tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53675631841493511332024-03-17T08:41:50.598-07:00Kym Brunner - Bestselling Suspense AuthorHe who digs a pit will fall into it. Kym Brunnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16862135756476110344noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-84546395207363001812022-01-19T19:33:00.010-08:002022-05-11T12:06:50.287-07:00INSANE SETTINGS FOR NOVELS<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">Writing suspenseful stories often leads me to investigating creepy places and gruesome stories of real events. Oftentimes what the adage said is true: real life is often scarier than a fictional world.</span></p><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">Blame my interest in the macabre on not having YA books when I was a middle-schooler. Faced with reading sweet boring books with no violence, sex, or s</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">wearing (boring), I turned to Stephen King to get a taste of something scary and different, and of course, spine-tingling.</span><div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">At the head of the creepy list: insane asylums. Now they're called "psychiatric hospitals," but until 1970, people were packed off</span></span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">and put away in scary buildings for the mentally ill. Places that looked like this..</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXavmeLkEdT5HpFVuy9_Ojepiq1ihcz29ZJnAtFCHRO7ncnNZjYC6XlZhakMcdVNGlPX4Hp-RcRykrpjULuhBqOK8TGMSgZk4kViLr-UdSQdgwHT4DP9MUtiKPgAyyTSCIP0tSivF4O4fY_w9NEg75mPN_aGYhqVq3NEqg8I5mrx5yl9J0zkC79FcnTw=s900" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="900" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXavmeLkEdT5HpFVuy9_Ojepiq1ihcz29ZJnAtFCHRO7ncnNZjYC6XlZhakMcdVNGlPX4Hp-RcRykrpjULuhBqOK8TGMSgZk4kViLr-UdSQdgwHT4DP9MUtiKPgAyyTSCIP0tSivF4O4fY_w9NEg75mPN_aGYhqVq3NEqg8I5mrx5yl9J0zkC79FcnTw=w220-h154" width="220" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">An 18th century "hospital" in Paris, France chained mentally ill women to posts. (Yikes!)</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br /><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">The first US psychiatric institution- early 19th century</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQf14NvhaYaEY76Zzx_yWCdkChK2jF_oXh7U6oe7fjWxEHc2307VbuuQ6_xF-JMsfi3lCAYuTiCgGxmqyn3yHLyaR7YeNe3w6xdffkZPjU5H5DTPSHS0k7OpgiU7uONKVMdg3QaNFt8vo0KCM6VPQiAS1ZmFjT3cFMBNol4B3AyX3YYMcaMQ1xE1HQAg=s916" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="916" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQf14NvhaYaEY76Zzx_yWCdkChK2jF_oXh7U6oe7fjWxEHc2307VbuuQ6_xF-JMsfi3lCAYuTiCgGxmqyn3yHLyaR7YeNe3w6xdffkZPjU5H5DTPSHS0k7OpgiU7uONKVMdg3QaNFt8vo0KCM6VPQiAS1ZmFjT3cFMBNol4B3AyX3YYMcaMQ1xE1HQAg=w197-h159" width="197" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">Blackwell Island's Lunatic Asylum (their words, not mine!) in New York</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><img alt="" border="0" loading="lazy" src="https://imgprx.livejournal.net/41edf641ef5a52564317b7cc1e9b5d43ddcf29ec/mV_sUJM0Dddfke6bya-Z4le9WcIDRXiGLASugeivSXpysW2khpOgjCHpt_dgxBb6k1QYz7uooHCnl_gBd4tc6JwzZc_GjyLR1wg5qTmsv5yept25AsVHwCpnHE691bLIJHTB1cOcb47BTAc8T0UMNQdZBpfttBSdm8mSKSpNSqkpU8LE5B9LYF_Up4RIjK9DVmwwkVQCi2bGI-UDlU38fA58D6DyhlCElkcjCOEjTes" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px; height: auto; line-height: inherit; max-width: 100%;" title="" width="300" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">Women doing laundry at the Texas State Lunatic Asylum, 1898</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">(I'm pretty sure doing laundry 24-7 would make me a bit insane too.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0J-ZeGi6mtJqELOF2WSEiWjpfQcLTlYKAeAlsIhjdmYQLTc5xY9bDz-AEdLKbjJnjWq4J8AbXGI7PzONbb3n9lZ0y7MzzD9xIWhTfL3JA-l3opTFTxDTjX8trQT9IF8KGQtLNlyve67C4sZkFHg9xpUecX9100ZklOWZKH38jbq7F8rOViGbTeYHZ/s685/alfred-eisenstaedt-time-life-pictures-getty-images-1938-pilgrim-state-hospital-1938-men.png" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="685" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0J-ZeGi6mtJqELOF2WSEiWjpfQcLTlYKAeAlsIhjdmYQLTc5xY9bDz-AEdLKbjJnjWq4J8AbXGI7PzONbb3n9lZ0y7MzzD9xIWhTfL3JA-l3opTFTxDTjX8trQT9IF8KGQtLNlyve67C4sZkFHg9xpUecX9100ZklOWZKH38jbq7F8rOViGbTeYHZ/s320/alfred-eisenstaedt-time-life-pictures-getty-images-1938-pilgrim-state-hospital-1938-men.png" width="320" /></span></a></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Pilgrim</span> <span>State Hospital - 1938</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: x-small;">(Straight jackets...do they still use these things?!?)</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><img alt="" border="0" loading="lazy" src="https://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/st%20kevs/Hellsm.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px; height: auto; line-height: inherit; max-width: 100%;" title="" width="300" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">St Kevin's Psychiatric Hospital - Cork, Ireland</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">Closed down in 2002. Doesn't look too inviting to me...</span></span><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">If the people weren't crazy when they went in these places, I'm sure the deplorable conditions once they arrived made them go insane. What places </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">scare you the most? Graveyards? Dark alleys? Caves? Under your bed? Leave me a comment about your scariest places or </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">experiences so I can incorporate some of your ideas into my next book. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">I live between a lake and a forest, and have to admit, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">hearing a coyote howl nearby is pretty scary––-especially when accompanied by a victory song of several coyotes celebrating a kill. Be sure to look for scary settings in my future novels.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">'Til next time,</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px;">KYM</span></span></div></div></div></div>Kym Brunnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16862135756476110344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-36104483853334039332020-10-24T16:40:00.003-07:002020-10-24T16:56:50.310-07:00The Legend of Sleepy Old-Fashioneds<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEinj73fU0M2DTmfEyvhXYocH0kAWwDsSm39-Zp5p-47lAaNKAx3gWbDZNYu1pgSDMl5l1oXDCEkpCPzRPa7cmvCPkzqpq0BxLxPblta_h5RbULlF_y53zz8l7RUuIgrm6m0jdDpbHU92E/s2048/IMG_2766.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEinj73fU0M2DTmfEyvhXYocH0kAWwDsSm39-Zp5p-47lAaNKAx3gWbDZNYu1pgSDMl5l1oXDCEkpCPzRPa7cmvCPkzqpq0BxLxPblta_h5RbULlF_y53zz8l7RUuIgrm6m0jdDpbHU92E/s320/IMG_2766.JPG" /></a></div><p>I tasted my first old-fashioned only about two years ago. They're very popular in Wisconsin (where one of my daughters lives) and she encouraged me to try one. Hello, instant convert! </p><p>I guess I was reluctant because I always thought it was an old man's drink filled with sherry and vermouth, maybe with raw squid and olive on a skewer?</p><p>WRONG!</p><p>The basic old-fashioned is bourbon (a kind of particular whiskey...), water, bitters, and sugar. </p><p>SIMPLE TO MAKE, BUT THE TASTE IS DELIGHTFULLY COMPLEX AND SASSY!</p><p>Even better, there are dozens of variations of the old-fashioned, which is where the fun comes in. You can substitute spiced rum (another love of mine) for the bourbon, flavored sparkling water for plain, flavored bitters for traditional, and Stevia, cherries, or other sweetener instead of sugar. Another cool thing to do is mull (grind the hell out of) some cherries or other fruit in the bottom of the glass before you pour the bourbon on top. (Sidenote: dark red cherries in a can are the bomb!)</p><p>I was never a true whiskey lover per se (drank too much Jack Daniel's once in my early 20's and then somehow my alcohol brain remembers and rejects it), but I'm learning to try new flavors and mixers.</p><p>The one pictured above is a Peachy Old-Fashioned.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Southern Comfort (my fave b/c it's on the sweeter side)</li><li>Fee Brothers Peach bitters</li><li>Klarbrunn sparkling peach mango soda</li><li>Door County Sour Cherries </li><li>ice</li></ul><div>Perfect for a "bitter"sweet fall day that tastes like a sip of autumn. Also a perfect cozy drink for reading by a fire. Cheers!</div><div><br /></div><div>Til next time,</div><div>Kym</div><p></p>Kym Brunnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16862135756476110344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-77071606727992115212019-12-22T11:27:00.001-08:002019-12-26T04:57:01.293-08:00To Newbie or Not New Be?That is the question. It's a toughie, too.<br />
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After fifteen years of writing kidlit (mostly YA), I'm officially writing a suspenseful crime fiction novel for ADULTS! Loving the change and it feels like a great fit. But...on the other hand...I'm feeling like I'm starting all over again.<br />
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Some of the reasons I decided to take the plunge?<br />
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First of all, I LOVE watching LIVE PD, Fear Thy Neighbor, 48 Hours, and anything else on ID Network. I feel like I've got police procedural down enough to make it feel right. Lots more to learn, but having a blast figuring it all out.<br />
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Plus, the character I'm writing feels super real to me. She's overweight, worried about everything, and is flawed. VERY flawed. But I love all of her crazy naughtiness and odd quirks. Granted, not everyone will like her, but that's just like real life.<br />
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So yes, though I feel like I'm out of my element, and quite like a newbie who just moved across the country (like in my favorite Christmas move, The Holiday), can I say I'm loving the experience?<br />
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NEWBIE or not to be? Not even a question.<br />
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Have you ever changed genres or the intended age of your readers? Any advice for making the transition smoother? Answer here or at my<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kymbrunnerauthor/" target="_blank"> Facebook Author Page. </a><br />
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Til next time,<br />
KymKym Brunnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16862135756476110344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-16442478998033465992019-01-27T11:21:00.002-08:002019-01-27T11:22:01.720-08:002019 Reading Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x7dPW5vPKclN7nZHalN_4aa2sB6w4ZhJDYf4mcApI5oaACk-YV3ffBs1FjLfiYarLeXLUohhl3D9z2xZ1_aHTdkq4sNJg_Kg9mUKRwNUjMLWZhwK3VcrJ2XY5Cm6_SzrW3XW10wg_IM/s1600/87034043-0BAE-459C-800A-51F3A1F1FC2A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="712" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x7dPW5vPKclN7nZHalN_4aa2sB6w4ZhJDYf4mcApI5oaACk-YV3ffBs1FjLfiYarLeXLUohhl3D9z2xZ1_aHTdkq4sNJg_Kg9mUKRwNUjMLWZhwK3VcrJ2XY5Cm6_SzrW3XW10wg_IM/s640/87034043-0BAE-459C-800A-51F3A1F1FC2A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am! Ever since I moved last summer and now have to drive 25 minutes instead of 5 to work every day (I know...crazy, right?), I've been reading (okay...listening to) a book every other week.<br />
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I love Audible books, but I find that I often get in a rut, reading the same type of story for many months in a row, and then I get burned out on it. As a writer, I start to see what they mean about avoiding common tropes. <a href="https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Tropes">COMMON TROPES</a>, Makes me want to scream when I figure out the ending when I'm only one-third into the story. It's always my goal to write stories that surprise readers.<br />
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My challenge to myself is to mix things up as far as my reading list. Here are some of my ideas:<br />
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<ul>
<li>A book by a debut author</li>
<li>One in a genre that I'm not familiar with</li>
<li>An award winner</li>
<li>A classic</li>
<li>A non-fiction motivational book</li>
<li>One written by a known comedian</li>
</ul>
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Got any suggestions? What's on YOUR challenge list?</div>
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Til next time (hopefully it won't be as long as the last time!),</div>
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KYM</div>
Kym Brunnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969710776263109106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-88219147208490784112017-04-22T06:12:00.000-07:002017-04-22T06:12:24.114-07:00CHICAGO YA BOOK FEST - April 22nd!Oh man, I love being invited to author events!<br />
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Even though I have three books out, sometimes I still feel like an imposter. It's always fun to talk about writing and the evolution of my stories and to just hang out with some literary giants. I'll be fangirling all over the place today. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEDWOXTjl4-mxEVTF9Fe8ZcYeksRekvvaGs2ZoQosrthbZVDy8kiEE3orRVmDTVElrz57ZZEvqh8gbb6LCcplCAyr_66yEEZNsZaPfOTsKd-vHBu-7u0El-qvNDI7d1ZUU7QNBzVzt6QZ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-22+at+7.26.35+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEDWOXTjl4-mxEVTF9Fe8ZcYeksRekvvaGs2ZoQosrthbZVDy8kiEE3orRVmDTVElrz57ZZEvqh8gbb6LCcplCAyr_66yEEZNsZaPfOTsKd-vHBu-7u0El-qvNDI7d1ZUU7QNBzVzt6QZ/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-04-22+at+7.26.35+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hope to see you there!<br />
<br />
Til next time,<br />
KYM<br />
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<br />Kym Brunnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16862135756476110344noreply@blogger.com04544 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, USA41.964216 -87.68602099999998241.585626500000004 -88.331467999999987 42.3428055 -87.040573999999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-18518197485734125622016-12-03T06:27:00.004-08:002017-04-22T06:03:52.796-07:00NANO....NOW WHAT?<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">HELP! What
do I do with this unruly blob of words?</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"> 😫</span></o:p></b></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First, CONGRATULATE yourself for attempting to write a novel.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Many attempt, few finish. (BUT YOU WILL).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;">2)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">IF you haven't done so already, finish the book before revising.</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Write daily or you’ll lose the "vibe" of your characters and their situation, much the same way when you don't keep in contact with friends. It takes awhile to reunite yourselves, but by writing every day, you can delve right back in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Copy
and paste the entire work onto another new document. First one should say
TITLE/ NANO and then the second TITLE /REVISION 1/DEC 2016. </b>Add a</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">dd page numbers, double-space the document, and make the whole thing Times New Roman
font size 12.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Make
a folder for this novel. That way any new revisions or anything else you might
not be sure if you should save, you’ll have. </b>Here’s what mine looked like
for FLIP THE BIRD. (I tag the most current one and rename it with most current
month after I’ve worked on it awhile). Why yes, I did work on this book for years...oy! You can (and I should) make a sub-folder that says "Old Versions of TITLE" so it's not so cluttered.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiEf3mKO16FxtkH82-2n8Ew6GN4Gf-8VMeHvm0nTFgE-JlZEz9hxNBfukFPfFT66cSrmXuW3l5VDZxHAXoPzogNmL5DJWJ1s5nFPjipOpF9abQEIEfautrQ5oFOZePG5bHySVsP_3MBs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-30+at+4.01.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiEf3mKO16FxtkH82-2n8Ew6GN4Gf-8VMeHvm0nTFgE-JlZEz9hxNBfukFPfFT66cSrmXuW3l5VDZxHAXoPzogNmL5DJWJ1s5nFPjipOpF9abQEIEfautrQ5oFOZePG5bHySVsP_3MBs/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-11-30+at+4.01.52+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe"
filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
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<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
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<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
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<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/kymbrunner/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image001.png"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Now
