We give into temptations everyday, but this is about the temptation to write. To create stories and characters using just your mind. It's like being God. A tiny little God. And in the words of of Barney Stinson "God is hot." :)
So I got a juicer...I know I'm a wild woman. Lock up your doors! Random fact: Did you know that a bag of carrots only gets you about 3 glasses of juice but a whole buttload of pulp? So I was basically stuck with a sackful of this...
I don't garden so using it as fertilizer wouldn't work, but I didn't want to just throw it away. So I made a carrot cake. And then another one. And then another one. And muffins! And yet, there were still more so I gave some away and froze the rest.
I have a point to this story, I promise. I realized that my juicer was like revising. It gave me what I wanted in the end, but it had to cut a whole bunch of stuff out in the process. And it hurt to toss it. But I made other things out of it. Yummy things. So your scenes and characters that you had to take out may be useful for other stories too. So don't be too gutted when you have to revise. It can always be useful somewhere else.
Or, you know, if it REALLY hurts, you could just have some cake. That always makes things better. :)
One of my favorite agents just had another one of her books released today. Yes, I am talking about the awesome Mandy Hubbard. Tada! RIPPLE...
Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. The water calls to her, draws her in, forces her to sing her deadly song to unsuspecting victims. If she succumbs, she kills. If she doesn’t, the pain is unbearable. To keep herself and those she cares about safe, she shuts herself off, refusing to make friends or fall in love—again. Because the last time she fell in love with a boy, he ended up dead.
Then Lexi meets Cole. Against her better judgment, she finds herself opening up again, falling in love when she knows she shouldn’t. But when she’s offered the chance to finally live a normal life, she learns that the price she must pay to be free of her curse is giving him up.
Check out her website to find out where you can buy it!
That's right, I have another contest for you to check out. This time is a contest from the awesome Shelley Watters that will be judged by Victoria Marini of Gelfman Schneider Literary Agency! If you want to enter then click here.
First Page of JUST A CON: a 54k YA contemporary romance about a 16-year-old con artist, Megan Benson, that lands a place living in the wealthy Keller mansion only to realize this is the one family she doesn't want to pull a heist on.
His stomach grumbled like a bizarre hybrid between a sputtering submarine and a wounded grizzly. Glancing at his watch for the twentieth time, Alex Harper let out a heavy sigh and tapped his right foot, mentally urging the middle-aged cashier to hurry up with the orders.
If he was late for soccer practice one more time, he’d get kicked off the team. Or at least that’s what Coach Wilkins threatened every other week. If anyone asked him though, it was the coach’s fault for having practice so early. Didn’t he know that teenagers weren’t supposed to get up before twelve in the summer? It was practically a law of nature.
Then again, he knew Coach would never actually kick him off the team. Not if he wanted to keep winning. Everyone knew Alex was the best sprinter on the field. No lie. He could also mention that he knew Coach was sleeping with his stepmother whenever his dad was out of town. She certainly brought more than snacks to practice.
Thank God for adultery.
Alex relaxed and leaned back against the plastic yellow railing. Yeah, there’s no need to hurry.
As he studied the burger menu above his head, he couldn’t help noticing the girl in front of him. Not only was she wearing very tight jeans that showed off her slender legs and round—although small—ass, but she was also wiping her eyes on a Kleenex every few seconds like her rabbit had been run over right in front of her.
So I know I've been missing for a while (to the two of you that read my blog xD you know who you are!). I could go on and on with my excuses, but let's just skip that part and save us both (or three) the trouble.
So what have I been up to? Well, besides editing CON *short cheer*, I've been thinking about the next SNI I should pick to bleedcryagonize write. After all, if I stick to it, this will be the next thing I spend the next few months on. But there are a lot of factors involved. Whether I should switch back to WISTFUL (I have a new idea to rewrite it entirely). Or should I write another YA historical romance that have been on my mind for a while now. Or should it be the other paranormal one I have a vague idea about. Maybe I should write another YA contemporary romance in case CON works out *crosses fingers* and I need more from the same genre.
