Have you ever been to a pitch appointment at a writers’ conference? Were you disappointed when the agent or editor mentioned you needed a completed manuscript before they’d take your book idea seriously? Well, agent Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency recently blogged about the possibility of eliminating this situation. She feels if there’s an alternative to the original pitch appointment, something made for writers who haven’t finished their book yet, both writers and agents (or editors) can walk away with integrity. The way the system is presently set up, the agent or editor must act like the villain by rejecting the writer before they read a word he/she has written. Talk about making rejection feel personal.
The alternatives Kristin Nelson and readers of her blog (Pub Rants) have come up with are:
1) Practice pitch session where any writer with an unfinished project may pitch to an agent/editor for feedback (and practice) knowing no sample pages will be requested.
2) Social event with agent/editor where 6 participants meet the agent/editor off-site at a restaurant or lounge for a Q & A roundtable discussion.
3) Coffee Klatch where 5-6 participants have coffee with an agent/editor. This is similar to #2 only it’s on-site.
4) Small roundtable query workshop or opening pages critique, which would be a lot of prep work for the agent/editor.
I believe #1 is a win/win situation because there’s no pressure on the writer to succeed and the agent/editor doesn’t have to worry about rejecting anyone solely because the work isn’t complete. Also, wouldn’t having this as an option open up spaces at pitch appointments for writers who have finished their manuscript? I would hope so.
What do you think? Which alternative would you prefer? Or do you have your own idea?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Dreamin' of Disney
I love Disney World. I’ve been there three times, twice as a kid and once for our honeymoon. Yeah, I know, really romantic. Hey, we had a blast. Well, now the time has come for us to consider taking the twins there this summer. They’ll be four. What do you think? Have you had any experience bringing young children to Disney’s parks? What about on an airplane? How does it work with car seats? I know some people bring them with infants, but our car seats are huge and heavy. What do people do for kids this age? Thanks in advance for your advice.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Never a Good-bye
NFL player Ryan Moats didn’t have the chance to say good-bye to his mother-in-law as she died in a Texas hospital on Thursday. Moats has Officer Powell to thank for that lost opportunity.
When Ryan Moats and his family got word his mother-in-law was dying, they rushed to the hospital to see her. On their way, Moats stopped at a red light, felt it was safe to enter the intersection, and proceeded toward the hospital. Officer Powell witnessed this event and immediately turned on his siren and lights. Moats didn’t stop until he reached the hospital a minute later.
Powell pulled his gun on Moats and his family when they emerged from their SUV. The officer demanded Moats produce a driver’s license and proof of insurance. When Moats replied he didn’t know where the insurance information was and that the officer was welcome to look through the vehicle to locate it himself, Powell refused. Moats explained his mother-in-law was dying and he needed to see her. Powell seemed unaffected by this statement. In fact, when Moats pleaded with Powell for permission to leave, Powell went on a power rant. “I can screw you over. Your attitude will dictate everything that happens,” the officer said. Powell also told Moats he could arrest him for fleeing the scene, have his car towed for lack of proof of insurance, issue a ticket for illegally parking, and haul him to jail for running a red light.
A nurse working at the hospital informed the officer that Moats’ mother-in-law was dying and he needed to see her immediately. Powell still didn’t excuse Moats. Instead he said: “All right. I’m almost done.”
Talk about unreasonable. Even Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle felt Powell’s behavior was embarrassing. Powell is on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
I wouldn’t say Powell should be fired, but his attitude needs some adjustment. Maybe he’s an otherwise good cop, who got caught up in the power of his title. What do you think?
When Ryan Moats and his family got word his mother-in-law was dying, they rushed to the hospital to see her. On their way, Moats stopped at a red light, felt it was safe to enter the intersection, and proceeded toward the hospital. Officer Powell witnessed this event and immediately turned on his siren and lights. Moats didn’t stop until he reached the hospital a minute later.