comes the fun part or hard work, depending on how you feel about revision. </b>Once I have the first draft done, I'm like "BRING IT ON!" Revision is my favorite. I imagine I'm Michaelangelo with a slab of granite looking like Alfred Hitchcock, but with a plan to make it into David. </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Read
through the manuscript start to finish. </b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>FIRST REVISION PASS:</b> Open a blank document and
note all scenes/ page numbers/ characters / action. (A "scene" takes place in the same location, for example, the airport. When the location changes, so does the scene. You can have more than one scene in a chapter depending on how long they spend in that location. You can also insert a chapter break or start new chapter.)</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">EXAMPLE:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 1) </span>HOME/ pages 1-11 /
Mercer, Dad, & Lincoln/Trapping hawk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">**This
helps you to see how many pages each scene is and how often your characters are
interacting etc. General overview** <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">OR>>>><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You can use Plotting Template by Cindy Grigg to enter in information too. Provides a nice visual. <a href="https://cindygrigg.com/2014/09/05/free-novel-or-series-outline-template-inspired-by-j-k-rowling/">https://cindygrigg.com/2014/09/05/free-novel-or-series-outline-template-inspired-by-j-k-rowling/</a>
)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYFFC1b5DJnPDvKDggxe0BGQBHN4Vuqu9VUgRy6rZehMG4Alw0ytg_3UoJzZkumr1X17K4iE6pBIF6nJT0pFox0kx0Q2fk6Tr0ig8CU1q7ddpv-GNA4qWMzOLfwfjtinRkowU1j6_vJI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-30+at+4.26.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYFFC1b5DJnPDvKDggxe0BGQBHN4Vuqu9VUgRy6rZehMG4Alw0ytg_3UoJzZkumr1X17K4iE6pBIF6nJT0pFox0kx0Q2fk6Tr0ig8CU1q7ddpv-GNA4qWMzOLfwfjtinRkowU1j6_vJI/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-11-30+at+4.26.54+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a><o:p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>7) </b></span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><b>SECOND REVISION PASS //</b> Under “Tools” - hit “Track
changes” and start making notes for yourself as you read, and they'll show up in another color within the document. And/or if you prefer, you can also write notes
for yourself in other colors / highlight / caps like shown below. *I'll go back later to fix, but I'm just making broad notes for myself as I read so I don't lose my train of thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3"
o:spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:446pt;height:220pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/kymbrunner/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image005.png"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61L9-Ed1YWWakPF69UpsK1ScwII0KBY6aiWcBRgNXVyABBh-BKJlUxRyo3HctnxuqmRxvpEiPouN53RZ9lRPL_uSuA8is6FJ6Oeh8D1rSi4H-3uzK_GCL-lli_MMf3yDuuNwbXoeQB8g/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-30+at+4.48.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61L9-Ed1YWWakPF69UpsK1ScwII0KBY6aiWcBRgNXVyABBh-BKJlUxRyo3HctnxuqmRxvpEiPouN53RZ9lRPL_uSuA8is6FJ6Oeh8D1rSi4H-3uzK_GCL-lli_MMf3yDuuNwbXoeQB8g/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-11-30+at+4.48.26+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>8) Third, fourth, and fifth (twentieth...) revision passes: </b>Copy
and paste document and label it with whatever month/year it is when you finish a revision or make a major change. Each time you are honing
things and putting them in order, but the other versions remain intact in case you accidentally delete something that you want to later take a look at. (See my first graphic above). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: normal;">9) </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Create a separate document that says “Thoughts about
TITLE” </b>where you can brainstorm ideas and free flow about possibilities.
Sometimes you get stuck about what to do so brainstorming multiple outcomes on paper without having to write the whole scene is valuable. By not censoring yourself, you'll get a variety of odd, but often viable, subplots or avenues that will work. Here is one of my “stream of consciousness”
plotting snippets.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Example:</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqPjMmhA9FRk9dH-Fr0zunk86Z0rXlwwxtx-i3yBjBCUcokQuYi43jrraLGHuvUjn_BV0FkWdON4Nh9014jh5d388TVms-_EWzAct3-wbKZ6179tMJ6Hea8LFMvN6Ogrort-fkPtBCuI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-12-01+at+3.53.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqPjMmhA9FRk9dH-Fr0zunk86Z0rXlwwxtx-i3yBjBCUcokQuYi43jrraLGHuvUjn_BV0FkWdON4Nh9014jh5d388TVms-_EWzAct3-wbKZ6179tMJ6Hea8LFMvN6Ogrort-fkPtBCuI/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-12-01+at+3.53.51+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: normal;">10) If you worry about deleting a cool line that you'll later regret, cr</span></span>eate a folder that says “TITLE / FAVORITE
FRAGMENTS."</b> That way you can relax knowing you can find it
again if you change your mind. PS: I've never gone back into my "Favorite Fragments" folder to take anything back out, but I know when I first started writing, I hated to delete a really cool phrase (but it was overkill or didn't fit the situation), so this helped me get over that. :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Good Luck! 🍀 </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Shoot me a question in the comments or email me directly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Til next time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">KYM</span></div>
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</style>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-14418259817791908272016-10-26T14:21:00.000-07:002016-12-20T04:59:22.325-08:00FLIP THE BIRD is about to SOAR on November 1st!<div>
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4f/c2/c0/4fc2c0e5863aaaa5402e80aa7fa8ea0a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="196" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4f/c2/c0/4fc2c0e5863aaaa5402e80aa7fa8ea0a.jpg" title="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4f/c2/c0/4fc2c0e5863aaaa5402e80aa7fa8ea0a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
SQUAWK1 Less than one week until FLIP THE BIRD is born. Can't wait until he makes his fledgling flight and lands in hands of readers all over the world.<br />
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
If you want to read an excerpt or to try your luck at winning a free copy, check out any of the stops on the tour here: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/2016/10/tour-schedule-flip-bird-by-kym-brunner.html?showComment=1477515640210#c6236922914344885182" target="_blank">ROCK STAR BOOK TOUR</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;">THE SCOOP:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_R4uqAIH-RwMuDHia00Zovmox1daD2beEQ-M8VN0QuLN3jgKEC5eOlKYmCoUG_5xPG5_sd37DYhxdgf7EO4NWH2Z8ByCfMjTJKr5FvLxaJbdg19cSPjmcej1NtsoDcXYNlFKhwcMW_o/s1600/FlipTheBirdCover.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_R4uqAIH-RwMuDHia00Zovmox1daD2beEQ-M8VN0QuLN3jgKEC5eOlKYmCoUG_5xPG5_sd37DYhxdgf7EO4NWH2Z8ByCfMjTJKr5FvLxaJbdg19cSPjmcej1NtsoDcXYNlFKhwcMW_o/s320/FlipTheBirdCover.tif" width="213" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Mercer Buddie wants two things in this world: a girlfriend and the chance to prove to his master falconer father that he’s not a flake. With hunting season fast approaching, fourteen-year-old Mercer has only a short time to work with Flip, a red-tailed hawk he irreverently named to show his dad that falconers don’t have to be so serious all the time.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> When Mercer meets Lucy, he falls hard for her gorgeous looks and bubbly personality. He thinks his love life is about to take flight, until he discovers that Lucy and her family belong to a fanatical animal-rights organization called HALT—a group that believes imposing any sort of restrictions on animals is a form of cruelty. Mercer soon realizes that if he wants to keep seeing Lucy, he’ll need to keep his love of falconry and his family’s raptor rehabilitation center a secret from her, and Lucy’s involvement with HALT from his family.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> With humor and honesty, Mercer’s story shows how growing up means making difficult choices…and sometimes, being rewarded in unexpected ways.'</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS</span></u></b></div>
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Gr 7 Up—Scoot over, Don Calame—Brunner is about to join you on your perch. This is not a book for the squeamish. It's about falconry at its finest, but it is also about much more than that. On his way to capture his first hawk, Mercer Buddie meets the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately, she is also the daughter of pro-animal activists. Mercer must come to terms with who he is, who he wants to be, and the belief systems he wishes to espouse and reconcile those with his desire to be with a hot girl. The humor is bawdy, though not quite as ribald as Calame's, and the accounts of hunting and dispatching prey are as honest as the descriptions of what happens when animal rights extremists "save" animals from humans. Brunner also introduces the issue of animal research and why adorable canines may just be the answer to human cardiac conditions. Readers will think deeply about their beliefs and why they hold those values right along with the protagonist. The puns, including Mercer's decision to name his red-tailed hawk Flip, keep an otherwise heavy subject from becoming too grisly. Lovers of Sterling North's Rascal, Farley Mowat's Never Cry Wolf, and Calame's Dan Versus Nature will flock to this tale about a teen and his hawk. VERDICT Get multiple copies for nature-loving reluctant readers.—Jodeana Kruse, R. A. Long High School, Longview, WA <i><b>--School Library Journal</b></i></div>
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"Brunner writes an impassioned story with real-life moral dilemmas. Abundant details of falconry, the result of the author's own falconry apprentice lessons... root the story solidly in a fascinating world new to most readers. An engaging story of a young teen finding what's most important in his life."<i style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>—Kirkus</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />“An exciting adventure into the art of falconry and the heart of a young man.”</span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: x-small;">—DAVID LUBAR, author of</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;">Hidden Talents</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: x-small;">and</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;">Character, Driven</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"His experiences with HALT help him realize the importance of understanding the difference between information and propaganda, and the value in thinking for himself."</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>--BOOKLIST</i></b></div>
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<i style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"</i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lovers of Sterling North’s </span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rascal,</i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Farley Mowat’s </span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Never Cry Wolf, </i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and Calame’s </span><i style="color: #333333; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dan Versus </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nature </span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">will flock to this tale about a teen and his hawk. . . Get multiple copies for nature-loving reluctant readers."</span><b>--SLJ</b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-22238323931198394532016-07-19T09:06:00.000-07:002016-07-19T09:06:05.576-07:00What Would Goldilocks Choose: Small, Medium, or Large Publishing House? <div class="p1" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">By Kym Brunner</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=100248672" style="border: 0px; clear: right; color: #577c3e; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><img alt="ID-100248672(1)" class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-4841" height="150" src="http://illinois.scbwi.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/34/files/2014/04/ID-1002486721-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Like Goldilocks, I have had experiences with a small, a medium, and now a large publishing house and want to share what’s the same, different, and unique about working with each. Which one was “just right?”</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Here now is a sampling of my experiences, a virtual “publishing smorgasbord”:</span></div>
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<span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">THE APPETIZER </span></span></span></h2>
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<a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=100231586" style="border: 0px; clear: left; color: #577c3e; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><img alt="ID-100231586" class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-4842" height="150" src="http://illinois.scbwi.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/34/files/2014/04/ID-100231586-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"> <span class="s4" style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Smallish Publisher</i></span><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">:</i></span><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> My first book, ONE SMART COOKIE, was published with Omnific Press in June 2014. They are an independent publisher of romantic fiction. Contract to publication (on-demand trade paperback and digital) took nine months.</span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="background-color: white; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: magenta;">The Medium House : </span></i></span><span style="background-color: white; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My second book, WANTED: DEAD OR IN LOVE, was published with Merit Press (part of F & W Media / Adams Media) in July 2014. The book came out in hardcover and digital fourteen months after the contract was signed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span class="s4" style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Big Guy</i></span><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">:</i></span><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> My third book, FLIP THE BIRD, will be out in November 2016 and will be published with HMH Books for Young Readers (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). Contract to hardcover and digital publication will be sixteen months. </span></div>
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<i style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>TAKEAWAY:</b> </i><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There are many different routes to publication, but no matter whether you choose the traditionally published or the self-published path, nothing quite matches the feeling of holding a book in your hand with your name on the cover. My advice? If going the traditionally published route, work your way from the top down, querying the large publishers, then medium-sized, and finally the small independent houses if the larger houses don’t pan out. Submitting to the top 5 usually requires an agent, but there are many <a href="https://anaisthebookworm.wordpress.com/2014/10/03/publishers-that-accept-submissions/" style="border: 0px; color: #577c3e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">houses</a> that still accept unsolicited queries.</span></div>
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<span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">THE MAIN COURSE</span></span></span></h2>
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<a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=100134011" style="border: 0px; clear: left; color: #577c3e; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><img alt="ID-100134011" class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-4843" height="150" src="http://illinois.scbwi.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/34/files/2014/04/ID-100134011-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a></div>
