Old People Writing for Teens, IV

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Smiley0501

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Bing, I mainly went to TS bc a friend from high school doesn't really go into the city and I wanted him to experience tourist-y things. Then we went to see FLIGHT lol.

Kansas- Cyber hugs here too!! Try posting your query in Query Letter Hell? those guys can be scary but also super helpful. They really kicked my query's butt, but it was all for the better :D
 

Stuck In Kansas

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Hi Smiley and thanks!

Bing (and thanks for the encouragement as well)! I really want bourbon glazed catfish and pecans now. Gah! Can't get that in Kansas. And even though I'm now the cook in the household, it's beyond my abilities (remind me to tell everyone how I butchered Chicken Cordon Bleu some time).
 

Stiger05

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Bing, I think what you have is fine. We mostly talk like regular folks. I'd drop the "g's," and if you want to take it a step further, change some of the "o's" to "a's" as in "ta" instead of "to." Anything that ends in an "er" changes to an "ah" sound. Like "further" would be "furthah."

I would stay away from words like "Sho'nuff." That's mostly the sort of thing you read in books or see on tv, but no one talks like that. We do say "dickens" and "bless his/her heart" (that's really common. Something like "Martha can't cook ta save her life, bless her heart.")

Hope that helps!
 

JKRowley

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I live in the frozen tundra, but the 'sho enough you didn't include sounds old Southern to me. Not sure of the timeline of your story.

Sorry for the rejection, SIK. It stings. After getting a book contract, I thought it would be smooth sailing. I had my share of rejections beforehand and thought I was over the hump. Yeah, that was a pipe dream. I am trying to find an agent to sell my MG novel (and all future novels, if I should dare to dream).

That isn't as easy as I thought it would be. I hear stories from folks published in one of the big 6 houses (or big 5...4?...can't keep track with the mergers lately) who can't sell their sophomore novels.

It doesn't get any easier, unless you make it big like JK Rowling. Her adult novel is on the NYT best seller list for 17 weeks, just because of her name. The novel is getting lukewarm reviews.
 

Stuck In Kansas

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JK! You speak wisdom, you wise person, you. After my first contract, I thought "hey, this it is." Stupid Kansan, stupid. Had no idea someone would say NO after that.

Now, I'm fulla self-doubt and all that nonsense. Wondering if I'm any good at all. I know I'm being ridiculous, but, we writers are a sensitive bunch, ain't we?

My super smart wife tells me I needed a rejection. She says she was worried when I got accepted on my first submission. Some sorta nonsense that I'd coast and get a big head. And I needed battle wounds. Beginning to see a method to "Mrs. Stuck In Kansas's" madness. (Actually, I guess that should be "Dr. Stuck In Kansas.").

But between me and you guys, PLEASE let's not tell her she was right. It happens way too often. I need a win.
 

JKRowley

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Most of the business is not whether you are good or bad, but if your work will sell.

People buy crap all the time. Have you read or heard about 50 Shades of Grey? The writing and editing were atrocious!
 

Stuck In Kansas

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JK! I like you. You're dad-gum smart.

Yeah, I've read tid-bits of the Grey book. It sucks.

I've learned a valuable lesson from it, though. From now on, I'm gonna write zombie porn with an S&M sparkly, doe-eyed vampire as the lead character. I need dog food and beer money.

(But, not really. I mean, I still need dog food and beer money, but I ain't gonna sell out. My writing isn't very commercial--subtle dark suspense--but I don't care.)
 

Dorothy

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Kansas, sorry about the R. But hang in there. I personally like your characters (in Tex) and think you've got a great way with words. I'm still reading (35% in) and am taking my Kindle with me on my train ride to Berlin on Friday, so I should be done this weekend. ;)

Thick skin. That's a writer's battle scar.

Bing, I make my own lumpia (Filipino egg rolls). I buy the wrappers, make my filling, wrap them all, and fry them up. My 100% Filipino mama taught me. ;) Come on over and I'll make you some. ^_^

Okay, it's off to work I go. But just 4 days this week. Like I said, off to Berlin on Friday. Yay!

Have a great day, everyone!
 

Stuck In Kansas

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Thanks for the kind words, Dorothy. Be safe and enjoy Berlin!

