Ready. Set. Write!!!

Happy Monday, and welcome to another week of. . .

Ready. Set. Write!

What is that?

In the words of Jaime Morrow, it’s a summer long writing intensive with the purpose of writing, revising, planning, and keeping each other accountable. We will be sharing our goals on Mondays, keeping our posts BRIEF (2-3 lines per heading) so we can spend more time writing and less time blogging. You can sign up at any of the other host blogs (Katy, Erin, Alison, Jaime). And don't forget to hop around to encourage other participants. For more information about RSW and a link to our super fun buttons, go here.

Due to 'Action Roof', I had to skip last week (bummer!), so I'll just continue on where those goals left off.

1) Last week's goal: I'm going to try for a huge 1,000 words.

     Well, chalk that one up as done! I even hit 1,500. Plus, I've been writing on another flash story and almost finished up another beta read. 

2) This week's goal(s):

      Finish up that flash and get it posted.

      Take a last glance through my beta notes and send that off.

      Write another chapter on my WIP.

3) One phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised: (remember, I'm an MGer)

      I hated to see Grandma cry. It made my heart hurt.

4) The biggest challenge I faced this week:

      I have two WIPs in the making but have been forcing myself to concentrate on one. But lately, I've been wondering if I should concentrate on the other instead. I love both ideas, but the other one more resembles the type of book I'm going on submission with (a hint of fairy tale), where my current WIP is contemporary with just a tinge of magic (really a tiny, tiny bit). Oh, I'll finish up both in the end--but which should be first? Guess, I'll keep plugging away on the one I'm doing.

5) Something I love about my WIP: (had to come back and add this. . .can't believe I forgot it!)
     The lightening bugs. That's a central theme. Yep, I'm fascinated by them.

And what about you? How's your writing going? Have something you love about your current MS? Which little writing monster is biting on your ear lately?

Celebrate the Small Things and Grammar Friday!!!

The wonderful Vikki over at Viklit sponsors this weekly meme to help us remember that it's the small things in life, which really make the difference. Need a smile on your face? Then head on over and join in. We all could use this reminder every now and then.





This week, I'm celebrating. . .





1) Seeing my brother and his family again. Yes, this included a new roof, and the time together was more work than anything else, but it was great to have them around.

2) Our car is running again! It all of a sudden stopped starting for no apparent reason. Yesterday, my hubs finally got a chance to look over it and figured out that he had confused the computer system (he had turned off the engine to coast down hills to save gas, and it didn't like that). The poor system just needed a restart. So yay!

3) Despite my weed jungle. . . ummm. . .garden, I'm getting veggies! A few tomatoes, zucchinis, cucumbers. There's even a watermelon and some pumpkins growing in there somewhere. It's not enough to hold through a hard winter, mind you. But hey, it's producing something.

4) I finally have an idea for Elizabeth Seckman's Bella's Point Challenge. (This is a wonderful way to celebrate the release of her new book, so head on over and take a look. You won't regret it. . . really.)

That's my week. How about yours? What wonderful little things are you celebrating?


And now, it's time for. . .

This week, I'm going to regurgitate something I've already mentioned a long time ago. No, I'm not being lazy. Well, maybe a little. In truth, I was typing along and realized. . . ugh!. . .I don't know anymore. So, it's time for a recap!


What is the difference between EFFECT and AFFECT ?


Well, to figure this out, I picture an ELEPHANT and an ANT. (See, both 'e's or both 'a's. Yep, these little links help tremendously.)


Let's start with our ANT and AFFECT.

Affect can be a noun or a verb, but in most cases, it's a verb. I'm talking action (another 'a' word) like that little ant that always scampers around.

Affect means 'to influence, change or alter'. Ha! Alter is another 'a' word!


For example:

We can't loose this game! It will affect our ranking!

or

Adding sugar to the coffee affects the taste.

And as a noun? Well, that's only a case for the realm of psychology. In this case, it means the manifestation of a mood. 'The doctor described her affects as desirable.'  Unless you're delving into this area, you won't really need this.

So, let's head on over to our ELEPHANT and EFFECT.

