I'm always excited and nervous leading up to the Authors Fair at Bob's Beach Books because I'm afraid I'll get there and won't have anybody interested in purchasing any of my books. I've been spreading the word for a while now, and have some friends that I know are for sure going, and others that said they'll try to make it or tell their loved one about it who is now a fan of my work. I've been trying to promote it all month long at least. I just hope the weather turns out to be really nice, and nothing like the reports leading up to Saturday are expecting it to be.
Of course I'll be spending the night once again at my co-author's place since we have to leave pretty early in the morning to make it to the event. That will save her some on gas not having to swing by my place to get me. I'll be getting my stuff around for that as well. I'll be charging my camera battery tonight, pack my notebook and a pen ahead of time, and what not.
I haven't had anything new on the writing front this week, but maybe I'll be inspired while peddling my wares. I've written new poems at the event before, so it could happen again.
Updated 8/24 at 1 PM
I just got my books packed up for tomorrow to take with me to my friend's house. I still have some essential sleepover items to pack, but I'll do that after I have some lunch. I did print out the last chapter I wrote in "The Shepherdess Princess" to take with me, and I'm bringing along my poetry notebook in case I feel led to write a poem any time tonight or tomorrow.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I created another author's page!
I've had my books available on Amazon.com for a while now because the books are added by my publisher usually a month after they are published to their site on Amazon. I just noticed within the last couple days that I didn't have a separate Amazon page just for my books, so I decided to create one to help others find me better. Here's the link for you to check it out: http://amazon.com/author/mandy97365. I also added the link to my "Honorable Mentions" to the right of this blog post. You may have to scroll up or down a bit to see my list of links depending on where this post is on my page.
I also wanted to share that I was able to outline the entire second half of "The Shepherdess Princess" after taking a nap in the afternoon. I can't believe I dreamt the entire second half of the novel and wrote everything pertaining to the dream down as soon as I woke up, so I wouldn't lose it. I've been sleeping a lot the past couple days because I haven't been feeling well, but it also means I tend to stay up while the rest of the world is sleeping which sucks for me.
I now know what I'm going to be doing in my spare time, and the rest of the weekend: Trying to finish up my novel. I have a goal to finish it by the end of August, but I will go into the first week or so of September if the need arises. I would really like to get this book published by the end of the year. I now have 81 pages total in "The Shepherdess Princess."
I also wanted to share that I was able to outline the entire second half of "The Shepherdess Princess" after taking a nap in the afternoon. I can't believe I dreamt the entire second half of the novel and wrote everything pertaining to the dream down as soon as I woke up, so I wouldn't lose it. I've been sleeping a lot the past couple days because I haven't been feeling well, but it also means I tend to stay up while the rest of the world is sleeping which sucks for me.
I now know what I'm going to be doing in my spare time, and the rest of the weekend: Trying to finish up my novel. I have a goal to finish it by the end of August, but I will go into the first week or so of September if the need arises. I would really like to get this book published by the end of the year. I now have 81 pages total in "The Shepherdess Princess."
Friday, August 10, 2012
A New Poem, and A Book Read...
I finally got in the writing mode a little bit this week, and just finished a poem I started writing on Wednesday night. I've felt lost on the inspiration front where poetry is concerned because the 21st Century Poets site has been having issues, and all the bugs aren't fixed yet! I've mainly continued going there the past couple of weeks to get my points for the day, and leave again.
Anyway, here's my newest creation:
Behind These Eyes
Behind these eyes
Is an intelligence that lies
Hidden from the world's view
Until a question is asked anew.
People look at my outward appearance and assume
The stupidest things, and leave no room
For the surprise
They feel when they get to know me from inside.
I use my poetry to vent,
But sometimes I feel like I can't
Go on being prejudged
For being a unique individual at all.
When will the stupidity end?
Take a chance, and gain a new friend.
The world would be a better place
If people stopped judging the rest of the human race.
I'll be adding my new poem to "The Trifecta" soon, and may continue writing some more in "The Shepherdess Princess" before going to bed tonight.
