tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25277960094671102842024-03-05T16:47:00.575-06:00TIFFANY NEALHears voicesTiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-61043143368147830232010-11-29T08:11:00.000-06:002010-11-29T08:11:41.689-06:00Annnd DoneSo after my plot epiphany, I mapped out the characters, finished outlining the major plot points, and then sat down and well, you know, WROTE. <br />
<br />
The story was all down on paper and embedded in my mind, and after writing it almost all the way through one time and being unsuccessful, I knew what I didn't want to happen. <br />
<br />
I turned off my inner editor - something I've NEVER done before and just wrote. I'm talking hardcore writing. My loverlies (Tina Lynn and Kristen) and I bribed each other with pics of Jared Leto amongst other things I shall keep a sekrit. <br />
<br />
My fingers nearly bled, I typed so fast and furious. <br />
<br />
I didn't even go back and reread what I had already written to gauge how it was sounding because from previous experience I knew that it either a.) would read like a NY Times best seller that might as well be already on a shelf (in my glory moments) or b.) was made of suckage and needed to be rewritten immediately (does See Spot run count?). And either way, I knew it was a skewed way of looking at things, so I decided to write with abandon. <br />
<br />
I put a song on repeat (I swear I listened to a song 27 times in a row) and glued my rear to the seat (with the occasional potty and mint chocolate chip breaks. Not simultaneously, you freaks. <br />
<br />
And I wrote. I wrote the whole thing. It's a middle grade, so it's totally doable to write a book in a week, especially when it's well plotted (the thought!). But the amazing part to me is that I started writing this book last year. <br />
<br />
When I told my daughter that I was going to finish the book last night, her response was: "You shoulda been done a long time ago. You've been workin' on that stinkin' story since I was in kindergarten!" (She's only in the first grade this year...)<br />
<br />
Wow. Thanks for the support. LOL. But she was right. One day this past week I wrote 12K in one sitting, when the most I had ever written was 2K at time. The writing with abandon was freeing. <br />
<br />
My first draft was finished at midnight last night and clocked in at 38K. <br />
<br />
And now I'm here twiddling my thumbs. I so bad want to jump right in and reread what I've written. To see if I wrote 38K of junk or if it makes sense or if it is all a bunch of gibberish. <br />
<br />
I know I should wait. I want to wait. But I don't.<br />
<br />
Would it be so bad to do a quick once over and read it all the way through and THEN let it sit for a month before editing and revising?<br />
<br />
You guys tell me. When you finish a rough draft, what do you do? And how long do you wait before you delve back into it? <br />
<br />
Someone might have to tie my hands behind my back, because I'm guessing it'd be hard to revise a book with my nose.Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-21007473238765479042010-11-19T07:00:00.002-06:002010-11-19T07:30:55.205-06:00Tiffany Has An EpiphanyDisclaimer: What is about to be said by Tiffany is <strike>borderline</strike> without a doubt embarrassing. But the thing about it is, there has to be other schmucks like me out there that have been in this same boat, and I hope that maybe by my raw honesty about this topic, it could help at least one other person who stumbles across this blog.<br />
<br />
Bottom line- Tiffany's epiphany is this: An idea does not = a plot.<br />
<br />
There, I said it. It seems like a DUH-no-brainer kind of thing, but it wasn't until a couple of days ago that I was able to realize what was wrong with the books that I've written or been in the process of writing. Up until then, the definition of a plot was: <span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">small</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">piece</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'">area</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">ground: <em>a</em></span></span><span class="ital-inline"><span id="hotword"><em> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">burial</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">plot.</span> </em></span></span> Which is where I dug myself and my book into every time I wrote like that. <br />
<br />
And get this my epiphany occurred while I was in the middle of teaching 4th graders a lesson on plot - of all things.<br />
<br />
So, when the other teachers on my team and I discussed how we were going to teach plot, I thought about how it would make sense for me to teach plot through writing. Because DUH! You have to have a plot to write. Right? (Of course I didn't stop to think about my lack of such an important thing in my stories at that moment). It made perfect sense for me to teach my students plot by telling them how real-live authors plot out their own books. So, I turned to the most genius and kid-friendly plot visual I knew of courtesy of the One and Only: <a href="http://www.totallythebomb.com/">Jamie Harrington</a>. She created what she calls the <a href="http://www.totallythebomb.com/storysaurus-rocks-face">storysaurus</a> to plot out her stories. It's basically brilliant. And who doesn't like dinosaurs?<br />
<br />
Between the storysaurus and <a href="http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/2010/11/outlining-shannon-style.html">Shannon Messenger's outlining pattern</a>, along with a couple of other online resources, my students and I reverse-map plotted The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (An AH-May-zing book, I might add). I drew a giant dinosaur on the board, and then wrote the main focus of each chapter on a sticky note and placed it on the dinosaur's back (you know, like the plates on a dinosaur's back). We then figured out what the starting point was, the inciting incident, the conflicts/crisis that contribute to the rising action, the moment of hopelessness, the actual climax, and then the falling action and resolution. It went amazingly well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD8OcBOfYj_Bv2t-w0nCMYC6t-VQpxmg0g6rbZaFvQp9ZfGuFex4nOViubhjgptKaxCJvkp0qDH_iLLkVkVbBefgoKAXWhPFWDYSE3lhgFaPlYUOIabz9EoSJWfezqxJhVDO6RGbj88BC/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD8OcBOfYj_Bv2t-w0nCMYC6t-VQpxmg0g6rbZaFvQp9ZfGuFex4nOViubhjgptKaxCJvkp0qDH_iLLkVkVbBefgoKAXWhPFWDYSE3lhgFaPlYUOIabz9EoSJWfezqxJhVDO6RGbj88BC/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I even went as far as to show them how they could use a storysaurus to plot out their own narrative stories that they have to write, pointing out that each paragraph contributes to the climax and then leads to the resolution.<br />
<br />
It's so simple.<br />
<br />
Yet, as I stared at that storysaurus after school, I realized, OhmygoshIamatotalandcompleteidiot! It's right there! My huge and most ridiculous problem: I DON'T HAVE A PLOT! Nor did I have a plot for the first book that is collecting dust on a shelf, that will never see the light of day again. That's where I went wrong.<br />
<br />
I was missing some of the major elements of a plot because I was a total pantser. I didn't plan it out. I let the ideas write themselves. The words would flow from my mind and my fingers would type and I would just go along. But then, I would find myself in a corner or in the middle of a burial plot. And I wouldn't know how to get out of it, and I'd go into panic mode, and then put the book away and declare myself a Professional Reader who will never ever become a professional writer. A very vicious cycle that guarantees a lot more panicking than actual writing. I don't like that panicky feeling. <br />
<br />
Then, I had a huge brain storm session with my loverlies <a href="http://tinalynnsandoval.blogspot.com/">Tina</a> and <a href="http://kristen-takeitasitcomes.blogspot.com/">Kristen</a>, which helped me so much. I now have a plot. I know my plot. I can write my book. It's so simple, it's stupid. Well, not really. The plotting almost made me lose my mind all day yesterday, and I basically walked around like a zombie without a single coherent thought until I worked it all out in my mind. Considering that yesterday was a school day, I can tell you another honest truth: my classroom did not get much accomplished during my Brain Spasms (AKA WHAT IS MY PLOT?) but when it finally came, the feeling was one of sweet satisfaction. And when I was given the thumbs up by my critters, I was in Plot Heaven. <br />
<br />
I also got a great tip from my critters to watch The Plot Whisperer which solidified everything I had in my mind.<br />
<br />
So there you have it. <br />
<br />
I was a pantser. <br />
<br />
I am no longer.<br />
<br />
I am now a plotter.<br />
