SNIPPET PLAY-ALONG

Playing along with Tess's blog, here's a snippet of my WIP.

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After watching her dig in silence for a while, I realized two things. One, that red dirt was some of the hardest stuff I’d ever seen in my life. And two, Claudia had something in the pocket of her coat. Something she kept checking on.

“You want me to dig for a while?” I asked.

She shrugged and handed me the shovel. “I reckon if you’re gonna stand there, you might as well be useful.”

I took my place at the hole, stood hard on the shovel. It snapped back and hit me in the chest.

Claudia snorted. “Nice move, Poindexter.”

I tried again, stamping with just one foot and keeping the shovel well away from me. My shoulder muscles screamed but the shovel barely sank. I’d never dug a hole before; it looked so easy on TV.

“So, what’s in your pocket?” I asked.

Claudia’s head snapped up. “Who said there’s anything in my pocket?”

I didn’t look at her. “You keep checking it, whatever it is. I figure it must be important.” Another thought crossed my mind. “And, I figure you plan to bury it in this hole.”

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She didn’t say anything for a while. Then she sighed. “Ok, Mr. Smartypants. Have it your way.” She pulled an Altoid tin out of her pocket and waved it under my nose. “This…” She paused and glanced around. “This is, like, my most bitchin’est thing in the whole world.”

I nodded. “Breath mints. Very cool.”

“No dufus.” She leaned close and I caught the scent of strawberries. “A book.”

FRIDAY FAVORITE

Friday Photo -- Diocletian's Palace: Oculous. Split, Croatia.

FRIDAY FAVORITE: Have you checked out the amazing articles on the Indie-Debut 2010 website? I'm just so impressed with the information our members have put together. Great tips and pointers on writing, books, marketing, publishing--some by Indie-Debut members and some by other writers and professionals in the field. If you haven't poked around in our article archive, here is the magic key.

Happy Friday!

THINGS ON THURSDAY

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1. I got a webcam! That's me up there, sitting at my desk like I do everyday. Thanks to the prodding, er, encouragement of Sharon over at Random Thoughts I decided to try Skype. I've already had two great chats with Sharon and last night my husband talked to his daughter in DC while The Boy danced around like a monkey on speed. For a kid who hates to have his picture made, he sure managed to get on screen a lot.

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2. At 10, I'm heading over to the travel clinic to get my immunizations for our Ecuador trip. I'm hoping they won't insist on a Hep B vaccine, which would just leave Hep A, Tetanus and Typhoid. Departure date: T minus 21 days.

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3. Yesterday, I read Connection by Indie-Debut 2010 Author Jo Ramsey and I really enjoyed it. The characters are so likeable and I soo wanted to know what was going to happen -- I had trouble putting it down! Great work, Jo! You can check out her publisher's website, Jupiter Gardens, and order a copy of your own.

WEDNESDAY WORRIES

Storm Clouds on the Horizon
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I'm worried. About my book. The Invisible Sister. The one due out in July. My publisher is still hammering out a budget for this year, and while I don't think it affects whether a book will be published or not, I do think it's cutting into editing time. For example, my edtis are supposed to be done on Sunday. We haven't started the second round yet. Color me skeptical, but I think a July release is unlikely.

On the plus side, the cover art totally rocks. Once the contract is finalized with the illustrator and I get written permission from my managing editor I'll be able to post it. I'm itchy to do so. Or, maybe I'm just itchy. It seems like NOTHING is happening to move us forward. I'm uncertain about the time frame. And when I'm uncertain, I worry.

What are you guys worrying about these days?

FOUR PHOTOS FOR MONDAY

I got mail! From the UK, no less!!

It's the Flake bar I won at Yunaleska's blog. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! With a bonus Caramel bar! Did you know, Flake is the only chocolate in the world that I like. Here's why...

Can you see it? It's like chocolate phyllo. Tiny, thin layers of chocolate in tinsy folds. It's almost more air than chocolate. Mmm. Who's had a Flake before?

And since I had the camera out, I thought I'd take a picture of my office since I missed that thread a couple weeks ago. Here it is in all it's glory. See my computer fixed MS Mail? (Addicted to email). See my full spectrum light bulb behind my printer? (Suffer from SAD). See all the important papers magneted to my filing cabinet? (Very forgetful.) See the dust cover of When You Reach Me lying on the floor? (Boy took the book and I haven't seen it since.)

