Slated for release in January 2010, Kristine Carlson Asselin's first book is entitled Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn: All About the Earth Signs, from Capstone Press. Do your friends call you practical and loyal? Chances are you just might be a Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn. Get all the info you need about these earthy signs. From fashion trends to career matches, you'll find out just what keeps these Earth Signs grounded.
Kris is currently working on her first young adult novel about a teenage girl trying to win a local golf tournament and the heart of her best friend (and fiercest competition).
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Short Synopsis #23 (and counting)
Kate’s been living the sweet life. Her parents own the local golf course, and she gets to play as much golf as she wants all summer long with her best friend Scott. Life can’t get any better, can it? Lately, though, hanging out with Scott has been making Kate’s stomach flutter. And the only problem with that is it’s harder to hold onto the golf club when he’s looking at her – and he always seems to be looking at her.
When Kate finds out that the business is in trouble, she thinks that her status as the only girl to qualify for the State Junior Championship might draw the crowds back to Willow Bend Country Club. Home course advantage should give her the edge she needs to make the cut. But before the tournament can take place, the golf course is vandalized and Scott is accused of the crime.
Can Kate help stop the real vandal from causing more damage before the tournament committee makes the decision to relocate? Or will he drive a wedge (or putter) through the heart of first love?
When Kate finds out that the business is in trouble, she thinks that her status as the only girl to qualify for the State Junior Championship might draw the crowds back to Willow Bend Country Club. Home course advantage should give her the edge she needs to make the cut. But before the tournament can take place, the golf course is vandalized and Scott is accused of the crime.
Can Kate help stop the real vandal from causing more damage before the tournament committee makes the decision to relocate? Or will he drive a wedge (or putter) through the heart of first love?
Friday, August 21, 2009
How's this...
Incorporating suggestions from several people I like and trust...careful, you'll be editing the whole thing soon enough...
Kate loves everything about life on the golf course. Unless her nerves trip her up, she's a better player than most of the boys she knows. When she finds out the tournament to qualify for the State Championship will be at Willow Bend Country Club, she’s psyched; home course advantage should give her a fighting chance. But even at Willow Bend, being the only girl in the field means enduring the taunts and stares of brainless boys. Even the ones who are your friends can be idiots sometimes.
When a rash of vandalism threatens to move the Qualifier to a different course and the boy she loves is accused of the crime, it is up to Kate to discover the real vandal before more damage is done. Can she beat him at his own game and still play her best to get to the States? Or will he drive a wedge (or putter) through the heart of first love?
Kate loves everything about life on the golf course. Unless her nerves trip her up, she's a better player than most of the boys she knows. When she finds out the tournament to qualify for the State Championship will be at Willow Bend Country Club, she’s psyched; home course advantage should give her a fighting chance. But even at Willow Bend, being the only girl in the field means enduring the taunts and stares of brainless boys. Even the ones who are your friends can be idiots sometimes.
When a rash of vandalism threatens to move the Qualifier to a different course and the boy she loves is accused of the crime, it is up to Kate to discover the real vandal before more damage is done. Can she beat him at his own game and still play her best to get to the States? Or will he drive a wedge (or putter) through the heart of first love?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Another effort
If Kate can make it to the State Junior Golf Championship, she thinks the resulting publicity might save the family business; a small golf course in central Massachusetts. When she finds out the tournament to qualify for the States will be at Willow Bend, she’s psyched; home course advantage should give her a fighting chance. But even at home, being the only girl in the field means enduring the taunts and stares of brainless boys. Even the ones who are your friends can be idiots sometimes.
When a grudge held by a rival player threatens to move the Qualifier to a different course and the boy she loves is accused of the crime, it is up to Kate to discover the real vandal before more damage is done. Can she beat him at his own game and still play her best to get to the States? Or will he drive a wedge (or putter) through the heart of first love?
When a grudge held by a rival player threatens to move the Qualifier to a different course and the boy she loves is accused of the crime, it is up to Kate to discover the real vandal before more damage is done. Can she beat him at his own game and still play her best to get to the States? Or will he drive a wedge (or putter) through the heart of first love?
New "hook" paragraph
This exercise is helping me refine my plot. It's hard work narrowing down the plot to just two paragraphs. Try this on for size...
If Kate can qualify for the State Junior Golf Championship, the resulting publicity could mean the difference between success and bankruptcy for Willow Bend Country Club, the small course her family owns. The announcement that Willow Bend will host the qualifying tournament for the States gives Kate the home course advantage that her confidence needs. But even at home, being the only girl in the field means enduring the taunts and stares of brainless boys. Even the ones who are your friends can be idiots sometimes.
When a grudge held by a rival player threatens to have the Qualifier moved to a different golf course and the boy she loves is accused of a crime, it is up to Kate to discover the real vandal before more damage is done. Can she beat him at his own game and still play her best to get to the States? Or will he drive a wedge (or putter) through the heart of first love?
