Dreams of Publication

Not The "Finally" I Really Want, But Finally!

2009-05-07T05:46:00.003-04:00

Zee Avi, aka Kokokaina, is finally releasing a debut CD (May 19th)! Woohoo! She's on the same label as Jack Johnson, which I think is very fitting as her music makes me happy and relaxed. Do yourself a favor and pre-order it. I did!

I'm still waiting to hear from a particular agent on my most recent revision. If I bit my nails they'd be down to nubs right now. If anyone knows of some good relaxation techniques I could sure use them right now!

Cindy Pon's book (The Silver Phoenix) was released last week, and I'm a. jealous, and b. excited for her. Her book launch was a big success. Congrats are in order!

Resurfacing from Revisions

2009-04-13T07:13:00.006-04:00

Currently Listening To: The local morning news
Currently Reading: Little Dorrit

I've been working on another revision of my novel. A lot has changed since I first wrote this novel, but I still feel very strongly about my characters, and I hope this new incarnation will be the one that wins people over.

I was promoted at work (woohoo!), but it's led to a lot more responsibility and as such, a lot more of my time. I'm much happier with my job though. For the first time since I quit the bookstore (Barnes and Noble) I don't mind going into work. My boss is very kind and lets me make my own schedule. The coworkers are highly amusing, and I often find myself laughing hysterically.

R. and I are still planning our wedding. We have most everything decided, but we're still working on our menu, and such. We decided to go to Destin, Florida for our honeymoon. It's beautiful and inexpensive (see the photo; I took that a few years ago in Destin).

Whew! Now that I've updated, I need to read everyone else's blogs. I've missed so much!

It's Been So Long

2009-04-10T19:56:00.000-04:00

But I'm going to update in just a little bit.

Where I've Been

2009-02-16T08:16:00.005-05:00

Photo of my adorable puppy Bowser Digby.

Currently Reading: Another Eva Ibbotsen novel :)
Currently Listening to: Channel 19 Morning News

Quite a bit has happened since I last wrote. I've lost 10 pounds (woohoo), my grandfather passed, and my uncle had a stroke. It's been rough. But I'm dealing with all that has happened in the past year as best I can. My novel has suffered somewhat from my preoccupation but I'm ready to focus my attention on it wholeheartedly.
I love the above dresses for my bridesmaid Stacey (I decided to use different styles for each bridesmaid, so that they could each look fabulous). She's going to look gorgeous.

I purchase Graceling yesterday and I can't wait to give it a try. The publisher created a movie trailer for it that (though cheesy) convinced me I had to read it. The main character has two different colored eyes, which I was disturbed to discover as my mc does as well. Does that make me unoriginal? Below is the amazon.com address where you can find the video.

http://www.amazon.com/Graceling-Kristin-Cashore/dp/015206396X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234791416&sr=8-1

What's Up In The World Of Maggie

2009-01-18T16:36:00.006-05:00

Currently Reading: Nothing (sad isn't it?)
Currently Listening to: The Veronicas

I heard from a very reliable source that the revisions on my first chapter were positive and on the right track to bring the book in a slightly different direction. What, you may ask, is the direction I'm going for? Well I've been told that my MC is too introspective. Her internal conversations are making the book a quiet read, instead of the fun, fast story it was meant to be. And as such I'm revising again.

If you read my last entry you'd know that I was reading The Luxe. After getting through about 50 pages I put it down and haven't picked it back up. I'm not sure why exactly. It's not terrible, in fact, from what I read it has great promise. I think I've simply been too busy and the characters didn't grab my interest fast enough.

I've discovered recently that I quite like being an Accountant. It's not dry and boring like one might suppose (most of the time). I enjoy seeing what the company spends money on...it's a window into the world of insanity.

My wedding is now only 9 months away. Gah! I need to plan, plan, plan, starting with going to a trainer tomorrow. My body has to have some serious fine tuning before I walk down the aisle. Especially if I want to fit into one of these dresses:

Encourage Me!

2009-01-03T17:47:00.005-05:00

Currently Listening To: Nickel Creek "When You Come Back Down"
Currently Reading: The Luxe

I've started an intensive rewrite of my first chapter, and it's giving me a lot of trouble this time around. I've now been sitting in front of my computer typing for 7 hours, during which I've managed to type 3 pages (at least 3 that I'm satisfied with). It's possibly the most frustrated I've ever been with my novel. I love Imogene (my mc), now if she'd only do something interesting!

