#CoverReveal ~ FORGOTTEN by Kristin Smith

I love sharing in cover reveals, especially when it's one of my writing besties and critique partner! Even better, this one is the second installment - Oh, yeah! It's a book 2, baby - in her Deception Game series. I am so proud of her. 

Ready to see her new book baby's cover???

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TAH-DAH!!! Isn't it scrumptuous?!! And if you scroll down you'll see how it matches perfectly with book 1 CATALYST.

FORGOTTEN by Kristin Smith

(The Deception Game, #2)

August 21, 2017

Pre-order your copy here. 

The epic tale of Sienna Preston continues in this second installment of the exhilarating Deception Game series.

Seventeen-year-old Sienna is no stranger to heartache and loss. But this time, it's different; someone―or something―has tampered with a loved one's memories, and she's determined to get answers.

The trail leads her to the glittering skyscrapers and modern luxuries of Rubex, the Capital of Pacifica, where she infiltrates the government's Agency for Intelligence and Genetics. But answers are not always easy to come by, especially when her own memories may have been altered. Luckily, Zane Ryder is there to help her put the pieces back together, his devotion and concern muddying the waters between friendship and something more.

When Sienna gets too close to uncovering dark Agency secrets, she's framed for the murder of a prominent government official, sending her on the run. Sienna's heart may be torn about who she loves, but none of that really matters anymore―because the only thing that awaits her now is a death sentence.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

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BOOK ONE IS NOW AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE!

CATALYST by Kristin Smith
(The Deception Game, #1)

Too pretty. Too smart. Too perfect.

In a crumbling, futuristic Las Vegas where the wealthy choose the characteristics of their children like ordering off a drive-thru menu, seventeen-year-old Sienna Preston doesn’t fit in. As a normal girl surrounded by genetically modified teenagers, all of her imperfections are on display. But after the death of her father, everything she’s ever known and loved changes in an instant.

With little skills to help provide for her family, Sienna clings to the two things that come easily—lying and stealing. But not all thief-for-hire assignments go as planned. When a covert exchange of a stolen computer chip is intercepted, she becomes entangled with a corrupt government official who uses her thieving past as leverage, her mother as collateral, and the genetically modified poster boy she’s falling for as bait.

In order to rescue her mother, there may only be one option—joining forces with the Fringe, an extremist group, and their young leader who’s too hot to be bad. Problem is, these revolutionaries aren’t what they seem, and the secrets they’re hiding could be more dangerous than Sienna is prepared for. In the end, she must be willing to risk everything to save the one thing that matters most.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

CATALYST (The Deception Game #1) Teaser:

Author Bio:

Kristin Smith writes young adult contemporary and science fiction novels. When she’s not writing, you can find her dreaming about the beach, beating her boys at Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). Kristin currently resides in the middle-of-nowhere North Carolina with her husband and five incredibly loud but extremely cute boys. To read more about her obsession with YA novels or her addiction to chocolate, you can visit her at kristinsmithbooks.com.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

What do you notice about the cover? Can you see some things might be lying just beneath the surface? 

Enjoy your weekend, Alleywalkers!

Happy Release CATALYST by Kristin Smith!

When one of your besties releases her debut young adult novel what do you do?

Join in to help her spread the world. Well...after you freak out and all. Please join me in celebrating the release of CATALYST by Kristin Smith. She's one of my critique partners, amazing supporters of my work, and all around sweet person! I've also read the entire manuscript in its birthing stage and beyond. Trust me. You'll love it.

Catalyst (The Deception Game, #1)

by Kristin Smith

Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing
Release date: November 21st 2016
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult

Too pretty.
Too smart.
Too perfect. 

In a crumbling, futuristic Las Vegas where the wealthy choose the characteristics of their children like ordering off a drive-thru menu, seventeen-year-old Sienna Preston doesn’t fit in. As a normal girl surrounded by genetically modified teenagers, all of her imperfections are on display. But after the death of her father, everything she’s ever known and loved changes in an instant. 

With little skills to help provide for her family, Sienna clings to the two things that come easily—lying and stealing. But not all thief-for-hire assignments go as planned. When a covert exchange of a stolen computer chip is intercepted, she becomes entangled with a corrupt government official who uses her thieving past as leverage, her mother as collateral, and the genetically modified poster boy she’s falling for as bait. 

