Thursday, May 14, 2009

Proposals, Done!*

I finally finished the proposals for the next three Garnet Lacey books last night. And after my partner checks the last one over to make sure it's not full of stupid and/or tons of typos, I'll sent them off.

A lot of writers like to complain about getting stuck in the "never-ending series." But, as I said in a recent podcast, I'd be happy to be writing DEAD & RETIRED fifty years from now. As I was fiddling around with the potential plot skeletons of these next few books, I was struck by the fact that what I like about series writing is getting to bring up little tiny details, half-forgotten in previous titles, and exploit and mine the bejeezus out of them. But I also love TV shows that have continuing story arcs (as opposed to "monster of the week") and comic book cross-overs and never-ending story lines.

When I was a kid (and, uhm, even now when I'm falling asleep at night,) these are the kinds of stories I tell myself. The ones that continue ad infinitum with reoccurring characters and complex interwoven plot threads that span decades. In fact, when I was first starting out writing, the hardest part of writing for me was figuring out how to get to THE END and not leaving all those loose threads hanging.

Though you still have to complete whatever "problem statement" you proposed in your beginning sentence/paragraph, series writing allows for a few hanging bits. Your wrapping has to be tight, but there can be hints of things unresolved.

For me, that's what makes it fun. Though I realized that by chance I've kind of written a "this could be a series ender" kind of finale into Garnet Lacey #8, and I'll have to be clear with my agent that's it's not my intention to be done with that one.

I want to keep writing these. The deeper I probe Garnet's life, the more wacky it is. Kinda like real life. And that's cool.

* x-posted from Wyrdsmiths

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Another New Interivew (with Moi!)

As Ms. Piggy might say, an interview with "moi" is up at My First Sale / Dear Author...

Chick Lit Contest

***Permission to forward granted***

Get Your Stiletto In The Door -- Chick Lit Writers of the World

$10 Chick Lit Members; $20 RWA Members; $30 Non-Member

Deadline: June 15

Has your manuscript been shredded in other RWA contests because it's not quite romance? Do you write fun, sassy, contemporary fiction centering around the journey of the heroine? (Maybe you don't even have a hero at all?) Do your manuscripts not play by the romance rules? Then this contest is just for you. Contest is open to unpublished writers and published authors who are not eligible for PAN status. Contest is ALL electronic and we have TWO final round judges, an editor and an agent.

Final judges: Classic Chick Lit/Lady Lit, Editor: Claire Baldwin, Little Black Dress/Headline Publishing, Ltd.; Agent: Kate Schafer Testerman, KT

Literary Chick Thrill, Editor: Jessica Sebor, Random House; Agent: Holly Root, The Waxman Agency

Paranormal Chick Lit, Editor: Latoya Smith, Grand Central Publishing; Agent: Michelle Wolfson, Wolfson Literary Agency

Inspirational Chick Lit, Editor: Beth Adams, Guideposts; Agent: Kelly Mortimer, Mortimer Literary Agency

Young Adult Chick Lit, Editor: Regina Griffin, Egmont USA; Agent: Tamar Rydzinski, Laura Dail Literary Agency

"Best of the Best", 1st place winners in each category will be judged by author and agent Lois Winston of Ashley Grayson Literary Agency. Plus, 1st place winners in each category will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.

For rules and entry form go to http://www.chicklitwriters.com/contest.htm Kristin Wallace, President, Chick Lit Writers

Monday, May 11, 2009

So... Anyone Seen Trek Yet??

So??? What's the verdict out there? I blew my movie-out coupon on "Wolverine," so I'll probably have to wait to see the new Star Trek movie, but I'm dying to know... is it cool? The personification of suckitude? Somewhere in the "eh," range? What? Tell me! Tell me!!