Monday Mumbles

How was everyone's weekend? Mine was busy, busy. I feel like summer has taken on a different kind of busy and that's entertaining kids on a constant basis. I hope all you dad's had a relaxing day yesterday.

1. Thank you to Elana Johnson for her awesome post on Friday. Check it out here. Also, don't forget to get on over to her blog for lots of fun stuff and pick up her new release, SURRENDER.

2. So, my progress is slow on everything. I did get past the 15k word mark last week, so it's getting there.

3. Querying is querying. I don't even need to explain it, but I'm holding my head high and trying not to let it get the best of me. I know where I want to be, and one day I'll get there. I have to keep moving forward. I'm revising my query again and have cut the first two chapters of my MS. I'm also rearranging things in the first half of my MS.

4. I can't wait to finish all of the stuff above to be able to work on a finished manuscript that is waiting. It keeps taunting me. It's that middle child looking for attention.

5. Here's a great post about those of us who may be losing confidence. Letter to a writer who is losing confidence by Roz Morris.

6. Another post I thought was interesting. My Life Would Be Easier If I Gave Up Writing by Natasha Hanova

7. I've been brushing up on my grammar. This book is simply the best, and one I've read from cover to cover (you know I'm not a self-help book gal). IT WAS THE BEST OF SENTENCES, IT WAS THE WORST OF SENTENCES by June Casagrande

8. Here is another post I found inspiring from Querytracker. Never, Never Give Up Writing and Winston Churchill by Danyelle Leafty

9. I will be responding to your comments soon. I'm getting there. :)

How was your weekend?

Any vacation plans?

Writing goals?

Have a great day!

Plotting and Pacing in YA--A guest post by Elana Johnson

So, we all know that lovely gal, Elana Johnson. She's got a new release, SURRENDER. See the pretty cover.

Elana has amazing things going on at her blog, and today, she's on my blog sharing her knowledge. Take it away Elana.

Okay, so if you’ve read my books, you know I’m a big fan of fast-paced, all-action-all-the-time novels. Both POSSESSION and SURRENDER sort of start out slow and then push the reader to the end.

There’s an element of plotting that has to happen when writing. I’m a supporter of a slow start, especially when building a new world for readers. I want to be eased into a new world with a new character like sinking into a hot bath.

After that? All bets are off. I then want things to happen, and happen fast. But that doesn’t mean you as the author can throw everything and the kitchen sink at the reader.

I like to think of pacing like a horse race. Red Pollard didn’t take Seabiscuit out of the gate at one hundred miles per hour. He held the horse back at points, and drove him forward at others. And then he really whipped Seabiscuit down the home stretch.

I think YA authors can learn a lot from thinking about pacing in this way. There’s a time to give readers a lot of information pertaining to the plot. There’s a time for pure action. There’s a time to pull back a little and breathe.

It’s all about knowing when to do so.

Let’s examine the Top Five things I think can really guide a reader through a novel. And readers want to feel like they’re in the hands of someone who can lead them through a story.

1.      The opening image. I think this should be a bit slower. Give readers a chance to sink into your world and character like a hot bath.

2.      After you’ve set up the world and character, we need to be driven with the catalyst and debate. I think the pages from 30 – 90 (or so) should be full of tension and plot elements and the definition of character motivation for the rest of the novel. When we finally break into Act 2, the reader should be hoping for a break in the action.

3.      And they should get it. The introduction of the B Story is the time for you as the author to pull the horse back a little bit. You’ve just given them 60 pages of high action and emotional pulling. They need a break. They need fun and games.

4.      Fun and Games. This is where you can have some really cool action scenes. This is where Iron Man gets to try on his suit and go flying around.

5.      At the midpoint, the stakes are raised. And the pacing should naturally increase from there. The fun and games are over, and it’s time to get down to business of solving the problem at hand. The last half of your book should really drive readers to the last page.

What elements do you consider when plotting and pacing your novel?

This week, as part of the SURRENDER blog tour, you can win one of three $15 Barnes & Noble gift cards and become a winner winner, chicken dinner! All you have to do is fill out this rafflecopter widget with what you’ve done. NOTE: One of the options is to blog about a time you didn’t surrender. Go here for full details on this, including how to sign up for your free swag package!

<a id="rc-2572e99" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>

Thanks so much Elana! Also, check out her new release, SURRENDER. See blurb below because you know you want it.

About SURRENDER: Raine has always been a good girl. She lives by the rules in Freedom. After all, they are her father’s rules: He’s the Director. It’s because of him that Raine is willing to use her talent—a power so dangerous, no one else is allowed to know about it. Not even her roommate, Vi.

