My Daytime Drama

In the Blogosphere: 6/6-6/17

2011-06-17T14:01:00.003-04:00

“In the Blogosphere” is a series that lists links to writing-related blogs I’ve stumbled upon throughout a given week (usually).*

This is going to be a quickie one because I'm on a time crunch -- revisions are about to take over my life!

THE BASICS

So, um, what is it you're writing? If you are genre-and-category challenged -- is it fantasy or high fantasy? Urban fantasy or paranormal romance? -- Andrea Brown Literary Agency's Jennifer Laughran has your back with a genre glossary.

Writing can be a very heart-on-your-sleeve thing, but Iain Broome of Write for Your Life says: use your head.

IT'S NICE TO SHARE

If you're looking to amp up your bloggity traffic, social media/marketing expert Marian Schemnari's got some common sense tips on how to get others to share your posts. Even though this is not rocket science, she says, about 50% of bloggers are missing the mark.

SELP-PUB HUBBUB

Thinking about self-publishing? Here are some things Bradford Literary Agency's Natalie Fischer says you should consider.

PAY ATTENTION, QUERIERS

In the fall, agent Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary ran a pitch webinar, wherein she critiqued 200 pitches. Wowzas. She posted a faboosh recap -- actually two -- detailing where she most commonly saw said pitches going wrong.

Here, my editor over at Writer's Digest Books, Chuck Sambuchino guest blogged on Kidlit.com about why agents are rejecting your pages.

Wassup, pitches?? Going to any cons or just having a hard time answering your friends & family when they ask you what you're manuscript's about? Screenwriter John Robert Harlow's got ya covered in terms of how to create the perfect logline.

And now, I must get back to work. But I'll leave you with this very smart beagle (like, I'm almost not convinced it really IS a beagle, it's so smart!):

Don't forget:

Enter my third

romance novel giveaway

by 12 p.m. (EST) 6/18!

Details here.

Happy Friday, lovees. :)

Where Am I Today? GLA Blog

2011-06-17T10:27:00.000-04:00

I interview agents for the Guide to Literary Agents blog, and my latest interview, with Ruben Literary Agency's Eric Ruben, is now up.

Chekkit!

2nd Romance Giveaway Winners Announced & 3rd Giveaway Commences

2011-06-16T15:04:00.000-04:00

Here's some love for my dirty dirty dancer girls, Sara McClizzl, Cambria Dillon, Lola Sharp & Cristin Terrill . . . even though Sara & I are really the only ones who like the song. (W/E)

(You're welcome.)

Now -- WEINERS!

I mean WINNERS!

Congrats to . . .

Michelle Reed

who won Charmed and Dangerous

by Toni McGee Causey

And to . . .

Tammy Beck

who won I Love This Bar

by Carolyn Brown

I'll be sending them out in the next few days -- yay!

---

Giveaway #3 -- 8 more chances to win!

What's still available?

(Sorry in advance for the weirdo formatting of these book covers!)

How does it work?

So. Easy. All you need to do to enter is be a follower of this blog *bats eyes* & fill out the entry form (click for the link!) for a chance to win. There are a few ways to earn extra entries (see the form), but I've added a new one: +5 entries to any new or old members of the Write-Brained Network!

I'll draw TWO winners per contest day. If you entered any of the previous contests in this giveaway, you still need to re-enter (sorry!). But I'll give you all your initial entries + any extra ones you happen to rack up through more pimpage. :)

U.S. residents only. Sorry international loveys---it's just that I'm sending out soooo many books!

Third set of winners announced 6/18 -- enter by 12 p.m. (EST) 6/18!

The Straight Dope on the Serial or "Oxford" Comma

2011-06-15T10:07:00.001-04:00

"The Straight Dope" highlights common grammatical errors -- so you can stop looking dopey when you do these things incorrectly. :)

Please note: Unless otherwise specified, these are the proper grammar and formatting rules according to Chicago style---the style in which you should be writing, if you're writing fiction---and some nonfiction. (So don't give me a laundry list of reasons why some other way is correct. It *might be*, in AP style or APA style or MLA formatting . . . but that's not what I'm talking about here.)

---

**I'm bringing over some of my series posts from my old blog, so this is a blast-from-the-past post for those of you who have been with me since Wordpress.**

---

TO USE OR NOT TO USE THE SERIAL COMMA? THAT IS THE QUESTION

This one comes from something one Write-Brainiac posted on our forum. (Join us! We're not a cult---I swear!)

Um, what is the serial comma?

The serial comma is the comma used before the conjunction (and, but, or, etc.) in a sentence where there's a list of three of more things.

For example:

I read THE DUFF, THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE, and GEEKTASTIC: STORIES FROM THE NERD HERD over the holidays.

The comma before the "and" in that sentence is the serial comma.

The above would be the correct way to punctuate the sentence, if you're writing in MLA format or Chicago style.

However, if you're writing in AP style, that comma would be dropped:

I read THE DUFF, THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE and GEEKTASTIC: STORIES FROM THE NERD HERD over the holidays.

Them's the rules. Happy punctuating!

The end.

Helloooo Dolly Romance Novel Giveaway -- 1st Winners Announced!

2011-06-14T23:10:00.000-04:00

First of all:

;)

Now that we're all appropriately in the mood for some romance, congrats to . . .

Alison Miller

who won Big Jack

by J.D. Robb

And to . . .

