YouTube Friday: Fix Your Grammar

In our age of social media, blogs, and comment forums, we sure see a lot of bad grammar. People saying "literally" for things that aren't literal:



In today's video, beloved puppets Glove and Boots (not quite Muppets but close in cuteness and humor) break down some grammar basics:

Happy Friday everyone! What's your grammar pet peeve?

Book Review: The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

image: Goodreads

The Book of Broken Hearts
Sarah Ockler
YA Contemporary
Published: 2013

This is the first book I've read by the author, and I'm happy to say I will read more of her books. If you're a fan of Sara Zarr or Jessi Kirby, or Sarah Dessen, this book is along those lines. The Goodreads description kind of oversells this as a romance--even the cover does. Family dynamics are the primary driver of the story with the romance more as a subplot. This was a welcome surprise to me, and not a hindrance at all.

I loved that Jude's family has Venezuelan roots, and how that culture bleeds into their family dynamic. Jude is the youngest of four girls, and she has eight years separating her from the youngest sister. Her protective, lively sisters have all left the house, but their influence runs deep. When Jude was a young girl, her sisters made her join a pact to swear off the Vargas brothers due to heartbreak. When Jude's Papi decides to fix up his vintage motorbike, they don't have much cash, so an apprentice at a local shop offers to help him out for cheap. You guessed it--it's the youngest Vargas boy.

While Jude keeps Emilio Vargas' identity a secret from her family, she mainly busy covering for her Papi when he forgets how to do simple tasks, or when he loses his temper at the drugstore. Emilio sees what's happening and Jude confides in him that her father has early onset Alzheimers. The story focuses heavily on Jude's relationship with her father, and the effect of his illness on her mother and sisters. It's handled beautifully by the author, and never feels too heavy. Emilio doesn't understand why Jude pushes him away, but her first allegiance is to her sisters, especially the one whose engagement with Emilio's older brother had been broken off years earlier.

All the tension and conflict work together for a wonderfully thoughtful story. This one is a little less swoon and a little more introspection, but in the best way possible. Also, bonus stars for cultural diversity.

I listened to the audiobook version of The Book of Broken Hearts which I would recommend.

#WriterRecharge

We'd like to invite you to join us for Writer Recharge 2014, a month-long motivational challenge similar to last summer's Ready. Set. Write! So many of us benefited from setting goals, connecting with other writers, and social media-based accountability. So, hey, let's do it again! Whether you're delighting next to the crackling fireplace of a Shiny New Idea with a warm cup of tea and a sleepy puppy at your feet or spinning out on the ice-covered roads of revisions in an attempt to avoid the snow-packed ditch, we want to write with you! What do you want to accomplish this month? Hit a daily word count? Revise a certain number of pages or chapters each week? Complete a draft by the end of the month? Let's get this party started!

Your hosts and cheerleaders: Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Sara Biren

Here's my progress from the past week:

1. Still working through my AMELIA (YA Contemporary) Part 2 changes--I'm getting there but I need to expand some scenes or add one more. I need to print out this section or pull it into Word (from Scrivener) in a different font and read it through to see where I'm missing something. 
2. Goals: Add a little bit of backstory w/in 2 different scenes.
3. Read through middle section to see what is missing, develop new scene or expand exisiting.
4. I.D. which chapters in part 3 can be reduced or eliminated.
5. Lastly, I need to finish reading and judging my remaining 3 Golden Heart entries

I spent some time reading a crafting book this weekend by author Lori Wilde on creating a high concept story idea. It's a short book based on workshops she does. It's similar to what I've read other places but it focuses on brainstorming 15 ideas for a bunch of different aspects of characters. Since I'm so far along editing my current story, it more reinforced what I'm already doing. But I have notes with specifics on my characters that I'm going to more intentionally work in.

Hope everyone else was successful this week!

YouTube Friday: time to pull out spring scarves!

Friday, Friday! The Midwest is thawing and spring is just mere weeks away.

