tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75059736641473171822024-03-14T06:20:12.168-07:00Michelle KollarMichelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-60742018072317169702013-08-19T06:46:00.002-07:002013-08-19T06:46:46.900-07:00Is being a writer worth it?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are no stupid questions, but when someone asks me if being a writer is worth it...it gets under my skin. Ugh, ugh and UGH! I'm going to break this down into bullet points, because I like them and it might calm me down a little.<br />
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>A writer has no choice. Writing is about emotional release and vanity. Yes all writers ARE and MUST be VAIN. Editing a novel involves reading the same thing over and over again. If a writer doesn't love his/her work then they would never write. Holy crap paradox! </li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">It's not nice to tear someone down even if they're asking for your advice. If you don't have an art form, I suggest you get one because it's great.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Imagine you're dying of a rare disease and saying goodbye to all your family and friends. You love them right? Is doing something you love worth it??? Duh!</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Going back to number 1 again: When someone says, I've always wanted to give writing a book a try, it's BS. There is never any amount of try in writing.</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I'm getting off my soapbox with: Writers continue to write everyday even when they aren't involved with a book. We have facebook comments and texts paragraphs long. Face to face we may hold back but on the Internet you can't shut us up. We are spacey and daydream because we are thinking about what we want to say next and if/why it's important. Taking my last line from the tv show Monk (Written by writers), it's a gift and a curse.</span></li>
</ol>
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Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-11849492351382160052013-03-06T13:16:00.001-08:002013-03-06T13:16:40.011-08:00Teen Book Swami <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have had this idea of creating a book review blog for awhile. I know they're very common but this one is a little different. It's fun! Any book that I (well Swami) loves gets featured on the blog with an emphasis on character development. How am I going to do that? I'm giving book reviews based on character evaluations and not on plot. Basically how much I (Swami) loved the character and why.<br />
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Check out <a href="http://www.teenbookswami.blogspot.com/">Teen Book Swami</a> for a great young adult read!</div>
Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-75212659226412360662012-08-17T12:45:00.002-07:002013-05-09T16:17:08.164-07:00Don't think, DO!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Artists are always trying to weasel out of what make us happiest. Creativity is a known stress reliever which generates the question; why do we procrastinate? I think it is a horrible technique we abuse ourselves with to generate inspiration. There is one problem. It actually postpones inspiration. In this spirit to combat creative floggings I am introducing the Scaring Away the Plague campaign. This campaign focuses on less thinking and more doing to prove that creativity is the key to happiness. Art doesn't only come from darkness but light too and I believe the light is more productive.<br />
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I need to prove that daily creative ventures scares away that which plagues us all, self criticism. Stop thinking about what you want to do and talking yourself out of it. Stop thinking and just do!<br />
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Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-52831248584206172602012-08-14T14:10:00.000-07:002012-08-14T14:10:08.163-07:00Vloggers: How to make me love you?Let me count the ways:<br />
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1. If you make me laugh I will subscribe. Take something trivial and blow it out of proportion to ridiculous and I'm all over that subscribe button.<br />
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2. I'm looking for entertainment not to fix your problems. Please don't air your dirty laundry. Your underware might be awesome but it starts to stink after awhile and will only haunt you for the rest of your life. The internet is forever. Don't forget that.<br />
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3. Teach me something. Tell me what is going on in the world through your eyes. Even if I don't agree with your point of view I still care that you have one and respect it.<br />
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4. Have a passion and share it. What is your secret hobby? (Origami Nudes would be funny awesome!)<br />
