life back into the things that you hold dear. My friends, many great things have happened over the past couple of weeks that have lit a fire underneath my butt to fully seize my dreams of becoming a writer.

I believe that things happen for a reason. You can call it a divine plan or something written in the stars but there is some sort of master chain of events.

It's Been a Long Time... Time for the Boss Lady Grind!

Family,

First and foremost, I have to say....I AM SO SORRY!!

I disappeared for an inexcusable amount of time and I thoroughly submit to this position!

If you are unfamiliar with this picture, this is the dogeza position, a Japanese custom of bowing that shows the most humblest of apologize. Yes that, my friends, is the level of my apology! But I think I do have some sort of excuse...

I am moving to New York City!

When Your Dream Sends You Over the Proverbial Cliff

Family:

Have you ever had something sit, like literally sit on your heart, and you can't be divested from it? Not necessarily eating away at but just sitting there? Almost niggling away, reminding you of it?

I've been thinking about it hard. About my last conference with Muse 2012 (see When Your "Aha!" Becomes "Oh No" to "Hmm Ok"). Words are still ringing: I have an issue with the market - that it may not sell as well as I would like. That an agent or a publisher would be reluctant to pick it up and invest in it. And it is amazing that out of all the feedback one would get about how great your work is that the more disheartening one would stick the most.

It could be enough to send you back to hide with your dreams and bury them.

It could. As for me, I refuse to hide. I've worked too hard. So I jumping over the cliff!

When Your "Aha!" Becomes "Oh No" to "Hmm Ok"

Just this past weekend, I attended the Muse Boston Writing Conference and it was a great experience. I got to sit down with teachers, writers, agents, columnists, etc. The works to say the least. But...I should have known that congregating with such people would have worked my mind grapes to another level. So much that I have begun to question the novel that I had finished back in February.

DUN DUN DUN

Having an Arranged Marriage...with Your Work

Imagine this:

From a young age, you have always known that you were set to be with someone called "Dream Work." You knew that you wanted to be with Dream Work because you had been told that it was perfect for you. And so as you go through life, you continue to grow but begin to forget that you are betrothed to Dream Work. That you will marry Dream Work and be happy. However, life gets in the way, priorities changes and as you age and mature, you begin to think that Dream Work wouldn't work anymore. Sure it was something you had been told that you were perfect for it, but who really wants to be set for life before you could make a decision? You are a different person, you won't be dictated to!

However, fate will set in and there is a chance meeting - you actually meet Dream Work.

When It's Ok to "Two-Time" on Your Work

Several weeks ago, I wrote about the Dangers of Two-Timing Yourself. I had to laugh at myself because it was just so…ridiculous but true at the same time. I am going to take a different position, to play devil’s avocado (yes I know its advocate). This won't be a really meaty piece but something I am doing that I wanted to share with you. 

Picture this: have you ever seen those mothers who are just WAY in love with the children?

When Its Time to Get Away from Yourself

Ever been so in your head that just being there make you dizzy? You have so many things you need to do, you want to do that you end doing nothing because you don't know where to turn? Or when there are so many things happening in your life that you want to tear your hair out and hand it to the next person that comes up to you...in their face?

Yes, I was there. Which is why I have been MIA for the past three weeks. Fam, I had to get away from myself. You are probably asking how the hell do you get away from yourself?

I Wanna Go Up the Stairs!

Ever worked at something so hard, like sweat dripping down your face, teeth-gritting determined? And you keep pushing towards the finish line that when you finally do, it takes you by surprise? Even though it’s what you been what you’ve been working towards after so long?

My readers, as of Sunday February 19 at 9:45pm EST, I finished the first draft of my first novel. I crossed my (first) finish line.

EEEEEEKKKKK! (enter humongo grin here)

At first I didn’t know what exactly to feel. At first it was a definitely sigh of relief. Popped open a bottle of moscato and went to town! But as the elation passes, I began to think….Ok what is next?

And here is where I think many people begin to falter. Picture this: you are a toddler and you desperately want to climb to the top of the stairs. And that first step is so huge and you put so much time, effort and energy into getting up on the first step that when you do, you are elated beyond measure. You giggle, you clap your hands, you drool from excitement.

But then you look up and you see the other nine steps that you have to conquer. And it seems much higher than you remembered when you were at the bottom of the stairs! People say taking the first step is the hardest. I think continuing to keep going up the next several steps is even harder. Because it’s keeping the momentum, not letting the daunting task before you push back into stepping back down.

While I have finished the first massive step of completing my first draft comes the daunting task of going through the skeleton, putting meat and girth on, taking out the fat and keeping it lean. I would not be truthful if I said that I wasn’t sure of my abilities.

BUT….(there is always a but!)

