Missing Mojo-IWSG Wednesday

So, today was Wednesday, an IWSG Wednesday, and I didn't even realize until now. I went all day knowing it was Wednesday without really knowing it. Last month I forgot all about IWSG.

I thought doing the April A to Z Challenge would help me out of this weird up and down funk I keep finding myself in. It didn't. I finished the challenge and that was it. I didn't even think of my little blog here.

A few years back whenever I decided I wanted to actually attempt to accomplish something with my writing (aside from all the journals of stories and poems), I joined Agent Query and Query Tracker. I was nervous and unsure. I hadn't actually joined the chatroom part of Agent Query yet, but the day I made that step I was a bit scared. And once I was on there and started reading posts by other members, and seeing how long they'd been around, I was so intimidated.

It took a little time. A lot of breaking down of nerve walls. Many revisions, tears, worries, anger even...and friends. Online friends that were just like me. Some that used to be like me and were now those intimidating members. Some that were just getting their toes a little damp when I'd finally dove into the deep end. Guys and girls from different places, in different writing places. Great people that I would've never known if it hadn't been for AQC.

These great people and I chatted in the AQC chat room. Then I started chatting with some in Google chat. Some became my critique partners. Some I just critiqued their stuff. But some were my friends in general. We could talk about writerly things, or regular life things. We got to know each other and I grew to care about them. Now I only talk to one of them most often. Another one more often than the others. And the others hardly ever.

And that's what I realized. When we were all chatting all the time. Doing 1k1hr or passing chapters back and forth, I was motivated. I blogged, tweeted, wrote, critiqued, stayed involved with my writerly things and people. AQC brought us all together and that fueled my motivation...

And one day AQC took down the chat room. It shouldn't have mattered, but even when the chat came back eventually, it wasn't the same(and then they did away with chat again for good this time so no chance at getting back to that). And nothing was the same ever again. Now one of my friends writes, but not like before. She's busy with school and work, and Idk what else because I'm not always the greatest friend these days.

My other friend has needed me for far too long and I haven't been taking the time to talk to her. She never writes anymore and has so much happening right now that Idk when she will write again. And I feel insecure in what I should say or do to help her through her non writerly things. I want to be there for her and I feel like crap because I can't figure out how.

The others may or may not be writing.They may be having a great time at life and they may not. I just don't know.

What I know is when I lost that chat, I lost my mojo. I in no way blame the others, it just happens that losing them, I lost me too.

It's no ones fault but my own, so if any of the 2AMWriters ;P  are reading this, please don't feel like I'm saying it's any of your faults or anything bad. I know it's me.

Just like I know I will figure out a way to get myself out of this hole.

I'm really sorry for the long post, I'll do better with the next one. Idk if I'll post again before the next IWSG, so if not, I hope you all have a wonderful June and I'll catch you next time. :)

Make sure you check out the Insecure Writers Support Group site and also the awesome Alex J Cavanaugh.

It's Time to Get Back to Mention Mondays

Since I still haven't quite gotten my crap together to be ready to post better, I've decided to use a few days to mention some people that I haven't talked about in a while. I feel bad not posting my Mention Mondays and there are so many people I think everyone should know. (I also figured what better time than after Friday's awesome post. :D ) I'll be spending this week and next mentioning a few awesome peeps. (Mon/Wed/Fri)

So today it's all about the fantastically awesome woman who is in the social media scenes big time-Jean Oram. She is a writer, handing out writerly advice and helping hands/eyes/etc to all writers, all while working on her own writerly things. But that's not all she does, she also runs a website dedicated to kids play, all while posting fun ideas to get kids active, independent, and for people to just get involved with making sure the kids in their life are happy and having fun.

Wait, that's not it...Jean is also SUPER Mod over at Agent Query Connect. Yep, she finds time between all the other amazingly awesome things she does, to be even more amazingly awesome. She volunteers as super mod. Helping other writers and helping to keep the site in order.

One last thing, she does all of this amazing stuff while taking care of two kids, one being a toddler...

Yes, that's right, this woman is AMAZINGLY AWESOME. (In case you didn't get that yet :P ) She's one of the best people I've met since diving into the writerly world and I'm so happy to know her. I've learned a lot from her, things that help my writing, things that help keep my kids entertained, and even that there are people out there who can be so fantastic and still so giving and thoughtful.

So, there it is. Jean Oram is awesome, go check her out.

Jean's blog
She also posts on From the Write Angle blog
Jean's writer Facebook page
Jean's twitter
It's All Kids Play
It's All Kids Play Facebook page
Kids Play on twitter
And if you'd like to know a little bit more about Jean, here is her TAG.

