24 Carrot Writing
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Book Picks
  • About

An Imaginary Manuscript World Tour

1/29/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
by Kelly Carey

Writers are constantly advised, “Make sure your manuscript is ready before you submit”.  But how can you really know?

You’ve edited, revised, spell checked, and incorporated feedback from your critique group. (If you don’t have a critique group yet, make this your goal for 2015.)  You’ve let it sit, so you can have some space from your words, and then you’ve come back multiple times for more revising, found that typo that spell check missed and still you wonder, “Is this ready?”.  


I suggest you channel your inner rock star and take your manuscript on an imaginary World Concert Tour. Pretend you are reading your manuscript out loud to massive audiences as many times as Taylor Swift has performed “Shake It Off”. Could you share your story over and over again and still love it? Give your manuscript the World Tour Litmus Test.


I recently spent a week reading a published story to preschool and kindergarten classes. The nerves subsided by the fifth reading in the same week, and I learned to pause for giggles or to build tension, but the excitement stayed high. I wondered, could I keep that level of enthusiasm if I had to read my story 50 more times or a hundred? Then I thought about my unpublished manuscripts and did a mental test run of readings. What would it feel like to read and reread those unpublished manuscripts? If your manuscript is ready for submission, be certain you would be thrilled to share it thousands of times.

After all, once you sell your manuscript, dozens of folks will be spending months and years working to illustrate, edit, publish and market your story. Make sure you have a piece that will continue to excite you, your team, and your audience.

Get back on your imaginary tour bus and when you hit your next venue, put real people in your pretend audience. Would you be proud to share the story with your friends, your co-workers, the folks at the gym?  What if you booked a gig to read it aloud at the next SCBWI conference? Would you be thrilled or embarrassed if you looked out into the audience and saw Kevin Henkes or Jane Yolen taking a seat? 

If you are dreaming of the concert t-shirts, the multiple city tour stops, and packed venues of screaming fans and you feel emboldened by the strength of your manuscript, then your story just might be ready for its world tour - I mean ready for submission.  

Picture
1 Comment

A multipurpose carrot

1/19/2015

2 Comments

 

by Amanda Smith

Picture
Picture
This is my carrot for completing PiBoIdMo 2014.
When it is in my kitchen it reminds me to follow my heart and go write.
When I carry it upstairs to the office, it reminds me of what is essential for writing success.



Heart. Brain. Tea. 


Picture
When it sits on my desk, it reminds me to get to work!

During 2014 I participated in a number of online writing challenges.  When November came around, I felt worn out from a productive writing year. I had numerous manuscripts in various stages of completion and I almost, ALMOST did not sign up for Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo. Between shopping and packing for a visit to South Africa, and planning for a 14 hour layover whirlwind trip though Paris, I could not foresee room in my brain for 30 story ideas. 

And yet, when the time came to sign up, my heart led me straight to Tara’s website.  Having participated in PiBoIdMo the previous two years, I knew the joy and satisfaction this challenge brings. During the month I was surprised at how easy the ideas came. PiBoIdMo certainly was not my focus this year, but still, somewhere throughout each day and idea would come knocking and I would jot it down in my notebook, thinking “Well, that’s nice.” Lo and behold, the end of November came and I had 33 new ideas.

On the first day of December, I cleared my writing desk, filed all my works in progress and declared the office closed for December.  I somehow remembered to sign the PiBoIdMo Winner’s Pledge.  December 8, a mere 4 days before our planned trip, I received an email from Tara announcing I am a grand prize winner. I never win anything. Ever.  Except this time! I had a week to “flesh out” five story ideas and submit them to one of her lovely agents for critiques. Can you say tizzy?

We flew out of Boston on a Thursday evening. We whirled through Paris on a wet Friday. We landed in South Africa on a sunny Saturday and reunited with family on Sunday, and on Monday I sat down in a bright corner at my sister-in-law’s dining room table to put meat on the bones of my story ideas.

Here is what I've learned:

  1. I am a writer. Everywhere. Writing has become a priority. Like breathing.
  2. To follow my heart. Sometimes my circumstances tell me I don’t have room for writing “right now.” My heart knows differently.
  3. To take my brain with me. Do the hard work. Participate, plan, plot, draft, revise, critique, tweak, and start over.

Keep writing. And some day, when you least expect it, you might get the “grand prize winner” e-mail.

