These are a Few of My Favorite Links...

Writing, writing, writing... I've been doing a lot of that lately. And that's a good thing, although I've not written one word in my WIP this weekend. That tends to happen when I have LOTs of school work hanging over my head. It's that inevitable end-of-the quarter teacher pile-up that includes report cards, back-logged grading, and getting ready for conferences. You notice I'm not working on that right now either.  No, I'll save that for later tonight, because you know, it's not due until tomorrow.

Instead, I'll share a few of my favorite links that I came across this week:


Marcia Hoehne, an Institute of Children's Literature Instructor, has a fabulous October critique giveaway. You can find out the details here!


Anna Staniszewski (say that name 10 times fast!) has posted another installment of "Letter to Myself." This time guest author Alisa Libby offers advice to herself as a writing major in college.


Nathan Bransford blogged "This Week in Publishing 10/22/10" -a list of happenings in the publishing world and more than a few chuckles. My favorites are the Nerd flowchart and the video from Sesame Street with Grover as the Old Spice Guy.  No... I think I like Bookmans Does Book Dominoes best...

National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, begins November 1st and ends November 30th. If you are a glutton for punishment, goal oriented, can stay awake for hours on end, and can silence your inner editor for 30 days, this is the writing challenge for you. The goal is to write 50,000 new words during the month of November. Just to clarify -that would be FIFTY THOUSAND.

Hanna Howard, a Chautauqua friend, has decided to honor NaNoWriMo by posting on her blog EVERY day during the month of November. If today's post on creativity is any indication, it should be well worth your time to visit. Also, take a moment and click on "Story Links." There you'll find three of her short stories (my favorite is "Ruby Riding Hood"). You can find Hanna at "Luna the Typewriter."

If you've ever had a brush with rejection this post by literary agent, Rachelle Gardner, will give you a chuckle.  Rants & Ramblings


Keep writing!
Nora

Chautauqua, Writer Stuff, and New Blog Bling!

Chautauqua Writer's Workshop starts Saturday.  Bring it on, I'm ready!

Today I received an email from my workshop mentor, award-winning author, Donna Jo Napoli. She's giving us her written comments on our manuscripts after the Saturday opening banquet so we can have a look before our individual discussions. I've sent in my current WIP, a YA fantasy that is just shy of the half-way finished mark. I'm looking forward to this. I love critique sessions. I always come away feeling like I've had a creative power charge.

I'm hoping to blog my experience while I'm there, but several past attendees have told me not to make promises. The days are full, and when they're over I'll want to crash early. That's what they tell me, but I'm a SERIOUS night owl. Which probably means that come mid-week, I'll crash and burn from the early days. Never fear. I've planned ahead. Yup. I've worked a mid-week power nap into my schedule.  If it turns out you don't hear from me during the week, I DO promise to blog my experience when I return.

I've been blog surfing again, and I'd like to share some of my favorites.

Alice Pope, former editor of Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, is the new SCBWI blogger. Here are a few things you can find on her blog:

• Interviewing editors and agents
• Featuring SCBWI success stories/debut authors and illustrators
• Highlighting great industry blogs
• Featuring markets/new markets/new imprints
• Getting your questions answered by industry experts
• Reporting on SCBWI news and events
• Hosting writers stopping by on blog tours
• Sharing my favorite tweets for children's writers
• Offering general publishing news

Mike Duran wrote a must-read post about The Craft Of Routine.  He discusses why productivity matters in publishing, and productivity is about mastering a routine. 

Harold Underdown has compiled a supplementary resource for the Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, 3rd Edition. It includes guides to writing children's books, writers writing about writing, guides addressing a particular genre, topic, or problem, and guides to creativity.

Save the Words made me giggle, AND it's a challenge.

And finally (drumroll).... I've got new blog bling! (That's important, and reason to celebrate)

  Alex Gartner has given me The Versatile Blogger Award (Thanks Alex!). I'm supposed to thank and link back to the person who gave this to me and share 7 things about myself (which I'll do in another post since this one is getting long...).

And Medeia Sharif gave me the Trendy Blog Award (Thank you, Medeia!).  

Both awards require me to pass it along, and I will. But first I need to start packing for Chautauqua! 

Keep Writing,

Nora

Writing and Must Read Resources

School's out!

I've been writing quite a bit this week. It feels good to have uninterrupted time to do so. I'm working towards having a complete 1st draft before leaving for Chautauqua. Wish me luck!

I've read quite a few interesting blog articles lately, and I'd like to share some of my favorites.

For those of you who blog and use social networking to market yourselves, here are two articles you might be interested in reading. The first is from SocialMedia Examiner: 5 Easy Steps to a Winning Social Media Plan.

