#SonofaPitch…Thoughts and My Votes

Tags

Believing, critiques, fantasy, feedback, horror, Inclusion, Son of a Pitch, thoughts, Twitter, writing

As the second round of Son of a Pitch wraps up, I sit here smiling…tired and my mind a bit frazzled, but very happy.

I read 51 entries, which included a query and the first 250 words of the manuscript. I hosted eleven of them on this little blog! It was an honor. I read some once, others…after revisions were posted…twice, and some more than that. I gave all my opinions. I squeed at some of the words. I smiled at others. I gasped. I laughed. I sighed. From horror, to fantasy, to sci-fi, to romance, to women’s fiction, to literary…YA, NA, and adult…everyone brought something different to this event. Everyone came to learn. Everyone united to help.

Son of a Pitch is my favorite writing competition. Everyone gets feedback. Everyone participates. Everyone is involved. #sonofapitch has been my favorite hangout these last few days.

I am so proud of how hard the critiquers worked! I am so proud of how hard the participants worked to listen, to absorb, and then took the comments and revised! Seriously, some of these queries went from confusing or vague to clear, concise, and unforgettable. How many first 250 passages went from pretty good to HOLY WOW GIVE ME MORE PAGES NOW!

Today is the day we, the critiquer/judges vote. I will post my vote in the comments of my chosen five. Yes, five. And I get to pick two alternates, which will remain secret for tie breaking purposes. I am going to post my winners and links to them here. In a second…

For as I write this I still haven’t quite decided. This isn’t a whose query is better, who used the best words kinda thing. There’s no formula. This is all subjective. And I, being me, am drawn to certain things. The weird. The magical. The creepy. So even though plenty of words were pretty darn shiny, though so many queries made me want to read the manuscript, I will choose what I am drawn to. Everyone will. That’s how art works, an untamable beast.

Okay…I might have figured this out. Let’s not be shocked that my chosen are YA in the horror, suspense, and fantasy genres.

In no specific order…

From #TeamDarkSide…

ASHES, ASHES… Go read it here.

I chose this one, because I COULD NOT STOP THINKING OF IT. The premise just stuck in my head. The first 250 had me…AH, PEOPLE, THE WORDS. The revised query…really good! Chills. Baby. Chills.

 

From #TeamDarkSide…

LUCID… Go read it here.

Yes, another one from my team…I might be prejudice, so shoot me. But again, the premise! The query might still need help, but it’ll get done. The first 250 had me. I was so sad when I came to the end. The character Marlowe is super intriguing. She could be one of my favorite evil characters!

 

From #TeamRebels…

THE BOOKSHOP… Go read it here.

Dude. I am a sucker for a unique fantasy. And if you know me and what I have written, a sucker for ways into other universes. Again, the concept made me bounce in my little chair…or large sofa. The first 250 was intriguing and mysterious. I want the whole story.

 

From #TeamDarkSide…

NEFFERS… Go read it here.

Really, Kathy. ANOTHER from your blog? YESSIREE! I like horror. The idea of these Neffers, made my creepy, dark soul shiver. After the first line of the query…I WAS READY TO GO! The query has evolved, and is much clearer. The first 250 had so much weird! How could I not love this.

 

From #TeamRebels…

SILVER AND ICE… Go read it here.

The query was good when I read it, but the author has improved it. The idea of silvertongues…those who can control minds with their voices…YES PLEASE. The first 250 set up the mc, promised me a cool world and HELLO QUEEN WHO IS SO COLD ICE CRYSTALS FORM ON THE FLOOR. Dude.

I went back and forth on quite a few. Reread many queries and first words. But had to go with the ones that had left the biggest impression on me. Now we wait to see who makes it into round three and will get their chance in front of the publishers participating. *bites fingernails*

Just because the entry isn’t in my top five, doesn’t mean I didn’t like it. I liked a lot of them. We have done a lot of work over the past few days. Everyone should feel proud. I am proud.

It has been an honor to be involved, thanks to Katie for inviting me! I hope all my new friends keep in touch and tell me how all the words are going.

That is the end of my crazy Son of a Pitch week…or few days…or whatever. I have no idea what day it is. I had a great time.

 

My Ghost Hunting Adventure

Tags

Believing, ghost hunting, Indiana, Randolph County Informary, spooky, The other side, Winchester

If you know me, you know ghosts fascinate me. But it’s deeper than that, what exists beyond the world of our seeing fascinates me. That place where spirits roam, where faeries and demons exist just out of our sight is something I believe in.

So when my friend Shelly asked me to join her team, the East Central Indiana Paranormal Investigators, for an investigation months and months ago, I SAID YES!