Click http://taralazar.com/piboidmo/ to find out more about PiBoIdMo. Registration begins the last week in October. Thank you, Tara, for creating wonderful opportunities.
2 Comments

Paying It Forward

1/14/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
By Francine Puckly

Yesterday as I diligently worked to finish my novel at my writing partner’s house, her frozen pipes let loose. Water gushed from three broken pipes, and I was immediately thrust from novel writing into crisis management. The plumber wouldn’t come. The water shut-off valve for the 140-year-old church-turned-home-and-art-gallery was under a crawl space no one could reach, and water from the upstairs art gallery dripped into the downstairs kitchen while another hole in the crawl space below spewed water upwards flooding the kitchen floor. Finally, after 45 minutes and a whole lot of begging, the fire chief and several volunteer firefighters arrived at the scene to stop the influx of water.
            
Then the sopping and mopping began. 

And poof. There went my novel, floating out the door. 

As I drove back to my friend’s house last night to sort through soaked paperwork and help her regain some semblance of order, I was reminded of how friends stepped in to help my mom when my dad had a stroke a few years ago. I was only able to leave my life and children in New England for a couple of days to assist my parents; the remainder of the help (managing the daily functioning of their farmhouse, feeding and watering the draught horses my father owned at the time, and prioritizing the influx of medical paperwork) came from neighbors and friends. I was so very grateful for their presence.

And while at the moment I’m desperate to finish my novel, there was never a question of what I would and will do for my writing partner. She has been a rock, supporting my writing endeavors for the past several years. While I’m not paying her back for the writing support she has provided me, I feel I am paying it forward from the crisis management my own family dealt with a few years ago.

I’m struck by how we pay things forward in our everyday lives, but I also believe it is an essential part of being writers and illustrators. A few years ago I had the opportunity to chat with Tomie dePaolo and thank him for attending a Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conference. When I commented how much his words of encouragement meant to our membership, he said that when he was beginning his career, this type of support organization didn’t exist. Artists and writers were on their own.

True, we are privileged to have a plethora of opportunities to network with other writers and illustrators. Although Tomie and I didn’t have a chance to discuss this further, I’m quite certain he had his own network of close friends and colleagues who encouraged him and bolstered his career. And he has offered that same gift to other writers and illustrators throughout his long, successful career. And those he’s encouraged? Well, I’m quite certain they are helping the next generation of newbies get started.  

So as we journey forward in our careers, let us continue to be open to those who encourage us—but also be aware of the small moments when we might be able to buoy someone who needs a special word of encouragement (or a few extra towels to soak up water in a flooded kitchen!). Those individuals might be on the verge of giving up—as many of us have felt from time to time. The whole concept of paying it forward means that we won’t necessarily help those who supported us or help them in the same exact way, but we can bolster those who come behind us and who need our encouragement. We will all achieve our career aspirations—and the journey will be much more enjoyable if we make it together.

Happy New Year!
Francine


0 Comments

NEW YEAR, NEW PERSPECTIVE ON…REJECTION?

1/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
By Annie Cronin Romano

It is three hours and forty-five minutes until midnight on New Year’s Eve. A clean slate looms on the horizon. A fresh list of writing resolutions awaits me. My email notification chimes but I ignore it. I’m spending quality time with my hubby and kids carefully scrutinizing every act on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Important stuff.

As I head up to bed just after midnight, I glance at my phone and check my email. After all, maybe I’ll jump into the New Year with 20% off at Pottery Barn.

And there is an email from Pottery Barn. It even offers free shipping. But suddenly I don’t care as my gaze drops down to the familiar subject line we writers simultaneously wish for and dread…RE: Query.

As soon as I spot the word “unfortunately,” I know it’s a rejection. A rejection from an agent. A carefully-researched agent. An agent who rejected me at 8:15 PM on New Year’s Eve. One last kick in the pants before I squeaked my way out of 2014. Except I’ve read it at 12:11 AM on January 1st, 2015, so it’s a rejection to start off my new year…with a whimper.

At first, I want to scream, “Really? On New Year’s? Are you kidding me?” (My actual words were less suitable for print and blew resolution #1 right out the window.) Then I thought…Tequila. That will show them. (Resolution #2 crushed.) Perhaps a box of chocolates? I’m sinking fast.

What stinks more than getting a rejection on New Year’s Eve?

Working on New Year’s Eve.

Yup. That’s when I realize it. The agent who’d rejected me had been working on New Year’s Eve. That’s the kind of agent I want. One who gets done what needs getting done. Even on a holiday. (Okay, I realize this agent may just be anti-eve and anti-social, but I’m trying to be glass half full here.) I wasn’t writing that evening, but this agent had been responding to my query. I was impressed. Yes, an offer of representation would have been immensely preferred, but you see where I’m going with this.

