tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72022746594363176342024-03-16T03:08:51.530-04:00YAtopiaThe YA, NA & MG Lit HavenSM Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.comBlogger969125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-88653335309846985722019-08-27T16:50:00.003-04:002019-08-27T16:50:38.999-04:00Overdue farewellAll good things must come to an end, or so the saying goes.<br />
<br />
After many years, Sarah and I made the decision to shut the blog down after it lost a bit of momentum. This farewell post is long overdue.<br />
<br />
On behalf of Sarah and myself, thank you to the original YAtopian team and to those who joined our little band of merry bloggers here after. And thank you to everyone who were followers of the blog. We did have a great run.<br />
<br />
May your TBR pile be large, and may your YA reads be awesome!<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>SM Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-60891533020529293402018-05-30T20:44:00.001-04:002018-05-30T20:48:22.996-04:00GUESTOPIA: YA Debut Author, Kit Mallory<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b>It’s Guestopia time again! Today, I am delighted to introduce
you to an awfully talented young person whose words you should absolutely read. Immediately. Please meet... </b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">KIT MALLORY</span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAXpeuXTVnep4dJf2UMnE3WfF_gwl1C48PdSb5PvthfBlpQ40wUop460aPluYXGnO90rV0g1DVPnWDjTiZX4rYuqNfeZpWF1XN0j20b8N9fBgtR2mZi0enFiKxMVNnNxsCwtOiMAVrcpc/s1600/kit+m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="322" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAXpeuXTVnep4dJf2UMnE3WfF_gwl1C48PdSb5PvthfBlpQ40wUop460aPluYXGnO90rV0g1DVPnWDjTiZX4rYuqNfeZpWF1XN0j20b8N9fBgtR2mZi0enFiKxMVNnNxsCwtOiMAVrcpc/s320/kit+m.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Kit is a YA author living in Devon, UK. She writes speculative
fiction about underdogs, kickass girls who love other girls, and mental health.
Her first novel, BLACKOUT, was shortlisted for the 2016 Mslexia Children's
Novel Competition and longlisted for the 2016 Bath Children's Novel Award. She
has a secret alter ego who works as a mental health nurse, and was almost
certainly a mermaid in a former life.</span></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b>Awesome! Right, let’s get straight down to business... </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Is this your first published book? </span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Yes! Which is both
incredibly exciting and kind of terrifying.<b> </b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What’s it called? </span></b></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Blackout<b>.</b></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>Which genre? </b></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It’s YA speculative
fiction; technically dystopian, but in a very near future, close-to-home sort
of way.<b></b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Which age group? </span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">14 up, I’d say.<b></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Is it a series or standalone? </span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">At the moment it’s
looking like a duology – I’m working on the sequel right now.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Are you an agented author? </span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Nope!<b></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Which publisher snapped up your book? </span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It’s indie published.<b></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How involved have you been in the whole publishing
process of your book? </span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Very, since I’m an indie
author (and my goodness has that been a massive learning curve!).<b></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Do you have another job?</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> </span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Yes! I’m a mental health
nurse who specialises in cognitive behavioural therapy. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><b></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Did you receive many, if any, rejections prior? </span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Yes, quite a few. I got a
lot of really positive – even glowing – feedback from agents, as well as making
it to the shortlist of the 2016 Mslexia Children’s Novel Competition, but
ultimately got a lot of feedback about it not being right for where the market
was at the time. I still believed in my characters and my writing, though – and
in fact the feedback I was getting gave me the confidence to believe that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blackout</i> was worth sticking with. I also
believe very strongly that LGBTQ teens and teens with mental health problems
really need to see themselves represented in more and better ways in YA
fiction, and ultimately getting my story into the hands of those readers was the
most important thing to me, so I decided to release it myself.<b></b></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What created/what were you doing or watching when
the first idea for this book sneaked up on you</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">? </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It was 2012 and at the time I lived up in York (in
the north of England, for those abroad!) – and what came into my head was a
story about a girl who lived in a cellar and who was furious at the world and
everything around her. That girl turned out to be Skyler, and I knew very early
on that hers was a story I wanted to tell. The original inspiration for the
setting and the concept of the Wall came from the Berlin Wall, which I’ve
always been fascinated by, the concept of the UK’s north/south divide, and a long-held
wondering about what might happen when fossil fuels start running out.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How long did you plot/plan until you started
writing it? </span></b><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I didn’t! I’m very much a
pantser, and I always start with the characters first – I think once you know
your characters well enough to know how they’ll respond in any given situation,
the story starts to unfold naturally. I prefer to work that way rather than
trying to force the characters to behave in a way that fits the plot. It feels
like going on an adventure with them, and I love that.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Once you started, did the story flow naturally or
did you have to step in and wrestle it into submission? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It flowed to a point, and
then it got to a point plot-wise where I had to sit down and really think about
the logistics of what was going to happen next. The point where I tend to get
stuck is the point at which I realise I’ve written my characters into a
predicament I might not be clever enough to get them out of…</span><br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b>How many drafts did you write before you let someone read it? Who was that
someone? </b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">When I was writing the
first draft I shared snippets with a friend who was also drafting a novel. It
took a good couple of years before I was brave enough to show another friend
the whole thing!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Did you employ an editor/proofreader or did you
have a critique partner/beta readers before you started querying?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I have been incredibly
lucky in having a whole bunch of amazing critique partners and beta readers who
gave me feedback on various drafts of the manuscript. I was also part of an
author’s collective to whom I owe an awful lot of credit for helping me develop
as a writer. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blackout</i> wouldn’t be the
book it is – and I wouldn’t be the writer I am today – without the help of my
incredible friends and CPs.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Roughly how many drafts did it take before you sent
the manuscript off into the real world? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">At a rough estimate, approximately
twenty million.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How many drafts until it was published?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Forty million? I was
still doing edits even after I got the first proof copy through! That might
have been the biggest learning curve of all, actually – learning to let go once
and for all.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Has the book changed dramatically since the first
draft?</span></b><br />
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Oh, God, yes. The main bones of the plot haven’t
really changed, but the detail and nuance have changed a LOT. And I basically
learned how to write as I was writing it, so in terms of the actual writing,
it’s changed a bunch. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJoQnoQxx8laGql7Ceomn3Fmr1qbYV1SbhZFPttjyX9Bxxm6lQ24vCn68raTnHHW6ev_GwKKqGJa-T9VIY8GRmI8RGxPJMgBLDktaWs83S7pBFrhgpJGHyR5fybg8HFjSUtkYp1BAZuBM/s1600/Kit+Mallory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJoQnoQxx8laGql7Ceomn3Fmr1qbYV1SbhZFPttjyX9Bxxm6lQ24vCn68raTnHHW6ev_GwKKqGJa-T9VIY8GRmI8RGxPJMgBLDktaWs83S7pBFrhgpJGHyR5fybg8HFjSUtkYp1BAZuBM/s320/Kit+Mallory.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Are there any parts you’d like to change even now?</span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I haven’t gone back and read it again since it was
published because I know as soon as I do I’ll find something I want to change –
honestly I suspect that will be the case with everything I ever write.
Tolerating the knowledge that it’ll never be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">perfect</i> – there’ll always be some way I can make it better, and the
more I learn and develop my writing, the more I’ll notice those ways – has been
one of the hardest parts of the whole process.</span></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What part of writing do you find the easiest?</span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Getting to know the characters and their voices, I
think. Emotion-driven scenes are my favourite ones to write.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span><div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">
<b>What part do you find hardest?</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Complicated plot stuff (you know, the bits where my
characters have to be smarter than I am). Ignoring the voice of self-doubt.
Knowing when to stop editing!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Do you push through writing barriers or walk away?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It depends what they are. If I’m avoiding something
because it’s difficult or anxiety-provoking, I know that facing it head on is
what’s going to get me through it and out the other side. When I’m stuck on a
plot point, though, for example, I know that often the best thing to do is step
away and do something totally different to give myself time to process things
without forcing it. If I do that, I can generally trust that the answer will
come to me at some point (it happened in the shower just the other day!).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How many projects do you have on the go at the same
time?</span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Currently in the works I’ve got: the sequel to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blackout</i>, the first in a YA contemporary
fantasy series that needs revisions, a partially-written draft of another
standalone work, and a short story that’s nagging me to be turned into a novel.
So I should be all set for the next five years or so…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>Do you think you’re born with the talent to write or do you think it can be
learned</b>? </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I think it’s a bit of both – I definitely think the
technical aspects can be learned, and no matter how naturally talented you are
you can always learn more and improve your craft. That obsessive drive you need
to not only actually finish a novel but to redraft it over and over until it’s
what you want it to be – that I don’t think you can learn. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How many future novels do you have planned?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">*counts on fingers* As of right now, at least five.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Do you write other things, such as short stories,
articles, blogs, etc?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I’m not great at brevity, so short stories aren’t
my natural forte, but I do write them sometimes. I also blog about book stuff,
LGBTQ stuff, and mental health stuff at </span><span style="color: #3598f4;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.kitmallory.wordpress.com/"><span lang="EN-AU" style="margin: 0px;">www.kitmallory.wordpress.com</span></a></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">. </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I’ve just started a new blog post
series over there on writing mental health representation (and I’m taking
requests for post subjects!)</span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #262626; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What’s the highlight of being published so far?</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Hands down, it’s been
getting feedback from readers that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blackout</i>
has connected with them in some way. People have been really positive about the
representation, which has been amazing because that was something I was really
concerned about getting right. Somebody live-tweeted their reactions as they
read the book on its release day, which was just absolutely delightful; someone
else let me know they’d asked their local library to buy a copy. That feeling –
that I created something that people have enjoyed, that’s made them feel seen,
that they’ve taken the time to share that with me and let others know about it
– it’s been absolutely magical, and without a doubt, it’s made the entire
journey 100% worthwhile.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Give me one writing tip that works for you.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Find your people; the ones who can both lift you up
and challenge you. Learn to love criticism – it’s the key to becoming a better
writer – but don’t forget to embrace and celebrate your strengths and the
positive feedback you get just as much.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">And one that doesn't.</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I’ve never been convinced about the whole “write
every day” thing. Self-care is the most important thing. If that rule works for
you, awesome; but don’t push yourself to stick to a rigid set of rules because
you think that’s what you *should* be doing.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Can you give us a clue or secret about the next
book?</span></b><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Blackout</span></i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">’s sequel – I really need to come up with a damn
title! – is my first ever multi-POV novel, with four viewpoint characters.
You’ll get to see through both some familiar eyes and some new ones as the gang
attempt to deal with the aftermath of the first book’s events.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What question have you always wanted to be asked
but never have? What would the answer be? </span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I’ve heard a lot from
readers about who their favourite character in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blackout</i> is (there’s definitely a common theme!) but I don’t think
I’ve talked about who mine is! Although I love all three of the main characters
in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blackout</i>, Skyler definitely has a
special place in my heart. She’s the very definition of an unlikeable heroine –
she’s selfish and stubborn and a total pain in the ass sometimes - but those
qualities, actually, have allowed her to survive in incredibly difficult
circumstances and I love the fact that she knows full well how smart and
talented she is and she never apologises for who she is. At the same time, I
think she grows and changes a LOT throughout the book and that takes a lot of
courage on her part. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b>Fantastic! What a great
interview. Thank you so much for joining us today, Kit, and we wish you all the
best with <i>Blackout</i>, its sequel, and all the rest that follow. </b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b>If you would like to find
out more about Kit and grab a copy of <i>Blackout</i> (which you should), these links
should help:</b></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blackout-1-Kit-Mallory/dp/1999969723/" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></b></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blackout-1-Kit-Mallory/dp/1999969723/" target="_blank"><b>Amazon US</b></a></span><br />
<h4 style="margin: 13.6px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="color: blue; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.books2read.com/u/3GY0Xa" target="_blank">Books 2 Read </a></span></h4>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39151774-blackout" target="_blank"><b>Goodreads </b></a></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://kitmallory.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>Blog </b></a></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://twitter.com/@kitkattus/" target="_blank"><b>Twitter</b></a></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-51674872360353766672018-05-16T23:01:00.000-04:002018-05-17T00:45:09.253-04:00Such A Thing As Too Much Conflict<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Conflict is one topic about YA (Young Adult) writing I’d like write about. Usually, with writing advice, the wisdom is to make the stakes/conflict clear. And that’s generally good advice. However, sometimes people don’t realize there’s such a thing as too much conflict. Not every area of plot needs to have conflict. And that’s particularly true with a romance. Sometimes conflict doesn’t’ have to come to from romance, and can come from other areas of plot. And to illustrate my example, I’m going to use a television show (<i>Days of our Lives</i>). TV and books are different mediums, but there are still overlapping elements about storytelling. Anyway, to illustrate my point, I’m going to discuss why WilSon (Will and Sonny) should be endgame on <i>Days of our Lives</i>, not Horita (Will and Paul):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">1. Wilson Has A Child Together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Yes. Having a child doesn’t always mean a couple should be together since a relationship or marriage could be toxic. That isn’t the case with WilSon, though. Whether it is with Chandler Massey’s version of Will Horton or Guy Wilson’s version of Will Horton, Will and Sonny have been through so much together ever since their daughter (Ari) was born. Like deaths, getting married, rough patches, good times, and other drama. So, if that doesn’t spell supercouple, then I don’t know what does.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">2. Horita Is Forced.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">If nobody else will say it, I will. Horita is happening with the majority of people not wanting it. The only reason Will is with Paul is because of his amnesia. So, if it takes amnesia to get a couple together, then perhaps it’s time to realize how the couple isn’t a good idea. Even the Horita sex scenes feel forced since one of their bedroom moments was clumsy with regards to a shirt being taken off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">3. Conflict Doesn’t Have To Come From Romance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Yes. <i>Days of our Lives </i>would be boring without conflict. However, there is such a thing as too much conflict. Almost every character has been involved in a love triangle over the last few months, and that fact is boring. For example, Will and Sonny could start over as friends and slowly build romantic tension between them without Paul complicating things. Or maybe they could’ve easily dived into the romance, yet Will remains hesitant about having sex with Sonny. Those are just a couple of possibilities, but the point is the Horita versus WilSon love triangle isn’t offering viewers anything new, and feels stale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">4. Paul Wouldn’t Pursue Will If He Really Loved Sonny.</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Days of our Lives</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">viewers can’t forget about PaulSon (Paul and Sonny). They finally rekindled their relationship when Sonny returned to town a long time after Will died in October of 2015. Therefore, Paul and Sonny really got time to explore their relationship (they were going to get married) before the news about Will being alive was revealed). And Paul was devastated when Sonny dumped him once everyone knew Will was alive. So, fans can’t help wondering if Paul is with Will because he’s mad at Sonny, and a secret part of him wants Sonny to suffer. Ultimately, the truth is in the subtext—not every fact is always spelled out for fans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">5. Will And Paul Have No Chemistry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The idea might seem odd, yet it’s true. Will and Paul have a lot of sex scenes, but that’s almost all they do. It’s not like there’s a believable reason to ship them. Honestly, I’m tired of <i>Days of our Lives</i>using sex to prop up Horita. Sure. Sex is a natural part of life, but if that’s the only thing keeping Horita together, then that’s toxic. Sex does not equal a relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">6. Will And Paul Hate Each Other.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Chandler Massey might’ve returned to playing Will, but <i>Days of our Lives</i>fans can’t forget about Guy Wilson’s portrayal of Will from January of 2014 to October of 2015. Guys Wilson’s version of Will eventually grew to hate Paul as a result of Will being jealousy that Paul would cost him his marriage to Sonny. And that kind of history can’t be forgotten—especially when it happened over months, as opposed to a fleeting moment. Ignoring history isn’t smart writing; it’s lazy writing. It pushes the issue of believability, which says something since <i>Days of our Lives</i>is a soap opera, and has more latitude with high-concept plots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">7. Paul Is Taking Advantage Of Will’s Amnesia.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Sure. Will’s amnesia is different than his cousin’s (Abigail’s) DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder), but it still counts as a medical condition that impacts Will’s life. The reality is, Paul doesn’t have to gaslight Will for him to be taking advantage. As previously mentioned in this article, the amnesia is the only reason why Paul and Will are together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">8. Paul Lied About Will Being Dead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">It might’ve only been for 24 hours during an episode this past November, but the lie still counts. It wasn’t like Paul lied to Sonny, Sami, Marlena, and John to spare their feelings. Nope. This was a big lie, and reinforces how Paul can’t be trusted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">9. Will Has Been Isolated Ever Since He Started “Dating” Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Yup. Will hasn’t been spending much time with his friends or family members because of Paul—it always comes back to Horita always being in bed. And that’s not healthy. Will was never isolated from his family members and friends when he dated and subsequently married Sonny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">10. Will Can’t Even Call Paul His Boyfriend.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In a rare recent scene with his friend, Gabi (and mother of their child, Ari), Will couldn’t even call Paul his boyfriend. And that is kind of strange considering all the sex Horita has had over the last few months because fans can’t help thinking about the subtext of Paul not fulfilling Will if he can’t define their “relationship.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Anyway, the point of my article is to show how there’s such a thing as too much conflict. Sometimes, there’s enough conflict without adding drama to the romance, and romance can just be a steady forward trajectory, and the stakes can arise from other plot areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-86993564996387265662018-04-28T07:08:00.000-04:002018-04-28T07:08:32.037-04:00What Writers Need to Make Danger InterestingI'm a mom, so my spectrum of TV and movie pleasures range from Moana with my kiddo (and hey, even without my him) to The Handmaid's Tale (definitely without my kiddo). Both of these are full of danger appropriate for their target audience, but I noticed a big difference in my response to those dangers.<br />
