It's Friday Night and I'm...Vlogging?!?

I've started to stress eat...I am excited and terrified for the Spooktacular Pitch Extravaganza starting tomorrow...

*breathes into paper bag* THE ODDS WERE IN MY FAVOR!!!

So last night I decided to enter a lottery for Jamie Corrigan's Spooktacular Pitch Contest at LITERALLY the eleventh hour.  The entry window was only open for, like, one more hour and I thought, "Hey, just go ahead and throw your name in - there are already around 740 entries, and only 50 people get picked, so what the heck, might as well try.  It's not like you have a history of winning anything, anyways."

I talked myself into entering the lottery, and went to bed, not thinking too much about it (truthfully, I was more excited to see who got picked, in case I recognized anyone else's names on the list - I love cheering people on!).

Then I woke up this morning, and hopped on over to Jamie's blog to see who the lucky, lucky people are.

And what did I see when I scrolled down to the bottom of the list?!?

YEAH THATS RIGHT MY NAME

I'm the fifth one from the bottom.

And 

I

flipped

out.

Like, seriously, I almost upended my cereal bowl, and pretty much dance floated to my car.  After an awesome 3-line pitch critique from my CP, I sent my submission in, and now I get to wait for Saturday to roll around...'cause then the real fun begins!

Keep your fingers crossed for me, friends!  If you want to see how the scoring system works, or get more contest deets, click here!  This is one time where I'm actually looking forward to getting egged and TP'd!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

In which I defend teens...

This blog post has been brewing in my head all day...which pretty much means that I've been mad ALL DAY.

Why have I been so irate?  Well, during a conversation with another writer friend this morning, something a third party said was brought up and it was terribly offensive to a) teens b) anyone who's ever been a teen c) people who aren't so far removed from their teen years (like me).

What was this comment, you may ask?  Well, it was something to the effect of:

"Kids today (teens) don't care about anything and YA should be dumbed down because of their lack of wanting to read anything of substance."

That was paraphrased, obviously.

As someone who reads (and writes) YA, obviously I had ALL THE FEELINGS when I came across this blasé statement about "today's youth."

One of the main reasons was my age.

Dear, dear interwebs, I'd like to declare a truth to you.

I AM TWENTY TWO YEARS OLD.

I'm about to be 23 (in one week!), and although it's been a while since my high school days, it's not that hard for me to remember the really good times (all of the musicals we did/were able to see on Broadway) and all of the really awkward, somewhat bad times (but hey, they happen to everyone).

You know what I also remember?

How much my classmates cared.  About each other, about our school, even about our terrible football team.

But you know what else they cared about?

Current Events

Politics/Elections (I was a sophomore in high school during the 2004 election, so...yeah)

Hurricane Katrina/relief efforts

Reading every damn book out there.

Learning, understanding the world, understanding ourselves.

Trying to get into a good college/figuring out what to do with our lives.

Giving back to the community.

Some of my most vivid high school memories revolved around the 2004 election.  Our teachers engaged us in discussions about what the issues were and what the candidates stood for.  For our AP Government class, we were required to attend a political party meeting or volunteer for a campaign.  We had to write reports on political broadcasts and shows, and had civil, thoughtful debates in class.

That election is what actually made me care about politics.  Going through that class, I decided that I wanted to be informed.  I wanted to vote (and I was mad that, at 15, I would have to wait three more years to do so).  But it wasn't just me.  My point is that all of my classmates were engaged - and still are engaged - in political conversations and are mindful of our civic duties - and it all started in our teen years.

In English class, we poured over Tolstoy, Shakespeare, Morrison, Hurston, Orwell, Huxley and many, many others.  We thoughtfully critiqued these works, and, although some of us cared more for certain authors than others, we all cared about what we were reading.  We all wanted to understand it.  And we all wanted more.

We also were/are dedicated to giving back to others through community service.  I loved it so much in high school that, for college, I went to an undergraduate institution with the motto of "Ut Prosim" - which means "That I May Serve."  When we weren't working on homework, or rehearsing for musicals/plays/band competitions/practicing to be Women's Basketball State Champs (yeah that happened and it was awesome!), we were doing community service, or working at grocery stores to help support single parent families, or trying so, so, so hard to be perfect - never realizing that "perfect" is this imaginary thing that will never, ever exist.

My point with this rant is that I remember what it's like to be a teen.  It can sometimes be confusing and scary to realize "Oh, shit.  I'm going to college soon/not going to college and will have to get a job/I have no idea what I'm going to do with my life."  It's overwhelming to know that you have your whole life in front of you.  And then, when everyone constantly asks what your plan is, and stand there with or without any kind of solid answer, life can be equal parts frustrating and terrifying.