And as much as I hate to admit it, the market weighs in on it too. Sometimes, when I'm debating, I feel like this...
(Me being the janitor of course, wondering which SNI could make or break me while my ideas (JD and others) are staring at me weirdly wondering why I don't just pick one of them already.)
Lol. So how do you guys decide which SNI to start next?
...ideas come to you no matter where you are. Everyone always ask "How do you get your inspiration?" I think the question is "How do you NOT get your inspiration?" Because face it, if you're really a writer, ideas come to you anywhere and all the time. (The pesky ones are the SNIs that come when you're in the middle of another story grrr...)
Just yesterday, I was at the cemetery visiting my grandpa and I started to explore the grounds. Now before you get freaked out, my grandpa's cemetery is really nice and old. There are plots that date back to 1800s that are still pristine! And each one is very intricate and embellished. I'm talking statues, iron gates, marble pathway, even stained glass in the back! Look!
Okay, let me get back to the point before you start wondering why I'm showing you pictures of cemeteries. So I noticed that some of them had tons of names on them (like twelve or more) and others (although old) had no names or only one. So I started wondering why. Was there a plague that happened that wiped out the entire family? A curse? A bitter feud? And as for the empty tombs, it could be explained by the family merely moving away. (although plots in here cost at the least 100 grand so I don't know why they would just leave it empty) Maybe something else happened like they became vampires and didn't die?
So I guess all I'm saying is that writers find inspiration everywhere. Even in a cemetery. :) Where's the weirdest place you found your inspiration?
Cause Writer's Block is just too small for what I'm going through right now. And I'm sure every writer has gone through this many many times. It's not the plot or the story that's failing. It's the doubt. The doubt of whether the dream will ever happen. Of snagging an agent and getting published.
In my case, I keep doubting about which story to work on, worrying that I'm picking the wrong one and wasting my time. Should I revise the MG or YA? Should I work on new revisions for the YA or continue the current wip? Which will be THE ONE? Are any of these THE ONE or should I start working on the other ideas I have? As a result, I've hit a major wall. I can't seem to concentrate enough on any of them. I wish I could be one of those people that just pushes through it anyway, but I'm not. Sure, there are the good days when I get a good word count, but it doesn't balance out the many other days when I don't write. And the irony that I'm actually wasting even more time doesn't escape me. Really not a fan of it.
So finally I had enough. I closed all of my word documents I kept open, waiting to be worked on. Instead, I opened a blank page and just wrote whatever came to mind. In this case, it was another idea I had in the back of my mind for a spinoff/sequel. I know I wouldn't be able to finish this and this wouldn't even be my next project when I finish CON. But I wrote the scene in my head anyway. Just for fun.
And it helped. I don't think I'm quite ready to go back to my other projects yet, but it's relaxing just to write for fun. After all, this is what it's supposed to be for, right? To create stories and have fun with it. I think in the midst of all the querying and worrying I've forgotten about that.
What about you guys? What do you do when the stress gets to you and the writing's just not flowing?
This doesn't really have to do with anything. :) Just a fun post. Have you always wondered what type of book you are? I was really expecting romance, but since I don't write straight romance, this actually fits!
It's time for another contest! This time is at Brenda Drake Writes for a contest judged by Natalie Fischer. You could get the details here. My pitch and first 250 words are below. Can't wait to read every else's!
Pitch: Princess Evie Kingston finally gets her wish—her sweet older cousin takes her place as princess so she could run away and have an adventure. Too bad that same sweet cousin double crosses her with her baker assassin quicker than she can say “Happily ever after”, resulting in a head injury, lost memory, and a handsome prince who hates princesses coming to her rescue.