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<b style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Acquisition Process to Publication</b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span class="s4" style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Smallish Publisher:</i></span><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </i></span><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I sent a query via email to Omnific, they requested the full, and then after several weeks, I received an email saying they’d like to acquire One Smart Cookie. I accepted, made a few changes to the contract, and then we began the editing process. There were three rounds of revisions with various editors, each focused on a different aspect. Because Omnific is a romance publisher with readers of all sizes, any negative comments about body size from my sarcastic MC were traded for other types of jokes. Made me more aware of the types of jokes readers might find offensive in all of my novels after that. Omnific being a smaller publisher, the books are readily and inexpensively available via digital text, but for paper copies, they are print-on-demand. This helps save the publisher money so they don’t have a large print run, but these books generally are not stocked by brick-and-mortar bookstores because they can’t return them if they don’t sell after a certain amount of time (generally one season or three months).</span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="background-color: white; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: magenta;">The Medium House</span></i></span><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;"> </span></i><span style="background-color: white; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My agent pitched the project to the sole editor of Merit Press, Jacquelyn Mitchard, who read the full manuscript, brought it to acquisitions within the organization, and viola! offered me a contract. After my agent negotiated some of the details of the contract, I signed, and the revision process began. It was relatively painless with only a few suggestions, mostly about expanding the ending. Book cover design followed, and then copyediting a few months later. It was super exciting to see my book come out in hardcover and appear on the shelves in Barnes & Noble. That distinction was definitely on my personal bucket list. </span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue;">The Big Guy</span></i></span><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue;">:</span><span style="color: #3b3a3a;"> </span></i><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As with the medium house, my agent pitched senior editor Julie Tibbott, who said she both laughed and cried (mission accomplished!) while she read my manuscript, prompting her to make an offer. After the contract was negotiated and signed, Julie and I went back and forth with four rounds of revisions. She gave me a list of about five scenes that felt “off” and why, but it was left up to me to figure out how to fix those inconsistencies to both our satisfaction. We then moved to the smaller issues, and finally down to word choice. During the last couple of rounds, additional HMH wordsmiths had eyes on the novel to make sure every aspect was the best it could be. I will say this novel was the most scrutinized and fine-tuned of the three. But since I spent soooo much time writing and researching this book (falconry lessons and observations for over a year), this was definitely my Cinderella book, so I was thrilled with the </span><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">precision tuning. I can’t wait to see </span><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Flip the Bird </i><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hit the bookstores in November. Feathers crossed that it’s a soaring success. <img alt=";)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://illinois.scbwi.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>TAKEAWAY:</b></i></span><i style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </i><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The acquisition process can be short or long, but it might be better for your psyche to NOT be aware if your book is under consideration by a publisher. The wait (and sometimes the answer) can be excruciating. Two of my books went to acquisitions but were not acquired at that time, crushing my spirit and making me analyze everything. Eventually other publishers acquired both of those books, so I could have saved myself some of that grief. Of course, I’m sure those pitfalls probably helped me to grow as an author.</span></div>
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<h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">The BOOK COVER – How Much Input Did I Have?</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVWB76UdJe3Pz2qmOrrPpqD22xD63v9-Nnem0Itxj6GSRkoar6N2G9mpF4jWZ_EFK0n1vC8VtweQBx6YWWlHvODQpA5DcHm1Po24y1Cm9eDIXdvjLWMrnjrJpkm40sUf_W_Tr72SBpVU/s1600/SmartCookie_Cover.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/AVvXsEiWVWB76UdJe3Pz2qmOrrPpqD22xD63v9-Nnem0Itxj6GSRkoar6N2G9mpF4jWZ_EFK0n1vC8VtweQBx6YWWlHvODQpA5DcHm1Po24y1Cm9eDIXdvjLWMrnjrJpkm40sUf_W_Tr72SBpVU/s200/SmartCookie_Cover.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
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<span class="s4" style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;">Smallish Publisher</span><span style="color: #3b3a3a;">:</span></span></i></span><i style="background-color: white; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </i><span style="background-color: white; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I filled out a two-page questionnaire about all the aspects of the book (plot, setting, characters) as well as the feeling I wanted to invoke in the reader. I described what Sophie, my teen protagonist, looked like, as well as her relationship with her man-hungry mother and her adorable Polish grandmother, Busia. They asked what sort of feeling I wanted to invoke in readers as well as any ideas I’d had for how I envisioned the cover. I really felt involved in the process and loved the final cover, which perfectly depicts Sophie frowning at a cookie, which goes fabulously with the title. All in all, I had a lot of input about font, design, and color choices, and couldn’t be happier with how it came out. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmmjLOYJGZUhlff-rYuuX1DWBMS9Fb0LjdKRg83rzNiz3pEfg0fkjo8CZ7JNLx6wGHVuboWznVbr2FqhOtjB5WWdQ_xG8eKxyxIZvF7PN0GWzhppKVNh4rmjempbqoQOanLK-1VrMIcE/s1600/WANTED+-+DEAD+OR+IN+LOVE+cover.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/AVvXsEhWmmjLOYJGZUhlff-rYuuX1DWBMS9Fb0LjdKRg83rzNiz3pEfg0fkjo8CZ7JNLx6wGHVuboWznVbr2FqhOtjB5WWdQ_xG8eKxyxIZvF7PN0GWzhppKVNh4rmjempbqoQOanLK-1VrMIcE/s200/WANTED+-+DEAD+OR+IN+LOVE+cover.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
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<span class="s4" style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: magenta;"><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Medium House</i>:</span></span><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I was shown one cover for Wanted: Dead or In Love (bullet hole ridden – looked cool!), but others I showed it to said it appeared to be a nonfiction book instead of YA novel. I found a stock picture that I thought fit the main character and suggested maybe incorporating her into the original cover to help make it look more fictional. The next cover was completely different from the first. The art director used the picture I had sent as the main focus of the cover, which was great, but when I asked if we could tweak the font and/or colors, I was told that it needed to go to print. Readers have since told me that they picked it up because the cover was so catching, so there you go. Trust the professionals––they know what they’re doing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4U7P10NtYjL5tswUZntUN64N6FgsEr6C9uiLAICTvKG5MHLdP3qVXPsOq8_8wnMTLv-0TXuMKn7wuGL22mXdvSe6xs4kTxVlxY8J99fAuaerBdCJkkZI5-LCxKt0YFad1G6cx_WtfSI8/s1600/FLIP-THE-BIRD.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/AVvXsEg4U7P10NtYjL5tswUZntUN64N6FgsEr6C9uiLAICTvKG5MHLdP3qVXPsOq8_8wnMTLv-0TXuMKn7wuGL22mXdvSe6xs4kTxVlxY8J99fAuaerBdCJkkZI5-LCxKt0YFad1G6cx_WtfSI8/s200/FLIP-THE-BIRD.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span class="s4" style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue;">The Big Guy</span></i></span><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue;">:</span><span style="color: #3b3a3a;"> </span></i><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I was asked to find comps (or comparable) covers that conveyed the feeling I wanted for my book. That was an interesting task and one that I took to heart. I found maybe ten covers and I put a short note as to why I thought they went along with my book. By now I had learned that the art directors have a gift and you can let them work their magic. I was eventually shown five covers for </span><i style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Flip the Bird</i><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> and was asked my opinion on them. We narrowed it down to two choices and eventually ended up with a cover that perfectly matches the humorous coming-of-age aspect along with a bird named Flip (a red-tailed hawk), while the protest sign shows that there might be some adversity inside the novel as well. </span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>TAKEAWAY</b></i></span><i style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">: </i><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The amount of input I had didn’t depend on the size of the publisher, but rather on the standard procedure for each publishing house. Art directors know what designs make readers pick up books, so while the publisher wants you to love the cover, they also have to make a financial decision and go with a cover design with proven sales.</span></div>
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<span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">THE DESSERT</span></b></span></h2>
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<a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=100246275" style="border: 0px; clear: left; color: #577c3e; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><img alt="ID-100246275" class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-4844" height="150" src="http://illinois.scbwi.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/34/files/2014/04/ID-100246275-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Each of the publishers offered an advance against royalties, i.e. payment made by the publisher, which is offset against future </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royalties%22%20%5Co%20%22Royalties" style="border: 0px; color: #577c3e; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">royalty payments</a><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">. The bigger the house, the bigger the advance, which of course is always nice. </span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Each of the publishers was concerned with the content being appropriate for teens and with sending out the story in the best possible shape. Alleluia for that!</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All three publishers had knowledgeable literary professionals who helped guide me each step of the way. That said, I often checked with the Internet or friends who had been previously published if I had a newbie question about some aspect of the revision process before asking my editor. (Your agent may or may not know the answer because each house has its own particular preferences on how things are done). </span></div>
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<span class="s4" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>TAKEAWAY</b>:</i></span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I have found that I only email my agent and editor when I have a pressing question, and they respond quickly. I’m guessing if you email them every little question, you might be viewed as “needy.”</span></div>
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<h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><span class="s9" style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">IN CONCLUSION</span></b></span><b style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,</b></span><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> there’s a familiar question authors are supposed to ask themselves when considering the size of the publishing house they would prefer: Would you rather be a big fish in a little pond (meaning lots of attention) or a wee fish in an ocean (meaning very little)? </span></h2>
<div class="p13" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=100140968" style="border: 0px; clear: right; color: #577c3e; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><img alt="ID-100140968" class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-4845" height="150" src="http://illinois.scbwi.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/34/files/2014/04/ID-100140968-150x150.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="150" /></a><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>MY ANSWER</b>: I haven’t noticed any differences in the way I’ve been treated by the different-size publishers other than the variances with which any individuals interact with another. For the most part, everyone I’ve worked with has been professional and kind, with a rare, slightly abrasive response. As in every other aspect of my life, I’ve treated others the way I’d like to be treated, and that’s worked out just fine.</span></div>
<div class="p13" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Have a question or comment? Feel free to contact me at one of the social media links listed below. Happy writing! KYM</span></div>
<div class="p13" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kym Brunner dreams entire novels in her head but needs about a year to write it all down. She wishes there was an app for this. She's addicted to chai tea, going to the movies, and reality TV. When she's not reading or writing, Kym teaches 7th grade full time.</i><i style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> She is the author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kym-Brunner/e/B00H605DQI" target="_blank">three young adult novels</a>. She lives in the Chicago area with her family and her two trusty writing companions, a pair of shih tzus named Sophie and Kahlua. </i></div>
<div class="p14" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3a3a; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="s1" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.kymbrunner.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #577c3e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Website</a></span><span class="s10" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kymbrunnerauthor" style="border: 0px; color: #577c3e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="s1" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook</span></a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/KymBrunner" style="border: 0px; color: #577c3e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="s1" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Twitter</span></a> / <span class="s5" style="border: 0px; color: #577c3e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7256929.Kym_Brunner" style="border: 0px; color: #577c3e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Goodreads </a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="s10" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-68560005300850144952016-05-26T13:53:00.001-07:002016-05-26T13:53:07.965-07:00What's the ONE thing you should do to Jump-Start your Life TODAY?
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Want to know what that one thing is? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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It's very simple: take action. That's it! One small thing that no one else might see, but you know you accomplished. Eventually all the tiny, one-step tasks will add up to you meeting a goal. Here's what I mean: </div>
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<br /></div>
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Everyone has a goal: could be short-term, long-term, subconscious or fully on your mind. Perhaps it's: </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>More friends/different friends/ spend time with friends</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>A better job/ a more rewarding job/ quit your job </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Leaving an abusive relationship</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Acceptance (to a college, from a parent, of
themselves)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Learn a new hobby/language/skill</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
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The list could go on indefinitely. What’s your secret wish? (Close
your eyes and think of something now. Got it in mind? Good. Read on.)</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=100121907" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WMijxOoF8jQvjAtEvF3tl6RR5xmxcptvBDPnM4dXUZDftbpbED6_k7mEvA4rtdy5YJyzINs8E0-gc0nA8FhWMvpPMAdOUhs5S4-0QE1Afey0Q0DOip44ikjDuBQyrxiWvWpj8nU1Gts/s200/ID-100121907.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=100121907" target="_blank"><br /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now....do something about
it. ONE THING. Take a single step in the direction of your goal. Right now. Today. It can be anything.
Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re too busy. That's always going to be the answer though. Seriously, when aren't you too busy?</div>
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<br /></div>
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WE’RE ALL TOO BUSY – ALL OF OUR LIVES – AND UNLESS YOU MAKE TIME
FOR THE THINGS THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU, YOU WON'T REACH YOUR GOALS. </div>
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<br /></div>
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You can:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Write a letter that you never send (or maybe one
you do).</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Send out an application to a job, a college, an
award</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Go DO the thing you wanted. Today. At least call and make a future date.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Send a friend request.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Research the one thing you wanted to do and sign
up for a class.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Go get a jar right now to put extra money in to
save up so you can do that ONE thing</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So that’s it - start to blaze that path from WISHING
to ACHIEVING with one small step in the right direction. I'll even help you. <push> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Til next time, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
KYM </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-62447734154781910222016-02-25T15:13:00.004-08:002016-02-25T15:13:59.995-08:00The Query that Landed me a Top NY Agent!<br />
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</div>
<br />
<br />
There is a TON of information out on the web
about crafting a good query when looking for an agent. Heed the advice
and do your homework.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://uncommonya.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ID-10038496-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ID-10038496" border="0" class="alignleft wp-image-1178 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://uncommonya.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ID-10038496-300x300.jpg" height="300" src="http://uncommonya.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ID-10038496-300x300.jpg" title="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Movies_theater_and_c_g202-Tickets_p38496.html" width="300" /></a>While crafting an interesting query is super
important, obviously writing a novel that has fabulous hook,
interesting plot, and dynamic characters supercedes all of the letter
writing factors in the world. That said, before I was agented, I enjoyed
reading queries that actually worked. So, with that in mind, here was
my "golden ticket" - the email that helped that first door creak open
just a tiny bit, which led to my eventual signing with Eric Myers with
Dystel & Goderich Literary Management (DGLM). The book title
mentioned in my query letter was eventually renamed WANTED: DEAD OR IN
LOVE and was published by Merit Press in July, 2014.<br />
<br />
In
summation, I followed the advice I had read online, had my query
critiqued by my SCBWI pals, and went over it many times to make sure
there were no grammatical errors. Here were the things I think I did
right:<br />
<ol>
<li>Spelled the agent's name correctly <em>(seems like a no-brainer, but I hear this happens frequently)</em></li>
<li>Led with an interesting hook</li>
<li>Told him how I knew of him and showed I had researched his preferences</li>
<li>Gave a short description of the novel's basic plot, characters, and goals</li>
<li>Kept my bio short since I didn't have any writing credits at the time</li>
<li>Included
a sample chapter in the body of the email, NOT as an attachment (I've
read that agents delete all emails with attachments without opening,
worried about viruses).</li>
</ol>
<br />
Dear Mr. Myers,<br />
<br />
<em>From inside the mind and coffin of Clyde Chestnut Barrow, circa 2012:</em><br />
<br />
<em>I
let my anger fester like an infected wound until I reach a place of
pure hatred for the son of a bitch who set me up. Someone told the
coppers where I’d be and at what time, which narrows it down to about
ten or so people, most of ‘em family. Soon as I learn out how to escape
this hellhole, I’m going to figure out which rat squealed and I’m going
to kill the bastard. Make ‘em suffer too. </em><br />
<br />
<em>An eye for an eye my daddy always tole me, and I’ve always been a dutiful son.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Even if it turns out that it’s him that did it to me.</em><br />
<br />
Your
preference for thrillers as listed on the Literary Rambles website (and
our mutual secret passion for Survivor!) makes me think we might be a
great match. I’m hopeful that my YA paranormal romance-thriller,
GANGSTER OF LOVE (devilishly complete at 66, 666 words) gets under your
skin and infects your mind.<br />
<br />
Following three arrests,
seventeen-year-old Monroe Baker must stay out of trouble for a year or
face a daunting felony conviction. When she impulsively steals the slugs
that killed Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow from her father’s gangster
memorabilia collection and shows them to Jack, a boy she meets at a
party, the two unwittingly awaken the spirits of the dead outlaws. When
Bonnie and Clyde possess the unsuspecting teens, it becomes a matter of
life and death for Monroe and Jack, who must find a way to force the
dangerous gangsters from their body, sending them back to the grave
before they lose themselves completely. But when passions collide,
alliances may change. Who will be left to reign as the true gangsters of
love?<br />
<br />
GANGSTER OF LOVE is a YA with crossover potential that
mixes fact with fantasy to showcase the edgy grittiness of Bonnie Parker
and Clyde Barrow, whose romanticized crime spree of the 1930’s
continues to fascinate readers of all ages. The story is told in
alternating first-person viewpoints––Monroe and Clyde’s––keeping the
suspense high as secrets are kept and truths revealed.<br />
<br />
During my
non-writing time, I'm a full-time teacher and hold a Master's degree in
education. I'm also the SCBWI district co-rep for the far north suburbs
of Chicago. I've included sample pages below for your perusal. Thank you
for your time.<br />
<br />
Sincerely, Kym Brunner<br />
<br />
***** Sample pages - Gangster of Love ***** (Check out the actual first pages of WANTED: DEAD OR IN LOVE here: <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Wanted-Dead-Love-Kym-Brunner/dp/1440570574#reader_1440570574" href="http://www.amazon.com/Wanted-Dead-Love-Kym-Brunner/dp/1440570574#reader_1440570574" target="_blank">First Pages</a> )<br />
<br />
Thanks for stopping by! KYM<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://i2.wp.com/uncommonya.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/profile-pic-2015.jpg" href="http://i2.wp.com/uncommonya.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/profile-pic-2015.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-652 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://i2.wp.com/uncommonya.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/profile-pic-2015.jpg?resize=300%2C300" height="200" src="http://i2.wp.com/uncommonya.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/profile-pic-2015.jpg?resize=300%2C300" width="200" /></a>Kym
Brunner dreams entire novels in her head, but needs about a year to
write it all down. She wishes there was an app for this. She’s addicted
to chai tea, going to the movies, and reality TV. When she’s not
reading or writing, Kym teaches 7th grade full time. She lives in the
Chicago area with her family and two trusty writing companions, a pair
of Shih Tzus named Sophie and Kahlua. She’s repped by Eric Myers of
Dystel & Goderich Literary Management<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Wanted: Dead or in Love,</em></strong> Merit Press, June, 2014<br /> <strong><em>One Smart Cookie, </em></strong>Omnific Publishing, July, 2014<br />
<strong><em>Flip the Bird</em></strong>, HMH Books for Young Readers, Coming Fall 2016<br />
<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://www.kymbrunner.com" href="http://www.kymbrunner.com/">Website</a><br /> <a data-mce-href="http://www.facebook.com/kymbrunnerauthor" href="http://www.facebook.com/kymbrunnerauthor">Facebook</a><br /> <a data-mce-href="http://www.twitter.com/kymbrunner" href="http://www.twitter.com/kymbrunner">Twitter</a><br /> <a data-mce-href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7256929.Kym_Brunner" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7256929.Kym_Brunner">Goodreads </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-22003106397967139962016-01-29T00:30:00.000-08:002016-01-31T05:26:08.299-08:00This just in! Check out my FLIP THE BIRD cover!Hey World ~<br />
<br />
After many years––writing this novel, revising this novel, finding the right agent (Eric Myers from DGLM), and then finding the perfect editor (Julie Tibbot from HMH Books for Young Readers)––my dream has finally come true!<br />
<br />
I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I AM TO KNOW THAT THIS BOOK WILL BE IN THE HANDS OF READERS COME NOVEMBER 1ST, 2016!!<br />
<br />
Whoops, maybe I just did. :)<br />
<br />
Want to know what it's about? Sure you do! Here's the brilliant blurb that HMH Books for Young Readers (okay, it was all me except the last line) came up with:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Mercer Buddie wants two things in this world: a girlfriend and the
chance to prove to his master falconer father that he’s not a flake.
With hunting season fast approaching, fourteen-year-old Mercer has only a
short time to work with Flip, a red-tailed hawk he irreverently named
to show his dad that falconers don’t have to be so serious all the time.<br />
When Mercer meets Lucy, he falls hard for her gorgeous looks and
bubbly personality. He thinks his love life is about to take flight,
until he discovers that Lucy and her family belong to a fanatical
animal-rights organization called HALT—a group that believes imposing
any sort of restrictions on animals is a form of cruelty. Mercer soon
realizes that if he wants to keep seeing Lucy, he’ll need to keep his
love of falconry and his family’s raptor rehabilitation center a secret
from her, and Lucy’s involvement with HALT from his family.<br />
With humor and honesty, Mercer’s story shows how growing up means making
difficult choices…and sometimes, being rewarded in unexpected ways.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
And not only that, but the hugely talented New York Times bestselling author, David Lubar, read my book and wrote a wonderful blurb that the marketing team artfully displayed across the bottom! Squee!!<br />
<br />
<br />
So now....with further ado...may I present the book cover to (pant, pant)....FLIP THE BIRD!<br />
<br />
<br />
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-45775928752481968562015-11-14T12:10:00.004-08:002015-11-14T12:10:37.152-08:00Want More Readers? Write SUSPENSE, not ACTION, Scenes<br />
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</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t want to harm anyone’s health, but everyone needs a jolt of
literary CPR now and then. How to do it? </span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SUSPENSE. No matter what genre,
no matter what age group you’re writing for, it’s suspense that make
your readers’ hearts race and their anxiety ratchet up to high as they
worry what will happen to the beloved characters they’ve been rooting
for.</span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, action scenes are important to add in occasionally because
readers want to watch your characters ACT in some way, but to me,
prolonged action gets dull. (That’s how I felt watching 90 minutes of
Mad Max racing across the desert and back….zzzz). When the tension never
lets up, the suspense goes down. One of the keys to writing suspenseful
tales is to rev up the suspicion and then make the character move on to
something “normal,” only to have the anxiety reappear. Think ebb and
flow.</span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://i1.wp.com/uncommonya.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bonnie-and-clyde-horsing-around-with-a-gun.jpg" class="shrinkToFit" height="320" src="http://i1.wp.com/uncommonya.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bonnie-and-clyde-horsing-around-with-a-gun.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="230" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> https://www.fbi.gov</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wanted-Dead-Love-Kym-Brunner/dp/1440570574" target="_blank"><i>Wanted: Dead or In Love</i>,</a> an impulsive teen girl breaks
into her father’s gangster memorabilia case and accidentally cuts
herself with a bullet extracted from Clyde Barrow (<i>impulsive character trait</i> /<i>stealing/consequences/outlaws all create suspense</i>).
As a result she awakens the spirit of Bonnie Parker in her own body,
and then later that night, infects a guy she meets at a party with the
spirit of Clyde Barrow (<i>a pissed-off and unwilling companion adds suspense</i>). They have a twenty-four hour deadline (<i>a ticking clock</i>) to figure out how to rid the outlaws from their bodies, or they’ll face changing places forever (<i>possibility of death/crimes to be committed against their will</i>).
The reader feels compelled to continue reading to find out which of the
four are successful and how all the problems will be resolved (<i>multiple solutions / lots of questions</i>). Whew! Hopefully the reader is breathless and their heart rate increases as the tension builds to the final scene.</span></span></span></blockquote>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">HOW TO MAKE A SCENE COME ALIVE? MAKE US WORRY....</span></span></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are a few tips:</span></span></span></h4>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">SHOW, don’t TELL us that your character is anxious about something,
have them sweat, bite their lips, swallow a lot, look at their watch. In
fact, the next time you’re worried about something, check out how you
feel inside, notice what you do (drink water, check for texts, pace
around your kitchen) and incorporate it into your character’s actions). </span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">LET US HEAR YOUR MC’S THOUGHTS. We’re scared if your character is scared. Let us know <em>specifically</em> what he or she doesn’t want to happen (<em>if we don’t get to Louisiana in time, we’ll be in their graves and Bonnie & Clyde will take over our bodies!) </em>You’ll
need to set these worries up earlier in the book and give the readers
small reminders building up to the scene where “it” might actually
happen, and then of course, make the worst possible thing happen. Oh
no….not that!! Yes, that. Now the reader has to find out what your poor
MC will do.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">SET LOTS OF POSSIBLE TRAPS and SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES. And then, have
your character dismiss them as things that could possibly never happen,
but then make it happen anyway. For example, Mr. Nice would NEVER do
that to his wife, who happens to be your best friend (oh, but he did)
and your character saw it. Now what? Tell his wife, keep it a secret,
confront him? Let your character worry and mull over the right thing to
do over the course of the next chapter or two before deciding. Make her
squirm when she sees her friend and she brags about Mr. Nice and how
great he is.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Good luck!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Til next time,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">KYM </span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-74478063800675502362015-09-21T05:11:00.001-07:002015-09-21T07:35:07.690-07:00Pay for Professional Writng Advice? It Depends....These days it seems that everyone is writing a book. Many are writing books on how to write books, or how to sell books, or how to self-publish books, or even how to find the person who can help you to sell your book.<br />
<br />
Let's just say there are a LOT of options and LOTS of ways to spend money.<br />
<br />
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<br />
So many options it's similar to the assortment of goodies offered to kids in Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory. But which types of professional writing advice are everlasting gobstoppers and which ones are the candy bars that don't have a gold wrapper?<br />
<br />
Here's my take on things:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>1) Budget "some" money toward developing your craft. </b></span></span><br />
<br />
Unless your first name is William and your last name is Shakespeare, you probably won't improve your skills without getting some type of industry advice––either through a critique group, a professional editor, and/or books and conferences.<br />
<br />
How much money you budget probably depends on where you are in your journey and your personal financial situation. And to be honest, it also might depend on how serious you are about taking your work to the next level. Reading books on the craft is great at a minimal level, but getting concrete advice about your own work is much more valuable. It's difficult to see our own strengths and flaws. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2) What's the best use of my budgeted money?</b></span></span><br />
<br />
If you can afford it, beginners and pre-published writers should try to attend conferences in order to hear from agents and editors and find out what they are looking for. Also, what they are tired of reading and hearing about. If it's a topic that readers aren't buying anymore, you can bet that they won't want to acquire it either.<br />
<br />
