Vote for Literacy (and a Grant for NaNoWriMo)

Vote for the Office of Letters & Light to keep NaNoWriMo and the Young Writer's Program going: 

http://projectforawesome.com/the-office-of-letters-and-light/-the-office-of-letters-and-light

Even if you don't do NaNoWriMo, you can appreciate the Office of Letters & Light and their efforts to promote literacy everywhere. 

If you're like me, you don't always have the cash to donate to these awesome causes. 

Your vote for this video will put the Office of Letters & Light in the running for the Project for Awesome 2012 grant. 

So here's that link again. Promote literacy! :)


http://projectforawesome.com/the-office-of-letters-and-light/-the-office-of-letters-and-light

Thanks!

Co-Writing a Novel: Challenges and Benefits

If you write MG (middle grade) or YA (young adult) and attended WriteOnCon, you've likely heard of LiLa.

Lisa and Laura Roecker are sisters and co-authors of The Liar Society...

On Goodreads

...and The Lies That Bind...

On Goodreads

Awesome, right? Sisters who write, writing together. 

Well, I happen to have a sister who writes. We often talk about writing, and reading, and stereotypes vs. reality, and good vs. evil, and symbolism in literature and film.... We have great conversations. 

Recently, we decided to start a little co-venture of our own. 

The conversation went something like this:

Me: We should write a book together. I know of these two sisters who wrote a book together and it's been very successful. 

Her: That could be fun. What would it be about?

Me: *laughs* I don't know. I had a weird idea a while back based on a dream I had. [describes dream in all its weird glory]

Her: That could work, but we should change this part so it makes more sense and is easier to write.

Me: *blank stare* That's genius. How come I never thought of that before?

This led to an intense telephone brainstorm that lasted an hour or two. A few days later, we did it again. My phone battery died, so we caught up online to chat, sharing research links like crazy. 

I realized... this is the easiest time I've ever had researching a novel, outlining a story concept, and fleshing out characters. Best of all, I was having a BLAST! 

She wrote the first scene from her character's POV. I wrote a horrible first draft from my character's POV. And we're revising back and forth to make sure our characters sound consistent. The two divergent voices don't matter so much since we're writing from different characters' points of view. 

We're only at the beginning of this adventure, but already the story has taken on dimensions I wouldn't have thought of on my own. And it's fun! It's so, so fun. 

Challenges:

• Consistency in voice for shared characters
• Shared vision of setting and sequence of events
• Communication

Benefits:

• Unparalleled brainstorms
• Out-of-your-box experiments
• Sister bonding (or whatever bonding if you choose to write with a buddy) 

Would you ever co-write?

It's Elana Johnson's Birthday But YOU Get the Gift

Happy Birthday to the Dystopia-licious Elana Johnson!!

Christine Fonseca and Michelle McLean have gifts for YOU in her honor. Fill out the rafflecopter form on one of their blogs for a chance to win. 

And be sure to say Happy Birthday to the amazing author of POSSESSION and founding organizer of August's WriteOnCon, Elana Johnson: http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/2012/12/its-my-birthday.html 

add it on Goodreads

Ooh, Scandalous! (Entangled's newest imprint: launched)

Goodreads

USA Today posted interviews with Scandalous editors and authors yesterday in their piece:

It's a Scandalous Day: Entangled introduces its new imprint

There was a time when a mere glance at a handsome man, a seductive movement by a single woman or even a slight, knowing nod between couples would be cause for denunciation. Reputations were ruined; people were forced to flee to far-off lands to spare families from distasteful improprieties. Whatever became of these days of social morals and righteous standards? A time when men were men and women knew their place. Well, wonder no more. Welcome to the world of Scandalous, the newest imprint from Entangled Publishing.

Scandalous is historical, classical, sexy — romantic! Our tales are set between 900 and 1920s/1940s, anywhere from the lush hills of Ireland, Regency London, Renaissance Italy … or even the Viking age. These stories are bold, sexy and heartfelt, and can be funny, action-packed, mysterious or dramatic. They are full of romance, deception, love and, yes, honor between strong men and even stronger women. Wherever there's a masked ball, Scandalous will be there. Whenever there's a damsel in distress, Scandalous will be there. If there's a scoundrel to be had, Scandalous will have him.

Sounds great, right?

And great news for authors, Entangled's Scandalous line is looking for new authors! Check out their SUBMISSION GUIDELINES, which are deliciously detailed:

Specifically, we want:

• Quality, well-researched story-telling
• Authors who aren’t afraid to push creative boundaries
• Prolific authors who can write three to four books a year are a plus
• Time periods: 900–1950
• Heroines who are age 20+, confident, and can be unconventional (a scientist, for example). If absolutely necessary to story, heroine can be 18-19.
• Stories that feature an alpha male, whether he be the captain of a ship, royalty, or a warrior
• Realistic stories—no manipulation of history, or alternate history
• Although we are not a paranormal line, stories may contain light paranormal elements.
• Active, dialogue-rich stories, with a minimum of narrative and navel-gazing, but firmly ground the reader in the setting and culture
• Emotional depth depicted through strong conflict, theme, symbolism, and sub-text
• Stories focused on the heroine and hero falling in love
• Sensual stories, but the heat level should grow organically from the characters, their situations and emotions. We are not looking for erotica, but closed door is also fine on occasion.
• Manuscripts must be 60-70K words in length
• Revised backlist titles will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• We accept agented and un-agented submissions, although agented submissions will receive first priority in the slush pile 

This certainly describe's Michelle McLean's upcoming regency romance, Treasured Lies, which I am hotly anticipating. 



Check out her blog and anticipate with me.

