Birthday Month! February 27, 2009

If you know me, you know I LOVE birthdays….not just mine. But, we’re going to talk about mine today since, well…. this is Bria Birthday Month (feel free to cross out “February” in your calendar and put that instead)

 

So, just like people do during the New Year season, I’m going to talk a little bit about life and blessings and struggles.

 

This month has been great on the blog – we’ve had amazing fun with the Line by Line contest….I’m still in it! Being in the top 20 was something I hadn’t even aimed for, but feel amazingly lucky to crossed that line.  The competition is amazingly tight so I could go at any minute. I was just telling a friend, it would ache to make it two rounds till the crit round, but with such great competitors, i’m psyched to have made it this far….seriously, go check them out! And remember, those entries are there based on only being able to add one line per week….. a great birthday gift would be making the top 15!

To everyone who has played along on the blog — I LOVE reading your suggestions….please ignore the fact that AJ has killed off the heroine

 

Last week Tina Ferraro was here at the Luv YA Book Club. We did her book The ABCs of Kissing Boys.  It was a huge hit…as was Tina. Seriously, she’s been so kind to me, I feel amazingly blessed to have found her and other people who make the time for peeps like me with nothing under our belts yet.  If you didn’t read the Book Club yet, check it out. We had a ton of fun!

 

One of my groups has been so focal to the turning point of my writing this month (and it is a special month, isn’t it) I’m part of a private blog group called ACers (Accountability Corner ‘ers) – these ladies have been amazing for me. I’ve had the writing grumblies lately. But I’ve kicked back into gear with this light, fun YA I’m writing. If it wasn’t for them kicking my butt and encouraging me, I’d still be slumping I thinking…. Ansha, Kai, Kaige, Kendal, Lauren, Mamad, Mel, and Tuna….thanks ladies!

 

Speaking of a certain ACer who I won’t out off the RD board (feel free to out yourself)….poooor girl. My darling AJ IM’d me to ask why the heck I wasn’t a mentor this year. When I had no reason she basically said, Fine. We’re good at different stuff. We’ll co-mentor her. —- Everyone say a little prayer for the poor dear.  But I’m finding it really exciting to see someone else’s project from the ground up. Just sent her the rough of the really light stuff. She’s hopefully laughing b/c its funny…not laughing at it.

 

Work, work, work….OK, thank God for the part time job. As you might have read in little clippets, I’ve been basically unemployed except for a couple short consulting gigs for 2 years…it’s been hard (to say the least) and I just want to say, with even little part-time store jobs so difficult to find, I remind myself that this little job slows down the financial bleeding and I’m lucky to have it.

 

My friends are taking me to my favorite Ethiopian resturant Saturday to celebrate! How lucky am I? No. Seriously!

 

So, I’ve written a book and had some positive feedback (ok, lets be honest, some, um, not so positive feedback, too)….I’m working on a light, rom com series of stand alones and thinking out book 2 of the fantasy… I’ve threatened to start giving out Book 1 on street corners in 2 years (everyone go find a street corner) – I have several book ideas (which is a good thing since I’d like to write a couple more than several) and writing seems to get better each time I do it. I can see my own growth, even though I know it will never be the end.

 

This year, I have a Big Maybe Plan….which if everything falls into line involves taking some  huge risks and having a big adventure. Stay tuned.

 

I have my ACer goals for 2009 to keep me motivated, focused and on track. No becoming a writing slouch here!

 

I am so lucky to have local friends, local writing friends and writing friends all over. I was one of those people who never would have believed you could be Friends with people you’ve never met face-to-face, but i know some of those nearest and dearest my heart — you know who you are!

 

This year feels good. I need a good year and this is going to be it.

 

So, happy Bria Birthday Month everyone!  Hope 2009 is a great year for everyone!

Dire Need to Move Up in the World February 24, 2009

I was asked how to find me on Twitter and here it is: http://twitter.com/briaquinlan

Why get me on Twitter? I don’t babble – honest (well, maybe a little, but I won’t tell you what I had for breakfast) I WILL keep you updated on things like the next Luv YA Book Club book (Dust of 100 Dogs) and when it is (March 16th) and my progress on querying (Sabatical) and if I’ve read anything cool lately (um, nope. not this week yet) and when I’ve posted (today!) and how I’m doing in the line by line contest (which I may get booted from and you’ll never see again)…that’s about it — unless something abusrdly amusing happens….and weird things never happen to me

 

 

Also, I have 4 fans.

