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September 1st, 2008 (05:04 pm)

I know, it's hard to believe, but I'm posting a second time in one day.

No, the world isn't coming to an end.

I just finished reading a book that left me feeling cheated. The last page is in the middle of the climax. Now don’t get me wrong, I love to be pulled into the world a writer has created and to want to keep reading to learn more about the characters. I want to feel like I’m right there with them. To be completely enveloped in their world. I’m equally as excited when I find out a second book is being published and I’ll be able to jump into another story with familiar characters. But, and this is a big but for me, after devoting myself to nearly 500 pages, I want there to be a conclusion when I reach the last page. I can’t decide if I want to buy the next book in this series. I could see if the library has it, but do I want to devote myself to another 500 pages to find out the next book doesn’t end either?

Is it just me? While leaving a book dangle at page four hundred and eighty-something is one tactic to use to get readers to buy the next book, is it the right way?

I have a novel that I could end this way – leaving the reader dangling right at the climax. I didn't, but it would make a great opening to a second book. I know it would. And the reader would have to buy the next book to know how the first book ends. But, if I’m fortunate enough to see this book published, wouldn’t the reader feel the way I do now?

Maybe it’s just me. **Big sigh**

(no subject)

September 1st, 2008 (01:21 pm)

I’m patiently waiting for replies to my queries. Really, very patiently.

But it’s so hard, you know?

I have received a few responses. One agent requested more and one said my writing shows real potential. Funny how that can lift your spirits, even when the agent says the story isn’t for them. Only a writer, or someone close to a writer, can understand that.

I read through the novel this weekend. One last time, just to be sure I tied up all the loose ends and caught any typos. I have my envelope ready to take to the post office. And, I’m back to not thinking about it.

Honest.

Today is proving to be a lazy day. I think everyone needs one of those now and then. I might even have time to curl up with a book and read for a while. That will take my mind off my submissions. (Oops… I was forgetting about them.)

I’ve been watching Gustav on the news and my prayers go out to those in or near Louisiana.

Hope everyone is enjoying Labor Day.

(no subject)

August 25th, 2008 (05:13 pm)

current mood: happy

My week is off to a good start. To sum it up in under 250-words…

We had a really nice Sunday, which included a stroll through the Botanical Garden, shopping in Geneva, a visit to Anderson Books, and lunch at a cute little restaurant not far from the bookstore.

Today I worked a normal 8-hour day and I actually took a lunch. (Doing a happy dance over here.) I work full-time and with others out on vacation I swear I put in three weeks worth of hours in the last two weeks. I haven’t actually added it up because there is no point in depressing myself since I don’t get paid overtime.

This weekend I finished proofing my YA vampire novel and I sent off several queries to agents who have either requested to see more of my work in the past or I’d really like to work with so I just keep trying. If anyone can spare some good vibes, please send them my way!

I received an encouraging rejection from an agent who had requested a partial of Cursed. It included comments like ‘this book is close to the mark’ and ‘your effort is obvious on every page of this project’. Well I wished it didn’t include the word ‘unfortunately’, it was really nice to hear it was close.

Oh, and our boys were looking forward to their second week of school. Always a plus.

And that’s the beginning of my week in under 250-words. Thanks for stopping by.

(no subject)

August 9th, 2008 (09:48 pm)

current mood: peaceful

We went to a Japanese Garden in Rockford today. I just found out it’s there and it’s very beautiful, and very peaceful. I could have set cross-legged in front of the waterfall all afternoon. My pictures really don’t do it justice, but I thought I’d share a couple of them.

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July 27th, 2008 (08:34 pm)

Why is it the AC always goes out on holidays and weekends? It hit 85 degrees in our house by Saturday evening. That was with the windows open. We called the repair man this morning. Of course, by the time he got to our house the AC was working. Did you know if you are low on freon the coil can freeze forming a block of ice that blocks the air from being able to be blown up the vents. By turning off the AC Saturday night we gave the ice time to melt.

You learn something new everyday.

Hope everyone had a cooler weekend than we did. :-)

(no subject)

July 1st, 2008 (07:24 pm)

current mood: silly

This story is too cute not to share. I took our youngest son to the store the other day – to replace the socks that got sucked into the black hole – and he starts to tell me how one of his best friends made up a girlfriend. I’ll call his friend Boy X. Boy X is eight. At first I thought I heard wrong. I mean, Boy X is only eight. My son doesn’t have a girlfriend, but he does have a lot of friends that are girls. As far as I know, none of their friends have girlfriends. So I’m really not sure why Boy X felt it was important that he did. Maybe because Boy X is a little over a year younger than the other boys, he thought a girlfriend is a must when you are in forth grade.

Anyway, Boy X kept this lie up for a couple of months. He did lots of fun things with his imaginary girlfriend. He knew her favorite color and food. (How sweet is he!) She even loved skateboarding (which so happens to be my son’s absolute favorite thing to do). When Boy X finally admitted to my son he made her up, he said he did it because he wanted my son to like him.