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Let's talk about that Moana scene where Moanna and Maui fight the coconut pirates. (Don't worry, I won't spoil anything major in this post.) Moana is one of my favorite Disney movies, but I have to be honest with you...I barely know what happens in this scene. Every time this scene plays, my eyes glaze over and my mind wanders to anything else. That's because in my first time watching, I already knew they'd make it out of this jumble okay. Even though Moana and Maui were wildly outnumbered, the unfair fight didn't feel impossible. I didn't feel their fear, which is fair (tongue twister!) because this movie is for kids. But still, the writers could have upped Moana and Maui's disadvantage to increase the tension and conflict. Otherwise, an action scene can have as many explosions as it wants, but the danger still feels shallow.<br />
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Now let's shift gears and talk about The Handmaid's Tale. In the premier of season two, June faces a danger that had me completely enraptured. A fire in my own apartment couldn't have ripped me away from this scene. Like, I <i>knew</i> she would make it out okay because the rest of the show needs her, but I couldn't rationalize the fear and tension away because THERE WAS NO FREAKING WAY OUT. June didn't just have odds; she had <i>impossible</i> odds. I could feel that she knew there was no way out of this one, that this was the end for her because I was up close and could see the staunch fear in her eyes and the tremble in her lips.<br />
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Play appropriately to your audience, of course, but never give your characters a way out. Make us doubt our instinct that they'll make it. Get us up close and personal with the character's own fear. And then just when we think it's all over, throw a curve ball and wow us with a plot twist or a character that uses their mind, strength, and resourcefulness to overcome impossible odds.<br />
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<i>Follow Jessie Mullins on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/je55iemullin5/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/Je55ieMullin5" target="_blank">Twitter</a> for more bookish things. </i><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-49656155215535276572018-03-26T20:05:00.000-04:002018-03-27T19:27:20.066-04:00GUESTOPIA: SPECIAL GUESTS! <br />
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I have some super special guests for March, so you’ll notice that the format is
a wee different than usual. I am a bit excited about today’s guests. I have
interviewed them before and never get tired of their enthusiasm for life, not
to mention books! So, let’s get started. Please welcome the crew of…</span></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">LOVE
AT FIRST CHAPTER</span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">This group of fabulously talented YA
writers were all selected in Round 3 of Author Mentor Match and became fast
friends during that time. Books make them happy and sharing that love makes
them happier! </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">They are: </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">Gracie Goldhart</span></b></div>
<b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><b>Louisa Onom<span style="color: black;">é</span></b></span></div>
<b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><u></u><span style="color: #000120;"></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Julie Abe</span></b></div>
<b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Kate Havas</span></b></div>
<b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Dakota Shain Byrd</span></b></div>
<b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Erika L. Cruz</span></b></div>
<b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Heidi Christopher</span></b></div>
<b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Emily Beck</span></b></div>
<b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Lorna Riley</span></b></div>
<b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Michelle Fohlin</span></b></div>
<b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Katherine Pisana</span></b></div>
<b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Susan Lee</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Find out more about each of them right here… <a href="http://www.loveatfirstchapter.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.loveatfirstchapter.com</span></a></span></b></div>
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<b>Right, introductions done, let's get going with the interview! </b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Thanks for joining me today, Love at
First Chapter! I’m thrilled to host you. So, for the new readers who haven’t
heard of your fabulousness, tell me first up what exactly is Love at First Chapter. </span></b><br />
<b></b><br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.loveatfirstchapter.com/"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">Love At First Chapter</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> is a biweekly young adult
fiction newsletter that introduces the first chapter of an upcoming or new
release to subscribers. With each newsletter, subscribers can “fall in love”
with the book and either purchase or preorder it at the end of the email. It’s
a fun reader resource that allows a wider audience to sample new, diverse
releases -- and introduces authors to more engaged readers who are likely to be
interested in their book. A win-win for everyone involved!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">You guys are all YA writers and met during </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://authormentormatch.com/"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">Author Mentor Match</span></b></a></span><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">. But how did you go from
not knowing each other to setting up this amazing new service for YA book
lovers? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Amidst
talk of revisions and drafts, Graci Goldhart, our founder, introduced the idea
as a fun way to promote upcoming YA releases we’re excited for. The rest
happened pretty quickly after that. We set up the website, assigned roles, came
up with a list of our most anticipated releases, and prepared for our
Valentine’s Day launch.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What’s different about the reader service you’re providing?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">All the
books selected for Love At First Chapter have been recommended by one of our
curators. That means we’ve read and can vouch for the book, have enjoyed it,
and want to share it with others. We like to think of it as an unconventional
book club of sorts: recommending books and building a community based on
readership.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Why should readers sign up? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We’re
unlike any other YA newsletter or book service -- it’s 100% free to sign up
(and will remain that way!) and you get a surprise first chapter of a new or
upcoming YA release straight to your inbox. Like the chapter? Purchase or
preorder through links in the newsletter. Don’t like the chapter? Feel free to
delete the email. It’s pressure-free and only aims to spread our love of books.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Why YA books? </span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Young
adult fiction centers around, and is catered to, young people, who arguably are
going through one of the most dynamic times in their lives. They are forming
opinions about their environment and themselves, and using those opinions to
create their world. We believe a greater sense of diversity in YA fiction is
necessary -- to allow young people to dream bigger, to create a greater sense
of acceptance amongst YA readers, to create the kind of world that doesn’t just
tolerate, but accepts every kind of person. YA is such a transformative
readership because of its reach. As YA (and MG) writers ourselves, we want to
see more diverse works and debuts, and wanted the chance to introduce reads we
feel can make a difference. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Will you offer other services on the site in the future? </span></b></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Though
our focus currently lies with curating YA releases, we’d love to eventually
create a community where readers can connect with one another. Watch this
space! </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Will you share only standalone novels, or do you intend to share books
within a series too? </span></b></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We are
open to sharing both. If the first book in a series is highly anticipated and
we’re also really excited for it, then we’d love to feature it!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Will it be only novels, or will you share anthologies or perhaps
novellas as well?</span></b></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">As of
now, we’re focused on sharing YA novels, but may open to anthologies in the
future. There are so many good ones coming out lately!<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Will you share only traditionally published books or indie and self
published as well? </span></b></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We focus
on traditionally published books.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Will you only share already published books or forthcoming titles too? </span></b></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Some
books we share are new releases that may have just come out within the past six
months to a year, but our goal is to share more forthcoming titles to help
authors build hype -- and hopefully boost preorders!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">
<b>Will you only share diverse books? What if you accidentally get a chapter
for a book that turns out to be problematic, like THE CONTINENT?</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We aim to
boost diverse voices, so a majority of the books we share will be diverse or
#ownvoices. We read ARCs for each book we recommend in hopes we never end up
recommending a book like THE CONTINENT. As writers, our names are on this
project and we want to maintain a level of integrity when curating.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Why
diverse books?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Why not
diverse books? We live in a diverse world. Media should always reflect that.
Seeing yourself in a book for the very first time is a life-changing moment
because you realize you can be the hero too.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Michelle:
As a history and geography nerd, I have always been drawn to the diversity of
cultures in our world. I have always sought out books with rich worlds and
characters that don’t necessarily reflect my own identity. And there are
millions of kids who deserve to see their experiences in their words they read.
It’s life-changing when you realize that someone who looks, sounds, loves, acts
like you is a hero too.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Do you
have any diversity that you identify with?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Shain:
Yes. To start with, I’m queer as all get out. Physically only into guys, but I’m
Bi-romantic, and gender-fluid. Beyond that I’m epileptic, and live with
clinical depression, severe anxiety, and ADHD.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Louisa:
Nigerian-Canadian, first gen! Also being from Montreal and not speaking any
French (this is a Canadian joke, sorry!) <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Graci:
I’m a proud Kowi (Korean-Kiwi), 1.5 gen, and visually impaired. Oh, and I live
in Middle Earth (only partially kidding - New Zealand is basically Hobbitland)</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What are
your day jobs? If you’re in school, what’re you studying? Anybody doing an internship
or other program like that?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Shain:
I’m an American Sign Language Interpretation student in Fort Worth. Regarding
internships, I have one with Entangled Teen. When I’m not studying or doing things for my
internship or AMM mentorship, I also work as a freelance editor. Be sure to
check out my website if you’re interested in learning more about all this!<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Lisa: I
work for the school district in the High school Library. I manage the circulation
desk for both books and computers. I love it. I get to talk about books with
students and it’s so great to connect with them over stories we’ve both read.
I’ve also run into some fellow writers as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Julie
Abe: During the day, I work in digital marketing for a healthcare company. At
night, I write middle grade and young adult stories.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Louisa:
I’m a SEO consultant during the day. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Heidi:
I’m an editor with a small publishing house and when I’m not working on client
material, i’m writing YA. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Graci:
I’m a diplomat for the New Zealand foreign service by day. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Michelle:
I currently make my unpaid living caring for my two precocious, adorable
littles. But I’ve put in years as a history teacher, which is where I draw my
ideas for my books from.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">OMG. Aren’t they the best? And, obviously, if
you haven’t already signed up to their newsletter (the next one is coming out
THIS WEEK!) then I have no doubt you’re rushing off to do that right now. </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">J</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> If you need me to make this even easier for you... </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><u><span style="color: #000120;"><br /></span></u></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.loveatfirstchapter.com/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE NOW</a></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Thank
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-37352959037172410062018-03-16T12:46:00.000-04:002018-03-16T12:46:21.572-04:00Emotional Battlegrounds<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The topic
for blog posts this month is battlegrounds. But I’d like to focus on emotional
battlegrounds. Don’t get me wrong. Actual battles are important for YA writing.
Conflict needs to come to fruition since stakes can’t be hypothetical, meaning
there needs to be a payoff. An emotional battleground informs YA writing, though, because characters need stakes and goals, as emotional layering is ultimately
the last aspect of writing that authors need to master. For example, a writer
can improve with imagery, voice, and dialogue, but might not understand the
emotional aspect of YA fiction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">To help
give an example of emotional battlegrounds, I’d like to mention my YA Fantasy
novel IN THE NAME OF MAGIC (which is forthcoming from NineStar Press with a
tentative release date of June 11, 2018). I don’t just have intense action,
there’s also a lot at stake emotionally, and not just for my main character. One
example is my main character, Maximillian, who hides his non-magical best
friend, Katherine, when Queen Vivian wages a campaign against non-magical
people. The obvious implication is Maximillian and his parents risk life or
death by giving Katherine shelter. And while that fact is true, there’s more.
The emotional layer is that Maximillian is always in a heightened state. The concrete
detail (hiding Katherine) informs how he feels in any given moment since he needs
to navigate life carefully. Stefan and Anastasia are another example of
illustrating emotional battlegrounds. They have their own reasons for hating
Queen Vivian (their older sister), and that fact informs their choices and
feelings throughout the novel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Depth is
also important for emotional battlegrounds, and I’m not just talking about what
is at stake for one character. I’m also referring to when an issue pops in YA
fiction. With IN THE NAME OF MAGIC, said issue is oppression against
non-magical people. Obviously, oppression and bigotry is wrong. However, I don’t
want the issue to be cartoon-like, which means I need a character to take Queen
Vivian’s side. And that character is Taylor. Just like in real life when people
are on the wrong sides of issues, Taylor is also on the wrong side of
oppression against non-magical despite how he’s dating Katherine (a non-magical
person). Furthermore, I give Taylor a real reason why he would be on the wrong
side of oppression, i.e. he’s not a flat character since his family has been
having financial trouble, and that’s why he supports Queen Vivian—she’s
offering the snake oil of fixing Magnifico’s economic problems. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Another way
to look at emotional battlegrounds is banter. A scene doesn’t always have to be
life or death to provide stakes. The former <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ABC</i>
television show <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Revenge</i> might be TV
as opposed to YA Fiction, but still illustrates the importance of emotional
battlegrounds. The main character, Emily, always has intense banter with her
enemy, Victoria, even when weapons aren’t present. The banter between Emily and
Victoria goes beyond melodrama. There intense verbal confrontations are always
rooted in concrete facts as opposed to only trading insults.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Anyway, I
hope the above discussion about emotional battlegrounds helps, and informs
your writing!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-27753746136019926022018-03-15T05:53:00.000-04:002018-03-15T21:25:24.090-04:00THE ART OF WAR<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When people think of a battle, most
envision soldiers and tanks, warships and weapons … possibly rifles and a
cavalry. But there are many types of personal battles, as Fiona mentioned in
her previous blog post. These include internal moral battles, relationship
conflicts, and personal vendettas. How your character deals with these issues
is very telling and gives the reader much insight into that individual’s personality.
It’s also a chance for you as a writer to provide an opportunity for your
character to grow and ratchet up the tension in your
story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So how do you write a compelling battle scene,
whether it be an actual fight, where the loser may wind up injured or dead, or
a clash between two high school rivals fighting to become class president? I’m
not sure if this is true for every writer, but when I write tense scenes, there’s
always an urge to resolve the conflict quickly and move on. This is how I
operate in life, as confrontation makes me anxious. But the reader doesn’t want
a fight that’s resolved quickly and easily—without conflict there is no story!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So, if you’re like me and want to smooth
out your MC's hardships asap, how do you build suspense and write an exciting fight
scene? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;">I believe it was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Art of War for Writers: Fiction Writing Strategies, Tactics, and
Exercises</i> by James Scott Bell that gave me some of the best advice for
writing tense scenes. (Even if I’m wrong, it’s a great book—it’s been quite a
few years since I’ve read it, and definitely deserves a reread.) To summarize the
advice: whenever you have the opportunity to resolve the battle, throw another problem
into the mix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;">So, let’s say your MC is in a dangerous
situation that results in an actual fight scene. Most readers will root for the
protagonist to win, but how much fun would it be to read about the character throwing
one punch and knocking the antagonist out cold? It’s better to create a fierce
battle where the MC is the underdog, makes a comeback, and then just before
success, something happens—the character drops a weapon, another person
blindsides the MC, etc. The more the odds are against your protagonist, the
greater the victory will be. Because in the end, most readers want the good
guys to prevail. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-65687308579139807092018-03-10T05:02:00.000-05:002018-03-10T05:02:57.538-05:00Marching into battleThis month, we're looking at marching our characters into battle. Now, I could take the obvious route and discuss good old fight scenes, but I'm pretty sure one of my other YATopian buddies will have that covered. So, instead, I'm going to consider the internal battlefield your MC has to contend with throughout the entire book.<br />
<br />
It's important to know <b>what</b> your MC's internal battleground is. This is where you look deep at the root of your MC's conflict. What are the polar opposite feelings they have? Your character needs to struggle, so you need to think "opposing sides." Once you know the basic two emotional "armies" so to speak, you then need to break it down further. You don't have just side A and side B. If it was an actual army, they would be broken down into units - infantry, cavalry, etc. How does this relate to your MC's inner conflict? These are the layers of emotions you have. For example:<br /><br />
Say your character is in love with their co-worker, but they are both going for the same promotion. Perhaps you have chosen the opposing emotions of <b>competitiveness</b> and <b>selflessness</b> for your MC. Your character is competitive by nature and wants, needs perhaps for a physical reason, this promotion. However, they are selfless by nature, and this is the person they love they are competing against. So, what to do? What other emotions hide in there? Let's look at these armies...<br />
<br />
<b>Competitiveness</b><br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
Infantr<b>y </b>- fear of failure<br />
Cavalry - desire to prove oneself<br />
Artillery - sense of self-worth<br />
<br />
<b>Selflessness</b><br />
<br />
Infantr<b>y </b>-feeling like a good person<br />
Cavalry - approval<br />
Artillery - battling against the bad parts of their nature and trying to outdo them<br />
<br />
<br />
