Camp NaNoWriMo 2016- I'm Ready

I've been falling behind with writing lately, with revisions, writer's block and the demands of my job, I haven't had time to work on something new. So I decided to take the plunge and attempt to do Camp NaNoWriMo again. Last year, I wasn't committed to the story enough to finish, but this year I'm prepared. I had this story idea for months and managed to write it all down. I got the rough summary, a game plan and a goal.

I'm still working on other projects right now and I work full time in theatre so this might be a little difficult. But with the right attitude, motivation and inspiration, I know I can do it.

I'll be doing weekly NaNoWriMo Chronicle post like I did back in 2012. Those usually keep me on track. I'll try to post teaser and tweet more in July, my social media presence has been lacking these past few months. Hopefully I'll have a rad cabin, I signed up late so I'm not sure how my responsive my cabin mates will be. We'll see. Either way, I'm so excited to do this again. 

Who else is participating in Camp NaNoWriMo this year? Let me know! :D

Happy Reading!

Currently 5/24/16

So after a long hiatus, I am back.  This is a recurring theme, I know. What better way to start off than to hop on the Currently train started by the ever so lovely Katy Upperman. Here is a list of what I'm currently doing.

Loving
Zumba, I've been taking classes at a local dance studio lately. I missed almost a month of classes due to my rehearsal schedule, but I went back yesterday and it felt so good to get back into it. My schedule is a little crazy stiill, so I can't go as often as I'd like. Luckily it's one of those classes that I can just hop into and start dancing. I love it.

Reading
I've been in a reading slump, not because I don't have anything to read, I have too much actually. Right now I'm trying to get through Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard. It's really good, I just need to actually sit down and read alone for a couple hours. I'm trying to stay up to date on TV right now, but luckily all of my shows are ending for the season and I have very few summer shows on my list. I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more books until I finish at least three of the ones I bought this past year.

Watching
Currently, I'm finishing up The Flash and Arrow, those season finales air this week. Everything is wrapping up for the summer, almost all of my favorite shows were renewed (RIP Agent Cater and Galavant). But there are a a few new shows that I'm excited to watch in the Fall. Also, I may or may not be obsessed with the English Dub an animated French children's show. Yeah, I am. #iamanadult But I the next season won't be out until early next year. I only have fanfic and comics to hold me over. Blargh.

Listening to
I'm the sound designer for my theatre company's current show. Lately I've been listening to a lot of Italian Guitar music.

Thinking about
I'm still going through revisions, right now my MS is with a beta reader and I'm waiting for her feedback. Even though I'm away from it, I still keep thinking about how I can tweak and make it better. The life of a writer I guess.

Anticipating
The show I'm working on right now opens on Saturday. It's a really funny show, but we haven't had an audience yet. I can't wait to watch other people reacts to the jokes.

Wishing
I wish I could start and finish a new novel soon. This story has been in my head for months. I'm planning on trying Camp NaNoWriMo again. I didn't finish last year for some reason. This summer is going to be intense at the theatre, but if I have a good outline and the drive, I'm sure I can do it.

Making me happy
Just knowing I'm in a good place right now. I have a job doing what I love, I'm in a good place writing wise and  I don't know, I'm just happy. Don't get me wrong, I'm crazy stressed all the time, but it's like the good stressed.

I HAVE AN AGENT!

This is going to be a long post (That I may or may not have had queued up in my drafts for a couple weeks) so bear with me.

Today, I officially signed with a literary agent. I know, I can hardly believe it either. I've been working so hard for that past six years, I wish I could time travel and give 17 year-old Leslie a high five. So, let's start from the beginning.

My journey started back in 2009 when I started querying my first book. God, that book and query was terrible.. I made almost every mistake in the book. I trunked the book my freshman year of college and focused more on school and theatre.

In November 2012 I participated in NaNoWriMo and wrote Suspension of Disbelief. I reached the 50k, but didn't finish the book. In the summer of 2013 I finished the draft and started a long process of rewrites and revisions. I graduated college, moved to a new state and started a big girl job.

I started querying in August 2014. This time, I did more research, had people look at my query and critique it. I even had the guts to enter Sun vs. Snow earlier this year and got on Team Sun. My mentor Jenn Blackwood helped me whip my query into shape.

Flash forward to the beginning of September 2015. I was at dress rehearsal for a show I'm stage managing when I got an email notification. It was about fifteen minutes before we started the run, so I checked it on my phone. An agent asked if I was still interested in representation and if we could set up a phone call. I literally threw my phone and screamed. I responded quickly to set up our call and after a minor freak out, I regained my composure and started the run.