Maybe I'm jumping the gun on spring fashion, but I'm tired of winter. This video has been around for awhile, but I LOVE it. Bust out your scarves and try them out in a new way.

25 Ways to Tie a Scarf:

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Book Review: Run To You by Clara Kensie

image: Goodreads

Run To You
Clara Kensie
YA Contemporary Thriller
Published: 2014

Run to You is a serial novel released in parts. This format works really well for the book and adds to its fast pace. If you're a writer looking to explore pacing and first chapters, this is an interesting one. The action starts from the very first page, with subtle hints to the larger picture of what's going on. It's not a book that stops to explain very often, and yet it still works with context and leaving a bit of mystery.

Tessa's identity changes frequently due to her family relocating whenever the mysterious man hunter her family gets close to finding them. Her parents have a run-and-leave-nothing-behind exit plan they've instilled in Tessa and her brother and sister. We don't know why they are being chased, though it has to do with Tessa's family's psychic and telekinetic abilities. All abilities Tessa doesn't have herself.

In a new town, and new school once again, Tessa is conflicted about letting herself get close to a boy she meets on the running trail near her house. While her older sister flirts and dates without shame, she's seen the heartbreak it caused when their family had to flee. There are no goodbyes in their world. Only new identities, hotels and rental homes paid in cash, and fires set to their old belongings.

This is a really fun series and one of the first YA thrillers I found truly engaging. I'm only on part one! All three parts are now out (having each been released in subsequent weeks this month). At $1.99 for each part as an ebook, it's a pretty great deal too.

Book Review: Longbourn by Jo Baker

Longbourn
Jo Baker
Historical Fiction
Published: 2013 

In Pride & Prejudice, the Bennet family is presented as modest among the higher classes of Darcy and Bingley. However, the Bennets employed house staff who managed all of their cooking and cleaning. This is a family of girls who do not know physical labor or hardship in a real sense. Longbourn shows us the working class side of regency England. The downstairs of Downton Abbey, if you will. It brings new light to our favorite whip-smart heroine Elizabeth when her maids constantly scrub her dirty petticoats and scrape mud from her boots. 

The characters lean toward source material, though the house staff clearly have their own story. What I found interesting is how the house staff perceives Mr. Collins; he is still odd, but kind, and pitied more for being lonely. He is not portrayed as a total fool, possibly given how he addresses the staff like they are real people, which at the time was considered beneath his standing. Even Mary is considered more thoughtfully, not as a hopeless case future spinster, but as a faithful daughter who will secure a place for the elder house staff at Longbourn after the other sisters have gone off and married. Marriage of the Bennet sisters is bittersweet for those employed by the family; once the household shrinks, loss of their job is a very real threat.

With very capable and often lovely writing, Longourn shows P&P in a different light, and not at the expense of the original story.

#WriterRecharge

We'd like to invite you to join us for Writer Recharge 2014, a month-long motivational challenge similar to last summer's Ready. Set. Write! So many of us benefited from setting goals, connecting with other writers, and social media-based accountability. So, hey, let's do it again! Whether you're delighting next to the crackling fireplace of a Shiny New Idea with a warm cup of tea and a sleepy puppy at your feet or spinning out on the ice-covered roads of revisions in an attempt to avoid the snow-packed ditch, we want to write with you! What do you want to accomplish this month? Hit a daily word count? Revise a certain number of pages or chapters each week? Complete a draft by the end of the month? Let's get this party started!

Your hosts and cheerleaders: Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Sara Biren

Here's my progress on editing AMELIA (YA Contemporary):

1. Have completed editing part 1 changes; mostly done on part 2, which required adding several new scenes and re-organizing others. 
2. Last week, I reduced the word count by 4k by cutting earlier chapter/scenes and re-organizing. Added about 2,500 words by expanding part 2.
3. Next goal: Determine which scenes in part 3 stay or go; combine scenes, reduce secondary character subplot that takes away from MC's plot. Keep what is essential and what maintains story momentum. I think this coming week is going to be rough....
4. After all parts have been reordered, go through entire MS to cut, tweak, etc.

