Archive for August, 2009
August 31st, 2009
Happy Monday!
Author Spotlight bookmark winners
First off, be sure to check out A.S. King’s lie from Friday. It was a tough one, no? She’s led quite an exotic life. And congrats to the three winners of their very own The Dust of 100 Dogs bookmark:
Paradox
Kristen
Jen Petro-Roy
Enjoy! Please contact me here with your mailing address to receive your prize.
Living Your Five news
I’m also kicking off our regular two-week blog rotation over at Living Your Five today talking about what I’ve been doing to live my Five. Come on over to visit and see if I’ve been living my Five!
Logo contest!
And finally, I’ve been thinking… we should have a logo for the Teen Author Challenge. And although I could have my fabulous marketing gal create one, I thought it would be fun if I hosted a contest and let you create our new logo! After chatting with many of you about the best way to handle a prize for entrants both here and aboard, I’ve gone with the majority and decided on a prize of:
A $25 Amazon gift card
Here’s how the contest will work:
1) Create a logo in .png or .jpg format with the following information:
— Teen Author Challenge
— www.kaycassidy.com/TAC
2) Logos should coordinate with my web site color scheme and be 1200×1200 pixels with a resolution of 300 dpi. (I’m not a design person, so if you need more info than this, just let me know! It will also be going on materials about the program that go out to teachers which is why it needs to be so large.)
3) Upload the logo to your web site or blog and contact me here with a link to where you’ve got it.
4) Final deadline for logos is Thursday, September 10, 2010.
5) Winner will be announced on the blog in mid-September.
NOTE: By entering the contest, entrants agree that if their entry should be selected as the winner, all rights to the logo will become the property of Kay Cassidy, Inc. (Ah, legal mumbo jumbo.) 
Let me know in the comments if you’re game for the contest. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
August 28th, 2009
Happy Friday! It’s time again for another edition of Friday Spotlights. This week it’s an Author Spotlight featuring the very cool author of The Dust of 100 Dogs…
A.S. King!
Welcome to the You 2.0 blog, Amy!
The Basics
Name:
A.S. King
Web Site:
www.thedustof100dogs.com
Blogs:
Dog Fact #9
Short Bio:
Amy has recently returned to Pennsylvania after a decade in Ireland. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous journals and magazines including Washington Square, FRiGG, Literary Mama, Contrary, Quality Women’s Fiction, and was nominated for Best New American Voices 2010. Her novel, The Dust of 100 Dogs (Flux, 2009) was an Indie Next List pick for teens. Her next novel is coming from Knopf Children’s in fall 2010.
The Books
The Dust of 100 Dogs
February 2009
Flux
In the late seventeenth century, famed teenage pirate Emer Morrisey was on the cusp of escaping the pirate life with her one true love and unfathomable riches when she was slain and cursed with “the dust of one hundred dogs,” dooming her to one hundred lives as a dog before returning to a human body-with her memories intact.
Now she’s a contemporary American teenager and all she needs is a shovel and a ride to Jamaica.
Questions About You 2.0
The You 2.0 blog is about becoming everything you’re meant to be. It’s about pursuing your dreams, changing your world, showing gratitude, and paying it forward. Here’s a chance for our Spotlight guests to share what You 2.0 means to them.
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
Being a published author was a dream, yes, though I really just wanted to be a good writer, which is a lifelong sort of thing. So I don’t see publication as an end, if you get my meaning. It feels really good to finally get paid, but I still love the work the same as I did ten or fifteen years ago when I wasn’t getting paid for it.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
I’ve been a literacy teacher in the past, and I would like to go back to working with literacy students. I’d also like to continue to work hard for women’s rights—especially to highlight violence against women, which is at epidemic proportions, and yet, still widely ignored.
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
If I listed things, this part would be too long. Life is a gift. I am grateful for every part of it and every person in it.
4. PAYING IT FORWARD: If everyone took a moment to pay it forward, even just once, the world would be changed in ways we can’t even imagine. What is one thing you’ve done (or plan to do) to “pay it forward” in some way?
I was very fortunate to have great authors help me along my way and I plan to do the same for new authors in the coming years. I will also continue to volunteer in my community.
Questions About You, The Author
5. Why did you decide to participate in The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest? Do you think you would’ve participated in the contest as a teen or tween?
I love libraries, I love cool games and my own book is about a lifelong (centuries-long) hunt for treasure. How could I not participate in The Great Scavenger Hunt? I would have certainly participated if I’d have had a nearby library and the program was available in my day. It’s right up my alley.
