Old People Writing for Teens, IV

[Sage]

Underneath the ads at the top of the page, there's the blue bar and it says "User CP." That's your control panel. Go there and in the options on the left is "Edit your Signature"

[Stuck In Kansas]

Thanks for the advice, Sage and Melly!

Although I believe I'm the oldest kid in the pool (can't let go of those water wings just yet), I also feel I'm the "greenest" writer amongst y'all. So much to learn.

But, you know something? I wrote in a vacuum for two years. This is the first time I've dared venture out and "talk" to other writers. I learn from you guys. Keep up the on-going tutorial! It's educational and I realize, finally, I'm not alone in my hopes and fears.

Sage! I've said it before, but your cover artwork is stellar! Very evocative. I can only hope my publisher comes up with something half that good.

I wish I had something to link to. I don't. I'm still struggling with the look, theme, etc. of my blog, but it hasn't fired up yet. I also don't want to burn people out with premature early promotion. Geeze, I hate the idea of self-promotion...one of the reasons I bailed on Corporate America (!). I've never been good at trumpeting my own horn. And I'm humble. Kansas, remember?

When I do get something up and running, I'll post it here. Thus far, my publisher hasn't put up squat about me. That's okay. Probably not ready for it yet, really.

Okay! So hot here in Kansas, I've gotta' water down the roof, hose down the dog and toss a couple'a steaks on the sidewalk!

[Smiley0501]

Kansas!

I think you could still blog (I'd follow!) and you don't necessarily have to blog right away with your book. Maybe do a stats post? Like how many queries you sent, rejection numbers, offer to publish...I always like those but just my suggestion.

What is your book about? I love the title!

[Stuck In Kansas]

Hi Smiley!

Yay! I've got one blog reader!

My book started out as a "what if" scenario. I knew that young adult books were huge, but from what I'd read and noticed, there weren't many (any?) books geared towards teen boys. I thought, you know, I would've loved a book to touch me in my high school years, something not geared towards football players, ultra-handsome prom kings, the works.

So, from that spark, the book was born. And the ultimate theme turned about to be about bullying. But, I realized I had to turn it into something relatively entertaining, so I made it a murder mystery with a light paranormal wrapping to further entice.

It's pretty damn much an autobiography. All the bullying events are real. Anything needed updating? My daughter!

The title? Just wanted to mess with people's expectations about a witch character. It was the most iconic name I grasped outta' the air at the time. It stuck.

Okay, I can't blog about my journey to publishing. My first submittal was accepted. I know it sounds impressive, but now? I'm looking back and realizing how damn lucky I was to get accepted. The writing's pretty ripe. I also lucked into a great publisher (apparently one of the only ones) willing to help out new authors. ("Muse-It-Up," folks. They BELIEVE in raw talent.).

Okay, this sounded like it should've been my first blog!

[Dorothy]

Originally Posted by Smiley0501

Dorothy - do you have a cover yet? I'm pretty excited you'll be signing at BEA - that is a BIG DEAL

Yes, I have a cover, but it hasn't been revealed yet. It was originally scheduled to reveal in December/January, but I just found out they might do a mass reveal for a bunch of Month9Books debuts in a few weeks! I'll definitely let you know.

[Stuck In Kansas]

Well, hell, Smiley. I became so excited over the fact I'm going to have one potential blog-reader, I forgot to tell you what the book was about!

In a nutshell: Tex (a Kansas high school sophomore--insecure, socially and physically awkward, bright, big-hearted, sensitive, funny, troublesomely smart-assed--me! Except, um, I'm not a teenage witch), discovers he's a witch. He deals with this revelation along with the daily horrors of high school--bullying, dodgeball, mandatory gym showers, sadistic gym coaches, not fitting into any cliques, and a terrifying, possible romance. Parents are also a big deal. If they're not dead, they're MIA or incapacitated (I know...it's a LOT. But, please keep in mind, this is mostly a true story).

Meanwhile, someone's killing the bullies at Clearwell High. Due to past encounters with a murdered bully, Tex comes under suspicion from the heinous vice principal and a determined homicide detective.

With the help of his small, yet loyal group of outcast friends and a new, surprising mentor, Tex finds himself forced to use his new powers to unveil the murderer, before they become targeted.

