And here's an update that's actually on time!
No publishing news, but there are a couple Spencer Hill Press events coming up that I'll be hopefully participating in. First is the SHP trip to the BEA, otherwise called Book Expo America. Basically it's a convention for books and authors, and if I'm able to go, it means possible good press for TSA. The other event is the Christmas blog hop, where it sounds like every SHP author visits each other's blogs. More info about each event will be posted as I find out more.
Writer's tip nine ... make sure you know what certain words mean before you use them. You may have one action in mind, but with the wrong verb or adjectives or whatever you can end up making your character do the complete opposite. I tend to keep my dictionary app open on my laptop so I can check that the words I'm thinking about actually MEAN what I think they mean.
Weekly (Dis)Likes:
Like 1: I'm going to France! I have a written final exam on the 10th of December, and a final project due the 20th. So for the ten days in between, I'm flying over to Paris and exploring France. My sister will be visiting friends in London, so we're going to meet up and do it together. Can't wait!
Dislike 1: Said approaching written final exam. Need I say more?
Not a lot happened this week. And the quote:
When the world
says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." -Author
Unknown
Bye-bye,
Colleen
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Writer's Tip #8
Yes, another delay, but only for a week this time! Hi everybody. :)
Little news on the publishing front. Leticia did ask for a double spaced copy of one of my manuscripts and a book summery (which I really need to work on), so that's kinda cool. And Spencer Hill Press is doing something called a 'blog-hop' for Christmas. Don't really know what that is, but it's probably something I want to take part in.
This week's writer's tip ... hmmmm, these things are starting to get harder to come up with ... wait, I know. Don't hesitate to write something down when you're writing. What I mean is when I'm stuck writing a section because I don't know how to express it like I want to, I just jot down what I want to happen and proceed from there until I get to where I want to go from. Then I leave the rough bit in the story until it's complete, then go over it and fix it up. Maybe it sounds stupid, but but the point is not to get stuck with writer's block, and you can always edit it later with other people's help (thus is the power of editors! Hope this tip made sense to everyone).
Weekly (Dis)Likes time!
Like 1: seeing my friend. The reason I didn't blog last week was because I was out in Edinburgh visiting an old friend of mine. We've been friends since the fourth grade, and though she moved away in seventh grade and we really haven't called or emailed each other, we've still remained close! She's studying abroad in London, and I'm here, so we decided to meet up and stay in Edinburgh for the night. Other than checking out the National Gallery, we mostly just walked around, but it was still fun. Love you Taylor!
Like 2: finishing my second essay for my SF class. Thank God that's done.
Like 3: Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. This is the final book I'm currently reading for SF. It is BIG, over 800 pages long. However, it's been pretty interesting so far, so it's not too bad. It's divided into eight sections, and I've been reading one per day; at this rate, I should be done by Friday.
Dislike 1: no break. At my usual school we usually get on Christmas break right around this time, but of course I'm over here, so yay me for missing Thanksgiving with the family. :(
And Weekly Quote!
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. -Dale Carnegie
Ta-ta,
Colleen
Little news on the publishing front. Leticia did ask for a double spaced copy of one of my manuscripts and a book summery (which I really need to work on), so that's kinda cool. And Spencer Hill Press is doing something called a 'blog-hop' for Christmas. Don't really know what that is, but it's probably something I want to take part in.
This week's writer's tip ... hmmmm, these things are starting to get harder to come up with ... wait, I know. Don't hesitate to write something down when you're writing. What I mean is when I'm stuck writing a section because I don't know how to express it like I want to, I just jot down what I want to happen and proceed from there until I get to where I want to go from. Then I leave the rough bit in the story until it's complete, then go over it and fix it up. Maybe it sounds stupid, but but the point is not to get stuck with writer's block, and you can always edit it later with other people's help (thus is the power of editors! Hope this tip made sense to everyone).
Weekly (Dis)Likes time!
