It's time for Flash Fiction Friday again!
Here's the gist. Each week, one of us we'll give you some kind of writing prompt--it won't always be stories, just something to get those creative juices flowing. If you want to participate, just leave your link in the comments and we'll stop by and see your work. Easy, right??
This week's prompt is: "Take any minor/background character in your novel and give them their own wacky, mini adventure. In 300 words or less, start the scene in media res and end with a cliffhanger. No resolution."
Contributor's submissions:
Michael
Holly
Leave your link in the comments!
Showing posts with label flash fiction friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flash fiction friday. Show all posts
Friday, April 1, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Flash Fiction Friday #3
It's time for Flash Fiction Friday again!
Here's the gist. Each week, one of us we'll give you some kind of writing prompt--it won't always be stories, just something to get those creative juices flowing. If you want to participate, just leave your link in the comments and we'll stop by and see your work. Easy, right??
This week's prompt is:
Here's the gist. Each week, one of us we'll give you some kind of writing prompt--it won't always be stories, just something to get those creative juices flowing. If you want to participate, just leave your link in the comments and we'll stop by and see your work. Easy, right??
This week's prompt is:
"In 300 words or less, write a story that begins with 'It's not you, it's me...'"
Check out some of our contributors' blogs, and leave your link in the comments!
Super Mom Writes
Writing Possibilities
Next week's prompt is: "Take any minor/background character in your novel and give them their own wacky, mini adventure. In 300 words or less, start the scene in media res and end with a cliffhanger. No resolution."
Super Mom Writes
Writing Possibilities
Next week's prompt is: "Take any minor/background character in your novel and give them their own wacky, mini adventure. In 300 words or less, start the scene in media res and end with a cliffhanger. No resolution."
Friday, March 18, 2011
Flash Fiction Friday #2: Biting the Dust!
Okay, let's give another round of Flash Fiction Friday a shot!
Here's the gist. Each week, one of us we'll give you some kind of writing prompt--it won't always be stories, just something to get those creative juices flowing. If you want to participate, just leave your link in the comments and we'll stop by and see your work. Easy, right??
Oh, and relax...this is all in fun. :)
This week's prompt is:
Here's the gist. Each week, one of us we'll give you some kind of writing prompt--it won't always be stories, just something to get those creative juices flowing. If you want to participate, just leave your link in the comments and we'll stop by and see your work. Easy, right??
Oh, and relax...this is all in fun. :)
This week's prompt is:
In 300 words or less, write a story beginning with the cliche, "Another one bites the dust."
Flash fiction isn't the easiest thing for me, but it was nice to actually write again after taking an unwanted absence. Check out some of our contributors' blogs, and leave your link in the comments!
The prompt for next Friday is: "In 300 words or less, write a story that begins with 'It's not you, it's me...'"
Friday, March 11, 2011
Flash Fiction Friday
Today is the official inauguration of Paper Hangover's Flash Fiction Friday! Here's the deal -- every week a different contributor is going to give you a writing prompt. Something to get the words flowing, get you thinking, and help hone your writing skills. Then, link your post in the comments, and we'll jump around and read everyone's.
It's meant to be fun. You can take the prompt seriously, or have a little fun with it. You're choice. My prompt for you this week:
In 300 words or less, tell us a story beginning with, "That darn cat..."
My entry is called Kitty War.
More entries from our contributor's blogs:
Y(A)? Cuz We Write!
Michael L. Martin Jr.
The prompt for next Friday is: In 300 words or less, write a story beginning with the cliche, "Another one bites the dust."
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tips from the Editors
Hey everyone! My role on our super-awesome new blog is to share the tips and information I gather by attending classes given by kidlit industry insiders such as agents and editors. A perk, aside from all the obvious perks, of living a train ride away from NYC – the publishing capital – is the availability for live, in-person, writing education. I hope you find the information useful!
