Contest help for YA writers

Well it turns out my first surge of confidence in my manuscript waned quite a bit. I had every intention of querying last week after tightening my first chapter, but it took me a while to get it how I wanted it. Then I thought I better re-read everything, you know, just in case. I only finished 141 pages out of 395 and I'm now approaching the dreaded middle. Authors have been known to get lost in there...I'm hoping to get through it without too much added stress and hardship-lol!

Anyway, I want to be sure that everything I write is the best I can possibly do. The collection of "no's", though small, still stings, and the perfectionist in me is striving for more than good enough.

If you have similiar hopes for a YA novel you wrote (or are still toying with), I may be able to help you get ready for that almighty plunge.

• Follow a blogger who is also an agent. You will get advice on query letters and other useful tidbits concerning that first novel. I have one such blog for you: Kristen Nelson of the Nelson Agency and her very helpful and kind-hearted blog Pub Rants. You can't help but get a warm comfortable feeling when you visit.

• Or find a blogger who offers help where you need it the most-your writing. Miss Snark's First Victim is one such blog. Now don't let the name of her site fool you-she is a fellow writer and anything but nasty. She offers insight to your writing in a non-threatening manner through critiques and contests each month. She is currently one of three blogs advertising a constest starting at 8 AM August 31: Teen Eyes Editorial is the host of this one, and the premise-see if your query (Miss Snark's site), 35 word pitch (Brenda Drake Writes) , or first page(Mother. Write. (Repeat)) of your New Adult, YA, or Middle Grade manuscript has what it takes to hook a teenage reader. Winners of each will be granted various editing free bees from the very talented young editors of Teen Eyes. What better way to check out how you stand? And the best part-the contest is open to finished as well as WIP manuscripts, so what are you waiting for? The links to all three contests can be found on Miss Snark's and the other two sites, as well as information about the three editors. You can enter all three contests if you wish, so polish up and enter tomorrow morning!

I will keep you updated on other helpful sites as I surf the Internet instead of doing my final editing :) Do any of you have sites you frequent that might help a struggling first time writer? I'd love to know!

I finished (my novel that is, or at least I thought I did...)

Hi everyone! Yes, I took a long hiatus and didn't really explain why. Now it's time for the explanation... I did something I wanted to do for a long time-I completed my first novel.

I began toying with the idea more seriously over a year ago when a friend of mine said that if anyone could write a book, I could. That got me thinking-why not me? I had a few ideas in the old noggin that were dying to see the light of day, and I officially started Easter of 2011.

Finding the time and energy was tough, especially with two kids and a full time job. I wrote in the evening when the kids went to bed, and quite a few times I saw the clock strike 2 AM. (Multiply that by the fact that I get up during the school year at 5:30 AM and you can imagine how tired I was some days...)

I gave myself a deadline to finish knowing my tendencies toward procrastination. I also clocked my WIP on my blog, tallying my word counts as I worked. I thought 80,000 words was a good goal until I read that most YA fantasies are minimum 100,000 words and up, so I kept pushing on after the 80,000 marker. It's a funny thing though-another 20,000 words didn't seem like a big deal anymore.

I didn't quite make my 12-month goal, but I did finish near the end of May. At least I thought I was finished... I forgot about the rewrites. The story went a different way than I originally planned, and now all the beginning chapters needed to match up with the ending. Then I didn't like my beginning anymore and added another chapter I felt was more exciting than my original chapter one.

I should have taken a step back and put the thing away for a couple weeks instead of working on ideas for book two and contacting agents. Everything I read on the Internet said the manuscript needed to be fantastic not just "good, but I knew better.

I learned how to write a query letter and after a few drafts, had what I thought was a winner. Since seven is my lucky number, I queried seven agents and waited. Two weeks later, the very first agent I queried asked for 30 pages. I was ecstatic! But did I do a simple spell check on my manuscript? Well no-I'm a teacher, help in the lit lab, and run the morning news show, and I can spot mistakes, right? Well, you would think so...

After I converted the pages to Times New Roman (I write in Courier New)and uploaded them on literary agent's company server, I went back and reread what I sent. I literally felt sick-I counted 11 errors in those 30 pages! Most were typos (I mistyped one of my character's names several times!), there were three misspellings (Herbane seeds instead of Henbane), and one word used incorrectly.