Kathryn Halstead

who won Crazy for Love

by Victoria Dahl

I'll be sending them out in the next few days -- yay!

---

Giveaway #2 -- 10 more chances to win!

What's still available?

(Sorry in advance for the weirdo formatting of these book covers!)

2 copies!!

How does it work?

Second set of winners announced 6/16 -- enter by 11:59 p.m. 6/15!

Good luck, dudes*!!

*Anybody remember being in, like, 3rd or 4th grade and, when people said the word dude, your annoying classmates (or, in some cases, YOU) would say, "A dude is a hair on an elephant's butt"? Was this just my grade school or what??

YA Crit Group You Should Know About

2011-06-14T11:00:00.000-04:00

One of my favsies over at the Write-Brained Network, Erin L. Schneider, is organizing a crit group (or several, depending on interest), for the subgroup she heads up over there, YAwesome Writers.

Check out her blog post for more details, but this promises to be made of awesome!

Helllloooooo Dolly Romance Novel Giveaway

2011-06-13T16:16:00.003-04:00

Love is in the air, peeps. I'm giving away 12 hottttt romance novels in preparation for RWA 2011 -- OMG I can't wait!

What's available?

(Sorry in advance for the weirdo formatting of these book covers!)

2 copies!!

How does it work?

Enter by noon 6/14!

Good luck!!

Correction: Romance Novel Giveaway Starts 6/13

2011-06-12T17:52:00.000-04:00

Sorry about that, but I'm wrapping up my writing retreat weekend & I'm in the zooooone!

I promise to get it started tomorrow, loves.

Happy rest-of-the-weekend!

(He's not on our retreat with us -- he was just our waiter.)

Last YA Giveaway Winners Announced, New Giveaway Starts Tomorrow

2011-06-11T15:28:00.001-04:00

Congrats to . . .

Alicia Caldwell

who won Rhymes with Witches

by Lauren Myracle!!

And . . .

Faith Boughan Saraiva*

who won an ARC of The Anti-Prom

by Abby McDonald!!

---

Also?

The Helllooooo Dolly Romance Novel Giveaway starts tomorrow -- 6/12 --
so stop back!

Friday FUNNNN

2011-06-10T07:30:00.005-04:00

I'm heading up to Annapolis, Md., with four awesome and craaaazy (and we have several Twitter streams to prove it!) other YA writers for the weekend (Sean William Scott, Bradley Cooper, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn . . . wait a minute. Yeah, we never totally figured that out. (Don't ask.)).

Anyway, Sara McClung, Cambria Dillon, Cristin Terrill, Lola Sharp & I got a cottage -- um, !!!! -- and it's just going to be fantabulisciousness.

Expect lots of pictures, a vlog or two . . . and you *might* want to stay away from Twitter. Or -- OR -- you might want to check it out. Just sayin'. But I seriously could not be more excited to hang with this group, talk shop, and REVISE.

So, I'll leave you with two videos for the weekend.

This first one comes from amazeballs YA author John Green, wherein he gives the straight dope about book editors and coins the term Indianapoliscious:

And the "unofficial" video (I don't believe the official one has been released yet?) of a song I cannot help but be in love with, Taylor Swift's "Sparks Fly"*:

*OMG, you guuuuuys! I might be going to see her in Cleveland at the end of July! *excitement*

Oh, and stop back tomorrow for Giveaway #5 winners!

Have a good weekend, peeps!

Giveaway #4 Winners Announced & Giveaway #5 Commences!

2011-06-09T13:00:00.004-04:00

I'm getting ready to go on an Epic Writing Retreat of Epic Epicnosity this weekend with Sara McClung, Cristin Terrill, Cambria Dillon, & Lola Sharp (*cough* name dropper *cough*), but FIRST. Winnahs!

Congrats to . . .

Michelle Reed

who won Forget You

SIGNED by Jennifer Echols!!

And . . .

Shiloh Carroll

who won Prom Nights from Hell!!

Also: if Miss Lauren and Lisa Potts could pleeeeease send me their snail-mail addresses, so I can get Shine and Swoon out to them (respectively), that would be fantoobles.

---

Giveaway #5 -- 2 more chances to win!
Note: Saturday, June 11,
starts the romance novel giveaway!*

*More details here

What's still available?

Thirteen Reasons Why -- hardcover!

The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips -- SIGNED by Susan McBride + bookmark!!!

Frogs & French Kisses -- SIGNED by Sarah Mylnowski!!

Nothing Like You -- hardcover & SIGNED by Lauren Strasnick (although she accidentally signed this one to me too . . . but it's still cool!)

ARC of Picture the Dead! (the cover is different than this one)

Pure -- hardcover!

Rhymes with Witches -- hardcover!

ARC of The Anti-Prom!

The Curse of the Wendigo -- hardcover!

How does it work?

Fifth set of winners announced 6/11 -- enter by 11:59 p.m. 6/10!

For more info about the rest of the month-long book & ARC giveaway, see this post.

Good luck!!

For My Stalkers: Where Am I Today? GLA Blog

2011-06-09T09:32:00.001-04:00

I interview agents for the Guide to Literary Agents blog, and my latest interview, with Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency's Taylor Martindale, just went up.

Chekkit!

Giveaway #3 Winners Announced & Giveaway #4 Commences!

2011-06-07T15:30:00.003-04:00

Congrats to . . .

