Waiting sucks. Waiting for an email response. Waiting for pay day. Waiting for water to boil. Waiting for me to choose a winner for the contest (I do have it narrowed down btw).
So in honor of sitting around waiting, here are the five most sucktastic things about it:
1. You can't do anything to speed someone else up unless you want to sound like an ass or come off as a jerk.
2. No one has perfected time travel technology.
3. In this business, waiting usually means keeping a secret, which majorly sucks because writers are blabbermouths.
4. You can't move on, because you are stuck waiting.
5. The whole watched pot never boils thing seems to apply to email, money, food, people, packages - you get the picture.
What are you waiting for? Perhaps there's strength in numbers.
Showing posts with label friday five. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friday five. Show all posts
Friday, September 09, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Friday Five: Friends, Conferences, and Guests, Oh My!
Does anyone else feel so inspired this week? I have five reasons for feeling over the moon this week and here they are in no particular order:
1. The WrAHM Society is growing! Not only do we have awesome guests coming on to share how they juggle being a mom and a writer, but we also have a Facebook group where you can connect with others, and these ladies are supportive and fun and talented! If you're a mom writer, join us!
2. WriteOnCon is coming to a close, and this year was amazing. From bestselling authors to top agents, there's so much great advice to get you motivated. And the forum interaction and support blew me away. I'm pretty sure there were some future bestsellers posting there this week.
3. Today I'm the guest blogger on The League of Extraordinary Writers. This is a OMG-I-get-to-be-on-the-same-blog-as-these-rockstars moment for me, and I couldn't help feeling so inspired reading about their books and successes this week.
4. Anita Howard from QT announced her book deal for her novel SPLINTERED, and I'm thrilled for her. So manyawesome authors are landing book deals these days like Josin L. McQuein and Natalie Whipple - who says the book industry is in trouble? YA is going strong! And I'm sitting on top secret news of another friend's book deal.
5. YOU! You are all inspiring me so much. From reading queries on WOC to catching up with you on twitter to talking with you on Facebook, I'm so lucky to be surrounded by a supportive, welcoming community of writers at all stages of their careers.
What's inspiring you this week?
1. The WrAHM Society is growing! Not only do we have awesome guests coming on to share how they juggle being a mom and a writer, but we also have a Facebook group where you can connect with others, and these ladies are supportive and fun and talented! If you're a mom writer, join us!
2. WriteOnCon is coming to a close, and this year was amazing. From bestselling authors to top agents, there's so much great advice to get you motivated. And the forum interaction and support blew me away. I'm pretty sure there were some future bestsellers posting there this week.
3. Today I'm the guest blogger on The League of Extraordinary Writers. This is a OMG-I-get-to-be-on-the-same-blog-as-these-rockstars moment for me, and I couldn't help feeling so inspired reading about their books and successes this week.
4. Anita Howard from QT announced her book deal for her novel SPLINTERED, and I'm thrilled for her. So manyawesome authors are landing book deals these days like Josin L. McQuein and Natalie Whipple - who says the book industry is in trouble? YA is going strong! And I'm sitting on top secret news of another friend's book deal.
5. YOU! You are all inspiring me so much. From reading queries on WOC to catching up with you on twitter to talking with you on Facebook, I'm so lucky to be surrounded by a supportive, welcoming community of writers at all stages of their careers.
What's inspiring you this week?
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Friday Five: 5 Queries that Rocked My World
I'm of the opinion that you can never read too many queries when you're about to begin the dreaded process of writing your own. Here are five that would get any agent's attention.
1. The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker - Take note of a query that breaks a lot of rules, except the most important one: it makes you want to read the book! It's so good that their jacket copy mimics it. This is a query that sells the book on more than one level.
2. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger - Kody's query nails the voice of her novel and is short and sweet. It gives you a sense of the whole novel without over-loading you, which is almost impossible to do. No wonder she landed such an awesome agent.
3. Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey - Succinct, but interesting. Also it references a Corey Hart song which gives it like +10 cool points.
