tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33782956076499110112023-11-15T23:51:02.714-08:00Pen-Up GirlA blog on all things literary, from controversial grammar news, book reviews, getting published, reading, writing, and everything in between!Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-47735684849696577282014-05-01T22:14:00.000-07:002014-05-01T22:19:31.622-07:00The Magician's Daughter - TWV Entry<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Coaches,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not many women are magicians in 1870, but that doesn’t stop eighteen-year-old Valentina Gianetti. However, when her father is killed onstage at her debut performance, she abandons her dreams in order to find his killer. Her journey starts in Paris and leads her to an underground society of spectacular performers, along with a conspiracy that reaches up to the government. Valentina soon finds herself entangled in multiple murders, suicides, secrets, and cover-ups.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the help of complicated individuals, including an escaped convict, Spanish spy, and old fortune teller, Valentina immerses herself into the clandestine underground in hopes of tracking down her father’s murderer. Between solving crimes spanning decades, traveling Europe with hired assassins, and performing onstage, a love triangle develops and Valentina is forced to choose between a deep-seated love and a passionate lust.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Magician’s Daughter is a Historical Fiction novel, complete at 92,130 words. Readers who enjoyed The Historian, The Night Circus, and The Thirteenth Tale will appreciate this novel. I’m a technical writer by day and an aspiring author by night with an unhealthy addiction to the BBC. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for this opportunity!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sincerely,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Desirae Roosa</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE MAGICIAN'S DAUGHTER</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The custard of the fruit tart gently jiggled at the rumbling of the train. I was hypnotized by its slight vibration; if only to distract myself from what I soon faced. The tranquility of my private carriage lulled me into a moment of calm. I lit the small candle poking from the tart’s middle and closed my eyes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Happy birthday, Mama.” The flame extinguished before I could take a breath to blow it out. I smiled. I didn’t have to turn around to see him standing in the doorway, though he made no sound.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Are you prepared for tomorrow?” His English accent sounded like home; I turned to face him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’ve practiced the three acts so many times I could perform them with my eyes closed.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Good girl.” He smiled, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening. He aged so much these last few years and I wondered what he kept from me. It wasn’t only his growing paranoia that tipped me off; but the way he became more and more distracted during his acts, almost expecting an interruption. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I have a gift for you,” he said, producing a small red flower between his fingers and presenting it to me. The instant that my fingertips brushed against its stem, the flower disappeared, and in its place, hung a gold necklace with a simple red pendant. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s beautiful. Thank you, Father.” His eyes twinkled. I knew he appreciated the term, though he wasn’t my real father. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-9075807405490316212014-05-01T21:46:00.000-07:002014-05-01T21:46:10.702-07:00Seriously? It's Been Over a Year?<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shame on me. Shame on my family. Shame on my neighbors.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't believe it's been over a year since I've written a blog post! Oh...wait...yes, yes I can believe that. I never have been good about posting, have I? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I wanted to give you a heads up that, through the grace of complete randomness, I've been selected by a raffle to participate in a writing contest (yay!). The rules are that I have to post my query and first page of my novel to my blog. So, be warned! (Oh, and feel free to leave feedback, as long as it's positive! Just kidding, be honest...as long as it's positive...just kidding again! Okay, I'll stop now.) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you all are doing great, and thanks so much for not giving me the kabash...yet.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Writing!</span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-64794292379244928032013-03-20T09:16:00.001-07:002013-03-20T09:20:00.639-07:00Get to Know that Allusive Character<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy Wednesday, Literati!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I stumbled upon this interesting writer's tool this morning, and thought that I'd share. It's definitely fun reading what other writers have put out there. Soooo if you've got a shy character who you just can't figure out, perhaps this site can assist! Writing is such a solitary <strike>torture </strike>activity, so when writers come together, it can truly be an invaluable asset. If you're lucky enough to be part of an awesome writing group (as I am), then you know what I mean! If you're a writer and aren't part of a critique/beta group, my advice? Find one! Go to conferences, get involved with your local writing community and/or writing orgs/chapters, or find an online community, trust me, your experience will be priceless and your writing will improve. I cannot express this enough, it is important for writers to get critical feedback, and family members and best friends do not count! (Hops off soap box, spills oatmeal...seriously, I really did just spill oatmeal all over myself. Nice.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway, check out the link below and let us know if you post one of your characters up there! </span><br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/flesh-out-your-fictional-character-on-reddit_b66550#.UUnaKUyuyDY.blogger">Flesh Out Your Fictional Character on Reddit</a></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy Reading and Writing!</span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-47796344564677416802013-03-14T12:14:00.002-07:002013-03-14T12:14:29.613-07:00Non-Fiction. That is All. <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hello Literati!</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can you believe we're already a couple weeks into March? It's incredible how quickly the days go by. I am, however, happy to report that I did bust out of my Writer's Block. (Freeeedom!) It just took scraping twenty two pages, but hey, whatever works, right? Things are better this way, right? Right? ... (insert cricket chirps here) ...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I've been tackling a horrible case of insomnia lately (let's face it, if it's not Writer's Block, it's something else!). Earlier this week, said insomnia led me to open my Netflix queue at 10 p.m. and browse. I came upon a movie that I've always wanted to see, and decided it was about time to give it a shot. The movie? Capote. I know, I know! How have I not seen this movie before?? What?!? How could I? The horror!! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I won't review the movie here (it was good, enough said), but I will say this, it got me thinking about non-fiction. What I've always found fascinating is how the non-fiction novel, when compared to fiction, is like...well, a newborn baby. For those unawares, Truman Capote's book, In Cold Blood, is considered to be the first work of non-fiction ever published. The book was published in a four-part series by The New Yorker in 1965. That's right, 1965! See? Non-Fiction, a baby genre. Consider fiction for a second, with the first stirrings of the genre being discovered as early as 2000 BC. And stories such as The Illiad and The Odyssey were recorded in 8th century BC. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah, let that sink in.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why did it take so long for the birth of a non-fiction story? I have no idea. There are some critics who will site other works as non-fiction, but it's widely agreed that Capote's book was the first non-fiction novel. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but of what I have read, I've enjoyed. If you are new to non-fiction, I'd suggest In Cold Blood, but if you're not one for gory details, check out another one of my favorites, The Catcher was a Spy. And there's always Into Thin Air, which was excellent! How about you, is there a non-fiction book you'd recommend?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the spirit of Capote, I've taken up a book I've had for a couple years and have yet to read: The Devil in the White City. It's more of a creative non-fiction novel, but so far it's incredibly interesting! So if you're a fiction junkie, maybe next time you're browsing through Goodreads, or trying to figure out what to read next, take a look at something non-fiction, it may surprise you!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What non-fiction books have you read and loved? Or are you devoted to fiction and simply refuse to read non-fiction? Let us know!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...And as always, Happy Reading and Writing!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-69773636921664083192013-03-04T10:21:00.000-08:002013-03-04T10:21:09.843-08:00The Infinite Colossal Wall of Obstruction<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We've all been there.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Having a desire to accomplish something - a dream, a goal, getting through a Monday...but then you run into it: The Infinite Colossal Wall of Obstruction. It may be made of brick, cement, a fence running with high voltage electricity...whatever you picture this wall's materials, its sole function is to keep you from accomplishing your intended goal. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Writer's refer to it oh-so lovingly as Writer's Block. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And right now, it has me walled in! The Wall has me locked within its tight embrace. There are no windows, no light, and no air in this metaphoric cell of brick and mortar. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was hoping to tug out the unfortunate plot belly my current novel is experiencing. I need to add action, some suspense, a little more mystery (it IS a YA Historical Mystery after all!). So I know what I MUST do, I just have no idea HOW to do it. Not that I've never suffered from plot belly before, but in the past I was able to do a few crunches and voila! But not this last week/weekend. No amount of exercise or evading to other creative outlets (tutu for daughter - check, sew new dress for daughter - check, finish knitting scarf for Mom - check, make ABC books for my kids - check), nothing, NOTHING would permit me to scale that electric fence of definite Writer's Block. (Yes, my wall is brick, covered with electric fencing, and some other alien technology that blasts me with lasers should I attempt to escape.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I usually find that writing prompts aide in hunting down my snarky muse. But not this time. My characters abandoned me. Ice cream didn't help either. Looking at nice big houses in Santa Barbara did nothing for me. Nor did packing up my sister's stuff for her big move to San Antonio (not that it would, I'm not writing a tragedy here). A small part of me DID, however, blame a certain show that failed to air a new episode this week...but I digress.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What tools do you turn to when you find yourself stuck in a pit of dreaded Writer's Block and your muse is being elusive? Is there a trick you revert to when you're trying to finish any project and just can't find the motivation? What do you turn to for that swift kick in the rear? What are your secrets for breaking down The Wall?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'd love to hear what works for you, and as always, Happy Reading and Writing!</span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-47467996879673331952013-03-03T13:27:00.000-08:002013-03-03T13:27:10.732-08:00March Madness <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Move aside basketball, because 2013's March Madness doesn't center around dribbles or exaggerated falls; but instead, centers around the massive amount of writing contests! I couldn't believe how many contests are out there this month!</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've listed some of the plethora of March Writing Contests below, but a simple Google search will bring up even more opportunities (Search: Writing Contests)! Let us know if you're entering any of the contests! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://narrativemagazine.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Winter Story Contest</span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Deadline: March 31, 2013</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fee: $22</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Prize: $2500</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Submissions: Shorts, Essays, and Novel Excerpts</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.inkubate.com/home/contest" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Inkubate: Literary Blockbuster Challenge</span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Deadline: March 31, 2013</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fee: $0</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Prize: Review from an agent, plus $5000</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Submissions: Fiction</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.abqwriterscoop.