<br />
And maybe, just maybe, I will have a complete book that is worthy of being shown to someone soon.Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-69274011942036090872010-11-17T07:00:00.001-06:002010-11-17T07:00:01.013-06:00Got Nothing...But JaredI'm actually quite pathetic right now and have nothing of value to offer anyone. However, 30STM has been busy and they have a snippet of their upcoming music video.<br />
<br />
And since I've watched it 30 plus times and <strike>looking at Jared</strike> listening to their music is all sorts of inspirational, I thought I'd share.<br />
<br />
Enjoy.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gy2BPGJfpVQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gy2BPGJfpVQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-31807614110915631432010-11-15T07:00:00.073-06:002010-11-15T07:00:09.252-06:00Dear James Dashner,<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7cXS1PSu86TZ7Gg-o-jjl1yFpYMhhZgg_CT44B7p3il9YWsC_ysBBQHYpSlitYXu0MIUeywCqDbbKrQhQeSXcJ3Mrr07b88sWgI6Auxkbm_IJCidM6RKBiMbmBGRgvxr1pi6ofWDsrYt/s1600/6186357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 199px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 138px;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7cXS1PSu86TZ7Gg-o-jjl1yFpYMhhZgg_CT44B7p3il9YWsC_ysBBQHYpSlitYXu0MIUeywCqDbbKrQhQeSXcJ3Mrr07b88sWgI6Auxkbm_IJCidM6RKBiMbmBGRgvxr1pi6ofWDsrYt/s200/6186357.jpg" width="137" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFiuiQlsUJxX3_f2hcJ5gLXt5E_u13oDvQabrx0l9EG1SxOs4DVDNRzYaoiWfbiStX0nQPqXCRAjBJEFeLswpiykghiVxzk06MAvliA9ihZVl7Bvu_oFo1486RYTlWl0Vypr2Bv91gy_W/s1600/7631105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFiuiQlsUJxX3_f2hcJ5gLXt5E_u13oDvQabrx0l9EG1SxOs4DVDNRzYaoiWfbiStX0nQPqXCRAjBJEFeLswpiykghiVxzk06MAvliA9ihZVl7Bvu_oFo1486RYTlWl0Vypr2Bv91gy_W/s1600/7631105.jpg" /></a>(Yes, there is an enormous possibility that he might just stumble across my blog, so back off all you realists)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dear James Dashner,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Let me first begin by saying: You are genius. I'm totally not sucking up, because as per my recent I Will Not Let An Author Make Me Feel Like I'm Not Good Enough Epiphany, it would seem totally like I was reverting back to my former self. I am not. And I will not. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Anywhoo, I bought your book over the summer, not having a clue what the book was about, due to my slight issue of feeling the need to buy every and all YA books so that I can read them and then possibly build a house out of them. (That'd be a pretty cool idea, huh?)<br />
<br />
Your book wasn't the first on my list of To-Read, I will be honest, but for some reason, when I started to dig through the hundreds of books, it sort of called to me. It said: Tiffany! Read me!<br />
<br />
And so I did.<br />
<br />
And I tore through the book in a way I've never done before. I found that you put me so far into Thomas' character, to the point that it was scary. I felt like I was in his shoes the entire time. I was thinking the same things he was thinking, I was questioning the same things he was questioning, I was feeling the same way you described him to be feeling. It was crazy! I can honestly say that I have never read another book that had me so one with the main character. Really. <br />
<br />
I don't want to spoil the book for anyone who hasn't read it, but I'll just say, I felt as if I had a memory wipe like Thomas did, and so I tore through the book, following Thomas on his journey to figure out what in the world was going.<br />
<br />
And the new language was all sorts of amazing, good that? I mean, for you to create a new language and then to make it totally believable and not forced was so great that I now speak in that language. Even though no one seems to understand what it means when I call them slintheads and klunks. Oh well. Maybe they should read the book...<br />
<br />
Then the ending. The ending...if you want to call it that. As if it wasn't enough to have me so immersed in your crazy Maze world, where I had no clue what was going on, you go and leave me TOTALLY hanging at the end and make me run out and buy The Scorch Trials THE NEXT DAY, in which I tore through that book only to find out that I STILL have hardly any of my questions answered. Not to mention the fact that you yet again left me hanging.<br />
<br />
I would normally have a deep hatred for you and your cruel ways. To leave an obsessive girl like me waiting around for another year just to find out what in the world is going on in that crazy mind of yours...it's just plain wrong. But, instead, I feel this need to take what you taught me through your books and use it to make my writing better.<br />
<br />
So even though I contemplated, at one point, stalking you, kidnapping you, and then forcing you to tell me WHAT IS GOING ON, I've decided to take the high road. Probably, mostly because I am not in the mood for being arrested. I realized after reading your book that the ability to put a reader into the main character's head is the most invaluable thing an author can do. I mean, I already knew that, but I don't think I had ever read a book that had done that so well.<br />
<br />
So, thank you Mr. Dashner, for your amazing books, and inspiring me to find a way to connect my readers to my main character in a way that makes them feel like they are truly going on a journey with them. So, how 'bout an ARC of The Death Cure? Pretty please?? I'm not so sure I can keep my promise of not hunting you down for a whole year...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">Love, </div><div style="text-align: right;">Me (Your #1 Fan)</div><div align="right"></div>Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-91996842177942441612010-11-12T07:00:00.021-06:002010-11-12T07:00:04.116-06:00Insanity Has No Boundaries<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Most of you don't know me in real life. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Some of you do.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The few who really know me, though, know that I'm a tad on the strange side. But I like the word eccentric better. And at times, I can be obssessive. Okay, so maybe not <em>at times</em>. More like all the time.</div><br />
I used to be able to keep my insane Tiffany away from mingling with the sane Tiffany's life, but lately, those two have merged together in a very disturbing way. <br />
<br />
So much so that at school, a student surprised me with a LIFE SIZE Edward poster. You may ask: Why would a 4th grader know about your obsession to the point that they would bring you a life size Edward poster? Well, I really can't justify myself to you. My students know me all too well!<br />
Evidence from Exhibit A:<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbH9MGAbL_Y0nQsM-fL5lNOQqEBHkebslATPbNJRmPlJJytbRgAg8BcvpIwWFyE8vpnrSXA11WHWuTRX2f1Wjx5EAZDilRHfMi5fYgfY6Hj8wVeAGQxCXTAScSuHUUM6l6khGcmoZyaHGZ/s1600/blog1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbH9MGAbL_Y0nQsM-fL5lNOQqEBHkebslATPbNJRmPlJJytbRgAg8BcvpIwWFyE8vpnrSXA11WHWuTRX2f1Wjx5EAZDilRHfMi5fYgfY6Hj8wVeAGQxCXTAScSuHUUM6l6khGcmoZyaHGZ/s1600/blog1.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Evidence from Exhibit B:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCB_l-6qo9wAXFy9Cm-D1FOYhWsQHxWN3G4X3q5gtYiTJyWIP0gqQWWlsFOcbLRFL1VXhsZKRiOMssMgClqS_fdUV4hhTMYvNJjFmD5AlmaH61wuDlcXVeQ-hgQ5uz00cjTaH8Ah34xtBP/s1600/blog2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCB_l-6qo9wAXFy9Cm-D1FOYhWsQHxWN3G4X3q5gtYiTJyWIP0gqQWWlsFOcbLRFL1VXhsZKRiOMssMgClqS_fdUV4hhTMYvNJjFmD5AlmaH61wuDlcXVeQ-hgQ5uz00cjTaH8Ah34xtBP/s1600/blog2.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Evidence from Exhibit C: (Edward's new brooding place on the side of my filing cabinet, next to my round table where I work with small groups)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyS1MxCGHXaXrhX1stkj3nqnQrBZ3MHS8wQcSeksxf6__VswHbI9U_R_HcRsNbC9Rjm_ubcmsw00wUtVkHX1wXpevQCdvQbRHu8oSXUfaqxz7ro2y1tA4UajDUvQvPBerBM_VoUPI1yZV/s1600/blog3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyS1MxCGHXaXrhX1stkj3nqnQrBZ3MHS8wQcSeksxf6__VswHbI9U_R_HcRsNbC9Rjm_ubcmsw00wUtVkHX1wXpevQCdvQbRHu8oSXUfaqxz7ro2y1tA4UajDUvQvPBerBM_VoUPI1yZV/s1600/blog3.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Some may argue that my insanity is a little too much and they may not want me teaching their young children's impressionable minds. And I may agree. But, hey I'm honest and I'll never pretend not to be me.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">However, if ever a student brings in a poster of this:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZovD_TupXn5D7ctEYCcf9CxOw7-4a3tJ4MU5FL2A0cjogOl8GjdU-08q443I686ae09nk-2n0i9D3UCzvhDx-YxlXrDRKY_anQPWUy7tvTtcjv7ei4aj8lfaC7FX81yvxbSI-0i-0yhLJ/s1600/TheVampireDiaries-IanSomerholder01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZovD_TupXn5D7ctEYCcf9CxOw7-4a3tJ4MU5FL2A0cjogOl8GjdU-08q443I686ae09nk-2n0i9D3UCzvhDx-YxlXrDRKY_anQPWUy7tvTtcjv7ei4aj8lfaC7FX81yvxbSI-0i-0yhLJ/s320/TheVampireDiaries-IanSomerholder01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Edward will have to be replaced. Damon is the vampire of my choice. Oh, and by the way, I love my new hairdo. Shoutout to Kristen's hair chick, Erin. She rocked my hair, and now I'm going to have to travel to Buffalo everytime I want my hair did. Who woulda ever thunk that this girl would have such short hair!!</div>Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-65090117011811202112010-11-10T06:00:00.010-06:002010-11-10T19:16:11.009-06:00What the What...Newly Reformed TiffanyHave you ever read a book that has made you doubt your abiltity to be a writer. That feeling that creeps up inside your chest and settles there telling you that you will never make it. Ever. Like, the fact that their writing is: Just. That. Good. That you feel like you should throw in the pen and give up while you're ahead?<br />
