Blogger Awards

Over the last few weeks, I’ve received blogger awards from the fabulous Rachel, Summer, and Kim.  Thank you!  I appreciate it and I am grateful to have met such great writer friends.

I’m generally a rule follower, for the most part, but since this has been such a busy summer, I’m simply going to give you the seven random bits about me.  
 

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1. I refuse to litter. How difficult is it to throw something out?! My son is already on board with this and points out whenever someone has broken this law- seriously, it’s a law, people.

2. I have so many allergies, I can't drink alcohol and I can't wear earrings.  If I do, red becomes the predominant color on my face and ears and I fire up in record time.

3. I love to travel and have seen some big events.  I’ve been to the Olympics, Wimbledon, the Home Run Derby, a Pro Football Hall of Fame induction, the greatest comeback in NFL history, and a Presidential inauguration.  A Super Bowl is on my list, but I’m waiting for the rebirth of the Bills.  I see your laughter and I raise you four consecutive Super Bowls.  It’s harder than you think.

4. I will watch Friends and Seinfeld anytime they're on.  They are STILL funny.  Every. Single. Time.

5. I hate when people don't use their blinkers, but even worse is when people throw cigarettes out the window.  I find myself wishing I had a secret badge and could call in the license plate for an immediate fine. 

6. I have been a vegetarian for 25 years. The easiest way I’ve found to explain my answer to “Well, do you eat . . .?” is this- nothing with eyes or a mother.

7. I love to keep in touch with old friends. How cool to have known your best friends since Kindergarten.  I’m very lucky to have amazing friends and friendships that have grown stronger over the years.

There you have it.  I little bit about me.  Please be sure to check out the blogs of the wonderful writers listed above. 

Smile

Who and Where are You at Write On Con?

editing*Photo by Jenny Kaczorowski 
(Creative Commons License & she’d like you to use her photos!) 

Write On Con doesn’t officially start until next week, but the forums are already in full swing!  I have friends set up and I’m trying to follow twitter links, but I thought it would be helpful for people to post here and keep it all in one place.  (See my post on Ten Tips for Write On Con here.)

So, if you’d like everyone to come find you and comment on your posts, please leave any or all of the following in a comment . . .

Your real name
Your twitter handle
**Your Write On Con forum user name
What genre you write
A one line pitch

**Links to your posts in the forums (query, first 250, first 5 pages, synopsis)
Links to your website or blog

SmileYou’ll find me over there as myidea!  And I’m @writeforapples on twitter.

Ten Tips for Write On Con 2012

I participated in this awesome conference last year, so I thought I’d share a few tips for those joining in on the fun at Write On Con 2012- August 14th & 15th.

laptop and coffee*Photo by Manu Mohan

1.  Sign up for the newsletter and the forums.  You should do this before the conference even begins.  You can even start posting in the forums.

2. There are threads to post your query and first 250 words. (You can also post a synopsis and first 5 pages.) This is a great chance to get feedback on your work.  You can also edit based on comments and get additional feedback on the new versions.

3.  If you put up both a query and the first 250 words, make sure they link to each other so people can find them easily.  (Of course, include the synopsis or first 5 pages if you do those too.)  Because, let’s face it, when you read a great query, you want to read more!

Here’s how-

Once you have both posts up, copy the urls and paste them on Notepad or in Word.  Go back and edit your posts and add something at the bottom like, “Read the first 250 words here” with a link to the post.

4.  You can also add links in your signature and you should.  That means people can find all of your work, whether it’s your own post or when you comment on someone else’s.  You can also add your title and pitch.  Last year, my signature line looked like this.

MG Query ~ MG First 250 ~ PB Query

www.teachersidea.com ~ @writeforapples ~ www.writeforapples.com

Here’s how-

Go to Forum Actions, then Edit Profile.  Under My Settings on the left, choose Edit Signature.  (You’ll need those urls you copied above.)  Whenever you post or make a comment, make sure you have the box checked to insert signature.

5. Comment in the forums!  It’s so much fun to read everyone’s work and you get to help them out at the same time. 

Again, make sure you link to to your query, first 250 words, and website/blog/twitter handle so people can find you and return the favor.

6. Check the schedule.  There are so many great things that go on on during this conference.  Seriously.  There are live chats, where you can ask questions or simply lurk, pitch opportunities, and plenty of chances to learn.

It’s all still available later if you can’t be there for it, but some things are time sensitive.

7.  Don’t forget the giveaways! They had some fantastic prizes last year.

8.  Want to know when and where the ninja agents are lurking?  At the bottom of the forum and the sub-forums (MG, YA, etc.) it shows who is online.  Look for “Ninja Agent ______.”  You can also go to Quick Links and then Who’s Online?

OR Go to Community and Member List.  Find the ninja agents and go to each profile page.  It will tell you their current activity, including what they’re doing at that moment.  If you choose “find all posts” you can see where they’ve commented.

9.  Take a few notes.  This is a great opportunity to get that personal first line when you send out your query letter.  Look for those tidbits from agents during chats and forum posts and let them know you learned a lot from them at Write On Con!  It’s also a great way to help you find agents that might be interested in your work.  (Some agents who are closed to queries will let you submit as a conference attendee.)

10.  Have fun!  I learned so much last year, got great feedback, and met some fantastic writers.  I won’t be looking for an agent this year (Soooo happy to have signed with the amazing Kerry Sparks!- story here.), but I’m still really looking forward to the conference.

And by the way, it’s all FREE! 

I hope to see you there!  (Stop by and say hello- I’m myidea.)

Smile