I read lots of picture books to keep my mind charged with my genre and my eyes on what’s current. And I have to admit, there are many I don’t care for. I may read ten in one afternoon and truly adore only one of them. If that. I recently shared this observation with Kelly, a 24 Carrot Writing colleague, who pointed out, “That’s similar to what agents say when they reject manuscripts.” This just didn’t resonate with me. (Ring any bells?) Except they’re swamped with queries. Hmm…

So my New Year’s resolution for 2015? Don’t take the rejections too personally. Even if they come on a holiday. Writing is tough. So is being an agent. Hopefully someday soon one of my manuscripts with resonate with an agent who will sing out, “I have to sign this writer immediately!” And if she realizes that on July 4th, I hope she’ll let me know.

Happy 2015! Keep writing. Keep your chin up.

~Annie

 


0 Comments

Goals For 2015

1/1/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Here at 24 Carrot Writing we are strong believers in setting goals and working hard to achieve those goals. This year we decided to share our annual and monthly goals with you hoping to motivate you to set your own writing goals. We all set our goals very differently. Some of us have detailed goals with calendar dates and self-imposed deadlines. Others have a few thoughts scribbled on a sticky note. We all, however, took time to think about what we want to accomplish in our writing career this year. We would like to urge you to do the same.

Francine:
  • Continue the practice of writing at least 20 minutes per day.
  • Finish the most recent draft of my YA novel, research agents and editors, and begin sending it out in March
  • Complete the first and second drafts of new YA novel/project (First draft: June, Second draft: November)
  • Attend SCBWI Winter Conference (February), NESCBWI Spring Conference (April), and three-day writing retreat (November)
  • Attend one picture book or middle grade writing workshop

Annie:
Writing:
  • Finish 1st draft of MG novel (by July)
  • Finish 2nd draft of MG novel (by November)
  • Write 1 PB draft per month using ideas from PiBoIdMo 2014
  • Research PB agents and submit minimum of 2 PB manuscripts by end of December
Craft:
  • Attend NESCBWI conference
  • Attend at least 3 PB/MG workshops
  • Use reference resources to complete at least one writing exercise per week or review writing resources/workshop materials to hone writing skills
  • Read in the genres I write!

Kelly:
Writing:
  • Submit all active/ready PB manuscripts to at least 10 agents/editors each
  • Write 24 Carrot blogs and book pics
  • Write 6 new PB manuscripts
  • Revise 10 PB manuscripts
  • Finish MG novel
  • Start new MG novel
  • Document 12 new PB ideas

Craft:
  • Read weekly blogs and newsletters like KidLit 411, CBI, SCBWI
  • Participate in ReFoReMo and NaNoWriMo
  • Take 5 local and online classes. 
  • Attend NE SCBWI Encore

Amanda:
Writing:
  • Write at least 20 minutes a day on weekdays
  • Write 3 new PB manuscripts
  • Revise 8 PB manuscripts
  • Submit ready manuscripts to agents/editors 1x a month
  • Finish YA novel first draft by October then start revising

Craft:
  • Attend local craft workshops
  • Attend NE SCBWI 
  • Get to know SCBWI website  - use it as a resource
  • Learn how to use Goodreads as an effective resource
  • Participate in ReFoReMo and PiBoIdMo
  • Research agents

 Please share your annual writing goals with us in the comments.

0 Comments
    Peruse blogs for advice and tips from KidLit creatives. 
    Join Our Email List
    Join our Facebook Group

    Categories

    All
    20 Minute Miracles
    Accountability
    Amanda
    Annie
    Author Interviews
    Book Proposals
    Book Release
    Carrots
    Chapter Book
    Character Development
    Conferences
    Contest
    Cover Reveal
    Craft
    Creativity
    Critiques
    Diversity
    Drafting
    Editing
    Fiction
    Francine
    Graphic Novel
    Guest Posts
    Holiday Wishes
    Hook
    Illustration
    Inspirational
    Interviews
    Kelly
    Library
    Magazine Writing
    Marketing
    Megan
    Middle Grade
    Nonfiction
    Picture Books
    Plot
    Promotion
    Publishing
    Query
    Read
    Readers
    Revision
    SCBWI
    Self Publishing
    Self-Publishing
    Setting
    Story Structure
    Submissions
    Tech Tools
    Tips And Tools
    Voice
    What Is 24 Carrot Writing
    Writing Challenges
    Writing Community
    Writing Goals
    Ya
    Young Adult

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014

    RSS Feed

    Click to set custom HTML
    Click on the RSS Feed button above to receive notifications of new posts on this blog.
Photos used under Creative Commons from byzantiumbooks, davidwilson1949, JKehoe_Photos, GotCredit, Chicago's North Shore Conventions & Visitors Burea, Roman Pfeiffer, ymu rocks, Au Kirk, Sweet Dreamz Design
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Book Picks
  • About