6. What do you love most (and least) about being an author?
I love the writing. I hate the fact that I can’t do it all the time.
7. What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
Meeting awesome booksellers, teachers and librarians across the country who really loved my book was amazing. Selling my next book at auction was really cool too.
8. Which YA or middle grades book has had the greatest impact on you and why?
The Pigman by Paul Zindel, because it introduced me to Zindel’s books, which changed my life by showing me I was not the only freak who ever lived.
9. If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Please do NOT get that mullet haircut.
Will the Real You 2.0 Please Stand Up?
10. I love the game Three Truths and a Lie because there are so many unexpected and interesting things about people that we never get a chance to learn about them. What are three truths and a lie that our blog readers can guess about you?
– I have eaten goat in Jamaica.
– I have eaten horse in Spain.
– I have eaten alligator in Mexico. **UPDATE: Here’s the lie!**
– I can kill, gut and pluck a chicken in 15 minutes.
(Readers: Your guess gets you an entry into the You 2.0 monthly contest for an ARC of The Cinderella Society or a prize dive in the awesome You 2.0 Prize Basket. Guess correctly and you get a bonus entry! I’ll update the post on Monday to spill the big lie, so get guessing and have fun!)
BONUS TIME!
Because I happen to have a few extra bookmarks of Amy’s that she sent me a while back, I’m going to choose three lucky commenters to receive a The Dust of 100 Dogs bookmark. Enjoy!
And thanks to Amy for a terrific interview!
August 27th, 2009
Wow, what a great turnout for Natashya’s Booklover feature yesterday! I just updated her lie, so be sure to go back and check it out. Not many people guessed it!
And now, I get to do the fun part… announce yesterday’s winners!
The winner of the book/t-shirt combo for Rachel Vincent’s MY SOUL TO TAKE is:
Kate
(aka Never Ending Bookshelf)
And the winner of the book/t-shirt combo for Gena Showalter’s INTERTWINED is:
Caitlin
(aka Baby Cats Critique)
Congratulations Kate and Caitlin! Please contact me here with your mailing address to receive your prize.
Okay, so what have I been reading lately? Oh, a little of this, a little of that…
a little of AWESOME…
I finished WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead last night and it is flat out amazing! Definitely my favorite book of the year!!! I thought I knew… then I thought I didn’t… then I thought I did, but didn’t understand why… then I understood… and then I cried. Hands down the best book I’ve read this year and one of my top five favorites of all time. Definitely has my vote for the Newbery (if I had a vote, that is). What about you guys? Have you read it? Did you love it as much as I did? (No spoilers, please!)
August 25th, 2009
Welcome to Week 7 of the Teen Author Challenge! It’s a dual blogging Tuesday today with the Teen Author Challenge here and sharing my Five during launch week of Living Your Five. Be sure to check out my inaugural Five post and comment for your chance to win a signed ARC of The Cinderella Society!
Before we get into today’s challenge post… we have a winner to announce! The winner of a signed copy of Miss Match (generously donated by Wendy Toliver herself!) is…
Liviania!
(aka In Bed with Books)
Congratulations, Liviana! Please contact me here with your mailing address to receive your prize. (And be sure to check out Wendy’s lie!)
This week, we’re going to continue our mini-series on different plotting strategies to help you grab the reins of your own writing process. To kick things off, a bit of inspiration from the fabulous Rachel Caine.
Exclusive TAC Quote of the Week
“There are only two tricks to writing, as related to me from the hallowed lips of Joe Bob Briggs: (1) put your butt in the chair, and (2) write. All the other things are nice-to-haves; they help you get better, they help you sell, they help you sell more, etc.
But there is absolutely no substitute for making the incredibly difficult commitment of sitting down and doing the work, and then doing it again, and again.
Thanks, Joe Bob.”
~ Rachel Caine
Carpe Corpus (Penguin, 6/09)
Book 6 of the New York Times bestselling Morganville Vampires series
Teen Author Challenge, Week 7
So we’re wrapping up our discussion about different plotting techniques today with the goal of showing you just a few of the many ways you can map out a story in advance. As I’ve mentioned many times before, your mileage may vary and you should always opt for the vehicle of your choice based on what resonates with you… not just because fab author #146 said this is what she happens to use.
And for those of you who run trembling to your secret hideout in fear of anything that starts with plot and ends with -ing, never fear! I have a hilarious introduction to the world of pantsing lined up for you next week from my Tenner buddy Rachel Hawkins plus a pantsing/plotting combo technique from my fellow Egmont buddy Lindsay Eland.
