Confessions of a Young Adult Author

Emerald City Writers’ Conference

October 13, 2009 – 10:40 am

I was pleased to take part in the Emerald City Writers’ Conference hosted by The Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America in Bellevue, Washington (Oct 9-11).

This year’s conference was extra special because it was their 20th anniversary and the various committees worked hard to ensure that 250 writers as well as agents and editors had a worthwhile experience. Congratulations to all those volunteered.

At the beginning of my trip I was wondering if lady-luck was traveling with me. About 4 years ago, on my first trip to Emerald City, I chose to go by float-plane. However, it was too foggy, the plane was delayed and I arrived five and a half hours late on the first day.

This time, the 7:00 a.m. ferry had a fire. I couldn’t believe it. I had switched to the ferry because I thought it would be more reliable. And certainly, most times they are on schedule and predictable.

 Thankfully, no one was hurt in the fire and we drove onto the 8:00 a.m. ferry which slid into the time slot. As we drove on, I knew we were escaping a chaotic travel weekend -a three day holiday, The Royal Victoria Marathon, Thanksgiving, etc Wow! 

A big thrill for me was meeting three YA authors – Heather Davis, Serena Robar and Donna Mishra and attending their workshop. They shared great tips and were very encouraging.

The highlight of the weekend was my Second Place Finish in the Emerald City Contest with my YA entry Almost Perfect. All YA entries were submitted in the Novel with Strong Romantic Elements Category. Entering in this category was nerve-wracking and I’m very pleased with the results.

Next year’s dates are Oct 1-3. If you’ve never had a chance to attend before, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Thanks also to Sharron, Lee, Susan, Jackie and Bonnie for your support!

The weekend was filled with writing strategies. My head is crammed with new approaches and ideas.

Canadian author Claire Cross/Clare Delacroix, (she has written over forty romance novels) shared the following tip: I’m responsible for my own luck, by taking the initiative.

So, over the next few months I will embrace that tid-bit. I will be an active protagonist in my own career.

By Jodie •• Posted in Miscellaneous •• Comments (7)


Everybody has a story

October 8, 2009 – 10:50 am

I was pleased to represent my local chapter (Vancouver Island Chapter of the RWA) at the recent BC Women’s show on October 3rd at the George Pearkes Arena. Our participation this year was organized by Lee McKenzie -Harlequin American Author. Thanks Lee for all of your hard work.

This event was well attended, organized by women for women. The various booths promoted local businesses  with a buffet of choices ranging from scarves, clothing, chocolate, wine, massage, and make-up.

Our booth enabled women to stop by and rave about their favourite authors and sometimes reveal their secret desire to write. Moms were with daughters, daughters with friends, teens with teens and sometimes a family grouping. There was very positive energy in the room and alot of smiling faces.

This was a major outing for some elderly ladies and they were enjoying the warm, safe, upbeat environment as well as the opportunity for free gifts.

My day concluded with a tarot reading by Andrea. She was presenting a three card spread – ten minutes for ten dollars and she attracted a large crowd with a waiting list.  Very worthwhile.

For those volunteers who took part – how did the day unfold for you?

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On the other side of the fence

September 29, 2009 – 11:40 am

Over the past month I’ve been a part of two on-line critique groups. The purpose is to help writers polish their manuscripts before entering writing contests. This is a time-consuming activity but very enlightening.

What an eye-opener! As I study the submissions and follow the framework for judging, all of the essentials for good writing soar to the top of the list.

Point of view, goal, motivation, conflict and voice to name just a few. Especially voice. The reader can overlook many things but if the voice is engaging then I’m pulled along through the manuscript. And I want more. And I’m intrigued as to ‘how’ did they achieve that voice.

The topic of ‘voice’ piqued my curiosity and I headed to my bookshelf to see what I had on my reference shelf.  I found ‘Voice & Style’ by Johnny Payne (1995) -a Writer’s Digest Book. Payne contends that ‘voice’ is the key element in fiction. And he has lots to say. Looks like I’ve discovered my evening reading.

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Filling the Well

September 23, 2009 – 11:57 am

I’m researching a new book and allowing myself free rein to dip into the brilliant minds of other authors.

This week I finished ‘Evermore’ by Alyson Noel, the first book in her YA series - ‘The Immortals’. I’m also embracing Harlan Coben’s ‘Promise Me’, and an old classic ‘On Writing Well’ by William Zinsser.

When I’m actively writing I have to stay ‘in my zone’ and most of the time don’t have the luxury of reading other books. But I’m surging ahead into becoming an active reader for the next month.

What do you do when you need to energize and refresh your brain?

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I’m a Finalist!

September 8, 2009 – 11:05 am

Wow! I entered the Emerald City Opener Contest hosted by the Greater Seattle Chapter of the RWA in June/09 with my YA manuscript ALMOST PERFECT.

And then the summer unfolded and I was occupied with reading and researching for my next book.

On the day when the contest organizers said they would phone finalists, I walked around with my cell phone in my pocket. No call.

The next evening after watching a movie at the local university and then visiting a friend, I went on-line and checked my email around midnight.

Oh yes! ALMOST PERFECT is a final round entry in the Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Emerald City Opener Contest.

I’m thrilled. As a bonus – I’m signed up to attend the conference with some writing colleagues. Total fun!

