Going out of town for the 4th!

This will be my last post for a while. I'm going to visit my parents before they jet off to India. They will be living there for a year. Hopefully, we'll be able to visit sometime next year!

Sent out my contracts today. So, that's over and now I can look forward to the revised ms and seeing sketches. I'm wondering if they will be using the same illustrator as my first book. He will undoubtedly be doing the sequel to my first, so he could be busy, unless they are going to wait a while before publishing the second. Hmm...

I came back from my book club yesterday totally enlightened about the ending to My Sister's Keeper. I feel much better about it since I realize the intent of the author. She's showing that we have no real control over life and so maybe we should think about what we are doing when we try to manipulate things, ie, fetal tissue research, stem cells, genetic manipulation, etc. So, I retract that I hated the ending. I now love it! (Well, as much as I can--it's still sad.)

I am reading The City of Ember. Yes, I'm slow. I haven't had time last year to read very much. My book club took most of my reading time and they love adult lit. I do get a chance to plug a YA book every now and then. This is my choice for the month. I also got them to read Traveling Pants, which they loved and are hooked on the series. I wanted all of us to go to the movie, but most of the original book club moved away and the new members haven't read the book...sigh...I will remedy their taste on YA, though! HA! Now, if only I could get them to love sci fi/fantasy...ahh, I think there's no hope.

Tomorrow is a writing day! I'm looking forward to getting back to my novel WIP!

Skunked!

My poor miniature pinscher chased a skunk in our backyard last night. UGH! So I had to leave her out there all night since it was too late to do anything. She cried and whined the whole night. I didn't get any sleep.

Today, I've spent all morning and afternoon trying various de-skunking recipes on her. None of them worked so I had to go to Walmart and get peroxide, mineral oil, Dawn, and a douche! That did the trick. Tee hee! Well, that's not the formula. You take one gallon of water, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 pint of peroxide and a few drops of Dawn liquid detergent. It really got rid of the smell. The douche made her head smell better since I was cautious about her eyes (I had to drop mineral oil in them to protect.) Sigh. I'm so tired. It's naptime!

Good mail...

Today contained something nice--my new and improved contract for my second picture book. Tee hee! I imagine we sent out our envelopes at the same time. I believe my ms probably got there today, although I don't know when my editors will have time to even open the envelope.

Chris Barton got me thinking about SASE's...I wonder if I should do an SASE experiment. Maybe I should revolt and never send one. I mean, do I really need an editor to tell me that they think my ms is "cute" but they weren't impassioned enough to publish it?? Or that I'm the best darn writer they've seen in a while but "it wasn't right for ____ (fill in the blank)." I think if I were a bit more mature in writing, I could just do away with SASE's altogether. If I never saw a form or personal form again in my life, my mood would change drastically for the better. But unfortunately, you get some really great rejections. Ones that not only pat you on the back for your stellar prose, but ones that show they WISH they could publish it if only...

I don't know. I wonder if an editor would send you that type of nice rejection anyway. Maybe they'd think you'd lost your marbles for a sec and they'd take pity on you, using their own envelope. HA!

Well, I don't have the guts to do that experiment. So, I will plod along, sending unecessary SASE's that will come back containing things I really don't want to see. But I'm seriously considering turning into an SASE REBEL!!

It's Off!

Today, I wrote my cover for my new pb and then I plopped it in the mail WITHOUT the usual SASE. It felt good.

My crit partners are so wonderful. They help me with subtle word changes. Sometimes I feel bad about this, but hey, I do the same for them, so I guess we're even.

I'm reading MY SISTER'S KEEPER. I'm enjoying it and it's making me want to go back and change the whole structure of my novel. I hate it when I do that to myself. I'm almost to the climax of this book I've been writing for the past four years and now, I want to write it all over again. UGH! But I'll try to swallow down those inadequate feelings and get the thing done. I've promised myself to have an afternoon novel fest tomorrow.

I took a break today from writing. Since my hubby is out of town, I did a really housewifey thing--I watched a chick flick and folded the laundry while my kids were at their friends'. The only thing missing were hair rollers and bon bons...sigh...but I did eat some chips and hot sauce! I had a little heartburn while working out this evening. Tee hee! Maybe bon bons would have been better.

All right, all right, just one more!

I couldn't resist this quiz:

Um...I'm um...NAPOLEON!!!!!


You are Napoleon Dyanamite and a buttload of gangs
are trying to recruit you.


Which Napoleon Dynamite character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla


I know, I know...just leave me alone. GOSH!

Kids...

My kids took the duckie thing. Here's what they are:

This is my eldest daughter:



Um...she's 13. Yeah, I know...But I think it's because she wants to be an illustrator. Tee hee!



This is my middle daughter--very smart and fun and studious. She's a superhero! She was happy with that.



This is my son. Well, no explanation there...tee hee!

My youngest wanted to take the test, too. She's only four.



(It says she goes crazy at bathtime. BOY, is THAT true...)

Isn't it weird that EVERYONE is different.

Can't Stop!

Alison has me hooked on the quiz thingamajiggies.

So...I'm a CLASSIC duck. Um...okaayeee...does that mean I'm boring?



Sigh...

I'm a Narrative Writer...

I found a writing quiz on one of my fellow authors' blogs: Alison Dellenbaugh

It's really freaky. This describes me! And I was very flummoxed by the quiz. It doesn't make much sense but it worked for me! HA! I'm not a poet and I write stories that are very structured. I also outline or go through the plot before I even start to write. I did start studying the classics by the age of ten and absolutely devoured Homer's Odyssey at age 12 (my 7th grade students groan at the thought now!) Yes, I was a geek!

