This is just a quick post. I would love to spend hours crafting the perfect blog entry, but honestly, I'm in query hell. I don't know anyone who loves writing this letter, and while it is a vital part of writing a book, I can do without the query migraine.
But as I'm scratching out this line and rewriting that one, I thought about the poor agents who have to read query after query after query and all I can do is laugh. At least my query hell occurs one book at a time. Weeding through the slush pile must be an agent's version of Groundhog's Day. And you know not all of the letters are perfect... or edited... so I was wondering what their ailment would be: query coma, perhaps.
That's all I've got today. Work is calling me. But I do have a post about writer's trading cards in the hopper, so be on the lookout. (Instead of tasteless bubble gum, my version would come with chocolate covered espresso beans.) And, even if it's a query letter, remember to BE PASSIONATE about every word you write.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Tough Love
I’ve often said writing a book is the easy part. That is if you consider sacrificing time with your family and staying friends with people after boring them with your latest plot dilemma easy. Me, personally, I’m okay with my children being raised by Phineas and Ferb for extended periods of time. No, the hard part is the inevitable rejection every writer is destined to encounter.
I still remember my “first rejection”. I was a senior in high school and was working on my dialogue between two characters. I knew it sucked, but I was also smart enough to know it wasn’t ready for someone else to read. But it fell into the hands of someone I definitely didn’t want to reading it who then proceeded to publicly mock me. That was all it took to push me from budding writer to future college administrator. I wish I had been stronger then.
Writers are creative beings. We NEED to create worlds that are real and characters that won’t stop talking to us. But with creativeness comes a curse: we really don’t like anyone tearing apart our masterpieces. Even our closest friends are capable of the ultimate betrayal known as constructive criticisms. And, unlike the countless agents and publishers who have the power to judge our work, we can make our friends pay for days and months, years even. It took me a long time to get a thicker literary hide. If I’m being completely honest, there are still some worn thin that make it impossible not to take things personally. And those are dark days in my house, let me tell you!
My writer’s group often begins each of our meeting by saying something along the lines of, “Let the shredding commence.” When we first formed, we had a couple of agreements: 1. everyone brings something every meeting; 2. everyone comes prepared to give each member feedback; 3. we are only supposed to answer questions about our work, not defend it (I suck at this rule) and 4. while we must be civil to each other, the only way we will ever be better than what we are is to get the brutal truth, so everyone has to give honest feedback. Truth time: we have lost a member, in my opinion, to the intensity of our feedback. We aren’t mean and I think everyone is careful to temper the negative with positive, but we don’t hold back either.
I once told a fellow member that I couldn’t connect with the MC, but if “she” was changed to a “he” and the story was written more like a bromance then it would make a better connection. The writer didn’t make the change and it’s become a running joke within our group, but the point I was trying to make is I wasn’t connecting to the character. I should add that I am now able to connect with the character better, but our relationship is still a work in progress (the MC, not the writer). With that said, I take it as much as I give it.
I had to miss our first November meeting due to a family commitment but my group mates were able to get me their notes. As I was going through them, one in particular crawled under my skin and laid eggs. The next day, the eggs had hatched into full on irritation.
Here’s the beauty: that comment forced me re-evaluate the way I had written the chapter and I realized the critique was right on. There’s something awesome about being a part of a group that wants you to succeed so much they are willing to make you mad in order to make you better.
So be creative writers, but realize that getting your worked hacked to shreds is a chance for you to pick up the pieces and put it back together six million dollar man style, without the dragging back story and characters that take you on a journey to the bridge to nowhere. But no matter what anyone says, no matter how much they think your “she” should be a “he”, BE PASSIONATE about everything you write!
I still remember my “first rejection”. I was a senior in high school and was working on my dialogue between two characters. I knew it sucked, but I was also smart enough to know it wasn’t ready for someone else to read. But it fell into the hands of someone I definitely didn’t want to reading it who then proceeded to publicly mock me. That was all it took to push me from budding writer to future college administrator. I wish I had been stronger then.
Writers are creative beings. We NEED to create worlds that are real and characters that won’t stop talking to us. But with creativeness comes a curse: we really don’t like anyone tearing apart our masterpieces. Even our closest friends are capable of the ultimate betrayal known as constructive criticisms. And, unlike the countless agents and publishers who have the power to judge our work, we can make our friends pay for days and months, years even. It took me a long time to get a thicker literary hide. If I’m being completely honest, there are still some worn thin that make it impossible not to take things personally. And those are dark days in my house, let me tell you!