First 250 words excerpt
Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess who cast all other princesses in the shadow with her beauty, charm, and bravery. She saved countless villages from dangerous perils. Princes lined up around the kingdom for her hand, but she had no intention of marrying. Happily ever after was just going to have to wait until—
“You’re not supposed to lie in your storybook, you know,” Alyanna Townsend commented without looking up from her sewing. Her needle glided smoothly in and out of the embroidery hoop.
Accidentally blotting the cream parchment with ink, Princess Evelyn Kingston scowled over at her older cousin. “Look what you made me do!”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re going to have to rip that page out once the Queen sees it.”
Evie opened her mouth to retort, but snapped it shut and sighed instead. Alyanna was right. Her mother was going to freak once she saw her story book and not because of the black splotches. For a princess to declare that she didn’t want to get married and have a happily ever after was a worst scandal than a fairy sharing her first kiss with a troll.
She gazed out the alcove window at the clear sky. The trees’ leaves rustled in the breeze beyond the kingdom stone walls. Evie longed to feel the wind in her hair. She was never able to go outside much. Not when her days were filled with lessons. Singing, dancing, cooking. The list went on and on. And so did her mother.
I had another post planned (I know! TWO in one week! *preens feathers*), but I just couldn't resist. YAtopia is hosting a great contest on their blog here. It's open to all authors with a MG or YA manuscript and the judge is *drumrolls* Ammi Joan Paquette who isn't even OPEN to queries. How awesome would it be to win?
You just have to blog about their contest and fill out the short form below to post in the comments.
Name:
Email:
Story Name:
Genre:
Blog/Twitter/Facebook link:
2 Sentence Pitch:
Opening sentence:
Which is a bit harder than it looks. Darn those two sentence pitches! And since we're on the subject of contests, there's another great contest at Oasis for YA where they're celebrating reaching 300 followers! As a prize they're giving out five query or first chapter critiques.
So hurry and go enter before the deadline comes! And good luck! :)
A post! A real genuine not from another blogfest post! I know I'm quite proud of it myself. I figured it was time. Not to mention I'll probably have another blogfest post up in four days :) But okay, back to the point. There's been many exercises about how to shape your character and make them real. Whether it's their favorite color or what they would do if a zombie attacked. (Btw Megan's favorite color is green and she's probably give into the zombies. After all, there's no cure and she knows you can't run forever. She's a bit of a pessimistic and realist that one. Darn her.) But there's another important aspect to make a character believeable.
Their relationships.
Just to make things easier, I'll use various tv shows as my examples. And cause, you know, I want to :)
First off would obviously be Blair and Chuck. Chuck and Blair. This is the type of relationship I LOVE. The love/hate relationship where they feel attracted to each other even though they despise each other. And despite it all they have to be together. And man are they hot together. The chemistry between them is like a explosion.
Next we have my current favorite. Kurt and Blaine. They're both fun, sweet, and honest. No games. No tricks. Just very genuine feelings. And are they boring in the slightest? Uh, not according to all the squealing I did yesterday! They were friends first and slowly realized that they wanted more. At least on Blaine's behalf, but seriously can you blame Kurt for falling for him right away?
Both relationships are completely different, but still equally loveable to fans.Why? Because of the chemistry between them. The dialogue. (Especially the insults and quips between Blair and Chuck). The scenes. And I'm not just talking about romantic relationships. For example, Veronica Mars and her dad. LOVE their chemistry together. (Love her interactions with all characters actually, but no time to fangirl about that tonight)
So remember, don't just worry about the main character. Worry about the other people around them too. What are your favorite type of relationships?
All my posts these days seem to be from blogfests, but I can't help it because they're so great! Today's post is the awesome Gone but not Forgotten hosted by the equally awesome Erinn, Pam, Quita, Holly, and Alicia! It's about the dear shows that have left us but will always be with us.
First off is...
Veronica Mars
This was a recent discovery of mine and I LOVE it. The characters are witty and fun while the plots are so clever. There’s nothing not to like about this show besides the fact that it ended. I confess I didn’t watch much of the third season though because of a certain couple breaking up. I figure if I don’t watch that part then they’ll always be together in my head! I know its denial. Leave me alone!
