I write stuff for kids...and muse on writing, children's books, and the publishing industry in general

Monday, April 30, 2012

What's on in May (plus #writemotivation post, Beta Match, and winners of my Writing Prompts Contest)

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I hope everyone had an awesome April, whether taking part in the A to Z Challenge, having a rest, or blogging on as usual. While my A to Z Writing Prompts Contest was running (the winners are announced below!), I took a little time off writing to settle into my new house and get over some health issues, then I started plotting my new novel, DARK. It's so exciting to start something new like this - I'm sure you all know the feeling. I'm all pumped up now and ready to get writing.

How about you: How do you feel when you start a new novel - excited, nervous, scared, exhilarated, all of the above or something else altogether???

What's coming up in May on Rach Writes...

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I've got a massive schedule coming up for May. It's going to involve a month of Monday guest posts, all around the subject of self-publishing and digital publishing. I'll have guest posts from:
  1. Michael Offutt (May 7 - as part of his SLIPSTREAM book tour), 
  2. Rachel Morgan from Rachel Morgan Writes (May 14), 
  3. Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi from The Bookshelf Muse (May 21), and 
  4. Adina West from Stairways and Landings (May 28). 
They're all either already published or have books that are coming out soon via self-publishing or digital publishing, and they're going to share some of their publishing journeys with you, give you interesting information about self/digital publishing, and perhaps even give you the chance to win some cool loot!

So make sure you pop back each Monday during May for the next step in the self-publishing/digital publishing journey :) And each of the four weeks, I'll be popping in some interesting agent tips on self or digital publishing as well!

Beta Match

It's been a little while since I've done a Beta Match, so I'm going to hold one on Monday, June 4, 2012. Anyone who is looking for a critique partner or beta reader, make sure you pop back then :)

#writemotivation

I'm about to start writing my first draft of DARK, so I decided I could use some help and people to cheer me on. I've joined K.T. Hanna's #writemotivation, where I've set goals for myself during the month of May, and I can work to achieve those goals while cheering on other #writemotivation peeps on Twitter (and being cheered on myself too, I hope).

As part of #writemotivation we need to be accountable for our goals, so here goes. My May goals are:
  1. Finish plotting DARK (and incorporate any comments by CPs into plotting notes)
  2. More detailed characterization of secondary characters
  3. Organize Scrivener so I'm all ready to begin writing
  4. Write. Write. Write
  5. Finish first draft by May 31, 2012
There's a lot there, but it's all doable, I hope. I've already got some very detailed plotting finished, so I'm hoping that will take a lot of guesswork out of my writing (unlike FROM THE OTHER SIDE, where I pretty much pantsed the whole thing then took forever in revisions!). So wish me luck!

How about you: What are your writing goals for May???

Winners of my A to Z Challenge Writing Prompts Contest!

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It was so awesome to see so many people take part in my Writing Prompts Contest. Diving headfirst into my complicated rules (to ensure that the entries fitted into the A to Z Challenge), were a grand total of 56 entrants, and many others cheered them on. The entries were so creative, sometimes funny, sometimes very moving, and I loved reading every one of them.

Special props go to Nemoswriting, who entered 17 times, many of them inspirational! And also to C. Lee McKenzie, who (until her computer crashed) managed to complete 12 entries by using only words starting with the letter of the day - she had me in stitches with all of them!

So...*drumroll*...the winners for the best entries as determined by yours truly are:
  • guest post on Rach Writes... - C. Lee McKenzie
  • interview on Rach Writes... - Jericha Senyak
  • book (from The Book Depository) or Amazon gift card (emailed) to the value of $15 - Nemoswriting
  • a query critique by me - Tracy Bermeo
And I enjoyed her entry so much I'm going to add another query critique as well, so congratulations to Teresa Cypher! While unfortunately not winners of a prize, honorable mentions go to the following people for their awesome entries:
  • Dawn M. Hamsher
  • Super Happy Jen
Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks again to all who took part or commented on my post :) Winners, please email me on rachael[dot]harrie[at]gmail[dot]com to claim your prize.

Well, I think that's it for me for the moment. Can't wait to hear all about how your April was and what you're working on at the moment. I'll see you back next Monday for Michael's guest post!

 

25 comments:

Jessica L. Celaya said...

Sounds like you have an awesome month planned for May. I love being in the first draft process when the ideas are so fresh and the characters new and exciting. Good luck.