Miss Lauren*

who won an ARC of Shine

by Lauren Myracle!!

And . . .

Lisa Potts*

who won an ARC of Swoon

by Nina Malkin!!

*Shoot! Can you two e-mail me you snail mail addys again (ricki [at] rickischultz [dot] com)? I accidentally got rid of the entry form spreadsheet before I could write them down! Sorry -- DOINK!

---

Giveaway #4 -- 4 more chances to win!

What's still available?

Thirteen Reasons Why -- hardcover!

The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips -- SIGNED by Susan McBride + bookmark!!!

Forget You: SIGNED by Jennifer Echols!!

Frogs & French Kisses -- SIGNED by Sarah Mylnowski!!

Nothing Like You -- hardcover & SIGNED by Lauren Strasnick (although she accidentally signed this one to me too . . . but it's still cool!)

ARC of Picture the Dead! (the cover is different than this one)

Pure -- hardcover!

Rhymes with Witches -- hardcover!

ARC of The Anti-Prom!

The Curse of the Wendigo -- hardcover!

How does it work?

Fourth set of winners announced 6/9 -- enter by 11:59 p.m. 6/8!

For more info about the rest of the month-long book & ARC giveaway, see this post.

Good luck!!

15 Beats: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

2011-06-07T07:30:00.003-04:00

"15 Beats" is a series which breaks down movies into late screenwriter Blake Snyder's 15 beats of a successful story.

**I'm bringing over some of my series posts from my old blog, so this is a blast-from-the-past post for those of you who have been with me since Wordpress.**

A friend of mine put me in touch with Blake Snyder’s screenwriting book, SAVE THE CAT: The Last Book on Screenwriting that You’ll Ever Need. In it, Snyder details the 15 beats of the three-act structure essential to any successful plot.

Since reading the book, it’s been hard not to analyze every movie I see or book I read in terms of this structure, and I now “beat out” all my manuscript plots to make sure my stories are going somewhere.

Recently, I watched one of my new favorites, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and I thought I’d nerd it up a bit and beat it out. When I did this back in December with It's A Wonderful Life, I said this would become somewhat of a regular feature, here on the blog; however, I've been slacking.

So, here it is---enjoy!

Opening Image

At the opening of the movie, protagonist Peter Bretter eats cereal from a large mixing bowl and watches Access Hollywood in his boxers. We watch the show along with him and get a montage of Peter and his famous girlfriend---Sarah Marshall---an actress on the show Crime Scene: Scene of the Crime. Within the story Billy Bush tells on the screen, we learn that Peter is a composer who does music for Sarah's show and that they've been in a relationship for five years. In the final credits, we also get a glimpse of Aldous Snow, a British rocker from the band Infant Sorrow who is equally as famous as Sarah.

Theme Stated

The way I see it, there are a few moments where the theme or something that touches on the theme is stated right here in the beginning. The theme is essentially that she's a big deal and he isn't---and will she accept him for who he is.

We get the sense, right off the bat that, no, she doesn't---Sarah calls right as Access Hollywood ends, saying she is stopping by, and Peter scrambles to clean his messy apartment. This suggests he doesn't want her to know the real Peter. Plus, when she does arrive, she breaks up with him and cites one of the reasons as being because he spent an entire week in sweat pants.

Peter: (to Sarah) Oh, if they were Sean Jean sweatpants it would be no problem. But because they were Costco brand, it's the worst thing I could do.

But, according to Snyder in STC, the theme is usually stated in a question somewhere near the beginning. That said, it could be when Peter and his stepbrother Brian discuss how to move on. Peter wants to go to Hawaii to clear his head, and Brian says that's a bad idea.

Peter: What, now I can't go to Hawaii now because Sarah Marshall has heard of Hawaii?

Set-Up

The Access Hollywood piece at the beginning does a great job of giving us all the backstory we need to know in such a short amount of time---as does Sarah breaking up with Peter.

Even though it's hilarious, the nekkid breakup scene
has symbolic significance. He's the one that's vulnerable--exposed;
she's the one calling the shots, and she has something to hide.

Other than the exposition, we see Peter's ups and downs in terms of dealing with the breakup:

He engages in several one-night stands.
At home---alone---he cries when someone is kicked off Project Runway.

Peter: (with Heidi Klum on the screen) Auf Wiedersehen.

At his job, writing the musical score for Crime Scene: Scene of the Crime, he lashes out at Sarah's character on the screen.
He burns everything Sarah-related and listens to Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2U."
Peter: Everywhere I look, I'm reminded of her. Like this thing. (He picks up the tupperware full of Fruit Loops and tells his brother the story of how Sarah gave it to him) . . . And now I have the freshest cereal.

Catalyst

Peter goes to Hawaii to clear his mind. As he's talking to attractive receptionist Rachel Jansen, Sarah shows up in a bikini. They have an awkward encounter in the lobby, as Sarah and her new man---Aldous Snow---are staying at the same hotel.

Debate

The debate portion shows up in a few spots. During his flight, Sarah is the narrator of the in-flight entertainment. When he gets to the hotel, she's staying there as well.

It's basically, should he stay, or should he go? Will he be able to survive the trip?

Sarah: So you're really staying . . . you're going to stay?

Peter: (sarcastically) Yeah, I feel at home here. I love it here.

Sarah: (sarcastically as well) Yeah, you should stay.

Break into Two

Peter's decided he's going to stay, and Rachel says he can stay in the Kapu suite as long as he cleans up after himself.