4. Premeditated by Josin McQuein - It takes a lot to get the shark to bite, but Josin's query obviously put blood in the water. It's edgy and experimental and leaves you dying to read the book.
5. Soulless by Gail Carriger - I love the sauciness of this query. You can hear the voice of the novel -- a very hard thing to capture in 250 words or less.
And as for queries I really want to see: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Twilight. What about you? What queries have stuck out do you or would you like to see?
1. The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker - Take note of a query that breaks a lot of rules, except the most important one: it makes you want to read the book! It's so good that their jacket copy mimics it. This is a query that sells the book on more than one level.
2. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger - Kody's query nails the voice of her novel and is short and sweet. It gives you a sense of the whole novel without over-loading you, which is almost impossible to do. No wonder she landed such an awesome agent.
3. Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey - Succinct, but interesting. Also it references a Corey Hart song which gives it like +10 cool points.
4. Premeditated by Josin McQuein - It takes a lot to get the shark to bite, but Josin's query obviously put blood in the water. It's edgy and experimental and leaves you dying to read the book.
5. Soulless by Gail Carriger - I love the sauciness of this query. You can hear the voice of the novel -- a very hard thing to capture in 250 words or less.
And as for queries I really want to see: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Twilight. What about you? What queries have stuck out do you or would you like to see?
Friday, June 17, 2011
Friday Five: Movies for writers
Last night a scene from Wonderboys was stuck in my head after getting stuck in a purgatorial pit of doom, and it got me thinking. What writer am I most like in that movie? I'm feeling a bit blocked like Professor Tripp, but I'm not caught up in the geneology of horses, so that's good. I use to have red cowboy boots like Hannah, but also I'm a bit naive still like dear James. Hopefully, Robert Downey, Jr. will come around and steer me in the right direction.
This got me thinking about writers in movies in general, and thus the Five Movies for Writers (when I got to thinking about this, I had way more than five, but alas).
1. Wonderboys - I love this movie. I love how it nails the academic and writing worlds. I love the memorable lines and characters. Every writer should watch it. From imdb: An English Professor tries to deal with his wife leaving him, the arrival of his editor who has been waiting for his book for seven years, and the various problems that his friends and associates involve him in.
2. Romancing the Stone - Joan Wilder getting out from behind her typewriter and having an adventure of her own. Who couldn't love that? What writer didn't want to bundle up a manuscript and take it to your editor over drinks? From imdb: A romance writer sets off to Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister, and soon finds herself in the middle of a dangerous adventure.
3. Her Alibi - There are some awesome 80s writer movies, but this one takes the cake because it has Tom Selleck. From imdb: A writer of BAD detective novels is in full writers' block. He pretends to be the alibi of a beautiful woman who was arrested for murder at first thinking her innocent, but as she shows more and more interesting abilities (such as knife throwing) he begins to doubt his first assessment.
4. In the Mouth of Madness - For you horror movie fanatics, what if your book had a bigger effect than you imagined? Also one of the most original horror movies I've ever seen. From imdb: An insurance investigator begins discovering that the impact a horror writer's books have on his fans is more than inspirational
5. The Shining - I'm pretty sure an entire manuscript of "All work and no play makes jack a dull boy," would land you in Slushpile Hell. From imdb: A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.
This got me thinking about writers in movies in general, and thus the Five Movies for Writers (when I got to thinking about this, I had way more than five, but alas).
1. Wonderboys - I love this movie. I love how it nails the academic and writing worlds. I love the memorable lines and characters. Every writer should watch it. From imdb: An English Professor tries to deal with his wife leaving him, the arrival of his editor who has been waiting for his book for seven years, and the various problems that his friends and associates involve him in.
2. Romancing the Stone - Joan Wilder getting out from behind her typewriter and having an adventure of her own. Who couldn't love that? What writer didn't want to bundle up a manuscript and take it to your editor over drinks? From imdb: A romance writer sets off to Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister, and soon finds herself in the middle of a dangerous adventure.