This week, I’m going to bring you two different plotting methods from two fabulous Tenner. Variety is the spice of life, I say! First up is fellow Tenner Guadalupe Garcia McCall with her version of Freytag’s Plot Pyramid. I’m something of a plotting method sponge, but this was the first I’d heard of this one. If you’re not familiar with Freytag’s Plot Pyramid, you can see one here. But… I also found the coolest link to an online template thing where you can type in the different pieces and print out a customized pyramid for your story. Technology score! Here’s the link:
www.readwritethink.org/materials/plot-diagram/
(Side note: Also, if you are like me and do not know what denouement means because you took German/Spanish/Russian instead of French in high school, it means the ending/resolution.)
Thanks to Guadelupe for sharing your writing process with us!
My Writing Process – Freytag’s Plot Pyramid
It’s exciting to get that first glimmer of an idea, that glimpse into someone else’s life. And because the excitement is so overwhelming, I usually run with it. I sit at my desk, open a new journal, and start writing, madly sometimes, until I’m exhausted and I can’t remember the last time I made sense to anyone else but myself. On those nights, my husband says I’m not obsessed with my writing, I’m possessed. It’s addictive this writing thing.
Unfortunately, I can’t ride the wave of obsession every night and hope to finish my novel without knowing where I’m going with a story or how I’m going to get there. So, after the initial passion wears off, and I’m stuck without a clue as to what comes next, I get serious. I pull out the one tool that has always made sense to me, Freytag‘s Chart.
On the dining room table, I draw Freytag’s Plot Pyramid on a big piece of butcher paper and label its parts: exposition, rising action, complication, climax, falling action, and denouement.
EXPOSITION
It’s all very simple, really. For me, using Freytag’s chart to plot a story is like riding a roller coaster. I start off slow. Getting to know the people around me, anticipating that first drop, and looking at the scenery as we chug along up that first incline is like writing about the characters, the setting, and the conflict in the exposition. It sets me up for a brand new and hopefully exciting ride.
RISING ACTION/COMPLICATION
That first drop, and every twist and turn after that make my characters hold their breath, burst out laughing, shriek, and sometimes even close their eyes. Those great, scary, wildly exciting moments are part of the rising action, the complications that make the ride so very worth the price of admission.
Plotting every single one of those moments for my characters is important, because these plot points have to build on each other. Every twist and turn in my story is a direct result of the last one, intricately connected, like the metal bars holding that coaster together. So this is when I get serious and pull out the Post It Notes. I document every dip and swerve on a different Post It Note and move them up and down, along the incline, until I know exactly where they fit, building off each other and supporting the storyline as they go along. This buildup is essential to the storyline. Without these complications, I would have no plot.
CLIMAX
Just when I think my characters can’t take any more of this excitement, I find myself leading them to the very top of the coaster. That’s when they know there’s no going back. At this point, I don’t know how my characters are going to react. They may laugh, they may scream, they may even cry, but, whatever happens, I know the end is near. So I do what every writer does, I push them over the edge and watch them fall off the mountain.
FALLING ACTION/DENOUEMENT
Characters are funny creatures. They don’t always do what you expect them to do, but, somehow, they always manage to find the courage to survive. They look deep within themselves and make whatever changes need to be made to live through the ordeals, the rollercoaster, I’ve put them through. They step out of their coaster car seats transformed, and they live happier lives for it.
So that’s it. That’s my technique for plotting. I scribble my thoughts on Post It Notes and move them around a humongous sketch of Freytag’s Chart until they sing me a song. Only then, when I’m listening to that lovely melody perfectly in tune with the voice in my heart, can I start writing again.
Of course, I may change my mind about a point or two, or three or four, but it doesn’t matter. The Post It Notes can be moved around, rewritten, revised, even thrown out, but Freytag’s Chart is always underneath them, keeping them all aligned.
~ Guadalupe Garcia McCall
A Mesquite in the Rose Garden
(Lee & Low, Fall 2010)
Your Weekly Challenge
It’s a quick, timed challenge this week! You’re going to take five minutes RIGHT NOW. No cheating and putting it off until the timing is perfect. If you wait until you have time, you’ll never get a story written. You have to make time. That means doing the challenge right now.
1) Grab a sheet of paper and draw a Freytag Plot Pyramid that’s as large as the sheet. (Go here to see the pyramid graphic again.)
2) Take five minutes right now–and not one second longer!–and use a pencil to write down every plot point you can think of in the story, putting it wherever you think it might possibly go on the pyramid. If you don’t know where it would go, put it anywhere for now. The key is quantity–the more points you get down, the better. Post Its are okay to use, but writing on the page itself is perfectly fine too. (That’s why you’re using pencil.)
