Productive Day!

I have so much to write (type) today!  I hope not to bore you during this lengthy post.  First of all, work at the grocery store wasn't too bad for once!  The five hour shift actually went by rather quickly!  However, many months ago, I made a list of about 40 different things that customers should not do at a grocery store with hopes to get the list to 101.  That did not happen.  Instead of getting to 101, I came up with the idea today to write a compilation of stories from the grocery store that incorporate the 40 something rules I came up with.  I already typed out the beginning ideas of this book in my iPhone notes.  I look forward to writing this book as well as the sequel to The Teacher That Didn't Teach this summer. 

Anyways, lately, I have done a lot of reading (skimming) about publishing books and making my fictional writing better.  Some authors said that writers should not tell people what they are working on because it will not be as authentic.  By telling you what I wrote above, I haven't given too many details about what exactly is going to be in my next three (planned) books.  Everybody has different ideas.  Another thing I read today was that I should write out the first draft of a book really fast and then go back and edit it.  Since my mom writes reviews on technology toys that she gets, I asked for her opinion about that.  She said everyone is different.  Since she writes short pieces, she edits at the end.  I told her that I like to write a chapter, then edit the chapter.  I think it would be too daunting of a task to write the entire book and then edit the whole thing.  However, once the entire manuscript is done, I read the finished book and make any more edits that I need to.

One other thing I read over the last few weeks was that writers should utilize every moment they have to write.  Take notes here and there.  I have started to do that.  On the other hand, I cannot write a page to my book for a few minutes and then walk away.  I want to find a time that I can sit down and write the entire chapter.  When I wrote my first book, I stupidly would write a paragraph or two, have good ideas to finish the chapter, but would walk away and then come back another time.  Stupid, stupid, stupid!  If I walk away in the middle of the chapter, it ruins the flow!  Therefore, I don't want to write any part of my book if I only have 5 minutes here and there.  I am pretty upset that I started working on my second book during April break.  I wrote three chapters and edited them during that time.  I haven't even opened the document since then!  That's a major problem!  Now that I have skimmed through all of the books about publishing, editing, and writing that I wanted to read, I HOPE to start working on my summer projects shortly.

I went to a pitchapalooza in April where I was able to "pitch" my book to the judges.  I had to buy the judges book to pitch.  Since I bought their book, they are giving me a FREE 20 minute phone consultation where they will help me with anything I ask!  They normally charge $90 for that!  $90 to talk for 20 minutes!  Insane.  Anyways, I set that up for Tuesday.  I wrote down several topics I want to discuss with them.  I am sure it will be a productive 20 minutes and not a moment longer.  I mean, I only had one minute to pitch my book and they had the timer going for every author that pitched!

LAST thing I will elaborate on tonight... (maybe)  As you have (hopefully) read in my post a few days ago, I submitted query letters to 6 agents.  In the book I just finished, they mentioned a website that I can narrow my search down to find MORE agents that fit my specific needs.  I did a search and found only 190 agents that meet my search!  It looks like I have more letters to send out!

OH YEAH!  I forgot to mention (see I'm a writer, so I don't know how to shut up even though I said my last topic would be the last I would write about for tonight...WRONG!)  My local newspaper, the Times Union, had a section today with books written by local authors.  They mentioned my book and a brief description about it!  Very cool!  Ok, I PROMISE I'm done.  I have a busy week ahead of me at work ending with a field day where students will have the opportunity to dunk me in a tank full of water!  Can't wait!  good night!

On time post tonight...

However, not a happy post.  The Devils just lost AGAIN 2-1 in overtime.  They are now down 2-0 in the best 4 out of 7 series.  It isn't looking good!  I had a pretty good day up until this point.  I went to the mall and then a restaurant with my friend.  After that, I pretty much did nothing until I watched the Devils game just now.  Time to get a little bit of sleep before I suffer for 5 hours of work at the grocery store 7-12 tomorrow.  Check out the Times Union Unwind section tomorrow!  They are supposed to mention me and my book in that section!

Oops I did it again!

For the second straight night, I forgot to post...  My bad.  Alright, so last night, I submitted query letters and some information about my book to 6 agents that looked like they might want me.  It was the exact same process as submitting to publishers.  Now all I can do is wait again.  It would be awesome if an agent wanted to take on my book.  That means he or she thinks it is good enough to sell to the public.  They make a certain percentage off of all sales of my book.  They will help edit my book and polish my query letter.  They will send my manuscript out to potential publishers.  No one can say I am not trying!  Now, I play the waiting game.  Speaking of game...  Devils play in game 2 of the finals tonight!  This is pretty much a must win for them.  LETS GO DEVILS!!

Fail!!!

I came upstairs to my room last night to write here.  However, as you can see by the date... that didn't happen.  Oh well.  I love watching the Scripts National Spelling Bee.  The words they ask are NEVER used in normal conversations.  Yet the kids can spell them!  I cannot spell ANY of the words asked last night.  I was close on a few, though.  My dad and I just watch it so we can laugh at how the words are pronounced and then see that they are spelled completely different.  I wish I had a national champion speller in my class.  Then, if I am confused about how to spell a word, I would just ask him/her how to spell it!  Happy Friday!

Quick Post

I just finished watching game one of the New Jersey Devils vs. LA Kings in the finals.  Unfortunately, the Devils lost 2-1 in overtime.  They didn't play very well the entire game.  Oh well.  They lost game 1 the last two series' and here they are.  Ya never know!  Off to bed, gym in 6 hours...

If at first you don't suceed, try, try again

Although I wrote my book, The Teacher That Didn't Teach almost a year ago, I am still trying to find publishers and get the word out there.  I talked to an author that comes to my school every few months today.  She asked if I had an agent and I told her I have no money for one.  She told me they are free.  For some reason, I thought I would have to pay a lot of money for an agent.  I guess not!  So now I am going to start sending query letters to agents.  If I get an agent, he/she will help me with making my book better and they are in charge of sending it to publishers.  An agented book has a much better chance of getting published than a nonagented book.  We will see if I can land an agent!  I just gotta keep trying!  Speaking of getting the word out there... My book will be mentioned in the Unwind section of the Times Union newspaper this Sunday June 3!  Check it out!

Memorial Day

It was nice to have an extra day off!  However, I had to water proof my deck.  That was fun (sarcasm).  The best part was, I had to deal with my older brother being a negative Nancy the entire time.  Now that both of my brothers are home again, I want to move out sooooo badly.  Too bad I don't have enough money or a roommate to do so.  After that, I just stayed outside in the sun the entire day.  On days like today, I breathe, therefore I sweat.  It's pretty gross actually.  I can't help it, though.  I love the hot weather.  I will take it any day over the cold.  It's going to be awesome to have a 4 day week at school.  I can't believe there are only 4 weeks left in the school year!  Crazy!  I'm going to bed early tonight because I'm going to the gym at 5:30 tomorrow morning... Later