2009: Year of the Six Pack

Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. ~George Eliot

I love being human. How could you ever get bored? The passion, the doubt, the inconsistencies, the desire to make a difference -- whether spun from love or hate or jealousy or compassion -- it's all wrapped up into this experience we call living. I'm a geek...er, um, I mean writer, so I spend a great deal of time contemplating the nuances and, especially, the motivations of every day actions. For isn't it true that character is revealed when no one is looking?

The beginning of a new year holds so much promise. And how can humans not respond by setting new goals and focusing on buffing out the rougher spots on our souls? What makes it all the more delightful, of course, is the fact that these resolutions can be made at any time during the year. But what's the fun in that? To be honest, I do. As previously posted, I'm a list maker extraordinaire, and I craft goals and hopes and wish lists all the time.

For me, New Year's Resolutions are private. I completely understand that making things public prompts more accountability in the human, but, well, there you have it. Private Creature By Nature. (As an aside, those of you who are my Twitter buddies know that I accomplished a 2008 goal just before 4 pm yesterday. Oh the glory!) There is a resolution that that I will share with the world, however. So many other bloggers are putting their NYR's up, and I can't abide the thought that this little blogger didn't keep up with the ... oh, what am I saying?!

So, the 2009 Goal of the Year is....

(Drum Roll Please)

A Six-Pack!!! Anyone else up for joining me in my quest for the ever elusive six pack? The embarrassing revelation? I despise abs. I abhor any exercise that targets the core. I always skip the crunches and the sit ups and the cutsie little "pulse, pulse" that my BodyPump instructor sings out, as if she's discussing a curious exotic plant. But skip no more. I shall persevere. And by this time next year, it'll be my own picture I'm posting! Wish me luck. And join me if you dare.

New Author First Book Challenge

If you're a new author, email me. Seriously.

I want to buy your book.

If it's not out yet, no worries. I'll still put your name in a hat.

See, it's all part of a diabolical plan to rid my shelves of pantywaist books and to fill them with uber goodness. Failing that, I just want to support new writers. (OOOhhh, that sounded super cynical for Boxing Day or post-Christmas hours or the Day After Christmas or St. Stephens's Day or whatever you celebrate. It's truly not intentional...Well, maybe a little of it is. But it's not directed at new writers. It's mostly directed at Publishing Companies who expect the new ones to publicize themselves these days. Tough row to hoe, I say.)

I'm also open to devoted followers of new authors dropping a name in the bucket. (Um, no sir, I have no idea why you'd think I was talking about you. Cyber-stalking? Why, I never mentioned it!)

Anyway, I'm buying three "firsts" and I'm challenging you-all to do the same. We can twitter away about our reading experiences, write ravishing book reviews, and post pics of book covers galore. It'll be fun.

Come On! What are you waiting for?

First Annual Hated Book Give-Away Details

Because this is the first annual and much lauded Hated Book Give-Away, I thought I'd better go over some of the finer points. Expectations, being what they are, exist only in my head. Do as you wish, since Free Will Matters, and join in only if you please.

The Three Non-Rules to the Hated Book Give-Away:

1. Tell me you want a much hated book via email or commenting. Please include the title of the preferred book (first draw gets first pick, of course). If you win, I will mail you the book before the end of January. Yeah, I'm cool like that.

2. Even if you don't want one of my books, pick out three of your own (recently purchased) hated books and put them up for giveaway on your site/blog/twitter/road sign. Then let me know so that I can participate and possibly win.

3. (This is my favorite part) Commit to buying three new books from three new authors. If you're a new author with a new book coming out (first book only, please), email me or leave a comment and I will buy your book. (If more than three contact me, your name will be put in a hat along w/ everyone else's and -- in a most fair and equitable manner -- I will draw out the winning three.)

So, if you haven't figured out what the three books are yet, despite the many clues located on this blog, here they are in no particular order:

1. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (paperback)

2. Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead (paperback)

3. Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer (hardback)

Let the games begin!

Delusions of Immortality

I don't delude myself often. I actually call myself a Realist, Sunny-Side-Up. What does that mean, precisely? I don't quite know, but it sounds better than a happy pessimist, so I'm going with it.

Anyway, back to delusions: I have this YA novel that I've set aside for about two years. I decided last week that I'd make all those final revisions over Christmas break and get it "ready" for sending out. It's time. My current WIP can wait, and indeed it has been, most patiently.

The problem? It's taking much longer than I thought possible. Twenty-four pages in three days. That's not going to break any records or even allow me to finish before the end of break. Here's the scary part: this time-heavy revision isn't because the writing sucks or the plot's shaky. (Well, I suppose that's for future readers to determine, but I do tend to be rather hard on myself, so I think I'd recognize that if it were the case.) I'm enjoying the process immensely, in fact, and but it seems that I'm spending far too much time staring into space and thinking. Drat that thinking, anyway!

The epiphany: As I contemplate word choice and scene tweaks, it suddenly occurred to me that 'real authors' -- you know, the ones who have published a bajillion books...or even just one -- are really no different than you or I. (Where's the connection between those two activities? I don't rightly know, but that's the randomness of my thoughts these days.)

