One Year Anniversary of Meeting the Great Oz
I haven’t done a personal post in awhile. I guess I haven’t had much time to be contemplative, which usually spawns the more personal posts, but today you’re in luck (or unlucky depending). While BB played in her little fort moments ago, I was rocking in my chair watching her little hands and feet pushing the dangling giraffes and realized it’s my ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of my first offer for SEA, which got me thinking what a year this has been.
Truly.
SCBWI LA begins today, I’ve read a few early-bird post, felt the excitement brewing. It was just last year that I was a newly agented wanna-be author, traveling to SCBWI with my writers group, so excited. I mean, some of the speakers there were my favorite authors ever. And I got to hear them speak. And meet them. And talk to them. And meet other writers in the same stage I was, and talk and discuss and laugh. So. So exciting.
And then my agent called me, and we had our first offer for SEA. I couldn’t have been in a better spot to share the news with all these people who understood what a big deal that was.
And today, looking back at myself then, I feel so different. So much…dare I say it…? Older. Wiser. I feel like the screen to the Great and Powerful Oz has been lifted and instead of wondering what Oz is like, I’m getting to know him instead. Instead of staring at the Golden Ticket to the Chocolate Factory of Publishing, I’ve been inside, at least a little bit. I’m not smothered in chocolate yet, but I’ve had a taste.
And it feels calming.
If I was at SCBWI this year, I would see everything differently. The authors aren’t these incredible magicians who spin words into books; they are people who work hard, often alone, every day. Just like we do.
The editors aren’t these Great Gods of Rejection waiting to send you and your work away. They are people, like you and me, who happen to love books and who work so very hard to make our book the best they can be.
Same with agents. They want to fall in love with our books, they want us to land wonderful deals with reputable houses. They are on our side.
Last year this time, I was a newly agented writer. I had one four year old boy. I had dreams of giving him a sibling.
Now I have a nearly three month old baby girl who I can’t imagine life without. Who is the little lost princess I’ve always dreamed of, whose eyes are the color of the sea, whose sweetness takes my breath away.
I have an editor who believes in my book. I have friends who will be the bestsellers of tomorrow. I have mentors who have guided my way.
And yes there’s been bumps along the road. There are ALWAYS bumps on every road worth traveling.
But what a difference a year makes.
Which type of unhuman schooling do you prefer?
The story where the not-so-human teen (ie: faerie, vampire, witch etc.) mingles in a real high school with real ‘mortal’ teens ala: TWILIGHT
(imagine lockers behind them in the eerie mist)
OR
the story where the schooling is done separately away from mortals and in a unique environment ala: HARRY POTTER??
OR
option three: have the thing take place during the summer when you don’t have to deal with school (which is usually my option of choice…i’ve been to high school. it’s not to much fun revisiting it.)
Good things for YA writers
1. This relatively unknown series written by Stephanie Meyer culminating in this little heard of book:
Think what you may about the books, there is no denying the fact that people are madly in love with them, and when they are waiting in line at midnight for the fourth novel in Meyer’s vampires series, they may grab a couple other YA books too. When one author takes off in our genre, I believe it is good for the whole. Sheesh, I pre-ordered mine on amazon months ago. I don’t want to get stampeded by her thousands of fans, but I’m certainly rooting for her from the side-lines, and I can’t wait for the movie.
2. This film:
a well-reviewedhttp://movies.nytimes.com/2008/07/25/movies/25teen.html?partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
new doc inspired on this tiny movie that a certain blogger saw probably, um, 100 times in high school and can quote 2/3′s of:
“Dick? Excuse me, RICH, will milk be made available to us?”
3. The brand-spanking hip and all new YA ONLY section in this local indy book store:
which is NOT right by the baby books and puzzles and such, but is tucked nicely aside the travel section and comes complete with made-of-awesome plush and fluffy cube seats AND a multi-hued striped rug. Let’s hear it for teen-friendly YA only sections. Let’s hear it for Kepler’s!
4. The fact that Super E knows what YA is and exclaimed yesterday: “Heidi (yes, he calls me my my first name) there is a whole brand new YA section at Kepler’s. Your book will be there one day. I saw it. It’s ONLY YA. I have to show you. You won’t believe it!” (This factoid may not be meaningful for all YA writers, but it is for me. =) )
5. The Dark Knight, which comes complete with the Heath Ledger sadness/respect/nostalgia/performance hype
The highest grossing opening of all time. People crave good stories: dark fantasy, good guys vs. bad guys, stories that challenge, and sometimes frighten.