3. Her Alibi - There are some awesome 80s writer movies, but this one takes the cake because it has Tom Selleck. From imdb: A writer of BAD detective novels is in full writers' block. He pretends to be the alibi of a beautiful woman who was arrested for murder at first thinking her innocent, but as she shows more and more interesting abilities (such as knife throwing) he begins to doubt his first assessment.
4. In the Mouth of Madness - For you horror movie fanatics, what if your book had a bigger effect than you imagined? Also one of the most original horror movies I've ever seen. From imdb: An insurance investigator begins discovering that the impact a horror writer's books have on his fans is more than inspirational
5. The Shining - I'm pretty sure an entire manuscript of "All work and no play makes jack a dull boy," would land you in Slushpile Hell. From imdb: A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.
Friday, June 03, 2011
Friday Five: Book Deal Style!
I have some amazing news: CREWEL has sold! We went out on submission last weekend, and I'm pleased to report after a whirlwind week, I accepted a contract this morning.
Here's the official Publisher's Marketplace announcement:
1. It was a little less than a year ago that my mother-in-law demanded that I write a book. So, first of all, thank you, Mom!
2. I only did it, because I have an amazing husband who made sure I had 15-20 hours to work each week after he got home from his full-time job. He read my abandoned WIP and made it a top priority to get me writing time. Last night, he told me that as happy as he was about the deal that he was more proud when I finished the book and he got to read it. He's also currently making me dinner. I have the.best.husband.ever.
2 1/2. Because I get to make up things today: My critique partners who gave me feedback, let me vent, and were always up for a brainstorming session - thank you Bethany and Robyn!
3. I seriously love my agent. Mollie is a savvy, amazing agent who gives every aspect of the publishing process her all. I'm so excited to keep moving forward with her.
4. I drank a lot of champagne last night!
5. The first book is planned for Fall 2012! I'm going to be an Apocalypsie!
Thank you for continuing on this journey with me and for all your support!
Here's the official Publisher's Marketplace announcement:
Gen Albin's CREWEL, the first in a trilogy that is equal parts science fiction, adventure, and romance, this debut novel takes place in a world where women known as "spinsters" are able to "weave" the very fabric of existence, to Janine O'Malley at Farrar, Straus Children's, in a major deal, in a three-book deal, by Mollie Glick at Foundry Literary + Media (North America).And the really awesome press release from my publishers at Farrar, Straus Children's, which is an imprint of MacMillan:
FSG has won a hotly contested auction for North American rights to an extraordinary debut teen novel: CREWEL, by Gen Albin.
Equal parts science fiction, adventure, romance, and novel of ideas, CREWEL takes place in a world where women — known as “spinsters” -- are able to “weave” time, matter, and the very fabric of existence. Being selected as a spinster means power, privilege, and beauty—but it also means entering a world of secrets and lethal intrigue. CREWEL has a smart, resourceful, and rebellious heroine in 16-year-old Adelice Lewys, selected to become a spinster but gifted with a unique power that holds the key to her world’s future. It mixes elements of The Hunger Games, The Handmaid’s Tale, Elsewhere, Uglies, and Mad Men — and is completely original and compelling. “I devoured it over the Memorial Day weekend,” says FSG Senior Editor Janine O’Malley, who acquired the property. “I knew it was a project I couldn’t live without—a perfect blend of sci-fi, romance, and thrilling suspense—not to mention poetic writing and amazing characters.”
Author Gen Albin has a Masters degree in English from the University of Missouri, where she was an editor for Pleaides and The Missouri Review. She’s the founder of the popular parenting blog Theconnectedmom.com and blogs about writing at http://blog.genniferalbin.com.
So my Friday Five:CREWEL sold fast: it was submitted on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend and there were several pre-empts offered by Tuesday. FSG emerged as the winning bidder among five this Friday morning. The book was represented by Mollie Glick at Foundry Media.
1. It was a little less than a year ago that my mother-in-law demanded that I write a book. So, first of all, thank you, Mom!