Powell pulled his gun on Moats and his family when they emerged from their SUV. The officer demanded Moats produce a driver’s license and proof of insurance. When Moats replied he didn’t know where the insurance information was and that the officer was welcome to look through the vehicle to locate it himself, Powell refused. Moats explained his mother-in-law was dying and he needed to see her. Powell seemed unaffected by this statement. In fact, when Moats pleaded with Powell for permission to leave, Powell went on a power rant. “I can screw you over. Your attitude will dictate everything that happens,” the officer said. Powell also told Moats he could arrest him for fleeing the scene, have his car towed for lack of proof of insurance, issue a ticket for illegally parking, and haul him to jail for running a red light.
A nurse working at the hospital informed the officer that Moats’ mother-in-law was dying and he needed to see her immediately. Powell still didn’t excuse Moats. Instead he said: “All right. I’m almost done.”
Talk about unreasonable. Even Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle felt Powell’s behavior was embarrassing. Powell is on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
I wouldn’t say Powell should be fired, but his attitude needs some adjustment. Maybe he’s an otherwise good cop, who got caught up in the power of his title. What do you think?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Stalking Shawn
Forget the balance beam. Olympic gold metal-winning gymnast Shawn Johnson has something more important to worry about… her life. When the seventeen year old sweetheart joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars, she never expected the fearful experience that followed.
Thirty-four year old, Robert O’Ryan of Yullee, Fla., packed his belongings and made his way to California to see Johnson. He claims she had been communicating with him through his TV and with ESP. He believes they’re going to have a baby together and says he’ll be with her “no matter what”. Apparently, his delusional plan included jumping the fence at CBS Studios in L.A., where Dancing with the Stars is filmed. He was caught by security and later arrested upon the discovery of a loaded shotgun and loaded Colt .45 handgun. Johnson memorabilia and love letters to the gymnast were also amongst O’Ryan’s possessions.
A restraining order has been filed against O’Ryan mandating he must stay at least 100 yards from Johnson, her parents, and her Dancing partner, Mark Ballas. O’Ryan has been booked on suspicion of carrying a loaded gun in public and is being held in lieu of $35,000 bail.
Thankfully, this guy didn’t get anywhere near Shawn Johnson. I haven’t been watching Dancing with the Stars, but I would think she’d be able to relax a little more knowing O’Ryan’s in custody, at least for now. Have you been following the show?
Thirty-four year old, Robert O’Ryan of Yullee, Fla., packed his belongings and made his way to California to see Johnson. He claims she had been communicating with him through his TV and with ESP. He believes they’re going to have a baby together and says he’ll be with her “no matter what”. Apparently, his delusional plan included jumping the fence at CBS Studios in L.A., where Dancing with the Stars is filmed. He was caught by security and later arrested upon the discovery of a loaded shotgun and loaded Colt .45 handgun. Johnson memorabilia and love letters to the gymnast were also amongst O’Ryan’s possessions.
A restraining order has been filed against O’Ryan mandating he must stay at least 100 yards from Johnson, her parents, and her Dancing partner, Mark Ballas. O’Ryan has been booked on suspicion of carrying a loaded gun in public and is being held in lieu of $35,000 bail.
Thankfully, this guy didn’t get anywhere near Shawn Johnson. I haven’t been watching Dancing with the Stars, but I would think she’d be able to relax a little more knowing O’Ryan’s in custody, at least for now. Have you been following the show?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Crappy Weather Update
The river was up to 20.56' as of 8:15 AM. The levies will only hold up to 21', so we're getting uncomfortably close. Then, Mother Nature thought she'd put a real spin on the situation by dumping about 6-8" of snow overnight. Like that wasn't enough... the snow is continuing to fall. Big, wet flakes = heavy, heavy snow. Not good.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Flood Update
Well, our town is flooding. The river's at 19.68 as of 9:00 AM. Flood stage was 16'. The levies will hold up to 21', but we're expecting 22'. The flood of the century a few years ago was 23' and that knocked out the whole town. Wonderful!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Floody Hell
Well, folks, I'm not sure how much time I'll have to blog in the next day or so because our town is very near the flood stage. We're watching the river rise as the sky continues to drop a constant pitter patter of rain with nowhere for the water to go. People have been sandbagging all day. Kinda scary.
I'll be back as soon as I can because I have 'lots to say! ;) Wish us luck.
