By Cam
I have to admit I’m not a good short story writer. I think this is because I’m naturally long-winded. I mean, have you seen my previous posts? I’m not ashamed to admit I’m a talker. But where short stories are involved, I wish I could tell a complete story in so few words.
Like these ladies: Merry Sisters of Fate–comprised of Maggie Stiefvater, Brenna Yovanoff, and Tessa Gratton. Even though these authors are published and soon-to-be-published, they still find the time (and inspiration) to post weekly short stories. That ROCK.
Here are a few examples of my favorite MSoF short stories:
Rain Maker by Maggie Stiefvater — Dystopian goodness!
All Fall Down by Brenna Yovanoff — If you like zombies, this one’s for you!
Mad Signs by Tessa Gratton — Creepy fairies!
The MSoF are running a contest right now to celebrate their upcoming New Orleans trip where they’ll run into other authors (like Jackson Pearce and Carrie Ryan). You should check out their contest. And I have no doubt shenanigans and other mayhem will transpire, but will New Orleans be able to hold all that awesome writer mojo in one single weekend?
By Cam
Over on Sarah Wylie’s blog, she’s running a contest to celebrate the sale of her YA debut, ALL THESE LIVES to FSG in 2012. She’s giving away a lot of REALLY COOL AND AMAZINGLY AWESOME prizes. Like a 30-page MS critique by her agent, Suzie Townsend. Or a query letter critique by Agent Phenoms Colleen Lindsay, Kathleen Ortiz, and Joanna Stampfel-Volpe. Oh yeah. And a lunch with THE JANET REID and SUZIE TOWNSEND in NYC (sadly the travel expenses are not included). But this contest is made of so much WIN, that I had to share and say a big fat CONGRATS to Sarah and her sale!
By Cam
Wanted to share this with you guys since it’s an awesome opportunity for feedback for whoever wins–
Dear-Editor.com is celebrating its one-month anniversary by giving away a free edit of one YA or MG manuscript (not line-by-line edits but more general feedback about pacing, organization, voice, plot development, POV, etc.).
The site is a Dear Abby-like blog run by a former children’s publishing editor (10 years at Harcourt Children’s Books) and YA author, Deborah Halverson.
It’s a lottery-style giveaway and you can get additional entries by spreading the word or signing up for the newsletter (the rules are emailed to you when you comment on the blog).
The deadline is midnight 4/14.
Good luck for anyone entering!
By Cam
I am seriously considering getting inked.
Maybe something like this:
Because it’s the coolest feeling to stamp THE END on something you loved writing. I’m proud of my first-draft LIFE AFTER SEND baby.
Ending first draft count: 83K
By Cam
This is monumental, you guys. I anticipate typing T-H-E E-N-D today. Like, for reals. I’m at 78K and will most likely be a tad over 80K after I get my writing in for the day. And that means next week, I’ll dive into revisions. Let me rephrase. I’m going to start REVISIONS. I’m so freaking excited I can’t stand myself right now.
This is me excited: @#*&*?$%^$!=?*&#.
Why am I so excited to start revising? Because this will be a first for me. I’ve never (and I’m totally embarrassed to admit this) EVER done a second draft before. I’m a chronic first-draft heart-breaker.
Here’s how my story relationships usually go down:
Day One:
Me: I <333333 YOU SHINY NEW IDEA!!!!! I CAN’T WAIT TO WRITE YOU!!! Wanna go steady? Like, right now? You + Me = 4EVAH.
Shiny New Idea: Duh, silly! I <3 you too! I’ve been trying to get your attention, for like, WEEKS! Took you long enough to notice my shinyness.
Week Two:
Me: I don’t understand what happened between us. The spark…I mean, things were going so fast. So deliciously fast. And now…well, you’re just so weird sometimes. I don’t get you anymore. You’ve changed, Shiny New Idea.
Shiny New Idea: What do you mean??? This has always been me. Maybe YOU’VE changed. Have you thought about that?
One Month Later:
Me: Um…so I’ve been meaning to talk to you…this “thing” between us? Yeah, I’m not so sure it’s working out. The chemistry…I don’t think it’s there anymore.
Not So Shiny New Idea: But…but…you’re right. It WAS me. I changed. A little. But I didn’t think you’d notice. I’ll go back to how it was. I’ll be shiny again. PROMISE. Just…just…give me another chance. PLEEEEEASE.
Me: I’ll think about it.
One Month + One Day Later:
Me: Okay…one more week. ONE.
Not So Shiny New Idea: You won’t regret this. Pinky swear.
One Month + One Week Later:
Me: Sooooooo. It’s been a week. And…it just wasn’t as good for me as I thought it would be. You’ll always have a place in my heart, Not So Shiny New Idea. But I really think we should take a break. Like, the permanent kind. I might even *gasp* move you into my No-Go First Draft folder.
Not So Shiny New Idea: Wh-wh-what???????????? I’ll change again. I just need a little more time. Just give me—
Me: Sorry, Not So Shiny New Idea. But there’s someone else.
So you see, my first draft relationships have been kind of flat. But not so with NOT THAT GIRL LIFE AFTER SEND (oops, I keep forgetting I had to change the title because of a title snafu that made me think I might as well nip that in the butt from the get-go, know what I mean?). Because LIFE AFTER SEND is my loverly. I <3 it. A lot. And my fellow YAFFers seem to like it, too. I’m working with my mentor on the synopsis right now. I do not like the synopsis. I now realize why everyone calls it sucknopsis. Because it does. Suck.
I’ll post tomorrow…hopefully with the news that I finished LIFE AFTER SEND.
Cambria Dillon - YA Writer
