A minute list

Just for fun, write the ending to these sentences. Should take no more than a minute. Write the first thing that pops into your mind. Can't wait to see your lists.
1. I'm good at...
2. I wish I could...
3. My husband/wife/significant other reminds me of ...
4. If I could change any physical feature I would change my...
5. My favorite spice is ...
6. If I don't get enough sleep ...
7. I once...
8. The one sense I could not live without...
9. I like pizza and ...
10. If I could have lunch with any author it would be...

Another new agent alert

Guide To Literary Agents blog reports today that Marcy Posner is a new agent at Folio Literary Management. She is looking for middle grade and young adult fiction, commercial women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, biography, history, health, and lifestyle. See post  here.

Quote of the day

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand-and melting like a snowflake...” --Francis Bacon, Sr.

So if you want to write, write. Don't let your fears keep you from trying. There is power in doing and hope in trying. Good luck to each of you:)

New agent alert

Amanda Luedeke has joined MacGregor Literary as an agent. Amanda will be working with childrens, YA, speculative, and post-college-aged fiction and nonfiction. Read all about it  here.

A minute list

I hope I always:

• Love without holding back.
• Pursue my dreams despite the obstacles.
• Strive for excellence in everything I do.
• Give to others when I can.
• Experience the joys of this world and overcome its sorrows.
• Remember to laugh every chance I get.
• Heal when I’m broken and help others heal, too.
• Write words that touch people.
• Cherish my family and friends and their unconditional love and support.
• Live life.

Can you write an ending to this sentence? You don’t have to do 10. Do as few or as many as you’d like. Can't wait to read your posts.

Kids got it right

It was a really neat church service today. The children, from preschool through high school, participated. They sang, read the lessons and prayers, helped with Communion -- did everything but the sermon. But Pastor Greg's sermon was just as neat. He talked about children and how we ought to be more like them. One of the things he said was that each of us needs to be alive in the moment. That we shouldn't miss out on life that goes on around us. Too often we hold onto regrets, fret about the past, and worry about the future. Children, on the other hand, don't. He gave the example of children who fight over a toy or a place in line or whatever. One minute it's all-out war and the next minute they're best friends. This made me smile because it's so true. Adults, on the other hand, find it difficult to forgive and forget and move on. Anyway, I just thought it was a really neat reminder to live in the moment. Be like a child. Sometimes, I think we spend so much time planning for the future that we forget about today. I can't believe, for instance, how fast my little boys have become young men. WOW! The little babes I once held in my arms are now young men I need to stand on my tip-toes to hug. So, the message for today is to live in the present like a child and enjoy every minute of it. That doesn't mean we ought not to think about tomorrow or have dreams and goals. It simply means that we don't forget about today because as many of us have come to know, there are no guarantees in life. Tomorrow might be too late.

Quote of the day

"Write what you care about and understand. Writers should never try to outguess the marketplace in search of a salable idea; the simple truth is that all good books will eventually find a publisher if the writer tries hard enough, and a central secret to writing a good book is to write one that people like you will enjoy." --Richard North Patterson

Do you write the type of book you like to read? If so, what do you write/read and why? I hope all of you have a fantastic weekend.

Quote of the day

"The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple. Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home." --John W. Campbell

Are there things preventing you from sending out your manuscript? Don't let the fear of rejection stop you. If you try and you fail, you try again. And again. Remember, we are here to support and encourage one another. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Have courage, believe in yourself and your work.   

Contest alert

Check out Rachelle Gardner's blog for a logline contest. Enter today everyone. And good luck.

The Lion Awakens; Annie's transformation

When THE LION AWAKENS begins, Annie is this shy, nerdy, uncoordinated girl who has little self-esteem and zero confidence. By the end of the novel, she has transformed into a confident young lady who has mastered her superhuman abilities to stop a tyrant from destroying her world.
I loved writing the following excerpt. I think it shows how far Annie has come. Here, she stands up to a group of popular girls who just want to use her. Annie's boyfriend had convinced the girls that modeling agents were fighting over Annie. He was just screwing with them at the mall one night. When Annie shaves her head (something she did in order to "fit in" the parallel universe she was traveling to) the girls did, too, thinking it was the latest style.
....
“Are you serious?” Annie asked. “My boyfriend dies and all you’re concerned about is getting a freakin' modeling agent. Well, here’s the truth. I don’t have an agent. Never have. I don’t model. Never will. I shaved my head because I wanted to. It’s not the “in thing” to do. And, one more thing, your heads look like bald asses without the cracks. So go screw yourselves.”
Annie turned around to open her locker and the girls’ eyes were the size of half dollars.
“Are you serious?” Jen asked. “You don’t really model or have an agent? Like we totally shaved our heads for nothing?”
Annie turned around. “I’ve never been more serious. And if you ever bother me on Petra or anyone else again, you’ll have a lot more to worry about than a bald ass for a head. Oh, and another thing, Jen, your tits are as fake as your French tips. If it weren’t for that boob job your daddy dearest paid for you’d have nothin' but muffin tops.”
......
YEAH Annie. You go girl! That's the way to do it. The Lion has, indeed, awakened.
Do you have an excerpt to share that shows growth in your character? Please share in comments.

Contest starts tonight

Just a reminder that the QueryTracker contest starts tonight. Only 100 entries will be accepted. Genres are young adult and middle grade.
QueryTracker contest details here

I'm a hugger, how 'bout you?

I'm a hugger. It's just who I am. I hug my family and friends when I greet them and when I said goodbye. I couldn't imagine a world without hugs. My husband didn't grow up in a demonstrative family, so marrying me introduced him to a whole new world. But I think he would tell you that he's embraced it and is a hugger now, too. Here are two of my favorite hug quotes. Are you a hugger? 

"I will not play tug o' war. I'd rather play hug o' war. Where everyone hugs instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles and rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins." --Shel Silverstein

"A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away." --Bil Keane