ABNA 2nd Round, Here I Come

2012 is my first year entering the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award–I told myself I would be happy with the results if I made it past the first round. Lucky for me, Sidhe’s Call has made it past the initial round of 5K entries being cut to 1k–all judged based on the pitch (similar to a query). Thankfully, I had some amazing friends help edit my original pitch, and I have to give them some credit for my idea making it to the second round of judging, but from here on out, it’s all about the MS.

 

Now my work heads to the second round where 1k entries will be cut to 250–1/4 chance of making it to the next round. This time, my 5k word excerpt will be judged against the other thousand young adult novel entries–which makes me a bit nervous. But I’ve made it this far, right?

 

Reflecting on the process reminds me of how frustrating the writing business can be for those of us aspiring to share our art. However, all writers must take their small achievements in stride and let it feed the beast that continues to wake up early with cloudy eyes and a swimming head to write a few words on the page. I am amazed at the tenacity of writers who are constantly rejected but still manage to pull it together and keep pursuing their passion.

 

So for now, I will celebrate this tiny victory and wait for my future rejection–and I am not saying that as a pessimist who does not believe in herself. I consider myself more of a realist who weighs the odds and lives with her toes dug into the sand. After all, I’ve always tried to live by the idea of hope for the best but expect the worst because then when good things happen, one cannot help but be ecstatic.

Value of the Written Word

My husband and I were in bed the other night, watching another enthralling episode of Storage Wars–yes, I watch such reality tv once in a while, and I happen to agree with someone else who said they watched it and could not figure out why they liked it so much–when one of the buyers came across some old books. I was busy chuckling as the appraiser to whom he took the books started pulling out old textbooks from the early 1900s and telling the guy they were worthless. Duh, was my first response. I don’t think there is much of a market for outdated college Biology books, but maybe that’s just me. I suppose if someone wanted to decorate an office with books they have never read and never intend to read, then that would work, but people like that annoy me.

As the appraiser continues through the box, he’s totalled about $14 worth of books. Then he comes across a book identical to one which I picked up at a Nampa used book store for $9.99. A First Edition A Farewell to Arms. No sleeve or signature, but still a first edition. The value? About $200. This was kind of like an Antiques Roadshow moment for me, so I turned to my husband–who hates when I “collect” things–and said, “See? That’s the same exact book I have!” Without even batting an eye he replied, “Then why don’t you go sell it?” I’d only thought of selling the book back when I first bought it a few years ago, but how could I give up such a find, especially when it’s one of my favorite books from one of my favorite authors?

So this had me thinking of the real price we put on books–those meant to educate, entertain, or question the status quo. There is such power in words that cannot be fully explained unless you have truly experienced reading or writing something which has changed a bit of your self. That is the true value of the written word.

Hidden Sidhe

After a lazy morning of sipping Pero, eating a couple of old-fashioned donuts, and feeling the baby kick, I decided to put the final touches on book number two in The Keening Trilogy. Yes, I had planned on releasing book two right around Christmas, but I simply could not finish the edits needed in time. With that now finished, I have uploaded the ms, which is currently awaiting review with amazon. However, it should be ready for purchase within the next few days–at least the e-book version. Print will take a bit longer due to the approval process, but I will update all fans as soon as I know the book is available in paperback.

So, what else am I busy with this week? Besides the everyday stresses of educating over one-hundred teens, I am also preparing to enter book one, Sidhe’s Call, into the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

See my page on current projects/books to read a brief description of Hidden Sidhe and view the cover!

50k Later

Thankfully it is not midnight, and I have completed my 50,000 word goal for nanowrimo. If you do not know what that is, then shame on you! Now go to nanowrimo.org to figure it out.

While book number three is still in the works, I was still able to pump out a first draft of 80% of the third book in the Keening Trilogy. I have a lot of editing ahead of me, but with time this upcoming new year, I am hoping to finish up the third book for publication in the spring.

I cannot explain how much I love my new characters in book three, and the idea of letting them go was difficult. I have not reached that part with my beloved Morgan and Aidan, but I know that their stories are also coming to an end. It truly is like having a funeral… where are those damn potatoes?

Congratulations to all other Nanoers out there–I know what you have been through and what you will continue to experience with your writing. Do not give up on the dream. Keep typing until you bleed!

