Interview with Amanda Jasper - 'Become an Agent' WINNER!

Woot woot woot! 'Become an Agent' just ended and it was very, very fun. I'm constantly impressed and astounded by the writing community, and this Querypalooza made me even more grateful to have such a community. 

There was one special entry that got the most 'Yes' votes on its first round: Entry 6 by Amanda Jasper!!!! Make sure you read it, because it really sounds like an amazing book.

NOW, INTERVIEW TIME! Here's........Amanda!

1. Fun facts about you: name three!

1. Like Rumilla I’m a huge crafter. I knit and crochet, but I don’t actually spin yarn. Or (sadly) turn it into gold.

2. I really love wizards and have gotten into heated discussions with people about my love of wizards. Once I designed a fake book cover called ‘You guys, Wizards are totally real’.

3. I have a huge collection of dresses, and unless I’m running, I never wear pants. My friends say I’m pretty whimsical.

2. Tell us about your writing/publication experience. How did the drafting go? How do you cope in the querying process?

The first draft of this book just poured out of me. I wrote 75k words in 5 weeks in October of 2013. Then I tackled a big revision on an earlier book, so I put SSG aside. Then I got married, so for a few months (March-May) I wasn’t doing much writing or critiquing at all. I finally tackled revisions from June 2014 - January 2015.

This is my third completed book, but the second I am querying. The first one took almost two years to write a first draft and clocked in at 150k words. So I put it aside because it felt like too huge an undertaking to revise. After that experience I worked really hard on maintaining manageable word counts on my projects.

I find querying challenging, but I think we all do on some level. But it’s the only way to move forward, so onward I go.

3. What/Who keeps you going on this quest for publication, especially if you feel like giving up some times?

Honestly, I feel really lucky because I have so many people in my life who are supportive of me. First, my husband who encouraged me to write again after a 10 year battle with writers block. My sister who reads all my books, and pretends to love them. And I have two amazing critique partners who mean the world to me. My friends and coworkers are all behind me too, which is a relief because some days are harder than others so it helps to have a support network. Also I live in Seattle and they sell craft beer at gas stations… (can I say that? is that ok for a YA writer to say? Don’t drink underage kids! but when you do grow up only drink decent beer.)

4. What is your favorite book? Genre? Author? Also, what writer would you most love to be compared to?

This is like picking between hundreds of my own children. I’m a huge reader and I just love books so much. But my favorites are probably (this is really hard!) House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski, A Door into Ocean by Joan Slonczewski, the ‘Wheel of Time’ series by Robert Jordan, and Ruins of Ambrai by Melanie Rawn. Those are the books I go back to the most.

My two favorite writers are Ursula K. LeGuin and Joan Slonczewki, they’ve both had such a huge influence on me, they’re my heroes!

In terms of genre, I love Sci-fi and fantasy in any age category. I’m a huge YA reader, and I think YA is amazing as well, especially some of the sci-fi/fantasy stuff that is out now. Honestly, if anyone reading this wants book recommendations, or to talk about books message me, or friend me on Goodreads. :)

5. What are your long-term and short-term goals, writing-wise?

When I first started, my goal was to get published, but in the years since, I've change my focus. Now my goals, long and short term are focused on craft. I have a BFA in Design which really taught me about process and focus, and I’m always trying to apply that to my writing. I’d like to craft deeper characters and learn how to build big and immersive worlds, places that feel real.

My other long term goal is to not stop. I had writers block for ten years and even though I loved my life during those years, I really felt like something was missing. So every day when I sit down to write I feel like I’ve won.

6. How was your experience in Become an Agent? What part of the contest did you find the best, and what part did you find the hardest? Anything to tell the other entrants?

I entered Become an Agent because I honestly thought my husband would divorce me if I made him read draft 300 of my query. I was in need of fresh eyes on my query, and to figure out the weak spots. I’m obsessed with feedback, and I love hearing what absolutely isn’t working. I had four years of incredibly tough critiques when I was in art school, which taught me how to separate myself from criticism of my work. The best part of this contest was all the feedback, especially from people not in the contest, I’m so grateful that they came here and gave their time to critique. The hardest part was saying no to the other amazing entries. There were so many good queries and first pages in this contest, I wanted to read basically everything.

7. What would be a dream review for any of your books? Meaning, what would you LOVE for someone to say about your writing/stories?

The only thing I really want is for someone to say that my book is their favorite book. If I could reach one person with my writing that would be enough for me. Books have had such a huge huge huge impact on my life and I want my stories to live on in the same way. So if even one person (who isn’t my friend Gwyn) reads my book and loves it, I’ll be happy.