Most people who write a manuscript dream of one day seeing it in print, but before that can happen an agent or editor needs to read it and agree to take the work on. As we all know the competition is fierce and the slush pile is plentiful. So how can we optimize our chances of getting past the first reader?
Associate Editor, Katherine Jacobs from Roaring Book Press, and Grace Elizabeth Kendall, Editorial Assistant from Blue Sky Press presented at a local SCBWI class, late last year, and offered their personal editorial insights into what makes a manuscript stand out amongst the rest. (Remember that these are the opinions of these two editors in particular and do not represent editors as a whole).
In reference to 1st lines:
· read first lines from well known books, and see how yours compares
· is the voice daring, welcoming, etc.?
· know your character’s voice
In reference to 1st chapter:
· who are your characters?
· introduce plot elements
· everything in book is introduced here
· what is at stake in the manuscript?
Don’t:
· begin with dialogue
· use sensory details like: “the alarm went off…” to begin a manuscript
· use passive verbs
· begin with the word “It”
· overuse body language: “heart raced,” “hard left,” etc.
· use flashback in first chapter
· use contrive devices, such as journals, and writing assignments
· be repetitious with words, emotions, or sentence structures
Do:
· vary your language (in reference to repetition)
· hook in first line
· know your character
When writing a query or cover letter there are things the editors remind us of, as well. Do your homework. Make sure to include titles that are similar to your manuscript, perhaps even something that the editor you are querying has worked on. Do not include Twilight or Harry Potter as books comparable to your own.
You can research editors using Literary Marketplace. Reading the acknowledgment page at the end of a book can be useful. Find out what the editor loves, thoughtfulness goes a long way.
Once you’ve picked an agent or editor to query be sure to address the letter to them specifically and have the correct spelling. Follow the submission guidelines as instructed on the editor's website.
· what is your selling line?
· talk about your manuscript succinctly
· include target audience (PB, MG, YA, etc.)
· don’t over-pitch your story
Also include any relevant information about yourself, in relationship to your story. If you wrote a story about a beauty pageant contestant and you were Miss Teen USA include that, but don’t include it if your manuscript is about an archeology dig in Egypt.
Did you earn an MFA, attend conferences or workshops? Are you a member of SCBWI? Include it. Do not let your query or cover letter exceed 1 page.
We’ve all seen some of these do’s and don’ts appear in some of your favorite (or not so favorite) books. So take what you will from this list and remember that good writing, and a good story trump most rules. (That’s my opinion, not there’s).
Don’t forget about Flash Fiction Friday starting this week. Our 1st topic: In 300 words or less, tell us a story beginning with, "That darn cat..." Post your entry on your blog on Friday, include a link in the comments section and everyone will take a look.
Monday, March 7, 2011
First up...Kirsten Hubbard author of Like Mandarin
Welcome to our FIRST EVER author interview on Paper Hangover, for our inaugural post, in conjunction with our birthday book giveaway last week, and the release of the fabulous debut LIKE MANDARIN - Delacorte/Random House - I am honored to have author Kirsten Hubbard with us this week.
Kirsten’s debut Like Mandarin is released tomorrow, March 8th, she took five to give us an inside look at the life of a debut author.
Adrienne: Your agent called you, offered you representation, you screamed, cried, danced around and hugged everyone including the mail man. What is life like after the dust settles on your new agented life?
Kirsten: Everything’s all about revisions! Getting that first revisions letter is totally intimidating, especially if you have a very editorial agent, like mine. But it prepares you for even scarier letters from your editor down the line. There’s also this whole getting to know each other stage: figuring out how casual you can be with one another, how much you can joke, each other’s communications and revisions styles, etc. Early on, I didn’t know how my agent would react when I disagreed with some of her revisions suggestions – I was so nervous! But she was great about emphasizing they really were suggestions, and in every case, we figured out great solutions we agreed upon.