I see my toy at the top of the stairs. It is my prized toy that I enjoy and love and desperately want. More than these inky stairs can keep me from it. And even though there are challenges on the way (losing my balance, getting distracted, seeing a so-so toy at the bottom I could have played with), I want my favorite toy.

I want my name on the New York Bestsellers List. It is mine for the taking. And take it I shall do!

In every adventure, we are all like a toddler, taking first steps to some unknown territory. And we are scared, elated, petrified, excited and downright crazy. But think about how you’ll feel when you look back to the many steps that you have taken! How you’ll gurgle with delight at your accomplishment and how you can’t wait to hear that shout of praise from Mommy or some big person  that says “wow, look at what you did!”

I for one can’t wait to see how far I can step up. One thing is for sure, my aim is the top of the stairs.

Friday Music: Someone Like You

"Someone Like You" is my favorite Adele song by far. Mainly because it really epitomizes what I was discussing on Monday. You can go through the worst break up of your life or the most crushing thing to your spirit AND still you can come through it with someone or something better. Here's my favorite part of the lyrics:


Nothing compares
No worries or cares
Regrets and mistakes
They are memories made.
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead.

MOST of the time, it is much much much better than the last.

Isn't it funny how we think we know what we want and but when we get it, it's not at all what we expected? And when its gone, something we NEVER even thought of comes along and absolutely blows your mind?

Oh the drama of real life...its just as good as the drama we write about!

Anyway enjoy the song...play it in the background and think of a time where you thought you were down and out of the count, but through inner strength and help you were able to rise up from the ashes. Maybe its a story you could share that could help someone else. Or just write about it like I do :)

Also I'd be remiss if I didn't pay some tribute to Whitney Houston, a singer who made me want to sing since I was 7 years old. Eternally free from her shackles, may you rest in peace Whitney...

You Got Moves Like Adele, No Joke!

With the recent shock wave reverberating with the death of Whitney Houston (not ready to talk about it), it was a breath of fresh air to see Adele win a rocking 6 Grammys last night. Such a talent was able to really shine through, all because of a “rubbish” relationship that left her for dead. Not physically, but it rocked her enough that friends and family prodded her to pick up the pieces of her heart. 

In her adversity and pain, she put it all out on paper. Everything. Every emotion, every pit of anger, resentment, depression, and sadness. But the last song on her 21 album, Someone Like You, is my personal favorite because it is evidence of her realization that she can do better. That she is using her angst brought on by her ex-boyfriend for her benefit. To show him and the world – I am better than this. I am Adele, doggone it and I am so over you.

Don’t you think the ex-boyfriend is piss mad somewhere? :) Stupid wanker...(hehehe wanker..)

But I think it’s a lesson that we can all learn from. We all fall. We are human. To err is to be human. But it is in the face of adversity and how you deal with it that defines you. For Adele, to overcome her pain she wrote songs. It was her release. And it is possible that the pain wasn’t immediately gone. But it was process.  But the theme of the 21 album was I am better than this.

Trust me, family. I am not sitting from a lofty high chair looking down and just giving running commentary about things. I have enough scrapped knees, bruises and knocks to the head to show you how human I am. But this is me dealing with adversity.

For me, writing has been an immense release. When I was going through a particular hard struggle of trying to figure out I was doing with my life, writing became my anchor. My escapism and my coping mechanism. I write about characters that have great struggles and need to find their way. And what is great about it is that they eventually find what they are looking for!  And I thank God every day for giving me something that can show me that no matter what happens, things will get better!

And even though I am now in a pretty good period in my life, I still hold on my struggles and writing and appreciate it all the more. Because I hope one day that my writing, my stories will be an escape for someone else who just needs a break from their lives.

Whatever you chose to do or have, it is important to remember to it should uplift you, not destroy you. If your anchor has the potential to bring you to another devastating situation, it is not an anchor. You are still floating towards the proverbial black hole. Find something rooted within yourself that can allow you to stand when the garbage is being chucked at you. But you do have moves like Adele J. Everyone does.

Friday's Music: I'm Great, Wanna Fight About It?

In the spirit of my last blog entry about Haterade Drinkers (if you missed that, check it out here), I been playing some great "I'm Great, Wanna Fight About It?" music. You know, "Eye of the Tiger," "We Will Rock You," "I've Got the Power," and others. Just songs that remind you that you are fantastic, marvelous and just plain a fighter (or scrapper, you pick! If you want a good list you can check out this site. They got some good ones!).

But then one that I gets me so amped(!) is Nicki Minaj's "Moment 4 Life."

Her lyrics pretty much sums up what I'm feeling or least what I will be feeling once I get this novel and/or series published. Remember speak your goals into existence! Don't let anyone or anything including yourself bring you  down from what excites you the most. Sometimes we are our worst critic and you need to beef yourserlf up with good energy and people around you will lift you up. You have a glorious purpose in life - find it and own it. And if something makes you delirious happy, excited and all about ready to jump for joy, you don't need to ask yourself "What am I supposed to do?" You are already found it. 