If Kate can qualify for the State Junior Golf Championship, the resulting publicity could mean the difference between success and bankruptcy for Willow Bend Country Club, the small course her family owns. The announcement that Willow Bend will host the qualifying tournament for the States gives Kate the home course advantage that her confidence needs. But even at home, being the only girl in the field means enduring the taunts and stares of brainless boys. Even the ones who are your friends can be idiots sometimes.
When a grudge held by a rival player threatens to have the Qualifier moved to a different golf course and the boy she loves is accused of a crime, it is up to Kate to discover the real vandal before more damage is done. Can she beat him at his own game and still play her best to get to the States? Or will he drive a wedge (or putter) through the heart of first love?
Friday, August 14, 2009
Earth Signs
I'm so excited! I got the preliminary layout for Taurus, Virgo, & Capricorn: All About the Earth Signs from my editor last night! It looks amazing!
My name is right on the cover!!
As a work-for-hire project, there were a few changes made by the publisher. But, I'm very happy with the outcome. My first published book!! Well, almost published anyway...
I'm not sure when it will be out "for real", but I'll be sure to post as soon as I know.
Whoo-hoo!
My name is right on the cover!!
As a work-for-hire project, there were a few changes made by the publisher. But, I'm very happy with the outcome. My first published book!! Well, almost published anyway...
I'm not sure when it will be out "for real", but I'll be sure to post as soon as I know.
Whoo-hoo!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Young Adult?
I spent some time at Barnes and Noble in Nashua yesterday writing in their cafe. After I finished what I was working on, I decided to cruise the YA titles on the shelves. I was expecting to get some inspiration...and I did, sort of.
While there are a lot of great novels on the shelf, there are a lot of really cheesy stuff, too. Lots of dead girls, lots of vampires, etc. And while I like a good vampire book as much as the next person, I discovered I really think there's a place for my little story amongst all those others. There wasn't a lot of 'girls in sports' titles - like zero.
I've been working on my 'hook' sentence. In a nutshell, right now it's:
"Kate struggles as the only girl in her area who plays competitive golf. More than anything, she wants to win the State Championship and prove that she has what it takes to play with the boys. When the boy she loves is framed for vandalizing the golf course her parents own, it's up to Kate to prove his innocence and save the business in the process."
I'm still not 100% sure how proving his innocence saves the business, but I'm working on it! There's also a bad guy, a couple of interesting characters, and hopefully a nice little romance.
While there are a lot of great novels on the shelf, there are a lot of really cheesy stuff, too. Lots of dead girls, lots of vampires, etc. And while I like a good vampire book as much as the next person, I discovered I really think there's a place for my little story amongst all those others. There wasn't a lot of 'girls in sports' titles - like zero.
I've been working on my 'hook' sentence. In a nutshell, right now it's:
"Kate struggles as the only girl in her area who plays competitive golf. More than anything, she wants to win the State Championship and prove that she has what it takes to play with the boys. When the boy she loves is framed for vandalizing the golf course her parents own, it's up to Kate to prove his innocence and save the business in the process."
I'm still not 100% sure how proving his innocence saves the business, but I'm working on it! There's also a bad guy, a couple of interesting characters, and hopefully a nice little romance.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Plot and Structure
Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell and Writing the Breakout Novel: A Workbook by Donald Maass are the two newest additions to my library. I've been reading the Bell book and getting some ideas.
I really need to decide what my character, Kate, wants more: to be the first girl to win the Mass State Junior Golf Championship, or to get the boy. Does she win the tournament on the way to getting the boy? or Vice Versa? Or does she want both, but only get one or the other? Or, neither?
Hopefully the plotting book will help me make some decisions.
I really need to decide what my character, Kate, wants more: to be the first girl to win the Mass State Junior Golf Championship, or to get the boy. Does she win the tournament on the way to getting the boy? or Vice Versa? Or does she want both, but only get one or the other? Or, neither?
Hopefully the plotting book will help me make some decisions.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Novel update
Those of you keeping track of my sidebar will notice that my word count has just dropped significantly. :(
I just made a major decision to chop chop chop a pretty big chunk of what I've already written. I'd made the plot too big, and have decided to simplify my characters lives a bit. I've also come to accept that writing a YA novel means more than 35K words. More like 50K +
Back the drawing board. Now, where did I leave that board?
Anyone have any teen angst I can borrow?
I just made a major decision to chop chop chop a pretty big chunk of what I've already written. I'd made the plot too big, and have decided to simplify my characters lives a bit. I've also come to accept that writing a YA novel means more than 35K words. More like 50K +
Back the drawing board. Now, where did I leave that board?
Anyone have any teen angst I can borrow?
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