tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720499014042480692024-02-19T10:52:24.602-05:00Lacey J Edwards | Blog<i>Ramblings Of A Young Adult Writer</i>Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-15883944168488329062015-07-30T19:34:00.002-04:002015-07-30T19:34:32.388-04:00Been a few.I have returned! Sort of. It might take me a while to relearn how to edit my blog and my website.<br />
I no longer have my domain, so none of my links are working. It might take me a minute.<br />
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What's good?Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-63146582531182704302012-06-04T11:48:00.000-04:002012-06-04T11:48:51.874-04:00I'm Not DeadHey, folks. Quick update to let you all know I haven't fallen deathly ill. I am very much alive! Changes are coming my way, and the preparation has taken up all of my internet time. But soon, I will be back in the saddle and blessing you all with my nonsense.<br />
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Until then.Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-47109351780905933512012-01-03T13:21:00.000-05:002012-01-03T13:21:36.150-05:00It's A New year!2012 started nice and cold here in NYC! But aside from that, I think it's going to be a great year. My crit partner, Kristi Helvig, is kicking us off over at <a href="http://www.sistersinscribe.com/2012/01/how-i-got-my-agent.html">Sisters in Scribe</a> with the story of how she got her agent, and a few contest/giveaways, we're back at <a href="http://tangledfiction.livejournal.com/">Tangled Fiction </a>with all new stories, and I am cranking on my newest round of edits on my manuscript!<br />
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I'm not a big fan of resolutions, but goal setting is great. My main goal for this year is to sell this big sexy manuscript to the perfect editor. Someone who loves my characters just as much as my agent and I do. How about you? Big plans? Or do you like to take the baby steps?<br />
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Here's to a great new year!Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-22562945542618085232011-10-20T10:37:00.002-04:002011-10-20T16:07:04.965-04:00I *Heart* School. And An Easy Chance To Win An ARC.My Tiny Human started school in September this year. She and I went from being together 24/7 for all four years of her life, to being apart for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. Now. This is where I <i>could </i>tell you that I cried the day I dropped her off and I've missed her and she had terrible separation anxiety. But I'd be lying.<br />
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It is GREAT! She loves school, her teacher is fantastic, and I have 6 hours to exercise, write, read, whatever I need to do. I told myself that my revisions would be done so fast and my house would never be cleaner, but yeah, that hasn't really happened. Still, this extra quiet time has done wonders for my mental health (and physical health, since I've had time to exercise).<br />
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But the downside to having school aged children, is remembering all the special dates. Good golly. And I volunteer for things, so I need to remember those dates, times and places as well. Oy!<br />
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I've been asked to come in and do a school visit next week with her class and talk about writing, so I will definitely let you know how that goes!<br />
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<b>Anybody else with Tiny Humans that started school this year? how are you spending that time? Writing, I hope!</b><br />
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</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">And we have a new tangle started by me at <a href="http://tangledfiction.blogspot.com/">Tangled Fiction</a> if you're in the mood for some short fiction and crossroads demons. I might just do an impromptu ARC giveaway (I may or may not have in my possession, an ARC of THE NEAR WITCH by Victoria Schwabb and it is fantastic) or something to some random person who reads and comments on the Tangled Fiction Blog. Either at <a href="http://tangledfiction.livejournal.com/">Livejournal</a>, or <a href="http://tangledfiction.blogspot.com/">Blogger</a>, either one is fine. Happy reading/writing!</span></b>Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-76792647500230605242011-10-13T09:30:00.002-04:002011-10-13T09:30:54.417-04:00Second Draft = First Draft - 10%This is a formula learned by Stephen King back in his early years of multiple (multiple!) rejection slips. Like Mr. King, I find my writing style to be the opposite. I write a fast paced, skimpy first draft, and then add the meat later. But I'm just now figuring out what that really means.<br />
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I'd worry about themes, and character arcs and motivations, all of the things a good writer should be worried about. But I'm realizing now that I think I worried about them at the wrong time. I don't outline. I don't plot my first draft. I can't. I've tried, and it kills my creativity. Just...*bang*. Dead. I start with something--a situation, a character, a first line--and I go with the flow from there. Granted, I would probably save myself some revision time if I thought ahead, but that's just not how I work. I'm noticing now as I'm on draft # (I care not to mention the number) that I DO have themes! Or at least, snipits of things that I can make resonate, things I can flesh out and bring to the foreground and make thematic! OMG! And I have symbolism! What!? For real. It's all there. And I didn't even try.<br />
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I wish I'd come to this revelation sooner, and had I finished this amazing book called <i>On Writing</i> a little sooner, I probably would have. But I'm not one to dwell on shoulda, coulda, woulda.<br />