Those farther along in their careers might spend more on paying to have their revised WIP get a set of fresh eyes from a developmental editor. I still attend writing conferences, especially the well-attended kidlit conference in Los Angeles, but more to use that as a social springboard to to keep in touch with writers I've met over the years. <br />
<br />
Joining SCBWI (for those writing for babies through teens) or a myriad of other writing organizations (Romance Writers of America // International Thriller Writers etc.) geared toward your specific genre is a great idea. You will meet like-minded individuals (either in person or on a forum) and these people will become your confidantes, and hopefully, your cheerleaders. <br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3) Pay for a Professional Critique</b></span></span><br />
<br />
There are different ways to do this. First of all, you should be in a critique group (either face to face or an online group) so you can get lots of free advice, as well as give it to others. But sometimes you're just not sure if the advice you're getting is meaningful, especially if all the writers in your group are beginners themselves. I'm not saying it's still not valid––they are telling you the way a reader views things-–but they might be giving advice that's too general (I like it! or It moves a bit slow here), or advice that really isn't helpful (you spelled there wrong).<br />
<br />
Secondly, paying for an extra critique at a writer's conference can be iffy. Oftentimes, it's very expensive ($100 for five pages and 15 minutes of face time), but if your material is very close to being published, an agent might request the full and you're on your way. More often than not however, you'll get solid advice at a big cost. Still, I made some contacts that way but never grabbed the brass ring. Plus, they're only giving advice on five pages, which may or may not be your premier<br />
work.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsj-p8jsPkISHidNHVfbtuhviywOUcMVIsAFd9f6WA-5JjOvk-Ey0-FNKTtswz4r1rbJVv6eOzFhyphenhyphen0F6fJdw27K7vLrfK3edIzKIVWhoBt8TQD4HoT3dzh_SQpEy6oMzJdmplR1rxOsEs/s1600/meeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsj-p8jsPkISHidNHVfbtuhviywOUcMVIsAFd9f6WA-5JjOvk-Ey0-FNKTtswz4r1rbJVv6eOzFhyphenhyphen0F6fJdw27K7vLrfK3edIzKIVWhoBt8TQD4HoT3dzh_SQpEy6oMzJdmplR1rxOsEs/s320/meeting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=10081217</span></td></tr>
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<br />
So I suggest doing your research on finding a developmental editor in your price range that has lots of experience and having them read your entire novel. It's costly (anywhere from $500 - $2500), but you learn a TON and it can make your novel ready to be acquired. Ask lots of questions of several editors and gauge from their responses whether you think you'd be a good match. You might even ask to talk on the phone to them. Ask how much experience they have editing your genre and/or age group.<br />
<br />
When I paid for developmental editing twice (both books were eventually sold to traditional publishers, btw), I searched for the right freelance editor and was rewarded greatly by getting excellent advice. **If interested, my amazing freelance editor for <i>Flip the Bird (</i>coming Fall, 2016 with HMH Books for Young Readers<i>) </i>was Maria Mooshil. She was an editor for the Chicago Tribune for many, many years and is now doing freelance work. She brought great insight to the motivation of my characters and was a fabulous sounding board of ideas. Contact her for rates and availability at: mmooshil@gmail.com***<br />
<br />
I didn't do this large and more expensive project however, until I was very close to publishing my book and already had an agent. Meaning it might not be worth it if you are still a beginner and have a looong way to go to work on your novel. There's just too big of a window for them to hone in on fixing everything. Don't be surprised if the freelance editor asks for a sample of your work before they accept the job. Like I said, if you're too far off, it might be too big of a task for them to try and help you.<br />
<br />
So do your homework, keep on perfecting your craft, write daily, and soon you'll be on the shelves and in the hands of readers! Good luck on your journey. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments section. I hope that soon you'll be jumping for joy when your book is published.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDr9dd6zpPvcdcWa-h-iagJPrw4PioNKrfzAOsVbPFhvwNaqWxXaknvvkv-ASpmf4hLj3SGOraqB45shXD36BcgyWyWaREFgBqc7FjYz5wBK-ZwwlRSnofQGAcOj2LHHUOCFW6jSFdUA/s1600/ID-100146480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDr9dd6zpPvcdcWa-h-iagJPrw4PioNKrfzAOsVbPFhvwNaqWxXaknvvkv-ASpmf4hLj3SGOraqB45shXD36BcgyWyWaREFgBqc7FjYz5wBK-ZwwlRSnofQGAcOj2LHHUOCFW6jSFdUA/s200/ID-100146480.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php?id=100146480</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
'Til next time,<br />
<br />
KYM<br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-59955374504601835462015-07-20T04:56:00.000-07:002015-07-20T04:56:37.771-07:00Need More Suspense in Your Novel? Here's How to Amp It Up<style>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SHH! CLANDESTINE SECRETS FOR WRITING SUSPENSE….</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yFfcCiSmCBATJIE69dM74RMOO2QkzKYLJkFp5rAAETBRSRtBB7X2vIddRkL9sESZcF1NrQMCV-ewwZz916NHQ6dM2ASSAsd4EGJcmjCs0XC9By6tgrYXGmap0_tvUXJpF40VOAsyab4/s1600/ID-100280041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yFfcCiSmCBATJIE69dM74RMOO2QkzKYLJkFp5rAAETBRSRtBB7X2vIddRkL9sESZcF1NrQMCV-ewwZz916NHQ6dM2ASSAsd4EGJcmjCs0XC9By6tgrYXGmap0_tvUXJpF40VOAsyab4/s320/ID-100280041.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/male-hand-shadow-with-knife-photo-p280041</span></td></tr>
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<span id="goog_433979010"></span><span id="goog_433979011"></span><br /></div>
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You want to write a suspense-thriller, but you’re not sure
how to keep the pages turning? Here’s what worked for me, and hopefully it’ll
work for you too:</div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FIGURE
OUT WHAT YOU’RE MOST SCARED OF AND INCORPORATE THOSE EVENTS INTO YOUR NOVEL.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Don’t like to be alone at home at night?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why not? Probably because you’re sure every small noise is something
amiss… a break-in? A mouse? A burst pipe? Hate when you come home and the front
door is open a crack, making you wonder if you did that or a stranger
did…?Every time you realize that your heart is pumping in fear, make a note of
it and incorporate a scene into your next book.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TEASE
BUT DON’T APPEASE</b></div>
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Just when the reader thinks the answer will be revealed, throw a wrench
into the plan. Literally. Make someone appear that has a wrench and threaten to
harm them, like I did in WANTED:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DEAD OR
IN LOVE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or…come up with some other
frightening alternative, one that makes your main character run.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">END
CHAPTERS IN CHAOS</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Never let the reader turn off the light and go to sleep feeling good
about your characters. NO WAY! End the chapter BEFORE they open the door, get
out of the way of the speeding car, or ask the micromanaging boss for a holiday
off. I don’t mean mid-sentence, but bring the reader to the brink and have a
small interruption make them delay for a moment…long enough to end the chapter
and propel your reader to stay up past their bedtime.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DON’T
TROT OUT ALL OF THE POSSIBLE SCENARIOS</b></div>
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<br />
<br />
Keep the reader in the dark along
with your main character. YOU, the writer, know how they’ll get out of this,
but don’t make the solution so obvious that your twist
is anything but predictable. If the solution will be found in the cemetery,
have your character drive past it, always curious about the gravedigger with
the limp, but make the actual answer the gentle loving cemetery director.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MAKE SURE
YOU HAVE SUFFICIENT (AND INTERESTING) SUB-PLOTS TO KEEP THE READERS ON THEIR
TOES </b></div>
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<br />
<br />
No one likes to figure out the
answer in the first one hundred pages. While you need to introduce the main
goal in the initial pages, add a sub-plot or two along the way that makes the
reader wonder what’s going to happen. Keep five plates spinning in the air, and
the reader will enjoy watching and waiting for one, or more, to fall. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g54F6mDWxC8UvJXeyXw-DJvVUrvXqNruamRiNeRzI-trTaY7sbLTTcNn1sbyg-PnLanksHXs3mcb9-3ZypBCyV7dYc9CCbH_hJM0Y96xgKk1yivObGy9Ros4l8wV2nbO-1nuMk5wMsE/s1600/ID-10056479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g54F6mDWxC8UvJXeyXw-DJvVUrvXqNruamRiNeRzI-trTaY7sbLTTcNn1sbyg-PnLanksHXs3mcb9-3ZypBCyV7dYc9CCbH_hJM0Y96xgKk1yivObGy9Ros4l8wV2nbO-1nuMk5wMsE/s320/ID-10056479.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Playing_g398-3d_Man_Entertaining_p56479.html</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-55196139280676110042015-07-09T16:25:00.003-07:002015-11-14T12:22:34.184-08:00FLIP THE BIRD was acquired!!Wahoo!! After many years of revision and letting FLIP THE BIRD sit patiently on my computer, it's finally going to be published. I can't even explain you how excited and blown away I am by this news. Anyone who knows me (friends, family, fellow writers) can attest to how I thirsted for this particular book to be published. Yes, I want all of my books to eventually be acquired by a big NY publisher of course, but this book took A TON of research and made me fall in love with the sport of falconry, so it sort of wound its way around my heart. <br />
<br />
Here's the blurb from Publishers' Weekly:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCIQ-8e8cAt95luifRIPmCAycfdtUpDpC0gkcb3ywsUUi3e-N4uSGvkoRrlXh1wgb8Zx9YXezwj-ZPUNzvhK9mublI51BVRa8JgDmsjqmZSQS9_r3FJP_L1scxNPv5Gtl91fhPCoth78/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-27+at+3.17.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCIQ-8e8cAt95luifRIPmCAycfdtUpDpC0gkcb3ywsUUi3e-N4uSGvkoRrlXh1wgb8Zx9YXezwj-ZPUNzvhK9mublI51BVRa8JgDmsjqmZSQS9_r3FJP_L1scxNPv5Gtl91fhPCoth78/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-06-27+at+3.17.15+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I am so thankful to SOAR, Illinois for providing me a place to take falconry apprentice lessons, and to the many falconers (especially D. Troy Moritz) who answered my questions and let me tag along during some of their hunts to fully appreciate the beauty of this sport. Hopefully one day you'll be able to experience this sport firsthand, but if not, I'm excited for you to read about it via my young adult novel. Thanks so much to my agent, Eric Myers, and to Julie Tibbott at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the opportunity to share this book with the world. <br />
<br />
I know my main character, Mercer, and his Red-tailed Hawk, Flip, would be super proud too.<br />
<br />
'Til next time,<br />
<br />
KYM<br />
<br />
PS: Here's a video of a falconer working with a beautiful juvenile Red-tail if you're curious. :) <br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-17070246606193722712015-05-28T16:07:00.000-07:002015-05-28T19:19:53.282-07:00Driving, Dining, and DivasHey there ~<br />
<br />
I thought I'd write a post about something other than writing tips. {{I do give some writing tips for a collective YA author blog I'm on, Uncommon YA (which by the way has 25 amaaaazing YA authors who are superb, funny, brilliant, and write cool books, so please check us out on Twitter and the blog itself sometime: <a href="http://www.uncommonya.com/" target="_blank">Uncommon YA</a>)}<br />
<br />
Now back to today's topics. I love writing and chatting about myself, but yanno, no one wants to chat with an empty chair so writing blog posts for no one seems silly, which is why I usually refrain from doing so on my own blog page.<br />
<br />
BUT.....here's the thing: I don't know whether there's an invisible someone in that chair reading my posts, making an invisible connection with me somewhere out there in the world. If so, hello invisible person! *waves<br />
<br />
So I thought I'd start showing my normal, everyday side to any readers who might stumble over here. (Okay, quiet those who know me and are objecting to my use of the word "normal" to describe me). In any case, I thought I'd start writing weekly posts about nothing. (Kind of like Seinfeld).<br />
<br />
Today's topic: Driving, Dining, and Divas<br />
<br />
DRIVING<br />
<br />
I love driving fast (ish). Like around 10 miles over the limit usually....except for when I'm approaching one of the secret "police hiding spots" which, since they're there most Thursday mornings and afternoons on the end of my block, isn't much of a secret. I call myself an assertive driver and rarely text and drive unless I'm at a stoplight.<br />
<br />
I love driving convertibles. Although I'm in the Chicago area, we still have approximately six months of top-down weather. To me, it feels like a luxury, quality of life thing. Here's Black Betty, my new VW Bug convertible. Isn't she cute?<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
DINING<br />
<br />
I love to eat out, but more importantly, I love to socialize. If only I had been born to be one of those people who can eat whatever they want and never gain weight. My favorite dining out items are usually finger foods like nachos, sushi, and flatbreads (I'll often order apps for my dinner), but I'm trying to order more salads. (I have a hard time saying no if I haven't made up my mind before walking in and I see something amazing like pot roast nachos.) Yum...I love pot roast. Too bad not too many places serve it. (Invisible restaurant owners who are reading this, take note.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4012/4614042564_e04ff6b137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4012/4614042564_e04ff6b137.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonight's spot? Pinstripes in Northbrook - Fab outdoor dining place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.janeallenevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Pinstripes-Oakbrook-Exterior_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.janeallenevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Pinstripes-Oakbrook-Exterior_06.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
DIVAS<br />
<br />
I'm not one, don't know many, but I love watching them on TV. Reality TV rules my world. I say it's for help developing my fictional worlds (like research - that's what I tell my husband), but we all know it's fun to drink wine with one of my daughters or neighborhood friends and watch Real Housewives of Anywhere squabble over petty stuff, splash wine in the other woman's face, and/or talk badly about her behind her back (but to the whole world). Priceless.<br />
<br />
<br />
So that's it for today. Go ahead and exit the chair now. Hope you come back next time. (I'll try to get a comfier cushion). Remember: don't drive too slowly if you're in my hood. Ain't nobody got time for leisurely Sunday drives except dogs in car with their heads poking out the window.<br />
<br />
Until next time....<br />
<br />
xoxo, KYM<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-87732478990216029972015-03-31T20:21:00.003-07:002015-03-31T20:28:31.831-07:00Is it the Author's Job to Create Positive Role Models in YA novels?<div class="MsoNormal">
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--></style><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;"> I was recently talking with some writer friends and this question came up:</span><b><span style="font-family: Times;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times;">Is it more important for YA authors to potray realistic characters (that may have a dark side) or to create positive role models? </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Good question. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/63/e1/94/63e194a06ed28c03c3fd8eafcd5945a8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/63/e1/94/63e194a06ed28c03c3fd8eafcd5945a8.jpg" width="217" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">There have been some readers who weren't thrilled with the depiction of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in my YA novel, WANTED; DEAD OR IN LOVE, as being humans with wants and desires all their own. After all, Bonnie
& Clyde were hardened criminals from the 1930’s who were in love and committed crime after crime. In my novel, they come back
to life within the bodies of two teens, and um, they’re not necessarily typecast as “the bad guys.” </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">No doubt about
it, Bonnie and Clyde did a lot of horrific things in their day and were eventually
gunned down for it by a posse of tough crime fighters called The Texas Rangers.
I’m not making excuses for Bonnie and Clyde––it was good they were stopped. Gun downed by a posse of sharp shooters? Not sure about that one. Especially when you factor in the time frame when they lived (The Depression), where they lived (the poorest slum in Texas), and their age when they started to commit their crimes (16 for Clyde, 19 for Bonnie).</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">I think what I tried
to show is that most of us––Bonnie and Clyde included––are not solidly “all
good” or “all bad.” Many of us make decisions that seem like a good idea at the
time that later turn out to be not-so-great. My main character, a teen girl
named Monroe, has always lived by the motto, “You Only Live Once,” but when she
faces the counterpart to that, “Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time,”
she starts to reconsider. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">If she could do it
all over again, she might say, “Yes, you are in charge of your own destiny.