After 11 months of reading "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman, I finally finished it today. I kept dragging my feet and finding other books to read because I was enjoying the His Dark Materials trilogy, and didn't want it to end. I keep wondering if the studio is going to pay for the rights to make a movie out of "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass" like they did for "The Golden Compass." I think if they ended up making movies of the rest of the books, they would have to get a new child actress to play Lyra because Dakota is getting too old to play the part now. I would like to see Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman back as her parents if that happened, though.
The only book I'm reading now is "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen. At least until a new library book shows up for me to read. I have a couple I'm waiting on now.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Work-In-Progress (WIP) Challenge
A friend of mine shared her answers to this challenge in a blog post, and tagged some friends to do it as well. Even though I wasn't a tagged friend, she also offered anybody else who had a work-in-progress novel to accept the challenge as well if they wanted to, so here I am.
1. What is the title of your book/WIP?
The working title is "The Shepherdess Princess," but I might think of a different title around the time it's ready to be released.
2. Where did the idea for the WIP come from?
I was a big fan of fairy tales as a child, and always liked the story of "Cinderella" especially. However, I always had problems liking the kind of fairy tales where the Prince swoops in to save the Damsel in distress. In my novel, the Prince IS the Damsel in distress!
3. What genre would your WIP fall under?
My novel would be considered a historical romance due to the time it's set in, and a couple of the characters are based on people that lived during that time.
4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I'm not altogether sure who I would get to play my characters in a movie version. Whoever it is would have to be able to do a Scottish, English, and French accent depending on the part they are picked for.
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your WIP?
A young Prince of France flees for his life with his mother's most trusted Lady-in-Waiting from his uncle who killed his father, the King, in battle during a Crusade and made others think the enemy did it, before heading to England where the Queen and Prince were hiding out until the fight was over only to murder the Queen, and attempts to murder the Prince to tie up all loose ends.
You'll have to read the book to find out the rest of the story.
6. Is your WIP published or represented?
It is neither published or represented at this time because I'm still in the first-draft stage of writing it.
7. How long did it take you to write?
In November 2012, it will be three years since I first brainstormed my story idea, and began fleshing out the characters. I've also been doing research as the novel progressed to make sure some of the scenes would be historically accurate.
8. What other WIPs within your genre would you compare it to?
I looked up other historical romance titles on Amazon, and have come to the conclusion that none of the books titles I found are like mine. There were a few titles I came across that had some aspects of my novel in their synopsis, but none that had everything I have in mine.
As for the other personal writing projects I have on hold, "The Shepherdess Princess" is unique in and of itself. I have other romance-type novels on the back-burner at the moment, but none of them have a historical aspect to them.
9. Which authors inspired you to write this WIP?
Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, Dr. Seuss, Mother Goose, and Mark Twain all influenced my childhood imagination. Michael Buckley's Sisters Grimm Fairy-Tale Detective series has influenced me as an adult because they weren't around when I was younger.
10. Tell us anything else that might pique our interest in this project.
It starts out in England in the year 1339, and jumps to Scotland five years later. The story takes place ten years after Robert the Bruce died. Robert the Bruce died in 1329. The Prince and King of France are based on the ruler of France at the time, and one of his son's that never succeeded him to the throne. The shepherdess the Prince falls in love with is a descendant of English nobility. Her mother traveled to Scotland to take care of an ailing aunt, and her father was there to meet her carriage when she arrived. It was love at first sight for her parents. You'll have to read the book to find out how the shepherdess's father came to be in Scotland. Just like the Prince has to hide his identity from his new friends, the shepherdess isn't told of her nobility until she's sixteen years old because her parents didn't want to raise her thinking she was better than everybody else.
Tag your it:
If you have a work in process that I don’t know about, please do join in – post a blog like this, telling me what you’re doing and what your WIP is all about, and leave a link to your blog in the comments so that I can read all about it. Happy Writing!
Work In Progress Challenge
1. What is the title of your book/WIP?
The working title is "The Shepherdess Princess," but I might think of a different title around the time it's ready to be released.
