GoldiBen and the Three Fish, Eh

Today’s blog comes to you from the windy city of Toronto, Ontario, eh. I don’t have the best internet access so this will be short and sweet, eh. I am hoping to make it to Niagra Falls while I am here so here’s looking forward to some pictures on Friday’s Blog, eh.

GoldiBen decided while the cat was away, he would take Thing 1 and Thing 2 fishing. They caught a Papa, a Momma and a Baby. Aren't they cute?

Now onto my discovery in the wonderful world of writing. This weekend I read SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder. I am beyond excited about the advice he gave on screenwriting. I worked furiously today getting my storyboard put together for my latest book. If you are struggling with putting your scenes together for your book, this is a must read!

Also, is anyone going to the Annual August conference for SCBWI in LA? Let me know if you’re going. I am trying to decide whether I can justify the cost and I want to know if 1) It is worth it and 2) is anyone going to be there I can hang out with.

Let me know!!! Do I hear a road trip coming on?

Leering and Plotting

Today I am reading the book SCENE AND STRUCTURE by Jack M. Bickham while watching three strapping young men dig post holes in my backyard. They keep adding and removing articles of clothing thanks to this warm, yet rainy weather. But sadly—I don’t think the naval is going to make an appearance. I will have to find solace in the fact that yesterday I received my second request for a full manuscript. Granted, I also got my second rejection but who’s counting. Certainly not me!

I have been grappling with my latest manuscript, THE ROOST. I am trying to prepare for the June 2012 WIFYR conference and am hoping to find nuggets of inspiration in Mr. Bickham’s book. So far, I have learned 1) that I don’t know the first thing about writing a book and 2) the first book I wrote wasn’t nearly long enough to be considered a novel! How encouraging for me.

Nevertheless, I am enjoying Bickham’s advice on scene writing.

The first point Bickham makes is that fiction must make more sense than real life. Effects must have causes; and causes must have effects. I couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately in my own writing, I can always think of effects, but never causes. Because the causes require creativity and planning, something I struggle with. They have to be believable. They have to be logical while still being unpredictable. That is a tall order.

Bickham recommends three components of a good scene.

The Goal:

Tarzan loves Jane and wants her to come back to his tree house.

The Conflict:

Tarzan is dumber than a monkey’s butt

And Jane doesn’t know how to swing on trees

The Disaster:

Jane falls out of the tree and blames Tarzan. She files charges of neglect and stupidity and Tarzan is thrown in jail for 7 to 10 years…which is like 8 months in human time or something.

Jane is a player and refuses to wait. She breaks up with Tarzan.

Now, according to Bickham I have just propelled my story forward with this scene, leading you to wonder about the bigger question…will Tarzan and Jane live happily ever after? Can they overcome this obstacle?

In theory, I get it. In practice, it eludes me. My current manuscript reads like a travel log (as my dear and brilliant writer friend helped me to see). Tarzan woke up. Tarzan ate bugs. Tarzan saw Jane. Tarzan liked Jane. Tarzan wants Jane. Tarzan fails. So, I am dusting off my spreadsheets this weekend and I am going to try to implement Bickham’s advice and plan a Goal, Conflict, and Disaster for every scene within the book. That’s a lot of plotting and planning to get done before I can start to rewrite my first 25 pages for the conference.

*Sighs to self*

So what will all of you be doing this weekend?

Query Score Tied at 1!

First, the housekeeping issue of the day. The winner of the Easter Egg contest is…

Brenda Fisher!

Email me your book of choice and your address and I will have Amazon run it on over to you.

Now, onto today’s post. I am happy to update you on the 8 queries I sent out. As of today the score is tied at one rejection and one “Gee I didn’t run screaming in the other direction after Chapter 1 so please send me the entire book and then I’ll reject you.” That’s right ladies and gentlemen, I was asked for a full manuscript. Yippee!!! I was so shaky after the request that I went and ran 4 miles just to calm down. It’s a small step, but it’s a step. I only have 6 more to go…

On the reading front, this weekend I finished Veronica Roth’s DIVERGENT.

It was incredible. I highly recommend this one if you liked Hunger Games…or if you just like a good book. I really must stop falling in love with so many fictional characters. The least someone could do is name them all "Ben" so I don’t get so confused all the time. I feel like Cybil. You know…if Cybil were a chubby little accountant wannabe writer.

Well, I’m off to have lunch with fabulous writer/blogger Brodi Ashton to talk about the wonderful world of writing. SO much better than work! What is everyone else up to?

Pirate Booty and Bedazzled Eggs

At the beginning of the school year, Thing 2 came home and asked if I could help in her classroom as a “Shopping Mom” one day. I hate other people’s sticky, snot-nosed, whiney children but the teacher was offering Pirate Booty for the kid’s prize bags. So, begrudgingly, I acquiesced to her request.

What Thing 2 forgot to communicate to me was that this was a weekly gig.

So here I am, 8 months later, still volunteering at the school 1 day a week just so my daughter could have some loot for her Booty Bag. Every Friday I go to the school and help the children shop for books.

