I'm supposed to be taking a break so I can revise, sell my book and become a famous author (she dreams) but I wouldn't be me without telling you why I'll be gone longer than planned. You all know there have been some troubles in Candyland over the last year and a half. You can read about them HERE and HERE.
Today is another test of my strength.
Hope to be back very soon. Until then, enjoy.
Candylandlovesyou. OUT.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Feel Me Up: Challenge this
Oh, Friday, sweet Friday...I've never been so happy to see you. Today, a special Feel Up + Announcement for all you crazy kids.
Random Fact: Candyland has been asked to join the A-Z Challenge (and she said yes--even without a ring)!
Rules:
The premise of the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge is to post something on your blog every day in April except for Sundays. In doing this you will have 26 blog posts--one for each letter of the alphabet. Each day you will theme your post according to a letter of the alphabet.
You can post about whatever the eff tickles your fancy, so long as it corresponds with the letter of the alphabet of the day. Make sense? Everyone who blogs can post from A to Z.
How can this Challenge help you?
Be a cool blogger! Make new friends! Lose twelve pounds! Well, two of those is true.
Join me and these other super-rad bloggers in making April our blogging biotch.
Random Fact: Candyland has been asked to join the A-Z Challenge (and she said yes--even without a ring)!
The premise of the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge is to post something on your blog every day in April except for Sundays. In doing this you will have 26 blog posts--one for each letter of the alphabet. Each day you will theme your post according to a letter of the alphabet.
You can post about whatever the eff tickles your fancy, so long as it corresponds with the letter of the alphabet of the day. Make sense? Everyone who blogs can post from A to Z.
How can this Challenge help you?
Be a cool blogger! Make new friends! Lose twelve pounds! Well, two of those is true.
Join me and these other super-rad bloggers in making April our blogging biotch.
Talli Roland
Sign up via the linky below and join us, won't you? If you don't, I will show up at your house while you're sleeping and hover until you're awakened by my cold, hollow, breaths...
*THE LIST IS NOW CLOSED TO NEW ENTRIES*
Have a great weekend!
Candyland. OUT.
Sign up via the linky below and join us, won't you? If you don't, I will show up at your house while you're sleeping and hover until you're awakened by my cold, hollow, breaths...
*THE LIST IS NOW CLOSED TO NEW ENTRIES*
Have a great weekend!
Candyland. OUT.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Don't talk about it
Sex.
Language.
Depression.
Suicide.
Drugs.
Alcohol.
Are any of these things in your novels? If you read or write YA, you know what this is about. Or, if you were ever a teenager (not that I did anything...I was a beautiful princess), you know firsthand. Personally, I love authors who aren't afraid to push the envelope. Honesty in writing takes guts, especially when it's about topics like these.
I say this because, in revising my ms, 9:59 Rewind, one of the notes in the first round of edits was whether or not the self-injury (read: cutting) my character inflicts HAS to be there. Because if it does, the book would be classified a "social issue" book. While I went through the edits, I realized YES. It HAS to be there. It's crucial in showing how my MC deals with all the crap in her life. She doesn't usually cry, she doesn't vent, she bottles it up and takes it out on herself. I knew, deep down, this is how she would handle it.
So I kept it.
And I was right to do so. The agent loved the way I expanded on the subject. It made my character more 3D, and one more thing to overcome in a pile of shizz. Now, as I'm revising, again, I re-read the scenes where all of that was written and to this day, I'm confident in my decision to keep it. Without it, I don't think even I could fully know or understand the pain she goes through. And knowing your MC is key.
I recently finished a book that speaks of suicide, and I admire the author's tenacity to say it so bluntly. You know I'm a big advocate for TWLOHA, suicide prevention and anything that sheds light on "difficult" subjects, because even if you aren't talking about it, IT'S STILL HAPPENING.
To all you budding Ellen Hopkins, Patricia McCormicks, Laurie Halse Andersons, Jay Ashers, Julia Hobans, Charles Benoits, or even Judy Blumes (yes, you read that right), I salute you. Thank you for being brave enough to give ME a voice. Today, I'll rip the tape off my mouth and write will the whole truth, and nothing but.
Tell me friends, do you tackle any of these issues in writing or have you read anything recently that does?
Candyland. OUT.
P.S. check out my music picks over on Chris's page. And don't worry~it's not the band you think!