I finished Nefertiti yesterday and found it merely readable. My main issue with it was the passage of time. Years go by in a few pages, and I felt cheated. I wanted to know what happened in the years the author breezed over so often. Another little irritant was that Nefertiti seemed to be nothing more than (excuse the coarse wording) a breeding mare. She has six children and as such is always either pregnant, or about to become pregnant...

I'm only two pages into The Luxe, so it's impossible to judge it at this moment, but I'll be sure to post what I think of it.

Back to Revising (A Very Short Post)

2008-12-28T14:23:00.002-05:00

Well, as you can clearly see from the title of this post, I am revising my novel once again. I took a good bit of time this week to celebrate the holidays, and now I have to get down to work. The introductory chapter needs to become stellar and impossible to resist. That's the first of many mini goals I have for this revision. I'll keep you posted on how it goes, and how the agent situation is coming along.

The Holiday Haul

2008-12-28T14:11:00.008-05:00

As Promised

2008-12-14T23:23:00.003-05:00

An update!

First things first...I am no longer a client of ABLA. Jennifer and I separated amicably, and I'm still confident in my novel.
So I'm currently in the market for an agent :)

I got The Tudors in the mail a few days ago, but I haven't touched it yet. I actually took the time recently to watch the first season of Veronica Mars. I loved it. Kristin Bell is adorable, and her character is surprisingly likable. She has quite a few memorable quips. Throughout the first season she is trying to solve the murder of her best friend Lily and there are a number of twists and turns (including possible incest). The identity of the murderer was a bit of a shock to me. Maybe I'm just blind when it comes to mysteries. Anyway I'd really reccomend the show. It was highly entertaining. I think if you liked the first two seasons of Buffy you'd like Veronica Mars. I can't wait to see the second season...The Tudors may have to wait a while longer.

I've worked a bit on my second novel, adding more backstory to my two main characters. But as you can tell from my word count meter it's slow going.

On February 2nd I will begin covering the Accountant's position at my job. He's leaving for 4 to 6 months for spinal surgery. I'm both nervous and excited, mostly nervous though. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I need all I can get just about now.

Coming Soon...

2008-12-14T05:52:00.001-05:00

An update!

A Thanksgiving Birthday

2008-12-01T10:38:00.004-05:00

Currently Reading: Into The Wilderness by Sara Donati

Currently Listening To: Harry Connick Jr.

This year my birthday fell on Thanksgiving day. I'm officially 24 years old. (How frightening!) My parents, R. and I traveled to Chicago to celebrate with my sister and her husband. It was absoluetly lovely! We stayed at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker, right next to Michigan Avenue. We reserved a couple of the basic rooms but when we got there they upgraded us to a suite at no extra charge. Apparently they'd over booked the other rooms. R. and I had a magnificent view of the lake and Navy Pier.

After we arrived R. and I took a romantic evening walk down Michigan. The christmas lights were up, and street musicians were playing holiday tunes. We stopped at the Ghirardelli ice cream shop, and I got a peppermint bark sundae. Delicious! I couldn't even finish half of it though, it was way too big. The next day was Thanksgiving, so we spent the day at my sister's in Roger's Park. She lives in a delightful gray stone, only about 2 blocks from the lake.

I received some cash for my birthday and as such I've just treated myself to The Tudors Season One. I've never seen it and I'm really looking forward to it. Amazon.com has it for only $19.99! Not bad, eh?

Still no word from Jennifer yet.

A Long Over-Due Update

2008-11-23T10:25:00.004-05:00

Let's just take a minute and sigh in relief. I finished my revisions!!! Okay now that that's over it's time for extreme anxiety. My novel was emailed to my agent two days ago and the familiar panic is creeping up on me. Everytime I've sent my novel to my agent (Michelle before, now Jennifer) I start to think that it's absolute crap. From the very second I press "send" my nerves shudder and protest. So now I must wait to see what Jennifer thinks...

In the meantime I saw Twilight this weekend. I have to say that I loved it. There's just something wonderful about seeing one of your favorite books played out. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the actors chosen to play the other vampires. The only exception to that was the guy that played Jasper. He was nothing like what I'd imagined. But it didn't bother me too much.

I think just about every teen author is horrifically jealous of Stephenie Meyer right now. I know I sure am. And strangely that jealousy has absolutely nothing to do with the fame or the money. It's about writing a novel that people fall in love with; writing characters that people fall in love with.