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I'm not saying every story needs themes or symbolism nestled in there. I don't think they all do, but if you find it, go with it. Why not, right?<br />
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Another question we tend to stress over is the "what's it all about?". What was my book all about? What was I trying to say with it? Why did I spend so many hours hunched over my keyboard, forgetting to eat, or shower, or wear suitable clothing? This is another question best saved for draft #2, not the first draft. At least, in my case. I can't speak for the rest of you.<br />
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During the first draft stage, you might keep this one tucked away in the back of your mind, I try to. But I personally can't decide what I want to say until it's done. You don't want to sit down before you write and think to yourself, "Well, I'm just going to teach these kids that doing drugs is a bad idea." Because then your manuscript of going to <i>reek </i>of morality. And if you want to write an honest work of fiction, you don't want to do that. I mean, unless that the sort of book you want to write. I don't want to step on any toes or anything.<br />
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So that's basically it. Often bringing these things to light in what you've already written takes a great deal of cutting (killing those pretty little darlings) and moving, shaping, rewriting. But when you sit back and read what you've written, and it actually resembles a real story, it's so worth it.<br />
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<b>Does anyone here follow this formula? Start of with a whopper and file it down to the good stuff?</b> <b>Please share!</b><br />
<div><b><br />
</b></div>Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-71819874588344336992011-09-15T10:10:00.000-04:002011-09-15T10:10:02.153-04:00Win A 30 Page Crit From Sisters In Scribe!Once again, the writing community has come together to raise funds for the American Red Cross, this time to provide relief for Hurricane Irene victims. And Kristi, Valerie, and myself are happy to be a part of it!<br />
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Read for Relief opened the bidding for a 30 page crit from EACH of us! That's <i>three</i> 30 page crits on your YA or MG manuscript! Come check out <a href="http://readforrelief.blogspot.com/">the auction website</a> and browse the other items up for grabs, <a href="http://readforrelief.blogspot.com/2011/09/day-4-item-3-30-page-critique.html">along with ours</a>! Happy bidding and good luck!<br />
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Bidding closes at 10:00PM EST, Saturday.Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-4013328681336649382011-09-01T10:51:00.001-04:002011-09-12T15:48:13.390-04:00Gettin' Back In the Groove!Summer is winding down. My big kid is back in school (2nd grade!!!) and my Tiny Human starts pre-k next week, so I am back in writing mode! Of course, writing mode never truly stops, but my blog hiatus has been long enough. I've missed you all.<br />
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You'd think after taking about a month off that I'd have something awesome to blog about, but alas, I do not. I could ramble on about my mandatory evacuation, thanks to Hurricane Irene, that turned into a party with my folks out in the sticks, but you don't want to hear about that.<br />
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*whispers*<i> Husband is no longer a tattoo virgin.</i><br />
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But I want to hear about you! How was your summer? Did you get a lot of writing done, or are you a total summer slacker? What have I missed in the blogosphere! Did you attend <a href="http://writeoncon.com/">Write On Con?</a> My super awesome agent, Sara Megibow, was a guest during one or more of the chats!<br />
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Starting Monday, our Spring/Summer hiatus at <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/tangledfiction/">Tangled Fiction</a> ends! We're coming back with a brand new tangle, started by me on September 5th, so be ready!Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-25679451235255198112011-08-11T15:25:00.001-04:002011-08-11T15:26:18.980-04:00Updates! And Apologies.Have you checked out Sisters in Scribe lately? We have another<a href="http://bit.ly/owl62Y"> fab giveaway </a>happening! Up for grabs is an autographed copy of BAD TASTE IN BOYS by our zombie-loving friend, Carrie Harris! We're only selecting one top entry for the book, but I MIGHT have something special for our second and third faves. *wink*<br />
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In other news, you remember back in April when Natalie Parker, Valerie Kemp and I (Tangled Fiction) said we were taking a spring hiatus, and we'd be back in May? And then May came and went. And then so did the rest of the summer? Yeah. About that. We feel TERRIBLE for abandoning the blog for so long, but we've had good reason! You already know <a href="http://www.blog.ljboldyrev.com/2011/07/news-and-first-post-where-i-use-words.html">my news</a>, but Valerie and Natalie have had their own share of excitement this summer! We have <a href="http://tangledfiction.livejournal.com/18980.html">an update up on the TF blog</a>, so be sure to check that out! We are STOKED to be back in the saddle. We've missed you guys! Also on <a href="http://tangledfiction.blogspot.com/2011/08/things-that-start-with.html">blogger</a>.<br />
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My agent, Sara Megibow, now has a monthly blog spot at <a href="http://romanceuniversity.org/">Romance University! </a> Even if you don't write romance, I still recommend giving Sara a read. I'm a little bias, yes, but she is awesome!<br />