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5. Have a long standing secret that you hint about and never share. For instance "My doctor told me at my last appointment...oh never mind I didn't believe him anyway." The next day show up with a symptom and then another day and then another day. Sneeze on the camera, slur your words, pass out at wrap ups, have spots on your tongue but never acknowledge the symptoms. Then after a few weeks name it: Sherfigganmanitis.<br />
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Now, show me what you got and post your links in the comments. I can't wait!!!! <br />
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<br />Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-75968429892050098622012-08-07T07:00:00.001-07:002012-08-08T05:53:56.848-07:00YouTube Teen Views Rise from the 1970's (Ha!)Today's teens spend more time looking at a screen than their own parents. Between texting friends, Facebook, ipad and then there is YouTube. YouTube serves as a form of quick entertainment with it's little five to ten minute vlogs. I am just as guilty myself. I could be on YouTube every hour of the day without my kids, hubby and writing to make life interesting. A realization hit me today after I watched a clip with Shel Silverstein on The Johnny Cash Show and it got me thinking.<br />
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1. It was in black and white. (Of course it was, it was 1970 but I'm thinking in the perception of the teen viewer.)<br />
2. The dialogue was slow paced and easy going.<br />
3. The songs were serious and sad.<br />
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My beautiful mother would say it was the sign of the times. In 1970 we
were at war with Vietnam and quiet entertainment was perfected. Teens
were being drafted at eighteen out of high school. The show was
basically lulling me into submission.<br />
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Our YouTube videos today are:<br />
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1. Colorful and HD vibrant <br />
2. Fast paced (Jump cuts to the point of epilepsy) <br />
3. Upbeat focus with zany craziness<br />
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Some would say, Michelle teens watch traditional media also. Link below: <br />
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<a href="http://www.adweek.com/news/television/teens-make-time-digital-and-traditional-media-99703">http://www.adweek.com/news/television/teens-make-time-digital-and-traditional-media-99703</a><br />
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I would say to my imaginary friends you are diluting yourselves. <br />
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<a href="http://www.reelseo.com/youtube-statistics/">http://www.reelseo.com/youtube-statistics/</a><br />
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I'm guessing many views are unable to be tracked because Fred is a sensations and Fred gives me a fricking old lady headache. From the YouTube channel charlieissocoollike, teen heartthrob Charlie McDonnall made a million subscribers last year. Craig Benzine, the Wheezy Waiter himself admitted to changing some of his format to fit a younger demographic. In which I respond, BOO! Unfortunately Wheezy is right. I've seen blips his concerts on his channel alwayswheezy and there isn't a person with a wrinkle. Boo! Boo! Boo! (I like Wheezy, especially his videos from early last year.)<br />
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Wrapping the rant: Good or bad YouTube is a sign of OUR times. Parents, to make your teens look at you, you need to start doing jump cuts. <br />
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<br />Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-58475720242895938982012-08-03T14:35:00.000-07:002012-08-03T14:41:48.907-07:00A Ridiculous PDAThe other day as I walked down a bookstore isle, I looked to my left was Fahrenheit 451 and to my right was I Remember Nothing. I stood there between two works by authors that inspired me to be a better writer. Two authors that had recently died. Then something unexpected and ridiculous happened. I began to cry. I had never met Ray Bradbury or Nora Ephron but their absence upset me like they were dear friends.<br />
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Why was I crying in a public place where anyone from high school could see me?<br />
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I can only come up with it was the compelling characters I could identify with as a young adult were somehow dead to me now too. I will never meet Bradbury and Ephron to thank them for the comfort they afforded me.<br />