My family tried to console me, but I knew that many errors could kill my chances, especially if the story still needed work-and it did! I contacted the agency after a couple weeks of worrying, and the agency secretary told me that it would be no problem if I resent my revised copy-she would delete the older version. Unfortunately, I had not checked my e-mail from the day before, and there was the turn down from this particular agent.

Of the seven agents I queried, I got four not interested responses, one interested and then not interested response, and three have yet to contact me. But I took a week to examine my manuscript-not with the eyes of an author, but with a marketing perspective. Here is some of what I found:

• Head hopping-changing point of views sometimes in the same scene. I now have only one point of view per scene, and sometimes per chapter.
• I was aiming at the YA marked yet my main character starts off at age nine (he grows up, but I read YA readers don't like to read about anyone much younger than they are, and my 13 year old is proof!)This character is now 12.
• And speaking of main character, I have two main protagonists and two antagonists, but all were vying for the spotlight. The end result-it wasn't clear whom the reader should root for. Since the story is in omniscient point of view (the reason for my problem with head hopping) I had to take a step back and rewrite to give more emphasis on my younger character.
• Some chapters needed to go!  After doing a rough outline of all my chapters, and I had 28, I noticed that at least one of those chapters was a bunch of fluff. It didn't do what the others were doing, and that is lead to the final climax, so out it came. (I have my eye on one other but I kept it for now.)
• And one more thing...take a break from you MS from time to time. Believe me, it will give you a fresh perspective!

I stopped the querying but I am going to start up again this week. (I have three rewritten first halves of chapter one and I am going to get feedback from family on which they like better first. I have a love/hate relationship with all of them right now...) I'm also trying not to get discouraged, which is hard with negative feedback. I mean there are so many people out there that want to publish a book, and I fight those inadequacy feelings daily. I hope everyone is still out there and I hope I can help some of you who also want to throw your hat in the ring. I will blog as much as I can as I go through this :)

The boat trip and pre-teen angst (and Succintly Yours!)



This is the boat my husband learned to sail

 Well, if you came by at the end of last week, you would know that my husband spent the weekend taking an introductory sailboating lesson, and his reaction to sailing for the first time? He loved it! I definitely have some misgivings-I mean, I wanted him to have fun, but now there is talk of a boat purchase in the near future (um, we are way past due on a house renovation so this "near future" needs to get in line), and the possibility that all of us will become sailors with him.

Hmm...I am not too crazy about boats. You know there's all that wind and water and rocking back and forth stuff that gets in the way of a really cool ride. We've been on boats before-motor boats, and we had fun, but a sailboat needs to be controlled, and even my husband said it's a ton of work. The kids are also iffy about the sailing talk, especially after they heard the word work, so I don't know if we land lubbers will ever take to the sea.

I do know one thing for sure-I told my husband that I need to stay in a hotel all alone next time. The rosy colored weekend that I pictured with my kids was not a happy one. I spent almost the entire time at odds with both my children. My daughter's pre-teen attitude and mouth were working over time so much that she was asked to leave the kitchen until my son and I were finished with our dinner. (I just wanted to eat in peace! She had been arguing with me all day about everything.) She got the last word though-she and I were to bunk together Saturday night because I can't sleep too well when my husband isn't there, but when she returned to the kitchen, she promptly told me that she would be sleeping in her room that night. I was cool and collected, telling her that was fine, and reminding her that you can never take back words and actions, but inside I was heartbroken. Where did my sweet little girl go?

And my son? He talked almost non-stop the entire weekend, more so since my daughter and I were not talking much after Saturday. I love him dearly, and I know that soon he won't want to talk to me, but I could honestly feel my brain stop functioning at one point, and semi-paralysis of the thought processes setting in... After that weekend and a very full day with my kids at school, I'm mentally exhausted.

So thankfully it's time for Succinctly Yours, another writing meme that piggy backs on the idea of Susan of the Stony River Blog.

Grandma Goulash posts a picture and you are to write a 140 character or word story about it. You can also use the word of the day in your post if you wish. This week's word is beneficial. Here this week's picture and my take this week:

"This shopping's wiped me out," thought Evan. "I need an excuse...I know, I'll tell her I have a headache. Works every time for her." (135 characters)

I hope you chuckled a bit at this-I am desperately in need of both chocolate and some humor therapy. I hope you all saw something amusing in today's picture too.

