*Coming soon*
Loads of giveaways and other fun things!
stay tuned. . . .
Lovely hop
Category: writing
Lovely hop
*Coming soon*
Loads of giveaways and other fun things!
stay tuned. . . .
*slap*
A few weeks ago, I got the first pass of edits back for SPEAKING OF LOVE (the soon-to-be-released, second book in my Perfect Kisses series). It’s such a fun story; I’m so totally crazy in love with the characters and I can’t wait to send her out into the world.
Before that, however, I’d sent my rough draft to my critique partner. Who is fab and brill and dons a editing pen of fire and brimstone. She had kiiiiind of an issue with one of my characters, who had tendencies that my crit partner (ha-ha) did not care for. In fact, there were many comment bubbles that said things like: “I want to slap her.”
Fair enough.
As her notes on my manuscript progressed, instead of explaining what she didn’t like, she simply wrote “slap.” (I still crack up at the memory, even as I write this.) After some soul-searching and chocolates, I completely saw her point and set out to de-slap-ify my character, then sent the rewrite to my editor. Shew!
End of the story?
No.
Because it got me to thinking…
You know those annoying characters who keep making the wrong choices and every chapter you read gets more and more frustrating? Unfortunately, many of these characters are YA chicks. (Not her, her, her, or her and many others–I LOVE me some YA!) They whine, they pout, they stomp around and never listen to anybody.
Wouldn’t it be so great if–like with my crit partner–every time one of these annoying characters did something super-annoying, you could write “slap” in the margin, and the author was forced to take out the annoying slap-worthy action?
Let me just throw an example out there: When Bella Swan sneaks out on her new vampire friends because she thinks she has a better idea than the hot vampires who have been living in the vampire world for, like, 500 years…just call out “SLAP” and blammo, Bella is listening to Edward’s advice, ditching Jacob-the-manipulator, and washing her scraggly hair.
Brilliant, no?
As soon as someone comes up with the software for this little gem, don’t worry, I’ll only claim intellectual property rights. We can split the royalties.
 |
| Dude, please close your mouth and run a brush through that hair. |
*slap*
A few weeks ago, I got the first pass of edits back for SPEAKING OF LOVE (the soon-to-be-released, second book in my Perfect Kisses series). It’s such a fun story; I’m so totally crazy in love with the characters and I can’t wait to send her out into the world.
Before that, however, I’d sent my rough draft to my critique partner. Who is fab and brill and dons a editing pen of fire and brimstone. She had kiiiiind of an issue with one of my characters, who had tendencies that my crit partner (ha-ha) did not care for. In fact, there were many comment bubbles that said things like: “I want to slap her.”
Fair enough.
As her notes on my manuscript progressed, instead of explaining what she didn’t like, she simply wrote “slap.” (I still crack up at the memory, even as I write this.) After some soul-searching and chocolates, I completely saw her point and set out to de-slap-ify my character, then sent the rewrite to my editor. Shew!
End of the story?
No.
Because it got me to thinking…
You know those annoying characters who keep making the wrong choices and every chapter you read gets more and more frustrating? Unfortunately, many of these characters are YA chicks. (Not her, her, her, or her and many others–I LOVE me some YA!) They whine, they pout, they stomp around and never listen to anybody.
Wouldn’t it be so great if–like with my crit partner–every time one of these annoying characters did something super-annoying, you could write “slap” in the margin, and the author was forced to take out the annoying slap-worthy action?
Let me just throw an example out there: When Bella Swan sneaks out on her new vampire friends because she thinks she has a better idea than the hot vampires who have been living in the vampire world for, like, 500 years…just call out “SLAP” and blammo, Bella is listening to Edward’s advice, ditching Jacob-the-manipulator, and washing her scraggly hair.
Brilliant, no?
As soon as someone comes up with the software for this little gem, don’t worry, I’ll only claim intellectual property rights. We can split the royalties.
|
| Dude, please close your mouth and run a brush through that hair. |
Music Monday
Happy Monday. And happy music.
As I’ve been working on my new story, I’ve also been doing my favorite non-writing activity: creating the playlist. I giggle inside every time I hear this song; it kicks off my Songs-Inspired-By SPEAKING OF LOVE “official soundtrack,” and is oh-so fitting.
And then I get all melancholy, because this little gem is on there too.
I can tell you’re all super-excited to read about my fun characters now, right? Weeeee!
Ah, well. Happy writing to me.
Music Monday
Happy Monday. And happy music.