2. Where did the idea for the WIP come from?
I was a big fan of fairy tales as a child, and always liked the story of "Cinderella" especially. However, I always had problems liking the kind of fairy tales where the Prince swoops in to save the Damsel in distress. In my novel, the Prince IS the Damsel in distress!
3. What genre would your WIP fall under?
My novel would be considered a historical romance due to the time it's set in, and a couple of the characters are based on people that lived during that time.
4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I'm not altogether sure who I would get to play my characters in a movie version. Whoever it is would have to be able to do a Scottish, English, and French accent depending on the part they are picked for.
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your WIP?
A young Prince of France flees for his life with his mother's most trusted Lady-in-Waiting from his uncle who killed his father, the King, in battle during a Crusade and made others think the enemy did it, before heading to England where the Queen and Prince were hiding out until the fight was over only to murder the Queen, and attempts to murder the Prince to tie up all loose ends.
You'll have to read the book to find out the rest of the story.
6. Is your WIP published or represented?
It is neither published or represented at this time because I'm still in the first-draft stage of writing it.
7. How long did it take you to write?
In November 2012, it will be three years since I first brainstormed my story idea, and began fleshing out the characters. I've also been doing research as the novel progressed to make sure some of the scenes would be historically accurate.
8. What other WIPs within your genre would you compare it to?
I looked up other historical romance titles on Amazon, and have come to the conclusion that none of the books titles I found are like mine. There were a few titles I came across that had some aspects of my novel in their synopsis, but none that had everything I have in mine.
As for the other personal writing projects I have on hold, "The Shepherdess Princess" is unique in and of itself. I have other romance-type novels on the back-burner at the moment, but none of them have a historical aspect to them.
9. Which authors inspired you to write this WIP?
Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, Dr. Seuss, Mother Goose, and Mark Twain all influenced my childhood imagination. Michael Buckley's Sisters Grimm Fairy-Tale Detective series has influenced me as an adult because they weren't around when I was younger.
10. Tell us anything else that might pique our interest in this project.
It starts out in England in the year 1339, and jumps to Scotland five years later. The story takes place ten years after Robert the Bruce died. Robert the Bruce died in 1329. The Prince and King of France are based on the ruler of France at the time, and one of his son's that never succeeded him to the throne. The shepherdess the Prince falls in love with is a descendant of English nobility. Her mother traveled to Scotland to take care of an ailing aunt, and her father was there to meet her carriage when she arrived. It was love at first sight for her parents. You'll have to read the book to find out how the shepherdess's father came to be in Scotland. Just like the Prince has to hide his identity from his new friends, the shepherdess isn't told of her nobility until she's sixteen years old because her parents didn't want to raise her thinking she was better than everybody else.
Tag your it:
If you have a work in process that I don’t know about, please do join in – post a blog like this, telling me what you’re doing and what your WIP is all about, and leave a link to your blog in the comments so that I can read all about it. Happy Writing!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
A New Poem...
I was able to gain inspiration from this week's picture prompt finally, and write my first new poem in two weeks on Wednesday night.
The Lake
A boat moored on the lake
Is kept there for my sake.
The tranquility of water
Calms my nerves when I am
bothered.
Sometimes I sit on the dock
entranced
By God’s creation and glance
Around in awe
Of my surrounding why I pour out
the raw
Emotions flowing through my pen
As a new poem is wrote once
again.
I especially like making my
escape in the fall
To the lake whose colorful trees
stand tall,
And welcoming local visitors that
recall
Basking in the presence of it
all.
This is the ideal spot to get
away
From the fast pace of the world
day after day.
When I want to take things slow,
I return to the hidden lake that
I know
Which is located off the beaten
path
With my notebook, my pen, and
just relax.
I've just got done adding this poem to my manuscript after putting it off for a few days. I'm thinking about getting some more writing done in "The Shepherdess Princess" in a little bit. Inspiration hasn't struck since Wednesday, so I may put off adding more to the manuscript if my characters don't start yelling at me again.
