V, W, & X

V is for victory as in congratulations on their victory to the (w)inners of my contest. That is eXcellent. Now how's that for a grammatically incorrect post?

LOL.

The winners are:

Jessie Harrell    Devoured

Crescendo         Kelley Hashway

Linger                 Catherine Stein

Misguided Angels   Maggie Vitales

Jealousy                      Ju DiMello

Glimpse                        Jen Daiker

U...

U may have won my contest. Check back tomorrow.

(T) truly

Here is wishing you a truly happy Holy Saturday followed by an amazing Easter Sunday....

Q

Q is for queries, which I hate.

(O) Overwriting

Today, O is for overwriting. I think there are probably lots of ways to do this, but I'm going to focus on two.

One form of overwriting that seems common and even best sellers have been criticized for is using huge words with sentence structure that is both complex and convoluted. I've heard Stephen King criticized for this, and I have no opinion because I've never read his fiction (and he's sold so many books I'd feel stupid to criticize). But I think it's possible, because he taught English for years and is a brilliant writer. He enjoys playing with language and likes to string it together to see what he can do with it. The problem most readers are devouring information and story, not necessarily focusing on words and syntax. Trying too hard, getting too artsy can lead to overwriting. Although, I think this form of overwriting also happens when a writer is trying to prove what he/she knows, or boost his/her own ego with the writing. Also, I think it happens when an author tries to distance his/herself from the work. By clogging the page with words they would never use in a conversation and focusing on grammar instead of truth, the author can hide from emotions he/she doesn't want to experience or re-experience, but in doing so they deny the author the chance to experience true emotion. This can be death to a story.

I'm guilty of another form of overwriting, though it doesn't really bother me. When I overwrite, it doesn't tend to me overstating something rather than just communicating with my reader. Instead, I write everything little thing about my characters and every part of their day. It makes for massive manuscripts, but well developed characters. And the extra can all be taken out later. I can't say I really regret that I overwrite. (I'll never have to worry about hitting a word count). But I can say cutting the excess later on is painful work. Do you overwrite?

As an aside, I've posted an editorial services page, and I can help with all forms of overwriting for free ;).

N is for No

N is for no, as in no sleep so going to bed. TTYL

M is for Make

as in this challenge is making my head hurt.

L is for Love

Just a reminder if you love books, I'm giving away 7

J

J is for just. As in just appeared in my manuscript 500 times in 350 pages.  Or as in just remember I'm giving away 7 books.

J is also for Josh. As in Josh, my little brother, is in Iraq.  Miss you Josh-ey.

J is just on my nerves right now. I seriously don't have much to say about it, but I signed up for this challenge so look at me try.

I...

So blame the A-Z Challenge, but today I'm going to have a totally narcissistic post in which many sentences start with the letter I. I had an awesome weekend, and while u might not care about the totally narcissistic post if you can hold out until the end, you will like it ;). I went to the SCBWI conference Saturday, which was awesome because the editor who spoke is allowing attendees to query her directly. After that my husband and I drove to Chicago to meet my critique partner who was kind enough to bring me a giant sack of books. I'll eventually send them back but for right now it's like Christmas in April.

I went to Border's on Sunday because my husband was thinking of getting some tech books and we needed to stop at Best Buy to upgrade the camera before venturing off for the day. I'm so glad I stopped at Borders!!!! I got 9 books for $24. I thought this was a really good deal. (yes, thought). I spent the day with Emil. It was nice, like a first date. Then started my job, which I love, today.

Then things got really good. I was driving to the library to return/donate books and saw a final blowout sign for Borders. It took me just over an hour and a lot of back breaking work but I left with 29 books under $8!!!!.

And this is where things get good for you.

I'm giving away the following books:

Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams (hardback)

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick (hardback)

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (hardback)

Misguided Angel by Melissa de La Cruz (hardback)

Some Like It Hot by Zoey Dean

Jealousy by Lili St. Crow

Devoured by Amanda Marrone

To enter you must be a follower and comment w/ your email address and what book you would like to win, doing so will get you one entry. (You must tell me you're a follower). Blogging this contest with a post specific to it will get you 5 extra entries as will putting it in your sidebar. You may fb/tweet/buzz it daily for one additional entry per post. But to gain your social networking entries you must leave a link in the comments. Each book will have it's own contest with a random chosen using random.org. The contest is opened only in the US & Canada and will close at midnight on April 22.

Also, please check back later in the week as I picked up four books for the journal's blog and will be using my blog to announce that blog's contest.  Thanks!!!!

H is for Hectic

H is for hectic as in this weekend shall be! Today, I'm heading to Oconmowoc (don't know if that's spelled right) an hour west of there for the SCBWI spring luncheon where I will meet the editor of the Caster Chronicles. Then I'll be back around 3:30 or 4 and pick up the hubs so we can hit Chicago and my meet my critique partner Jennifer. We've been working together for almost one year and have never seen each other! And I start my new job on Monday.

