Hero?

In writing 12 today we talked about a hero piece we're going to write. I began thinking "who is my hero?" a super hero like batman or something? NO definitely not. A super villan (darth vader??) even less so. Someone in my family-maybe but not strong enough. Some famous actor or actress? I pitty them rather than make them my hero. A woman from long ago who suffered through a world run by men????? no. Once again pitty. Then who? My hero is not someone who can be defined by there hair or skin colour. Nor do they live in a certian point in the past or the future. They are, have always been and will aways be. They can be everywhere and no where at the same moment in time. It is the epiphany of happiness and the darkest, deepest depths of dispair. they will always stop to help you if you drop something on the street. You can and will both love them and hate them if it were possible to meet my hero. My hero is everyone and anything that has moral values. That cares for others. It can be as simple as doing a good deed for someone and not needing anything in return. That is my hero.
I guess I have a piece to write...

Nanowrimo

Yikes I am way behind on my nanowrimo!...which means I probably shouldn't be wasting my time writing this but I will anyways ;). Does anyone know some fantastic catch up tricks for Nano because if not I am a sinking ship.

For those few writers who don't know nanowrimo is where you try and write a 50,000 word novel or more in a month. It is about Quantity rather than Quality. google Nanowrimo and it should be the first thing that comes up. Finish 50,000 words and I've heard through the grape vine that nanowrimo's fantastic sponsers will take your book put it into paperback form and send it to you for free (basic shipping included :) ) so go write!!! That's what I'm doing.

ps. for all you nano writers out their how far along are you and how is it going?

Pen Name

I have created what I think could be a really good pen name. My normal name (which I will not write here) is very boring and ordinary and I want something memorable. So me and my friend (who has also created a pen name) decided on Azen Star for a pen name.

I want to know what you think.

Do you like this better or should I go with my real name.

What would you do? go with your real name or a pen name and why?

Dreams in Your Writing

I just woke up and after hurridly writing d0wn my dream I rushed here (instead of doing homework but that's ok. I need to get this in because I probably won't be posting much in the next little while my uncles here).



I wan't to know what you think about using a dream you have as a driver for a story? I mean obviously not every dream is writing material (mine usually aren't)



I had a really incredible vivid dream last night with (surprisingly) fairly workable plot and characters. However...It's FAR from the genre I usually write. This is more crime fiction and I usually write fantasy. The question is do I take time away from Auburn Queen to work on this as a NaNo? what do you think? to follow the dream or not to follow the dream!! that is the question ;)

dangerous doors

I smacked into a door today...or rather it smacked into me. I was just standing outside the drama room at school minding my own buisness. Someone decided they were going to open the door from the inside fast enough that I didn't see it coming and whack!!!!!!!!!!! painful much. So that's my random event for the day I'm hoping it doesn't happen again. Oh i'm getting a blood test today or tomorrow. Can't wait-NOT.

So did you run into anything today?

-Ali

James McCann and the blue pencil

I know-very strange title. I had my blue pencil apointment at SIWC with the author James McCann and it was such an honour. Not only that but it was very helpful (once of course I got over the embarasing fact that I left my manuscript outside and had to run out to get it :( ). Little did I think he would remember me...apparently he did. Check it out. Thankyou James McCann http://jamesmccannauthor.blogspot.com/

Incredible LUCK! - the ups and ups and ups of the SIWC!!

I have had the BEST weekend at SIWC I got back late last night and could hardly get to sleep I was SO excited :). I have never been to a conference before and had the pleasure and honour of meeting so many other writers. I am also pleased to have had the honour of meeting a surprising amound of editors and agents and I have to admit...that is what I am most excited about!! So what came out of this weekend you ask??

1. Lisa Rector a high class editor residing in New York (with freaking awsome clothes I want her Bue Jacket!) has become close to several of the young writers there. We plan to stay in touch and she answered many of our questions about to publishing world. She also introduced us to many of the people you see listed below (but not all).

2. I have Donald Masse's card and his book "Writing the Breakout Novel" (which with a spectacular show of stupidity I left behind yesterday. Luckily my friend is going today as well and is going to pick it up for me).-thankyou Lisa :)

3. I have the card of someone else called Eileen Reppenhagen who wants to interview me for a book on young people and money-sweet!

4. I have the card of the senior editor at Tor Susan Chang and a request for my latest manuscript which I pitched to her at the conference. Also I heard of a program through them called Young Readers that could be very helpful.

5. I have the card of an agent called Verna Dreisbach who has requested a sample of my work and is actively looking for young people to publish (her buisness is just getting started so if this works out it could be a much easier way of breaking in I am very excited!!!!!!) - thankyou Lisa :)

6. A vague new idea for a story in a genre I don't usually deal with has come to me after attending the workshop called 'using your personal life as a starting point for fiction'. Hopefully that will work out.

CONGRADULATIONS TO SOPHIA MA WHO IS NOW OFFICIALLY PUBLISHED IN AN ANTHOLOGY THAT VERNA DREISBACH IS CREATING!

so...if you went to the SWIC conference how did you find it? Who did you meet, who did you pitch too? Tell me everything! :) And if you didn't go tell me if you plan to go next year or just how your writing is going in general-wish me luck!