It's my first adult thriller that was rejected. And the first book I tried to write third person narrative. It actually was written as a lark. A writing exercise more than anything. A mentor of mine suggested I should submit it. I kinda think it was a mistake to represent myself with this novella (but don't tell her that!).

Well, enough boo-hoo. Hey! We've weathered the election (cough, yah, cough), Black Friday, J.R.'s passing, and the demise of Ho-Ho's. Let's look on the bright side of life. Or I'm gonna start sounding like my mother. And you don't want that.
 

Bing Z

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Thanks Stiger/JKRowley: gonna make working workin'. Not many changes possible but Granny hasn't said much anyway. I'll see if she'll say more, then I may be able to try the bless his/her heart thing or the others.

Kansas: Actually, me, too. But even yelp can't show me where to go for bourbon glazed catfish. Maybe if my book can sell, and can sell lotz & tonz then I can try it locally in the South. And of course I top you in making scrambled eggs Cordon Bleu--only thing I can do Cordon Bleu ^_^

Dorothy: Keep thy word. Stay safe & have a great trip.
 

JKRowley

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Sigh.

I got one of those rejections today, but it was more like a kick in the pants. The agent was kind enough to personalize it. She loved the concept and the story, but the writing didn't inspire her to ask for more.

I have been telling myself the concept is overdone, but I knew in my heart, the prose is not singing. I know it. I hoped it was good enough. It isn't.

Must revise again, but it might have to wait until after NaNoWriMo is over.

Kind of a bad rejection. Your writing sucks! I never claimed to be talented, just determined.
 

justbishop

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Sorry about the rejections, guys :(

Just remember, one man's trash... ;)

I'm feeling blah about writing. Took last week off from my normal writing nights, and I don't think I'm going to get my kid-free day to sit and write tomorrow. I was thinking about sneaking out Wednesday night after dinner to sit at Sbux and get some words down, but now the plan is to go get our Xmas tree. Might have a kid free day on Thursday, and then hopefully my normal Friday night as well. Might still be able to eek out 4k words this week.
 

mellymel

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Smiley, first of all, you are freaking CRAY CRAY to go to TS on BF. WTF were you thinking? haha. second of all, what you should have done was jump on the LIRR and come visit my ass! :D

Kansas, I cannot believe you are just now dealing with your first rejection. Gah! I'm so sorry. They hurt and they suck. Especially the first one. I've accumulated about 130 of them, so they don't hurt so much anymore LOL, but that is the agent level. And from what I hear, it doesn't get any easier at the editor level. Plenty of people I know have snagged an agent quickly (actually had multiple offers) and then the MS died in acquisitions and was trunked. It still hurts. Rejection is rejection is rejection but I can't imagine how it feels to have someone not like your work or to be told the things you were told when it so close to home. Literally. That's got to be really hard putting yourself out there like that. But just remember that people (agents/editors/beta readers etc) are going to read it as just a book and it's not personal to them so try not to take it personal. ((((((((hugs)))))))) And congratulations on getting your R cherry popped! :D As we say in the querying world, REVENGE QUERY!
 

Stuck In Kansas

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Okay.

JK! I feel you, my friend. Stiff upper lip (whatever the hell that means) and all that stuff. We'll weather through our rejections. We will. We'll show 'em. We're gonna' write the CRAP outta stuff, aren't we?

Bishop! Quit it! The blahs don't suit you. Get back in the saddle and write! Dadgummit!

Mel! You make me laugh. I need that now. I know I'm being a HUGE sissy with my first rejection. I got spoiled. My first submission was accepted. I thought, "hey, I'm a BIG EFFIN DEAL writer now, no way anyone's gonna' be hatin' on me." Well. I've been schooled and I was way dumb. My wife friggin' slapped me on the back of the head and yelled, "Get over it! NOW you're a writer!" My wife's so smart (but dont' tell her I said that).

Heads deflating in Kansas. Maybe a good thing.
 

Kewii

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Hey everyone :)

I finished NaNo! Yea. Tomorrow I head off to reward myself with beer and rugby. I can't wait to smack some b----- and chug some beer! Only half kidding.

Hope everyone is having a good Tuesday :)
 

mellymel

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Kewii, CONGRATULATIONS!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE NANOERS!!!! Whether you made the goal or not, you got words down and that is pretty friggin awesome.