In order to rescue her mother, there may only be one option—joining forces with the Fringe, an extremist group, and their young leader who’s too hot to be bad. Problem is, these revolutionaries aren’t what they seem, and the secrets they’re hiding could be more dangerous than Sienna is prepared for. In the end, she must be willing to risk everything to save the one thing that matters most.
Catalyst is a thrilling adventure of danger, romance, intrigue, and deception.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

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EXCERPT:

“You need to learn a little hand-to-hand combat.” Trey puts his fists up by his face. “Always protect your soft spots—your face being numero uno.” He glances at my bandaged arm. “You right-handed?”

It’s after breakfast and we’re in the training facility, a large, gym-type room with thick mats, punching bags, weights, and a long wall of mirrors. The smell of sweat and stinky feet assault my nose as I stand across from him on the pile of black mats used to create a “ring”. We have the gym to ourselves. Most likely because everyone else is too smart to work out right after a meal.

I nod and flex my right hand, the one that’s not bandaged.

“You should be fine, then. I’ll take it easy on you.” He grins. “Go ahead—hit me.”

I take a step back and shake my head. “I’m not gonna hit you.”

He moves forward to decrease the distance between us. “I said, hit me.”

I raise my arms as if I’m about to fight him, but all I can think is how much he’s done to help me. How can I punch the man who saved me from the government facility, removed my tracker, and is willing to help rescue my mother?

When he realizes I won’t fight, he lowers his hands. “Remember, Sienna, these men don’t care that you’re a girl. They don’t care how old you are. If given the opportunity, they will hurt you.” His eyes harden. “Now hit me.”

I punch him as hard as I can, and he’s not expecting it. The force of the blow to his face knocks him backward, and my hand throbs from the impact. He looks stunned, especially when a trickle of blood makes its way out of his nose. But then he grins.

Wiping his nose on his shirt, he motions with his hands for me to come closer. “Nicely done. Now, hit me again.”

Surely, he must be crazy. I’m about to walk away, but his words echo in my mind. If given the opportunity, they will hurt you. I can’t give them that opportunity.

Author Bio:
Kristin Smith writes young adult contemporary and science fiction novels. When she’s not writing, you can find her dreaming about the beach, beating her boys at Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). Kristin currently resides in the middle-of-nowhere North Carolina with her husband and five incredibly loud but extremely cute boys. To read more about her obsession with YA novels or her addiction to chocolate, you can visit her at kristinsmithbooks.com. Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!
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I also want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! 
My daughter (kiddo #3) turns 18 on the 25th, so we'll be celebrating double-duty. <3 

The FIRE Of A Good Critique Partner: Segment I

If you are a writer then you know the value of a good critique partner. An effective CP has attentive eyes, ears, and emotions. He/she has x-ray vision, spotting the outer structure of scenes and chapters. Even the crumbs you scatter as you knit the overall plot throughout the story glows visible to them. 

 

Amazing how they can see the flaws through your forest of phrases, where all you saw was your story coming together.

Over the last few weeks, my critique partners have been reading my current middle grade manuscript. A few days ago, I began studying their notes and comments, jotting down my observations of their findings. As I was doing so, I had a thought: Why not share this journey with the Alleywalkers? I mean, I did tell them I'd start sharing more from my Sheriism box.
This is the first post in my series, Studying A Critique Partner's Notes. I'll dissect how I shift through their comments to find what works for me and the intended meaning of my story, overcome the fear of axing some of their valuable advice, and show how I apply it all to my final draft. 
Here goes: 
Baby Steps:

• After typing 'THE END', I let the manuscript sit until after I received notes from a few CPs.
• I opened the document from CP #1 and read each comment/observation, taking my own handwritten notes as I went along until I reached the end. (In this case, I sent my CPs the manuscript in four separate docs, so I'm going through the first doc.) 
• I then did the same with my other CPs' documents. 

Doing this gave me a road map, an outline of what may or may not need fixing, especially when more than one CP made the same suggestion.

I waited until I received at least two CPs' suggestions back before I began this process. Each was fresh in my mind, which made it much easier for me to compare any similarities between the two. Within a day, I received a third CP's suggestions, so I included hers as well. 

With this manuscript, I had four people reading for me. I hadn't received #4's suggestions yet, so I decided to use this last CP's notes as a check at the end of my revisions.

NEXT week: In The Trenches - of taking those notes.

Do you have a system to initially read your CP's edits?

I've Been Keeping Something From You...