<br />
I've had quite a few of those books, but some of those top authors that manage to evoke that feeling of inadequacy out of me are Suzanne Collins, Ellen Hopkins, and Laurie Halse Anderson. <br />
<br />
They are amazing writers. And with each of their books that I've read, I've torn through the pages, fallen in love with their characters, and felt like I lost a family member when the series or book was finished.<br />
<br />
But instead of using their books as inspiration, I used their books as a way to punish myself and tell myself that I wasn't good enough, nor would I ever be good enough to write a book made of that much awesome.<br />
<br />
And I've finally realized that my mentality is just plain stupid. I don't know what their journeys were like into their writing career. How many books were turned down before "the right" one hit, how many times they felt at the bottom of the barrel and "not good enough." (And if they had the I-Wrote-And-Sold-My-Very-First-Book-Within-A-Month Syndrome, then I'm covering my ears, and I don't want to hear it. La la la la la...) <br />
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My mentatlity was putting such a strain on my creativity and the ability to write for fun, so I decided to end that. I will continue to read those amazing authors, but instead of allowing it to bring me down, I am going to use what makes their books so riveting to my advantage, and put that same passion in my books. And when it's my time (if it's my time -- oh wait, do you have to have a complete book to have that time ready for you?) then great. No more writing to find an agent. No more following all "The Rules". No more beating myself up constantly. <br />
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Let me introduce you to the new and improved Tiffany Neal.<br />
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*waves* <br />
<br />
Nice to see you.<br />
<br />
*deep breath*<br />
<br />
I feel good. Or maybe it's the black and plum hair dye seeping into my pores and damaging my brain. Either way, I'll take it.Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-79881893091880264572010-11-05T09:23:00.000-05:002010-11-05T09:23:56.792-05:00Don't Fall OverI'm posting a blog post.<br />
<br />
Yup.<br />
<br />
Don't be too shocked.<br />
<br />
School's going smoothly, and I'm hoping to be back around more often. Probably a couple times a week-ish, er, something like that.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the exciting news is that I'm in New York with my crit partner/best friend turned writing partner and we are seriously buckling down on our book. It feels so good to be writing again or at least in the process of writing again. <br />
<br />
Kristen introduced me to character chat last night, which when she first brought it up sounded a tad bit crazy, but WHOA it was awesome. Basically TinaLynn chatted with Kristen and I who played the main characters.<br />
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I know, I know, sounds bizarre and maybe even a little crazy, but it SO helped. Tinalynn asked some great questions and our plot seriously thickened and we worked out some amazing things as we stepped in our characters' shoes and pretended to be them. And, just so you know, a few times I was nervous that character Kristen kinda scared me a bit. And I wasn't so sure sleeping in the same house with her was a good idea. (You know I love you Kristen)<br />
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I'd so suggest you doing this to get to know your characters better. I feel I know the character I'm writing so well right now and the chapter that I'm working on shows it.<br />
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It's good to be back. Hope to start seeing everyone around again.Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-84044895209222487972010-09-15T16:20:00.000-05:002010-09-15T16:20:17.980-05:00Boo, You Stink!Yup, basically, I do.<br />
<br />
I haven't been:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>tweeting</li>
<li>blogging</li>
<li>commenting</li>
<li>writing</li>
<li>MYSELF!!!</li>
</ul>I've been drowning in the start of school, which has, quite literally, kicked my rear-end. I'm sure you all loved how I went on bragging over the summer about how I woke up late, read, wrote, and laid out by the pool at all/any hour of the day and it didn't matter what time I woke up.<br />
<br />
Yeah, well, the start of the school year has been ROUGH to say the least. I forget that when my students leave me, they've done so much growing throughout the year. When I get my new students it takes so much work to get them to where I need them to be. <br />
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It's totally worth it in the end, but it is HARD work!! Not only that, but trying to keep my brain focused, my desk organized, papers graded, the family to all of their extra curricular activities, getting everyone fed, bathed, and keeping the house cleaned is WEARING me out.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I went to visit <a href="http://kristen-takeitasitcomes.blogspot.com/">Kristen</a> (SQUEE!) in Buffalo for a much needed vacay (wink, wink) and we had a BLAST! I so miss her right now. But, we of course made sure that our meeting went down in history. If you want to see some of the craziness called us AKA Krisiffany, then you should check out our co-author blog: <a href="http://www.shadeandsunshine.blogspot.com/">Shade and Sunshine</a>. We even VLOGGED again! <br />
<br />
Hopefully you'll all start to see me around more once things start to get settled down in this crazy chaos called my life! :)Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-80350959749910235022010-08-07T11:18:00.000-05:002010-08-07T11:18:34.367-05:00Short Story ContestSo, in an attempt to get out of my writing funk, I submitted a short story to a contest. I'd love it if you guys would go check it out.<br />
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In order to win, I have to have more than 15 comments and 30 ratings (you actually have to give it a thumbs up, not just give it a star rating). <br />
<br />
So, if you have a spare moment, I'd love for you to read it and let me know what you think. It's actually an adult short story (gasp!) and it's only 500 words, so it won't take long to read through it!<br />
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Thanks in advance guys! Here's the <a href="http://www.shortstorybook.net/2010/08/07/things-lost-short-contest-story/">link</a>. :)Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-78528783670566913392010-08-03T13:25:00.000-05:002010-08-03T13:25:47.646-05:00Writing Funk Of Epic Proportions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSdIn28XxbqO9gXNsNTyMc5uhcJo87AXBZuFLEXhUHhjuDIfwl9d2y5pvDZlNi_bfNavfBBBMT0ZqGa_uS08UYF35KDxv7Jvmqj6m06oW0YRYh99vn5T9vW7bja1QngXIQVx0ciLJhRVg/s1600/slime+color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSdIn28XxbqO9gXNsNTyMc5uhcJo87AXBZuFLEXhUHhjuDIfwl9d2y5pvDZlNi_bfNavfBBBMT0ZqGa_uS08UYF35KDxv7Jvmqj6m06oW0YRYh99vn5T9vW7bja1QngXIQVx0ciLJhRVg/s320/slime+color.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I'm in a funk. A bad one. I can't write. The words aren't coming to me naturally and my creativity has been squashed.<br />
<br />
This is my last week of summer and I didn't get near as much writing as I hoped to get done, but as I recall, I promised not to make any writing goals.<br />