Adrienne: Your agent calls you again...this time that editor you’ve both had your eye on is excited to take on your new book. I’m assuming there’s a repeat of the above emotions, and spontaneous hugging. Does your life start to get harder as you venture towards publication, with all the demands on your time?
Kirsten: It wasn’t so hard, at first. When Like Mandarin sold, it could have been a fall 2010 debut, or a spring 2011 debut, and my publisher ultimately decided upon spring. So throughout the whole process, I had a lot of extra time for revisions and copyedits and so forth. Toward the end, when Like Mandarin stuff started overlapping with revisions on my second contracted book, Wanderlove, while I was also rough drafting my third – then I felt busy. But none of it even holds a candle to how busy I’ve been in the weeks before release.
Adrienne: In the months and weeks leading up to publication what is a typical day like?
Kirsten: Packed from morning to evening with a thousand nagging feelings. There’s just a lot of outstanding stuff. I always have this sense people are waiting on me – bloggers waiting for interviews, guest posts I’ve promised, friends I need to call back, writer pals I need to email. And then there’s launch party planning, and coordinating a bunch of people coming to town, and visiting libraries, and mailing promotional material… the to-do list never gets any shorter. I’m totally not complaining – I love this part! And I know the explosive feeling will taper off after release. But I just have to hope people are understanding when it takes me a few days to get back to them :)
Adrienne: The road to publication is a life long dream for 95% of writers. Any words of wisdom for those who are glaring at the blank screen, those who have a first draft written and are wondering what kind of garbage this is, and those who are suffering the rejections, yet still checking their inbox every six seconds?
Kirsten: For the first: if it’s truly a blank screen, make a list of random things that interest you. Like child beauty pageants. The badlands. Intense female friendships. Small towns. Jackalopes. Some of them should unexpectedly coalesce into an inspiring idea! (The above became Like Mandarin.) You can still do this if you’re partway into a book, or even revising – figure out something that interests you, a subplot, a setting, a character quirk, and work it in there. Fascinate yourself.
For the second: oh my goodness, beta readers! Not optional. Join the forums at Absolute Write and Verla Kay – there are always aspiring writers looking to swap manuscripts. Get at least three. Preferably five. Make sure, above all else, to leave your ego at the door. Critique at this early stage is nothing compared to agent letters, and editor letters, and public reviews.
For the third: write that next book. It’s the best advice I was ever given. Nothing cures rejection blues more than a new project you’re excited about. Promise.
Thank you so much Kirsten for joining us at Paper Hangover, wishing you best of luck tomorrow and in the future.
~
Like Mandarin - It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin.
When they're united for a project, they form an unlikely, explosive friendship, packed with nights spent skinny-dipping in the canal, liberating the town's animal-head trophies, and searching for someplace magic. Grace plays along when Mandarin suggests they run away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their badlands town.
Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty hides a girl who's troubled, broken, and even dangerous. And no matter how hard Grace fights to keep the magic, no friendship can withstand betrayal.
Source:
"A beautifully crafted, bittersweet story about an unlikely friendship that sets two very different people free."
--Melina Marchetta, author of the 2009 Printz Award winner JELLICOE ROAD
Don't go away, we missed an introduction last week! Fridays will mark our 'Flash Fiction Friday.' Each Monday, one of our team will give you a writing prompt, post your entry on your blog on Fridays, link up in the comments section (here on Paper Hangover) and we can all come visit! It's a great way to work on your creativity and meet new bloggers in the process. It doesn't have to be a novel, just 300 or so words, but who knows it may turn into a work-in-progress for you....
Kirsten’s debut Like Mandarin is released tomorrow, March 8th, she took five to give us an inside look at the life of a debut author.
Adrienne: Your agent called you, offered you representation, you screamed, cried, danced around and hugged everyone including the mail man. What is life like after the dust settles on your new agented life?