From childhood, I've looked up to those who write as the demi-gods and goddesses who walk the Earth. They are other-worldly, deigning to spend time here because it amuses them to do so. My aspirations to write were always with the understanding that I was an outsider, didn't possess the right blood, and certainly didn't have the correct scholarly brow. I was ok with that. I knew I was an impostor, but the act of writing fulfilled me in a way nothing else had. I only wanted to craft stories; I didn't want to belong to any elite crew of immortals.

Spending time on the blogs of literary agents, editors, editor assistants, and yes, even authors, has given an insider's look that until now has always been pretty nigh unto impossible. It was a little earth-shaking to realize that, wow, we're all human. No immortals walk among us.

So, right now, I'm staring out the bay window into a winter wonderland. (No wonder it's hard to concentrate on revisions.) And I'm thinking: I'm thankful for all my blogging buddies who have committed to the long open road of writing, the one with pot holes and rain and dead ends, the one with brilliant bursts of sunlight and shimmering rainbows and entertaining detours. Here's to the determination, the loneliness, the camaraderie, the tenacity. Here's to you.

Writer's Digest Fun Prompt: Writing Contest

Every other month Writer's Digest sponsors a "short, open-ended prompt." Your job is to contemplate it for thirty seconds or so and scribble out a short story (750 words or less) based on the prompt. Submit.



Rules as I've scanned them:

• Winner will be published in the June 2009 issues of Writer's Digest.
• If you have lots of friends who will jump on & vote for you, you can win. That is, if your story is one of the top five the editors have selected to post on the website.
• Deadline is January 10, 2009

Prompt for Your Story #16: Three boys decide to go have some fun at the local swimming hole. Shortly after they arrive, something terrible happens.

—From The Writer's Book of Matches (Writer's Digest Books) by the staff of fresh boiled peanuts, a literary journal.

Novel Writing Decisions

When I first decided to actually sit down and write a novel, I made some key decisions based on gut instinct and pseudo research.

1. Write what's fun: I'd always intended to write the next great american novel -- but then, who among us hasn't? Upon reflection, however, I decided that such a task was monumental, chock full of research requirements (for me, anyway), and reeking of hard work. I decided to write candy instead. For me, candy is fantasy.

2. Write what sells: Honestly? This was just a hope -- and we all want our babies to sell like hotcakes in the literary market, I imagine, so that's hardly an original thought. Actually, though, there is definitely a segment of the artistic/authorial population who compose or write or create motivated entirely by 'staying true to the muse' ... which, by definition, means "creating that which won't sell." So, yes, writing "mass market" is an intentional decision.

3. Write to the largest possible audience: I had read somewhere that -- within the YA lit readership -- female protagonists tend to appeal to girls only, while male protagonists are accepted by both males and females. Generalizations aside, I wrote The Chillwane Chronicles with a male protagonist mostly because male protagonists appeal to me. Reflection, of course, revealed that this is because most female protagonists are sissies, angsty, or snarky, all of which are qualities I despise in women. (Well, okay, I despise those qualities in men, as well.) My new YA novel, Conning Lauren, contains a snarky, angsty sissy who metamorphosizes into a kick-butt heroine with rock-hard abs and a new-found respect for herself and small dogs.

Um. I lied about the dog part.

Open Mouth, Insert Foot

Faux Pas: My greatest social faux pas of the year took place shortly before Thanksgiving. I didn't write anything about it, of course, because, frankly, it was humiliating. In the intervening weeks, however, I've thought, Isn't it my duty to tell? It can be like one of those little moral tales -- where everyone learns what not to do... So, here goes: my embarrassing moment.

Background: The annual NCTE event always has a huge space filled with various publishers, vendors, and exhibitors. It's every teacher's dream to wander this expanse, snatch up the books they're giving away for free, and buy the ones they're selling for two or three dollars. Authors sit behind small tables, where you can talk to them or have them sign your book (though, depending upon the popularity of the author in question, you may find yourself standing in line for an hour or more). Publishing company reps try to sell their wares or answer any questions.

Publishing Company Catches my Eye: I'm wandering, my bag stuffed to overflowing, when I catch the large Tor banner. My heart skips a beat. I smile. I let my feet lead me to the booth area where books line the back and two reps sit behind a small table chatting. They look up and smile.

My Normally Reticent Self Makes Silly: "So," I say, "you two would know all about helping me get published by Tor, yes?" Disclaimer: I know I need an agent in order to get published. I know that Tor accepts unagented work, but I also know that I need an agent. I have yet to parse out why exactly I said these silly things.

Awkward Pause turns Pregnant with Possibility: The man on the left, we'll call him Jeff, smiles -- a smile reminiscent of a cat contemplating a tasty bird -- and nods to the woman on my right. "She's an editor," he says, "ask her."