Peter: Why are you doing this for me?

Rachel: She's here with some guy already? Kinda messed up.

B Story

Peter meets other vacationers, he gets to know some of the hotel staff, etc. But the sparks flying between Peter and Rachel are the main focus of Peter's B story.

Fun and Games

Many entertaining things ensue as Peter settles in to his new surroundings:

He's going out and drinking a bunch of girlie drinks.

"I'm on SEX AND THE CITY. I'm Samantha---I have sex with everybody!"

He attends and makes it through a yoga class with Sarah and Aldous there (of course).
Chuck (a.k.a. Kunu) takes him surfing.

Chuck/Kunu: When life gives you lemons, just say fuck the lemons and bail.

He goes to a luau on the fourth of July and ends up going to a beach party with Rachel, where he opens up to her about how he hates his job.
At a karaoke bar, Rachel arranges for Peter to sing a song from the rock opera he's writing about Dracula and true love.

Midpoint

What's interesting about beating out this movie is that it has both a midpoint and an anti-midpoint. There is a midpoint with the B story between Peter and Rachel and an anti-midpoint in the story between Peter and Sarah---it's a high point for the audience because it's a low point for Sarah.

Let me explain the anti-midpoint first. It's a victory for our protagonist in that Sarah's world begins to crumble:

She gets a call that Crime Scene: Scene of the Crime has been canceled.
She and Aldous fight because he tells her he's going on an 18-month tour in two weeks and insults her when he asks her to accompany him.

Aldous: "You could be queen of the Sorrow Suckers."


Chuck/Kunu: Hey, if you get attacked by a shark, are you just gonna quit surfing?	Peter: Probably - yeah.

This is also like an anti-midpoint because Sarah starts sniffing around Peter again. She's seen him with Rachel and uses this news about the show to drive a wedge between her ex and the receptionist---and to make herself feel better, since Peter has always been there for her.

Sarah and Peter have an "honest conversation."
She reaches out and holds his hand.

This is seemingly a victory for Peter because all he wanted was for Sarah to come back to him, and it looks like she's going to---and, by definition, a midpoint is where the protagonist gets what he wants . . . or what he *thinks* he wants. However, the audience is going, "Nooooooooo!"

But it's short-lived because Peter flashes back to Sarah not "getting" the song from his Dracula rock opera.
When he comes back to the present, Peter breaks hands with Sarah and asks about Aldous.

Concerning the B story and the true midpoint, Rachel finally kisses Peter after they cliff dive---symbolic of "taking the plunge."

Bad Guys Close In

Dakota Fanning rents the Kapu suite, so Rachel has to put Peter in the only available room---right next to Sarah and Aldous's. Sarah's perfect little world is falling apart, so she begins messing with how well things are going between Peter and Rachel:

Sarah confronts Rachel about Peter:

Sarah: He's a really good guy. Great, actually. (She pretends to cry.)

While they surf together, Peter learns from Aldous that Sarah was cheating with him for a year of their relationship.

Peter: (to Sarah) I'm sorry I didn't end up being who we thought I was going to be.

Aldous doesn't wear the shirt Sarah bought him---she flashes back to all the douchey things Peter wore, just because she bought them for him.
They bump into Peter and Rachel---who look great---and share an awkward dinner during which everyone---even Aldous---mocks Sarah's lame career.
Peter goes to see Sarah when he hears of her breakup with Aldous, and she tries to get him back, but he realizes he isn't into it.

Sarah: What's wrong with you?

Peter: Nothing's wrong with me. It's just---something doesn't feel right. You're the goddamn devil.

All Is Lost

Trying to be honest, Peter tells Rachel he almost had sex with Sarah but realized he didn't want to. She gets upset.

Rachel: I need you to leave. Do not write me. Do not e-mail me. Do not call me.

Dark Night of the Soul

In attempt at getting her back, Peter retrieves an embarrassing picture of Rachel from the karaoke bar and gets his ass kicked by the owner in the process. He gives it back to her, she doesn't want to see him, and he flies home.

Break into Three

Peter begins working seriously on his music vampire musical again. We see him work out, bettering his life, etc. He sends Rachel a flyer for his rock opera A Taste of Love.

Finale

Peter stars in his musical, and at curtain call, he makes eye contact with Rachel, who is in the audience.

After the show, they talk, and he learns that her stay is open-ended and that she's thinking about going back to finish school.

Rachel: You never called . . .

Peter: You told me not to. I listened.

Final Image

They share an awkward hug and say they'll hang out, but Rachel tells Peter to go greet his public.

Back in his dressing room, he is about to call her . . . and then she appears . . . and he's naked---just like he was at the beginning when Sarah broke up with him (so it's come full circle both in terms of tying up Peter's happiness and reminding us that this is, above all, a wacky comedy).

They kiss.

Peter and his stepbrother performing as Dracula
and Van Helsing, respectively, in TASTE OF LOVE.

And, although this happens during the credits, you could also call this a final image: the trailer for Sarah Marshall's new role in another crappy, corny police drama, Animal Instincts. But it's definitely worth mentioning because Jason Bateman is also in it, and I heart him.

How Many Conversations in My House Go When I Am Talking about Work Expenses

2011-06-06T13:00:00.001-04:00

(Sorry so blurry.)

Giveaway #2 Winners Announced & Giveaway #3 Commences!

