So here I am at 12:19am, the time of night when I do my best writing. And what am I doing? I'm blogging! People warned me that this might happen -- the whole blogging instead of writing thing. Ack! So, I must sign off in 5 minutes. But in the meantime, nice post title, huh?
I mean, look at it: "Wow, I'm in trouble already!" What a great first line! It starts with dialogue; catches the attention; lets you know there's action going on; insinuates that the plot is about to kick into high gear, and quite frankly makes you wonder if this story, er blog, is really all that safe. : ) See what I mean about 12:19 am? It's the perfect time for writing!
Well, anyway, that's my writing thought for today. It's always essential to have a tempting first line. If your first line is boring, you're done.
And now my five minutes are up, so I must run. But I'll have upcoming writing events posted on here soon. Until then, happy writing, revising and publishing! Thanks for joining me here on writermorphosis.
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It's a Horatio Wilkes mystery, (based on Hamlet,) written by my fellow SCBWI Carolina-ite Alan Gratz. Have you read it? Or its sequel "Something Wicked" (er, Macbeth?) A whole new twist on Shakespeare for our time.
Congrats to Author/Illustrator Ian Sands for the success of his turtle tie fundraiser to support the kids in the Triangle Special Hockey Association!
I wrote 50,000 words in November '07. Whew! www.Nanowrimo.org
The process of becoming, and remaining, a writer
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What's on this blog?
Interviews and Tips from Well-Published YA/MG/Children's Authors on the Craft and Business of Writing for Teens and Children.
Writers aren't born - we're grown; we morph.
And we need support from other writers to do it.
Here you'll find professional tips, encouragement, opportunities, and other boosts for your writing journey.
Writers aren't born - we're grown; we morph.
And we need support from other writers to do it.
Here you'll find professional tips, encouragement, opportunities, and other boosts for your writing journey.
Authors Talk: Setting and World-Building
Authors Talk "Characters"
Authors Talk Plot and Structure
- Megan Shepherd - Plot Mapping & Trilogies
- Martha Alderson – Tips on Revision
- Martha Alderson – First lines and First Paragraphs
- Janelle Bitikofer – The Basics of Plotting
- Janelle Bitikofer – Drowning in Revision?
- Helen Hemphill: Scene & Summary Part II
- Helen Hemphill – Scene and Summary
- Alan Gratz – Plot and Outline
- Adam Rex: 1st Pages/1st Chapters
Authors talk: Series
Authors Talk: Picture Books
Authors Talk: Industry and Career Tips for Writers
"Each One Teach One" Author Interviews
- Alan Gratz talks "Plot"
- Carol Baldwin talks "How authors can teach/present in schools"
- Editors & Agents - Free Presentations at Write on Con
- John Claude Bemis - "Why `Each One Should Teach One"
- Joyce Moyer Hostetter - YA/Historical Author
- Kami Kinard - MG Author
- Kathleen Duey Talks "Setting and Research"
- Kathleen Duey talks "World Building"
- Kathleen Reilly - Nonfiction and MG author
- Kelly Starling-Lyons - Picture Books
- Megan Shepherd talks "Plot Mapping"
- Megan Shepherd talks "Writing YA Trilogies"
- Stephen Messer - MG Author
New Here? Old Posts you may have missed:
- Writing a Novel is like Growing Perennials
- Writer's Conference Tool Kit
- When the Good News isn't for You.
- Top 10 things NOT to do at a children's writer's conference
- The Spiders are Sailing - Reliving Charlotte's Web
- Jump the Chasm
- Join Other Writers: Support Room to Read
- Hurricane Preparedness (for Writers)
- God Bless the Editors
- Falling in Love with Edward Cullen - What writers can learn from Twilight
- Each One Teach One - Author Interviews
- Drowning in Revision?
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New Posts are Posted on Writermorphosis Every Friday or Saturday.
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Check out the Agent Interviews and "New Agent Alerts" on the Guide to Literary Agents Blog.
Words to Live by:
"The pen is mightier than the sword, and considerably easier to write with." -- Marty Feldman
"Room to Read"
Room to Read is a nonprofit organization that builds and stocks children's libraries in 3rd world countries, publishes children's books in underserved languages spoken in those countries, and aims to help the economy in those countries by providing schools, books, and school supplies to educate children living below the poverty line. Spread the word about Room to Read!
Janelle's Awards and Fun Stuff
- Janelle's first two novel manuscripts were both awarded Honorable Mentions in the Writers Digest Annual Competition for Children's Fiction (hooray!)
- Her 3rd YA novel manuscript, The Choosers, was a Semi-Finalist in the Gotham Writer's Group YA novel contest
RECENT & UPCOMING EVENTS
- The Annual SCBWI Carolina's Fall Conference Sept. 2013, Charlotte, NC.
