Category: writing

writing

My word for 2014 is…

Elodie

BALANCE

Source: Sarah Janes Studio Website Credit: Sarah Janes

When I looked back at my resolutions and goals for 2013, I realized that as always many were left in the dust and many are still dear to my heart (like spending more care-free moments with my hubby aka without the blackberry, doing more sports, baking and cooking more…).

On the 1st of January last year, I wrote as one of my goals:

Finding more of a balance. Work has been insane last year. And while I don´t think it will slow down in 2013, I need to find better ways to deal with it. Especially since my hubby will probably travel more and his schedule will get even busier.

I was right in the sense that work didn’t slow down and that my hubby was even busier. But that balance idea kind of didn’t happen and I yearn for it.  Part of it is to make sure I make the time to do the things that are important to me. Another element is to let go of the things I cannot control and of the negative talk (–> this one is really tough). You know the one I am talking about: “I should have had, I shouldn’t have had, it shouldn’t be, it will never…”

While I don’t have the magic recipe for it, I do have some goals which I hope will help in this regard:

  • Dedicate more time to the people important to me (including me)
  • Jog with my hubby at least once a week (yes it means waking up at 4.45 am but I do feel more serene after it)
  • Workout another time during the week
  • Revise DADDY’S LITTLE ANGEL (it should go to my dear and lovely CPs by beginning of February)
  • Query DADDY’S LITTLE ANGEL
  • Start a new project
  • Writing down every night 3 things that made me smile
  • Finally use Google Hangout to chat with some of the friends I made online
  • Join RWA
  • Read 50 books (I even started a Goodreads challenge :-))
  • Take more pictures

What are you looking forward to in 2014?

Query, revising, writing

What I learned last year from #Pitchwars

Elodie

If you are on Twitter, you may have noticed the hashtag #PitchWars popping up on your feed. In the words of the amazing Brenda:

Pitch Wars is a contest where published/agented authors, editors, or interns choose one writer each, read their entire manuscript, and offer suggestions to shine it up for agents. The mentors critique the writer’s pitch to get it ready for the agent round. Mentors also pick two alternates each in case their writer drops out of the contest. A special alternate showcase is held on some of the mentors’ blogs and the mentors will critique the alternates’ pitches. (…)

  • Simple truth: if you don´t try, you most likely won´t succeed

Last year, I hesitated and hesitated and hesitated before entering the contest.  I had started querying and I was getting some positive answers but overall I was not 100% sure of my manuscript – basically I had queried a tad too early. Gathering up some hidden courage, I tweeted what my book was about. And I got some positive answers both from mentors but also from other participants.

I ended up being selected by the truly wonderful Dahlia as an alternate. The very talented Ghenet was her first pick and the lovely Nikki Urang was her other alternate. (by the way Nikki is getting published next year, you should totally add her book to Goodreads).

  • Contests are subjective

Contests are subjective. Not everyone gets chosen. It´s basically like querying, it depends on a lot of factors. Dahlia ended up posting why she chose the people she did (her full post “This is my brain on Pitch Wars” is very enlightening, so yep you should totally read it)

ONE TWO THREE by Elodie Nowodazkij: Something must’ve been in the air the day I made my final selections, because I ended up with not one but two dance-themed manuscripts, which still makes me laugh because I know nothing about dance. However, I’m a big sucker for characters who are really passionate about their hobbies (…) For me, what was actually the biggest hook was a totally personal thing – Elodie’s MC, Natalya, comes from a Russian family, and having minored in Russian Studies in college, I happen to love when Russian culture plays into a story. Every agent and editor is going to have his or her sweet spots, and that’s one of mine!

Social media bonus: Elodie had actually tweeted about her ms at some point before Pitch Wars, and holy cow did her tweet about its premise stick in my brain. When you’re actually staring at your inbox hoping a certain something will pop into it, it’s a very good sign!  (…)

And just like querying, you won´t know unless you take the plunge. The waters may be cold and the waves may be crushing you but they recede after awhile, leaving you ready to start anew.

  • My manuscript got stronger

Dahlia also went the extra mile and polished more than just my pitch. She read pages and gave me very very detailed feedback. Feedback that ended up making my manuscript so much stronger. I also got feedback from a ninja mentor (aka Danielle Ellison) which took the time to tell me what was working and what wasn’t.

  • Meeting new people/reading amazing stories

A team spirit developed. People cheered on the sidelines. Connections were made. I ended up reading some amazing books.