2011-06-05T21:59:00.001-04:00

Sorry it took me a bit to post this, peeps -- I was in Baltimore for the weekend, watching the Orioles play the Toronto Blue Jays.

See?

Is that my boyfriend Nick Markakis running out to right field??

Anyway, I need to go be social with the in-laws, so I won't torture you; I'll get right to the winners.

Congratulations to:

Paulina Golaszewski

who won The Boy Book + bookmark

by E. Lockart!!

And congrats to . . .

Carrie Monroe

who won an ARC of Will Grayson, Will Grayson

by John Green & David Levithan!!

---

Giveaway #3 -- 6 more chances to win!

What's still available?

Thirteen Reasons Why -- hardcover!

The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips -- SIGNED by Susan McBride + bookmark!!!

Forget You: SIGNED by Jennifer Echols!!

Frogs & French Kisses -- SIGNED by Sarah Mylnowski!!

ARC of Swoon!! *swoons*

Nothing Like You -- hardcover & SIGNED by Lauren Strasnick (although she accidentally signed this one to me too . . . but it's still cool!)

ARC of Picture the Dead! (the cover is different than this one)

Pure -- hardcover!

Rhymes with Witches -- hardcover!

ARC of Shine!

ARC of The Anti-Prom!

The Curse of the Wendigo -- hardcover!

How does it work?

So. Easy. All you need to do to enter is be a follower of this blog *bats eyes* & fill out the entry form (click for the link!) for a chance to win. It would also be nice if you left a comment on this post, so I know you're planning on entering -- just in case there's a snafu or something (this is my first contest using an "entry form," so I want to prepare for whateversville.)

I'll draw TWO winners per contest day. If you entered the first contest,you still need to re-enter (sorry!). But I'll give you all your initial entries + any extra ones you happen to rack up through more pimpage. :)

Third set of winners announced 6/7 -- enter by 11:59 p.m. 6/6!

For more info about the rest of the month-long book & ARC giveaway, see this post.

Good luck, guys!!

Here's me & the hubs at today's game! (We lost. Boo.)

And here's Nick Markakis. Hellloooo Dolly! :D

In the Blogosphere: 5/22-6/3

2011-06-03T13:21:00.003-04:00

“In the Blogosphere” is a series that lists links to writing-related blogs I’ve stumbled upon throughout a given week (usually).*

*I've saved a *lot* of great links -- all definitely worth a read. As I attempt to catch up in my gigantic queue (YOU'RE A GIGANTIC QUEUE!!), many of these will be older posts -- but only in time stamp. I won't include any that are time-sensitive unless they are current. Deal?

WEB STUFF

Not sure if this is still an issue, but MediaBistro says NO to Free Public Wifi.

How's your blog doing? Check out J.M. Lacey's tips on how to have a successful one -- and if you're not signed up for her newsletter yet, you should be. She's a marketing whiz! :)

Thinking of creating (or revamping) your Web site? Hiring a Web designer, perhaps? Across the Universe author Beth Revis gives you some things to toss around the old noodle first -- a comprehensive list of what to have (and what not to have) on your site -- before and after publication.

CRAFT, YO

Research can be a B. Here, author and blogging all-star Jody Hedlund gives four practical tips to get you on the right track when researching a novel.

What's in a character name? Self Editing Blog's John Robert Marlow says a lot, over at Writing-World.com!

This post is so timely for my IRL group, Shenandoah Writers, as we'll be dissecting story openers at Tuesday's meeting! Here, the made-of-awesome teamsters over at Adventures in Children's Publishing (ACP) talk about how to reel in your reader with your opening sentences.

And, here, my TWITSOM (Twitter soulmate) Cambria Dillon (Dillion *inside jokes*) also weighs in on the subject -- and puts you in the mooooood!

While we're on the subject of MOOD, the inimitable Maggie Stiefvater discusses revising for mood over at Words on Words.

And if that's not enough mood for you, the ladies of ACP also talk about showing and telling -- and they equate "voice" to pornography in the process. Haha. Love them.

IT'S BIZ-NASS, BABY

The query letter is something most of us can't escape -- from freelancing to novel writing, get ready to write bajillions. Over at The Write Word, copywriter/editor Tom Bentley's got your back, though, with some dos & don'ts that can minimize your stress levels over the pesky little buggers. (Note: Vodka doesn't hurt either.)

Grammar nerds unite! Editor Barbara McNichol muses about why grammar issues happen. (Knowing is half the battle -- hee.)

In a guest post on Nathan Bransford's blog, young adult author Hannah Moskowitz spells out what it takes to be a professional writer. Good stuff!

MOTIVATION

Because you're good enough, you're smart enough, and GET OVER IT. Here, one of my favorite-evers, Sara McClung, says being positive is sometimes a CHOICE. So choose it & get writing, baby.

BECAUSE YOU WERE GOOD

I'm glad this dude didn't put "Miami" in this Will Smiff medley because, although I used to love that song, I can't listen to it post LeDouche's "The Decision."

But "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It"? Best rap song EVAR.

ONE MOAR THING

Don't forget to enter my second "June is Busting Out All Over" giveaway by 11:59 on 6/4! Next set of winners announced 6/5!

Happy weekend!!!!

Giveaway #1 Winners Announced & Giveaway #2 Commences!

2011-06-02T20:51:00.004-04:00

Congratulations to:

Wait -- so how was your day? Mine was craaaaazy, but good.