I picked up more editing tips at my RWA meeting last week. Jade Lee spoke highly of a course she took though Savvy Authors, which is pay-as-you-go online writing craft courses. I have not taken any from them, but quite a few of my RWA friends have. It's a nice alternative if you aren't plugged into a writing group and if you can't swing a conference. I've used Jade's crafting advice from seeing her at RWA last year. I was impressed that she takes writing courses along with unpublished authors since she is seeking to grow and challenge herself.

Check out the twitter tag #WriterRecharge for more writing motivation this month!

Book Review x2: Awkward by Marni Bates and Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Here's a double review of two YA books that have a strong high school focus:

image: Goodreads

Awkward
Marni Bates
YA Contemporary
Published: 2012

MacKenzie is a self-professed nerd who seems just fine to exist under the radar. Until she performs CPR on a fellow student (and crush) and the video goes viral (turns out he didn't actually need CPR and she may have taken her skills a little too far--like a YA version of Sandra Bullocks pen tracheotomy in The Heat). A boy band even records a song based on the clip, and suddenly, MacKenzie has a fanbase.

This is the story of nerd girl-turned-diva, ugly duckling turned mature young woman, with a lot of well, awkwardness, and social hierarchy, and boy bands. It's a lot of fun and definitely one I could see working well for younger teens. Though there are some more mature references within the book, MacKenzie is a mostly innocent teen navigating popularity, fame, and friendship.

image: Goodreads

Meant to Be
Lauren Morrill
YA Contemporary
Published: March 2013

This book reminded me of Anna and the French Kiss if written by Sarah Dessen and set in England instead of France. If that sounds appealing to you, you will probably like this book.

Like in Awkward, Julia is a rule-following, good grades-achieving student whose world is flipped through a series of new experiences. On a class trip to England, she's paired with Jason who is of course, totally not a rule-following, good grades-achiever. In fact, he names her Book Licker (I can't even remember why, but I think it was a play on her last name. Regardless, funny). Jason is kind of a mess throughout the book, so the progression of  his character is interesting to watch, especially from a romantic angle.

This is the type of book that made me wish I'd gone on a class trip to England, and also simultaneously glad I waited until I was an adult to visit. I mean, so many shenanigans and drama on class trips. This book kind of summarizes what that would be like, while also paired with a hyper class clown as a permanent buddy. Julia finds herself constantly challenging her preconceived notions of order and rules; you see her stumble through her first non-chaperoned party, getting lost, losing her pocket Shakespeare, and a strange arrangement where Jason pretends to teach her how to flirt and find the right guy while she helps him with homework.

What's Up Wednesday

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly blog hop with other folks on this writing journey. With that aim in mind, if you want to join, visit a few other WUW blogs each week, get to know other writers, and spread the writerly love!

What I'm Reading

I started a new audiobook, The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler, which is exactly what I needed. It blends themes from my two current WIPs, a Latina main character and her family, and parent with an illness (or in my Nano novel, a grandparent). It's really helpful to see how an accomplished author handles these aspects within YA.

Right before this, I ditched another library audiobook (women's fic). This book started slow with mundane details. Literally, grocery lists and wondering when she should buy food since she wasn't going straight to her destination and the food would get warm in the car. I read to escape! Groceries are boring enough in real life, I don't want to read about them! Maybe when you are a multi-published author you can get away with this. But why would you want to? The main character was supposed to be my age or younger (early 30s) but based on her interests and narration she sounded a generation older. With a To Be Read list of 100+ books, sorry. I'm out.