3) When your five minutes are up, step back and take a look at how the story lays out on the paper. Grab your Teen Author Challenge notebook and jot down everything you discovered about your story during this five-minute plotting bonanza. This includes better understanding how it all fits together, any new ideas that came to mind, etc.
4) Now jot down your notes about how this process felt to you. Was it a natural fit? Is it something you’d like to revisit and spend some more time on? If so, take more time with it this week and rock on with your fab self!
For this week’s participation, comment on whether this process worked for you or not. Sharing something cool that you discovered about your character or the story along the way gets you an extra entry into the Teen Author Challenge monthly giveaway!
The Teen Author Challenge Contest
Throughout the year-long Teen Author Challenge (TAC ends June 2010!), I’ll be giving away a book of the winner’s choice from my personal writing shelf. Why am I doing this? Because becoming a skilled writer has two important parts: learning about your craft and practicing your craft. That’s why active participation in each weekly challenge is so important!
So what can you win? Books to choose from include:
1. The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler
2. Your Novel Proposal: From Creation to Contract by Blythe Camenson and Marshall J. Cook
3. The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing by Evan Marshall
4. The Career Novelist by Donald Maass
5. Writing Dialogue by Tom Chiarella
6. Mastering Point of View by Sherri Szeman
7. Creating Characters Kids Will Love by Elaine Marie Alphin
8. Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
9. Building Believable Characters by Marc McCutcheon
Everyone who participates via the comments on the Teen Author Challenge posts will be entered into this monthly contest.
Go forth and be creative!
August 24th, 2009
If you’re ready to embrace your full potential and change your world, join YA authors Alyson Noel, Becca Fitzpatrick, Tera Lynn Childs and I at www.LivingYourFive.com. We’re celebrating our official launch with daily prizes and a huge grand prize this week. Come by and help us celebrate! Are you ready to Live Your Five?
August 24th, 2009
It’s here, it’s here!!! The top secret project I’ve been teasing you about? IT’S LAUNCH DAY!
And finally… FINALLY… I can share with you the official announcement for Living Your Five!!!
LIVING YOUR FIVE IS HERE!
We know, we know… we’ve been hinting about it for weeks. The super secret project of Kay Cassidy, Tera Lynn Childs, Alyson Noel and Becca Fitzpatrick. The #fivers hashtag. The Founding Fiver badges. The huge top secret contest. So many secrets!
Good news. The secret’s out.
Join us for the worldwide launch of Living Your Five! Living Your Five is an online community dedicated to changing our world one person at a time. You don’t have to cure the world of cancer or banish world hunger in a single day. It’s about working together, each of us taking one more step every day. It’s about knowing what you care about–what you’re passionate about!–and stepping away from the sidelines of your life to make your mark on the world.
To celebrate the launch of the official Living Your Five web site, we’re even hosting a contest with awesome daily prizes and a MEGA grand prize all courtesy of our Founding Fivers! Find out all the details at www.livingyourfive.com.
We’re ready to change the world. Now it’s up to you. Will you watch from the sidelines or join us on the ride? (Come on, we know you want to!)
(NOTE: Please feel free to paste this announcement into your blogs. You have our full permission and our heartfelt thanks!)
I’ll see you all over at Living Your Five! Are you ready to Live Your Five?
August 21st, 2009
For this week’s You 2.0 Author Spotlight, I’m delighted to bring you the fabulosity that is…
Wendy Toliver!
Wendy is one of my oldest author buddies. (Okay, technically I’m older than she is, but you know what I mean.) We’ve been friends since before either one of us sold, and it’s been a blast cheering each other on along the way. Welcome, Wendy!
The Basics
Name:
Wendy Toliver
Web Site:
www.wendytoliver.com
Blogs:
– Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies
– Teen Fiction Cafe
Short Bio:
Wendy Toliver lives in the Utah mountains with her husband, three sons, and a bunch of other critters. She’s the author of The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren, Miss Match, and the soon-to-be-released Lifted—all Simon Pulse novels.
The Books
![MissMatch_LR[1]](http://www.kaycassidy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/MissMatch_LR1-179x300.jpg "MissMatch_LR[1]")
Miss Match
February 2009
Simon Pulse
Sasha Finnegan has always had a knack for setting people up, and at sixteen, she’s turned her talent into an online business, molding high school crushes into true love. But Sasha finds her toughest match yet when hottie Derek Urban asks her to set him up with Sasha’s gorgeous sister, Maddie. It’s not that Derek isn’t a good catch. In fact, after spending so much time with him, Sasha can’t help but think he’s perfect — for her, that is.
