Rocking a New Year

2019, the year to publish!

It was a crazy hard year and I see that expressed because I haven’t posted since August. The blog is sort of limping along. Actually, it’s dead. But I hope to pump new life into it.

I love a New Year but this one has dawned darker than I expected and with left-over 2018 heartbreak. Still, it’s here and I must embrace it. So let’s think UPCOMING EVENTS and QUESTIONS to start off the Year and head toward publication.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself AND then ask your characters:

What do you hope happens this year?

How will you make those hopes happen?

What matters most to you?

How will you keep that most important thing safe?

Care to share your goals?

Remember, Rick Walton said, “Make goals you can control.”

I think of Rick a lot and even talk to him. I’m sure he’s still making achievable goals on The Other Side and I know he’s loving others without question.

MY BIG GOAL: I’m going to walk through the creation of a new novel, here, with you all.

EVENTS

1. WIFYR / SCBWI January Kickoff–Jan 11, 2019. Bullock Room, Provo Library. 6:30-8:30. Potluck! And new or gently Used books for The Ella Hughes Foundation. https://goo.gl/forms/NgPm8PuwnAZrfk1P2
2. March 6 and 7 or 8 or 9 AGENT/EDITOR Retreat. Emily Feinberg from Roaring Brook  and Karyn Fischer from Book Stop Literary are visiting UT and you can sign up to have you manuscript reviewed with one of them. https://goo.gl/forms/0TJhBpSbu6MgWlpz2
3. June 10-14, 2019  It’s the 20th year for Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers! Registration opened today and I know at least one class has only one spot left. (www.wifyr.com) So come on down! We still have room for you and fabulous, amazing faculty.

Conflict? Say What?

So I did something I never do. I spoke to an editor at Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers. Kelsy Thompson is an editor for Jolly Fish and Flux. Both houses were recently acquired by North Star Editions (https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/72423-north-star-editions-shining-a-light-on-ya-and-mg-fiction.html).

I was scared as it was as I walked in to talk to her. And Kelsey is super kind. Still I didn’t have my printed pages (broke rule number one–be prepared) and as I rambled at her (broke rule number two–be able to sell your work in 25 words or less),  I realized I had no idea what my newest novel was about (broke rule number three–know what you’re story is about in the first place).

After stammering at her for awhile, Kelsy said, “This book idea sounds so cute, Carol. But what’s the conflict?”

Conflict?

I looked at her for about 18 years. Then I jumped up and ran out of the room. I scared three people who were in line to see this terrific editor. This is not my fault.

So what is conflict?  We know our characters have goals–things they want. Our job as writers is to keep our characters from getting what they want. That series of events of hindering and stopping our characters from achieving their goals is where the conflict is.

Here’s some math to make things more confusing:  cute girl character + what she wants, what she really, really wants + stumbling blocks you throw in the way to torture your character = conflict.

I can do that. Can I do that?

Let’s meet here tomorrow and see.

 

Cover and Contest!

My newest novel, NEVER THAT FAR, is published and released TODAY by Shadow Mountain.  a huge thank you to Jennifer De Chiara and Steve Fraser who represented me for this deal. And a big thank you to the amazing Lisa Mangum, my editor at Shadow Mountain.

A normal person could post a pic. I cannot. But, dagnabit, I will by end of today. So until then, imagine a pretty cover

 

 

HERE

 

 

Now! Here’s the contest! If you go to FB, you can add your goals under this post there.

I’m getting ready for a sing off! And I’m challenging Trent Reedy. And Claudia Mills, too! Yes! Where? At WIFYR this June!

We’re getting the ball rolling a little early with Getting Ready for WIFYR Writing Contest where you might win a book or two. My newest novel NEVER THAT FAR is one of the prizes. So is Trent Reedy’s book DIVIDED WE FALL.

Here’s how it works:

Say what your writing goal is for April AND May (I’ll reveal my goals tomorrow). And the most amazing Stephanie Moore will keep track of things for us.

You get to put your name in our virtual drawing if you sign up to play, if you complete your writing weekly goals, meet your goal, and every check-in on our Friday FB post. Invite all your friends! Got friends on Twitter? Instagram? Invite them, too!

The writing goals can be whatever you want them to be: 50 words a day, 5000 words a day or anything in between. They can be editing goals, if you like. Anything to help you get ready for our week-long writing conference this June.