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The Writing Slime has returned. And I am suffocating. Someone, please pull me out of it.Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-56940720279134256822010-07-26T05:00:00.015-05:002010-07-26T05:00:03.433-05:00The Best Blog You'll Ever Come AcrossKristen and I have begun a new epic journey. We made a blog. We made vlog. And we have a contest. An epic one. Watch us make fools of ourselves in our first vlog ever and then enter the contest over at our new co-authoring blog, <a href="http://www.shadeandsunshine.blogspot.com/">Shade and Sunshine</a>.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qKaiX42TXlM&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qKaiX42TXlM&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-19996333561293379992010-07-21T06:00:00.000-05:002010-07-21T06:00:00.868-05:00Writer Must-Have Numero TresYeah, I decided to mix it up and throw in a little Spanglish with this post. Mostly because it's 1:20 AM as I type this. I must have pulled a DitzyTiff and forgot all about BrilliantTiff''s idea to blog all week long about the writer must-haves.<br />
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So this post will be short. Like, epic short for me. While you're picking up your stone paper, you MUST pick up Paper Mate Profile Pens in multiple colors.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjjbl3qzC7ODfSa2ZUPoqGNQKJBzAiEvx7N1v3J5c8oWbpwRjFfQnnRLs0MsVgXfXEsRZzKNl_fp71xb9ONxwLROkcX5ys4baiagnufgJ3Rf5haIRRjL-MD0g8-reK8tk89k4Se4jp278/s1600/PaperMate+Profile+Pens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjjbl3qzC7ODfSa2ZUPoqGNQKJBzAiEvx7N1v3J5c8oWbpwRjFfQnnRLs0MsVgXfXEsRZzKNl_fp71xb9ONxwLROkcX5ys4baiagnufgJ3Rf5haIRRjL-MD0g8-reK8tk89k4Se4jp278/s320/PaperMate+Profile+Pens.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Writing with one of these pens on my stone paper, is better than...well, I'll let you fill in the blank once you get that paper and pen heavenly combo going. And don't forget to turn on The Sixty One. You will almost be in my writing bliss. Just you wait for tomorrow's post. By the end of this week, you will be a fantastic writer all because of me. You can send any royalties my way. Thanks.</div>Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-57505666649196093892010-07-20T06:00:00.000-05:002010-07-20T06:00:09.167-05:00Writer Must-Have #2I was sitting, staring at my computer screen wondering what in the world I could possibly write about when it hit me! (This doesn't happen often, so stand back, it could be the sign of the apocalypse, a zombie one at that).<br />
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So getting back to the scenario, this is basically how it went. I toned it down a bit. And yes, I do realize this is a conversation between me and me. Do you not talk to yourself? Okay, that's what I thought...<br />
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DitzyTiff: *taps finger on chin* What could we blog about...hmmm...<br />
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BrilliantTiff: *raises pointed finger in air* I know, we could turn this week's blog into daily posts about we can't live without when it comes to writing.<br />
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DitzyTiff: *scratches head* I don't get it.<br />
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BrilliantTiff: *slaps DitzyTiff across the face* What do you not get, idiot? Yesterday we posted about the awesomeness of <a href="http://thesixtyone.com/">thesixtyone.com</a>. Today we post about another Writer Must-Have, and then we continue for the rest of the week. Gah.<br />
<br />
DitzyTiff: OMG! That's like, super genius! I totally get it now. Like how you always need your blanket from when you were a baby wrapped around your...<br />
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BrilliantTiff: *clamps DitzyTiff's mouth* What? What are you talking about? Shut up. *turns to the waiting audience apologetically* I'm sorry for her. She's a compulsive liar. She's been going to therapy for that.<br />
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DitzyTiff: *trying to pry BrilliantTiff's hand off mouth* mbmlblmblbmblalmbm...<br />
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BrilliantTiff: Don't mind her. She's also got a few screws loose up there. Anyway, today's EPIC Writer Must Have is STONE PAPER!<br />
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Yes, you read that correctly. There is such thing as paper out there, made from stone. And the paper is so freaking crazy/awesome because it's soft and sort of feels like it's damp in a way, and when you write on it, it is so stinkin' smooth, it's unreal. <br />
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Basically I can't explain it to you, but if I could marry my stone paper, I just might. You must run out and get you some stone paper TODAY. (Neither of the Tiffany's are receiving any royalties for shamelessly promoting this product, but if you do choose to go out and buy it today, you should go to Walgreen's. That's where I got mine.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WZPbMvStumGxU1VF1JOdFAUmkmZhyphenhyphenN3p36Zaiw9rFu9e-F1qn9HZ3SRB4OC1YmFFgggknw7OoFlJtt0wGzg5t-_P2pYtXDm1t2OYD2ApHgZ5FwO2oGJHMYeRDZwEDUWRHWillf9rgAFV/s1600/stonepaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WZPbMvStumGxU1VF1JOdFAUmkmZhyphenhyphenN3p36Zaiw9rFu9e-F1qn9HZ3SRB4OC1YmFFgggknw7OoFlJtt0wGzg5t-_P2pYtXDm1t2OYD2ApHgZ5FwO2oGJHMYeRDZwEDUWRHWillf9rgAFV/s320/stonepaper.jpg" /></a></div><br />
See? Isn't it pretty!! Okay,so it may not be visually appealing, but holy mother of bats it has a kinesthetic appeal. Because. It. Writes. So. Dang. Smooth.<br />
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What do you use to take your writing notes in? I guaranty you might change that answer once you try out the-rock-paper-of-awesome. :)Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-85523408756777532822010-07-19T05:00:00.001-05:002010-07-19T05:00:00.141-05:00News BulletinI interrupt the regularly scheduled blog post to direct your attention to the most important thing ever. If you haven't heard of or checked out <a href="http://www.thesixtyone.com/">http://www.thesixtyone.com/</a>, then you should leave this blog post (after commenting of course) and lose yourself in some of the most ah-may-zing music ever. You can create play lists, download the music (some of it is free!), and support these undiscovered artists. I don't know about you, but I have to have music to write, and since writing, the diversity of my music has spread like no other. This website is seriously just about all I listen to now. <br />
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The best part about it, is that under the section Popular, you can click on Moods, and then click on what mood you (or if you're like me the voices in your head) are in, and it will play a non-stop collection of it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaNYzgUNxktAuSW7O0oadO1vZeQkV5Vr0y-AcsbHX_X5fuekJv8WgRc1VXjKmUCJTECYsSBxep94c8CMw2R_3BKKL_v4yFnp7MJ3PiKlvGskeUYpnbB42GF7DiW3apol3v9p7L0Eu5ufB/s1600/thesixtyone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaNYzgUNxktAuSW7O0oadO1vZeQkV5Vr0y-AcsbHX_X5fuekJv8WgRc1VXjKmUCJTECYsSBxep94c8CMw2R_3BKKL_v4yFnp7MJ3PiKlvGskeUYpnbB42GF7DiW3apol3v9p7L0Eu5ufB/s320/thesixtyone.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Gah! I know, so exciting, right?<br />
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Are you like me? Do you need constant music reflecting the mood you're book is in at that moment?Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-27141623623411187902010-07-15T05:00:00.001-05:002010-07-15T05:00:09.794-05:00DFW Writer's Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6O8eO7pguZ_GTtHTMTwaNeMMcgul7q2J5b8d30gFRK_E6yqp6ockYtNqf6aeKs9C3pRhUGRrc5ciKfHtKWrHbsndN6yLdKVelEmM96Pd1aXuGXpHYrl_xrMiExHDCTr-NlF1rhfWDo5_/s1600/061113critic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6O8eO7pguZ_GTtHTMTwaNeMMcgul7q2J5b8d30gFRK_E6yqp6ockYtNqf6aeKs9C3pRhUGRrc5ciKfHtKWrHbsndN6yLdKVelEmM96Pd1aXuGXpHYrl_xrMiExHDCTr-NlF1rhfWDo5_/s320/061113critic.jpg" /></a></div>So, I've been on a crit kick this week. Heehee. That sounds funny. I went all soft yesterday talking about my awesome crit partner <a href="http://kristen-takeitasitcomes.blogspot.com/">Kristen</a> (who by the way is going Critler on me to get my book done). <br />
<br />
Today I want to talk about the awesomeness that is critique groups that meet in person. Weird, huh? More like completely terrifying. Honestly, I didn't really get the whole point of Workshop at first. I was thinking, you could get the same thing accomplished with your online critters as you would in person, so these people must just need to interact with other real, live, humans in person.I reasoned with that. It makes sense.<br />