Although I am a few years removed from teen-dom, I'm going to just get out there and say it.

I write YA because I think teens are awesome.

I write YA because I remember what it's like to be a teen.

I write YA because I want to help others (and myself) make sense of this often senseless world.

Something that's bothered me lately is when I hear people say that they've decided to write YA because it's "hot/what will sell/etc."  Every time I hear this, I have to fight the urge to shake these people.  In my humble opinion, I think you should write what you love, because you love it.  Yeah, being published would be awesome.  But what's the point in reaching your goals if you do it half-heartedly?  If you're not putting your heart and soul into something, I know, I KNOW teens will be smart enough to see right through it.  

And the same goes with being "preachy" because you want to teach teens "good morals" or whatever other reason people give for doing something like that.  

Instead, I encourage you to write something meaningful. Write something that will help someone see things through another lens, or help someone cope through a difficult time, get them to think through a tough decision, or show them that it's ok to make mistakes.  Write about what it means to be human, - to grow, to grieve, to succeed, to fail.  Write because people out there (especially teens) LOVE to read.  

My only caveat is that you don't write down to anyone.  Because, while teens (and all other ages groups) LOVE to read, they LOVE to read things that make them think, that are worthwhile, that are meant for them.

At my high school, we all craved well-constructed escapes from different pressures.  Whether someone was wondering if her mom was going to make it through chemotherapy, struggling to maintain their valedictorian status, or understanding why their parents were getting a divorce, we all had something to get through.  We all needed someway to cope.  

But, most of all, we just wanted to know that someone cared.

I write YA because I care.  And if I'm able to make one small difference in someone's life, then I think I'll have done my job right.

So to Hell with writing something because you want to be the next "Hunger Games" or "Twilight."  And to Hell with the ridiculous generalization that teens are totally apathetic towards everything and DON'T CARE about what they read.  They do care about the world and the things happening in it.

And, as YA writers, we should care that they care.

So, if you write something, write something that will speak to teens.  TO them.  Not AT them.  Write something that you love, and are proud of. 

Because chances are if you love it, they will too  :)

In which I awkwardly attempt to Vlog...

Yeah, I did it.

I tried to Vlog.

Nothing interesting happens, but I'll post it because I can.

So, if you'd like to hear about my day, or waste about one minute and twenty five seconds, click on ye olde video clip!

**actual post with substance coming soon to a screen near you**

Get Your Pitch On - Workshop for THE AWAKENING

Here's my workshop for Vicki Orians' THE AWAKENING

Un-marked version:

After witnessing her best friend’s death, sixteen-year-old Anna Talbot is kidnapped and sent to another world where dark, fairytale creatures roam free and people with freaky abilities claim to be part of her past – like her brother or her gorgeous best friend.  

When learning the truth, Anna discovers she alone holds the key to finding the one with the powers to stop her own uncle from destroying everything – if he doesn’t get to her first.

My thoughts, still in this beigy-color.

After witnessing her best friend’s death, sixteen-year-old Anna Talbot (woohoo age and name!) is kidnapped and sent to another world. where A world where dark, fairytale creatures roam free and people with freaky abilities claim to be part of her past – like her brother or her gorgeous best friend (This was one long sentence, so I tried to split it up as best as I could.  I'm sure you can make it sound better!  Also, is the best friend she meets in the new world the same best friend that just died?!?).  

I'm kind of confused by the last part of this paragraph.  Did she know these people with freaky abilities before she crossed over?  I assume so, since it's her brother and best friend, BUT from the way it's worded, it sounds like she's just met them when she crosses into that world.

When learning the truth (learning the truth about what? the world? the people with abilities?  the gorgeous best friend?), Anna discovers she alone holds the key to finding the one with the powers to stop her own uncle from destroying everything – if he doesn’t get to her first (ok, I get what you're saying here but the wording is kind of confusing.  For example, I don't know if the uncle is trying to get to Anna first or the "one" with the powers who can defeat him.  And I'm also wondering why she holds the key.  What's the key?).

My re-worked version:

After witnessing her best friend's death, sixteen year-old Anna Talbot is kidnapped and sent to another world.  A world where dark fairytale creatures roam free and people with freaky abilities claim to be part of her past - like her brother or her gorgeous best friend.  The same best friend who just died (if they are the same person...like I said, I was confused!).

While navigating this strange new world, Anna discovers that only she can find the (insert name of one-with-powers here - like if your story has a name for them like "The War-Winner" or something) because (insert why she can do this).  If she's unable to find the (one with the powers) in time, her uncle (does her uncle have a title?  If he's not mentioned earlier, this might be an unnecessary detail.  Calling him "The Bad King" or whatever his title is could be just as effective) may destroy everything.

