Becoming an Author

 

Here's some more writing advice:
When you think you're finished with your manuscript, put it away for a couple of weeks (if not months). When you take it out and look at it again, it will most likely be crap. That's ok. It happens to the best of us.
Keep writing.
Print out what you want to edit (meaning: purge, burn, cross-out, and rewrite) and go to town.
Repeat the process a couple of times and by the end you might end up with something presentable.
Then do precisely that. Present it. Take it to a critique group (in your genre!!). Have your worst enemy read it. Whatever you do, do not have your friends, your mother, your sister, brother, or father read it. They won't be honest. They can't. They don't want to hurt your feelings (and while this is sweet and may be quite the ego boost, it will.not.help your story)!

You can use software.
http://prowritingaid.com/

You can use online critique groups:
http://www.youwriteon.com/
www.critiquecircle.com

Then rewrite it again.
But here's another key thing to remember: Don't over-write it! Don't mutilate it. Don't over think it. You're most likely attempting to write a novel because somewhere along the line someone told you that you're a good writer. That you have a fantastic, overactive imagination. Trust in yourself and keep going.

Becoming A Writer Part I

What's the hardest thing to do when you are trying to become a writer? To believe in yourself. You can learn all there is to know about writing, but if you don't believe that you can do it... that your work, your words are good enough... then you won't sludge through and finish writing your dream. Of course there will be a lot of doubt. A lot of second guessing.

Not only will you doubt yourself, but just when you start feeling optimistic, others will feel the need to remind you of the statistics.
Don't let them.


What should I learn? Where do I start? Will I lose my voice if I listen to other authors?

I've read books on writing. I've read other author's writing blogs. However, they tell me what they do. How they write. I don't want to write like them. I'm not telling their story.

You shouldn't write for money. You shouldn't write for fame. You should write because you love it. Because you like seeing people light up and get lost in one of your stories. You like to evoke emotions in people as they read what you've written. You should write because you have something to say. You have something that others will want to be a part of.  Even if those people are just the characters in your book...your own little world. Even if you're the only person that will escape through the story.

If you finally overcome the battle of self doubt and self deprecation (as many times as you need to), there are, however, technical things you need to know. All of the little grammatical rules to follow in order to not be laughed off the proverbial stage of the query letter (I'll go over that in part II).
 
My mom is a fifth grade teacher. She's been doing it for over twenty years. I thought that she might be the perfect person to proof read my work. I told her that before I started writing a book I thought I was actually good at English (this is where she was supposed to chuckle a little bit at that and then give me the obligatory mother response that I was fishing for "Oh, silly Elsa, of course you're good at English!")
That's when she said this:
"I don't think anyone who hasn't gone above high school can ever be that good."
I had 'gone above' high school. I have an associates, but I didn't know what I wanted to be so I didn't want to waste money on a degree I wouldn't use. I was valedictorian with a GPA of 4.6 for crying out loud!

I didn't know what to say.
I felt like I had been slapped in the face.
It's not a secret that she doesn't think I can do this.
But that's not what matters.
What matters is if I believe I can.
And I do.

The Perfect Bob

When I was in second grade, my mom could finally put my hair in pigtails. This was fan-freakin-tastic because if left to its own free will, I would end up walking around looking like a dandelion.
Then in highschool I chopped off my (finally) long golden locks until there was only about an inch left and died it bright white. Then orange. Then purple. Good times.

Now I let my hairstyle show off a bit of my wild side with the purple, but it's a bit tricky to find a bob that's edgy enough, but not too edgy. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the perfect bob:

Laptop Case that Looks Like a Book

Ummm, I think I need this. Only 90 days until my birthday!! Or, better yet, I'm thinking that we should all start celebrating tomorrow with presents! Happy Monday everyone! YOU get a Bookbook case, YOU get a Bookbook case!

(ps~I'm not actually giving away these gorgeous book laptop cases...bummer...I know. Maybe when I'm rich!)

Charles Dickens

 

Book Nerd Problem Tumblr

I don't think people realize the toll it takes on a person being a book nerd. So many emotions. So many ...issues...

Here are just a few examples of what it's like to be a book nerd:

When a review on Amazon doesn't warn you about a spoiler  

 When the main characters finally realize they're in love

The day after "Just one more chapter" turns into reading until 2am 

  Going on a date when you're "thiiis close to finishing your book"

When your favorite character dies

 

 

When the next book finally comes out

When your friends are tired of hearing "The book was so much better" from you

When they reprint the cover with the movie poster

  

 When people try to talk to you during an intense part

Best Romantic Fantasy List

 

What is Romantic Fantasy? What is a romantic fantasy?! Oh, my...if you haven't discovered romantic fantasy than allow me to introduce you to your new addiction.

These stories are filled with whimsical fantasy and magic. Bad-a heroines who can kick some serious evil tail and yet manage to be a lady in the same breath...or not (depending on her personality). These books can take you into an entirely new and different era, a new dimension...a whole new world (cue Aladdin).

If you'd like a taste of these delicious books, then here is a list to start you off with:

(ps~I don't discriminate between YA and adult...)

1. The Sevenwaters Series (Juliet Marillier)

Amazon Description
Lovely Sorcha is the seventh child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Bereft of a mother, she is comforted by her six brothers who love and protect her. Sorcha is the light in their lives, and they are determined that she know only contentment. But Sorcha's joy is shattered when her father is bewitched by his new wife, an evil enchantress who binds her brothers with a terrible spell, a spell which only Sorcha can lift-by staying silent. If she speaks before she completes the quest set to her by the Fair Folk and their queen, the Lady of the Forest, she will lose her brothers forever. When Sorcha is kidnapped by the enemies of Sevenwaters and taken to a foreign land, she is torn between the desire to save her beloved brothers, and a love that comes only once. Sorcha despairs at ever being able to complete her task, but the magic of the Fair Folk knows no boundaries, and love is the strongest magic of them all...

"Mariner writes some of the best female characters in the fantasy genre. These fantasy books are good. Really, really good. With some intelligent, complex, and interesting female protagonists and some really well handled romance, this trilogy is a gift to all women -- and men. It's Celtic fantasy with a very strong romantic element, a lush, vivid world, and some really compelling characters -- especially the protagonist (a woman). This is romantic fantasy at it's best. Read!!"

2. Poison Study (Maria Snyder)

3. Outlander Series (Diana Gabaldon)

Can have some graphic love scenes...BUT one of my all time favorites. 

4. Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Laini Taylor)

5. Graceling (Kristin Cashore)

6. Lament (Maggie Stiefvater)

7. Daughter of the Empire (Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts)

8.  Wild Magic (Tamora Pierce)

Most of these are part of a series, so I think you'll be good for awhile.