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ABQ Writer's Co-Op: Bosque Fiction Prize</span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Deadline: March 31, 2013</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fee: $22</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Prize: $1000</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Submissions: Short Story or Novel Excerpt</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">**This contest is only for writers 45 years and older.***</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/Work-In-Progress-Grants" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SCBWI: WIP Grant</span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Deadline: March 31, 2013</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fee: Membership</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Prize: $2000</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Submissions: SEVEN Categories to choose from! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.penparentis.org/writing-fellowship.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pen Parentis: Writing Fellowship</span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Deadline: April 17, 2013</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fee: $25</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Prize: $1000</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Submissions: New, never published story up to 1200 words.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">**Writers must have at least one child under the age of 10.**</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As always, check out Miss Snark's First Victim and Glimmer Train for recurring contests! Best of luck and Happy Writing!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-47365196018122654462013-02-18T09:10:00.001-08:002013-02-18T09:10:41.041-08:00Five Biggest Regretted Rejections<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hello Literati!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This weekend my awesome husband shared this link with me and I'm passing it on to you! Today is my little guy's birthday, so I leave with the link to this article.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Check it out, <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_20285_5-hilarious-reasons-publishers-rejected-classic-best-sellers.html" target="_blank">Five Hilarious Reasons Publishers Rejected Classic Best-Sellers</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Reading and Writing!</span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-80454368618043186582013-02-14T18:14:00.000-08:002013-02-14T18:14:27.786-08:00Where Were You Fifteen Years Ago?<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was a time before you heard of the magics and wonders of another world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Before you knew the story of a hero, friend, and warrior...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And (gasp!), you probably didn't even know what quidditch could possibly mean!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, fifteen years ago you hadn't yet met the scarred hero or his team of misfits. Terms such as Dumbledore's Army, butterbeer, squibs, muggles, Azkaban, and mudbloods would've sounded alien. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But not today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fellow Literati, Harry Potter celebrates 15 years of publication this year. Isn't it amazing how quickly time flies by? Where's a time-turner when you need one?!?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is too much to write just one article on the awesomeness of Harry Potter, so I'll stick to just a few things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First, Harry's getting a new cover! (What!?) Yes, Bloomsbury is celebrating by giving the book a new look! <a href="http://herocomplex.latimes.com/books/harry-potter-makeover-new-book-covers-coming/#/0" target="_blank">Click here</a> to check out the Sorcerer's Stone's new cover and to read more about the change. I think that the art is much better than the original, which I didn't much care for (though I will admit it has certainly become quite iconic!).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Second, and this is for all those aspiring authors out there, remind yourself of these numbers when you're feeling uninspired, when you receive a rejection, when a beta reader scoffs at your prose, or whenever you're just feeling downright miserable because you've made the insane "choice" to be a writer - 7, 8, 15: Seven books, eight movies, fifteen billion dollars (the amount of which the Harry Potter brand is worth, and yes that was a B, as in BILLION). Oh wait...not those numbers, THESE numbers: 12, 500, 450: Twelve rejections, 500 initial printed books, and 450 MILLION copies actually sold. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So don't give up on your writing, 12 people rejected Harry's story, and many more may reject your protagonist's story. But you know it's an important story to tell, and you know people will enjoy it, keep the good fight!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Congratulations to J.K. Rowling, an amazing author, creator, and artist who changed many writers' lives on that fateful train ride on which Harry was conceived. I cannot wait to read the series to my kids and there is no doubt in my mind that the Harry Potter books will remain a favorite among humanity for a very, very, very long time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What are your thoughts on the new art work? Let us know in the Comments! :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Reading and Writing! </span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-61723792384293281152013-02-11T09:35:00.000-08:002013-02-11T09:35:26.069-08:00What do Lunches, Snark, and Sharks Have in Common?<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Monday!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The start of a new week always offers a fresh start. Today I wanted to discuss three websites of which I think every writer should be aware. They each offer a different service, but are equal in their awesomeness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1) Publisher's Lunch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I receive this newsletter just about every day during the week. You can get the "snack" version for free, or pay for the full lunch. It's basically a newsletter that lists how many publishing deals have been made, any big moves (agents joining new agencies) or news in the publishing world, and any open jobs in said publishing world. If you opt to buy the deluxe lunch version, you get the details of every publishing deal made on the previous business day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2) Miss Snark's First Victim</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Authoress is the host of this site and she is amazing! She dedicates to much of her time to helping other writers find agents. She hosts several Secret Agent Contests each year, where entry is completely free, and a secret literary agent reviews all entries, giving his/her feedback on each one. Also helpful, are comments by her followers on each entry. Not only does she hold these incredible contests, she interviews agents, offers news from the publishing world, and gives a little info about her struggle on getting published and tid bits about her daily rituals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3) The Query Shark</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know I've mentioned The Shark on my blog before, and I've had the pleasure to actually meet her face to face last year (Yay!). If you've never visited her site, go now. Like, right this minute and just return back here later. You must read through all the queries she has posted and study them carefully. This is a must if you're getting ready to send those query letters out anytime soon. Before you send anything, spend hours at this site!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's it for today, kids. Check out those websites, even if you're not a writer, the first two may grab your interest as one who loves reading, books, and words. If you like to review people's works and comment, Miss Snark's First Victim site is perfect for you! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As always, Happy Reading and Writing!</span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-4712063396001787502013-02-07T08:54:00.001-08:002013-02-07T08:55:43.460-08:00The Power of Writing<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is something amazing about books.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's something that we may not think about each time we crack open a book, or turn those e-readers on, but the power of words is incredible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They can start conversations; they can start wars.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Books can bring people together, and tear people apart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This past week in Burma, a revolution took place - a Literary Festival. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Burma has a dark history, but we won't go into that here. It is, however, important to note that Burma isn't known for independence, especially freedom of speech. Most citizens have never been exposed to any books other than censored classics approved by the government. Political prisoners are by the dozen and many include poets, authors, and artists. Famous political prisoner and Nobel laureate and author, Aung San Suu Kyi, was the patron of the festival. Known for her outspoken opposition of the Burmese government and sentenced house arrest for the last 20 years, Aung said of the importance of reading, "<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">[Reading] gives you a chance to understand how other people think, and what kind of experiences other people have been through," she said. "And it also helps you to cope with your own life."</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The festival, no doubt, was a giant step in Burma's attempt towards freedom of her people. Authors from all over the world came together to give workshops and just discuss the written word. What an amazing feat, in a nation that has been blemished with wars and restricting her people to even the smallest of freedoms - books. It seems indeed that the word is mightier than the sword.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What can we learn from the extraordinary people of Burma? For one thing, if you're a writer, you should feel extremely fortunate to have the freedom to write whatever you want, whenever you want. If you're a reader, feel fortunate that you can read whatever you want whenever you want. But I think we can learn something else. With the invention of social media, text messaging, even email, we've lost something: Conversation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Obviously we all converse, and we have deep meaningful discussions, but where did the days go when people gathered to discuss literature? Unless you're a sophomore in high school, or a current English major, you probably don't participate in a group of open literature discussion. I would love to sit around, sipping on tea and eating tarts, and just discussing today's literature (or lack thereof). And attending a three-day literary festival??? Wow! That would be awesome! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What are your thoughts on social media's impact on literary discussion? Do you agree with me, or do you think that today's innovative technology allows for more discussion? You may point out that through this blog, we've engaged in a sort of conversation around literature, and you'd be correct. But I often think of Lord Byron's "get togethers" where he'd bring writers to his villa and they'd discuss books and even have writing contests (at which Frankenstein was born), and I think about how I should do something like that! And why not? Maybe we can all throw our own mini literary festivals! (If you do throw one, you have to let us know!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is there a current bestseller you'd like to discuss? How about the influx of books being turned into movies? There are discussions to be had! Go out there and have them! Spread the word! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And to all you writers out there, take the advice of 17 year old Aung Zin, the winner of the Burmese Literary Festival Contest, who said, "Don't be afraid. Just write."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Reading and Writing!</span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-65623995345688717832013-02-02T08:11:00.000-08:002013-02-02T08:11:43.071-08:002013 Goals and...Oh Yeah, I'm Back!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy 2013, Literati!