Guess what I have learned? Other people’s kids aren’t so bad once you get to know them and...reading excites kids. They are so excited each week to pick out a new story to read, they handle their books like treasures. They laugh out loud during the funny parts. They get engrossed in mysteries and suspense. They love to read and I am glad to have had the opportunity to help them discover the amazing world of books.

I just hope they remember it as they grow older. All those feelings that a book can bring to the surface, the world it can create for you to get lost in. That is what reading…and writing…is all about.

Which brings me to my version of Pirate Booty. Amazon.com. Ahhhh….Amazon.

It was like Christmas morning when I opened my email and realized that my long awaited copy of Holly Black’s BLACK HEART had indeed been released and is on its way to my doorstep as we speak. Yeah me! Sequel’s are the gift that keeps on giving.

If any of you haven’t read the Curse Worker Trilogy, I highly recommend them. Holly has created a fantastic world of magic based on the mafia that is completely new—a refreshing break from the norm. Go team Cassel!

Until my book arrives, I am keeping myself busy with Gayle Forman’s WHERE SHE WENT, the sequel to IF I STAY, which is gut wrenching. Ben even loves these books. And, now that I have pried my copy of WHERE SHE WENT out of his hands, I am happily engrossed in the world of Adam Wilde and my heart hurts for him.

Has anyone out there read any of these books? What did you think?

Well, this weekend is a big one with Easter and all. Our rotten eggs have been dyed and bedazzled beyond repair so we are ready!

If you haven’t already, don’t forget about the Easter Contest for a free book of your choice!! There is still time to enter. Just. Click. HERE.

Have an amazing weekend everyone!

Free Books for Easter!

In the spirit of the upcoming Easter Holiday, today’s blog will be an egg hunt.

Here's how it works. You get your name in the hat once or twice for each of the following to win a free book of your choice...

1 for each of the 5 questions you get right
2 for each referral you give me on your own Facebook, Twitter or Blog.
2 for each friend request on Facebook (Camille Andersen Ballou) or follow on Twitter (CamBallou) or on the Blog.

The goal is to double the number of followers I have. I need 10 more! If we reach this goal,  I will give away 2 books! But only if I can get 10 NEW friends! Winners will be announced a week from today.

Also, don’t forget the REJECTION CONTEST. A signed copy of Bree Despain’s THE SAVAGE GRACE is still up for grabs.

And now, without further ado, here are the five questions…

1) How many agent queries have I sent out?
2) What is the title of my book?
3) How many mistakes did my mom find in the first chapter?
4) What is my favorite/most influential book?
5) What is my favorite drink?

Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor! (Bonus: Name that book)

Warning: Not Sunday Approved

All is quiet on the rejection front...in case you wondered. What can that mean? Dare I dream?

My mother (who you would have to know to appreciate the fact that she even read my book in the first place) finished reading my book in three days and took me to lunch to discuss it. The first thing she told me is that--even though she couldn't put the book down, she couldn't bring herself to read it on the Lord's day because of the...salty content. Um...thank you? Ha, ha, ha. The sad thing is, I worked really hard to clean it up. I guess you can take the girl out of the Navy but you can't take the sailor out of the girl!

The second thing she did was sympathize with my characters and discuss the controversial ending of the book. Score! In a big way.

Needless to say, I am very happy with the feedback. Now that she is done, I have turned the book over to Ben for a read. I saved him for last because, as my husband, what he thinks matters the most to me. After one chapter, he doesn't think it's salty enough. Hmph. You can't please them all.

Today I am going to be getting our yard ready for grass seed and attending a home party for some sort of essential oils. I'm hoping I can score some oils that will help me drop 50 lbs, de-salt and win the lottery. What say you? Is there such an oil? I hear it's called frankincense.

Have a great weekend everyone!

I Survived My First Rejection

My blog today comes to you from the heart of Zion, Illinois, where the gas stations have never heard of a “Big Gulp.” I am literally in hell—my dark, aspartame mother and I have been forced apart. I think I might die.

But, nevertheless, today is a glorious day! I am proud (honestly) to have received my first rejection. I am happy about this because I survived it, unscathed. When I told Ben, he said, “Gee, I would say I’m sorry but I’m sure it won’t be the last one you get.” Now, you in bloggerland might think that wasn’t a very nice response but it was exactly what I needed to hear. We are keeping it real, yo. However, when he asked if I was rejected because of the two errors in the first chapter that my mom found AFTER I sent the pages off…well, that was a little uncalled for.

**Said errors have since been fixed and will no longer be a factor in said rejections here forth **

I have 7 more to go with this round of submissions. But alas, I am disappointed that none of you have participated in my CONTEST from Friday. I will still accept entries!

I must go, I have a full day of boring meetings but leave me a note and let me know how you are doing, say hi, let me know what kind of contests you would like to see, what kind of blog topics interest you and I will try to accommodate. Share the love.

Rejection Contest…Let it Begin!

