I read someone's blog about multi-tasking this week. I can't remember who...
I've been furiously working on revisions for my YA WIP -- I'm up to Chapter 5 (not very fast I know). And then, suddenly (though not unexpected), the editor I'm working with on a freelance project returned it with revision notes. Screeching halt on the WIP - because paying work comes before unpaid work!
Complete brain twist! Non-fiction fourth grade level very different than "cuspy" YA novel. (Don't know cuspy? Think tween.)
But I'm a writer...and I can multi-task...
Friday, April 9, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Strength in Numbers
It's been so nice to notice my new "followers" this week as a result of Kelly's blog fest. *waves to new followers* Thanks for stopping by!
Kelly did a wonderful thing in bringing a group of unconnected writer's together for support and sharing. Sometimes, it's nice to know that you're not the only one out there. On the other hand, it brings into perspective that there are a lot of us writers out there! Not really competition so much as colleagues.
I've been trying to read all the blogs and all the first pages, but just can't manage everything. What a great opportunity to learn from experienced and not-so-experienced writers and authors. Everyone has something to share!
Kelly did a wonderful thing in bringing a group of unconnected writer's together for support and sharing. Sometimes, it's nice to know that you're not the only one out there. On the other hand, it brings into perspective that there are a lot of us writers out there! Not really competition so much as colleagues.
I've been trying to read all the blogs and all the first pages, but just can't manage everything. What a great opportunity to learn from experienced and not-so-experienced writers and authors. Everyone has something to share!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
First Page Blogfest ala Kelly
I'm joining the party a little late, but I wanted to join Kelly's first page blogfest. For more information and to read the others, see Kelly's Compositions.
Here goes nothing...my first page:
“A girl has never won.” He winked. “Yet.”
Her father's words rang in her head as Kate Anderson inhaled her favorite smells. The scent of freshly mowed grass was the strongest, but with a deep breath she could pick out a hint of the rose hips that grew wild at the property line. She walked to the edge of the tee box and bent to pluck a handful of crab grass. It was easy to pretend it was lush and green, not brown and dry. Coming back to the patch of dirt where the ball sat on wooden tee, she threw the grass into the air. The blades fluttered down gently to her left side. She'd have to adjust her swing to account for the breeze.
No problem.
The wind would be the least of her worries if she wanted to qualify make the cut. No matter what her dad said, there was no chance she could win.
Kate swung the club back and forth a few times to loosen up. The graphite shaft of the driver glinted in the early morning sun. This club was the beauty her dad saved for the best customers, hoping they would plunk down $600 for the privilege of owning one just like it.
She glanced up at the flag waving from the green, teasing her. She looked down at the ball as she brought the club back. In one smooth motion, her body twisted to follow the trajectory of the ball. Her heel came off the ground as the shiny club connected. Kate loved the deep metallic thwang it made. No wonder her dad saved it for the big spenders. The ball soared out across the brook, over the hill that sloped down toward the first green, and landed out of sight.
“And the crowd goes wild!” Kate bowed to her imaginary fans. She couldn’t help smiling as she rested the club on the ground and leaned on it. Maybe, she could qualify for the Championship. “Stupid,” she said a second later, smashing the club on the ground. For a moment she had forgotten she’d have to hit like that in front of people if she didn’t want to go down in flames.
Here goes nothing...my first page:
“A girl has never won.” He winked. “Yet.”
Her father's words rang in her head as Kate Anderson inhaled her favorite smells. The scent of freshly mowed grass was the strongest, but with a deep breath she could pick out a hint of the rose hips that grew wild at the property line. She walked to the edge of the tee box and bent to pluck a handful of crab grass. It was easy to pretend it was lush and green, not brown and dry. Coming back to the patch of dirt where the ball sat on wooden tee, she threw the grass into the air. The blades fluttered down gently to her left side. She'd have to adjust her swing to account for the breeze.
No problem.
The wind would be the least of her worries if she wanted to qualify make the cut. No matter what her dad said, there was no chance she could win.
Kate swung the club back and forth a few times to loosen up. The graphite shaft of the driver glinted in the early morning sun. This club was the beauty her dad saved for the best customers, hoping they would plunk down $600 for the privilege of owning one just like it.
She glanced up at the flag waving from the green, teasing her. She looked down at the ball as she brought the club back. In one smooth motion, her body twisted to follow the trajectory of the ball. Her heel came off the ground as the shiny club connected. Kate loved the deep metallic thwang it made. No wonder her dad saved it for the big spenders. The ball soared out across the brook, over the hill that sloped down toward the first green, and landed out of sight.
“And the crowd goes wild!” Kate bowed to her imaginary fans. She couldn’t help smiling as she rested the club on the ground and leaned on it. Maybe, she could qualify for the Championship. “Stupid,” she said a second later, smashing the club on the ground. For a moment she had forgotten she’d have to hit like that in front of people if she didn’t want to go down in flames.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Organizing my notes
Sometimes it feels good to just get organized.
I printed out critiques today, noted the critter on top, and punched holes. Putting paper in a three-ring-binder feels like progress...even better to stick colored post-its in carefully positioned locations. It looks like progress anyway...
Now, I'm ready to start going through the WIP in orderly fashion, with my super-star critique group's notes.
My goal is to have a penultimate draft by the New England SCBWI in May...
Don't you just love the word penultimate...??
I printed out critiques today, noted the critter on top, and punched holes. Putting paper in a three-ring-binder feels like progress...even better to stick colored post-its in carefully positioned locations. It looks like progress anyway...
Now, I'm ready to start going through the WIP in orderly fashion, with my super-star critique group's notes.
My goal is to have a penultimate draft by the New England SCBWI in May...
Don't you just love the word penultimate...??
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