Audiences like to laugh at clever writing, hope for happy endings, and cry when those endings are bittersweet.
And I believe this is good for YA. Cuz that’s us, right?
odd things meme
37 Odd Things About Me
1. Do you like blue cheese?
Yes. I love many soft cheeses. Goat cheese is my favorite. Feta a close second.
2. Have you ever smoked?
I used to hold my sister’s lit cigarettes to pretend I was cool sometimes when Romeo and Juliet first came out in the theatre so I could be cool like Leo. See? Smoking in movies is BAD!
3. Do you own a gun?
Many many squirt guns.
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite?
I hate Kool Aid and my mom thought it was too junky. We had Crystal Light.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
No. Except the ultrasounds where they make sure the baby is okay.
6. What do you think of hot dogs?
I think they are useful for many jokes, and the kosher ones aren’t bad.
7. Favorite Christmas movie?
Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. And Home Alone. And all the old-school cartoons like Rudolph and Frosty and the one with the donkey and the baby jesus manger stuff.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Decaf vanilla latte or plain decaf coffee because I’m nursing the baby (no caffeine). Usually it’s full caf.
9. Can you do push ups?
Yes. I can even do chin-ups on the monkey bars!
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?
My engagement ring and my necklace with my son’s names engraved on it.
11. Favorite hobby?
Anything on my computer (writing, internet, etc.) I wouldn’t even call it a hobby, it’s more like an addiction.
12. Do you have A.D.D.?
I don’t think so.
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts?
20/20 vision, baby. So no.
14. Middle name?
I have several middle names.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
Wondering if I should list my middle names, and I can’t say the other ones.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
Water, decaf coffee, vitamin water
17. Current worry?
Global warming.
18. Current hate right now?
Other people’s problems
19. Favorite place to be?
Cuddling in bed in the morning with my husband and both kidlets
20. How did you bring in the new year?
I don’t even remember.
21. Where would you like to go?
Hawaii.
22. Name three people who will complete this?
Hmmm…my lj friends?
23. Do you own slippers?
Off and on. Now? No.
24. What shirt are you wearing?
A grey t-shirt with spit-up stains. (It’s the new fashion, have you heard?)
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
I don’t think I’ve ever tried before. It might be kind of fun. Or I might just slide around all night.
26. Can you whistle?
Sure.
27. Favorite color?
Indigo and sea-green, the color of my children’s eyes
28. Would you be a pirate?
It depends. Will we be marooned on a desert island? Is Johnny Depp involved?
29. What songs do you sing in the shower?
I sing “It’s a Small World” to my baby
30. Favorite Girl’s Name?
My name and my baby’s name (is that conceited to say my name? I really like it though!)
31. Favorite boy’s name?
My son’s name and Logan, which was what we would have named baby is she was a boy. So I’ve recycled it into my main character in my WIP WITCHEZ AND WARLOX.
32. What’s in your pocket right now?
I don’t have a pocket.
33. Last thing that made you laugh?
My dad’s retelling of the ‘hair caught on fire story’ a couple days ago. (I guess I should laugh more)
34. What vehicle do you drive?
A beat-up Isuzu Trooper which I feel guilty about. It costs $90 to fill the tank. I’m going to buy a hybrid soon.
35. Worst injury you’ve ever had?
Knock on wood.
36. Do you love where you live?
Yes. I love northern California and I love my neighborhood. I wish our place was bigger though, and that it self-cleaned.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house?
Just one and we hardly ever watch it. There is NOTHING on in the summer.
Warlox, Bowling Alleys and Me
We were at my nephew’s bowling birthday party this weekend and the shoe rental guy’s style was made of awesome: gumball-blue streaks in his bleached white hair, white bolo hat which fell over his wandering eye, loose pin-striped pants and Chucks. So I said to my husband (as we cheered on little bowlers)
ME: Logan needs a style.
HUSBAND: Okay, what does he look like.
ME: I don’t know. He’s tan.
HUSBAND: Tan? No. Warlocks aren’t tan. They are pale.
ME: What if he lives by the beach?
HUSBAND: Is it northern California?
ME: Yes.
HUSBAND: Foggy or sunny?