As I’ve been working on my new story, I’ve also been doing my favorite non-writing activity: creating the playlist. I giggle inside every time I hear this song; it kicks off my Songs-Inspired-By SPEAKING OF LOVE “official soundtrack,” and is oh-so fitting.
And then I get all melancholy, because this little gem is on there too.
I can tell you’re all super-excited to read about my fun characters now, right? Weeeee!
Ah, well. Happy writing to me.
reliving happy news never gets old
One year ago today. . . .
I received an email from the Managing Editor of Entangled Publishing that read:
“Just to let you know, there are two of us who can’t wait to see ABBY ROAD… This is seriously the cutest story and voice ever!”
(One of those interested became my editor!)
All these months later, I can still remember how excited I was that, first, I managed to get out of the dreaded slush pile, and second, that someone in the publishing know actually liked what I’d written.
It thrills me even today to know my sweetest book will be hitting real life shelves across the country in just 75 short days. Yes, I’m counting! 🙂
reliving happy news never gets old
One year ago today. . . .
I received an email from the Managing Editor of Entangled Publishing that read:
“Just to let you know, there are two of us who can’t wait to see ABBY ROAD… This is seriously the cutest story and voice ever!”
(One of those interested became my editor!)
All these months later, I can still remember how excited I was that, first, I managed to get out of the dreaded slush pile, and second, that someone in the publishing know actually liked what I’d written.
It thrills me even today to know my sweetest book will be hitting real life shelves across the country in just 75 short days. Yes, I’m counting! 🙂
Thankful, a year later
November 30, 2011 – THE DEADLINE
Exactly one year ago, I completed my first NaNoWriMo project. (Well, it was one year ago, minus 3 days, actually, but I didn’t want to brag.) What a wonderful experience that was: creating a brand new story of 50,000 words in one month. I was petrified at the time, though energized and excited. All in all, it was major blast.
From day one, I was in love with my story (that I named “Maren’s Big Scoop”) along with the funny, big-hearted characters that played around inside my head for a solid month. Recently, I went sifting through my Facebook posts from last November, to kind of relive when I’d been writing about Maren and Patrick and all their tomfoolery. What an amazing time that was for me, and what a perfect way to prepare for my future writing projects. Of course, last November, I had no idea that I would soon be under contract to write two more stories for the fabulous Entangled Publishing’s Bliss cat-rom imprint–namely, “Playing at Love” (you remember her?) and her upcoming spin-off “Speaking of Love.” I wrote each new story in about three weeks. Without my NaNo experience, I probably wouldn’t have been able to tackle such an ambitious goal.
Color me grateful.
And what is even more thrilling is that–a year later–I am currently editing my sweet “Maren’s Big Scoop,” preparing her for submission. And, ya know what, I’m just as head-over-heels in love with my characters and story as I was a year ago. I can’t wait for the world to meet these people and follow them on their ride.
So, cheers to you, NaNo. Thank you. You almost killed me, but I am forever grateful.
And an extra cheers to all the fab writers out there who are winding down on this years’ NaNo. Congrats and let the celebrating begin!
Thankful, a year later
November 30, 2011 – THE DEADLINE
Exactly one year ago, I completed my first NaNoWriMo project. (Well, it was one year ago, minus 3 days, actually, but I didn’t want to brag.) What a wonderful experience that was: creating a brand new story of 50,000 words in one month. I was petrified at the time, though energized and excited. All in all, it was major blast.
From day one, I was in love with my story (that I named “Maren’s Big Scoop”) along with the funny, big-hearted characters that played around inside my head for a solid month. Recently, I went sifting through my Facebook posts from last November, to kind of relive when I’d been writing about Maren and Patrick and all their tomfoolery. What an amazing time that was for me, and what a perfect way to prepare for my future writing projects. Of course, last November, I had no idea that I would soon be under contract to write two more stories for the fabulous Entangled Publishing’s Bliss cat-rom imprint–namely, “Playing at Love” (you remember her?) and her upcoming spin-off “Speaking of Love.” I wrote each new story in about three weeks. Without my NaNo experience, I probably wouldn’t have been able to tackle such an ambitious goal.
Color me grateful.
And what is even more thrilling is that–a year later–I am currently editing my sweet “Maren’s Big Scoop,” preparing her for submission. And, ya know what, I’m just as head-over-heels in love with my characters and story as I was a year ago. I can’t wait for the world to meet these people and follow them on their ride.
So, cheers to you, NaNo. Thank you. You almost killed me, but I am forever grateful.
And an extra cheers to all the fab writers out there who are winding down on this years’ NaNo. Congrats and let the celebrating begin!
Ophelia London 