Okay, so this is a simple example, but hopefully it will show that when you think of your MC's internal battleground, you can go past the basic conflict, and really dig in and find lots of layers to really bring your internal battlefield to life.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-41579162267071649332018-02-28T13:45:00.000-05:002018-02-28T13:45:08.477-05:00Swoon-Worthy Characters of YAtopia<span style="font-family: inherit;">To wrap up our swoon-worthy month, a couple YAtopians so kindly gave us a peak into what makes their characters swoon-worthy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMITYqMJCXHEvQNzFk6IDaeo5HUTU68J-q-4au2gEgn0Q0PcmXfoh9yWzUVPUSNh2n6z9BhSYQxECa_GE-FE8niAth2HA0UQxRmRdEsdNFVvM_DrPU0wdKW72QbsYOKx-5lSmjfUil4_M/s1600/Logopit_1519843056780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMITYqMJCXHEvQNzFk6IDaeo5HUTU68J-q-4au2gEgn0Q0PcmXfoh9yWzUVPUSNh2n6z9BhSYQxECa_GE-FE8niAth2HA0UQxRmRdEsdNFVvM_DrPU0wdKW72QbsYOKx-5lSmjfUil4_M/s320/Logopit_1519843056780.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Emily Moore's swoon-worthy character is named Vaku. Here's what she shared with us:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5e9d86c8-dca7-e9b5-c721-d9ed42aeddb2" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vaku the desert elf rebel leader offers readers many opportunities to love him. Upon first meeting my main character Samana, he offers to help her rescue a friend against impossible odds, cleans her wounded hands, and feeds her before she disappears. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two years later, they reunite. She accidently kills him with her unpracticed magic and revives him with the same magic. Despite this, Vaku offers a comedy relief to Samana’s serious and pessimistic character, often teasing her with passages from the Great Essence’s prayer when she is obviously not exemplifying them. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His fierce protective instincts for Samana reveal themselves in sacrificial ways: leaving the rebellion seat to go with her to the enemy’s cliff city, degrading himself to a servant of the household that he despises, giving Samana his beloved knife and teaching her self-defense, and shaving his unique red hair in an effort to blend in and stay close to Samana. Lastly, battle scars are sexy; Vaku’s amputated hand lends him a broken quality that makes his easy-going nature that much more endearing. I’d call Vaku incredibly swoon worthy!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5e9d86c8-dca8-4798-a2fd-2ac1b05a30fd" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An excerpt from my W.I.P. “Samana’s Flair”:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Don't you dare try to get into the Holding Place. You will get yourself trapped inside," Vaku predicted, shaking his finger playfully at her.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Don't tell me what I can't and can do!" Samana snapped, widening her nostrils. How dare he. Just like all the other wonderers she’d ever known besides Dimerez. Determined to tell her who she was and where she didn’t belong. She wasn’t a child.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I'm just saying, me and the cart might not be there to hide you next time," Vaku jested with a snicker.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Samana jumped to her feet with a snarl. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I don't need you or anyone else to tell me what to do. I will make it on my own. Thanks for the bread," she huffed, stomping further down the path toward the Chief’s Walk. The wide road wound out across the desert toward Benami’s farms and rock formations.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Don't be like that," Vaku said, following her. "What are you so mad for?"</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Samana paused to look back at him. The flickering of fire on the yucca window coverings of the surrounding pueblos only slightly illuminated Vaku's grin and raised eyebrow. She almost returned the smile, but instead let out an anger-diminishing breath. Shaking her head, she mumbled, "I have to go."</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"May you walk gently!" Vaku called after her as the night's bitter-cold air singed her skin.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you for sharing with us, Emily! If you want to connect with Emily Moore, you can find her here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Email at </span>emilygmoorewriter@yahoo.com<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/EmilyGMooreWriter/" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/EGMooreWriter" target="_blank">Twitter</a><br />
<a href="https://emilygmoorewriter.wixsite.com/website" target="_blank">Blog/Website</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-7rhIGvFwoI-ivf8fLoblCYkm-NFPDraBPTs3W71rVAUCBAJTsbh8qNkzMSh4YF3FcPFp35bDpfbf0TZa_5bmdr2oQVjae2l-H0YDSf0p50iervyxV9rw3ns2ImJPTmARw32c37DadE/s1600/Logopit_1519843322496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-7rhIGvFwoI-ivf8fLoblCYkm-NFPDraBPTs3W71rVAUCBAJTsbh8qNkzMSh4YF3FcPFp35bDpfbf0TZa_5bmdr2oQVjae2l-H0YDSf0p50iervyxV9rw3ns2ImJPTmARw32c37DadE/s320/Logopit_1519843322496.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next we have Chris's swoon-worthy character named Stefan. Here's what he shared with us: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;">My most swoon-worthy character is 18-year-old Stefan from my YA Fantasy novel IN THE NAME OF MAGIC, which is the first book in a trilogy, and is forthcoming from NineStar Press this June. Stefan is the main character's love interest.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;">17-year-old Maximillian must offer shelter to his non-magical best friend (Katherine) while balancing his budding relationship with the evil queen's estranged younger brother, Stefan, in the backdrop of a contemporary fantasy Earth-like country plagued by a totalitarian monarchy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;">Stefan is swoon-worthy because of his mysterious personality when readers are first introduced to him in Chapter 1 upon him meeting the main character (Maximillian). Stefan is evasive, yet I was careful for him not to be one-dimensional. He doesn't use his past to justify bad decisions; he's just damaged because of his past toxic family dynamics. Stefan also wears a half-mask for a third of the book, which is a physical symbol of his vulnerability.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;">Furthermore, Stefan is swoon-worthy because of how he always gives his boyfriend, Maximillian, the benefit of the doubt--even when some people might not. Including when Maximillian fibs about the real reason he agrees to a weekend getaway with Stefan.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you for sharing Stefan with us, Chris! Keep your eyes peeled for IN THE NAME OF MAGIC coming in June 2018. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you written a swoon-worthy character? Tell us what makes them swoon-worthy in the comments!</span><br />
<br /></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-82553382816663204002018-02-25T19:44:00.000-05:002018-02-25T19:52:54.430-05:00GUESTOPIA: Australian Author, Allayne Webster<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I'm thrilled to welcome to today's Guestopia spot a very successful Australian author and dedicated supporter and mentor within the Australian writing community. Please meet... </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>ALLAYNE WEBSTER</u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFQHm8kp4oFs0O_CkxDtW6CZ-r279-XSHN_E6ELuK4OWZjJl5Ls1qzlScnEbxJfGmwDmvuF9uuVvcunaHXC5Pzf8YVIB0g7r-peMiWnO5C3apGN8QZULixt3XCMtkvqcB0ehTr8PnYqTE/s1600/allayne+webster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFQHm8kp4oFs0O_CkxDtW6CZ-r279-XSHN_E6ELuK4OWZjJl5Ls1qzlScnEbxJfGmwDmvuF9uuVvcunaHXC5Pzf8YVIB0g7r-peMiWnO5C3apGN8QZULixt3XCMtkvqcB0ehTr8PnYqTE/s1600/allayne+webster.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Allayne
grew up in the coastal fishing town of Kingston South East, South Australia. She’s
the recipient of three SA Arts grants, a Board Member of the Salisbury Writers'
Festival, and she helped to establish the Women's Professional Development
Network Book Club at the University of Adelaide.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br />
Allayne’s middle grade title, <i>Paper Planes </i><span style="margin: 0px;">(Scholastic)<i> </i></span>was a 2016 CBC Notable Book and shortlisted
for the Adelaide Festival Children’s Awards for Literature. Her other titles
have appeared on similar lists, including the Inkys and the Premier’s Reading
Challenge. In June 2017, Allayne released a middle grade novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Cardboard Palace</i> (MidnightSun
Publishing) and Swedish rights have been sold. On 29 January 2018, she’ll
release a YA novel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Centre of My
Everything</i> with Penguin Random House, and in February 2018, a junior
fiction novel with Scholastic, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sam’s
Surfboard Showdown</i>, co-authored and illustrated by her sister, Amanda S. Clarke.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Great
to meet you, Allayne. Let’s get the interview underway. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Is
this your first published book?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">This is my third YA novel, seventh
publication.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">What’s
it called?</span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The
Centre of My Everything</span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Which
genre/age group?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Contemporary YA realism. Upper YA.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByB9R_fgGYjpSXWKmW_7-rOR4ZqbKG3AdYtcoqTG92QZwtERhBEahhoylFSexR7mpCdCFdO9nJ3yKsTO2gRxfiA7CtprTAXXb3jrWZ0jTvVzjAq2Vdk0pdek37aZL_iFi2vxoqW8bR7D1/s1600/allayne+web+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByB9R_fgGYjpSXWKmW_7-rOR4ZqbKG3AdYtcoqTG92QZwtERhBEahhoylFSexR7mpCdCFdO9nJ3yKsTO2gRxfiA7CtprTAXXb3jrWZ0jTvVzjAq2Vdk0pdek37aZL_iFi2vxoqW8bR7D1/s1600/allayne+web+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Is
it a series or standalone?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Standalone.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Are
an agented author?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I am now. I wasn’t when this novel was
accepted.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Which
publisher snapped up your book?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Zoe Walton, Penguin Random House.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">How
involved have you been in the whole publishing process of your book?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Working with PRH has been nothing short of
brilliant. They’re communicative, inclusive and considerate. I feel like I’ve
been consulted at every turn. I’ve relished the experience.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Do
you have another job?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">When I first began writing this book eight
years ago, I worked fulltime in administration at The University of Adelaide.
Approximately three years ago, I quit to write fulltime—and to finish this
bloody book!</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Did
you receive many, if any, rejections prior?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I lost count of the rejections. However, it’s
a bit like the famed number of rejections JK Rowling received. When recounting
that story, what they don’t focus on is how many times she polished that
manuscript prior to the next submission. Essentially, I kept working until I
got it right.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">What
created/what were you doing or watching when the first idea for this book sneaked up on you?</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a2BPdujZ940jo07P7TpTYDZb8mUnQtXbXYOoord3nWsllqEzPxwCWhEmLzCp1YYPXXOdWHOkbn_5tTsV7rNT0eK0ititlzkYov4tkSfeQle5qqD7zjdbqig6Ld_Ydk-plTqtBGL8dIr-/s1600/allayne+web+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">This novel has burned in me since childhood.
It’s dedicated to my step-father </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtkNvg2ObrgHYt9DTW35sOlVk5FWIa-mlIDxzjXxOKvznUMySEvdQmOu9vUoD-nhOGTcuZOOcttpT2vUo1FrEWnhyphenhyphenNHUssWvaXI31nRG9e2SKsc3yO-dG-GRKjPY3icXsK4J9Qvp2zipI/s1600/allayne+web+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="208" data-original-width="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtkNvg2ObrgHYt9DTW35sOlVk5FWIa-mlIDxzjXxOKvznUMySEvdQmOu9vUoD-nhOGTcuZOOcttpT2vUo1FrEWnhyphenhyphenNHUssWvaXI31nRG9e2SKsc3yO-dG-GRKjPY3icXsK4J9Qvp2zipI/s1600/allayne+web+2.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(whom cared for me from the age of five) and
it explores issues close to my heart<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>. Love is a great
motivator, and I’ve written this story as a means of reflecting my love for my step-father and all he has ever done for me.</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">How
long did you plot/plan until you started writing it?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">There certainly wasn’t an architectural
approach to this novel. I sat down, started writing and let the voices/scenes
etc come to me. In hindsight, it’s probably why I took so long to get the damn
thing right!</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Once
you started, did the story flow naturally or did you have to step in and
wrestle it into submission?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I think I earned a black belt with this baby.
It was thoroughly disagreeable from start to finish.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">How
many drafts did you write before you let someone read it? Who was that someone?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I read a <u>very</u> early version of this
manuscript to a crowded Women’s Breakfast, going back some seven years ago.
Judging by the reception, at that point, I hadn’t got it right. I recall many
grimacing faces staring back at me. I suspect attendees were conservative and
found the language and the things I portrayed crass and confronting. Not long
after that, I let my friend/author, Vikki Wakefield, read it. There were years
between Vikki reading the initial version and the final one, however. Don’t ask
me how many drafts there were during that period – I lost count!</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Did
you employ an editor/proofreader or did you have a critique partner/beta
readers before you started querying?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">No. Somewhat stupidly. Maybe I would’ve had
earlier success had I done this. I was arrogant. Delusional. Excitable. I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i> blow early.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Roughly
how many drafts did it take before you sent the manuscript off into the real
world?</span></b></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I lost count. I shipped it round to everyone,
polishing between each submission. In hindsight, I was an overzealous idiot. I
sent it out before it was ready. (See above – I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i> blow early!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPWgeZQyjuvfIeMOOAbfq0VQXRziz4POMzOag6a4ckSWbnYpFTdDm6T3eCwnN6pWL6m31ETAec5nERovwekEbufGlK97sAq04SXnUkS6QfXIovywAMbCMLGgLJ3kFZGn0n-vudLNzFLvb/s1600/allayne+web+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPWgeZQyjuvfIeMOOAbfq0VQXRziz4POMzOag6a4ckSWbnYpFTdDm6T3eCwnN6pWL6m31ETAec5nERovwekEbufGlK97sAq04SXnUkS6QfXIovywAMbCMLGgLJ3kFZGn0n-vudLNzFLvb/s1600/allayne+web+3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">How
many drafts until it was published?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">If you mean drafts with the publisher, I’d
say once it was accepted, there wasn’t much to do structurally. It was more ‘on
the line work’, plus inserting/reviewing a handful of scenes. There were
probably six or seven rounds of shipping it back and forth to the publisher.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Has
the book changed dramatically since the first draft?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Absolutely. The current version is told from
four POVs. Initially, there were eight. Eight!! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What the hell was I thinking?</i> That, and during the editorial
process approximately 10,000 words were cut.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Are
there any parts you would change even now?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I doubt any author is ever completely
satisfied with the final product. We’re forever nitpicking. However, there
comes a time when you need to step back from your painting and put down the
brush. I imagine that in years to come I’ll revisit this work and think I could
have done this, done that. (I’ve done that with other stories!) But that’s the
benefit of hindsight, and when you’re in the thick of it, it’s impossible to
have such clarity.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">What
part of writing do you find the easiest?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Character and dialogue.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">What
part do you find the hardest?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Setting description. I suck at it. It’s like
pulling teeth. But maybe that’s indicative of how I read; if there’s a
paragraph devoted to how the sun/sky appeared, I’ll skim it and skip to the
action. I’m impatient like that. The prose has to be utterly captivating to
keep my attention.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Do
you push through writing barriers or walk away?</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgs3wMmKcTwPhYudQeU7gWQ0yxwlyw_mfi00nTKkPElFKq9aKKYTNE8jA9GU0j5ot_-3FKhHYI4k55GZlruCWsxTimtu7Pn1z-_jfokm6J0xEo2f0b2san5k9gXzXs_dcbUpueNVlcqWn/s1600/allayne+web+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgs3wMmKcTwPhYudQeU7gWQ0yxwlyw_mfi00nTKkPElFKq9aKKYTNE8jA9GU0j5ot_-3FKhHYI4k55GZlruCWsxTimtu7Pn1z-_jfokm6J0xEo2f0b2san5k9gXzXs_dcbUpueNVlcqWn/s1600/allayne+web+4.jpg" /></a></b></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I’ve been publishing for ten years now. During
that time I’ve learnt that a ‘barrier’ is simply a problem that requires
solving. You may have written yourself into a corner and need to unpick a whole
scene and rewrite it before you can proceed. You may be unable to see the way
forward in the direct instance, but you can see the bigger picture. It boils
down to finding the answers. Sometimes it takes months for the penny to drop.
Afterwards, you find yourself thinking, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why
was that so hard?</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">How
many projects do you have on the go at the same time?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Usually multiple projects. If one isn’t
working, I revert to the other. And if that isn’t working, I pick up my guitar
and write music.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Do
you think you are born with the talent to write or do you think it can be
learned?</span></b></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I think storytelling is a skill largely learned
in early childhood and dependent on a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need</i>
for that skill. As a kid, out of necessity, (for reasons I won’t bore you with),
I became good at stretching the truth or telling versions of it. Also, I was
surrounded by family members, particularly my Nanna, who knew how to tell a
good yarn. Growing up in a small country town, I was drawn to books and stories
as a form of escapism and proof of a big, wide world outside the narrow
confines of my existence. It wasn’t until I discovered the work of Judy Blume
in my early teens that I realised the power of story and that it can be used to
changed hearts and minds. That’s when I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i>
fell in love. Story could be used for advocacy! I’m still not convinced I know
how to write, but I know I have an ability to thread together a good tale.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">How
many future novels do you have planned?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">As many as I can produce before I’m stalking
(make that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shuffling</i>) the halls of a
nursing home.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Do
you write other things, such as short stories, articles or blogs?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Nope. Lazy, aren’t I? As part of my last role
at the Uni, I wrote the research stories of academics, translating complicated
projects into ‘plain speak’ and delivering it in an entertaining journalistic
way.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">What’s
the highlight of being published so far?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Where do I start? Being surrounded by creative
types, many of whom I consider the real deal (rather than myself who is just a
hack.) Forming friendships with those writers/artists. Meeting Jimmy Barnes (*I
wrote a junior fiction book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Barnesy</i>,
and he signed it for me – squeal!!!) Receiving autographed books from Judy
Blume (because I wrote to her and told her it was she who inspired me to become
an author.) Getting to talk to school students about writing. Working in my trackpants.
That moment when the box of books finally arrives, you cradle them for five
minutes, staring with wonder at what you created, and then someone asks you, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mum, what’s for dinner? </i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Giving voice to people not blessed with the
skill of storytelling, like my friend, Jarko, whom I wrote about in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Paper Planes</i>. (Jarko is a Bosnian
refugee.)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pEWNX_im7lI-R_0s-WUDeEIM6Gflwb8V9xYtugylqSk6-_KsZ8eS9Qvk4TF7MT1yC7vcRvXXLjCVHym-SqmMzlZ8LqL7TIXiXtyiJT4WdiylgWMRLjh8yEbDsnyrLfMEq8SiDkapvu7F/s1600/allayne+web+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pEWNX_im7lI-R_0s-WUDeEIM6Gflwb8V9xYtugylqSk6-_KsZ8eS9Qvk4TF7MT1yC7vcRvXXLjCVHym-SqmMzlZ8LqL7TIXiXtyiJT4WdiylgWMRLjh8yEbDsnyrLfMEq8SiDkapvu7F/s1600/allayne+web+5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Give
me one writing tip that works for you?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Write about what fires you up. Underpin your
work by exploring something you want to say or an idea you want to convey. If
you’re passionate and you care, the words should flow.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">And
one that doesn’t.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Some folk enjoy writer’s prompts. I can’t
think of anything worse. I loathe being put on the spot and being told to
create something at will. I dodge any writer’s course that lends itself to this
task. Or excuse myself to go to the bathroom.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Can
you give us a clue or a secret about the next book?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I have two in the works: one contracted, the
other a WIP. The contracted one is an early YA novel with a personal bent,
exploring my teenage years battling chronic illness. (Which extended into
adulthood.) The WIP is my first crack at comedy, and about a bunch of misfits
thrust together on a road trip across rural SA.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Such
great insight into your books and your writing life, and congratulations on your many successes so far. Thanks so much for
joining YAtopia today, Allayne, and we wish you all the luck with your books,
old and new! </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">If
you would like to find out more about Allayne’s work or to keep up to date with
her new releases or get yourself a copy of her books, these links should do the
job. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://twitter.com/allayne_webster" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allaynewebsterauthor/" target="_blank">Facebook </a> <a href="https://www.allaynewebster.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-74815574897603825852018-02-22T16:13:00.000-05:002018-02-22T16:13:35.611-05:00Naming your Love Interest<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
Whenever I hear a good name, I try and memorise it in case it fits one of my
future characters, much like some people do with future children. There's
nothing I love more than finding the perfect name for my protagonist and
knowing it's "the one." (It also provides hours of procrastination
instead of actually writing...) But how do you find their perfect name?<br />
<br />
When naming the love interest, I used to try and find a name that "went
well" with my protagonist’s, but I quickly realised I was going about it
all wrong. Your love interest will only work if they are a well-rounded
character of their own BEFORE they meet your protagonist. Which means they need
to have a name that stems from them (or their parents) rather than anything to
do with your protag. Of course, if your protagonist is obsessed with a certain
name, then your love interest's name might actually stem from them, but that's
a rare event that I've only ever seen used in the genius play, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Importance of Being Earnest</i>.<br />
<br />
<u>Choosing a name</u><br />
<br />
<u>Parents</u><br />
Your character's full, official name would have come from their
parents or legal guardians (we'll come back to nicknames), so you need to
consider their heritage and parents' backgrounds. That includes race, religion,
geographical background, social status, parents' values and even trends at the
time when your character's parents would have been choosing their child's name.