My writer’s group often begins each of our meeting by saying something along the lines of, “Let the shredding commence.” When we first formed, we had a couple of agreements: 1. everyone brings something every meeting; 2. everyone comes prepared to give each member feedback; 3. we are only supposed to answer questions about our work, not defend it (I suck at this rule) and 4. while we must be civil to each other, the only way we will ever be better than what we are is to get the brutal truth, so everyone has to give honest feedback. Truth time: we have lost a member, in my opinion, to the intensity of our feedback. We aren’t mean and I think everyone is careful to temper the negative with positive, but we don’t hold back either.
I once told a fellow member that I couldn’t connect with the MC, but if “she” was changed to a “he” and the story was written more like a bromance then it would make a better connection. The writer didn’t make the change and it’s become a running joke within our group, but the point I was trying to make is I wasn’t connecting to the character. I should add that I am now able to connect with the character better, but our relationship is still a work in progress (the MC, not the writer). With that said, I take it as much as I give it.
I had to miss our first November meeting due to a family commitment but my group mates were able to get me their notes. As I was going through them, one in particular crawled under my skin and laid eggs. The next day, the eggs had hatched into full on irritation.
Here’s the beauty: that comment forced me re-evaluate the way I had written the chapter and I realized the critique was right on. There’s something awesome about being a part of a group that wants you to succeed so much they are willing to make you mad in order to make you better.
So be creative writers, but realize that getting your worked hacked to shreds is a chance for you to pick up the pieces and put it back together six million dollar man style, without the dragging back story and characters that take you on a journey to the bridge to nowhere. But no matter what anyone says, no matter how much they think your “she” should be a “he”, BE PASSIONATE about everything you write!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Challenges, challenges
I have a new blog entry I'll be posting in a day or two, but I just wanted to say I hope I survive 2012. It has nothing to do with the end of the Mayan calendar... if I keep at the pace I've set for myself, I might be wishing for the end of the world by December. I've added a new tab on the menu called 2012 Challenges and it outlines my reading and writing goals for the year. Let's just say I'm in an optimistic mood today.
So if you see me at pick up and you're wondering if I was wearing the same outfit yesterday, there is a slight chance you may be correct. For the record, I have an almost infinite number of black yoga pants and long sleeve black t-shirts.
For my local followers, enjoy the sunshine and I'll see you at drop off tomorrow.
So if you see me at pick up and you're wondering if I was wearing the same outfit yesterday, there is a slight chance you may be correct. For the record, I have an almost infinite number of black yoga pants and long sleeve black t-shirts.
For my local followers, enjoy the sunshine and I'll see you at drop off tomorrow.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Debut Author Challenge
As if I needed more things to do on a regular basis, I have signed on to take part in the Debut Author Challenge, hosted by The Story Siren. There's a couple reason why... and here goes the first list of the year:
1. I'm always looking for great reads from people who have made it through the slush pile and are living the dream.
2. My "To Be Read" (henceforth known as "TBR") pile isn't very big. (First sarcastic comment of the year... it only took 11 hours.)
3. It makes it easier to plan my 2012 reading list if someone else has already done the leg work for when new YA/MG releases are coming out. I can get them on the hold list at the library or pre-order them (to help debut author's prove they're viable to the publishing house) earlier.
4. Everything's linked to good reads, which I'm a member of, but don't use often enough.
5. I want to start adding reviews to my blog so why not help a sister/brother out by spewing my opinion, which is another favorite thing I like to do.
6. Since I would love to find myself on the 2013 debut list, it never hurts to build up a little writing karma.
That's it. My list of why I'm taking part in the Debut Author Challenge. 12 books in 12 months... please... I'm so in. Are you? Sign up at the link above if you think you can handle it!
If you have any suggestions on upcoming debut YA or MG book (in the US), post below... I want to get started reading ASAP!!! Check back for my reviews!
Oh, and Happy New Year, everyone! I hope it was a safe celebration! Here's to a productive and enjoyable year of prose, red pen edits, coffee, success stories, and amazing milestones! No matter what the year has in store for you, remember to BE PASSIONATE about everything you do! Happy Reading, friends!
1. I'm always looking for great reads from people who have made it through the slush pile and are living the dream.
2. My "To Be Read" (henceforth known as "TBR") pile isn't very big. (First sarcastic comment of the year... it only took 11 hours.)
3. It makes it easier to plan my 2012 reading list if someone else has already done the leg work for when new YA/MG releases are coming out. I can get them on the hold list at the library or pre-order them (to help debut author's prove they're viable to the publishing house) earlier.