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So here I lift my glass to you both. Thank you for all the characters that distracted me when I was sick, sad or stressed out. I hope one day to pay it forward.Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-33952447692662381562012-07-12T12:40:00.001-07:002012-07-12T18:41:50.454-07:00New at Writing? Query Rejection? Don't Hit Yourself!Rejections letters should never be taken negatively. You wouldn't hit a baby, would you? Then why hit yourself in the first ten years! Let me explain.<br /><br />Most rejections as a group just mean you're WRITING is not there yet. Everyone complains about the process at first, but the truth is you aren't ready to be published until you write and study craft for five years.<br /><br />Five years...take that in...five years. <br /><br />Ok now get ready to hear you probably won't be published for another five.<br /><br />Give the baby ten years and treat your writing like a growing child. Not a particular novel but you're writing as a whole. We all start with one novel. The novel isn't the baby your writing is. Remember to handle your writing with care.<br /><br />Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-16664532508087151372012-05-31T09:28:00.000-07:002012-05-31T09:28:33.976-07:00<br />
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If you write YA, check out this magazine:<br />
<a href="http://rookiemag.com/">http://rookiemag.com/</a>Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-19915791043938069502011-05-18T19:14:00.000-07:002011-05-18T19:14:38.742-07:00Tiger's Curse - Home<a href="http://www.tigerscursebook.com/">Tiger's Curse - Home</a><br /><br />Try this new read. The second book to come out in the series soon.Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-29718911844711922982011-04-27T20:42:00.000-07:002012-05-31T05:36:44.379-07:00First Draft Rose Colored GlassedI keep hearing the same song about first drafts, "Put it in a drawer." Well, my first drafts are always perfect and that is why I will have fifteen "just's" and twenty "so's" in the first fifty pages. I'm not getting any younger and no offense imaginary person neither are you sooooooooooo here are a few tips this amateur (that would be me) has learned along the past four years of reading crafts books and blogs on writing.<br />
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1. Write a rough outline you don't have to stick to and rush through the rough draft to FINISH the book.<br />
2. Don't show anyone your first draft. (Put the puppy face away because your first draft isn't fooling anyone.)<br />
3. Pick your favorite computer voice under system preferences/speech and have the computer read your first draft to you.<br />
4. Dream of being famous...<br />
5. Brain storm a second novel that has nothing to do with your first drafted book.<br />
6. Dream of being famous...<br />
7. Read first draft out loud. (If you can read it and don't get bored then go on to step 8 otherwise write rough draft for step 5.)<br />
8. Have someone that is not a family member/best bud read it all the way through. Feel free to use bribery.<br />
9. Have a few QUICK reading questions for them. Do they get the premise?<br />
10. Bribe another to read your book and compare and contrast answers. Trust me, the same problems will come up and if they don't, someone is being too nice.<br />
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****NICE DOESN'T GET YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO BE. IF A CRITIQUE DOESN'T HURT THEN IT IS A WASTE OF YOUR TIME. YOU HAVE TO HURT TO LEARN***Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-40292776482479004192010-11-30T14:24:00.000-08:002010-11-30T14:25:48.944-08:00If you don't laugh at this...well...good luck then.<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c9fc-crEFDw?fs=1" frameborder="0" height="344" width="425"></iframe>Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-6525382220240487952010-09-16T11:00:00.000-07:002010-09-16T12:52:00.942-07:00From newbie to professional (Query Readiness Part 3)Here is the emotional response when you don't understand those in publishing:<br /><br /><a href="http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2010/09/you-cant-make-this-up.html">http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2010/09/you-cant-make-this-up.html</a><br /><br />He not only sounds unprofessional, but a newbie and is not ready to be published. No literary agent wants to hold your hand and wipe your tears through acquisitions. Don't forget those edits too.<br /><br />I beg you, don't query until your skin is ready. You might want to query that same agent another book in a year or two when you have better perspective on the industry.<br /><br />Also, THINK before you respond to an agents rejection letter and then don't. If you don't have anything nice to say then shut the hell up. You're making it harder on the rest of us.<br /><br />Research gives you the professional edge. Go to conferences, blog, twitter, tumblr, and get creative writing books at the library. Trust me, you can't go wrong.Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-44146035363272318852010-09-14T12:59:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:24:20.822-07:00The PEOPLE in Publishing (Query Readiness Part 2)Yesterday, I blogged about how doing my research, prepared me emotionally for query rejection. Understanding the PEOPLE in the publishing industry will take the sting away, making it not personal but business.