If you don't know Jean,you should. And if you do know her, well, you must already know about her awesomeness and therefore sorry for writing an entire post about something not so new to you. :D

I hope everyone has a wonderful day. (See you Wednesday for the mention of another awesome person) :)

Thoughtful Tuesday - Motivation

Well, I've been barely posting lately, and I hate it. I like my schedule, but I honestly have trouble asking people to read and comment on my blog when I can't get to theirs. I've been so busy and it's my fault. I lost motivation somewhere in the last few weeks. Critiques are backed up, no writing has been happening, and of course-no blogging except Thursdays most of the time.

I don't know where my motivation went. This funk I've found myself in sucks and I don't know what to do to get out of it. I start to, I get a crit done and think, YES! One down. Then I look at the long list of crits and I'm done. I get lost in cleaning or organizing the house, browsing the internet, procrastinating on AQC. My friends have been supportive-even the ones who're waiting and waiting for their chapters to be critted. I've got some of the best cheerleaders and yet, I can't seem to just get things done.

I'm writing this post because I've neglected my blog and my readers, and I don't like that.

So, I ask you, my loyal readers, does this ever happen to you? Do you lose your motivation to do writerly things? Other non writerly things? Do you ever just feel like you've lost your mojo and have no clue how to get it back? What do you do (if anything) to help get yourself back on track?

Thursday TAG! - R.C. Lewis

Eeep! This tag is-of course :p - EXCITING!!! R.C. Lewis is a math teacher, an awesome woman, always helpful, moderator over at AQC, AGENTED!, oh yeah and she's got a TWO book (six figure) deal! Yeah, did I mention she's AWESOME!?! :D

You can find R.C. on her blog, Twitter, and AQC. And make sure to keep an eye out for STITCHING SNOW(coming Summer 2014). The query is awesome and I can't wait to read the novel itself.

(EDIT: I forgot to add that RC also posts over at From The Write Angle Blog. It's an awesome blog for writers, go check it out. :)  )

1. When did you start writing?
I began writing my first novel in August 2009.

2. What made you want to write?
I was discussing some YA novels with my sister. We talked about how some had so much potential but fell short because of this or that. I thought, "It's easy to complain, but could I do any better?" Then once I got started, I discovered how much I love it.

3. When did you decide you wanted to write to be published? (As opposed to writing just to write)
That first novel started out as an experiment to see what happened if I tried. I felt like what I ended up with was pretty good, so I started looking into what it takes to get published.

4. What genre(s) do you write?
Always YA, mostly sci-fi, and I have some veering toward fantasy, plus one contemporary.

5. Why that(those) genre(s)?
Sci-fi and fantasy have long been my favorites to read (and watch when it comes to movies). So mostly because I'm a geek. I veered to YA because I've been surrounded by teenagers for a while with my day job, and I like the psychology that comes with that period of our lives.

6. Do you have any particular ritual when you write? (A specific way things are done during the process)
Nope.

7. Do you use an outline, or do you just start writing?
It varies. I'll often jot a note or two before I start, then add to those notes as I go and things start fleshing out. Other times, I'll have a more solid idea of the whole plot from the beginning, so those "jotted notes" are more of an outline.

8. Is there something you MUST have when you're writing? (Aside from the typical writer tools-computer, pen, paper, etc)
Nope.

9. Do you write out your story on paper and then transfer to a computer, or straight to the computer?
Straight to computer.

10. How many books/short stories have you written? (Published or not, even those you wrote and then thought-what the hell?)
I've written seven novel-length manuscripts so far, one novelette, and four short stories.

11. Is there, or has there been, anyone in your life (real or online) who thought you being a writer is/was just another hobby? Or that you are/were wasting your time as a writer?
No, never.

12. Do you do Social Media sites? If so, which ones? If not, why don't you?
I'm on Twitter (@RC_Lewis) and I blog (crossingthehelix.blogspot.com), plus I'm a moderator at AgentQuery Connect.

13. Any advice for writers that makes you cringe every time you hear it? (I know there is some cringe-worthy advice still worth following, so only advice you don't follow.)
Really, any advice that's presented as absolute makes me cringe. The various forms of "to be" aren't inherently evil. Neither are adjectives and adverbs. If you go a day without writing, that doesn't make you not a real writer. Everything should be considered individually, with moderation and balance.


14. What made you choose Snow White to revamp for STITCHING SNOW?
It wasn't exactly a decision to revamp something. There's a line in a Florence + the Machine song about "Snow White stitching up your circuit-board." That conjured an image, and the story started to form from there.

