For those of you that haven't heard yet, Seanan McGuire and four or five other authors have pulled their stories from the Wicked Pretty Things anthology. Please read her post and related links for the whole story.
Here's my take (short version):
Jessica Verday wrote a G rated horror story with elements of romance which was accepted into the anthology. After being accepted, the editor said "Oh, it's a boy/boy love story. Can you change one of the boys into a girl? Our publisher won't like boy/boy stories."
Author said, "No, I won't change. Please don't publish my story."
Publisher said, "No, we have no problem with LGBT stories! It's the editor that does! And we aren't associated with her, but we stand behind her, and we love LGBT stories. Please publish your story with us."
Author said, "No, why would I want the editor to get money from my story when she's homophobic?"
Editor said, "I'm not homophobic! Look here's a video of me wrestling a gay man!"
(Actually, she didn't say she wasn't homophobic. She just offered up a video of her wrestling a gay man, as though that showed she wasn't homophobic. Seriously. To which I say, "WTF?")
Other authors pulled their stories in support, and now there is a boycott from some authors of this editor.
Monday, March 28, 2011
In Which There is a Twitter Pitch Contest
Is It Hot In Here Or Is It This Book? (Shelley Watters) is having a twitter length pitch contest to celebrate reaching 100 followers on her blog and 500 on Twitter. First prize? A full length manuscript request by Suzie Townsend. It looks fun! (Mostly because I've been working on Twitter pitches lately :)
In Which There is a Query Letter Contest
In case you haven't heard, YA Fantasy Guide is having a query letter critique contest! Check it out. The prize is a query letter critique by Tamar Rydzinski of the Laura Dail Literary Agency. Good luck!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
In Which I Have the Best Husband Ever
This morning, Randy went downstairs to make himself breakfast. A few minutes later he came back into the bedroom with a tray in his hand. "I brought you breakfast in bed," he said. (Eggs, toast, sausage and juice.)
Best husband ever!
In other news, I have done more work on my synopsis!
Best husband ever!
In other news, I have done more work on my synopsis!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
In Which I Find Two Synopsis Links
I have been avoiding querying some agents because they require a synopsis. Well, that's not exactly true. I've been putting off querying some agents because they require a synopsis.
There are lots of resources out there for a writer struggling with that foul beast. The Universe must have known I needed it, because two showed up in blog reading today.
First was at Magical Words. May I just say if you're not reading Magical Words, you should be? It's got great advice, my favorite of which was "They're not rules, they're price tags", which is about writing "rules" and the price you pay if you violate them. (They don't say don't do, just be aware of what you are doing.) Anyway, the post (written back in November, no clue how I found it today) was called "Publishing-The Synopsis".
The other post was on QueryTracker. It is appropriately titled "Writing a Novel Synopsis that Rocks!"
So, there are links to just two of many ways to write a synopsis. (We hates the synopsis, Precious. Yes, we does.)
There are lots of resources out there for a writer struggling with that foul beast. The Universe must have known I needed it, because two showed up in blog reading today.
First was at Magical Words. May I just say if you're not reading Magical Words, you should be? It's got great advice, my favorite of which was "They're not rules, they're price tags", which is about writing "rules" and the price you pay if you violate them. (They don't say don't do, just be aware of what you are doing.) Anyway, the post (written back in November, no clue how I found it today) was called "Publishing-The Synopsis".
The other post was on QueryTracker. It is appropriately titled "Writing a Novel Synopsis that Rocks!"
So, there are links to just two of many ways to write a synopsis. (We hates the synopsis, Precious. Yes, we does.)
In Which I Find an Oldie but a Goodie
I found this article years ago. It's the Snowflake Outline method, and it helps you build up your story in a really interesting way. If you haven't come across it before, and you're looking at new ways to outline a novel, you might want to check it out.
Update: Oops, I just re-read the article. I didn't realize that he has now created Snowflake software and is selling it on that site. I think the article is still a good one. I am not endorsing the software because I've never used (didn't even know it existed until just now), and I won't be likely to, because it's too expensive for me. So, just an FYI.
Updated Update: After posting this, I started reading blogs on my list (over there>) and discovered that Really? I'm Blogging? also posted a link to this site. I swear I didn't read her blog before posting that link! Now watch, I'll go on Twitter and someone will have just tweeted it, too. If you're not already reading Really? I'm Blogging? please check it out!
In other news, I was in a minor car accident yesterday. I'm fine, and my car is driveable. The guy who hit me has insurance, and told me his brakes failed. (I was stopped at a red light, and he...didn't.) I think the bumper will need replacing, though. I take into the car repair place on Friday.
This is the fourth time I've been rear-ended. I'm getting tired of this, though I guess it's better than getting t-boned. (And it's much better than hitting someone else's rear end.)
Update: Oops, I just re-read the article. I didn't realize that he has now created Snowflake software and is selling it on that site. I think the article is still a good one. I am not endorsing the software because I've never used (didn't even know it existed until just now), and I won't be likely to, because it's too expensive for me. So, just an FYI.
Updated Update: After posting this, I started reading blogs on my list (over there>) and discovered that Really? I'm Blogging? also posted a link to this site. I swear I didn't read her blog before posting that link! Now watch, I'll go on Twitter and someone will have just tweeted it, too. If you're not already reading Really? I'm Blogging? please check it out!
In other news, I was in a minor car accident yesterday. I'm fine, and my car is driveable. The guy who hit me has insurance, and told me his brakes failed. (I was stopped at a red light, and he...didn't.) I think the bumper will need replacing, though. I take into the car repair place on Friday.