- Annual Raleigh Spring SCBWI Schmooze, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh.May, 2013
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About Janelle
I've dabbled in writing since I was in elementary school. I co-wrote my first mystery with a friend on an old typewriter on the floor in about 4th grade. Then I tried my hand at a fantasy novel in junior high after discovering Tolkien's books. : ) Alas, my story was plot-less! In 10th grade I wrote several short stories in English class and was honored and surprised when my teacher wrote on one of them, "When you write your first book, I'll be your first editor." Thanks for your confidence, Mrs. Tetor! I put off writing all the way through college, grad school, and into another profession. Then in 2004 I decided to give it a shot. I've now been published in magazines for kids and adults, and I write YA for teens, as well as a column in the Pen and Palette. I'm a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators,) and two writers' critique groups. I've learned so much from other authors over the past 8 years that I wanted to share what I now know with other new writers. Thus the blog -- Welcome.
"This Book does NOT Stink"
It's a Horatio Wilkes mystery, (based on Hamlet,) written by my fellow SCBWI Carolina-ite Alan Gratz. Have you read it? Or its sequel "Something Wicked" (er, Macbeth?) A whole new twist on Shakespeare for our time.
Friends of the Writing Persuasion
Recommended YA/MG Book of the Month
Skulduggery Pleasant. A MG fantasy by Derek Landy, published by Harper Collins Childrens Books (US) 2007.
The cover of this story is brilliantly illustrated, and it sums up all that you really need to know. Yes, the fire throwing Skeleton really is the good guy! Skulduggery Pleasant is a detective, a sorcerer, a fashion icon, and a witty, unexpected mentor to 12 year old Stephanie Edgely. Stephanie's uncle has just been killed by the manuscript of a murder mystery. (Yep, you heard me right.) Together, Stephanie and Skulduggery must form an alliance against paper assassins, and element- changing villians, brought to life in the service of an ancient evil -- one that Skulduggery Pleasant has fought for hundreds of years. Will the bad guys win in the end of this book? If so, it's over his dead body!
The cover of this story is brilliantly illustrated, and it sums up all that you really need to know. Yes, the fire throwing Skeleton really is the good guy! Skulduggery Pleasant is a detective, a sorcerer, a fashion icon, and a witty, unexpected mentor to 12 year old Stephanie Edgely. Stephanie's uncle has just been killed by the manuscript of a murder mystery. (Yep, you heard me right.) Together, Stephanie and Skulduggery must form an alliance against paper assassins, and element- changing villians, brought to life in the service of an ancient evil -- one that Skulduggery Pleasant has fought for hundreds of years. Will the bad guys win in the end of this book? If so, it's over his dead body!
CHECK THE BOOKSHELF
for our prior
"Recommended Books of the Month:"
Can't see 'em all? Click the `next' button for more.
for our prior
"Recommended Books of the Month:"
Can't see 'em all? Click the `next' button for more.
My Shelfari Bookshelf
Poll of the Month
Great "Learning Line" from a YA/MG book:
"Through the rest of Pennsylvania, up into New York, Massachusetts, onto 95 up the New England coast, into New Hampshire and then crossing the border into Maine, we stopped only for gas (the Jag gulped it) and to pee, and once to pick up a lobster sandwich at the McDonald's drive through."
- from The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey
Sure, this is a run on. But it works in this case. It's a good example for those of us who have trouble moving time forward quickly in our stories. Here we travel from Pennsylvania to Maine, get gas and eat lunch, without even taking a breath.
- from The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey
Sure, this is a run on. But it works in this case. It's a good example for those of us who have trouble moving time forward quickly in our stories. Here we travel from Pennsylvania to Maine, get gas and eat lunch, without even taking a breath.
The CYBILS are annual Children's book awards decided by writers.Go to http://www.cybils.com/ to find out about this year's Cybils! Look for your chance to nominate books for next year's cybils in Mid-October. A portion of the price of nominated books purchased at Amazon during the competition each year goes to support the CYBILS Awards.
Illustrator's Turtle Tie for Charity
Congrats to Author/Illustrator Ian Sands for the success of his turtle tie fundraiser to support the kids in the Triangle Special Hockey Association!
I wrote 50,000 words in November '07. Whew! www.Nanowrimo.org
BIG THANKS
Big thanks to 4 of the wonderful authors who have been my mentors and teachers thus far:
Mary Rosenblum
http://theflyingparty.com/maryrosenblum/ Gillian Richardson
http://www.canscaip.org/bios/richardsong.html Mel Boring
http://www.authorsillustrators.com/boring/boring.htm
Mary Ryan http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/
Mary Rosenblum
http://theflyingparty.com/maryrosenblum/ Gillian Richardson
http://www.canscaip.org/bios/richardsong.html Mel Boring
http://www.authorsillustrators.com/boring/boring.htm
Mary Ryan http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/
Blog Photos
All photos on this blog (other than book covers) are taken by Janelle and are the property of Janelle unless otherwise specified. Book covers, clearly, are shared with the blog by either the author or the publisher.