Can Sasha push her feelings aside for the sake of her business? Or has this miss finally found her match?
Questions About You 2.0
The You 2.0 blog is about becoming everything you’re meant to be. It’s about pursuing your dreams, changing your world, showing gratitude, and paying it forward. Here’s a chance for our Spotlight guests to share what You 2.0 means to them.
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
Being a published author is definitely something I’m proud of, but I’m just excited that I’ve found something I’m decent at.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
As a mother, I have a special place in my heart for children. I’ve been a member of the Junior League for many years, and our local chapter’s emphasis is women and children. Though this organization is credited for countless worthwhile projects, the one I love the most is providing free health care (as well as socks and underwear, books, haircuts, hygienic items, etc.) to needy children in the community.
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
I’m grateful for so many things–from living in a free country to having good health and not having to worry whether there’ll be food on the table–but in the wake of my recent family reunion, I’m going to go with family. As the old saying goes, you can’t choose your family (but you can choose your friends), and though my family is more like the Simpsons than the Cleavers, I’d still choose my family.
4. PAYING IT FORWARD: If everyone took a moment to pay it forward, even just once, the world would be changed in ways we can’t even imagine. What is one thing you’ve done (or plan to do) to “pay it forward” in some way?
Oh, I love this concept and I also believe in karma. One thing I’ve done to pay it forward is to put together (and pull off!) a writers’ conference where I live. Partnered with a friend of mine, we put our own money, brain power, and legwork into the Eden Writers’ Conference so we could offer a high quality conference at a very low cost. I figured it was a gift to local writers, but it was also a gift to myself. I learned a lot and made a bunch of new friends. I’m in awe of the generosity of our sponsors and industry professionals (like Kay Cassidy and my agent Christina Hogrebe) who made it a reality.
Questions About You, The Author
5. Why did you decide to participate in The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest? Do you think you would’ve participated in the contest as a teen or tween?
I decided to participate because I think it’s a great idea (yay Kay!) and I’m always game for anything that gets young people excited about reading. I loved to read as a teen and tween and I do think I would’ve wanted to participate had this been available to me back then.
6. What do you love most (and least) about being an author?
I like visiting schools and getting emails from readers. I also like how supportive fellow authors and industry professionals are. What I like least is how often I find myself questioning my abilities.
7. What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
Seeing my books on the shelves in bookstores, spotting someone reading one of my books out in the world, receiving really great fan mail, having a line at my table at a book signing event, winning awards, being asked to deliver a key note speech at a writers’ conference, meeting famous authors … all of these things are really cool. I think one of my favorite things so far was when my husband surprised me with a trip to New York City to visit my literary agency and publisher.
8. Which YA or middle grades book has had the greatest impact on you and why?
I credit Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary for my love of reading. They can tackle serious issues with a dollop of humor.
9. If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
If I knew I’d be a teen fiction author, I would have told my teen self to keep a diary so I could have that for a resource to use now. But on a more personal level, I would’ve told myself not to worry that no guys liked me because someday, a guy beyond my wildest dreams would come into my life.
Will the Real You 2.0 Please Stand Up?
10. I love the game Three Truths and a Lie because there are so many unexpected and interesting things about people that we never get a chance to learn about them. What are three truths and a lie that our blog readers can guess about you?
– I used to do singing telegrams as Marilyn Monroe.
– I love chocolate, and my favorite is chocolate donuts. **UPDATE: Here’s the lie!**
– My son tried to sell the first manuscript I’d ever written at his lemonade stand because I told him I’d take the family to Disney when it sold.
– I broke my nose snowmobiling (and yes, I was wearing a helmet).
(Readers: Your guess gets you an entry into the You 2.0 monthly contest for an ARC of The Cinderella Society or a prize dive in the awesome You 2.0 Prize Basket. Guess correctly and you get a bonus entry! I’ll update the post on Monday to spill the big lie, so get guessing and have fun!)
AND… for another chance to win a signed copy of Miss Match, contact Wendy via her website and type “enter me” as your comment. She’ll be doing a random drawing at 5:00 pm MST Friday (tonight). It’s another double giveaway day. You like those, right? 
Thanks to Wendy for a terrific interview!
August 20th, 2009
Happy Thursday!
I just updated Khy’s post from yesterday to reveal her lie. Good guessing this week! Did you guess her lie?