Language.
Depression.
Suicide.
Drugs.
Alcohol.
Are any of these things in your novels? If you read or write YA, you know what this is about. Or, if you were ever a teenager (not that I did anything...I was a beautiful princess), you know firsthand. Personally, I love authors who aren't afraid to push the envelope. Honesty in writing takes guts, especially when it's about topics like these.
I say this because, in revising my ms, 9:59 Rewind, one of the notes in the first round of edits was whether or not the self-injury (read: cutting) my character inflicts HAS to be there. Because if it does, the book would be classified a "social issue" book. While I went through the edits, I realized YES. It HAS to be there. It's crucial in showing how my MC deals with all the crap in her life. She doesn't usually cry, she doesn't vent, she bottles it up and takes it out on herself. I knew, deep down, this is how she would handle it.
So I kept it.
And I was right to do so. The agent loved the way I expanded on the subject. It made my character more 3D, and one more thing to overcome in a pile of shizz. Now, as I'm revising, again, I re-read the scenes where all of that was written and to this day, I'm confident in my decision to keep it. Without it, I don't think even I could fully know or understand the pain she goes through. And knowing your MC is key.
I recently finished a book that speaks of suicide, and I admire the author's tenacity to say it so bluntly. You know I'm a big advocate for TWLOHA, suicide prevention and anything that sheds light on "difficult" subjects, because even if you aren't talking about it, IT'S STILL HAPPENING.
To all you budding Ellen Hopkins, Patricia McCormicks, Laurie Halse Andersons, Jay Ashers, Julia Hobans, Charles Benoits, or even Judy Blumes (yes, you read that right), I salute you. Thank you for being brave enough to give ME a voice. Today, I'll rip the tape off my mouth and write will the whole truth, and nothing but.
Tell me friends, do you tackle any of these issues in writing or have you read anything recently that does?
Candyland. OUT.
P.S. check out my music picks over on Chris's page. And don't worry~it's not the band you think!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Part two: (i.e. EDIT THIS, MOFOS)
Right now, I'm in hell.
Okay, so that's a bit dramatic for a Thursday, but it's true. Well, I'm in EDITING hell. My story hates me. It's punishing me for things I'm probably going to do in the future (because obvs, I'm currently an angel). I went through this in October-ish. I cried, begged, pleaded with the thing but it was stubborn, and remained crap.
And then one day, I was listening to a song by The Used. It's one I've heard over and over, but for some reason, that sunny drive in the car, it hit me like a tire iron to the jaw (DRAMATIC). I went home, threw away my previous notes and transformed my story into something less awful. It took awhile to finish those revisions, but once done, I was confident enough to send to then future agent (I just blew your mind), who thought I showed enough promise to take a chance.
But it still needs work. Yaaknow. Plot holes, character issues, blah blah.
And now, I'm back here with this story, waiting for another light bulb to go off. In the meantime, yesterday I discussed one easy outlining technique via the Three Act structure. Though, I forgot to mention, I use this AFTER I've written the first draft. I'm not awesome at pre-outlining and I saw most of you are the same. I LOVE it because it divides your story into three easy sections, focusing on where conflict, tension, etc go once you already have a foundation and crap.
But then I found this new method, and have sort of been cheating on the Three Act Method. I won't even copy and paste so GO HERE to read about it. It's sort of life-changing and all kinds of dots were connected. And while I make the offspring have mandatory quiet time so I can torture myself with anything that will make my story rock, I only hope...I don't make it worse.
Tell me friends, is anyone else sick right now (yeah, it's off topic)? Have you had any light bulb moments that transformed your story? Can I have your light bulb?
Candyland. OUT.
Okay, so that's a bit dramatic for a Thursday, but it's true. Well, I'm in EDITING hell. My story hates me. It's punishing me for things I'm probably going to do in the future (because obvs, I'm currently an angel). I went through this in October-ish. I cried, begged, pleaded with the thing but it was stubborn, and remained crap.
And then one day, I was listening to a song by The Used. It's one I've heard over and over, but for some reason, that sunny drive in the car, it hit me like a tire iron to the jaw (DRAMATIC). I went home, threw away my previous notes and transformed my story into something less awful. It took awhile to finish those revisions, but once done, I was confident enough to send to then future agent (I just blew your mind), who thought I showed enough promise to take a chance.