The Tudors
This show may not have been very historically accurate, but I still love it anyway! The costumes and drama is just great. The ending was very satisfying though and I liked the way it ended even though I miss Jonathan Rhys Meyers bellowing “I’m the King of England!” every Sunday.
Legend of the Seeker
I confess I’ve always been a fan of epic fantasies (even though I can’t write it). I watched tons of Hercules and Xena growing up so of course I would love Legend of the Seeker. The characters are just so loveable! And the eye candy doesn’t hurt either. I mean look at him! *fans self*
Friends
My ultimate favorite show hands down. This show never fails to crack me up no matter what. I’ve seen all the episodes so many times I can recite all the lines and whip anyone's butt at the trivia game. Yet I still burst out laughing whether I’m watching a rerun on tv and anticipate the next quip or am driving and can watch it in my head (although I really should be watching the road). It ended on a great note yet I still miss it.
One Tree Hill
I know One Tree Hill isn’t off the air yet, but for me it is. Why? Because every since Lucas and Brooke broke up the second time around, I stopped watching it because it was dead to me. Sorry to all the Leyton fans out there, but I’m a through and through Brucas fan J Not the first season, but the second and third season when they became friends and fell in love. In my head they’re still together lol
Well, those are the top five shows that makes me sigh sadly that it's gone. These are the relatively newer shows. Honorable mentions go to the older ones such as Saved by the Bell (the original gang at Bayside not the New Class), California Dreams, and USA High. Oh, and What I Like About You! All hilarious! :) What are yours? Oh, and here's to leave you with a bit more eye candy...
Oh, Richard Cypher you could be my Seeker any day :)
Yes, you read correctly, I have TWO letters for Amparo's Blogfest! I just couldn't decide. Although when I finished writing these I realized that one was more of an admiration letter than a love letter and the other one was just a flat out breakup letter. Oh well, hope you guys enjoy! I had a blast with this hehe.
First off, *drumrolls* The one and only...Mr. Logan Echolls!
My dear tortured, rich 09’er boyfriend,
What am I to do with you? I told you over and over that we can’t be together. I know that time we met in Mexico was fun. And the making out was certainly entertaining. And I’ll always treasure that day on your dead murderer father’s yacht when you told me you realized that you never actually knew the meaning of the word epic until you met me. (Which btw worried me, so I bought you a dictionary).
Yet we can’t be together. It’s too dangerous. I’ll be too worried for my life. I don’t want the millions of LoVe shippers to come after me with pitchforks wanting to lynch me. I know you said you’re willing to take the risk, but I’m not because I know they won’t hurt you. All you have to do is smile and say something sarcastic and they’ll be melted putty in your hands. Unfortunately, I don’t have that superpower.
Still, that’s not the entire truth. The main reason is that I know I can’t be with you because even I’m rooting for you and Veronica. You remember, the girl that smelled of marshmallows and promises? Right. You belong with her, not me. I know, crazy huh? But it’s true. You’re made for each other. You two should get married and have lots of blond, witty, snarky commented babies and grow old together. Forget about how smart, talented, and beautiful you think I am. Forget about me.
I’ll be crossing my fingers for the day when I can see you two together again.
<3 Jenn
To my supermegafoxyawesomehot boyfriend,
Yes, I’m talking to you, Mr. Darren Freakin’ Criss.
I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t in my life. You sing. You dance. You act. You play the piano and guitar and drums AND violin (not to mention I’ve seen a picture of you with a cello). I mean, seriously dude, like Red Vines, what CAN’T you do?
But the best part about you is that you’re a true and true nerd. And I say that in the best possible way, of course. It makes you real. Humble. Approachable and loveable. Whether it’s your acting as the awesome Harry Potter or fanboying about Avatar: The Last Airbender (which made me love you more btw). Or even the way you make fun of yourself at interviews.