And so I'm jealous.

I read Midwife of the Blue Ridge recently. It's by Christine Blevins, a fellow AWer, and it was very fun. I marveled at her handle of dialects. Definitely not my strong point. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys American History.

I'm currently reading Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati. I've had my eye on it for a while and finally decided to purcahse it. It grabbed me instantly. I'm always impressed when a novel does that. It's so hard for an author to accomplish it. It takes place in upstate NY, 1792. An English spinster leaves her home to join her father on his homestead, where she believes she will be a teacher. When she arrives she realizes that her father actually means to marry her off to save himself from his debts. She's refused so far. And of course there is an unsuitable man that has caught her attention. In a strange way the novel is a continuation of The Last of the Mohicans. Hawkeye is the father of her love interest.

So in addition to reading I've started to work again on my second novel. It takes place in the Pre-Civil War Ohio Valley. Can you tell that I absolutely love historical novels? I'm not very far into it at all, but I'm quickly falling in love with my main characters.

So here's keeping my fingers crossed that Jennifer likes my revisions (feel free to pray for me, if you're of the praying kind)!

Abientot!

Lost in Austen = Lost in Love

2008-11-04T23:49:00.007-05:00

Tonight I am fervently happy to be the owner of a region free dvd player. After a day of school and writing, I came home to watch ITV's production of Lost in Austen. Absolutely everything about this mini-series is delightful. Humor, drama, and romance are all jam packed in this story. Jemima Rooper is fantastic as the improper Amanda Price. She's so busy trying to keep the novel on track that she mixes up everything! I was so engrossed in the story that none of the changes to the classic novel bothered me! The ending is beautiful, witty, and dare I say, perfect?! If you have a region free player buy this from Amazon.co.uk! If you don't then get one so you can watch it!

I did vote today, but I'd like to stay neutral on politics I'll not broach the topic anymore than that.

I've written around 2500 words so far for the month. It's a slow start, but I'm pleased with what I've done. I still haven't started reading another book. I'm going to stand by my pledge to finish my revisions first.

Peace.

Registry!

2008-10-19T19:57:00.005-04:00

Currently Reading: Nothing until I finish my revisions.

Currently Watching: The Simpsons

R. and I went to Macys and started our registry the day before yesterday. It was so much fun! We chose a Waterford set of china.

The best part about the set is the accent plate, which you can't see in this photo... Since I love Cincinnati history I was thrilled when R. sent me a link to the following photo.

It's Cincinnati in the mid 19th century, which is the setting for my second novel! It's crazy to see how industrial, and muddy the city looked. I've done extensive research on the Underground Railroad in the Ohio Valley, but I guess I need to look into the general history a little bit more. But that can start once I finish the revisions. I'm seriously not going to start another book until I finish. It's amazing how much time reading can suck up.

Back From The Dead (Sort Of)

2008-10-15T13:38:00.005-04:00

Currently Reading: Fundamentals of Financial Accounting

Currently Listening to: Someone cutting down a tree with a chainsaw

Well, after a good 3 weeks of without posting I've got an awful lot to say! R. and I chose a date for the wedding (October 24th, 2009), and we chose the reception venue. It's called French House and it's in the middle of French Park in Amberley Village. Here are a few pictures of it:

It's just as beautiful as it looks! We loved it as soon as we saw it. It has really great grounds surrounding it, and you rent the entire house, including the upper floor.

I'm 208 pages into my revisions! I'm so close to being finished! I feel like I've been saying that for a really long time but I sincerely am.

The real reason I haven't been posting is that I'm up for a promotion at work and I'm putting in all the hours I can. If I get the job it will be a very nice pay increase. And with the wedding that's quite an incentive! I had to tell BuyCincy.com that I could only contribute monthly from now on. I'm going to write a wedding journal, which I think sounds pretty fun.

If you ever get the chance you should read any and all Eva Ibbotsen books. Trust me, they're awesome.

If I get a chance I'll post more this evening. Peace!

R. Asked Me!!!!

2008-09-27T09:26:00.002-04:00

I'm engaged!!!! Woohoo!!! R. proposed to me on top of the Carew Tower yesterday afternoon. The Carew Tower is the tallest building in Cincinnati, and the view is spectacular. He got down on one knee and asked me, with a gorgeous ring in his hand! It's fabulous! After we left the Tower we walked up a block to Palamino and had an elegant lunch. And then I made him take me to Barnes and Noble so I could buy my wedding planner. Hehe.