And nothing happened.

Then she invited me again.

Last Sunday we traveled to Winchester, Indiana to the Randolph County Infirmary. And let’s just call out the whole Winchester thing…if you don’t know my love of the show Supernatural…

Sam and Dean Winchester from Supernatural… I ❤ Dean!

That was a nice detour, but back to the old building…

Front of Randolph County Infirmary in Winchester, Indiana

We got there, watched a video, took a tour, and set up cameras.

Entry way of Randolph County Infirmary

Eight camera angles set to record

This place has been around since the 1800s, well, mostly. The original structure was built as an asylum, but that burned down. The building now is built on what remained of the foundation. There was lots of history, and to be honest, I was so excited and busy looking at the place that I can’t remember most of it. But many people died there. It is said people are buried on the land. And we were told about the apparitions that had been spotted, voices that had been heard, and people’s feelings about the place.

But I want an experience. One of my own. I don’t need proof, to believe, I already do. Not seen doesn’t mean not real. But as someone intrigued by the other side, I want to see or hear something I can’t explain any other way than paranormal.

So I had high hopes for this creepy place. Even in the daylight…check out the spookiness.

Long hallway, women’s side of building

Basement

It was an awesome place!

Funny how I get different reactions from people when I tell them about my adventures. Some are thrilled and want to come. Others stare at me funny. My sisters pretty much think I’m crazy and that a ghost will murder me in the dark. Yeah, no. Ghost hunting is a lot of sitting in the dark, listening, watching.

It’s holding an audio recorder, sending questions out into the shadows and hoping someone answers you.

It’s a lot of hope, twisted with logic.

We heard odd sounds, but it was a windy night. There was a well-traveled street outside. It was an old building and I was not familiar with all its normal creaks and groans, if any.

I sat in a cell, they used for people who needed a little extra…restraint.

I sat in an old chair with wheels on the bottom.

I wandered the attic and basement.

I ate a lot of snacks to stay awake.

And can’t say with certainty that anything paranormal happened.

A duo heard a door slam and footsteps, but sadly didn’t have a recorder.

There is hope that when ECIPI listen to the audio, they hear something. I’m sure they’ll tell me if they do.

So for now, I’ll keep believing in that other side, in the strange place beyond the veil. Believing it exists because I need it to exist, so that there is somewhere other than here. Because there is so much more to this living thing, to this universe than what we can see. Somewhere I haven’t glimpsed…yet.

But I will.

 

 

The Wonders of World Building

Tags

Believing, bring fantasy to life, fantasy, thoughts, world building, writing

As I set off into writing the sequel to DOORS, I come face to face with one of my favorite things. World building. My imagination runs wild!

I love making stuff up. My writers’ group couldn’t believe all the weirdness in my head. But there’s so much more to creating a new world than mere stuff. The world has to live, exist, it must breathe even when you aren’t reading about it. It must be real.

In DOORS, my main character Bryn spends time in multiple places. Don’t ask me to name them all, I’m not sure I could as there might be at least twenty. Not only do I get to return to quite a few of them, I get to set foot on completely new ones.

I have to admit the whole if I can dream it I can make it real scenario is very appealing. If I want a world with an orange sky and blue trees… BAM! There it is. The visual is important. What do we see? Make the reader want more. Being an artist, I love painting the picture of each new world. I love playing with colors and textures in the landscape. Colors accompany emotions, a palette of blues and greens give the feeling of calm, until you let a heard of bright yellow monsters crash through the scene. Or maybe that blue world is filled with haunting tunes that come from a rock.

Maybe a bit mad, but it’s okay. It’s fun!

The animal and plants, if any, bring a planet to life. Ever watch a movie that takes place on a different planet and notice all the little things going on in the background? THAT. It’s not a backdrop, not window-dressing, but real. The cries of hidden birds or beasts. The way a plant changes color or suddenly moves. When all we can see is rolling hills of grass, but a tremor makes us wonder what lurks underground… or maybe somewhere the grass ends at a black pit.

I know! Just go with all the craziness.

The people, if the world is inhabited this brings it all together. Every world has it’s own residents with their unique culture. For every religion, or system of beliefs, there are hand movements (like the sign of the cross) or prayers. Their slang or phrases to show joy or love can settle in the minds of readers forever. (After reading Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series, I said thankee say for months.) The way the people dress or wear their hair (if they have any) all weave together to form a cohesive race, a living, breathing reality.

The history of the world sculpts how the people speak, what they say, how they act or react. The past gives us concrete reasons for how the world is. It’s so important.

