The past week has been an exciting whirlwind of writing-related activities as I participated in my first residency for the Writing of Popular Fiction program. I am thrilled to be involved in this active community of writers, but, I must confess, I feel a little out of place in the whole thing. I listed myself as a fantasy writer, but I'm not sure I fit that genre at all. I met a lot of wonderful people during my time here, but I didn't feel like I really bonded with anyone. I was disappointed by that, but I suppose it's my own fault for being so darn weird.
In truth, I felt quite out of place. I did initiate quite a few random conversations with people, but since I was unable to participate in most of the evening activities (the ones I knew about, that is), I probably missed a lot of bonding time. I think I'll adjust to the environment, and have more of an idea of what to expect next time around. It was a lot of fun regardless, and I left feeling inspired to write my heart out, if nothing else.
I'm excited to begin work on my novel, the idea for which has grown and evolved over the last week from my original idea into a much stronger premise. I've mapped out my direction (as much as I know it) and discussed the idea with a savvy-reader friend who has offered many helpful suggestions. I'll be sharing my work with my mentor and three peers over the next several months, and I think that aspect of the program appeals to me more than the forced social engagements.
It's not that I don't enjoy being around other people, and fellow writers to boot, but the past month or so has been a pleasant change from my ordinarily quite-frazzled existence. I've been unemployed since a week before graduation and spend most of my time writing, gardening, cleaning, walking, and otherwise keeping it "real" in the GBG. Moving from that into graduate studies was quite a switch. I'm determined to figure out a way to continue this new simple lifestyle -- I love it!
I'm starting as a private writing tutor next month, which is a nice chunk of change for doing something I absolutely love, and I'm going to find a few other clients. I might also pick up a job babysitting with a local family. I've been sending out manuscripts here and there, and I'm hoping to make a professional sale (or two or ten... hah!) by the end of the year. I have a pile of boxes reaching almost to the ceiling in my kitchen; I am hoping to make a tidy sum at the yard sale I'm having next month.
Whenever people ask me what I do, I say "Nothing!" and that's fun. I can sleep 'til noon if I want, though I usually don't. I can blast music and dance around my apartment at midnight since the guy upstairs works the night shift. I write stories about magical vomit and evil talk show hosts. I make my way to the local farmer's market at least once a week, and I'm a regular at the libraries in town and on campus. I walk for miles at a stretch with my best friend and drink hot tea next to my porch garden. I let the neighbor's kids feed my fish, who is lucky to still be alive, and I bake muffins from scratch once a week or so. My life, though simple, is grand.
If you are interested in being published but weren't able to attend the recent panel featuring Betsy Mitchell, Del Rey, Kate Seaver, Berkley Books, and Ginger Clark from Curtis Brown, I will now, for your publishing pleasure, share their secrets:
1) Do not use a crayon to illustrate any part of your manuscript. Even if your art work is really, really good, your efforts will likely not be appreciated. So, save the art work for other media, like placemats.
2) Always use margins. Although it may -seem- like a good idea to use every inch of paper possible, try to leave at least 1 inch all around so that the grubby-handed editors and agents, who often read while eating, drinking or avoiding crazies on the subway, can easily handle your manuscript.
3) Despite the fact that pretty fonts look so, well, pretty, don't use them. Use a nice simple font, however boring that might be, and let what's important do the talking: your words.
4) Do not, under any circumstances, send any of the following to a potential editor or agent:
5) When writing a query letter, do not include any type of math. Editors and agents don't like math, damnit, that's why they work with words, not numbers. Don't make their brains hurt by including genre percentages, especially, at this is very important, if your numbers don't add up to 100%.
6) Do not write stories about vampires or ghost unless you are really, really clever. Chances are good that you are not as clever as you think you are, just so you know. Werewolves, however, are totally hot right now. Go crazy with the werewolf stories. Also, succubus. Feel free to write anything you want about succubi.
Well, It's official. I am a Graduate Student. Sure, classes don't actually start until tomorrow and I should probably be mingling with my classmates and peers instead of writing, but, um, it's a writing program! So it's okay, right?
In other news, I secured a tutoring gig for the summer! I'm pretty darn pumped about it since I loved working with students in the Writing Center. Now, I'm doing the same type of thing for higher pay! What's not to love?
I'm trying to think of an awesome vacation to take this summer. Nothing can beat Europe, of course, but I need something cool. Anyone have any suggestions?
Here are the requirements:
1) Near a large body of water, be it ocean, lake, or river.
2) Cheap or free place to stay (camping is a-okay).
3) Lots of nature stuff to do.
4) In the United States since I'm not allowed to leave the country until I update my Alien Registration card.
Where should I go?
Today, in my mailbox I got a free package of Dentyne Fire gum and a sample pack of Dentyne Ice mints plus a 50 cents off coupon. Yesterday, I got a nice sample package of Nexxus shampoo and conditioner, two EQ energy drink tablets, a bunch of posters promoting recycling for my mad scientist friend, and a $1 off coupon for Mr. Clean magic erasers. I got a sample of Head and Shoulders shampoo, two Trojan condoms, and a "Being A Girl" gift set from Always.
I bet my mailman hates my guts.
In other news, Slanguage: This site is pretty cool. Let's start one for the GBG, eh?
I've decided to become, among other things, a comic book artist. I learned recently from a cool dude named Dan the amazing things that could be created in Paint. I expanded that lesson into Photoshop and went a little nuts. Drawing is an EXCELLENT way to procrastinate!
Seriously though, I've spend days putting together a webpage at www.literarytease.com and it would rock my world if you would check it out! You'll find the original U.K. Phone Booth project from Writing for the Internet in Fall 2004, updated and better than ever. You'll also have a chance to see my silly attempts at being an artist, a new blog about being a writer, and much more with loads on the way.
I don't know if I've mentioned on here that I've been accepted to the Writing of Popular Fiction master's program which starts on June 21. I'm excited but majorly intimidated, so wish me luck! In the meantime, for anyone else out there starting graduate studies, this site has a great free kit for students as well as all sorts of resources. Fabulous!
By the way, if you read my last post, you know about my newest obsession: searching for free stuff online (be wary of scams!). Here's what I got in my mailbox in the last few days:
a lip gloss sample from Vital Radiance
a sample of COFFEE from Gevalia Kaffe (yay!)
a DVD from Go RVing (which is super, since I wanna buy one)
a sample pack of paper from HP plus a $3 coupon for my next purchase
a guide to healthy eating from the CDC
a sample of Nivea for Men Revitalizing Lotion Q10 from devilmart, er, Wal-Mart
4 sample packs from True Lemon / True Lime plus a coupon.
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moon phases |