But it still needs work. Yaaknow. Plot holes, character issues, blah blah.
And now, I'm back here with this story, waiting for another light bulb to go off. In the meantime, yesterday I discussed one easy outlining technique via the Three Act structure. Though, I forgot to mention, I use this AFTER I've written the first draft. I'm not awesome at pre-outlining and I saw most of you are the same. I LOVE it because it divides your story into three easy sections, focusing on where conflict, tension, etc go once you already have a foundation and crap.
But then I found this new method, and have sort of been cheating on the Three Act Method. I won't even copy and paste so GO HERE to read about it. It's sort of life-changing and all kinds of dots were connected. And while I make the offspring have mandatory quiet time so I can torture myself with anything that will make my story rock, I only hope...I don't make it worse.
Tell me friends, is anyone else sick right now (yeah, it's off topic)? Have you had any light bulb moments that transformed your story? Can I have your light bulb?
Candyland. OUT.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Whiners: Easy outlining part uno
Outlining is *not* my thing. Neither is a throat lozenge without menthol. Okay, most things aren't my thing. Maybe I don't have a thing. If you're a writer, though, sometimes finding a way to outline is a necessary evil.
This excerpt is taken from my KSURF writing class, YA Novel Writing for Beginners. If you haven't signed up yet, check it out HERE.
The first step:
Organize your notes in a way they make sense. Whether it's via chronological order, by circumstance, character or event, do it in a way it not only makes the novel compelling, but easy to follow. Next, transfer all organized notes onto a clean Word doc or notebook page. This will make outlining a breeze. Once you've transferred the notes, clarify. The point of this step is to cut the miscellaneous notes—the bulk of what you don't need. Don't throw them away, though. Keep them in the original document in case you need them later.
If you're having a hard time with this step, try throwing similar notes together to see if there's a pattern.
Example from my own notebook:
Note number one says: “She's shot on stage.”
Note number two says: “She presses rewind.”
Note number three says: “She needs to solve the murder of her father.”
I simply lumped the three random thoughts into a pile and expanded them into something like this:
“Teenage rock star's father was murdered by the same man who's after her. After catching a bullet to the chest by the man at a show, the girl presses rewind, hoping to find a way to undo what's been done.”
Once your notes are organized and transferred into a streamlined version, you'll find more ideas weaving themselves in, and that's okay. Go with it. The notes don't have to be completely clear, but should give you a general direction to start with.
Now you're ready. But where do you start?
Breakdown the outline into sections. You should have a cleaner version of notes to work with and a basic storyline you intend to follow. Divide a blank page or Word document into three visible parts.
Label section #1 “The Set-Up.” The Set-Up is the foundation of your story. You'll want to seduce your readers into wanting (needing to) to read on. Transfer any notes that correspond with your ideal beginning. You should have a relatable, (usually a bit ) mysterious protagonist whose sole mission is to achieve a particular goal. The goal could be internal or external, but think about what might entice readers to care about the story. You may introduce an antagonist, or foreshadow the events you plan to carry out in future chapters but your main job in The Set-Up is to lay the groundwork for the rest of the book.
Label section #2 “The Conflict.” The Conflict is what sustains the reader. It's a continuation of The Set-Up, but a bulkier, deeper version. Your protagonist should reveal things about his or herself so we get to know and care about them. The best thing you can do for your protagonist at this point is create something to keep them from their goal. Surprise the reader with secrets or small reveals that will all build to the end's grand finale. In this section, it's easy to feel lost without some sort of outline. The dreaded “middle of book” is where a lot of stories fall flat. You can avoid this by keeping the reader on their toes and surprises around every corner.
Label section #3 “The Payoff.” The Payoff is what the book amounts to—the last scene the reader's been waiting for. By now, the audience should know your protagonist well, care and root for them. We should know their goal, what's keeping them from it and why. This is where you tie up loose ends and give readers what they've been waiting for. Conclude all storylines and prepare for the big reveal.
Example of Set-Up, Conflict and Payoff using If I Stay by Gayle Foreman:
Set-Up: Mia's family is killed in a car accident and she isn't sure if she should live without them or die, and possibly, be with them.
Conflict: She's an amazing cellist who's in love with a rocker. She has big things in store, should she stay. But choosing to live her dreams with her family gone isn't something she's completely ready to do.
