I just registered for the conference--so excited! But unfortunately, the master class for YA authors was already fully booked. I heard it filled up by noon on the first day of registration. Ugh. Next time I'll be smarter. But there are so many other great workshops to attend that it won't matter much, I guess.
I also booked the professional track. It said members could bring one of their books to sell one evening. Does anybody here who'll be at the conference know how to go about with that? Do I have to order books from my publisher and bring them in my suitcase? This is my first time attending a conference as a published author, so I'm a bit unsure.
My book launch party is going to be on May 24. I'd invite all of you, but I think the chances that you'll be in northern Canada (and if you're thinking Vancouver you're still waaaay too far south) any time soon are pretty slim. I'm gotten over being panicky (for the moment, anyhow) since I figure no one here knows what a book launch party entails so I can make it all up as I go, and today I've ordered a sign and finished the flyers. I hope some people will show up.
- Mood:
excited
1.) I did my workshops today on Fanfiction on the districtwide writers' conference for students grades 4-7. I had a bunch of fun and the kids seemed to as well . I read a bit of Maiden of the Wolf to one group, and they really enjoyed i!. On my free block, I attended a script writing class and was promptly recruited to do the lead of Mrs. Goop (a grumpy octanarian). But it was a great day with writers, readers, and would-be writers. One little girl told me at the end that I had "insprired" her. I nearly cried. What else can you ask for???
2.) Coming home, a package awaited me. Twelve copies of my first book to be published! Awwww! What else is there to say? Is there a better moment for a writer? I can't imagine it getting any better than this....can't get over myself just yet. Went out with hubby for sushi to celebrate.
3) My handicapped baby rat LInus (get over both handicapped and RAT--he's the sweetest cutest little critter you'll ever meet) is taken care of: the vet gave us some antibiotics( for his joint infection) and if those don't work he'll get an x-ray. I feel he's in good hands, but of course his health might always remain fragile. I hand raised him since he was only one week old, so he's very dear to me. (We can't have dogs or cats because of allergies in my house).
I'll add pics when I have time tomorrow. On other writing news, I'm back in the saddle with the Demon Game. I made a nerdy schedule with a daily and weekly word goal--but that's what works for me. I'm trying to write 5,000 words each week until school lets out this summer-- I want to be done the first draft and submit it then.
Anyway, it was a great day! And better yet, I don't have to work tomorrow!!!
- Mood: ecstatic
How do you decide which part to read? I was thinking near the beginning, so I won't give too much away. Also HOW LONG should I read for? Taking into consideration the short attention span of teens these days...
Did you practice the reading at home? I get nervous in front of an audience. But I guess it'll get easier in time. :) Right?
- Mood:
curious
giddyThe reason I've been so quiet is that I've been really busy with other things than writing. Christmas stuff, extra hours at work because some people quit right before the holiday shopping began (Christmas in retail is nuts). Then I also did revisions on Maiden of the Wolf (Hallowmere 4). But that was the only writing I managed...
But now the kids are back to school and my hours at the store more reasonable. I'm finally back at my desk and have already written 400 words today! I know that's not a ton, but it's 400 more words than I wrote yesterday. I'm planning on drafting about 3,000-4,000 words a week on the Demon Game for the next few months (until it's done, I guess).
Haven't received my dream agent from Santa as I had hoped, but the rejection letter was really nice and I'll try her again when the Demon Game is finished.
- Mood:
content - Music:Arctic Monkeys
 Dear Santa...Dear Santa, This year I've been busy! In September I ruled Duluth, Minnesota as a cruel and heartless dictator (-700 points). Last Saturday I pushed ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} jengt in the mud (-17 points). Last Sunday I pulled over and changed melissa_writing's flat tire (15 points). In May deenaml and I donated clothes to the needy (11 points). In February I ate my brussel sprouts (1 points). Overall, I've been naughty (-690 points). For Christmas I deserve a lump of coal! Sincerely, |
- Mood:
dorky
Actually, it's going pretty well. I'm power-rewriting and about 1/3 of the way in. It's more satisfying than I thought it was going to be. But I do miss working on the Demon Game.
In other news, the date for finally getting my PVR came and went yesterday. The guys who were supposed to set it up at 11 didn't show on time (surprise, surprise). It annoyed me, because I can't write while I wait because the computer is downstairs (in the dungeon) and I cannot hear the doorbell there. So I wrote with pen and paper (no kidding) until 1 o'clock when they phoned me to inform me that I had to come down to pay for the equipment before they could come and install it (and they failed to mention that during the ten times we called them to order the PVR and find out when they would show up).
