#WriteMotivation Goals and a Call for Apollo Critters!

May 2, 2013 — Rebecca Enzor
Boudin is so happy it's May!

Boudin is so happy it’s May!

Dear Aledans: it’s MAY! Finally that horrible month known as April is over, and it’s the wonderful month of Trina’s Day, Vacation, and my (7th) Anniversary! (Although Hubs and I have been together for almost thirteen years now)

Camp NaNo didn’t go as well as I had planned, but it wasn’t a total bust. I’ve edited more than half of Apollo and Daphne, but I haven’t had time to type up most of those edits. I still feel like there’s something huge I’m missing, but I guess all the problems will be revealed when I send it to my critters (hopefully before vacation on the 17th). If you know your mythology inside and out and want to critique Apollo let me know – I have some “I know nothing about mythology” critters already but I need a couple more “I know my myths like the back of my hand” critters.

I’ve re-worked my query for Nameless to try to get into the Query Kombat Brackets on May 13th, and once Apollo is finished I’m going to go through the first 50 pages of Nameless again to see what needs to happen. It seems that’s where I’m losing agent interest, and I think I know exactly where it’s happening. Even Kindra says “will this night never end?” – that should have tipped me off right away.

Hubs and I have been slogging through the beginning of Martha on Dr Who. I love Martha as a companion, but all of her episodes before “Human Nature” suck. From then on she has one of my favorite seasons, but getting to that point with her is painful and boring.

I’ve also been slogging through A Feast for Crows – again, painful and boring ;)

On the #WriteMotivation front, here’s my list again:

1. Finish first round of Apollo edits.

2. Finish critiques for Ryan and Lindsay.

3. Start critique for Tyffani.

4. Re-write NAMELESS query, and write APOLLO query/synopsis.

And #4 is already halfway done! Laura still has a couple tweaks on the query that she’ll email me about this weekend, but that sucker is just about as good as it’s ever going to get.

Trina’s Day is on Sunday, so I’ll be putting up a special, sexy Fie Eoin Friday tomorrow. I just have to decide which one. Go back in time to Kindra’s first Trina’s Day with Gar? Or maybe some sexy Faye-action with Kaye and Bryant? Or I could go way back in time to Fennec and Loria, although that might give away spoilers about the High Priestess…

I hope you have a happy May, Aledans. Don’t forget to celebrate the Feast of Lovers on Sunday and I hope to see you back here tomorrow for FEF :)

Posted in Updates. Tags: , , , , , , . 14 Comments »

April is a Bitch, and so is Daphne.

April 5, 2013 — Rebecca Enzor
Bou's got the right idea. Sleep through April.

Bou’s got the right idea. Sleep through April.

Aledans, I’m sure if you’ve seen me around the internet at all this week you know April and I have nearly come to blows. If you haven’t seen me around the internet at all this week it’s because April and I have nearly come to blows. Let’s agree that April Fool’s Day should never fall on a Monday again. It’s just not fair (hear that calendar-makers? Act accordingly).

Camp NaNo started out a miserable failure, until I realized I was trying to do something completely unnecessary. Nameless needed so many complete re-writes that I assumed Apollo would too. I’ve read through it a number of times and Sandhya (ie. Adriana Ryan, who has unveiled herself to the world!) read through it, and you know what? I think it just needs a fairly big edit. I don’t think everything has to be scraped and re-written.

There are some really, really good parts already, and I learned a lot about writing before I wrote the first draft. In this draft I have to cut some scenes, tighten some others, punch up the tension, and make Daphne more sympathetic. That last one is the part I’m still having troubles with, but I started writing the scene where Daphne meets Apollo from her POV, and it’s helping me get into her head and figure out why she is the way she is. Because I know she comes across as a bit of a bitch. And he falls in love with her despite that.

