1k-a-day Day 29

1k-a-day is wrapping to a close tomorrow. How sad is that? Don't forget tomorrow to post your week 4 word count!

Tami's Day 28 total: 1,008
Tami's November overall WC: in the 14,000s
Tami's overall WC: 1,008
Music: nada
Mindset: Not a bad day. You will notice that my overall is listed at 1,008, the same total as my day 28 total. I didn't work on Lost and Found yesterday, but my new WIP. I couldn't resist writing the first chapter.
Tami's Day 29 WC: Will update.

How'd it go yesterday, Tracy? Did the movies win out?

_____

Yeah, movies and couch won last night -but now I'm hard at work procrastinating (Big Question #1!), and changing my Twitter settings. :)

Tracy's Day 28 WC: 0
Tracy's overall WC: 22, 232
Mindset: I have two more chapters to tweak and then I'm done with this edit. Can't turn back now.
Tracy's Day 29 WC: will update later
I'm in awe of all our 1k-a-day friends....and Nano finalists. So productive!

Things to be thankful for in writing

Since it is Thanksgiving weekend here in the US, I decided to write a list of what I’m thankful for as far as writing is concerned. The normal list is the typical. I’m thankful for my family, friends, job and house. But I wanted to put a spin on it and thought I would include links to the writing websites and blogs I’m most thankful for.

• First off, I’m thankful for my writing crit group. I know my post last week was about how great you are, but I just had to say it again. You guys have helped me more than you could ever imagine. So, Tracy, Tess and now Kitty, I thank you.
• I want to thank all the people who have been participating in our 1k-a-day challenge. It's been a bumpy ride for me, but you've made my November fun. My husband also thanks the winners for the books that you have chosen from my bookshelf. I thank you for making room for more!
• Thanks to all the people who read our blog every day. To all the lurkers out there, please comment more often. It lets us know you're out there.
• Thanks for all the agents and editors who blog. You've taught me so much about the industry that I would never know otherwise. Here's a list of a few that I read daily:

• Miss Snark- Though she no longer blogs, I used to check this daily...and sometimes more. All of her posts are archived and tagged. I'd recommend reading them for industry information. This is a no bullshit look at the publishing industry from an agents POV.
• Pub Rants- Agent Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency. This blog is amazing. She gives good pointers and has great stories about her clients and the industry in general. She will give updates to what different houses and editors are looking for. I can't say enough about her blog.
• Janet Reid, Literary Agent- This blog is exactly what's advertised. She explains the ins and outs of her daily life as a Literary Agent. Love when she talks about queries she's gotten recently and what went wrong with them (of course she doesn't tell you too much about it, but just enough to get the point across).
• The Knight Agency- This blog combines agents who work at the Knight Agency. Love the news and info they give the reader as a whole. If you want more detailed look at certain agents, there are links on this blog to each agent's personal blogs.
• Et in arcaedia, ego- This is Agent Jennifer Jackson's blog. Love the question and answer posts, as well as the info regarding queries.
• Writer Beware- I know I've said this about almost every link above, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE this blog and can't say enough about it. When doing research into publishers/editors/agents, check this site first. They uncover the scams and more. Excellent.

• I'm thankful for all of the author's blogs who let me into their writing life. These blogs make me laugh on a daily bases. Best of all, I know I'm not alone when I sit down at my computer and stare at the blank screen. Here's my list of favorites:

• Meg Cabot's Diary- Hilarious on a daily bases. She doesn't talk a ton about writing, but I love her pop culture talk.
• Ally Carter- I've loved watching her career grow. I started reading her blog from the start. It's amazing to watch the comments go from a few a day to now in the 50s +. Her books are great (if you haven't read the Gallagher series, you must) and her blog is just as good.
• Jennifer Lynn Barnes- Another YA author who's career has grown before my eyes. Amazing to think she's still in her early to mid 20s.
  
• Sarah Dessen- one of my favorite YA authors and my favorite YA author blog. She posts every day (Monday-Friday) and give her readers a glimpse into her writing and even normal life. I love how down to earth she is.
• Megan McCafferty- I love her book recommendations and even her daily chatter about life. The great thing about this blog is her retro blog posts where she shares her journals from her early career. I could get sucked into this blog for hours, even days.
• Wolfy Chicks- I'm not just including this one because they are my critique partners. I love the interviews with YA authors. Great job, girls!
• E. Lockhart- Great blog all around. I love that she gives props to YA authors with reviews and interviews.
• Maureen Johnson- This blog has to be tied with Sarah Dessen's as my all time favorite. I LOVE Maureen Johnson's books and I LOVE her blog. She makes me laugh so hard I almost pee my pants. I love the rambling nonsense of each post and love when she posts hilarious videos.
• There are a ton more author blogs I read, but seriously, this post is getting long. Perhaps I'll continue with the YA author blog roll at another point.