I'll be back as soon as I can because I have 'lots to say! ;) Wish us luck.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Wanted: Writing Time
For the most part, I accept my role as a stay-at-home mom. I love watching the twins grow and learn under my care. With my teacher background, I’m able to occasionally incorporate lessons into play without turning home time into school.
However, there are days, like today, where I morn my writing time. Granted, I understand the importance of my job as a stay-at-home mom, but that doesn’t always fill the void. If you’re a writer and don’t have a chance to write, your whole psyche’s affected. At least, mine is. I become withdrawn, irritable, and consumed with guilt because I SHOULD feel satisfied with my life. I have healthy children and a loving husband, who earns enough to allow me to stay home with the twins. Eventually, I’ll have more time for my career. I realize that, but somehow I still need a writing fix every now and again to get me through this period.
This feeling is hard for a non-writer to understand, which is one reason many writers form support groups. Do you have one?
However, there are days, like today, where I morn my writing time. Granted, I understand the importance of my job as a stay-at-home mom, but that doesn’t always fill the void. If you’re a writer and don’t have a chance to write, your whole psyche’s affected. At least, mine is. I become withdrawn, irritable, and consumed with guilt because I SHOULD feel satisfied with my life. I have healthy children and a loving husband, who earns enough to allow me to stay home with the twins. Eventually, I’ll have more time for my career. I realize that, but somehow I still need a writing fix every now and again to get me through this period.
This feeling is hard for a non-writer to understand, which is one reason many writers form support groups. Do you have one?
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Could've Been Me
Actress Natasha Richardson, wife of Liam Neeson, mother of two, died yesterday of a head injury. What a shocker! Tuesday, at the Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec, Richardson was descending a beginner’s run during a private lesson. Near the bottom of the run, in a section known as “the flats”, the actress took a spill.
Precautions were taken to ensure Richardson’s injury wasn’t serious. The ski instructor called the ski patrol. There was no bleeding or any other signs of external injuries, so Richardson was simply escorted to her room. Believing she was okay, the actress didn’t see a doctor. However, an hour later, Richardson suffered from a headache and her condition deteriorated from there.
I can’t believe such a minor head injury would cause someone’s death. Heck! That could’ve been me. The last time I went downhill skiing was many, many years ago. There’s a reason for that. I liked to go faster than my ability, which caused me to loose control. On our final run, I was going too fast when I jumped a mogul. I flew up in the air and landed on my head. I wasn’t in any pain, but was afraid to move in case I injured my spinal cord, so I waited for help. Not long after, the ski patrol rescued me with a snowmobile and sled. When we reached the bottom of the hill, I felt fine. Luckily, I was.
Precautions were taken to ensure Richardson’s injury wasn’t serious. The ski instructor called the ski patrol. There was no bleeding or any other signs of external injuries, so Richardson was simply escorted to her room. Believing she was okay, the actress didn’t see a doctor. However, an hour later, Richardson suffered from a headache and her condition deteriorated from there.
I can’t believe such a minor head injury would cause someone’s death. Heck! That could’ve been me. The last time I went downhill skiing was many, many years ago. There’s a reason for that. I liked to go faster than my ability, which caused me to loose control. On our final run, I was going too fast when I jumped a mogul. I flew up in the air and landed on my head. I wasn’t in any pain, but was afraid to move in case I injured my spinal cord, so I waited for help. Not long after, the ski patrol rescued me with a snowmobile and sled. When we reached the bottom of the hill, I felt fine. Luckily, I was.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Cheap Homes for Artists
Maybe we should all move to Detroit. Artists are buying home for $100 a pop. Yes, one hundred smack-a-roos. Isn’t that insane? However, it’s a wonderful opportunity for someone who, like an artist, makes money from home. As long as there’s a grocery store nearby, you could survive, right?
Check out Lauri Kubuitsile’s blog to read more about artists moving to Detroit. What do you think? Are you ready to move?
Check out Lauri Kubuitsile’s blog to read more about artists moving to Detroit. What do you think? Are you ready to move?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Romance Writers of America: Should You Join?
When I joined Romance Writers of America, I didn’t understand what I could get out of the membership, except a nice little blurb at the end of my query letter. You know, the one that says: “Member of RWA since 2008”. Apparently, that’s one way to show agents you’re serious about writing or so they say.
