writing

Books and Writing

/ books, writing

Firstly, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for your comments and support! I am very excited about what’s to come.

Secondly, a few of you have asked me to tell a little bit about my book. The major gist is that it’s a Young Adult romance, with a bit of spirituality thrown in, some struggles, drama, and lots of kissing. :) I enjoyed writing it very much, and I hope you all get the opportunity to read it!!

Last night, I went to Barnes & Noble, armed with my discount card and $56 in gift cards. My total came to nearly $130, so I had to pay about $60 out of pocket after gift cards and discount. I got SO MANY BOOKS, and I can’t wait to start reading. I grabbed some books of a few mutual acquaintances who just came out with books (Sk8er Boy, Obsessing Orlando, and A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl), a Sarah Dessen book (of course!), two Meg Cabot books, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, and one called Misfits, and a few others. I saw loads that I wanted, like Elsewhere. I need to go to the store and write down titles and get back to using the library!

So, in the midst of everything, I’ve been trying to concentrate on my writing. It’s been hard. Aidan is more demanding than normal this week for some reason. It seems the seconds I sit to relax, he wants or needs something. Sometimes, it’s hard not to get frustrated.

When I can’t seem to get the muse, I read. I critique. I learn as much as I can. I know, more than ever, that I want to make this my career and I have to be willing to learn anything and everything.

I am so ready! :)

(Cross-posted at my other journal).

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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MISSION STATEMENT

/ writing

Stolen from Nadia Cornier’s (agentobscura) blog [LINK]:

Your Mission, Values, Vision
MY MISSION STATEMENT AS A WRITER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
I will write books that take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. I will write about unforgettable characters, unforgettable situations, and unforgettable themes. I will write about teens making the hard decisions, and following through with their choices. I will write about teens who fail. I will write about teens who succeed. I will write about teens who beat the odds. I will write about teens who are hurt, ashamed, happy, sad, laughing, crying, and utterly human. I will write books that touch people, haunt them, change them. I will never stop learning about my craft, my audience, and the people from which I draw inspiration.

Where are you in five years?
In five years, I will be living solely off of my writing. A lofty goal, but if I don’t dream it, I won’t ever do it.

What are your goals? Sales?
– Write and sell good books.
– Help others break into the field.

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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Sometimes, Irony is too Great.

/ horoscope, writing

From astrology.com:

Greetings Ronica –

Here is your horoscope for Monday, January 9:

If you’ve always felt like you had the right to write, now is the time to get started. Read great books for inspiration. Talk with other people who are in the same boat. Then get your butt in the chair and get started.

Um… mrph? Ha ha ha.

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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Reflections and All That Stuff

/ reflection, writing

So…

I had a fun New Year’s Weekend. Lots of updates here, at my other journal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/lilrongal/294169.html

Looking Back at 2005:
– I met Lauren laurenbarnholdt and Mandy mandywriter and loads of other writing people.
– I joined SCBWI.
– I started sending query letters.
– I took an online writing course called YA Chicklit 101
– I got to talk to a really great agent.
– I got the chance to work hard on my writing and improve it.
– I read two amazing books: Dreamland by Sarah Dessen and Pop Princess by Rachel Cohn.
– I became a HUGE Sarah Dessen fan.

Looking Forward to in 2006:
– I want to finish writing at least one novel.
– I want to read and read.
– I want to write, and write.
– I want to do what I can to advance my writing career. Okay, okay… make one come into fruition. ;)

And my butt hurts. So ’til next time… :)

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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Mandy and I are Big Dreamers:

/ friends, writing

An AIM convo from yesterday:

Ronni (12:56:25 PM): and we can write blurbs for each other’s back covers
Ronni (12:56:51 PM): “A fun, tantalizing, scandalous read!” – Ronni D****, New York Times bestselling author of Only Yours.
Mandy (12:57:01 PM): LOL
Mandy (12:57:19 PM): yeah, totally. and I’ll put “Touching. Just couldn’t put it down- NYT best seller, Amanda H******”

From today:

Ronni (1:53:25 PM): *i’d like to thank boys for being cute enough to inspire me to write stories about them*
Mandy (1:53:31 PM): LOL
Mandy (1:54:05 PM): and I’ll put “I’d like to thank the wright brothers for creating airplanes, without which there could not be a jetsetters social club”

Hey, it never hurts to plan ahead. I’m just sayin’…

ETA: Guess what? Today is my and Mandy’s 2 month anniversary of BFF Writing Partners! :) Happy Anniversary (Monthsary?) Mandy!

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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