Virtual Vacation

We tried to hike to Wees Bar yesterday. It's a large area of melon boulders that have pictographs carved onto them by prehistoric tribes. Unfortunately, the access bridge across the river was closed



Instead, we went to Kuna Cave which is a cave system formed from a lava tube. It used to stretch for miles, all the way to the Snake River (above), but the Corps of Engineers blasted it shut in the 50's.
.The Boy and hubby descending the ladder. The only known entrance accesses a part that stretches about 1/4 mile to the south...which was plenty far enough for ME to be hiking in complete darkness, stooping and crawling through jagged rock, knowing I had 'x' metric tons of rock above me, just waiting for the next earthquake. I didn't realize I was a little claustrophobic until I was creeping through a 4' diameter hole, fifty feet undergroud and four hundred yards from the only exit. The Boy had no issues at all.
Sadly, lots of graffitti.

FRIDAY FAVORITES

FRIDAY FAVORITE #1: AUTHOR FRENDS

Only one writer responded to my call for followers books, but I'm happy to post the totally *wow* cover of Nebula's Music by Aubrie Dionne from Lyrical Press. From Aubrie's website:

When the cyborg Nebula plays the piano she experiences memories from a time before her creation. These memories…which involve a captive rebel fighter being held on their ship…bring with them complex human feelings and awaken a desire for her to discover her origins.

If you're not a follower of Aubrie's blog, please visit her here. You'll be glad you did. I love her posts on writing, flute playing, teaching and life.



FRIDAY FAVORITE #2: CANDY

Lucinda asked yesterday what my fav confection was, since I didn't like chocolate. The answer is, I love candy, almost all candy. So instead of a favorite, I'm giving you the top five.

1. SPREE



2. LIK-A-STIK STICKS



3. GUMMIE PEACHES, FROGS & APPLES



4. ORANGE TIC TACS



5. NERDS (including Nerd Rope)

Please play! What's your favorite candy?

BONUS BREAKING NEWS: Head over to agent Mark McVeigh's blog. He's giving away 15 minute phone chats to anyone who can get 10 authors to join. More importantly, he'll be posting great things like giveaways, videos and interviews with the rich and famous (well, we are talking writers so maybe just 'famous'). Check it out here.

THREE THINGS ON THURSDAY

1. My good friend, former critique group partner (until she moved to freaking Moscow) and fellow Indie-Debut 2010 Member Miriam Forster is the guest blogger at The Novel Orchard. Check it out here.

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2. My radio interview scheduled for Friday has been postponed until next month.

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3. Despite not liking chocolate, I've eaten my way through about half of my Valentine's candy. I bite off the top and spit it in the trash. Then I scoop out the yummy middle with the end of a spoon (unless it's carmel, chocolate or nutted, in which case I throw the whole nasty thing in the garbage). My son has asked that I keep the empty chocolate husks. He eats them when he gets home from school. We are a dysfunctional family when it comes to candy.

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4. Ok, my title lied. I have *four* things today. I finished my book trailer revisions. You can check out the trailer for The Invisible Sister by clicking one of the links at the top of the page.

Risky Queries

Yesterday, I read this post over at Murphblog, which includes the query that landed Chris Rylander an agent, despite the fact that the book he queried was an adult book and the agent he queried handled mostly children's lit. The query is funny. Real funny. And it breaks darn near every rule about queries ever written--especially the one about querying agents who would be a good fit for your book. At the encouragement of The Wad, I decided to break out of my tried and true, four paragraph, polished, professional and polite query and try something different. I'm wondering what would happen if I actually submitted something like this...
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Dear [Agent]:

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I am submitting the first two chapters of my novel Gods & Vultures, Life with Mom.
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As you might expect, this novel involves Gods, vultures and somebody's mom. I have seen vultures and did, in fact, have a mom for many years, which gives me a great background for this work upon which to draw. (Please note the effort to which I have gone so as not to dangle a preposition in the last sentence. ) (Ditto.) And while I have not actually *seen* God, I have seen many pictures of him and once found a clump of dried toothpaste in his exact likeness. I believe this is a sign. I also like cupcakes.

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My protagonist, AJ Scales, was born of the Gods. He knows this because his mother told him so. He doesn't believe her though, which is wise because she's crazy. Why else would she drag him around the country, moving every three months so he never has a friend, never has a home and knows nothing about his father. (Actually, she could be an MI-5 agent or in the Witness Relocation Program, but that wouldn't go with the title so--probably not.) Anyhoo, when AJ's mom runs out of money, they end up in Pittsboro, NC with an uncle AJ never knew. In the days that follow, AJ encounters a whole lot of crazy shit including a magical prayer wheel, a do-it-yourself vampire and the futuristic stylings of a fortune-telling aardvark. There are no cupcakes. In the end, you're left not knowing what's real and what's not, which is kinda cool or possibly unsettling, depending on your mood.
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I have shown this novel to my mother-in-law, who said she couldn't put it down. She pretty much hates my guts, so you know it must be really good. I've also personally met several famous authors, including Ellen Hopkins, Rich Wallace, Jerry Spinnelli and Tess Hilmo. You probably don't know Tess yet, but you will and when you do, you'll be impressed, so you should sign me right now, before Tess gets big and everyone wants me.