The question you should be asking yourself is "Am I ready to go for it? No matter what the cost?"

And your answer of course will be a resounding YES! :) If you ever need a pep-talk or just something uplifting to get you out of your funk, email me at kjcristina711 at gmail dot com. Sometimes you need that - a cheerleader in your corner!

Ok, Ok. Enough of this - let's pump the jam up!

And some more for your viewing pleasure.... Eye of the Tiger! I always get ready to fight and throw some punches at any "anti-MEs!" (Blame Rocky for that one)

Until next time! Stay pumped!

A Letter to my "Haterade Drinkers"

Have you ever had someone be so constantly negative in your life? They are what I like to call "Haterade Drinker."  What is Haterade? It's something that they are drinking that causes them to burp up unnecessary and destructive things.

I mean things could be going so well for you and you could be on top of the world, but a “Haterade Drinker” will come out of the blue and take the wind out of sails? It is especially difficult if you are close to the alleged "Haterade Drinker"  - you have enough curses to say to them that it would make a sailor blush. But out of respect, you don’t. You swallow your anger and you try to keep it moving.

WELL NO MORE. Everyone has ONE “Haterade Drinker” in their life. And it is time to take a stand and say what is on your mind. And it's time to stop wasting energy on them!

To all my fellow writers, authors, wordsmith, whatever…I am sure you have come across this at least at one point in your writing profession. And if you are like me where you have a day job but turn to writing, I’m sure you have had someone say something negative about you seeking something outside of your job.

I have thought of a solution for all of you! I have penned a nice little letter to those “Haterade Drinkers.” Feel free to use it as you like and adapt to your situation. Here we go. (ahem ahem)

Dear Haterade Drinker(s):

I hope this letter find you well. Because I am about to bring you down a notch. I may not know you personally. Or maybe I do. It is hard to tell nowadays with your unsavory comments. And it’s very clear that you know nothing about me. Your constant tearing down and lashing words to my desired profession is not needed or wanted. If you did know me, you would understand that this makes me happy. Even if I may groan and whine about it, it is a joy to me. Just as it appears to be a joy for you to have vicious and disgusting words of degradation drip out of your mouth like a slobbering mangy dog.

So here’s what we are going to do. I am tired of your mouth and since I can’t put a muzzle on you like I would like, we are going to meet in the middle. You are going to keep your low self-esteem comments that you clearly are projecting on me to yourself and I will a) not beat your face in (a clear and current frontrunner); b) not slap a restraining order on you; and c) continue to treat you like a human being that I can tolerate.

Now if we are friends, I value our friendship enough to write this letter to you. If I didn’t, I would have said the hell with you, would’ve have told you to kick rocks and said peace out. But again, the threats to wring your neck are not meant to be hurtful (emotionally) but it’s because I care. So again, let us meet in the middle and I promise I won’t create a character in my next book (yes, there will be another book) where they uncannily look like you and die a vicious death.

I hope I have brought enough thought nuggets for you to munch on. If you have any constructive things to say, I am all ears. But until then, SHUT IT DOWN. I have things to do!

All the best,

(your name)

I hope that this helps you in some way or another. Or if you just get a kick out of it, that’s great too! But let me know, especially to my fellow writers, do you have a “haterade drinker” in your midst? How do you deal with them?

‘Til next time!

Wed's Prompt: Hot in Herre, Taking Clothes Off!

You come across a pack of matches that sets off a series of uncanny events. Start your story with “My mother always told me not to play with fire.” 

End it with “And that’s how I ended up in the middle of nowhere—naked.”

Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.

(c) 2011 Writer's Digest 

7 YESes was the Name of Game; Free Giveaway too!

I've returned from the ever wonderful Writer's Digest Conference  2012. All fantastic thought but first what's the magic number?

You know why? I had 7 agents say that they are interested in seeing my work. Seven is absolutely my favorite number (the fact that I was born in the 7th month has no...ok it has some bearing on it. But not all!)

Ok, let me back up. Kris, how was the conference?

It was fabulous! Met some amazing authors like myself, trying to breaking into the business, writing as if it was the only thing keeping them sane in this crazy place called life. It was so refreshing to find others who thought books, fiction was one of the greatest gifts God could ever give us. Within hours of meeting each other, we were helping each other out, perfecting our pitchs to agents.

The speakers were fantastic - two absolutely favorites Donald Maass and Chris Baty (founder of NaNoWriMo). Maass knows exactly how to bring out the best of ideas out of you. After literally 20 minutes, I thought of a brand new hook and twist for my novel (working on furiously now). I have been told Maass is a big deal....well he kinda is. 