15. Why did you decide to set it in the future and in space?
I lean toward sci-fi anyway, and that line of lyrics already got me in the mindset of Snow White juxtaposed with technology, so it made sense.

16. How does it feel to get a (not prearranged) call from an agent? Followed by four others wanting you too.
The cold call was startling, but fine—largely because the agent was very personable and disarming from the beginning. As for five agents offering, it's extremely flattering on the one hand ... but it was also gut-wrenching. They were all stand-out, awesome agents, and I had to figure out which of five amazing choices was the right choice for me.

17. How did you react when you got that call? (Were you cool about it-"Oh hey, Ms Agent, what's up?" or OMG!)
I guess I was pretty cool about it, at least outwardly. My outward reactions tend to be kind of muted—not exactly the jumping-up-and-down type. Inwardly, though, I had mile-a-minute thoughts, especially because I was sitting in my classroom during prep time and had to violently shift my brain from math-teacher mode to writer mode.

18. Is there any specific reason you prefer to write YA?
There are a lot of reasons. I like the transitional aspects of teenage-hood. It's a fascinating (and in turns fun, dismal, exciting, and maddening) time of life. Probably a lot of the same reasons I like teaching teenagers so much. And I like writing books that I wish I could've read as a teen. Hopefully my books will reach some teens so they don't have to wish.


19. What do you do when you aren't writing?
I teach math! Up until recently, I taught high school kids at a school for the deaf. Now I'm back to hearing kids and will be teaching eighth and ninth graders this fall.

20. Any words of wisdom for anyone who is thinking of becoming a writer, or just something you think all writers should know?
I covered the main thing in #13. :) But also, there are a lot of options to consider these days. Don't rush. Take your time to figure things out and do it right.

Thursday TAG! - Charlee Vale

I know I keep saying this lately about all of my TAG!s, but...This is one I'm SUPER excited about. :D

Charlee Vale is a YA(at the moment) writer, who is absolutely fantastic, helpful, and a great woman and friend. I met her on, well I'm sure y'all could guess :P, AQC. You can find her on her website/blog, Twitter, or AQC if you're there.


1. When did you start writing?
I started writing in my teens, with a close friend of mine. It was one of those things where one of us looked at the other and said ‘Let’s write a story!’ We worked on that story for almost three years. Later it became the basis for my first novel.

2. What made you want to write?
When I started writing, I was in that awkward stage of life where you feel like you belong in a different skin. The story I wrote with my friend was purely fantasy, and the characters were our alter egos. For a long time I wrote because I could write my own adventures and escape the boredom/drama of high school. I put it away for a little while, but after I started writing in college, it morphed from just a stress reliever into something I truly loved. The characters were no longer me, but I still craved to tell their stories. It’s something hard to explain, but I’ve loved it ever since.

3. When did you decide you wanted to write to be published? (As opposed to writing just to write)
It was a kind of natural evolution. I don’t ever remember a moment when I decided, ‘I want to be a published author.’ It came from a lot of people boosting me along. My friends in college, professors, my mentor, they all told me I was a good writer and should go for it. When you have a great support system, it’s only a short step from thinking something is crazy to following your dream!

4. What genre(s) do you write?
Currently I write Young Adult fiction, though I am not opposed to writing in other age levels or genres in the future.

5. Why that(those) genre(s)?
There’s a beautiful immediacy to YA that I really enjoy. I also feel that there is more freedom to be unique within the genre (or rather competition, if you think about it). So many people from so many walks of life read Young Adult literature now that it’s a great time to be a part of the YA Lit movement. Plus, being a young adult myself, I can relate!

6. Do you have any particular ritual when you write? (A specific way things are done during the process)
No, not really. As many people have said before me, there is no one way to write a book. And each book itself is a different process that kind of dictates itself, according to what that book needs.

7. Do you use an outline, or do you just start writing?
I am so NOT an outliner. Typically for me I have a core of an idea, and the story spirals from there. I’m patchwork writer, so I write all the scenes out of order, and then put them together when I’m finished. Though like I said, every book is different. For my latest WIP I actually did write a three page synopsis before I started writing, because the details were flooding into my head so quickly that I was afraid I would lose them all.

8. Is there something you MUST have when you're writing? (Aside from the typical writer tools-computer, pen, paper, etc)
TEA. Having hot tea, (especially Awake by Tazo) majorly helps boost my productivity. Also I found that if I’m going to work I must be sitting upright at a desk or a table of some sort.

9. Do you write out your story on paper and then transfer to a computer, or straight to the computer?
It’s funny, I used to write exclusively on paper. My first novel was written in black and white composition notebooks. I still have them all. But although I enjoy writing by hand, it takes double the time because you then have to transfer it. So in the interest of time I now type it straight in. I’ve gotten used to it. (Go Scrivener!)