On the flip side, I found this article about The Hidden Costs of Social Networking posted on Chip's Blog (MacGregor Literary)

This post left me hopeful... How the Intern Reads Your Proposal, by Lauren at BookEnds, LLC - A Literary Agency.

Query Tracker Blog has a terrific post about Providing Better Critiques: Being Detailed in Your Feedback.

Marissa Graff and Martina Boone have a wonderful blog called Adventures in Children's Publishing. Their Pre-submission Checklist is an excellent piece of advice to anyone beginning the submission process.

And finally, Sara B. Larson had Elana Johnson as a guest poster on her blog. The topic: "Finish Strong!!!" Elana includes her "embarrassing stats" on her way to publication. This is a MUST read for any writer who is discouraged about rejections.

Keep Writing!

The Joy of Plotting

I love to plot.

There's nothing quite like a good puzzle, and plotting a novel certainly fits into that category. I keep notes on foreshadowing, conversations, events, character quirks, and setting descriptions. I triple check every detail to be sure each is attended to and resolved. I find that I like to write the first couple of chapters, and then I go straight to the end. It helps me not to wander if I know my destination. All I have to do is connect the dots, right?

Maybe... Just like any connect-the-dots puzzle, the more dots there are to connect the sharper the picture. I like to use a loose framework to plan. The details come as I write. Helene Boudreau posted this structure on her blog. It's simple, and it works well for me.

Inciting incident (The big problem)

Plot Point 1 (first obstacle)

Plot Point 2 (second obstacle)

Plot Point 3 (third obstacle-situation is about as bad as it can get)

Climax A (lighting the fuse)

Climax B (watching it burn)

Climax C (kaboom!)

Denouement

Resolution

Another good source for understanding how to build specific plots is 20 Master Plots -and how to build them, by Karen S. Wiesner. I refer to this book each time I start a new project - my own little refresher course!

What plotting strategies and resources do you use?

Synopsis Question...

I've finished my revisions, and I'm now writing synopsis drafts. Chuck Sambuchino, Editor of 2009 Guide to Literary Agents, says you need to have these 5 things ready when you send out your manuscript:

• Logline: 1 sentence summary
• Pitch: 3-6 sentence summary (also known as book jacket pitch)
• Short synopsis: Front to back telling of the story. Introduces characters, conflict, and includes ending. Told in present tense. 1 page single spaced, or 2 pages double-spaced.
• Long synopsis: General rule of thumb - one page summary per 30 pages text
• Full (spotless) manuscript

I have a logline, draft of a pitch, and a completed manuscript. I'm working on a long synopsis, and I will write my short synopsis last. My question is, how many of you have a completed long and short synopsis before you begin querying?

Fabulous Writer Advice

Short and sweet today. Nathan Bransford's March 5th entry is just what I needed to read, so I thought I'd share it with you.

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR THE HAPPY WRITER

Enjoy!

Query Quandary and Snow Day - Part 3

I'm home again today - icebound. The county is still trying to clean up the mess. So... it's another writing day! (big grin)

I started work on my query last night. It's MUCH harder than it should be. I've got a 1st draft. It's not what I want to send, but it's a starting point. Writing the log line was easy, it's writing the pitch that is difficult. My head is full of story details. All of which, of course, I think are important. How do you put down what's critical and make it stand out from the crowd? I began my quest to find the answer last night, and I came up with these helpful resources:

Nathan Bransford has terrific information on his blog. Listed on the sidebar below the "About Me," you'll find information regarding basic formatting and examples of good query letters.

Cheryl Klein has "The Annotated Query Letter from Hell" posted on her website. This made me laugh!

Agentquery.com has a page called "How to Write a Query."

Chuck Sambuchino's blog has a page about queries. If you scroll down to October 16, 2008, there is an entry called "Breaking Down the Query Letter."

VerlaKay's Children's Writers & Illustrators Message Board has a thread called "Query Letters that Sold." There are some very good examples posted.

Both VerlaKay and SCBWI boards will allow you to submit your query for critique (eek!). I'm not sure I want my drafts to be critiqued in such a public manner.

If you know of other online query resources and examples, please share. I would appreciate it. Thanks!

LibraryThing

LibraryThing is a cool tool that helps you create a library-quality catalog of your books. It’s easy to join. Simply go to the site, enter a user name and password, and you’re done. You can set up your books on a “bookshelf” or in a list. The first 200 books entered are free, or you can enter as many as you like for $10 (year) or $25 (life).

The site allows you to search, sort, and edit book information. I typed in my titles, and the Library of Congress or Amazon filled in the rest of the information. You can also rate your books and write reviews. Because you catalog online, LibraryThing can connect you with people who read the same things. You can keep your library private, or you can share your profile. Your profile connects you to people who share your books.

