tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061868254466502632024-02-02T05:50:57.673-08:00My Side of the Rainbow"Life's like a movie. Write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending..." Kermit the FrogLaura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-55793047089230561802016-10-08T15:36:00.000-07:002016-10-08T15:37:47.699-07:00Be THAT Guy<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll win her over.” “…playing hard to
get.” “…a tease.” “She’ll come around.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cringe worthy, right? These are all phrases I’d like to see sucked
out of the English language. It’s because some guys don’t listen to girls. Some
men don’t listen to women. And yes, to be fair, some women don’t listen to men.
These phrases are all things I’ve heard from guys who don’t want to take “no”
or “not interested” from someone else. And that stinks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, today’s post is especially for the
fellas out there. I’m guessing if you’re reading this you are not one of the
guys who says things like that, but just the same…I’d like you to be THAT guy. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Not the jerk, obviously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’d like you to be that guy who calls out
other guys who aren’t taking no for an answer. Not just the ones who have an
unconscious victim they are assaulting (though by all means, stop that guy
too). But be the guy who calls out a buddy or acquaintance when he’s throwing
out lines at someone who is clearly not interested. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We are long past the days of believing
that women are helpless damsels in distress waiting in castle turrets to be
saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">But some guys don’t, won’t, or choose not
to listen to a girl turning them down, and when that happens? It’s awfully nice
when a guy tells him to back off and points out what should be obvious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We women will continue to speak up for
ourselves, but be that guy who bypasses “boys will be boys” and sets the tone
that real men listen and respect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Because every voice deserves to be heard,
and the guy who chooses not to listen to a girl might be willing to listen to
you.</span></div>
Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-13128029494128166622016-08-12T08:08:00.000-07:002016-08-12T08:08:16.195-07:00The Waiting Season<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“To everything, there is a season…” Ecclesiastes 3:1 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am in a season of waiting, and as seasons go, it is
not my favorite. Writers do lots of waiting, so you’d think I’d be used to it
by now. Waiting to hear back from critique partners. Waiting to hear back from
agents. Waiting to hear back from editors. Waiting for reviews, for launch, to
be paid…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A wise writer will work while she waits, but waiting
is still anguish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This morning, I decided to have a bite to eat and then
read my Bible. So, I picked yogurt with M&M’s,
thinking it would be healthy enough. Two bites in, I realized the
yogurt had spoiled. So, I tossed it. A little while later, I grabbed an oatmeal
cream pie as a replacement. The first bite had a hair baked in it. *shudders* I
threw it away too. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">At this point, I gave up on breakfast and read a few
chapters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’d like to tell you that the chapters hit the spot
and soothed my waiting heart. Sometimes that happens. But what I read didn’t give
me much peace this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then, perfection. My husband walked in with a Bojangles
bag. Totally unexpected! The bag contained not just one biscuit for me, but two—in
case one wasn’t enough!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Isn’t that just like God? He knows our love languages
(one of mine is obviously Bojangles), and He meets us right where we are to remind
us that He’s taking care of us. And so today, because of those biscuits, I feel
more peace in the waiting—more peace in knowing that God has a great agent out
there for me. I can rest in His goodness and timing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What are you waiting for today? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-81672343861982104242016-04-05T08:49:00.000-07:002016-04-05T08:49:07.396-07:00Happy National Poetry Month!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">April is National Poetry Month, so I celebrated by writing a poem. If you decide to write one too, share a link in the comment section, so we can take a peek. Also, I'd love to hear who some of your favorite poets are, so give them a shout-out!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeozXEO2dpcZjgl39G9JOIY9RDs8gEpnzisUr2DmMTbf5ZBoQxT3Ow8-_PRh8PAPb0N6kbOfbKTLM0GT-SVSqZG7Qi_PbcOBZga3tdaow0UFt2YU4kTlH9qkwWVl7q870IYSrYEPpRRw/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeozXEO2dpcZjgl39G9JOIY9RDs8gEpnzisUr2DmMTbf5ZBoQxT3Ow8-_PRh8PAPb0N6kbOfbKTLM0GT-SVSqZG7Qi_PbcOBZga3tdaow0UFt2YU4kTlH9qkwWVl7q870IYSrYEPpRRw/s200/IMG_0924.JPG" width="178" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Story Farm </b>by Laura Renegar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The writer’s brain is like a farm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">With many seeds to sow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ideas sink in and some take root<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In zig-zags more than rows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The farmer weeds the adverbs out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She fertilizes scenes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Organically, she kills the tropes—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Those buggers can be mean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She takes her time with characters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her voice makes each one blossom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She irrigates and prunes each page,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Until the plot is awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She’s story farming all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As seasons paint the sky,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Until she picks her finest fruit</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">For publishers to buy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">*special thanks to my oldest daughter for illustrating my poem!</span></div>
Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-80788833012883747222015-11-03T11:01:00.000-08:002015-11-03T11:01:17.127-08:00Guest Post for NaNoWriMo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDrepu9GuEgWegCZkVNA-uObzRpL5WK5ET-LFQVULV1lLQe48thAor4z1wv8AOHeutiRYUckVX4ZkTD2exb3mwLwOeek1UkmGtuiRbtwHCklL-7HYUycvXNdy6yWFt5Y6IQdRzyAmoMQ/s1600/DSCN3841+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDrepu9GuEgWegCZkVNA-uObzRpL5WK5ET-LFQVULV1lLQe48thAor4z1wv8AOHeutiRYUckVX4ZkTD2exb3mwLwOeek1UkmGtuiRbtwHCklL-7HYUycvXNdy6yWFt5Y6IQdRzyAmoMQ/s320/DSCN3841+%25283%2529.JPG" width="252" /></a></div>