 

Not writing fans (I have tons of those, they just don’t know it yet *snort). Technorati Fans. Make me easier to search and spread the fandom my way. Yes, I’m shamelessly begging. I’m dying to know what happens as my fans mulitply over in the Tecnorati world!

  

Go alllll the way down.

 

 

Keep going.

 

  

 

Keep going

 

 

 

 

Almost there!

 

 

 

HERE.

 

And click that ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–>

And bump me up in the Technorati world!

Top 25, BABY! February 22, 2009

Tomorrow Karin Tabke announces the next round of her first line contest (the one I keep calling the Line By Line contest) – we’re down to 25, and amazingly enough, I’m in that round. . . this may be it people. The competition is getting tighter and tighter. Each week someone is pulled who surprises me.

 

Each week I think, “say good-bye, bria.”

 

 And so, with four rounds to go, this may be our last chance to play “NAME BRIA’S NEXT LINE”  — obviously, unless aj starts making this a paranormal, she can’t play any longer since she killed our heroine off last week. 

Seven lockers down, my boyfriend was making out with Cheryl, the way-too-perky head cheerleader.

 

I tried not to stare, but when his hand slid past her waist and over her hip, I slammed my locker shut and stormed off in the opposite direction. Not that anyone noticed. The problem – not only was I that gorgeous jock’s secret girlfriend, I also had a secret power.

 

I’m invisible.

 

OK, not invisible invisible. But, in the not-so-mythical land of Highschoolia where blending in equals obscurity, I rated a negative seven JD on the Jane Doe to Lindsay Lohan visibility scale. I’d be the first to tell you I didn’t mind – well, typically. I’d made a deal with the devil … I mean the boy… and stomping away was the only thing I could do.

 

“The Plan” just might kill me where Advanced Trig had failed.

 

 OK, your turn!

Publishing Blogs Weekly Round-Up February 20, 2009

Sorry this is late to the people who keep searching it (wow) and not finding anything this week.

 

First off this week – If you didn’t get to Luv YA book club with Tina Ferraro right here on Tuesday night….Where were you????

 

Editor Unleashed talks more about building your base. Really worth reading if your an unpub or someone trying to grow her presence.

 

Check out the summary of Firebrand’s Query Holiday HERE. I unfortunately wasn’t at a place with Secret Girlfriend where it was good to go and I’m a strong believer in not wasting people’s time. Were you one of the chosen? Did you get the request for more pages? I think it was a great experiment!

 

I needed to hear this this week….Trust me, you’ll WIN if you go read it too!

 

Jessica Faust talks about passing on things you like and working for things you love HERE. Plus, I’ve always just loved the phrase Devil’s Advocate.

 

UPDATE FROM LAST WEEK: I did it! I sent my query to Query Shark to have the most amazing Janet Reid tear it to little tiny pieces. I’ll let you know if she picks mine.

Luv YA Book Club: ABCs OF KISSING BOYS February 17, 2009

As always….

 

WARNING: This is NOT a review – it’s a Blog Book Club. That means, we’re going to discuss the book – the whole book – yes – even the end – so guess what. There’s going to be spoilers.

 

SPOILERS PEOPLE

 

NO! Seriously. If you read past here, it’s your own darn fault.

 

OK. Welcome to Luv YA’s first Book Club Book Blog – YAY!

Ok, special guest #1 is BuffyPrower visiting from deviantart. com with her plot summary of the first part of the book . Stealing her bio it says: “She’s a sixth grader who is a huge fan of video games and still manages to find time to read a lot.” And I’d like to add, that (may she not kill me and take this out on her mom instead) she’s a mini-diva in training. And that’s a good thing.

 

The thing is, I kinda started reading “The ABCs to Kissing Boys” the same night [as Twilight – I’m still on page 7]. And I’ve been reading it more than Twilight. Seems like my end of the deal isn’t holding up, is it? Guess not. Well, Kissing Boys is actually very good, considering it’s a romance book, that’s saying something coming from me.