I also wanted to say that even though I have reduced my posting to only twice a week, I may be stepping away from my blog for a little while. I'm trying to finish a very lengthy project I started in April, and now that the summer is over and I'm back in the classroom, I don't have as much time in the evening for family, school work, blog, and my other writing. You know as well as I do, that posting and reading other posts takes time-lots of time, and I have been on my blog for over an hour tonight. Now I used the word may for a reason-I don't know if I can stay away, but I'm a natural born procrastinator, and this blog and the Internet are just too tempting. So, you will either see me or...

Camping pictures (and Book Blurb Friday!)

As promised, here are a few pictures of the family camping trip (minus one of course...)

Here is night number one-notice how differently my son and daughter sleep!



A picturesque setting...

 

Daddy does the cooking (and the kids said he did great.) Hmm...



The last day there it poured off and on all day, but no leaks!

Does this get you yearning for the great outdoors? For some of you (like me) probably not-LOL!

Well, at least I have:

Book Blurb Friday! This is where Lisa Ricard Claro, from Writing in the Buff, posts a picture meant to serve as a fictional book cover. It's your job to write a blurb about the book in 150 words or less to entice a prospective reader. Are you up to the challenge? Here is this week's picture and my story:


The Man They all Forgot

Madison had been married to Asher less than a year when she began to see signs that something wasn’t right. Instead of growing closer, they were growing apart-her husband stayed late at the office, took strange phone calls at all hours, and when she questioned him, he accused her of not trusting him anymore.

Madison felt like she was living with a stranger, and she was ready to call it quits when Asher convinced her to wait. After his business trip in Rome, he would explain everything, but that day never came, and it was if he never existed-his coworkers acted like they never knew him, the airline had no record of his getting on or off the plane, and his parents they said he died years ago.

Madison would now study the past year, searching for clues, anything that might help her find the man they all forgot… (149 words-cutting it close!)

I thought I would have a hard time with this week's picture, but the words just flew on the page. I had to do some major cutting to get it under the 150 word limit though. I can't wait to see what everyone else did!

Movies Worth a Look (and Succinctly Yours)

Summer is a time to sit back and relax, and escaping the heat at the movie theater is always on the agenda around here, especially when the movie is animated and a much anticipated sequel. We saw a total of four movies this summer (three are still in theaters) you may want to check out if you get the chance.

The first was an animated sequel Kung Fu Panda II. I always hesitate about seeing a sequel but I have to say that I enjoyed this movie almost as much. Jack Black is back as Po the Panda (as are all the old characters), and though I am not a fan of Black's work in other movies, his tongue-in-cheek type of humor is a perfect fit for animation. Here's a run down: Po, along with the fabulous five, must save China from a villian who has discovered gun powder and who plans to use it to become all powerful. The bad: while I still enjoy seeeing these characters again, I felt the movie was a bit more violent than the first. Yes, I know both movies deal with Kung Fu and fighting is a part of that, but the first movie was "lighter" than the second with more humorous moments involving Po. Both my kids enjoyed the movie but they are 12 and 8, and I might reconsider letting a very young child see this. My grade: B/B+

The second movie was also animated and another sequel-Cars II. Lightning MacQueen is invited to race a four part road race in Europe using a new all natural fuel instead of gasoline, and he uses his old friends as his pit crew. Unfortunately, someone is out to damage the fuel's reputation by trying to wreck the cars in the races. British spies are working on finding out who before it's too late, and Mador, mistaken for an American spy, must help. I enjoyed the first Cars movie a lot better because there was more emotional scenes-MacQueen learning some hard lessons and making friends along the way. Although I still marvel at how they design whole worlds around cars and not people (the first few scenes were really great!)this movie was mostly action packed without a lot of feeling. My kids had mixed reactions. For the most part they enjoyed the movie, but my daughter felt a bit let down just as I did. My son said he liked it almost as much as the first Cars. My grade: a B-/C+.

The last two movies weren't sequels or animations, but were based on some old comic book heroes-The Green Lantern and Captain America-the First Avenger. Now I don't usually like superhero movies (notably the Spiderman series) because they are usually all action and no substance, but I saw two of the three this summer and I enjoyed both. The Green Lantern is about a risky jet pilot who discovers a dying alien (a member of the Green Lantern Peace Keepers-beings from other planets and galaxies who keep evil at bay in their assigned quadrons) and is chosen by the lantern as his replacement. First, let's just say the special effects are out of this world-computer animation at its best-and the story itself wasn't half bad. But the evil force attempting to anhilate Earth is pretty scary (a black cloud wih a face who can suck the "fear" out of people) and I had more than a few concerns about my son. Both kids enjoyed the movie, but this one is definitely not for the younger crowd. My grade: B+ for fantastic effects.