10. How many books/short stories have you written? (Published or not, even those you wrote and then thought-what the hell?)
I’m in the process of writing my third novel. I’ve written maybe twenty short stories and probably fifty poems. I’ve also written a few stage plays, and am in the process of writing one for my graduate thesis.

11. Is there, or has there been, anyone in your life (real or online) who thought you being a writer is/was just another hobby? Or that you are/were wasting your time as a writer?
Oh, yes. I think there will always be those people. I still hear stories NYT Bestselling authors who are told kindly that they should ‘keep looking for a real job.’ But you have to know in your heart that it’s your passion, and if you cling to it hard enough, the rest of the world will catch on.

12. Do you do Social Media sites? If so, which ones? If not, why don't you?
Indeed. Twitter is my main hangout (@charleevale), and my blog/website (www.charleevale.com). I also have a Facebook fan page, tumblr, and actual Facebook, though I don’t use them nearly as often and are more on the personal side. So your best bet to get in touch with me is on twitter or my site.

13. Any advice for writers that makes you cringe every time you hear it? (I know there is some cringe-worthy advice still worth following, so only advice you don't follow.)
Honestly, I think the worst kind of advice is the kind that is forced on you. Since the writing process is so subjective, it’s your job to be discerning about which advice to take. However, if someone is telling you that something is THE ONLY WAY to do something, it’s probably wrong, or just right for that one person.


14. Since you work for Entangled Publishing, is it easier for you to work on getting published? Or are you going the regular route and querying agents/publishers?
Because I work at Entangled, and have quite a few friends in the industry, I will admit that I am more connected than the average writer. However, I am going the traditional find-an-agent, research my brains out, query, and panic, route.

15. Between a Master's program and reading submissions for Entangled, where do you find time to write?
My sleep suffers. I wish I were kidding. I've been really lucky this Summer. I've had a BUNCH of writing time, which allowed me to finish the first draft of my latest novel. That puts me in a better place for the school year, since revising is easier than drafting in terms of creative brain power. (for me at least)

But to truly answer the question, I believe that if you love something, you will make time for it. I have to fit writing in on lunch breaks, I write in my car on the way to work/school, I always keep a pen and notebook on me. ALWAYS.

16. What is it about a tragic ending that pulls you in?
I wouldn't say I love a completely tragic ending, but more a bittersweet ending. For some reason, happy endings that are wrapped up in a perfect bow have always rung a little false to me. In my experience, there is rarely a happy ending without sacrifice, or loss.

For whatever reason, I'm addicted to that elusive feeling of catharsis that comes with an imperfect ending. You all have been WARNED. I like bittersweet endings, what does that tell you?

17. What do you like about being a non-linear pantser?
It's a very free method of working. I can work on whatever part of the story I feel like, at any time. Some people marvel at how I can put together coherent story if I write out of order AND pantsing, but somehow it works for me.

If I'm stuck, I don't have to work on that scene until I'm banging my head bloody on the keyboard. I just skip somewhere else, write a scene that I've been thinking about, or maybe a Candy Bar Scene. That usually helps me work through plot problems.

18. What scene was your favorite to write for your latest wip? (First, last, middle, etc) And at what point (word count) did you write it?
Oh my goodness, you had to ask this. There were so many scenes that I enjoyed writing. I mean, I have a costume party, battle zones, and future New York. BUT I really think my favorite scene to write was the very last one. I figured out what I wanted the last lines of the book to be, and they struck me so deeply that I knew that I had to write that scene right away.

And I wrote it about 3/4 of the way through the draft. My draft is about 60K, so I guess I wrote it at about 45K? But yeah, writing that scene will stay with me for a long time.


19. What do you do when you aren't writing?
I’m currently getting my Master’s Degree in Theatre Performance and Playwriting, and I’m an Editorial Intern at Entangled Publishing.

20. Any words of wisdom for anyone who is thinking of becoming a writer, or just something you think all writers should know?
Yes, absolutely. FEAR IS A LIAR. There are so many fears that plague us as writers. Will I be good enough? Will people like my stories? Will I ever get an agent? Will I ever be published? Will I be thought of as silly for writing? Am I crazy? And so many more. But we have to remember that these fears are nothing but barriers holding us back from our dreams. There is no excuse for sabotaging yourself. If you don’t believe, no one will, so discard the fear and grab that dream.

The Awesomeness

Well, I skipped a Saturday wrap up last week, sorry about that. However, this week's is full of awesome!