 

The ABC’s of Kissing Boys is about a junior high school girl (Parker) who loves soccer. She had gotten put on the JV team at her school instead of the Varsity team. But her school has this sports fair at the start of the year. The booth that gets the most money gets a special parking spot for the coach. So her coach is setting up a kissing booth. And Parker’s plan for Coach Heartless involves the previous Prom King, and hottie, Luke Anderson. But then she needs to pay a small fine. Only just $300. The pair’s plan is to have Luke go up to the $3 kissing booth and offer up $300 to kiss Parker. But the thing is, Park doesn’t know how to kiss. Luke’s advice was to go buy a bunch of Starbursts and cherries. Then unwrap the Starbursts with your tongue, and tie the cherry stems with your tongue as well. But then, how hard can that be? Quiet hard. But it’s what his ex did.

 

On the way home, she meets her neighbor from across the street (Tristan), who her father is so convently competitive with his. But Tristan seems to know a bit about kissing. He went to a camp that summer as a counselor. When the kids went to bed or whatever, the counselors played some games that involved kissing. Lucky for Parker, he teaches her some things about Kissing. And he’s a FRESHMAN. The worst thing ever. Freshman kissing Junior. Or, Junior kissing Freshmen. Yeah… In PUBLIC. But luckily, it’s only the street and he’s at least as tall as her, maybe taller. Exactly 364 days younger, and teaching her how to kiss.. Shame.. He only really gets to teach her the “Caterpillar Kiss”. Basically where you rub eyebrows together.

 

I’m a bit farther than this, but he’s currently giving her private lessons on this stuff, and she’s also having to deal with the first day of school. Her prissy brat ex-friend Chrissandra, the most popular girl in school, saw Parker and Tristan in Park’s mom’s SUV driving from one of their lessons, and automatically figured they were dating. Big mistake! On the first day of school, Chrissandra and her posse decided to give Parker a gift. How thoughtful! Then it’s a pacifier.

 

Here’s what she has to say: Yes everyone, she said PACIFIER. If you haven’t read it, you’ll just have to now, won’t you!

 

Now, on to special guest #2 – is this a great month or what??? And, if you’ve been playing along at home, you know that special guest #2 is none other than TINA FERRARO!!!

 

Tina did the most amazing thing and gave us a little behind the scenes look at ABCs of Kissing Boys. She answered some great questions and I’m sure we’ll stir up some more with our chatter. Oh, and I passed on a few you sent to me…Yeah, I was curious about the younger guy thing too….*bria pleads the fifth*

 

What real city is DeGroot, MN named for?
A few summers ago, my husband, kids and I attended a family reunion in Minnesota.  Afterwards, we drove north and stayed in Duluth. That’s the “real” DeGroot.  I fell in love with the Lake Superior city, with its harbor, bridge, bike paths, downtown area…but altered the name to allow me to “tweak” the specifics to fit my story!

 

Do you ever name your characters after people in your life?
Yes!  Here is an internet exclusive (haha): a number of characters in my books (especially the guys) are named after my kids’ friends. Sometimes on purpose, sometimes not.  For instance, from HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE, there’s a real Brandon and Mark.  In THE ABC’S OF KISSING BOYS, I used Kyle, Tristan, Luke, Rusty, Keegan and Nick–all after their friends.  And there will be even more in my next book, WHEN BAD FLINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD GIRLS.  It’s definitely fun to tease the guys about being in my books, and I tell them to take a copy to college and use it to meet girls:  “Hey, did you know I’m in a romance novel?” 

 

Does the Steam Kiss really work?
I have no idea!  I never got around to fully researching it.  So please, those of you with copies of my book, check out pages 125-126, try it and tell me!

 

Where did you find the Steam Kiss?
I did kissing research on the internet and in a few books, but most of the really good stuff came from kissing websites!

 

What’s the truth behind the Starburst exercises?
Both my niece and my daughter had heard of the urban legend that unwrapping a Starburst with your tongue would make you a better kisser, and passed it along to me.  And my writer’s instinct told me it was a fantastic device to help set the story.  Does it actually work?  Who knows?  Good kissing is subjective, probably has more to do with how attracted you are to your partner than technical skill!