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I would love to send you my novel. I promise you'll love it. If not, oh well--it's not like you paid for it or anything.

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Hugs and kisses,
Amy Cook

Photoshop Magic Shop

1. The Boy is home sick. I'm not feeling great.

2. For those of you with books out (especially if it feels like your publisher has foresaken you), check out this essay by Marie Mockett. It tells how she took the reins and caused her book to be a success by ignoring the traditional methods and getting creative.

3. post removed.

4. The photo above is the building on which I based Pickgill's Magical Notions. Pickgill's is the two-hundred year old magic shop in The Invisible Sister. The shop occupies the lower floor; Lux and Umbra live on the upper two floors. I photoshopped the street sign, the building plaque and the letters across the front. Unfortunately, I couldn't photoshop in the sun, so I'll have to go back in May when the clouds go away and reshoot.

5. I've decided to create a post of my followers' books. If you have a book or books out (or one coming out) leave a comment or shoot me an email (amyacook(at)live(dot)com) with the title (and if it's not out yet, the release date). I think this list will be super helpful for anyone taking the debut author challenge. I'll post the list on Friday as part of my Friday Favorite. The only rule: you must be a follower to participate.

Sunday Funny

Hubby and I have been listening to Spanish tapes, getting ready for our trip. We think we're pretty clever speaking Spanish to each other around the house. Yesterday, I walked into the bedroom while he was putting away his laundry.

Me: Que pasa, mi amigo? ("What's happening, my friend?")

Him: Nada. ("Nothing." He's holding a pair of socks in one hand.) Que hora es?

Me: (Thinking...) Mmmm, I don't know how to say 'sock'.

Him: [Stares. Snorts] I asked you what time it was.

Friday Five + Bonus Fav

Random Friday Photo:

Bella, our cat

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1. I'm taking The Boy to get his Ecuador immunizations this afternoon. He's a bit worried, but trying to act tough. I'll spend the morning looking for his immunization record. I put it somewhere safe, where I knew I would find it, so it will probably take hours to locate.
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2. I went to a cemetery yesterday and snapped a bunch of new photos for my book trailer. While there, I got chased by a gaggle of ferocious geese! I hope to have the trailer revised and up later today. I hope to have the goose poop off my new tennies by Sunday.
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3. It's supposed to be in the 50's here this weekend. YAY! Big family tennis match tomorrow!
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4. Our trip to Ecuador keeps getting more expensive. I budgeted so carefully, but things like new swim trunks ($10), shuttle fares ($90) and immunizations ($238 just for The Boy) keep popping up. It'll be such a great experience for us to travel together though. In our seventeen years together, hubby and I have never taken an extended trip like this.
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5. I'm going to be featured on a radio show later this month. I'll be reading one of my favorite folk tales and talking about The Invisible Sister. More details to come.
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FRIDAY FAVORITE--A QUOTE:
Don't sweat the petty. Pet the sweaty.
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In other words, have a relaxing weekend.

Trip Prep

Las Palmeras, Otavalo, Ecuador

Today, I bought a new pair of swim trunks for The Boy and a new pair of Asics tennies for me. I also booked appointments with the travel clinic to get immunizations for Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, Malaria and various forms of Hepatitis. Sound like fun? All in prep for our trip to Ecuador next month.

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I'm getting excited! We fly to Quito March 20th and head straight to Otavalo, where we'll stay at Las Palmeras, shown above. Lovely little boutique hotel a couple miles outside town.

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I am most excited about temperatures in the 70's.

The Boy is most excited about seeing a real volcano.

Hubby is most excited about eating cuy (roasted guinea pig).

A Novel Adventure

A Novel Adventure

Last week, I met with one of our local bookstores, A Novel Adventure, to talk about how to market my book, The Invisible Sister (when/if it ever comes out). It was, surprisingly, a really pleasant experience. Not that I thought the folks there would be mean or anything. I just didn't expect such enthusiasm! Not only did they have great ideas for a launch party in July, we also talked about capitalizing on their annual Halloween party. My book has witches, ley lines, spells and a magic store...a perfect tie-in for the holiday of spookiness! And a perfect time to sell and sign a spooky book!
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On top of that, they invited me to participate in their March event celebrating Small Press Month. Even though The Invisible Sister isn't out yet, I can hand out rack cards and bookmarks, meet people and talk about life with a Small Press. All because of my great, local, indie bookstore. It really can't be said enough: support your indie stores, books and otherwise. They do so much for us, especially us writers!

MONDAY MUSING: Girl Brains

Girls have different brains than boys. After twelve years of marriage, I know this to be true. And standing in my son's closet this weekend, staring at his attempts to separate dirty laundry from clean, I realized it again.
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The first thing that popped to mind when I walked in on this mess was not how bad a job he'd done at sorting his laundry or how badly he needed a clothes hamper. No, the first words out of my mouth were, "That's not our towel."