 Amanda Jasper has been telling stories since she was old enough to speak. She holds a BFA in Graphic Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Amanda currently works as a designer for university, creating ads, web pages and billboards. She lives in Seattle WA, with her husband, one normal sized cat and one extra huge cat. In her spare time Amanda enjoys obsessing over TV shows, playing video games, and forcing everyone around her to read her favorite YA novels.

Please please please, congratulate her on Twitter  and take a look at her Tumblr! CONGRATS AMANDA!!! Can't wait to see what you do.

AND A MESSAGE TO EVERYONE: If you get a success story because of 'Become an Agent', no matter what that success is or how late it comes, I want to hear about it! *glares at everyone* I'm expecting emails.

Congrats again Amanda!

Interview with Nikki Roberti - Become an Agent WINNER!

I'm very very excited because here, for you today, is the awesome Nikki Roberti. She recently won the Become an Agent Querypalooza (as we've renamed it). And today is Pitch Wars submissions day, too. Hopefully this interview will help keep your mind off of it as you press the submit buttons!

The interview is seven questions because seven is awesome Harry Potter number and so it has to be seven :)

1. Fun facts about you: name three!

1) I am a pretty gnarly balloon sculptor. Once made a full size bike as a bribe for a kid at summer camp.
2) When I was 18, four of my theatrical pieces I wrote were performed at the Kennedy Center in DC
3) I once got punched by a photographer while covering a Michelle Obama event in DC as a journalist because I had the better spot.

2. Tell us about your writing/publication experience. How did the drafting go? How do you cope in the querying process?

My writing/publication experience is pretty varied with most of it being 12 years of published journalism experience (which I still do as a writer at an international non profit). After years of interviewing people, I started channeling my familiarity with dialogue into plays. I've had short pieces performed from coast to coast with a monologue also being performed in a studio off broadway in NYC. I took a break from playwriting to focus on my journalism career, but in 2012 I needed a creative outlet again and started writing full-length novels.

I've written four complete novels so far, but THE TRUTH ABOUT TWO SHOES is the first one I've really felt struck a chord within myself and even among other people who have volunteered to read it for me. I started writing this while working with Stark Contrast Editing on my light sci fi, THE CURED, because I was 1) learning so much about what I did wrong with my other book and 2) and I just needed a break. I was dealing with some pretty serious frustrations on numerous levels and worked it into this YA contemporary. My goal was to apply what I learned working with my editor on my other book and see if my writing improved.

As far as querying goes, I've learned a lot since I wrote my first book. I've had some nibbles over the past two years, but no agent yet on those projects. THE TRUTH ABOUT TWO SHOES is still new, so I haven't really put it out there yet. I'm hoping maybe this one will grab some attention. When it comes to coping...lots of chocolate, and my therapists named "Ben & Jerry" (Phish food is the best flavor ever).

3. What/Who keeps you going on this quest for publication, especially if you feel like giving up some times?
It's definitely discouraging at times, but writing is what I'm meant to do, and it's who I am. I can't imagine not writing. And since it's such an integral part of my life, rejection has no ability to tear my determination away from me. It will happen when the time is right. In the meantime, I'll keep at it.

4. What is your favorite book? Genre? Author? Also, what writer would you most love to be compared to?
I love ALL YA. I just love reading teen books because it transports me to a time I want to escape to. Favorite book is so hard!!! I'd have to say "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman. I nearly used excerpts in my wedding, I loved it so much. It made me laugh and feel things in a way nothing had at that point in my life.

I don't know which writer I'd want to be compared to. I have such a huge respect for so many, but at the same time, I hope one day I can just be known for my work. If I had to pick one, I'd say John Green because of how he can make people laugh in dark situations, and that's how I've always tried to focus my books on even before I ever read one of his.

5. What are your long-term and short-term goals, writing-wise?

Short-term, my goal is to make my deadlines at work this week! Kidding aside, I really hope to query THE TRUTH ABOUT TWO SHOES more this year and see where it goes into the New Year.

Long-term, I want to eventually freelance full time instead of having a day job. I freelance for various magazines and websites now while writing my books when I get home, but I would love to have an office at home where I could focus on my projects and editing clients more.

6. How was your experience in Become an Agent? What part of the contest did you find the best, and what part did you find the hardest? Anything to tell the other entrants?

My experience with Become an Agent was an interesting, but definitely a beneficial ride. I really appreciated the thoughtful critiques people gave me. But I was very confused by some of the conflicting notes and by the fact that for some reason, more people commented in general on mine than any others. At one point I thought maybe I had both more nos than anyone too. But overall, it really taught me how subjective the industry is and how people can have a strong reaction either way-- but that's better than no reaction at all. I'm definitely going to mull over a lot of the constructive feedback I received and see if I can apply it before Pitch Wars, but I also definitely learned that in the end, I have to trust my gut since people will be split.