There's nothing worse than a 'Zane' popping up in a historical period novel.<br />
<br />
<u>Surname</u><br />
British surnames often stemmed from old professions, so they are
very important to consider when naming your characters. Even in fantasy, you
have to know where your characters' surnames come from. Different cultures have
different naming systems, such as "firstname" of "family
name" or "father's name." If you do your research before
choosing your characters' naming system, you can make sure their heritage is
properly represented through the positioning or lack of a surname.<br />
<br />
<u>Nickname/chosen name</u><br />
This is where you can solely look at your character and show what they think
of themselves. Do they flaunt their given name, instead takeing a ludicrous
nickname in rebellion of their parents/cultural expectations/ social standing/
political alignments? Are they trying to be ironic? Do they want to stand out
so take an unusual nickname? Or are they in fact trying to blend in? A
character's chosen nickname can reveal a lot about his or her personality in
just one word. Contrast it to their given name and you open up another
revealing window into their world view.<br />
<br />
<u>Given nickname</u><br />
For obvious reasons, any nicknames that are given to your love interest (or
any character) by others reveals how they are perceived by the world and
therefore can hint at their character traits to the reader without having to
expose them completely right away.<br />
<br />
<u>Character</u><br />
Although your love interest will have realistically been named by someone
else, you can do a Charles Dickens and hint at their personality through their
given name. After all, most people suit their names, right? Think about sounds
and connotations when trawling through that baby names website. Soft sounds
like "S" and "F", will evoke different ideas of a
character's personality than harder sounds like "K" or "T".
Same rule with vowels and consonants. <br />
<br />
Of course, you might want to invert all of this and call your character
something that totally flaunts the rules! But the point is, you'll know why
you're doing it, and that will show through in your writing. And as you might
have noticed, this post could be related to any character, not just the love
interest, but it's February and the theme is love so...... enjoy!<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-32312362883115798952018-02-20T16:18:00.002-05:002018-02-20T16:18:42.945-05:00Compiling a swoon-worthy love interestA small note first before I kick off into my post. I've been absent from posting with YAtopia for a while. On one hand, I am sorry to my fellow YAtopians and readers, but on the other hand, I needed to take time out for some self care. I'm not in a position to talk about what's happened in my life over the past six months or so, but there's been some major changes and adjustments, and my head hasn't been in writing or blog posts. But I'm back, and hopefully the words will keep flowing.<br />
<br />
So, swoon-worthy love interests and how do you put them together. You take a a dash of humour, a hot-looking guy with caring tendencies.<br />
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When I was writing Ryder, I did a search online and ended up with finding a picture of a guy called <a href="https://danielconnfanclub.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/daniel-conn-pic-of-the-day-0701-memories/" target="_blank">Daniel Conn</a>, a tattooed rugby league player from Australia. He formed the basis of Ryder's looks for my character profiles, and I went with it from there. And you can see what I went with for promo material below for his character.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq2xwjz1KPPszEL95gyfjh8_EzPFoZZ2QB_QDCLFvtscayXzaWAmKwAqFvl8WgCDZ60Bxd33oEFMyN-sN_YiLIi7p9Oz8RN-rfkpcb4LuRlPpxscB-gHT8oVK_u5alDlBC_jzJ9-5E6dy/s1600/MISHCA+PHONE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq2xwjz1KPPszEL95gyfjh8_EzPFoZZ2QB_QDCLFvtscayXzaWAmKwAqFvl8WgCDZ60Bxd33oEFMyN-sN_YiLIi7p9Oz8RN-rfkpcb4LuRlPpxscB-gHT8oVK_u5alDlBC_jzJ9-5E6dy/s640/MISHCA+PHONE.jpg" width="361" /></a></div>
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Then his personality. Well, shamelessly I did draw a lot from my husband. We have this playful teasing banter (and as I write this he just made a 'what?' joke - a standard for when we want someone to make less noise), and I went with that for the dynamics between Mishca and Ryder. And one of the grammar jokes I stole from my sister, who is an English teacher.<br />
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Started with those basics, I let Ryder's character take himself where he needed to. And honestly, I didn't expect how much 'Team Ryder' readers would be. I don't think anyone is Team Colin (poor Colin - he's the reason the story exists).<br />
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You can find out more about Ryder in <a href="http://www.cityowlpress.com/2015/08/divided.html" target="_blank">DIVIDED</a>...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiliuh1UEaoVGE1bUXeFyJh8BVqwmKTGtAvITBHO9o9Wa5TvwbEXzHIIhbXtDxHCOKLr4OnRdtEsFmo6ywmUsTbSbK5a4-s4KKL-sqsQVd55pZYaA1T2gd4vnPvxZ72NAXJAy7RU9agtmx/s1600/mischabannerready.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiliuh1UEaoVGE1bUXeFyJh8BVqwmKTGtAvITBHO9o9Wa5TvwbEXzHIIhbXtDxHCOKLr4OnRdtEsFmo6ywmUsTbSbK5a4-s4KKL-sqsQVd55pZYaA1T2gd4vnPvxZ72NAXJAy7RU9agtmx/s640/mischabannerready.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And in <a href="http://www.cityowlpress.com/2016/09/shattered.html" target="_blank">SHATTERED</a>...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zRJ3R2RFQhcybvoL-_PAyphqcgGrFWUjaW6HDq99F2-zKYgSq4Tg5nHwFwzRBZl8hyphenhyphen_1p1N3ETmYRYy3eEOBztms2uhoqvrMLhXh6zC4XsqoGepEt0uU2SU-wMWuK0i7y_Tou8tChHO_/s1600/IMG_9356+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zRJ3R2RFQhcybvoL-_PAyphqcgGrFWUjaW6HDq99F2-zKYgSq4Tg5nHwFwzRBZl8hyphenhyphen_1p1N3ETmYRYy3eEOBztms2uhoqvrMLhXh6zC4XsqoGepEt0uU2SU-wMWuK0i7y_Tou8tChHO_/s400/IMG_9356+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharon M. Johnston (right) at the launch of SHATTERED</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Sharon M. Johnston is an author from sunny Queensland, Australia. She writes YA and NA SciFi and Fantasy, and other genres mashed up together. Yo can find her on <a href="https://twitter.com/S_M_Johnston" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>SM Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-78046057123053580282018-02-16T08:15:00.003-05:002018-02-16T08:15:39.800-05:00Stelena Will Always Be Swoon Worthy<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The theme
for February blog posts is swoon worthy, and I’d like to discuss one of the
most swoon worthy couples from pop culture—Stelena (Stefan and Elena) from the
television show <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Vampire Diaries </i>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">TVD</i>). A television show can still be a
good learning tool for writing a YA romance because the audience of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">TVD</i> is YA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">One thing
that makes Stelena a swoon worthy relationship, and more epic couple than
Delena (Damon and Elena) is that Stelena had more substance. From the second
Delena got together in Season 4, they just kept hitting the sheets—as if that
is a substitute for Damon ever becoming a better person or for a substance to
develop in their relationship. That is not to say that sexual content is bad.
It isn’t. And it deserves its place in pop culture (including YA pop culture)—but
sex does not equal a relationship. So, while Stelena might not have hit the
sheets that often when they date, at least they have substantial scenes—like
when Stefan reveals to Elena that he’s a vampire (early on in Season 1) because
he doesn’t want to lie (despite how he might risk alienating Elena).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Another
reason why Stelena is a swoon worthy couple is because they are not toxic. When
Elena is with Damon, she’s a different person. Sure. An argument can be made
that being with Elena makes Damon a better person. But Elena should not become
a different person just because of the man she’s dating. For example, part of
the way she becomes a different person is that she no longer cares about
morality when she’s with Damon. Like in Season 5 when Damon once again
threatens the safety of Elena’s brother, Jeremy, yet Elena doesn’t seem
bothered. Also, the old mantra, “if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck,
then it’s duck” applies. In Season 4 Episode 23, Elena admits her choice to be
with Damon is probably going to be the biggest mistake of her life. Well, news
flash: but that’s not exactly a good thing to feel about a relationship.
Furthermore, viewers see Stefan’s morality because he puts being a good person
above dating Elena when he bargains with Klaus for his blood so Damon’s fatal
werewolf bite can heel. That kind of deed reveals character since Stefan puts
his brother’s wellbeing over his romantic desires.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Respect is
another important element of a swoon worthy relationship. And I’m not just
talking about consent with sex. Consent applies to other situations too. For
instance, towards the end of Season 2, Stefan didn’t force feed Elena vampire
blood so she can come back to life when she is in danger, yet Damon force feeds
Elena his blood despite her not wanting to be a vampire. Sorry. That’s gross. Respect
is also present after Stefan and Elena break up. He never challenges her
decision to be with Damon whereas Damon never respects boundaries and always
flirts with Elena when she dates Stefan from Seasons 1 to the beginning of
Season 4. The contrast is clear. Life does become grey at points, but not to at
the expense of disrespecting boundaries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Anyway,
the above is just my initial thoughts about why Stelena is more swoon worthy
than Delena, as I have barely scratched the surface on the topic. The point is,
having a good guy as a love interest should not be frowned upon when writing YA
fiction. Sometimes the nice guy really is the better man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-48731126800378835762018-02-14T15:51:00.000-05:002018-02-14T15:58:41.422-05:00Valentine's Day and Fictional Romance<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This day inevitably makes people
reflect on failed partnerships, new love, and relationship goals, but depending
on whether you’re a fan of romance, or detest sappy displays of affection, you most
likely love or hate this holiday. If you’re a relationship addict or vehemently
anti-romance is probably reflected in your reading choices, as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even though I rarely read or write romance, most every story
has an element of love as a major or minor plot point, so let’s review a few common
relationship tropes: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;">Insta-Love</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is pretty common in YA, yet it’s probably the least favorite
type of relationship by most readers. You’ve seen it before: girl walks in a room
and instantly locks eyes with the perfectly gorgeous guy in the corner. They
inevitably have an encounter and it’s love at first sight. Although this can
happen in real life, when it’s used in fiction, the tension that can build
between two people you are rooting to become a couple, but just can’t seem to
get it together, is lacking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Forbidden/Tragic Love</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ROMEO AND JULIET is the quintessential example of this type
of relationship, and many books have been based off this theme since. Love that
can never be, because of family or cultural differences, location challenges,
or loyalty to someone else, be it a current partner or best friend, makes for a heart-rending
read. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">The Love Triangle</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We’ve all seen this millions of times in every story-telling
medium, and it is especially common in YA. It can
be maddening for readers who prefer one love interest to handle the MC choosing the
other, as oftentimes the reader will become fiercely committed to one
potential partner—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">think Team Edward and
Team Jacob.</i> Although not a book, the most frustrating love triangle I can
remember was the Sawyer/Kate (Skate) and Jack/Kate (Jate) triangle in the TV series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lost.</i> I was Skate all the way and sadly lost (no pun intended) to Jate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Unrequited Love</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nothing can be more heartbreaking (or frustrating) than
unrequited love. Everyone’s heart bleeds for the sweet nerd who’s had a crush on
the Homecoming Queen ever since Kindergarten, but can’t muster the nerve to
even talk to her. Other situations where characters might keep romantic feelings
bottled up could be their love interest is already in a relationship, fear of
coming out, or the knowledge that it would betray a friendship. When unrequited
love becomes reciprocated, however, it’s almost always a heart-warming turn of
events. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;">Doomed Love</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Think A FAULT IN OUR STARS,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>and many of the similar books that followed.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Doomed
love is tragic and soul-crushing, yet there’s something sweetly romantic about
two people sharing their last moments together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Hate to Love</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He thinks she’s annoying, she thinks he’s a total dick. They
can’t stand each other at first, but thrust into a situation where they’re
forced to spend time together, eventually this hate turns to passion, and sparks
fly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are just a few examples of situational relationships
and romantic themes in non-romance fiction. Are any of these topics your
favorite, or are any of the above devices you can’t stand? Do you have any book
recommendations that use one or more of these themes well? Please leave your thoughts
in in the comments below and have a happy, romance-filled Valentine’s day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AcJLZm8LrfUVQ_vEmtmIue6iDdp36YlbqXOPg3WkuCVl-JL_MOi8xp5MMtQ6hO8v9YbjRr_sJvd6kX-WuBTzb4OnJ_4dw8NfiwHXon_b2oIBlBJCs5TisC6ygCylGJylKLVxgDBtgl0/s1600/cupid-clipart-image-of-valentines-day-clipart-cupid-9144-cupid-clip-art-for-online.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="550" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AcJLZm8LrfUVQ_vEmtmIue6iDdp36YlbqXOPg3WkuCVl-JL_MOi8xp5MMtQ6hO8v9YbjRr_sJvd6kX-WuBTzb4OnJ_4dw8NfiwHXon_b2oIBlBJCs5TisC6ygCylGJylKLVxgDBtgl0/s320/cupid-clipart-image-of-valentines-day-clipart-cupid-9144-cupid-clip-art-for-online.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-38001445538373196992018-02-11T05:46:00.000-05:002018-02-11T05:46:27.716-05:00Getting your swoon on...I have to admit, I've got zero excuses for being a day late on my post. And I mean zero. I just got distracted by my website overhaul, opening my Tumblr, trying to figure out what the heck to do with Instagram (still confused, so if you have any tips, now's the time), and generally bumming around the internet watching comedy sketches.<br />
<br />
However, I'm here now, and I'm going to talk about getting your swoon on. Or, more specifically, learning how to. I'll be 100% honest, swooning is not my gig. It's been something I've had trouble with for a long time, but it's something I'm learning one slow bit at a time. So, to that end, I thought I'd give you the top three tips I've learned so far. Hopefully, you'll get some use out of them, like I did when I got them.<br />
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1) Figure out what your main character values in a person. If you're going to have them fall head over heels, then it helps for the reader to see one or two of these qualities in the potential love interest. Those qualities can be hidden at first in some books, and revealed as the plot progresses, but there should be some indications sown in throughout the novel.<br />
<br />
2) Make your love interest worth it. We all connect to different people for different reasons. However, if I said I was looking for dark hair, dark eyes, and someone loyal...well, that could be a lot of different, generic someones. So while that might be my first stepping stone, I'm looking for more. You know what attracted me to my husband-to-be when we met? On our first date, he very honestly said, "I'm divorced, have 3 kids, and they come first." I fell there and then (not that I told him that until a long time later!). Why? Funny thing is, I never wanted kids. Still don't. But family is the most important thing to me. And for someone to be that frank and honest with someone who might just turn and walk away? That is what caught me. The fact that he's also kind and loyal add to this. But it's the other things, too...the way he agrees for us to foster dogs, even though he finds the smell and hair hard to abide. The way he supports me working from home. The way he goes out of his way to do the little things that matter to me...turning up with a mini-cake just because he knows I feel crappy. These are the things you learn about a person over time. So make your MC learn these things about your love interest over time, and your reader will buy into them, hook, line, and sinker.<br />
<br />
3) Make your characters interesting! In fiction, characters need to be dynamic, imperfect, entertaining, devilish, loyal, larger than life, down to earth... Now, you don't need to make them have all these qualities. But what you do need to do is make sure that you give them something to stand out from the pack.<br />
<br />
So, I hope this helps. And if you're interested in more of my blog posts, you can check out my <a href="https://fionamclarenwrites.com/my-blog/" target="_blank">blog</a>, too.<div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-59841193566647621022018-01-30T20:51:00.000-05:002018-01-30T20:51:12.718-05:00GUESTOPIA: YA Author Amber Elby
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Today, we’re
lucky enough to get a fascinating look into the writing world of a new and exciting YA
author! You will love this!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; margin: 0px;"><u>AMBER ELBY</u></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; margin: 0px;"><u><br /></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #262626; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Amber Elby was born in Grand Ledge,
Michigan but spent much of her childhood in the United Kingdom. She began
writing when she was three years old and created miniature books by asking her
family how to spell every, single, word. Several years later, she saw her
first Shakespearean comedy, <i>Much Ado About Nothing</i>, in London. Many
years later, she studied Creative Writing at Michigan State University’s Honors
College before earning her Master of Fine Arts degree in Screenwriting at the
University of Texas at Austin. She currently resides in Texas with her
husband and two daughters and spends her time teaching, traveling, and getting
lost in imaginary worlds. </span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #262626; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Is this your
first published book?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Yes, but I’ve had short films produced and also published a handful of
poems.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">What’s it
called?</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Cauldron’s Bubble </span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>Which genre?</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I call it Shakespearean fan-fiction fantasy for young adults. It takes
place within the fiction of Shakespeare’s plays but is written in a fast-paced,
modern style that appeals to most YA fans. It also contains magic and time
travel and such, hence the fantasy aspect.</span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Which age
group?</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Cauldron’s
Bubble </span></i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">is intended for young people who are about to begin studying
Shakespeare’s plays in school, but most of their parents read and enjoy it,
too. My youngest fan that I know is eight years old, and my oldest fan is past
eighty.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Is it a
series or standalone?</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">It is the first in a series called the Netherfeld Trilogy. The second
book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Double, Double Toil, </i>will be
released later this year (date TBA), and the final book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trouble Fires Burn</i>, will come out in 2019.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Are you an
agented author?</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Not yet, but I emailed my first query letter a week or so ago. I received
distribution help from my publisher and only realized that I needed an agent
when I started looking into international sales.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Which
publisher snapped up your book?</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Verdopolis Press of Austin, Texas.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">How involved
have you been in the whole publishing process of your book?</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBibX-d6e6rEzXPP9zCtT3oWZEWsAXMakKnwsdKPKkvZk7xBAL3Vkv4oAt3gFEI2jmHywhzj99_WZSaMgjzfKzZM3McVJ7EYGGAr1B8JVGP9Y5_zATJnQKRkmAZQO6OtT6BoS71oyDsLeM/s1600/Amber+E5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBibX-d6e6rEzXPP9zCtT3oWZEWsAXMakKnwsdKPKkvZk7xBAL3Vkv4oAt3gFEI2jmHywhzj99_WZSaMgjzfKzZM3McVJ7EYGGAr1B8JVGP9Y5_zATJnQKRkmAZQO6OtT6BoS71oyDsLeM/s320/Amber+E5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I was, thankfully, incredibly involved with the publication. I worked
closely with my cover artist, Brandi Harrison of TypeJar Studio, to create the
front and back covers. I even got to choose the font for the book. I wanted an