Just make sure it’s the destiny you really want.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Actual footage taken from Bonnie & Clyde’s death scene
in 1934. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Sh0luSsP91I/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Sh0luSsP91I?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">So the long and the short of it is...while positive role models are wonderful, I need to trust that teens can "see behind the curtain" and realize that fiction serves many purposes: some to tell the truth, some to make you see the direction you don't want to venture. I did not try to glorify Bonnie and Clyde as heroes, but as teens who made choices that ultimately resulted in their deaths. Definitely NOT something anyone would strive for and I know teens reading my book can figure that out all on their own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">'Til next time, stay safe!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">KYM </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-19827702415884667992015-02-03T04:27:00.003-08:002015-02-03T04:27:58.483-08:00A BONNIE & CLYDE VALENTINE - Signed Giveaway - WANTED: DEAD OR IN LOVE <div id="goodreadsGiveawayWidget125009">
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<br />
<h2 style="color: #555555; font-size: 20px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0 0 10px !important; padding: 0 !important; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_new">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway
</h2>
<div style="float: left;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18982027"><img alt="Wanted by Kym Brunner" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1400863557l/18982027.jpg" title="Wanted by Kym Brunner" width="100" /></a>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0 0 0 110px !important; padding: 0 0 0 0 !important;">
<h3 style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0; padding: 0;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18982027">Wanted</a>
</h3>
<h4 style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0 0 10px; padding: 0;">
by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7256929.Kym_Brunner" style="text-decoration: none;">Kym Brunner</a>
</h4>
<div class="giveaway_details">
Giveaway ends February 14, 2015.
<br />
See the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/125009" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a>
at Goodreads.
</div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
<a class="goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink" href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/125009">Enter to win</a>
</div>
</div>
<script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/125009" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-35443084952990809332015-01-22T15:47:00.001-08:002015-01-22T15:54:01.055-08:00AUTHOR INTERVIEW: KATIE SPARKS (author of Reality Natalie)
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</style><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b>Hello readers: I'm so excited to bring you my interview of Katie Sparks––a wonderful middle-grade author who also happens to be my friend and amazing critique partner! I had the pleasure of reading this book in all stages––from inception to publication. It's soooo super cute, funny, and authentic - just like the author herself! </b></span><br />
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<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">Where did you get the idea for
Reality Natalie?</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62q4hhX0O2U4oPZZfC3Esw9RisUODsTVgpGw9MXUt2RAPVMni6dUG-O-SXzWu-vk0vkpMOsZl96N7KfjznKJ3hb2Y_hgDMQRKHFbnQuc82Y33wDjrAsvyfZsZR0TG2EtRaNeV5AIP5q0/s1600/FINAL.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62q4hhX0O2U4oPZZfC3Esw9RisUODsTVgpGw9MXUt2RAPVMni6dUG-O-SXzWu-vk0vkpMOsZl96N7KfjznKJ3hb2Y_hgDMQRKHFbnQuc82Y33wDjrAsvyfZsZR0TG2EtRaNeV5AIP5q0/s1600/FINAL.png" height="400" width="266" /></a><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">About 5 or 6 years ago, I was
completely enthralled with all of the reality shows that were popping up on TV.
They ranged from singing competitions and talent shows to cooking or bake offs
and clothing designer contests. The list became endless. But one thing I
noticed was that none of them were for little kids. At the time, I believe the
youngest person who could audition for American Idol, had to be 16. However, I
knew that despite these rules, some of those watching these shows <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">were</i> kids!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From that realization, I thought about a girl
who was obsessed with reality television. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Thus, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reality Natalie</i> was born!</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span><br />
<b>
</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">Describe how you created characters
that speak and act so authentically.</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">I combed through my story several
times and tried to find areas where I explained something in my voice instead
of how an 11-year-old might see it, and tweaked them. For example, every time
Natalie notices her parents look at each other in thought, she wonders if it’s
some sort mind-reading skill you get when you are get married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">People always say that kids say the
darndest things and it’s true! The hardest part is getting yourself to remember
what it was like at that age and to see the world through their eyes. Finding
your character’s voice and keeping it consistent throughout helps make your
story stronger and more authentic sounding. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">What type of revisions did you make
after FIREDRAKE acquired it? Were there any you didn't agree with?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">My publisher and I went through
several rounds of edits looking for various things at each time. The first time
around we looked for the global, large-scale edits like red herrings, loose
ends or plot points that didn’t work or make sense. Natalie has a blog that she
enjoys so I had to make sure the timing for each of her posts were correct and
made sense. </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">At one point in the revision stage,
we had a conversation whether or not one of my characters was being too hard or
too soft on another. My publisher and I talked it over and I decided to revise
it based on some of our talking points. What came out of that is a stronger,
well-rounded scene that satisfied both my publisher and myself, and rang true
for the characters.</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">What advice do you have for other
middle-grade authors seeking publication?</span></span></b></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">My advice pertains more to the
writing than the act of trying to get published. Middle grade is a tough
audience to write for. Your characters are out of the “baby stage” but not
quite a young adult. Their main focus is typically their friends and family and
the surrounding world around them. It’s also very important to keep in mind the
middle grade voice. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">What are you working on now?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I always have several projects up my
sleeve. It helps me to bounce and back forth between them so I don’t get too
stuck on one. Plus, it helps drum up ideas. For me, and I’m sure for many
writers, taking a break from one WIP for a bit and then coming back to it later
with fresh eyes can really help. Right now, I’m working on a couple new middle
grade novels, one possibly with series potential. They are very different
concepts; one is serious and the other is more fairy-tale related. I also am
trying my hand at a few different picture book ideas. It’s always been a big
goal of mine to publish a picture book!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<b>QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS:</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG36xO26zjDpVEiyRZB_H3NR28poEf8bsfCBwPesLXJI-zYwwxwlerLJ76JjXnif8pxL_HTQ0tmjfhc1H7CMhOtpbQpwqJVLpiv_H0zaAm_wW6RLnN4aZoF4SdM1nUCP6fjQQvYo_6iUA/s1600/quick-fire-quiz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG36xO26zjDpVEiyRZB_H3NR28poEf8bsfCBwPesLXJI-zYwwxwlerLJ76JjXnif8pxL_HTQ0tmjfhc1H7CMhOtpbQpwqJVLpiv_H0zaAm_wW6RLnN4aZoF4SdM1nUCP6fjQQvYo_6iUA/s1600/quick-fire-quiz.jpg" height="200" width="200" /><b></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.antivia.com/wp-uploads/2012/12/quick-fire-quiz.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">What do you love most about being
published?</span></b> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">This might sound cheesy, but I really like seeing my name on a
published book. There are a million other exciting things about being published
but since I was a little girl I’ve already wanted to experience that moment
where I held a book in my hands and this time, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> name was it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Who was your favorite character and
why?</span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">I relate a lot to Natalie since I share many of her qualities, but I
grew to love Robbie Lovelton, a secondary character in the book. He isn’t quite
a class-clown, but nonetheless, is a boy in Natalie’s class that enjoys getting
on her nerves. Despite his quirks, he is endearing and even funny at times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve even begun thinking of writing a story
from his perspective, but that’s just a thought right now!</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Where and when do you write?</span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span> </span></span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">I don’t have a specific time that I
write, but I have found that middle of the day works well for me. I also try to
carve out time after work at a coffee shop to write. It forces me to focus and there
are fewer distractions than home. Otherwise, I enjoy getting up early on the
weekend, making coffee and writing before the craziness of the day begins.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #990000;">
</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;"><b>Do you have a muse, music, or
certain drink you must have while writing?</b><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Coffee, coffee, coffee! I wish could
listen to music but that ends up being a distraction for me. I’ll start singing
the words and totally lose my train of thought!</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLa2hhc22cU4W_cckuA9jDOPhM-Y7Coc68c60rP3Kz8JjGn3uTLORqRxP2IklgFBb7mnYCR9GOH_jZiF-S8vv-ys79cVd6T-OwjRZ-J4OVEdw3c_1yLL6dktAhPdJyZw7qHbfd3yFvJA/s1600/4040405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLa2hhc22cU4W_cckuA9jDOPhM-Y7Coc68c60rP3Kz8JjGn3uTLORqRxP2IklgFBb7mnYCR9GOH_jZiF-S8vv-ys79cVd6T-OwjRZ-J4OVEdw3c_1yLL6dktAhPdJyZw7qHbfd3yFvJA/s1600/4040405.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie Sparks and her cat, Moe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Dogs or cats? Why?</span></b> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I love dogs, but
I’m going to have to go with cats. I have a very vocal cat, Moe, at home who
actually acts more like a dog. She’s crazy, but I love her!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Favorite recent MG books (besides
yours of course!) from past three years:</span></b> </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">I really enjoy reading the books
listed on the Rebecca Caudill list each other. I don’t get to all of them but I
try! Some that have really stuck out for me recently include <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Every Soul a Star, Mockingbird</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Out of My Mind</i>.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="background-color: white;">
</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">Favorite MG of all time:</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Tuck Everlasting</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> by Natalie Babitt (turned 40 this
year!). I read this book when I was younger and just fell in the love with the
characters and the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who wouldn’t
want to be immortal? </span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt;">CHECK OUT KATIE'S WEBSITE <a href="http://www.katie-sparks.com/" target="_blank">HERE!</a></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-66447055155011758862015-01-01T15:09:00.000-08:002015-01-25T14:21:45.307-08:00"MY GRANDMA IS ONE SMART COOKIE" CONTEST ENTRIES!Here are the finalists - Who should win? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter or Facebook - thanks!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
ENTRY # 1<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPh1yAvXbutf0TQ0m_LYz5x3RbFMc-uJdU5d_OR2wqFSxUQT59rBM1Hj1cToqwXr1Bu6NDoKiXYKZj0iUd7jfB4nRMT30-2VZdo8moHN5Rh9dtzHXp2Lkqu-h2hhqju1pM0dxu5QrFGA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-01+at+4.36.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPh1yAvXbutf0TQ0m_LYz5x3RbFMc-uJdU5d_OR2wqFSxUQT59rBM1Hj1cToqwXr1Bu6NDoKiXYKZj0iUd7jfB4nRMT30-2VZdo8moHN5Rh9dtzHXp2Lkqu-h2hhqju1pM0dxu5QrFGA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-01+at+4.36.16+PM.png" height="484" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
ENTRY #2<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWuOpU2gC9JG-WiIXAX8rx6QJPx0C5puO2BfPiZIw8hGfBuHSzckiO5puU7-q9scopxeTywGTt_-8X4YUERI8jGDEDpHi-lBlmmtN24vdd-Yan6sUkrAyv7F_NPBTPZjwb63i5Eep5gg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-01+at+5.06.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWuOpU2gC9JG-WiIXAX8rx6QJPx0C5puO2BfPiZIw8hGfBuHSzckiO5puU7-q9scopxeTywGTt_-8X4YUERI8jGDEDpHi-lBlmmtN24vdd-Yan6sUkrAyv7F_NPBTPZjwb63i5Eep5gg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-01+at+5.06.09+PM.png" height="640" width="608" /></a></div>
<br />
Entry #3<br />
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<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-d9e5ba80-232a-2351-23d0-291bb0e5e86b" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="323px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/cj-l5Q_i6xwuRbqzra2KYNTgxgm1gcW4eRGYMavHIj6HAF_xfKmN5XU-tO5puKSeKA2KXV--7Z76oQP8CjcBAyVtK-IUh50zo6RhZar6q_dJiY5thxtQjRu1iY8d31GJ5A" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="485px;" /></span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My grandma is a one smart cookie because she is funny and wise. She helps out on holidays and helps even if no one even asks. Therefore I think my grandma is a one smart cookie. </span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 18.0pt;">WIN A
KLU COLOR TABLET!</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">by entering the</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 18.0pt;">MY GRANDMA IS “ONE SMART
COOKIE” CONTEST!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXzzq8uXR-qvTNlSATGe_u-88sKQ9mGOat-UshWzISvBpz3T6aBJTtXF0WeRaJ66U_Se1KK29R8bKH6QnVQB4c4GOB-pASzKbSw72y0B1BoQGhQDykHRSYnBcFLuGwGNs0qpkxmGr6s0/s1600/SmartCookie_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXzzq8uXR-qvTNlSATGe_u-88sKQ9mGOat-UshWzISvBpz3T6aBJTtXF0WeRaJ66U_Se1KK29R8bKH6QnVQB4c4GOB-pASzKbSw72y0B1BoQGhQDykHRSYnBcFLuGwGNs0qpkxmGr6s0/s1600/SmartCookie_Cover.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN";">1 Lonely Teen Girl</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1
Deal with the Polish Spirit of Love</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(courtesy of her
one smart, spirit-conjuring grandmother, of course)</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN";">2
Tasty Boys (and a whole batch of deception)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN";">16-year-old
Sophie Dumbrowski’s grandma is one smart cookie. How about yours?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">Is your grandmother (alive or deceased) one
smart cookie? Does she do amazing things for her community, your family, or her
health?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does she go out of her way to
make your life better? Does she bake the best cookies in the world? Then tell
the world about it!</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">To enter,
all you need to do is submit a picture of your grandmother (alone, with you or