The website also allows you to create and join groups – much like Yahoo groups. You can start clubs or private groups for friends. You can also participate in the group forum called “Talk.” The forum system allows you to see the conversations happening in all groups or just your groups.

Another feature is called LibraryThing Local. LibraryThing Local keeps track of bookstore events, library and book festivals, author readings, signings, and discussions in your area. 

Take a few minutes and check it out. Take the tour. It's worth the visit. Have fun! 

Awesome Blog Award...

GOES TO...   The Bookshelf Muse!

I am proud to say I am an "Esteemed Stalker" of The Bookshelf Muse: a collection of musings about reading, writing and other randomness. 

Troubles writing a description? Not a problem. A simple trip to Angela and Becca's Setting Description Thesaurus will put your thinker back in gear. Does your character have issues with expression? Visit the Emotion Thesaurus - "an 'idea bank' for the times when you get stuck." 

I have recommended this site not only to my writer friends, but also to my coworkers who teach writing. Keep it coming, ladies! Terrific site!

Guide to Literary Agents

A Cincinnati chapter of SCBWI invited Chuck Sambuchino, Editor of 2009 Guide to Literary Agents, to speak tonight at their monthly meeting. Here are a few highlights from his presentation:

What can an agent do for you?

• a reputable agent is familiar with the needs of the current market and will evaluate your manuscript accordingly
• they should determine the quality of your piece and whether it is saleable
• when your manuscript sells, your agent should negotiate a favorable contract and clear up any questions you have about payments
• agents have limitations - representation does not guarantee sales - it only recognizes potential in your writing
• some agents may offer criticism or advice on how to improve your work

Chuck shared terrific information about writing queries and novel synopsis. You can find his notes in his blog through the link below: 

•  "Breaking Down the Query Letter" 
  
• Finish your novel before submitting

Have these 5 things ready

1. Logline: 1 sentence summary 
2. Pitch: 3-6 sentence summary (also known as book jacket pitch)
3. Short synopsis: Front to back telling of the story. Introduces characters, conflict, and includes ending. Told in present tense. 1 page single spaced, or 2 pages double-spaced.
4. Long synopsis: General rule of thumb - one page summary per 30 pages text
5. Full (spotless) manuscript

You can sign up for the free Guide to Literary Agents newsletter, which provides information on literary agents, script agents, writer' conferences, playwriting and writing opportunities in general at www.guidetoliteraryagents.com 

Chuck's blog contains great information about where and how to find the right agents to represent your work.

• check out the new GLA blog at www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog 

Less than 36 Hours ...

With less than 36 hours to go until the NaNoWriMo kickoff I'm beginning to realize I'm a wee bit unprepared. "No Plot, No Problem!" ... no books available either. They've completely sold out. So I decided to do some surfing for nano sites. Here are a few that I found:

10 Tips For Getting 50,000 by Nicole Humphrey

NaNoWriMo Tips and Tools by Nienke Hinton (links and resources)

Advice From a Noveling Veteran by Nathan Alderman, Macworld.com (tips to reach 50,000 words)

Surviving 30 Days of Noveling by Dan Moren, Macworld.com (How to make it through National Novel Writing Month)

Useful References for Writers NaperWriMo Wiki (TONS of reference links!)

Idea Generator for Nano - by C.R. Evers 

Good luck to all you NaNo's out there!

Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature

Are you ready for something new to read but don't know what to pick? Maybe you're interested in a fiction novel aimed at ages 10-12, set in China, that features a male protagonist.  Or maybe you prefer a YA fantasy and want a female protagonist. The Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature (DAWCL) can help you find that perfect book.

Lisa Bartle, a reference librarian at California State University in San Bernardino, came up with the idea for DAWCL while attending UCLA. Her website states, "The purpose of this database is to create a tailored reading list of quality children's literature or to find out if a book has won one of the indexed awards." 

DAWCL has over 7,000 records from 79 awards across six English-speaking countries (United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, and Ireland). 

To find a book click "Search DAWCL" at the top of the page. A menu to help narrow your search will appear with the choices: Age of Reader, Setting, Historical Period, Ethnicity/Nationality of Protagonist or Tale, Language, Keyword or phrase, Awards, Format, Genre, Multicultural, Gender of Protagonist, Publication Year, and Author/Illustrator/Translator. 

Once you've made your choices, click on "Search," and wait for your list to appear!  

Happy Reading!

Bartle, Lisa R. The Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature.   <http://www.dawcl.com>. 
          20 Apr. 2002. (08 May 2008).