artistic say in this project because I learned from screenwriting how it feels
to have someone else take control of your writing, which is why I knew from the
beginning that I wanted to go with a smaller press who would let me retain
creative control.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Do you have
another job?</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Yes, I teach rhetorical writing and British literature at a local
community college. I write under a pen name, so my students generally don’t
know that I am a published author.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Did you
receive many, if any, rejections prior?</span></b></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">The stars were actually aligned for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cauldron’s
Bubble</i>, so I worked with Verdopolis Press from relatively early in the
process with the clear intent to publish with them. I actually didn’t submit
the manuscript elsewhere.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">What
created/what were you doing or watching when the first idea for this book
sneaked up on you</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">? </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I used to
teach ninth grade English at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin,
Texas. This was many years ago, back when the Percy Jackson series first
exploded into popular culture. My students had to read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Odyssey, Beowulf, </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Macbeth</i>
for the class, and they could all relate to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Odyssey </i>because they had read Percy Jackson for pleasure. They had read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grendel </i>the previous year in school, so
they were prepared for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beowulf</i>, but
they had no prior experience to help them understand Shakespeare. I realized
that there needed to be a bridge text that could help students relate to plays
like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Macbeth, Hamlet, </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Tempest</i>, so that is how <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cauldron’s Bubble</i> was first conceived<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i>Actually prior to this, starting when
I was in middle or high school, I always wondered what Macbeth’s witches did
offstage, how Hamlet escaped from the pirates on his way to England, and what
happened on Prospero’s island before the play actually begins, so many of the novel’s
elements have been in my mind since I was a teenager.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">How long did
you plot/plan until you started writing it?</span></b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I thought about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cauldron’s Bubble </i>for
about ten years before I started writing what would become the first draft. During
that time, I reread and taught many of Shakespeare’s plays, and I wrote
extensive notes containing my ideas that I emailed to myself (so I could easily
find them later), but I had major life events like births and deaths and
building my home that prevented me from focusing on writing. I knew my title at
the very beginning of the process, but I didn’t develop the protagonists, Alda
and Dreng, until about two years before publication. Once I wrote the first
chapter, my notes allowed me to complete the novel relatively quickly. I have
some regret for not starting sooner, but I’m not sure I could have written it
without everything that happened in the years between inspiration and writing.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Once you
started, did the story flow naturally or did you have to step in and wrestle it
into submission?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I practice
world-building when I write, so I almost feel like I observe the events of the
novel rather than create them because I am so imbedded in the fiction. I call
this “going down the rabbit hole.” I knew where I was going when I wrote, or at
least I thought I did, but the characters seemed to go on their own adventures,
so my ideas had the potential to change seemingly without my control.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>How many drafts did you write before you let someone read it? Who was that
someone?</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">By the end, I wrote about seventy drafts, but I know that other writers
would not count each of these revisions as a draft because they were not all complete
page-one rewrites, even though I did make significant changes to at least part
of the novel each time. I’m not sure when I let my husband first read it, but I
believe I was about halfway through the process before I let him read only the
first chapter. I hesitated to share it because it is part of a new fantasy
world, and I knew that anyone who read an early, incomplete version would have
too many questions and just be confused. I also kept my writing secret from
most of my friends and all of my extended family because I was afraid that
something would go wrong with publication, so I didn’t tell my mother about it
until I handed her a printed copy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Did you
employ an editor/proofreader or did you have a critique partner/beta readers
before you started querying?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I had many readers outside of my publisher. I am lucky to have educated
and talented friends who have degrees and backgrounds in creative writing and
English, so I called in some favours and got people to read my early full
drafts with no pay. I thanked all of them in my acknowledgements, but that
doesn’t seem adequate for the time that they gave me, so thanks again,
everyone, for all of your help.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Roughly how
many drafts did it take before you sent the manuscript off into the real world?</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5Yh2PxH-w7b-mJnQNnis1LgvnvHejNdmZLW69EjHBO8qAR2ChIhIE6ALbWSDIenL4gjVAi4pqgIqvO5NkxsPMbRL5SDJTZVVCpXW8TAZlE2t-EUekCpt1L0g3IhJnl5Ae3aB9i1JZ1Am/s1600/Amber+E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5Yh2PxH-w7b-mJnQNnis1LgvnvHejNdmZLW69EjHBO8qAR2ChIhIE6ALbWSDIenL4gjVAi4pqgIqvO5NkxsPMbRL5SDJTZVVCpXW8TAZlE2t-EUekCpt1L0g3IhJnl5Ae3aB9i1JZ1Am/s320/Amber+E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">As I said, I wrote about seventy drafts. I revised as I went, too, so the
first draft probably had nearly that many revisions before it was complete. Again,
these were not page-one rewrites. Each rewrite fixed a specific problem within
the draft or added a new subplot or expanded several scenes or rewrote the
dialogue. I know that other writers would probably count this as fewer drafts,
but I have over seventy different versions saved on my computer.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">How many
drafts until it was published?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Revision was all one long process, and I don’t really know where
pre-publisher revisions ended and publisher revisions began. I have many
scribbled-on manuscripts on my shelf, and I don’t even know how many times each
one was reviewed or in which order they were revised. I think that “many” is a
good answer for this question. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Has the book
changed dramatically since the first draft?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Yes, of course. The first chapter was significantly longer in the first
draft, and it was incredibly wordy. I also wrote part of the first draft as I
was reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Frankenstein, </i>and I had
to throw out those chapters and completely rewrite them because I became overly
verbose and archaic (see, I used big words again just thinking about it). I
don’t want to say I’m embarrassed by my first draft, but, well…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Are there any
parts you’d like to change even now?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I’m actually scared to read the printed copy because I know I will find
things to change! I don’t understand how people actually “finish” writing. I
know that if left to my own devices, I would release about ten different
editions with minor changes to things that no one else even noticed.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">What part of
writing do you find the easiest?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I was about to jokingly say typing, but then I accidentally hit the equal
sign in the middle: typ=ing. If “easiest” means “the part that you feel the
most confident about,” then I suppose that the dialogue comes the most
naturally because I studied it for so long when I wrote screenplays. Tomorrow I
might say that characterization is easiest, or plotting, or conflict, so it
probably just depends on the scene and my mood.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>What part do you find hardest?</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Physical exhaustion. Really, writing is taxing on me. I lose time when I
write, so I think things like, “It’s almost noon. I should stop and eat lunch.”
Then it’s suddenly 2:00, and I’m faint with hunger. I also have severe and
vivid nightmares when I am in the depths of writing; sometimes these help with
ideas, but they are often about things that are “off-stage” in my work, so I
usually cannot include them directly.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSBls-fcspfd9U53eU1Ag8aKnowQ_q3KJChTDUDGiwUNDMP2qIECWnAWasUWlJQC1o0dWpCR5AtaLzFwMj4LCealm4yKou2yBtU4ebe_EMQ3_rKWx4djbzmHLnUvX0rsBhJ-eE6oS2q7e/s1600/Amber+E4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="565" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSBls-fcspfd9U53eU1Ag8aKnowQ_q3KJChTDUDGiwUNDMP2qIECWnAWasUWlJQC1o0dWpCR5AtaLzFwMj4LCealm4yKou2yBtU4ebe_EMQ3_rKWx4djbzmHLnUvX0rsBhJ-eE6oS2q7e/s320/Amber+E4.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Do you push
through writing barriers or walk away?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I push through. If I need a little break, I either take a shower, nap
briefly, or pet my cat. I have a writing cat who sits next to me when I work
(he’s at my feet right now), and I highly suggest the adoption of a similar
companion for anyone who needs writing support.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">How many
projects do you have on the go at the same time?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I can work on many different projects, but I have trouble writing more
than one work of prose-fiction at a time. At the moment, I’m working on a
scholarly/research project, writing a travel blog under a different pen name,
and working on the sequel to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cauldron’s
Bubble</i>. I’ve also been outlining several other novels, but they are
essentially on a shelf until I finish the Netherfeld Trilogy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>Do you think you’re born with the talent to write or do you think it can be
learned</b>? </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I teach
college students how to write, so I know it can be learned. It might be easier
for some people to learn, but I always tell my students that everyone is
capable of earning an A. Everyone can write well, too, but some have to study
longer and work harder than others.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You
also have to be humble when you write and take criticism because that is the
only way to improve.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">How many
future novels do you have planned?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I have at least four novels that are seriously under construction, but I
plan to write until I die, so I’ll say “many.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Do you write
other things, such as short stories, articles, blogs, etc?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Yes, I write a travel blog under a different pen name (I keep my
identities separate for professional purposes), and I have also written many
screenplays and have a MFA in screenwriting. When I was an undergraduate, I
wrote poetry and studied under a successful Beat poet, but she told me to go
into fiction writing because I had “too many characters in my head.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">What’s the
highlight of being published so far?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">My fourth grade daughter did a book report and project about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cauldron’s Bubble</i>. She was not allowed
to ask me questions because she had to interpret the book herself, but she did
a great job visualizing the story and created a poster collage of the different
settings. I keep it in my office.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJB9hlky2tJRA-MP9dPTAgd3eXKMecuFl9EatRHRKsouqLvmT0G5VSDnJOUBCF8g8dwScCreOCEMNgoaMp4wkpsFMnOl6JSBW_-zXWp66_CjKsQNeR9BufFlrLS2l2j6ltupfn831fDeZY/s1600/Amber+E3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJB9hlky2tJRA-MP9dPTAgd3eXKMecuFl9EatRHRKsouqLvmT0G5VSDnJOUBCF8g8dwScCreOCEMNgoaMp4wkpsFMnOl6JSBW_-zXWp66_CjKsQNeR9BufFlrLS2l2j6ltupfn831fDeZY/s320/Amber+E3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Give
me one writing tip that works for you.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I always try to give an unusual answer for this question: one of my
screenwriting professors told us to create a soundtrack to play when we write that
includes “theme songs” for the characters. I was reluctant to do this at first,
but now I think that it does help.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">And one that
doesn't.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I knew a lot of aspiring writers in college who felt like they had to
drink or do drugs to write well; a classmate even told me that it was impossible
for anyone to write sober. I want every young person reading this to know that
such an outlook is not true. The most successful writers I know are clean and
sober (of course there are famous, mostly dead, writers who were otherwise). I
have never done any illegal drug, and I don’t drink when I write. Trust your
imagination, and it will guide you without any stimulus.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Can you give
us a clue or secret about the next book?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">My protagonists enter the world of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
Midsummer Night’s Dream</i>, but my fairies are much more terrifying than they
are usually portrayed on stage. Ophelia is also introduced as a character in
the next book, so she actually gets her own voice instead of being subjugated
by male characters.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">What question
have you always wanted to be asked but never have? What would the answer be?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">“If you could write for any other series, which one would you choose?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">My response a year ago would have been the long-cancelled television
series <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Veronica Mars</i> because of my
background in screenwriting, but my nine-year-old daughter recently became obsessed
with a middle-grade book series called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tales
from the Haunted Mansion</i> from Disney Press. I would love to contribute to
that series, especially because it has the potential for 999 books, one for
each ghost in the Haunted Mansion attraction, so I could remain in that
imaginary world for a long time.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Told you. How
cool is Amber? Thank you so much for joining us today, Amber, and we wish you
all the success with this and every book that follows. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">If you would
like to catch up with Amber, learn more about her writing, or purchase a copy
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cauldron’s Bubble</i>, then these
links might help! </span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.amberelby.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://twitter.com/AmberElby" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cauldrons-Bubble-Netherfeld-Trilogy-1/dp/1974404706/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1515425140&sr=8-1&keywords=cauldron%27s+bubble" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cauldrons-Bubble-1-Netherfeld-Trilogy/dp/1974404706/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1515425170&sr=8-5&keywords=cauldron%27s+bubble" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Cauldrons-Bubble-Amber-Elby/dp/1974404706/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&keywords=cauldron%27s%20bubble&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&qid=1515437030&ref_=mp_s_a_1_6&sr=8-6" target="_blank">Amazon Australia</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36035567-cauldron-s-bubble" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1DXznOGEMJ-FLCUsyalWdC6I3ELlh_sR7C22HEDrSETjABADqXeCrnc9GLnQJ9wxm4xk0uItnO2u4EcYV2sklozWWqt_2Xr-gBaxCgFfoc6QMx1yFFgUecYlRIGtqI_lM_HWRcWcUBAR/s1600/YAtopia+badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1DXznOGEMJ-FLCUsyalWdC6I3ELlh_sR7C22HEDrSETjABADqXeCrnc9GLnQJ9wxm4xk0uItnO2u4EcYV2sklozWWqt_2Xr-gBaxCgFfoc6QMx1yFFgUecYlRIGtqI_lM_HWRcWcUBAR/s320/YAtopia+badge.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-29679219006054287422018-01-28T16:46:00.000-05:002018-01-28T16:48:01.819-05:00Why My Writing Plans Are Top SecretTo wrap up January's theme of <i>writing aspirations</i>, here's what I'm going to tell you about my personal writing aspirations:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfXwAHAQZ9yzDFR8Ms39HJ68MLn95vUPY7IlBs57nA5TLxOY3sALMBA3vFDVZLjAPiDmrIpep-ira4p3rz1GY2sQoWAp_I9BAYlscRb8chutsT7f3vyDozdpl51eobnlPSyUZvTRncfM/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="138" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfXwAHAQZ9yzDFR8Ms39HJ68MLn95vUPY7IlBs57nA5TLxOY3sALMBA3vFDVZLjAPiDmrIpep-ira4p3rz1GY2sQoWAp_I9BAYlscRb8chutsT7f3vyDozdpl51eobnlPSyUZvTRncfM/s1600/giphy.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: giphy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Just to clarify, I do have writing aspirations for this year, but I won't tell you. I won't even tell my critique partner, my friends, my husband, my toddler, or even my private journal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPqmvVY-RPzHPaCVfs6VCW-UumoiJtQagov6pPrCFoxbt2yPHxNPfpH1-21SqtooVQiTbMbjmqtF9qzDlWBnqap0AYTp6kIuG5UhTNlBuOA1nwFCMNlSJ3zkVP7me3RS2WTYDw7ey2jM/s1600/Logopit_1517175359284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPqmvVY-RPzHPaCVfs6VCW-UumoiJtQagov6pPrCFoxbt2yPHxNPfpH1-21SqtooVQiTbMbjmqtF9qzDlWBnqap0AYTp6kIuG5UhTNlBuOA1nwFCMNlSJ3zkVP7me3RS2WTYDw7ey2jM/s320/Logopit_1517175359284.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
This year, I'm keeping secrets. My entire WIP is TOP SECRET. So classified I'm not even allowed to write notes about it. My timeline for this WIP is just as hush hush.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOi3_wRIBX4GmgSzQzxEfO_buW6CZd5MNwn0DVdZDM5qYjQTJXq8YgeDxnip5yeH7atUUKPwViEPzinO7cVfntvddr2wmunMwHtFHKV2cBoI30JrUZNJvD1bFCbi7ero3tNs9zT8iki4/s1600/giphy+%25281%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="400" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOi3_wRIBX4GmgSzQzxEfO_buW6CZd5MNwn0DVdZDM5qYjQTJXq8YgeDxnip5yeH7atUUKPwViEPzinO7cVfntvddr2wmunMwHtFHKV2cBoI30JrUZNJvD1bFCbi7ero3tNs9zT8iki4/s320/giphy+%25281%2529.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: giphy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Why? Because I've noticed in the past, whenever I tell people my ideas and plans, the project suddenly loses a little bit of the magic for me. Instead of enjoying my own creative freedom and exploration of the project, I start to worry that I'm not working quickly enough, and I'll disappoint the people cheering me on. I worry about whether they'll like what I'm writing. My mind skips over the messy discovery part of writing and goes straight into perfection mode. And then when things aren't perfect, I freeze.<br />
<br />
But if no one knows my goals, plans, and ideas, I'm completely free. Free to discover. Free to fail. Free to make messes. Free to listen to what my characters want and what the story needs instead of what actual people want. The story is just for me. If it's a complete disaster, no one ever has to know. If I am driven by my passion, listen to my characters, and let creative freedom take this book to the finish line...and <i>then</i> I decide people can know about it, cool. But there's no pressure to get to that point.<br />
<br />
I have a passion project, top secret, just for me. So don't ask me about it because I'll just blink at you and say, "What are you talking about?"<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5VqFOqkuiUfErj7NkQorze_MxxmT3bhnWkngmj21lk3Vp_DFSWN-64wxeuLZJvj-Y66hM9g-88ssVxqf9ixTK6E3aKjgcn3LFwHvRFXcVf9ENCykw-lcAhY5Yd9hfY6T7El3Sk-YpQA/s1600/200w.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="113" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5VqFOqkuiUfErj7NkQorze_MxxmT3bhnWkngmj21lk3Vp_DFSWN-64wxeuLZJvj-Y66hM9g-88ssVxqf9ixTK6E3aKjgcn3LFwHvRFXcVf9ENCykw-lcAhY5Yd9hfY6T7El3Sk-YpQA/s1600/200w.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: giphy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-84390748715111692702018-01-27T17:32:00.000-05:002018-01-27T17:35:08.674-05:00GUESTOPIA: MG Author Ramon Ballard<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 18px 13px 0px;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">It’s Guestopia time! Please
welcome...</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 18px 13px 0px;">
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><u>RAMON BALLARD</u></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtF_hi-eKFb6Bgg9TYO3-7jhKr2I_ZXVnMPTSPWj2xo5X5Faelc_rJLLfeA12WXEWF-WvyIVJq8DjkkwWi7wp3BuW6cTgcBUYX2thP6tGWYzajjnaduQf1RdNCblHaIguZApeRSeuszE4r/s1600/ramon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtF_hi-eKFb6Bgg9TYO3-7jhKr2I_ZXVnMPTSPWj2xo5X5Faelc_rJLLfeA12WXEWF-WvyIVJq8DjkkwWi7wp3BuW6cTgcBUYX2thP6tGWYzajjnaduQf1RdNCblHaIguZApeRSeuszE4r/s320/ramon.jpg" width="180" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Ramon Ballard was born in Salt
Lake City, Utah a long, long time ago. It is said that age is just a number.