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As for this blog and all it's patheticness, I'm afraid that'll continue at least until September. I'm super busy with edits (Sara cracks a mighty whip) and summer vacation! And I hope you are too. ;)Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-5113057786499806042011-07-25T12:25:00.001-04:002011-07-25T12:48:39.751-04:00Oh, Monday. And Frogs.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">It is Monday again already. How did this happen?! So you may have noticed I haven't blogged much, and I swear I have a good reason! You know, besides being up to my eyeballs in edits and trying to balance that with summer vacation with my kids.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">We've had a major heat wave here in NYC and because of this extreme heat, our power was down for nearly three days. No Internet. No TV. No lights or air conditioning. It was brutal. But I survived! And so did my family and my pets. There were no casualties, save for one fish that is unaccounted for. But I am blaming his disappearance on the monster belly of my growing catfish. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">*sigh*</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Today is my dad's 60th birthday!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD! I LOVE YOU! And he's stuck in a hospital two states away. I tell ya, moving away from home is not all it's cracked up to be. But not to worry, he's a tough old biker. He'll be fine. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Back to that heat wave. We were all a little loony in my house those days when the temps were above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Loonier than usual. My daughter (7 years old) was crouching on the couch with her knees bent up by her ears, making *ribbit* noises and pretending to catch flies with her tongue, (this is really a totally normal thing for her, not at all heat induced) and my husband walked by and she said, "Daddy, I'm a frog."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Really? A Frog? Not a chicken? I was totally leaning toward chicken.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">This got me thinking about writing, as most things do. Especially when my whole body feels like melty goo and I CAN'T work on my book because I have no electricity and my laptop is a tiny dinosaur who has the battery life of... something that only has a 30 minute charge. I can't even think of anything that sucks battery life that bad. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">So. Writing. It was obvious she was pretending she was a frog, right? You got that too? And yet she still felt that she had to <i>tell </i>my husband. We do this in our writing. We <i>all </i>do this. Don't fib. I can see your soul.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">We tell. Even when we think we're showing. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">We can describe something, a feeling or emotion, so perfectly, and then we still end up tagging it with the emotion we're trying to describe. (ex. My heart raced with fear.) </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">This is where amazing <a href="http://www.sistersinscribe.com/">crit partners</a>, and lots of hours spent in the revision cave come in handy. Turning yesterday's crap into a little less crap. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I had a point here. I know I did. I think it was something like "trust your reader." Readers are a highly intelligent breed. They'll pick it up. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">If it walks like a duck...or hops like a frog.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
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</span></span>Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-67255467822839666132011-07-21T10:49:00.001-04:002011-07-21T10:50:29.895-04:00Winners!<div>Guys, thank you all SO much for the well-wishes and congratulations. You made celebrating<a href="http://www.blog.ljboldyrev.com/2011/07/news-and-first-post-where-i-use-words.html"> my good news</a> completely awesome, and I could never thank you enough. But you don't want to read all my gushy thoughts, so on to the winners!!!!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Thanks to the Truly Random Number Generator, the winner of an ARC of Marie Lu's LEGEND is</div><div><br />
</div><b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mary B!!!!!!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzs86BhqrC3Me_qBE1so-rx_WRVakHt5QaumHQXsuCwDm7u0SZDBXngwHFjM7El27UhhFtfbdbG7yuKnR7-plFBeEbKVD4Gp75IyaWvzy1rAS_Ri8oXyDwno2uQDy27Jfou7rX7TzE8ov/s1600/legend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzs86BhqrC3Me_qBE1so-rx_WRVakHt5QaumHQXsuCwDm7u0SZDBXngwHFjM7El27UhhFtfbdbG7yuKnR7-plFBeEbKVD4Gp75IyaWvzy1rAS_Ri8oXyDwno2uQDy27Jfou7rX7TzE8ov/s320/legend.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">And the winner of the signed pre-order of Miranda Kenneally's CATCHING JORDAN is</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yasemin!!!!!!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLBpZKUUDHsmpaJPkJgEVz_d9vpcELUj_lBSNoEx6BCMEjypLzkrh72NtHeUxp9lPH3n7fZafgZjDOf9zvp8WGK1h2pvfjuKQv_y8kCOdclXGkn3lXDIjWBWQiscNpYv5Rib4QQ08vpsk/s1600/catching_jordan_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLBpZKUUDHsmpaJPkJgEVz_d9vpcELUj_lBSNoEx6BCMEjypLzkrh72NtHeUxp9lPH3n7fZafgZjDOf9zvp8WGK1h2pvfjuKQv_y8kCOdclXGkn3lXDIjWBWQiscNpYv5Rib4QQ08vpsk/s320/catching_jordan_cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I will be emailing both of the winners today! Thanks again for helping me celebrate and an extra big thanks to those of you who helped spread the word via twitter, facebook, and blogs. You rock!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hopefully we'll be celebrating lots more good news in the future!</div>Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-61451530064443573742011-07-07T10:00:00.042-04:002011-07-07T14:33:43.346-04:00News! And The First Post Where I Use The Words “My” and “Agent!”Sooo my title probably ruins the surprise a little bit, huh? This is the news I have been promising you on<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/ljboldyrev"> twitter </a>and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LJBoldyrev">facebook</a>! I’ve signed with an agent!<br />
