Face Time: At the Grille

Okay, so, I apologize for the dead air that has been filling my blog--I hope you all have been busy too. I'm going on a trip soon, so it's only going to get worse before it gets better. But, bear with me; I have been having fun experimenting with different types of writing an collaborating that I will share with you--all in due time!

A few nights ago, Kris put together a fabulous kidlit night out at the Westford Grille, and I was so excited to hang out with other writers! Martha, Nandini and I hopped into my SUV, and we braved all sorts of back, rural, dark New England roads (we waved at Walden Pond) until we came out into the dubious civilization of Westford.

We talked libraries and writing, and commiserated over how long this process takes, especially with family and life and all that good stuff thrown in. I really enjoyed talking with everyone--old friends and new.

Me, with Lynda Mullaly Hunt and Jeanne Munn Bracken

Sometimes candids don't pan out. You can see Nandini way over to the left, Marissa Doyle in light grey, Natasha in pink,  Lynda in blue, and forgive me, other wonderful writers, but I didn't remember your names. I was sitting at the other table!

Martha, Deborah Kops, and Kris

Then, we hopped into my car to drive home, and realized (thanks, helpful random guys who tapped on my window!) that one of my tires was almost flat.

How many writers does it take to put air in a tire??

Nandini got advice on the phone from her hubby, Martha donated the quarters, 

and I aimed the air gun.

Martha and I posing for Nandini.

Miraculously, the tire held air all the way home. With no help from me. I discovered the tire's air valve cover IN MY POCKET once I got home. Evidently we needed one more writer to screw on the cap. :)

Thanks to all the lovely writers who came together the other night--and thanks Kris for setting it all into motion!! This kind of face time fuels my writing for a good long time. I came home inspired!

What face time have you had with other writers recently? How are you faring this winter? Any tire fiascoes adding color to your life?

Tuesday Monday Meeting: Face Time

Good morning all!

I am am blogging less and writing and working out more. I'm hoping that once things shake out, I'll be able to do it all. Isn't that the hope? Or maybe that is the hype. I don't know.

I wanted to talk a bit about collaborations and interactions with other writers, and what that can look like. I know it's tempting to sit in a room with a cat, and just type away in solitude, but right now, with the help of a few friends (isn't that always the way?!) I am exploring some of the ways that we can all be connected through the desire to grow as writers. I was planning on placing this discussion on the blog on Wednesdays, but I'm morphing it with my Monday Meeting check in this week.

Because I want to know where you are with your search for co-workers. For Betas, for crit partners, for support. Are you seeking? Are you blogging? Are you most comfortable with solitary writing? What was your idea (when you started) about writing partners and such? Have your views changed as you've immersed yourself in this blogging world? Tell me where you are coming from so I can inform my discussion for Wednesday.

This week I am writing and revising and writing and shoveling snow and critting and starting this discussion of what collaboration writing style looks like. I'm calling the discussion Face Time, since that is what I love--face time with other writers.

And, in the spirit of new beginnings:

Tuesday Monday Meeting, Bouncing off Clouds

Happy Tuesday everyone!

This week I'm learning if I can actually juggle revisions with drafting projects. How do you guys divide your time with writing? I admit that I really do get tunnel vision, which is probably good. But it makes it hard to work on more than on thing at a time.

But, I'm really enjoying where I am in my revisions, and continuing to plug ahead. So, my goals are to  work on more than one project this week. And, in celebration of all the snow we've gotten, and the snow that is supposed to arrive each and every day this week, here is a beautiful folksy song by Dar Williams--February.



And, in case you need something a little more upbeat to start your day, here's Tori Amos, Bouncing off Clouds.



See what she does with the piano there? That's how I'm playing my Works-In-Progress today. Simultaneously. How's your writing week going? Do you have goals? Lay 'em on me!

Friday Feature: Journeys Toward Publication and Beyond: S. Kyle Davis

Welcome everyone! Thanks for trudging through the snow today to make it to my blog. Feel free to dump your snow gear at the door, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and make yourselves at home. And give a warm welcome to S. Kyle Davis.

