July Critique Giveaway...

Marcia Hoehne, an Institute of Children's Literature instructor, is giving away TWO manuscript critiques this month. You can enter to win HERE.

Good luck!

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

Because It is FUN...

I promise to write a real, writerly-like post before I leave for Chautauqua.  But today, this is how I procrastinate.

Try this. It's fun!   I Write Like...

So far I write like:

James Joyce
Ian Fleming
Ray Bradbury
Chuck Palahniuk
Stephen King

Be sure to share who YOU write like!

Keep writing,
Nora

Because It Gave Me Chills!!!

I love a good surprise.

Carlos Aponte, a 24-year-old from Puerto Rico, brought down the house during the America's Got Talent 2010, Chicago audition.  Who would have thought that this unassuming, petite man would sport a knock-your-socks-off voice like this!

Fabulous performance, Carlos!

Book Review: HARMONIC FEEDBACK, by Tara Kelly

I don't normally post book reviews. I don't have a degree in literature or journalism, and I usually don't dissect what I read. There's a list of "Books I've Read in 2010" on the sidebar of my blog. If a book is listed, I finished it. If I finished it, I liked it.  I read for interest, escape, or pleasure. Period.

When I ordered Harmonic Feedback, I didn't read the synopsis. Instead, I read the praise from Stephanie Keuhnert, "An impossible-to-put-down, must-read book. Brilliantly written and filled with music, but even more so with emotional truth." And I read the short bio: "Tara Kelly is a one-girl band, writer, filmmaker, video editor, and digital photographer. Harmonic Feedback is her first published book."

I liked that Tara had multiple creative outlets, and I do my best to support debut authors, especially those who frequent VerlaKay's Blueboards. So I purchased the book and began to read. I made it half-way through the first chapter and set it down. The main character had Asperger's Syndrome. I don't read about AS. I live with it, and it's been beyond difficult. Did I mention I read to escape?

I carried Tara's book in my purse for three weeks before pulling it out again. When I did, it was because I was stuck someplace with nothing to do, not because I made a conscious decision to finish the book.  I began reading, read for two hours, came home, and continued reading into the night until it was finished. It was beautiful, it was heartbreaking, and it wasn't about AS. It was about yearning to belong, the pain and joy of relationships with family and friends, and first love. It was Drea trying to understand the gray areas of life when her world was black and white.

Tara Kelly is an incredible talent who writes with an authentic voice. Harmonic Feedback IS brilliantly written and emotionally true. I highly recommend it, and I hope she publishes again soon.

Congratulations, Tara, on a fabulous debut!

Because It Made Me Laugh... Bronte Sisters Power Dolls!

This is totally my new favorite YouTube video!

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!