All of that changes when Raine falls for Gunner. Raine’s got every reason in the world to stay away from Gunn, but she just can’t. Especially when she discovers his connection to Vi’s boyfriend, Zenn.

Raine has never known anyone as heavily brainwashed as Vi. Raine’s father expects her to spy on Vi and report back to him. But Raine is beginning to wonder what Vi knows that her father is so anxious to keep hidden, and what might happen if she helps Vi remember it. She’s even starting to suspect Vi’s secrets might involve Freedom’s newest prisoner, the rebel Jag Barque…. 

Purchase your copy here: http://books.simonandschuster.com/buy/Surrender/9781442445680/from-other-retailers#book_retailers

Blog: http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/possessionthebook

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/elanaJ

Thanks again, Elana! I hope the link works, if it doesn't, please go to Elana's blog to sign up for the giveaway.

Have a great weekend!

Never Surrender Blogfest

This week is the Never Surrender blogfest hosted by the lovely Elana Johnson. Her new book, SURRENDER, was released June 5th. Go check out the participants of the blogfest and how to get a copy of her new book here. For this blogfest, you must post about something you never gave up on, something you fought for . . .you never surrendered.

When I signed up for this, I had no idea what to write. In fact, as I'm writing this, I'm still not sure. What have I fought for? Never gave up on? These thoughts are leading to--Is/was my life that boring? Am I a wimp? Many pieces of my life I've fought for things, but to me may not be significant. It's not like I was stuck on a mountain for days thinking about eating my own hand. I grew up in the suburbs went to high school, then college, got a job, got married, had kids, and here I am blogging and writing and raising my family. Now it hits me. Through each part of my life, I never gave up, I fought for something, even if it wasn't news-worthy.

1. Growing up--I was a shy kid, other kids pushed me around, you know the whole bully girl. In 3rd grade, this girl made me hold her purse at recess while she played. After a while, I told my mom and she told me to tell this bully girl, no, and to find other friends to play with. I was nervous and scared and finally did tell her. She insisted I hold it, but I turned and went and played with someone else.

2. High school--I was part of the alternative crowd--goth kids, punk kids, skaters--I never gave up on my friends because they were there for me.

3. College--It was college. I never wanted to leave, but I had to and did graduate on time. So I never gave up on studying.

4. Job--I got a job in my field and I pushed myself to prove myself in the field of interior design. Even when my boss would put me down, and yell at me (yes, she yelled, she called it nice bitch, not going there) I still pushed through to learn all I could. I don't work there anymore.

5. Married--I never give up on my hubby. I love him to death, and even though we have our differences (who doesn't), we work together and never give up on us.

6. Kids--I support them and do everything I can to raise them right. I would never give up on them. After my little gal was born (she was my first), I went through a little hole of depression. I knew only I could get myself out of it, so I pushed myself, even though the temptation was there, I never gave up on me so I could be the best mom that I can be.

7. Writing--This is the part you know about. You hear me talk about it lots. I have to say it's the first thing that has made me push myself beyond my own limits. I want to prove myself, and achieve my goals, while pleasing my writer passion of creating stories. Sure, there are dreams, and I know I can get there, because I can never surrender.

That was a lot longer than I intended and some of that may not be relevant. Sorry. Go check out the other participants and Elana's book, SURRENDER.

Also, Elana will be guest posting on my blog, Friday!!

When have you never surrendered?

Have a great day!

Surrender by Elana Johnson

Elana Johnson's SURRENDER is released today. Go give a congrats to the lady herself, and pick up a copy.

About SURRENDER: Raine has always been a good girl. She lives by the rules in Freedom. After all, they are her father’s rules: He’s the Director. It’s because of him that Raine is willing to use her talent—a power so dangerous, no one else is allowed to know about it. Not even her roommate, Vi.

All of that changes when Raine falls for Gunner. Raine’s got every reason in the world to stay away from Gunn, but she just can’t. Especially when she discovers his connection to Vi’s boyfriend, Zenn.

Raine has never known anyone as heavily brainwashed as Vi. Raine’s father expects her to spy on Vi and report back to him. But Raine is beginning to wonder what Vi knows that her father is so anxious to keep hidden, and what might happen if she helps Vi remember it. She’s even starting to suspect Vi’s secrets might involve Freedom’s newest prisoner, the rebel Jag Barque…. 

Purchase your copy here: http://books.simonandschuster.com/buy/Surrender/9781442445680/from-other-retailers#book_retailers

Blog: http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/possessionthebook

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/elanaJ

Also, check out the details on her blog about her blogfest and blog hop (there's giveaways, people). Check back here next week (June 15th) for a guest post by Elana.

Congrats Elana!

Have a great day!