Well, a year later, I admit membership to this writers’ group was worth every cent and I haven’t come close to taking full advantage of their programs. Here’s what I’ve gotten as a RWA member: a monthly magazine with interesting articles about the craft, marketing, and more; exposure to other writers in my genre; a list of online writing courses; and a discount on those classes.
Ten to twenty dollars bought a month of training from published authors. Some instructors even critiqued a few pages of their students’ manuscripts. The lessons and feedback showed me reading books on the craft of writing wasn’t enough. In fact, owning roughly a dozen such books only gave me a false sense of security. I wrote two romantic suspense manuscripts and believed I was ready to submit to agents. After taking a couple of courses offered through RWA chapters, I realized my stories needed some work.
I continued to study the craft by taking more online writing courses. I’ve learned how to make my characters three dimensional, how to add conflict to my plots, how to place hooks throughout the story, and much more.
Would I recommend joining RWA? Most definitely, but that’s just me. What do you think? Have you had any good or bad experiences with RWA that you’d like to share?
Well, a year later, I admit membership to this writers’ group was worth every cent and I haven’t come close to taking full advantage of their programs. Here’s what I’ve gotten as a RWA member: a monthly magazine with interesting articles about the craft, marketing, and more; exposure to other writers in my genre; a list of online writing courses; and a discount on those classes.
Ten to twenty dollars bought a month of training from published authors. Some instructors even critiqued a few pages of their students’ manuscripts. The lessons and feedback showed me reading books on the craft of writing wasn’t enough. In fact, owning roughly a dozen such books only gave me a false sense of security. I wrote two romantic suspense manuscripts and believed I was ready to submit to agents. After taking a couple of courses offered through RWA chapters, I realized my stories needed some work.
I continued to study the craft by taking more online writing courses. I’ve learned how to make my characters three dimensional, how to add conflict to my plots, how to place hooks throughout the story, and much more.
Would I recommend joining RWA? Most definitely, but that’s just me. What do you think? Have you had any good or bad experiences with RWA that you’d like to share?
Monday, March 16, 2009
Need Query Help?
Are you struggling with your query letter? Well, here’s something that might help you not only with the writing of the query, but its placement as well. Go to www.agentquery.com This site has been Writer’s Digest’s “Best Website for Writers” four years in a row. Not too shabby and it’s free.
What is agentquery.com and what can this site do for you? Agent Query was designed to help writers research agents on a more current basis than any agent or market book published. Agents send their information, including what they represent, to Agent Query and a profile is set up for them with updates throughout the year. All you have to do is enter the agent’s name in the search box and his/her mini profile will pop up. If you want to read more about them, click on the full profile link beside their name. Some agents have their own websites for which a link will be provided.
You can also do a search for agents based on the genre you write. This way, you’ll have a pack of agent profiles to peruse. Be warned, depending on the genre, you could be looking at profiles for hours. Yeah, it’s that big.
Okay, so now you know who you want to send this baby to, but you still have to write the darn thing. How do you go about producing a query letter that agents will love? Agentquery.com can help you with that as well. Go to the home page. There’s a section on the top left for writers. There you’ll find info about agents in general, how to submit to agents, how to write a query, and more. T
In the middle of the page, there’s a link that says: “Join AQ Connect! Agent Query’s Social Networking Site!” Click and join. Now, you have many options available to you. You can post your query letter and have other writers, Agent Query crew members, and possibly agents read and critique your work. Keep in mind, not everyone is at the same writing level nor do they necessarily know what’s acceptable or expected of your genre. Still, if you get enough feedback, you should be able to come out with a query that’s better than what you had originally written. Hopefully, you’ll be lucky enough to have some excellent feedback (and yes, that can sometimes hurt) so you can develop a powerful query that will leave agents begging for more.
I’ve learned a lot from this site. Not only from the critiques I received, but from the ones I gave. Reading a lot of queries and critiques of those queries can help you learn to identify what’s right and what’s wrong. Eventually, you should be able to apply that knowledge to your own work or so we hope. ;)
Go to www.agentquery.com join their social networking clans, and look around. There are all types of groups, from query letter development, to first page critiques, and more.