In fact, since today is technically Fie Eoin Friday why don’t I give you a little taste? It’s not the full scene, and it’s not edited because it’s not actually going to be part of the book, but have some Daphne:

~~~~~

Senior Year. Daphne couldn’t wait to get out of the hell-hole that was Olympia High School and across the country to NYU. Assuming they accepted her, of course. Even if they didn’t she planned to jump ship and move as far away as possible. She was over the cliques, the constant supervision, and most of all the asshole boys.

Speaking of asshole boys, Homeroom was suddenly inundated with the King of the Douchebags—Eros Phanes. Daphne was really hoping she wouldn’t have to see his fat face this year.

“Far-shooter!” He yelled, but for once his taunting voice wasn’t directed at her. “Did you get lost on the way to school this morning, Shooter? You belong at Capital.”

A tall, handsome boy in the front row cringed. He had short, dark hair just beginning to curl at the ends like it needed to be cut, and clothes that were a little worn around the hems. Clean and pressed, but worn. Daphne was pretty sure he was on the cross country team with her and won last weekend’s match against Capital.

Whoever he was, he’d incurred Eros’ wrath, which automatically made him her ally.

“I’m not lost,” the boy said. “I transferred.” His voice was a nice, even baritone.

Eros sat in the desk next to him. “Finally got sick of those loser Cougars, huh? Decided to be a Bear?”

The boy ignored Eros, but his hands folded into fists as if he couldn’t wait to punch that chubby face. Daphne liked him already.

“So what’s with the move, Shooter?”

The boy’s whole body seemed to tense, and Daphne walked over—she was better prepared to deal with Eros than this new kid.

She dropped her books on Eros’ desk with a loud bang. “You’re in my seat.”

He looked up, surprised. “I don’t see your name on it.”

She leaned into his face and scowled. “Out. Now.”

His jaw set and he sneered, but stood. She stared at him as he moved a row back and sat behind the new kid. She jerked her head a tiny bit—a warning. Whoever this new kid was, woe be to Eros if he tried to hurt him. If Daphne could help it Eros wouldn’t hurt anyone ever again.

~~~~~

Of course Eros does hurt them both, again and again.

Have a good weekend, Aledans. And if you feel the need to throw down the gauntlet with April give me a call: I’ll be your backup.

Posted in Apollo and Daphne, Updates. Tags: , , , , , , , , . 4 Comments »

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop: Apollo and Daphne

October 16, 2012 — Rebecca Enzor

Apollo and Daphne, Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Hello Aledans! I’ve been tagged by Christine Fonseca for The Next Big Thing Blog Hop, and since I recently did a similar post for Nameless I thought I’d answer the questions for Apollo and Daphne this time. Enjoy!

What is the working title of your book? Apollo and Daphne (exciting, no? ;P)

Where did the idea come from for the book? The song Viva La Vida by Coldplay. I was listening to that song and wondering what happens to a God once they are no longer worshiped. I decided to write a re-telling of the Apollo and Daphne myth, as it’s one of my favorites. You can read more about it here.

What genre does your book fall under? Contemporary YA.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Oh gosh, I have no idea. After a quick google search for teen actresses with dark hair, I think Demi Lovato could pull off the Daphne look. As for Apollo…even a quick google search didn’t give me anything that stood out. Hello, the kid is named after a God – you can’t just choose anyone for him.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Apollo’s trying to outrun the guilt he feels over his girlfriend’s death, but ends up running after Daphne instead.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I’d like to be represented.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? A month – it was my NaNo 2009 project.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I’m not sure – I haven’t read a lot of contemporary YA yet. But anything dealing with the death of a girlfriend/boyfriend and the guilt associated with that would be comparable.

Who or What inspired you to write this book? My patron God, Apollo ;)

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? A number of myths play some part in the novel, including Hyacinth (Apollo’s dead girlfriend), Psyche (Eros’ ex-girlfriend), and Niobe (crazy). Also? Zeus is the governor of Washington State :P

Posted in Blogfest. Tags: , , , , , , . 18 Comments »

SCORNED Blog Tour

October 8, 2012 — Rebecca Enzor

Hello Aledans! I have a very special post today, because it’s my turn for the SCORNED Blog Tour! I first met Tyffani Clark when I became her ML for NaNoWriMo, and she joined our in-person editing group NaNoFiYe later that year. She’s helped whip Nameless into shape, and I wanted to thank her by helping kick off her first book tour. We’ll be talking to her MC, LeKrista Scott, but first have a book blurb!