<br />
Me!<br />
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A real, live agent! Not to be confused with a not-live one. Like a plastic one. Or rubber. <br />
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My story is a short, fast-paced, crazy-lucky one. The condensed version: I received offers! And I accepted one!<br />
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<a href="http://mirandakenneally.com/">Miranda Kenneally</a> (author of CATCHING JORDAN, Dec. 2011) had already read my manuscript. And she kinda loved it, even though she’s a contemp writer, and my manuscript is...not contemp. And Miranda knows I’ve always fancied her agent, <a href="http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/SaraMegibow/">Sara Megibow</a>.<br />
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***You all probably remember when Sara Megibow was a guest judge on the Sisters in Scribe blog, yes? If not, that post is<a href="http://www.sistersinscribe.com/2011/05/contest-of-epic-awesome-with-agent-sara.html"> here</a>. Sara is fantastic! She’s professional, assertive, super nice, and about a zillion other gushy things.***<br />
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My situation was a little different than most, so Miranda emailed Sara and gave me a referral! Sara read my query letter, and requested the full. There were phone calls, and thoughtful consideration of all of my agent options (options!), and in the end, it was Sara Megibow who won my heart.The perfect match for me and my fledgling career.<br />
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I have signed with Sara Megibow of the <a href="http://www.nelsonagency.com/">Nelson Literary Agency</a>!!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Pr_4y9ZVLCCIOrhLgTV07t7svdKol_wFme4VGzM3YBhlNDd40Imznm3uAdcZW4cgNARwohDVIygfW_yoQGcADflWVh9jC5dwDTPbuIpugxzQlZKxBX46KeaWiet9aWbtzM22u5eWnAsM/s1600/kewpieSara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Pr_4y9ZVLCCIOrhLgTV07t7svdKol_wFme4VGzM3YBhlNDd40Imznm3uAdcZW4cgNARwohDVIygfW_yoQGcADflWVh9jC5dwDTPbuIpugxzQlZKxBX46KeaWiet9aWbtzM22u5eWnAsM/s320/kewpieSara.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I am also REALLY bad at photoshop)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999;">c</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">n</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b;">f</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">e</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b4a7d6;">t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">i</span>*</span></b></div><br />
And to celebrate, I’m giving away books from Nelson Agency authors! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzs86BhqrC3Me_qBE1so-rx_WRVakHt5QaumHQXsuCwDm7u0SZDBXngwHFjM7El27UhhFtfbdbG7yuKnR7-plFBeEbKVD4Gp75IyaWvzy1rAS_Ri8oXyDwno2uQDy27Jfou7rX7TzE8ov/s1600/legend.jpg" 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/AVvXsEjSzs86BhqrC3Me_qBE1so-rx_WRVakHt5QaumHQXsuCwDm7u0SZDBXngwHFjM7El27UhhFtfbdbG7yuKnR7-plFBeEbKVD4Gp75IyaWvzy1rAS_Ri8oXyDwno2uQDy27Jfou7rX7TzE8ov/s320/legend.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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First up, an advanced reader copy of <a href="http://marielu.org/">Marie Lu’s</a> YA dystopian, LEGEND (Putnam Children's, Nov. 2011), courtesy of Sara Megibow! Thanks, Sara! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLBpZKUUDHsmpaJPkJgEVz_d9vpcELUj_lBSNoEx6BCMEjypLzkrh72NtHeUxp9lPH3n7fZafgZjDOf9zvp8WGK1h2pvfjuKQv_y8kCOdclXGkn3lXDIjWBWQiscNpYv5Rib4QQ08vpsk/s1600/catching_jordan_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLBpZKUUDHsmpaJPkJgEVz_d9vpcELUj_lBSNoEx6BCMEjypLzkrh72NtHeUxp9lPH3n7fZafgZjDOf9zvp8WGK1h2pvfjuKQv_y8kCOdclXGkn3lXDIjWBWQiscNpYv5Rib4QQ08vpsk/s320/catching_jordan_cover.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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ANNNND I’ve also got a SIGNED pre-order of CATCHING JORDAN (Sourcebook, Dec. 2011) by <a href="http://www.mirandakenneally.com/">Miranda Kenneally</a> up for grabs! This will be a final copy, but you won’t get it until Nov-Dec. Thanks, Miranda! *squishy hug*<br />
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<b>To enter</b>, fill out the form below.<b> Contest ends Wednesday, July 20th at 11:59pm EST</b>. TWO winners will be randomly chosen and announced on Thursday, July 21st. I’m not requiring you to be a follower of any blogs, or to spread the word via social networking sites, but I’d sure appreciate it if you did. Giveaway IS international. Yay!<br />
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Thanks, y’all!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="634" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dFJVM1dObmJCT3pLdFFndUlYWTVHNWc6MQ" 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And if for some odd reason that form didn't load for you, you can find it <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFJVM1dObmJCT3pLdFFndUlYWTVHNWc6MQ">here</a>.<br />