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Hitting ‘Send’

September 1, 2009 – 10:35 am

Oh yes! This past weekend, I finished my final edits on my second YA manuscript ‘Almost Perfect’ and sent it out into the world. It’s been a long journey. On Sunday morning, I hesitated and wondered if I had done ‘all that I could do’. Probably not. I’m sure I could continue to polish, hone and refine and perhaps my novel would be whittled down until it was a poem. And years would pass.

Those were my musings.  I thought about areas that still needed work, and fussed with them. I thought about my heroine Steph and fussed with her. And finally, I realized – the time had come. It was the moment to let this novel sail away.

Then of course, I was left with the strangest feeling. This manuscript was a part of my head. A part of my life. I felt uneasy, nervous and disconnected. 

I went to a party that evening. ”I finished a novel,” I said to a guest. 

 ”How lovely,” she replied. “What was it called?”

  “Almost Perfect.” 

 ”I’ve never heard of it.”

 ”It’s not published yet.”

“Oh! I thought you meant you finished ‘reading a book’. That’s amazing. Well, congratulations!” she said.

We lifted our wine glasses. “I’ve always wanted to write a book,” she said,”but I never  had the time.”

It was my turn to smile. I’m proud of myself. I made the time.

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Goal Setting

August 18, 2009 – 8:35 am

My friend Margaret set a goal and achieved it. Let me back-track. In Feb, 2008 at the height of her career as an elementary school principal, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Instead of staff meetings, surgery soared to the top of her day-planner.

Her journey unfolded with the tedious and debilitating months of chemotherapy followed by radiation. During this period of time, her family and friends joined her in her battle. Wave after wave of friends carried her along in their love, consoling her during her low moments and cheering her on during her periods of recovery.

When she was well enough, she proceeded to check items off her ‘To Do’ list. She bought a red convertible, learned to race a dragon boat, traveled and rejoiced with friends. She put ‘herself’ on her list. But she wanted to do more. She had her eyes on a bigger challenge.

On Saturday, August 15,  Margaret (Team MM) and her mini-team of daughter Danielle, son Ryan and step-daughter Alanna walked 35 K (22 miles) in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer in Vancouver, B.C. When I talked to her after the race, she was nursing blisters on her feet but enjoying her accomplishment. She had achieved her goal!

Margaret raised $4,845.00 for the cause. But that is not the most important thing. She chose her goal, researched, practised and most of all believed in herself. Congratulations Margaret! This is your Hallelujah moment! Cherish the memories.

What about you? Have you conquered a goal lately?

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Surprises on the Bookshelf

August 11, 2009 – 2:31 pm

As a collector of books, I often forget when and why I was attracted to a certain book. But I seem to acquire books for a reason, and then I stack them, store them, and then read them sometimes years later.

A couple of days ago I stumbled across ‘Wake Me When It’s Over’ by Mary Kay Blakley (1989) Random House. This is a compelling memoir of a journalist and mother who recounts the extraordinary personal, pscychological, and medical events that converged on her life – and triggered a nine-day coma.

This unplanned journey into unconsciousness reveals her fragile world that was bordering on collapse. As Blakely recalls, “when I awakened, I gradually discovered that the life planned by the woman I had been, no  longer fit the woman I’d become.”

A fascinating and brilliant read. Have you suddenly discovered a book that shook you to your core?

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Addicted to Adverbs

July 28, 2009 – 12:24 pm

When I started writing, I was surrounded by lists - mostly lists of what you can’t and shouldn’t do.

 For example, watch out for adverbs. Beware! They are not your friend! Hmm, I loved adverbs. I have to say I truly LOVED adverbs. And so, being a rule-follower, I meticulously (nice adverb) culled them from my writing.

Then I examined my work. Rather dead sounding. And so carefully, cautiously and rather gleefully I might say, I started to rescue a few of my favourite adverbs (see above) and bring them back to the light.

And last night, reading ‘Love Walked In’ by Marisa de Los Santos (Penquin 2005) I found a fellow adverb queen. She swims in adverbs, dances with adverbs, highlights her adverbs. I was awe-struck.

Of course, the fact that she has obtained a Ph.D in literature and creative writing certainly assists her knowledge base of  what constitutes stellar writing. Probably.

 Ms. de Los Santos knows when and how to utilize her adverbs to make her writing style creative and distinctive. Absolutely.

Moral of the story? Yes, listen to the rules but when the story demands that a different route might be taken, listen to yourself. And you could discover that you’re the one creating the new dance. 

Unexpectedly.

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Rejection Rituals

July 19, 2009 – 10:29 am

In the August (09) edition of The Writer magazine I read an interesting article  entitled Bumper-Sticker Wisdom. Ms. Jasheway-Bryant said:

Since rejection is an unavoidable part of writing, it pays to have some other approach to it than curling up in the fetal position. My own ritual is to write a mock “Rejection Letter”, which I personalize to the situation, but generally reads something like this.

Dear Editor/Agent/Publisher

We’re sorry but we’re unable to accept your rejection letter. Although we felt it was well written and we like your style, we must turn it down because:

—-You did not include a SASE

—-We are not in the market for rejection letters at this time

—-We have rejection letters similar to this one in our inventory

The author states that she never sent the letter, but as every writer knows, imagining it is almost as good.

What do you do when your submission hits the wall?

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