Effect can also be a noun or a verb, but it tends toward the noun side. Yep, it doesn't like to move around a lot. Elephants are heavy, you know. 

Effect means 'the outcome or result'. Our Elephant doesn't mess around. Nope.

For example:

The effect of the explosion was mind boggling.

or

I didn't realize that swimming after a hard day's work would have such a refreshing effect on me.

The verb form of effect is a little more tricky. As a verb, effect means 'to make happen, produce or cause'. This is a very active intention, something that pushes along. 

For example:

My work directly effected the company's overall performance.

or

The principal hopes the new rules will effect student's continually improving behavior.

But in general, remember that very active ant (affect) and the extremely heavy, never can be moved elephant (effect), and you'll usually get this right.

So, what elephants have you moved lately? Ready to let a nice swim refresh your mood? Have anything happen to you this week that put a smile on your face? 

What's Up Wednesday!

Yay, it's Wednesday again!!! Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk sponsor a weekly meme with the purpose to help us writerly people keep in contact with each other and simply say 'What's Up!'


Go on over and join the fun. It doesn't take much, and you'll get a chance to catch up with some fantastically fun, wordy folks.




As for me. . .




What I've Been Reading:

Not much. I read several kids books (FLOPPY THE MYSTERY DOG by Diana Starr and Denise Bloomfield and HARRY AND THE HOT LAVA by Chris Robertson), but that was it. Books had to stay on those shelves this last week.


What I've Been Writing:

Although I didn't post my Monday's dibs for Ready.Set.Write!, I did reach my 1000 word goal + a little more. But it you ask me today what I wrote, I won't be able to tell you. The last few days left my mind a little numb (see below)


What Inspires Me:

Amazing people. I've been talking to all sorts of neighbors and hearing their life stories (just jawing, mind you.) Each of them has experienced some huge hurdles or surprisingly fantastic successes. Goes to show you how rich life can be, although you'd never guess it by the appearance. And each of them has a heart of gold. I find that inspiring.


What Else I've Been Up To:

The last days, the song 'Wrecking Ball' from Miley Cyrus played non-stop in my head. Action Roof was intense, especially for my brother. After finishing his day of work back at his home, him and his family of 8 piled into their car, drove 16 hours through the night, only to pile out here and jump on the roof for another 9 hours of work. The man is a work machine. Period.

And it stayed that intense for 5 whole days.

I felt really sorry for my brother up on that roof in 95 degrees at about the same humidity, pushing 12 hour days (he felt sorry too, I'm sure). And my two teens exchanged places constantly to be up there helping him. Seriously, my kids are amazing. (yes, they had ropes and all safety devices) My sister-in-law ran between kids and work like a chicken with her head cut off. My husband helped where ever he could (usually cutting pieces).

The result: a beautiful roof, tons of cuts and sunburns, kids who had the time of their life and adults ready to collapse.

It was great.

And what about you? What's up in your world?

Soulless by Crystal Collier Cover Reveal

Have you met the Soulless and Passionate? In the world of 1770 where supernatural beings mix with humanity, Alexia is playing a deadly game.

SOULLESS, Book 2 in the Maiden of Time trilogy

Alexia manipulated time to save the man of her dreams, and lost her best friend to red-eyed wraiths. Still grieving, she struggles to reconcile her loss with what was gained: her impending marriage. But when her wedding is destroyed by the Soulless—who then steal the only protection her people have—she's forced to unleash her true power.

And risk losing everything.

What people are saying about this series: 

"With a completely unique plot that keeps you guessing and interested, it brings you close to the characters, sympathizing with them and understanding their trials and tribulations." --SC, Amazon reviewer

"It's clean, classy and supernaturally packed with suspense, longing, intrigue and magic." --Jill Jennings, TX

"SWOON." --Sherlyn, Mermaid with a Book Reviewer

Crystal Collier is a young adult author who pens dark fantasy, historical, and romance hybrids. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend†(a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

COMING October 13, 2014

PREORDER your print copy

or 

Sign up for Crystal Collier's newsletter to receive release news and freebies.

Ready. Set. Write! Update. . .

Happy Monday, and welcome to another week of. . .