My personal writing road has seen it's fair share of hurdles, potholes, and ditches lately. Each time I take a step forward, something pushes me backward. I finally finished that total rewrite of Marked Beauty, went through all my beta reads (which were awesome), and polished a bit more. In between, I took my hiatus this summer from blogging and spent the rest of my time with my four kids and the hubby. I did, however, attend WriteOnCon. My goal was to explore my picture book fetish a bit and hobnob with other PB writers. That in itself was very informative--a great experience. But something else happened. 

I noticed the call for writers to post the first 250 words of their YA novel. That's not what I was there for but I figured What the heck? So I posted. And an agent noticed. She requested everything I had--query, synopsis, and the full manuscript. Needless to say, I was surprised. I visited her agencies website. They seemed fabulous, but my gut told me she wouldn't be for me. Her agency represented mostly spiritual stories aka the cancer suffering teen, etc... MB is about another realm within our own filled with supernatural creatures that are not so heavenly. But she asked, so I was sending.


My gut was right, but that was okay. She loved what I sent (actually read the entire manuscript) and seemed to believe I'd have no trouble finding representation or a publisher. She actually told me that. So I started querying--just two weeks ago. I have a full and a partial out, and one refusal (said it just wasn't her type of story). But I've heard absolutely nothing from the other nine queries I sent. 


Though I thought I'd be all cool about this, I'm not. Waiting has completely stifled my creativity. And with all this, I'm taking an online writing class. Last week, Dianne and Marcy posted my first page in their First Impressions segment. I received awesome suggestions on how to improve the piece. It was a positive experience and I felt really good about where it was going. Then I subbed the first paragraph from that same first page to my writing instructor. Let's just say she didn't have much good to say about it. That did it. I was crushed. Haven't written a thing since.

But then, as always seems to happen in my writing life, another writer came along and said the exact words I needed to hear. Susan Kaye Quinn gave me a new lesson in the lies we writers tell ourselves, how we beat ourselves down when all we should be doing is just keep writing. Dianne, my first connection on Twitter, sent me a private email with amazing encouragement and advice. 

And then I visited my friend Jen Daiker, and read her heartfelt words about her recent querying bout. I think she and I are lofting in the same pothole, except she's decided to drag herself out and start a new blog--if she can't find inspiration out there, why not find it within herself. For even more inspiration, Christina Lee reminded me to whisper my goals and let them take flight on the breeze of nature, always keeping in mind that there's room at the publishing table for me. Of course there's my Oasis Sisters, too. Heart them!

Lastly, Elana Johnson asked What skin I was wearing? Yeah, that rang a bell. I'm the mother of four and wife to one, and wear almost every hat imaginable. At that moment, I remembered my chunky bracelet with a heart dangling off one of the links. I also gave one to my daughter. Years ago, I had both engraved with the same words: To Thine Own Self Be True. Nothing more. Nothing less. I really CAN do anything. It's time for me to be true to myself again.

This is for those writer friends I've mentioned and
for all of you who visit and share yourself with me!!

So writer, if you can't find motivation next to you, surf cyber space. Inspiring advice, perseverance, and endurance is waiting for you...not to mention a cyber ((hug)).


Tuesday was another edition of WS4U! Progress Report. It's a great exercise in both support and accountability. Please take a moment to show support to some of our members, also writing posts today. You never know the similarities you might find to your own writing road to publication and beyond.

http://jc-martin.com/fighterwriter/

http://waibelworld.blogspot.com

http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com

http://susanfieldswriter.blogspot.com

http://skmayhew.blogspot.com/p/tuesday-wip-status.html

http://margoberendsen.blogspot.com

http://www.sherryauger.blogspot.com

 http://www.susanoloier.blogspot.com--in/ 

First Impressions: Page One

Not sure if you've heard what my good writer friends Dianne and Marcy are up to these days. They've joined forces, offering a critique of first pages a few times each month. Well, seeing how I finally starting writing my YA paranormal fantasy ~ GYPSY DOLLS: Carnival of Souls, I offered to be their guinea pig today! I'd love it if you'd head over to Dianne's Blog and/or Marcy's Blog and give me a shout-out. Your opinion is important to me. But before you do, here's my one-line pitch & blurb for the story:

One line pitch:

A wannabe witch knows nothing about gypsies or demons, until her sticky fingers lead her beyond a stint at Juvenile Hall and into a dark realm divided by two brothers.

Query:

A brutal home break-in leaves Jacquie Evans' mother partially-comatose, her father presumed dead, and this ex-juvenile hall resident needing someone to blame.

