Heading today to Gatlinburg, TN for a four day writing retreat. Two of my writer’s group is going also. The only thing in Gatlinburg that we have on our agenda is Paula Deen’s new restaurant in Pigeon Forge, TN. I plan to sit out by the pool and rework the beginning of SEARCH FOR THE PRINCESS and try to complete the entire first draft of BASKETBALL BALLERINA. I think Lizzie needs some respect to be a finished product and reworked to a better middle grade novel.
Lily’s Lagniappe: Well LSU softball is the number 5 seed in the NCAA softball playoff and the regional and super regional can be played right there in Tiger Park in Baton Rouge. Here’s hoping that the Tiger girls can get it together and get it done. I’d love to see them in Oklahoma for the Girls Softball World Series. The LSU Baseball team is number one in the nation and swept Missouri yesterday. This weekend is their last weekend of the season. They will travel to Columbus, SC to finish the season. The following week will be the Baseball SEC tournament in Hoover, AL. GEAUX TIGERS!!!
Just finishing changing THE SEARCH FOR THE PRINCESS from third person past to first person present. Must change the beginning of the piece to ground the reader in the online game so it makes sense that Merlin would return for Austin. I believe a mother constantly urging him to get dress for school and stop playing games. He would please her a bit then back to game. I believe if I make the beginning stronger then I might have something pretty good. Then to revise I KNOW WHAT I SAW and THE FREAK’S RAPE and BASKETBALL BALLERINA and also RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE. That’s at least a year of work. My next year is going to be busy. Haven’t heard from publishing company on FLIES IN THE OUTFIELD yet but they still have a month.
Lily’s Lagniappe: LSU’s softball team lost in the conference tournament. Hopefully on Sunday night they get to go to the NCAA softball tournament and that LSU Tiger Park will get a regional. Also LSU Tigers Baseball team plays a second game with Missouri. They won the first game. With a win today they will win the series and a win on Sunday they will sweep Missouri. GEAUX TIGERS!!
Changing THE SEARCH FOR THE PRINCESS from third person past to first person present. This is a very arduous task; getting each and every verb and noun in the proper tense. The middle grade novel is based on a medieval game my niece, nephew and I developed. Working through each level with my protagonist and his challenges, I hope this helps this manuscript to sell.
Lily’s Lagniappe: The SEC Softball tournament began yesterday and LSU will play Tennessee today at 7:30. GEAUX Lady Tigers!!
The middle grade novel I’m working on it under going a new revision at the front end of the manuscript. The revision advice I got from the novel revision seminar was that I need to set Austin in his world before I lead him out. Leaving on Monday to go to Gatlinburg for a three day writing retreat with my writers group. Hoping we have a great time. We should, we usually do. I guess it will be a fun time in the condo. Key is to get writing done. Won’t be a problem for me.
Lily’s Lagniappe: Well today begins the SEC Softball Tournament at Tiger Park in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. First game is at 12:00. Tigers play tomorrow at 6:30 and play the winner of Tennessee and Kentucky. GEAUX TIGERS!!!
This morning last speaker is Chris Cheng. We learned his story. Where he started and after 30 or more books how he stays forever asking questions and keeping idea notebooks. He sends us off and challenges us to do the same things he does. Ask questions, research answers, ask more questions, always keep the children in mind and never forget it is the best JOB in the world.
Lily’s Lagniappe: This weekend LSU softball made it to top four in the conference therefore on the first day of the tournament they have a bye. The SEC Softball Tournament is at Tiger Park. GEAUX Tiger Softball. Hope you get a regional at Tiger Park.
Going to a SCBWI Novel Revision Seminar in Chapel Hill today. It is three day weekend with Christopher Cheng, Kendra Levin and Mallory Kass. Three days of inspiration, making new contacts and getting feedback on a manuscript. Chris Cheng, an amazing author and speaker, started the weekend off great. The next two days will be filled with one on one discussion in small groups about manuscripts, perfecting your voice, searching for the right time to start your story and a variety of ways to look at the same thing. A great weekend for all who will come.
Lily’s Lagniappe: The humidity of Louisiana is beginning to set in. Walking out of doors makes you break out in a sweat. This is really not the time to take a vacation to my favorite state. Summer is stifling; only those who grew up there or still live there can handle it. Or maybe you dare? Prove it!
Well I posted the first 250 words on 12 X 12 of HANG TEN, DUDE. I hope to get some great feedback, even if no one likes it then I can revise and do something else with it. Working on revising manuscripts for the weekend the novel revision seminar in Durham.
Lily’s Lagniappe: Terrible weather in Louisiana this week. Also in Texas. Hoping all is safe and hopefully the damage is small and folks can rebuild or mend their homes or places of business.
Still revising the 12 X 12 manuscript for April. I hope I get some fresh comments on how to improve this manuscript. Hoping the comments lead to a possible submittable picture book to an agent or editor.
Lily’s Lagniappe: This is the time of year for severe weather. Especially in Louisiana because of the Gulf’s warm air meeting some cooler air in the atmosphere. This year’s Jazz Festival in New Orleans was interrupted by bad weather. Stay safe out there.
Working on a manuscript for 12 X 12. This is the fourth manuscript in a row that I have been able to somewhat perfect to be able to post it on the internet. Working and thinking about the fifth manuscript, I think I might try one under 200 words that rhymes! Geez, scary!! Hoping the muse of rhyme sits for awhile on my shoulder and helps me. Do you ever wonder where all the muses have gone? Some where else, to someone else, overslept or is hiding! I always think that dandelions are fairies just waiting to be released into the world, how about you?
Lily’s Lagniappe: Spring is a renewing time of the year. The flowers are in full bloom, the animals are frisky, the trees are budding out and stretching their branches to the sun, the wind blows almost everyday and the rains fall. The water renews the ground every spring for nourishment and feeds the plants. Louisiana during this time is a pollen infested place but after the five to six weeks of all the pollen it is over. The bees have done their job and new plants are in dormancy for the next months and next year. The bees will continue through out the summer. Love this process although it makes me sneeze.
Working on April Picture Book manuscript, I need to be more mindful of the story arc. Plotting for middle grade and young adult is something I have become much better with because of author Lynn Hightower. She showed me the way to build chapter by chapter a complete story. A complete story arc. The same for a 500 word picture book is not a real easy thing to do. I will just keep working at it.
Lily’s Lagniappe: Tonight the series between #2 Texas A&M and #1 LSU begins at Alex Box Stadium, one of the best venues for college baseball. GEAUX TIGERS!!!!