Anything is possible in the realm of fantasy, but every world has rules and those must be set. Or no one will accept it. But if they do, it can live on in their minds forever.

The world of Solun is complicated. I still have more to reveal of its history and people. I will travel back to the Gether world to check on the nots and journey to other unseen places. But the undiscovered worlds call to me… who lives there? How do they live? What can Bryn learn from the people she will meet? What can she teach them?

When writing made-up worlds (except that’s not quite right, for they become real) take the time to build it so readers can be transported. Like Star Trek, Star Wars… like Dr. Who, give us what lurks in your imagination, give us what we have never seen before, give us worlds to change our perspective on life… on everything.

As Bryn says, “Keepers shine!”

 

A Magical … and a Bit Creepy… Short Story

Tags

Believing, demons, fae, fantasy, fiction, ghosts, Guillermo del Toro, stories, thoughts, writing

My short story ‘The Day after I Died’ is now complete and posted – please check out all three parts in my menu at the top.

*bows* Thank you!

This story was my attempt at a bit of humor mixed with my favorite kind of weird … demon, faeries, or whatever you want to name it.

I believe in that stuff. Ghosts, demons, faeries, angels, and the other generally unexplainable exists behind a veil that most people’s limited vision can’t penetrate. All there and all the same, just given different names. Each person, who comes in contact with that other side, experiences something different. The person dying might witness an angel because they need comfort. Someone who is scared out of their mind will call it demon or ghost. Faerie isn’t a term as widely used anymore *points to my sad face*. But they’re there too … I recommend Guillermo del Toro’s movies ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’  or ‘Don’t be Afraid of the Dark’ for truly creepy fae.

Some people out there in the world, can see them. No not me. (I know! So depressing.) Some people are born with the gift and others gain it. When you die, I believe the veil lifts allowing you to SEE … all questions are answered, everything becomes known. So, when you die and are brought back, thanks to medical genuis, the veil remains gone.

I’ve watched ‘A Haunting’ on TV for years. I’ve seen ‘Paranormal Witness’. Encounters with these things from beyond don’t always go well, but I want my own experience. I want to see!

In my story, Beck dies, but is saved. Yea! Maybe. Now the veil has lifted for him. What is the thing he chases wildly through the city in his hospital gown? Demon? Faerie? Angel?

Anyone ever see a ghost? Anyone want to? Anyone think I’m crazy? *yells at hubs to put his hand down* *laughs* I’m not crazy.

Believing is the Magic

Tags

Believing, deadlines, dreams, Supporting others, thoughts, writing

“Why, Bryndel?” Her ma’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Why should I believe?”

Bryn turned and gazed at her ma. A woman, a person.

“Believing is the magic.”

The final words of my WIP ‘Doors’! Last time I dropped in, I had five chapters left to revise, and I had given myself a deadline, the end of April.

I finished on the first day of May. I missed my deadline … and I’m okay with that! I set the goal to get my butt in the chair and words on the screen. And that’s what I did. Real life came along. Tis the season for baseball and softball practices. My hubs was home looking to actually spend time with me. So I set aside my words for the family. But I went back! I didn’t give up! And I’m going to take myself to a movie to celebrate. The Quiet Ones. I know … that scary stuff again.

Now … I have a page of scribbled notes, thoughts of what I missed or little holes I want to fill. But not today. I am setting the ms aside for a week. I have been submerged in the words for a while and I need a break. “Let the eyebrows grow back” as my fabulous CP Elsie Elmore would say … http://elsieelmore.com/2014/05/02/the-summer-my-eyebrows-grew-back/.

*raises fist in air*

Yea for all of us out there pushing through our fears and frustrations to get where we want to go. We are not alone!

Of course, this means I now face the query and synopsis.

Blah.

I do have a file labeled Doors query and synopsis … so I will not be facing a blank page. Unless I have to delete it and start from scratch, that happens.

Another project lingers in the back of my mind. I want to post a story here *gestures wildly* on my blog. A dream I will work on making come true.

Keep working to find and achieve your dreams. We can all do it, especially when we support each other. All it takes is believing.

What do you believe?

Five Chapters to Go

Tags

Believing, deadlines, faith, fiction, hope, never give up, revising, thoughts, writing

I set my deadline.

I went to work, delving into all the words with my hope wrapped up in a pretty bow.

The bow has begun to unravel.

But have no fear. I have two days and five chapters left. I am resisting the urge to climb under the couch and hide with a bag of M&M’s.