She starts working at the witchy Magick and Tattoo Parlor, suspiciously linked to evidence found at the crime scene otherwise known as Jacquie’s home. Snooping through amulets, Wisdom Cards, body paints and fabrics triggers memories of a time when her father took her there. What she doesn’t expect to find is the interest of Mick Lunt, reserved artist at the shop who specializes in demon art, envied master gamer, and hunky eye-candy to every girl in town.

Girls begin to disappear as Jacquie uncovers secrets about the crime and the town’s gypsy past.  Her snooping exposes her to a threat who’s been watching her---Mick’s younger brother and necromancer, Aiden who happens to be dead. Each time Mick shields Jacquie from Aiden, she peels away his protective layers to find more than her reticent savior—Mick's a rebel death dealer who carried out Lucifer’s sentence against his brother’s soul. Angered by Mick’s lies, Jacquie turns to Aiden for answers about her parents’ attack and becomes the mortal pawn between the two brothers. Both have developed a sweet and dangerous taste for her. And with Hell at her doorstep, her choices could cost Jacquie more than her soul. It could kill her mother.

GYPSY DOLLS: Carnival of Souls is a 75,000 word YA paranormal fantasy with World of Warcraft necromancers, x-Box-playing death dealers, mystical cumulus drops, and family ties that will blur the lines of Heaven and Hell.

Hope to see you over at Dianne and Marcy's blogs. Can't wait to hear what you think! Thanks for any and all suggestions.

~Hearts~

Sheri

Writing Partners ~ Support Team

So today is my last official ROW80 Progress check in. It's been a fantastic 80 days of setting goals, writing, and connecting with other writers. The official ROW80 was comprised of a boatload of writers, which was great. But I was blessed to connect a bit more personally with three lovely ladies--my Support Team.

We've been cheering and checking in with each other on Twitter, Facebook, and our weekly posts. It's given me a deeper sense of community as well as accountability. Setting goals and having someone to report to has been motivating. If I didn't meet a goal, that was okay. I was surprised the weight a simple tweet from my support team, telling me I could meet my goal or congratulating me when I did, carried. A tweet of encouragement can go a long way. *wink*

It's all about support, building that foundation of confidence and belief.

I found it quite different from working with critique partners. Where Critique Partners edit, discuss, and guide our physical manuscripts, Support Partners are solely to encourage and create a positive atmosphere, keeping us focused on our writing goals. That's not saying CPs don't embrace the same encouraging attitude that Support Partners do because they do.

As for the writing goals I set back in April, I'm pleased to say I've had wonderful progress and success.

GOAL #1 ~ to complete a full REwrite of my YA Paranormal Romance, MARKED BEAUTY. And I have. I'm currently fine tuning the manuscript per amazing CP suggestions and edits.

GOAL #2 ~ to edit my three picture books. I've finished one and am still working on the other, hoping to find them a publishable home soon. (THX Kelly!)

GOAL #3 ~ to continue developing and outlining my two MG projects and other YA novel. Not as much progress here as I'd like, but I have refined goals and plots for all three projects.

All-in-all, creating a Support Team has done wonders for me. My fabulous support team consists of C.Lee McKenzie, Susan Kaye Quinn, & Margo Berendsen, and we've decided to keep tabs on each other, checking in from time to time. I have yet to develop our badge but I'm hoping to soon. We'd love to have others participate. The more the merrier and the more support to go around. MORE TO COME ON THIS. I'll keep you posted.

If you think you'd be interested, let me know in the comments and I'll start a list on another page. :)

Step 3:Bare Bones of DIALOG

Here's another edition of Examining REwriting.

We've explored REwriting in STEP 1 ~ deciding which is needed: REwriting or REvising. STEP 2 ~ covered simplifying: breaking the story down to scene by scene using index cards. STEP 3 ~ organized the information you gathered on those index cards and showed how to use them in a split screen.

Today, I'm sharing with you what I've learned about dialog through my REwriting process. I'm giving you an exercise to try. Not just a writing exercise to use in honing your skills separate from your current WIP, but to use while writing, drafting, revising, or rewriting.

Try what I call a  Bare Bones Dialog Trail. Here's how it works, or at least how I did it.

1. I needed to bridge the gap between the scene/dialog that existed from my original completed manuscript (not draft, remember; we're talking about rewriting) and the new needs of my story. Lots of the dialog was still valid. But just the bare naked bones.

