I'm there.

So today is sort of a mixed bag of stuff.

On Saturday, I attended PAYA and PLN. Both were so much fun. I got to meet some new authors and catch up with others I haven't seen in a while. These events are great to get out and socialize. I have to say, I've been caught up with life and sort of isolated myself for various reasons. I had some thinking to do and am really trying to find my writerly self again. It feels good and I think I'm there. What do I mean? I'm at that place where I'm comfortable. I'm comfortable with my progress and how I do things. I write slow and I'm okay with it. It's my way. I'm okay with my process of writing. Really, it's not normal, but then again, what is.

I also have few links you need to check out.
1.Overtelling, Overshowing, Overselling by Jane Lebak

2. What Hollywood Will Tell You  (by the lovely Stina Lindenblatt)

3. When Life gives you Lemons by Danyelle Leafty

Some good things will be coming up. So stay tuned.

Any news? How's your progress?

What's your favorite summertime treat? I know that's random, but it's Monday and it's raining here, so yes, I'm random.

Have a great day!!

Realizing

Hi folks. I'm back.

First, Thanks to the incredibly talented, awesome ladies who put on Write On Con. *applauding*

Second, I'm still revising. I thought if I took a few days off from blogging I would get a lot done, but I spent most of my time with my family. So the days were not wasted. I did attend Write On Con. I learned a lot and it made me think about a lot of things. It's like one of those moments when you think, wow. You sort get a view on life in general. See, I've been writing and revising at a rate that maybe a little crazy. I set a goal for myself and I'm trying to get there. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this, in fact, it's good for me. What I realized is--not to be so hard on myself. I know, you're looking at me like really, you haven't figured this out already. Seriously? I guess in a way I need repeated beatings to get it into my skull.

A couple of the posts at Write On Con helped me see what my manuscript needs and what the next step is. It also made me realize that I need to step back, look at the big picture. My goal is to write great stories that will land me an agent and a book deal. Stories that I love. I've been doing that, but I've also been pushing myself to the point of thinking this is never going to happen,  I'm too slow, and the whole confidence issue. I'm not going to slow down, just take my time on how I approach it and not get so worked up when I don't reach my daily goal or my main one. This will take a lot of strength, but I can do this. I planned to query by October. Still a reachable goal, but one I realize I may not meet. If that's the case, I will just re-adjust my plan. I can't get so worked up over it.

With that being said, here are some links to some great posts from Write On Con.

Check this out on Revising your Way to Success by Author Carrie Ryan

Writing a Great Query Letter by Literary Agent Jim McCarthy

Moments that Matter by Author Matt Myklusch

So you Wanna be a Writer? by Author Amy Fellner Dominy

Critique Groups 101 with the YA Muses

Your Own Hero's Journey: Advice from and Editor and Life Coach for Writers by Editor Kendra Levin

Are you Ready to Query? by Agent Kate Schafer Testerman

Don't Give Up by Author Beth Revis This one is the one that really makes you think. It makes you see how long it takes.

Need a genre definition. I found this helpful post by Jennifer Laughran. The big Ol'Genre Glossary.

So there you have it. My goal is to keep revising this week. I did work out some problem areas in my MS, now I have to re-work some things to make it work.

Any goals this week?

If you attended Write On Con or any recent conference, what did you learn?

Have a great day!

Take a step back.

I wish I had more facts today, but sadly, I don't. My daughter was sick most of the week, and since I live in the Arctic now, snow has made us house bound. Hopefully, I will get out today. I thought I could get some writing in, but, yeah, the monsters attacked.

Okay, so I squeezed in a tiny bit of time. WiP #1 is stubborn right now. The revision process is still pretty much at a halt. I'm not sure if I'm just not liking this certain part of the story or I'm not focusing enough. I've had several other ideas hit me, teasing me to write them. I've written some scenes and jotted down notes, even started outlines. But WiP#1 is what I want to finish. One revision, at least. I'm trying to even skip over to other chapters just to feel the MCs again. Argh.

Another issue is my constant need to revise as I write. Yes, you heard me. I think I'm over-analyzing or over -thinking as I go through it, instead of feeling it, like I normally do. I'm re-writing sections of WiP#1 and I keep going over each sentence as I write it. It's kinda frustrating and makes the process feel like it's taking a lifetime. See, that's the impatience talking.

Probably if I just get the right conditions to write, that will help. I get all panicky when this happens. It's the whole impatience thing. Maybe my stubborn competitive spirit. Maybe my flippin' determination. Maybe my insecurity. I also think when I over-think it, well, it just makes my mind a little mushy.

So what's my point. I know you are really confused right now. I'm not only an overwriter, I'm an overthinker. What is the cure to this lovely condition? Not sure. I did do something that might help.

I stepped back. Just like an artist stepping back from a canvas to see the whole picture, I stepped back from the problem chapters to look at the whole story. This made an incredible difference. I planned out how the rest of the revisions/re-writes should go. Since my story is from two POVs, this method is helping me see which MC should speaking in which chapters. I surprised myself at how far I still have to go. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this doesn't wind up being a 500 page book. I also saw where I could go in a totally different direction to possibly make the whole thing shorter. I hear ya, stay on track finish this revision first. I know, I'm keeping my options open.

So, how do you get through problem chapters in revisions?

I wanted to mention a couple of posts I found interesting.

I get this newsletter from Holly Lisle. Here is the blurb on the class she is teaching which, funny enough, has to do with revisions and when you get stuck. The blurb gives you some great info.
This one on voice from Book Ends, LLC. It's short and to the point. Makes sense.

Two posts from Frankie- One on editing yourself, and a photo from Philly Lit Night.

This post from KM Walton --Great advice on what Kate wishes she knew before she queried.

For all the coolest links go to Stina. She's got them all.

This week, I'm trying to also cut down on my internet time. Facebook, twitter, blog. I need to focus. I will be posting just not commenting as much. Not that it's been much lately. So sorry. How this will work will be interesting.

Have a great weekend! Stay warm.

Links and stuff.

So as you know I've been out of the loop. I think many of us have. It's summer so distractions are all around.
I caught a few links I wanted to share. Most of you may already know about these so forgive me.

First,I want to congratulate Kaitlyn McCane for getting this cute little number published in SCBWI Magazine.

I'm now a member so I can't wait to get my copy. So go congratulate her.

Speaking of SCBWI-- the Philly conference is on September 25th. Check out their site for details. Go to local chapters.

A cool little festival (if you are a PA resident). Bringing more YA to PA takes place August 21st. Check out the site here. It takes place in my town--yeah (near Philly). Also check out Dianne Salerni's site too.

Don't forget WriteOnCon August 10th-12th.

I got my eye on a number of contests. You guys most likely already know about these but I'll post them anyway.

Abby Annis is having a 200 follower giveaway ends July 31st.

Kimberly Franklin is giving away The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting.

The fab blogger/writer Jen from unedited is giving away a copy of Linger by Maggie Steifvater. She is going to interview her too. What a lucky girl! I swear there are about 100 Jens because this girl is everywhere. Ends July 25th.

Candyland is hosting an amazing contest with amazing prizes ends July 31st. So cool!

So since I've been out of the loop please let me know of things I missed I will place in my sidebar.
 Hope you guys are having a great day!