Me Me :)

2008-09-25T13:47:00.002-04:00

Cindy tagged me for a Me Me a few days ago, so now I'm going to play ;). Here we go:

1. What are your nicknames?

Answer: Mags, Mag, Maggles, Margo, Margie, Maggie Jeanne Jelly Bean, the list just goes on and on. For some reason people love to give me nicknames.

2. What was the first movie you bought in VHS or DVD?

Answer: I was 12 years old, and I bought Ever After on DVD. Man I loved that movie!

3. What is your favorite scent?

Answer: Pumpkin Pie

4. What one place have you visited that you can't forget and want to go back to?

Answer: Right now I'd have to say Destin, Florida. Yes I know I go there almost every year, but seriously it's paradise. The white sandy beaches, clear turquoise water, and delicious salt breezes always get to me.

5. Do you trust easily?

Answer: No. I don't think I do. Or rather, I trust, but when someone betrays that trust, it's difficult to get it back.

6. Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think?

Answer: Oh goodness. I speak before I think, but think before I act. The former often gets me in trouble.

7. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?

Answer: Recently, just work. But those issues seem to have been resolved, so life is good!

8. Do you have a good body image?

Answer: Um, maybe?

9. What is your favorite fruit?

Answer: Strawberries!

10. What websites do you visit daily?

Answer: Hotmail, Gmail, AbsoluteWrite, BuyCincy, Cindy's Blog ;)

11. What have you been seriously addicted to lately?

Answer: Chocolate soy milk, Dexter, Revising, and Email.

12. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?

Answer: She's sweet, beautiful, nice, always willing to cheer me up :), positive, and tons of fun!

13. What's the last song that got stuck in your head?

Answer: "Where I Stood", by Missy Higgins. If you don't love that song, you need your ears checked!

14. What's your favorite item of clothing?

Answer: My pink pajama pants from Gap! They are sooo comfy.

15. Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy?

Answer: Yup.

16. What would you do if you saw $100 lying on the ground?

Answer: I'd make sure the owner was nowhere to be found then take a trip to the book store.

17. What items could you not go without during the day?

Answer: My laptop, my toothbrush, and a book.

18. What should you be doing right now?

Revising!

Oh, The Joy Of Reading!

2008-09-23T22:26:00.004-04:00

If you have the time READ THIS BOOK!!! I was very engrossed in this novel. Anna is a Russian Countess forced to flee her home country during the revolution. She ends up in England, and takes a position as a lowly maid in the home of an Earl. She quickly falls in love with him, as well as her surroundings. But the Earl is already engaged to a wealthy, beautiful, and evil woman. The characters are well drawn, and the plot is comfortably paced (not too fast, not too slow). Oh and did I mention the compelling romance?

Well because I loved A Countess Below Stairs so much I immediately went out and purchased A Company of Swans. That was a very smart decision. It was just as good if not better. Harriet is a repressed young girl in turn of the century England. She runs from her cold father and aunt to join a company of dancers who are traveling to the Amazon to perform. She meets the man of her dreams, but doesn't know that her father has sent someone to bring her back, whether she wants to or not. Both of these novels were significantly more entertaining than Sovay. I can't wait to read the rest of Eva's novels!!!

There was a huge power outage here in Cincinnati while I was on vacation, so unfortunately I was unable to finish my novel. But I will finish it within the next month!

Drum Roll Please...

2008-09-20T00:13:00.001-04:00

And my new agent is...Jennifer Laughran. Happy times :D

A Book Review (While I'm Waiting)

2008-09-14T09:04:00.004-04:00

Currently Reading: A Countess Below Stairs
Currently Watching: "Who Shot Mr. Burns? Part 2"

I'm still waiting to hear from the agency. I've learned through the grapevine that the agents are currently reading our stuff, and that they'll get back to us next week. So I've had another weekend of trying not to think about it.

I finished Sovay. It was very readable, and entertaining but there were a few things about it that bothered me. Sovay had 5 potential love interests (who all thought she was gorgeous and wanted her), and it wasn't clear who she was interested in until the last 50 pages. Another thing that bothered me is that in the middle of this very non-gothic novel is a section of about 80 pages that drip with gothic horror. I absolutely love gothic novels, but in this book the descriptions just felt ridiculous. It seemed like I'd picked up The Mysteries of Udolpho again. That's just my opinion. You might feel differently. It really is worth reading though. I think the last 100 pages were wonderful.