This year, there are more mentors, even more agents participating. I may try to enter DADDY´S LITTLE ANGEL (if I´m ready) but even if I don´t, I know I´ll encourage others and I´ll cheer for them.

If you have a manuscript ready to query but you still feel like an extra pair of eyes will help you out – I say, check it out!

writing

My writing schedule or how to make sure I’m ready for PITCH WARS

Elodie

Ready. Set. Write! over the summer really helped me get into a writing schedule and I think I need to implement another one to finish this revision.

My goal?

Enter my manuscript into PITCH WARS, which means I have until the end of November to polish it. Last year, I was an alternate in PITCH WARS (with the extraordinary Dahlia) and I learned so much. Plus I met many wonderful writers (read amazing manuscripts!!!).

Submission window is on 12/2

And it’s the perfect contest for GUILTY (or DADDY’s LITTLE ANGEL, I’m still unsure about the title) since I haven’t queried it yet.

To make this happen, I need to sit my butt on the chair (while keeping a balance and not growing a saggy middle–in my manuscript :P)

  • Monday mornings: revise from 5am to 6.15am
  • Tuesday mornings: Jog from 5am to 5.30am – revise in the train to work
  • Wednesday mornings: revise from 5am to 6.15am
  • Thursday mornings: workout from 5am to 5.30am – revise in the train to work
  • Friday mornings: revise from 5am to 6.15am

During the weekends: revise at least an hour on Saturday and an hour on Sunday.

I am allowed to take one day off from waking up early but need to jog at least once a week. With this schedule, I should be able to finish this revision round by November 12th.

November 12th. This should be feasible, no?

Tell me, do you have a writing schedule?

personal, writing

My WiP drives me insane and keeps me sane (and other writerly truths)

Elodie
This sign now hangs over our computer…

Not too long ago, Katy Upperman wrote a post entitled My WiP is Making Me Fat (& other writerly truths). I loved this post so much, that I decided to make the same type of list.

My WiP drives me insane and keeps me sane. This revision is draining me out and is going sooo slowly. Sometimes, I want to hide away from it  but mostly the entire process keeps me sane. It gives me an outlet, a way to express myself and get lost.

I always feel like my English isn’t good enough…As it’s my second language, I freak out about the small things and second guess myself. All. The. Time.

A few years ago, I posted my first query for my first manuscript on AbsoluteWrite without having researched much. And thought it had to be great. I’ve learned a lot since then.

I want people to fall in love with my characters.

I want to move people with my words.

I daydream about having more time to write.

I don’t outline. But I think I should learn how to do it.

I write in the train during my commute and sometimes wake up at 4.45am to get more writing in.

Sometimes, I ponder about my publishing road, i.e. what would be the best for me?

Not many people know about my writing.

I have the most talented writer friends. Really. They’re amazing.

My writer friends help me stay grounded.

My husband believes in me and encourages my writing. I am so thankful for him.

What are your writerly truths?

Flash Fiction, writing

Walk The Plank: Adventure Style or my first flash fiction in months…

Elodie

You´ve heard about the YA Buccaneers, right? No? Go check them out here.  And you can totally follow those wonderful ladies on Twitter.

One of their awesome features is “Walk The Plank”:  Walk The Plank is all about writing Flash Fiction – in other words, short snippets that make the biggest impact. And the goal: Write a flash fiction story in 200 words or fewer, excluding the title, around the monthly theme.

  • This month´s theme is Adventure.
  • For an extra challenge, begin your story with the words, “I set sail” (these three words will be included in the word count).
  • And for an even bigger challenge, use the same beginning words and end with the words: “my adventure continues!” (also included in the word count).
  • For those who want to prove their Flash Fiction prowess, hit all of the above challenges, PLUS, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!

This is my first flash fiction in months!

I set sail on Wednesday. Or at least I think it was Wednesday. My mind plays tricks on me and the scorching heat doesn’t help. Mom and Dad had warned me about sailing alone.

But I wasn’t alone.

Aidan stood on the boat when I pulled in the marina, his cap low on his forehead and his dimple showing as he waved my way.

My heart stopped beating.

I ran my hand through my wavy hair, checked my make-up one last time in the mirror. It was light. You can’t go sailing and go all out at the same time.

And then I strolled to the boat as if my entire body wasn’t melting at the fact he actually came. He came!

Now he’s gone.

The back of my throat tightens and one more time I glance back to where he drowned. The sun glistens on the water. Peaceful.