Also? In case some of you don't believe me that "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" is REALLY a song, chekkit, peeps. The lyrics are just . . . epic:

OK -- winners.

So . . .

OH! That reminds me -- winning! How great is Jimmy Fallon's impression of Charlie Sheen?

I am so in love with Jimmy Fallon. Hilar. How about his awesome song on The Electric Company?

OKOK . . . I've tortured you enough.

Congrats to . . .

Diana @The Lovely Getaway*

who won an ARC of Linger

SIGNED by Maggie Stiefvater!!

And congrats to . . .

Kristin Lynn Thetford*

who won Glimmerglass

SIGNED by Jenna Black!!

*Please e-mail me with your snail mail addys so I can get those out to you!
---

Giveaway #2 -- 8 more chances to win!

What's still available?

Thirteen Reasons Why -- hardcover!

The Boy Book -- hardcover + bookmark!!

The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips -- SIGNED by Susan McBride + bookmark!!!

Forget You: SIGNED by Jennifer Echols!!

Frogs & French Kisses -- SIGNED by Sarah Mylnowski!!

ARC of Swoon!! *swoons*

Nothing Like You -- hardcover & SIGNED by Lauren Strasnick (although she accidentally signed this one to me too . . . but it's still cool!)

ARC of Picture the Dead! (the cover is different than this one)

Pure -- hardcover!

Rhymes with Witches -- hardcover!

ARC of Shine!

ARC of The Anti-Prom!

The Curse of the Wendigo -- hardcover!

ARC of Will Grayson, Will Grayson!

How does it work?

Second set of winners announced 6/5 -- enter by 11:59 p.m. 6/4!

For more info about the rest of the month-long book & ARC giveaway, see this post.

Good luck, guys!!

And, if you've made it this far in the post, here's a little treat for ya:

Pointers from the Pros: Gail Langer Karwoski Chats about Children's Books

2011-06-01T13:08:00.001-04:00

"Pointers from the Pros" gives tips from authors and publishing industry professionals on everything from craft to querying to their experiences on the road to publication.

**I'm bringing over some of my series posts from my old blog, so this is a blast-from-the-past post for those of you who have been with me since Wordpress.**

I spoke at the 35th annual Southeastern Writers Association conference in beautiful St. Simons Island, Ga., in June 2010 and took copious notes at the sessions. Although I couldn't go to all the faboo classes, I'm sharing some tips from some of the ones I was lucky enough to attend.

Here is what fantabulous children's author Gail Langer Karwoski* had to say about (younger) children's books.

THE BASICS OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS

The characters should be around the age of the reader (or slightly older).
The settings need to be appropriate for kids.
In the current market, as opposed to the books you grew up reading, the words are now simpler & the text is shorter.
It's so competitive; be the rule, not the exception---or you won't get published.

TYPES OF (YOUNGER) CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Picture books:32-pages, with pictures on every spread
- Can be fiction or nonfiction
Board/cloth books:16 pages or less, simple & short, made to last through wear & tear
- Most are developed in-house (not ideal if you're trying to break in).
- Many are redesigned classics.
Concept books:explain a concept rather than telling a story
- There is no absolute beginning/middle/end; the order of the pages doesn't matter; each spread can be a vignette (her NF books are like this).
- These are considered showcases for illustrators.

Novelty books/gift books:things such as pop-up, scratch & sniff
- Not built to last
- Schools & libraries don't buy them
- Expensive to produce
Picture storybooks:generally intended to be read aloud to children (ages 4-8)
- Vocab appropriate to subject and age---*adult* is reading it, so it can include words like "triceratops"
- 32 pages---some longer, for older kids
- Some used as unit openers (for older kids), to be read by the kids themselves
- Separate from the other book types and not popular sellers (other than in schools & libraries)
- Some are longer picture books---biographies, for older kids (3rd-4th grade)
Easy readers/early readers: meant for kids to read themselves, as transition books
- Usually < 200 words---sometimes even < 100 words.
- Very specific guidelines & very formulaic (many pub houses even have word lists to use for these).
- Usually assigned by the publishing companies to writers.

WRITER/ILLUSTRATOR RELATIONSHIP

Most picture books begin with the story, unless you have a legal relationship with the illustrator (it's you, your relative, your spouse).
If there's no legal relationship and you're trying to suggest an illustrator in your proposal, it's like a siren screaming "AMATEUR" (=rejection).
Many times, pub houses will pair a newer author with a more established illustrator to increase the book's chances of selling.
If you can do both (you don't just "doodle"), you should; just make sure your proposal is professional.
Many agents want author/illustrators (because it's less people to pay and more of a cut of the money for them).

---

*Click here for my WB Spotlight on Karwoski.

"June Is Bustin' Out All Over" Book Giveaway

2011-05-31T06:22:00.007-04:00

Get your minds out of the gutter, sickos. "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" happens to be a song from the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, Carousel.

And, okay. It was also a euphemism in my choir class in high school (for probably what you were thinking when I called you a sicko), pretty much the minute my choir director introduced it---and its gems of lyrics (many of which warrant a THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID after them)---to my class.

It's JUNE. . .

Well, it's actually May 31 when I'm posting this (doh!), but I need to tell you about this before June actually starts, so for all intensive purposes*, just humor me and pretend it IS in fact June.