I began Clara Kensie's Run To You last night, which I mentioned a couple weeks ago. I could barely put it down! It's a suspense story, and it's also serialized, meaning it is being sold and debuted in 3 parts, which is a newer trend I've seen going on. Given I've been focusing a lot on first chapters, this one does NOT mess around. Immediately, the clock is ticking and the character begins her journey. And I never felt lost because enough context was hinted at.

What I'm Writing

My Monday post details the #WriterRecharge goals and progress. I'm officially back to working through my agent notes for a manuscript we plan to sub. I already cut 4k words by eliminating my first chapter and reorganizing the next two. It really is stronger for it. First chapters suck, btw. I'm learning to like them more now that I'm getting the hang of what needs to be there and what doesn't.

What Inspires Me Right Now

The Olympics! I had it on all last weekend while I worked on edits. The speed skaters with their massive, muscled legs, the Russian teen figure skater who nailed her performance, the Czech snowboarder who cracked her helmet during a fall, but rode the rest of the way down herself, where her competitors provided her with hugs. Seeing the best of the best is really motivating to do my best to get my writing where I want it.

What Else I'm Up To

Tonight my RWA chapter is bringing in historical romance author Jade Lee. At RWA Nationals, I took her workshop on writing multi-cultural fiction. First of all, she is hilarious. She is loud, a little crass, and very personable. Her workshop gave setting and character crafting strategies I'd never heard before. I've referred to the notes twice already since July. Looking forward to meeting her again.

I also volunteered to put together a themed gift basket for Spring Fling in April, an RWA regional conference in the northern Chicago suburbs (more info here). Last year, YA author Erica O'Rourke did a Dr. Who basket which was so fun--DVDs, kitchy memorabilia. The gift baskets are bid on as a silent auction and then the proceeds go to charity. Anyway, I suggested a Supernatural themed basket. The fandom is huge, and there are books tied in. I've been tagging some ideas, now I have to order the stuff and put it together!

What's Up for your Wednesday?

#WriterRecharge

 

We'd like to invite you to join us for Writer Recharge 2014, a month-long motivational challenge similar to last summer's Ready. Set. Write! So many of us benefited from setting goals, connecting with other writers, and social media-based accountability. So, hey, let's do it again! Whether you're delighting next to the crackling fireplace of a Shiny New Idea with a warm cup of tea and a sleepy puppy at your feet or spinning out on the ice-covered roads of revisions in an attempt to avoid the snow-packed ditch, we want to write with you! What do you want to accomplish this month? Hit a daily word count? Revise a certain number of pages or chapters each week? Complete a draft by the end of the month? Let's get this party started!

Your hosts and cheerleaders: Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Sara Biren

I have updates! First, progress:

The first Golden Heart entry I read for judging was ... awesome! All of my entries are in a genre I don't read often, so I was a little concerned. This entry pulled me right in. I'm so excited for the writer having created such an engaging story. Motivating!

I received feedback from my critique group on the second chapter of my YA contemporary-in-progress SUNSET SUMMER. Consensus: it's boring! 

This is why critique groups are great. I moved up a scene from later in the book thinking it would show aspects of the character. It sort of does, but not enough is happening. More questions arose from the next scene; the character interaction was good, but not enough of an active scene. The pace was too slow. 

The day after our group met, I heard back from my agent on my other project. Lots of enthusiasm (yay!) along with a new set of notes. I'll now be switching focus from editing SUNSET SUMMER to editing AMELIA for the month. My goals:

1. Cut first chapter (!); make sure Ch. 2 works as opener. Edit opening two chapters based on notes from my Opening Scenes course.* Update: over the weekend I cut almost 4k words just by reworking the first two chapters. I was able to splice in pertinent stuff and a few good lines from Ch. 1 elsewhere. It's liberating to cut so much and still feel like the story works!
2. Work in the other proposed changes; expanding some scenes, cutting others
3. Re-organize the pacing of the novel. Update: the first section is in much better shape. Now on to correct pacing for parts 2 & 3.
4. Reduce overall word count by 6-7k words; first step is to review structure of novel and cut or reduce length of scenes toward end of book. Closer edit:, reduce filler info, reduce secondary character subplot that take away from MC's subplot

The Opening Scenes course I took on RWA's Online portal was taught by Kelley Armstrong. I reviewed most of the notes on Friday night since my days became a little busy during the week. I've read a lot about first chapters and yet I still walked away with tangible ways to improve them. Given my entire first chapter is being cut, I can see now that while I might have set an active scene and stayed away from info-dumps, the first chapter is primarily set-up and doesn't hook the reader as much as it should. 

