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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Ghosts, Camp, and Forts

What's Up Wednesday is a writer's blog hop created by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk.  You can find out more about it and how to play along by clicking here.



What I'm Reading:  This week I read LIESL and PO by Lauren Oliver.  She is just an amazing writer and this MG Ghost story dealt with death and grief so beautifully.  I am trying to read more MG since that is what I most enjoy writing, so I would love any recommendations that you guys have.
What I'm Writing:  I worked on a two page synopsis for my MG Sci-Fi that I am about to query.  You all know that those two pages are sometimes more challenging than the whole damn novel.  But I think that it is probably ok enough now that it could be sent out if absolutely necessary.

What Works for Me:  I think I've mentioned before that Nano events really work for me.  I have written 3 out of my 5 finished works during some sort of National Novel Writing event.  My goals are to finish querying UNDER THE BLUE and get my next WIP outlined before April, so that I can draft during a Camp Nano session.  It is just super motivating for me to have a deadline and group of people that I am competing with... Uh, I mean encouraging.


What Else is Going On:  We are going a little batty around here.  The weather has been wintry and bleak.  The kids have made a fort out of the entire basement.
The sun is shining today, so I have plans to kick the kids out in the backyard for some much needed vitamin D!

13 comments:

  1. Your kids are adorable :) At least, the fort is in the basement - ours covers the living room. The castle gets raided at dinner time, and then rebuilt afterwards.
    I hear you on the synopsis-queries are like Christmas in comparison. Last time, I just queried all the agents which didn't want one and hoped (ahm...prayed) that'd get me through.

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    1. Haha, I considered that tactic, but one of the agents I have been cyber stalking... I mean researching... wants one.

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  2. Wow, the whole basement huh? That's quite industrious of your children ^_^

    Good luck getting ready to query!

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  3. I find writing a synopsis harder than writing a novel, too. You're not alone! :)

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  4. Synopses are the absolute worst. Even worse than queries, in my opinion. It's so tough boiling your story down to anywhere from 1-3 pages and to still make it sound original and interesting. Confession: Last time I queried, I went out of my way to avoid agents who were asking for synopses. So bad... Hope yours didn't give you any grief. Have a great week, Niki!

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  5. Cool fort! I've wanted to read LIESEL & PO for ages. I love Lauren Oliver's YA books. Thanks for reminding me to add it to my list. Have a great week, Niki!

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  6. Ugh, the dreaded synopsis. The least fun of all things. Good luck with yours, and with querying!

    And you're a pretty cool mom for letting your kids turn the basement into a giant fort. Sounds like fun. :)

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  7. Oh man, I miss the fort building days. Looks like fun! I'm good and ready for spring to arrive too, but that's definitely wishful thinking around here.

    I don't mind writing synopses, but queries are another story altogether. Glad you've got your synopsis in working order. Good luck with the querying and getting the outline done for your next project!

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  8. That fort is epic! Ugh, ugh, ugh, the synopsis. I wonder if agents put them in their guidelines to cut down on the slush?! Writing one proves your dedication and determination because so many people (me included!) avoid agents who want them unless they are dream matches. Good luck :)

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  9. Love the fort! We still build forts, even though technically we're "adults".

    And ugh, the dreaded synopsis. Everyone hates those. I think even agents cut a little slack on those. (that might just be my wishful thinking though)

    Hope you have a great week and get to enjoy some of that sunshine! :)

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  10. Good job powering through that synopsis. Hope the weather holds out so you can get your basement back. heh.

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