Hi! It has been shamefully long since I've posted on here, but it's because of good stuff! Since I've been gone, I've finished a draft of a new YA (it's a creepy contemporary told from two points of view that involves a home security system). I've also done a revision to ASHES AND INK that I'm totally proud of. I've written poems for magazines (crossing my fingers on those). And then there's been lots of family things like the addition of a super baby to one of my favorite relatives.<br />
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If you're still with me, hop on over to <a href="http://redsofaliterary.com/2015/11/02/nanowrimo-day-2-the-plans-are-always-yours/">Red Sofa Literary's Blog</a> to see one of the cool things I've learned this year about plotting and planning. I'm represented by Laura Zats of Red Sofa Literary, and she asked me to do a guest post. The Red Sofa Literary blog will have a new post up every day in November in celebration of NaNoWriMo, so it's a great blog to follow! <br />
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Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-42763048490038967842015-04-03T20:32:00.000-07:002015-04-03T20:33:52.363-07:00Lovers, Haters, and Creators
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Creating is natural. Beautiful. Fulfilling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sharing is liberating. Gratifying. Gut-wrenching.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Yeah, I said it: Gut-wrenching. Because not everybody
loves every creation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We aren’t all attracted to the same people, and that’s
a good thing. I’m thankful I don’t have to pry other women off my man every
time we go to Target. That would be awkward and all sorts of time consuming. He’s
a good-looking man, mind you, but most women notice the gold band around his
finger and realize there are other options.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I follow many writer feeds, and over and over I read
this advice: “Don’t read your reviews…EVER…unless someone reads them first and
filters them and only hands over the ones that say you’re brilliant.” It’s as
if the path to Goodreads is Disney’s Splash Mountain ride. A boatload of
writers bopping along to Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah getting the tummy squirms as danger
signs and buzzards appear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So why does it bother us if what we create isn’t for
everyone? We don’t all like the same foods, music, or people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">But when you create something, it’s different. It
comes from you. You love it, nurture it, and groom it. When it seems less
fragile, you allow a select few to hold it. And when you are confident your
creation can walk, run, or even fly on its own, you let go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Or pretend to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">But it’s still your baby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And when someone calls your baby ugly, it would be easy to go mama bear on them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">But we mustn’t.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I am North Carolina born and raised and grew up under
the rule of “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all,” so I’m
guessing I should probably avoid reading my own reviews when that glorious day
comes…or maybe I’ll peek through half-closed fingers like a kid watching a
horror movie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There’s an awesome episode of Victorious called The
Bird Scene. It should be required that all actors, artists, and writers watch
it before throwing themselves or their work out for public eyes. Seriously.
Wisdom from TeenNick to creators everywhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What do you recommend? How do you handle someone not
loving your creative baby? Comment and let us know. </span></div>
Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-64535783918584783282015-01-05T21:00:00.000-08:002015-01-05T21:01:31.109-08:00Five Advantages To Being A WriterI love being a writer. Seriously. LOVE. So as we start the new year together, I thought I'd share a countdown of five fun reasons why:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">5. Funky hair color and attire is encouraged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">4. People Watching totally counts as research.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">3. Creating imaginary friends, enemies, and boyfriends for others is all kinds of fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">2. Furry mascots for the win!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnRm4bi_0k9h_cAN8tRCY3uFvalt8lLucJaQz6UINXEaR2np2sfAGDg9aaarimTDwtSu-STBUmxiUTGWJfqzMy7_jngqhN1bHbrZ5qX98xWzLbBTZQHbUqqe4qav6faKRQiiSMPDNvpc/s1600/IMG_4426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnRm4bi_0k9h_cAN8tRCY3uFvalt8lLucJaQz6UINXEaR2np2sfAGDg9aaarimTDwtSu-STBUmxiUTGWJfqzMy7_jngqhN1bHbrZ5qX98xWzLbBTZQHbUqqe4qav6faKRQiiSMPDNvpc/s1600/IMG_4426.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1. The skills I’ve picked up from youtube and google searches ensure I’ll always be on somebody’s watch list.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVgs2UkHWDmu1DdlOn4k5k1g86Ay4To6N_b6a1JwaZpBW9WXBddAeniK2HPgLM6Uiw78tP6bKXpSlqocMuHSORm9HycWi17_5_QP2NSNeRKOR7XJv8snit6gBxFjCmsnAAM54ooJDkA4/s1600/IMG_4624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVgs2UkHWDmu1DdlOn4k5k1g86Ay4To6N_b6a1JwaZpBW9WXBddAeniK2HPgLM6Uiw78tP6bKXpSlqocMuHSORm9HycWi17_5_QP2NSNeRKOR7XJv8snit6gBxFjCmsnAAM54ooJDkA4/s1600/IMG_4624.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So whatever you are (a writer, a dreamer, a magic bean buyer), join in the fun. Comment below to tell us something you love about what you do. Happy 2015!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
<br />Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-34433705649860737952014-09-04T21:39:00.000-07:002014-09-04T21:43:09.026-07:00When A Turtle's Not A Turtle
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Last Saturday morning, I was teaching my youngest
how to make shape pancakes because FUN! But her smile drooped, her forehead
wrinkled, and I sensed she was ready to hurl the ladle across the kitchen. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“What’s wrong?” I asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“I keep trying to make a turtle, but it looks
nothing like a turtle,” she grumped.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I tilted my head and opened my eyes wide. “WHOA!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The pancake she had tried to make into a turtle had shifted
into golden phoenix. It was incredible. When I told her what it looked like to
me, it became an insta-favorite.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This happens with so many things. Stories. Guys.
