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.

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

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

What Makes a Book Hot?

I fell across an interesting blog this morning, rachellegardner.com (great information on getting an agent) and in her latest entry, she talked about what makes a book good, great or hot.

“With a hot project, the agent can immediately think of several editors who would like it. It doesn’t need much editing or reworking. The proposal is nicely done and doesn’t need to be rewritten. The author appears to have long-term potential. This project looks like a sure thing. It’s also likely that other agents are considering it.

Making good business decisions means we jump on hot projects. Other projects… those we like but they aren't hot… usually have to wait until we have more time to assess them, and more carefully weigh the likelihood of selling this project and how much time it might take.

A project that’s very good (or even great in some respect) may still present challenges. The genre might be tough to sell right now. The market might already be glutted with that particular kind of book. If it’s fiction, it might show incredible potential but still need a lot of work. The agent has to weigh whether they’re able to put that kind of work into an author, or whether they need to recommend they get their writing up a notch, then come back. If it’s non-fiction, the idea and the writing might be stellar, but the author might have a small or non-existent platform, meaning a lot more work to sell it, plus a bigger chance that it won’t sell at all.”

Now I would like to think that the 3 book series I am working on is a pretty good thing. But I know I am treading unknown waters. I have no idea what is really considered a sure or hot thing. I would like to think that my epic paranormal romance book will appeal to a wide audience, young adults and adults alike.

I would like to think that my main female character will resound with readers and they will understand her fear, trepidation and fascination with this new world she embarks on – a world that encompasses her destiny.

I would like to think that my main male character will curl readers' toes from his virile masculinity, his depth and his staunch protection of the main female character; that they will be fascinated that that even after death, the soul wages battle within itself constantly, keeping itself from falling into further darkness.

I would like to think that readers will like to see a new view of what really happens when you die, what are the truths to what others have guessed and how they will be able to make their own imaginative assessment.

I WOULD like to think that my writing will elicit all these things…But that just might be me. The test will be this Saturday at the Writer’s Digest Conference in New York. I’ll be able to pitch my work. I guess the worst thing to come out of this would be no one bites on my bait.

But then again, as they say, if you knock and no one answers….KICK THE DOOR DOWN…or something to that effect. I may have taken liberties with that last one.

Oh…if you were wondering how’s my progress…progress is progress J. Until til next time!

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!

NaNoWriMo: Post Week 1; Writer's Conference

So...

Yea... This is what I should be feeling, exhausted but invigorated. Heavy but light. Drained but completed. All those opposite words. The reality of it....not so much.

Couple of things I have figured out this past week.

I have a lot of ideas, but not enough time to put them down on paper. My supposed schedule went out the window with work, family and other stuff came into play. Out of the 10K words I should have down on paper, I only have a little more than half.

Unacceptable.

So Week 2 is all about tweaking what needs to be tweaked, running away from all other things and locking myself in some Panera Bread somewhere and getting work done.

Hopefully I will have redeemed myself this week - cross my fingers.

In other news, I have decided to attend my first Writer's Conference (the crowd cheers).

I'll be attending the Writer's Digest Conference in January in NYC. Really excited about the networking that will be taking place, learning more about the craft and getting some pointers from agents and publishers attending.

But before I can really use it to its full potential, this bloody manuscript needs to get done!!

Sigh...Ok..I'm going.

Words of encouragement are always welcome. I've told my other readers that it gives me the mojo to keep going!