However, he has a really big number. He found that he was invisible, soon after
entering elementary school, and stayed invisible throughout high school.
He had the shy child's habit of making up stories and holding
conversations with imaginary persons</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">.
Invisibility has definite advantages, especially when combined with a vivid
imagination. He created magical, fantasy worlds with magical inhabitants, which
he told to my imaginary friends.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Time
does not stand still. Fantasy worlds evolve into mundane, everyday life. As he
grew older, his whimsical travels to far off places diminished and his
invisibility slowly faded into visibility. Once he had children, he would tell
them the stories that only his imaginary friends knew.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Years
passed. One failed marriage became two. He found and married my one true love
and began my happily ever after. Happiness has certain side effects, his
creativity yearned to shine. The imaginary world refused to be silenced; they
demanded to be heard.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">He
kept saying “one day he was going to write my stories down in a book” until his
wife told him to shut up, quit talking about it and do it. That was ten years
ago. Today he has written 6 books, with a dozen more started but unfinished.
The rest is history. He wouldn’t change a thing.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Is this your first
published book? </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">No,
this was my first novel I ever wrote. However, it was the second book published.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">What’s it called? </span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">A Somewhat True
Adventure of Sara Roberts</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>Which age group? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Totally
Middle-Grade, although it has been loved by my adult beta-readers.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Is it a series or
standalone? </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">A
standalone with series possibility</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px;">. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Are you an agented author? </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Wow,
where do I start. I had an agent, once upon a time, but she decided to head
into the sunset.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Which publisher snapped up
your book? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Paperback-Press</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">How involved have you been
in the whole publishing process of your book? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I
stalked throughout the whole publishing thing.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Do you have another job? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I
retired in 2009 after 40 years as an engineer. I started writing fiction in 2007.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">What created/what were you
doing or watching when the first idea for this book sneaked up on you</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">? </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I was driving toward
Branson, a touristy place near us, when I told my wife that I was going to
write the best middle-grade book, to which she told me to stop talking about it
and write the thing.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">How long did you plot/plan
until you started writing it? </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I
started writing poetry in 1970 and thought about writing middle grade when my
children were young. So I suppose you could say, I played with the idea for
over 25 years until I finally got it on pages.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Once you started, did the
story flow naturally or did you have to step in and wrestle it into submission?
</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">The
writing flowed, kinda. Before I knew it I had a funny novel. The problem was it
was a 109K middle-grade novel. I had no idea of the word count for such a
novel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>How many drafts did you write before you let someone read it? Who was that
someone? </b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I
let my father read the first draft (yes 109K words)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Did you receive many, if
any, rejections prior? </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I
got a million rejections. I was so dejected I thought about sending a great
rejection with every query that the agent could just sign and send it back to
me. Originally I started querying the 109k edition. I even got one agent that
requested a full manuscript. I can only guess he didn’t know the word count for
middle-grade novels either. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Roughly how many drafts did
it take before you sent the manuscript off into the real world? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Like
I said, I was clueless and sent it to the real world right after I finished the
second draft.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">How many drafts until it
was published? </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">The
finished draft was about 62K which changed from 109K to 72K, 62K 49K and
finally 62K</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3iIBgVgyQTc07O_IVaw71mABhUh_0ASlY-BjyCYi9Zb05yOyHumFtfPWavTYAcbry7kYT4YriezXJ5_mbKv6u9aZdEHkpB8M4HRxV8XjWrf7oFt3nZL5vEonViHogNZNZ7R7mrO3K-Rp/s1600/ramon+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3iIBgVgyQTc07O_IVaw71mABhUh_0ASlY-BjyCYi9Zb05yOyHumFtfPWavTYAcbry7kYT4YriezXJ5_mbKv6u9aZdEHkpB8M4HRxV8XjWrf7oFt3nZL5vEonViHogNZNZ7R7mrO3K-Rp/s320/ramon+cover.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Has the book changed
dramatically since the first draft? </span></b></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Some
of the things I loved in my 109K got erased from the final draft, but it is
essentially the same novel. </span></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Are there any parts you’d
like to change even now? </span></b></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I
don’t think about it. Once I published I was done. There is nothing to change
once you’ve gotten to that point.</span></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">What part of writing do you
find the easiest? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I
love everything about writing except commas. I can’t stand them. </span></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Do you push through writing
barriers or walk away? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">It
would be nice if I were to say that I push through writing barriers, but I
don’t. I also don’t exactly walk away from barriers. I stew.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">How many projects do you
have on the go at the same time? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I
tried having multiple novels going at the same time. It didn’t end well. I
learned one project at a time. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>Do you think you’re born with the talent to write or do you think it can be
learned</b>? </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I’ve been writing in one
form or the other for so long. It’s hard to think about it. I was born with the
ability, but it can also be learned, </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">How many future novels do
you have planned? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">At
my age (70ish) I don’t know if I have another book in me. I still have 2 books
complete that have no place to go but up.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Do you write other things,
such as short stories, articles, blogs, etc? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I
have a blog that I write in 2 or three times per year.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">What’s the highlight of
being published so far? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Having
a shiny new novel staring at you.<b></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Give me one writing
tip that worked for you. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">“Not
all great books are published.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">And one that doesn't. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">“You
can do it.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Can you give us a clue or
secret about the next book? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">It
will either be about a young boy who is convinced by leprechauns to go on a
dangerous quest. Or, a retelling of Cinderella.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">What question have you
always wanted to be asked but never have? What would the answer be?</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Q: Why have so many novels been published that are worse
than mine, and I can’t get a break? </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">A: “Not every great novel gets published.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">And that’s
it! Thank you for joining us, Ramon, and we wish you all the best with this and
all of your future books.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">If you would
like to grab a copy of Ramon’s book and learn more about him, these links
should help. </span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Somewhat-True-Adeventure-Sara-Roberts-ebook/dp/B0745SKVDV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517090991&sr=8-1&keywords=ramon+ballard" target="_blank">Amazon</a></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><a href="http://raballard-mymind.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Website</a></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><a href="https://twitter.com/raballard" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-73637849535876451662018-01-22T13:33:00.001-05:002018-01-22T13:33:16.989-05:002018 Writing Decisions<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<b><u>Start the year off with some solid decisions!</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did you start off January 2018 with a list of resolutions? Writing
goals for the upcoming year? Well, me too! Just like I do every year. I don’t
think there’s anything wrong with setting yourself goals and aspirations for
the following year – I find it inspirational and vaguely cathartic; it’s the
time I forgive myself for not reaching those same goals the previous year.
“It’s OK,” I tell myself, “you have another chance!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But while that’s all well and good in the shiny new month of
January, by the time May rolls around and you realise you’re no way near
finishing that second book; haven’t landed your dream job; your gym membership
card is gathering dust; that healthy-eating cookbook is less dog-eared than the
epic classic book your friend leant you that really isn’t your thing but you
promised you’d read… (not that any of this is personal to me, of course…),
well, those January goals can seem a little defeating.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, this year I’m concentrating on decisions, rather than
resolutions or goals. My writing decisions are crafted so that the end result
will be more projects get finished, but I’m not judging my success with
anything solid enough to feel deflating when I haven’t reached my goal.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To give you an example, they go a little like this:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span>Dedicate more time to writing by creating a
routine that works around my other commitments and sticking to it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">B)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Being more selfish with my writing time. I’m
guilty of treating writing time as something that can be side-lined for other
things, like phone calls/emails/texts or just about anything else that seems
like a priority at the time. I need to start seeing writing as a priority; then
others will value my writing time, too.</div>
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<br /></div>
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</span></span></span>If a project isn’t working, take a break; go
onto something else and return to it at a later date when I can give it the
enthusiasm and positivity it deserves.</div>
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<br /></div>
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How
about you? Have you got any writing decisions for the upcoming year? If so,
share them in the comments below! And celebrate any goals or resolutions you
met in 2017!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-84909547080334667052018-01-16T19:15:00.000-05:002018-01-16T19:15:27.975-05:002018 Is Going To Be My Writing Year<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Aspirations
is the theme for YAtopia’s January blog posts, and I’ll mention my writing career
goals for 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">My first
writing career goal is having another series (or book) accepted for publication.
One writing idea I’m working on is a YA Mystery/Thriller novel that is GONE
GIRL meets Adam Silvera’s HISTORY IS ALL YOU LEFT ME. I’m also working on a YA near
future Sci-Fi Thriller involving cryogenics, which is the catalyst for the main
character and several teens each developing one superpower. I’d like to write
some sort of quirky Middle Grade book as well—whether it is contemporary,
magical realism, fantasy, mystery, horror, or even some combination of the
various genres. I’m not sure when the Middle Grade idea will come to fruition,
though. Furthermore, I’ve already had one YA Fantasy trilogy accepted for publication,
which will be published by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NineStar Press</i>
(the first book—IN THE NAME OF MAGIC—has a tentative release date of June 11,
2018). Hopefully, getting one series accepted for publication means I can get
another series or book accepted for publication by a publisher that accepts
un-agented submissions/small press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Getting a
literary agent is another writing career goal. I’m not opposed to publishing
with a publisher that accepts un-agented submissions or a small press for a
second series again. However, I’m still very much considering pursuing literary
representation. The fact that one novel might be better suited for a publisher
that accepts un-agented submissions or small press than a literary agent and
vice versa is something I’ll consider.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">My last
career goal is having a successful book launch for IN THE NAME OF MAGIC when it
comes out on June 11, 2018. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity
<i>NineStar Press</i> has given me, and want to make the most of it. Ultimately, I’m looking
forward to seeing what 2018 will bring for my writing. Anyway, happy writing,
and best of luck with making submissions to all my fellow writers out there!!! <span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-24150723432289375302018-01-10T10:29:00.000-05:002018-01-10T10:29:24.139-05:00Aspiring in 2018 with Laura Steven<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">Dreams are often portrayed as things that’ll only
happen in the distant future. Aspirations a longing to get there. But what if
we defined them in another way? What if our aspirations weren’t an endless
longing? What if we blocked off the deafening noise in our heads that say “one
day, one year, I will achieve this NEW BIG SHINY THING and I will struggle
every inch of the way to get there.”? (In the case of writers this is often:
get an agent, sell a book, wow readers, get good reviews, great sales, rinse, repeat.)</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">Instead, what if we break that aspiration down and
think to ourselves “what dream can I achieve TODAY?” We can work toward the
larger goal, but </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "system font italic" , serif; margin: 0px;">not</span><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"> just focus on the larger goal. I believe we should turn our
attention to something much more important: the day-to-day. You wake up in the
morning: what is your dream for this one day? What do you want to achieve?
Reach out and connect with a reader? Market a book? Put your feelings on the
page? Choose that goal and aspire to meet it and relish in the power of
achieving it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">I’ve started to adjust my perspective on my
aspirations. Yes, I aspire greatly to publish my book. That’s a given. But how
do my daily dreams build up to that?</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">Today, my dream is to create a blog post that connects
to someone. Even if it’s just one, single person. Someone who finds connection
with me. Maybe I connect to more people. Maybe I don’t. Maybe this person will
be a future reader. Maybe they won’t. Maybe they tell someone else about what I
do and think they’ll get value in it. But whichever way you cut it, if I can
connect with someone, then I’ll be honored they have read my post and find
something worthwhile there.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">Tomorrow’s goal? To make a reader happy. To recommend
them a great book I think they’ll like. Or perhaps help a writer get a boost on
Twitter, or Facebook, or by word of mouth. Or work on a marketing idea, or on my
website.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">I don’t want to call these steps toward success. I
want to call them daily dreams that I can achieve. Today, I dreamed of one
person connecting to my blog post. Let’s see if that happens. How will I make
it happen? Talk to people, invest in them, find out what </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "system font italic" , serif; margin: 0px;">they</span><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"> want, what they aspire to. Because other people’s aspirations count
just as much as yours do. And on that note, I’m honored to have Laura Steven as
my blog guest. She’s a wonderful, heartwarming, genuine person. And yes, she’s
a writer. But she’s just incredibly lovely. And, of course, it goes without
saying that you need to watch out for her book THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF OKAY,
debuting in March 2018 from Egmont. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUksMV9405gnJWhH8dscLr9gLxW_uU6ickrRRT9qTlimba-J2H2IgGy7cotpI7MkwMLZS0ch9ZN8xsjR_oVKlciBxOcwP885zeYdfyBziIRSmEclxxU9MmBpXERabfNYx0q7Atzt-nNc/s1600/Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="623" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUksMV9405gnJWhH8dscLr9gLxW_uU6ickrRRT9qTlimba-J2H2IgGy7cotpI7MkwMLZS0ch9ZN8xsjR_oVKlciBxOcwP885zeYdfyBziIRSmEclxxU9MmBpXERabfNYx0q7Atzt-nNc/s320/Cover.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damn, look at how awesome that cover is!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;">So, Laura, first of
all, thank you for being so kind to come onto the blog. So, why don’t you tell
us about THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF OKAY, and importantly, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "system font bold italic" , serif; margin: 0px;">why</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;">
this story is in your heart and who you aspire to connect with through your
words?</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Hey!
Thank you so much for having me!<b> </b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">The Exact Opposite
of Okay </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">is
about a teenage girl who finds herself at the heart of a national scandal when
a photo of her having sex with a politician’s son is leaked online. No, it’s
not autobiographical. How dare you.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">The book
deals with slut shaming, victim blaming, toxic masculinity and a bunch of other
issues teen girls struggle with. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #191919; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Through this series, I really want to inspire
young women to speak up and fight back against the never-ending stream of
misogyny diarrhea they have to face on a daily basis. Sometimes this sexism may
seem innocuous, like the Friend Zone phenomenon I explore in </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #191919; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">The Exact Opposite of Okay, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #191919; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">but I wanted to highlight
how problematic this stuff really is in the bigger picture. It's not just teenage melodrama.
It matters. How the world treats teenage girls matters. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;">At the start of the
year, I felt the need to bring happiness into my life. Through the small things
in particular. Tell me, what were the small things that happened (or that you felt)
when working on THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF OKAY, and why did they mean so much to
you?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">The best thing this book gave me was the realization
that I could make people laugh with my words – but also make myself laugh.
Izzy’s voice arrived fully formed in my head, and immediately brought me back
to life after two years of publishing hell (more on that painful time <a href="https://lauramsteven.tumblr.com/post/168748882033/my-publishing-journey-so-far"><span style="color: #000099; margin: 0px;">here</span></a>). So there Izzy was, waiting for me to
give her an outlet. She was sarcastic, witty, bright but not conventionally so,
and something really shitty had happened to her. So shitty that she wanted to
write a blog about it. That’s all I had, but I knew. I </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "system font italic" , serif; margin: 0px;">knew. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">This voice was gold. Still in bed on a dreary Saturday morning, I
wrote the short introduction to the book on my iPhone notes, laughing merrily
as I did so. I will always look back on that moment as pure alchemy.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;"></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;">As authors, ideas
always sneak in. Do you have a W.I.P? Any hints about what it might be or what
you aspire for it to become? And, just as importantly, why did this book burrow
into your heart, too?</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">Absolutely! Having just turned in the sequel to The
Exact Opposite of Okay, for the last few weeks I’ve been working on a YA
thriller about death row, complex brains and a viral true crime podcast started
by a vulnerable teenage girl. The plot bunny came to me first, but the thing
that’s kept me going for the first 30,000 words is my love for the characters
I’ve created. They’re complicated, morally compromised, but deep down good
people. It makes putting them through hell hard, but it’s worth it.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;"></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;">I want you to
imagine a reader holding your book in their hands and they’ve just read it.