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, yes, I realize I'm a little late...but I'm back, Baby! (Tell your friends!) Where have I been? Somewhere between Wonderland and Mordor. I could blame my excessive workload, or my lack of blog-ivation, or just that life has a crazy way of actually <i>getting</i> in the way. For the plethora of reasons and excuses, I apologize. I'm now equipped with a new computer and I'm here to stay! Where is here, exactly? I've started a new project that I'm beyond excited about and I'm now armed with a list of 2013 goals to which I fully intend to accomplish this year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's talk about that: Goals. We all have them, and if you're, ahem, like me then you've written said goals somewhere and admire every few days. I'll be the first to admit that it's hard to reach your goals, there's the issue of motivation (lack thereof), not enough hours in the day, and just a long list of things you'd rather be doing (like eating ice cream and watching < insert guilty pleasure show here >). But now is the time! If not now, then when? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So we're all in this together! Team huddle over here! Go grab a piece of paper and a pen, we'll wait. Okay, if you prefer using technology to create your lists, grab your phone or open a Word document, anything to jot down these five things: 2013 Goals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, they don't have to be grand ambitions, one of my goals for 2013 was to learn to knit and knit something (check, and check). Go ahead, give it some thought and record five realistic objectives. Here are mine:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Finish Current Project</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Enter Three Writing Contests</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Blog At Least Three Times a Week</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. Take a Krav Maga Class</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. Get an Agent</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With that completed...It's time to introduce a new series! < Dances like robot > That's right, you knew I was going somewhere with this, right? ... Right? From here on out, Fridays will be known as...Friday Forum: < Topic >. We'll have posts covering inspiration, motivation, tips on accomplishing those five goals you just recorded, the evils of Pinterest (I love you, Pinterest), status reports, and more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'd love to hear what your five goals are! Share them in the comments, or keep them to yourself, all that matters is that you know what they are. And this is the year to accomplish those objectives! No more excuses. (Come on, it's 2013 and you <i>still </i>haven't read To Kill a Mockingbird, etc.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for sticking around! There is so much stuff in the literary world, just waiting to be discussed, so hang on tight, we are in for some intellectual colloquy and amusing antics! Don't forget to share your goals in the comments, and as always...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Writing!</span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-85702731461242213412012-07-24T16:30:00.002-07:002012-07-24T16:31:23.019-07:00Comma, Comma, Comma, Comma, Chameleon!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My fellow, Literati!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How I hang my head in shame!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been weeks since I’ve posted a new blog and I am ashamed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are reasons, excuses as to why I found no time between work, writing, and critiquing...but I’d rather not bore you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
I hope this post finds you all well and happy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
I’m in an awesome writing group and received my Middle Grade novel back from one of my reviewers (let’s call her E.K. because she comes up again later).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m fortunate enough that she’s also an editor at a very big publishing house and her feedback was amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve updated the novel and am ready to now send it to the agents that requested it at Backspace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Super excited!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit, my “Thank You” page in my novel is going to be quite long!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I also received a few blog awards from the awesome E.B. Pike!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out her blog, <a href="http://erinbradypike.com/" target="_blank">Writerlious</a>, it is awesome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a BIG thank-you to E.B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure how to post the awards on my Blogger blog, but I tip my hat to you!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
I thought I’d share a sentence with you that has been in my novel since it was just a very rough draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve read my book about thirty times and never caught it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other have read my book and never caught it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it makes me laugh when I think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>E.K. caught it though and I love her comment that went along with it too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the sentence:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
“You need to eat young man!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Did you catch the error?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>E.K. pointed the error to me with this comment: “Unless he’s a cannibal, you’re missing a comma. (smiley face)”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No, he’s not a cannibal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it does remind us how important one little mark can be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have a favorite sentence or phrase that can mean something totally different if missing a comma?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More on commas to come!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, look for the next installment of our Fairy Tale series this week!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Happy Writing!</div>
</span></span></span></span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-86820293038050047632012-06-28T15:52:00.000-07:002012-06-28T15:52:36.062-07:00Tips from David L. Robbins<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hemingway said of writing, “We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A writer who understands the craft and understands the process will tell you that there will always be more to learn, I just didn’t realize HOW much there was to learn!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been writing for many a moon and though I wouldn’t call myself a seasoned writer, I thought myself fluent in the basics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrong!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned so much about my own writing in one of the Backspace seminars I attended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was given by writer David L. Robbins. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may know him as the author behind the book the movie Enemy at the Gates was based on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to share some of my notes for those Literati who are writers or are pondering the idea.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">According to Robbins, there are four very important parts of a story: Setting, Research, Point of View, and Tension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t be able to go over everything in one blog post; my notes total at least twenty pages!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’ll list some of the stronger points from the presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do not write what you know; write what you learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robbins gave this as an example: You’re in a classroom where a presentation is interrupted by sirens outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The teacher tells a student to go see what has happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy is going to come back, out of breath, and tell you something like, “Oh my gosh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are four cars piled on top of each other, there’s smoke and fire, debris litters the streets, the firemen are pulling people out of crushed cars with the Jaws of Life, and there are people arguing in the streets!” You’ve got the emotion and the detail in his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you ask him a year later, “Hey, what did you see that day of the accident?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d probably reply, “There was an accident with four cars and it was pretty bad.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You lose the excitement and the detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So write what you LEARN, retain that excitement and detail in your writing.</span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t use tricks to excite readers – “accidental” surprises and convenient revelations are transparent and are used when there is a weak story or weak writing.</span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Readers want to connect to the protagonist, but writers tend to “foil the link” with weak writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t write what your character can’t see, don’t hesitate, don’t muddle your sentences with unnecessary words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Example: “He shrugged his shoulders.” No – “He shrugged.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He looked up to the sky.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No – “He looked to the sky.”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have distinct characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are storytellers; do not write about normal people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t make your protagonist a victim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strong characters drive the story and can’t be taken out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Characters are not the WHAT in your story, the plot is the what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Characters are the WHY.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">See the world through the character’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine a castle being looked upon by two brothers on a far off hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One brother has just returned from fighting in a war, he is to be king, and he loves his home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other brother is jealous, he has bottled anger, and he hates his home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both brothers will be looking to this castle with different feelings, different thoughts; tell your story through your protagonist’s POV.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Establish the stakes on page one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t sacrifice stakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have an imbalance and make it clear to the reader that there will be this imbalance, this struggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is at risk?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Manipulate who knows what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Engage the reader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your character is about to open a door the reader knows is the closet the killer is hiding in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want your reader to be saying, “No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t open the door!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to make the reader care. </span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Precision is concision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never let two words do the job of one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch out for those weed words (see previous blog post, </span><a href="http://pen-up-girl.blogspot.com/2012/06/weed-words-i-dont-need-no-stinkin-weed.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Weed Words?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Weed Words!</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t waste a page in a kitchen (unless it’s an integral part of the story).</span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Integrate place into your story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Embrace opportunities to describe the setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Strong writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t use expressions or clichés.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay away from mundane expressions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be careful with prepositions, the obvious, extra words, and redundancies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Examine each sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each sentence has to move the story forward.</span></span></span></div>
</li>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No info dumps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never have anything on the page that the character isn’t thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not engage backstory until the character is thinking about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No flashbacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Show, don’t tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Create scenes and describe what is happening to your character, do not tell the reader how the character feels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Again, see the previous post, </span><a href="http://pen-up-girl.blogspot.com/2012/06/weed-words-i-dont-need-no-stinkin-weed.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Weed Words?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Weed Words!</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">).</span></span></span></div>