Yesterday, my time with chapter sixteen was the longest day ever. Okay, I’m exaggerating a little. As I was reading, I realized that my main character was spending too much time doing the same thing, going over the same thoughts and feelings. Anyone who knows me will tell you that pretty much defines my writing. So delete! And move on. Done!

However, when moving through the words, I noticed an opportunity to add a scene, which (in my humble opinion) would give another layer to the story, give my main character the push she needs! Yea! A new scene. Then two hours later after staring at very few words for said scene I wanted to bang my head against a wall. Anyone else out there? *squints out into crowd* Anyone?

After a few more hours … success! I finished the scene and I like it.

Of course, by then it was midnight and my eyes were burning and my brain was fried.

Now, I face those final days of April and those final chapters. And with all the focus on the WIP, my blog began to feel left out, so here I am to appease it and share a bit of my journey with my blogging friends and maybe make you smile or, if you are slogging through the word-filled trenches too, help you know that you are not alone!

Wave our magic wands. Drink our magic potions (chocolate milk anyone?). Sprinkle fairy dust on ourselves and make the biggest wish EVER! Onward and upward!
Who’s with me?

Believe … epilogue

Tags

Believing, dreams, faith, success, thoughts

Yesterday, I wanted all the cookies. I couldn’t stop crying. Fear and self doubt had me in a choke hold.

And today … I imprisoned those monsters back in the dark corners of elsewhere.

Victory is MINE!  *evil laugh*

I submitted my drawing again … all redrawn and stuff. And I have been accepted as an illustrator.

Everyone can breathe again.

All my ranting and worrying about working with technology I didn’t understand … All the awful it’s not good enough moments …

Done. Over. Kaput. So long, sucker.

My dream will come true because I stayed true to me. I worked with my art the way I know how. To find success, I never needed to look anywhere but here, in my own magic-filled head. We all have what we need to make our dreams come true.

If we believe. Which, I mentioned, is the hardest thing to do.

So I continue on my journey to have my art in a book. Eeeeeek! *flails* All thanks to Reuts Publishers and their anthology of twisted fairy tales.

First, I picked my story (yes, the one I had my heart set on was still there, waiting for me). *sigh* I mean zombie elves? Who could say no? Soon I shall set off to read the story and get all the ideas.

Hopefully.

See the fear … it never really goes away. What if I have no good ideas? What if I have a bajillion ideas and can’t execute any of them? What if no one likes what I do (especially the author, cause that would be terrible)?

What if …

What if …

Ah! Take all those doubts, ball them up and throw them into deep hole.

Why? Because I have everything I need to make this dream come true. I can’t promise no panic attacks or fights with self doubt, but I can promise to do my best.

And isn’t that good enough?

Believe

Tags

Believing, Bridge to Terabithia, dreams, illustrating, life struggle, self doubt, writing

“You’ve got to keep your mind wide open, all the possibilities. You’ve got to live with your eyes open, believe in what you see.”
From the soundtrack to ‘The Bridge to Terabithia’

Not only a great movie, but a wonderful book all about one of my favorite words … believing.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is believe in yourself. I am struggling with this right now. Why? Fear.

Self doubt is rising, threatening to drown me. This is not new. I’ve been here before, haven’t we all?

I have a fabulous chance to do something I’ve always dreamed to do … have one of my drawings in a book, adding to the writer’s wonderful words. This is why I studied art in college!
They would love to use my talent, but my drawings do not translate well. The edges need to be better defined. Do I have experience with Photoshop?

No. Oh good heavens … you want me to experiment with technology?

Luckily, my hubs has the program on his work computer, limiting when I can use it, but it is there. So I stared at the screen and all the little symbols. I read tutorials, but … whut? … is this written in English?

So … I did something. The drawings look different. Am I going to be able to do this? I don’t know. I wait for hubs to get home so we can try again, so I can e-mail something … because I HAVE TO TRY, TO GIVE IT EVERYTHING. I need this.
Since I failed Photoshop, I decided to create more defined edges by adding ink to my drawing. Late last night, I fought back a wave of fear … AM I TOTALLY MESSING UP ONE OF MY FAVORITE DRAWINGS?

Ug.

On top of it editing my WIP is going slower than I thought it would. Believe it or not … this manuscript’s theme is believing. *headdesk*

What I hoped would be fun has turned into a monster with claws. Is the little I figured out on Photoshop enough to make my drawing something they can use? Is this dream going to come true?

I need a box of cookies.

I keep bursting out into tears.

I can’t focus.

I’m trying to keep my mind open … believing is magic. But in this moment, it feels out of reach.
Cross your fingers, kids, as I continue my adventure into the unknown.