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Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Fill in the blank: A bunny hopped over a . . .
I've been reading a lot of children's books lately. My little boy is just to the age where he's starting to follow along with the story instead of just batting the book out of my hand and giggling. And he seems to be hooked. I read him 3 books before bed, and when I check on him later, I usually find him sound asleep, a book open with his finger in it, or asleep on top of a book he'd been hugging (seriously cute).
And of course, reading all these children's books has put that little whisper ear of, "I could do this." Don't get me wrong - I have no illusions it would be easy. Writing is hard no matter the audience. And I probably never will -- I like my dark themes and bad asses and violent fights too much.
But still, there's something about the idea that feels bright and refreshing. Something about getting back to the basics and telling a great story with only a few words and a few pictures.
And children's books can take on just about any genre out there. Mysteries (Bear's Underwear Mystery, anyone?) or fantasy (Where the Wild Things Are) or horror (any of the Grimm fairy tales) or even romance (parent-children love, of course, but still, they're chalk full of love).
Then of course, there are decisions on what types of characters to have. Bunnies, kangaroos, talking plants, the character possibilities are endless children's books.
What are some of your favorites? Do you think that children's books have echos of the same genres we use to categorize adult books? Would you have a bunny in your children's book? What would your bun ny be hopping over?
And of course, reading all these children's books has put that little whisper ear of, "I could do this." Don't get me wrong - I have no illusions it would be easy. Writing is hard no matter the audience. And I probably never will -- I like my dark themes and bad asses and violent fights too much.
But still, there's something about the idea that feels bright and refreshing. Something about getting back to the basics and telling a great story with only a few words and a few pictures.And children's books can take on just about any genre out there. Mysteries (Bear's Underwear Mystery, anyone?) or fantasy (Where the Wild Things Are) or horror (any of the Grimm fairy tales) or even romance (parent-children love, of course, but still, they're chalk full of love).
Then of course, there are decisions on what types of characters to have. Bunnies, kangaroos, talking plants, the character possibilities are endless children's books.
What are some of your favorites? Do you think that children's books have echos of the same genres we use to categorize adult books? Would you have a bunny in your children's book? What would your bun ny be hopping over?
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Fabulous First Episode of DISCOVERY ISLAND With Captain Jack Sparrow: ANCHOR ISLAND
HELLIE: What are you talking about? I told you we
were interviewing Terri today for her new book that’s out. Meant toBe—remember?
JACK: No, no, lass, the book interviews are a thing
of the past, luv. Oprah took a book club break, and—
HELLIE: Right, and you’re the Pirate Oprah, so I see
how that’s exactly the same. So what then is Discovery Island?
JACK: It’s my new and brilliant idea of introducing
the public to newly discovered islands and showing them the sights so they want
to visit.
HELLIE: And the first island you’ll be showing?
JACK: Anchor Island. *holding up a copy of Terri’s
MEANT TO BE* I read all about it here in this tour book. Quite a lovely place,
and I thought I would talk to some of the locals on the island who are featured
in the tour guide.
HELLIE: I already see I’m going to need more rum.
JACK: Great idea, luvvie, and I will get started with
my first question—where is that scallywag Joe? Now that’s a pirate. Steals his
brother’s fiancée. Tell me, Joe, do pirates decorate your family tree?
JOE: Terri said I was just here to see a boat. And I
did not steal my brother's fiancée. She was never really his to begin with.
JACK: No need to be defensive. It all worked out in
the end, right? And you still get to live here on this lovely island? What is
so special about Anchor Island anyway? What makes someone want to visit?
JOE: With Anchor, what you see is what you get. The
people are real, the atmosphere is friendly, and the fishing is the best in the
mid-Atlantic. You smell like you've been sleeping with fish. *waves hand in
front of his nose* When was the last time you took a bath?
JACK: Recently. Just last August. But your fiancé,
Beth, now she didn’t want to visit, did she? A bit of a landlubber.
JOE: Beth didn't have a problem with the island, it
was the ferry trip required to get there. Her fear of falling off a boat and
drowning is a real one, but I helped her through it. It wasn't long before I
got her on my boat and helped her work through the fear.
