Wednesday, April 13, 2011

100 Literacy Agents That Are Seeking Writers

Here is a list of a 100 literacy agents that are seeking writers. These agents live in New York—New York agents have an easier time landing publishers; that not saying that other agents don’t have a relationship with New York publishing companies—just a harder time. All of these agents also have websites, and if you know me, then you know I only look at agencies that have their own website.
Every single one of these agencies is great, but make sure you research them before sending them a query letter, because you don’t want an agent who you won’t like.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Votes are in!

The voting poll is over for rating the Hunger Games. The average of the votes was 4.7/5 stars!

Coming Soon!

I will be posting an article that contains a bunch of names for novel characters that can help your mind get going.

BUT!

Wensday, I will be posting 100 LITERARY AGENTS LOOKING FOR WRITERS!

Stay tuned.

For Up And Coming Teachers!

This topic has nothing to do with writing per se, but when I was still in college, I wanted to be a teacher but was always nervous. I bought this book, which is WELL known, and it helped me out TONS! So if you are thinking about becoming a teacher, you should buy this. Research the book first if you aren't sure. It is great

How To Write A Killer First Chapter!

Notice: Previous articles were on how to write a novel, how to get published, and how to write a query letter. Next on the agenda is a GREAT list of names to use for characters! Stay tuned.

I wish I could, but I cannot express enough the importance of the first chapter. There are so many reasons why the first chapter is beyond important, but here are the top 2 reasons.
1.      When sending in your novel to an agent, they will ask for your first chapter, or first three chapters. If they read the first chapter and it isn’t AMAZING, then they won’t bother reading on, because they read so many manuscripts a day. So your first chapter has to stand out in order to stand a fighting chance. (Does anyone else think I should become a motivational speaker? I’m always full of positives.)
2.      You love writing, I love writing, all writers love writing; however, we have to face the facts—if we are to become published, we have to write material that is marketable. There are two types of potential buyers. One who opens the book, reads the first paragraph or page, and decides on buying it or reading more. And the other is one who reads the first chapter and sees if they are interested. If you don’t pass either of those tests, then you are out of luck. So the first chapter is important.

Monday, April 11, 2011

How To Write A Query Letter!


Notice: Previous articles were on how to write a novel and how to get published. The next article on the agenda is how to write a killer first chapter!
It is time! You have spent every ounce of your soul writing that beautifully crafted novel as yours. (And from some of samples people have sent me to look at, they truly are great) Pat yourself on your back because you have just jumped over a large hill that not many have or can do. I am being serious, writing a novel is hard, but exceedingly rewarding. Now you may be saying to yourself, “Psh, I have just written a novel, everything else will be easy.” If you have that kind of attitude, I hope you keep it once you are done reading this. (I hope I didn’t just scare everyone away…) 

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Sorry!

Sorry for lack of content! My old blog was HACKED! I know, how dare them. So I am slowly but surely bringing everything back over and obviously adding many new things. If you have a topic you would like me to cover, please holler. Currently on the agenda--How to write a Query Letter, and, How to write a killer first chapter! Thanks, and subscribe! SCROLL DOWN TO SEE CURRENT ARTICLES

Hunger Games Review

            NOTICE: Previous posts were on how to write a novel and how to get a writers agent. Check it out! Thanks.

The Hunger Games is a story about a young girl, Katniss Everdeen. She lives in this world where a controlling government watches over 12 districts. Each district is in deep poverty and despises the controlling government—the “Capital.” The Capital holds a game each year where they take 2 tributes of each district from ages 12-17 and places them in a dome where the kids must fight to the death. The last survivor wins the games and earns a years’ worth food and oil for their district.  
            Make no mistake; this minor description is just the frosting on the cake. It is what you see up front, but when you take a bite you discover all the integrate flavors. (I am craving cake now. Anyone else like pie more than cake?)

How to get a writers Agent!

NOTICE: Previous article was on how to write a novel. Check it out! Thanks.
            So you have slaved away at your computer, neglected people, and quite possible pulled out a few hairs (who am I kidding, you are probably bald by now) trying to get your novel perfect. The next step is obviously—to get published. So how do we go about doing that? An Agent. An agent is basically the wheels to your car. Without it, you are stranded to pull and lug that car around with no help. An agent helps place your novel in the right “hands” and increases your chances of getting published by 100%. Maybe even 200%. However, there are a few steps to get an agent, and it isn’t as simple as this article is going to make it out to be. But that is why I am here, to guide you through the awesome (I wanted to use the word magical, uh…resist) journey of writing a novel and getting it published!
            Step 1: Make sure you have written a great manuscript. I’m sure that sounds a given, but there has been countless people trying to get agents and they have nothing to offer them. When you write an agent, they are not going to accept you based off of the ideas you have, they need proof, and the manuscript has to be FINISHED. Next, understand what genre your story falls into. If you are writing about a talking apple that falls in love with a silent orange, but they  cannot be together because the orange’s mother won’t let it...then you are probably not writing a thriller. (Is it sad that with the names celebrities are naming their kids now a days, I could easily be referring to people and not fruits…) It would also help to understand which age group your novel is geared towards. Well, was the first step easy-peasy? On to the next.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

How To Write A Novel

Have you ever wanted to write a novel? If you are like me, than writing a novel is a dream that has never left your mind. If you are waiting to lift that pen and get to work on the next best seller, then this article is calling your name!
1.      Okay, obviously everyone has their “way” of writing a novel. Some people like to dive right into it (honestly they must have been formed by God’s tears if they have that kind of an ability) and others like to plan the first chapter. Many people (like myself) like to plan the entire novel—from chapter one to the end. For the sanity of this magical article, we are going to venture down the road of actually planning a novel out. AND! What to do once you have finished that last beautiful chapter of yours.


2.      Discover The Plot. This process goes very differently for each person; however, it needs to be done of course. Some people like to sit down with their ruler sketched “WEB” diagram and sit there until an idea comes to mind, while others use life as their playground when finding ideas to write about. Regardless of your approach, you need to ALWAYS have an open mind when it comes to writing novels—the best ideas come from places you least expect.
·         One of my novel ideas came from my least favorite class—history. (I know, I know, everyone is going to start yelling at me, “How can you hate history but love writing?!” My answer…well it’s boring.) Back to the article before I was so rudely interrupted. I was sitting in class, enduring a 3 hour lecture, and the teacher talked about a topic which instantly sparked an interest for a novel idea. When I ran home like a little girl who just discovered the lost ark of candy, I sat down and branched my novel off that sole idea.
·         I’ve heard some authors say that their ideas come from dreams. Once your novel idea about machines that take over the world, or magical ponies that harness the power to make it rain chocolate—it is time to move on.