I picked up a couple books from the library based on pretty good reviews I've been finding of them. One is "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins which I basically was intrigued about reading because they just came out with a movie adaptation for it. Upon making it to chapter four, I have decided to quit reading it because the story moves too slow to my liking and has put me to sleep several times since I cracked it open a couple days ago. I went so far as to skip to the end to see if it would get any better. It didn't in my opinion. I mainly wanted to read it to see why Hollywood thought it would be good enough to buy the rights to make the movie, but maybe the decision makers at the studio had an aneurysm, or saw their children devouring the trilogy. Who's to know? Needless to say, I'll be returning it unread to the library soon.
The second book I got from the library is called "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead, and already it's better than "The Hunger Games" to me. I've barely put it down since I started reading it today. I was hooked from the first sentence, and can't wait to read more when I have more time. This is the first book in a series also, and there are five total books out so far. What caught my eye with this book is the word Vampire. I love anything to do with vampires ever since "Nosferatu" came out in the silent film days, and Bela Lugosi dawned the fangs as the very first "Dracula." There are three different types of vampires in this book, and none of them sparkle: Dhampir (one human/one vampire parent), Moroi (born vampires, and have royal blood), and Strigoi (the typical bloodsucking demons we know and love). Dhampir's and Moroi are mortal, and can stand some sunlight whereas Strigoi are the immortal vampires that feed on human blood and can't stand the sunlight. Moroi can become Strigoi if they feed off of one, or they attack a human.
I picked up a couple books from the library based on pretty good reviews I've been finding of them. One is "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins which I basically was intrigued about reading because they just came out with a movie adaptation for it. Upon making it to chapter four, I have decided to quit reading it because the story moves too slow to my liking and has put me to sleep several times since I cracked it open a couple days ago. I went so far as to skip to the end to see if it would get any better. It didn't in my opinion. I mainly wanted to read it to see why Hollywood thought it would be good enough to buy the rights to make the movie, but maybe the decision makers at the studio had an aneurysm, or saw their children devouring the trilogy. Who's to know? Needless to say, I'll be returning it unread to the library soon.
The second book I got from the library is called "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead, and already it's better than "The Hunger Games" to me. I've barely put it down since I started reading it today. I was hooked from the first sentence, and can't wait to read more when I have more time. This is the first book in a series also, and there are five total books out so far. What caught my eye with this book is the word Vampire. I love anything to do with vampires ever since "Nosferatu" came out in the silent film days, and Bela Lugosi dawned the fangs as the very first "Dracula." There are three different types of vampires in this book, and none of them sparkle: Dhampir (one human/one vampire parent), Moroi (born vampires, and have royal blood), and Strigoi (the typical bloodsucking demons we know and love). Dhampir's and Moroi are mortal, and can stand some sunlight whereas Strigoi are the immortal vampires that feed on human blood and can't stand the sunlight. Moroi can become Strigoi if they feed off of one, or they attack a human.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
A Sense of Accomplishment...
I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders today, and am rather content right now. After three weeks of not being able to write a single word in my novel, Monday night I once again heard a familiar urging in my head from my characters telling me to "Get on with it if I want any sleep." I was more than happy to oblige them this time because I was leaving teeth marks on my pencil, and about ready to chomp down on my computer if I hadn't started hearing them in my head soon. I only got four hours sleep because of it, but I was about ready to start crawling up the wall if inspiration didn't hit soon. It was getting to the point where I was starting to think I might need a visit from the nice men in the white lab coats. They don't need to be called to haul me away now. :) Yay!
Two hours after the urging, I completed the fight scene that has left me in a state of apprehension for the month of July. Once I was able to start writing it out in a spiral notebook, the words started to flow through me into my pen and bled out onto the pages once more. As I took the time yesterday afternoon to add what I had handwritten into my manuscript on my computer, I found myself revising a few bits here and there as I went along and expanding the scene just a tad in other spots. I now have 80 pages total typed up in my novel, and I feel like I can finally move on into the second half of "The Shepherdess Princess" fairly easily from here. I'm excited to see what lies ahead for them as well.