I'll let you know what I think about A Countess Below Stairs when I finish it.

I finally got my region free dvd player!!!! Hurray!!! British DVDs here I come!

I'm on vacation this week and I think I might finish my revisions this week! I have to say that even after all these revisions I still love my characters. That's probably a good thing ;) . Keep me in your prayers!

The Waiting Game

2008-09-07T00:03:00.007-04:00

Michelle sent out another email saying that the agency would be in touch next week. So this weekend I've been trying not to think about it too much. R. was very sweet and bought me a few books that I was drooling over yesterday. They are both YA. I started Sovay and it's pretty good. I've never read anything by Celia Rees, but I'm impressed.

R. and I rented True Blood (just the first episode) from Blockbuster yesterday. It was very entertaining, but there was a vampire/human sex scene that was...well let's just say disturbing. Just warning you.

My vacation from work is coming up on Saturday (woohoo!) and I plan to spend some solid days doing nothing but writing. I'm not going out of town but R. and I are planning to go to the zoo, a musical version of Jane Austen's Emma, and the Renaissance Festival. It sounds like a great time to me!

If you don't mind, please remember to keep me in your prayers!

P.S. I gave up on The Mysteries of Udolpho. I found myself exceedingly bored.

CHANGE IS A GOOD THING (she tells herself)

2008-09-03T12:37:00.003-04:00

Michelle Andelman (my agent) has left the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She will not longer be representing clients. The rest of the agents from ABLA will be taking on her clients. The fact that I still have an agent is something I am VERY, VERY GRATEFUL for. Now I just have to wait and find out who my new agent will be. I'm hopeful, excited, and just a bit scared (the new agent may not like my novel as much as Michelle did). Please keep me in your prayers!

Shakespeare

2008-08-29T17:13:00.003-04:00

Currently Reading: The Mysteries of Udolpho & Witches and Neighbors

Currently Listening To: Fiona Apple

Tomorrow The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is performing A Midsummer Night's Dream for free in Eden park. I wish I could go! I've seen a few shows by the Company and loved both of them! Unfortunately I have to work and then I've already made plans. R. looked at me like I was crazy when I mentioned it. He's not much of a Shakespeare fan.

Sunday I'm going to spend all day working on my revisions. I'm really looking forward to it, but I think I'm going to have to set up at Borders, or Barnes and Noble. I've really gotten sick of writing in my house. It just feels very cramped (even though it isn't). I'm not sure if anyone else gets this way, but I just feel like I need a change of scenery.

R. and I finished the 2nd season of Dexter...He was not happy with the way it ended (someone dies), but I loved it. The new season starts September 28th and I can hardly wait. I don't have Showtime though, so I'll probably have to watch it online. I guess that's not all bad as I will get to skip commercials.

Swept From The Sea

2008-08-25T23:04:00.004-04:00

Currently Watching: The Simpsons

Currently Reading: The Mysteries of Udolpho

So. On a whim I rented Swept From The Sea from Blockbuster online. All I have to say is: why have I not heard of this movie before? It's so romantic, and well acted! It makes me wonder what other awesome movies I'm missing out on!

Last Saturday was heaven, just as I thought it would be. R. and I cuddled on the couch and watched Dexter. Then we got some dinner, and just hung out together. It was wonderful. Thursday we're heading down the football game at UC. I'm not a huge football fan but I'm still looking forward to it.

I'm steadily working on my novel's revisions still. I've gotten through page 116. Yey! I hope I can up the rate at which I've been working. I'm still confident that I'll meet the deadline I set for myself.

What Is Your Favorite Book???

2008-08-22T23:20:00.003-04:00

Currently Listening To: Missy Higgins, "Where I Stood"
Currently Reading: The Mysteries of Udolpho

Don't laugh, but I'm only 20 pages into Mysteries. I've been so busy... Tomorrow is my day off of everything and I'm so excited. It feels like Christmas (well, okay, not really).

Sparkhouse

2008-08-20T22:56:00.005-04:00

Currently Listening To: the 10 o'clock news.

Currently Reading: The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe (Northanger Abbey is to blame. I just want to know what Catherine was so obbsessed with.)