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But, oh no. That is not what it is. There of course are positives and negatives to every side of anything you do. And there are a few negatives to the Workshop, however, I truly believe that the positives outweigh the negatives by a million degrees. And even though at times I look at Workshop as an AA meeting for writers, hey let's face it, we need that, it is so much more.<br />
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Basically here's a run-down of how it works:<br />
There's a meeting with the whole group sharing news, highs/lows of the week, introducing new members, and any announcements.<br />
<br />
If you've signed up to read, then you are assigned to a group/room/moderator and told what order you'll be reading.<br />
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Quick break.<br />
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Readings begin. Last week I was the first to read which was seriously terrifying. I can't explain to you what comes over me when I read my stuff out loud. I get all weird and my voice tenses up, and my heart practically pounds out of my chest. No, seriously. I can hear my voice shaking when I read and I always read WAY too fast.<br />
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You may be asking right now, why in the world would you put yourself through that terrible torture. Here's why:<br />
After reading, you give up the stage (not literally) and hand it over to the critiquers. People can crit for up to five minutes, and have seconds if there is time left over. The crits can sting and feel brutal sometimes, but they are always beyond helpful. And the crazy thing is that I can read a chapter a bajillion times out loud in the privacy of my own home and think I'm freaking brilliant, and then read it out loud to the group of critiquers and realize as I'm reading it, "Oh my God. This is horrible." And already know what they're going to say is wrong with it before they even open their mouths.<br />
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It's CRAZY. But ridiculously helpful. And in my opinion, a writer shouldn't do it all by themselves. They should rely on critique partners to help them out. We are too close to our own stories to have good judgement on what really matters. And yes, even though it does take longer to finish a ms while being in crit groups, I can guarantee you, that my ms is going to be much more polished and ready for an agent than if I had done it all on my own.<br />
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Plus, going to a Workshop where you can meet other writers in real life is pretty awesome in and of itself. I'm really lucky to have amazing people that attend Workshop with me to learn from. Some agented, some published, but all writers wanting to grow and become better at what they do. Not that I'm name dropping or anything, but you may have heard of <a href="http://www.totallythebomb.com/">Jamie Harrington</a>, <a href="http://jmartinlibrarian.wordpress.com/">Jenny Martin</a>, <a href="http://www.rosemaryclementmoore.com/readrosemary/Home/Home.html">Rosemary Clement-Moore</a>, <a href="http://www.candacehavens.com/">Candace Havens</a>, and <a href="http://www.aleemartinez.com/">A. Lee Martinez</a>. All fellow Workshop attendees. And of course there are many, many more fab writers there as well... :)<br />
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If you live in the DFW area, you should check out <a href="http://dfwwritersworkshop.org/">Workshop</a>. It is worth it. Not to mention the amazing <a href="http://dfwwritersconference.org/">conference</a> they offer as well. So, do any of you guys have a Workshop type deal that meets in your area? Are you a member? Tell me about your meeting in real life with crit partners!Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-88690183363733838992010-07-14T06:00:00.002-05:002010-07-14T06:00:05.042-05:00Online Critter Groups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidttjgD7tCICy-BaDJvywR26gCFTPWKdldc32E6IvdiONYPuT0xHc_DKg9I2ky7UVJhmXrAj0VspIbVX8sG6bje8YOJn7VSGv2UHRcVaKmZyrqDIaXGaUt_ht8s3HH4Jyk49bawq43aSOm/s1600/sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidttjgD7tCICy-BaDJvywR26gCFTPWKdldc32E6IvdiONYPuT0xHc_DKg9I2ky7UVJhmXrAj0VspIbVX8sG6bje8YOJn7VSGv2UHRcVaKmZyrqDIaXGaUt_ht8s3HH4Jyk49bawq43aSOm/s320/sandwich.jpg" /></a></div>First of all, I have to start out by saying that if you feel jealous of me and my crit situation after you read this, then you should. ;) I met my other half and most amazing crit partner ever, <a href="http://kristen-takeitasitcomes.blogspot.com/">Kristen</a>, in February. If you've ever seen us talk/tweet/blog each other, you would've thought that we had known each other since we were in diapers.<br />
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It actually seems this way to us as well. She can seriously finish my thoughts and sentences at times which has led us to try and figure out how our parents pulled a real, live Parent Trap stunt on us. We had to have been separated at birth. It's the only thing that makes sense. Sadly, she lives in NY and I in TX. Such a far, far distance apart.<br />
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When I say she's my other half what I mean is, on any given day, I talk to her more often than I do my husband. That's intense. We have something wonderfully unique. We don't just crit each other's stuff, but we talk each other off the edge of the cliff, think of other entrepreneurial types of things to do with our lives if we don't make it as writers (like sidewalk chalk artists and tight-rope walkers), work out plot problems, talk about the millions of book ideas that swirl in our brains, we trust one another, we are tough and harsh when we need to be, personal cheerleaders, and most importantly we are best friends.<br />
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I know our crittership is a rare thing and I feel so blessed to have her. More recently, her and I have joined two other writers, who have amazing stories and are a brilliant asset to the group. Now that I've gone on and on about how much I love my crit group, let me wash out most writer's issues with "problems" with crit groups. Obviously this is all based on finding the right group that you can trust and wear thick skin around.<br />
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<ul><li><strong>Be honest and upfront</strong> - Tell what you are looking for in the group. If you know that you aren't thick skinned, then, well, maybe you don't belong in this business, but beyond that you're more looking for a personal cheerleader. That isn't what everyone is looking for. It would be a huge waste of time for me, personally, to be in a group where my critters didn't point out the minor and major issues my writing has. So make sure that you know what you are getting into and make sure everyone is on board and is wanting what you want.</li>
<li><strong>Tell what your thoughts are as you're reading </strong>- Meaning, if you find something HI-larious, then say it. If something doesn't make sense or doesn't fit right, say it. But ALWAYS explain why something doesn't work.</li>
<li><strong>Point out the plot issues</strong> - If something is not believable, then say it. If there are inconsistencies or things that just don't make any kind of sense to anyone other than the one who wrote it, say it. If you can't take this type of criticism, then how are you going to make it with an agent/editor/publisher's notes to change things?</li>
<li><strong>Take some, leave some</strong> - If you don't take any of the critiques given, you are making a huge mistake and wasting valuable time of the people critting your stuff. If you are taking all of the critiques, you are most likely making a huge mistake. Everyone has different opinions on things and if you have 4 people looking at your ms, then obviously, there will be differing opinions. Take a look at the majority, leave the crits that don't settle well with you, and find a happy medium.</li>