Payoff: In the final moments, after feeling Mia's every breath and hearing her every thought while in a coma, we're right there with her as she decides her fate.
In If I Stay, Mia's antagonist isn't another person, but herself. She's her own worst enemy. We learn to care about her and root for her to choose life. By the end of the book, the reader feels satisfied all questions were answered. THAT is your goal. From start to finish.
Once you've written a rough version of your outline, read through each section one at a time and note any other ideas that come to mind. Names of characters and dates can be filled in later, unless it's important to the story. Focus on the main events that will drive your story forward.
-Ends-
Hopefully these notes will help you get started. I've learned what works (for me) and what doesn't through lots of trial and error. I've found two specific techniques that have been winners. One, is the 3 Act Method discussed here. The other, I will go over tomorrow.
How about you? Do you have an outlining technique that's helped with your story or do you pull crap out of nowhere?
Candylandstillsick. OUT.
Monday, February 7, 2011
ONE
So, friends, this weekend, a few things happened which is why I'm going to make this brief (see letter d).
a) I realized I am *not* cough* 22, while going out with friends to see a band, leaving early + sober.
b) I also realized I am okay with that.
c) My a-hole cat threw up a lot.
d) I caught THE-EFFING-FLU
And most importantly...
e) Even after gaining an agent who believes in me, I actually received two random query rejections.
You would think it wouldn't sting, that I'd get over it and move on. But I'm telling you rejection will always hurt a little, at least for me. Even if you have thick skin and stuff magically rolls off, you can't tell me it won't bother you to see a big, fat NO STINKING WAY. YOU SUCK. BUT GOOD LUCK PLACING YOUR WORK ELSEWHERE.
It always hurts, because rejection is someone telling you you're not good enough, in one way or another. But you swallow that lump in your throat, brush it off, and send another query. Because that's what writers do.
Now, I want to make this point crystal clear in case you haven't been beaten over the head with it before: IT ONLY TAKES ONE.
It doesn't matter if 199 people hate what you've written. Number 200 could be your ONE.
Have you been the recipient of a recent rejection? Don't worry, you'll ALWAYS be accepted here.
Happy Monday.
Candylandsicksicksick. OUT.
a) I realized I am *not* cough* 22, while going out with friends to see a band, leaving early + sober.
b) I also realized I am okay with that.
c) My a-hole cat threw up a lot.
d) I caught THE-EFFING-FLU
And most importantly...
e) Even after gaining an agent who believes in me, I actually received two random query rejections.
You would think it wouldn't sting, that I'd get over it and move on. But I'm telling you rejection will always hurt a little, at least for me. Even if you have thick skin and stuff magically rolls off, you can't tell me it won't bother you to see a big, fat NO STINKING WAY. YOU SUCK. BUT GOOD LUCK PLACING YOUR WORK ELSEWHERE.
It always hurts, because rejection is someone telling you you're not good enough, in one way or another. But you swallow that lump in your throat, brush it off, and send another query. Because that's what writers do.
Now, I want to make this point crystal clear in case you haven't been beaten over the head with it before: IT ONLY TAKES ONE.
It doesn't matter if 199 people hate what you've written. Number 200 could be your ONE.
Have you been the recipient of a recent rejection? Don't worry, you'll ALWAYS be accepted here.
Happy Monday.
Candylandsicksicksick. OUT.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Feel Me Up Friday: When a windstorm knocks the bathroom stall open...
WOW, friends. All I can say from yesterday's birthday extravaganza is THANK YOU. For the comments, the emails, the FB posts, the everything. I always wondered what it would feel like to be insanely popular for a day and now I know. From bloggers to friends, to family, to strangers to a certain band member, it was, quite possibly, one of the best birthdays I've ever had.
So, thank you.
And what did I do on said wondiferous birthday? I got a horrific license where I'm sure to be pegged the next child molestation suspect, I tried on fancy woman clothes while pretending to have matured, I bought groceries (I'm SO wild!), sipped a cafe mocha at my leisure (this NEVER HAPPENS anymore), and mostly enjoyed the quiet (offspring was at Grammie's for the day).
It was perfect.
And now, I'm SO ready for that feel up. Clean hands be damned. Come as you are.