I've been so busy this week! I can't wait until Saturday. I've got a day off of everything, so R. and I are going to cuddle up and start watching season 2 of Dexter. I'm such a homebody!

So I discovered a BBC movie that I haven't seen (shocking I know), and I'm dying to get it! But sadly Sparkhouse is only available in Region 2 format...so I've decided I'm going to ask for a region free player for my birthday in November. I'm pretty sure that there are a million BBC dvds I'd love, that aren't available here in the US.

Check out KoKo

2008-08-17T19:39:00.004-04:00

Currently Listening To: KoKoKaina http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMH86_UqFw4

Currently Reading: No Regrets by Michele Young.

If you've never heard of KoKoKaina please click on the link. You'll fall in love with her immediately! She has this beautiful, vintage jazz sound. I can't wait until her first CD comes out.

Well as far as my revisions go...I'm up to page 109! I'm spending every spare moment I have on them. It's still slow going though. I've been adding more romance in as I go. I think with almost any book I read, the true reason for my like or dislike is the romance (with the possible exception of Harry Potter). I grew up reading fairy tales and watching Disney movies. I get so much satisfaction when a character gets her prince. Don't you?

Making Pies

2008-08-12T14:10:00.002-04:00

Currently Listening to: Patty Griffen "Making Pies"
Currently Reading: Nothing. I'm waiting for The Gallows Girl to get to my house. I had to order it on amazon.com b/c it's not available here in the US.

Well I finished Breaking Dawn. Don't worry, I won't post any spoilers...it was very good though. Exactly what I'd expect from Stephenie Meyer. I literally spent the past 3 days doing almost nothing but revising. I think with this new revision my book might end up being a lot longer than I initially planned. I suppose that's a good thing, b/c my first draft was only 50k words. The only break I took from revising was to start watching Dexter on dvd with R., my significant other. We were bored on Thursday and picked it up on a whim I had, but it is really, REALLY good. R. loves it too. He was surprised that I chose something he actually enjoyed. Sigh. I guess I've bombarded him with too many chick flicks :) in the past.

There's been a cool front in Cincy for almost a week now, and it's been amazing. I'm so ready for fall! I actually hate summer in general. There's too much sun and heat. I think I could happily live in Seattle (just for the rain). People look at me like I'm insane when I say I'm excited for snow.... Snow and ice always go together here and it often leads to horrible traffic. But who cares about the awful traffic when the landscape is so beautiful?

Sweetest Downfall

2008-08-07T09:33:00.004-04:00

Currently Reading: Breaking Dawn
Currently Listening to: "Samson" by Regina Spektor
"You are my sweetest downfall..." That has to be one of my all time favorite lines from a song. And it fits well with how my mc feels for her love interest. Once I've got the revisions finished, I'll come up with a playlist for my book. I love it when my favorite authors do that. It's a great way to go even further in depth into the characters' emotions. Does anyone else enjoy this?
Speaking of my revisions I'm hoping to make it to 50 percent finished by Monday night. It's a pretty steep goal, but we'll see how I do.

2008-07-31T12:08:00.003-04:00

Currently Listening To: My Jack Russell tapping around the house.

Currently Reading: Nothing, sigh, I'm still waiting for Breaking Dawn to come out on Saturday.

My revisions are going well. I've hit a wall a few times over the past couple of days, but I think I've made it through. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm so anxious for Breaking Dawn to come out! It's awesome that 2 Stephanie Meyers books have come out this year! The Host was excellent, with 2 very compelling love stories.

The next book that I'm really looking forward to is The Temptation of the Night Jasmine, by Lauren Willig. Every book she writes is better than it's predecessor.

Anyway, enough blabbing about books I want to read...Let's move on to the books I'm writing!

Since I put up a picture of the main character from my first novel, I thought I'd post one of my MC from my second novel (still a WIP - with a LONG way to go) too. This is very close to how I imagine her:

Hip Hip Hurrah!

2008-07-28T16:22:00.003-04:00

I receive the contract today! Yey! It's signed and in the back in the mail, ready to return to New York.