Baty was just a great speaker - no need for lofty, I know better attitude. Just in-your-face, I've been there, I am there, gun it type of attitude. I loved it and I can't wait to read his up and coming projects!

Ok back to the agents. Yes, 7 agents have expressed interest in reading my materials. I won't discuss who they are but I just giddy that my idea is sell-able. Now I just need to finish, edit, pass it to my review group, edit again, edit a third time and then possibly send it in by ...oh let's say first week of April? That sounds about right. 

If you have been keeping up with me, you must be thinking, um...NaNoWriMo kicked your butt. What makes you think you can do all that? WHY???

I  tell you why...because I am completely invigorated. Because I literally cannot stop daydreaming about my book. Because I have people on my ass looking for work if it is not delivered on time. I always seem to do better when people are expecting something from me. 

TWO THOUGHTS - 

1. If you ever have a chance to go to any writing conference (especially with Writer's Digest) do it!

2. Find people like you who will keep you focus and offer you help. Their help will be instrumental in your success. As much as we like to think we can do everything on our own, it makes it a much better experience with others beside you!

FREE GIVEAWAY

I mentioned that Donald Maass is absolutely a God-send to anyone trying to write. Well as an author of many books helping the wayward author, his absolute best is The Breakout Novelist. 

All four of his pivotal books in one. FIRST PERSON to leave a comment I will send them a copy free of charge.

Ok...back to work!! :)

xoxo

Writing Prompt: Grandma Said What??

You are dealing with a bout of insomnia due to a reoccurring nightmare that started two days after the loss of your grandmother. Suddenly, you see a ghost who claims to be her spirit. Her spirit orders you to take care of something she wasn’t able to before she passed. If you do, she’ll leave you alone. If you don’t, she’ll haunt you forever.




When I thought of this one, I thought grandma wanted me to get rid of her dirty secrets but I thought that was a bit much. Grandpa would have found it before I could have and kept it for himself.


What do you think? What is Grandma's secret? And let's hope it has nothing to do with Victoria's!

Or Freddy Kroger's for that matter!

Writing Prompt: Help Kill Your Pal's Wife

One of the websites that I visit quite often is Writer's Digest. And they have the best articles to browse through if you ever need an inspiration or to drop money on some book you think will lead you to success...

Anyway, about every other day they post up writing prompts to give you a leg up on starting up a story. I have a couple of favorites that I will post up from time to time.

Try this on for size and leave a comment on how you think you first couple of sentences would go:

A close friend asks you to help him kill his wife and, to his surprise, you agree without hesitation—not because you particularly dislike his wife, but because she’s the only person who knows this one deep, dark secret that could ruin your life forever. Write about how you confront her and how the murder plays out.


Have Fun!!!!

Too Little, Too Late?; Writer's Conference in NYC

It has been about 12 days since "The Balancer" (working title for now) didn't make the cut for NaNoWriMo. Yes, yes, sad sad, blah blah.

Remember how my main lament was that the ideas just weren't coming? Well wouldn't you know, my Muse decided to come back from vacation and pop in and say, "Hey why not this?" or "That would be awesome if you did this?" or "THAT WOULD BE OF EPIC PROPORTIONS IF YOU DID THAT!!"

Yes, my muse screams when she gets excited. Doesn't yours?

But I am torn - I had wanted all this last month! When I was specifically carving out time to write and to flourish and get ready for January.

Oh, what's January you ask? Well in January, I will be attending my first Writer's Conference hosted by Writer's Digest. It is my chance to approach some 60 agents in hopes of getting great feedback and schmoozing and all that jazz.

So here's the dilemma. How can I approach any agent without anything to show for? Sure, I know what exactly I am going to write but I DO NOT want the conversation to go like this?

Me:....(just finished explanation/pitch). What do you think?


Agent: That sounds like a fantastic series. I can definitely see the marketability and I would love to get a read through. Is it ready?


Me: Ugh...well about that...it's not quite there yet.


Agent: What's not quite there?


Me:.....Like major revisions not quite there yet.


Agent:...NEXT!

(Both Charlie Brown depictions do justice as to what I would be feeling).

So it seems that I am amidst another scramble to finish (or at least 75% ) Book 1. I want more than anything to ensure that my money is being well spent for this conference.

So let's see what we can do! Novel in Month, Take 2!

BY THE WAY!

Anyone attending this conference? January 20-22 at the Sheraton New York Hotel! I'd love to hear from anyone attending. I'm going solo but wouldn't mind a buddy! Let me know!

Today's Music: Katya's Theme

I have previously said that certain pieces of music can allow you to tap into a feeling, a story or possibly a character. The song which I think truly captivates my female lead in the new novel is "My Heart Asks Pleasure First." The rich undertones truly captures the sense of wistfullness but strength. Carefree but meticulous. Generally a case of opposite:. Katya's innate sense of duty but reluctant acceptance.

Enjoy it!