Relationships. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We have in mind what perfection looks like. We
see it so clearly, we can almost taste it. And then it morphs into something we
hardly recognize. It may still be amazing, or it may be horrific, but all we
can think is, “That’s not a turtle.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Has this happened to you? Did you learn to
love what it became, or did you start all over again? Leave a comment to share!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-34302941388928930472014-07-31T22:05:00.001-07:002014-07-31T22:34:39.149-07:00Firsts
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve been thinking about firsts this summer and how,
um, AWKWARD they can be. So in case you wanted to think about awkward firsts too, whether
for late night bonding with a friend or for a writing exercise, here’s a list
to get you started:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Time Putting On
Makeup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Date</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Kiss</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Crush</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Dance</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Audition</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Show</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Tryout</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Time NOT Making
The Team</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Time Making The
Team When A Buddy Doesn’t</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Game</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Time Being Dumped</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Time Having To
Dump Someone Else</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Fight With A Best
Friend</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Time You & Your Bestie Liked The Same Guy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Big Party You
DIDN’T Get Invited To</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Time Playing Spin
The Bottle</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Time Saying “I
Love You”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Time Hearing He
Only Wants To Be Friends</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Time Falling
Asleep While On The Phone</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Time Tasting
Liquor</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First Time Hiding A
Hickey</span></div>
Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-18979839498998457382014-03-25T22:40:00.000-07:002014-08-02T10:13:06.530-07:00A PitMad Victory, A Winter's Hibernation, And POOF! It's Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyIpAlMRj2junbkBYa-MYu6wUa6L7d3pO7ZMtpBg_Iq6M7SaTFvswvtrH8GSi9aj0oFtquF8646s0aECU90wG9R1ely2259-kAci8dfCDnmOHMW44TzYaa7Yk-43rRFdPW8EYRwuxBUA/s1600/IMG_2981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyIpAlMRj2junbkBYa-MYu6wUa6L7d3pO7ZMtpBg_Iq6M7SaTFvswvtrH8GSi9aj0oFtquF8646s0aECU90wG9R1ely2259-kAci8dfCDnmOHMW44TzYaa7Yk-43rRFdPW8EYRwuxBUA/s1600/IMG_2981.JPG" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Today there is a feeding frenzy happening on Twitter called PitMad. Some writers knock contests saying that they are time sucks and that writers should stick to querying agents they've researched. I think that advice is only half true. Writers should <strong>always</strong> research an agent before deciding whether or not to submit pages to them. Just because someone has Twitter followers and an agency, doesn't mean he/she is a good agent or a good agent to represent your writing.<br />
<br />
But contests can be amazingly helpful for writers hoping to find agents. You see, my fabulous agent Laura Zats found me because of last fall's PitMad. <br />
<br />
*stops to do the Peanuts' happy dance* <br />
<br />
It's true! I pitched my young adult suspense ASHES AND INK, and Laura Zats requested a partial...followed by a full...followed by a request for a phone call which led to an offer. Some would argue that I could have found her on my own, but here's the thing: It hadn't been announced that she was an agent yet. *gasps* That's right! I snagged a ninja agent that I would have never known was an option had it not been for pitching ASHES AND INK into the PitMad frenzy. So I researched her, emailed her references, and signed with her a week after our phone call. Initially, I was going to take two weeks to decide, but we clicked so well, and I loved her ideas and enthusiasm so much, I could not wait another week to team up with her and <a href="http://redsofaliterary.com/">Red Sofa Literary</a>.<br />
<br />
This led to my winter hibernation from my blog. On top of being a driven agent, Laura Zats is an extraordinary editor. She sent me fantastic revision notes to help fix plot holes, draw out scenes, and make my YA shine. So that's where I've been. Hibernating in my revision cave. And now that my manuscript is polished and pretty, I get to work on my next one.<br />
<br />
Good luck, PitMad peeps! I know it seems crazy to throw your manuscript into the Twitter rapids, but wonderful things can happen! So take a chance, do your research before hitting send, and know that I'm cheering for you! <br />
<br />
Comment and tell me your Twitter handle if you're participating in PitMad. I'd love to see your pitches and cheer you on!<br />
<br />
To read the interview with Laura Zats and myself, check out Jamie Corrigan's <a href="http://thiswritersworldplotbunnies.blogspot.com/2013/11/big-news-interview-with-author-laura.html">big reveal</a>.Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-51479297005677690122013-11-18T13:54:00.000-08:002013-11-18T13:54:39.354-08:00Thankful For Great Characters
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With
Thanksgiving right around the corner, I thought we’d put a bookish spin on
things and talk about characters we’re thankful we've met. One character I’ve loved
since I was a little is Pippi Longstocking. She’s creative. She always has a
story to tell. She’s <em>much</em> stronger than she looks. Annnnnnnnnnnnd she has a pet
monkey. Ha! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So how about
you? Is there a character you’ve read about recently or one from your past that inspired you? Share about him/her in the comment section. On Thanksgiving, I’ll draw one sharer's name to win a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card.