Looking forward to catching up with the rest of you. 

Check out the twitter tag #WriterRecharge for more writing motivation this month!

Blog Tour: I See London by Chanelle Cleeton plus Giveaway!

I'm so excited to join Chanel Cleeton's blog tour for her Harlequin HQN release I See London! We are both members of YA-RWA, the Young Adult chapter of Romance Writers, who also support the emerging New Adult fiction category, featuring characters in early adulthood. 

Chanel is here today with a Top Ten list of things to do in London! Having visited London myself, she has great suggestions. I was only there for a day and a half, so I have more to look forward to when I visit again. Don't miss the giveaway! $50 Amazon gift card and a really cute London inspired necklace.

I SEE LONDON by Chanel Cleeton
February 3, 2014
Harlequin HQN (Digital First)
New Adult Contemporary Romance 

BOOK SUMMARY: 

Maggie Carpenter is ready for a change— and to leave her ordinary life in South Carolina behind. But when she accepts a scholarship to the International School in London, a university attended by the privileged offspring of diplomats and world leaders, Maggie might get more than she bargained for.

When Maggie meets Hugh, a twentysomething British guy, she finds herself living the life she always wanted. Suddenly she’s riding around the city in a Ferrari, wearing borrowed designer clothes and going to the hottest clubs. The only problem? Another guy, the one she can’t seem to keep her hands off of.

Half French, half Lebanese, and ridiculously wealthy, Samir Khouri has made it clear he doesn’t do relationships. He’s the opposite of everything Maggie thought she wanted…and he’s everything she can’t resist. Torn between her dream guy and the boy haunting her dreams, Maggie has to fight for her own happy ending. In a city like London, you never know where you stand, and everything can change in the blink of an eye.

This is a New Adult romance recommended for readers 17 and up.

Top Ten Things to Do in London

By Chanel Cleeton

Living in London for four years was pretty much a dream come true for me. When I think of London, Samuel Johnson’s quote always comes to mind: “When a man is tired of London, he’s tired of life. For there is in London all that life can afford.” There’s always something to do in a city like London and adventure always feels like it’s just around the corner. Here’s a list of my favorite things to do in London (in no particular order):

1.      Strolling in Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of my favorite places in London. It’s a welcome spot of green in a bustling city. On any given day you can see horses, dogs, swans, and much more! It’s like being in the country without having to escape the comforts of the city.

2.      Eating at Ranoush/Maroush Lebanese Restaurant

Whenever I go to London this is always a MUST for me. Ranoush (some branches are called Maroush) is a Lebanese restaurant chain that is probably my favorite restaurant ever. They’re cheap, AMAZING, all over the city, and open late. I ate here at least twice a week for four years and have some incredible memories there. My favorites included: Tabouleh, Halloumi cheese, Baklava, Chicken Shawarma, Lamb Shawarma, Hummus, and Warak-Inab (Grape leaves).

3.      Shopping on Kensington High Street

I could wander around High Street Kensington all day and probably never get bored. There’s tons of shopping, bars, and restaurants. It’s always fun, always busy, and full of amazing memories for me. Some of my favorite High Street shops include: Accessorize, H&M, Monsoon, Oasis, French Connection, Aldo, and so much more.