JACK: *knowing leer* Definitely a pirate then, if you
could convince a lass to climb aboard your ship, if you know what I mean, and
dare to ride the rough seas.
JOE: Are you trying to make me kick your prancy
little ass?
JACK: Touchy, touchy. Moving on. It seems there will
be another tour book of Anchor Island coming out. Would you be able to tell us
what we’ll be seeing and experiencing of the island in that one?
JOE: There's more beach, since Sid and Lucas both
like to run up there. They're total opposites, and Sid pretty much hands Lucas
his ass. I could have told him trying to get a handle on Sid was like trying to
rope a hurricane, but little brother never listens to me.
JACK: What is your favorite thing about Anchor
Island?
JOE: The water and having my family so close. There's
nothing like being out on the boat. And my dog. Dozer goes everywhere with me.
JACK: Okay, fast five. Best place to get rum on the
island?
JOE: DEMPSEY'S BAR & GRILL, of course.
JACK: Best place to find wenches?
JOE: If you're looking for a cheap thrill, which by
the looks of you is the only thing you're looking for, I'd hit up O'Hagan's on
a Saturday night. If you're looking for something more, that's tougher to
answer.
JACK: *marks down O’Hagan’s* Best place to find a bit
of treasure?
JOE: Beth would kick my ass if I didn't say Lola's
place, ISLAND ARTS & CRAFTS. She's got jewelry stuff, art, pottery. Beth
keeps bringing it home and some of it's cool.
JACK: Excellent. I do like me some swag…and the
occasional souvenir rum cup. Best thing to do on the island?
JOE: Fishing would be my answer, but there's the
lighthouse that's good for families. Randy has a kick ass operation for the
thrill seekers. Parasailing, jet skis, stuff like that.
JACK: Ah, interesting, I’ll be sure to interview Sid
then, when the time comes. Best ship to commandeer if you need to make a quick
getaway….
JOE: We don't steal boats. And Dozer doesn't take too
kindly to strangers stepping onto mine, so don't get any ideas.
HELLIE: *returning with rum, sees what’s going on*
Please tell me you’ve just started and you have not ruined this entire
interview? Terri will kill you, you know.
JOE: Terri will have to get in line.
JACK: *taking rum* Ah, now there’s the proper way to
end an interview! Join me, maties, in celebrating the first spectacular episode
of Discovery Island with the incomparable Captain Jack-- *Hellie makes a subtle
gesture, the bow line is thrown and Jack is swept off the deck, a splash
echoing off the side of the ship*
MO: You’re right, Captain! He didn’t see it coming at
all! Who’da thunk!
HELLIE: I’m really sorry, Joe, I had these questions
about your story with Beth.
JOE: I have answered enough questions for today. I’m
here about a boat, or so I was led to believe, not to answer questions about my
personal life.
HELLIE: Ah, yes, Terri did say you
were…um…temperamental.
JOE: Yes, well, Pot meet Kettle. Do I get to have a
look at this boat or not?
HELLIE: Not, I’m afraid. Jack would be even more
cantankerous than you if I gave his ship away.
JOE: *glancing around* This piece of sh—
HELLIE: And I’m afraid that’s all we have time for
today on Discovery Island. Tune in next time when we return to Anchor Island to
see the sights from Sid’s point of view. While we wait, let’s dish: what place
on Anchor Island would you most like to visit or what would you hope a place
like Anchor Island would have?
TERRI: *streaking across the deck as if she’s on
fire* OMGOMGOMG! Do you know my book is out today? Today, people! It’s out
today!
HELLIE: No, sorry, it slipped my mind. You’ve been so
calm.
TERRI: Oh, thanks. *taking a deep breath* I was
really afraid Jack would screw up this interview.
HELLIE: You worry too much. Now why don’t you start
off the crew with an answer to the question of the day?
TERRI: There’s a question?
HELLIE: What’s your favorite place on Anchor Island?
(Your guests get to make suggestions for what they hope is there as well.)