 

Have you ever dated a younger guy?
Yes, the summer I was 24, I had holiday romance with a three-years-younger guy.  I was in Sweden to help organize an international conference, and he was a student I met on a weekend outing.  I was learning Swedish and he used the English words he could remember from school, so our sentences were very tangled with both languages.  We made a lot of mistakes and laughed a lot.  The problem was, once we got over the language problems, we didn’t have all that much to say…so it didn’t end because of the age difference as much as a lack of chemistry!

 

So, who is going to get back to us on this Steamy Kiss thing?

 

Getting on to the other questions – one of the things that always impresses me about Tina’s books is how fun they are while dealing with topics that are serious and can feel bigger in that moment. Everything from not making the team to feeling like you may be losing your home….Oh, you haven’t read that one….yeah, go read it!  How did you feel reading the desperate struggle Parker has to maintain her status at school while fighting against her growing relationship with Tristan?

 

One of my writer friends emailed me this past weekend to thank me for suggesting ABCs and introducing her to Tina’s books – she said she couldn’t wait for book club to learn about the woman who could put her  in “total awe of a woman who can communicate that her MC’s parents sleep in separate beds with a single phrase not even related to sleeping” — How did you guys feel about Parker’s view of her parents and the war with Tristan’s dad? I know parents can seem irrational sometimes, did you find yourself groaning along with Parker or laughing at her situation? (perhaps BuffyPrower would like to share some of her “my mom is irrational” moments )

 

Parker learns a hard lesson in the end and has one of those “don’t know whatcha got till it’s gone” moments…We all knew it couldn’t end clean and pretty, but what did you think of her recovery?

 

Not all the girls Parker had a tough time with were Mean Girls. Tina’s done a great job at capturing the complexity of girls being friends – were you hoping for redemption for all the girls or did you love hating them?

 

I can’t wait to hear your comments and questions about the book!  As you know, this is Month 2 (yay to everyone who came back) — So, as always here, jump in and share your thoughts and your questions freely – remember (adults ) this is a YA blog, so keep your wording YA Friendly!

Luv YA Book Club Reminder: ABCs of Kissing Boys February 15, 2009

Don’t forget: THISNweek is Book Club week and I have two very special guests!

 

Of course we should get super excited that Tina Ferraro is giving us an inside peek at the book and the characters. If you haven’t checked out the trailer yet, rush over HERE and take a look-see.  It’s very cool.

So, who are these characters and what the heck is the Steamy Kiss anyway!

 

Also, I WON’T be the person giving the book summary – I have another special guest to do that.

 

Please remember, LYABC has been moved to TUESDAY night at 9pm EST!

Publishing Blogs Weekly Round-Up February 13, 2009

Happy Friday the 13th everyone.

 

Jumping right in: Nathan Bransford has a really interesting post about DRM (digital rights management) and free content. In this economy (and everything that means to writers (and those publisher people)) everyone should be learning about how the industry is changing and how it may effect your career.

 

Last week I linked to Part 1 – This week, Richard Curtis finishes his “10 Commandments of Courtesy” – writers and everyone else in the book world should check them out.

 

I find it sad that Janet Reid and other agents need to keep posting things like THIS. Seriously, if you haven’t done the minimum research to know not to do that (and to actually laugh at it) then you aren’t ready to query. A Writing Career should be just that – a professional career. Find out what the guidelines of working in that profession and industry are. You wouldn’t send an email to a future employer that said, “Hey, I just finished a great grad program. Would you like to see my resume?” would you?

Speaking of Janet Reid and queries, do you read Query Shark? No! What! If you’re an author and you want to get published you need to get your butt over there. I’m working up the nerve to submit

 

You all know how I feel about “rules” and “they say”s if you read this blog. You’ve read the stories about the two times I listened to “they say”s and got burnt. Well, Jessica Faust is sick of dealing with rules too.

 

Get a strong grasp on “high concept” from Holly Root over at Waxman Agency.

 

Want to build your Twitter Cred…check out Editor Unleashed.

 

One question I’ve been pondering and seems to be getting a lot of press lately (yeah for people reading my mind about pondering stuff) is the cost of ebooks V print. Checkout HarperStudio’s take HERE.

Line by Line Contest – Still In The Mix February 11, 2009

I find it amazing with the talent in the Karin Tabke First Line Contest that I’m in the TOP 30!!!! Woo Hoo – it’s like Simon just told me “You’re going to Hollywood!” and I don’t have to stand on a stage with people staring at me.