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And, and if you want to double your chances of winning a copy of CATCHING JORDAN, Miranda is having a contest at <a href="http://mirandakenneally.com/2011/07/01/introducing-the-hooray-i-got-catching-jordan-arcs-contest/">her blog.</a> You can win an ARC of her book, or a crit from our agent, <a href="http://www.nelsonagency.com/staff.html">Sara Megibow,</a> or a crit from YA authors, <a href="http://www.sarahskilton.blogspot.com/">Sarah Skilton</a> or <a href="http://www.jennifershawwolf.com/">Jennifer Shaw Wolf</a>, and a number of other awesome prizes. Ends July 10th at 11pm EST.Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-26071079383969257332011-06-30T18:58:00.002-04:002011-06-30T18:58:41.063-04:00Under Construction.Just ignore my mess. Pretty please.Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-15804984415640737782011-06-23T10:55:00.000-04:002011-06-23T10:55:19.357-04:00Elvis Lives!<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It is summer! Finally! The warm weather is here, the kids are home until September, and I am in full mom mode. Which, unfortunately, leaves very little time for blogging, reading, and writing. If I post infrequently, please forgive me. I've got the summer fun bug.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As you may know, and if you didn't you do now, I am a big Elvis Presley fan. I think he's the most beautiful man that ever lived, and his voice belongs to some supernatural being of awesomeness. Sooo naturally, when I hear that an Elvis impersonator is doing a free concert at the beach fair, I HAD to go. Even though it was Father's Day and I'm pretty sure my husband was a teensy bit jealous. <i>Seriously, babe, the real thing is long gone and nobody compares to you. Mwah. </i>So we took the kids to the beach for the day and then parked on the grass for the concert. I saw "Elvis" when they were setting up the stage and had to run up there and say hello. He was super nice and took a picture with me. I warn you, he looks nothing like The King, but still, he was awesome. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I give you Elvis, the Italian version from Jersey.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5doEDGMc5R-4qht9uT5JjhCj5BmPOAcR5wNiH81Gf4WF13J1aGspm6lklSZ7zsiO6sUeOOxgTo4yhJjpR-e7NEOc4qsXgm1EUNy5V9AEto7J2y7zGlHKfQY-v_mIu3-GZZGtq9zrvWhh/s1600/DSC03379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5doEDGMc5R-4qht9uT5JjhCj5BmPOAcR5wNiH81Gf4WF13J1aGspm6lklSZ7zsiO6sUeOOxgTo4yhJjpR-e7NEOc4qsXgm1EUNy5V9AEto7J2y7zGlHKfQY-v_mIu3-GZZGtq9zrvWhh/s320/DSC03379.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">He told me if I came back up after his concert, he'd take another photo wearing his costume, but we left an hour into the show. Kids needed to go to bed, although my oldest did not want to leave. She stood by the stage the whole time we were there. "Elvis", by day known as <a href="http://www.anthonyliguorijr.com/welcome.html">Anthony Liguori Jr</a>., waved at me from the stage while he was singing and then brought me a scarf, which my girl confiscated and wore all night.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This is the very short (battery died) video I took where he waved at me. :) It's a small wave, and then my camera got all shaky because...well because he waved at me.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Eg9lKU80fbI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As you can hear from that short clip, he was awesome! Sounded VERY much like Elvis, and he was a great performer. If he's ever in your area, check him out!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I hope you're all enjoying your summer!</div>Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-51753818426145426272011-06-11T08:27:00.000-04:002011-06-11T08:27:52.665-04:00Announcement of Awesome!<i>For a friend. This particular announcement is not my own.</i><br />
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Remember when we (<a href="http://valeriekwrites.blogspot.com/">Valerie</a>, <a href="http://nataliesee.livejournal.com/">Natalie </a>and I) decided that we were going to write one story a <i>week </i>at <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/tangledfiction/">Tangled Fiction</a>? And everyone said we were crazy?<br />
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Natalie has proved to be the craziest of our bunch. Stop by <a href="http://nataliesee.livejournal.com/174982.html?thread=1#t2199430">her blog</a> and congratulate her on her <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">big </span></b>announcement, and to partake in her blind joy!! You don't want to miss it.Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-33590934913587446382011-06-07T13:50:00.000-04:002011-06-07T13:50:22.744-04:00HiatusI know my blog posts here are sporadic at best, but it is summer and I am outdoorsy. I won't be doing a whole heck of a lot of blogging over the next few months--very busy schedule!<br />
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But for great posts about books and writing you can check out <a href="http://www.sistersinscribe.com/">Sisters in Scribe</a>. My scribe sister, <a href="http://valeriekwrites.blogspot.com/">Valerie</a>, is out of the country for a while so she might not be posting much, but Kristi is an admitted over-achiever. You can always count on her Tuesday posts! And my Thursday posts will be there as well as a Contest Monday and a Friday Book Recommendation.<br />
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Hope you're having a fantastic summer!<br />