The winner will be randomly drawn and notified on June 1, 2018.
Then we’ll pop the prize in the mail (US residents only), signed to you.
Woot woot!

But that’s not all.

Trent and I will have a sing off at WIFYR. Or we’ll sing a duet. Or something.
And Claudia Mills? That will be a flannel shirt wear-off contest .

Oh my gosh, this just keeps on giving.

So join us for our Getting Ready for WIFYR Writing Contest.

(You DO NOT have to attend WIFYR to play. But if you want to register, go here: http://www.wifyr.com. There are a few spaces open, but many of the classes are almost closed.)

Monday Evening!

I’m back.It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve written. Started teaching on Mondays and that means I always forget to write.

Boo!

Today? I have a few moments. And I share this! The critiques with the agent at full, however, Fly on the Wall has spaces on each day.

2ND ANNUAL LITERARY AGENT RETREAT WITH ERIN HARRIS FROM FOLIO LITERARY MANAGEMENT

2nd Annual Literary Agent Retreat with Erin Harris from Folio Literary Management

Agent Writing Workshop

with

Erin Harris, Literary Agent at Folio Jr.

A writing event for serious

(but still fun) writers

Erin Harris will kick off this two-day event for writers with a keynote speech at BYU:

“Everything You Want to Know about Working With an Agent”

Wednesday, February 22, 2017, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

JFSB B190, Brigham Young University Campus

Free and open to the public

(First come, first serve. Sitting in aisles and doorways will NOT be permitted.)

 

2^nd Annual Literary Agent Workshop

A Day with Erin Harris Workshop Schedule

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday February 23, 24, and 25, 2017

8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 

Special Instructions 

1. Private Consultations and Small-Group Critiques: You’ll find the Thursday through Saturday consultation-with-Erin schedules at the end of the day schedule and some tips on handling critique in a group setting.
2. First Pages Critique: If you want to be considered for the first pages critique at the end of your workshop day (3:15 to 5:00 p.m.), email the first 250 to 300 words of a book of your choosing to cheriearl@gmail.com before Wednesday, February 22, 2017. We will choose the first pages to read at the time of the critique via a drawing. CAUTION: Be prepared to hear honest critique, which means you may not hear what you want to hear, and you may even get your feelings hurt. First pages critiques can be brutal, so consider carefully before you submit your 250 words.

 

Thursday through Saturday, February 23-25, 2017 

Detailed Day Schedule

 

8:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.: Check in time

 

9:00 to 9:50 

Introductions and presentation by Erin Harris

 

10:00 to 12:00

• Private critiques with Erin begin
• 10:00 to 12:00: Cheri and Carol’s Dog and Pony Show: Conflict, Characters, and Voice PLUS Why Good Things Happen to Bad Books: a Brutal Discussion That Will Most Likely Hurt Feelings

 

Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Potluck Lunch—mingle and make new friends. Sign up for critique groups. Get to know Erin and Cheri and Carol.

 

A-G- Please bring a main dish.

H-R- Please bring a side dish.

S-Z- Please bring a dessert.

1:15 to 3:15

• Private critiques with Erin continue
• 1:30 to 3:15: Put Your Writing Where Your Mouth Is: Writing Activities with Carol and Cheri

 

Potty Break at 3:15; you know who you are.

3:30 to 5:00

First Pages Critique: Not recommended for the faint hearted. *Submit first 250-300 words of your novel via email before Wednesday February 22; see special instructions.

 

5:00 to 5:30 

Final thoughts and Q&A with Erin

Want to join us?

For enrollment and payment information: contact Stephanie Moore at stephaniemoorewrites (at) gmail (dot) com (additional instructions when you enroll)

 

Which Writing Workshop experience would you like to have?

1. Workshop with Private Critique. Full workshop plus a 15-minute critique session with Erin Harris (15 spaces only).  $110 ($99 for BYU Students and SCBWI members.)
2. Fly-on-the-wall. Full workshop without a critique session. $35
3. Small–Group Critique Session. , Cheri, or Carol will conduct each critique session, 4 writers each. (12 spaces only). $25 in addition to the workshop fees ($110, $99, or $25)

Bios

Erin Harris: Literary agent with Folio Jr, NYC (see more at foliojr.com)

Presenters:

Carol Lynch Williams (author of more than 30 mid-grade and YA books, BYU creative writing instructor)

Cheri Pray Earl (author of the Just in Time Series, BYU creative writing instructor)