Finals Week, YouTube Time and Holy Smokes, I'm Tired.

Yopp.

It's been, what, two months? Yes. Well, this is my finals week, and I'm trying very hard not to fail chemistry. Which is harder than it seems, by the by.

I just wanted to pop in and tell you guys that I did it. I completed NaNoWriMo; on my first year. It was hard, discouraging, depressing at times, and I'm no where near finished writing the story. But I made the 50,000 word goal with two days to spare. And what I got out of it was...

A piece of crap. No, honestly, the dialogue is luke-warm at best, the plot is sketchy, the character's flat, the general feel of the book dull and random. Which is just to be expected, but still.

Ever since then, I've stopped writing for fun. And I do mean STOPPED. No short stories, no poetry, no revisions--nada, nothing, none. But after this week, I'm going back into full gear and tackling that first novel, which, surprise or surprises, still isn't named. I've written three books, but can't seem to title the first one. Eh, I'll get there eventually.

And then there was YouTube. My author collab channel is going to be back up and running soon; perhaps with a new U.K. author, but that's classified information. I'll tell you guys more about that later.

Now, I'm off to bed. I spent my lovely Sunday studying. And I loathed it. If I survive this week, expect to see a lot more of me, because I actually LIKE this<3

The One Who's Irony is Insatiable,

Moriah

Dance Movie Marathon, Word Count Failing and Oh, HELLO!!

It has been a while, hasn't it?

I've since stopped querying. Don't worry; it's not because I'm discouraged and giving up! It's because I've reevaluated SSS and am now certain the story line isn't strong enough to be picked up. My first novel (which I really need to name) has a plot I think will be more appealing to an agent. The problem; it need to be rewritten -- severely.

Now, you're asking, why aren't you doing that now? I have a very good answer for you. I'm working on another project, the second novel to SSS; Mori's Misunderstood Magic, or, MMM for short.

You're now asking, "Why are you working on a new project when you are trying to get an agent with you're old one that needs to be redone?" I have an answer for that, also! I'M PARTICIPATING IN NANOWRIMO!!!

I've been keeping up pretty well. Right now I have 20,140 words and 88 pages. I've only been working on this project for fourteen days. The problem? Today's word goal is 23,333. I'm slightly behind. Slightly.

But, I've decided it's okay if I don't reach the goal this year. As long as I don't give up, I'll be proud of the work I have accomplished...hell, I'm proud of what I've accomplished already! After this is over and I revise this project, I'm going to begin rewriting the first book. Then, I will begin to query once more.

Love, Peace and Hair Grease,

Moriah

So You Think You Can Dance? and Towel Dried Hair

The letter stands opened in the inbox, to be checked every four minutes. The link is getting tired, the unopened mail piling higher and higher.

Another rejection, this one hitting harder than the others. On the 24th, I queried the Barry Goldblatt agency and on the 26th.... well, you know.

I was talking to Jaden (http://www.youtube.com/user/jadennation) and he gave me some advice. First, I confided in him that I didn't think my first chapter was grabbing enough; I was more descriptive than I should have been, ect. He told me -- very bluntly and almost instantly -- to rewrite. He said, "Make it attention-grabby. These days, agents and houses don't want art. They want brain porn."

This could possibly be the best advice I've ever received.

I'm slowly learning that this world isn't as nurturing and loving as I thought. It's hard, slightly cruel, and rigid. They know what they want and if you're not, then you can suck it. I have to be what they want. I may act like a skank dancer, but I ain't gonna suck nuttin'.

I think I'm going to try and pull some strings, to see if I can get a legit editor, maybe see if someone can refer me. But, first, some rewriting. Which you should all know I hate, but have to do anyway.

And then there's NaNoWriMo. That should also be interesting.

A Little Discouraged,

Moriah

Wonder Woman Costumes and Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'?

Hiyahi.

SO. Four days ago, on the 24th, I sent my next query to Sara Megibow of Nelson Agency. The very next day, in my inbox, was the reply.

I sat and gave the unopened file the eyeball for a time, all suspicious-like. This was the fastest response I'd gotten thus far, and that held some weight. If it was a 'we'd like to see your manuscript', it would mean my newly written query was a success and I could do a happy dance. But, if it was that dreaded and despised rejection, that could mean:
a) My query letter was a lot worse than expected.
b) SSS really could be a doomed project.
c) This agency is merely more efficient than the others and I'm overracting.

SO. I opened the file.

BOOM. Rejected.

My first reaction was WHY?! ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! CURSEWORDSCURSEWORDSCURSEWORDS!!!!!!!! But, then I put on some sweatpants, danced around, and watched last weeks episode of Glee. And I felt WORLDS better.

SO. I went all siffy-hound-like and compared my three different query letters. I found a ton of differences, but one really stuck out to me.

In this latest letter, I mentioned that SSS, "rests at a comfortable word count of 34,516..."

Could this be the problem? Could SSS simply be too short to be considered a novel? Have I created the awkward, in-between NOVELLA!? Why am I typing in capital letters so much!?
I'll send a few more and develop my theory further.