First off, I'd like to talk about my Mention Monday post. I listed some awesome writers on that one, please if you missed it, go check it out now. Plus, my friend, Caterina Torres, is giving away several eBooks of her book, Zombie Whisperer. (Giveaway link is on my Mention Monday post).

Next I'd like to mention (lol) the amazing and famous Ninja Captain, Alex J Cavanaugh. He's so far beyond awesome and I want to say another thank you for the interview.

Also a big thank you to all of Alex's followers who came by my blog, I really appreciate it.

That pretty much sums it up I think. I've been stalled on writing for a couple of days while I work on critiques. I've also been reading a little. I'm starting to work on my query letter again. (Oh boy). And I'm revising here and there. Plus I've been chatting on AQC a lot lately, and love it. Of course, I love the site so, it makes sense. :D

That's my week all wrapped up. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have an awesome weekend.


Happy Saturday. :)

Thursday TAG! - D.C. Rich

This is Dean Rich, another friend I met thanks to the awesomeness that is AQC-surprised? :p Technically I spent so much time there as a lurker that I didn't really 'meet' him until I started interacting with blogs. Anyway, he's very awesome and I'm super excited to have him on my blog. He's a father of five, grandfather of one.  When he's not writing he's a General Manager of a National Quick Service Food Chain.  He writes fantasy, and is currently trying to make sense out of his MS that is over in word count and in dire need of major cutting and rework(lol, according to him btw ;).  Once that is figured out, he will pursue publication in one form or another.  You can find Dean over on his blog, on Twitter, his group blog and of course at AQC.


1. When did you start writing?
I started writing in grade school, on line paper that I put in a notebook.  By Middle School I was working on a novel.  In High School I was writing trilogies.   During Collage I went back to my early works and started working them “for real.”

2. What made you want to write?
A funny story when I look back on it now.  I had a friend who loved to draw pictures of space ships from the science fiction TV shows and Movies, Lost in Space, Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, 2001 a Space Odyssey.  He gave his dad about 5 pages of pictures who took those pictures to work and made photo copies of them.  My friend then stapled them together and gave them to his friends.  He had a “book”.  I wanted a book too!  So I asked if I gave him some stuff, would his dad make me a book as well?

The answer came back as a yes.  So I spent days working on a “book” about a TV show.  I illustrated the different vehicles, weapons, space ships, and gave technical specs on each.  My friend took my “ms” and a few days later I had three copies that I stapled together.  I had published a “book”.

Later I realized what had happened.  I laugh about it now, but at the time it was like, so cool!

Yet, that experience whetted my appetite.  I am not very athletic, and I am very myopic, but I loved to read.  (Still do.)  Then one day an idea popped into my head and I started to write it down.  Then I recognized I wanted to write.
     
3. When did you decide you wanted to write to be published? (As opposed to writing just to write)
When I was in Collage, I decided that the stories I had written when I was younger could be better.  I had two complete trilogies written, (in longhand on notebook paper.)  I had a Science Fiction story, and a fantasy story.  I decided the science fiction stories were original at the time I wrote them, Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars, and Enemy Mine had come out, and my story was too similar to those.  So I decided I would go with my fantasy story.  I set out to make it the best it could be, and I wanted to publish it.  Once that was done I’d return to the science fiction trilogy.

4. What genre(s) do you write?
Epic Fantasy, Science Fiction, and I’m dabbling in suspense/action stories.

5. Why that(those) genre(s)?
Why not?  I mean those are the best!  At least I think so.  My favorite stories were A Wrinkle In Time, The Hobbit, and Dune.  I know, that dates me, but those were the stories that got me into writing.

6. Do you have any particular ritual when you write? (A specific way things are done during the process)
I did, right now I just grab a moment when I can.  I like to format the story as I go.  However I like to make it look like a book.  Page numbers, headers and footers, a dedication, a title page, even a book cover.  I guess it goes back to my first “Published ‘book’”.  I like to see what it could look like.  That motivates me to keep working on the stuff inside.

I find myself thinking about the story as I drive, take a walk, take a shower, drop off to sleep.  Then I jot the ideas down.  When I get ready to write that section I pull out the notes and tick them off as I write them into the MS.

7. Do you use an outline, or do you just start writing?
I jump in with both feet.  Then when I get a ways into the story I start to outline.  I do have an ending in mind when I start.  It has to be a really cool ending, and then I want a fabulous start.  The middle is the hard part.  That is where the outline comes in.

8. Is there something you MUST have when you're writing? (Aside from the typical writer tools-computer, pen, paper, etc)
Music.  I have classical, new age, and soundtracks I like to play while I write.  I don’t do lyrical songs, that distracts me, but instrumental is great.  It helps me block out other sounds and then I get into the zone and I’m good.