4. Everything's linked to good reads, which I'm a member of, but don't use often enough.
5. I want to start adding reviews to my blog so why not help a sister/brother out by spewing my opinion, which is another favorite thing I like to do.
6. Since I would love to find myself on the 2013 debut list, it never hurts to build up a little writing karma.
That's it. My list of why I'm taking part in the Debut Author Challenge. 12 books in 12 months... please... I'm so in. Are you? Sign up at the link above if you think you can handle it!
If you have any suggestions on upcoming debut YA or MG book (in the US), post below... I want to get started reading ASAP!!! Check back for my reviews!
Oh, and Happy New Year, everyone! I hope it was a safe celebration! Here's to a productive and enjoyable year of prose, red pen edits, coffee, success stories, and amazing milestones! No matter what the year has in store for you, remember to BE PASSIONATE about everything you do! Happy Reading, friends!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Black Friday Sales I’d Camp Out For
Within an hour of finishing my Thanksgiving Dinner, something strange, yet predicitble, happens. My Floridian blood, long dorment after a relaxing and productive summer, emerges and I am overcome by the familiar repulsion of cold. It’s around this time that I start wondering if global warming is really THAT bad.
You can imagine, given this scientific anomaly, that I am the last person you will see camped out, waiting for midnight sales while the mercury drops lower and lower. No thank you. But, as I watched the news report the insanity from around the country, I have two thoughts. The first is, thank goodness people is ultra-suppressed countries don’t have access to main stream media. After all, they don’t have enough food to feed their family and often have to fight for basic needs when we’ve just stuffed ourselves full of protein, carbs, veggies and sweets in preparation to wage war for the new Kindle Fire. (Why did an image of Katniss and Peeta on the train just pop into my mind?) Anyway, my second thought is what kind of sale would be enough to tempt me from my warm home to the long lines of frenzied bargain hunters. It didn’t take long for the consumer in me to start rattling off ideas.
1. Buy one case of (highly recycled) paper, get nine free. Hell to the yeah I would be waiting in line. I went through more than 7,000 pieces of paper last year. Between printing off copies for beta readers and the numerous drafts I marked up, that’s a lot of paper. (I added the recycled part to make up for being pro-global warming during the darker months of the year.)
2. Free books for one year to the first person in line from Barnes and Noble, including e-books. Seriously, with the amount I spend on books, I would skip Turkey Day all together and pitch a tent… starting on All Saints Day. (That’s November 1, for all you non-Catholics.)
3. Door Buster: Buy a gross of red pens from Office Max, get a $500 gift card from Starbucks. This makes sense. Afterall, I spend a lot of time at Starbucks with a red pen. It seems fair.
4. Also from Office Max, or any office supply place, really, buy a new office chair and plastic floor protector, get a custom-made desk built by Santa’s Elves to your exact specifications.
5. From Dell, since it’s been my computer of choice for the last eight years, buy a new desktop computer, get all the software needed to write the best-selling novel, a matching laptop and net book, along with all the accessories a budding writer needs to take it to the next level and an instant gift card for one case of paper (see 1… and watch the coupon diva emerge… )
That’s about it. There’s more on my Christmas wish list, which I will be posting as the holiday season gets into full swing. So to the people who make the decision of what goes on sale and when, please keep writer’s in mind when you pick your products.
What sales would catapult you into the crowds? No matter where your spending habits take you, BE PASSIONATE about what moves you! And have a wonderful Holiday Season! Also, don’t forget to check out my post regarding the signed copy of XVI I’m giving away! It’s an intense book and well worth the follow!
You can imagine, given this scientific anomaly, that I am the last person you will see camped out, waiting for midnight sales while the mercury drops lower and lower. No thank you. But, as I watched the news report the insanity from around the country, I have two thoughts. The first is, thank goodness people is ultra-suppressed countries don’t have access to main stream media. After all, they don’t have enough food to feed their family and often have to fight for basic needs when we’ve just stuffed ourselves full of protein, carbs, veggies and sweets in preparation to wage war for the new Kindle Fire. (Why did an image of Katniss and Peeta on the train just pop into my mind?) Anyway, my second thought is what kind of sale would be enough to tempt me from my warm home to the long lines of frenzied bargain hunters. It didn’t take long for the consumer in me to start rattling off ideas.
1. Buy one case of (highly recycled) paper, get nine free. Hell to the yeah I would be waiting in line. I went through more than 7,000 pieces of paper last year. Between printing off copies for beta readers and the numerous drafts I marked up, that’s a lot of paper. (I added the recycled part to make up for being pro-global warming during the darker months of the year.)