<br /><br />Here are two perfect examples of that research:<br /><br /><a href="http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2010/09/behind-scenes.html">http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2010/09/behind-scenes.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2010/09/day-in-life.html">http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2010/09/day-in-life.html</a>Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-53016857555885588632010-09-13T14:35:00.000-07:002010-09-16T12:45:36.457-07:00What makes me a writer... (Query Readiness Part 1)I started the query process a lot later than I wanted, but here I am and with my first official rejection letter. It was a form rejection that said very nicely, "This is not for me."<br /><br />Am I riddled with sadness? No.<br /><br />Why not? I'm glad you asked imaginary person. I have done my research. I know the process and what NOT to expect. I have read countless posts on an editor's/agent's day to day life. Their job isn't glamorous but it's something they love to do. Writing is something I love to do, yet I know this is a shocker, I too don't lead a glamorous life. I'm one with all there is in publishing. Hummmmmmmmm...<br /><br />Here's what NOT to expect:<br /><br />1. You can't expect (YCE) immediate response or any at all.<br />2. YCE editorial explanations.<br />3. YCE to talk to anyone directly.(In fact it could ruin your career.)<br />4. YCE those in publishing to understand your novel. If they don't get it, they don't care. (That's your job, dumb ass.)<br />5. YCE to be the next bestselling author. (Never put that in a query BTW)<br />6. YCE them to tell the truth all the time. They have their reasons.<br />7. YCE a $750,000 advance. (That's the agents job to barter.)<br />8. YCE to be published in less than five years.<br />9. YCE that anyone will love your book. (The book might be revolutionary in a few years but not now.)<br />10. YCE your dreams to come true the way you want them to.<br /><br />Here is what you can expect:<br /><br />1. The enjoyment of no one telling you how or what to write.<br />2. Absolutely no pressure to perform.<br />3. Happiness and joy in your writing being yours alone.<br />4. More from your writing everyday.<br />5. Love from your critique group.<br />6. Emails sent if you push send instead of save on accident. (Put the email address in ONLY when you're ready to send.) I made this mistake again today. Oops.<br />7. It to hurt after your first critique at a conference. Scratch that, after any number of critiques at a conference. You look up to said person and it sucks when they say your writing isn't perfect. Well duh, that's why you're there.<br />8. To have some sort of site/blog and a twitter account.<br />9. Have fulfillment because you are doing something you love. If you don't please don't become a writer. No one wants to read dispassionate drivel.<br />10. The title of writer after your first official rejection letter.<br /><br />Today, I was rejected and then wrote this post. That's what makes me a writer!Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-943129875893420122010-09-06T00:14:00.000-07:002010-09-06T00:14:47.567-07:00Excellent. It hurt my brain but most excellent!<object style="background-image: url("http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/p_rwB5_3PQc/hqdefault.jpg");" height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/p_rwB5_3PQc?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/p_rwB5_3PQc?fs=1&hl=en_US" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-26575648067406403022010-09-04T07:15:00.000-07:002010-09-04T07:25:07.416-07:00Punk Writer Kid Punkiversary GiveawayToday, I entered a contest with a new up and coming. The premise for her novel sounds great and the epic prizes you'll have to check out for yourself at <a href="http://www.emilia-plater.com/2010/08/punkiversary-giveaway-of-life-changing.html">Punk Writer Kid Punkiversary Giveaway</a>.Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-44275125561286619672010-07-16T09:49:00.000-07:002010-07-16T10:15:25.538-07:00Do I have perfect pitch?I'll be attending a conference soon and I've been honing not only my pitch but a hook that will extend my five minutes to hopefully fifteen. The scene from the Christmas story comes to mind when Ralphie turns in his essay on what he wants for Christmas and he daydreams about his <span style="font-style: italic;">masterpiece</span> gaining praise and approval of his teach and then the whole school. <br /><br />I have no such delusions. I only want the agent/editor to scream at me in the middle of my pitch, "Say no more I must have those pages now." Although, I've have read how conferences don't yield many immediate connections BUT are vital to future endeavors.<br /><br />Still I hone with my little hammer in hand. What do you think of my hook for my YA book?