This contest is only open to U.S. residents. Be sure I have your email address,
Twitter handle, or some way to contact you in case your name is picked. Good
luck, and thanks for sharing!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-27370070248731194222013-11-13T08:29:00.000-08:002013-11-18T13:57:27.437-08:00Five Things You Will Never Hear Me Say<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes the
things a person or character won’t say are more telling than what they will
say. Delia Moran has a post on what she wouldn’t say, and I love it so much I
decided to steal (with her consent) the idea. Here’s the link to <a href="http://delia-moran.blogspot.com/2013/06/five-things-you-will-never-hear-me-say.html">hers</a>. And
here are five things you’ll never hear me say:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">5. Want to meet
me for a 5:00 a.m. jog? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">4. I know
exactly where that random piece of paper I jotted that down on is!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">3. Who would buy
paperclips just because they come in cute shapes or colors?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">2. Baked Kale
tastes just like potato chips.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And last, but not least:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">1. No worries. I
never take my story ideas from real life situations.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What would be on
your list? Share by leaving a comment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you decide to steal Delia’s post idea, be
sure to leave the link so we can read yours too! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-3989680618932078242013-11-04T06:34:00.000-08:002013-11-04T06:36:48.467-08:00In Love With Love<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5kpw7pu19bwXYJL1bL5qmA8HmlMsi6ONJnqecqVYGr5IWs_UsEZeALaWszWJNokp7HRn_Slkh2UJ5nLSVNz1mXERRszn_BcNRe_Dq1-wFW-gbVqYJ6EQvJFNVkJPMrS6yKTpBQvz1yU/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5kpw7pu19bwXYJL1bL5qmA8HmlMsi6ONJnqecqVYGr5IWs_UsEZeALaWszWJNokp7HRn_Slkh2UJ5nLSVNz1mXERRszn_BcNRe_Dq1-wFW-gbVqYJ6EQvJFNVkJPMrS6yKTpBQvz1yU/s200/IMG_0643.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My littlest is
in love with the idea of having a puppy. We emailed in a rescue application for
a particular fur baby. They called our veterinarian. Things
were hopping along, until I checked Petfinder and discovered someone else had
adopted the cutie over the weekend. My little one cried. SOBBED. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Until I showed
her a new puppy…with a fat little puppy belly…and pleading puppy eyes. Then my
daughter fell in love. Again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes we’re
in love with an idea more than an individual. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This happened to
me in college. I was dancing with my friends in a club, when I noticed a quiet
guy watching from the corner. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He’s probably
shy…and smart…and funny…and perfect for me, </i>I thought. In reality, he was
shy, but not funny. He was sure UFO’s existed and visited often. I would
look up during random times of my day and find him watching me. Not the
romantic, sweet, sort of watching. The creepy sort of SomeoneDoACriminalBackgroundCheck
watching. Yeah. Not so perfect for me after all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Writers can do this with agents and editors. There are awesome professionals
scouting for talent on Twitter and blog contests, but there are also people out
there who call themselves agents and editors that don’t do either well. When a
request comes from someone, ANYONE, it’s hard not to get excited. But a savvy
writer will check out them out thoroughly before deciding whether or not to
submit their work to them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Has this ever
happened to you? Have you ever been in love with the idea more than the
individual? Tell us about it in the comment section. Substitute Bob or Bobbette
to avoid naming names!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5kpw7pu19bwXYJL1bL5qmA8HmlMsi6ONJnqecqVYGr5IWs_UsEZeALaWszWJNokp7HRn_Slkh2UJ5nLSVNz1mXERRszn_BcNRe_Dq1-wFW-gbVqYJ6EQvJFNVkJPMrS6yKTpBQvz1yU/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-29469447423792757322013-09-16T15:03:00.000-07:002013-09-16T15:03:50.248-07:00Leap!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAo9Yh7BJwWc19yu_fObWD5c-gVTFFCWpmwU-HgFV5uQ3L4E2V5Pcz4DVXMBJVKtLCqvMoNMKFIMt_jeFmBdh8iMRKNG9yWLiOoFYqX7ZQcCucuAwP2THo0rC4giQRDw-p19FRX8cCVQ/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAo9Yh7BJwWc19yu_fObWD5c-gVTFFCWpmwU-HgFV5uQ3L4E2V5Pcz4DVXMBJVKtLCqvMoNMKFIMt_jeFmBdh8iMRKNG9yWLiOoFYqX7ZQcCucuAwP2THo0rC4giQRDw-p19FRX8cCVQ/s320/IMG_0847.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My summer was
packed with adventure. Camping with Yogi Bear. Racing down
waterslides. Even finding my inner ARRRRGH at the Beaufort Pirate Invasion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A favorite scene
happened during one of my kids' gymnastics lessons. A teacher from a different class had a group running
through the same obstacle course over and over. All of the
sudden, a differently-abled little girl had had enough. Instead of returning
to the end of the line like the others, she took off with arms flailing and a
rebel cry toward the giant foam pit on the other side of the gym. The staff
called for her to stop, but she ignored them—keeping her eyes on where she <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really </i>wanted to be. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It is a thing of
beauty to watch someone leap. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We get caught up
in the day to day, making sensible choices and listening to reason, but most of
us long for something more. To dive into a foam pit. Sing on a big stage. Lay a
kiss on someone we’ve secretly loved. To fly across the Atlantic Ocean using
hundreds of helium-filled balloons. It takes courage to leap. After all, it
doesn’t always end well. But that moment when there is more hope than there is fear? It tastes like freedom.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So as the new
school year begins, I’ll ask you…heck, I’ll double dog dare you! LEAP! Find
something that makes your heart sing and take a chance.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Are you planning
on leaping? Comment below to tell us what you are doing to throw yourself into
a dream. <o:p></o:p></span>Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-85752793038759815142013-01-06T22:11:00.000-08:002013-01-06T22:11:59.820-08:00Beer Goggles, First Drafts, and Tattoo Nightmares
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I love it when seeming unrelated things connect
like paper dolls in my mind. Beer goggles (for those too innocent to know) are
what people claim to have been wearing when they've had a few drinks too many and
the Star Trek fan who never caught their eye before suddenly becomes HAWT and
fascinating and all sorts of kissable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So what would beer goggles have to do with a first
draft of a manuscript? Lots, my friend. Lots. Creating words and worlds, chaos
and conflict—it’s intoxicating. We come up for air enamored and hazy, buzzing
enough that the lines between a good start and a good manuscript get blurry and
sometimes disappear.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One of my current favorite shows is Tattoo
Nightmares. It’s a reality show where people with awful tattoos come to three
amazing artists to get cover-ups. The backstories? Fascinating. The finished
products? Mind blowing. You can hardly see traces of the botched pieces they
used to have. They each leave with a masterpiece of skin art.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Being a part of a critique group keeps me from beer
