A Writer's Journey: On Reaching the Next Milestone

I became a serious writer about seven years ago. I'm not sure why I decided to do it. The idea of being writer was always there I guess, just simmering under the surface of other creative pursuits. I began writing children's picture book texts and joined an amazing organization called the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

SCBWI was where I learned about the craft of writing and the business of publishing. It was where I made many friends, a lot of whom are published authors today. It was where I learned to have the courage to show my work and to accept critique with grace. It was where I discovered my true love.

Writing novels.

In the last four years, I've drafted and revised two novels with the encouragement and of course, honest critique of my writing group (you know who you are!) Then I began the arduous process of querying agents. The road has been bumpy and long, but I am happy to say that I have reached the next milestone in my journey as a writer....

I have an agent!!!!!!

Check out my happy dance here!

My friend and critique partner, Erin Fry (author of Losing It), congratulated me with these lovely flowers.

I am represented by Paula Munier of Talcott Notch Literary. She's wonderful! I'm thrilled to have someone with her publishing experience as my agent. And she loves my book! She totally gets where I'm coming from and what I hope to achieve. I'm so excited to work with her!

With that said, I have some revising to do. :)

P.S. Sorry about all the !!!!

WOLF-GIRLS Book Launch Day!

I love book birthdays! Today, my short story LUNACY, has gone out into the wide world in an anthology published by Hic Dragones, in Manchester, England.

Early last year, a good friend and writing pal of mine, sent me an email about a "call for submissions" for this anthology. I had just finished drafting my second young adult novel and wanted a little diversion before diving into revisions. So I thought, why not give it a shot?

I searched the internet for everything I could find about werewolves, looking for something to spark inspiration for a story. The term "lycan" fascinated me. Googling the term led me to "lycanthropy", its psychological as well as its mythical meanings. I began to think about the power of the human mind and its ability to perceive reality, but also it's capacity to create its own.

Thus, LUNACY was born. A story of a young woman coming face to face with a horror that makes her doubt her sanity. Is she crazy? You decide...Wolf-Girls: Dark Tales of Teeth, Claws and Lycogyny

My wonderful editor, Hannah Kate, created this cool book trailer for today's launch!

Happy Book Birthday!!!!

I Love Brainstorming!

Yes, it is that time again! I recently finished another hefty revision of my novel, a young adult paranormal mystery. It's now in the hands of a couple of agents. The waiting has begun and so you may wonder, how do I keep from gnawing on my fingernails and obssessively checking email? Well, okay, I don't think I can stop myself from doing the second thing, but the sure fire way of keeping my fingernails ON my fingers is go to writing cons, join secret online contests (yikes!), and to brainstorm for a new book idea!

I love it. I do. I jot down notes on a basic plot line, decide on a premise, a theme, and a setting. And where do I  do all my jotting? This is the other part I enjoy. I take the time to pick out a special notebook for the project and carry it with me everywhere I go. My favorite kind is the Moleskine Cahier. It's nice and slim and fits nicely in my bag.

One of the stages I go through when braistorming a new book is deciding what my main character's name will be. Or rather, I should say, I wait for my character to tell me what his/her name will be. I sometimes forget this and try out random names, but they never feel quite right. Then I remember. I have to wait for the right name to come to me. When it does, it feels absolutely perfect. It's as if something inside me opens when I hear or see my new character's name. Sounds like mystical writer mumbo-jumbo? Maybe. There is certainly something magical about it for me. It's this magic that makes my characters feel real, to me and on the page.

On knitting news, I'm in the middle of a baby sweater project I have to finish in order to get started on my next project, a Knit-n-Swirl sweater.

Pretty ambitious, I know. :) I fell in love with the design and I love a challenge!

Did mention I like to knit when I'm stuck in a plotting rut? Knitting helps me relax and think.

This brings to mind another thing. All this but-in-chair, be it writing or knitting, has taken a toll on my caboose. Seriously. I need to start brainstorming while walking or running!

Like tomorrow!