ME: Mostly foggy.
HUSBAND: Then he’s pale.
ME: (pauses) Yes. He should be pale.
HUSBAND: What is he wearing?
ME: A martial arts uniform.
HUSBAND: What else?
ME: I don’t know.
HUSBAND: You have to know.
ME: Grrr.
But he’s so right (as usual). The awesome thing about writing fantasy is the world building, but like my critique partners, who shall remain anon so they won’t be bombarded with manuscripts, say: before you can write, you must know your world.
So my husband and I start talking about the warlox style and at the end of the birthday party I have such a clearer picture in my mind of what my main male character looks like. I mean, I knew his hair color/eye color and face, but I didn’t have a cool enough grasp on what made him unique.
Thanks to the Shoe Rental Guy and amazingly creative husband, Logan has a “style,” which of course I can’t share all the inner workings of, but let’s just say…I’m very happy.
So I’m nearly ready to turn the first 50 pages into Ms. Awesome Agent who has been patiently waiting. It’s so different writing a second book knowing my agent (and hopefully my editor) is interested. It raises the bar because I don’t feel like I’m writing just for myself but for them too.
It’s a feeling of camaraderie that doesn’t often go hand in hand with writing, like someone (other than family and friends) is on the sidelines rooting for me. And it feels good.
Hope your writing is going well too.
Oh, and if you are wondering what Logan and Lily look like?
Husband sent these to me the bowling alley night. I actually gasped when I clicked on the links.
They are the so almost the exact images I had in mind.
How’s that for magical?
Lily
Logan
The Heart Game
here’s my little diddy:
okay, this is as addicting as NPH’s musical. these hearts are everywhere!
if you haven’t tried it yet, here’s how to play:
To celebrate the release of Advance Reading Copies of Soul Enchilada, I’m holding contests to give away ARCs. The Candy Heart Contest is the first of three.
I got the idea for the first contest from something one of the characters in Soul Enchilada (SoulEnchilada.com) reads off of a warped fortune cookie: “If you love something, set it free before you have to pay child support.”
Now, let’s see what you can create!
To enter:
1. Create your own candy heart at http://www.cryptogram.com/hearts/. Your heart can say anything you’d like. You are not limited to phrases from the ARC (since you haven’t read it).
2. Copy and paste this entire post–as well as the image of your candy heart–on your blog, Facebook, MySpace, website, etc.
3. Once you’ve completed #2, email me at davidmacinnisgill AT gmail.com with the link to your post. Voila! You’re entered in the giveaway.
4. The contest will be judged by three teen readers based on the criteria of originality, design, and message. The contest closes July 31st.
5. The prize is a personalized, signed ARC and a special gift, TDB by the judges. The winner will be contacted via email. Her/his name and winning entry candy heart will be posted on my lj blog, as well as my home site David Macinnis Gill
Good Luck!
Writing and Pancake Batter
My friend Jackson watchmebe post today got me thinking: why are some books harder to write than others?
Do you run into this problem? Some flow like smooth buttermilk pancake batter onto a hot skillet and some like cold chunky peanut butter onto soft bread?
Okay. Those food analogies are amazing, but you get my point.
*Runs off to eat breakfast*
Protected: Grrr…
From Zombies and Ghosts to Austen and Beauty Pageants…
Wonder where the next round of debut novelists got their story ideas? The beans are spilled here:
http://community.livejournal.com/debut2009/170773.html
So what about you?
Where do your ideas come from?
I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours. =D
Tenners Reminder
First of all, thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of me, my move and our 2010 debut group, which is collecting new members (and watchers) daily!
A bunch of Bio’s and synopsis have been posted at The Tenners (the books look awesome!) It’s a nice mix of writers, some are fresh-outta-offer newbies (all pink skinned and adorable) and some of us more seasoned soon-to-be-published peeps.
Please know if you are pencilled in for ’09 and don’t make the deadline, you do have a cushy place to land here: 10_ers and if you just got the offer, congratulations and we can’t wait to make your acquaintance.
To join: send me an email with your name, publishing house and potential release date/season AND go into the Tenners “user info” and click: “add as member”
To watch: be made of awesome, first of all, and then go to user info and click “watch this community”
Please spread the word of our group on your blogs if you are so inclined.
Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!
T-shirt, future Mug icon compliments of the lovely Saundra Mitchell anywherebeyond
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