I’ve known you since Harry Potter Musical and I won’t lie and say that Glee hasn’t made me love you even more (cause it obviously did, I mean who can resist Blaine?!), but you had a spot in my heart long before that. And I’m sure you’ll stay there for a long time.
<3 Jenn
P.S You know, I decided a mere picture doesn’t do you justice.
If you guys haven't done this yet, then who are your literary/celebrity crushes?
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentines Day!
I didn't want to make another post with an excerpt, but I couldn't resist Stina and Christina's Just Kiss Already Blogfest. I already read some of everyone else's and they're AWESOME toe curling scenes! A perfect way to spend Valentines Day. You know, besides being with the boyfriend that is :)
Title: WIP Just a Con
Setup: Let's just say Megan and Ian were arguing and Ian found another way to settle the fight. The best way of course. (It's a little over 250 words because I couldn't help myself :))
“Will you just—” he stopped and shook his head. “Just shut up for a minute, okay?”
“But why—” I couldn’t continue because his lips were suddenly on mines. Warm, soft, wet, and as strange as it sounds, so delicious I could feel shivers running up and down my arms and back.
I’ve been kissed before. It’s hard to pull off cons without giving at least something back to keep the target from leaving. I’ll admit I get carried away sometimes and we move past first base. Never all the way though. I wasn’t exactly a prude, but a slut I was not.
It was different with Ian though. Maybe because I knew I wouldn’t get anything from him. God knows I couldn’t manipulate him from day one. Maybe it was because I could tell that he genuinely liked me and wasn’t only trying to get into my pants. Or maybe it was because I knew I liked him far more than I was supposed to.
He cradled my face in his hands and leaned in closer to deepen the kiss, his warm breath mingled with mines. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and held on tightly when my legs started to feel weak like he drugged me. I threaded my fingers in his dark hair that softly curled around his nape.
Ian stumbled backwards and I felt him bump into the back of the sofa. Before I could react, he picked me up and we fell backwards onto the white cushions. I laughed as he pulled me to sit on his lap, straddling his lap. I traced his adorable crooked dimples for a minute before pulling his head down for another kiss. That was enough of a break.
I don’t know how long we stayed like that, wrapped around each other, hands caressing each other, but he pulled away first.
“That’s why,” he said with a shaky deep breath.
"Oh." What the hell was he talking about? To be honest, I couldn't even what our conversation was about before. I mean, who could remember after those fifteen minutes in heaven?
“I guess we shouldn’t have parked across the street,” Ian said, changing the subject with a groan. “Do you think it’ll let up anytime soon?”
As a response, the rain seemed to thunder down even harder. I looked up at the rumbling dark clouds with a doubtful frown. “Unless soon would mean tomorrow.”
“Our car’s not that far. We could run.” Ian gave me a wide grin. “Unless you’re afraid the rain might make you melt.”
At his challenge, I hopped off of the curb and landed in a large puddle with a splash. Wet gritty mud sloshed into my sandals and between my toes. It wasn’t long before my clothes and hair was completely soaked through. I swept my dark locks off my face and turned to him with my hands on my hips. “Well, come on.” I taunted. “Afraid your expensive leather jacket’s going to get ruined?”
He chuckled. “For your information, I don’t even know what my jacket’s made of.”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
“I just want to remember this moment forever.” Ian used his thumbs and index fingers to make a frame. “The image of you looking like a drowned rat. It warms my heart.”
“Well, that makes two of us.” I leapt forward and grabbed his hands, dragging him into the rain with me.
Just as he came off the curb, a large stream of water came off the roof and landed right on his face, causing him to choke and sputter. Unable to help myself, I clenched my stomach with my arms and laughed until I was practically gasping for air.
With an evil glint in his eyes, Ian pulled me toward him until the water splattered on me too. He kept an iron grip around my shoulders and tilted my chin up until I got a faceful of the rainwater. I alternated between laughing and gurgling.