Kirsten: Everything’s all about revisions! Getting that first revisions letter is totally intimidating, especially if you have a very editorial agent, like mine. But it prepares you for even scarier letters from your editor down the line. There’s also this whole getting to know each other stage: figuring out how casual you can be with one another, how much you can joke, each other’s communications and revisions styles, etc. Early on, I didn’t know how my agent would react when I disagreed with some of her revisions suggestions – I was so nervous! But she was great about emphasizing they really were suggestions, and in every case, we figured out great solutions we agreed upon.
Adrienne: Your agent calls you again...this time that editor you’ve both had your eye on is excited to take on your new book. I’m assuming there’s a repeat of the above emotions, and spontaneous hugging. Does your life start to get harder as you venture towards publication, with all the demands on your time?
Kirsten: It wasn’t so hard, at first. When Like Mandarin sold, it could have been a fall 2010 debut, or a spring 2011 debut, and my publisher ultimately decided upon spring. So throughout the whole process, I had a lot of extra time for revisions and copyedits and so forth. Toward the end, when Like Mandarin stuff started overlapping with revisions on my second contracted book, Wanderlove, while I was also rough drafting my third – then I felt busy. But none of it even holds a candle to how busy I’ve been in the weeks before release.
Adrienne: In the months and weeks leading up to publication what is a typical day like?
Kirsten: Packed from morning to evening with a thousand nagging feelings. There’s just a lot of outstanding stuff. I always have this sense people are waiting on me – bloggers waiting for interviews, guest posts I’ve promised, friends I need to call back, writer pals I need to email. And then there’s launch party planning, and coordinating a bunch of people coming to town, and visiting libraries, and mailing promotional material… the to-do list never gets any shorter. I’m totally not complaining – I love this part! And I know the explosive feeling will taper off after release. But I just have to hope people are understanding when it takes me a few days to get back to them :)
Adrienne: The road to publication is a life long dream for 95% of writers. Any words of wisdom for those who are glaring at the blank screen, those who have a first draft written and are wondering what kind of garbage this is, and those who are suffering the rejections, yet still checking their inbox every six seconds?
Kirsten: For the first: if it’s truly a blank screen, make a list of random things that interest you. Like child beauty pageants. The badlands. Intense female friendships. Small towns. Jackalopes. Some of them should unexpectedly coalesce into an inspiring idea! (The above became Like Mandarin.) You can still do this if you’re partway into a book, or even revising – figure out something that interests you, a subplot, a setting, a character quirk, and work it in there. Fascinate yourself.
For the second: oh my goodness, beta readers! Not optional. Join the forums at Absolute Write and Verla Kay – there are always aspiring writers looking to swap manuscripts. Get at least three. Preferably five. Make sure, above all else, to leave your ego at the door. Critique at this early stage is nothing compared to agent letters, and editor letters, and public reviews.
For the third: write that next book. It’s the best advice I was ever given. Nothing cures rejection blues more than a new project you’re excited about. Promise.
Thank you so much Kirsten for joining us at Paper Hangover, wishing you best of luck tomorrow and in the future.
~
Like Mandarin - It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin.
When they're united for a project, they form an unlikely, explosive friendship, packed with nights spent skinny-dipping in the canal, liberating the town's animal-head trophies, and searching for someplace magic. Grace plays along when Mandarin suggests they run away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their badlands town.
Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty hides a girl who's troubled, broken, and even dangerous. And no matter how hard Grace fights to keep the magic, no friendship can withstand betrayal.
Source:
"A beautifully crafted, bittersweet story about an unlikely friendship that sets two very different people free."
--Melina Marchetta, author of the 2009 Printz Award winner JELLICOE ROAD
Don't go away, we missed an introduction last week! Fridays will mark our 'Flash Fiction Friday.' Each Monday, one of our team will give you a writing prompt, post your entry on your blog on Fridays, link up in the comments section (here on Paper Hangover) and we can all come visit! It's a great way to work on your creativity and meet new bloggers in the process. It doesn't have to be a novel, just 300 or so words, but who knows it may turn into a work-in-progress for you....
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