2. Taking one scene, I stripped all tags off the dialog and axed any dialog that didn't apply to the story any longer. I typed that out. Just those bare naked bones.

3. Then, while walking around the room, I started with the first piece of dialog and basically had a conversation with myself and the other characters. As I came up with something useful, I rushed to the laptop and typed it out. Just the bare naked bones.

Here's an example of how it worked while I used this approach: (I'll only give you a snippet, not to bore you or make this too long.)  But make note: while I wrote, keeping it bare, I imagined what would be said and sometimes not even thinking who (which character) should say it.


Setting: Main character, Ana, is dropped off at her new prep school by her Dad. She's an empath ~ can see and sense life energy (only some in her case.) 

“Dad…”

“I’m Dad! Nice to meet you all.”

“Impressive."

“Kill me, would you?”

“Hi, I’m Sara.”

“You, girl, know how to make an entrance."

“Finn."

“Just saying.”

“Nice T.”

“Hey, thanks. Sara thinks it’s immature.”

“Call me Ana, Finn.”

“Will do.”

“You’re moving in kind of late."

“Yeah, I was…had stuff going on.” 

Seems confusing. But I knew what was going on in my brain and you will, too, when you try it. Once I was satisfied, I began adding tags ~ color, movement, sounds and senses to the scene. Slowly, the scene became not a mere robotic conversation but a living, breathing--touchable scene.

Here's the result of this little piece of the scene:

The bear hug he gives me is over-exaggerated, but that’s because he notices a group of boys nearby. I squirm out of his grip and consider yelling that he’s a stalker. Maybe someone will take pity on me and haul him out of here. He finally steps into the vehicle. I rock on the curb of the walkway but stop quickly, fear wadding in my throat. There’s no gulping it down.

“Dad…” I warn.

The truck lights flare like fireworks, minus the smell of summer and hotdogs. The sirens blare. I practically jump out of my skin, my jaw clenching and my gaze stabbing him.

He chuckles and yells at the small crowd gathering, “I’m Dad! Nice to meet you all.”

I’m too stunned to move. Maybe no one will notice me; it is getting dark.

“Impressive,” a girl’s voice pitches over my shoulder.

Pulling a pen from my satchel, I offer it to her. “Kill me, would you?”

She laughs, making her dark curls bounce. “Hi, I’m Sara.” Her toffee-toned skin glows in a wake of bells, whistles, and flashing lights as Dad drives away.

“You, girl, know how to make an entrance,” says the boy wrapping his arms around Sara like a soft taco.

“Finn,” Sara scolds him. Her aura pulsates softly, but a bold line frames it. I think she’s kind but probably a perfectionist, not sure yet.

“Just saying.” Finn sounds insulted and slings his arm over Sara’s shoulder, her designer tank top hugging her curvaceous figure. His lights are green and way too bright, which screams Hyper! maybe even ADHD.

My eyes trace over the words Blame the Dog printed on his shirt. “Nice T.”

“Hey, thanks.” He pinches the cotton and whispers, “Sara thinks it’s immature.”

I titter and slide my pen back into my satchel next to my little pink book. Finn’s a lot like Josh, even with the same copper hair only shorter and spiked. “Call me Ana, Finn.”

“Will do.”

“You’re moving in kind of late,” Sara says.

