Can I query an unfinished manuscript?
Can I query an agent when my manuscript isn’t completed? NO Oh, you were expecting a longer answer? Okay then. NO CAUSE YOU HAVE TO FINISH YOUR BOOK FIRST. That better? Oh, fine. Here’s an appropriately long answer. (As a bonus, I’ll throw in a hard truth no writer wants to hear.) Agents don’t want to see unfinished projects because, honestly, how many books have you read that started out oh this is so great! and then started to peter out before ending at someone save...
Read MoreWriting to trends
Last week agent Dawn Frederick interviewed me for The Red Sofa Literary Chats, and an interesting question came up in the comments. She’s kind enough to let me repost it here, though I’d recommend hopping over to see some of the other great questions writers asked. Lorcadamon asked: How closely should authors write to the “trends” in publishing, or should we just stick to our heartfelt stories? I have a writer friend who is getting blasted by fellow writers for publishing an...
Read MoreCan we still be friends?
After the somewhat recent hullabaloo that was #yamafia, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I approach book reviews. I love reading and then sharing my thoughts on books, not just with friends, but with pretty much everyone. I’ve been known to hand sell books at the library and bookstores I frequent. It’s not that I’m going to shut up about books, but as a part of the larger kid lit community, I’m evaluating my place as a reader, editor, writer, and reviewer. The...
Read MoreAngst
On a flight to New York City a few weeks ago, I sat next to a very chatty man who asked what I do. We got into a brief discussion of young adult literature, with me explaining a bit about what makes it different and why I would be drawn to it. Now, weeks later, I’m realizing that age isn’t the most important indicator of what makes a young adult novel. Instead, I see that position taken by angst. In essence, angst is a feeling of anxiety about your life or situation. (This...
Read MoreFrench gift basket giveaway!
And the winner is: Jessica Whiting! Yes, I made it to my little cottage in France. Yippee! (Isn’t it so cute?) The only problem—“Wait,” you’re saying, “how can there be a problem if you’re living in France?”—is that I have so much delicious time out here in the French countryside but NOTHING TO EDIT. To remedy that, I’m combine these two wonderful things—France and editing—in a fabulous giveaway. In addition to the already amazing...
Read MoreAn Emotional Love Story
Positivity and Apathy had a love child named Meh. Apathy didn’t care who he slept with and Positivity thought she could change him. But really, Apathy had married Negativity. Their oldest is Rebellion, and his younger sister is Rage. They have quite the dinner conversations, let me tell you. Sadly, Positivity is still looking for her perfect man. Her bff, Hope, keeps setting her up on blind dates, while Hope is already married to the nicest guy ever, Charity. But things are looking up...
Read MoreAll writing & no play makes you very dull
The past month or so, I’ve gotten very frustrated with the online writing community. Not necessarily individuals; more, writers participating in social media as a whole. Let me explain a bit more before you run to get that tar heated up. Writing by nature is an individual sport. It takes a lot of time alone to ponder and put words to paper. I get that. But with the recent boom in social media, many writers are now WRITERS period. They are #amwriting and #amediting, in between #litchat...
Read MoreDear Frustrated Author,
Dear Frustrated Author, I’m going to offer some advice that contradicts what most writing instructors say: Let yourself feel discouraged. By that, I mean, let yourself feel the emotion because it is a real worry for you. Don’t let it overwhelm you, but realize it’s okay to feel like that. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure, and feeling that way doesn’t mean you won’t ever write a great story. One thing I’ve learned about myself is that if I feel...
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