Finally, he pulled us both out of the waterfall and into the shelter of the diner. I gave him a mock glare and wrung my hair to get the water out.
“Alright, that’s enough.” Ian fervently shook his head, making his hair fly around and stick up in all directions effectively drenching me once more. He raised both hands in surrender. “Now that we’re even, let’s go home before we both get pneumonia.”
I didn’t realize until we were standing on the sidewalk that Ian was still holding onto me. I peered up at him out of the corner of my eyes, but his gaze was straight ahead, watching the street to make sure we didn’t get run over. His hair was plastered to his forehead and neck. Droplets of rain ran down his nose and lashes.
I thought he forgot until he shifted his hand and laced his fingers through my cold ones. He looked down at me and smiled, lightly squeezing my hand.
I could have pulled away right then and there. I should have.
I don't usually do the Teaser Tuesday, but today I happened to write a scene I like. But of course it's Wednesday! So here's my Tardy Teaser Tuesday :)
Just a Con - Scene Snippet: Friendships & Secrets
(read my blurb in the previous post to get the basis of the story)
“Are you yourself with me?” Ian suddenly asked when we waiting at the elevators.
“What do you mean?”
“Before, when you told me you don’t have any friends because you could never let your guard down.” He shrugged. “I was just wondering if I could be considered your friend now.”
I paused and thought about it. Despite the circumstances that brought us together and the fact that I shouldn’t let myself get close to anyone (especially not them), I did consider him a friend. And Cammy.
He cleared his throat and started punching the down button again. “You know what? Don’t worry about it. I don’t even know why I brought it up in the first place.” I could see his ears turn slightly pink. “What’s taking this so long?”
Just then there was a ding and the elevator slid open. Ian stepped back to let me through, still not looking me in the eye.
I rolled my eyes and went in. He stepped back just when I held my hand on the edge so the doors wouldn’t slid shut. “As much as I hate to admit it, I do consider you a friend. I don’t know why though. I don’t even like you,” I joked.
His lips quirked into a smile. “That’s alright. I don’t like you much either,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. He finally looked up; his laughing gray eyes met mines.
“I should go now before Lily calls one of her henchmen to track us down,” I said, still not moving.
“Yeah, I better go back to Cammy before the doctor comes in.” Ian pushed my hands off the edge and took a step back. “See you at home later?”
“Yeah.”
He gave me a wave right as the doors closed. Still shaking my head, I leaned back against the wall. As I watched the numbers flash overhead as the elevator descended, my smile slowly faded as a somber thought occurred to me.
I may consider them my friends, but if they ever found out the truth, would they still consider me one?
So for the first time ever, I decided to participate in YA Highway Road Trip (instead of lurking every week) which is to write a blurb about a favorite book or one of my own novels. I actually like writing blurbs because I can imagine what the back (or front cover) of my novel would sound like. It's so much easier than writing the actual novel :)
So here's one I wrote for my current WIP, a YA contemporary romance called CON.
Sixteen- year old Megan Benson never considered herself a con artist. More like a con doodler. After all, her antics are nowhere near the calibers of her mother’s heists. But even she has to pat herself on the back when she lands them a place living at the Keller mansion. All Megan has to do now is play big sister to Cammy, while her mother works her magic on Mr. Keller, the wealthy owner (and widower) of a successful catering company. Then they’ll be set for life.
Easier said than done. Mr. Keller not only seems immuned to her mother’s charms (and curves), he spends all his time doting on his daughter. In turn, she hero worships Megan, making her feel like scum for using them. The guilt grows stronger when she is confronted by Ian MacMillian, the Keller’s cousin who sees right through her act.
But with an empty bank account and nowhere else to go, Megan has no choice but to continue the con despite her feelings. Even if it means everything she does and says is a lie.
I wanted to make a graphic to go with this but it turns out I didn't buy photoshop for this new laptop :/. I might be able to whip something up on Windows Paint but it won't be pretty!