Captain America: The First Avenger had a much better story. It takes place during WWII, and Steve Rogers is a puny little man who wants to fight in the war but his size and health problems prevent it. He gets the attention of a scientist who wants to use him as the guinea pig for his new serum-it would turn a person into a super soldier. And those familiar with the comic book story will like the fact that this movie stays pretty close to the story. Once again, good special effects, though not as over the top as the Green Lantern, but the story was great. Now the movie is PG-13, but even though it takes place during the war, there is not blood and gore, only Hydra's super ray gun that disintegrates people. Hydra's face alone will scare the squeemish, but both my kids enjoyed this movie. My grade: A.

My son and husband also saw Thor and both enjoyed the story as well as the effects, but they rate it below the other two because there was too much story and not enough fighting. A unique male viewpoint-LOL! Have you seen any of these movies?

Now it's time for Succinctly Yours, another writing meme that piggy backs on the idea of Susan of the Stony River Blog.

Grandma Goulash posts a picture and you are to write a 140 character or word story about it. You can also use the word of the day in your post if you wish. This week's word is proliferate. Here this week's picture and my take this week:

Harry inched closer to the parchment and saw his mistake immediately-nuvo lacerta changed him into a lizard, but how would he change back? (139 characters)

Yes, I have Harry Potter on my mind, but I know this movie would be much too scary for my kids, so I will have to wait for the DVD release... Sorry I am so late with my post, but I was too tuckered out yesterday. I look forward to reading others!

Photos were used soley for the purpose of reviewing the movie.  All opinions stated are my own and I was not compensated in any way.

20 years and still going (and Book Blurb Friday!)

I know I said I was going to post reviews of some good summer flicks, but yesterday my husband and I celebrated 20 years of marriage, and I thought that cancelled everything else out. In fact, if you want to get technical, I have known my husband 24 years now-we were friends for two years in college, then dated, got engaged, and were married two years after that. My husband remarked at dinner that soon we will have lived with each other longer than we did with our families. Interesting...

Anyway, we both decided that since we were doing a lot of work on the house (replaced a patio door, about to tear out and replace our living room carpet and remove wallpaper to paint), and since we have two small trips planned(my husband is taking the kids camping, and we are all going to Washington DC)presents this year weren't necessary. We were just going to go out to dinner.

Well I, also now known as super idiot, at least went along with the "no-gift" plan-my husband didn't. He has heard me talk off and on about maybe getting a plain gold wedding band to wear when I don't want to wear my engagement ring/wedding band wrap combination. I have started taking them off when I'm at home because I don't want to lose a stone. (My wedding band wrap has two rubies and I have already had it to the jeweler to reinsert one of the stones-I'm afraid I won't know one has fallen out next time...)We were enjoying dinner when my husband asked for the time and when I turned back, a ring box was sitting in front of me-I now have my wedding band!

I'm also glad it's

Book Blurb Friday! This is where Lisa Ricard Claro, from Writing in the Buff, posts a picture meant to serve as a fictional book cover. It's your job to write a blurb about the book in 150 words or less to entice a prospective reader. Are you up to the challenge? Here is this week's picture and my story


What Her Eyes Have Seen

The three-alarm blaze totaled the charismatic cottage, and the all-American image of the Lawrence family went up in smoke. Neighbors were stunned to learn the blaze was no accident, and firefighters claimed a member of the Lawrence family, daughter Tara, was the likely culprit.

Police found Tara huddled in a blanket in the families’ backyard, but when they questioned her, she spoke not a word. Neighbors described the girl as an underachiever compared to her family –the mother, a former Rhodes Scholar and lawyer, her father a neurologist, and her brothers both honor students and great athletes.

Authorities say Tara finally cracked under pressure and killed her family, but social worker Monica Perry believes differently. She feels the pain of what really happened in that house has led to the girl’s silence, and she hopes to reveal just what Tara saw. (141 words)

This is a little dark even for me, and at first I was leaning towards the super natural side, but I never got there. I am very curious to see (lol, couldn't resist) what everyone else did!

Just one of those days (and Succinctly Yours!)