Today, I thought it would be fun to open up the comment lines to questions. Let’s say we were sitting down for a leisurely chat over lunch, me with my chicken fajita wrap and cranberry juice with 7-Up and you with your [insert your lunch and beverage of choice]. What would you be curious about? If you could ask me anything – about The Cinderella Society, about the biz, about me as an author (or me as a person) – what would you ask?
I’ll use the questions as fodder for upcoming Ask Kay posts and give you +2 entries into the monthly contest for every question you pose below. (And sadly, no, asking me what time it is doesn’t count.)
Let the questions begin!
Update: And since we just passed the 100-mark on Google Friend Connect, the winner of the impromptu Cinderella Society ARC giveaway is…
Iryna!
(aka A Garden of Books)
Congratulations, Iryna! When you get home from Europe, you can contact me here with your mailing address to receive your prize.
And another update: It’s also Ask a Tenner day on the Tenners blog! If you’ve got questions and want to hear from lots of the Tenners, come join the fun!
August 19th, 2009
It’s Wednesday which means it’s time for another Booklover of the Week feature! This week’s guest is one of the most fun, enthusiastic bloggers I know. She’s passionate about books and about discovering new authors. I’m delighted to welcome the fabulous…
Khy!
(aka Frenetic Reader)
Welcome, Khy!
Booklover Basics
Name: Khy
Blog Name: Frenetic Reader
Blog URL: freneticreader.blogspot.com
Country: USA
Teen or Adult? Teen
Short Bio:
I am a teen who likes books (obviously), writing (even though I can never find the time to), and musicals (even though I can’t sing).
Questions About You 2.0
The You 2.0 blog is about becoming everything you’re meant to be. It’s about pursuing your dreams, changing your world, showing gratitude, and paying it forward. Here’s a chance for our Booklovers to share what You 2.0 means to them.
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Tell us a little about a dream you’ve achieved or are pursuing right now. If you’ve achieved it already, how does it feel to know you’ve made your dream a reality?
Hmm. I’m not sure. My dreams change all the time. I mean, when I was little I really wanted to be a dolphin trainer, but then I stopped wanting to. Then I wanted to be a chef. (I was a bit addicted to the Food Network at this time.) But then I didn’t want to. Then I wanted to be an author, and still do, but I can never find the time to practice writing. So now I want to work at a publishing house and live in NYC one day, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that changed. When I can find a dream I can stick to, I’ll let you know.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
Making people more motivated to do stuff for others. That includes myself, because I can be very, very lazy. I think once people feel like helping and are motivated to do so, they will.
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
My family and friends, obviously. They can be crazy, but I love them. For all the stuff I have; food, shelter, and all the standard answers that go along with that. And for books, because whenever I need an escape, I can read one and feel better.
4. PAYING IT FORWARD: If everyone took a moment to pay it forward, even just once, the world would be changed in ways we can’t even imagine. What is one thing you’ve done (or plan to do) to “pay it forward” in some way?
I’m planning on joining one of the volunteer clubs at school (when school starts again, that is.)
Questions About You, The Book Blogger
5. Why did you decide to start blogging about books?
Because I was bored one day. Really, that’s it. xD My friend had just made a personal blog, and I wanted a blog, but didn’t want a personal one. And because I had two other YA review blogs, I started my own one night when I had nothing else to do.
6. What do you love most (and least) about being a YA book blogger?
I love the community the most. The friends I’ve made through blogging are awesome. =D The thing I like least is finding all these books that sound great and knowing I will never get to read them all.
7. What do you love most about the YA and middle grades genres right now?
That there is so much out there! It’s never boring; something new and exciting is always coming out.
8. What makes you fall in love with a book?
A combination of a great plot and great characterization. I can’t be bored or feel like the characters aren’t real, or else I won’t like the book much.
Also, if a book is written by David Levithan, I will fall in love with it easily.
9. Which books have inspired you most?
I’m not sure. I’ll just say The Outsiders because after I read it, I kind of fell back into reading and read a lot more.
10. Are you also a writer yourself? If so, what do you like to write?
Yeah, but I never manage to find the time to write anymore. School gets in the way, blech. I like to write “realistic” YA. No writing about other worlds or zombies for me.
11. What advice would you give to other avid readers who want to launch their own book blog?
Be patient- you’re not going to be super popular or get a million books right away. It takes time. Make sure you work hard on your content to make it the best you can.
Will the Real You 2.0 Please Stand Up?
12. I love the game Three Truths and a Lie because there are so many unexpected and interesting things about people that we never get a chance to learn about them. What are three truths and a lie that our blog readers can guess about you?
– I have swum with dolphins.
– The only concert I’ve been to is the American Idol concert.