</ul>Do you guys have any other biggies when it comes to your crit groups? Anything that you find to be extremely valuable from your critters? Or is there anything that is extremely NOT helpful from crit partners you may have had in the past? Tomorrow I'll talk about the membership with DFW Writer's Workshop. Happy Humpday.Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-70399095599847743402010-07-13T08:31:00.000-05:002010-07-13T08:31:43.875-05:00Critter Groups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbM6JrhYaW0Cl_FjXcqZN2-sox0GFHiWKOY6jUu306LdF8sEzBiEWIcJ4aLBfV4IdO69hnWpMDGb0O2StXNMfTxpfR8ZNUdS5rPB_rMPh1JJom5hXSjqwTKUE1gEfKZX0Jw5TtEBc4E1n/s1600/crittergroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbM6JrhYaW0Cl_FjXcqZN2-sox0GFHiWKOY6jUu306LdF8sEzBiEWIcJ4aLBfV4IdO69hnWpMDGb0O2StXNMfTxpfR8ZNUdS5rPB_rMPh1JJom5hXSjqwTKUE1gEfKZX0Jw5TtEBc4E1n/s320/crittergroup.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've seen a lot of posts about this recently. It's one of those hot topics that everyone has such a solid opinion on. It's one of those that is also hard to change a person's opinion on. Not that I'm going to try to do that, of course.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most people's arguments as to why finding a good critique group is a waste of time is because it takes a lot of time and in most circumstances, it turns out to not be worth it. I know everyone finds a thing that suits them well and to each man their own, but without my critique groups I would not be the writer that I am today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I not only have several online critique buddies, some of the greatest friends in the world by the way, but then I also go to a local writer's workshop. Both of those avenues have worked for me as a writer and in an attempt to not go long winded on anyone today, I'm going to do 2 separate posts. One tomorrow about my critiquing experience through online avenues and then one on Thursday about my experience with <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">DFW</span> Writer's Workshop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For today, tell me what types of experiences you've had with critiquing groups and if you feel that they've had an overall positive or negative experience on you. What made it work/not work?</div>Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-61589321780569212732010-07-12T06:00:00.002-05:002010-07-12T06:00:02.970-05:00To Read or To Write?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvLPeLIr8_jxO7WY0SFpojq7E8k_-M4tM0yumFF_kNg8ZlukR4c_7cODBa9rDXfEP_Mol5SAQ4lHXUa6txuNlRNe_GM3LE0O2q9pSC3x_2FFQErNSXSqHf94W9Z7eBJP-a8HyNvOkywL_/s1600/BookPile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvLPeLIr8_jxO7WY0SFpojq7E8k_-M4tM0yumFF_kNg8ZlukR4c_7cODBa9rDXfEP_Mol5SAQ4lHXUa6txuNlRNe_GM3LE0O2q9pSC3x_2FFQErNSXSqHf94W9Z7eBJP-a8HyNvOkywL_/s320/BookPile.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This conversation has come up a million times since I started really trying to write for a living. I talk to all sorts of people all the way from those who never read while in the midst of a writing project, to those who make reading a part of their daily routine even in the thick of writing their ms.<br />
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I find myself somewhere in between. I am a voracious reader. You put a good book in my hands, I will tear through it in no time at all. Sometimes in a few hours. That's how I've always been. I remember reading until midnight (GASP!) underneath my covers with a flashlight when I was in elementary school. All of the classics of course, RL Stine's Fear Street, Sweet Valley High, Babysitter's Club, and all of Roald Dahl's masterpieces. <br />
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I've always loved reading, which only makes sense as to why I want to be a writer. But lately I've noticed that the one thing that inspired me to want to be a writer is the one thing that I put on the backburner. I don't have time to read. I have to blog, and procrastinate on Twitter, critique and oh, yeah, write. All of those writerly things that are going to make me a real, live writer one day. <br />
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But ironically enough, I've noticed that when I'm not doing much reading, my own words dry up and POOF! they're gone. I mean, it's not rocket science we're talking about here. Besides the fact that you can learn so much from reading a story that you find yourself completely immersed in, as writers, we can see first hand the techniques the author uses that work, what doesn't work well, ways to add more depth to our writing, and so much more.<br />
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Funny thing is, I tell my 4th graders all the time, "Good writers read more than they write." Shouldn't this be true. In order to know how to make a YA book have that edge that's going to grab an agent/publisher's attention, we should be constantly reading the latest YA books. In order for me to write a believable MG book, I've got to read first hand what those 9-12 year olds love to read.<br />
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There's a hundred reasons why writers don't read as much as we should. There's never enough time. We're constantly worried that we might steal a plot idea, character name, beautiful sentence or idea. We get so caught up in these things that we forget that in order to become a better writer, we should be reading just as much if not more. So, I've decided that even in the thick of trying to get my ms finished, I will make time every day to read a wide range of books.<br />
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When I decided to write about this topic I googled: Best advice for writers. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/mar/02/best-advice-writers-read">This is the first link that popped up.</a><br />
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Leave me a comment and tell me about your reading habits. And just for fun, what's the last book you read? I just finished Linger by Maggie Stiefvater. Brilliant of course.Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-44211509687168353452010-07-07T04:00:00.009-05:002010-07-07T04:00:03.828-05:00Bree Despain's Epic Contest<a href="http://www.breebiesingerdespain.blogspot.com/">Bree Despain</a> wrote the amazing book, The Dark Divine. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlQaiTD6T1QB2vjxv5x8QEzRkZeUUgLQo-79vzZN2Zi3A638Qht1qygZec31nkY8Cl1ZjYowex9OcEvRuUPB-stfHomclqQNnbfi1Ye5ptGaNVZ-UjA1A_K1uxVmi67qxrHbhWPoDLAW2/s1600/Dark+Divine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlQaiTD6T1QB2vjxv5x8QEzRkZeUUgLQo-79vzZN2Zi3A638Qht1qygZec31nkY8Cl1ZjYowex9OcEvRuUPB-stfHomclqQNnbfi1Ye5ptGaNVZ-UjA1A_K1uxVmi67qxrHbhWPoDLAW2/s320/Dark+Divine.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I know you've seen this beautiful cover in the bookstores. It is a great cover, isn't it? I read this book in a heartbeat and loved the characters and the plot. She is an wonderful author and does such an inspiring job keeping in touch with her fan base. If you haven't read The Dark Divine, what are you waiting for? Go and get it. Now!<br />
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Besides the fact that she has this fantastic book, she now has her book trailer up. It's a teaser, so go ahead and watch it before you buy the book (yes, I give you permission) because it will make you want to read it even that much more.<br />
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If this all wasn't enough, then her ridiculously enormous <a href="http://www.breebiesingerdespain.blogspot.com/">contest</a> she is running right now might get your attention. You could win up to 11 books (yes, you heard that right, 11) and even an iPad. What? I know you are going to want to check it out. All you have to do to enter is spread the word about her contest.<br />
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Go forth, spread the word, and let's win some books!! :)Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-6498745089294588952010-07-06T04:00:00.019-05:002010-07-06T04:00:01.100-05:00Barry Lyga Rocks!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKR1glqqDbTBvK07YVDAZ6sV-iUptP5S6lmHg9KTow8cT5Fj5qTM82BSIjINjS8qh7z_zty-MCBIi_zwJi46C0iAAdrwpCxNAaecjBXqGNGrSf2QBbJwcLTAHoBec-91fFx7kq5F8Pjfk0/s1600/gothgirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKR1glqqDbTBvK07YVDAZ6sV-iUptP5S6lmHg9KTow8cT5Fj5qTM82BSIjINjS8qh7z_zty-MCBIi_zwJi46C0iAAdrwpCxNAaecjBXqGNGrSf2QBbJwcLTAHoBec-91fFx7kq5F8Pjfk0/s320/gothgirl.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Carolina Valdez at <a href="http://carol-in-print.blogspot.com/">Carol's Prints</a> has been holding this fabulous contest Barry <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Lyga</span> Rocks!!! Part of the contest is to write a letter to the awesomely awesome author himself, Barry <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Lyga</span>. Make sure to check out the other letters-to-the-author <a href="http://carol-in-print.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br />
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::I'm starting to feel nervous:: *sweaty palms* Okay, here goes nothing.*deep breath*<br />
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Dear Mr. Barry <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Lyga</span>, (It feels so informal, but since I'm not on Barr-man status with you, I shall call you by your full name)<br />
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I first heard of you at the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">DFW</span> Writer's conference and was super excited to read a book of yours. Well, between work. writing, 3 maniac kids, and life I hadn't gotten a chance to get around to it (Goth Girl Rising had been sitting on my shelf for months). Anyway, when I heard about Carolina's contest, I figured that it would be a good time to read it. <br />