“Yeah, I was…had stuff going on.” Pictures of Katee lying in her hospital bed, where I should be, are all I see.

~~~~~~~~~

Breaking it down like this, slowing it down, can be incredibly valuable, showing you sparks in your dialog that you might have missed by merely writing the entire scene out as you envision it. Of course, I've been doing this to meet my ROW80 PROGRESS goals. I'm almost halfway through on beta's edits. It's going extremely well. I'm please. And for my amazingly supportive co-writers progress, go HERE: Susan's PROGRESS, Margo's PROGRESS, C.Lee's PROGRESS.

The Alleyway has got some WINNERS!! Congrats goes to ~ Katrina is the winner of Kelly Hashway's MAY THE BEST DOG WIN Swag!!! & ~ Miranda Paul is the winner of a FULL Picture Book Critique!!

Also: My fellow YAlitchatter and Author Kim Baccellia is auctioning off a Signed copy of her book CROSSED OUT and a critique of two chapters. Great opportunity! Head over and check it out.

Twisted Tuesday: Examining REWRITING, Step 2

Last Twisted Tuesday, we explored the methods used in organizing time, material, and brain power when tackling a full manuscript rewrite. STEP1 talked about finding good critique partners or betas, and examining your reasons for REwriting instead of REvising.

Let's move forward and chat about blowing through a stump in the middle of a scene. Has a stump ever rooted up in the middle of your writing garden?

Scenario: You've decided a particular scene still has value for your rewrite, but a new purpose must be found for it. You have the old scene jostling around in your head, probably memorized to death. Now you have ideas that must be incorporated into that scene to integrate new plot threads, character development, voice, etc...

Break the scene down into smaller parts. In order to do a well-grounded rewrite, seeing the elements which made the initial scene work can be helpful. Sometimes it uncovers a hidden hole you hadn't noticed or will show you choices, aka roads, you hadn't thought of before. It will also help you chop those stumps that are keeping you from your writing goals.

Clear Clutter. This is my method and I know there are tons of writing programs out there that probably do a better job, but I'm simple and I like tangible things.

1. I make a brief physical list of new elements I'm sure need incorporation into the scene. Usually I do this on an index card. Like I said--brief. Giving myself too many stipulations drowns my creativity.

2. Then I open a new document, calling it Workspace: 'Title of Book', and cut and paste the existing scene onto the blank screen.

3. Now's where the rewriting fun begins. I read through, and using a new index card, I begin listing any existing element I'm sure I want to use in my rewrite. Basically, I'm creating a new outline for this one scene. Once I feel the structural elements (library, front desk, outside, car...) are there, I order them on as many index cards as I need. (ex: start at front desk of library, fight happens, rush outside, jump into car...)

I do this process as many times as I feel necessary to layer voice, emotions, back story, descriptions, gestures, and you name it. This may seem tedious, but it breaks down the elements of a good story, giving it eyes to become a great story.

We'll continue this next time, showing the Split Screen and how the index cards become a full scene.

My ROW80 PROGRESS is brief, today.

I've had my own stumps to overcome. One chapter wasn't merely a rewrite but a totally new creation, needed to move a new plot twist forward. The first half of the scene went like a charm. But once I got neck-high in the dialog, I realized I needed to decide what information I wanted to give the reader now and what facts needed to wait. *sigh*

Yes, this will be another Twisted Tuesday post. But for now, I've finally entered ACT III  #doingmajorcartwheels  for an equivalent of just over 9,100 words. I figure I have approximately 10-11,000 more to rewrite and then look over my critique partners edits.

Now, for my ROW80 motivation partners progress: Susan's PROGRESS, Margo's PROGRESS, C.Lee's PROGRESS.

Twisted Tuesday: Examining REWRITING, Step 1

Writing partners are critical to a writer's inner and outer growth, confidence, and stride. Even more so when a writer is in the trenches of a WIP.

In deciding to completely rewrite my current YA novel, I had to examine all the elements of the story as well as my reasons or motivation for REwriting my manuscript. I also needed to develop a process to follow as I did the rewrite. It's almost starting over, but not really from scratch.

Today, I'm going to explore the first steps I took and share them with you.

STEP 1 was to decide if I should do a total rewrite or a total revision. I've written on the topic of REwrite vs. REvision, if you're interested.

For me, I needed to dissect what about my story sparked the agents who'd been interested during my first go-around. Any of you can do this, whether you've had perspective interest or not. Find a few good beta readers and let them have at the manuscript. Ask what struck them about the story and where, if ever, they felt disconnected with characters, storyline, back story, voice, or your prose. Don't necessarily worry about grammar and such at this point.

I'd been told the writing was good and all said agents were in agreement that the voice was strong and the story as unique as they've read, which all seemed to be excited about. So why not sign me? After chatting with a few more experienced author friends (they are gems; find some - GA, AE, LM, Roza), I realized it was probably the reorganizing of the story an agent might need to guide me through, getting the book marketable-ready for publishing houses.

