Photographic evidence of the fading Twilight trend

Photo taken at a Walmart on the weekend.

Writers and Voice: new comic up on Writer Unboxed

Posted a new comic on Writer Unboxed today, inspired by my recent investigation into voice. I'll be starting a series of post on voice on the MiG Writers blog soon, every Thursday, so stay tuned!

NaNoEdMo - National Novel Editing Month

I was reading this post in Writer Unboxed and thought I'd remind you all about National Novel Editing Month.

Looking for motivation to edit your manuscript? Check out NaNoEdiMo, which is a challenge to writers to spend 50 hours in March editing your novel.

An excerpt from the site:

You have entered the portal to the crazy world of novel editing. Have you written a 50,000 word novel but haven't edited it yet? Then you've come to the right place! It is here that people from all over the world gather together to spend 50 hours in March editing their novels. This is not as easy as it might sound but the forums are available to get advice and ask all the important questions you may have. Advice from real published authors will also be here to help you and a certificate of completion awaits each winner at the end of the month.

URL: http://www.nanoedmo.net/xoops2/

Comic: Valentine's Rejection (revamped)

I decided to revamp the old version of the cartoon in honor of today. :-)

Routines For Writers, Erin Bow and Writing Spaces

One of my favourite sites for writers: ROUTINES FOR WRITERS. Their posts are almost always inspirational and/or informative. Not surprising, considering their tagline: "Helping Writers Write More"

Today's post on their blog is no exception, an interview with Erin Bow. I've always enjoyed learning how about how writers organize a space, and it was fascinating to read how Erin ended up using a pole dance studio for her writing office (!).

I'm also intrigued by the fact that her office has no Internet access, no phone and no doorbell on purpose, so she can totally focus on her writing. Wow, now THAT'S dedication. Since so much my work is tied into being online, I don't think I'd be able to do this.

But hm...maybe a variation? Must think on this...

Meanwhile, congrats to ROUTINES FOR WRITERS on winning an Inkygirl Golden Cupcake Award!

My two main takeaways from the SCBWI conference in NYC

When I first saw the word "takeaways" in people's conference reports, I was confused. What were takeaways? Were they giving out free food?!? I was even MORE disappointed that I had missed the event!

But no, takeaways are key messages you've learned at a conference. They can vary from person to person, depending on their own situations and experiences.

I'll be posting more details about my takeaways from various panels and workshops, but overall my main takeaways were:

1. What's most important: STORY and CHARACTERS. Some panelists listed both while others just listed story, but the message was the same. It doesn't matter what format a book is in if the story sucks. Voice and style can help make good writing, but aren't nearly as important as having a story and characters that the reader cares about.

2. Do the work. Get it written. Don't get too obsessed with the process, or networking and promoting, or all the other extras that can be good but NOT if they're keeping you from doing the work. This is something that has really hit home for me, which is why I'll probably be easing back somewhat from social media. (Ok, I'll still be posting a lot compared to some people, but it'll be easing back for me!)

Both of these apply to both writers AND illustrators -- I'll be interpreting the takeaways from an illustrators' point of view and posting them in the SCBWI Illustrators' Mentees Blog soon.

Daily Word Count Challenge: 250, 500, 1000 wds/day

URL shortcut for this challenge: http://bit.ly/dailywords

Ok, remember when I said that my goal of writing 500 words a day was probably too easy and that I may upgrade? Glad I decided to wait, because these past few weeks have been craaaaaazy, Mainly due to prep for my trip to New York, but also because of my current illustration schedule.

So I'm going to stick with 500 wds/day. :-)

How about the rest of you? How have you been doing with your individual challenges? Feel free to post on the Facebook Group page instead.

NYC Trip Report (Part 1): Mark Fowler, Rights Of Writers, and The Center For Fiction

Not sure how many of you used Inkspot or subscribed to Inklings back in the early days of the Web (whoa, that sounds so ANCIENT now, doesn't it?) but one of my columnists was Mark Fowler. Mark did the ASK THE LAWYER column. SOOOO great to finally meet Mark in person.

Mark is an attorney at Satterlee Stephens Burke & Burke LLP, and also blogs at RIGHTS OF WRITERS: A Blog About Writing And The Law.

I strongly advise you to check out Mark's blog, which has a ton of great info for writers. Mark says he is also open to suggestions about topics he should blog about, but says that he's unable (for legal reasons) to answer questions that are specific to your own situation e.g. individual advice.

Mark is also on the board of The Center For Fiction, the only nonprofit in the U.S. solely dedicated to celebrating fiction, working every day to connect readers and writers.