What do you think? Have you gone to this site before? Any experiences you want to share? Or do you have another site you’d like to recommend?
What is agentquery.com and what can this site do for you? Agent Query was designed to help writers research agents on a more current basis than any agent or market book published. Agents send their information, including what they represent, to Agent Query and a profile is set up for them with updates throughout the year. All you have to do is enter the agent’s name in the search box and his/her mini profile will pop up. If you want to read more about them, click on the full profile link beside their name. Some agents have their own websites for which a link will be provided.
You can also do a search for agents based on the genre you write. This way, you’ll have a pack of agent profiles to peruse. Be warned, depending on the genre, you could be looking at profiles for hours. Yeah, it’s that big.
Okay, so now you know who you want to send this baby to, but you still have to write the darn thing. How do you go about producing a query letter that agents will love? Agentquery.com can help you with that as well. Go to the home page. There’s a section on the top left for writers. There you’ll find info about agents in general, how to submit to agents, how to write a query, and more. T
In the middle of the page, there’s a link that says: “Join AQ Connect! Agent Query’s Social Networking Site!” Click and join. Now, you have many options available to you. You can post your query letter and have other writers, Agent Query crew members, and possibly agents read and critique your work. Keep in mind, not everyone is at the same writing level nor do they necessarily know what’s acceptable or expected of your genre. Still, if you get enough feedback, you should be able to come out with a query that’s better than what you had originally written. Hopefully, you’ll be lucky enough to have some excellent feedback (and yes, that can sometimes hurt) so you can develop a powerful query that will leave agents begging for more.
I’ve learned a lot from this site. Not only from the critiques I received, but from the ones I gave. Reading a lot of queries and critiques of those queries can help you learn to identify what’s right and what’s wrong. Eventually, you should be able to apply that knowledge to your own work or so we hope. ;)
Go to www.agentquery.com join their social networking clans, and look around. There are all types of groups, from query letter development, to first page critiques, and more.
What do you think? Have you gone to this site before? Any experiences you want to share? Or do you have another site you’d like to recommend?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday the 13th... Do You Believe?
Okay, so it’s Friday the 13th. Some say we should expect bad luck whenever the 13th of a month falls on a Friday. I can’t say this particular superstition has ever affected me, but maybe that’s because I was born June 13. No, it wasn’t a Friday, but still. My birthday occasionally lands on a Friday and nothing big has ever happened, good or bad.
Of course, there are always stories about how horrible or terrific occurrences seem to stem from this crazy date. Some have had two car accidents the same day. Some have set off security alarms by merely exiting a store. And some couldn’t seem to get to work on time, no matter what they did. However, others have encountered the opposite effect where everything on Friday the 13th was a positive experience. Maybe they met their soul mate, won the lottery, or discovered the flight they failed to board ended up in the Hudson.
What about you? Do you believe in the curse of Friday the 13th? Do you have a good or bad story to share about something that occurred on that date?
Of course, there are always stories about how horrible or terrific occurrences seem to stem from this crazy date. Some have had two car accidents the same day. Some have set off security alarms by merely exiting a store. And some couldn’t seem to get to work on time, no matter what they did. However, others have encountered the opposite effect where everything on Friday the 13th was a positive experience. Maybe they met their soul mate, won the lottery, or discovered the flight they failed to board ended up in the Hudson.
What about you? Do you believe in the curse of Friday the 13th? Do you have a good or bad story to share about something that occurred on that date?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Is Jose Baez Double-Dipping?
How can Casey Anthony, an unemployed single mom, whose parents are facing financial hardship, afford her defense attorney and high priced legal experts? That’s the question posed all over the media this morning. There’s speculation her defense attorney, Jose Baez, is double dipping by acting as her lawyer and agent. If this were true and Anthony’s convicted, she could appeal the verdict using conflict of interest as an out. She could claim her attorney was more interested in selling her story than defending her.
Both Casey Anthony and Jose Baez deny any conflict of interest. In a sworn affidavit, Anthony says she believes financial questions have come up because she refused to take a plea bargain for a “crime I did not commit”. She also claims her Retainer Agreement doesn’t give Baez any rights to sell her story or that of her daughter, Caylee Anthony.
