So this Friday I have been invited to present at my very first writers conference. To say I’m excited would be a disservice to the art of understatement. I’ve wanted to do this for a very long time. I love talking about writing nearly as much as I love the act itself. And I’m beyond thrilled that Sinclair Community College has extended me this invitation. And I want to offer a big thanks to horror-writer extraordinaire Tim Waggoner for suggesting me.
If you live near the Dayton, Ohio area and are interested in attending, here is the session I will be presenting:
Breaking into the Young Adult Market, From Draft to Query:
In this session we will discuss what makes a novel “young adult” and how to engage with the online YA community, including agents and editors. Next, we will finish up with a look at effective query letters. Session will include handouts and some hands-on exercises for developing your pitch.
To find out about the other sessions as well as times, click on Sinclair Writers Workshop2012 Program.
And here’s a link to the online registration for the conference, which at only $25.00 is incredibly affordable. They also will have walk-in registration on Friday.
And finally — just for kicks — here’s a fun newspaper article about the event. Yes, I am thrilled that my name is in the paper, especially for something so fun. You know, as opposed to a crime report or obituary (keeping thing in perspective is my motto).
Happy Writing!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Write Bravely
So this is an old post, but I feel like sharing it again. It might even become an annual thing. Enjoy!
The annual Kentucky Rolex Three Day Event is happening right now in Lexington. It’s four days of the toughest, scariest horseback riding in the United States. But these horses and riders face jump like this:
The annual Kentucky Rolex Three Day Event is happening right now in Lexington. It’s four days of the toughest, scariest horseback riding in the United States. But these horses and riders face jump like this:
Without fear. With the determination that they will get over and move on to the next.
As writers, we need to be the same way. Sending out your work to critique partners, beta readers, and eventually agents and editors is scary, scary business. But you’ve got to face it bravely and head on, determined to get past one hurdle and move on to the next. What have you got to lose?
Oh, and don't go looking for me on the interwebs tomorrow. I'll be in Kentucky, watching it live.
Happy Writing!
***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
UNRAVELING Celebration!
So today, me and a whole bunch of other fabulous people on the blogosphere are all celebrating the release of Unraveling by the lovely and talented debut author Elizabeth Norris. I’m so excited for this book, guys! You can read about it below and enter a chance to win one of two copies.
But first, I’ve chosen this prompt to write about in celebration: "In her blurb for Unraveling, Andrea Cremer describes it as Veronica Mars meets X-Files. Who are your favorite fictional sleuths?”
This one is soooooo easy (although that’s not the reason I chose it, I swear). But my favorite fictional sleuth of all time is Veronica Mars. I just love her. Love, love, love. She’s tough, smart, clever, and best of all — a girl. Don’t get me wrong. I love a whole bunch of male sleuths (Sherlock, Magnum, Angel, Vic Mackey, Castle) but a female sleuth and a teenager to boot is always going to win out in my book.
Now, there’s no way for me to capture the awesomeness that is Veronica Mars in a post like this. You need to just go out and watch it and you’ll understand. But in case you’re looking for a quick glance into some of the fun, I leave you with this link (beware of spoilers, on and make sure you read about Unraveling AND enter the contest before getting lost in the wonderment of VM).
About Unraveling:
Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.
But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.
From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming. You can read the first 90 pages of UNRAVELING here.
About the author:
Elizabeth Norris briefly taught high school English and history before trading the southern California beaches and sunshine for Manhattan's recent snowpocalyptic winter. She harbors dangerous addictions to guacamole, red velvet cupcakes, sushi, and Argo Tea, fortunately not all together. Her first novel, UNRAVELING (Balzer+Bray, April 2012), is the story of one girl’s fight to save her family, her world, and the one boy she never saw coming.
The giveaway.
Fill in the giveaway form for a chance to win one of two copies of UNRAVELING. Open anywhere the Book Depository will ship.
But first, I’ve chosen this prompt to write about in celebration: "In her blurb for Unraveling, Andrea Cremer describes it as Veronica Mars meets X-Files. Who are your favorite fictional sleuths?”
This one is soooooo easy (although that’s not the reason I chose it, I swear). But my favorite fictional sleuth of all time is Veronica Mars. I just love her. Love, love, love. She’s tough, smart, clever, and best of all — a girl. Don’t get me wrong. I love a whole bunch of male sleuths (Sherlock, Magnum, Angel, Vic Mackey, Castle) but a female sleuth and a teenager to boot is always going to win out in my book.
Now, there’s no way for me to capture the awesomeness that is Veronica Mars in a post like this. You need to just go out and watch it and you’ll understand. But in case you’re looking for a quick glance into some of the fun, I leave you with this link (beware of spoilers, on and make sure you read about Unraveling AND enter the contest before getting lost in the wonderment of VM).