</li>
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></ul>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And most of all, know that rejection does not mean stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Writing!</span></div>
</span></span></span></span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-47207228365259715522012-06-25T09:50:00.001-07:002012-06-25T09:50:56.775-07:00The Real Story: The Little MermaidAs most of you know, Disney Studios doesn’t always come up with their blockbusters from scratch. They borrow from some of the most well-known creators of fairytale lore: Hans Christian Anderson and The Brothers Grimm. They pepper the plot with a little pixie dust (for the kiddies) and out pops a smash hit, along with a love ballad. <br />
<br />
<br />
But what some of you may not know are the REAL stories. On that note, I introduce to you The Real Story series. We’ll focus on the original stories of Disney’s most coveted; down to the sordid details. <br />
<br />
To kick the series off, I bring you The Little Mermaid (or The Little Sea Woman, as it was originally titled). <br />
<br />
The story takes place in the deepest of the deep ocean, a place no human could ever travel. The Little Mermaid was a princess who lived in this bottomless abyss with her father (the Sea King), her grandmother, and her five older sisters. Each princess had a plot of land in which to grow a garden, and days were filled with play and laughter. Only, the Little Mermaid spent most of her time tending to her garden. She wasn’t like her sisters, who delighted in swimming around the castle. The Little Mermaid had once come upon a shipwreck where she found a human statue. She placed this statue in her garden alongside her favorite flowers.<br />
<br />
The Little Mermaid was always asking her grandmother to tell her stories about life outside the ocean; she learned of humans and other animals. The mermaids had beautiful voices, and none were so beautiful as the six princesses. Now, the mermaids’ lives spanned for 300 years and at the age of 15, they were allowed to swim to the surface of the water to see the earth. When the Little Mermaid turned 15, she swam up with vigor and excitement. <br />
<br />
As she breaks the water, she rises upon a ship and looks through its windows. She sees the prince and instantly falls in love with him (side note: the prince has just turned the manly age of 16). A massive storm hits that night and the ship is smashed into bits by mighty waves. At first, the Little Mermaid is happy to see the prince sinking into the depths, until she remembers that her grandmother said that humans can’t live in water. So she saves the guy.<br />
<br />
She works very hard to keep him alive and drops him off at a temple built off the sea’s coast. The Little Mermaid hides behind a large rock to make sure the prince recovers, before he does; a young woman approaches him and then calls for help. He soon awakens and is shaking hands and smiling with everyone...everyone, except the Little Mermaid.<br />
<br />
The Little Mermaid was devastated and broken hearted. She longed to be with the prince. In her sorrow she neglected her garden, stopped talking, and refused to tell her sisters what she had seen at the surface. She finally broke down and told one sister, who told the others. Together, they found the palace and took their little sister to the prince. The Little Mermaid spent her days and nights watching the young prince from the sea, falling deeper in love with him. <br />
<br />
She asks her grandmother if humans live as long as mermaids and her grandmother tells her that humans have shorter life spans. However, she explains, humans are given eternal life after they die, unlike mermaids, who after their 300 years basically become sea foam. The only way a mermaid can have eternal life is to get a human to love her more than anything in the world and part of the human’s soul will transfer to the mermaid. She also reminds her granddaughter that humans have legs and find fishtails quite repulsive.<br />
<br />
The Little Mermaid decides to see the Sea Witch for help, crossing over to her part of the sea wrought with death and decay and mutant animal/plant hybrids. The Sea Witch lives inside a house built from human bones, she allows a toad to eat from her mouth, and sea snakes to “crawl all over her bosom.” The sorceress knows what the foolish princess wants. She tells her that she will give her legs, make her the finest dancer, and that every human will see her as the most beautiful girl they’ve ever seen, but warns that each step she takes with her human legs will be like stepping on the blades of the sharpest of knives. <br />
<br />
The Little Mermaid agrees, but there’s more fine print. The Sea Witch also tells her she can never return to the sea, never see her family again, will never be able to speak again, and that if the prince marries someone else, then she’ll die from a broken heart. Still, the princess accepts the terms. The witch makes up a pot of magic potion, finally pricking her breast with a needle and allowing her black blood to drip into the pot. She bottles the concoction and hands it to the Little Mermaid before cutting out her tongue.<br />
<br />
The mermaid swims to the shore and drinks from the twinkling bottle, waking up naked and with two long legs and small feet. The prince finds her and she covers her body with her long hair. He takes her back to his castle, fits her in the finest robes, and she tags along wherever he goes. She dances for him and he is so enchanted by her gracefulness, he tells her she shall be with him always. So the princess is allowed to sleep outside his door on a red cushion (sweet!). She follows the prince everywhere he goes like a willing and happy little lovesick puppy. Her sisters find her and they cry for their loss.<br />
<br />
One day the prince tells the Little Mermaid about his love for her, you know, the kind of love he would have for a small child. He tells her how he’s in love with a woman that saved his life when his ship wrecked in a storm. He says this is the only woman he could ever love. When his parents arrange his marriage to a neighboring princess, he tells the Little Mermaid he will not marry the princess and, “I would rather choose you, my dumb foundling, with those expressive eyes.” (What a sweet talker.)<br />
<br />
But of course, when he goes to meet the princess, he finds that she was the woman in the temple who he thinks saved his life. The pair are married immediately. <br />
<br />
The Little Mermaid waits for death to come, but instead, her sisters appear before her on the ship on which the wedding was held. Their long beautiful hair has been chopped off and they tell her they gave their hair to the Sea Witch in exchange for the Little Mermaid’s life. The witch has given the sisters a knife that the Little Mermaid must use to kill the prince, allowing his blood to touch her feet. His blood will transform her legs back into a fish tail and she can return to the sea. But the Little Mermaid cannot kill the prince. She tosses the knife into the sea and throws herself into the ocean, dying upon impact.<br />
<br />
But this isn’t the end for the Little Mermaid. She is met by the “daughters of the air” – pretty much ghosts. These ghosts tell her that she has earned immortal life, but before she can reach Heaven, she has to serve out a 300 year sentence, wandering the earth as a ghost. <br />
<br />
However, if she finds good boys and girls who love and listen to their moms and dads, then she gets a year taken from her sentence. For every naughty kid, she gets a day added to her sentence. <br />
<br />
And that’s it, Literati, the true story of the Little Mermaid. No happily ever after for the sea princess. That’s actually one of the more tame stories I’ll be sharing with you during this series.<br />
<br />
As always, happy reading and writing! <br />
<br />Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-47149753918932922202012-06-21T10:28:00.000-07:002012-06-21T10:28:34.740-07:00Weed Words? I Don't Need No Stinkin' Weed Words!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a writer you are constantly hearing the professionals talk about “tight writing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I knew what this meant: have a good story with no loose ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrong!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn't understand what the term meant, until Backspace entered my life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tight writing keeps the reader in the story; the tighter the writing, the tighter your hold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, but what does it<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> mean</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It means stay far, far, far, away from words that clutter your sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writers tend to like these words, they make us feel warm and fuzzy inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But beware; these words are evil little infiltrators that love sneaking into your sentences and muddling them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Muddled sentences are bad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s a little exercise for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a page from whatever project you’re currently working on and see how many of these words you find:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">About</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Almost</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Very</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Only</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That</span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These, Literati, are referred to as “weed words.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t Google the term though, you’ll be assaulted by pages and pages of links about marijuana. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A side note: Janet Reid, literary agent extraordinaire, refers to removing these words as a “that-ectomy,” essentially removing the word “that” from your writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But wait!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are more evil infiltrators!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adverbs and adjectives and infinitives...oh my! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
What are the first ten rules of creative writing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone? Bueller?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rules one through ten are the same: Show, don’t tell. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what does it mean????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allow me to drop some knowledge (thank you David L. Robbins!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">She waited anxiously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">She sat waiting, biting her nails and shaking her leg.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">In the first example, the writer is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>telling</u></i></b> the reader the character is anxious; in the second example, the writer is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>showing</u></i></b> the reader that the character is anxious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bottom line, we are storytellers and our readers want a good story, they long for one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re a reader, you know this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our goal is to capture the reader and pull him/her into our story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make the story believable, create strong characters, and kill those weed words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weed words take a reader out of the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Stay tuned for the first installation of the Fairytale Series (tomorrow) as well as more notes from Backspace, including details from David L. Robbins’ seminar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are a writer, this is a MUST READ.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As always, happy reading and writing!</div>
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div>