Those are just a few blogs I'm thankful for. I'll do a part 2 soon! I still have to share the writing sites that I love, as well as the message boards I frequent. I hope you enjoyed the insight into my daily internet surfing.

What are you thankful for in writing?

1k--a-day Day 28

I hope everyone in the US had a great Thanksgiving! Go out and get those great Black Friday deals!

Don't forget, week 4 and 1k-a-day comes to an end Sunday! I'll be posting a blog entry later today, so check back for that. Also, we'll be holding another Big Question! The last of the month, so don't forget to enter for your chance at great books. There are a few added to the pile this week!

Tami's Day 27 total: zip, zero, zilch
Tami's November overall WC: in the 13,000s
Tami's overall WC: 38,428
Music: nada
Mindset: Yesterday was all about the kitchen, cooking, watching movies and eating. I didn't get any writing done, but Thanksgiving was all about spending time with family and relaxing. Back to work today
Tami's Day 28 WC: Will update.

How was your day yesterday, Tracy?

___

Yesterday was on fast forward - I wrote a bit at lunch and then before I knew it - it was personal trainer lady from hell time. My body may never be the same - and I'm not sure that's in a good way. :) And I even bailed on the yoga finale. My muscles prefer clenching to stretching.

Tracy's Day 26 and 27 WC: 2039
Tracy's overall WC: 22, 232
Mindset: Must finish edit. I really must. Once UMS is off to editor for further hacking and slashing, I can start on other projects. So this weekend is going to be a writing blitz.
Tracy's Day 28 WC: will update later

1k-a-day Day 26 and Thanksgiving!

First off, Happy Thanksgiving to all in the US. My post tomorrow will be dedicated to everything I have to be thankful for this year.

Tami's Day 26 total: zip, zero, zilch
Tami's November overall WC: in the 13,000s
Tami's overall WC: 38,428
Music: nada
Mindset: I'm okay with not writing yesterday. Why? Because a lot of positives happened instead. I got a bit of work done at my day job, video chatted with Tracy for about 30 minutes regarding my new idea (Tracy, you ROCK! I can't thank you enough), prepared for Thanksgiving (I'm cooking this year) and did plotting for my new idea PLUS Lost and Found. Oh, and the LA Kings won on the road in Edmonton. Not too shabby.
Tami's Day 27 WC: Will update.

How was the rest of your night, Tracy?

___

I got a bit of writing done yesterday, but forgot to check the word count - I'll update this post after school. I was thrilled to get chapter 11 out of the way and am so close to finishing with this edit...but I still have a bit to go. Was fun chatting with you, Tami - love your idea and can't wait to see how it developes.

LA won in Edmonton? Hmm...if I was into hockey, I would be ticked now, right? :)

Tracy's Day 25 WC:
Tracy's overall WC: 20, 196
Mindset: If I can walk after today's exercise class - I intend to climb the stairs to my office and spend the night writing and resting my aching bones.
Tracy's Day 26 WC: 2039 (I forgot to do my word count from yesterday - so this is a combined total)

1k-a-day Day 26

Wow, Day 26. Only 4 days of 1k-a-day left. I'll be sad to see it go. My story, on the other hand, will be happy to see edits. :)

Tami's Day 25 total: 1,333
Tami's November overall WC: in the 13,000s
Tami's overall WC: 38,428
Music: Josh Ritter and Jakob Dylan when I wasn't using Write or Die.
Mindset: Yesterday went great. Not only did I write 1,333 words, I also started an excel spreadsheet to plot out the story. I felt like I was spinning my wheels with the middle of the book, but now I will have direction. I didn't finish the plotting, but it's on its way. After that, I must start to plot for my new idea.
Tami's Day 26 WC: Will update.

Did Tuesday treat you well, Tracy?

____

Tami - I'd love to see how that Excel doc works - I cut out squares of paper and then re-glue them to a bigger sheet in the correct order. But if I change things when writing - it all goes bad. :) And I love the Write or Die site - haven't used it yet, but I might tonight.

Tracy's Day 25 WC: 1984
Tracy's overall WC: 20, 196
Mindset: Gots ta finish, must write to the end - and the end is near.
Tracy's Day 26 WC: 1024
Congrats to our friends who have already met their Nano word count - whoohooo! And those with a bit to go......we're rooting for ya!

1k-a-day Day 25

Okay folks. Day 25...5 days left. This is when the huge push comes. Strap down, grab your coffee and chocolate and WRITE!

Tami's Day 24 total: 1,250
Tami's November overall WC: in the 12,000s
Tami's overall WC: 37,095
Mindset: Loved today. Wrote my 1,250 words in 40 minutes...most of it in 25 minutes! Thank you Write or Die!
Tami's Day 25 WC: 1,333

How'd writing go for you, Tracy? Any luck?