– I can surf. **UPDATE: Here’s the lie!**
– I’ve driven a fire boat under a bridge.
(Readers: Your guess gets you an entry into the You 2.0 monthly contest for an ARC of The Cinderella Society or a prize dive in the awesome You 2.0 Prize Basket. Guess correctly and you get a bonus entry! I’ll update the post tomorrow to spill the big lie, so get guessing and have fun!)
Thanks to Khy for a fabulous interview!
August 18th, 2009
Welcome to Week 6 of the Teen Author Challenge!
A quick note… I’m doing an impromptu Google Friend Connect giveaway. Since we’re nearing 100 after only a month, I thought it would be fun to celebrate the 100 milestone by giving away an ARC of The Cinderella Society as soon as we pass it. So if you haven’t Google Friended yet, be sure to do it now. The ARC will go to one of the friends listed when we reach 100. Someone’s gotta win, why not you?
And now, down to business.
This week, we’re going to continue our discussion of different plotting strategies that can help you get a handle on your creative process. But first, a bit of inspiration from the wonderful Alyson Noel.
Exclusive TAC Quote of the Week
“Getting published is hard—and staying published is hard too. And once you’ve gotten past the gate keepers there’s a whole new legion of people just waiting to reject you—foreign publishers, reviewers, Hollywood, it never ends. You’ll spend loads of time in front of your computer, declining invitations from family and friends so you can hang out with your characters a little longer, get that chapter just right, or meet a deadline. You’ll have great moments and not so great moments, triumphs and defeats (sometimes within the same day!). But if you’re driven to do it—and let’s face it, writers write, it’s what we do—then you’ll keep plugging away, reminding yourself that it only takes one ‘yes’ to get you where you want to be.”
~ Alyson Noël
Blue Moon (St. Martin’s Press, 7/09)
#1 New York Times bestseller
Teen Author Challenge, Week 6
Before we dive back into plotting, I want to reiterate the one essential truth that I mentioned last week:
There is no right or wrong way to write a book.
We’re talking about plotting techniques (and will get to the world of pantsing as well) simply to introduce you to the many different ways of getting ready to write. Last week, Sara Hantz talked about the well-known snowflake method. I also mentioned several other well-known plotting methods taught by some of the top writing/screenwriting coaches in the industry.
But you don’t have to use a famous plotting technique to be effective. Sometimes you get a tip from another writer or come up with something completely on your own. And sometimes it’s a combination of the two. This week, I’m delighted to bring you a great custom plotting technique from fellow Tenner C.J. Omololu. C.J. actually wrote an article about her plotting technique in the Summer 2009 issue of Once Upon a Time magazine. She graciously agreed to summarize her process for you here as well. (Thanks, C.J.!)
How to Write a Book – Nine Steps for Plotting Fiction
Okay, maybe this should be called “How I Write a Book”. I love books on writing – my two favorites are On Writing by Stephen King and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. I’m always fascinated by the process that each writer goes through when they write and by seeing how other people work, I have pulled together a process that has worked pretty well for me over the past few years.
Among writers of middle grade and young adult novels, the age-old question is do you outline or let it fly? I used to be a die-hard let-it-flyer, rejecting the notion of plotting out a book because it killed the creative spirit. In my mind, outliners didn’t give their muse room to roam, to let the story unfold in front of them and missed the thrilling experience of letting the characters drive your story, often to places that you’d never thought about before. And then, I got an agent.
One of the brilliant things about my agent is that while she is very nice, she is also direct. After we signed together, one of her first comments about a current work in progress was “you’ve got a nice situation here—where’s the plot”? In my love for my characters and their issues, I’d forgotten to actually have enough motivation, desire and action to move the story forward. Not only did this waste time and cause a lot of rewriting, but it often results in the “muddle middles” where you know how the story is going to end, but you have no idea how you are going to get there.
I spend a lot of time on the message boards at www.verlakay.com. One of the threads on the message boards one day was about plotting, and someone had posted an idea about plotting fiction in nine easy steps. I tried it, and it worked really well for me because it is a nice balance between a full outline and letting the creativity flow. Without further ado, and with a heavy nod to the brilliant writers on www.verlakay.com, I present to you my version of the Nine Steps for Plotting Fiction.
First, get a piece of paper. I like something large, like 11×14 so you have a little room to write. Fold it in thirds lengthwise and in thirds widthwise. Open it up and you will have nine equal squares. These squares may or may not represent chapters, depending on the length of your story. They can just as easily represent sections of the book as the arc of your story builds. You will number the squares 1-9, and put the following in each numbered square:
Square #1. Trigger
This is the reason that you are writing the book in the first place. What sets the story in motion and why should the reader spend time with your work? Think long and hard about what the trigger really is, with not a lot of backstory or lead-in. Your triggering event should happen very early in the book – the first sentence isn’t too soon.