Today I hope to take some more time to write some more in the novel, and possibly try to write a new poem for the weekly picture prompt at 21st Century Poets before this week's competition ends on Thursday. I'll share any new developments here along with the new poem. I may just be feeling a little ambitious right now.
Happy writing to one and all!
Two hours after the urging, I completed the fight scene that has left me in a state of apprehension for the month of July. Once I was able to start writing it out in a spiral notebook, the words started to flow through me into my pen and bled out onto the pages once more. As I took the time yesterday afternoon to add what I had handwritten into my manuscript on my computer, I found myself revising a few bits here and there as I went along and expanding the scene just a tad in other spots. I now have 80 pages total typed up in my novel, and I feel like I can finally move on into the second half of "The Shepherdess Princess" fairly easily from here. I'm excited to see what lies ahead for them as well.
Today I hope to take some more time to write some more in the novel, and possibly try to write a new poem for the weekly picture prompt at 21st Century Poets before this week's competition ends on Thursday. I'll share any new developments here along with the new poem. I may just be feeling a little ambitious right now.
Happy writing to one and all!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
How to Write a Synopsis for Your Novel, and Other Stuff...
Not too long ago I 'liked' a page on Facebook from a Writer's Magazine. Not long after I did that, they shared an article that was written last year on "How to Write A Synopsis of Your Book or Novel." For those of you who may not know what a synopsis is here's the definition.
A synopsis is a condensed statement or outline of a book.
It's usually is found on the back cover of a novel your reading, and may share room with the information about the author/author's picture. I jumped at the chance to read this article because writing a summary of my books has never been one of my strengths, and I'm worried my next attempt at it won't give my readers enough information to want to pick up the book. I'm also afraid I'll go overboard and give too much of the story away.
Fiction Synopsis Checklist
• What is the story about?
• Who is/are the main character(s) and brief summary of the issue(s) they are facing
• What are they feeling?
• What’s driving them?
• Why are they acting in a certain way?
• What’s standing in their way?
• What is the setting, if appropriate, and include a taste of it
The article also states, "Your synopsis should be written in the third person."
Reading this line in the article made me feel a little better because I know I'm not alone, "If you find it difficult to compile your synopsis, remember that even seasoned authors find it hard."
I felt compelled to add the non-fiction list as well for my poet friends out there who might want to see what a publishing company asks for in a proposal:
Non-Fiction Book Proposal Checklist
For those who are submitting non-fiction manuscripts, the synopsis is replaced with a book proposal, as it includes many different sections of information.
Your non-fiction book proposal should include:
• title page (just title, subtitle and contact details)
• summary of content
• chapter outlines
• author details
• sales, marketing and promotional information
• length, specifications and delivery date (ie how long the finished manuscript will be, if there are any illustrations and when it will be delivered)
What A Weekend!
I was all set to have a relaxing weekend at home when I got informed of some friends getting together for a bonfire on Friday night. I jumped at the chance to go because some of the friends I haven't seen since last Summer. A bunch of us carpooled together, and got to the bonfire site a little after 6:30 PM, and we hung out, laughed, ate hot dogs, and made smores. Before I knew it, I was being dropped off at home around 1 AM. I came online for a bit after I got home because I was still a little amped up to go to bed right away. I finally crash landed on my pillow around 2:30 AM.
Then...
9 AM Saturday morning, I got woke up by someone pounding on my door. It was my sister-in-law, and she was all set to go to the County Fair with me. She waited for me to get around and we made it to the Fairgrounds around 11 AM and we didn't get home until 10 PM Saturday night.
We spent the day looking at the exhibits, visiting the animal barns, watching ATV races (Someone even raced a snow mobile!), and listening to different musicians throughout the day. We listened to a Mariachi band, a group called Cascade Rye, a group called The Hanson Family Singers (They yodeled a lot), and the main attraction for the night was country singer Mark Chesnutt:
Some of his hits include: Bubba Shot the Jukebox, Going Through the Big D, It's a Little too Late, and Too Cold at Home.