My fingers slip and each of my muscles hurt, the salt on my lips tastes bitter. Aidan kissed those lips, not too long ago, before he slipped away.

And I have no idea how I´ll keep my promise to him. His words as his body disappeared. “Make sure my adventure continues.”

Ready Set Write, revising, writing

Let´s sign up for Ready. Set. Write! *happy dance*

Elodie

It´s finally time to sign up for Ready. Set. Write! The wonderful idea of the lovely and talented Alison Miller 🙂

Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, Jaime Morrow, and I are hosting this summer writing intensive Ready. Set. WRITE! and we’d LOVE for you to join us!

  • You can join us now or later…
  • You can decide to write 100 pages a week or simply revise one sentence.
  • Whatever will help YOU achieve your goals and whatever YOU feel comfortable with.

We even have a button!  (created by Erin).

ready set write button

So what is this exactly?

Purpose: for drafting/revising/writing novels, flash fiction or short stories—whatever! As long as we’re writing!

Timeline: We’re kicking things off today, but the REAL goal-setting starts tomorrow! Please join us for What’s Up Wednesday and tell us what you plan to be working on (in the What I’m Writing section). Don’t know about What’s Up Wednesday? Check it out here and here. And here.

We’ll keep the awesomeness going every Wednesday until August 28 and we’d love for you to participate as many weeks as you can. Like Alison, I love reading snippets, so don´t hesitate to share away!

Some Other Really Cool Stuff…

Twitter parties! We’re going to try (operative word = TRY) to host a weekly twitter writing/revising party in which we basically choose a start time to write and then pop back in on twitter several hours later recapping our progress. Sounds fun, right?!

Our Twitter hashtag…cue music….#ReadySetWrite

BUT to do that we kind of have to be twitter-connected. Below, you´ll see our Twitter handles, and we’d love for you to leave your twitter handle in the comments so we can make sure we’re following you too!

Our twitter handles:

Giveaway! The five of us LOVE giveaways so we’re including one as extra motivation.

Mid-way through (mid-July), one lucky writer will win a Writer´s Care package…it´s going to be a package full of fun surprises…

Something you simply do not want to miss.

Keep track of your progress and be prepared to update on the rafflecopter post in July.

SO, are you ready for Ready. Set. WRITE?! Commit to a summer of writing by signing up on the linky below! And don’t forget to post tomorrow—share your goals and tell us what you’ll be writing/revising!

In the meantime, write a little. Or a lot. Grab the button and spread the word! And get ready to Ready. Set. WRITE!

Sign up here:

writing

Spend some time with GUILTY, my YA romantic suspense novel…

Elodie

The lovely Juliana tagged me in a fun writing game (and you should check out the snippet of her NA contemporary romance she shared).

Here are the rules: “Search the words “moment,” “forever,” “time,” or the like in your writing, pick your favorite chunk, post on your blog, and tag others!”

Here´s an excerpt of GUILTY, my not-yet-revised-so-please-bear-it-in-mind-as-you-read-this novel 🙂

(and don´t forget on Tuesday, you´ll be able to sign up for Ready. Set. Write!)

“Funny, I thought you argued with me you would never ever participate in this beauty contest.”  Malik falls on the chair next to mine. His camera is around his neck and as always he holds a notepad.

“And I thought you said you´d never ever cover this event for the newspaper.”

His hand covers his heart and he grimaces. “Touché. María was supposed to but she´s out sick. I had to sacrifice myself.” He glances around and smiles. “Not that I´m complaining about being backstage with all of you girls.” His dimple shows. And my stomach runs down to my ankles as my eyes lock on his lips. The only time we kissed, they tasted like beer and Cheetos.

My cell vibrates and Malik turns his attention back to me. “You´re not going to get that?”

My heart pounds. “Stupid Twitter and Facebook notifications,” I mutter as my fingers dig into my tiny purse. Without reading the  news alert, I click my cell phone back to sleep. My face flames up and I cross my fingers he can´t tell I´m lying to his face.

Did I mention this is still a draft? *glances around nervously*.

I´m tagging a few friends…Kip, Sara, Alex and Jessica S. But you´re all invited to join the fun, if you decide to share a snippet, just come back and let me know in the comments 🙂

Ready Set Write, writing

Do you want to draft/revise/edit this summer? Join us for Ready. Set. Write!

Elodie

Writing is a lonely process but it doesn’t always have to be…And if you’re looking for motivation and encouragement along the Summer breeze to type those words away (or in my case, delete words, think about words, type some words and try to find ways to raise the stake…), we have something for you!