And I do have to include poetry within my picture books, but there's a reason. It will either be a riddle, game, or spell. I don't do it for pure poetic sake. How could the quiz surmise this from the bizarre answers?

You are a narrative writer. Usually a writer of
stories rather than poetry, you grew up reading
Shakespeare's less popular and heard of
plays--like King Lear or the Henry series. Your
writing contains a certain order and
organization--be it chronological or otherwise.
If you are to write poetry, it has to convey a
logical (or perhaps unreal) story with some
sort of order behind it.


What's YOUR Writing Style?
brought to you by Quizilla

DONE!

The rough draft is done for the sequel to my picture book that will be published in February 2006! Whoo hoo! Now, I need to let it sit a while so I can get rid of the mistakes before I send it. I have some great critique partners who always catch things. I wrote it so fast that when I went back over it, some of the math at the end was all wrong. UGH! Even simple math can get tricky if you're a little sloppy. Plus, this is fiction math. You can get swept up in the story and forget the details.

So, hopefully, there aren't too many mistakes. I'm itching to send it right out to my editors! Uga. I better chant, "I won't send it out yet. I won't send it out yet. I won't send it out..."

Well now that THAT'S basically done, what am I going to do? I have a novel WIP that's begging to get finished. Why can't I get those done quickly? My picture books are around 1500 - 2000 words and I usually finish in 2-3 days (once I iron out plot). If I did that with my novels, I'd be done in a few months. I guess the job is so daunting. Or maybe I have ADD? I can't seem to stick with a novel unless someone has requested it and I don't want someone to request an unfinished novel. I learned the hard way with my first. AACK!

Well, today is a day of rest. No writing.

Flying High!

Yesterday, I wrote most of the day and finished the first HALF of my pb. I've never done that before. Usually it takes me weeks or months to come up with the plot (as it did in this case) and then it will take me three days to finish the rough. I always write in thirds, but this story is basically writing itself! My fingers grew numb and I was tired (plus my children needed me, coming home from friends' houses.) The story is forcing me to write the rest today.

This is why I became a writer. Boy, the down times are abundant but when the muse hits it makes all the depression, loneliness, and self doubt worth it!

I received a rejection yesterday and it didn't phase me! What timing! And it was on a book that has gotten awesome rejections. Will it ever see the light of day? Fortunately, I have the requested book sold (if all goes well). What a joy to write a requested book. (Well, it was a nemesis when I didn't have an idea. Talk about pressure!)

I can only hope my editors will love it as much as I do.

Now, I'm off to write the last half of the book! Exciting!

Eureka!

I've been in a slump lately. There's nothing that will bring on writer's block more than an editor who asks for a book--a certain book with a title and everything. I've never had this happen to me before. Usually, I'll come up with the book on my own. My editors didn't tell me what to write--just the subject--it is to be a sequel to my upcoming book in Feb '06.

Oh, I've been stuck, stuck, STUCK! I haven't written a stitch in about three weeks. Well, part of that was due to vacation. I've been doing research for the book, hoping that some ideas might plop in my head, but I gave up researching after the vacation. I pulled out all the math books I had in my own library and dropped them on my desk yesterday afternoon. I was going to read every one of them again and again until something hit.

After I did some of my Bible Study yesterday, I prayed that God would help. I had a helpless feeling wash over me. I mean, seriously. I have editors WAITING for a sequel ASAP. This is a sold book! And I couldn't come up with a reasonable plot. Well, this morning, while on my daily run, the plot played itself in my head miraculously! I have all of it. And I believe it is even better than the first book! I am amazed and awed at the power of God. I am not deserving of this gift at all, but I am soooo thankful.

He does work miracles, even for little things like plotting a book. Sure I know how to plot a book, but He inspires me.

If you need inspiration. Seek Him. He will always be there for you.

Now, I'm off to write a book!

Oh, the Tide is Turning...

Posted on SCBWI's website is Dial's new policy of no response unless contacted by the four month mark. That means no FORMS! Hooray! When Houghton Mifflin submitted a similar policy, I was about the only one who stood up and applauded. If this trend starts, we will no longer be worrying over a response at the 12th month mark! I've been waiting on Bloomsbury for well over 12 months. Yes, they have told me they are considering, but nothing more. It only takes a few weeks for an agent to get a response.

So, hooray for you, Dial! May more publishers go the route of no response. It will save on SASE's, time, and my nerves.

*Pam cracks her knuckles* Just went through a round of contract negotiations for my new book. I think it went well! Thank you, Lord! (My agent. Tee hee!)

Taking a break 

Been Away...

Just came back from a truly wonderful vacation with my husband WITHOUT the kids! We went to the mountains in Angel Fire, NM. We (or I should say "I") "tried" to mountain bike UP the mountain--I guess there is a mountain biking championship there this coming weekend. I now know why I'm not a champion mountain biker. After about 2.5 miles, I had to quit. My muscles screamed at me, so I couldn't refuse them. Oh, and did you know that clip-on bike shoes are NOT good for hiking? It took another 2.5 miles of hiking to reach the top. I gave up, though, not knowing I'd already reached the top and could sail down some cool mountain trails on the other side of the mountain. Instead, I careened down a treacherous "bunny" slope--bunny for skiers does not equate to bunny for bikers. Um, I do have a LARGE scab on my left knee...heh...heh...

I'm sitting here not wanting to do all the chores around the house--mopping, laundry, putting away clothes, food, etc. I also have a picture book waiting to be written. When will I STOP procrastinating???