I am a not feeling very well, and the heat made everything worse. I put off doing laundry until today because of spotty rain showers the past couple days, and I wanted to hang the clothes outside to be a little more power conscious. But while I saved electrical consumption, I put out a great deal of physical energy consumption, and each trip oustide left me drenched in sweat. What was I thinking? I was going to review some movies in this post, but I needed to whine more...

Thank goodness for Succinctly Yours, another writing meme that piggy backs on the idea of Susan of the Stony River Blog.

Grandma Goulash posts a picture and you are to write a 140 character or word story about it. You can also use the word of the day in your post if you wish. This week's word is arbitrary. Here is the picture and two takes this week (one poetry and one prose):

Dad went for a Coke and I glanced at all the old tools. He was like his tools in a way-a bit worn, but still a force to be reckoned with.  (138 characters)

I ran my hand along the bench,
Wood shavings cascade to the floor,
This room's a silent tribute,
To the man who is no more. (132 characters)

I sort of fell into the poem while trying to cut down another piece, but I still didn't get everything I wanted out of it so I tried again and it took me longer than it should have to do two. I will come around soon!

Play the day away (and Succinctly Yours!)

I hope everyone had a nice Easter! There were some slight disagreements with my kids over the break, but overall the holiday was a wonderful way to reconnect with my family. The weather even cooperated for the last part of the weekend and we spent the majority of our time outside. Nice...

The kids are still off tomorrow, but it's back to school for me (my school district lost spring break and most of our Easter due to the snow storms this winter, but at least I will go back with a smile on my face!)

Now it's time for Succinctly Yours, another writing meme that piggy backs on the idea of Susan of the Stony River Blog. Grandma Goulash posts a picture each Monday and you are to write a 140 character or word story about it. You can also use the word of the day in your post if you wish. This week's word is quaint. Here's this week's picture and my story:

Bessie stared hard, daring me to come closer while the others looked on, and I knew what she was thinking-one false move and you’re mine!  (137 characters)

I'm in such a good mood today that I couldn't resist some humor of my own this evening. I can't wait to read what everyone else came up with!

Succinctly Yours #4

Why not join me in another writing meme that piggybacks on the idea started by Susan of the Stony River blog. The meme is called Succinctly Yours and  you can click her very stylish header above or right here at Grandma Goulash. Grandma posts a picture each Monday and you are to write a 140 character or word story about it. You can also use the word of the day in your post if you wish. This week's word: request, and this week's picture with my take:

There they sat, comparing their lives, each one impressed by the other, and each wishing he had a little more time to try something new. (136 characters)


I know a lot of you went with humor, but I just wasn't up to it-it was a long day...  I do wonder what these gentleman might have been talking about.  Well, I'm off to take a look at your stories-I certainly could use some laughter this evening.

Succinctly Yours #3

I joined another writing meme that piggybacks on the idea started by Susan of the Stony River blog. The meme is called Succinctly Yours and  you can click her very stylish header above or right here at Grandma Goulash.Grandma posts a picture each Monday and you are to write a 140 character or word story about it. You can also use the word of the day in your post if you wish. This week's word is procrastinate.

The 140 character limit is really good writing practice because every word counts. I got out of the habit of posting on Sunday, but hopefully I'll be able to get back into it even though I'm feeling a little guilty about carrying on without Susan...

Here's this week's picture and my story

Amy anxiously looked around, hoping her disguise would help her blend in.  No police, no guards-she was just minutes away from freedom. (Exactly 135 characters-cutting it close but I'm a little out of practice...)

I'm really looking forward to coming around to all your blogs. You might also be interested in the meme by Lisa Ricard Claro called Book Blurb Friday. Here you look at a picture and then compose a 150 word blurb that might appear on the book jacket. Every story is completely different, and I have really enjoyed taking part. Why not check it out this Friday? Lisa usually puts the post up Thursday night-I hope to see you there as well!

Harry Potter Blogfest: Who would be your mates?

Having just finished year seven of JK Rowlings Harry Potter series, most of her characters are still fresh in my mind. I’m a little sad that I’ve reached the end, and I put it off as long as I could since I knew there would come a time when I wouldn’t be mulling over the latest atrocities during the quiet times of my day. So when I happened upon Michael Di Gesu's meme In Time asking me to pick my two best friends from Harry Potter’s world, and write about our relationship, I couldn’t resist. All you have to do is give your reasons in 300-350 words, then link up at Michael's site. After struggling with my decision a bit, I finally decided on Hermione and Harry, and I hope my reasons for my choices will satisfy.