9. Do you write out your story on paper and then transfer to a computer, or straight to the computer?
I started out writing longhand.  My mother then made me take a typing class, and then I moved to the typewriter.  I was so excited when the word processor came out, and I eventually got a computer.  Now I work on a laptop, which is nice.  But I like to have a notepad handy to capture those great ideas that come to mind when I am away from the compter.

10. How many books/short stories have you written? (Published or not, even those you wrote and then thought-what the hell?)
Well, lets see…  I guess I’ve about 15.  Wow, I never stopped to think about it before.  I wouldn’t show anyone most of those, bad stuff really, but it got me going.

11. Is there, or has there been, anyone in your life (real or online) who thought you being a writer is/was just another hobby? Or that you are/were wasting your time as a writer?
Yes.  But no one thinks I’m wasting my time writing.

12. Do you do Social Media sites? If so, which ones? If not, why don't you?
I love, love, love AgentQuery Connect.  I joined about a year ago, and my writing has improved so much.  It is there I learned about blogging and twitter, where I met you.  I don’t use facebook for writing much.

13. Any advice for writers that makes you cringe every time you hear it? (I know there is some cringe-worthy advice still worth following, so only advice you don't follow.)
Write two hours a day.  I do not have that kind of time to devote to writing.  I have a very full schedule right now, so that is my biggest cringe-worthy advice I don’t follow.  It may be good advice, but I don’t follow it.


14. What types of models do you build?            
I started with HO scale Model Railroad.  Houses, train stations, rail cars.  Unfortunately I don’t have much room for a huge layout  (nor the time to work on a huge layout, but one can dream.)  I also build WWII aircraft, and ships.  A few years ago I got a new job and moved out of state.  I built model cars at night while watching the History channel.

My favorite model was a large scale model of the USS Constitution, under full sail.  I spent 8 hours a day for a month building it. Lots of little knots, and sails.  The Model was 2' long and about a foot and a half tall.  I had a wood base built and mounted.  My father built a mantel over the fireplace to put the ship on.  It was the best model I ever built. I painted all the wheels on all the cannons.  I also started building the Cutty Sark, I got it to the point I was going to add sails, but my two oldest sons were throwing a ball in the house, I leave you to draw the obvious conclusion to what happened.

15. Do you ever find inspiration from those models?
I like learning about the time period and what was going on at the time of the models.  Ship stories have made it into my fantasy book.

16. What about from your photography?
I like to have pictures tell a story, so I just look for something that works.  Check out my blog post  The Snapshot.

17. How did you come to be a member of the Blog Ring of Power?
Agentquery connect.  TBruce and I are both members of the Speculative Fiction Forum.  I had a brainstorm for a group blog, and she was looking to make a blog ring.  I joked with her and asked how many rings of power she had, and she loved the Blog Ring of Power name.  So it stuck and I said I’d join her on that as well.  By the way you can check out the group effort of Aliens, Dragons, and Wraiths, Oh My!

18. What makes and/or breaks a book for you?
This is the hardest question of all! Lol.

Intrigue, mystery, suspense, and something to keep me turning the pages.  I like action, but good characters as well.  Plot or character driven doesn’t matter to me, but the challenge has to be a good one.


19. What do you do when you aren't writing?
Unfortunately these days I spend more time not writing than writing.  When I am not at work, or writing I enjoy doing things with my family.  I’ve two children left at home, and I like doing things with them and my wife.  I also enjoy photography, and model building.  Of course reading is another love of mine.

20. Any words of wisdom for anyone who is thinking of becoming a writer, or just something you think all writers should know?
Learn your craft. Learn your genre.  Know what works.  If you are going to break a rule, know why you are going to break it.  When it is time to query know the agent, and what the agent wants.  Target your work to the agent that is looking for what you offer.  Don’t send things to the world, you waste your time and the agents.

Mention Monday - A Few Newly Agented

Oh-yeah, that's a title we all (writers) at some point aspire to have, right? Well, most of us at least. (And note, I said at some point. I'm not talking down about Indie or Self-Pubbing). I just happen to know of quite a few people who have been having a wee bit of success over at my favorite site-AQC. What's that? You still haven't been to this awesomely wonderful site yet? Do you see what good comes from this site?!? Oh wait....I haven't really told you yet, my bad. :D

Over at that site there have been numerous people over the last few months who have either landed an agent or publishing deal. It's AWESOME!!!! And these people are such wonderful and deserving people that I thought they should have a Mention Monday spot.