One the day of "the call" I was incredibly nervous. I did all the research, prepared questions and read all of the "Getting the Call" blog post, but I still felt like I was under prepared. The agent was great, she was professional, kind and answered all my questions. At the end of the conversation I was in such a state of shock, I had to ask it this an offer of rep. Seriously, I think at early on in the conversation she said she'd like to work with me and we continued as the conversation as usual, but in the back of my mind I was waiting for those words. She said it was an offer of rep and I was over the moon.

So without further ado, I am pleased to announce that I am now represented by Rachel Marks of Rebecca Friedman Literary Agency!!!

I have a long road ahead of me, but I am excited to see where it takes me.

Happy Reading!

Ready, Set, Write! Week 4

Ready, Set, Write is a summer writing intensive hosted by Jaime Morrow, Erin L. Funk, Allison Miller, Katy Upperman and Elodie Nowodazkij Over the next few months, I'll be checking in with

the ladies and other bloggers about my writing each week.

Sorry I missed last week. Life gets crazy you know.

1. How I did on last week’s goals: I didn't set goals, last week. I didn't finish my weekly book either, bad Leslie.

2. My goal(s) for this week:  Camp NaNoWriMo starts on Wednesday. I'm pushing through to finish this book. My goal is to write at least 1,500 words a day. I'm not critiquing for the next two weeks or so, just to clear my head.

3. A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised

N/A

4. The biggest challenge I faced this week: I honestly don't know were my weeks go anymore. I get into a routine of nothingness for a day or two and the all of a sudden I have plans or leave the house. Then it's Sunday and I feel like I got nothing done all week. It's a terrible cycle.

5. Something I love about my WiP: The novel that I'm going to write next month, is the one I started in April. I like it because it's different from what I normally write. It's about sisters and it's written in a dual POV. Very challenging.

Happy Reading!

Ready, Set, Write! Week 2

Ready, Set, Write is a summer writing intensive hosted by Jaime Morrow, Erin L. Funk, Allison Miller, Katy Upperman and Elodie Nowodazkij Over the next few months, I'll be checking in with the ladies and other bloggers about my writing each week.

1. How I did on last week’s goals: I did all right. I focused more on edits,

2. My goal(s) for this week:  Keep writing goal applies for every week, so nothing special on that front.
I want to finish reading a book. I haven't read in awhile, so it will be a nice change of pace. I also want to add to my overall summer goals, reading at least 10 books this summer. It shouldn't be too hard.

3. A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised

“Keep me out of sunlight, don’t get my hair wet, and most importantly don’t ever feed me after midnight.” 

4. The biggest challenge I faced this week: This was just a busy week in general. I went out of town twice and spent a lot of time with family so not much got done.

5. Something I love about my WiP: I like to laugh when I write, so try to add a funny one-liner whenever I can.

Happy Reading!

Ready, Set, Write! Goal Setting

Ready, Set, Write is a summer writing intensive hosted by Jaime Morrow, Erin L. Funk, Allison Miller, Katy Upperman and Elodie Nowodazkij

Over the next few months, I'll be checking in with the ladies and other bloggers about my writing each week. I'm so excited to do this again. It really helped me push through and finish projects last summer.

Since this is the first week, it's strictly goals, but starting next week I'll be answering these five questions.

1. How I did on last week’s goals
2. My goal(s) for this week
3. A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised
4. The biggest challenge I faced this week
5. Something I love about my WiP


Over all goals is to just keep writing. I am doing Camp NaNoWriMo again in July so I want to finish that project. I started it in April, but time got the best of me and I didn't reach my goal.


My goal for this week: I'm in a critique group right now and so I'm working on feedback given to me on Bring Me Your Dreams chapters. The novel I wrote last year during Camp NaNoWriMo. In return I'm critiquing their chaptesr. My other goal is to get though as many chapters as possible this week.

I'm excited to get stated.

Happy Reading!

Quick Update

What I'm Working On: I finished a major round of edits to Bring Me Your Dreams, my Camp NaNoWriMo Novel from 2014. I'm just doing the nitpicky stuff right now. I'm doing a critique marathon this summer, so it's ready for that.

Goal for the Week: I'm not sure. I'm planning on working on my April novel in for the July session of camp. I'll probably take a look at it, see what needs to be done. Maybe complete an outline. I think that's what slowed me down in April. I didn't have a clear idea of what I wanted to do next.

Other News: Ready, Set, Write is this month, my Monday post will be replaced with it. Personally, I love blog hops it really keeps me on a schedule, because you know how irregular I can be. It will be nice to catch up with some of the writers form What's Up Wednesday.

I'm also the Booking Coordinator for the webshow Whiskey, Wine and Writing. I'll be working with Natasha Raulerson and some other wonderful ladies on the site booking guest for the show. I'll also be doing a series of vlogs on their channel as well. So stay on the lookout for that.

Well that's about it for now.

Happy Reading!