____

I did manage to write my 1k yesterday - a good thing. But I hope to double my word count tonight and keep it that way for the rest of the week.

Tracy's Day 24 WC: 1134
Tracy's overall WC: 18, 212
Mindset: Yes....chocolate....must eat chocolate to write - must write to eat chocolate....
Tracy's Day 25 WC: 1984 - that's funny, eh? 1984?

And the Winners Are...

For week 3... Denise Jaden! Congrats Denise! I'll be sending your lot of books out after week 4 because I have a feeling you may win that one too! Anyone up for the challenge of trying to beat Denise on the last week?

The Big Question 2 winner is...
Okay, I'm a softy. I can't resist all of your wonderful answers. We're going to give TWO books away so the two winners are Kristin B ( I couldn't resist the water bed story...too good. And Jonathan Brandis? ::sigh:: LOL).

Winner #2 is Lauren (Shooting Stars Mag) with her great description of everything in her room! Love all the books and signed posters, Lauren!

If you're a winner, please email me with your choice of book, please email us @ YAedge@yahoo.com with your name and address. I'll be mailing the books out this weekend!

Here's the books available:

How To Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier
ttyl by Lauren Myracle
Valiant by Holly Black
Golden by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Platinum by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
When Lightning Strikes by Meg Cabot
Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

Congrats everyone and thanks for playing! We'll have another Big Question this coming weekend!

Short is Sweet: Flash Fiction

I used to write with a Flash Fiction group during the summers - when I had time to crunch out a story each week. I highly recommend this group if you enjoy writing flash fiction or want to try it out: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlashXer/

Flash Fiction is a complete story told in under 2000 (or so) words. You may hear it called, short short stories or postcard fiction. Whatever the title, the challenge is to be concise, clear and captivating within the word count constraint. (Whew! How many "c" words are in that sentence?)

I used to love the Monday morning prompts - just a word or phrase that you had to use as inspiration for that week's story. The word can actually appear in your story or just serve as a theme.

In light of my flash fiction reminiscing, I'm offering a prompt and setting the required word count at maximum 150. Wanna play??

Monday's prompt: awaken
Required WC: 150

For an example, here's one I did (98words)- the prompt was: sweet

SACCHARINE

Margaret closed the door on the back of Mr. Franks, eager salesman and minor romantic nuisance.

"Boys?" she trilled. "You can come out now. That fool's gone and left.” The floor shuddered. "I told him to take his fancy flea powder of his outta my house before I lost my temper."

She struggled in the pantry for a time and brought out large sacks of sugar.

"Come and get it..." The floorboards groaned. Thousands of cockroaches streamed up from the depths of the house.

"Ain’t they sweet…" Margaret smiled as her boys dug in.

1k-a-day Day 24

Okay, it's back to school and back to working seriously on my 1k. I wrote a bunch of notes last night but didn't get to typing them. Today I'll be working the new stuff in, so I should be back on track with our challenge. Amazing what a little trip to the city can do to trash your writing schedule.


Tracy's Day 22 and Day 23 total: zip :(

Tracy's overall WC: 18, 078 (gotta get this number moving!)


Mindset: Can't stop now!


Tracy's Day 24 WC: 1134

____

I hear ya, Tracy. What a little down time did for me! Not good. Didn't write, feel horrible about it. There is no excuse. The good news is, I'm playing around with that new story idea. We need to talk!

Tami's Day 22 and Day 23 total: zip for me too.
Tami's overall WC: in the 10,000s but don't have the number with me at work.
Mindset: November is almost over. I need to write, write, write!
Tami's Day 24 WC: will update later

1k-a-day Day 23

Okay folks. Things are not going well for me. Didn't get to write again today. Life is taking over and I need November over. Weird how the pressure gets to my mind. Hope you all had a better Saturday than I did!

Tami's Day 22 WC: 0
Mindset: Need...to...write. This needs to be my motto in the remaining days left. This has been the hardest November for me in the past 4 years. Yikes! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving prep. Making a pumpkin pie from scratch, a tradition in my house. :)
Tami's Day 23 WC: will update

Hope your trip to Edmonton is going well, Tracy! Did you get a chance to write?

___

Write? No. Play? Yes! Got tons of character ideas, too - as we rambled around the artsy part of town. The South Side of Eddy is what I miss the most about the city. But then I get overwhelmed by the cars, the noise, the people and can't wait to get home.

We saw Twilight and while parts of it had energy (baseball scene rocked!), I think they had a tough time bringing all that emotion to the screen without it being a cheese fest.

Tracy's gonna get writing again as soon as she gets home....yup, she is.

Great answers for The Big Question! Keep them coming!