Update: Revising Madly

2008-07-28T11:15:00.002-04:00

Currently Listening to: Matt Nathansen
Currently Reading: Nothing, I'm waiting for Breaking Dawn to come out this weekend.
Hi all! Well now that I have an agent (squeal) I'm working on the revisions she suggested. I am attempting to make my novel less literary (I was surprised to hear my novel is literary!) and more commercial. Things are going well. I've set a goal for myself (timeline) and I'm very confident that I will meet it. I found a beautiful drawing on Deviantart.com of Romola Garai yesterday. It's exactly what I imagine my main character as. It was done by AngelAvril. Check out her page here: http://angelavril.deviantart.com/art/Romola-Garai-35479215 . Here's how I invision Imogene:

I HAVE AN AGENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-24T09:42:00.002-04:00

Michelle Andelman from Andrea Brown offered me a contract yesterday! I'm so excited! She's really nice, and has some wonderful ideas on how to improve my novel. I'm so grateful to God for this. It really is such a blessing, and gift! I know how many people want agents, and he steered me toward the one that is perfect for me.

Revision Update

2008-06-11T22:38:00.002-04:00

Currently Reading: The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Bronte
I am now 41% finished with my revisions! Woohoo!
I've been watching Robin Hood (BBC) online in my spare time recently and I have to say it's addicting. I can't wait for the 8th episode to be put up...

Weekend

2008-06-08T21:20:00.002-04:00

Currently Reading: The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Bronte
Well I've had a great weekend. I've had 3 days off of work, and I've spent them doing exactly what I want. Who could ask for anything better?
So yesterday I went and saw The Strangers (my boyfriend wanted to see it), and I would like to say DON'T BOTHER! Wow, it was just terrible. Initially it was scary and then about 30 minutes into it I was just frustrated. The killers were doing nothing but walking behind Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman looking creepy, then hiding before they turned around. So I was extremely bored until the very end, when I was just plain disturbed. The ending made me incredibly angry, I felt it was irresponsible and unnecessary. I guess I should add a disclaimer that I dislike the horror genre as a whole.
I also saw Baby Mama this weekend. I found it hiliarious!

New Goal / Deadline

2008-06-05T13:11:00.002-04:00

I've decided to set a deadline for my revisions. I'm going to finish them by June 20th. That gives me a full 15 days. All I need to do is really focus. I know I can do it!

Yet Another Revision Update

2008-06-04T22:54:00.002-04:00

Currently Reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Yes I'm still on the Harry Potter kick! It's taking me a lot longer to finish books these days as I'm spending so much more time writing. Cindy Pon was kind enough to send me her copy of The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Bronte, so that's next on my list.

I've added aproximately another 1500 words to my novel. I've replaced a lot of Imogene's memories and added more of a back story. Things are going well!

Revision Update

2008-05-29T22:44:00.002-04:00

Currently Reading: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (I've read it a million times, but it's summer so it's time for me to read the series again :D )

I'm one fifth of the way through my revisions. Woohoo! I'll be done before I know it! I think I've figured out how to pace the novel...I'm adding a lot more action. I think my novel is really shaping up!

My sister and her husband returned to Chicago. She had to go back into the hospital for a few days, but she got out today. Hurrah!

Revisions

2008-05-25T19:21:00.006-04:00

Currently Listening to: Regina Spektor

Currently Reading: Unpredictable

I'm worried about the pacing of my novel. Michelle Andelman told me it's too slow, and now I have to figure out how to add more action. Sigh.

I've already been changing some of the dream sequences. I'm replacing scenes that repeat with new info on Imogene's background. I'm feeling particularly positive about these. I just finished a dream sequence that reviews her wedding, and I'm very proud of the gothic feeling. She was married in an old dark church, at night, with no guests present.

I think I'm going to begin writing for a local website soon. They review independantly owned businesses around Cincinnati. I'll put a link up soon. I'm not going to be paid for it but it will be experience that I can add to my query letter. :)

Old Friends and New Fancies OH MAN!

2008-05-22T22:22:00.011-04:00

So a few days ago I went to a huge used bookstore in downtown Cincinnati (it's 5 floors, I love it), where I bought a copy of Old Friends and New Fancies (by Sybil G. Brinton) for $2.00. I did a little research this evening to discover that (drum roll please) it's a FIRST EDITION!!! I dug a little deeper and I believe it may be worth about $3,000!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've spent the past few days working on revising my novel. I think it's going well. I've found my stride I think...

The funeral for Rhys is tomorrow. He'll be laid to rest in an absolutely gorgeous cemetery called Spring Grove. All of the following pictures were taken inside the grounds. Beautiful isn't it?