</div>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-65992931580841933032012-06-18T12:33:00.000-07:002012-06-18T12:33:57.555-07:00Summer Reading Conundrum<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Having trouble figuring out what to read this summer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found this cool flowchart through Shelf Awareness, courtesy of teach.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check it out:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://teach.com/education-technology/summer-reading-flowchart" target="_blank"><img alt="Summer Reading Flowchart" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2196" height="8222" src="http://teach.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Teach.com-IG-Summer-Reading-Flow-Chart-Final-Draft-Not-Max.jpg" title="Summer Reading Flowchart" width="598" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Via <a href="http://teach.com/" target="_blank">Teach.com</a> and <a href="http://rossieronline.usc.edu/">USC Rossier Online</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My summer reading began with Swamplandia!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have to be honest, I cannot get into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a little less than halfway through it and am so tempted to stop and move on to another novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I make it a rule to not give up on a book, even if doing so is torture, I always finish a book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, as a super busy mom with a full-time job and a strict writing schedule, it may be time to nix that rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have time to waste on a book I don’t enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you finish a book, even if you aren’t enjoying it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many chances do you give a novel before you give it the boot?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or are you a reading soldier, trudging along each agonizing sentence until the last word, never giving up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I look forward to reading your personal philosophy on finishing novels!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy reading and writing! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-34768413726383227072012-06-12T13:38:00.001-07:002012-06-12T13:38:56.063-07:00The Most Beautiful Words<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Think fast: What is your favorite word?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What makes that word, out of the three quarters of a million English words, your absolute favorite?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it the definition or the sound or perhaps a memory?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have a <span style="color: red;">plethora</span> of most <span style="color: red;">desired</span> and <span style="color: red;">quintessential</span> words, but I think my all time favorite word is “<span style="color: red;">cake</span>”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>“Cake?” You ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sure, and let me tell you why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, say it aloud, now, don’t rush through it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a deep breath and when you exhale, say, “cake.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, it’s the hard c and k sounds frosted with the soft and <span style="color: red;">romantic</span> “a” in the middle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the sound of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, there’s more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cake is a good word; nothing bad can come from cake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cake brings memories of <span style="color: red;">parties</span>, celebrations, and sweet aromas wafting in the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention that they’re topped with a delicious light and <span style="color: red;">fluffy</span> icing that <span style="color: red;">seduces</span> your tongue and washes away any <span style="color: red;">lingering</span> feelings of <span style="color: red;">remorse</span> or sadness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cake is the <span style="color: red;">embodiment</span> of <span style="color: red;">happiness</span>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I found this list of the 100 Most Beautiful Words in English, unfortunately, “cake” is not on the list, and neither are <span style="color: red;">addled</span>, <span style="color: red;">malarky</span>, or <span style="color: red;">muse</span>. However, some of my other favorites are, including (and who doesn’t like this one?): <span style="color: red;">onomatopoeia</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the best words ever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve used some of my favorite words above and <span style="color: red;">painted</span> them in red font.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take a look at the list and let me know what you think!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, I’d love to hear what your favorite word is and why!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy reading and writing!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(The following list was created by Dr. Robert Beard, a <span style="color: red;">connoisseur</span> of dictionaries and word lists.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ailurophile</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Assemblage</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Becoming</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beleaguer</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brood</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bucolic</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bungalow</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chatoyant</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Comely</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conflate</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cynosure</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dalliance</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Demesne</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Demure</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Denouement</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">16.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Desuetude</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">17.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Desultory</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">18.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dissemble</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">19.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">Dulcet</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">20.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ebullience</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">21.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">Effervescent</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">22.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Efflorescence</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">23.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elision</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">24.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elixir</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">25.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eloquence</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">26.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Embrocation</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">27.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emollient</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">28.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ephemeral</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">29.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">Epiphany</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">30.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Erstwhile</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">31.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ethereal</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">32.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evanescent</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">33.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evocative</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">34.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fethching</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">35.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Felicity</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">36.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Forbearance</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">37.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fugacious</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">38.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Furtive</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">39.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gambol</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">40.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Glamour</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">41.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Halcyon</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">42.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Harbinger</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">43.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Imbrication</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">44.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Imbroglio</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">45.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Imbue</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">46.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Incipient</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">47.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ineffable</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">48.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ingénue</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">49.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Inglenook</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">50.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Insouciance</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">51.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Inure</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">52.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Labyrinthine</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">53.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lagniappe</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">54.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">Lagoon</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">55.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Languor</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">56.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lassitude</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">57.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leisure</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">58.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lilt</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">59.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lissome</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">60.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> f </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lithe</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">61.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">62.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mellifluous</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">63.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moiety</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">64.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mondegreen</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">65.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mumurous</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">66.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nemesis</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">67.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Offing</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">68.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">Onomatopoeia</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">69.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">Opulent</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">70.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Palimpsest</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">71.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Panacea</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">72.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Panoply</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">73.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pastiche</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">74.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Penumbra</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">75.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Petrichor</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">76.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">Plethora</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">77.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Propinquity</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">78.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pyrrhic</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">79.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">Quintessential</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">80.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ratatouille (I don’t know how this one counts, since it’s a French dish...)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">81.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ravel</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">82.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Redolent</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">83.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Riparian</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">84.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ripple</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">85.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scintilla</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">86.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sempiternal</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">87.