Random Fact: Before trying on fancy woman clothes, I went to the ladies room to, yaaknow, relieve myself. I'm not sure why, but I'm a magnet for the doors that don't lock and I never notice until I'm mid-pee, stuck holding one hand on the door and the other on my pants. Well yesterday, I had no time to hold said door as it flew open mid-pee like a windstorm. Dear lady who saw my business, I hope we never see each other again.
Random Fact: If you ever see a girl in the grocery store with a full cart, wandering around, I'll bet by the end of the trip her cart is half-empty because she felt guilty buying all that crap and stuffed random items in various places of the store on her way out. I'm neither confirming or denying this was anyone I know (me).
Talk about an after-birthday treat! Thank you! And a big thanks to the hubs for writing yesterday's post so I could [sort of] be lazy for a day. The birthday shenanigan's shall ensue with friends tonight and fondue tomorrow NOMNOMNOM.
Until tomorrow friends tell me, have you ever put something from your cart in a random isle because you were too lazy to put it back? #truthtime
Candyland. OUT.
So, thank you.
And what did I do on said wondiferous birthday? I got a horrific license where I'm sure to be pegged the next child molestation suspect, I tried on fancy woman clothes while pretending to have matured, I bought groceries (I'm SO wild!), sipped a cafe mocha at my leisure (this NEVER HAPPENS anymore), and mostly enjoyed the quiet (offspring was at Grammie's for the day).
It was perfect.
And now, I'm SO ready for that feel up. Clean hands be damned. Come as you are.
Random Fact: Before trying on fancy woman clothes, I went to the ladies room to, yaaknow, relieve myself. I'm not sure why, but I'm a magnet for the doors that don't lock and I never notice until I'm mid-pee, stuck holding one hand on the door and the other on my pants. Well yesterday, I had no time to hold said door as it flew open mid-pee like a windstorm. Dear lady who saw my business, I hope we never see each other again.
Random Fact: If you ever see a girl in the grocery store with a full cart, wandering around, I'll bet by the end of the trip her cart is half-empty because she felt guilty buying all that crap and stuffed random items in various places of the store on her way out. I'm neither confirming or denying this was anyone I know (me).
Talk about an after-birthday treat! Thank you! And a big thanks to the hubs for writing yesterday's post so I could [sort of] be lazy for a day. The birthday shenanigan's shall ensue with friends tonight and fondue tomorrow NOMNOMNOM.
Until tomorrow friends tell me, have you ever put something from your cart in a random isle because you were too lazy to put it back? #truthtime
Candyland. OUT.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
If you tell her she looks a day over 22, she'll cut you
Well kids, it's the best day of the year...thats right, Christma....wait...oh yeah...it's Candyland's mthr fckn birthday!!! Wow. That was straight up gangsta. Or really, really white. You decide kids, but I would err on the side of the white boy. Anywho, it is actually Candyland's b-day and if you care, or dare, to ask, she is *cough* 22 *cough*.
Soooo, what did everyone get her? I got her 3 mealeyon dollas. Not really. I actually got her a day full of housework, workwork, errands, bill-paying, motherhood and a massive headache. Top that blogosphere.
The hubs stepped it up and robbed some places and now Candyland can buy some sweet shiz. You are officially invited to Candyland's virtual birthday party. You must bring a gift and something tasty or alcoholic (something like Matt Brady always works) and it better not suck or you'll end up on Candyland's black list...and trust me when I say that is a dark, dark place.
Do'nt forget to sign her virtual birthday card (aka leave a comment telling her how amazing she really is...or just leave Brady and go. Kthnnxx).
Peace out bloggos,
The Hubs. OUT.
Soooo, what did everyone get her? I got her 3 mealeyon dollas. Not really. I actually got her a day full of housework, workwork, errands, bill-paying, motherhood and a massive headache. Top that blogosphere.
The hubs stepped it up and robbed some places and now Candyland can buy some sweet shiz. You are officially invited to Candyland's virtual birthday party. You must bring a gift and something tasty or alcoholic (something like Matt Brady always works) and it better not suck or you'll end up on Candyland's black list...and trust me when I say that is a dark, dark place.
Do'nt forget to sign her virtual birthday card (aka leave a comment telling her how amazing she really is...or just leave Brady and go. Kthnnxx).
Peace out bloggos,
The Hubs. OUT.
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