Monthly Archives: September 2011

September 20, 2011 · 8:33 am

A New Publishing Category?

I love this, because it pertains to me.  “Upper YA/New Adult (17-22 yo protags) that will appeal to crossover audiences.”  I’ve been finding this in the submissions area for publishers lately.  I’ve been struggling with one of my novels because I wrote it to be Young Adult, but many beta readers felt that it was just a smidge too high of the category.  However, in the respect of intimacy and language, when comparing it to other Paranormal YA giants out there, my manuscript looked like a kitten compare to a lion.

But now I know where I belong.  The New Adult category for crossover audiences.  Yay!  These categories are pretty empty at the moment, and publishers have sent out the call.  Will you be my competition?  😉

3 Comments

Filed under Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, The Writing World

September 16, 2011 · 6:42 am

He Burped, She Screamed

Tag lines, what are they?

“I don’t want to,” he said.

“Well, too bad,”  she chirped

“You can’t make me,” he groaned.

“I’ll sit on your face if you don’t,” she laughed.

“I hate you,” he sneered.

“Yeah, but you love me, too,” she pouted.

See the pattern?  I did this on my first manuscript years ago.  I hang my head for the poor agent that waded through that first draft and pointed it out.  So what’s the protocol for tag lines?  One per page is preferred. Two is okay from time to time.  Three is pushing it.  And anything more is just tripping up your pacing.

When you have a conversation between two people you can usually follow who is speaking.  One good way to point out who is talking is have them perform an action.

“I don’t want to.”  Jimmy turned his back on her.

“Well, too bad.”  Sarah held up the needle and tested the plunger.  A clear liquid spurted out and dribbled down the side.

His face drained of blood as he watched.  “You can’t make me.”

“I’ll sit on your face if you don’t.”  She giggled with memories of playing football with him as children.  He was mortified she could wrestle him down and crush his face with her bony butt.

Hopefully this helps those of you getting started writing.  Good Luck!

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Filed under Flow of Life