So I ran down and paid them, but it was almost time to pick up the kids from school, so I told them to come by later that afternoon. Which they actually did. But only to tell me that trees were in the way and we had to put up some pole before they could put up the dish. Huh?
So they left and promised to return next week Friday...*sigh* I'm running out of stupid old-fashioned VCR tape and was so hoping to do the Tivo thing this week...
Off now to watch ER.
- Location:dungeon
- Mood:
aggravated - Music:chirping rats
Cassandra Van Den Akker stared through the grimy train window. The misty gray morning fog only lifted slowly and the clammy drizzle reminded her more of November than early summer. A chill draft stroked Cassie’s cheek as the train heaved out of the urban station and rattled on toward Vreewarden’s outer edge. Five more stops, then she’d have to either catch a cab to take her to Longview Terraces or wait an hour for the bus that never ran on time.
Mom could have picked me up, Cassie thought. But she’s still mad at me. Because I live with Dad and not her. Because I usually speak my mind if I don’t agree with her.
Because Mia’s in a coma. And it’s my fault.
Cassie folded her arms around herself to stop her trembling. A dull ache snaked around her chest, coiling cold around her heart. But maybe it wasn’t too late to help her little sister. She had to hold on tight to that hope. It was all she had now.
And only twelve hours ago, life had been all right.
And my progress on the Demon Game is moving forward at a nice rate:
| |
12,566 / 80,000 (15.7%) |
- Location:Dungeon
- Mood:
artistic - Music:Killers
Okay, we had our two girl rats for one week now--time to post some pictures. The girls are named Scrumph and Pookie. Scrumph is very outgoing and adventurous and Pookie is sleepy and a bit shy.
I'll put the pics behind the cut for those among you who don't like the look of rats (I have an animal phobia, so I understand. Rats are not for everybody and I've got some very emotional responses from friends. It's incredibly interesting)
Oh, and I also wanted to share my WIP progress. The Demon Game is moving forward!
| |
9,061 / 80,000 (11.3%) |
- Mood: happy
YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2007 when...
1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.
7 Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.
11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile.
: )
12 You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list
AND NOW YOU ARE LAUGHING at yourself.
Go on, forward this to your friends. You know you want to
- Mood:
amused
If you can spare some good LJ vibes, please send them my way...;)
- Mood:
bouncy
So...check your water bottles, guys...and if it's been a while, replace them!
- Mood:wet
- Mood:
cold
Here's my wordometer for the Demon Game:
| |
2,252 / 80,000 (2.8%) |
- Location:Dungeon
- Mood: accomplished
- Music:Placebo
dklmarkeeis going to check it for holes in the plot etc.). So tomorrow I will rework the beginning for chapter 1 and then will be writing again for real. After taking the whole summer off, I can't wait!Just read Rules by
cynthialord. I know, I'm late, but my local bookstore was always out of copies. Or something. I really enjoyed it, couldn't put it down. I'm usually not that excited about award winners, but this one deserves them all! - Mood: chipper
- Music:Editors
On the reading side, I finally started on HP7. With all the hpye about ending and such I had forgotten what I liked about Rowling's style from the beginning: her quirky sense of humor. I'm also reading a YA manga series The Death Note . A bit on the dark side, but I like it. I zipped through the first and am now on the 2nd Volume.
- Location:dungeon
- Mood: accomplished
Have you guys ever done this: write the synopsis before the book? And if yes, did it prove to be a good idea? Or did you have to completely rewrite it later?
So far, I've found it easier, maybe because my mind is not crowded by all the details and sideplots and character developments etc. that writing a book brings about. I still have that narrow focus, of what the book will be about, and what needs to go in it.
Hmm. I guess I'll see if that'll work... :)
- Mood: curious
- Music:Arcade Fire
Anyway, if any of you could clarify this for me (perhaps with examples from current YA novels) I'd much appreciate it.
Feeling slightly stupid...;)
- Mood: curious
But, please please please send all you LJ good vibes (I heard they work!) toward Agent-City.
Thanks, my friends. ;)
- Mood: bouncy
lurban) A Crooked Kind of Perfect is coming out
September 1.
On her blog, she’s running a contest:
If you post a photo of your socks on your blog,
you could win a signed copy of her book!
So, everyone, show your socks!
Here are mine:
- Mood:sockish