Whew. It's a lot, I know.

Dorothy, I'm looking forward to your book. Your tease about the cover--and the cool title--is already piquing my interest.

[Smiley0501]

Wow, Kansas, sounds good. Have you ever read W!tch Eye$ by $c0tt Trac3y? It is also about a teen guy who is a witch (different storyline though). I think you'd enjoy it.

[Stuck In Kansas]

Smiley: I'll check out Witch Eyes! Sounds like it's in my wheelhouse (whatever that means).

Thanks for the rec!

[Sage]

A cat threw up on my writing couch, and I'm totally at a loss for where to work now. I mean, I cleaned it up, but it's still wet from the cleaning.

[nonasuch]

Sage got a hairdryer? If nothing else, it'll give you something to do.

[Sage]

Yeah, I really need a day or two to forget that the cat threw up there too, lol

[Smiley0501]

Blech, kitty throw up. Sorry Sage!

[Parataxis]

Eh, a little cat puke never hurt anybody. Cat pee, now that...

Just kidding. I would suggest turning the cushions over if you can. They won't dry as fast, but it will give you a chance to reclaim your spot for now.

[Stuck In Kansas]

I feel your pain, Sage. My writing couch finally gave up the good fight. My wife insisted on replacing it. Not animal damage, but large posterior damage.

However, the dog has destroyed every other piece of furniture in the house. I think he's bored watching me write.

[JKRowley]

I hate it when my cat pukes on stuff and I have to clean it up. Can you write at a counter, a table, a comfortable chair?

My two week hiatus from my WIP is up. I think two weeks is too long. After the first week, I had some fresh perspective and new ideas. After the second week, I forgot about it and didn't think about it much. Now it will be a struggle to get back into it.

I need another few days too, since I have a book review due. I had the entire afternoon to read the book, but I got distracted by Plants Vs Zombies after 20 pages or so.

[Dorothy]

Originally Posted by Stuck In Kansas

Dorothy, I'm looking forward to your book. Your tease about the cover--and the cool title--is already piquing my interest.

Thanks! I like the sound of your book, too.

Sage, that sucks. Is it out of the question to get it professionally cleaned? At least that way you know every spec and fiber is puke-free. *shudders* Or, you know, throw a towel over the spot. ;-)

And I have an announcement. I will be holding another agent-judged pitch contest on my blog next month. So if you're polishing up your manuscripts, get it done before the third week in August. It's a three-sentence pitch, like last time. Winner gets a full request from lit agent.

[Periwinkle]

Congratulations on your novel, Dorothy! I can't imagine how exciting that must be. What an awesome contest! I wish I had a ms to pitch but I'm far, far from that stage.
Some day....

[Smiley0501]

Dorothy that sounds like an awesome contest... I wish I was around to participate (darn going to Europe for college grad present ). Good luck to those who enter

Seeing the Amazing Spider-Man today! It's supposed to be 100degrees F here, blech.

[Sage]

If more betas get back to me on TM (only one has), it is possible I could do that contest now.

[Sage]

Originally Posted by JKRowley

I hate it when my cat pukes on stuff and I have to clean it up. Can you write at a counter, a table, a comfortable chair?

I was on the guest room futon for a while. We're hosting the in-house cat from my roomie's kennel because they have no power and it's in the 100s, and he's hanging out in there. But I ended up watching Hulu in there, lol. So I moved to the kitchen table for a while, but I can only work there so long before I get restless. Going to the couch downstairs leads me to put in a DVD, so I curled up on the clean half of the writing couch and actually was productive, lol.

[Smiley0501]

Sage I hope you get to enter TM! I think TM sounds like a fun story and I hope it does well (contests, agent-y things, other things).

[Sage]

Thanks, Smiley!

I'm having a problem with "new posts" showing up in my user CP in YA. Not happy about that.

[Dorothy]

Originally Posted by Sage

If more betas get back to me on TM (only one has), it is possible I could do that contest now.

Awesome! I'll cross my fingers for you.

[Sage]

Now two have

In other news, I'm being driven mad by cats

[Sage]

And a second Trouble beta. Today is a beta reading day for me, but when I get back to writing, I have no idea what to work on, lol