Square #2. Characterization
Some writers argue that character is more important that plot. This may or may not be true, but you need to have strong characters in order for your reader to want to keep reading your book. You have to make them care. This box is where you explore the character of your protagonist. Why is this character in the story and how does the triggering event affect him or her? Again, don’t rely on a lot of backstory here—simply the reaction to the trigger can tell a lot about the character.
Square #3. First Turning Point
Because of the trigger and the strong characterization of the protagonist, the reader is engaged in the story. Now you throw in a twist. This can be positive or negative, but should lay the groundwork for the negative turning point you are going to put in square number six. You will notice on your paper, square three is touching square six. This is because what happens in this square affects what comes in the later square.
Square #4. Exposition
You can slow it down a little here and give the reader a breather. Now is the time to fill them in on anything else that is important. Notice that this box is underneath square one—you can now give the reader some information on the triggering event. It also touches box seven, so you should also give hints about how the antagonist will win (temporarily). This may include a character flaw, a relationship with another character or some history that will contribute to the story in the future.
Square #5. Connections
You will see that this box is the very center of the story and it must connect all the squares that touch it (that’s all of them). This box should build upon the things you introduced in boxes two and four and can also give the impression of a false resolution to the problem before you move on to the craziness that is box six. Make sure you have included some foreshadowing of the revelation that will come in box eight. This is the most difficult box to write, but it is also the most important.
Square #6. Negative Turning Point
This is where all heck breaks loose. Bad stuff happens and it looks like all is lost. Of course, box nine will turn that all around, but the reader won’t know that at this point.
Square #7. Antagonist Wins
Building on box six, it looks like the bad guy is going to triumph here. Make sure you use the characterization in box two and the story from box four as you write how your main character deals with this defeat.
Square #8. Revelation
The big “a ha!” moment. The revelation for the main character will turn everything around. The main character will connect the pieces of the story, overcome the obstacles you have laid out in boxes six and seven and use the information in box five in their understanding.
Square #9. Protagonist Wins
Box six is turned on its head and the character uses the revelation in box eight in order to triumph over their obstacles. Congratulations – you now have well rounded characters in a plot that moves the reader along to a satisfying conclusion!
Like all good “how-tos”, your mileage may vary when using this plotting tool. For me, it is a great way to lay out the plot points while still giving your characters freedom to evolve and develop. I find that just having a few sentences that lay out what comes ahead causes much less pain when it comes to writing the middle part of the book.
~ C.J. Omololu
Dirty Little Secrets
(Walker, February 2010)
Your Weekly Challenge
Grab a piece of paper, fold it into nine squares, and give this method a quick try. Since you don’t know if this method will work for you, don’t spend more than five minutes on any block at first. That means in just 45 minutes you’ll have walked through C.J.’s entire process at least on a first pass.
If this method resonates with you, go back through and spend as much time on the squares as you want and consider it a major win that you’ve found something that might work for you! If this method doesn’t resonate with you (remember, every writer works differently!), take the best parts of what you came up with and jot them down in your Teen Author Challenge notebook. It’s a win because you came up with ideas you can use for your own personal plotting or pantsing method plus you’ll have discovered more about what does and doesn’t work for you from a plotting perspective.
For this week’s participation, comment on whether this process worked for you or not. Sharing something cool that you discovered about your character or the story along the way gets you an extra entry into the Teen Author Challenge monthly giveaway!
The Teen Author Challenge Contest
Throughout the year-long Teen Author Challenge (TAC ends June 2010!), I’ll be giving away a book of the winner’s choice from my personal writing shelf. Why am I doing this? Because becoming a skilled writer has two important parts: learning about your craft and practicing your craft. That’s why active participation in each weekly challenge is so important!
So what can you win? Books to choose from include:
1. The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler
2. Your Novel Proposal: From Creation to Contract by Blythe Camenson and Marshall J. Cook
3. The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing by Evan Marshall
4. The Career Novelist by Donald Maass
5. Writing Dialogue by Tom Chiarella
6. Mastering Point of View by Sherri Szeman
7. Creating Characters Kids Will Love by Elaine Marie Alphin
8. Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
9. Building Believable Characters by Marc McCutcheon
Everyone who participates via the comments on the Teen Author Challenge posts will be entered into this monthly contest.
Go forth and be creative!
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