*Jokes: INTENTS AND PURPOSES

. . . and that marks the beginning of the Annual Schultz Summer of Crazy.

Actually, it started in May this year. Oh crap.

Anyway, I'm giving away a buttload of books and ARCs (some signed!!) to make room for all the new swag I'll be ~~stealing~~ taking home from RWA at the end of the month.

What does that mean to you?

Well, in honor of June busting out all over *giggles* and in celebration of the new bloggity blog, it means a lot of peeps are going to walk away with free shizz, yo!

June 1-11

I'll be giving away 10 young adult novels

June 12-25

I'll be giving away 12 romance novels

UPDATE: First winners announced 6/2 -- enter by 11:59 p.m. 6/1!

What are they??

The Biebertastic YA books and ARCs up for grabs (yeah, they have nothing to do with Justin Bieber, but I figured if I used his name, the peeps would come a-flockin'):

Thirteen Reasons Why -- hardcover!

ARC of Linger -- SIGNED by Maggie Stiefvater!!

The Boy Book -- hardcover + bookmark!!

The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips -- SIGNED by Susan McBride + bookmark!!!

Forget You: SIGNED by Jennifer Echols!!

Frogs & French Kisses -- SIGNED by Sarah Mylnowski!!

Glimmerglass -- SIGNED by Jenna Black!!

ARC of Swoon!! *swoons*

Nothing Like You -- hardcover & SIGNED by Lauren Strasnick (although she accidentally signed this one to me too . . . but it's still cool!)

ARC of Picture the Dead! (the cover is different than this one)

Pure -- hardcover!

Rhymes with Witches -- hardcover!

ARC of Shine!

ARC of The Anti-Prom!

The Curse of the Wendigo -- hardcover!

ARC of Will Grayson, Will Grayson!

How does it work?

So. Easy. All you need to do to enter is be a follower of this blog *bats eyes* & fill out the entry form (<--- click for the link!) for a chance to win. It would also be nice if you left a comment on this post, so I know you're planning on entering -- just in case there's a snafu or something (this is my first contest using an "entry form," so I want to prepare for whateversville.)

I'll draw TWO winners per contest day. If you don't win the first time, you'll need to stop back to enter again to be eligible for the next drawing.

But, um, do I have to pimp out your blog?

You don't *have* to, but it would be muy nice if you did---and it will earn you some extra entries as well. It's not required, but details are on the entry form (found here).

U.S. & Canada residents only. Sorry international loveys---it's just that I'm sending out soooo many books!

That's it, guys---hope you all enter! And if young adult books aren't your thing, please stop back June 12 when I kick off the hotttt romance giveaway! *sizzles*

Friday FUN -- and Fist Bumps

2011-05-27T13:49:00.004-04:00

I've decided, on this new blog, I'm going to do "In the Blogosphere" posts every *other* week instead of *every* week, to allow for some fun -- and frivolity. After all, it is Friday and summer, for writing out loud.

First, I want to give a couple of fist bumps to some awesome people.

You betta recognize! (Yes, this, sadly is my most badass face -- which is why I covered most of it!)

James River Writers.* OK, so that's a slew of folks, but the whole organization is pretty amazing, and everyone I have ever met there has been super fab. Among them:

Kris Spisak, for working wonders every month, putting together fabulous "Writing Shows" -- and especially for being kind enough to have me sit on this month's panel
My fellow panelists, Web expert Frank Petroski & online platform and marketing consultant/Twitter guru Dan Blank, from whom I learned a lot last night
Bill Blume, our fantastic moderator/everyone's favorite Web cartoonist, who always makes Richmond a B-L-A-S-T

FUN (and Dorky)

Last week, I was Tweeting with Frankie Diane Mallis (another fist bump!) about the Spice Girls, which got me thinking of songs that might be embarrassing (or awesome?) to admit I loved (okay, love?) -- songs which need some resurrecting. During my two-hour ride home from Richmond last night, I rocked it out to this little gem, which I almost forgot existed:

Don't hate!

Any songs you'd like to resurrect? Even if you're pretty sure others will judge you for it? ;)

Happy Friday!!!!

---

*The JRW has just started a new blog to gear up for their October conference -- you should def go check it out.

For My Stalkers: Where Am I Today? GLA Blog & Richmond

2011-05-26T11:42:00.001-04:00

I interview agents for the Guide to Literary Agents blog, and my latest interview, with Caren Johnson Literary's Katie Shea went up this morning.

But if that's not enough stalkage for you, I'll be speaking on a panel at James River Writers' May "Writing Show" tonight. Details here. Come say hi!

Pointers from the Pros: Agent Katharine Sands Talks Pitching

2011-05-25T01:55:00.002-04:00

"Pointers from the Pros" gives tips from authors and publishing industry professionals on everything from craft to querying to their experiences on the road to publication.

**I'm bringing over some of my series posts from my old blog, so this is a blast-from-the-past post for those of you who have been with me since Wordpress.**

Here is what the 2010 Agent in Residence, Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency's Katharine Sands,* had to say about what she calls "pitchcraft" (the writing you do about your writing) in her first session of "How Not to Get an Agent."

Everything is the result of some kind of pitch, from what you wear to the kind of shampoo you use.
Something must take place in the reading of the pitch---a question must develop in the reader's mind (this is "pop" or "alchemy") or agents won't read on.
The decisions you make about the way you pitch will travel: Agent uses your pitch to interest an editor, editor uses your pitch to discuss marketing with publishing houses, etc.
Your pitch needs to answer the question: "Why does the world need this book?"