What would you like to say to them once they close the final page?</span></b></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">Go and raise hell. For me, for Izzy, for yourself.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;"></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;">If you could give
someone advice on their aspirations – writerly or otherwise – what would it be?</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">Persevere. It will take longer than you think it will,
but it will be worth it. There is no such thing as overnight success, so don’t
cut corners. Pride yourself on doing the work, on showing up even when it gets
tough, on holding onto hope even when it feels like there is none. You truly
never know when your breakthrough moment will strike.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;"></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;">Is there an interview
question you’ve never been asked but would like to be?</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">Yes! “What are your favourite Pokemon (from the
original 150)?” Well, dearest interviewer, Eevee is my ride or die, and I have
a particular fondness for the legendary birds – specifically Articuno. I’m also
into aesthetically pleasing fire-types, such as Vulpix, Growlithe and Ponyta.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;"></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;">Lastly, I know
you’re not just an author. I know you wrote a TV pilot, and you work for
Mslexia, and you’re a wonderful person. So, tell me things we don’t know. Anything
goes….</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">I have done many ridiculous things in the name of
journalism – anything for a good feature. I’ve flown to Serbia to cover a
musical festival in a fortress, thrown myself out of a plane at 15,000ft,
played zorb football, interviewed Olympians and stand-up comedians, walked on
the roof of a football stadium without a harness, learned professional
blackjack strategy, and eaten a burger made with glazed donuts instead of bread
buns. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">----</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;">Thank you again for coming to the blog, Laura. We
talked about aspirations and what they are and mean. I aspire to get great
books into the hands of readers, but more than that, I aspire to connect
readers with authors. Not just one book. Not just one series. I aspire for
readers to get to know that author through their thoughts, emotions, and
experiences that they spill into their work, onto their blogs, and through
their websites and social media. I aspire to help people find their reading and
writing tribe. YATopia readers, I sincerely hope you join Laura’s reading
tribe, as you’ll grow your reading and writing in a way that will give back for
years to come. And you can start with THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF OKAY.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #191919; font-family: "arial bold" , serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Links
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0f3cc0; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Exact-Opposite-of-Okay-Laura-Steven/9781405288446?ref=grid-view&qid=1514652355134&sr=1-2"><span style="color: #000099; margin: 0px;">Preorder from The Book Depository</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #191919; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">
| </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0f3cc0; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35817737-the-exact-opposite-of-okay?from_search=true"><span style="color: #000099; margin: 0px;">Add to Goodreads</span></a></span></u></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;">Bio</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "tipo de letra del sistema fina" , serif; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRbA8tp67SerDTE_r3V_9wmGyfzJ9eNo0y73BfVcDSYxKCJ5HZ1-kRi8X1O08WJ0L-oISH-QRZMYdeW4dNuTuGK5Qecn_DZ4eaWOp84F9DP_QLahtcHtjGadwhqmzta5G38mEySwERCE/s1600/Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRbA8tp67SerDTE_r3V_9wmGyfzJ9eNo0y73BfVcDSYxKCJ5HZ1-kRi8X1O08WJ0L-oISH-QRZMYdeW4dNuTuGK5Qecn_DZ4eaWOp84F9DP_QLahtcHtjGadwhqmzta5G38mEySwERCE/s320/Headshot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Laura Steven is an author, journalist
and screenwriter from the northernmost town in England. The Exact Opposite of
Okay, her YA debut, will be published by Egmont in March 2018. As well as
mentoring aspiring authors through schemes like Writing In The Margins and
Pitch Wars, Laura works for Mslexia, a non-profit organisation supporting women
writers. She has an MA in Creative Writing, and her TV pilot Clickbait – a
mockumentary about journalists at a viral news agency – reached the final eight
in British Comedy's 2016 Sitcom Mission. Laura is represented by Suzie Townsend
of New Leaf Literary and Media Inc.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #191919; font-family: "arial bold" , serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Social
links</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times" , serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0f3cc0; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://laura-steven.com/"><span style="color: #000099; margin: 0px;">Web</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"> | </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0f3cc0; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/lauramsteven"><span style="color: #000099; margin: 0px;">Twitter</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"> | </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0f3cc0; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://instagram.com/lauramsteven"><span style="color: #000099; margin: 0px;">Instagram</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"> | </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0f3cc0; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17054622.Laura_Steven"><span style="color: #000099; margin: 0px;">Goodreads</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"> | </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0f3cc0; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfezsg73i5zDc7a7Ani4GBQ?view_as=subscriber"><span style="color: #000099; margin: 0px;">YouTube</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"> | </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0f3cc0; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://lauramsteven.tumblr.com/"><span style="color: #000099; margin: 0px;">Tumblr</span></a></span></u><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-29935205129065694812017-12-30T18:19:00.003-05:002017-12-30T18:19:43.542-05:00GUESTOPIA: YA Author Taryn BashfordWoohoo! It's the last GUESTOPIA of 2017! And we're going out with an explosion as we've invited an Aussie debut author to answer our questions. Here we go ...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>TARYN BASHFORD</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsIBlfbEN6SA_ia5YDZAL8dOEvMwgmeg98D9O0-941zOz4HJTvpbEAc39_jsOWmZLleRsWwCzXP9qwvmTdJdh4jEq-wlTmKr5fxz6pZFV6BWFTd181fHiD-yVDNGrgjURd3vStt7BXLcR/s1600/taryn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsIBlfbEN6SA_ia5YDZAL8dOEvMwgmeg98D9O0-941zOz4HJTvpbEAc39_jsOWmZLleRsWwCzXP9qwvmTdJdh4jEq-wlTmKr5fxz6pZFV6BWFTd181fHiD-yVDNGrgjURd3vStt7BXLcR/s1600/taryn.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">At five year's old Taryn declared she
would be an author. </b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">She’s been
an English Literature Honours student, an advertising rep, a Media Sales
Manager and a CEO of an internet company, but now she plans to
write inspiring, engaging novels until the day she can no longer
type--or no-one takes her seriously (whichever comes later). <span style="margin: 0px;">She’s also the creator of Jeans Teen Army, a campaign to address
the seemingly universal feeling teens have about themselves -- that they're not
good enough.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Is this your first published book?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Yes</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What’s it called?</span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The
Harper Effect</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>Which genre?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">YA Contemporary</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Which age group?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The marketers say 12 – 18, but I like to think
no one’s too old to read this one, so 12 - 120</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Is it a series or standalone?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It’s standalone, but there’s a companion novel
about to be submitted.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Are you an agented author?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Yes – I’m with Curtis Brown in Australia, and
Jill Grinberg Literary Management in the USA</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Which publisher snapped up your book?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It’s two publishers for me </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">😊</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> Pan Macmillan in Australia/NZ and then Sky Pony Press in the USA/Canada
and they’ll also distribute to the UK and all British Commonwealth countries.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How involved have you been in the whole publishing process of your book? </span></b></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I’ve only been involved in the editing process
– which was very in depth. And then I was able to put in my book cover
preferences and have a say in that too. I was pretty lucky. I have worked on a
lot of publicity for the novel too.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Do you have another job?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Not anymore. I used to run a media recruitment
consultancy, and before that, I was the CEO of an internet company connected to
a TV station in the UK, a bit like NineMSN. I’ve mainly worked in advertising,
but I’ve also been a nanny, a chalet chef, and a freelance writer.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Did you receive many, if any, rejections prior?</span></b></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Oh yes. Many. But each time I got a rejection,
I took on board the advice/feedback and improved my manuscript. Then after
several months, in a period of 2 weeks, I suddenly had 2 agents and very soon
after that, a publisher. So never give up – that’s a really tired phrase, isn’t
it? Maybe this is more accurate: always give 100%, have faith in your book, and
never lose hope.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Sl2gWNlGYEdGNE9G1CTM7Mm_npdff1wg21RT0Z1qErohGxrcm9P-fkb1KCcut7oehc7kEGkjCQ8oeTcMAXsOrZhFx4NB1hPc_UtSVNWEZ3QuqY5B01u6AHwstdSPC_S6AGa0JmUbiJBh/s1600/The+Harper+Effect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1036" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Sl2gWNlGYEdGNE9G1CTM7Mm_npdff1wg21RT0Z1qErohGxrcm9P-fkb1KCcut7oehc7kEGkjCQ8oeTcMAXsOrZhFx4NB1hPc_UtSVNWEZ3QuqY5B01u6AHwstdSPC_S6AGa0JmUbiJBh/s320/The+Harper+Effect.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What created/what were you doing or watching when the first idea for
this book sneaked up on you</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">That’s a long story. I actually wrote the first draft of this novel when
I was 14. It was called Proud Now Ma? and focussed on playing tennis to please
the parents. My brother was a tennis player on the international circuit, and I
was training for the Olympics. I got to wondering about teens who surpass the
norm in an activity, and decided to look into this topic. But the novel then
spent some time in a trunk when I emigrated to England, and then again 20 years
later to Australia. I was writing, but I was writing adult novels – and not
finishing them. I had a stressful career in the world of media, and getting
published got lost in all that. But at least I kept writing. I finally began
writing full time five years ago, and the first re-draft of the novel was
actually an MG. It was re-named BELIEVE. It was pretty awful. I had the voice
all wrong. An agent said she didn’t like anything about it. The problem was I
hadn’t done my research into this market – I’d been reading adult novels. The
poor manuscript got top-drawered while I researched the market. It was Susanne
Gervay’s, That’s Why I Wrote this Song that got me hooked on YA. After reading
her book, I knew that had I read her book when I was 15, it would’ve helped
with some dad issues I was facing as a teen. I knew then that I wanted to write
books for teens, to be that helping hand, or that metaphorical hug, they might
be in search of inside a book. I wrote three other YA novels (unpublished) before
I got back to what is now<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> The Harper
Effect</i>, and by then I’d read over 200 YA novels. It really helped!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How long did you plot/plan until you started writing it?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">If I think back to the re-write from MG to YA,
not long at all. I fixed on a scene with Colt in my head and just sat down and
wrote. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Once you started, did the story flow naturally or did you have to step
in and wrestle it into submission?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I wrote the first draft in about 2 weeks. I
tend to writer feverishly when in the early stages, about 18 hours a day. I
believe they call it the vomit draft! I am happy – and lucky – to say that I’ve
never had writer’s block. I think that’s because I write the first draft so
quickly. I find that I’m so absorbed in it that the characters take over the
story and I’m just writing down what they want me to say. In fact, I need to
learn to type faster!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>How many drafts did you write before you let someone read it? Who was that
someone?</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">At least 6. That someone(s) was my writer’s
critique group called SWiG (it’s a long story but we swigged on tea more than
anything else). I find that I write the first draft quite accurately in terms
of structure – surely down to all that reading. Then with each draft I focus on
one thing so there are always lots of drafts. i.e. the pace/plot, the
characters, the layering of themes, the subplot, dialogue and so on. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Did you employ an editor/proofreader or did you have a critique
partner/beta readers before you started querying?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I never did employ an editor/proofreader. I
find I’m a pretty good editor, but I did have my critique group as well as
online CPs – for this book about 12 in total – to highlight convoluted
sentences or issues with pace/character.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Roughly how many drafts did it take before you sent the manuscript off
into the real world?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Probably 8.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How many drafts until it was published?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The publisher took me through a big structural
edit, then two more nitty gritty edits. I thought we’d take out wordcount, but
we actually added about 8k words – to deepen a plot point.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Has the book changed dramatically since the first draft?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Since the first draft when I was 14? Yes,
absolutely. It went from an MG to a YA and the sisters were twins back then.
But from the time I began writing it again five years ago? Not so much. It’s
pretty much the same story, but certain areas have been improved – for instance
the Purple Woods weren’t in that first draft. It was more about adding depth.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Are there any parts you’d like to change even now?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Don’t get me started…I think every writer will
say that each time they read a draft they can see something they’d change.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What part of writing do you find the easiest?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The first draft. I love that stage. It’s like
being in a whirlwind, but a good one. It’s exciting and I’m meeting new
characters and wondering what’s going to happen. Yes, I’m a pantser. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>What part do you find hardest?</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The waiting. Even after you have a book
contract, there’s a lot of waiting on edits, waiting on publication dates, and
book covers and so on. I love all the edit stages as each time I re-draft I can
feel the story tightening and clarifying and at the proofreading stage it then
feels like a ‘real’ book..</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Do you push through writing barriers or walk away?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Once I have that first draft down, which
always happens before I can get stuck, the pressure is off so there are no
barriers or blocks. However, if I’m then contemplating a way to improve or
change something and can’t reach the answer, I go to bed thinking about the
issue. Without fail, I’ll wake in the early hours and in that half asleep/half
awake few minutes, the solution comes to me. I get up and write. 4 am is my
favourite writing time, when the world is still and calm and it feels like it’s
just me and my keyboard on the planet.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How many projects do you have on the go at the same time?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">One. Always one. I get so involved and my mind
is so taken up with the novel I’m writing, that I always stay with one project
until it’s finished. The plots will expand and layer up, the characters will
deepen, as I go about my day – cooking dinner, showering, going for a bike
ride, swimming…it’s in those moments that some great creative moments can hit
me.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I’ve had to adapt now though, because while
I’m receiving edits for The Harper Effect, they interrupt the project I’m
working on – the next book. That’s been a new struggle because I dislike being
pulled out of a story mid-draft.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>Do you think you’re born with the talent to write or do you think it can be
learned?</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsF5JVW_yHW2Wa4NeiwKdafEvGTsz2mEkqo5SpSzuWtCgfo16WGJjGgg4EmCHRSdIBcDv2_GdZ2o6W0yPFuqNby81wjzKscwOvv5fHYslJH6PGfDuWvn6aXr9Omw00CaMXOxiMr5R9o2Zi/s1600/tARYN+BOOKS.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="488" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsF5JVW_yHW2Wa4NeiwKdafEvGTsz2mEkqo5SpSzuWtCgfo16WGJjGgg4EmCHRSdIBcDv2_GdZ2o6W0yPFuqNby81wjzKscwOvv5fHYslJH6PGfDuWvn6aXr9Omw00CaMXOxiMr5R9o2Zi/s320/tARYN+BOOKS.png" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I think you’re born with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">qualities
</i>you need to write – a love of writing, reading and words and the ability to
see stories in everything – and that you’re born with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">qualities</i> you need to get published – determination, tenacity, a
thick-skin, self-belief, a strong work ethic, and intrinsic motivation. But the
actual writing can be learned. I can prove that: when I look at draft one five
years ago, compared to three years later (after writing 3 more novels,
attending workshops, working with mentors and critique partners, reading the
books in my market), the book I re-wrote was so much better. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Some say you can teach people to love reading, but it’s not been my
experience. With both my children, from the day they were born, I read to them,
and then we read together as they grew older, and then we shared my king-sized
bed while we all read our own books before bedtime. Today my daughter treats
reading like slow torture, while her younger brother loves to read. Go figure.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How many future novels do you have planned?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Two more planned that are linked to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Harper Effect</i>, but they’re not a series.
They’re companion novels. And each time I get an idea for a new novel I grab a
hardback A4 lined workbook (a hangover from my teens), and write down the
idea/scene that comes to me. I may add a few more thoughts and character
descriptions as time goes by. I currently have 36 of these books. I think I
should’ve started writing earlier in my life!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Do you write other things, such as short stories, articles, blogs, etc?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I don’t write any other fiction items, but I
have written articles and have my own blog on www.tarynbashford.com.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What’s the highlight of being published so far?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Having someone else believe in me, and love my
story and characters as much as I do. Writing is a lonely occupation!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Give me one writing tip that worked for you.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Write every day. Everyone’s heard this gem,
but it’s because it’s true. It keeps writer’s block at bay, it keeps that
creative pathway flowing with ideas, it ensures your characters keep talking to
you, it helps you write the story on a deeper level because it’s so much a part
of your psyche that the writing almost becomes a subconscious act. This is most
true of the first draft, and I’d get up at early-o-clock to write on weekends
and write at night to fit in family time. It’s less important on later drafts,
or when you’re editing. I also have a separate writing room as I find my
creative brain turns on in there. When I sit at my desk in the office, where I
manage emails and the minutiae of life, my creative brain goes splat.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">And one that doesn't.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Drinking umpteen cups of coffee does not
enable you to keep writing all night. But seriously…many writers put their
books in a bottom drawer for several months claiming that it needs space and
distance. I find that three weeks is enough space. Any longer, and I lose touch
with where my headspace was with the story. More importantly, if you’re writing
your next book for a publisher, there’s no way there’s time to leave it for a
few months. Best get into the discipline of not doing that. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Can you give us a clue or secret about the next book?</span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Sure thing. I’m about to submit the second
book that Pan Macmillan contracted – in the same month that the first book is
published. The second book is a companion novel to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Harper Effect. The Harper Effect</i> tells Harper’s story, and the
second book tells her neighbour, Jacob’s story. The third companion novel will
probably be Aria’s story (Harper’s sister). They’re not meant to be read in any
order.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What question have you always wanted to be asked but never have? What
would the answer be?</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Question:
So getting your novel published is a dream come true, but do you haven any
other dreams you’re chasing?</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Answer:
Yes. Seeing my novel adapted into a film is my next dream. To see my story and
my characters come to life on the big screen, and to be involved in that
process, is something that really excites me. If I weren’t a writer, I’d want to
be a movie star – but I’m a terrible actress (I mean really awful), so I’ll
have to stick to being behind the scenes.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b>Fantastic! Thank you, Taryn, for joining us today and for your insightful answers. It's so good to share other authors' journeys. We wish you heaps of luck with The Harper Effect and her companion novels. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>If you would like to follow Taryn on her journey or purchase your copy of The Harper Effect, these links should help! </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://www.tarynbashford.com/" target="_blank"><b>Website</b></a><br />
<a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-harper-effect-taryn-bashford/prod9781760552091.html" target="_blank"><b>Booktopia</b></a><br />
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32941900-the-harper-effect?from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> </b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tarynbashford/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> </b><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/TarynBashford" target="_blank"><b>Twitter</b></a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009813250572" target="_blank"><b>Facebook</b></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 19px 0px 0px;">
<b><br /></b>
<b>And that's it! Happy New Year, YAtopians! I can't wait to bring you more author interviews in 2018!</b><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1DXznOGEMJ-FLCUsyalWdC6I3ELlh_sR7C22HEDrSETjABADqXeCrnc9GLnQJ9wxm4xk0uItnO2u4EcYV2sklozWWqt_2Xr-gBaxCgFfoc6QMx1yFFgUecYlRIGtqI_lM_HWRcWcUBAR/s1600/YAtopia+badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1DXznOGEMJ-FLCUsyalWdC6I3ELlh_sR7C22HEDrSETjABADqXeCrnc9GLnQJ9wxm4xk0uItnO2u4EcYV2sklozWWqt_2Xr-gBaxCgFfoc6QMx1yFFgUecYlRIGtqI_lM_HWRcWcUBAR/s320/YAtopia+badge.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-7915490880594214742017-12-16T10:58:00.002-05:002017-12-16T14:43:46.976-05:00Book Reccomendations<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In the
spirit of the Holidays and being festive, I would like to recommend my favorite
Young Adult books that I’ve read in 2017 in case anyone is looking for books to
buy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">TIMEKEEPER by Tara Sim<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This book
came out in November of 2016, but I didn’t read the novel till January 2017. It’s
a steampunk novel about clock towers in Victorian England, and Danny Hart—a clock
mechanic—is the main character, and a relationship ensues with clock spirit
Colton. The book is a breath of fresh air because of the organic LGBTQ
diversity in addition to having a unique premise. As a result, I can’t wait
till the sequel CHAINBREAKER comes out on January 2, 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">PROJECT PANDORA by Aden Polydoros <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This book
also has a creative premise. The book is about teen assassins —and therefore contains
a Jason Bourne like premise. The novel is also told through four points of view,
and there’s never a dull moment because of rotating between Hades, Shannon,
Tyler, and Elizabeth. The novel contains gorgeous descriptive writing that adds
lot of color and brings the scenes to life as well. I don’t want to give away
too much, but the book kept me on the edge of my seat, and is bound to do the
same for others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">FROSTBLOOD and FIREBLOOD by Elly
Blake<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">FROSTBLOOD
came out in January 2017, and FIREBLOOD came out eight months later in
September 2017. FROSTBLOOD is about a teen girl (Ruby) who is a girl born with
fire powers in a world where people are usually born with ice powers if they
have powers. A frostblood (Arcus) trains Ruby in hopes of taking down the Frost
King, in addition to how a slow burn romance develops between Arcus and Ruby.