goggling after a first draft. I am still the artist, but discussing my
manuscript with other writers helps sober me up and transform a good beginning
into a work that’s ready to show others. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So how about you? Ever fall in love with an awful
first draft or get a terrible tattoo? Comment and tell us about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-393658321569018202012-10-30T21:05:00.000-07:002012-10-30T21:05:34.094-07:00The Stars Fell Sideways Interview & Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>It's Halloween, and since you stopped by, I have a treat for you. I interviewed Cassandra Marshall about her brand new book THE STARS FELL SIDEWAYS. Not only will you get the inside scoop on this author/freelance editor/lit. agency worker, but two commenters will be winning prizes. YAY! So ready, set, here we go...</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What
is your pitch for THE STARS FELL SIDEWAYS?</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFatP7-grXLGKHkgCHRU0l_UZObrSF_K9BGgLQeaNwd1M5IfJ4H7Zw22lG6NgC-KVPjPgvPFVXli0HbOz-bQWRprjAWjv5-o3s2inzzYTEIGaMSEUbkAICcUuRmTgdbsMGgg860NSMCBQ/s1600/Sideways.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFatP7-grXLGKHkgCHRU0l_UZObrSF_K9BGgLQeaNwd1M5IfJ4H7Zw22lG6NgC-KVPjPgvPFVXli0HbOz-bQWRprjAWjv5-o3s2inzzYTEIGaMSEUbkAICcUuRmTgdbsMGgg860NSMCBQ/s320/Sideways.png" width="229" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Alison
Arroway takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’. She has to, or she won’t get
paid. Alison is a stunt double for pampered teen actress Pomegranate and when
the director takes the shoot to Portugal, Alison is anything but thrilled to be
rooming with Pom. But getting to hang around teen hearthrob Erik? Now that’s a
plus. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Erik
invites both girls on a sunset boat trip and Alison manages to have a decent
time. Until the storm hits and the boat is shipwrecked on a small island,
leaving Erik missing and the boat captain dead. </span><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In
the morning light, Alison and Pom find themselves on the lost island of
Atlantis. Only one problem: now that the girls know the secret of the island,
the Atlanteans don’t want them to leave. They're stuck with corsets,
full-skirted dresses, and the strange steam-driven contraptions that are just a
way of life for the islanders.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When
a plot by the ruthless army Captain to take over the island and declare himself
General over all emerges, an underground group promises to return the girls to
the mainland if they can help stop him. They'll go through a mountain,
literally, to find the Book of Blue, a book that will explain how to make ‘the
stars fall sideways' in order to save the day and earn their freedom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">THE STARS FELL SIDEWAYS, a YA
Steampunkish fantasy, from MolliePup Press!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">How would you explain steampunk
to a reader who is unfamiliar with the term?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The basic gist of steampunk is
imagining a world where mechanical development stopped in the Victorian age with
steam-powered contraptions. There's also an undercurrent of questioning
authority and asserting your independence. Aesthetically it's about Victorian
garb--top hats, parasols, corsets, heeled shoes, etc--and decoratively it's
about cogs and gears, wood paneling, rivets, hodgepodge construction, reusing
the finite, etc. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Your
main character goes on a sunset boat trip with a hottie actor. If you
could go to sea with any actor, who would you choose?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Oh, wow... Um... ?? Hopefully one
that knows how to make the boat go, because I have no idea! How about Benedict
Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes? I feel like he'd know how things work, plus
he's nice to look at!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If
you could play any character from any book in the movie version, who would you
play? </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Hermione Granger! I'd get to play
with magic, Crookshanks, and I'd curl up with Neville Longbottom! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In
addition to writing, you work for a literary agency and do some freelance
editing. What are some of your tricks for balancing it all?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Scheduling, compartmentalizing,
and I stay in a lot. :)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Where
can we buy your book?</strong></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Paperback</span></b><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">ISBN: 978-0988264502 </span><br />
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">$9.99</span><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0988264501/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0988264501&linkCode=as2&tag=cassanmarsha-20"><span style="color: #2694ef; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Amazon</span></a> | <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3976432"><span style="color: #2694ef; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Createspace</span></a> | <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780988264502?aff=CassMarshall"><span style="color: #2694ef; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Indiebound</span></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Ebook</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">ISBN: 978-0988264526</span><br />
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">$3.99</span><span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #535353; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0099GYIBI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0099GYIBI&linkCode=as2&tag=cassanmarsha-20"><span style="color: #2694ef; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Amazon</span></a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-stars-fell-sideways-cassandra-marshall/1112847443"><span style="color: #2694ef; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Barnes &
Noble</span></a> | <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/234692"><span style="color: #2694ef; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Smashwords</span></a> | <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-stars-fell-sideways/id565183909?mt=11"><span style="color: #2694ef; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Apple
iBooks </span></a>| <a href="http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW00000234692/Marshall-Cassandra-The-Stars-Fell-Sideways/1.html"><span style="color: #2694ef; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Diesel</span></a>
|<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://ebookstore.sony.com/search?keyword=the+stars+fell+sideways"><span style="color: #2694ef; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Sony</span></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Signed print copies can also be purchased from
<a href="http://thestarsfellsideways.com/">thestarsfellsideways.com</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Thanks, Cassandra! I hope you sell a bajillion copies.</strong></span><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>And now for the giveaway: Cassandra is offering one first page critique (up to 250 words) and an e-copy of THE STARS FELL SIDEWAYS as prizes. To enter, leave a comment telling us who your favorite movie star is. Make sure I know how to email you in case your name is drawn! For an extra entry, tweet a link to this post with @LauraRenegar in it. I'll draw 2 winners (one for each prize) out of a hat after Halloween's midnight. Good luck!</strong></div>
Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-49436219274552046382012-10-08T09:12:00.000-07:002012-10-08T09:13:35.637-07:00And The Winner Is...All the entries to our BEING FRANK Birthday Contest had me giggling, but alas, there can only be one name drawn from the hat--although technically, I drew from an empty fruit roll-up box. The winner of Donna Earnhardt's fabulously funny picture book BEING FRANK is Maureen Wartski! Congratulations, Maureen! You will be getting an email soon so we can get your prize to your doorstep.<br />
<br />
If your name wasn't picked, you don't have to miss out. You can buy a copy of BEING FRANK at <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/being-frank-donna-earnhardt/1109673849?ean=9781936261192">Barnes and Noble</a> , Amazon, or your favorite bookstore. Thanks for visiting my blog and making it more fun with your comments!Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-91993316034103610052012-10-01T18:53:00.000-07:002012-10-01T18:53:21.951-07:00Being Frank Contest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdla39AaAkls12yGswjkJuLTGgozPqBi7lwJJu48LDpYUNYFxlVd1LhsUijJLpJPL00TNOnVVAm5ti4NpeIUAERJ2DZBYC9NbYAgDL-DSlS_9iRwr0mX766Adg-avJkaD8-7zXPAx3Fsc/s1600/Being+Frank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdla39AaAkls12yGswjkJuLTGgozPqBi7lwJJu48LDpYUNYFxlVd1LhsUijJLpJPL00TNOnVVAm5ti4NpeIUAERJ2DZBYC9NbYAgDL-DSlS_9iRwr0mX766Adg-avJkaD8-7zXPAx3Fsc/s400/Being+Frank.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Today is a special day! It's the book birthday for my good friend and wonderful critique partner Donna Earnhardt's funny picture book BEING FRANK. Frank is an honest kid, but alas! Frank has not learned to be tactful. Anyone know a kid like that? I bet a few adults come to mind too! So to celebrate BEING FRANK's birthday, we're going to give away a copy of this hilarious picture book to one commenter. Here's how to enter:<br />
<br />
Leave a comment below telling us about a time a kid you knew was a little too frank. You can have extra entries for sharing this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+. Just comment each time you share it with the link. As always, make sure I know how to get in touch with you if your name gets picked. We'll draw one lucky winner at noon EST on Friday, October 5th. This contest is open to U.S. entries only. Good luck!Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-25694061647735434262012-09-07T21:54:00.000-07:002012-09-07T21:54:46.413-07:00The Next Big Thing<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks to <a href="http://0.0.0.12/09/the-next-big-thing.html?spref=tw">Jaye Robin Brown</a> for tagging me in this fun post.
It gives me the chance to talk about the manuscript I'm querying and pass the microphone to some fellow writers to do the same. I'm tagging <a href="http://glimpsinggod.com/">Neely Simpson</a> , <a href="http://www.caenus.blogspot.com/">Chris Ledbetter</a> , <a href="http://wordwranglernc.wordpress.com/">Donna Earnhardt</a> , and <a href="http://www.cherylangst.com/">Cheryl Angst</a> in hopes that they'll answer these questions on their blogs too. No pressure.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. What is the working title of your book? INK<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2. Where did the idea come from the book? I was walking
around Southpoint Mall in Durham, NC. They have amazing statues of happy
children playing. My YA mind started churning about missing children instead. Warped,
right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3. What genre is your book? It's a Young Adult mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4. Which actors would you choose to play the characters in a
movie? I have no idea, but if we could work in a cameo for Matt Damon, I wouldn’t
complain. ;)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">5. What is a one sentence synopsis of your book? Fresh out
of juvie and living on the streets, Mazie is searching for the kidnapped
daughter of the firefighter that died in the flames Mazie started.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6. Will your book be self-published or repped by an agency? I’m
seeking representation for it and hope to see it traditionally published.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7. How long did it take you to finish your first draft? I
think the first draft took about 6 months. I worked my tail off. I have spent many
more months revising though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">8. What other books would you compare yours to in this
genre? I think INK would appeal to fans of fast-paced contemporary YA, such as
Lisa McMann’s WAKE trilogy. As for movies? It has a bit of a Shawshank
Redemption feel to it—especially at the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">9. Who or what inspired you to write this book? The story
just came to me. I did name an awesome character in honor of my favorite high
school teacher who passed away last year. I think she’d be pleased with her
namesake and hopefully with my story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">10. What else about your book might pique a reader's
interest? Much of the story takes place in and around a tattoo shop. I hung out
in one to do field research. Tattoos fascinate me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-88135430985256792272012-07-02T18:00:00.000-07:002012-07-02T18:02:20.923-07:00Pitching Plot Bunnies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurkYbeSrzfTDTPZFvi1mqYzYppow9q7atj_5q4lah_K0his1rIJzlzeOIUeufNkCeSaZfduZLTG0t2NMDYd7FlgCUnIORQEGoC_m-Zbfuy16xyvT6vfLCH1d10goMcFMs3CfvsmW8BoM/s1600/Summer+Paintings+2012+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurkYbeSrzfTDTPZFvi1mqYzYppow9q7atj_5q4lah_K0his1rIJzlzeOIUeufNkCeSaZfduZLTG0t2NMDYd7FlgCUnIORQEGoC_m-Zbfuy16xyvT6vfLCH1d10goMcFMs3CfvsmW8BoM/s200/Summer+Paintings+2012+009.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
You know that point when you've decided to eat healthy, and then McDonald's advertises their Rolo McFlurry? Sometimes that happens in my writing life too. Focus meets temptation. And temptation looks like a mighty sweet treat. Sometimes we dive into a manuscript and are making amazing progress when a plot bunny hops by and catches our interest. Plot bunnies are story ideas that pop into a writer's head and beg for attention. I'm not one to ignore a plot bunny. I might need that fellow when I finish my current WIP. My fabulous writer friend Donna Earnhardt has a July challenge perfect for rounding up those critters so they'll be there when you need them. Check out Donna's <a href="http://wordwranglernc.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/july-challenge/">Elevator Pitches Challenge</a> .Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-84842974112927654882012-06-06T12:42:00.000-07:002012-06-06T12:47:36.017-07:00The Agent Crush & Why You Should Play the Field<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When I married Scott, I thought my days
of crushes were over---well, not the celebrity crushes because we’re allowed to
keep five of those, right? But on my writer’s journey I’ve discovered a new
type of crush that brings back high school insecurities and squeezes my
heart in an equally intense way. The Agent Crush. It’s inevitable that as we’re
researching to find the best agent for our book someone wonderful will
make our hearts cry “If only.” We’re checking websites and blogs and
interviews. We’re watching Querytracker to see how they respond to other
writers. And then there’s Twitter—a social network that helps us hang on their
every word. *sigh* </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For me, one of the toughest things about
starting the querying process was querying the second agent. You see, I’m a
loyal gal. When I commit to someone, I quit looking for other options. But
here’s the thing: Until an agent has committed to you, it’s wise to “play the
field.” Here’s why: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Self-Preservation.