TERRI: Oh, that’s nice. The Sweet Shoppe. That’s my
favorite place. If I could go there, I’d get a brownie. They’re the bomb.
HELLIE: There you have it! Now you—what’s your favorite place on the island or what do you hope the island has? And if you haven't already, download your copy of MEANT TO BE--it's on sale, starting today!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Prepare Yourself
This is what I just typed (on Sunday afternoon) to a friend.
"Prepare yourself. I'm going to be an utter mess on Tuesday." What's
Tuesday, you ask? That's the day my book will finally be on sale. Yes,
tomorrow. And I've been trying to prepare for this for weeks. Months really. I
think you can tell by my less than positive endorsement of my state of mind
that I'm not doing a very good job.
There are moments in life when you know some impending event
is going to change everything. Graduations. Weddings. Births. (For some of us,
divorces.) I've experienced all of these and have felt the same each time. It's
a feeling similar to standing in line for the biggest roller coaster you've
ever seen and wanting nothing more than to run in the other direction.
Only you don't run. You get on and sometimes you have the
time of your life, while other times you puke all over yourself. I think (hope?)
I can safe say there will be none of the latter tomorrow.
It's
scary and crazy and daunting and exciting, but I don't want to run. Okay, I
might want to run tomorrow when the numbers start coming in. (There are pros
and cons to being able to see your sales numbers any time you want.) So I guess
my purpose today is to ask that you all be patient with me. Not that I come
across as all that sane now, but I cannot be responsible for what comes out of
my mouth or keyboard for the rest of this week.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Title! I Need A Title!
Help a writer out, put your thinking tricorns on and see
what you think…
The fourth book in my series has a working title. Double Trap. Because, well, there are
two traps which are sprung. Of course, when I read it again and really kept
track…there were three. Escalating in danger.
Starts with a personal trial involving only Jake and Miranda
and an outside force. Overlaps with a trick pulled on the Moonstone and the
fight to recover the ship and not lose Miranda to a second trap, which uncovers
the third and deadliest trap. Which she walks into in order to spring it.
From the coast of North Carolina, back to Tortuga to a
mythical stone dance in England…
So, I thought… Thrice
Trapped. Uh, Three Tricks… Triple Traps… I am stuck on alliteration
and hitting a rock wall.
I thought, well, a lot of this takes place at sea… The Treacherous Sea.
Since it ends at a stone dance… Another way to talk of
Stonehenge – Interrupted Rituals …?
(They totally take on an evil ritual, at Stonehenge.) The Dangerous Dance…?
Any other ideas? Come on crew, just let it flow… Miranda
spends a lot in this book held captive again and again… Beloved Hostage … ?
I started with A
Caribbean Spell – next is Red Sean’s
Revenge – third is The French Gambit…
and this fourth book sets a huge step forward for my intrepid couple. But I
really do feel like what I’m coming up with for book four just isn’t ringing
the right bell…
Dazzle me! Help me!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Confessions of a Control Freak
Hi everyone. My name is Marnee and I’m a control freak.
Hello Marnee.
Maybe it’s my zodiac sign (Virgo) or maybe it was growing up
with an alcoholic who made things unpredictable at home. Dunno, but in my
adult, real life, I need order. I
schedule. I’m a lover of routine, a
seeker of calm. I make grocery lists and I clean certain things on certain
days. I keep spreadsheets, I use Microsoft Money to budget and balance my
checkbook. I streamline and simplify. When I accomplish something in the most
efficient way, I feel like the KING OF THE WORLD. *Insert Leonardo DiCaprio on
the helm of the Titanic, the soundtrack swelling in the background*
It’s helped with parenting too. Oh, my kids play. They can run and explore
and build and destroy to their hearts content… between regular meals, regular
personal hygiene, and very regular sleeping schedules.
It’s how I manage my life and the lives of the three guys
counting on me. (Okay, 2.5 guys. The
hubs is super self-sufficient. But, I’m the CEO of my household and my
management reigns here. He’s cool with that, though. I’m not a dictator—okay,
not usually—and he doesn’t want this job anyway.)