G is for Great

Okay so I forgot to post yesterday. F is for fine and G is for Great.  As in it's been a great day. I'm going to be doing editorial and office work for a local artisans magazine called eXpressions Journal. We are always looking for short fiction submissions, poetry, artwork, and photographs, and very soon you will be able to send your submissions directly to me. I'll post more info on this next week.

E is for Eventually...

Eventually

Sitting under an evening star,

I wonder where you are.

The world keeps turning, and

my heart keeps burning.

Wishing on a falling star,

I could be where you are.

Eventually, I walk into a crowded scene and you I see.

Eventually, you're here with me.

You smile.

A beautiful sight I haven't seen in a while.

You take my hand

...i'm lost in some distant land.

You're leaning over me;

I close my eyes in glee.

You've put bumps on my arm

...it's okay, no harm.

You've taken my breath away

...it's okay, even worth the delay

The world keeps turning, and

my heart keeps burning.

We both know where this will go.

Feelings this strong are hard to control.

Eventually, you lean down and place a hand on my face.

Eventually, my pulse begins to race.

Pink lips touch my own.

It's like coming home.

You fill me with desire.

You've set my body on fire.

Eventually, this kiss must end,

eventually, but I don't know when.

You pull away,

and I shake.

But the world keeps turning, and

my heart keeps burning.

I wished on a falling star, and

I get to be where you are

The pain should leave,

but it's here and it clings to me.

I step back.

A kiss that amazing what could it lack?

I look into your eyes.

You're beautiful, but that kiss wasn't wise.

You look down at me.

We both know this isn't where we should be.

Time passed.

Though this love lasts.

Life shaped you and I.

We're not who we used to be, and don't ask me why.

The sound of your name still stops me in my tracks.

But passions burns out, and I just want my life back.

Stepping away from you,

I surrender to what is true.

My heart isn't torn

only worn.

It's healed,

refilled.

You left a scar

and that's why somedays I need to be where you are.

But most days, I know you're just a flame burned out

A memory that eventually my mind will turn out.

Sitting under an evening star,

I thank God we're apart so far.

Somedays I wish I were filling you're coffee cup,

giving you all my love.

But most days I'm glad to be here,

because now there is someone else I hold dear.

Eventually, this scar will heal.

Eventually, I won't have to feel.

Eventually, I'll be free

and you won't even be a memory

….eventually.

D is for Dark Divine

D is for dark divine. As in, The Dark Divine is my current read, and I'm loving it. I can't give a review, because I'm only 1/3 through the book, but you'll find the book cover and good reads synopsis below.
Grace Divine—daughter of the local pastor—always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood.

Now that Daniel's returned, Grace must choose between her growing attraction to him and her loyalty to her brother.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, she learns the truth about that mysterious night and how to save the ones she loves, but it might cost her the one thing she cherishes most: her soul.

C is for Crazy & Cup Cones

C is for crazy as in that's what queries make me. *Flash to Beth with her head whirling around in circles as she tries to make sense of the madness*

C is also for cup cones. As in my husband and I ordered two vanilla ice creams in cups fri night (save calories on the cone), and the girl brings two cones. My husband casually reminds the girl they were supposed to be cups. She says "Okay," and drops the cones upside down into cups. I found this hilarious. I doubled over in laughter as I attempted to remove the cone from my ice cream (save those calories). As it wasn't happening, I finally gave in, picked up the cone and went for it. My poor husband who would have preferred the cone, picked up his and the ice cream fell helplessly into the cup. I laughed harder. He offered to trade, but by this time I'd already downed half the ice cream and his would have just been new calories. So the laughter continued. I have no idea why I found this so funny b/c as I'm typing this it's not, but I laughed hard Friday.

B is for Brutal...

It's Day 2 of the A-Z blogfest challenge.

And B if for brutal. As in Shelley Watters pitch contest is brutal, so any feedback would be appreciated. And if you want to sign up, I don't think it's too late. The prize is a full ms request from Suzie Townsend.

Pitch 1: If Bridget can't rid herself of a charming demon, he will destroy the boy she's loved her whole life in a mystical fire.

Pitch 2: Bridget must rid herself of a charming demon in order to save her boy next door and rekindle their passion.

Pitch 3: If Bridget can't expose the truth behind the secrets, a charming demon will destroy the boy she loves.

A is for Anything....

I'm doing the blogfest and A is for anything....

As in anything you want....

Today I want Suzie Townsend to be my agent, so you'll see my pitch for Shelley Watter's contest below. (You can still sign up).

Pitch 1: Bridget & Laurent are fated, but she's charmed by the demon controlling the fire that will devour her love; a secret Laurent knows but won't tell.

Pitch 2: Bridget must rid herself of a charming demon in order to save her boy next door and rekindle their passion.

Pitch 3: If Bridget doesn't rid herself of a demon, the love of her life will be devoured by a mystical fire.