Mentor Workshop

(Had to start this post with a pic of my little guy. He's my world!)

On with it. I forgot to give an update! The mentor workshop went well. I enjoy being around like-minded individuals. It's so inspiring to me. They push me to be my best self.

So the night before the workshop, I get an email asking for me to bring in a printed copy of my first 30 pages. Wierd, right? I'm thinking "Oh no! They lost my work!" Arghhh!!!! Well it turns out that my work was submitted to Marissa Walsh of Fineprint Literary. She had reviewed my work at last year's conference and felt that a new agent/editor should look at it so I could get different feedback.

She was nice enough to read my newest version of Armstrong and give feedback. I also got critiqued by Allison Wortche of Knopf. So I'd say all in all it was a great day.

Marissa gave me some really thought-provoking questions. For example: What is Armstrong's motivation? Why should we the reader feel sorry for him?

I've been using these questions to drive my writing. I can't wait to see where Armstrong takes me!

Thanks Marissa, Allison and the NJSCBWI team for a successful workshop. See you at the next one!

Women Who Write, Westfield Chapter

Yesterday, I met with my fellow Women Who Write ladies. We meet every other Saturday at the Westfield Library. I tell you, these ladies keep me going! I learned a lot yesterday.

* Using any tense of feel is a no no!
* Contractions are ok for dialogue, but not for prose.
* Don't use was (seriously that's HARD!!!)
* And speaking of "seriously", adverbs are the ENEMY!
*Point of view- it was suggested I tighten up my "close third" POV

So much to learn...ah! But you know what? I enjoyed every second of it. I feel my writing getting stronger. I am just hoping to meet my January 1st deadline.

Finding the time to write is difficult with a 9 month old, but I steal moments every day, even if it's for 15 minutes. So far, I haven't gotten past chapter 5. I've decided to break up the backstory into smaller chapters. My original chapter 5 was a huge info dump!

And so I continue to plug away :-)

It's been a looong time

So I took a break from blogging for a while. Wanna know why? Because I had a baby! My little Christopher is the love of my life! He is almost 10 months now. He has inspired me to give this writing thing another try. I have taken it very seriously for the past few months. I joined a writer's critique group in Westfield. We meet bi weekly. It's a small group of awesome female writers.

I have signed up for the NJSCBWI Mentor Workshop. It will be held on Sunday November, 14th. I'm really looking forward to that. My goal is to wrap up Armstrong as I ring in 2011. I plan to then re-submit, with the hopes that someone out there will take an interest.

Will update on the Workshop once I return. Toodles for now!

I really need to write more!

Writing is like a release for me. Finding time is the issue. Between work, grad school, running a business and learning how to be a wife, I am EXHAUSTED!

Anyway, the First Page session went well. I wrote a new piece and really need to finish it because it seemed that both editors really liked it. I am so idiotic for not hurrying to finish. Hopefully, they won't forget me when I finally do send it.

Happy New Year. 2009 will be MY year!!!

Tami

First Page Session Tomorrow!

I've got my fingers crossed! The first time I went, I felt like a complete idiot! It seemed like everyone knew what they were doing. They were like the pros, and I was like the rookie. In any event, I will have the first page of a new story I am working on entitled "Dear Mr. Vyce Prezident".

I hope this time will be better than the first....and as for that 50,000 word contest...yeah! About that.... :-)

Chow,
Tami

National Novel Writing Month

Yes and if I couldn't be any crazier, I joined a writing contest under National Novel Writing month. I saw it on another person's blog and decided what the heck? This would force me to really get my "writing" act together. I have to write 50,000 words by November 30. Time to revisit Armstrong and make it the best it can be.

Wish me luck!

Getting it together

So many ideas, so little time.

Today I am going to New York for a photo shoot.....I am so excited! I hope that the pictures come out well and if I have a double chin in ANY of the pics, I will pay extra to get that bad boy removed!Lol!

And as if life couldn't get any crazier, yesterday I decided to apply for a 501c3 and start up a charity. So now I'm going to be a book-writing, pageant directing, charity organizing, doctoral studying, elementary teaching, exhausted fool! I often wonder what is it about the essence of a woman that allows us to wear so many hats. It's like I can juggle laundry, reading, texting, emailing, feeding the dog and cooking all at once! My life would probably be boring if I wasn't so busy.

I am a member of the New Jersey Society of Children's Book Writer and Illustrators (NJSBWI) and I have a First Page session in two weeks in Princeton. (speaking of which, I still need to sign up for it!) This is where you bring several copies of the first page of your book and a designated reader reads it in front of everyone, including two industry professionals. The first time I went, which was in September, I almost threw up. No, seriously! It was so nerve racking having someone read my personal material. Naturally, my work was chewed to pieces! But I needed that wake up call, you know. So I went back and redid the first page, among other parts. Maybe I should bring the revised first page to the session??? I'm not sure though.

I stepped away for a while from Armstrong and started writing a picture book...untitled for now. It's actually harder than writing a chapter book! I am hoping to have my work read at the upcoming session. It needs some tweaking, so we'll see what happens. The hardest thing for me is finding time to write.

I went to the doctor yesterday and asked him to schedule my surgery for right before Christmas. I will probably miss a month of teaching. But that's ok, because out of that month, I have 2 weeks off from work. I won't be able to drive and I have to stay off my foot for at least 4 weeks. Funny thing is I am looking forward to being confined. That will give me all the time I need to do what I love best....reading and writing! Adios for now!

Tami