I have had the pleasure of reading Kyle's current manuscript, and I'm extremely impressed, not only for the fast pace of action and engaging characters, but for his ability to revise. He does a beautiful job. And I'm beginning to think that is the key to it all! He has a ton of wonderful things going on at his blog, so go over and check him out. In fact, today, he'll be tearing apart my query, redline style. Isn't that fun?! He has a very professional website as well. Make sure to head over and check them out!

Kyle, thanks so much for being here!

Thanks, Heather for the opportunity! This is fun!

So, Kyle, tell us a little about yourself.

First and foremost, I'm a husband to my biggest supporter, Wendy. I'm also Dada to Finley and Rowynn. I'm a Christian. I'm a graphics designer. I'm a technical expert. I'm an armchair literary scholar with an MA in English. I'm a foracious "reader" who listens to audiobooks instead of reading them (because of my dyslexia and ADHD). I'm an author.

You wear a lot of hats, Kyle. What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on a YA Fantasy Thriller called BLACKBIRD. It's part fantasy, part spy novel, and part cyber punk fun. Sort of Artemis Fowl for the older paranormal/urban fantasy reader.

That's a great description Kyle. And I have to say, that I love BLACKBIRD. What made you start to write seriously?

Well, I actually came at writing first as a musician. I was a songwriter, and loved writing the lyrics to the songs most of all (even if they were really confusing). Lyrics morphed into poetry, which morphed into screenwriting, which morphed into novel writing. When I started working on BLACKBIRD (though with a different title back then), I knew I was on to something good, and started thinking seriously of seeking publication.

You've done a bit of everything. I think that is an excellent idea for a writer. Kyle, what stage are you in, currently, in your journey toward publication? And--how is that going for you? Has anything surprised you about this stage?

I finished my first draft in January of 2009. I'd "revised" as I went, and knew I didn't need to do much to it before I'd get representation requests piling in. Sure, it was a little long, but hey.

The truth? I needed to do a LOT to it. Like a LOT LOT LOT. Oh, and it wasn't a little long. It was 202,000 freaking words!!! That's like... nearly three books! If only I could chop it up!

Finally, I realized how much work I really needed to do on it, and that it wasn't ready. I stopped sending queries out and focused on perfecting my book. So, I'm back in the revising stage and hoping that I'll be "really" ready this time. My goal is to be done before DFWcon in late February. It's going well, but I didn't have any real idea just how much work (read: PLANNING) goes into making a book publication ready.

That is a realization I've come to as well. It's a ton of work! Now, if you had to pick one favorite blog, what would it be?

Yours, DUH! Well, other than the obvious suck-up answer, I'll say Holly Blodger's blog. It's a great resource for writers, and she's always putting up writer's craft tips that I find extremely helpful.

Very cool. And thanks for the sweet sucking up. That gets you many points. :) What is a favorite blog post that you have written?

Well, I have two series (serieses? seri?) I'm pretty proud of, one called "Becoming a Slush Pile Hero" and the other called "Writing that Stellar Novel." People can find them on the right side of my blog. Probably my favorite post, though, is the first one from the "Stellar Novel" series. It's called "The Balancing Act," and it talks about the importance of balancing all the main plot elements in a novel (action, drama, suspence, humor, and romance). I believe that successful commercial fiction should have a balance of most--if not all--of these elements.

What online resource have you found most helpful?

Casey McCormick's Literary Rambles blog, definitely. Her "Agent Spotlight" series is awesome. If you write kidlit, you should follow it. Go do it. Now.

I agree. Casey's blog is wonderful. Kyle, tell us about your biggest trial in writing?

Knowing when it's done. I read it. I think I like it. Turns out it sucks. I fix it. I read it. I like it. Turns out it sucks, but a little less than last time. It's a bit of an endless cycle.

Oh, that hits a chord. So, what tricks have you acquired to make you write or create when you don't feel up to writing?

Have a reserve novel. One without a deadline. Maybe even one you don't plan on ever publishing. Something for you. Something fun. Work on that when you need a break.

Kyle, I love that advice! Do you have a writing schedule? Are you an everyday writer?