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*back to baking my strawberry pies*Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-72588232970172270622011-06-02T14:27:00.000-04:002011-06-02T14:27:09.832-04:00Summertime Hideaway!<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I've been slacking a little lately. Or distancing myself from my WIP, rather. Yes. That.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Weekend! Mine was a success. With my grilling skills, yes, but I mean with my summer-spot hunting. New York is a very crowded place. I don't think a spot exists within the city limits that is not cluttered with people.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Except this one.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And I like you, I really do. But I'm not telling you where this is because it is MINE! Precious.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It is a part of the beach near my house. (I live on an island. Sounds exotic. It's not.) Apparently, not a lot of folks like to hang out on the beach that has more shells than sand and smells like dead sea creatures because the tide comes in and drops them off in shallow pools for the birds to eat. But I like it just fine. Because it is EMPTY! Seriously, I felt like I spent the afternoon in a Dystopian novel. Or like I'd turn a corner and see Mary chopping the head off of a water-logged Mudo.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There were a few inhabitants.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But they're really very quiet. I do believe I've found my new writing spot. <b>Have you a favorite hideaway?</b></div>Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-82508172780791631362011-05-26T16:05:00.001-04:002011-05-26T16:11:58.535-04:00Self-Editing Tips!<div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6151716115418822" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While I’m waiting for notes on my WIP from my <a href="http://www.sistersinscribe.com/">Scribe Sisters</a>, I’ve been doing some research on things, including agents, revisions, candle making, how to properly skin an animal (don’t ask), and I’ve come across some gems. </span></div></div><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6151716115418822" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div></div><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6151716115418822" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mostly on the revision thing.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6151716115418822" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cheryl Klein, an editor at Scholastic, has this fantastic recap of a talk she did for an SCBWI conference on revising and self-editing. The full speech is also there for your reading pleasure. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.cherylklein.com/id21.html">http://www.cherylklein.com/id21.html</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Literary agent Natalie Fischer (Bradford Lit) recently posted a great recap of her talk at an SCBWI event on the revision process.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://adventuresinagentland.blogspot.com/2011/05/ponder-polish-perfect-how-to.html">http://adventuresinagentland.blogspot.com/2011/05/ponder-polish-perfect-how-to.htm</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YA author Holly Cupala (Tell Me a Secret) has compiled a huge list of posts from various authors, illustrators and industry pros on revision! </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.hollycupala.com/2009/08/revision-tips-galore.html">http://www.hollycupala.com/2009/08/revision-tips-galore.html</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hopefully you find these links as useful as I have. Happy revising! </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In other news, if you haven't seen <a href="http://bit.ly/iFaGJU">the amazing book trailer </a>for Carrie Harris's debut BAD TASTE IN BOYS, go do that immediately! My critique partner <a href="http://valeriekwrites.blogspot.com/">Valerie Kemp</a> created it! </span></div></div>Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-28432950666639963262011-05-20T09:59:00.002-04:002011-05-20T09:59:59.730-04:00It's Friday, Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ey-VNes5YQs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-87978699145658911472011-05-19T15:12:00.000-04:002011-05-19T15:12:11.149-04:00Into each life some rain must fall.And fall it has. Literally. We've had rain showers for three days straight, but it lightened up some today. Long enough for me to get six lavender plants in the ground, sweep up a giant pile of maple seed helicopters (I don't know what they're supposed to be called, but they spin like helicopter blades when you drop them), and take M for a bike ride.<br />
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I should probably be working on something while my crit partners are reading GREYSKIN, but I'm taking the time to enjoy the warm weather and the outdoors. Nature puts me back in touch with Charlie, my MC. She's quite the nature girl herself. Which makes me wonder, writers, do you find yourself doing things your MC would normally do, or does your MC enjoy some of the things that you enjoy? I think Charlie is a bit of both for me. I put a lot of myself in to her, and she's put a lot of herself in to me.<br />
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But she's still way cooler than me.Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-33906448122125154422011-05-14T09:03:00.000-04:002011-05-14T09:03:27.591-04:00All Good Things...The contest at Sisters in Scribe was a huge success! And tons of fun! Sara Megibow is fantastic. We closed entries at 11:59pm on Saturday, and by Tuesday she had picked her top three winners. Stop by <a href="http://www.sistersinscribe.com/2011/05/winners.html">the blog</a> to see who won!<br />
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This week NYC has seen some fantastic weather! Sunny and 70 degrees. FINALLY! I got my climbing rose bush and my clematis transplanted, I planted a bunch of herbs, including one of my favorite smells--lavender, my lilac trees are in full bloom, and I got a few hours out in the sun with a book. And now it's cold and rainy for the next four days. *sigh*<br />
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I've read two awesome books this week: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready. Both are fantastic! I'm trying to get into a contemporary right now and I'm finding I have to force myself on this one. But I've heard so many great reviews, I am willing to give it a chance. You read anything good lately?<br />