That’s why, when it comes to just letting things go and
writing organically, I feel equal parts freed and terrified. The story has surprised
me a few times with the directions it’s gone. It’s exciting to watch it unfold
before me. Exciting like a motorcycle ride.
As in, “this is awesome, this is awesome, but oh god, we’re gonna die!”
In the past, I’ve planned the hell out of my stories. I planned them to within an inch of their
lives. But, it hasn’t worked. Stories
aren’t like grocery lists, check off the ingredients and complete the task. Instead, they’re like my little boys. They
need structure but they don’t need me micromanaging the shit out of them.
Right now, I’m watching my story the same way I watch my
kids play. I say, all right, characters, at some point, I need X event to
happen. Until then, I’ll follow you, as long as we get to X at some point. They haven’t let me down yet.
So for now, I’m just standing over here, off to the side, waiting to rein them in if they get a little crazy. Like want to jump off the top of the monkey bars.
Anyone else have difficulty just letting the story take
you? Anyone else a compulsive list
writer or habitual cleaner? Do you think
control freak is a positive or negative thing?
Tuesday Blog
Sorry, guys, I've been running around for days until way past my bedtime and actually having to use work hours for work. I did read a book; I just didn't have time to review it. Will review it at the next available opportunity.
What are you reading this week? Everyone getting enough sleep?
What are you reading this week? Everyone getting enough sleep?
Monday, May 13, 2013
Candi Wall Talking Prime Pitching Opportunities
As if the question ‘Wanna pitch to an agent or editor’ isn’t
enough.
Hello! A huge thanks to all my wonderful hosts as I run all
over cyberspace talking about Agent/Editor Shop at the Musetracks blog.
In this crazy world of easy access to information, it’s also
easy to miss huge opportunities, or forget! Because I get so many comments that
writers either forgot, or didn’t know Musetracks did pitch sessions, I asked a
bunch of fellow writers, bloggers and readers to help me spread the word.
For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Candi Wall, one of
the authors who co-contribute to the Musetracks blog. Jennifer Bray-Weber,
Marie-Claude Bourque, and Stacey Purcell are my super smart co-contributors and
goodness knows where I’d be without them!
I’ve been hosting acquiring Agents at Musetracks for almost
two years, and only recently, we decided to add editors as our guest. We’ve
been lucky to have agents like Melissa Jeglinski, Jessica Alvarez, Mollie
Glick, Becky Vinter, Kevan Lyon, Scott Eagan, Lois Winston, Jill Marsal,
Michelle Grajkowski, Kimberley Cameron, Emmanuella Alspaugh (now Morgan), Laura
Bradford, Jenny Bent, Sara Crowe, Weronika Janczuk and Stan Soper.
Our guest editors thus far have been Rhonda Penders w/ The
Wild Rose Press, Jennifer Miller w/ Samhain Publishing, Debby Gilbert w/ Soul
Mate Publishing, Beth Walker w/ Secret Cravings Publishing, and the editors at
Books To Go Now have booked three dates in the future!
What we offer is a ‘Pitch Day’. I only take 30 pitches, and
only the first thirty VIABLE pitches that come in on pitch day will be seen by
the agent or editor. And I will warn you, I’m a stickler for following
guidelines. If you don’t include exactly what is in the rules… I delete without
prejudice. And I delete quite a few. (And yes, I receive plenty of hate mail.)
You can find us here:
Musetracks
and there is a sidebar with Agent/Editor Shop dates and attending professionals
You can find the rules for pitching here:
Musetracks
Agent/Editor Shop rules Please read them carefully!
I’ve also created a Yahoo group so writers can sign up to
receive Agent/Editor Shop updates. I only send messages with agent/editor
attendance updates, reminders of pitch dates, and any information about the
contests we run on pitch day. Usually a giveaway or a chance to comment for the
Top Pitch Slot. You can request to join here:
Bosun here. Thank you, Candi! Anyone taken advantage of the Musetracks pitch day before? I'm pretty sure I did back in the day and got a request out of it. Do you prefer pitching online, in email, or in person? Anyone never pitched before?
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