Once upon time, a wonderful writer and friend named Alison (no really she’s great and the voice in her book is amazing, you don’t believe me check her first 250 words here!) sent an email out to a few of us asking if we’d be interested in co-hosting a  Summer Writing Intensive. The goals are individual, so no pressure because I know sometimes for me revising a sentence into something that makes me pause and go “wow did I write that?” can be as rewarding as drafting an entire chapter 🙂

And really, who doesn’t need some cheering along the way?

Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, Jaime Morrow, and I are hosting the summer writing intensive Ready. Set. WRITE! and we’d LOVE for you to join us! We plan to kick off a summer of writing Tuesday June 11th and write, write, write for 2 months! We’ll update weekly on what we’ve been writing and our new goals for the week. Care to join us in our writing bliss?!

You can even grab this awesome button (created by Erin).

ready set write button

So what is this exactly?

Purpose: for drafting/revising/writing novels, flash fiction or short stories—whatever! As long as we’re writing!

What we’ll do:

  • set weekly goals (or monthly or overall goals). Again—whatever works!
  • update weekly on What’s Up Wednesday (in the What I’m Writing section). We’ll share what we’ve accomplished and set goals for the new week. We can also include a snippet or just gush about our stories. 🙂

Don’t know about What’s Up Wednesday? Check it out here and here. And here

We’ll also be hosting occasional drafting/revising parties on Twitter, providing lots of support for each other, and…AND sponsoring a giveaway!

Oh and if you don’t know where to find these amazing ladies on Twitter, here they are (simply click on their name – we really need to convince Erin to get on Twitter :P)

Ready. Set. WRITE! will kick off Tuesday June 11th with sign-ups  on our blogs. We’ll set our first goals on June 12th‘s edition of What’s Up Wednesday and update each other every Wednesday!

In the meantime, decide what you want to write/revise. Set your goals! Write a little. Or a lot.

Spread the word!

And be prepared to Ready. Set. WRITE!

Happy Friday, personal, writing

Happy Friday #38 – The return of Happy Friday…

Elodie

I know I know it´s been FOREVER since my last Happy Friday post. My last Happy Friday post was on January 18th. WOW! But Happy Friday is back 😀 My goal is to have one Happy Friday per month at least because let´s face it, there´s always plenty to smile about on a Friday and it´s always nice to look for the good things that happened during a week.  Looking forward to know what made you smile this week! 

Over on YA Confidential: The Teen Spies of YA Confidential critique my first page of GUILTY and I´m very very grateful for their feedback! Not only are their comments SUPER helpful, it´s simply great to have the views of my target audience 🙂  (even though it´s also super duper nerve-wracking).

Vacation: I´m on on holidays since Wednesday evening and we landed safely in Washington DC yesterday. We´re now back in our Maryland home. It´s funny how being back feels normal. We have our marks, our spots, our friends and the ones we consider as close as family. We´re looking forward to catch up and just hang out. (and going to Target, yes I confess, I am a Target addict)

Reading: I finished beta reading a wonderful YA contemporary this week (by the lovely Katy Upperman). You guys, this is another manuscript that really touched me and got me by the heart. Plus, the male main character is a mix of Etienne St Clair and Jonah Griggs…and adds his own layers to the batter making him really a great character to know. The entire cast reminded me a bit of MY LIFE NEXT DOOR. Crossing my fingers it gets picked up soon so you get to read it too!

Movies: A long plane ride overseas means I get to watch plenty of movies. And I finally got to see LES MISERABLES! I´m officially in love with that movie. I don´t know how many times I had to wipe my tears…or how many times I was simply in awe of the way the emotions really came through both the acting and the singing. Loved it! And while watching, I couldn´t stop thinking about another MS I had the honor to beta read (the Star Wars/Les Miserables mashup by Alex Brown) 🙂

So, tell me what made you smile this week?

writing

First draft – Check….

Elodie

Big smile.

I just typed THE END to the first draft of my YA romantic suspense novel GUILTY…The word count is a bit on the low side (46k) but I already have in the text some spots telling me to “add texture”, “add scene from the pageant”, “up the tension and the stakes.”

So yes, of course my work isn´t done but I powered through and wrote a book (or the main bones of a book). It´s exciting. It´s thrilling. And I cannot wait to read it through and make it as good as I can before sending it to my wonderful CPs and beta 😀

But for now?

I´m just going to look at that picture a bit longer and pat myself on the back.

End of first draft

 

What do you do to celebrate a writing related achievement?