About Unraveling:
Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.
But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.
From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming. You can read the first 90 pages of UNRAVELING here.
About the author:
Elizabeth Norris briefly taught high school English and history before trading the southern California beaches and sunshine for Manhattan's recent snowpocalyptic winter. She harbors dangerous addictions to guacamole, red velvet cupcakes, sushi, and Argo Tea, fortunately not all together. Her first novel, UNRAVELING (Balzer+Bray, April 2012), is the story of one girl’s fight to save her family, her world, and the one boy she never saw coming.
The giveaway.
Fill in the giveaway form for a chance to win one of two copies of UNRAVELING. Open anywhere the Book Depository will ship.
Friday, April 20, 2012
The Nightmare Affair Character Peek
I blogged today over at the Lucky 13s, a group of 2013 debut children's books authors,which I'm thrilled to be a part of. So if you want a sneak peek into the MC of THE NIGHTMARE AFFAIR, go check it out: http://goo.gl/V8yVK
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Lucky Seven Meme
So I got tagged for this by my brilliant critique partner and agency sister, Lori M. Lee. Thanks Lori!
The Lucky 7 Meme Rules
********************************************************************************
I alighted onto the field behind a hulking player I recognized as Brian Johnson. Seeing him brought back memories of the first time I ever dream-walked. Not particularly good ones. Nobody thought I’d inherited any Nightmare powers until I woke up one night feeling a hunger no Snickers bar could satisfy. Half-dazed, half-terrified I broke into Brian’s house, climbed on top of him, and found myself in a dream-world populated by naked girls with big boobs. One of them had been a friend of mine. When I caught Brian trying to grope her, I kicked him, not knowing any better.
Yeah, it didn’t end well.
I contemplated giving Brian another kick now for old time’s sake, but I needed him for cover, not trusting Eli wouldn’t spot me again.
********************************************************************************
Now for the tags:
The Lucky 7 Meme Rules
- Go to page 77 of your current MS/WIP
- Go to line 7
- Copy down the next 7 lines--sentences or paragraphs--and post them as they're written. No cheating.
- Tag 7 authors
- Let them know
********************************************************************************
I alighted onto the field behind a hulking player I recognized as Brian Johnson. Seeing him brought back memories of the first time I ever dream-walked. Not particularly good ones. Nobody thought I’d inherited any Nightmare powers until I woke up one night feeling a hunger no Snickers bar could satisfy. Half-dazed, half-terrified I broke into Brian’s house, climbed on top of him, and found myself in a dream-world populated by naked girls with big boobs. One of them had been a friend of mine. When I caught Brian trying to grope her, I kicked him, not knowing any better.
Yeah, it didn’t end well.
I contemplated giving Brian another kick now for old time’s sake, but I needed him for cover, not trusting Eli wouldn’t spot me again.
********************************************************************************
Now for the tags:
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Character Reaction Glossary
And here it is folks, the great glossary of character reactions. There are 88. And guess what? It's just the tip of the iceberg. Doing this was a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy. And good luck with avoiding your crutches! Oh, and if you think of any I missed, just let me know.
***originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
| beamed |
| blew out a breath |
| blinked |
| blushed |
| brushed (as in hands through hair) |
| chuckled |
| clenched (jaw/fists) |
| cocked (head) |
| complained |
| crossed (arms) |
| doubled back |
| exhaled |
| eyebrow tilt |
| eye-rolled |
| eyes widened |
| faltered |
| fidgeted |
| flushed |
| focused |
| folded (arms) |
| froze |
| gasped |
| gazed |
| giggled |
| glanced |
| glared |
| glowered |
| grinned |
| gritted (teeth) |
| groaned |
| grumbled |
| guffawed |
| head tilt |
| heaved a sigh |
| hesitated |
| huffed |
| inhaled |
| jaw dropped |
| laughed |
| leered |
| lip biting |
| locks (eyes on) |
| looked |
| managed |
| moaned |
| mocked |
| mumbled |
| muttered |
| narrowed |
| nodded |
| paled |
| pursed (lips) |
| ran (hand through hair) |
| retorted |
| scoffed |
| scowled |
| scrunched (nose) |
| shifts (gaze, weight) |
| shivered |
| shook (head) |
| shrugged |
| shuddered |
| sighed |
| skates |
| smiled |
| smirked |
| sneered |
| snicker |
| snorted |
| squawked |
| squeaked |
| squealed |
| squinted |
| stared |
| started |
| stepped (back/forward/sideways/closer) |
| stomped |
| swallowed |
| tapped (fingers on table, etc) |
| tapped (foot/toe) |
| took in |
| trembled |
| turned |
| ventured |
| whined |
| whirled |
| whispered |
| wrinkled (forehead/nose) |
***originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there.***
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