NANO NANO NANO

Well, it is that time of year, and I am not talking about department stores playing Christmas music before the Thanksgiving holiday. It’s National Novel Writing Month (aka NANO)! I have participated in NANO during previous years, but last year I took a break to work on editing and rewriting Sidhe’s Call. It was a much-needed break from the craziness that is the month of furious writing.

With book two in the Keening Trilogy, Hidden Sidhe, out for editing with my best editors, I decided that it would be an excellent year to jump back into the mayhem. Besides, my writing group gals are highly competitive and made me want to kick their butts (or at least write a ton while trying).

So, for NANO 2011, I am working on the third book in the Keening Trilogy, momentarily titled Rising Sidhe. By the end, I will most likely rename the third and final book in the Sidhe tales, but it works for now to have a working title.

This year has been much easier to write than previous years. I believe this has to be due to my investment in the series, previously built characters and world, and the drive to finish the trilogy. While I am not currently writing any pages that use the old characters, the world and ideas are so familiar and exciting that I find myself writing whole chapters with ease. I know this is a bit braggadocious, but I have to express how pleased I am with the process!

In my other years when I have participated, I did not finish the books which I started with NANO. I may have reached the 50k word mark, but I left the books on my flash drive, waiting for another day and another time of inspiration. I have not given up on those pieces. In fact, some of them still nag at me to get back to them, but it is great to have a year where I know where I am going and have an end goal in mind. This year will not be a throw away book!

My hope is that all of my loyal fans are excited to hear the news about book three! Book two will be released in December, so be on the look for a preview of the cover art and an excerpt prior to release.

Happy writing! Happy Thanksgiving! I am truly grateful for all of my many blessings.

It’s That Time of Year… when the ghouls come to call

Ever since I was a little girl, digging through old dress-ups to try to create a new costume masterpiece, I’ve loved Halloween. It was a time to run through the neighborhood with my dirty pillowcase and squeal with delight when the “Awesome House” handed out full-sized candy bars.

How many times did my sister and I use our mom’s old silky, see-through curtains to make ourselves into gypsies? Several. And the roller skating girl in the red corduroy skirt (which was the same skirt used for a country girl on a previous year)? More than I like to admit. But even though my parents did not buy us costumes, my sister and I had to be supremely creative with our costumes. We didn’t have much to work with during the time when my dad lost his job–and those seem to be the Halloweens I remember the most.

Going back to my childhood, I suppose it makes sense that I love seeing well-planned costumes that show the wearer’s creative spirit. I love the cute little kids who have no idea what they are even wearing and can barely walk up to the door. And I especially love being a bit creepy and scary for one night out of the year (my students may disagree with that and say every day is like that).

I am not one who is easily frightened, and I love a good horror movie… especially ones with zombies. But I can recall one of the few times that I would be scared on Halloween was when my troupe of friends and I would come across a group of much older and much more frightening kids. I would swear to myself that the boy in the skeleton mask was hiding a knife, waiting to cut open the bag of my pillowcase full of candy so he could steal my loot for himself.

Did it ever happen in the years I wandered parentless on Halloween night? Nope. And, miracle of miracles, we were never maimed, attacked, enticed into a scary van, or given candy with razor blades or poison.

In fact, my friends and I loved stopping at one particular lady’s house. She was older and lived alone, but she would hand out her homemade caramel popcorn balls wrapped in Saran Wrap. The popcorn balls were delectable, and we would try to save them until we made it home to sort them with the rest of our treasure. Once home, my sister and I would dump out our candy, carefully sorting the candy into piles–same candy bars together, and then to my left would be chocolatey candies and on my right would be fruity ones.

That candy would last us weeks. We would wolf down several pieces on Halloween night, but then we would keep the rest squirreled away for our sweet tooths.

Some people I know don’t like Halloween, and I have to wonder if they just had horrific experiences as a kid or if they never had the type of experiences I had with the holiday.

So, here’s my new Hallow’s Eve challenge: let loose. Have a little fun. Scare a kid who comes to your door. Be the crazy lady who hands out pennies or boxes of raisins. Put a fake knife on your head when you answer the door. Splurge on full-sized candy bars for the ten kids in your neighborhood who still go around on Halloween. Whatever it is, help make that memory come true for someone else.

Have a creeptastic Halloween!

Lyrical Interview

Christy G. Thomas Interview-Lyrical Brown
Check out my latest interview with the amazing Lyrical Brown. Go to her blog for the scoop, and also read some of the other stunning reviews and interviews.