4.      High Tea at The Cadogan Hotel

High tea is one of my favorite British traditions. It was a popular choice when I lived in London because the sandwiches, tea, and pastries were pretty much unlimited—perfect for a college student’s budget. High tea became a tradition to celebrate birthdays and engagements. The Cadogan is an elegant boutique hotel in Chelsea that’s also known for the fact that Oscar Wilde was arrested there.

5.      London Nightlife

The amazing nightlife is definitely one of my favorite things about London. I spent many of my university years dancing in clubs and hanging out at fun bars. It’s a great chance to get dressed up and have an adventurous night. Some of my favorite London bars and clubs include: Aura, No 5 Cavendish Square, Trader Vic’s, Long Bar at The Sanderson Hotel, Chinawhite, Beach Blanket Babylon, and Whisky Mist at Zeta.

6.      Seeing a Musical

I love going to musicals in London. The theater scene is amazing and you can often get good deals on tickets in Leicester Square. Some of my favorite musicals include: Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, and We Will Rock You.

7.      Going to Harrods

Harrods is an experience. I was lucky to live within walking distance to the amazing store and spent a ton of time there. The fashion is AMAZING. My friends and I would go and try on dresses and jewelry, our own version of dress-up. The food is also incredible. The Harrods Food Hall is basically an entire floor of almost every food you can think of. A personal favorite of mine was always going to Krispy Kreme at Harrods. We would sit on the steps outside and eat donuts. It’s such a fun memory.

8.      Art at the National Gallery and the V&A Museum

The National Gallery and the Victoria & Albert Museum are my two favorite museums in London. The collections in both are amazing. I love wandering through them. It’s an inexpensive and fun experience.

9.      Going to Buckingham Palace

I love Buckingham Palace. During the summer months you can tour the palace when the Queen isn’t in residence. There’s something about standing in front of Buckingham Palace that really makes the experience of being in London so special. It’s a must-see!

10.  Going to the Palace of Westminster

Like my heroine, Maggie, I love politics. There was something so special about being at the Houses of Parliament. I took a class on British politics in university and I was fortunate enough to spend time in the Houses of Parliament. It was such a cool experience and really made me feel like I was in the heart of British power and politics.

Have you been to London? What are some of your favorite things to do? If you haven’t been, where would you like to go? Please share in the comments!

BOOK BUY LINKS: 

Amazon  

Barnes & Noble  

iTunes   

Harlequin   

GOODREADS 

AUTHOR BIO: 
Originally a Florida girl, at seventeen Chanel moved to London to attend an international university.  In the four years that followed, she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, learned how to dance, travelled through Europe, and made lifelong friendships.  Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever.  But fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise, when an American fighter pilot with smooth dance moves, swept her off her feet.
Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure in South Korea.  An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she is happiest curled up with a book.  She has a weakness for handbags, puppy cuddles, and her fighter pilot husband.  Chanel writes New Adult contemporary romances and Young Adult thrillers.  Her New Adult debut, I SEE LONDON, will be released by Harlequin (HQN) on February 3, 2014, followed by a sequel, LONDON FALLING, later in the year.

AUTHOR LINKS: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads   

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

YA-RWA Contest: The Rosemary, coming in March!

Exciting news! The YA chapter of Romance Writers is launching a YA contest, and it is NOT specific to romance!

The YARWA Chapter is proud to announce the Rosemary Contest, the only RWA contest specifically for YA writers in all genres. 

Final round judges will be two editors and an agent in each of the following categories:

• New Adult 
• YA Contemporary 
• YA Historical 
• YA Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal 
• YA Fusion (Any YA novel that doesn’t fit into one of the above categories.) 

Romantic Elements in the novel are NOT required to enter this contest. 

Eligibility: Authors must not be published or contracted to be published in book-length fiction (40,000 words or more) in the genre of Young Adult Fiction, which for purposes of this contest includes New Adult fiction. 
In addition, any author who has been published but not contracted in their chosen category for a minimum of five (5) years may also enter this contest. 

