We would like to announce the joining of our two newest Girls with Pens.

Tamesha Hawkins and Tes Hilaire.

Thank you both for the willingness to join us.

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All this talk about banned books … and my newest novel idea … has got me thinking about the subject of controversy. By nature I’m a pretty good girl. I had about one or two years of rebellion, but even that wasn’t too bad. So when it comes to writing a book that may or may not center around that rebellion, I have to admit I’m having a hard time. I’m terrified of being “too controversial”.

But

Is controversial really a bad thing?

Or

Is controversial a mere way of sparking untapped conversation by touching subjects people are too afraid to talk about?

I mean seriously, Dan Brown … Amazing Author! Still ‘The DaVinci Code’ sparked tons of controversy. However, how many books do you think sold merely to find out what the controversy was all about? I know that’s why I ended up reading it. And the conversations that stemmed between my husband and I about what was fact and what was fiction and “Oh my freaking goodness can he ever spin a story like he’s writing a history book!” (Ok I know not everyone agrees with that, but still … you get what I’m saying.)

So how do you feel about controversial subjects? Do you think books are really worth banning just because they crossed a line so many people can only dream about crossing?

Do you think you could write something controversial?

And really, what defines a controversial book?

So many questions … I’d love to hear your answers!

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Marybeth is an aspiring novelist currently working on her second novel. For more information visit her website www.marybethsmith.com. She also has a blog Desperately Searching for my Inner Mary Poppins where you can keep up on her moments as mother, wife and writer..

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When I was a little infant of a writer with no idea how to submit to anyone or anything, a friend of mine suggested I head on over to the querytracker website. There I met Elana Johnson. She ripped my query into about seventenn different pieces and really made me work to turn it into something I would be proud to send to a literary agent.

The best part of what she did was this: She gave me the tools to make it awesome. She TAUGHT me how to do it on my own. She’s awesome.

Now, she’s written a book that you need to own: From the Query to The Call

This book is like a one stop shop to getting an agent, and let’s be honest–that’s exactly what most of us need.

It kind of reminds me of those “What to Expect when you’re Expecting books.” There’s a lot of stuff that you don’t really want to know in there, but you REALLY need to know it in order to make it through the next 8-10 months of your life while you’re having a baby landing an agent.

Elana is the kind of person who understands that a query has to have a real hook, and this book breaks it down in a step-by-step format to really make your query stand out in the slush pile.

The part about the call was really interesting for someone who hasn’t yet received her call. She interviewed several authors who’d been through the agent call, and basically helps you get prepared for twenty minute phone conversation that could be the launch to your entire literary career. That’s kind of a big deal, people.

I want to make it clear that I’m not suggesting you read this book because I think the author is fabulous. I want you to read this book because I think it will help you take that big next step in your writing journey.

She’s giving away books here this weekend so get to it!

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Marybeth Smith has agreed to join our blog! We are so excited.

So everyone, please join me in welcoming her.

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Sarah is writer looking for an agent. She is currently working on novel # 4, editing novels 2 and 3, and querying novel # 1. For more insight to her work, visit: http://legendoftheprotectors.wordpress.com/ or http://legendoftheprotectors.blogspot.com/

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First of all, surprise—it’s Friday. And it’s noon. When did that happen? Where did this week go? It’s time for my weekly post! What to write?!?

I suppose this is going to be about what occurred while I was writing last night. Well, this morning, really… I do my best writing when I’m a tad out of it, and there have been a few times where the craziest things play out in my stories. Things I’d never considered.

A few months back, a character I thought was dead came back into my book. Then recently, I found out there’s a bit of bloodlust going on with these fae I’m writing about. Sure wasn’t expecting that one! Last night, I discovered there’s a whole element of water and drowning that my character experiences halfway through the book. It actually solves a problem I’ve been having with the first chapter of my novel (nowhere near the part I was writing). Apparently, Alexis is going to almost drown at the beginning. Don’t know why, but who am I to question my characters, right?!

Does this happen to other writers? To you all??
I’m not one to use outlines. I get a main idea and go with it. But, even on chapters where I have a good idea where things are going, events hurl themselves onto the page from out of nowhere.

Do you force your story to do what you, the author, has in mind for it, or do you let your characters tell the stories?
And are you as surprised as often as I am?
Do tell!

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Since winning her first writing competition at a young age, Eden Tyler, has only fallen more in love with the written word. She uses her English, Psychology, and Sociology backgrounds to create depth to her own stories and novels while contributing to and running websites about writing. This is what fulfills her, along with working as Co-Editor for Fuel Your Writing, but she also enjoys the freelance work that puts food on the table (and that ever-essential roof overhead) for her family.

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photo credit: h.koppdelaney

So here is what I now beleive are the most important things to have when we attempt a career in the writing industry.

1.  Patience:  Patience with the writing process.  Patience with the revising process.  Patience with the query process. Patience with the submissions process.  Patience with the submissions process after we get an agent, because it starts all over again.

2. Professionalism:  Professionalism in our query letter.  Professionalism in dealing with rejections. Professionalism when dealing with multiple submissions. Professionalism when speaking to agents and/or editors on the phone. Professionalism when critiquing the work of our colleagues.

3. Persistence:  Press on!  Keep writing.  Keep making it better.  Keep up the query.  Keep up the WIP to query if the first four novels fail to get attention.  Persist in the love of the void that you fill when you write the words that have never been strung together the way you are stringing them.  Persist inside the dream.

What about you?  What are you own personal p’s (or c’s or s’s or whatever you need to get by?)

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