your family, in action</span><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…</span><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">whatever
works!) and write a one to three sentence caption telling why she’s so smart /
wonderful / generous/ (fill in the blank). </span><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Winners will be judged on the overall quality of the writing
(conventions /word choice), the ability to make a connection to the reader, and
having a clear photo that focuses on your grandmother. ENTRANTS AGES 13-21
WELCOME!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Captions
should begin with “My grandma (NAME) is one smart cookie because…”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">Send your picture and
entry electronically to: </span><a href="mailto:kymbrunner@comcast.net"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">kymbrunner@comcast.net</span></a><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";"> with the subject: ONE SMART COOKIE CONTEST or
enter online at </span><a href="http://kymbrunner.com/"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">http://kymbrunner.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">Must be received by
January 15<sup>th</sup> – Winner announced January 30th</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">All entries will be
posted at </span><a href="http://www.kymbrunner.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">http://www.kymbrunner.com</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";"></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEHuUFy5-pd_CDleapiYkAsyqExgy1m4OZmhjkKXVxSse6VQ1-o0JkFQnbHu90UQAyWfAOulQrRjzhYhMxrQzdoVcQdIiphqMNFAGNcJ3w5KQEcwRWTd9g3hyphenhyphenx1wa_DvfgJedn4RM-wU/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEHuUFy5-pd_CDleapiYkAsyqExgy1m4OZmhjkKXVxSse6VQ1-o0JkFQnbHu90UQAyWfAOulQrRjzhYhMxrQzdoVcQdIiphqMNFAGNcJ3w5KQEcwRWTd9g3hyphenhyphenx1wa_DvfgJedn4RM-wU/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">WIN A COLOR <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>KLU TABLET* AND </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">YOU’LL BE ONE SMART COOKIE, TOO! </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 8.0pt;">*donated / no warranty / comes
with charger</span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-20628095363356014412014-12-26T06:13:00.001-08:002014-12-26T11:06:07.333-08:00The Key to Kickass Dialogue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dialogue Secrets</div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPGoEtJlpV-GZ5W05nj76kPCg9QeFoTOLqY1EqODQgvWx8zFUT4ICn06W62-xjhwf9aeX7EeJgFBVSxY2HWgtkN4ajYcvurRaNRZkD3h515zh7Ar5rh-eABSqvR-6rUGIH2u2MK7Shsk/s1600/Shh!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPGoEtJlpV-GZ5W05nj76kPCg9QeFoTOLqY1EqODQgvWx8zFUT4ICn06W62-xjhwf9aeX7EeJgFBVSxY2HWgtkN4ajYcvurRaNRZkD3h515zh7Ar5rh-eABSqvR-6rUGIH2u2MK7Shsk/s1600/Shh!.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Gestures_g185-Shhh_Keep_It_A_Secret_p113110.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
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Quick! After a person’s appearance,
what’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone? If you’re like most of
us, it’s what comes out of their mouths. First impressions and all that. But
when you read, you can’t see the characters, so your first impressions are made
based on what the characters say, not how they look.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Simple concept, right? Not so
simple to deliver.</div>
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<br /></div>
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SO…HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR CHARACTER
MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION? </div>
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<br /></div>
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Give them something to say that is:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Believable</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Fits their personality</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Consistent, yet unexpected</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Short and natural</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<h4>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Believable
Dialogue</b></h4>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
How do you know if it’s believable or not? Put on your walking shoes and
get out your notebook! Head to the spot where the prototype of your character
would go. Need to write teens talking together at lunch? Go to a fast-food
restaurant near a high school. Want to know what couples say when they’re on a
date? Head to a movie theater early and go see latest romantic comedy. You get
the idea. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
***HINT:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LISTEN AND TAKE GOOD
NOTES. I promise you’ll forget the words and how they said them if you don’t.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<h4>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dialogue
that fits the character’s personality</b></h4>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
There’s a famous writing cliché that says a reader should be able to read
a line of dialogue and know who the character is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">without the identifying dialogue tag. </i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
The key is being the character when you write his or her lines. Imagine
YOU are the sensitive butcher who is very observant––seriously! Picture
yourself looking out of the eyes of the butcher with your hands on a raw steak
and then write his or her lines. A great way for authenticity is to actually observe a butcher talking to his or her
customers. Conduct a quick interview if you can, asking his top three concerns about his job. You
might be surprised to learn what those things are…and so might your reader.</div>
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<br /></div>
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****HINT: SWITCH INTO THE MINDS of all of your characters (even the minor
ones) as you write to create words that only THEY would say. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_em57fABNZT-ghj0cH7kBfcefxyZn0r17Ta6jOsiIEK02iz6qILtD0ctXrQP-_ZllvUTB7TxFVBOJRUzaYIB4Zvp7u2A5vXvdBjwW7SPNA8S8ENmHptJWaD92XmL7SkUPYJBxnJec6M/s1600/ID-100109487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_em57fABNZT-ghj0cH7kBfcefxyZn0r17Ta6jOsiIEK02iz6qILtD0ctXrQP-_ZllvUTB7TxFVBOJRUzaYIB4Zvp7u2A5vXvdBjwW7SPNA8S8ENmHptJWaD92XmL7SkUPYJBxnJec6M/s1600/ID-100109487.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Computer_Networks_g351-Many_People_Talking_p109487.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<h4>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Consistent,
yet unexpected? Huh?</b></h4>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Your job is to make sure your characters are real, that they speak the
truth (or not, depending on who they are). In real life, characters might keep
their thoughts to themselves. Not so in fiction. Characters that are pushed to
the brink must speak out––to a best friend, to the cabbie, to the offending
party, to the police. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Yes, we want dialogue to be authentic, but it IS a story and it does need
to intrigue your readers. So let them speak their mind and propel the story
ahead by providing interesting thoughts for your readers to mull over. </div>
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<br /></div>
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***HINT:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TO KEEP PACING ON TRACK,
use frequent dialogue to break up paragraphs of exposition.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<h4>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Short
and Natural</b></h4>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Cut to the chase. No one likes listening to boring blow-hards, so don’t
let your characters be one of<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> those</i>
people. Remember tuning out a boring teacher? That’s what didactic dialogue
and info dumps feel like to your readers. Only include information that’s
absolutely necessary for the story’s sake and skip the rest. You need to
know the backstory, but keep it to yourself if it isn't essential to the plot.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
***HINT:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>READ ALL DIALOGUE OUT
LOUD. Change voices to the way you imagine the characters interacting and it’ll
feel more “real.” If you’re bored with the conversation, so is your reader. If
it doesn’t sound the way a person really talks, cut it or revise it. Listen to
real people and you’ll notice most of us talk in short sentences with breaks
for others to add commentary. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
So
there you have it. Write dialogue that’s believable, fits the characters,
necessary, and natural and your readers will come back for more! </div>
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<br /></div>
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*****</div>
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Hopefully you’ll find authentic dialogue galore in
WANTED:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DEAD OR IN LOVE, which features
two alternating POVs––one from Monroe (a modern-day teen who becomes possessed
internally by the infamous Bonnie Parker), and the other from Clyde Barrow
himself (who works hard to take over the body of Jack Hale, a teen male). </div>
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<br /></div>
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And if cultural humor is more your style, you’ll get a
helping of Polish spirits along with a bounty of teen angst in ONE SMART
COOKIE, a Polish teen who seeks the help of her spirit-conjuring grandmother to
find the perfect boyfriend. </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kym
Brunner</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo6EJs2wPHWIo2Dpo-W7M9mK89AiOVZ_QkQ1LjjFIzYbV6DN-FadWooJqbsBFLd7triic7PywsFB1nZTsLBL4Ak-gul-S9BbAfqPXYCo_cWfh94z-9_Kc6k5PRSX7EGjtZvTz1cmo2SU/s1600/KymBrunner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo6EJs2wPHWIo2Dpo-W7M9mK89AiOVZ_QkQ1LjjFIzYbV6DN-FadWooJqbsBFLd7triic7PywsFB1nZTsLBL4Ak-gul-S9BbAfqPXYCo_cWfh94z-9_Kc6k5PRSX7EGjtZvTz1cmo2SU/s1600/KymBrunner.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://kymbrunner.com/"><span style="color: #336699; font-family: "inherit","serif";">Website</span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kymbrunnerauthor"><span style="color: #336699; font-family: "inherit","serif";">Facebook</span></a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/KymBrunner"><span style="color: #336699; font-family: "inherit","serif";">Twitter</span></a><br />
</span><span style="color: #336699; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7256929.Kym_Brunner"><span style="color: blue;">Goodreads </span></a></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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Bio:</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kym Brunner's method
of creating a manuscript: write, procrastinate, sleep, repeat. She's addicted
to Tazo chai tea, going to the movies, and reality TV. When she's not reading
or writing, Kym teaches 7th grade full time. She lives in Arlington Heights
with her family and two trusty writing companions, a pair of Shih Tzus named
Sophie and Kahlua. She's repped by Eric Myers of The Spieler Agency.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wanted-Dead-Love-Kym-Brunner/dp/1440570574" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif";">Wanted:
Dead or in Love</span></i></b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wanted-Dead-Love-Kym-Brunner/dp/1440570574" target="_blank"> MeritPress, June 2014</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Smart-Cookie-Kym-Brunner/dp/1623421233" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif";">One
Smart Cookie</span></i></b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Smart-Cookie-Kym-Brunner/dp/1623421233" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif";">Omnific Publishing</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Smart-Cookie-Kym-Brunner/dp/1623421233" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif";">July 2014 </span></span></a></div>
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Wanted: Dead or In Love Book Trailer:</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-51992254779005783502014-11-15T06:47:00.001-08:002014-11-15T06:47:58.248-08:00Magical Night at Anderson's Bookshop<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZKQqQOVXhhWYF-2GPfHrqWe9damvsoEyQBedm6GWi8guGEoQu1qfyGaW7-j8KRU0MtpoIx7tsWfHH41K38Ud9mcwIDsFAeDAeH2pPaTD9fVs4rjnshuTl9dp2enu9gqIfhMoJAss_Sc/s1600/IMG_4028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZKQqQOVXhhWYF-2GPfHrqWe9damvsoEyQBedm6GWi8guGEoQu1qfyGaW7-j8KRU0MtpoIx7tsWfHH41K38Ud9mcwIDsFAeDAeH2pPaTD9fVs4rjnshuTl9dp2enu9gqIfhMoJAss_Sc/s1600/IMG_4028.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTqHI4DrL13L6HXy70gCHdLYfxvzcwU55vQ-57Pv1GeEH6TD0BSCvDKDGYarQsqNONqUCMjcI9d2IVFEiCMre0YBjVOdp7XmaBZUd7XYqMhYOrCNdwuZUKJ3w9yB8HhZy2uhflfUeT9c/s1600/IMG_4027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTqHI4DrL13L6HXy70gCHdLYfxvzcwU55vQ-57Pv1GeEH6TD0BSCvDKDGYarQsqNONqUCMjcI9d2IVFEiCMre0YBjVOdp7XmaBZUd7XYqMhYOrCNdwuZUKJ3w9yB8HhZy2uhflfUeT9c/s1600/IMG_4027.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a> Have you ever had one of those surreal moments when something BIG is happening and you can feel it in every nerve of your body and you want that feeling to last forever?</div>
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Well, that happened to me yesterday when I crossed a line through an item on my bucket list: appearing at Anderson's Bookshop as an author. I felt amazingly lucky to be on a panel with some of the friendliest, coolest, nicest, smartest YA authors around. How had we never met before?</div>
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Here are the brilliant authors of some super super cool books (all with an original dark element including: OCD, cults, swamps, body sharing with dead outlaws): <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2W2h2ljeXqXSSUykA0v-L28PYt2Go183Lx08BH6jRs3xO_7gZSTU_JYucPd6wmBgoG8HunxeWGcqwkiMciwjJzsj0VYaGhgwEdGd2g69aTvV77ohuElH4TA6LKDoXuX0uJ9qPTA3Khg/s1600/IMG_4026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2W2h2ljeXqXSSUykA0v-L28PYt2Go183Lx08BH6jRs3xO_7gZSTU_JYucPd6wmBgoG8HunxeWGcqwkiMciwjJzsj0VYaGhgwEdGd2g69aTvV77ohuElH4TA6LKDoXuX0uJ9qPTA3Khg/s1600/IMG_4026.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LEFT TO RIGHT: Lindsay Currie (co-author of CREED), Natalie Parker (BEWARE THE WILD), Rachel Wilson (DON'T TOUCH), Me (WANTED: DEAD OR IN LOVE) and the other co-author of CREED, Trisha Leaver. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToi42d9l4S7HBX9ffQkpNaSSOpfaFd5CSabAIdCa12hm8rWkTwqf2AOCUbuAI8t_wyck-T4nvHiNNFYwUuMslSeeNa0i35wVbp1Lrj_taJy8KgX6vojHnD8Su9NxG0scd90e_4md5rBA/s1600/IMG_4044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToi42d9l4S7HBX9ffQkpNaSSOpfaFd5CSabAIdCa12hm8rWkTwqf2AOCUbuAI8t_wyck-T4nvHiNNFYwUuMslSeeNa0i35wVbp1Lrj_taJy8KgX6vojHnD8Su9NxG0scd90e_4md5rBA/s1600/IMG_4044.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here, expert storyteller Natalie is beguiling the crowd with her tale about going to GATOR RANCH in the deep, deep, deep South. Ask her to tell you about it sometime!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of our fabulous attendees! Thanks so much for coming out!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiknljbwqRKsFcJ-3a3FiwmUDmjdPPu-zs1cgJBa9v1XnxoME6RlDECc0knN_7YR3VFUOFxBm5UPZSvTb4A85v4te6ldWjJQPnS2iJiB3q5IqImq6S68BWQwbm5y6c3hLEmumdIYycZg/s1600/IMG_4029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiknljbwqRKsFcJ-3a3FiwmUDmjdPPu-zs1cgJBa9v1XnxoME6RlDECc0knN_7YR3VFUOFxBm5UPZSvTb4A85v4te6ldWjJQPnS2iJiB3q5IqImq6S68BWQwbm5y6c3hLEmumdIYycZg/s1600/IMG_4029.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
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Some other fun tidbits: Shared dinner and sweet treats beforehand with the panel at Jimmy's. Delicious food and nonstop conversation that made my author heart happy. Thrilled to see my book on the shelf. Wahoo!</div>