To the other entrants, thank you for your thoughtful critiques and good luck on your projects too! I loved reading your entries, and it was so hard to only vote Yes on two. You all are so amazingly talented, and I predict good things for all of us in the future.

7. What would be a dream review for any of your books? Meaning, what would you LOVE for someone to say about your writing/stories?

I actually got a review from a beta recently that made me all sorts of weepy in a way I don't think I'll ever see again (or at least, I can't fathom happening any time soon). While my book is not Christian lit, my main character in THE TRUTH ABOUT TWO SHOES is a Christian who is widely persecuted by other Christians. However, as she struggles outwardly and inwardly throughout the plot, she remains true to herself and what she believes in. The plot is not reliant on this piece of characterization, but one beta approached me later saying that it really resonated with him how awful the supposedly "nice Christians" were to her, and it made him start visiting churches again since he saw that there is a difference between mainstream religion and personal faith. The idea anything I write could help people on their journey to asking questions or finding out more about themselves in any way is a privilege I don't even feel honored enough to accept. But it meant the world to me that he said my book helped him want to take steps toward learning more about something that had been weighing on him for some time.

Nikki Roberti Miller has more than 12 years of published journalism experience spanning newspapers, magazines, newswires, and more. Currently, she is a full-time writer for an international relief non profit and a freelancer for various magazines and websites including Engagement 101, WeTV.com and iVillage.com. As an editor, she was invited to present her theories on the mentor-mentee writer relationship at the 2011 International Writing Center Conference and also started her own online magazine, REALITY Check Girl, back in 2009. For fun, she's a recreational balloon sculptor who loves to cook and go to the theater with her husband.

Twitter
Instagram
Blog
Website

I loved loved those answers. Thank you so much Nikki for submitting and doing this interview! Good luck with everything and be sure to tell me if anything exciting happens.

This is also a call for EVERYONE that submitted/participated in Become an Agent. If you get a success story because of the Querypalooza, I WANT TO HEAR IT! Make sure you Tweet me, email me, anything, because success stories make my day :)

Interview with Tiffanie Lynn - Become an Agent WINNER!

I've got an awesome interview up for you guys to read today! It's with Tiffanie, the one who on the recent 'Become an Agent' contest with her entry, TAINTED LOVE.

But, before that: TO EVERY ENTRANT: I WANT TO HEAR ANY/ALL SUCCESS STORIES YOU GET. Email me at SC_Author (at) yahoo (dot) com and SEND ME THE SUCCESS STORIES WHEN YOU GET THEM! It can be getting a publication deal, getting an agent, or heck, even getting a full request. But success stories seriously are amongst my jewels on this blog. I love them, and I love hearing about them. SO SHARE!

ON TO THE INTERVIEW! (I do 7-question interviews as much as I can, because 7 is the Harry Potter lucky number!)

1. Fun facts about you: name three!

Hmm… I always forget facts about me when asked a question like this. Well, I can think of one you’ll love, SC. Despite being in the right age group, I’ve never read a single word of the Harry Potter series. (GASP.) I know. Blasphemy! I figure I’ll read them one day. Maybe in German…

That can be my second fact! I decided to learn German and hope to one day travel to Germany. I’m still far from being fluent. Actually, the only thing I can think of to say is “nicht gut” (“not good”), which pretty much describes my fluency.

My third fact is kind of sad. I wasn’t first inspired to write by JK Rowling, like most my age, but instead by Stephenie Meyer. Eck! I was around sixteen at the time and decided I wanted to be a published author. Luckily for me, it was a choice that stuck because I love stories.

2. Tell us about your writing/publication experience. How did the drafting go? How do you cope in the querying process?

I started writing my first real book (a YA Fantasy) in November 2010 and finished the rough draft in January 2012. I sent out the first batch of queries five months later in June. But the query was a disaster and the book wasn’t ready. I joined some sites like Absolute Write and AgentQuery Connect, but lost hope around October and didn’t look at my writing again until January 2013.

Up until November 2013, I was still working on Book #1 (which had become a NA Fantasy), trying to write a coherent query and fix problems throughout the manuscript. But it occurred to me that I’d never find an agent with Book #1 because the concept was too hard to sell. So I’ve put it away with plans to rewrite it as a futuristic high fantasy.

I’m currently on the first draft of Tainted Love. I hate first drafts. I love the planning stage (I’m a plotter) and anything second draft or above. First drafts just take so long for me to finish. But my goal is to be query-ready by the start of August 2014.