Angela Brown said...

Rach, I have to say that highlighting self-publishing/digital publishing during the month of May is beyond timely for me. During my A to Z blogging challenge, I did daily posts around a few characters. Nothing outlined, just something fun. Well, something fun turned into a blog opera of drama that has now turned into me making a novel or novella from this. My intention is to self-publish the story and share the ending of their tale. So this is just awesome for me. Thank you.

And I wish you all kinds of awesomeness as you begin your new project. It is very exciting to do so.

Super Happy Jen said...

Thanks for the honorable mention. I meant to enter more stories but I guess it slipped my mind.

jerichas said...

I'm so honored! There were so many great entries - I'm delighted to be chosen, but you must've had a tough time picking!!

Christy Farmer said...

It's good to see you back online, Rach! May is going to be a busy month for you!

Cortney Pearson said...

Sounds like lots of awesomeness!

Claire Hennessy said...

Hey Rach, welcome back :) It was exhausting enough just completing the A-Z posts and commenting, I couldn't think of doing anything else! May's posts sound really interesting. I shall be back :)

Gwen Gardner said...

I love your enthusiasm for DARK. I'm getting ready to plot/outline my second novel and am a bit nervous - you know how it is. Also, your timing for self-publishing posts in May is perfect! I've decided to self publish and can't wait for the words of wisdom:) Thanks Rach!

cleemckenzie said...

You've returned with a wowzer of a post. I love your May plan. It's perfect for me. And your goals for Dark have made me rethink how I might approach this WIP.

Thanks you so much for choosing me out of all the great entries you had. I'm honored and truly appreciative, Rach. I also had so much fun "playing" with those entries.

Anonymous said...

CONGRATS to all the winners of the A to Z Blogging Challenge!

I'm looking forward to your upcoming May posts on self-publishing and digital publishing.

Susanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER

Jamie Dement (LadyJai) said...

awesome you are joining us for #WriteMotivation ! If you need a these, we can accommodate. If you need cheering, we got pompoms! If you need motivation, we can lob flaming zombies at you! And it you just need a shoulder to cry on, we got chocolate, cookies and cupcakes!

clarbojahn said...

I was lost with the A through Z posts. Started out confused and didn't get clear so I owe more than Congrats to the winners. So proud of all of you.

Looks like your May will be busy. I may join #WriteMotivation right along with you as I try to keep up with my own writing. Good luck!

Tracy MacDonald said...

Rach, thanks so much! A query critique is exactly what I need right now. I loved writing additional posts for your version of the A to Z- really gave me a chance to write out of my genre. I"ll be email you!

Carrie Butler said...

Sounds like it's going to be a busy month. Good luck with those writing goals! :D

Dawn M. Hamsher said...

Rach,
Thank you for the Honorable Mention! I truly appreciate it!

The Write Soil

J E Fritz said...

Quite a month coming up, huh? Can't wait for the beta match. Congrats to all the winners!

Teresa Cypher said...

*doing the happy dance* Thank you so much, Rach. I am touched...and after I read this earlier (sneaked a peek at work) I smiled the rest of the day.

Rebekah Loper said...

Yay #writemotivation! I think you'll find it's a fantastic motivator. That's what I've found, anyway! Good luck!

Valerie said...

so exciting to see another wonderful writer join the #writemotivation ranks. welcome!

Rachael Harrie said...

So glad to hear from all of you, and thanks for your lovely words! Best of luck with your own May goals - can't wait to see you around over the next few weeks :)

Hugs,

Rach

Adina West said...

I've just been reading through the entries in the comments of your A-Z Challenge post in April. Some wonderfully inventive people out there. Congratulations to all the winners!

Wishing you all the best with your WIP this month, Rach. I've just started a new project with Scrivener too. Finding it useful so far. :-)

Thank you so much for hosting me later in the month, and I'm looking forward to hearing from Michael, Rachel, and Angela + Becca over the next few Mondays. Digital publishing certainly provides plenty to talk about...

Melissa said...

Great line-up of guests! I'll have to be sure to stop back by. I've been busy working on my 3rd WIP. Just reached the half-way mark the other day. Write on... :)

Unknown said...

I have joined #writemotivation too, and May on your blog sounds amazing!

Jocelyn Rish said...

Congrats to all the winners!!

Although I know you're actually making great progress on your goals, I'm popping by for my official "go you!" #writemotivation blog visit. :-)

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