Since most things in my life don’t come easily, I am certain that I would be a muggle born witch and quite out of my element at Hogwarts. Naturally I would gravitate to some of the other muggle borns in my year, and since I value learning and proving my self-worth through hard work, Hermione and I would be inseparable. We would race to see who would be number one and number two in each of our classes, but as long as it was one of us, we didn’t really care. And the library would be our second home as we attempted to gain knowledge above our years in order to help Harry.

Now I didn’t understand everyone’s fascination with Harry when we first started at Hogwarts-we grew close because of our mutual friendship with Hermione, our muggle past, and because he was genuinely nice. Eleven-year-old girls usually don’t like boys, but when I learned about his connection to the-one-who-must-not-be-named, the boy who lived mesmerized me. (I like the strong, silent type, so Ginny was in for some stiff competition in the coming years!) Like Harry, I didn’t understand the categories for people and creatures in the wizarding world, and why some believed they should rule over others; I would gladly fight alongside Harry in the end.

It's your turn-who would you pick to be your friends at Hogwarts? Maybe Lupin and Sirius? What about the Weasley twins? I first thought about these two, but since they were a year older than me, I didn't think we would get much of a chance to hang out...Post about your new friends by March 30, the official start of the Harry Potter Blogfest, then link up at Michael's site. Hope to see you there!

Going back-Book Blurb Friday!

It's time for Book Blurb Friday #4! This is where Lisa Ricard Claro, from Writing in the Buff, posts a picture meant to serve as a fictional book cover, and asks us to compose a 150 word summary that might appear on the book jacket.

I was able to conjure up a story pretty quickly the last couple weeks, but although I knew where I wanted tonight's story to go, it took me a while to get there (I'll blame it on end of the week exhaustion.) But no matter how difficult it is for the words to come, there is no better feeling (it's almost euphoric!) than when you read that final copy!

Here is this week's picture and my story:

Where the Corridor Ends

Pepper packed up her office because she couldn’t handle the stress of running a magazine-then she abandoned her friends, living each day without thinking about tomorrow, feeling more and more like an outsider looking in. And when the memories came flooding back, and they always did, her only source of comfort came from a bottle, her new best friend.

Then when a freelance paycheck couldn’t cover the rent of her high-rise apartment, Pepper found respite in a studio tucked inside a centuries old building, and from the offer of an equally old caretaker.

A note scrawled at the bottom of her rental agreement read, "I’ve been where you are now. Go to the end of the corridor if you wish to right the wrongs of the past." And it was here that Pepper stood, remembering the crash and her sister, and wondering if she could really go back… (148 words)

Why don't you give it a try? If you do, don't forget to link up at Lisa's site and read all the other entries!

Focusing on Book Blurb Friday

I am now looking forward to Book Blurb Friday as I once looked forward to Microfiction Monday. If your new, Lisa Ricard Claro over at Writing in the Buff posts a picture and asks that you write a 150 word (or less) book blurb.  It's tremendously challenging and great fun.  Just head over there to link up, and then stay awhile to read some of the other entries.

I had a hard time with the 150 word limit tonight-I just had so much to say, so I started hacking away at some of the needless adjectives until I got it down to 150 exactly. Here is this week's picture and my story:

Out of Focus

Andie spent her whole life trying to please. An only child, she struggled to be everything her parents hoped she would be, but never quite lived up to their expectations-until she married Bill Peterson, a promising young politician. Andie’s parents loved Bill, and with their urging, and Bill’s perseverance, Andie decided she loved him too.

But after their much-publicized wedding and his election to the senate, Bill was no longer the gentle soul his adoring public witnessed; he became obsessed, convinced that his wife would leave him and end his political career.

He began to monitor Andie’s calls, track her whereabouts, and soon prohibited anyone from visiting the house without his approval.

Andie wanted out and finally broke the news to Bill during an anniversary dinner, but after she took a few bites, things became fuzzy, out of focus, and she heard a quiet voice saying, "You’ll never leave me." (150 words)

Everyone saw something different with last week's picture, so I can't wait to read the other entries!

"Naturally" it's Book Blurb Friday!

