Things I'm excited about

A) I'm excited about things I don't talk about on the blog.

B) Comet ISON (Please survive your close solar encounter so you can be a super awesome comet!)

C) I'm super excited about a variety of nerdy movies, but notably, The Hobbit!


IN other news, my life has started to resemble a nuclear meltdown. Every time I start to get a handle on something, another thing blows up. If it's crazy, and/or impossible, it's happening. Moving one house? So doable, let's do a second one on the same day to spice things up.

One piano? nah, we can fit two in that room.

I even got a fortune cookie that said "Chill while you can, big project on the way." Now I'm not one to go for the prognisticating abilities of cookies, but that sounds like a really good description of my life right now. So yeah, we'll go for it.

Unfortunately, I'll be AWOL with only sporadic posting from now until maybe the new year. So if you don't hear from me, have a happy holiday (whichever holiday you celebrate!), and feel free to share your holiday greetings in the comments below (Christmas, Kwanza, Chanukah, Solstice--knock yourselves out, I love hearing what holidays people celebrate).

Pop Tara (like pop tarts only less toaster burn)

Today, I’m excited to have Tara Tyler, author of POP TRAVEL, on the blog for an interview! (Tara’s in bold). Welcome, Tara, pull up a chair and pick out some baked goods (I recommend the chocolate chip cookies, baked them this morning).  As you know, November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNo). Are you participating this year? 

 

Chocolate Cookies are my absolute favorite - no kidding (brownies are a close second)

I am not doing Nano this year - I'm slowly but surely editing the sequel to Pop Travel (first draft is done)

As many readers know, I’m a big fan of the “just get it down” draft. Followed by the edited forever and ever draft. Was POP TRAVEL one of those novels with a million different drafts, or did you nail it in one? 

I think like you. I started with an outline, but then I write the scenes, just getting it all down, and they develop as I write. First draft usually gets most of the best points - the meat. Then with the editing, I cut it up and add gravy, maybe some mashed potatoes as a side story!

Tell us a little bit about your publishing experience with Curiosity Quills (LOVE their slogan!). How did you find them? How did they acquire POP? 

I was submitting queries like crazy, no bites at all. Then I sent my query to THE Janet Reid and she gave me the kick my query needed. As soon as I spiced it up, I entered a contest through Unicorn Bell and one of their editors was a judge. He loved it, requested a full, and that was all she wrote!

What is your favorite part of being published with Curiosity?

Being published! Ha ha. CQ is a small, but growing, family and does its best to take care of the authors. They are growing and don't have the big pub experience, but they are learning and doing their hardest to work with us. I ask and usually get quick feedback.

  

I know a lot of writers get to the part of their journey where it seems like everyone just says “No.” Do you have any words of wisdom or inspiration to keep other writers going?

Finding an agent/publisher is like finding your soulmate. You may not find that special someone who clicks with you and your work right away (usually not!) I believe when you and your work are truly ready for that step, the right situation will arise. My advice: Do it for yourself. Ask for help from a new source. Write something new if you are tired of working on one thing and come back to it later if you miss it. Don't get stuck in a rut! But don't give up either!

And because it is NaNo, do you have any advice for our writers struggling to get their word count down? 

Dedicate a certain amount of time and hopefully have an outline to guide you. If you can do that, mathematically you will be able to get the words in. I did Camp Nano last year because August was better for my real world schedule and I finished my first draft of Broken Branch Falls.

If you get stuck, write character bios or settings or history - I think anything you write during nano toward your MS counts! Just don't edit anything! Add only for Nano, edit later!

BTW, why is NANO in November? It's too busy for me! Travel for Thanksgiving and my bday and all! Good luck to all of you taking the challenge! May your work count ever rise!!

 Ha! Why is NaNo in November? I think it's so the procrastinators can use Thanksgiving weekend to send a hail Marry to their word count. Clearly not thought up by the mothers in our communities!

Thanks again for stopping by, Tara!

Thanks to you, my friend, for having me! Great questions!

For all you NaNoers, just remember that reading a book counts as writing research, so it’s completely allowed in the month of November, so go read Tara’s book.

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Goodreads  <==>  Trailer  <==>  FB Author Page

Tara Tyler started out as a math teacher. After having a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering and living up and down the Eastern US, she finally found some roots, writing and teaching in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. In addition to her novels, she has published short stories and poetry in Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller, and Humor. So many stories to tell!

In 2080, technology has gone too far for J. L. Cooper. He is happily hidden in his simple, secluded life as a private detective in a small town, far from any pop travel laser teleportation stations. Until he takes on a client who insists pop travel made his fiancé disappear.

When Cooper investigates, he finds evidence of pop travel's deadly flaw, sparking a series of murders, attempts on his life, and threats to his brother. He’d like to pass off the evidence but knows he’s being watched and can’t trust anyone. And who would believe him?

The only way he can save his brother is to fool his observers while looking for a way to expose the problem. He decides to go to the source and confront the Creator of pop travel. On his way, Cooper meets Southern siren, Geri Harper (an undercover FBI agent) who tags along despite his protests. When they reach the Creator, he has plans of his own and leads them on a wild detour.

IWSG: There's a formula for that

As you surely know by now, today is the first Wednesday of the Month which means it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group led by Ninja Captain Alex and this month's cohosts CD Coffelt, Tina Downey, Isis Rushdan, and Michelle Wallace.  So if you haven't done so yet, jump on the Linky and release your fears and insecurities into the world.

It's also NaNo.

I'm already 8K behind the pack, and things aren't looking good.

Then someone quipped that it's too bad there isn't a formula for a novel.  Umm, yeah, actually, there is:

yes it's mine. You may post it, but link back to me.

That's right, that's the formula for a novel. It just isn't a formula for a GOOD novel. That doesn't exist. And of course, I want a good novel. So I guess it's back to the pit of word sprinting.


FOR NANO!

Do as I say

So yeah, I’ve started NaNo like a real champion.

I’ve written less than 2K, and we’re five days in.

I’ve been on vacation. I’ve knitted a couple of fingerless mitts. I’ve packed boxes, and I’ve cleaned house.

I have not WRITTEN so much as a FIRST CHAPTER **tears hair out**

Right, so if you’re interested in completing the NaNo challenge, then don’t do what I do. It’s not helping.

Maybe I’m just being a good sport. For me, NaNo isn’t hard unless external conditions tank. So maybe I’m really just giving everyone else a head start. 

Time to hit the keyboard.