Pitch Polish Blog Hop Post

I was pretty lucky to get in to the Pitch Polish with my YA Paranormal, but I decided to go ahead and post my YA Thriller to get some feedback from the awesome GUTGAA participants. Please feel free to be brutal... goodness knows I haven't been easy on some of you!!! If you would like to check out my official submission for the Pitch Polish, please go HERE!

Sarah J. Schmitt
The Acada Chronicles
YA Thriller
89,000 word count

Revised Query: In 2017, a virus destroys the world’s population leaving less than five percent of the human race alive. Sixteen-year-old Emily Tate is among the lucky ones. But her perception of luck changes when the Committee, a de facto organization that brings stability and supplies to survivors, sends her to work on the Human Sustainability Program. As a member of the program, Emily is forced into a conspiracy that involves biological terrorism and the genetic manipulation of future generations by way of made to order babies.

After her mother's mysterious death, Emily begins to unravel the truth about the Committee’s involvement in the viral outbreak and the real intentions of the program. The Committee isn’t just responding to the Acada virus – they released it in the first place. Their goal: total domination of the planet. As the Committee’s henchmen close in, she must find a way to protect the one thing that can bring hope to a bleak future: a test tube creation named Ava, who, by Emily's design, embodies everything the Committee fears: courage, creativity, and individualism. But keeping Ava and her surrogate mom safe may jeopardize the personal future Emily is trying to build or even her life.

THE ACADA CHRONICLES is an 89,000-word young adult thriller with series potential.

First 150 Words:

“Holy crap,” I say, taking an involuntary step back from the hurricane of perkiness lurking behind my locker door.

Jessica Millhouse, in her drama queen glory, beams a sugary sweet smile in my direction. “Emily Tate,” she says, with a fake but accurate southern accent. “Such language.”

I resist the opportunity to roll my eyes and instead look down at my planner. “What do you want?”

Sensing my immunity to her charms, the glimmer in Jessica’s amethyst eyes dulls. She leans in. Her breath smells like cherries and I almost gag. I hate cherries. “It’s about the biology project…”

This time I don’t stop the eye roll. There’s only one reason someone like Jessica would talk to someone like me. She needs help. “You do know this isn’t a group project, right?” I ask.

Jessica stares at me like I’m speaking a tribal dialect of Swahili.

Pitch Polish - I'm IN!

Now, I don't want to brag, but I was able to get into the Pitch Polish on GUTGAA (Gear Up to Get an Agent), and I am thrilled. Those successful entries won't be up until Monday, however, I'll be spending the weekend blog hopping to check out and comment on those who didn't make the list... You know, polishing up my polishing skills. Check out the queries/first 150 words and give some constructive feedback if you get a chance!

#GUTGAA Meet and Greet

-Where do you write? One of two places: Starbucks (when I need a dose of human interaction) and in my home office.

-Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see? Easy: My computer tower and my printer. They take up the entire left side of my desk.

-Favorite time to write? Late at night, when the kidlets are in bed. I find it easier to focus when I don't hear, "Mommy?" every five seconds. Call me crazy.

-Drink of choice while writing? Depends on the season. In the summer, it's passion tea lemonade, which I learned to make at home, saving us thousands of $$$; In the fall, caramel apple cider; Winter is peppermint white chocolate mocha, and spring is any kind of fruity tea. 

-When writing , do you listen to music or do you need complete silence? Music, please! When I'm editing, I listen to Pandora, but when I working on a new WIP, I normally set up a playlist.com station for each book.

-What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it? My current books that are ready for querying are all about saving the world... in one form or another. My current book is about saving the cheerleader. I tend to write about redemption, which is fine, but can also become very emotionally exhausting. The new book is more fun and upbeat and while we see the character grow, she will hopefully keep us laughing from start to end.

-What's your most valuable writing tip? Save the Cat by Blake Snyder, without a doubt. You know when you find that book that just opens your writing up? That would be this one. It's the first book I recommend when a new writer asks what's on my shelf!

Wow... I started the post thinking I was more Harry than Sally, but I'm starting to reconsider! Anyway. That's me in a nice and tidy package! I look forward to getting to know you all better over the next 5-6 weeks!!!

By the way, if you want to check out the blog hop, check out the links below!

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Confessions

Last week, I took part in Write On Con, and one of the suggestions for building your social media presence was to take part in a "meme". One of the "memes" I discovered, that spoke to my love of lists was this one: Top Ten Tuesday from Broke and Bookish.

Every Tuesday there's a topic for bloggers who love books to write on. I love this for several reasons.

1. It gives me a topic once a week that I don't have to come up with on my own and still addresses my love of books.

2. It's a list. (Duh.)

3. There are many other writers around the world writing about the same topic. It's like a synergy of literary cohesiveness... wow... where did that come from? Must be all the mind melding.

But I digress.

So here is my list of my Top Ten Bookish Confessions 

1. I have a library fine almost every month, even though I'm at the library, on average 2-3 times a week. I should also add I admit to telling the library I lost the book because it was cheaper than paying the fine. (I really hope no one at the library reads this!)

2. I have dog-eared books in the past. However, since discovering a pattern for Corner Bookmarks, I've curbed this habit.  

3. I almost lost an inter-library loan book from my book club. (I found it the day before I was going to walk up to circulation, my head hung low.)

4. I've spent hours on fanfiction sites laughing at the amazingly creative people out there.

5. I have a couple signed books I've never read.

6. If I really like a book, I get the e-book, hardback and paperback version. The e-book it to have with me where ever I go, the Hardback is for the shelf and hopefully getting signed someday and the paperback version is to loan. I have four copies of the Hunger Games... two paperback editions: one to loan and another to do a plotting/pacing exercise with.