On Wednesday I submitted my first 8 agent queries. And then I threw up a little. And then I created a Pintrest account. Although I can sort of write a book and kind of figure out how to embark on the road to publication—I am NOT smart enough to figure out Pintrest. Would anyone care to elaborate and explain it to me?

I digress. I want to celebrate the next step I have taken. When trying to get published, you hear horror stories of the number of rejections you no doubt will receive before anyone takes your book seriously. How long did Stephanie Meyer’s TWILIGHT sit on someone’s desk? Or Stephen King?

It is depressing.

On the flip side, you hear about those lucky suckers that get picked up overnight. I have a feeling I will be in the category of those that sit on people’s desks and still never get published. I don’t have any delusions that my book is so wonderful that people are going to be pounding down my door for it. But, I am excited to take the journey and see if I can make it to the other side one day. That’s all I’m after.

So, I have decided to celebrate my rejections with book give-a-ways. Who’s with me? Leave a comment and place your bets:

1) How many of the 8 queries I sent out will reject me?

2) How many requests for full manuscripts will I get from the 8 I sent?

*hint—8 and 0*

The closest to the number on both questions without going over will win a signed copy of THE SAVAGE GRACE by Bree Despain. Spread the word to all your friends and relatives who love books as much as you do!

Cake-Chubbies

Thing-2 turned 8 years-old yesterday. She had an amazing birthday party on Saturday, much to the torment of her mother. The chocolate cake was sinful--the one from Costco, you know which one I’m talking about. Don’t pretend you don’t. (And no, I didn’t hide it in the trunk of my car, and eat it in a closet—it’s not like it was CUPCAKES!)

Anyway, the cake looked great going down.

Not so much when it was puked onto my brand-new carpet 6-hours later *sighs*

Se la vi.

I had to run 4 miles yesterday to work off the cake chubbies. Was it worth it? Ohhhh yeah.

Does anyone else out there run? Do you have any tips for me? My sister Tara has thrown down the gauntlet and I am trying to train for a Half Marathon in July. What a joke, right? That’s what I thought. The only way the race would be fair is if all the other runners had to strap a 100-lb bags of flour on their backs and run alongside me.

Being fat is so unfair sometimes.

But look at the bright side—no one expects much of you so you can hide cupcakes in your car and eat a Costco sheet cake and order the Super-Size combo meal with the Diet Coke and all people will do is roll their eyes and say, “Figures.”

Ain’t life grand?

Happy Eating and Running Everyone!

Winners and a Sneak Peek

The moment of truth has arrived!

And the winners, selected by random drawing out of Thing 2’s homemade pottery bowl/mug/paperclip holder gizzy…

Jonni – signed copy of EVERNEATH
Tara - $15 Amazon Gift Card
Brenda - $10 Amazon Gift Card

Tara and Brenda, watch your email accounts for the Gift Certificates. Don’t delete them!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered and are now my new friends! I’m so glad to have you along this journey with me. And never fear, I will have a lot more give-a-ways coming up…including a signed copy of Bree Despain’s THE SAVAGE GRACE, her final book in the DARK DIVINE TRILOGY.

So, my friend Kaylie (who I am totally crushing on in a completely plutonic way at the moment) reviewed my manuscript and got her comments back to me this week. I am so excited to start working on my revisions. But I’m also overwhelmed. It’s hard to put work into something so massive and then have to go back and fix all your weak points because guess what…they are weak points for a reason. Because, um, if I didn’t suck at certain things I would have done it right the first time, no? Exactly. Nevertheless, I printed off my book and I’m digging in.

Someone tell me again why I thought this would be fun?

I thought I would leave you with a section of the book that I read last night and thought to myself—hey, that wasn’t total crap! So, here it is, hope you enjoy it…

He last saw her the day of the funeral, and it unnerved him how much she’d changed. The scene at the cemetery never left him—Austin letting Cameryn sob into his shirt, Dayne’s dad keeping his wife upright, people gossiping and jockeying for position. Macoy could count on one hand the number of people who loved Dayne enough to be there. Everyone else just wanted a front row seat to the Greek Tragedy of a Young and Untimely Death. The wailing, the grief, the god-awful smell of lilies and roses, heat beating down on the casket, the 8 x 3 cement prison hidden with crappy synthetic grass. Alone, those things were bad enough. Together, they crushed him. He found a tree to lean against for support. Survival. The tree would get him through. Even after everyone but the family had gone, he stayed melded against the bark, unable to move. Cameryn saw him then. She marched over, pausing just long enough to narrow her eyes before her hand struck his face.

“Couldn’t you at least pretend to cry? This is all your fault!”

Long brown hair whipped him in the face as she turned on her heel and stormed to the mortuary limousine. The accusation, finally verbalized, echoed through the hallowed grounds. Her black-nylon clad leg tucking itself inside the car was the last thing he saw of her.

Until tonight.


Have a great St. Patty's Day Weekend everyone. I will be hosting Thing 2's birthday party so I'm sure whatever you're doing will be better than that!