Ready. Set. Write!

What is that?

In the words of Jaime Morrow, it’s a summer long writing intensive with the purpose of writing, revising, planning, and keeping each other accountable. We will be sharing our goals on Mondays, keeping our posts BRIEF (2-3 lines per heading) so we can spend more time writing and less time blogging. You can sign up at any of the other host blogs (Katy, Erin, Alison, Jaime) every Monday. And don't forget to hop around to encourage other participants. For more information about RSW and a link to our super fun buttons, go here.



How I did on last week's goals:

I was shooting for 5,000 words and ended up with a meager 1,000 or so. BUT I did receive a surprise beta read of over 300 pages and did get that done and back. So I'm still happy.


My Goal(s) for this week:

*sigh* I'm going to try for a huge 1,000 words, but with me (yes, me) having to tear off our old roof so my brother can come and put on a new one Thursday (seriously, the things we have to do!), it will be hard to get much writing done. Especially, since he's bringing his family of 8 with him. Oh, I'm looking forward to it; don't get me wrong. But it will keep me busy! Recipes anyone?


One Phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised:

Tidbits here. Tidbits there. Am I getting anywhere?


The biggest challenge I faced this week:

The same one that I'll face this coming week. The same one I faced last week. Maybe I'll just make it my summer's motto. I need more time.


Something I love about my VIP:

The sense of adventure. It's about three kids who try to find a treasure to save a grandma's farm (a contemporary (more or less)). Having them sneak through the woods in search of 'clues' makes me want to go out there and play in the trees and creek too.



And how was your writing week?

Celebrate the Small Things Quick

It's time again for Vikki (over at Viklit's) wonderful weekly meme, Celebrate the Small Things! And isn't the firework gorgeous?

Today, my family is celebrating it's first 4th of July in the U.S. YAY!!!! So without further adieu, I'm just going to wish the rest of you a Happy Fourth of July too!

Ready. Set. Write!

I'm late for this. I know. And I was SO looking forward to jumping right in, but my stupid computer had other ideas. (Silly thing.) Right now, it's week 4 of this fantastic summer writing group!

Ready. Set. WRITE! 


So, what is Ready. Set. WRITE! ? Well, it’s a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, and Jaime Morrow.

Thanks you, girls!!!



Every Monday, we. . .

1.  Tell if we met last week's goals

2.  Set our goal(s) for this week

3. Share a favorite line from our story OR one word/phrase that sums up what we wrote/revised

4.  Mention the biggest challenge we faced this week (ex. finding time to write)

5.  Let the world know something we love about our WiP

Since this is my first week, I'm going to have to skip #1.

2)  5,000 more words to my WIP. Hopefully, more, but I'm trying to stay realistic.

3)  Meg glanced over at her little brother kneeling next to her on the window bench--one little push, that’s all it’d take, and he’d crash to the floor.

4)  Finding time to write. Definitely.

5) I'm in the beginning. The whole world is waiting to open up (although I have it all plotted out and know where it's going), and that's exciting.


And that's it! So what about you? Where's your writing at?

Celebrate the Small Things and Grammar Friday!

Yay! It's that time of week again! What time of week? The time when we are reminded by Vikki over at Viklit that it's the small things in life which really count. So, stop. Think back at all those tiny (or not so tiny) things this week, which simply made you smile.


I'm celebrating:


1) My computer works again!!! I was dragging my feet about buying a new one, and I'm so glad I did. The other night, my son sat down and figured out what was wrong with my laptop. And he fixed it. *happy dance*


2) Our first cutting (hay) is done and our hay barn is 1/3 full of big rounds (bales).  I thought it would be a great moment to make a new banner for FB + twitter (mine are always so boring). So my daughter grabbed a huge arm full of books, and we went photo shooting. Lol! I'm just glad my daughter didn't take a picture while I was jumping up onto the bale (so embarrassing.)

3) Fireflies are out.  We didn't have these where I grew up in Denver, and I was always so fascinated when we visited my grandparents (south of St. Louis) to find these amazing bugs flying around. I love sitting outside in the evening and watching them blink over the field.