7. I am horrible about figuring out where commas go. My motto is it's easier to take them out then put them in, so I slap them in where ever I think it should go and let my writing partners slap me around during crits.

8. I have bought pop-tarts with the intent of staying up all night reading and telling my kids to have at it when they complain they're hungry the next morning.

9. Sometimes I post on FB that I'm writing, but I'm actually on pinterest. I know... I'm horrible!

10. If I only had one book to take with me on a deserted island, it would be Pride and Prejudice. Deep down, I'm an Austen girl all the way!

Agented or Bust

I have made a decision that can only end with me finding an agent. If history has taught me anything, it's that there is one phrase that will get me what I want.

I WILL NOT CUT MY HAIR UNTIL...

Since I was old enough to decide when it was time to get my hair cut, I've been a short haired girl. For my wedding, I grew it out just long enough to have an up-do and promptly cut it the next week. I like having short hair. My husband would prefer it long. I don't really care what he thinks, in this matter. It's my hair.

So, I've been growing it out for a while and was ready to chop it off when it occurred to me: I could use my hair as motivation. I know it sounds silly, but if it's fear of rejection that stops me from sending out my ms., then fear of having long hair is going to push me to get over it.

I know it may sound silly to you, but having longer hair is a constant reminder that only through doing the work can I actually accomplish my goal. Each strand that falls in my face is a challenge to take a risk, whether it's in the submission process or writing my next book.

And, it's a physical manifestation of my commitment to my career. So one of two things is going to happen. I am either going to have lots of hair to donate to Locks of Love OR I am going to have an agent.

So here it is, without further ado: I WILL NOT CUT MY HAIR UNTIL I HAVE SIGNED WITH AN AGENT. (I reserve to change this decision based on the fact that I have free-will, but not before one year has passed. What did you expect? There's always fine print,)

So, reader peeps, what goal are you working toward and what is the zaniest thing you would be willing to do to make it happen. All superstitions allowed. Leave a comment and follow this blog to enter. My favorite answer gets a signed bookmark from Erica O'Rourke, author of the amazing Torn Trilogy! 

No matter what you have to do to push yourself, BE PASSIONATE about the goal and the destination!

Write On Con 2012

Write on Con 2012 is about to begin. Having spent the last few weeks frantically getting the kidlets back to school while making revisions to the WIP before sending out requests, I am really looking forward to WOC and here's why:

1. The conference is free. (Hubby can appreciate that.)
2. The conference is online.
3. Since it's online, I am free to attend sessions in my PJs, hanging out in the hammock, or both.
4. I've told everyone I'm attending a writing conference, but I failed to tell them about facts #2 & 3.

I don't know much about the conference and I have a feeling what I think I know if probably off, but I'm glad to be taking part in it with my writing group and I hope to make more writer friends along the way. Look for more updates as the conference goes on. No matter what the next week has in store for you, BE PASSIONATE about everything you do!

Early Morning Thoughts Before #MWW12

The air conditioner in my hotel room sounds like a Geiger counter and the internet is, at best, spotty. The humidity is 140% and I’m afraid to look at the heat index for the day, which really is irrelevant because the classrooms at the Alumni Center are going to be freezing. Yeah, it’s great to be in Muncie!

While sitting around a huge wooden table last night with friends I haven’t seen in exactly a year, a pint in front of all of us except Kelly who went for a bottle, I, one who normally doesn’t shut up, found myself at a loss for words for a while. The conversation about writing was flowing and the laughs were coming one after another, but I was caught up in a feeling I rarely experience: Contentment.

I don’t know what it is about the Midwest Writer’s Workshop, but it feels like coming home to a lot of cousins with great personalities and jaw-dropping imaginations. I know Hoosier’s take their hospitality serious, and perhaps that’s part of the charm of this conference. It’s intimate and yet highly energized. (I think those who have been here for more than a year will concur that is in large part a result of our fearless director, Jama Bigger… SHOUT OUT!)

Now, perhaps I am a little bias. MWW was my first writer’s conference and you know what they say: you never forget your first. For those participants who took a chance on a little Midwest Conference, I know you won’t be disappointed, but I would offer a few words of wisdom… mainly because I like to make lists and this post is REALLY short.

1.  Ask questions, even the ones you think are “silly”. If you’re wondering about it, chances are, someone else is, too. 
2. Don’t be afraid of a pitch session. Turns out, as I have stated in other posts, agents are just people and a pitch is just a conversation between two people. (Kathleen Ortiz… SHOUT OUT.) Oh, and if you see me hanging out, feel free to practice your pitch on me. Someone did that for me my first year and it made all the difference!
3. Bring a sweater or jacket. I’m not kidding about how cold it can get in the classrooms.
4. Go to breakout sessions that aren’t in your “genre”. You can learn a lot by looking at things “upside down”. (Kelly Stanley… SHOUT OUT.)
5. Take advantage of the social media drop-in sessions… MWW likes to blow up Twitter (#mww12)… one day we will be trending… maybe only in the Indianapolis area, but oh yes, we will be trending.
6. Don’t be afraid to say hello to the person next to you. Who knows… maybe next year you’ll be sitting around a huge wooden table with a few really awesome “cousins”. (Joe, Irene, Terri, Kelly, Kelsey… SHOUT OUT.)

That’s all I have time for… breakfast awaits! Regardless of whether you think MWW is the best conference in the world or not, BE PASSIONATE about the time you have around other writers. Without each other, we could never become better than we are!