I try to write every weekday from 7 to 8 in the morning. Then, I get ready and go to work. Having a routine like that helps keep me motivated and keeps the novel fresh in my mind, without having so much writing in a day that I get burned out.

That's a great system. Tell us about a book that has impacted your writing life.

This is kind of a lame answer, but I think every book impacts my writing life in a different way, because I always search for that one thing the author does really well. Some writers find themselves picking apart novels, finding all the things they'd do differently. This is my way of combating that, and it helps, because there's always something awesome about every one. Take M.T. Anderson. LOVE his voice writing. Some of the best prose in YA in recent history, and Anderson himself is so transparent. The main character comes through without Anderson coloring it. It's incredible. There are things I don't like about Anderson's books, but that's one thing I love, love, love. I try to find that in each novel I read.

What is your practical goal with your writing? Do you have a reach-for-the-stars goal that you would like to share?

I "just" want to be published by a major publishing house (can you say "just" to a statement like that?). Sure, I'd love to be a bestseller with a six-figure advance. I wouldn't say no to that. I'm not crazy. But I think traditional publication is an attainable goal for me if I work at it. I sometimes get lazy in my craft and need great beta readers (like you, Heather) to kick me in the butt, but if I work at it, I think (hope... pray...) I will get there.

I'm always happy to kick butt. You'll get there. :) Kyle, so far, what has been the best part of your writing experience?

The best is the writing itself. Writing is just fun. If it's not fun, why write? There are a lot better things to do with your time. Other than that, I've enjoyed meeting all the cool people. Like you. ;-)

Aww, sweet! Thanks Kyle. I feel the same way. If you could create the perfect place for you to write in, what would it look like?

Probably like any one of these.

Oh, me too! That closet is too cute.

If you could be a character in a book, and live within their world, what character would you be?

I don't think I'd want to "be" another character. I guess I'm too narcissistic for that! Ha! As far as world, though, I'd have to go with Harry Potter. I'd love to be a wizard and go to Hogwarts (or the US equivalent). Or my own world from BLACKBIRD. I don't know that I'd want to go to spy school like Taylor, but I think I'd enjoy studying magical theoretics at Salem Prep.

What other distractions are in your life?

Well, my wife and kids aren't "distractions," per se, but they're the thing I spend most of my time on. I love them all to death, and they make writing worth it.

I love that Kyle! And, just because I'm curious, coffee or tea?

Coffee with two hazelnut creamers and a packet of hot cocoa (the "add water" variety, not the "add milk" variety so the water in the coffee will blend with the powdered milk). It's a recipe I do every morning with my Eeyore mug (reads: "Good Morning. If it is a good morning... which I doubt.").

I love adding hot cocoa to my coffee as well!  Thanks Kyle. It's really great to get to know you!

Thanks again, Heather!

So, everyone, give Kyle a bit of love here in the comments. He'll stop by to answer questions. And then make sure to go visit his blog, and check out all the wonderful features. 

And, please feel free to crit my query over there. I'm trying a new version--you'll have to let me know which parts work. Thanks, everyone!

The Cat Ate My Manuscript

Things My Cat Ate Today:

1. A sticker. Cowgirl had given me a kitten sticker, and I had stuck it on my laptop. I thought it was cute that Pip the kitten was playing with the kitten sticker (you know, instead of playing with MY KEYBOARD). And then she ATE it.

2. The bottom of the treat bag. My sister-in-law had sweetly gotten some kitty treats for all the cats. Pip wasn't into sharing. She ate the bottom of the bag, and then ate all the treats.

3. A piece of glittery boa. For the love of Pete.

4. Old Grey Cat's food.

Growling to scare away Old Grey Cat.

She then dug the can out of the recycling to finish it off.

Poor OGC. I had to sequester her and her food so that she could eat.

5. The corner of the book I was reading. !!!!

6. Various pieces of mail on the counter.

7. And the pièce de résistance? My revisions. Pip tore them to shreds:

Literally. What a menace. I hope your crit partners are more kind. 

Right now, Pip is definitely cutest when she sleeps:

Evidently, my animals are more like small children right now. Have any menaces to share?

Stop by tomorrow for a fabulous Friday Feature with S. Kyle Davis!