 

I’ve already posted the next line – last week we voted. The weeks before that, you gave me YOUR best next line for my story. Some have nearly killed off my heroine. Some have turned her into the HS equivalent of a teen-girl-scorned-ninja (note to self: write that book), some have almost nailed my next line….So, let’s see what you’ve got this week!

 

I know what my next line will be. . . . Do you?

 

Seven lockers down, my boyfriend was making out with Cheryl, the way-too-perky head cheerleader.

 

I tried not to stare, but when his hand slid past her waist and over her hip, I slammed my locker shut and stormed off in the opposite direction. Not that anyone noticed. The problem – not only was I that gorgeous jock’s secret girlfriend, I also had a secret power.

 

I’m invisible.

 

OK, not invisible invisible. But, in the not-so-mythical land of Highschoolia where blending in equals obscurity, I rated a negative seven JD on the Jane Doe to Lindsay Lohan visibility scale. I’d be the first to tell you I didn’t mind – well, typically. I’d made a deal with the devil … I mean the boy… and stomping away was the only thing I could do.

 

 

 Give it your best shot – make me laugh, make me cry, make me wish I’d written that NEXT LINE now!

Luv YA Book Club Reminder: ABCs of Kissing Boys February 11, 2009

Don’t forget: Next week is Book Club week and I have two very special guests!

 

Of course we should get super excited that Tina Ferraro is giving us an inside peek at the book and the characters. If you haven’t checked out the trailer yet, rush over HERE and take a look-see.  It’s very cool.

So, who are these characters and what the heck is the Steamy Kiss anyway!

 

Also, I WON’T be the person giving the book summary – I have another special guest to do that.

 

Please remember, LYABC has been moved to TUESDAY night at 9pm EST!

Progress…or not February 9, 2009

Sometimes you just feel squishy.

 

I know you know what I mean. Everything feels soft and unfocused. There’s not urgency or desperate need to get it down. The story/life/job/relationships/all of the above all have a squishy-fuzzy edge feeling to them, like being on emotional cough syrup. I’m feeling that way right now. I’m trying to get myself refocused and wondering what this issue is.  This is what I’ve come up with:

 

• Working on more than one project at a time is a new experience and I need to learn to balance the emotions/voice/style between those
• I’ve gotten out of my world for the Fantasy — I’m starting a read thru of book one tonight to do some more tweaking (hopefully) and re-grasp everything I’d put aside
• I’m tired – yup, it’s as simple as that. I’m tired and stressed b/c of real life stuff and I want to push it all aside and just focus on writing again

So, what makes you squish? How do you get past it? Feel free to post in depth explanations with step by step directions

Publishing Blogs Weekly Round-Up February 6, 2009

First I”m going to sound off about something, because it’s my blog and I can….This whole Stephan King dissing Stephanie Meyer thing is (in my opinion) a tad bit out of control. I’m confused about why everyone is so shocked. King is known for giving his opinion and giving it bluntly. He’s done it for years. He didn’t say anything that six million-trillion people hadn’t already said or implied or (or in a nicer way allowed us to infer). The quote shown said far more good things than bad. AND, besides writing one or two *snort* books that did very well, his own Craft Memoir is one of the go-to books for writers. So, why is it that someone that successful is no longer allowed to give his opinion? Can you actually publish yourself out of the “allowed to talk” category? I really hope not.

Beyond the general populous, I have seen the backlash in the writing community and must ask, does success equal shut up and be nice? Are writers so touchy-feely that if you don’t have anything nice to say, you aren’t allowed to say anything at all?

In a world where someone who didn’t even read most off a book can publish a review on their blog, website or even *gasp* Amazon.com and effect the books selling performance, when did we decide that people who are actually qualified to discuss writing no longer had a say?

Will I ever do what King did? No. Probably not. As you can tell here, I’m a “try to play nice” kind of girl. But then again, I’ll probably never have the clout for something I say to spark this much animosity or support. But, I do hope, that writer’s don’t stop giving their opinions. If the greats refuse to speak, how will those of us striding toward publication grow. Good examples rock, but what-not-to-dos are important as well.

So, what am I saying: I’d rather get ripped apart by King than angryreadergirl457.

How about you?

 

Ok, onto the Round-Up.