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seraglio</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">88.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">Serendipity</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">89.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Summery</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">90.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sumptuous</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">91.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Surreptitious </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">92.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Susquehanna</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">93.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Susurrous</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">94.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Talisman</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">95.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tintinnabulation</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">96.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Umbrella</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">97.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Untoward</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">98.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vestigial</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">99.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wherewithal</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 9pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">100.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Woebegone</span></div>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-7284916131438193032012-06-07T16:38:00.000-07:002012-06-07T16:38:17.310-07:00Conference and Publishing...and Contests?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Due to Literati request/demand, I am starting a new series about what I learned at the Backspace Writer’s Conference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this series I will discuss publication, querying, and the craft of writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you are an aspiring author or just looking to improve your writing, keep an eye out for these posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For your entertainment, I will wrap the series up with the horrible experience I had on the Super Shuttle back to JFK, trust me, it’s a good one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The agents at the Backspace Writing Conference offered a great tip on getting published, a sort of lesser known road to publication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is this little shortcut, you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enter contests!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know that writing contests can offer a few hundred, or in some cases, thousand dollars to the winner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also know that winning a writing contest looks really pretty on a résumé or in a query letter!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I didn’t know, is that agents tend to keep an eye on these contests so that they can snatch the writer as a client before said writer becomes more popular.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whatever your reason for entering a writing contest (prize money, publication, prestige), I think you’ll find the below list of contests helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do choose to give it a shot, leave a comment telling us what contest you entered and why!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy writing and good luck!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Visit the contest’s website for more specific details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also note, I’m not endorsing any of these competitions, so read the fine print before entering any contest!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Check out this site with helpful information on the <a href="http://jenniferrpovey.hubpages.com/hub/writingcontestdosanddont" target="_blank">Dos and Don’ts</a> of writing contests. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">81st Annual Writer's Digest Competition</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sponsor</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Writer's Digest<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deadline</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6/11/2012</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Submission</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Type</b>: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Completed manuscript in one of 10 categories, including Screenplay!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entry Fee: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$30</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Prize: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$3000<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consultation with 4 editors/agents<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paid trip to NYC + more</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/competitions/writers-digest-annual-competition">http://www.writersdigest.com/competitions/writers-digest-annual-competition</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Books of Hope<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sponsor</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Write Integrity Press<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deadline</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6/15/12</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Submission</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Type</b>: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fiction and Non-Fiction three book series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The books must carry a message of hope.<b> Entry Fee: </b>$25</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Prize: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Three Book publication deal<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2nd and 3rd: One book publication deal that may lead to three.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://writeintegrity.blogspot.com/2012/05/manuscript-contest-you-could-win-cash.html">http://writeintegrity.blogspot.com/2012/05/manuscript-contest-you-could-win-cash.html</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Short Shorts Contest</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sponsor</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Literal Latte</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deadline</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6/30/12</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Submission</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Type</b>: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unpublished shorts 2,000 words or less</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entry Fee: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$10 (for 3!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Prize: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$1,000</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.literal-latte.com/contests/">http://www.literal-latte.com/contests/</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Query Letter </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sponsor</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stacey O'Neale</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deadline</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6/30/12</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Submission</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Type</b>: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Query Letter, see website for details</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entry Fee: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">None</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Prize: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Literary Agent Representation </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://staceyoneale.com/tag/literary-agent-contest/">http://staceyoneale.com/tag/literary-agent-contest/</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Goldenberg Prize for Fiction<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sponsor: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BLR<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deadline</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7/1/12</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Submission</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Type</b>: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry 5,000 words or less related to themes of health, healing, illness, mind, and body.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entry Fee: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$15</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Prize: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$1000 and Publication in the BLR Lit magazine</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://blr.med.nyu.edu/submissions/BLRPrizes">http://blr.med.nyu.edu/submissions/BLRPrizes</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Story Prize<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sponsor: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Story Prize<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deadline</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7/15/12</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Submission</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Type</b>: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Collection of Short Fiction (at least 2 stories or novellas)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entry Fee: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$75</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Prize: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$20,000 </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.thestoryprize.org/information.html">http://www.thestoryprize.org/information.html</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Serena McDonald Kennedy Award<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sponsor: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Snake Nation Press<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deadline</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7/20/12</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Submission</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Type</b>: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MS of 50k or 200 pages or less<b> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entry Fee: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$25</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Prize: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$1000 and Publication</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.snakenationpress.org/contests.html">http://www.snakenationpress.org/contests.html</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Very Short Fiction </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sponsor: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Glimmer Train Magazine<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deadline</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7/31/12</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Submission</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Type</b>: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Open to all writers (children's stories); stories must be 3,000 words or less.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Entry Fee: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$15</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Prize: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$1500, Publication in GT Lit Mag, 20 copies of that issue</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.glimmertrain.com/veryshort.html">http://www.glimmertrain.com/veryshort.html</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nano Fiction Award<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sponsor: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NANO Fiction<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deadline</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8/30/12</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Submission</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Type</b>: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Collection of Short Fiction (at least 2 stories or novellas)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entry Fee: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$15 (for three entries)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Prize: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$500</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://nanofiction.org/submit">http://nanofiction.org/submit</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Writer’s Digest (Individual contests for Sci-Fi, Romance, Crime, YA, Thriller, and Horror)<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sponsor: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Writer’s Digest<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deadline</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9/14/12</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Submission</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Type</b>: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Genre ms 4,000 words or less.