Spelunking
It’s time for me to take you into that magical cave of my creativity. It might look scary but it’s layered with mosaics, beautiful gems, ancient carvings, and the occasional crack where light shines through and everything seems possible. That’s my writing process in a nutshell, or a cave, as it were.
Recently I was fortunate to take a 12 week workshop with one of my authoress heroes, Carolyn Turgeon. I can’t say enough about how special this woman is. She writes lush, imaginative stories; she is open-minded and generous with aspiring writers and also fans. I got to know her because she actually came to our book club to answer our questions about her book, Mermaid. Isn’t that amazing? She sat down and we got to ask stuff like, Why did she do that? How did you think of that?
And then, she gave a talk at our local Writer’s Network. She described a low residency MFA program in Alaska where she is a professor and spoke about her own path to publication. The workshop I took
with her was a three hour session where you read 7-10 pages aloud and then your peers comment on it. It was very helpful but …talk about nerves!
The feedback I received inspired me to change the ending of LUPA. The small press who offered me a contract for LUPA mentioned they preferred a less “dark ending”. I did not end up signing with that press but when the critique group agreed with the suggestion, I took it as a challenge. And now I have polished LUPA back to a *new* dazzling sparkle.
No worries, the old ending is still on file. And now the new ending is too. It is lighter, deeper, and better fitting for a sequel. Booya!
I am even entering it in a contest. I have sent the first 200 words to The Guide for Literary Agents Blog at Writer’s Digest. I like this blog because it shows you actual query letters, the agent’s initial thoughts, and then if chosen, the covers of the published books. It’s a cool peek into the before,
middle, and after stages of a book once submitted. Here’s the link http://tinyurl.com/a8msdw2.
Cross your fingers, gregorific is pressing send. Just putting it out there is winning for me. I loved writing it, I loved rereading it, rewriting it, and now I pin a blue ribbon on myself (cue trumpets).
For you, dear readers, here is a peek.
YA Novel LUPA
Logline:
Two nerdtastic boys blackmail a stunning girl for popularity when they discover that she lives part of her life in the form of a mythic she-wolf.
The Prey (Lucas)
I have nothing left.
The beast’s eyes sear into mine. It crouches down, curling a lip and baring teeth meant for business.
I already threw everything within reach including my Physics notebook and a half-eaten Eggo. Now it’s just me and the creature pinning my best friend to the ground. No, I’m not dreaming. In a dream I'd have a better breakfast. Or at least a more lethal one.
Tim is knocked out. This is not good. Not good. Not good. Black Falls doesn’t have wolves. Dude, we don’t even have a Walmart yet. Worst. Monday. Ever.
The wolf snarls. Warmth spreads down my front. Shit, I’m pissing my pants. I hope it dries before our bodies are found. Even dead, I can only take so much humiliation. I’m gonna die a virgin… Is that my last thought?
Tim bugs the hell out of me and smokes up way too much-- but he’s the Mario to my Luigi. A hysterical giggle bubbles in my throat but I swallow it down and lower myself into starting position.
I’m going out in a blaze.
Clench fists.
Charge.
It’s time for me to take you into that magical cave of my creativity. It might look scary but it’s layered with mosaics, beautiful gems, ancient carvings, and the occasional crack where light shines through and everything seems possible. That’s my writing process in a nutshell, or a cave, as it were.
Recently I was fortunate to take a 12 week workshop with one of my authoress heroes, Carolyn Turgeon. I can’t say enough about how special this woman is. She writes lush, imaginative stories; she is open-minded and generous with aspiring writers and also fans. I got to know her because she actually came to our book club to answer our questions about her book, Mermaid. Isn’t that amazing? She sat down and we got to ask stuff like, Why did she do that? How did you think of that?
And then, she gave a talk at our local Writer’s Network. She described a low residency MFA program in Alaska where she is a professor and spoke about her own path to publication. The workshop I took
with her was a three hour session where you read 7-10 pages aloud and then your peers comment on it. It was very helpful but …talk about nerves!
The feedback I received inspired me to change the ending of LUPA. The small press who offered me a contract for LUPA mentioned they preferred a less “dark ending”. I did not end up signing with that press but when the critique group agreed with the suggestion, I took it as a challenge. And now I have polished LUPA back to a *new* dazzling sparkle.
No worries, the old ending is still on file. And now the new ending is too. It is lighter, deeper, and better fitting for a sequel. Booya!
I am even entering it in a contest. I have sent the first 200 words to The Guide for Literary Agents Blog at Writer’s Digest. I like this blog because it shows you actual query letters, the agent’s initial thoughts, and then if chosen, the covers of the published books. It’s a cool peek into the before,
middle, and after stages of a book once submitted. Here’s the link http://tinyurl.com/a8msdw2.
Cross your fingers, gregorific is pressing send. Just putting it out there is winning for me. I loved writing it, I loved rereading it, rewriting it, and now I pin a blue ribbon on myself (cue trumpets).
For you, dear readers, here is a peek.
YA Novel LUPA
Logline:
Two nerdtastic boys blackmail a stunning girl for popularity when they discover that she lives part of her life in the form of a mythic she-wolf.
The Prey (Lucas)
I have nothing left.
The beast’s eyes sear into mine. It crouches down, curling a lip and baring teeth meant for business.
I already threw everything within reach including my Physics notebook and a half-eaten Eggo. Now it’s just me and the creature pinning my best friend to the ground. No, I’m not dreaming. In a dream I'd have a better breakfast. Or at least a more lethal one.
Tim is knocked out. This is not good. Not good. Not good. Black Falls doesn’t have wolves. Dude, we don’t even have a Walmart yet. Worst. Monday. Ever.
The wolf snarls. Warmth spreads down my front. Shit, I’m pissing my pants. I hope it dries before our bodies are found. Even dead, I can only take so much humiliation. I’m gonna die a virgin… Is that my last thought?
Tim bugs the hell out of me and smokes up way too much-- but he’s the Mario to my Luigi. A hysterical giggle bubbles in my throat but I swallow it down and lower myself into starting position.
I’m going out in a blaze.
Clench fists.
Charge.
~gregorific
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