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So why all this free time, you ask? Shouldn't she be revising?<br />
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I should! But I think an important part of revising is distancing yourself from your manuscript. I've busted my hump over rewriting the entire last half of my WIP (again) and now it's time for some space. I've sent him home with Krist and Valerie for the time being. I trust he is in good hands. This is not the first time my crit partners have read this manuscript, but this is the first time I've actually missed it when I'm not working on it. I'm taking this as a very good sign.Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-4504048945817374522011-05-06T11:25:00.000-04:002011-05-06T11:25:34.516-04:00Agent Pitch Contest at Sisters in Scribe!Today is the big day! At Sisters in Scribe, we have opened the entry window for our140 character pitch contest! Entries will be judged by the fabulous Sara Megibow of Nelson Literary. Sara has offered a 30 page manuscript review to the winner!<br />
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Stop on by and please read the full contest details before entering!<br />
<a href="http://www.sistersinscribe.com/2011/05/contest-of-epic-awesome-with-agent-sara.html">http://www.sistersinscribe.com/2011/05/contest-of-epic-awesome-with-agent-sara.html</a>Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-69944437654837269662011-05-05T09:11:00.000-04:002011-05-05T09:11:32.659-04:00Charlaine Harris in NYC<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Tuesday night I hopped on the Harley (on the back--I'm not that cool) and rode into Manhattan with my husband for the release and book signing of DEAD RECKONING, book 11 in the Southern Vampire Mysteries (True Blood) by Charlaine Harris. I will admit, I was a little bit starstruck. Most of the pictures that my husband took, I'm making crazy faces, or squealing like the fangirl that I am. So I'll just share these ones with you.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I took my smaller camera, which takes kind of crappy pictures, because I went on the bike and my big camera is...big.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLrNL6vNgY52rU920HDY51NFqNFVNW9UzOaw3SXziMutqp81z5kUXfg_C2rTheIcNzO5HTq0XyzL-gps2U5jFCkmO4r1corfqkAL1UyjhPUf6FyjIB2HkBPBc3xuyJUgovnLAec_ObT_G/s1600/P5030145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLrNL6vNgY52rU920HDY51NFqNFVNW9UzOaw3SXziMutqp81z5kUXfg_C2rTheIcNzO5HTq0XyzL-gps2U5jFCkmO4r1corfqkAL1UyjhPUf6FyjIB2HkBPBc3xuyJUgovnLAec_ObT_G/s320/P5030145.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDyzsPgQfQ7zp4PL9YxtuBWJA-mmcce-8Vh3XmXjQo7eND_WPsqgGwuSKVcNhoneCbJuMWtZNQJhP6EHvG_WU_aXedzM438XzL2xM-8uxvYjOqHHlCfqov9PyMYJjdaT7a_LFQ5rEanJq/s1600/P5030157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDyzsPgQfQ7zp4PL9YxtuBWJA-mmcce-8Vh3XmXjQo7eND_WPsqgGwuSKVcNhoneCbJuMWtZNQJhP6EHvG_WU_aXedzM438XzL2xM-8uxvYjOqHHlCfqov9PyMYJjdaT7a_LFQ5rEanJq/s320/P5030157.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">That is me on the right in the tan sweater.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Charlaine Harris was the author who got me back in to reading. The minute I picked up DEAD UNTIL DARK, I was hooked in the world she'd created, and totally in love with her characters. Because of this, I started writing. I even named my protagonist in my current WIP after Charlaine. Her books are for adults, and I write YA, but I didn't <i>chose</i> YA. It chose me, I suppose (in fact this is the ONLY adult series I read, ha!). There are so many great YA authors who have inspired me, but when I look back, Charlaine and Sookie were what made me realize I was a writer. My favorite quote from this signing was from Harris: "Writer's are born, not made." <i>She didn't mean that you're born a great writer, you do have to write and learn how to write well. </i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Charlaine answered questions for about thirty minutes and then for the next two hours or so she signed books. She is a signing machine. By the time she got to me, about an hour into signing, her signature was still perfect. During the Q & A fans asked the general questions about her writing process, which now consists of a lot of the business side and not as much writing as she'd like to do, how much coffee she drinks (three cups in the morning), and how she feels about the differences Alan Ball made between the books and the show (she thinks he's fantastic, and she wishes she had thought of Jessica).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The thing I found most interesting was that, despite the fact she'd written mysteries for years before she wrote the first Sookie Stackhouse novel, it took two years for her agent to sell it. Mainly because nobody knew where to put it on a shelf. When she wrote the book, she thought it would be fun to have a mystery series that involved the supernatural, melding mystery and urban fantasy together. Then she thought if she threw in a juicy sex scene for Sookie, she could get the romance readers too. And when the question "Where do we shelve this?" came up, Harris said "everywhere". A logical answer, for sure!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It was an amazing opportunity for me to be able to meet her. Her Sookie novels have inspired me in so many ways. I do believe it is important for writers to read and gather inspiration from "the masters" of literature, especially in your chosen genre, and not only the current super hits (Sookie, Twilight, Harry Potter, etc), but the thing that inspires me most about Charlaine Harris's Sookie novels, is just how much I love them. How immersed in that world I become when I sit down to read. That is what I want to do to readers. That is what is so inspiring. And that is how I knew I was a writer.