2. Free books for one year to the first person in line from Barnes and Noble, including e-books. Seriously, with the amount I spend on books, I would skip Turkey Day all together and pitch a tent… starting on All Saints Day. (That’s November 1, for all you non-Catholics.)
3. Door Buster: Buy a gross of red pens from Office Max, get a $500 gift card from Starbucks. This makes sense. Afterall, I spend a lot of time at Starbucks with a red pen. It seems fair.
4. Also from Office Max, or any office supply place, really, buy a new office chair and plastic floor protector, get a custom-made desk built by Santa’s Elves to your exact specifications.
5. From Dell, since it’s been my computer of choice for the last eight years, buy a new desktop computer, get all the software needed to write the best-selling novel, a matching laptop and net book, along with all the accessories a budding writer needs to take it to the next level and an instant gift card for one case of paper (see 1… and watch the coupon diva emerge… )
That’s about it. There’s more on my Christmas wish list, which I will be posting as the holiday season gets into full swing. So to the people who make the decision of what goes on sale and when, please keep writer’s in mind when you pick your products.
What sales would catapult you into the crowds? No matter where your spending habits take you, BE PASSIONATE about what moves you! And have a wonderful Holiday Season! Also, don’t forget to check out my post regarding the signed copy of XVI I’m giving away! It’s an intense book and well worth the follow!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
SIGNED Book Give-A-Way
Welcome to my first ever SIGNED book giveaway! Getting a chance to win is pretty easy. Simply post a comment on any blog entry on my website (www.sarahjschmitt.com) and when I hit 525 followers on Twitter, I’ll draw a random entry to win a SIGNED copy of XVI by Julia Karr.
Here’s the jacket blurb for XVI:
“Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world - even the most predatory of men - that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past - one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.”
Ways to earn an entry into the drawing (you may do any or all of the following):
Follow me on Twitter
Post a comment on any blog post (one entry per post)
Retweet a link to my blog (one entry per new post announcement)
Follow my blog on Blog Roll
Become a fan on Facebook (Sarah J Schmitt)
Check back often (like when you’re leaving a comment) for updates! I'll also be returning follows as often as I can!
Until then, BE PASSIONATE about whatever is important to you!
Here’s the jacket blurb for XVI:
“Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world - even the most predatory of men - that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past - one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.”
Ways to earn an entry into the drawing (you may do any or all of the following):
Follow me on Twitter
Post a comment on any blog post (one entry per post)
Retweet a link to my blog (one entry per new post announcement)
Follow my blog on Blog Roll
Become a fan on Facebook (Sarah J Schmitt)
Check back often (like when you’re leaving a comment) for updates! I'll also be returning follows as often as I can!
Until then, BE PASSIONATE about whatever is important to you!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The Next Big Thing... or Not
As I’m sitting in the Indianapolis Airport, lamenting about my canceled flight, it hit me: I aspire to spend more time in airports, and so I better start saving up travel karma. This got me thinking about what I want from my writing career. It’s a fine line between being confident and being obnoxious.
Admit it, when you hear an unpublished writer say they’re the next Stephen King or JK Rowling, most of you roll your eyes. It’s a one in a million shot, right? Who in their right mind would think they could be the ONE? (Well, other than Stephen and JK.) In my genre, the current buzz names are Stephanie Meyer and Suzanne Collins. They both have best-selling series with movies raking in millions (okay, Hunger Games isn’t out yet, but I know I’ll be at the midnight show. Who’s with me?)
Why is dreaming big a bad thing? I mean, if you’re doing the work to become better and you aren’t spending all your time talking about how great your writing is instead of actually writing, where’s the harm? If you can walk the walk, why is confidence discouraged? Besides, I’m willing to bet not everyone wants to be the multi-book best-selling author, even the people who are consistently hitting the top of the charts and getting movie options.
I remember an interview done with Stephanie Meyer on the red carpet at one of the movie premieres. The reporter asked her what advice she would give to aspiring authors and her response was interesting. She said not to get into writing for the money. She said you have to love writing and make that the priority. She went on to add that she hadn’t been able to write much because of the PR for the movies and it was something she really wanted to get back to. But, being someone who only listens to TV with about half my attention, here’s what I heard. “I wrote this book. Lots of people liked it. I wrote more books. A production company optioned them. People went crazy over the movies and I sold more books. I made lots of money. But I’m not happy about it because I can’t actually do the thing I love to do: Write.”
So, because my flight was canceled and I have literally seven hours of hanging out in an airport today, I thought I would share my aspirations. Some may call them borderline arrogant, but I like to think of them as constant motivators pushing me to be better. They remind me that success rarely, if ever, comes without the price tag of hard work and dedication.