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I put down a couple of other books that I was trudging through to finish and picked up Goth Girl Rising and finished it in less than 24 hours. That is saying something huge about your book! You grabbed my attention with amazing writing, true, real-life characters, and a realistic plot. <br />
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And I do have to say you stepped into a mentally unstable 16 year old girl's role quite easily. Should I be worried about you? I think I should. Just a little. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Kyra's</span> history and life story leave her in an extremely vulnerable state during some of the most most impressionable times of a teenage girl's life. You do such an honest representation of her that I truly felt as if I knew <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Kyra</span>. I felt for her and wanted to be there for her.<br />
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<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Kyra</span> has a depth to her that I loved. She is a typical teenage girl in the fact that she thinks she knows what she wants, feels, cares about only to be utterly confused in certain times and start having reverse thinking on those topics. Even though she comes across as one who could care less about what others think, we get so close to her to see that even a person who appears that way truly does care on the inside.<br />
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Beyond the on-the-spot character portrayal, the writing craft and creativeness kept the story moving at an unreal fast pace. I loved how you switched between present, to past, to chat sessions, to poetry, to playing out scenes in comic book panels. I have one word for that: genius.<br />
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Out of all the ways that you wrote, I have to say that the piece of poetry that threads itself throughout the book, revealing itself in entirety only near the end was amazing. It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen. What she was going to do. What she was going to say. And then when the poem does end, it is nothing like what I expected. As a reader, there couldn't have been a better way to have done it. I applaud that well thought out idea. <br />
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Now that I've finished one of your books, I have all of the rest of your books on my <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">TBR</span> pile. I love discovering new authors that are able to keep my interest and keep the book in my hands until it is finished. I can't wait to start another book of yours. Actually, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I win the contest that Carolina is holding, so that then I can have 2 more books of yours! :)<br />
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Sincerely, <br />
Tiffany Neal AKA Your #1 Fan (Um, I had to do that-it's what my 4th graders do) <br />
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Phew. *wipes sweat from brow* Why do I get sweaty palms when I'm writing to an author? It's not like I'm meeting them face to face. Maybe writing is more stressful because that's what I want to be when I grow up and the author may look at my writing and say: NO! You will never be a published author! You can't write worth a damn.<br />
Whatever the case is, I'm glad I got to share a great book by an amazing author. Check out his website which features his other books and blog <a href="http://barrylyga.com/new/">here</a>!Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-62374724014391006052010-07-02T08:18:00.000-05:002010-07-02T08:18:51.323-05:00I Got Nothin'...So since Eclipse released this week I thought I'd share one of the most hi-larious vids I've found covering Twilight. My favorite part: What I like to call The Kristen Stewart "No" Hospital Scene. Very spot on. Enjoy and Happy Friday.<br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 480px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" height="270" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.take180.com/player/Take180Player.swf?xmlLocation=/s/bx/ep5l7&links=true" /><param name="base" value="http://www.take180.com" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><embed src="http://www.take180.com/player/Take180Player.swf?xmlLocation=/s/bx/ep5l7&links=true" width="480" height="270" base="http://www.take180.com" wmode="transparent" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></object></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.take180.com/ep/ep5l7" target="_blank" title="The Twilight Before Christmas">The Twilight Before Christmas</a> from <a href="http://www.take180.com/show/Electric_Spoofaloo/c53" target="_blank" title="Electric Spoofaloo">Electric Spoofaloo</a> on <a href="http://www.take180.com/" target="_blank" title="Take180.com">Take180.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-66162874179741074802010-07-01T05:00:00.000-05:002010-07-01T05:00:01.625-05:00Sah-WeeetThis whole No-Goal-Setting thing is all sorts of <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">awesomesauce</span>. That is, if you noticed (or even care) this is blog post #3, three days in a row. Whoa. Epic.<br />
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<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Aaaaand</span>, I've been on a Super-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Critting</span> streak (record breaking - just ask Tina, Kristen, and Melissa) AND most importantly, I've been writing. Like, writing real words that are worth keeping around.<br />
No more goals for me, NOPE, never again. So, please remind me of this when I get a wild hair up my rear end that tells me to make goals and I'm stupid enough to post them for the whole world to see and laugh at! :)<br />
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On to the real reason I'm posting. I was thinking earlier today (I know...that's a big one) about how close I am to the query stage of my MG ms, Post-It Bandits. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Woot</span>! I love the story, the characters, well, everything about it.<br />
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My concern: If I (by some crazy sort of luck) get this sucker an agent, will I then be an MG writer? Do I need to stick to that genre, that age? Because honestly, I love YA just as much, if not more than MG. Don't get me wrong, I love middle grade because I feel like that is the age to hook a reader and make them life long readers. It's also the age that I teach, and I love the idea of my students one day getting to read my very own book.<br />
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But my first ms was a Paranormal YA and I'm also in the process of writing a YA <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Dystopian</span> and mapping out a co-authored YA Realistic Thriller with my oh-so-awesome critter, Kristen.<br />
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Can I be a MG writer <em>and </em>a YA one? What are your thoughts on this? And are any of you writers/lovers of more than one genre?<br />
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(Wow. It's good to be back!)<br />
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And, for those of you interested in the animal also known as a monkey-pig from my Bickering Blogfest post yesterday, I will leave you today with two equally disturbing pictures of one:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9MTAnp7FdPFVBjabw4k6mTSytNfVHaWkJr-cg0BUBEjYnTrIEkrUArAEpynrPhtmjkQTrqh2iplfMQ7lb_IgMghO1i9my7gM5xZ05F87Wn2un-QJD0WAaOn2pIjsnLwxtnCD5BGzj5_7/s1600/Monkey+pig+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9MTAnp7FdPFVBjabw4k6mTSytNfVHaWkJr-cg0BUBEjYnTrIEkrUArAEpynrPhtmjkQTrqh2iplfMQ7lb_IgMghO1i9my7gM5xZ05F87Wn2un-QJD0WAaOn2pIjsnLwxtnCD5BGzj5_7/s320/Monkey+pig+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2JTPuTlk4kMi4ThFeWHFBz9_TqpmGIzKN2HyxUGaEuUW6rBl6vNUjC_nOpalBEeAZRgHUJN0oJnf0n9n3nOogglzLoIcL1dCzgIOQr5PxMLmDNvxlQwkV8GW_GeuaX4dHfGHx3bD76DL/s1600/Monkey+pig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2JTPuTlk4kMi4ThFeWHFBz9_TqpmGIzKN2HyxUGaEuUW6rBl6vNUjC_nOpalBEeAZRgHUJN0oJnf0n9n3nOogglzLoIcL1dCzgIOQr5PxMLmDNvxlQwkV8GW_GeuaX4dHfGHx3bD76DL/s320/Monkey+pig.jpg" /></a></div>Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-74798577411866667402010-06-30T06:00:00.002-05:002010-06-30T06:00:05.324-05:00Bickering BlogfestKristen over at <a href="http://kristen-takeitasitcomes.blogspot.com/">Take It As It Comes</a> is holding a Blog Fest...a BICKERING one, yesssssssss. :) Let's get to it, and make sure you check out the other blogfesters <a href="http://kristen-takeitasitcomes.blogspot.com/2010/06/bickering-blogfest.html">here</a>!<br />