It could just be me, but at eight-years-old my imaginary friends included a couple of fairies, a friendly witch, and people I saw on television I thought were cool or I wanted to be like. Dreaming up my perfect boyfriend didn’t come until junior high and even then I kept him to myself.

Anyway, my son proceeds to tell me he told Boy X that he doesn’t need to make up girls or anyone else to be his friend. He liked Boy X for who he is. How grown up is that?

Kids can be so silly and so cool and so grown up. Cherie

Children

June 25th, 2008 (01:45 pm)

My nine-year-old stepson has been here for the past couple of weeks. There are a few things one quickly forgets when they have teens:

1) There is no such thing as sneaking out quickly with children. I was supposed to be working (hence my need to sneak). I know he can be quick, but OMG if he walked any slower we’d still be in the parking lot!

2) Don’t give them a large chocolate chip cookie to eat in front of the television and actually expect them to be neat. I sucked up all the crumbs this morning.

3) Socks go into a black whole. We aren’t sure exactly where this black whole is, but it must be between his bed and the hamper 5 feet away.

4) If you forget to tell them they did a great job putting their bowl in the dishwasher, odds are the next bowl will be left in the sink.

5) He may be the smallest person in the house, but he sneaks out of bed like a small heard of elephants running away from a mouse.

6) They love to help. Add additional time to everything you do.

7) As soon as you are busy, they are hungry and want something they can’t get by themselves.

8) They tell the funniest stories. I do enjoy that!

9) He’ll be ten soon; double digits as he called it.

10) The hamper of a young child who has played outside half the day smells worse than a teenager’s gym uniform.

I bet all the moms and dads of young children can probably add to this list.

What would you be called if you were a fairy?

May 18th, 2008 (06:21 pm)

Yes, I often wonder odd things like what would my name be if I was a fairy? What would I look like? And even, where would I live?

And wouldn't you know the www would have the answer!

Here are my results:

Your fairy is called Thorn Hailglitter

She is a protector of the lonely.

She lives in brambles and blackberry bushes.

She is only seen in the light of a shooting star.

She wears purple and green like berries and leaves. She has cheery turquoise wings like a butterfly.

You can find your fairy name at
http://www.emmadavies.net/fairy/default.aspx?firstname=&lastname=&submit=Find+My+Fairy+Name

(no subject)

March 21st, 2008 (07:30 pm)

Tags: agents, editors, response times

current mood: anxious

Wow, has it really been that long since I posted? I guess I’m better at reading my friends pages than I am at posting. I didn’t get quite as much writing done as I would have liked, and I didn’t get any responses on my queries. I was hoping to get one or two. The waiting is killing me, so I made a quick list of what I have out there.

Witch novel: 1 full and 4 queries out to agents/editors I met or heard speak at the SCBWI conference. Since I queried a few editors, I keep reminding myself their response times are longer, but it’s going on 3 or 4 months now.

Vampire novel: a query to the editor I had my critique with at the conference and 3 agents who I emailed in January. Not sure if I’m going to hear back from the agents.

On my werewolf novel I sent 5 email queries in the beginning of March and received 1 quick not for me. Lots of body parts crossed I get one or two requests back.

To pass the time and help me forget about the waiting, I’d love to hear from other writers. If you have an agent, how did you find your agent and how long were you writing before you signed with them?

For those still looking for an agent, what sort of timeframe are you giving for email queries before you consider it a rejection or do you allow X number of weeks and resend? How many agents/editors do you queries at one time? Me, I usually query 4 or 5.

(no subject)

February 25th, 2008 (09:01 pm)

I attended Anderson’s Bookshops Children’s Literature Breakfast this past weekend. The Spatulatta Sisters showed us how to make their spinach and cheese scrambled eggs and Mom’s a star toast. They are delightful and funny and their cookbook looks like it is packed with great recipes for kids. If you have kids old enough to help in the kitchen, check out their website, http://www.spatulatta.com/ .

Kevin Henkes read from his new novel, Bird Lake Moon. He is the author of several books, including Lilly’s Big Day. Richard Peck (A Year Down Yonder and A Long Way from Chicago) ended the conference with an insightful and witty speech. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of hearing authors speak.

I got to meet Laura Ruby. I really enjoyed her novel The Wall and the Wing so I was excited when she sat at our table. We also had the opportunity to meet Blue Balliett (Chasing Vermeer), Jim Aylesworth (Little Bitty Mousie), and Betsy Herne (Hauntings: Tales of Danger, Love, and Sometimes Loss). Each shared a bit about their life and writing process.

I always enjoy listening to others tell their success stories, how they work, or even how they came up with an idea for a new book. I think Richard Peck said it best, every story starts with “What if…”

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