Random thoughts:

I think the story you have sounds quite intriguing, and I love YA Paranormal, so I would definitely read this!  That said, questions abound!  Did her brother die, too, and is that why he's in this world?  What are the fairytale creatures?  Like actual fairy tales?  Or do you mean ogres and trolls and whatnot?  'Cause if you mean the latter, I would just say "monsters" or "ogres" - the way it reads now, I'm expecting to run into an evil Red Riding Hood, or something like that.  

Finally, don't be afraid to un-vague things up!  Throw more details in there, and watch the lengthy sentences, because that can get confusing to the readers.

I do love this, though!  All of my comments are purely my opinions, so feel free to use as little or as many of my suggestions as you like!  I'd be happy to look at your re-worked pitch!

Good luck to you :)

My Falling for Fiction Critique :)

Hello all!

So you may have noticed the Falling for Fiction badge on the side of my blog - they're a site that I love following, because they offer critiques to writers - for anything!  Have a query you can't get through?  Does a scene still sound wrong after you've re-written it 50 times?  Send it to them and they can help you out!

A couple of weeks ago, I sent something in for critique and it's now live for the whole internet to see!  Without any further ado, here's the link to Jenny Morris's critique of my first 250 words!  Pop on over and leave a comment and/or follow this awesome blog :)

And while you're clicking on links, do go here and leave some feedback for FAKE, Beck's workshopped piece for the up-coming Get Your Pitch On contest!  Help a fellow-writer out, friends!

Happy Tuesday!

Get Your Pitch On - Workshop for FAKE

Here is the Pitch On Workshop submission for FAKE J

If you want to see the other blogs hosting workshops, click here!

I’m taking a page out of the wonderful Falling for Fiction ladies and editing with my comments in another color!

Name: Beck Nicholas
Country of residence: Australia
Title: FAKE
Genre: Contemporary
Word-count: 72000
Pitch: When the new girl, Lana, publicly steals 16-year-old Kath’s dream date, she's humiliated. She plots revenge with her best friend, seducing Lana with a fake online guy. Everything’s going to plan until Kath begins to fall for Lana’s brother, Sebastian. When Lana goes missing, supposedly with her new boyfriend, Sebastian’s determined to discover who’s messing with his little sister. Kath has the answers, but the truth could lose her everything.

So, here are my thoughts in this beige-y color.

If Kath is your main character, I would rearrange the first sentence. 

Sixteen year-old Kath (last name) is publicly humiliated when her dream date gets stolen by the new girl, Lana.When the new girl, Lana, publicly steals 16-year-old Kath’s dream date, she's humiliated. To get revenge, Kath and her best friend She plots revenge with her best friend, seduce Lana with a fake online guy. (I thought this made it flow a little better).  Everything ‘s going according to plan (This is kind of a cliché.)  Their plan works – until   until Kath begins to fall for Lana’s brother, Sebastian  - and Lana goes missing. When Lana goes missing, Supposedly with her new boyfriend. Sebastian’s determined to discover who’s messing with his little sister(you set the stakes here, which is nice BUT I would like to know more about what “messing with” means.  Does Sebastian know that his sister’s boyfriend is fake? Was he suspicious of said boy from the get-go?), and Kath has the answers. But the truth could lose her everything(I get what you’re trying to say here, but I don’t know if that’s actually a phrase).  But if she chooses to tell the truth, she may lose everything.  ( I re-worded it to make her dilemma a little clearer.)

Overall, I LOVE this pitch!  I think your story sounds fascinating, and I really want to read more :)  I think it just needs a little bit more about Sebastian’s motivations, because I’m not sure if he’s just being a protective big brother, or if he knows that Lana’s boyfriend is a fake.  This could also help ramp up the stakes!  Also, are there other consequences to her telling the truth besides losing Sebastian?  And is Lana’s disappearance more sinister than this pitch makes it sound?  I’m not sure if she just popped over for an imaginary day-trip, or if she got kidnapped, etc.

And, as always, my suggestions are completely subjective!  You can change as much or as little as you want!

Here is my re-worked pitch:

Sixteen year-old Kath (last name) is publicly humiliated when her dream date gets stolen by the new girl, Lana.  To get revenge, Kath and her best friend seduce Lana with a fake online guy.  Their plan works – until Kath begins to fall for Lana’s brother, Sebastian – and Lana goes missing.  Supposedly with her new boyfriend.  Sebastian’s determined to discover who’s messing with his little sister, and Kath has the answers.  But if she chooses to tell the truth, she may lose everything.