You’re not going to give up if your top choice rejects you. There are other
agents in the literary sea, and it will be balm to your soul to have seen that
for yourself if a rejection letter pops up in your inbox.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Choices.
One of the advantages in sending out simultaneous submissions (querying more
than one agency at the same time with the same manuscript) is the possibility
of having more than one offer of representation. Talking to the agents will give you a feel for their level of enthusiasm
for your manuscript. The fabulous agent to your favorite author may feel a little “Meh”
about your writing and may not make selling it as much of a priority. A newer
agent may be bursting at the seams to unleash your masterpiece.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Finding
an agent (for most writers) is a slow process. Sometimes it will be months before
you hear back from someone. Sometimes you won’t hear back at all. You owe it to
your manuscript…you owe it to the kid waiting to read your book to
get your work in the hands of more than one possibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So go ahead, doodle your favorite
agent’s name in gel pen on your hot pink Post-it notes. There’s no
judgment here. But keep your options open. There may be an agent of awesome
waiting in the wings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">How do you handle agent crushes? Comment
below to share. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-90114106097284947422012-05-17T07:40:00.000-07:002012-05-17T07:40:57.455-07:00Capilocks and the Three Critique Partners<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGpn1xW7nOesC-64yOvv3nMG4kkwDPWf-moXPnyZzMqWWPxPziQZLqncawLSYH2fmpGLX9gW70m-M9pA1yB4_4AJxuuGtnxKIjQeof2VV7gXxtf51XMJysTGYDrE8YB3Uq8MA-GrIfr8/s1600/Cottage+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGpn1xW7nOesC-64yOvv3nMG4kkwDPWf-moXPnyZzMqWWPxPziQZLqncawLSYH2fmpGLX9gW70m-M9pA1yB4_4AJxuuGtnxKIjQeof2VV7gXxtf51XMJysTGYDrE8YB3Uq8MA-GrIfr8/s320/Cottage+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Once upon a time, there lived a young
writer with stories worth gold bouncing from her head. She dreamed of an
amazing house—a publishing house that would take her manuscript all the way to
Happily Ever After. So after Capilocks trudged through the Forest of Revision, she
set out to find a critique partner that was juuuuuuust right.</span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The first partner she found was a tough
one. He flashed his red Sharpie and laughed a maniacal laugh as he slayed each
sentence and made them his own. He belittled her ideas, told her to only write
to the trends, and tweeted mean things about her crappy first drafts. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Capilocks shuddered. “This relationship is too hard.” She wished him well, gathered her tattered ego, and backed away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The next partner she found was quite
cuddly. She dotted her I’s with smileys and hearts, embraced every adverb, and
proclaimed, “Brilliant! Send it!” whenever Capilocks scribbled out a new
manuscript on the back of a phone message. Capilocks liked this new partner.
She never criticized and always encouraged, but Capilocks' stories were still rather suckish.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“This critiquer is too soft,” she said.
Capilocks looked around for someone new.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At last, she landed in a relationship
with a fabulous writer and caring soul—someone who wanted her to succeed, but
wasn’t afraid to ask tough questions. Someone who encouraged her voice, but hid
the postage stamps and guarded the send button until manuscripts were polished
and prime.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“This critique relationship is just
right,” said Capilocks. And it was.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve been blessed to work with some
amazing critique partners and dodged a few that didn’t work for me. Where do
you go to find great critique partners? Do you ever
find it’s tough to critique in a way that’s juuuuust right? Please share in the
comments below.</span></div>Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-60130686226050425442012-05-03T09:26:00.000-07:002012-05-06T14:29:03.543-07:00Surviving The Wait<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You hit send. And so it begins. The waiting. You
check your sent folder. Yep. It’s gone. Now what? Do you spend the rest of your
days hitting F5 to refresh your inbox? If you don’t at least feel the pull, I
question your humanity. But you know, there’s no guarantee of a response. So here are ten different things you can do while waiting.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">10. Be a kid again. Go down a slide head first. Blow
bubbles. Color a picture. Walk on your hands in the swimming pool. Do something
fun, and practice not caring what anyone thinks about it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">9. Find fun songs about waiting & sing them
loudly as you drive through town with your windows down and your hair
tangling in the breeze. We writers don’t have to look like soccer moms, you
know.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">8. Volunteer. Come out of your writer’s cave and see
what cause needs some love. Tutor a kid. Help out in an animal shelter. Serve
others at a soup kitchen. It will help put things in perspective again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">7. Ketchup. No wait, I meant catch up. That laundry
pile looming and threatening to bury you in your sleep? The kitchen floor
confettied with Goldfish crackers and Cheerios? Take charge of it before
paranormal elements emerge. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">6. Create flash fiction. Can you write a mini story?