Blog Chain: Darkness in Fiction

Goodreads

Christine Fonseca says, 

I've been described as a writer of highly emotional and dark stories. So much so, that some could not read Transcend saying that while it was "beautifully crafted and written", the story was just too dark. So I ask you...How dark is too dark for your aesthetic? And is writing "dark" and "emotional" a "bad" thing?

This is a great question, and one all writers must face at some point. Where is my line? Where is the place I won't go, and why? There's a line for everything: violence, emotional oppression, sex, profanity, provocative symbolism. 

For me, the darkness line has to be drawn pretty close to the lighter side of the spectrum. My favorite recent series was Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. I also enjoyed the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter about girl spies. The lighthearted humor, true-love-wins-out theme, and lovable characters are a trifecta I can't resist. 

That said, I have written some pretty emotionally dark stuff, from a little boy who witnessed his father's vehicular manslaughter in gory detail to a girl being seduced by the devil himself. For me, writing dark stuff is like taking off all your clothes. It's nakedness for an author, because no two people are dark in the same way. That part of us is intensely personal. Authors are routinely mocked for the darkness in their stories, from The Shining to Twilight: Breaking Dawn. 

So for me, I prefer to keep it in the light part of the spectrum, with just a dip into the darkness for that all-important black moment, right before the cavalry arrives to save the day. 

How about you? How dark is too dark for you, as a writer? As a reader? 

See Christine Fonseca's blog for her original answer. And tomorrow, Lisa Amowitz will answer this week's question.

Blog Chain: Daily Writing Goals

Sandra started this week's chain with the question:  

During National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), writers attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Do you set daily writing goals for yourself, either a certain word count or time spent on writing? Does this include other writing-related activities, like research, plotting, or revising? Do you focus on reaching the end of the journey (such as finishing your current project), or do you enjoy the writing process along the way?

Get this free printable calendar here

This is one of those questions that shames me every time I read it. No, I am not good at keeping a daily habit of writing. When I'm in the middle of a project, I generally write every day, but whether that ends up being a paragraph or ten pages depends on how relaxed I am and how open to the creative process. After a long day with the kids, some days all I can do is reread what I wrote yesterday, fix a few typos, and eke out a stilted sentence of dialogue. 

I have done Nano before and enjoyed the thrill of accomplishment at the end. This weekend my family is moving, so my husband and I decided it wouldn't be the best time for me to go on a writing binge. I am notoriously attention deficit while in the midst of a project, often zoning out during a conversation to think about how my characters would say something. 

Someday I'd like to be more organized in every aspect of my life: a time for school, a time for blogging, a time for critiquing, and a time for writing. 

That may have to wait until such time as I no longer have a baby in the house. 

My ideal would be at least a thousand words per day, or maybe one or two scenes per day instead. 

As for enjoying the process, it's pretty essential to my writing. If I'm not enjoying it, it usually means my flow is messed up and the words are coming out in an unsteady gallop of irksome goo. 

You can imagine that's not very encouraging to my delicate artistic sensibilities. :)

How about you? Outside of NaNoWriMo, do you make and keep a daily writing goal?

Also check out Christine Fonseca's blog for all her latest Libera Me news and giveaways!! And tomorrow, Lisa Amowitz will answer this week's question.

Blog Chain: Book to Film Goodness

There are so many book-to-movie adaptations out there. Which are your favorites? Which are your least favorites? Why? Do you make sure you've read a book before you go see the movie adaptation, or do you prefer to read it after, or not at all? - topic provided by Michelle McLean

Generally speaking, I like to read a book before I watch the movie because otherwise I feel like I'm missing the inside jokes. BUT... in the case of Harry Potter, I enjoyed the first movie because I hadn't read the books yet. Later Harry Potter installments left me frustrated because entire subplots were left out and I knew! 

But the best thing about films made after a book is the comfort of seeing and hearing your favorite characters go through their dilemmas and come out on top. You get to experience the catharsis anew. I've watched every version of Pride and Prejudice I could get my hands on. I watch the Colin Firth version pretty much every time I find myself feeling overwhelmed with my life. It's like spaghetti-o's on DVD: comfort food for the soul. 

Now for the book-to-film adaptations that get me FREAKING EXCITED!!!

Stephenie Meyer's one and only adult novel -  it's awesomesauce.

Watch the trailer @ imdb

When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. 

Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.

Orson Scott Card's epic Hugo and Nebula Award winner (in the same year: a record)

Fan-made poster, no official movie poster yet. Due out:  11-1-2013

70 years after a horrific alien war, an unusually gifted child is sent to an advanced military school in space to prepare for a future invasion.

Here's more Ender's Game filming news: http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/06/enders-game-filming-news-roundup

and one that has been optioned and appointed a director that I'm just really, really hoping gets turned into a movie:

Kiersten White's first trilogy, huge crossover appeal from young teens to adults

Evie's always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours.
But Evie's about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. 

So much for normal.

Read all the latest on movie news for Paranormalcy at the unofficial fan site! Apparently, the first draft of the screenplay is done, so... WOOT!

I'm leaving off some big ones other people are thrilled about: Twilight, which is the first in the latest flood of book-to-film adaptations; Mortal Instruments, which is already cast; The Hunger Games, which is working on number 2 already; Divergent, which I'm saving to read when the movie is just about to come out (because it's more exciting that way); Delirium, which I also haven't read but really want to.

So if you are a book-to-film lover, there's a lot to be excited about these days. 

What do you think of this trend? Is Hollywood being lame by not coming up with "new" ideas? Or do you love seeing your favorite book characters brought to life on the screen?

Check out other members of the Blog Chain and their thoughts on books-to-films. Christine Fonseca gushes about The Lord of the Rings, and Lisa Amowitz will give us a glimpse of her favorites tomorrow.