3. What/Who keeps you going on this quest for publication, especially if you feel like giving up some times?

Well, I did give up once. But creating other worlds and spending time in them is what I love to do. I’ll always be a writer. And since it’s what I love, it only makes sense to try to pursue it as a career. When that’s not enough motivation (like when the query rejections start pouring in), I try to think how happy I’ll be the day I get to hold my own book. I don’t look at it like a dream that may never come true. I tell myself it will happen. If not with the current book, maybe with the one after it. Or the one after that. But one day I will be published. If I doubted that, I’d probably give up for good. (Same here.)

4. What is your favorite book? Genre? Author? Also, what writer would you most love to be compared to?

My favorite genre is fantasy. But favorite book and author? Ahh… I don’t know if I really have one. I’ve read Katie MacAlister’s and Karen Chance’s fantasy series multiple times. They’d probably top the list of my favorite authors.  My favorite book changes. Right now it’s Chloe Neill’s Biting Bad, the eighth book in the Chicagoland Vampires series. The ninth just came out a few days ago and I plan to devour it the moment I get my hands on a copy.

5. What are your long-term and short-term goals, writing-wise?

Ha. They’re both the same right now: get published and get published. I guess my short-term goal is a little more specific. I hope to get Tainted Love published.

6. How was your experience in Become an Agent? Anything to tell the other entrants?

I got the most yeses, so there’s that. But what was more important to me was discovering what worked and what didn’t work in my query and first 250. The most common criticism was to remove the clichéd “world stands still” line. I purposefully meant it to be clichéd (Ya know, true love at first sight) but I’ll have to rewrite it somehow so an agent doesn’t reject my query based on it.

To the other entrants: “Everybody has won and all must have prizes.” This contest wasn't about who had the most amazing query and first 250, but about getting constructive feedback to make your work the most amazing it could be. I read and critiqued every entry and all had potential. Some just were closer to being query-ready than others. (YES. YES YES YES!!)

7. What would be a dream review for any of your books? Meaning, what would you LOVE for someone to say about your writing/stories?

My favorite novels are ones that stay with me for days after being read. Having someone say they’re still thinking about my book, and all the twists and turns it took, a week after finishing would be the greatest compliment I could receive. It would probably make me cry.

Thanks again, SC, for hosting this contest. And I wish all the other entrants (and any aspiring writer reading this) the best of luck in their publishing journey! I can’t wait to see your books on shelves :D

NOW. YOU ALL MUST GO and Follow/Tweet her on Twitter, check out her website AND her blog! Go do it! Go do it now!!!!

Hope you all enjoyed the interview! Congrats again, Tiffanie! Best of luck with you and your journey (and be sure to tell us any new successes!).

'Become an Agent' Winner and Revision Opportunity!

Become an Agent 2014 has officially ended!!!!!!

The votes have been tallied (by me, thank you, thank you) and the winner is TAINTED LOVE by Tiffanie Lynn! I'll be posting an interview with her this Monday, and tomorrow (Friday) I'll do a detailed analysis on why her entry won the contest. Basically, what made her query and 250 so good?

So until then, KEEP AN EYE ON THIS BLOG!

More on that later!

Everyone that participated in the contest (even Tiffanie) has the opportunity to submit a revised version of their query and 250. The revisions will come from the feedback gotten from this contest.

All you have to do is open your own entry post. Then, in a comment, post your revised query and 250. I'll be tracking the comments. Those that have posted revisions, I'll list below. (I'll try to do it as fast as possible; if I'm really slow, just comment on this blog post giving me a heads up with your post number :D)

Those with Revisions

#4 GLASS HAND
#5 NIGHT WITCH
#6 RUST&BLUE
#7 TAINTED
#10 ALL IS DARK
#11 WRAPPED IN DARKNESS
#12 CAPTAIN
#17 DREAM CRASHER
#18 REMEMBER
#19 THE FLAME WARS
#20 EXQUISITE SENSES

Same rules apply for voting etiquette, except now you can give as many Yes's as you want (way too hard to track with a changing number of revisions). As always, be constructive. Don't be brutally harsh. There's a smaller number of entries now so take your time to tell them what they did right in their query and 250 as well :) I feel that it's almost as important knowing what's working as knowing what's not working.

Be sure to return the favor if your revision gets a critique! If you have posted a revision and are critiquing someone else's revision, make sure to include your post number in your critique so the writer has an easier time finding your post.

I AM EXCITED.

Now that the contest is over, it's the time for feedback for me. In the end, all I want to know is: How was the contest? Any suggestions for the next time? Be as honest as you need to be.

CONGRATS TIFFANIE!!! And congrats everyone else for taking so much time to critique the other entries and being so amazingly thoughtful in your critiques :)

Go congratulate Tiffanie on Twitter!