There are some fun contests out there with prompts and prizes to get you
started.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">5. Let out that nervous energy in a way that feeds
your soul. If it’s running, run. If it’s playing guitar, strum. If it’s
dancing, twirl. Your family will thank you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4. Create a spreadsheet. When responses come in, you’ll
want to keep good records so you'll know who you sent what and how they responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3. Read. Read for fun. Let a stranger’s story dance
in your head. And when you finish that book? Read another one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2. Plot, plan, dream. Start thinking about your next
writing project. It’s time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Write
something new.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So what do you do when the waiting starts? Comment below
and let us know.</span></div>Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-54432380357435121012012-04-23T10:43:00.000-07:002012-04-23T10:43:31.955-07:00Query Flops Contest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfqvOi7YzxuEplM3FVoWbG2jAcd9lv4VVbqHBpi4NOXIZhZXX8gVuIqGNkDnVRqsA922bQLOxhldQqAWh0IOpbzMgK9AcrBy6l5IgZ_PrMVofiucNhy4EPqs7NZtEIh4P_3xjUCryYh4/s1600/Laura+and+Donna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfqvOi7YzxuEplM3FVoWbG2jAcd9lv4VVbqHBpi4NOXIZhZXX8gVuIqGNkDnVRqsA922bQLOxhldQqAWh0IOpbzMgK9AcrBy6l5IgZ_PrMVofiucNhy4EPqs7NZtEIh4P_3xjUCryYh4/s200/Laura+and+Donna.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After years of tweeting with each other, Donna
Earnhardt and I finally met IRL (in real life) in March. She is every bit as
fabulous and funny in person as she is online. One of the things that got us
especially giggly was remembering and retelling some of the blunders of our
submissions past. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You see, the more I learn, the more I learn I have
to learn. If you’ve been seeking publication for a while, go back and look at
your first letter to an agent or editor. *shudders* It’s bad, right? The more
you follow agents and editors on Twitter and their blogs, the more you learn about
how to make your submissions more professional.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With that in mind, I’m having a contest to celebrate
our flops! What did you do when querying (We’ll all assume it was a very long
time ago) that you wish you could take back? Make up the name of the agent or
editor involved—we don’t really want it popping up in their Google alerts, do
we? Then tell us what you learned from your mistake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On Friday, April 27<sup>th</sup>, I will put the
names of the brave souls that entered into a hat and let my youngest pick a winner.
One winner will win a pair of Old Navy flip flops, so
you’ll know we are thankful you’ve learned from the flops of your past. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be sure to include your email address or
Twitter handle if I can’t find it through clicking on your name. U.S. entries
only, please.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-30786927034724106982012-03-15T07:11:00.000-07:002012-03-15T07:11:24.849-07:00When Books Hit the Big Screen<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XCG5V7wsiiEbVLXbIhVYEEMCpB1jiYqj-WHsmk-aDPQ1QXcWa3jCz1iOK3U2Dy2uLOeaT5sijRD-dlYREHWPtJJArx10p0UYys42hxvdet27TcjKN7edJbZt2Qpf9kw8hiccBwPq7lo/s1600/HG+shirt+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XCG5V7wsiiEbVLXbIhVYEEMCpB1jiYqj-WHsmk-aDPQ1QXcWa3jCz1iOK3U2Dy2uLOeaT5sijRD-dlYREHWPtJJArx10p0UYys42hxvdet27TcjKN7edJbZt2Qpf9kw8hiccBwPq7lo/s200/HG+shirt+004.JPG" width="148" /></a>I am beyond excited about The Hunger Games movie. I devoured all three books in the series and love that it was filmed in North Carolina. If it wasn't for my "mom duties," I would have camped out, swung from trees, or whatever else it might have taken to land a part as an extra.<br />
<br />
All this has me thinking about other books that became movies. We readers have great expectations and clear pictures in our heads, so I'm curious which ones worked for you. Two of my favorites were The Princess Bride and The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. I've read both books too many times to count and was amazed at how brilliantly the story on the big screen reflected the one I'd grown to love.<br />
<br />
What about you? What are your favorite book to big screen transformations? Will you be standing in line to see The Hunger Games on opening night? Comment and let us know!Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306186825446650263.post-91368829724680438912011-12-30T20:12:00.000-08:002011-12-30T20:12:44.960-08:00Keeping It Real in FictionI love words. Printed words. Cursive ones. Spoken words. Whispered ones. The different heights and shapes of their letters. The things words get your mouth and tongue to do. The way words can make someone feel powerful, or peaceful, or loved. <br />
<br />
One of my favorite words I learned in college was verisimilitude. We were talking about ROBINSON CRUSOE at the time. Verisimilitude is when a character or event in a story seems real because of the details given. These can be obvious details, like when you open the refrigerator door you feel a cool burst of air as the light turns on. <br />
<br />
But with characters, I think they sometimes become more real when the details are unexpected. Like when the southern mom makes lousy sweet tea or the boxer is terrified of butterflies and views them as flying worms. <br />
<br />
This doesn't mean writers should be inconsistant with their characters' characteristics. If your main character is a vegetarian, they shouldn't eat steak. But throwing in a few quirky details breathes life into characters and keeps them from seeming too flat or <span style="font-family: inherit;">clich</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">é</span></span>.<br />
<br />
Even if I didn't love the meaning of verisimilitude (which I do), I like the way it feels to say it. It makes your mouth do that thing it does when you silently mock someone who is lecturing you. You do that too, right?<br />
<br />
So what words do you love? It doesn't have to be a literary word-- just any old word that makes your heart happy. Please share a favorite in the comment section.Laura Renegarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358430748573154607noreply@blogger.com15