<br /><br />"When Delia falls into the arms of a stranger, it is his pain that ignites god-like abilities inside her." --Unnatural by Michelle Kollar<br /><br />I can hear it now...a Red Rider Bebe gun? You'll shoot your eye out!Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-80712367586845726452010-07-11T17:53:00.000-07:002010-07-11T18:17:34.033-07:00The Brainstormer and it's brilliance.<a href="http://www.andrewbosley.com/the-brainstormer.html">http://www.andrewbosley.com/the-brainstormer.html</a><br /><br />I found this and I was hopping mad I didn't think of it. Not completely computer literate I would get my computer genius husband and he'd have to make it come to life but yeah, me could do it. Alas, some smarty named <a href="http://andrewbosley.blogspot.com/">Andrew Bosley</a> came up with it. It even has an i-phone app.Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-20257452203109020622010-04-12T01:49:00.000-07:002010-04-12T01:49:41.088-07:00Guide to Literary Agents - ''Dear Lucky Agent'' Contest: Middle Grade and Young Adult (with agent Regina Brooks)<a href="http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/Dear+Lucky+Agent+Contest+Middle+Grade+And+Young+Adult+With+Agent+Regina+Brooks.aspx">Guide to Literary Agents - ''Dear Lucky Agent'' Contest: Middle Grade and Young Adult (with agent Regina Brooks)</a>Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-45704276033116876242010-04-08T08:10:00.000-07:002010-04-08T08:10:51.728-07:00Gatekeeper gets PunkI read this four times crying from laughter. I hope I'll feel comfortable enough to joke around like this with my future agent. Urine...lol lol lol.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://agencygatekeeper.blogspot.com/2010/04/gatekeeper-gets-punkd.html">Gatekeeper gets Punk</a>Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-21744566152016189492010-03-31T12:41:00.000-07:002010-03-31T12:47:02.796-07:00Going to give this Moon Rat a try! Love this Blog!<a href="http://editorialass.blogspot.com/2010/03/half-million-and-counting.html">half a million and counting!</a><h3 class="post-title entry-title"> </h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="post-body entry-content"> Ed Ass got its 500,000th hit today. This makes me feel old and venerable.<br /><br />Naturally, I wanted to celebrate. I mean, with you guys, since you made it happen. But how?! No one has yet invented a giant internet pie.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.totallythebomb.com/">Jamie Harrington, clever thing</a>, had the idea that I have a giveaway contest, the prize being a first 20 pages crit. So that's what it is! I'll give away one crit of a book's first 20 pages (size 12 font, double spaced, .5 margins for you sneaky sneakies out there).<br /><br />You'll be automatically entered to win if you do any or all of the following things:<br /><br />1) repost this on your blog<br /><br />OR<br /><br />2) retweet my Twitter announcement<br /><br />OR<br /><br />3) link to this post on Facebook (make sure you include @Moonrat in the post so I'm notified of it)<br /><br />I'll close the contest at 11 pm EST tomorrow (March 31). The Rally Monkey will randomly select one winner without my input (as if I could make him listen to me, anyway).<br /><br />Yay! I'm really excited now. </div> <div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"><span class="post-author vcard"> Posted by <span class="fn">moonrat</span> </span> <span class="post-timestamp"> at <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://editorialass.blogspot.com/2010/03/half-million-and-counting.html" rel="bookmark" title="permanent link"><abbr class="published" title="2010-03-30T16:14:00-04:00">4:14 PM</abbr></a> </span> <span class="post-comment-link"> </span> <span class="post-icons"> <span class="item-action"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=37191093&postID=7154493572253105309" title="Email Post"> <img alt="" class="icon-action" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/icon18_email.gif" height="13" width="18" /> </a> </span> <span class="item-control blog-admin pid-220187136"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=37191093&postID=7154493572253105309" title="Edit Post"> <img alt="" class="icon-action" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/icon18_edit_allbkg.gif" height="18" width="18" /> </a> </span> </span> <span class="post-backlinks post-comment-link"> </span> </div> <div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-2"><span class="post-labels"> Labels: <a href="http://editorialass.blogspot.com/search/label/contest" rel="tag">contest</a><br /><br /><a href="http://editorialass.blogspot.com/2010/03/half-million-and-counting.html">http://editorialass.blogspot.com/2010/03/half-million-and-counting.html</a><br /></span> </div>Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-17796974873478009942010-03-13T14:48:00.000-08:002010-03-13T14:48:44.974-08:00Guide to Literary Agents - Reminder: Third ''Dear Lucky Agent'' Contest Ends Sunday!