 

As you all know, I’m querying. I’ve been rejected. I’ve passed on an offer. But it’s always good to know what to do in that “just got the R” moment. Check out Jessica Faust’s advice HERE.

 

Richard Curtis has a article at eReads this week about The 10 Commandments of Courtesy for writers. The first five appear HERE and you can check him out next week for the final five.

 

Kelly McClymer makes us all feel better over at Simon Pulse discussing the difference between research and that nasty P-word…I can’t even bring myself to say it…probably because I’m to good at doing it sometimes.

 

We all know I love Janet Reid. One of my favorite things about Twitter is watching for what she (and other agents) are going to say next. So lets take a peek at this week’s advice about bio’s. Oh, and Janet Reid – I KNOW you’re zipping around looking at our blogs (loved that cat castle thing you found) and, well, I have this fantasy…..

 

OF COURSE you know we’re reading The ABCs of Kissing Boys for this months Luv Ya Book Club book by Tina Ferraro, over at YA Fresh, they’re reading Evermore - Man. I want to read Evermore too!

 

Word Strumpet’s writing apart her manuscripts and telling us the how and why. Check it out HERE because we all need to be able to do that no matter what our process is.

Wordling February 4, 2009

I haven’t done this in a long time, but I remembered Wordle when a new link came in from an old Wordle a bunch of Divas did last year. So, in an effort to procrastinate even further, here is the new MSs Wordle:

VOTE: What’s My Next Line For the Line by Line Contest? February 3, 2009

I am still in Karin Tabke’s First Line Contest. Pretty cool, huh? We’re down to the top 35! And so, without further ado, my lines thus far:

 

Seven lockers down, my boyfriend was making out with Cheryl, the way-too-perky head cheerleader.

I tried not to stare, but when his hand slid past her waist and over her hip, I slammed my locker shut and stormed off in the opposite direction. Not that anyone noticed. The problem – not only was I that gorgeous jock’s secret girlfriend, I also had a secret power.

I’m invisible.

OK, not invisible invisible. But, in the not-so-mythical land of Highschoolia where blending in equals obscurity, I rated a negative seven JD on the Jane Doe to Lindsay Lohan visibility scale.

 

At the moment, I have two potential next lines (of course, that could change if I come up with something funnier than paint.) This is kind of like Choose Your Own Adventure on the Luv YA blog. So:

 

LINE A: Four more points and I think I might have been able to walk through walls.

OR

LINE B: Not that I minded – well, typically.

 

So, let me know – A or B – or the both stink, keep working it Bri-lady

Writing When It’s Hard February 2, 2009

I’ll admit, the last couple weeks have been very draining. THIS post is a lot of it, although having been unemployed except with the odd job for the last two years is starting to really effect my writing-working brain too. Sometimes you need something outside yourself to keep you going. Sometimes, no matter how much you love the story and the characters, the passion to tell it seems to have receded and created a little writing whole in your heart.

 

Sometimes, you need others to encourage you.

 

And I’ll admit, I’m lucky enough to have that.

 

For the last couple weeks, my beta readers have been a lifeline — a pushy one, but a lifeline nonetheless. I have been threatened with kidnapping, death, torture and suicide if book two doesn’t come their way soon. One mentioned I may want to go review Stephen King’s Misery (yes, Misery, not On Writing) and get my butt in gear.

 

Moonmarked (book 2) is currently one page long. Ok, start number 3 is one page because I keep cutting — If anyone wants 37 pages of backstory, let me know. If you’re playing along at home, you know this is because I did what “They” told me too — the whole “don’t keep working on a series because you don’t know if anyone will want it” thing — I’ve decided — is absurd, and I’m sorry I took the advice and started another project “just in case.”

 

Now, I’m getting back to Moonmarked and couldn’t be happier. The characters are starting to be richer, to tell me why they are the way they are, to come to life and (either godforbid or thank goodness) be pushy.

 

The honest truth is though, without the “encouragement” (read: threats) to put the other projects on the backburner and refocus on the marked series, I’d be working on my YA RomCom’y full out (which I really enjoy) and completely ignoring the Fantasy series (which I’m passionate about) — No doubt when I’m done with it I’ll become passionate about the RomCom stuff, but right now, it’s back to my own little world.

 

And maybe those pushy people…er…beta readers…they’ll be happy getting to see page two as story collateral.