I'm just going to hit on this year:

Beginning in January the amazing and awesome Lori Sjoberg (her TAG! is here if you missed it) got a two book publishing deal for her awesomely awesome reaper series. Then the wonderful S.K. Keogh signed a publication deal for her historical novel (technically she was offered the deal before Christmas, but it was January when she signed ;)   And then the freaking fantastically awesomeness that is Robert K Lewis (thrownbones over at AQC) signed a two book deal. Then came a book deal for Terri Bruce (see TAG! here) and Michelle Reed (Michelle_in_WI on AQC) (who was mentioned in Publisher's Weekly ;)  And someone who's story (especially the characters) I happen to love...someone who went through tons of rejections with numerous things being said that made the hopes of ever seeing the book in print seem like slim to none...Jayne Denker (her TAG! is here) landed an agent.

(Are you're eyes gettin' all wonky from the numerous links yet? Hope not 'cause we're not done :D  )

Don F (bigdonf on AQC) signed with a publisher. Stephanie Diaz landed an agent (her query had 26 partial/full requests (most of them fulls) and FOUR offers of representation. Then Precy Larkins (AKA Cherie) landed an agent from a query that had NINE full requests and an offer). ALBrock just landed an agent. And then the news that made me say, "I HAVE to mention all the AWESOMENESS of my fellow AQCers!!!".....The sweetheart and so smart and so wonderfully AWESOME RC Lewis landed an agent from a query that got ELEVEN fulls and FIVE offers!!!!! WOOOOOOT to all my fellow AQCers, you are all full of all kinds of AWESOME!!!

Take a moment to stop by and congratulate some of these awesome people. Some of them went through times where they were done and ready to completely throw in the towel. Some of them kept at it for 8+ years, struggling and feeling like nothing would ever happen. Some of them are young (Stephanie) and some of them are pregnant (and/or were pregnant at some point(s) and I can say that's not an easy time). Many (if not all of them) spend their days working hard at regular jobs (or attending school) and yet they still managed. They're all such wonderful people and I'm so HAPPY for them.

(Nobody else take offense please, I do know that all of my wonderful online friends work so hard for what they've accomplished and what they're working to accomplish.)

Happy Mentioning Everyone! :D

E.M. LaBonte

(Thursday is TAG! on my blog. I do a Q&A with someone. It is still an E, so I'm sticking to the challenge :)
I usually post at 4:30AM Central time, but I apparently forgot to write my post for today. So, my sentence is in light of my forgetfulness :)

Even Experts Experience Errors ;)

Today's TAG! is E.M. LaBonte a fellow writer I met on AgentQueryConnect. You can find her on her blog, on ACQ, and she tweets. She's also a member of the blog ring of power.

1. When did you start writing?

I was born with a pencil in my hand reaching for a pad of paper... um no.  I started writing when my mean English teacher in the 4th grade made us write a short story to test our grammar.  

2. What made you want to write?

I loved coming up with a new idea, and I received praise from my mother and the teachers for the first story and beyond.  I failed the grammar part though. I never did get the hang of that. : (  I enjoyed the experience of coming up with the story as I wrote it. The bonus was making my teacher smile. (Even though I hated her.) So I was hooked. I've been doing it ever since.  I have a folder full of short stories, and incomplete -really bad first drafts- of novels.

3. When did you decide you wanted to write to be published? (As opposed to writing just to write)

I had an epiphany. I had that moment, where I was unhappy with where I worked, but didn't know what else I wanted to do.  That moment where I realized there was one thing that I've always enjoyed doing, and would do it to see the enjoyment of others reading my stories.  I wanted to share what was in my head, and see if that could be my career.

4. What genre(s) do you write?

Speculative Fiction. I originally started writing just high fantasy alone, but have since spread out to a bit of Dystopian SciFi.

5. Why that(those) genre(s)?

I started with high fantasy because that was what I read in the beginning. I mixed things up a bit when I had an idea that I couldn't get out of my head.  Found out I can branch out.  I'm excited about it.  Perhaps I'll be able to branch out even more in the future.

6. Do you have any particular ritual when you write? (A specific way things are done during the process)

Eat, make sure the kids have eaten in the morning. Then I settle down at the computer or pen and paper, depending on which draft I'm working on. Not much to it really.

7. Do you use an outline, or do you just start writing?

I have a basic idea of how my book starts and how it ends.  The rest of it is told to me while I'm writing.  I end up being mostly a pantser, but I do end up planning while I'm writing. 

