Thursday, August 26

Ugh...

So I've been adding in edits from my critique partner to my urban fantasy manuscript before trying it out on the publishing world again. The only bad thing is that it's been bleeding words. That's great in some ways since I think a lot of the wordy, passive writing is now out. Except that I'm going to have to go back and add in a wee bit more description, depth! It's being cut too slim, and that's with adding another chapter. *sigh* I wish I were one of those writers that have to cut because they write too much the first time through. No, I'm the opposite. I have to add stuff to fulfill word count. Ah well, such is a writer's life.

Anyways, check out my introduction on why I enjoy urban fantasy and paranormal romance over at http://www.castlesandguns.com/! Also, feel free to leave a comment.

Monday, August 23

New Group Blog Update!

And no, just because I'm working on a group blog doesn't mean I'll abandon this one. I'll still churn out posts as I think of insightful things! But, I can now depart more information on it. It's called Castles & Guns. It's a "fantasy-focused site for those who love the genre. From the urban streets of downtown to the village paths of alternate realms, our stories all have something in common. Magic. From sexy warriors with swords to fierce women with weapons, we love romance with a spark of power." We now have our very beautiful custom banner made by my awesome webmistress, Rae Monet. The blog will be launching on Wednesday, so make sure to check it out and follow along this thrilling new group! *smiles*

Thursday, August 19

Another Book Read and New Group Blog

Okay, so I did update Twitter a day ago via Goodreads about this, but I finished reading Pride by Rachel Vincent. I thought it was really good, but it wasn't quite as awesome as the first two. I'll definitely read the next book, Prey.

Also, my critique partner and I are starting up a Fantasy/Urban Fantasy (Paranormal Romance is welcome too. =P) group blog! Woo! We've been planning it out and working on it for about a week now. All shall be revealed soon though since we're currently having a custom header made. The posting fun should begin on 8/25/2010. Stay tuned for more information!

Saturday, August 14

RWA Nationals (Late) Wrap-Up

Friday:

I went to Writing the Bestseller: Six Magic Words by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. It was great. I think she had some awesome words of wisdom that really soaked in. One of those is that editors and agents want the compelling story, not the perfect one. I struggle with making my stories perfect before sending them off, but really, we also have to focus on making them compelling.

Next, I went to The Agent/Author Relationship with Jessica Faust and a few of her clients. Most of what they said reinforced what I've learned over past few years. I had thought about going to the pitching area during that time, but I decided against it.

I went to the Digital Publishing Q&A. It was interesting, but not as informative as I thought it might be. After that was the Luncheon with Jayne Ann Krentz. It was great. I took a picture of the lunch and dessert on Twitter that day. Chicken, chicken, and more chicken. haha It wasn't too bad though. The desserts were great.

Went to The Fire in the Fiction: Part 2 by Donald Maass after hearing him talk during the PRO Retreat. Great stuff there. Really enjoyed his workshop and the PRO Retreat. Might have to pick up his books and workbook.

Next was Spinning Straw into Gold. It was by Eloisa James and her editor. It was cool to hear what they had to say about editing and the process she went through with making her book stronger. Would have liked just a little more information about how to apply it to my own projects, but it was good nonetheless.

Active Setting was the last workshop of the day. It was really informative. I felt like I learned a whole lot in it about how to make my settings more active and real and to incorporate them without it being tons upon tons of description.

Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal's The Gathering was also that night. I went to the Prism awards ceremony, but that was about it. The conference was starting to wear me down with all of the different workshops and things once Friday night hit.


Saturday:

I went to Writing Fight Scenes first thing in the morning with Angela Knight. It was really informative as well.

After that I went to Finding an Agent as an Unpub, which also reinforced a lot of things I've already learned while giving a couple of tidbits here and there.

Next was the worldbuilding workshop, which I started getting really hungry and sleepy in, but it had great information and awesome handouts.

I went to lunch with my critique partner, Marissa, during the short break, but due to it not being a very long break, I missed the next workshop time and didn't want to walk in late.

After that was Business of Writing with Kerrelyn Sparks and her agent, and that was really fascinating. I learned a lot in it.

The last workshop was I've Got a Fever: Taking Sexual Tension from Lukewarm to Hot. It played a few film clips and really went in depth on the different wants to build awesome sexual tension. I really enjoyed it as well.

Then hubby (who had been there all day long in his nice suit, haha) and I (who also had been in her nice clothes all day) waited in the hotel's lobby until became close to time for the RITA and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony and Dinner. It was really good. We had great tablemates, and watching the awards ceremony was very much an inspiration. Hopefully, one day I'll be able to count myself among the winners (or at least finalists!).

That's about it. I'm really looking forward to 2011 Nationals in NYC! I've never been to New York before.
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