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But the BEST PART OF THE WHOLE NIGHT was meeting Nathalie, Stephany, and her father who had driven over an hour to meet me and buy my book. You girls are both awesome and Nathalie, your enthusiasm for writing blew me away. I know I'll be seeing your name on a book cover one day in the future! Thanks for coming out!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbDL_tLYoJXANakxUXb3NGZpwGcn2aiVjNO0N9J31jH4P50NcUOJdEMYtRe1_O-3-hij5sDKQEL1LzzG2CtQSh5IQ7U0vLfIypLJvZaLA1X4gNbYE0H2ImLQ6lK2yYqvf-JL-YlO6neg/s1600/IMG_4043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbDL_tLYoJXANakxUXb3NGZpwGcn2aiVjNO0N9J31jH4P50NcUOJdEMYtRe1_O-3-hij5sDKQEL1LzzG2CtQSh5IQ7U0vLfIypLJvZaLA1X4gNbYE0H2ImLQ6lK2yYqvf-JL-YlO6neg/s1600/IMG_4043.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The adorably cute and effervescent Nathalie (left) and her artistic sister, Stephany!</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 18.0pt;">WIN A
KLU COLOR TABLET!</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt;">by entering the</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 18.0pt;">MY GRANDMA IS “ONE SMART
COOKIE” CONTEST!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgPZeO_LNTxb1IiRVC3-MDG2I-RJOSB1566FBMnzBiT3FqFS0w2IlFjBsNzrElfrtafffCvDt3zorZfWHJ7n4gSh_5qGnA4JZHIcE-g9pMTlt2QGDxD0lQzEgoTH7Qp1ZnG0aSJCdBd8/s1600/SmartCookie_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgPZeO_LNTxb1IiRVC3-MDG2I-RJOSB1566FBMnzBiT3FqFS0w2IlFjBsNzrElfrtafffCvDt3zorZfWHJ7n4gSh_5qGnA4JZHIcE-g9pMTlt2QGDxD0lQzEgoTH7Qp1ZnG0aSJCdBd8/s1600/SmartCookie_Cover.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN";">1 Lonely Teen Girl</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1
Deal with the Polish Spirit of Love</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: small;">(courtesy of her
one smart, spirit-conjuring grandmother, of course)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow"; font-size: 10.0pt;">_______________________________________________________________________ </span></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN";">2
Tasty Boys (and a whole batch of deception)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bangla MN";">16-year-old
Sophie Dumbrowski’s grandma is one smart cookie. How about yours?</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">Is your grandmother (alive or deceased) one
smart cookie? Does she do amazing things for her community, your family, or her
health?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does she go out of her way to
make your life better? Does she bake the best cookies in the world? Then tell
the world about it!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">To enter,
all you need to do is submit a photo of your grandmother (alone, with you or
your family, in action</span><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…</span><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">whatever
works!) and write a one to three sentence caption telling why she’s so smart /
wonderful / generous/ (fill in the blank). Winners will be judged on the overall quality of the writing (conventions /word choice), the ability to make a connection to the reader, and having a clear photo that focuses on your grandmother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Captions
should begin with “My grandma (NAME) is one smart cookie because…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">Send your picture and
entry electronically to:</span><a href="mailto:kymbrunner@comcast.net"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";"> kymbrunner AT comcast.net</span></a><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";"> with the subject: ONE SMART COOKIE CONTEST or enter online at </span><a href="http://kymbrunner.com/"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">http://kymbrunner.com</span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">ENTRANTS AGES 13 - 21 WELCOME! TELL YOUR FRIENDS! </span></b><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">Must be received by
January 15<sup>th</sup> – Winner announced January 30th</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">All entries will be
posted at </span><a href="http://www.kymbrunner.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">http://www.kymbrunner.com</span></b></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc4qYhngsdvIteUwmeDo9fxK4k5uX3DvLy8ln98lLgEb0bt90pLkFp4B35icW9w7ixJNu0FJyUE8GkoQo-yoRvkBso06c7JA9-Acv8VC8w4jI6vxew2jAK2JttFVmBIIOof_7ScXR9ws/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc4qYhngsdvIteUwmeDo9fxK4k5uX3DvLy8ln98lLgEb0bt90pLkFp4B35icW9w7ixJNu0FJyUE8GkoQo-yoRvkBso06c7JA9-Acv8VC8w4jI6vxew2jAK2JttFVmBIIOof_7ScXR9ws/s1600/images.jpg" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";"> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">WIN A COLOR <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>KLU <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>TABLET*
AND </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">YOU’LL BE ONE SMART COOKIE, TOO! </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";">*donated / no warranty / comes with charger</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bangla MN";"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10" touchscreen tablet with 4 GB memory</span></span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-15439727534066905212014-10-13T08:09:00.004-07:002014-10-13T08:09:48.294-07:00Authors and Reviews - How We REALLY Feel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFQiSeOXE51ZQUvTEMrC-RdZR9sinQJ-WiKth3ik0bKldM0JPuPJ-bJ8oLRIf-d_MStkMwuI7PVBjTbthd4hxJ3FhsbwzrL3rzJWUxA9J-Sowu30IBoUlDjFwNMcaeVwVktURrndA_EE/s1600/ID-100253813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFQiSeOXE51ZQUvTEMrC-RdZR9sinQJ-WiKth3ik0bKldM0JPuPJ-bJ8oLRIf-d_MStkMwuI7PVBjTbthd4hxJ3FhsbwzrL3rzJWUxA9J-Sowu30IBoUlDjFwNMcaeVwVktURrndA_EE/s1600/ID-100253813.jpg" height="185" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/bookstore-woman-photo-p253813" target="_blank">Source</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
HOW DO AUTHORS REALLY FEEL WHEN THEY READ REVIEWS?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Naturally, if every bit of it is glowing, we cheer, nod, and say, "This person is brilliant!"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But what about when part of the review isn't all party cakes and rainbows?</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well for me, I'd say I have a LOVE-LEARN relationship with reviewers and reviews.</div>
<br />
Some authors I know stopped reading reviews because it makes them sad/angry/vengeful or (fill in the blank). And ain't nobody got time for that, right? <br />
<br />
But not me.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to read them. I purposely didn't call it a "love-hate" relationship because that's not usually the way I feel when I read reviews about my novels. (Unless of course it seems like the reviewer has a personal vendetta against me from my high school days, or they only read the first two chapters....then I might not be so forgiving.)<br />
<br />
And to be perfectly honest, maybe I do hate it a <i>little </i>when I read negative things. After all, it did take me two years of writing and revising to finish the book, so it's human nature for some comments to sting a little. But overall, I think of it as a learning experience. Maybe because I've been a teacher my whole life...?<br />
<br />
So here's the scoop:<br />
<b><br /></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtNlWUsJ8lDjcyCy55YUeejaDXwuLEO1b-y2qtSxcrj27g08y75aXIOUOAmdt17QL01pN9QqzSITXURI3MnSWKsZlzV9mNUVK1aIvW5YwHyPaJL74bv7IzcsdY7d0Dd7m-wrbNKBxvEU/s1600/ID-100109487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtNlWUsJ8lDjcyCy55YUeejaDXwuLEO1b-y2qtSxcrj27g08y75aXIOUOAmdt17QL01pN9QqzSITXURI3MnSWKsZlzV9mNUVK1aIvW5YwHyPaJL74bv7IzcsdY7d0Dd7m-wrbNKBxvEU/s1600/ID-100109487.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Computer_Networks_g351-Many_People_Talking_p109487.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I LOVE when reviewers read my books, flattered they spent their precious time choosing my book to read. I LOVE when they LOVE it and share their view of it with the world.<br />
<br />
So...to that effect, a giant thank you to book reviewers, librarians, and friends who post reviews for my books on Goodreads, Amazon, and/or Barnes & Noble. <br />
<br />
What I might not love is when they spot flaws in my characters, world-building, plot, or endings. But there are things I don't love in other books I've read, so why wouldn't others feel the same way about mine? The trick is to try and objectively view the review as if it weren't about my book, and to realize that the different tastes in reading material is what helps keep novels diverse.<br />
<br />
Easier said than done.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Here's what I do when I read a review:</b><br />
<br />
1) Look at the final, overall rating to prepare myself whether it will be meh, good, or great.<br />
2) Read it quickly once and react however I'm feeling (but don't share that with anyone).<br />
3) Read it a second time, but this time, I read it as if my editor is giving me advice about things I need to address.<br />
4) I note the things they liked and/or disliked.<br />
5) If more than one person said the same thing, I'm definitely going to try to make sure that, in the future, those same flaws have been addressed.<br />
<br />
If you're a reviewer, do you worry about how you phrase a negative review, or is it more fun to dish it dirty and not think about the author? Is there any sort of etiquette involved?<br />
<br />
And if you're an author, do you read your reviews? Why or why not?<br />
<br />
Til next time,<br />
KYM<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367563184149351133.post-51859568928098910942014-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:002014-09-22T05:00:02.924-07:00Margo Kelly’s Debut WHO R U REALLY? was Ripped from a Real Life Event<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeomAGUjfTtKgQWr4sZMMfX2XwZV0IdrJ8-yV91uEugUnyo2V5w4vV9-2aICgQndZ0QUyueRjlWw6OzNbRukCeoGGAWunPgCQ05Nj3lVCCUmi4MhpNh8PQdvr79XviT-C3rfY4jP-Bik/s1600/WHORUREALLY_300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeomAGUjfTtKgQWr4sZMMfX2XwZV0IdrJ8-yV91uEugUnyo2V5w4vV9-2aICgQndZ0QUyueRjlWw6OzNbRukCeoGGAWunPgCQ05Nj3lVCCUmi4MhpNh8PQdvr79XviT-C3rfY4jP-Bik/s1600/WHORUREALLY_300dpi.jpg" height="320" width="208" /><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A</span></i></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>After her daughter
narrowly survived a man she met in an online role-playing game, Kelly wrote a
breathless young adult thriller with the hopes of helping others spot and
unmask internet predators.</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">When a Nampa, Idaho, police
detective said to Margo Kelly’s daughter, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">“It is your job to tell others—your
real everyday friends that you go to school with—tell them what happened to
you, so nothing like this can happen to them.” … she agreed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">“My
daughter is my hero,” Kelly said, “for being willing to share her personal
choices, conversations, and feelings in order to help others, regardless of the
negative judgment she might receive as a result.” Additionally, Kelly realized if
she wrote a novel about her daughter’s experience, they could help more people
avoid the trappings of internet predators. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who R U Really?</i></b> is primarily a work
of fiction, but the essence of the plot is what happened when Kelly’s daughter
was nearly abducted. The fictional elements are based on what has happened to
young women across the country on a too frequent basis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">“Inspired
by her own daughter's terrifying story, Kelly has painted a realistic picture
of how a smart girl can get caught up in something dangerous online,” said the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">School
Library Journal</i></b>. “Guaranteed to give readers goosebumps—particularly as
events heat up toward the end. … A good choice for families to read together.” (</span><a href="http://www.bookverdict.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">http://www.bookverdict.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">According
to the Fall Preview issue of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kirkus Reviews</i></b>, “Thea’s mistakes,
while frustrating to encounter, are frighteningly plausible, and the
relationships among characters are well–fleshed out, especially between mother
and daughter. Kelly’s first novel is a suspenseful page-turner with multiple
suspects, a little bit of romance, and a strong but not overbearing message.” (</span><a href="http://www.kirkusreviews.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">www.kirkusreviews.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Who R U
Really?</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
will be published in hardcover and e-book versions by Merit Press (F+W Media)
on September 18, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">More about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who R U Really?</i></b></span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">When Thea
discovers a new role-playing game online, she breaks her parents’ rules to
play. And in the world of the game, Thea falls for an older boy named Kit whose
smarts and savvy can’t defeat his near-suicidal despair. Soon, he’s texting
her, asking her to meet him, and talking in vague ways about how they can be
together forever. As much as she suspects that this is wrong, Thea is powerless
to resist Kit’s allure, and hurtles toward the very fate her parents feared
most. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who R U Really?</i></b> will excite you and scare you, as Thea’s life
spins out of control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Buy
online:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Who-R-Really-Margo-Kelly/dp/1440572763/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408476786&sr=8-1&keywords=who+r+u+really"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/who-r-u-really-margo-kelly/1118847853?ean=9781440572760"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Barnes & Noble</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.adamsmediastore.com/who-r-u-really"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Merit Press</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">More about Margo Kelly</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Margo
Kelly</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
is a native of the Northwest and currently resides in Idaho. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A veteran public speaker, she is now actively pursuing her love of writing.
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>Who R U Really?</i></b> is her first
novel. Margo</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
welcomes the opportunities to speak to youth groups, library groups, and book
clubs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAwX24E_m7WbrPAj-053j108JgUNKoskcaIbzBxcuIiHq_zyQuAguLOD0XlBnbmFU5oxyP6Bg9-bRBv-ECDoBjcO_F3sPu0gjOyYvwWXhiP8vykoMfroxZNBjQKFm0_7hiSqgnt1oo-8/s1600/margo_kelly_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAwX24E_m7WbrPAj-053j108JgUNKoskcaIbzBxcuIiHq_zyQuAguLOD0XlBnbmFU5oxyP6Bg9-bRBv-ECDoBjcO_F3sPu0gjOyYvwWXhiP8vykoMfroxZNBjQKFm0_7hiSqgnt1oo-8/s1600/margo_kelly_photo.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Follow
her online:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.margokelly.net/"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">www.margokelly.net</span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MargoKelly.author"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">https://www.facebook.com/MargoKelly.author</span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Twitter: @MargoWKelly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Goodreads: </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/margokelly"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">https://www.goodreads.com/margokelly</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 2.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Scheduled Appearances:</u></span><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">September
26, 2014 – 5pm – Book Signing at Hastings in Meridian, Idaho<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">September
27, 2014 – 4pm – Book Signing at Hastings on Overland in Boise, Idaho<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">October 3,
2014 – 7pm – Book Launch Party at Hyde Park Books in Boise, Idaho<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">October 11, 2014 –
4pm – Book Signing at Barn</span><!--EndFragment-->
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