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> Have you had the chance to meet some of your favorite authors? Who inspires you?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">***</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Tomorrow is the big day at <a href="http://www.sistersinscribe.com/">www.sistersinscribe.com</a>! We open up for entries into our <a href="http://www.sistersinscribe.com/2011/05/agent-contest-of-epic-awesome.html">first ever agent participant contest</a><a href="http://www.sistersinscribe.com/2011/05/agent-contest-of-epic-awesome.html">!</a> So perfect those twitter pitches, and we'll see you there tomorrow!</div>Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-84811446331181316092011-05-02T11:53:00.000-04:002011-05-02T11:53:21.189-04:00Get Those Pitches Ready!To say thanks to all 500+ awesome followers at <a href="http://www.sistersinscribe.com/2011/05/agent-contest-of-epic-awesome.html">sistersinscribe.com </a>we've decided to have a contest! This one is for writers! Stop by the blog to get the details. Contest officially opens <b>FRIDAY MAY 6th! </b>so perfect those pitches! We've got a special guest judge who has offered up quite an amazing prize to her favorite entry.<br />
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In other news, I'm sure we've all heard about the devastation in the south due to wildfires and tornadoes. The writing community is at it again, taking donations for yet another fabulous benefit auction. If you've got something to donate (books, swag, critiques, etc) stop on by <a href="http://helpwritenow.blogspot.com/">http://helpwritenow.blogspot.com</a> and sign up! And be sure to keep checking back for the auctions.Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-21054842467070589102011-04-25T15:26:00.001-04:002011-04-25T15:27:58.992-04:00She Swallowed the Cat to Catch the BirdI hope everyone had a lovely Easter Sunday or a lovely regular Sunday, which ever you prefer.<br />
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Today the sun is shining! OMG! I KNOW! (See <a href="http://www.blog.ljboldyrev.com/2011/04/sweet-summertime.html">this</a> post.) And I am, of course, outside enjoying every minute of it. I bought myself some pink hyacinth the other day and finally had a nice enough day to plant it outside in my flowerbed.<br />
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I haven't worked in those beds for a full year and they needed some dirt. Dirt is in the garden shed. Garden shed is always full of spiders in the spring. I braced myself for this as I unlocked the door. Snakes, rodents, I can handle any of them. But spiders? My brain completely cuts off and I go in to freak-out mode. I have been known to slap myself pink if there is a spider on me.<br />
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*Pulled open the door*<br />
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Spiders scattered everywhere! Well, okay, like three of them crawled away. And I bent over to grab a big bag of dirt and I see the mess. Rats have moved in to my garden shed.<br />
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If you've followed my blog (or twitter of facebook even) you know I have these in my house.<br />
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And they are completely spoiled and I love them very much. But you can see even from this photo that they like to make messes. They love to dig and rip things apart, like newspaper and fabrics and wood. The unwelcome rats in the garden shed dug into two 50lbs bags of garden soil, and shredded countless unused trash bags, pulling the pieces inside my bags of dirt. And they also ate holes in the back wall and the floor.<br />
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I had a "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly" moment, wondering if I could rent a snake to chase the rats away. Somehow I doubt a pet store would let me rent a snake. I can't kill them (see above picture) but how do I get rid of them? I'm going to try some "Critter Ridder" which is basically black pepper. Squirrels cant stand the smell of it, so maybe it'll work on these guys too. If not, I'll try peppermint oil.<br />
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And now I'm rambling.<br />
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In other news! My Scribe Sisters and I will be hosting a fabulous contest over at our blog, <a href="http://www.sistersinscribe.com/">www.sistersinscribe.com</a> to celebrate hitting 500 fabulous followers! We'll have something awesome for writers, but also some great YA reads for you readers that follow us. Details to come at the SIS blog. You will have to be a followers there to enter. :)Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872049901404248069.post-55117251125517832342011-04-21T09:23:00.001-04:002011-04-21T09:24:18.555-04:00It's Not Procrastination!I swear it's not!<br />
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When I get stumped in a project, or just need to get back in touch with my characters, I turn to music and <a href="http://www.weheartit.com/">www.weheartit.com</a><br />
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If you haven't <s>wasted</s> spent some time browsing the collection of images there, you totally should! I've found so many that are PERFECT representation for my wip. Like this one, for example:<br />
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That is so completely Jack and Charlie! Really, this post was an excuse for me to share that picture with you. The downside is that I have no idea who the owner is. Is it yours? :D<br />
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What's your favorite <s>procrastination</s> inspiration exercise?Lacey J Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930985573303127061noreply@blogger.com0