FIREBLOOD builds on FROSTBLOOD, and Arcus is king now and is romantically
involved with Ruby. The worldbuilding also gets bigger to when Ruby must travel
to another land. As a result, I can’t wait for the trilogy’s conclusion (NIGHTBLOOD)
in June 2018. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">FIX ME by Lisa M. Cronkhite <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I’m still
reading this book, but want to include it on my list because of the creative
premise and descriptive writing. The book is about teen girl—Penelope—who is
hooked on Fix, which is the latest drug. Penelope gets visions of a guy—Nate—while
doing Fix, in addition to how the novel contains a mystery. Inventing a drug
makes the novel creative. Doing so requires more effort than say mentioning something
that’s real—like the opioid crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">VIOLET GRENADE by Victoria Scott<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This book
is about teen girl—Domino—who begins working for Madame Karina at an
entertainment house to get bail money for a friend. The reason this book is on
my list is because the novel gets grittier and grittier until its explosive
conclusion. But it’s dark in an organic way since the darkness never feels
forced. The book also deals with mental illness in a great way because that
fact isn’t a random twist. Readers know about Domino’s mental illness upfront,
and it therefore isn’t a gimmicky twist that deprives readers of a good story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">FOLLOW ME by Sara Shepard<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This book
just came out last month, and is the sequel to THE AMATEURS. I got an e-ARC of
FOLLOW ME last May, but plan on reading the book again. This is book is a perfect
mystery because the characters know who the villain is, and the book there
becomes a cat and mouse game between the characters and the killer. Knowing who
the villain is by the end of THE AMATEURS, which sets up FOLLOW ME, is a great
choice. Mysteries are often predicated on a big revelation at the end, yet
readers never get to enjoy what happens after a twist. Ultimately, the
description is a little vague on purpose. It’s hard to talk about THE AMATEURS
and FOLLOW ME without giving away spoilers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">HISTORY IS ALL YOU LEFT ME and THEY
BOTH DIE AT THE END by Adam Silvera<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">HISTORY IS
ALL YOU LEFT ME is a standalone book told in dual timelines, and deals with the
grief when Griffin’s ex-boyfriend Theo dies. This book is awesome because
Griffin is out from the beginning of the book. However, the book gets messy.
Griffin must sort through his grief over Theo in addition to dealing with his
best friend Wade and Theo’s new boyfriend Jackson. As a result, boundaries get
blurred since people hookup who you wouldn’t expect. This book was also an
improvement over Silvera’s debut MORE HAPPY THAN NOT. HISTORY IS ALL YOU LEFT
ME ends on a hopeful note despite its dark subject matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">THEY BOTH
DIE AT THE END is a contemporary novel with a slight speculative twist. People get
a call from Death Cast on the day they die. Well, that happens to Mateo and
Rufus. They are the main characters in the novel. The novel rotates between
them, and their paths cross. Ultimately, this book is darker than HISTORY IS
ALL YOU LEFT ME, but not as dark as MORE HAPPY THAN NOT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-73775783504632873982017-12-10T09:38:00.000-05:002017-12-10T09:38:03.794-05:00Feeling festiveToday, I'd like to talk to you about festivities. Whatever your culture, religion, or faith, we all have our own festivities (and at various times of the year), and I think those are to be shared and enjoyed, understood and respected, throughout each community. Evidently, as it's December, most will notice that I, personally, celebrate Christmas. But, aside from that, I adore learning about all the other festivities that occur around the world throughout the year, whether it's Eid Al-Adha, Eid Al-FitrEid, Imbloc, We Tripantu, Hanukah, Christmas, The Chinese New Year, or one of the other many festive celebrations our great world has been gifted with.<br />
<br />
So what does that mean for YA writing? Simply put, I'd love to see more of these wonderful, unique, individual expressions of faith in our young adult books. The understanding and knowledge that books can give us is important. Why do others believe differently than you? What gives us all a human commonality despite our own, individual faith?<br />
<br />
In my own home, we have conflicting beliefs, but they unite us, rather than divide us. I'm compelled to find out more about this faith that isn't my own. To respect it, see its own truth, see the world through different eyes. Does it make me change my own belief? No and yes. No, my belief didn't change. However, what did change is that I could a) empathize and understand the other faith, and b) I am giving myself room to explore. After all, who says change is bad? Perhaps something will strike a chord with me one day, and I'll find my faith evolving. Who knows?<br />
<br />
So here is my challenge to myself, and please feel free to play along - whenever there is a big religious festivity from a faith I don't know about, I'm going to put a book in my hands that tells me about it. Educates me. Enlightens me. Brings me further knowledge of our humanity. And if I'm lucky, it's going to come in the form of a YA novel.<div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-55029077586318401912017-12-02T02:24:00.004-05:002017-12-03T03:12:51.776-05:00GUESTOPIA: MG Author Stacie Haas<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0px 25px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: 1pt; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0cm;">So, I’m a bit late with this month’s GUESTOPIA
interview – I blame NaNoWriMo, the excitement of Pitch Wars, and all the other
things that life throws at us at this time of year. But, I’m here! I’m back! And, best yet, I have a
wonderful middle grade author who I’m delighted to introduce you to today. </span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0px 25px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: 1pt; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0px 25px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: 1pt; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="border: 1pt; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0cm;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">STACIE HAAS</span></u> </span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0px 25px 0px 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: 1pt; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="border: 1pt; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4e5I9162XnVE6L24HjRoQqrpLWbyytwKbFLExmEFh_FQ_qoxPwfe_QURy-6bK1pgRC57yy3pmaTWLX6qbJIaATIXZxl7lVdqppQVjrKkou9z7gzZQXAdSfnThOS8iLN40x_o64DSZKiiU/s1600/Stacie+Haas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="582" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4e5I9162XnVE6L24HjRoQqrpLWbyytwKbFLExmEFh_FQ_qoxPwfe_QURy-6bK1pgRC57yy3pmaTWLX6qbJIaATIXZxl7lVdqppQVjrKkou9z7gzZQXAdSfnThOS8iLN40x_o64DSZKiiU/s320/Stacie+Haas.jpg" width="278" /></a><b><span style="border: 1pt; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
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<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0px 25px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0cm;">Stacie Haas is an award-winning professional and
creative writer with background in business communications, public relations,
and reputation management. She has been repeatedly honored with national <u><a href="http://www.marcomawards.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">MarCom</span></a></u> Platinum
and Gold awards for writing corporate social responsibility reports for a
Fortune 500 company. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0px 25px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Her writing has appeared in national magazines
like <i>St. Anthony Messenger</i> and <i>Skipping Stones</i>. She has
degrees in English and American History and is a graduate of the Institute of
Children’s Literature.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0px 25px 12px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Stacie's debut
novel,<i> Freedom for Me: A Chinese Yankee</i>, was published in
November 2017 by Melody Press, an imprint<u><a href="http://www.5050press.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"> 5050 Press</span></a></u>.
She is currently hard at work on her next project. Stacie resides
in Northern Kentucky with her husband, Michael, their three children, and
chocolate lab mutt.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0px 25px 12px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b>And off we go with the interview!</b> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Is this your first published book?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Yes!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What’s it called?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Freedom for Me: A Chinese Yankee<b></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>Which genre?</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Historical Fiction </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Which age group?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Upper middle grade/young adult. It’s written
for ages 10 and up.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Is it a series or standalone?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Standalone (for now).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Are you an agented author?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">No. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Which publisher snapped up your book?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Melody Press, an imprint of 5050 Press (</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.5050press.com/"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">www.5050press.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">). </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How involved have you been in the whole publishing process of your book?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I feel I have been involved every step of the
way, but am certainly grateful that I had the guidance of my publisher and its
owners, Stephen Hall and Megan Cassidy Hall.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Do you have another job?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Yes. I am a senior public relations manager
for a Fortune 500 company. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Did you receive many, if any, rejections prior?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It was about 10 between publishers and agents.
The agent rejections were hard to take, but those that took the time to tell me
why were helpful in retrospect. I didn’t receive responses from any of the
publishers I originally queried. I waited and waited for a response, but didn’t
receive one. Those are the worst, I think. I understand the sheer number of
queries they receive, but to hear nothing is a rejection without closure. It’s
hard to take.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What created/what were you doing or watching when the first idea for
this book sneaked up on you</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">? </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">My novel is based on a real-life Chinese Yankee named Joseph Pierce. I
first learned of him many years ago when a friend of my father’s gifted me an
old stack of his Civil War magazines. I have a degree in American History and
have always loved studying the American Civil War. Being of Chinese heritage, I
was thrilled to learn about a Chinese Civil War soldier because I’d been under
the mistaken impression that the Chinese didn’t come to America until after the
war was over. I was fascinated and started researching deeper. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">A few years later, I decided to pursue my love of creative writing and
started taking courses at the Institute of Children’s Literature. My third
course was designed to help with writing a first manuscript. I decided to give
it a go.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How long did you plot/plan until you started writing it?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Not long, but I had many starts and stops. I
originally intended to write a non-fiction book. Once I got started, I realized
that I simply didn’t have enough historical facts to do justice to a non-fiction
work. My instructor at the Institute suggested that I turn it into a fiction
story. I jumped at the chance to base my story on the real soldier, and to fill
in the historical gaps using my experiences as a person of Chinese heritage. I
did plot out the story chapter by chapter originally. The general direction of
the novel is the same today, but there were many changes and additions to the
story along the way.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Once you started, did the story flow naturally or did you have to step
in and wrestle it into submission?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It flowed very naturally in the first draft.
The words appeared on paper, but the writing wasn’t very good at that point. As
a first-time novelist, I had a lot to learn about the process of writing. I
started with a major issue, which I’ll call adverb-itis. I wrote with too much
filtering and got bogged down in historical details that slowed the pace of the
story. Then, in later drafts, I worked on dialogue and tagging properly and so
forth. I found that editing with one particular issue in mind made a huge
difference for me.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6ihcSZBIMiAbbl0Jk1PDuIEo4LxYLyMDAYL_taKn821iij_XZ9rwxJ2MpZAGhKmVsNmVbkuBOfxe4pSYMN09a-GlzMySx-0g2u1OBEODFOfvZhTEs8aMmJkeQbT6QWZGkQPNisNQJddo/s1600/Stacie+Haas+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1003" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6ihcSZBIMiAbbl0Jk1PDuIEo4LxYLyMDAYL_taKn821iij_XZ9rwxJ2MpZAGhKmVsNmVbkuBOfxe4pSYMN09a-GlzMySx-0g2u1OBEODFOfvZhTEs8aMmJkeQbT6QWZGkQPNisNQJddo/s320/Stacie+Haas+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>How many drafts did you write before you let someone read it? Who was that
someone?</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">With my first draft, I was writing as part of
a class assignment so my instructor read every chapter along the way. Once I graduated
from that course, I had an unpolished manuscript that was complete but nowhere
near submission ready. Of course, I didn’t know that at the time. I submitted
to my first publisher shortly after the course was over and didn’t get a
response. After that, I ended up getting a test edit done on my first few
chapters and learned a great deal. The most significant thing I learned was
that the editing I’d done to tighten my language actually took me way below the
standard word count for my upper middle grade/teen audience. What a rookie
mistake!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Did you employ an editor/proofreader or did you have a critique
partner/beta readers before you started querying?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Yes, and across several years. After the
initial test edit and a rewriting, I had some beta readers give me feedback,
which proved invaluable. Several years and several drafts later, I felt I was
getting close to a submission-ready manuscript so I had a professional critique
done. It ended up being very encouraging because the issues identified were
minimal and easily fixed. Prior to submitting my novel the final time, I
employed a proof reader who was able to find those little errors that my eyes
had simply stopped seeing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Roughly how many drafts did it take before you sent the manuscript off
into the real world?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I honestly don’t know, but my best guess is
five. And that doesn’t include revisions to individual chapters along the way,
of which there were many. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How many drafts until it was published?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">At least five, maybe more. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Has the book changed dramatically since the first draft?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Yes, and some of the changes were quite
significant. The first major change was the addition of a key character. I was
several drafts in before I realized that I was writing a book about the war to
end slavery and didn’t have any slaves in the story. The character of Sam is
integral to the book. I love the character and can’t imagine the story without
him now.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The other big change was to the opening scene
of the first chapter. The content didn’t change dramatically, but how it was
written did. I knew I didn’t love it, but it took me quite a while to figure
out how to make it better. Once I did, the rejections stopped and I got my
first requests for a full manuscript in a matter of weeks. Never underestimate
the power of your opening scene!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Are there any parts you’d like to change even now?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Now that I read it as a published book, I
still wonder about little ways to make the story stronger. I suppose that will
always be the case. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What part of writing do you find the easiest?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Writing after I have a plotline established. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>What part do you find hardest?</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Plotting. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Do you push through writing barriers or walk away?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Both. When I actually have a chunk of time to
spend on writing, I will push my way through because that uninterrupted writing
time is rare and priceless. When I struggle in those instances, I’ll pick a
chapter and do some polishing to get me back into a writing mode.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If, on the other hand, I’m trying to sneak in
some writing time and it doesn’t happen, I usually let it go and revisit it
later.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How many projects do you have on the go at the same time?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">For most of the time writing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Freedom for Me</i> it was just one major
project, although I participated in Flash Fiction contests for fun. I love the
challenge of creating a complete story in 250 words. I am always writing,
however, for my day job. Currently, I’m working on another middle grade novel.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<b>Do you think you’re born with the talent to write or do you think it can be
learned</b>? </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">From an early age, I enjoyed putting pen to paper. I don’t know if I was
born with any natural talent, but I had a need to write to understand how I
felt about things. It was always a natural thing for me to do. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">However, writing can definitely be learned and improved. My
twelve-year-old son doesn’t believe me when I say that practicing writing
really helps. It’s just like anything else. In the process of writing just this
one book, I think I’ve grown significantly as a writer. My early drafts of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Freedom for Me</i> are cringe-worthy, but I
treasure those drafts because I didn’t stop there. I tried to hone a new
skill—filtering, pace, characterization—with every re-write and edit. And in
the end, I know I gave it my best effort.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">How many future novels do you have planned?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Two as of right now. One is in the works; the
other is in the idea stages. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Do you write other things, such as short stories, articles, blogs, etc?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I maintain a blog on my website,
staciehaas.com, and I enjoy Flash Fiction contests. I also write every day for
my day job—press releases, feature articles, and annual reports.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What’s the highlight of being published so far?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Holding the book in my hand and simply knowing
how many drafts (and years) it took to get it there.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Give me one writing tip that work for you.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Writing when the mood strikes and not stopping
until it ends.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">And one that doesn't.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Trying to write within a set timeframe like
NaNoWriMo. I absolutely love the idea of a daily word count to accomplish the
monumental task of writing a novel in a month, but it doesn’t work for me or in
my daily life. It makes writing too much like work, and I already have a day
job. Writing for me is a purely enjoyable exercise and I don’t like to add the
pressure of that. I feel it stifles my creativity. (But, boy, am I impressed
with writers who can do it successfully!).<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Can you give us a clue or secret about the next book?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It’s a middle grade novel about a nine-year-old boy who is obsessed with
impressing his dad with his baseball skills. An unfortunate injury and a
diagnosis that puts him in occupational therapy forces him to adjust his plans
and his definition of success.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What question have you always wanted to be asked but never have? What
would the answer be?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Now, that’s a good question! I don’t know. I
suppose the question I always want the opportunity to answer is why I like
studying American history, and the Civil War, specifically. And my answer is
that war brings out the best and worst in people. It’s the perfect time to
learn and understand a country and the mindset of its people because of those
two extremes. Plus, I’m a patriot at heart and always have been. If you want to
understand why a country is worth fighting for, I feel strongly that you should
“ask” those people who are willing to stand up and serve. They never fail to
teach us if we’re willing to “listen” to them.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b>Fantastic! Thank you so much for joining me today, Stacie, and I, and everyone else at YAtopia, wish you all the best with your book. </b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b>If you would like to follow Stacie's journey and connect with her, these links might help! </b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><a href="http://www.staciehaas.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> </b></span></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.5050press.com/" target="_blank">Publisher's Website</a> </b><br />
<b><a href="https://twitter.com/StacieHaas" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorstaciehaas/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b><br />
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<b>Freedom for Me: A Chinese Yankee debuted in November 2017 from 5050 Press. Buy it on Amazon.com in paperback or e-book:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077BSB7RP/" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077BSB7RP/</span></u></a></b></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div class="blogger-post-footer">YAtopia is a blog with ten writers talking about MG, YA, and NA books, writing, publishing, and teens. Check out http://yatopia.blogspot.com for information about the contributors and special features.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0