8. Is there something you MUST have when you're writing? (Aside from the typical writer tools-computer, pen, paper, etc)

A cup of coffee or water, ready and waiting. Wait, does that count as one of the typical writer tools.  Hmmm. ;)

9. Do you write out your story on paper and then transfer to a computer, or straight to the computer?

I always like to write the story out.  There is something to be said of the traditional, no backspace key, writing.  It helps me move forward without worrying about editing till I'm done.  It also helps me when I transfer to do a rewrite when I'm typing it onto computer.  No cut and paste.  Keeps me honest and focused. 

10. How many books/short stories have you written? (Published or not, even those you wrote and then thought-what the hell?)

I've gotten a bunch of short stories written and put away.  I don't remember how many though, never thought to count them.  I've been writing about one a week on my blog. As far as hope-to-be novels, I have three so far in the works.  Second Nature is on it's 8th draft, the sequel Cold Magic his halfway done it's first draft, and the new Dystopian has started taking shape.  I only have a few chapters written on that one so far, but I'm liking the idea.

11. Is there, or has there been, anyone in your life (real or online) who thought you being a writer is/was just another hobby? Or that you are/were wasting your time as a writer?

My siblings and mom, growing up.  We all have our artistic talents, I'm the only one who cant draw, so I built my pictures with words.  They thought, and probably still think that my writing wont go anywhere, cause of my dyslexia, which hinders my spelling and my sub-par grammar.  I know I still have a lot to learn, and relearn, and I'm willing to push through my own short comings to make my dream happen.  To see my book, in all its glory, read by my extended friends.

12. Do you do Social Media sites? If so, which ones? If not, why don't you?

Yes, I'm over here and over there.  LOL To start off with, I joined AQC about 9 months ago, and have learned so much from them.  I've gained critique partners and friends.  
I also have a Author's page on FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/E.M.LaBonte1, a blog http://emlabonte.blogspot.com/, I'm on Linkin http://www.linkedin.com/pub/e-m-labonte/3a/620/689, Google+ https://plus.google.com/106248320069260629559 and a Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/Nemune2 account.  Yeah, I'm all over the place.  I've also got others, but I'm rarely on them. 

13. Any advice for writers that makes you cringe every time you hear it? (I know there is some cringe-worthy advice still worth following, so only advice you don't follow.)

Write every day.  I know as a writer it's good to write as much as you can, but I also know (from experience) that writing every day can burn the mind out.  There are days when it's good to just walk away.  Get out of the house, away from the pen, paper, and computer and just do something, enjoy life. LIVE It's not all about words, it's about the emotions those words inspire, you need to feel them before you can write them. IMHO

14. Why do you write about dragons?

I'm not really sure, except that I've always had a fascination with the noble dragons of the East in the bodies of the ones in Europe.  I like the combo of the two.  I think the dragons with the snarling evil faces just look silly. 

15. What are your dragons like?

Mostly like humans in a giant lizard body.  LOL but really they do have most of the emotions and attitudes of the human race, except they are more feral and their culture is slightly primitive. Picture a stubborn person living over 500 - 1000 years, things wont change much, they wont let it. Yup that's my dragons.

16. If your dragons were real, would you own one?

Um, wouldn't that be slavery? I'd be friends with them, but if they were real, I don't think I would have enough power to bend them to my will, unless I was one too. :)

17. What is the Blog Ring Of Power?
The Blog Ring of Power was put together by Terri Bruce in hopes to give and gain exposure to published authors.  We set up a interview that lasts 5 days over 5 blogs. It's been a great success and the interviews keep coming.  Eventually we are planning contests and other blog fun stuff. It's so great, because we end up meeting so many interesting and wonderful people and they have been keeping in touch with us through out.

18. With a job outside of writing and three kids, do you find it difficult to find a balance between non writer and writer life?

OH yeah! I've only been back to work for 2 weeks, so it's been a bit of a struggle to balance everything.  I'm starting to get back in the swing of things. Right before leaving for work and during breaks, I get some words in. Funny thing is it has been easier to create.  After 2 years being a stay at home mom, I find that even though my time is now limited, I am more focused.  I have found my writing is getting much more inspired and better all around. At least I think so, I'll find out if I'm being a bit biased when my crit partner takes a look.

19. What do you do when you aren't writing?

Spending time with my crazy but amazing family.  Enjoying what life has to offer with those I love most. Oh yeah and working too, gotta earn a living some how. 

20. Any words of wisdom for anyone who is thinking of becoming a writer, or just something you think all writers should know?

To any writers out there, find a writers group, if you don't already have one.  Ask the stupid questions, learn EVERYTHING you can and in the meantime, write, write and write some more. You'll be amazed how much you can grow with like minds rooting for you.  Save your first draft, so when everything is said and done, you can see the proof that comes with a support group.