Like 1: seeing my friend. The reason I didn't blog last week was because I was out in Edinburgh visiting an old friend of mine. We've been friends since the fourth grade, and though she moved away in seventh grade and we really haven't called or emailed each other, we've still remained close! She's studying abroad in London, and I'm here, so we decided to meet up and stay in Edinburgh for the night. Other than checking out the National Gallery, we mostly just walked around, but it was still fun. Love you Taylor!
Like 2: finishing my second essay for my SF class. Thank God that's done.
Like 3: Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. This is the final book I'm currently reading for SF. It is BIG, over 800 pages long. However, it's been pretty interesting so far, so it's not too bad. It's divided into eight sections, and I've been reading one per day; at this rate, I should be done by Friday.
Dislike 1: no break. At my usual school we usually get on Christmas break right around this time, but of course I'm over here, so yay me for missing Thanksgiving with the family. :(
And Weekly Quote!
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. -Dale Carnegie
Ta-ta,
Colleen
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Writer's Tip #7
What's the excuse for a mouth long disappearance? October has my birthday in it, and my parents and aunt/godmother flew over for a week long visit. Lots of fun, but obviously little blogging time. On top of that was essays and MAJOR reading. But I'm back! No news from the publishing front, unfortunately.
But here's tip number seven: Beware the Mary-Sue!
Technically speaking, only fanfiction uses the Mary-Sue term, but it works in book writing as well! Basically, a Mary Sue is a flat character. Either they're perfectly perfect with no flaws whatsoever, or damaged goods that you just wish they'd drop dead. It's usually the former that happens, and it's awful. Unless your character is God, NO ONE IS PERFECT. Species, race, or gender, everyone has their flaws that go with whatever is good about them. I'll admit that sometimes it hurts to make a character have a temper, or dumb, or clumsy, but I promise it's for their own good. When making a book character, you can make a list of duel characteristics, good and bad. If one's longer than the other, make it balance. Or ask for someone's opinion.
Now Weekly (Dis)Likes.
Like 1: My birthday! I turned 21 and drank some delicious pear cider.
Like 2: My parents and aunt/godmother visiting. It was great! We spent one weekend in London, where we saw the Tower, Big Ben and Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and did a bus tour, and we saw Les Miserables. Wonderful show. Then they came to St. Andrews and went exploring while I went to classes (we did have dinner together every night). And then wrapped up with a trip to Edinburgh. I saw the castle (way cooler than Buckingham), and walked the Royal Mile. Loads of fun.
Like 3: My trip to Loch Ness. While in Edinburgh, Mom helped me book a bus trip to Loch Ness by myself, since everyone had to go home the morning of said trip. Sat in the bus a good eight hours round trip, BUT IT WAS WORTH IT!! Beautiful landscape, beautiful lake, beautiful castle, beautiful islands. Alas, I did not see Nessie, but I did get a plushie Loch Ness Monster, and I love it.
Like 4: My birthday presents. From my aunt, a lovely opal ring, which is nice since that's my birth stone. From my parents, the trips to London and Edinburgh and a writing notebook. From one grandma, money (bought a St. Andrews t-shirt), a pencil case, and a turquoise bracelet. From the other, the tickets to Les Mis, and money (I see a shopping spree in the future when I come home). And a surprise gift from my roommate, a graphic novel called Batman: Year One (must get thank you present in return). All great gifts, and I'm very thankful for it all.
Like 5: Movies!! Wreck-It-Ralph came out, and I can't wait to see it. Also can't wait for Hotel Transylvania and Frankenweenie to get on pay per view so I can watch that. And next year is Monsters University and Epic, which I love the previews for! Let it be summer already!
Like 6: Snow Patrol's song THE LIGHTNING STRIKE. It's sixteen minutes long, divided into three parts, and it is beautiful. Best part is the first (used in the Epic preview; that's how I found it). It make me feel so many things at once. Highly recommended!