When asked about the double dipping, Baez responded: “I have absolutely no book deals or no entertainment deals or any contingency fees of the kind with anyone.” Yet, he won’t disclose who’s paying him for his services on Anthony’s behalf.
There are two ways of looking at this picture. Either Baez is clever and using politician type wording to cover what’s actually going on, or he’s simply protecting his client’s right to privacy. Is he going to surprise us later by admitting to a book contract rather than a book deal? Or state he only signed the agreement for a movie after Anthony was convicted? Hummm… Is Casey Anthony allowing the conflict of interest knowing she’ll benefit with the possibility of appeal? Would she also gain monetarily from a book or movie deal?
Just for fun, what do you believe is really going on?
Both Casey Anthony and Jose Baez deny any conflict of interest. In a sworn affidavit, Anthony says she believes financial questions have come up because she refused to take a plea bargain for a “crime I did not commit”. She also claims her Retainer Agreement doesn’t give Baez any rights to sell her story or that of her daughter, Caylee Anthony.
When asked about the double dipping, Baez responded: “I have absolutely no book deals or no entertainment deals or any contingency fees of the kind with anyone.” Yet, he won’t disclose who’s paying him for his services on Anthony’s behalf.
There are two ways of looking at this picture. Either Baez is clever and using politician type wording to cover what’s actually going on, or he’s simply protecting his client’s right to privacy. Is he going to surprise us later by admitting to a book contract rather than a book deal? Or state he only signed the agreement for a movie after Anthony was convicted? Hummm… Is Casey Anthony allowing the conflict of interest knowing she’ll benefit with the possibility of appeal? Would she also gain monetarily from a book or movie deal?
Just for fun, what do you believe is really going on?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
I'm BAAAAAACK.
Hi there. I realize I've taken quite a bit of time off. During this vacation from blogging, I decided to enjoy life with my young twins and put writing off to the side. Sort of. I did continue to write, but not as frequently.
Now, I'm reworking a romantic suspense manuscript about a home stager and her bodyguard. I had completed the work, but then took a couple of online writing courses and had a few "oops" moments. I had started at the wrong place, had too many POV characters, and needed to develop my understanding of the craft. As you can imagine, this was all a little overwhelming.
So, what did I do? I joined Romance Writers of America, got involved in a wonderful critique group, and continued to take courses about writing. Thank goodness, I did all of this before I had sent anything out. Rejection would've been a lot more difficult to accept at that point. After having my work shredded by my critique group members and instructors from certain courses, I grew a thick skin. I hope I'm tough enough to get through real rejections, but I'm not ready to query yet, so I still have some time. I'm in the very early stages of the novel, around 70 pages. UGH! Yeah, I have a lot of work ahead of me. That's okay. I'm up for the challenge, but am not pressuring myself. I still have limited time to write, so the work will get done when I have a chance. Eventually, the twins will be in school full time and that will be MY true beginning. Unless I surprise myself before then. ;)
Do you have any writing advice you'd like to share?
Now, I'm reworking a romantic suspense manuscript about a home stager and her bodyguard. I had completed the work, but then took a couple of online writing courses and had a few "oops" moments. I had started at the wrong place, had too many POV characters, and needed to develop my understanding of the craft. As you can imagine, this was all a little overwhelming.
So, what did I do? I joined Romance Writers of America, got involved in a wonderful critique group, and continued to take courses about writing. Thank goodness, I did all of this before I had sent anything out. Rejection would've been a lot more difficult to accept at that point. After having my work shredded by my critique group members and instructors from certain courses, I grew a thick skin. I hope I'm tough enough to get through real rejections, but I'm not ready to query yet, so I still have some time. I'm in the very early stages of the novel, around 70 pages. UGH! Yeah, I have a lot of work ahead of me. That's okay. I'm up for the challenge, but am not pressuring myself. I still have limited time to write, so the work will get done when I have a chance. Eventually, the twins will be in school full time and that will be MY true beginning. Unless I surprise myself before then. ;)
Do you have any writing advice you'd like to share?
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