“LeKrista Scott has killed a vampire, and now his lover wants revenge.

After months of watching her from the shadows, Lucretious, a millennia old vampire, finally makes his attack during a party thrown by his maker, Roman – a party where Roman proclaims his protection over LeKrista. Roman steps in and saves her life, but not before she deals Lucretious the true death in front of his lover, Perdita. Now LeKrista is running for her life and Roman is trying to save it, but she’s not sure if he really cares or if he has some underhanded reason for keeping her alive. She seeks help from Mages but they refuse to help her, even though she exhibits high potential as a Mage herself. In a last ditch effort, Roman whisks LeKrista away, but Perdita finds them. LeKrista must eliminate Perdita one way or another.”

Exciting, no?
And now, to introduce LeKrista Scott:

B: Hello, Miss Scott! Thanks for agreeing to the interview.

L: Thank you for having me, though I’m not really sure why you asked. [laughs] And you can call me LeKrista. (Leh-KREE-stah). Just don’t call me Kris. I’m not a boy.

B: Got it, LeKrista. Do you have a middle name?

L: Mamosa. I’m named for my Mammy. She doesn’t like me to call her Grandmother.

B: Why is that?

L: I have no idea.

B: I understand you feel like you’re being followed lately. Can you tell us a little about that?

L: [looks around] Yeah. I don’t know. It’s weird. I can feel eyes on me, following and watching any time I leave my house. It’s not all the time, and I don’t feel them as long as I’m in a home. I never see anyone. I’m starting to think I’m going crazy. [laughs nervously]

B: I don’t think you’re crazy at all! That must be scary.

L: It’s creepy. I wouldn’t say that it really scares me. I don’t feel like I’m in any danger, just being observed for some weird reason. I don’t know who would want to observe me. I have the most average life; overbearing family, potentially great job ruined by a horrible boss, and the best boyfriend a girl could ask for.

B: Aww! Tell us about him – what’s his name?

L: Pierce Wisely. Great name right? He’s so perfect. If I hadn’t been with him so long I would think he’s too good to be true, but he’s so sweet. He has this uncanny ability to keep me calm under the most crazy circumstances.

B: That’s great. Everyone needs someone that keeps them calm and happy. And might I ask, what is your job?

L: Ugh. I work in a floral shop called Arrangements by Appleton. It’s owned by Edgar Appleton, the most horrible person…[shivers] He hates me. He really does.

B: Why would he hate you? You’re such a nice person.

L: I don’t know. He’s always telling me that I’m the worst arranger he’s ever met and that I’ll never amount to anything. At least I show up. He has six other women who work for him and they NEVER come in on time, if they show.

B: Seems like you’d get extra points for showing up.

L: You’d think right? It’s more like I get treated worse every time I show up. He’s the worst.

B: Why don’t you quit?

L: [shrugs] I like the job, even though I don’t like the environment. I’m good at it no matter what Eddy says.

B: Good for you! Don’t let him bully you and keep doing what you love. We’ve run out of time for today, but thank you for agreeing to do the interview and I hope you can figure out who’s watching you, and why.

L: Thanks. Me too. And thanks for having me. I hope I wasn’t too boring.

B: Not at all. Perhaps next time you can bring me a bouquet of flowers ;)

Author Tyffani Clark

SCORNED releases October 15th. You can find out more about LeKrista and her author, Tyffani Clark, at her Blog, Twitter, Facebook Page, or Goodreads.

And don’t forget, voting is still going on for #PonyFest12! Help an author win a custom My Little Pony based on their book!