Fee: $15 YARWA members/$25 non-members 

This contest will run from March 1 – March 31. Finalists will be announced by June 1 and winners will be announced at the 2014 Day of YA event in San Antonio, TX. 

For a complete list of rules, click here. 

If you have any more general questions on RWA's contests, please let me know in the comments. I have judged entries for my own RWA chapter and for the national Golden Heart award. I've entered contests myself and was awarded first place for a YA manuscript in a chapter contest. 

Please spread the word, especially to New Adult writers since not many contests cater to their genre!

What's Up Wednesday AND Insecure Writer's Group

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly blog hop with other folks on this writing journey. With that aim in mind, if you want to join, visit a few other WUW blogs each week, get to know other writers, and spread the writerly love!

What I've Been Reading

I took Jaime's idea to read a chapter a day through a classic. My choice: Jane Austen's Persuasion. I have to admit, I am having a tough time getting through it. A lot of people love this book, so I will keep on keeping on, but the beginning especially is a bit tedious.

I'm reading a Jill Shalvis book on my ereader. Her books keep being on sale and I keep snapping them up. She's writes contemporary romance, usually with quirky characters in interesting settings. I'm still listening to Longbourn and also reading Amanda Sun's YA contemporary Ink, about an American teen transplanted to Japan.

What I've Been Writing  

I just set writing goals for #WriterRecharge, a writing motivation challenge for February hosted by Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Sara Biren.  I plan to get through draft 2 of my NaNo novel (I'm more than halfway), write an ending, and come up with a list of what needs to be addressed in draft 3.

What Inspires Me Right Now

Reading RWA Golden Heart entries to judge (Romance Writer's national contest for unpublished manuscripts). I entered two manuscripts myself, both YA, so I am ineligible to judge the YA category. I received entries in my last preference category--nine of them. I was hoping for a little variety, but what can you do? So, I was pleasantly surprised when the first entry I read was awesome! It had a great opening with action and a hook. The pacing was great. The writing was really good, which helped given I don't have a lot of experience reading this subgenre. I was so inspired by this unknown author and their very excellent submission. I hope whoever wrote it gets to the finals and eventually to publication. It's hard not to be inspired when you see evidence of a writer doing what we are all trying to do, and succeeds. 

What Else I've Been Up To

Well, more bad weather canceled my Saturday plans, contributed to us ditching watching the Superbowl with friends, and now the Lady Jane's Salon I was planning to go tonight is also canceled. The Lady Jane thing is essentially an excuse to get together with book fans to eat sweet treats and listen to selected authors read excerpts from their book. My local group meets at a chocolate shop every other month.

I'm taking an online course through RWA taught by THE Kelley Armstrong (her urban fantasy book series was just adapted into a SyFy channel show called Bitten). The course covers opening scenes and how to craft a compelling one that hooks. She's using examples from her own work. It's interactive via RWA's webforum, which is pretty cool.

Beginnings are so tough; I rewrite mine all the time. I'm hoping to revisit mine in my current project once I get through my second draft.

Come back Friday for the I See London Blog Tour! The tour includes a $50 Amazon giftcard and London-inspired necklace for a giveaway.

What's up with you this Wednesday?

I've seen this around for ages, but it's my first time posting for Insecure Writer's Support Group! This is a blog hop with a lot of participating blogs, so visit the link to check them out or learn more.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Tonight I'm heading to my in-person critique group (as long as the weather permits! Snow, snow, more snow.) We've been meeting for four or five months now, and I really look forward to sitting down to hash out story details.We submit our pages ahead of time and turn in our in-line text comments in hard copy at the meeting, then discuss.

I'll admit though, it never stops being nerve wracking. Sharing a draft for the first time--yikes. Sometimes what we think is great, isn't. Or what makes sense, doesn't. Our group total is four, which any more would probably be too much. Three of us write YA, one writes New Adult and contemporary romance. We all have different strengths, and it's so interesting what each of us lands on as a critique. After each meeting, my head spins--in a good way! I want to take all the feedback and work in it. I usually TRY to let the feedback sit a few days before returning to my manuscript to tweak.