Like 7: Gravity Falls. Lots of people on Deviant Art was talking about this show, so I looked it up on Youtube. It's Disney Channel, but it's hilarious. Watched a bunch of funny clips that made me laugh. The characters are random and awesome and the town with all its memories is interesting. I wanna live there.
Dislike 1: Even with all the birthday stuff, there's still something to complain about ... Russell Hoban! If you weren't dead already, I'd hunt you down and give you a piece of my mind for writing a book as awful as Riddley Walker! Be thankful I can't get to you!
And now a quote.
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum. (If you want peace, prepare for war.) -Latin Proverb
Until next time,
Colleen
But here's tip number seven: Beware the Mary-Sue!
Technically speaking, only fanfiction uses the Mary-Sue term, but it works in book writing as well! Basically, a Mary Sue is a flat character. Either they're perfectly perfect with no flaws whatsoever, or damaged goods that you just wish they'd drop dead. It's usually the former that happens, and it's awful. Unless your character is God, NO ONE IS PERFECT. Species, race, or gender, everyone has their flaws that go with whatever is good about them. I'll admit that sometimes it hurts to make a character have a temper, or dumb, or clumsy, but I promise it's for their own good. When making a book character, you can make a list of duel characteristics, good and bad. If one's longer than the other, make it balance. Or ask for someone's opinion.
Now Weekly (Dis)Likes.
Like 1: My birthday! I turned 21 and drank some delicious pear cider.
Like 2: My parents and aunt/godmother visiting. It was great! We spent one weekend in London, where we saw the Tower, Big Ben and Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and did a bus tour, and we saw Les Miserables. Wonderful show. Then they came to St. Andrews and went exploring while I went to classes (we did have dinner together every night). And then wrapped up with a trip to Edinburgh. I saw the castle (way cooler than Buckingham), and walked the Royal Mile. Loads of fun.
Like 3: My trip to Loch Ness. While in Edinburgh, Mom helped me book a bus trip to Loch Ness by myself, since everyone had to go home the morning of said trip. Sat in the bus a good eight hours round trip, BUT IT WAS WORTH IT!! Beautiful landscape, beautiful lake, beautiful castle, beautiful islands. Alas, I did not see Nessie, but I did get a plushie Loch Ness Monster, and I love it.
Like 4: My birthday presents. From my aunt, a lovely opal ring, which is nice since that's my birth stone. From my parents, the trips to London and Edinburgh and a writing notebook. From one grandma, money (bought a St. Andrews t-shirt), a pencil case, and a turquoise bracelet. From the other, the tickets to Les Mis, and money (I see a shopping spree in the future when I come home). And a surprise gift from my roommate, a graphic novel called Batman: Year One (must get thank you present in return). All great gifts, and I'm very thankful for it all.
Like 5: Movies!! Wreck-It-Ralph came out, and I can't wait to see it. Also can't wait for Hotel Transylvania and Frankenweenie to get on pay per view so I can watch that. And next year is Monsters University and Epic, which I love the previews for! Let it be summer already!
Like 6: Snow Patrol's song THE LIGHTNING STRIKE. It's sixteen minutes long, divided into three parts, and it is beautiful. Best part is the first (used in the Epic preview; that's how I found it). It make me feel so many things at once. Highly recommended!
Like 7: Gravity Falls. Lots of people on Deviant Art was talking about this show, so I looked it up on Youtube. It's Disney Channel, but it's hilarious. Watched a bunch of funny clips that made me laugh. The characters are random and awesome and the town with all its memories is interesting. I wanna live there.
Dislike 1: Even with all the birthday stuff, there's still something to complain about ... Russell Hoban! If you weren't dead already, I'd hunt you down and give you a piece of my mind for writing a book as awful as Riddley Walker! Be thankful I can't get to you!
And now a quote.
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum. (If you want peace, prepare for war.) -Latin Proverb
Until next time,
Colleen
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