Posted in Grab Bag. Tags: , , , , , . 3 Comments »

Done Freaking Out

July 26, 2012 — Rebecca Enzor

Keep Calm and Have Wine (Key West, 2012)

If you noticed me anywhere around the internet on Tuesday you probably saw me freaking out about Pinterest. If you missed it and you’re interested in why I decided to delete all of my boards and start over, you can check it out here, here, and here. I’ve started to slowly re-build my boards (although some of them won’t show up on my profile for some reason) with the help of this list of photographers who are on Pinterest and who want you to re-pin their photographs (some of their boards are photos they like, not ones they have taken – be cautious whenever you re-pin anything to make sure the person who owns the picture has given permission to pin it!)

I’m really bummed because some of my favorite pins from the Fie Eoin board are not allowed, or I can’t find the owner at all :/ But I’ll find others to replace them. After all, I’d rather not steal someone else’s work unintentionally and get sued for it.

On the much-happier writing front I’ve finished typing up the first chapter! I’m in the middle of writing the second chapter now (which is difficult, because it doesn’t change much and I’m trying not to open the old document and steal old writing. I’ll go back through after I finish and include anything I forgot). Once I get to the point where everything changes I’ll be zooming along like a normal NaNo, I think :) I’ve also got a couple of cut scenes to post for Fie Eoin Fridays now, so be on the lookout for Kaye tomorrow.

I hope you have a calm weekend Aledans!

Posted in Grab Bag, Updates. Tags: , , , , . 8 Comments »

NaNoWriMo Procrastination

November 2, 2007 — Rebecca Enzor

There are at least two types of Nano-ers.  The first type is religiously on top of things: staying up until midnight to get those first few words, waking up early to write before work or school, using lunches, breaks, dinner and dessert to up their word count.

 Then there is the second type.  They go to bed at the normal time, set the alarm clock early in an effort to get up and type before work but then hit snooze until they are late, write a measly 500 words at lunch, then go out to dinner with the rest of the Wrimos to drink and finish the night with a shopping spree at Victoria’s Secret (in my defense, the cats ate my pajama shirts last week – all of them) and another 500 words of absolute word-puke.  And then of course I let out the inner editor to mildly fix the word-puke into something postable.

 If you want to read the mildly-edited wordpuke, you can visit Pike’s Revenge and ask me for the secret password.

 After day one I am behind 199 words.  Not bad.  Especially since I plan on writing 15k this weekend – most of it on Saturday.

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NaNoWriMo

October 13, 2007 — Rebecca Enzor

So, tomorrow another sticky will be going up, but today I wanted to talk about NaNoWriMo.  For those of you who don’t know it yet, November is National Novel Writing Month, where you write a 50,000 word book in a month.  What do you win if you succeed?  A little graphic of a man running with a pencil.  And a completed manuscript that would be laughed at if you showed it to anyone.  I won’t be showing mine here, but if you visit Pike’s Revenge and get yourself friended I’d be happy to let you read my work and help me edit it later.  Because the whole point of Nano is the word count. 

It doesn’t matter if your book sucks (and trust me, it’s going to suck).  It doesn’t matter if you type out the word MOO forty seven thousand times to reach your goal (yes, I know someone who has done this – although 47k is probably an exaggeration ;) ), it just matters that you are writing, furiously, for 30 days.  You will survive on coffee and a masochistic need to “win” for the entire month (including Thanksgiving – holidays just don’t get better than asking your husband if you can take dinner to your computer).  You will become a master at writing things in the longest, most round-about way you can, and you will not use hyphens in your words for the entire month!  (hyphenated words only count as one word!) 

You will miss all the sales on Black Friday even though you will be up early that morning.  You will instead be typing for your life because you are only at 27k and need to reach 50k by midnight on the 30th.

 I’ve already scanned all of my sticky notes for the month of November to try desperately to update in the midst of all this craziness.  I wish all of you participating in Nano a hearty Good Luck.  As for myself – I’ve already started ingesting massive amounts of caffeine to get my body ready.

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