***************

Then, I want to mention that an awesome author personage I know--Donna Fasano--is having a Bye-Buy June sale on her book MOUNTAIN LAUREL over on Amazon for $0.99.

******************

And now, it's time for another. . .

This week, since my brain is still fried from the loss of my computer (Yes, this was an emotional tragedy!), I'm going to hit something a little more simple and fun!


The last four weeks of Grammar Friday have covered semi-colons. And most of you should know by now that I'm quite the comma freak.

But why? Is punctuation really that important?

YES!!! GOSH, YES!!!  (Yes, I had to scream)

Here's a little joke I found, which really shows just how important punctuation is (and then I'll let your brains rest and soak some summer sun before I hit an awesome punctuation rule next week. Sound good?)



An English professor wrote a sentence on the board and asked the class to add the correct punctuation.

A woman without her man is nothing.

The males in the class wrote:

A woman, without her man, is nothing.

 

The females in the class wrote:

A woman: without her, man is nothing.

Interesting?


Anyway, what wonderful things are you celebrating this week? Did you get to enjoy a writing frenzy? What bugs/insects do you like? Have any great sentence examples where the punctuation makes a huge difference?

Celebrate the Small Things and Grammar Friday!

The super Vikki over at Viklit sponsors this weekly meme to help us remember that it's the small things in life that really make the difference. Head on over and sign up. Hop around because it's really a lot of fun. And who doesn't need that extra smile?

This week, I'm celebrating:


1) My cows finally seem to be on the mend from their bout of pink-eye. Yippee! I honestly was beginning to wonder if I was going to end up with a blind herd, but it looks like my girls (and pair of boys) are going to be able to see. (Let's not talk about the amount of herding, medication and care it took to get this far.)

2) Our swimming pool is up and running, so the kids will have some splash-time fun! My adoptive kids  (that's what I'm calling our neighbor boys now with a little sarcasm) joined my bunch yesterday evening for a full-swing pool blast.

3) Little green tomatoes are on my tomato plants. Will they make it all the way? We'll see. I'm hoping to have bushels of those delicious fruits/vegetables (I'm keeping this politically correct so as not to offend those tomatos) by the end of this summer.

4) My daughter has tons of fun picking wildflowers, so I have a small bouquet on my dining room table every meal. That's probably the best thing of all. I love having the pretty colors there.


I'm smiling now. And if you're not, close your eyes and think of those small things which really are wonderful in your own life. Feel the corners of your lips edging up? Good!

'Cause now it's time for another. . .

Okay, mates! We've covered three rules for those awesome semicolons the last three weeks, but we aren't done yet. There's one more. Yep, those semicolons are feisty little things. . .ummm. . .actually, they're not. Or are they?

ANYWAY. . .

This week's rule is:

A semicolon can be used between two independent clauses joined by a connecting word (such as and, but, or, etc.) when one or more commas appear in the first clause.


Okay, I honestly don't find this rule that much different than the first one (Semicolon to combine two independent clauses. . .here, if you've forgotten.) But it definitely helps to keep a clean house...uh...I mean sentence.

Example:

When I finish cleaning the floors, which should only take an hour, I'll sew the missing button on your shirt; and I promise to have it done by this evening. 

Looks a bit complicated, huh? Personally, I usually just drop that second independent clause into a sentence of it's own (it is independent), but sometimes, you might have the feeling that these two clauses just have to stick together; and this is how it can be done.

*takes a deep breath* You know those writing contests where you're only allowed to enter one sentence from your entire manuscript for judging, and you just have to get another sentence in to maintain some sort of sense? Well, this semicolon rule might be your saving grace!


So, what wonderful things have happened to you this last week? Remember something you've totally forgotten about? How long can you make one sentence? Have any favorite wildflowers?

What's Up Wednesday and IWSG

The wonderful Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk sponsor this weekly meme to help us writerly people keep up with each other. Head on over and sign up. Believe it or not, it's a lot of fun.

What I'm Reading:

I wish I could say a lot. My pile is high, but I can't seem to get to anything outside the normal craziness of life this week.