Anyway, check out the view from the floor where he works:

THANK you, Mark, for taking the time to get together!

Laurent Linn & Excitement & CAN'T WAIT

Ok, so that may not have been the most coherent blog post title I've ever written but I CAN'T HELP IT! Because I just found out that I'm going to be working with LAURENT LINN at Simon & Schuster as I illustrate Michael Ian Black's new picture book, I'M BORED.

Soooooooooo excited about meeting Laurent in a couple of weeks.

Caught up in comment moderation -- apologies!

I love Squarespace, but their spam-handling tools are abysmal. Supposedly this will be addressed in an upcoming release but so far there's no word on when that release will be.

As a result, anyway, I have to put ALL comments through a moderation stage where each comment needs individual approval (ugh). Time-consuming and a hassle, but it's either that or let all the spam comments through...and there have been a LOT of spam comments which I've had to block.

I've been a bit behind in comment moderation but have caught up now. Apologies for anyone who has been wondering why their comment hasn't been posted!

Reading habits

One of the Daily Doodles I've been posted on my DebbieOhi.com blog, to illustrate a post in iPadGirl. As you might guess, it's how Jeff and I do much of our reading. :-)

Promoting My Book Projects On Second Life

My booth on Book Island in Second Life, where I promote my writing/illustration projects as well as sell writer gear (the latter to cover my Second Life expenses). maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Book%20Island/149/131/36

Daily Wordcount Check-In: So how did you all do this past week?

URL shortcut for this challenge: http://bit.ly/dailywords

So how did you all do?

Post your update here or on the Facebook page.

The Today Show Snubs Children's Book Award Winners...And What YOU Can Do About It

(Update: Also see the related Facebook page)

Instead of their traditional interview with the winners of the Newbery and Caldecott Medals in Children's Literature, The Today Show decided to interview Snooki instead. Here's what Lin Oliver of the SCBWI (Society For Children's Book Writers & Performers) said in her letter to The Today Show in response. An excerpt:

"In choosing not to run the interviews with Clare Vanderpool and Erin Stead, television has once again underestimated the intelligence of its audience.  Parents are dying to get their hands on good books for their kids.  Booksellers are eager to sell and promote good books for kids.  It’s good business, good broadcasting and good ethics to honor the best books for children."

If you're as disappointed by The Today Show's choice as I am, I encourage you to post a comment saying so at:

http://today.newsvine.com/_news/2010/03/02/3970646-today-viewer-resources#entercomment

New comic up on Writer Unboxed

http://writerunboxed.com/2011/01/15/comic-the-four-stages-of-writing/

Golden Marmot Award goes to: MIKE JUNG

Today's incredibly prestigious Golden Marmot award goes to middle grade writer Mike Jung for his entertaining Facebook post above.

Mike recently announced that his book GEEKS, GIRLS & SECRET IDENTITIES, is under contract with Arthur A. Levine Books (yay, Mike!).

Showing Reader Loyalty Through...Tattoos? (and a new comic)

A publisher has offered its readers a lifetime subscription to its titles if they get a tattoo inspired by one of their books. Wow, now THAT's loyalty.

Reading about this inspired me to draw the cartoon above today. :-)

Time management tip for writers: keep a work diary

If you find yourself vowing to do some writing but then reach the end of the day not really sure where the time went, I strongly advise keeping a time diary for a few days. Make sure you pick days which are fairly typical in terms of your planned schedule.

Write down EVERYTHING you do during the day, along with a time stamp. Yes, everything. Don't be embarrassed -- you're going to throw this out when you're finished, so no one else will see it.

I tried this and was horrified at how much time I was wasting or frittering away on non-work activities. The exercise really makes you more conscious of how you're spending your time.

These days I still try to keep a work diary, but not nearly so detailed...just enough to help keep me on track.

Has anyone else tried this exercise?

Literary fiction writers: "Dear Lucky Agent" Contest

From time to time, I promote writing contests that have no entry fee. This one targets literary fiction writers.

Deadline: Jan. 23, 2011

Prize (3 winners): critique of first 10 pages of your work by agent, 1-year subscription to Writersmarket.com

More info

Word Count Challenge Check-In

URL shortcut for this challenge: http://bit.ly/dailywords

I've successfully managed 500 words a day except for one day on the weekend. I'm going to wait after I attend the SCBWI conference in NYC at the end of the month before I consider ramping up to 1000 words a day.

How are the rest of you doing with your Word Count Challenges?