2. I only did it, because I have an amazing husband who made sure I had 15-20 hours to work each week after he got home from his full-time job. He read my abandoned WIP and made it a top priority to get me writing time. Last night, he told me that as happy as he was about the deal that he was more proud when I finished the book and he got to read it. He's also currently making me dinner. I have the.best.husband.ever.
2 1/2. Because I get to make up things today: My critique partners who gave me feedback, let me vent, and were always up for a brainstorming session - thank you Bethany and Robyn!
3. I seriously love my agent. Mollie is a savvy, amazing agent who gives every aspect of the publishing process her all. I'm so excited to keep moving forward with her.
4. I drank a lot of champagne last night!
5. The first book is planned for Fall 2012! I'm going to be an Apocalypsie!
Thank you for continuing on this journey with me and for all your support!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Friday Five and My First Contest
Ok, I thought I'd get in on the whole Friday Five thing, so we can get to know each other better! This week's addition is past lives. So I'll tell you five things from my past, and you can share your own past life with me!
1. I'm married to my high school sweetheart, so when people criticize YA writers for the whole teens can't be in true love thing, it makes me crazy!
2. We got married at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO. The hotel that inspired The Shining and where they filmed the tv version!
3. I got a full ride scholarship to undergrad, but only because someone else turned theirs down. I have no idea who that person is, but thank you!
4. My undergraduate thesis was on marriage in Shakespeare, and it was titled Much Ado about Matrimony!
5. For two years I owned and ran a business selling car seat safe blankets called the Baby Bloak.
AND NOW FOR THE EPIC CONTEST, AND IT IS EPIC. SO EPIC I AM FORCED TO TYPE IN CAPITOL LETTERS.
Ok, calming down now. I'm giving away a writer's survival kit, which is guaranteed to keep you sane if not on track.
What's in it?
Coffee.coffee.coffee (or tea, if you're a weirdo)
An awesome Starbucks mug
A Barnes and Noble gift card
A selection of summer reading materials
AND a query and 10 page critique by yours truly. I'll even talk with you on the phone if you'd prefer.
So how do you win all this loot? I'm giving you a couple of ways to enter. Please leave a comment for each method you complete!
1. Leave a comment telling me something awesome about your past life.
2. Follow me on twitter (@GenniferAlbin )
3. Friend me on Facebook.
4. Follow this blog.
Easy enough, right? One entry for each, leave a comment for each entry. I'll run this contest through June 2, 2011. Entries will close at 11:59 CST. Good luck!
1. I'm married to my high school sweetheart, so when people criticize YA writers for the whole teens can't be in true love thing, it makes me crazy!
2. We got married at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO. The hotel that inspired The Shining and where they filmed the tv version!
3. I got a full ride scholarship to undergrad, but only because someone else turned theirs down. I have no idea who that person is, but thank you!
4. My undergraduate thesis was on marriage in Shakespeare, and it was titled Much Ado about Matrimony!
5. For two years I owned and ran a business selling car seat safe blankets called the Baby Bloak.
AND NOW FOR THE EPIC CONTEST, AND IT IS EPIC. SO EPIC I AM FORCED TO TYPE IN CAPITOL LETTERS.
Ok, calming down now. I'm giving away a writer's survival kit, which is guaranteed to keep you sane if not on track.
What's in it?
Coffee.coffee.coffee (or tea, if you're a weirdo)
An awesome Starbucks mug
A Barnes and Noble gift card
A selection of summer reading materials
AND a query and 10 page critique by yours truly. I'll even talk with you on the phone if you'd prefer.
So how do you win all this loot? I'm giving you a couple of ways to enter. Please leave a comment for each method you complete!
1. Leave a comment telling me something awesome about your past life.
2. Follow me on twitter (@GenniferAlbin )
3. Friend me on Facebook.
4. Follow this blog.
Easy enough, right? One entry for each, leave a comment for each entry. I'll run this contest through June 2, 2011. Entries will close at 11:59 CST. Good luck!
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