For the first time ever that I've seen in the 30 years I've been attending this fair, they had a wild safari animal exhibit. They were all babies, but they was a tiger, lion, leopard, porcupine, wallaby, bobcat, skunk, and a couple other animals I can't remember the name of right now.
My sister-in-law also took a couple pictures for me. One was of me standing next to a monster truck:
And the other was a picture of a wedding cake that I told her looked like a design I would want for my cake if I ever got married someday:
I also like the double heart topper on it.
I've spent the last few days recuperating from these two days. I woke up Sunday morning feeling like death warmed over, so I've been sleeping a lot the past few days and barely eating anything. Yesterday, I ate more food than I have all week, so I think I'm starting to feel better. I'm at least starting to get my appetite back anyway.
A synopsis is a condensed statement or outline of a book.
It's usually is found on the back cover of a novel your reading, and may share room with the information about the author/author's picture. I jumped at the chance to read this article because writing a summary of my books has never been one of my strengths, and I'm worried my next attempt at it won't give my readers enough information to want to pick up the book. I'm also afraid I'll go overboard and give too much of the story away.
Fiction Synopsis Checklist
• What is the story about?
• Who is/are the main character(s) and brief summary of the issue(s) they are facing
• What are they feeling?
• What’s driving them?
• Why are they acting in a certain way?
• What’s standing in their way?
• What is the setting, if appropriate, and include a taste of it
The article also states, "Your synopsis should be written in the third person."
Reading this line in the article made me feel a little better because I know I'm not alone, "If you find it difficult to compile your synopsis, remember that even seasoned authors find it hard."
I felt compelled to add the non-fiction list as well for my poet friends out there who might want to see what a publishing company asks for in a proposal:
Non-Fiction Book Proposal Checklist
For those who are submitting non-fiction manuscripts, the synopsis is replaced with a book proposal, as it includes many different sections of information.
Your non-fiction book proposal should include:
• title page (just title, subtitle and contact details)
• summary of content
• chapter outlines
• author details
• sales, marketing and promotional information
• length, specifications and delivery date (ie how long the finished manuscript will be, if there are any illustrations and when it will be delivered)
What A Weekend!
I was all set to have a relaxing weekend at home when I got informed of some friends getting together for a bonfire on Friday night. I jumped at the chance to go because some of the friends I haven't seen since last Summer. A bunch of us carpooled together, and got to the bonfire site a little after 6:30 PM, and we hung out, laughed, ate hot dogs, and made smores. Before I knew it, I was being dropped off at home around 1 AM. I came online for a bit after I got home because I was still a little amped up to go to bed right away. I finally crash landed on my pillow around 2:30 AM.
Then...
9 AM Saturday morning, I got woke up by someone pounding on my door. It was my sister-in-law, and she was all set to go to the County Fair with me. She waited for me to get around and we made it to the Fairgrounds around 11 AM and we didn't get home until 10 PM Saturday night.
We spent the day looking at the exhibits, visiting the animal barns, watching ATV races (Someone even raced a snow mobile!), and listening to different musicians throughout the day. We listened to a Mariachi band, a group called Cascade Rye, a group called The Hanson Family Singers (They yodeled a lot), and the main attraction for the night was country singer Mark Chesnutt:
Some of his hits include: Bubba Shot the Jukebox, Going Through the Big D, It's a Little too Late, and Too Cold at Home.
For the first time ever that I've seen in the 30 years I've been attending this fair, they had a wild safari animal exhibit. They were all babies, but they was a tiger, lion, leopard, porcupine, wallaby, bobcat, skunk, and a couple other animals I can't remember the name of right now.
My sister-in-law also took a couple pictures for me. One was of me standing next to a monster truck:
And the other was a picture of a wedding cake that I told her looked like a design I would want for my cake if I ever got married someday:
I also like the double heart topper on it.
I've spent the last few days recuperating from these two days. I woke up Sunday morning feeling like death warmed over, so I've been sleeping a lot the past few days and barely eating anything. Yesterday, I ate more food than I have all week, so I think I'm starting to feel better. I'm at least starting to get my appetite back anyway.
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