Kansas, there is a reason why I drink more wine during the querying process ;) And yes, your wife is a very smart woman! Me likes her a lot and don't even know her :)
 

mellymel

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Hey everyone :)

I finished NaNo! Yea. Tomorrow I head off to reward myself with beer and rugby. I can't wait to smack some b----- and chug some beer! Only half kidding.

Which half? Smacking a b----- or chugging some beer? :p
 

parumpdragon

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@ Stuck In Kansas - rejections alway suck, hugs :Hug2:, and keep your chin up. I have 179 rejection letters thus far, the paper/email pile just shows perseverance ;)

Sigh.

I got one of those rejections today, but it was more like a kick in the pants. The agent was kind enough to personalize it. She loved the concept and the story, but the writing didn't inspire her to ask for more.

I have been telling myself the concept is overdone, but I knew in my heart, the prose is not singing. I know it. I hoped it was good enough. It isn't.

Must revise again, but it might have to wait until after NaNoWriMo is over.

Kind of a bad rejection. Your writing sucks! I never claimed to be talented, just determined.

Huge hugs! :Hug2:

Take it with a grain of salt, it is just one person/agent's opinion.

All you have to be is determined!!! You can always get better at writing, as long as you keep at it. Never give up. :)

:Hug2::Hug2:
 

Stiger05

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JK, sorry about the R. :Hug2: Don't look at it as lack of talent, look at it as that's not the right ms for that agent. If you don't think it was your best, then look at is as motivation to squeeze out the best writing you can. You can do this!

Kewii! Congrats!! You finished with days to spare. Wow.

I'm slogging through the rest of my revisions, and I do mean slogging! I just can't get back in a flow. As long as I can get words on the page, I'm happy for now, I guess.
 

mellymel

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JK (((((((((hugs)))))))))) That hurts. A lot. I am most definitely not a pretty prose writer. It's not my style. I consider myself more of a minimalist writer whose stories focus more on concept, strong/realistic dialogue, and fast pacing. Not every agent is about the prose, so hang in there. (((((((more hugs))))))))
 

JKRowley

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Kewii, congrats on finishing NaNo! Rugby and beer sounds like a great way to let off some steam.

Thanks for the sympathy. I am thankful the agent was kind enough to tell me the problem, because I was worried it was something bigger and not as easily fixed.

Anyone ever do a writing workshop? Know of any good ones? I was looking at the Highlights workshops, but they are pretty expensive (but sound really cool).
 

wampuscat

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I've been MIA for a couple of months now. New job + vacation = stress and lack of free time. It also meant I missed out on NaNo this year. I'm a creature of habit, and I really miss my habit of writing more frequently. I've missed Absolute Write, even though I'm mostly a lurker, but as a lurker, I just thought I should let you all know how inspiring your dedication is, even for people who you may not even interact with much.

I hope everyone here is well and writing wonderful things and having a happy holiday season.
 

justbishop

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Bishop! Quit it! The blahs don't suit you. Get back in the saddle and write! Dadgummit!

I know, I know! I have knitting group tonight and Xmas tree shopping tomorrow night, but I might be kid-free Thursday day. If so, the goal will be 2k words then, with my usual 2k word goal on Friday night, which is definitely a go unless something strange happens.
 

mellymel

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Aww, thanks Wampuscat! Nice to see you have de-lurked yourself. Hope you have settled in with the new job and can get back into your writing!
 

parumpdragon

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I've been MIA for a couple of months now. New job + vacation = stress and lack of free time. It also meant I missed out on NaNo this year. I'm a creature of habit, and I really miss my habit of writing more frequently. I've missed Absolute Write, even though I'm mostly a lurker, but as a lurker, I just thought I should let you all know how inspiring your dedication is, even for people who you may not even interact with much.

I hope everyone here is well and writing wonderful things and having a happy holiday season.

Happy Holidays to you too :hi: and I am getting into trouble and writing 2 books at once :/ Hmm...

Hope you have some time and delurk more often ;)

I know, I know! I have knitting group tonight and Xmas tree shopping tomorrow night, but I might be kid-free Thursday day. If so, the goal will be 2k words then, with my usual 2k word goal on Friday night, which is definitely a go unless something strange happens.

You can do it ;)
 
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