1. Write books that are on the best-sellers list. Number one would be nice, but just being on the list would be cool, too. Heck, at this point, being on Amazon’s top 50 in YA (insert genre) would be good.
2. Have a modest production company option my book. (Not at all interested in a TV series.)
3. Get interviewed by Ellen (I’ve been practicing that interview for about a year now.)
4. Remember that writing is the breath of my soul. If I ever get to a point where the joy of “breathing” is squelched by my “brand”, it’s time to re-evaluate my aspirations.
5. Never become so cynical about my career that I can’t find satisfaction in my work.
6. Spend the rest of my life writing books I would want to read. If my books become too commercial or don’t make me excited writing them, maybe it’s time to enjoy my moderate success and take a break from churning out crap. (My current WIP actually leaves me smiling when I finish revising and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!)
7. And of course, know where every Starbucks is in every MAJOR airport in the country. (Do they have an app for that?) ***REVISED TO REPORT THERE IS A STARBUCKS (or two) ON EVERY CONCOURSE IN THE KANSAS CITY AIRPORT***
So here’s my question for you, oh faithful readers: What do you aspire to? I hope, no matter what it is, you find a way to BE PASSIONATE about your goals and the role they play in your life. As for me, I’m going to find a more comfortable seat and dream about the day I can afford first class… oh wait, I’m a writer… maybe I should aspire to paying for the early check-in. When I'm published I'll be able to afford ten bucks, right?
Admit it, when you hear an unpublished writer say they’re the next Stephen King or JK Rowling, most of you roll your eyes. It’s a one in a million shot, right? Who in their right mind would think they could be the ONE? (Well, other than Stephen and JK.) In my genre, the current buzz names are Stephanie Meyer and Suzanne Collins. They both have best-selling series with movies raking in millions (okay, Hunger Games isn’t out yet, but I know I’ll be at the midnight show. Who’s with me?)
Why is dreaming big a bad thing? I mean, if you’re doing the work to become better and you aren’t spending all your time talking about how great your writing is instead of actually writing, where’s the harm? If you can walk the walk, why is confidence discouraged? Besides, I’m willing to bet not everyone wants to be the multi-book best-selling author, even the people who are consistently hitting the top of the charts and getting movie options.
I remember an interview done with Stephanie Meyer on the red carpet at one of the movie premieres. The reporter asked her what advice she would give to aspiring authors and her response was interesting. She said not to get into writing for the money. She said you have to love writing and make that the priority. She went on to add that she hadn’t been able to write much because of the PR for the movies and it was something she really wanted to get back to. But, being someone who only listens to TV with about half my attention, here’s what I heard. “I wrote this book. Lots of people liked it. I wrote more books. A production company optioned them. People went crazy over the movies and I sold more books. I made lots of money. But I’m not happy about it because I can’t actually do the thing I love to do: Write.”
So, because my flight was canceled and I have literally seven hours of hanging out in an airport today, I thought I would share my aspirations. Some may call them borderline arrogant, but I like to think of them as constant motivators pushing me to be better. They remind me that success rarely, if ever, comes without the price tag of hard work and dedication.
1. Write books that are on the best-sellers list. Number one would be nice, but just being on the list would be cool, too. Heck, at this point, being on Amazon’s top 50 in YA (insert genre) would be good.
2. Have a modest production company option my book. (Not at all interested in a TV series.)
3. Get interviewed by Ellen (I’ve been practicing that interview for about a year now.)
4. Remember that writing is the breath of my soul. If I ever get to a point where the joy of “breathing” is squelched by my “brand”, it’s time to re-evaluate my aspirations.
5. Never become so cynical about my career that I can’t find satisfaction in my work.
6. Spend the rest of my life writing books I would want to read. If my books become too commercial or don’t make me excited writing them, maybe it’s time to enjoy my moderate success and take a break from churning out crap. (My current WIP actually leaves me smiling when I finish revising and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!)
7. And of course, know where every Starbucks is in every MAJOR airport in the country. (Do they have an app for that?) ***REVISED TO REPORT THERE IS A STARBUCKS (or two) ON EVERY CONCOURSE IN THE KANSAS CITY AIRPORT***
So here’s my question for you, oh faithful readers: What do you aspire to? I hope, no matter what it is, you find a way to BE PASSIONATE about your goals and the role they play in your life. As for me, I’m going to find a more comfortable seat and dream about the day I can afford first class… oh wait, I’m a writer… maybe I should aspire to paying for the early check-in. When I'm published I'll be able to afford ten bucks, right?
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