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If you look in the lower, right-hand corner, you'll see the corner of a red towel poking out. It's true, my friends. That is not our towel. Isn't great that our girl brains focus on teensy-weensy details like that? Girls rock.

FRIDAY FAVORITE

Lisbon -- from Int'l. Living

Yes, it's late, but here it is. My Friday Favorite is INTERNATIONAL LIVING MAGAZINE.

Maybe you've heard that I want to retire to a stone house somewhere in Europe? International Living Magazine is the key to my escape. Not only do they send a monthly magazine, highlighting the best, the warmest, the cheapest locales available on the globe, but every year they create a master list of the 100 best places to retire.

This year France was #1. I would love France...8 months out of the year, but to me weather is a huge concern. No worries though. I can just scan the detailed scorecard and find the country ranking highest in climate. Are you more concerned about safety and hospitals? Those criteria are scored too. There are nine or ten criteria in all, including infrastructure and culture.

If you're at all interested in living overseas at some point, this magazine is a MUST. If you just want to dream...it's still a nice mag to have.

FRIDAY FIVE

1. We did NOT win our volleyball game last night and will not get shirts. One of our players was away on a ski trip, one went to the wrong gym and was 40 minutes late and another got drunk and didn't show. Nice, gentlemen. :(

2. Meeting with an Indie Bookstore this morning to talk about launch events and a possible something for small press month--which is next month!!

3. Finished revisions to WIP per critique group comments yesterday and also added a chapter with everyone's favorite vampire-wannabe-valley girl. Now, to revise the query...

4. Heading to The Boy's school this afternoon to help his class make their art auction project. The Boy asked this morning if we were going to buy something at the art auction. I hedged. Last year, stuff was going for over $1,000. Bit rich for me.

5. I have a Friday Favorite, but no time to post it today. It will be a Saturday Favorite instead...unless you guys can come up with a synonym for 'favorite' that begins with "S". Until then, I'll just say it has international appeal.

Happy Weekend!!

WEDNESDAY WRAP UP

Lots to share today.

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1. Since I know you're all dying to know, we won our volleyball game Monday night. We played a team called Whinos & Beer Guts and beat them in two games. Now we go on to play The Joy of Sets tomorrow night. If we win that game, we play the championship game for shirts.

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2. Published author and Indie-Debut 2010 member Jo Ramsey was interviewed by the wonderful Lori Calabrese, National Book Examiner at examiner.com. You can read that interview here.

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3. Another Indie-Debut 2010 member, Miriam Forster, is featured this week at Boise Novel Orchard. Find out what she couldn't live without on a deserted island and why the sky isn't blue.

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4. Yesterday was the release day for Drive Time, the fourth installment in Hank Phillipi Ryan's Charlotte McNally series. Order from Mystery Lover's Bookshop, put "Hank sent me" in the comments section and get free shipping.

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5. Lastly, it was a rough weekend for me. As writers, we all go through periods where we doubt our writing, doubt our efforts are worth the time. I came closer to throwing in the towel this weekend than ever before. I started wondering what else I might have accomplished if I'd put my seven years of writing effort into other areas. How successful might my architecture business be? Could I have a house full of wonderful paintings? Could I have gotten into community theater? Could I be ten pounds lighter and able to run half-marathons? I still wonder that.

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And I wonder what sense it makes to spend even MORE time pursuing agenting and publication.

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I had a wonderful supportive email from a friend I've never met, which helped. Then, I came to my office this morning and saw what you see posted above. My writing drawer. A great writer and friend gave me that magnet because she believed in me. She still believes in me. I kind of sighed and asked myself...can I really let her down? I mean 'never' means...well...never. It doesn't mean you can give up after seven years. So I pass this virtual magnet on to you all. If you're out there, doubting yourself and thinking of putting your writing in a drawer, I say this to you:

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Never

never

never

give up.

Misc. Monday Things

1. We have our first volleyball tournament game tonight. If we win, we'll have another game on Thursday. If we win that, we play for the shirts. I really want a shirt.

2. It was grey and dreary here in Boise all weekend. We did nothing fun and I'm, therefore, not prepared to sink my teeth into Monday.

3. I have a Monday to-do list with seven items. Four items I've already crossed off. Of the three that are left, two require me to get dressed and one requires me to speak Spanish. Not sure which is harder.

4. Tomorrow is the day my cover art and promotion schedule need to be sent to my publisher. I've sent the cover art, but it's still pending contract with the artist. My promotion sched will be ready this afternoon.

5. It's grey and dreary here in Boise today. Oh wait...did I say that already? Have I already mentioned it's only 46 days until we leave for Ecuador? Where it's 73 degrees all the time? I so can't wait.