In other news, my NaNoWriMo plot is all figured out, and now I am (im)patiently waiting for November first to start. Also, I entered a contest that might enable me to have a one-on-one with an agent and get an editor.

Also, with Halloween being my second favorite holiday, I bought my costume. Not to betray my obvious borderline-obsessive-love for Marvel comics, I will be Wonder Woman. Yes, the time of year for slootiness has arrived.

Sexy in all My Nerdy Glory,

Moriah

Oops, I'm Sorry and AWESOME NEWS

Why, hello. We meet again. Months later, but still.

First of all, I'd like to apologize for my absence. I know I only have one follower here, but I'd still like to apologize. It may be outplayed now-a-days, but I'd still like to say I have failed. You see, my excuse is that my life just went wacko on me and I completely forgot I made this blog. I know, terrible, right?!

Since we last saw each other, I finished SARA SIX STRINGS. On October third, I sent my first query letter to Daniel Lazar, of Writers House Publishing Company. On the fifth, I received his rejection.

That same day, I sent another query to Catt LeBaigue of Heacock Publishing agency. Two days later on the seventh, I got her rejection as well.

I've since stopped querying to redraft my letter, as I've found it to be complete crap. I found a website that had examples of real-life author's queries and found mine to be really pale in comparison. My problem is where ti distinguish the line between professional personality and disrespectful informality. I bought a book on how to write queries, so we'll see if that helps.

I always thought I'd be crushed each time I got a rejection letter and would go sulk in a corner all emo-like. But, I've found that to be opposite. You see, one has to realize that a person can go through years of rejection before being picked up. It's all a matter of getting up off the floor, dusting off your clothes and keep on keeping on. Remember, there are always plenty more fish in the sea and all that inspirational crap.

In other news, I'm planning on participating in NaNoWriMo this upcoming month. If you didn't know, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. It's a website competition of sorts that encourages you to write 50,000 words in one month. I did the math, and that's roughly 5-6 pages a day for 30 days. Intense, right?

www.nanowrimo.org

I promise to keep you posted about my adventures, like I had originally planned. Happy writing!

I Make Fail Look Cool,

Moriah

Skinny Jeans, Blue Striped Tank Tops and Epic Failage

Greetings to you.

No, not you. The person behind you. The guy with the bowed legs and crazy eyes. The one holding the butchers knife. Yeah, him. Hello!

Made you look. But, enough with the pleasantries. I've failed this blog quite epically, as it turns out so far. But, do not fear! I've also been quite busy. I've only been awake for roughly 4 hours and have read three books. I also read one yesterday. So, there.

I want to take my book and shoot it in the face. But, considering the fact that it does not have a face, that would be quite difficult. And, perhaps I should come up with more creative ways to destroy things, other than shooting them in the face. I do happen to say that a lot...

But, I digress.

I've been working like a fiend lately on another project entitled SARA SIX STRINGS. I don't know why it has to be capital. It just does. Anyway, It's pretty much finished. I've been skipping meals, staying up late and drooling slightly over the keyboard to keep it going. I have about one more part to do and the epilogue. And then editing and my friend's illustrations. Then, with a kiss on the nose and a couple ounces of luck pressed into it's tiny fingers, I will send it off to an agent to be judged and most likely rejected.

I will be a wonderful parent.

But, seriously, I think this one is a hit. I'm not saying that just because I wrote it and false assurences are what I use to push me along in tough suituations. I can feel it. Just like Grandpa can feel the weather change in his.... I'm not going to go there. Back to the point, I seriously think I stumbeled upon a little forrest of gold here.

In other news, I recieved my Twilight autographed by Stephenie Meyer in the mail the other day. I've done nothing besides show it off, make a short video about it and place it on my desk, covering the shame that is my first book. But, more about that some other time.

My friend has become a huge fan of Cassandra Clare's series The Mortal Instruments. For his birthday (which is next week, same as mine) I will be giving him a signed copy of the last book in the series, which he confirmed was his favorite one to read. Because I'm awesome like that, I was able to get in touch with the author, and for a mere twenty bucks, was able to convince her to sign a hardcopy and send it my way. She really is awesome, as is the series. I strongly recommend you read it ;)

Making Awesome Come True,

Moriah

Blue Pens and Saturday Cleaning

5-23-09

Hello!

I just wanted to let you guys know where I am in my book.

I got the idea for it three years ago and after many drafts, broken pens, and lost files, I finally sat down and cranked out a rough 636 pages after seven long months. I've been revising for exactly one month and 26 days. I have my first five chapters completely done and ready to go. Now for the other 20!

It has no title but is fully finished except for my revisions. The link below is to an overview of my book. No spoilers, I promise!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16dyjcrXKBI&feature=channel_page

I will be finished with revisions by the end of June. Revising isn't actually that bad, if you have someone help you. I have two English teachers on my side (^.^) By the end of this year -2009- I would like to have an agent, and plan to update this blog regularly. I understand how hard this industry can be, but plan to take it by storm. Besides, what's the point of being passionate if you can't be a go-getter about it?

All That and a Bag of Chips,

Moriah