<a href="http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/Reminder+Third+Dear+Lucky+Agent+Contest+Ends+Sunday.aspx">Guide to Literary Agents - Reminder: Third ''Dear Lucky Agent'' Contest Ends Sunday!</a>Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-49816602237386311072010-03-04T10:19:00.000-08:002010-03-15T08:49:31.647-07:00You mean I have to learn something!In my head everything I write is perfect and when it comes to "the doing" I expect the outcome to be perfect because I suffer from frequent delusions of grandeur which I tend to keep to myself for the most part. Now I'm not saying I'm a good writer, I'm not saying I'm a bad writer. What am I saying? Oh yes, why the HELL couldn't I SEE two years ago when I spent a whole weekend writing the first thirty some pages that they were CRAP! Honestly...I couldn't recognize the first scene which I LOVED was boring as all fricken hell. The past two years when I watched my friends faces go from excitement to 'eh' it didn't click to cut the first scene totally until last night? And here is the catch my boys and girls, guess what happens when you write like I do in a nice line, you have to change a lot of the story after removing anything. Revisions, revisions, revisions! When can I finally send this beast out to agents? (Blak!)<br />I'm afraid I'm running out of time and the paranormal romance streak is only going to fly so far before the loop comes back to just plain normal then whatever I have is then called the equalent of lame in the teenage current lingo. (Totally jake, right!) I like sci-fi and paranormal stuff. It's what I write. The idea of what I come up with is not babyish or weird but wanted, is why I started writing again. Agents aren't going to want what is saturated or going out. They want new creative well written manuscripts.<br />I want my shot, I want my rejection letters and I want my requests for partials. I also want to start my next thirty pages I can flog myself with (in hopefully only six months for the next time) while I scream at the top of my lungs, "You mean I have to learn something and I thought I was perfect!"Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-76592553060375189552010-02-26T13:06:00.000-08:002010-02-27T16:08:26.364-08:00Curious QuestionsIn my past posts I stated how I write off the hip and my frustration with my own self inflicted diabolical process. I always march on because I have questions. I write those questions down by hand and no matter how long it takes I look at it everyday until I have an answer. I'm hoping the curiosity I experience is the same for the reader. I heard a mystery writer say once in an interview, if we as writers paint ourselves into a corner then the reader will be less likely to telegraph the story. I like the idea of creating the unexpected. My dream is not to be published but to antagonize the crap out of a reader to the point that the only thing of significance is to finish my book. Recently, as a test, I've been giving the first few pages to many friends and wait to see if they ask for more. If I have to call them then I know there is a problem, the story is a sinker and I need to move on. Pushing through the pain of rejection is worth it just to hear those sweet words I do dream of, 'more please'. I have to admit, I like driving people slightly crazy. It makes me smile.Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7505973664147317182.post-68267100153587401932010-02-11T09:09:00.000-08:002010-02-11T12:03:56.941-08:00A legit writers contest.Normally, I disregard writing contests because I don't trust them. Most contests are usually a front to get you to give them money for some sort of vanity book or 'outside expenses'. How do I know this? Well I also have written songs and poetry so in my time I've entered a couple contests. Guess what? I WON! Yes, and when I was nineteen and stupid I really thought I was special when my poem was 'chosen' to be in a published book. My dad never told me the truth and he bought the book. Holding the $20 vanity book that had a bunch of other suckers poems in it, he told me he was proud of me. (I know, boohoo, get to the point.)<br />Well let's go back a few months, (snore) hey, I'm getting there...I had the awesome opportunity to attend a FREE talk given by Chuck Sambuchino. He gave info and advice about the world of publishing while promoting his book Guide to Literary Agents 2010. Amazed by his infinite knowledge and experience, I started to follow his blog <a href="http://guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/">Guide to Literary Agents</a>.<br />It has become one of my favorites along with Writers Unboxed and Query Shark.<br />Anyway, I trust his blog enough to enter his Dear Lucky Agent Contest. Without a query, I get to submit the first 150-200 words of my manuscript to be judged by Jennifer Laughran of the Andrea Brown Agency.<br />Wish me luck!Michelle Kollarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16876074878628978930noreply@blogger.com0