This is the fourth time I've been rear-ended. I'm getting tired of this, though I guess it's better than getting t-boned. (And it's much better than hitting someone else's rear end.)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
In Which I Find a Post About Blogging That Might Change My Life
Yesterday, on Twitter (I know, I've been doing Twitter less than a week, and I've already blogged about it twice!) @elizabethscraig over at Mystery Writing is Murder tweeted a link to TribalWriter's post about blogging. It's called "where to find your interestingness as a writer + blogger + ruler of your domain" and it really spoke to me.
Theoretically, it's about how to become a better blogger, but for me, it hit right to the core of problem I've been dealing with for years. She talks about how edges are more interesting, but as children we're taught to seek the middle. "So you smooth out your own edges, or maybe cut them off."
Right or wrong, I cut off a lot of my own edges over the years. (I would maintain that since I survived, what I did wasn't wrong, but it felt and feels wrong.) I've bemoaned the fact that I am not a starfish, and I can't regrow those parts. But I envy people that do have those parts. Envy in the way that means "I want that, too".
And, because I am not a starfish, I am always trying to find ways to regrow those parts. To be the edgier version of me that I lost over the years, in school yards, living rooms and bed rooms.
So, I will need to re-read that post several times, until I can integrate it in my brain. And I need to remind myself to live closer to my edges. Every day.
But for everything, there is a cost. When I become edgier, I will lose the approval of (some, most, all?) people that follow this blog. I may never get published. I may be the only person that ever reads (and likes) the stories I want to share.
Am I willing to sacrifice that, in order to heal? Is there a possibility that I can become that person and still have everything I want.
Oh my gods, I'm Troll Wife.
Theoretically, it's about how to become a better blogger, but for me, it hit right to the core of problem I've been dealing with for years. She talks about how edges are more interesting, but as children we're taught to seek the middle. "So you smooth out your own edges, or maybe cut them off."
Right or wrong, I cut off a lot of my own edges over the years. (I would maintain that since I survived, what I did wasn't wrong, but it felt and feels wrong.) I've bemoaned the fact that I am not a starfish, and I can't regrow those parts. But I envy people that do have those parts. Envy in the way that means "I want that, too".
And, because I am not a starfish, I am always trying to find ways to regrow those parts. To be the edgier version of me that I lost over the years, in school yards, living rooms and bed rooms.
So, I will need to re-read that post several times, until I can integrate it in my brain. And I need to remind myself to live closer to my edges. Every day.
But for everything, there is a cost. When I become edgier, I will lose the approval of (some, most, all?) people that follow this blog. I may never get published. I may be the only person that ever reads (and likes) the stories I want to share.
Am I willing to sacrifice that, in order to heal? Is there a possibility that I can become that person and still have everything I want.
Oh my gods, I'm Troll Wife.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
In Which I Have a Field Day With Tropes
Roughly 2,500 words into "The Monster of Dewsberry Drink" and I'm finding some weird similarities with "Troll Wife".
Troll Wife is a story where a young female troll discovers that part of her job description as “tooth fairy” is stopping a deadly monster before it kills more children.
The Monster of Dewsberry Drink is about a boy that discovers a monster in the local lake, and is determined to save him before the lake is destroyed by a local developer.
At first glance, they don't seem to have that much in common. Female non-human lead vs male human lead, for example.
But on closer examination:
They're both Urban Fantasies.
They're both set in Southern California.
They both have weird issues with names. (Troll Wife hasn't earned a name yet. In MoDD, "Sape" goes by that nickname and would die of shame if anyone learned his real name. Plus, he names the monster, Monster.)
They're both about Outsiders trying to find a way to fit in.
A hand print appears in both stories, as a significant "you're not alone" moment.
People reading these are going to start thinking I have issues. (Ok, Bill and Kim already know I have issues.)
Troll Wife is a story where a young female troll discovers that part of her job description as “tooth fairy” is stopping a deadly monster before it kills more children.
The Monster of Dewsberry Drink is about a boy that discovers a monster in the local lake, and is determined to save him before the lake is destroyed by a local developer.
At first glance, they don't seem to have that much in common. Female non-human lead vs male human lead, for example.
But on closer examination:
They're both Urban Fantasies.
They're both set in Southern California.
They both have weird issues with names. (Troll Wife hasn't earned a name yet. In MoDD, "Sape" goes by that nickname and would die of shame if anyone learned his real name. Plus, he names the monster, Monster.)
They're both about Outsiders trying to find a way to fit in.
A hand print appears in both stories, as a significant "you're not alone" moment.
People reading these are going to start thinking I have issues. (Ok, Bill and Kim already know I have issues.)
In Which I Display Writerly Angst
I'm 76 words into "Monster" this morning, and I suddenly realize I am the worst writer in existence.
Ok, probably not the worst writer in existence, but ranking in with that group. Show don't tell, show don't tell! I thought this would be easier in third person, but I am wrong.
I know, just write the crappy first draft and fix it in editing right? But wouldn't it make sense to do it right the first time, instead of having to do it two (three, seven, ten) times?
Ok, probably not the worst writer in existence, but ranking in with that group. Show don't tell, show don't tell! I thought this would be easier in third person, but I am wrong.
I know, just write the crappy first draft and fix it in editing right? But wouldn't it make sense to do it right the first time, instead of having to do it two (three, seven, ten) times?
Friday, March 18, 2011
In Which I Get Better At Pitching (Too Late For Me)
Remember that pitch contest that YAtopia is having? Well you still have a chance to enter. But before you do, check out this post by Donna Newton. I wish I'd seen it before I created my pitch, but you still have a chance! Quick! Go read, and then enter!
(Thanks to Jami Gold's tweet, or I would never have seen Donna's post.)
(Thanks to Jami Gold's tweet, or I would never have seen Donna's post.)
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