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entry Fee: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Prize: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$500, Spotlight in WD Magazine + more</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/competitions">http://www.writersdigest.com/competitions</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The John Steinbeck Award<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sponsor: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reed Magazine & San Jose University<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Deadline</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11/1/12</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Submission</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Type</b>: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unpublished story up to 6,000 words</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entry Fee: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$15</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Prize: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">$1,000 and publication in Reed Magazine</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.reedmag.org/drupal/?q=node/19">http://www.reedmag.org/drupal/?q=node/19</a></span></div>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-37944046095927526842012-06-06T12:43:00.000-07:002012-06-06T12:43:45.716-07:00The Evil Genius: The Real Lady Dracula, Part Two<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The year is 1604.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A mourning Lady <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Báthory </span>is grieving the sudden death of her husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rumors are running rampant – dark rumors of torture, blood lust, and murder involving the Lady and four of her servants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young women have been reported to have disappeared after being sent to the Lady as maids; others reported their young daughters snatched from their homes in the middle of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the disappearances had two things in common: They were all reported in and around all of Lady <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Báthory’s </span>estates and all involved young virgins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After many citizen complaints and public demands made from a local minister, the king sent the Palatine of Hungary (the highest dignitary in Hungary) to investigate the esteemed Lady <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Báthory</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Palatine and his team of investigators questioned 300 witnesses, some of which lived with Lady <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Báthory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of their investigation, Báthory’s four servants were arrested.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Witnesses, along with the arrested servants, gave sadistic accounts of “severe beatings, burning or mutilation of hands, biting the flesh off the virgins, freezing or starving to death, and sexual abuse” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wikipedia</i>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The witnesses also pointed to the use of needles and the Lady piercing different body parts and bathing in the blood of her victims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People came forward admitting that the Lady had hired them to kidnap young women or lured the young women onto the properties with empty promises.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One witness addressed a book that Lady Báthory kept, a diary of her kills, which included 650 victims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is important to note that this journal has never been located.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Csejte, the personnel reported removing between 100 – 200 bodies from the premises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The total number of missing women vary, but all accounts agree that the number was somewhere between 300 and 650!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Three of the four servants and accomplices were burned at the stake for their involvement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fourth was a woman who convinced the court that she was bullied into the role she played and feared for her life if she didn’t comply with the Lady’s demands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this, she was sentenced to life in prison.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The king pushed for the Palatine to arrest Lady Báthory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to his reports, when the Palatine and his men arrived at Csejte, they recovered several mutilated bodies and found a couple of tortured young women in the dungeon and in Lady Báthory’s bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was placed under strict house arrest.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Palatine was certain that publically arresting the Lady and taking her to trial would negatively impact the line of nobility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the king’s desire for Lady Báthory to be tried and executed, the Palatine placed her under house arrest indefinitely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, let’s back up a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lady Báthory belonged to a noble family that had publically proclaimed opposition to the ruling family of Hungary, the Hapsburgs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was also a well known Protestant in a time where Protestants were looked at as rebels of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>King Matthias was head of the House of Hapsburg, who were known for their strong Catholic beliefs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the minister who demanded that Lady Báthory be investigated in the first place?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lutheran</i> minister, also known to oppose the Protestant movement.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is also important to note that Lady Báthory’s husband had loaned a considerable amount of money to the king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when it was decreed to place Lady Báthory under house arrest, it was included in the decree that the king would not have to repay his debt to her, which worked out nicely for the king, since he didn’t have the funds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If Lady Báthory had been tried and executed, all of her properties would have been seized by the crown.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But it was decided not to try the Lady and instead, she was bricked into the lower level of her home, with only a slit for food to pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four years later, Lady Báthory was found dead, the exact date of her death is unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was 54 years old.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some people speculate the “Tigress of Csejte” was obsessed with staying young and believed that bathing in the blood of virgins would cease her own aging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Based on witness accounts, Lady Báthory enjoyed torturing young women and experimenting on them with needles and branding irons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still others lean towards the conspiracy theory – the king owed her money, she was part of a group opposing his rule, and she came from a rich aristocratic family whose money would have help him secure his crown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We may never know the truth, but one thing is for certain, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed</span> is considered to be the first female serial killer.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What do you think?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was Lady Báthory a sadistic blood thirsty murderer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or was she the victim of a king struggling to retain his power?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or was she indeed obsessed with immortality and youth, believing it her prerogative to bathe in the blood of non-noble virgins? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me know what you think!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And due to high demand (okay, okay, a couple of Literati inquiries), I will soon be posting notes about my experiences from the Backspace Writer’s Conference, along with the main points on what I learned. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy reading and writing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-67710683537805108552012-06-01T15:33:00.000-07:002012-06-01T15:33:37.404-07:00The Evil Genius: The Real Lady Dracula, Part One<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She stars in such works as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vampyr</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Countess, The Blood Countess, The Bloody Countess, Anno Dracula, Secret Six, Lord of the Vampires, </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Tales of the Slayer, Volume One</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is this bloody countess who is constantly being referred to as the bride of Dracula, Lady Vampire, and simply, The Countess?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Erzsébeth Báthory (we’ll refer to her as Lady Báthory) was born into a noble Hungarian family in 1560.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her uncle was the King of Poland and Duke of the mysterious Transylvania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">As a young girl she was schooled in classical thought, including the Latin, German, and Greek languages (in addition to Hungarian).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was known to have a love for music and dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An educated girl from a powerful noble family -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How then, did she earn the horrific nicknames mentioned above?</span><span lang="EN"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Typical of the time, Lady <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Báthory was betrothed at the young age of 11 and married when she was 15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her marriage was negotiated and meticulously arranged with another aristocratic family – the Nasady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lady Báthory’s husband, Ferenc <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was the Chief Commander of the Hungarian troops during a tumultuous time in Hungary’s history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The army was constantly warring with the Ottoman Empire and Ferenc was often away at war.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Lady was known to effectively manage her estates, including the locals under her rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was heralded as a charitable benefactress and came to the aid of many women in difficult situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though her husband was often battling in other areas of the country, she did have six children, who were raised by governesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 1604, after 29 years of marriage, Ferenc died suddenly, leaving Lady Báthory a mourning widow.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">It was after the death of her husband when rumors began erupting around Lady Báthory’s estates; rumors of torture, blood lust, and murder circled around <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hundreds </i></span>of missing girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who were these missing virgins and what did they have to do with Lady <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Báthory?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was Lady Báthory the sadistic killer the locals made her out to be; or was it a political conspiracy orchestrated by the Holy Roman Emperor/King of Hungary in hopes to get out of a debt he could not repay?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Find out next week in The Evil Genius: The Real Lady Dracula, Part Two, where we'll dig a little deeper into the secretive dark life of the Lady and how her actions eventually led to her demise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Happy reading and writing!</span></span></span></div>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-86991696023815718312012-05-30T13:55:00.001-07:002012-05-30T13:56:21.330-07:00Janet Reid is Awesome!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello Literati!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have returned from my <a href="http://www.backspacewritersconference.com/" target="_blank">Backspace Writer’s Conference</a> with newfound knowledge and inspiration!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you who are aspiring authors, you must go to this conference!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should not even be a question, start saving for it now! It will change your life!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I met some fabulous people at the conference: a critique group of YA writers, editors, agents, and especially Karen Dionne and Chris Graham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karen and Chris are the founders of Backspace and are both published writers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are amazing people and I feel a real privilege to have met them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, if you are a writer, first, get a membership to <a href="http://www.bksp.org/" target="_blank">Backspace</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do it now, we will wait here for you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next, you’re going to start saving for the conference, trust me when I say you will not regret it!