WIP Wed. - Dear Teen Me, Updates, and Questions

 

Okay, I haven't done one of these in a while, but there are a lot of different things going on, so I figured a WIP Wednesday was in order. :)

 

First things first, yesterday was my turn on the Dear Teen Me blog. If you're not familiar with it, it's an awesome site put together by authors E. Kristin Anderson and Miranda Kenneally where authors write letters to their teenage selves. I would describe it, but I think they do a better job on the website, so here's the description:

 

Teenagers of the world, Dear Teen Me is for you.
For everyone who wishes they were on the football team. For everyone who would rather be in the glee club than ever run another lap. For the teens who dream of being far, far away from the small town or big city where they go to school. The prom queens, the theater kids, the band geeks, the bad boys, the good girls, the loners, the stoners, the class presidents, the juvenile delinquents, the jocks and the nerds.
The teens who have good days and bad days and sometimes really really really bad days.
This is for you.


Pretty awesome idea, right? So yesterday was my letter. If you'd like to a) go chuckle at my truly horrid picture from 8th grade, complete with flannel shirt and b) confirm that in fact that I've always been a dork, I encourage you to click  here and do so. And if you're feeling generous, I'd love for you to leave a comment as well. :) Then of course, go through and read the archives because there are truly some amazing letters on the site.

 

Alright, now for some updates:

Exposure Therapy's title change -- No news yet. I've offered my suggestions and my editor will take a look at those. I hope to hear something soon. And I'll be sure to let everyone know as soon as I have it because I am SO EXCITED to hear what it's going to be. :)

Berkley Book 2 Draft -- I hit a rough two months where I've struggled with which direction to go. Over the last two weeks, I've work backwards, changed some plot elements, and started threading the suspense portion in. The word count is now climbing again. Phew. I'm now at the halfway point in the draft.

Wanderlust -- If you're a new follower, you may not know about this one, but this is a category-length romance I wrote before Exposure Therapy. Good news--it's still alive. :) Can't go into details but I'll be tackling some revisions after I finish drafting my current book and may have a shot to get this one on the shelves one day too! *fingers crossed*

Questions...


Alright, in addition to the updates, I thought this would be a good post to open up for questions. I've been getting emails from some of you asking me things about blogging, writing, balancing writing with motherhood, etc. I love getting those emails, but I thought today it would be fun if anyone wants to throw out questions here on the blog. That way everyone can see the questions and answers. :)  I will either answer the questions in the comments or if we get enough, I'll do a separate post with the questions and answers.

So ask away, I'm an open book (mostly). :) And also, let me know how your WIP is going? Am I the only one who's been beating her head against the keyboard lately?

Finalist! Yeah, Baby, Yeah!

 


Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was jam-packed, but terrific.  Not only did I get to see Bon Jovi in concert Saturday night (sweeeeet), I also attended the DFW Writers' Conference--which meant ten workshops, plus one keynote speaker (NY Times Bestselling author Jodi Thomas), plus an agents panel (ten agents!) all in two days.  If you live anywhere near this area, you should definitely check out the conference next year.  This group really puts on a good one.

 

I will try to compile my notes and pass along as many tidbits as I can over this week to let you know what I learned.  But first, I want to share my good news.  Last night I came home after the conference to a wonderful email.

My manuscript Wanderlust is one of the five finalists in the contemporary category of Passionate Ink's (the erotic chapter of RWA) Stroke of Midnight contest!!!  So now my first thirty-five pages go to the editor at Spice Books (Harlequin) for final judging.  Winners will be announced at the end of July.

 


I also received some superfabulous feedback from the judges to put in my you-are-not-a-total-hack-so-stop-feeling-sorry-for-yourself file that I pull out when I'm ready to toss the laptop into the wood chipper.

 

There is officially no better feeling than having a complete stranger (who's there to judge you, no less) read your work and have them tell you that you've totally hooked them and that they love your characters.  It's like writer crack.  That is, by far, the part I look forward to most if I were to when (yes, universe, I'm putting you on notice) I get published--making readers feel something and connect with my story.

Now, all I need is a book deal.  You hear that out there dear editors at Harlequin?  I ♥ you, please ♥ me back.  :)  (I'm not above begging, incessant flattery, or gifts.  Just let me know what you prefer.)

Alright, how was your weekend?  Do you keep a folder of good stuff to get you by when you're feeling frustrated about writing?  What do you look forward to most WHEN you get published?

 
 
 

**Today's Theme Song**
"Song 2" - Blur
(player in sidebar, take a listen)