Monday, April 18, 2011

You've Finished Your Novel! Now What?

So you've finished slaving over your novel and now you have no clue what to do.  I've been there. I'm there right now!  As I find myself done with my revisions and am now sending my new chapters out to be edited; I have nothing to do right?  Wrong!

Writing is never just finished! Sure, one novel can be complete; but your next one is just itching to be put on paper.  As soon as you finish writing, querying, and start your waiting; it is now time to start your next great American novel!

I have three, (that's right! Three,) novels in the works just to keep my creative juices rolling! And that is my advice to you. Once you are finished with one project then it is time to start on the next.  For a writers job is never done!

Happy writing!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Query Time!

As of last week, I have finished the revision of my very first novel.  What does that mean?  That's right!  It's query time!  I was lucky enough to be one of 5 winners of Shelly Watters' critique part of her wonderful contest that she hosted; and while I am waiting on her critique, I decided to write this blog and also gather things that will help in the querying process.


Writing a query is not the easiest thing to do.  I've written mine many times and I'm still not sure if it's good enough to catch an agent's attention.  In fact, I'm not sure if anybody truly knows until they are picked up by an agent who just loves what they are reading.  I can only hope that I have gotten it right.


When writing my query, I researched samples and how to's so I would have a shot of getting it right.  What I've realized is that it's a hit and miss kind of thing.  It takes some finesse and critiques to get it just right.  Truly, I do not believe that anyone has written the perfect query on their first time.  If they have, I would love to know their secret!


So now as I get ready to start the querying process I find myself making lists of agents/agencies that are looking for my novel's genre.  That is something that I recommend doing.  That way you can research them and make sure that they are exactly what you are looking for and that you are exactly what they are looking for.


I hope that this post has helped somebody in some way in the querying process.  Since this is my first time doing it; I am sure I have a lot to learn & I will pass my experiences along.  I'm sure that some will get you a good laugh!  Now happy writing and querying! :)

Friday, April 1, 2011

Epic Follower Blogfest/Contest: 140 Character Twitter Pitch

POST EDITED!


After all of the critiques that I have received & a good nights rest; I have finally written a pitch  or two that I'm happy with & love. Thank you all for the helpful hints & comments! :)



So in an earlier post I mentioned that I was entering Shelly Watters' awesome contest.  Well...today is the the day to post my 140 character pitch entry!  I've worked long & hard to make this be the best that it can be.  I've even slaved over my novel just to revise things that make me a little...nervous so IT is worthy of the grand prize.

I made sure that my entry is 140 characters or less by using twitlonger.  I found that it was an easy way to make sure that I didn't go over the limit.

Please comment or suggest anything you would like.  I'll accept any help that makes this be the best that it can possibly be!

After a few comments; I have rewritten my pitch.  You can still find the old ones from before.  I have answered/said everything that I can without giving too much away.  I hope that you enjoy it!  Thanks for all of your comments! :)

Made more revisions & I thank you all for the help! Below is TWO different versions of the pitch. Please tell me which one you like better! Thanks for the help guys!! :)

So now for your reading pleasure...I give you....my entry! (Dramatic enough? LOL!)

Title: The Demon Chronicles: The Black Light Of Purity
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Romance






We have a winner!!  With the help of Brenda Drake I was able to write what I believe is a really good pitch! 







#1: When Taisie moves to a new town, she finds not everyone is human, not even her. & to survive, she must embrace her soul's powers & past.


#2: When Taisie moves to a new town, she learns that not everyone is human, not even her, & only with her new powers can she stop an apocalypse.






Old pitches round #3:

#1: Not another vampire book. Taisie finds that some people aren't human; not even her. & together with her friends she must stop an evil force.


OR


#2: Taisie moves to a new town after her mom dies & finds that not everyone is human; even her. & with her friends she must stop an evil force.


After a friends helpful suggestions; we have a new pitch to consider! Sorry there's so many!


#3: 16yr old Taisie moves to a new town & finds not everybody's human; even her. & with her friends she must stop an evil foe that's after her.











Old pitches round #2:

#1: After Taisie's mom dies, she moves to a new town where nobody's what they seem, evil is seductive, & she's forced to save the one she loves.

#2: After Taisie's mom dies, she moves to a new town where nobody's what they seem, evil is seductive, & she's forced to save them all.


#3: Taisie moves to a new town & finds that nobody's what they seem, she is pursued by an evil force, & that she is the key to save them all.


#4: After Taisie's mom dies, she moves to a new town where nobody's what they seem, she is pursued by an evil force, & she must save them all.


#5: After Taisie moves to a new town where nobody's what they seem, she is pursued by an evil force & she must save the ones that she loves.



Old pitches:
#1: Taisie moves to a new town where secrets surround her, evil is seductive, & she is forced to make a choice that affects everyone...even her.

#2: When Taisie's mom dies, she moves to Isabel where nobody is what they seem, evil is seductive & she must make a life or death choice.



To fill everyone in on Taisie. She is a sixteen year old girl in my novel. If that helps anybody with imagining what the sentence is talking about! Thanks once again for the comments & help! :)