What I'm Writing:

I got a chance to sit down with my younger daughter and tell her my latest MS story from beginning to end (of course, in simplified form), but this is always a milestone for me. When I can do this, it means that the story finally flows all the way through. In other words, it can be written from beginning to end. Time to hit those pages.

As for the rest of my writing life, see below.

What's Inspiring Me Right Now:

Honestly, at the moment, I can't say I feel horribly inspired. Things are going so crazy chaotic that I'm not even sure my head is sitting on my shoulders straight.

What Else I've Been Up To:

Farm life has me on my toes. Weeds are taking over my garden (yes, I'm fighting!), my goats are still battling that cold (although I think we're finally over the worst of it), and three of my calves have pink eye. I'm also getting a ton of visits from the 'local' farmer kids, who seem to enjoy hanging out with us. They're amazed that I bake cookies, we sit down together as a family for meal times and that us adults are willing to mess around with them and talk to them like normal human beings. Makes me really feel sad for their family life. Some of you might remember my goal of someday having a type of ranch for kids who simply need to get away? Well, I was joking with my husband that it's already happening in an odd sort of way - - definitely not the direction we were hoping to head in.

I'm really hoping to get a few quite, writing days in soon.

And now, it's time for the terrific brain-child of Alex J. Cavanaugh! 

This is a super-fantastic chance for us writers to get the support we need and give it to others. Yep, writing is a tolling journey and even us writers need a little love and care every now and then. Thanks, Alex!


This month I have a motto - everything in it's time.

If you happened to see Monday's post, then you already know my news: an agent has taken on one of my manuscripts. YAY!

But did it happen right away? Was it easy? The answer: no.  And the truth, this is also just another step up the long publication ladder - but I'm still celebrating it. I even went out to Dairy Queen for an ice cream. Lol! Yep, I live it up.

The idea for this story hit me over two years ago while pulling weeds in my garden. It took another half a year to get it worked out in my head. When I sat down, it poured out onto the paper within four weeks. Then I made a HUGE mistake. I let that little screaming, impatient man get the best of me and sent it out into the query trenches way too early. I got requests but they all came back with rejections saying the same thing.-- 'writing needs work'.

So I listened and headed back in for edits and revisions, added another 10,000 words to it and entered the first pages into a few contests.  See, lots of revisions, edits. . .not quick and easy. Writing takes time, a lot of it.

When I finally sent it out again, more requests rolled in. But that's when my 'real' life started turning upside-down. My hubs' company announced it would be down-sizing. . .sometime. . .probably. *sigh* They continued to say this repeatedly for a year before it happened. I did several more edits, but it took forever as in months and months. Then, one of the requesting agents said she was interested. Yippee! She wanted some changes on the first chapter first, which I did. She loved them and was going to take me on when. . .Presto!. . .she changed positions in the agency. The new children's book agent was unfortunately more interested in contemporary. They offered to review another manuscript I was working on when it was completed, but I was so caught up in preparing for our move half-way across the world, that I simply didn't have time to get it buffed up for them.

Life got hectic, and I laid my writing aside. Game over? No way!  Because that's when it happened.

Do you love your CP? Well, you should! They are the most valuable companions a writer could ever have.

While I was stranded on an internet-less farm in Nebraska, fighting to keep at least a small connection through occasional visits to McDonalds (they were one of the only places with a solid and free connection), it happened. I logged onto twitter and saw that only 20 mins. before, my CP had recommend my MS to an agent. Seriously, what are the chances that this would happen? I was amazed. And on top of it all, the agent wanted me to query her! So I scrambled like an idiot to get my stuff together and sent off some sort of half-decent query. (Two trips to McD's that day - oh, and it was over a 30 mile drive away from the farm. Talking about burning gas!)

The agent loved it and suggested some revisions. And it took off from there. Three rounds of revisions, the story is amazing (I love it!) and the agent offered representation.

So, see. It happens when it's supposed to happen. No matter how impossible it might seem or the situation is (seriously, I wasn't even looking for an agent at that time), when the time comes, it will happen.

Lol! Just don't let that stupid, tiny impatient man get the over-hand on you like he did on me. It's definitely not worth it.