It's time for another go at Book Blurb Friday , where Lisa Ricard Claro, from Writing in the Buff challenges you to take those first few steps toward writing that novel you've always dreamed about-in book blurb form that is. But there's a catch-you have a 150 word limit! So take a look at this week's picture, write your entry, then link up over at Lisa's site where you can enjoy other talented entries.

I don't know if the this week's picture was more inspiring than the first, or if it was my mood, but I was able to crank a blurb out in record time-at least for me. So what did I see when I looked at the beautiful trees? Love... Here's this week's picture and my entry:

Crossing Sycamore Park

Spring means change -when Mother Nature throws aside her drab winter wardrobe in favor of something a little more flattering, at least that’s what Sam always thought. Born Samantha Jean Smith, family and close friends always addressed her with the more masculine moniker, but although her athletic build and tough girl attitude made the name stick, Sam never liked it much. Unfortunately, the nickname wasn’t the only thing she disliked these days.

Sam truly disliked her ex-husband Rick, a tall, dark and handsome type who could make every girl go weak in the knees, and did so often. Then there was her ex-best friend Laura, the latest in Rick’s history of weak-kneed girls, her dead end job, and her war torn appearance…

But a chance encounter soon blossoms into something much more, and Sam’s personal metamorphosis begins to take shape.

(Okay, I used Word for my word count and it came out to 140-not including the title. I then tried about five different word counters online and got word counts from 138 to 147-hence the reason for going to five different word counter sites! I finally found some counter links on Freelance Writing Jobs website. If you're interested, here they are: Word Counter Tool, WiseGary, and All World Phone. By the way, all these are just copy and paste reporting, and all came out to140... What is everyone else using?)

There have been a lot of changes in my household lately too, and this is the reason for my blogging absence. Stay tuned for an upcoming explanation, and my newest review/giveaway.

I can't wait to read everyone's entries!

Time moves on...

Time is once again the subject of Microfiction Monday #73. Susan, over at Stony River, delivers a challenge once a week-we are to write a story about a picture she posts in 140 characters or less (including punctuation and spacing)and then link up back at her site.

I loved this week's picture because it conjured up all kinds of images relating to past loves, lives torn apart... Yes, it's my usual deep stuff again, but I go with whatever pops into my head. Here is this week's picture and my first entry:

Anna inhaled sharply when she saw it-closing her eyes she caressed the gilded frame, willing the photo to come alive, to go back in time. (138 characters)

Now for an attempt at some poetry

Life, so grave,
To women and men.
Never a smile,
In photos back then.
Icy stares,
Looking so bold,
What are the secrets,
They never told?
(140 right on the dot...)

The poetry for this one was hard, mainly because the words I chose had quite a few syllables, and the character counter had me in the 160 range until I made things much simpler. (I think I like my prose better this week.) Since the subject looks a little on the angry side, I'm expecting great things from the humorous among us-I'll be by your blogs as soon as I can!

Book Blurb Friday #1

Did you every fantasize about that next great novel? Well, here might be your chance. Lisa Ricard Claro, from Writing in the Buff is starting a new writing meme called Book Blurb Friday. All you have to do is look at a picture she posts on her site like it is that next big novel, and write a book jacket blurb in 150 words or less. Then just link your post to her site, and sit back and enjoy some of the other participant stories.

I was really excited about Lisa's idea, but it proved harder that I thought. (In fact, I hate to admit it but it took over an hour to get my words just right, and another 20 minutes for a title-maybe you can do better!)

Anyway, here is the book cover picture

And here is my entry.

They Only Call at Night...

Everyone is dying to get into The Vue HarborEast condominiums. Who wouldn’t want to live in a quiet, majestic tower residence with views of the harbor? And Dana Parker, an up and coming reporter at WBALTV, is no exception.

Dana breezes in and out of her new condo residence always looking for that break out story to get her noticed. She partners up with Tom Clancy and Melanie Ambridge, her co-workers, on her time off, and likes that her neighbors keep to themselves.

But Dana’s desire for fame might come at a price; her once ideal home and silent neighbors become the subject of an investigation, and as the death toll mounts, Dana’s professional and personal life will now be inextricably linked.

Strange horrors are happening at night, but will the culprits be caught, or will Dana become the morning news?
(146 words with the title-but you don't have to count it)

So what do you think? I can't wait to read your stories too!  (*I came back and reworked my next to the last paragraph a little bit, increasing my word count by five, but I like it better...)