SCBWI OC Editors Day Conference

Sailing inland for the OC Editors Day Conference, I found the waters were inviting with schools of fellow writers and an amazing pod of informative and supportive editors & agents. The catch of the day was being randomly chosen, along with five others, to have lunch with Yolanda LeRoy Scott, Editorial Director of Charlesbridge Books. Yolanda wanted to know how we ended up writing for children after we learned how she landed in the book biz, which was a surprising and cool story! I've been so secretive with what I've been writing, except with my critique group, so I was shocked how much I shared! But I felt safe to do so and the others equally shared. All of us had unique stories and influences! I'm diving back into the Cea of Writing with completing rewrites on my MG book from edits I just received from my pro-editor friend, Joyce, and one more rewrite (I hope) on my one page synopsis, then it set sails to it's new destination.

Resurfacing

Fall is on the way and I'm now resurfacing. I live in an art town that comes alive in the summer with art festivals, music and the infamous Pageant of the Masters. And for the first time in a couple of years, we've had nonstop sunshine which makes it extremely difficult to stay in and write. If only my laptop had the nook technology so I can write on the beach when I'm not paddle boarding! I've been reading though. I'm on the third book, the Amber Spyglass of the Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman. Children's books, really?? A part from the lead character, Lyra being ten, I find it to be more of an adult book. I'm amazed how flawlessly he brings in so many characters and subplots! I meet with my critique partner tomorrow so I'm off writing!

One Page Synopsis Reaches Shore

It's been almost a month since I've blogged!! Summer, family & friends caused me to fall overboard. Some amazing events-I got my second rejection, I wrote a prologue for my next book, and I completed my first draft of the one page synopsis! The agent who rejected me did include a BTW that said, "I Loved Your Pitch!" Which I was pleased to know! I continue to scope out for the right harbor. The prologue was a late night inspiration and the one page synopsis was completed last Sunday night. Two things that was key: 1. Writing my jacketflap synopsis first 2. Writing a list of my plot points. Maybe this can help you too.

Inspiration for my next book

A couple of years ago my mother asked me if I wanted my father's old camera case. May dad had passed away and it was just sitting in the closet. Of course I said "yes," as memories of his case flooded my mind. When I went to pick it up, I discovered nestled inside, an old Nikon Camera, lenses, flash, etc.- each in its individual leather case. It has decorated my floor ever since. But it was last summer while gazing at it, a story synopsis came to me. Love when that happens don't you? The book is going to be a YA and I have now written my prologue for it. Ye! As for my MG one page synopsis, it's adrift but I think it will reach land sometime tomorrow morning.

Slow Boat

I'm taking the slow boat on this next submission since this agent wants the whole book and I do have time. So why rush? I've gotten feedback from two out of the five people that I sent it to; all, are outside of my critique group. Of course, they are readers and some are writers too. I was able to get some reading done. I finished Catching Fire but have yet to get back to The Golden Compass. I was sidetracked by Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai. A beautiful and profound book written in prose that opened a new world for me. A young girl's experience as a Vietnamese refugee. I was deeply touched and saddened that I never learned about Vietnam, the country or the war in school. I hope this book finds its way into the hands of children across our nation. As for my one page synopsis, it keeps diving below the surface!

Writing and My Kitten

This is Jaspurr, my distraction. As you can see (or not), he is laying next to The Golden Compass and Catching Fire as to say, "How can you possibly want to read these when I'm so fun and cute?" He's right, and I have only read the first page of The Golden Compass though I loved the film! And the prequal to Catching Fire was read Pre-Jaspurr. Yes, I have always been a sucker for the furry beings! Especially my little Jaspurr who is now the only child after being apart of a litter of five. He has adjusted well and now walks over my computer keys when I'm trying to write and lounges on my manuscript when I'm trying to transfer my edits from the hard copy to the computer copy. Somehow, I'll get this submission done though sleep deprived from Jaspurr's 5am fascination with my hair! I got this blog done during his evening cat nap- time to wake him up so I can sleep through the night and early morning without my hair ambushed.

Query to Set Sail

The jacketflap synopsis and query letter writing adventure has ended. Submission packet is ready to set sail. It will cruise along the snail mail sea and should reach port early next week. Cannonballing into my next agent submission (different format), is planned to deport by the end of May, if I don't hit rocky waters. At the same time, formulations for my other books bubble in my head. One is a YA set in tornado alley and the other is a MG that will be set in either Plymouth or Cornwall, England. All this writing to do with a new distraction in my life, Jaspurr our fun, cute and sweet eight week old kitten. It's a good thing he can't reach my desk, yet!