A strength from our group, besides obviously, the feedback, is I feel like I'm growing as a writer the more I critique. I see what works and what doesn't, and also what is a style choice versus what I would do. I might phrase something different, but I need to be sure my own writing style isn't overtaking someone else's. I'm learning to see bigger picture, and also smaller plot details. Not so much with phrasing and nitpicks--unless the entry is so good that it forces me to nitpick :)

Do you have any writing insecurities on your mind?

#WriterRecharge Challege for February

We'd like to invite you to join us for Writer Recharge 2014, a month-long motivational challenge similar to last summer's Ready. Set. Write! So many of us benefited from setting goals, connecting with other writers, and social media-based accountability. So, hey, let's do it again! Whether you're delighting next to the crackling fireplace of a Shiny New Idea with a warm cup of tea and a sleepy puppy at your feet or spinning out on the ice-covered roads of revisions in an attempt to avoid the snow-packed ditch, we want to write with you! What do you want to accomplish this month? Hit a daily word count? Revise a certain number of pages or chapters each week? Complete a draft by the end of the month? Let's get this party started!

Writer Recharge 2014

Your hosts and cheerleaders: Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Sara Biren

  

The timeline:

• First week of February: Post your goals for the month on your blog, website, or Twitter. Use the hashtag #WriterRecharge. Link your blog post at sarabiren.com.
• Every Monday in February: Update your progress via your blog or twitter. Link your blog posts at Sara's Monday posts.
• Throughout the month: Use the hashtag to connect with other writers, have writing parties, and cheer one another on!
• February 28: Post your final update via your blog or twitter.
• Anyone who uses the hashtag or links their blog posts will be entered to win one of five query or 3-chapter critiques.

Just what I needed! I've already started going through my NaNoWriMo draft from November, but some more specific goals are definitely needed. Here's a rough outline of what I'd like to accomplish this month:

1. Read and score all of my Golden Heart judging entries (I need to do this!).
2. Get through draft 2 of Nano novel SUNSET SUMMER. Write an ending.
3. Organize notes for draft 3 for a targeted approach at changes (draft 2 is not very organized!).
4. Submit next chapter of SUNSET SUMMER for critique group; work in changes.
5. Potentially work in updates to AMELIA (which Agent currently has).

Book Review: The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr

The Lucy Variations
Sara Zarr
YA Contemporary
Published: 2013

image: Goodreads

Sara Zarr is one of my favorite writers of Young Adult Contemporary. I love how her stories unfold in unexpected ways. The Lucy Variations follows that same strategy, with Lucy, a piano prodigy, who quit practicing altogether after a meltdown at a performance.

The heart of the story is family, as with her other books. Lucy walks off stage from a high-profile performance in Europe just moments after her dad, well-meaning, informed her that her grandmother's sudden illness turned fatal. For moths, Lucy hasn't been near a piano. Now, her younger brother is progressing with his own piano career, stepping in line for her failure, just as Lucy stepped in for her mother's failed piano career. Her grandfather is determined to see someone excel and pushes Lucy's brother further into the scene. Lucy herself is intrigued by her brother's new teacher who is young with fresh ideas, and nothing like her former coach.

Parts of this story made me quite uncomfortable, as Lucy begins an escalating fascination with her brother's new coach. They start spending time together, and you just want to reach into the book to tell her to step back, and to smack that hipster piano guy upside the head for dazzling an impressionable teen girl. As mentioned, Zarr does not take this where I expected, and I am glad she steered this in a less sensational route in favor for more nuanced take. Lucy thankfully has a wonderful father figure and a good best friend, even if her friend has (expected) limitations. Her complicated relationship with her mother and grandfather, and how their affection and loyalty ties in with Lucy's own talent and aspirations make this an engaging read.