Tag: Writing

First Author Reading

Over the weekend, I attended ICON. I enjoyed masquerading as my author self and a friend suggested I sign up to read. Two slots were open; I was the only one to volunteer.

Questions circled my mind immediately. “What do I read?” “Who will show up?” “Will they be interested in someone they haven’t heard of and isn’t advertised?”

The answer to the last question is yes, if attendees know what you’re attempting and when. The answer to the second depends on what conflicts with the reading. The first question occupied me the most, other than the nervousness accompanying any new venture.

I chose to read my published anthology story, “Qui’s Contract.” Other than that, I’m extremely excited about my current project, an unnamed-as-yet young adult novel. I wrote a short story about it this summer called “Spider Dreams.” Since my segment lasted half an hour, I timed these two pieces and found I could read both with time for questions at the end.

I can’t say I packed the house, but my audience seemed to enjoy the reading. Some even stayed to ask questions. I’m excited to do it again, even following someone as distinguished as Alan M. Clark. His excerpt from an upcoming novel about D. D. Murphy, Secret Policeman, was imaginative and engaging.

I hope my listeners felt the same way about mine.

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Midnight Hours Blog Tour

http://4rvpublishingllc.com/ has the schedule for this blog tour, beginning today and running through the week.

This book is written by Vivian Zabel. I read the short story that she wrote first, and it’s pretty amazing. The first stop is on Holly’s site, which gives a great premise and an author interview. She’s also planning a sequel, Darkest Before Dawn. Have to stay tuned for details!

One lucky winner this week will win an Amazon gift card.

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The Final Edits

I got the final revision notes back from my publisher for The Art of Science. I was so excited I went through them in record time. All that I have left is to create the study guide, and I’m feeling really good about the book right now.

The study guide causes me a bit of anxiety since I’ve never done anything like that before. Luckily I have some guidance and a book or two with examples. It’s hard for me to imagine my book being used in a classroom and having it discussed, but the possibility exists and is much more likely with an included study guide.

I also heard my book is on the illustrator’s schedule. Still on track to be published early 2009 so far!

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Writer Groups

I have recently moved into a new home and a new city. With this change I’m also trying a career shift from engineering to writing.

It’s been a big change to stay home all day and take care of the house. I don’t work outside the home, but that doesn’t mean I don’t work. I’d love to spend eight hours a day writing, but I am often distracted by household chores. When you don’t leave the home, it’s not easy to log the kind of time you’d like doing one specific task.

The other thing about the new city is I can find writer’s groups! It is no longer an hour drive to the nearest town large enough to host some writers with similar interests, and I am finding it a joy to be around so many like-minded people. The drawback is I can’t join them all, no matter how much I like the people.

Recently I visited the Iowa Romance Novelists. Through them, I have a lead on a critique group and I also met one of the ladies from Penwomen. This week I researched a Children’s Writing Group (SCBWI) and I’ve been in contact with a couple of their members, too. They all have so many different benefits and activities through the year. I find it difficult not to overextend myself and try to do them all. (Always a bad idea!)

P.S. Holly gave some great advice about picture books in her last comment. It’s a shift in perception of the book I think it will take me some time to accomplish. Thank you!

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Trockle Blog Tour…

Sept 19 stops:
Beverly Stowe McClure
Beverly’s Other Blog
I think I like blogspot better since you don’t have to be a member of their network to post a comment, but the squirrel-monster comment line on the other one is more amusing.

Joyce Anthony has today and two more days left at her blog to explore Trockle, and on Sept 21 the last stop is Karen Syed.

How many ways are there to look at a picture book? Seems like there are as many as people to start looking at it. I find it easier to write for children a little older so far, or for adults. The more I’m looking at picture books by my publisher, the more I want to write one on my own. It’s a challenge in my head to put the right pictures with the words; an illustrator makes the pictures, but there needs to be enough information for her to manage that. Maybe one day, but probably not today.

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My New Blog and Trockle

I’ve been inspired to start a blog for my publishing journey, partly by the Trockle blog tour.

Trockle is a picture book out by 4RV Publishing LLC written by Holly Jahangiri and illustrated by Jordan M. Vinyard. I’ve visited each stop on the tour and I’ve learned a lot about the book from their posts and all of them have a different perspective to keep things interesting. The more I read about this book, the more I want it in my library. (And I have a library in my new home!)

Yesterday I won a Trockle tote bag. Every stop on the blog tour has a drawing for those who comment. Today’s stops include the blogs of Lea Schizas and Ian Williamson.

So, in this blog I hope you can learn more about me, my writing, and some of my writer friends on the publishing journey. My first novel is due out with 4RV Publishing LLC in early 2009 and I’ll be on my own blog tour. I’ve been told a lot of things when I said my dream was to become a published author – that getting published is difficult. No one thinks to tell you about the rest until you get there.

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