Michelle Andelman's Request

2008-05-21T12:59:00.002-04:00

She asked for a revision, which I am gladly giving her. I told her that I thought it would take about a month, and she said not to rush that it is a standing offer. I'm crossing my fingers that this revision will lead to a stronger novel and publishment!

Sorrow

2008-05-19T09:29:00.001-04:00

Rhys Alexander (my sister's baby) died yesterday afternoon. If anyone reads this please keep my family in your prayers.

Michelle Andelman Part 2 :)

2008-05-16T23:52:00.001-04:00

She just sent me an email and took it back! She asked to see my full! Crazy stuff!

Michelle Andelman

2008-05-15T11:25:00.001-04:00

I just received a no from her.

Hopeful

2008-05-12T10:32:00.002-04:00

Michelle Andelman requested a partial. Yey! She's the first to respond to the round of queries I sent out a few days ago. Hopefully this is a good sign! It's been a rough weekend. My sister is 25 weeks pregnant and was just diagnosed with preclampsia. She's going to have to stay in the hospital until she delivers. The doctors are hoping that they can keep her there for a month, but chances are she'll have to deliver much sooner. There was a point yesterday when her life was in real jeopardy...If anyone out there believes in prayer keep my sister and her baby in mind...

That Was Fast

2008-05-08T19:16:00.001-04:00

Wow, okay I've already queried 5 agents tonight! Should I keep going? I think yes!

More actors

2008-05-06T22:18:00.002-04:00

Romola Garai is actually 25. I always find it slightly irritating when an actor is cast in a much younger role...but if I were casting my movie I'd make an exception for her! Another actress that has the right look (but it's kind of wierd for me to say b/c she's a little kid to me) is Emily Osment. She's a little young now, but in a few years she'd be the right age...

Waiting

2008-05-05T17:34:00.008-04:00

And so the waiting begins yet again. I'm writing a second novel about the Underground Railroad and I spend a lot of my free time on it, but not today. I'm feeling a bit discouraged so I emersed myself in Sophie Kinsella's new one Remember Me. Nothing perks me up like a little zany chick-lit. If you haven't read her novels go out and buy the Shopoholic series immediately!

Inspired by Cindy Pon I'm putting up a photo of the actress that I would want to play Imogene if my novel were ever made into a movie: Romola Garai. She's exactly what I imagined when I was writing. But I guess technically she's too old. Imogene is only 18....

2 Partials to Mail

2008-05-05T09:39:00.000-04:00

I got two requests over the weekend for the first fifty pages of my novel. I'm cautiously optimistic. I've sent a lot of partials out over the last couple of months and it's all led to nothing. I do have an agent at Writer's House reading my full ms, but he's so late getting back to me that I'm tempted to just assume it's a no. He asked for a 2 week exclusive read over a month ago... Sigh...If anyone reads this keep your fingers crossed for me! Peace.

Very Brief Summary

2008-04-29T10:19:00.000-04:00

This is an exerpt from my query letter that contains a short synopsis of my novel:

The book opens in 1837 where Imogene Cole, an eighteen year old widow, is sent
to her deceased husband’s country estate. The modest home is located
in a small village named Eden. After befriending a few of the locals
she hopes that she may live peacefully in her new sanctuary (and maybe even
stumble into love). Her hopes are dashed when she finds herself having
ethereal visions of her own death. Just when Imogene begins to think she’s
going mad, a few female villagers reveal that they have gifts that go beyond
normal human abilities. This leads her to conclude that she has been
gifted with the ability to see the future, and her own murder. In order to
save herself from a bleak end she is forced delve into the past and relive
horrors that could easily destroy her.

1st Post, April 29th 2008

2008-04-29T09:59:00.000-04:00

Well I suppose the first thing I should do is introduce myself. My name is Maggie, and I'm the author of a little book called All That's Best of Dark and Bright. I'm starting this blog to document the trials and tribulations of finding a literary agent.

I began writing my novel when I was 21 (2 years ago), and finally finished it in February of this year. It contains the story of a young widow in 1837 who finds a remarkable new life in the small town of Eden.

In addition to writing I also happen to love photography (hence the flower and statue photos). I technically own a small photography business, though I've done almost nothing with it...I've been too consumed with writing!

I've been querying agents for 3 months now, and (obviously) haven't yet met with success. But I will prevail (I have to tell myself that)! Check back often to see updates on my journey!