My Jaw Drops: I stumble around. Rather, my mouth keeps talking but my brain is stalled. She takes pity on me and asks what my book's about. I panic, but give what is most possibly the worst pitch on planet earth. She gives me her card. "Send it to me," she says. "I'll take a look."

The Story Gets Worse: I look down at the card. Susan Chang, it glistens. I almost faint. I grip the counter in front of me to keep my balance. We're only talking about THE Susan Chang.

The Rescue: Random teacher walks up to get some questions answered and Ms. Chang gets up to help her. 'Jeff' and I talk briefly; he gives me the name of a website that is helpful for unpublished writers. He reveals that he, too, is an editor, though for a publishing company that does not accept unagented manuscripts. Before he walks away, he says, "Follow up on her." I brave a half-smile and whisper back, "She's going to kill you!" And he shrugs, smiling back. "She didn't have to give you her card. Follow up."

The Resolution: There is none. I walked away, trembling, kicking myself for being so delightfully stupid. In fact, that's a state I still find myself in. I am also still in awe of the fact that I met Ms. Chang. I haven't sent my manuscript in.

Delacorte Press Contest for First Young Adult Novel

The deadline for the Delacorte Press Contest for a First Young Adult Novel is coming up uber fast. (I have never quite figured out why they post it under Kids@Random House, since it's open to any writer who has not previously published a young adult novel, but...) So dust off your manuscripts, polish them up, and send them in. December 31, 2008 looms.

Details:

• Contemporary setting suitable for readers ages 12 to 18;
• Manuscripts should be 100 to 224 typed, double-spaced pages;
• Include a cover page with title, author, address, and phone number;
• Submit in padded envelope; Include SASE for notification only.
• No simultaneous submissions;
• Authors may submit up to two manuscripts to the competition.

Send Manuscripts to:
Delacorte Press Contest
Random House, Inc.
1745 Broadway, 9th Floor
New York, New York 10019

Gentle Reminder: Stay Focused

"People's dreams are made out of what they do all day. The same way a dog that runs after rabbits will dream of rabbits. It's what you do that makes your soul, not the other way around." Barbara Kingsolver

By posting this Kingsolver gem, I'm not indicating that I agree entirely with her premise. But it's another gentle nudge in the direction of, "Nulla dies sine linea." It's more of a reminder to myself to stay focused. And as we head into the flurry of holiday seasons, there are so many distractions eager to snatch our focus...

Call for Stories

For you short-story writers out there, two opportunities present themselves in September. Both of the them come from the Literary Cottage; working for Adams Media, the Literary Cottage is seeking stories for two anthologies they're currently working on.

1. Woodstock Revisited: Adams Media is seeking true story accounts written by people who actually attended the 1969 Woodstock Festival. According to their website, "stories must be TRUE, 850-1100 words, vivid, and substantive." DEADLINE: Sunday, September 7th, 2008.

2. My Dog is my Hero: The fourth book in the Hero series, this volume will contain stories about the remarkable dog in each writer's life. Stories must be 850-1100 words, true, and preferably uplifting. See website for more details. DEADLINE: Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Monetary concerns: You will be paid $100 for your story, receive a free copy of the anthology, and be considered for a "top three" monetary prize. Submission guidelines are located on each topic's page, and questions can be directed at Susan Reynolds.

Note: For you non-fiction writers out there, Adams Media is currently looking for new book proposals. The good news is that they accept submissions directly from authors (including first time authors), as well as from literary agents, so don't be shy.

LiveScribe Your Life

I have a tiny attention span. Hmmm...that doesn't sound at all flattering. Strike that. I am consumed with curiosity and a constantly roving desire to learn. That sounds better. So driving down the road, I flip through every radio station I have access to, skipping anything monotonous or boring. When I happened upon an interview with LiveScribe CEO Jim Marggraff the other day, I was transfixed. Even though I had reached my destination, I sat in the car and listened.

And then I came home & jumped online to explore what I had heard. The techie geek in me greatly desires the Pulse smartpen. I am enamored with the idea of a pen that records audio (lecture, music, thoughts) as you jot down your notes. I am seduced by the fact that you can upload both notes & sounds to your computer. The beauty of this? You can search for key words within your notes. You can share everything you've done on-line. You can convert your writing to interactive flash movies or pdf's... the possibilities are endless.

I haven't bought one yet, so if anyone has, please email me. I'm curious about your experience. The smartpens are available at amazon.com and Target, with 1GB costing about $149 and 2GB for $199 (which equals over 200 hours of recording).

RIP Randy Pausch (1960-2008)

If you haven't yet listened to the 'last lecture' by Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch, it's worth the hour and sixteen minutes. Dubbed "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," it takes you through Randy's own childhood dreams and the idea that you, too, can accomplish your goals. If you hit a brick wall, simply assume it's meant for everyone else...and keep pursuing your dreams. Ultimately, however, the gem you walk away from with is this: be a good person, reach out to others, and your dreams will find you.

Especially poignant is the fact that Randy intended his lecture not only as an inspiration to others but, perhaps more importantly, as a message to his children. He passed away on Friday, July 25th, 2008. Rest in peace.