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So who is Janet Reid?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s known in literary circles as The Shark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She eats writers for breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scheduled a one-on-one with her and everyone at the conference thought I was either a) crazy, or b) a masochist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I went to the conference for honest opinions and she is bursting with them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I was super anxious for the meeting. All morning knots welled in my stomach, trapping butterflies in their grasps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I hope I don’t ruin her image, but Janet “The Shark” Reid is awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was super nice and she even gave me a book, Swamplandia!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right; it has an exclamation at the end, which makes it look weird in that sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has anyone ever read it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There will be more to come about what knowledge I can pass on to fellow writers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime, this Friday will be the second installation from the Real Evil Genius series...and it’s a good one!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What are you reading right now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Care to give it a quick review in the comments?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy reading and writing!</span></div>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-16856056910337063782012-05-24T10:21:00.000-07:002012-05-24T10:21:31.743-07:00The Hook<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good afternoon, Literati! I'm in New York for the rest of the week, so blog posts will be super short and sweet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I'd like to discuss "the hook" in writing. That special something that grabs your attention in an article or in fiction, even in a movie. Are there certain elements of a hook that will immediately draw you in? I'm a sucker for mysteries, throw in a ghost and some historical fiction and I'm in! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you look for in a hook? What HAS to be in that first sentence/page/scene to grab your attention?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I look forward to your responses!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy reading and writing!</span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-84908350144987300872012-05-22T15:39:00.000-07:002012-05-22T15:39:22.338-07:00Splicing It Up<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good afternoon, Literati!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I thought I’d take a moment to talk about the comma splice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fellow Literati sent me an article from yesterday’s edition of The New York Times entitled, The Most Comma Mistakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was a clever title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The comma splice was a close friend of mine in high school back when I believed the comma’s best usage was to add a pause in my writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will admit this, I love commas; but I love semicolons just a little bit more, so it is not often that I find myself in a comma “splicy” situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To review, a comma splice is when a comma is used between two ideas that should really be their own sentences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Example:</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The little girl had a lollypop, the little boy ate an apple. (<span style="color: red;">wrong!</span>)</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The little girl had a lollypop; the little boy ate an apple. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<span style="color: #00b050;">right</span>!)</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The little girl had a lollypop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The little boy ate an apple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<span style="color: #00b050;">right</span>!)</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The little girl had a lollypop, and the little boy ate an apple. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<span style="color: #00b050;">right</span>!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you can see from the above correct sentences, the comma splice error has an easy fix (or rather, several easy fixes)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I said above, I personally like the semicolon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just remember that a semicolon can only correct a comma splice if the subject of each sentence is similar to one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Example: </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They were on a shopping spree; Macy’s was having a clearance sale!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<span style="color: #00b050;">right</span>!)</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They were on a shopping spree; popcorn sounded good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<span style="color: red;">wrong!</span>)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the first example, the second part of the sentence explains why “they” were on a shopping spree and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Macy’s was having a clearance sale” expands on the original subject of shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the incorrect example, shopping and popcorn have no relation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are both two completely separate thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case, the semicolon wouldn’t work for correcting a comma splice, and the sentence should be broken up with a period.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you would like to read The New York Times article that inspired this blog post, click here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you have a good example of common errors in comma usage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my biggest pet peeves is the absence of the oxford comma...but alas, that’s for another post... </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Happy reading and writing!</span>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-81014341410793870872012-05-21T10:59:00.000-07:002012-05-21T10:59:58.721-07:00Verb Ending in -ING<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay, write down a plural noun, adjective, noun, adjective, plural noun, noun, adjective, plural noun, noun, noun, adverb, a last name, part of the body (plural), noun, and another noun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got them?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now fill them the appropriate blanks:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9LAf4MNENCnNZ7V3JhPHE_M7gj9VFBNqcj1l6rjc6-2H7GcxWwk4ZEHTtlt2IlmpPsELb5b8WpaI5rnkovLhIKZjPym_62_tmU_YGMkz1ljY9tEPSskwKZr3Q3Wt-qDXamlW9KgjlPk/s1600/blog+mad+libs+assistant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9LAf4MNENCnNZ7V3JhPHE_M7gj9VFBNqcj1l6rjc6-2H7GcxWwk4ZEHTtlt2IlmpPsELb5b8WpaI5rnkovLhIKZjPym_62_tmU_YGMkz1ljY9tEPSskwKZr3Q3Wt-qDXamlW9KgjlPk/s320/blog+mad+libs+assistant.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Courtesy of MAD LIBS: WHO MOVED MY CUBICLE?, Penguin Group)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How did it come out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mad Libs has been one of my favorite games since I was about ten!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I absolutely love it and usually have one in my car, in my purse, and in my living room!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have never played Mad Libs, you are doing yourself a great disservice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go out now and buy a book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mad Libs was introduced to the public by Leonard Stern and Roger Price in 1953.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is said that the game was inspired by the vintage parlour game, Consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now this is my kind of game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and your friends gather in a circle with paper and pen in hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each person takes turns writing out a few sentences, folds the paper to cover their addition, and passes it to a neighbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone in the circle does this until each person has had a turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end, someone reads the story aloud for a good chuckle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today we have Word Feud and Words with Friends to occupy our time (and to keep us distracted from doing that sink full of dishes).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are some of your favorite word games?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Do you have a funny word game story?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy reading and writing!</span></div>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378295607649911011.post-44562513143362165862012-05-18T15:21:00.000-07:002012-05-21T10:16:00.024-07:00And the Guinness Record Goes To...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last week, Guinness World Records (GWR) announced a world record for the most portrayed literary human character in film and TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mysterious</i> literary character?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hint #1: He once said, “I never guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a shocking habit – destructive to the logical faculty.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hint #2: He is famous for saying, “Eliminate all factors, and the one which remains must be the truth.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hint #3: He lives on Baker Street...in London...with Watson...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You got it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I think.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes received the GWR honor last Saturday at a World Record London event being held in the run-up to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>London’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the Sherlock Holmes mysteries and highly recommend every story before, and including, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Final Problem</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sherlock made his literary debut in 1887 and has been featured in four novels and 56 short stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been portrayed in TV and film 254 times!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actors depicting the pipe-smoking detective include Charlton Heston, Peter O’Toole, Roger Moore, John Cleese, and everyone’s favorite, Robert Downey Jr. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Am I right?) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">GWR stated, <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"Sherlock Holmes is a literary institution. This Guinness World Records title reflects his enduring appeal and demonstrates that his detective talents are as compelling today as they were 125 years ago." </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I don’t think that I could narrow down my favorite Holmes short story, but my favorite novel would have to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sign of Four</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stories are engaging and it’s always fun to try and solve the cases before Holmes announces the solution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>If you’re still building your Summer Reading List, consider adding a story or two to your compilation, you won’t be disappointed!<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So who was the most portrayed literary character of all time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hint: Read the first sentence of this post carefully.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(I’ll give you a minute to think about it...)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With a total of 272 TV and film portrayals, the illustrious Dracula is the most often character depicted on screen.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love vampire fiction – Bram Stoker’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dracula</i>, Elizabeth Kostova’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Historian</i>, and Joss Whedon’s awesome series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Buffy the Vampire Slayer,</i> rank among my favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are some of your favorite vampire tales?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<span style="color: red;">Caution</span>: Please do not post anything related to, or having to do with, Twilight, or any book within that series...I will weep.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy reading and writing!</span></span></div>Pen-Up Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02308311078793691634noreply@blogger.com2