QUERIAL KILLERS

You are more AND less interesting than you come to realize in terms of pitching (more: the more one learns of you, the more one gets to know you---less: what beginners usually share first is what the publishing industry doesn’t want to know).
They don’t want to know about your writing process.
Don't pitch more than one project at a time in the query (shows you're an amateur/you lack focus).
Don't discuss movie/sequel ideas in the query.

ELEMENTS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR PITCH

Place---Where are you taking the reader?
Person---Who's the star of the story?
Pivot---What's the crisis/event that starts the story in motion?
If you don’t see these elements in your pitch, agents won’t either.

OTHER TIPS

Include voice & tone.
Ask yourself: Where is there a gap in the market? What’s fresh? The minute your intro is fresh, you have your POP.
Specify that you’ve written a manuscript, not a book---because what you've written is not a book yet.

SPECIFIC TO HER

Some agents don’t like questions in a query. She doesn’t necessarily agree---says they can be very effective.
She says you can put a blurb in a query letter, if you have one---anything that sets you apart.
She recommends you query widely so you don't miss out on an opportunity for the right person to fall in love with your writing.

Sands's takeaway tip on pitching - from HAMLET: "Readiness is all."

---

*Click here for my SWA Presenter Spotlight on Sands.

If You Missed the WB Live Chat on Poetry...

2011-05-24T16:36:00.004-04:00

Since April was National Poetry Month, we celebrated on the Write-Brained Network with a modern poets series, poetry challenges, and a live chat on poetry.

Photo credit: Molly Nook

The gist . . .

One of our featured poets, Dave Lucas was good enough to join us for the chat, wherein we discussed some of the differences between publishing poetry and publishing fiction/nonfiction.

Bonus: We also learned that Sara McCleezy was a poetry all-star back in college. V. impressed! :D

TOP DIFFERENCES

Do poets need to have agents to get traditionally published?*

Dave says . . .

No. The only poets he knows who have them are those who also write fiction/nonfiction or who are so advanced in their careers (i.e., Seamus Heaney, Robert Pinsky, Billy Collins, etc.) that they need someone else to handle particulars lesser-known poets don't have to think about.

*Not that fiction & nonfiction writers HAVE to have agents to get published these days, but it's still a pretty good idea.

How does the world of poetry publication work?

Dave says . . .

In terms of the publication of collections, the world of poetry publication has been long dominated by the contest system -- a magazine or press holds a contest, you submit your manuscript to be read by a judge, and then they pick a winner.

He went on to mention that this system has come under a great deal of scrutiny after a Web site called Foetry (now defunct) came on the scene a few years ago.

His own collection, Weather (University of Georgia Press, April 2011) was published after over five years of submitting, having poems pubbed in the Virginia Quarterly Review, and catching the attention of an editor there who opened an imprint at UGA Press.

SIMILARITIES

Just like in publishing anything else, it takes a lot more work and dedication than one might think. If you can do anything else, DO IT! (Dave said he was in edits for over a year before the Weather manuscript was accepted for publication -- and that his only other marketable skill is playing air hockey.)

He also said:

I do think it's important [...] to add the unfortunate caveat that publishing a book does very little to change your life or your sense of yourself as a writer.

There you have it, folks.

---

Wait . . .

When's the next WB live chat?

TONIGHT -- May 24, from 9-10 p.m. EST

What's the topic?

Platform & online presence

How do I get in?

Got ya covered! Click here, yo.

Hope to see ya tonight!

WB Live Chat on Platform & Online Presence: Tomorrow Night

2011-05-23T08:35:00.001-04:00

Every month over at the Write-Brained Network, we host a live chat. Tomorrow night's topic?

*Platform & Online Presence*

Stop by from 9-10 p.m. EST & talk to us live!

My Daytime Drama

In the Blogosphere: 6/6-6/17

Where Am I Today? GLA Blog

2nd Romance Giveaway Winners Announced & 3rd Giveaway Commences

The Straight Dope on the Serial or "Oxford" Comma

Helloooo Dolly Romance Novel Giveaway -- 1st Winners Announced!

YA Crit Group You Should Know About

Helllloooooo Dolly Romance Novel Giveaway

Correction: Romance Novel Giveaway Starts *6/13*

Last YA Giveaway Winners Announced, New Giveaway Starts Tomorrow

Friday FUNNNN

Giveaway #4 Winners Announced & Giveaway #5 Commences!

For My Stalkers: Where Am I Today? GLA Blog

Giveaway #3 Winners Announced & Giveaway #4 Commences!

15 Beats: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

How Many Conversations in My House Go When I Am Talking about Work Expenses

Giveaway #2 Winners Announced & Giveaway #3 Commences!

In the Blogosphere: 5/22-6/3

Giveaway #1 Winners Announced & Giveaway #2 Commences!

Pointers from the Pros: Gail Langer Karwoski Chats about Children's Books

"June Is Bustin' Out All Over" Book Giveaway

Friday FUN -- and Fist Bumps

For My Stalkers: Where Am I Today? GLA Blog & Richmond

Pointers from the Pros: Agent Katharine Sands Talks Pitching

If You Missed the WB Live Chat on Poetry...

WB Live Chat on Platform & Online Presence: Tomorrow Night

Correction: Romance Novel Giveaway Starts 6/13