So, I broke down each chapter, scene by scene, and examined every nook and cranny. While doing so, I brainstormed, let my mind go where it wanted to. I discovered by adding an extra plot-twist to the story I could combine certain elements and eliminate some characters and scenes. Sounds like more writing yet thinning out the story? Not really.

I started seeing the story through the scenes. Forest through the trees. My mind had been so focused on the main story plot and character arcs that I'd missed shorter routes the characters could take to achieve the same means. I'm not talking about shortening the story, but about writing a concise story as a whole. It must be done piece by piece = scene by scene.

You can have 8,000 scenes (wouldn't recommend it, but you could), and as along as each sentence, paragraph, and scene are written with forward momentum sometime meaning letting the characters take a shorter route from point A to point B, you're golden. The reader will keep wanting more. That's the point, isn't it? Of course, there are always exceptions to this. They're may be a valid reason for you to write an extra five scenes to move a character from one place to another. Just make sure every twist, pivot, and curve has a purpose.

This process takes time, so be patient with yourself.

My PROGRESS for the ROW80 slowed down a bit this week due to my being sick and having to host my oldest's prom dinner. (I'll blog about it on Friday. So bring your prom  or not-prom memories.) I was able to write almost 5,000 words. With adding this extra plot-twist, I came to the point last Thursday where I knew an important decision needed to be made but I just couldn't make it. STEP 2 in Examining REWRITING will be the slump in the middle of a scene.

Please take a peek at the three lovelies who are in this ROW80 with me, who never give up, and without whose accountability I wouldn't be as far as I am in my REwrite.

Susan's PROGRESS
Margo's PROGRESS
C.Lee's PROGRESS

LINKY: Head over to Stina's blog and congratulate her on reaching 500 followers!! ENTER her contest/giveaway, too!!

REwriting Vs. REvisions

You're a writer. You have an idea. Then another. Before you know it, you have too many ideas to keep track of. So you need to outline or write a mini-synopsis or even splatter your thoughts on index cards.

Then comes scenes which breed chapters and complete Act I, II, and then II. You're at the Climax or Black Moment *wink, Stina* Then the wrap-up, until finally you write the two most precious words: THE END.

When I finished my first manuscript (which is technically my second, I just can't think of my first ms attempt as anything but yuck...) I was elated. Awe is probably a better way to put it. I really did it. From start to finish. I had characters, a plot, sub-plots, and scenes that moved a real story forward. There were even people that read it and were impressed. I remember thinking, "Geez...really??"

Then I met other writers, ones more experienced than me. They read. They critiqued. They guided me to the knowledge that writing the script was ONLY step one. Now I was like, "Geez...really??" But down deep, I knew I wasn't finished yet.

So I took all their advice, edits, and suggestions and did what every serious novelist does--I started to revise.

According to Dictionary.com, a REVISION is: a corrected or new version of a book, article, etc... So during revisions of a manuscript, the writer corrects errors in grammar, syntax, mood, voice and so on. He/she also might discover inconsistencies within the story which need fixing. Writing another paragraph or tightening up some prose can sometimes fix those aliments. What's most important to note here is that the story or theme remains the same. Basically, revising takes what you've already created and makes it shine and sparkle to the point where it's irresistible to an agent, editor, or publisher. 


Now rewriting is a bit different. REWRITING (same source) is: to write in a different manner or form. One will find revising within rewriting but not the opposite. If you REwrite, you REwrite and change/alter a part of the story. Rewriting can be as dramatic as completely axing a manuscript or article and starting over or cutting out parts and re-creating those. Character development (including backstory, emotional gauges, physical appears and basic arc), main plot, and sub-plots can all be recreated, which can alter the original idea of the story itself creating a totally new tale.

During the ROW80, I've been REwriting my YA manuscript. After wonderful advice and interest--and two months waffling about what I should do--I decided to weave in another plotline, giving depth and adding mystery to the tale. It's also given me a deeper insight into my characters, which is making me a better character arc writer.

I completely REwrote the first four chapters--every word, altering some backstory which changed my MCs perception of her life at the beginning of the story and in turn is changing her character arc throughout Act I, II, & surely will in Act III. Then slowly and methodically, I've REvised scenes that still worked in moving the story forward, while REwriting others, intensifying action and mystery as well as my characters inner growth. Then there are scenes I've been writing brand-spanking new. Can you see how I'm applying these two terms?

Since last Tuesday, I've REvised or REwritten 8 chapters for an approximate total of 18,500 words. I'm excited, because I should be entering Act III by next week.

Please visit these other lovely ladies who are joining me in all this REvision and REwriting.