<br />
Here is a scene from Post-It Bandits. Hope you enjoy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">“Come on Cam, you’re not still worried about Bree and the Brainless Apes, are you?” Jordan rolled her eyes and gave him a look that said: pathetic. </div><br />
<br />
Cam relaxed his shoulders that had been creeping up to his ears and tried to look nonchalant, but his acting skills were pitiful. It didn’t even take her a minute to bust out her nonsense meter and figure out that he was more worried today than he was yesterday. Thinking about something disturbing nonstop could do crazy weird things to a person — it could make them even more paranoid than normal.<br />
<br />
“Are you for real? I mean, seriously, who cares about what Bree Meyers thinks anyway?”<br />
<br />
Everyone in the world except for you. “I don’t really care — it’s just embarrassing. Is it possible for you to even try to understand? Even if I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, the rest of Jackson Middle School seems to think so — besides you and Bryan. And you don’t really count, Jordan, because number one, you’re my friend and number two, you’re a glitch in the system.”<br />
<br />
Bryan chimed in, “Well, I for one am glad that you don’t care what they think. Let’s get real here. You’d never be allowed into their group even if the aliens come down from Planet Zorcon today and declared you their king.” He laughed, complete with a snort at the end.<br />
<br />
“Huh?”<br />
<br />
“You know, the aliens that are about to take over the world.”<br />
<br />
Cam and Jordan both rolled their eyes.<br />
<br />
Bryan, unaffected by their total disregard, gathered his face together and made googly eyes and kissing noises. “Plus, I’d hate for you to change, because I wuv you just the way you are.” His voice raised a couple octaves – not that it had to go up much because he sounded like a girl half the time as it was.<br />
<br />
Jordan snickered.<br />
<br />
Cam glared at him. “You look like a monkey pig when you do that. It’s fitting. You should do it more often.”<br />
<br />
“What the heck’s a monkey pig? Is that even an actual animal?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah. Mr. Baker showed us a slideshow of the weirdest looking animals the other day.”<br />
<br />
“Ah. Cool.”<br />
<br />
“Wait. Why am I making small talk? I’m irritated with you. And you.” Cam moved his glare over to Jordan.<br />
<br />
Bryan lifted up his nose to look like a demented pig. “It must be because this monkey pig face is irresistible.”<br />
<br />
When Cam didn’t laugh or break his stride, Bryan continued, “Whatever. Be angry all you want. Like I care.”Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-44896513463142425802010-06-29T07:00:00.002-05:002010-06-29T07:00:00.751-05:00Easy There, Girl.Hi. My name is Tiffany and I'm a compulsive over-achiever and goal setter.<br />
<br />
Hi Tiffany.<br />
<br />
*insert nervous smile*<br />
<br />
You see, all of my lofty goals were just that. Lofty. And so much was on my plate...and...and...<br />
*breaks down in sobs*<br />
<br />
It's okay. Let it all out. We are here to support you. Tell us how you really feel.<br />
<br />
*quiet sniffles; wipes tears from eyes* It's just that when I make huge goals and don't succeed, I feel worse off than if I hadn't set goals in the first place.<br />
<br />
*heads nod in agreement (or support - or for fear that the crazy sobbing over-achiever might hurt them if they don't)*<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Blah. Blah. Blah. Whatever.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So basically, I realized that setting ridiculously high goals for yourself is not a good idea. Because when you fail (miserably, at that) it really, really, really sucks. Did I mention really?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've made new (obtainable) goals for myself. They aren't able to be posted either, because they aren't daily goals. Some days are rougher than others. Some days my children make me wonder what type of species they are and why God granted them with the highest, screechiest voices in the world. Some days my kids fight from the moment they roll out of bed. Some days I don't feel like writing. (GASP!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I had to remind myself that this is my summer. I work all school year to get to this point and it is ridiculous that I am stressing myself out even more than I do during the school year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, some days I will:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Not get out of my PJs</div><div style="text-align: left;">Spend 5 hours at the pool working on my tan</div><div style="text-align: left;">Play with my kids</div><div style="text-align: left;">Read a book</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Which in turn, will let the words flow easier. Anyone else a chronic and compulsive overachiever that punishes themself for not meeting goals? Come on. You're a writer. Admit it. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527796009467110284.post-10579855697104828712010-06-07T07:34:00.000-05:002010-06-07T07:34:16.146-05:00Drumroll Please...<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have officially survived:</div><br />
<ul><li>The last week of school</li>
<li>Taking and PASSING my 4-8 certification test</li>
<li>4th Grade Awards Ceremony</li>
<li>Working on a Saturday</li>
<li>Our first dance rehearsal and recital</li>
</ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And today officially begins the first day of summer! <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Woot</span>! Besides a few maintenance type things around the house (AKA clean-the-house-that-has-been-neglected-for-weeks) and of course playing stay-at-home mommy for the next couple months, I am back to writing full time and with goals. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I figured that since I've been such a slacker in my favorite area of life, I should post goals for you all to hold me accountable to:</div><br />
<ul><li>Write a minimum of 1,000 words a day toward my <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">WIPs</span></li>
<li>Go back to <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">DFW</span> Writer's Workshop ASAP</li>
<li>Get critiques back to critter buddies in a timely manner (24-48 hours)</li>
<li>Start working on new <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">WIP</span> with Kristen</li>
<li>Blog 3 times a week</li>
<li>Read AND comment on at least 10 blogs/day</li>
<li>Join the world of Twitter again</li>
</ul>Lofty goals, eh? Yeah, well, maybe so, but I am determined. And when I get determined, things get done. Like, maybe a novel or two. Or winning tug-of-war? Because this is me when I'm determined:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRf64WRimQITQKdEmoOHs76ksrFnAByWhipRlnj3p7_HSJKB9111Do-ZTh4Gzey0CdSc-aDn4yDMR80JT5AJzE9sH7tTDUaGfYCO2pCffZqeh_Mg4PdAg6GjfsueqMt22hyphenhyphenC81Tv-LXlMV/s1600/DSC_3344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRf64WRimQITQKdEmoOHs76ksrFnAByWhipRlnj3p7_HSJKB9111Do-ZTh4Gzey0CdSc-aDn4yDMR80JT5AJzE9sH7tTDUaGfYCO2pCffZqeh_Mg4PdAg6GjfsueqMt22hyphenhyphenC81Tv-LXlMV/s320/DSC_3344.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>WHAT?!? I like to win. There's nothing wrong with a little determination. You know, besides a burst neck vein. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Pft</span>. Like you've never looked like that before. Ahem, well, whatever.<br />
<br />
I'm glad to be back! I'll leave you with a pic of K1 (who totally rocked all 3 dances) & K2 (who was the cutest dancing poodle EVER) and their epic weekend!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDS2nH-hLcPtzHy8wsy0zwwO7lOOlX-U3E1fPk73Yt5SqPA9DRGXjKt8e3eC6zuNZ_D3VuPhyK2_sFRsVoTb-qRf4kae1fxe64yWD2_AbmCz6Om6zh7j2-ABOn9mMJwJM3cgWkoiy3pQp/s1600/IMG_0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDS2nH-hLcPtzHy8wsy0zwwO7lOOlX-U3E1fPk73Yt5SqPA9DRGXjKt8e3eC6zuNZ_D3VuPhyK2_sFRsVoTb-qRf4kae1fxe64yWD2_AbmCz6Om6zh7j2-ABOn9mMJwJM3cgWkoiy3pQp/s320/IMG_0952.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6Glm4w7QpEKkN3-4CzuX_N53r3CsPxhsdrsNd06Jq5-EjHMuSpkIM7U_xTSLBImAQqixx0Kt3bix30NAL-ja7abE8Fn43tN-8UddeCGksIbLzrJcuov0yvvCgj2ZTpmPUuu5JUss5l-T/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6Glm4w7QpEKkN3-4CzuX_N53r3CsPxhsdrsNd06Jq5-EjHMuSpkIM7U_xTSLBImAQqixx0Kt3bix30NAL-ja7abE8Fn43tN-8UddeCGksIbLzrJcuov0yvvCgj2ZTpmPUuu5JUss5l-T/s320/IMG_0959.JPG" /></a></div>Tiffany Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.com16