Susan's PROGRESS
Margo's PROGRESS
C.Lee's PROGRESS

AND I've highlighted a new YA book over on Oasis for YA!!

Can you answer my question. Can you see how I'm applying the differences between REvising and REwriting? Have you done the same?

Don't forget to enter my Signed MG book giveaway!!

UNEXPECTED Progress

Those who visited the Alleyway yesterday know I took the last few days off to participate in a few dance shows and to recover from the exhausting weekend. Missed it? Interested? Scroll below. :) However, being gone for three days has left me with a mountain of emails and to-do's, so I might be a bit scarce this week. TY for understanding.

I wasn't available to give the A-Z Challenge the proper adeu! *Waves, eyes glaze over and a tear trickles down my check* I enjoyed the challenge far more than I thought I would. Giving me a letter to focus my ideas on helped to collect my thoughts more readily and write more concisely. *HOTHEADS!!* 

Before I move on to my Tuesday Progress Report, I must give a huge shout-out to Author Elizabeth Mueller for giving me this:

Too cool!! I'm sure lots of you received it, too. *Round of Applause!*

Just as helpful as the alphabet challenge was for me, so now is the ROW80. Setting goals is important; something I'm constantly pointing out to my kids. And joint-pledging with three other writers has made it that more pleasant and meaningful. Not to mention, I've gained an amazing new CP out of it. :)

Goal #1 ~ I am making serious strides in my rewrite of MARKED BEAUTY. I've even reposted my brand new opening on a separate page.

I'm in the middle of Act II, threading in a new plot twist and discovering even more about my two main leads but also, myself--THE WRITER. I've come leaps and bounds in communicating my thoughts more concisely and recognizing my errors in my first completed manuscript of MB--probably the reasons the three agents in January who pursued the manuscript eventually passed. Editing and structure of ideas. Collectively, each mentioned that I could write and the story was quite unique. I think it was the amount of restructuring and the time it would take which gave them pause.

I've been very sensitive to that, careful what, where, and when I feed the reader back story or internal thought information. I've spread it out, giving crumbs through dialog and ponderings from secondary characters, and even at a few points a piece of a character's internal revelation in hopes to reveal it all at the climax.

I mentioned yesterday that I've had great progress. But I've also had some unexpected interest in my rewrite from one on the original agents who passed. Once I complete my rewrite, said agent would like to take a look at it. *Another round of applause!* But those claps aren't for me. They are for you and all who've stuck by my side in spite of the last few months when I was less than a blossoming flower of enthusiasm. Thank you. I am determined not to disappoint. :)

Goal 2 & 3 ~ Basically, I'm putting plotting and outlining my other three stories on the back burner because of the interest in my rewrite. As far as my picture books, I haven't worked on them but I've been lead to an amazing PB critique group who I can't wait to start working with.

Please take a peek at the three lovelies who are in this ROW80 with me.

Susan's PROGRESS
Margo's PROGRESS
C.Lee's PROGRESS

Do you have WIP PROGRESS to share? 

P ~ PROGRESS & PICTURE Books

Despite having two topics to intrigue you with today, I Promise to keep it brief.

PROGRESS ~ "a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage." *according to dictionary.com*


While highlighting the letter J, I intro-d ROW80, which I'm using to help me juggle my writing life. But it also a vehicle, fueling my Progress. So here's my Tuesday check-in.


Goal #1 ~ Finally wrote my breakthrough chapter introducing my main male MC. The dude is way complex, which lead to a week or so of struggles trying to weave in his back story. The reader needs this knowledge now in order to understand his position, desire of goals, and conflict in finding the girl, Ana--main female MC. Now, I'm ready to move forward, continuing to rewrite from past to present tense and threading a new plot twist to the end. :)

Goal #2 ~ Yeah, working on the 3rd draft of my picture book SWITCHING DAYZZZ.... just didn't happen. *See goal #1*

Goal #3 ~ Didn't do much with actual outlining of my MG series or my next YA novel, but my brain was on fire with plotting. So there's a bit of progress there. YAY!

I've been keeping in touch with my wonderful new crit partner, Susan from Ink Spells. Check out her PROGRESS, too. She's a gem. And then there's Margo, over on Writing at High Altitude, who's helping us keep on task.

One final thought about Goal #2 ~ PICTURE BOOKS. I write in three areas: young adult, middle grade, and picture books. For me, writing picture books is just natural. I have four children and for years have created stories off the cuff to get them to sleep or to keep them quiet in the car. It never occured to me that I should actually write them down until I participated in Tara Lazar's PiBoIdMo 2010. It was fantastic and totally revved me up to write PBs.

I'm making progress with a few stories and if you're interested you can take a peek at two of them HERE.

No matter where you are on your writing journey, never forget each new day brings new PROGRESS. I believe in you. 


What progress have you had recently??


Teeny splat: My kids are on spring break so I might not be able to blog all that much. Will miss you, but make sure to come back tomorrow. I'm hosting a giveaway of your choice!)