Back to BASICS next week...and a big, squooshy I'M SORRY

Okay.  I should have said good-bye before I left.  But that's not the squooshy apology part.  I mean, I figured most, if not all, of you follow Miss Snark's First Victim and knew I'd be leaving for vacation.

What writer wants to be redundant, right?

Anyway...I'M BACK!  *big, cheesy grin*

Here's the apology part:  I haven't done much around here!  Other than the weekly BASICS, I mean.  I've got all sorts of ideas and even a plan or two, but to be honest, running two blogs is more overwhelming than I'd anticipated, even with the AWESOME HELP I'm getting around here.

*pauses to beam at MAD, LIZZY, and TARYN*

Anyway, I'm sorry.  Remember a month or two ago when I asked you to tell me your favorite MG/YA authors?  That's because I'm going to start trying to round up a few of them for interviews and other fun things around here.  And we're going to do more in-house critting, too; we just need to grow our community a little more first, so we don't keep reading the same things from the same people.  Over and over.

The FORUMS are the lifeblood of this place, at any rate.  I AM BLOWN AWAY BY THE AWESOMENESS OF THE COMMUNITY YOU'VE CREATED THERE.  Seriously!

So.  Bear with me.  And keep being your amazing selves.

(Have I mentioned how cool I think you all are?)

Also?  Please use this comment box for sharing your dreams and ideas.  What would you LOVE to see on this blog?  What would help/encourage/stretch you as a writer?  What would entertain you?  What would make you dive out of bed head first every morning JUST to see what's been posted?

Share!  Share lots!  I always read everything you have to say.

Yo! Looking for 3 Beta Readers

Yep, that's right!  I've just finished a clean draft of my new YA paranormal, and I'm looking for 3 teen beta readers.

NOT JUST ANY READERS, though!  If you're interested, please consider the following:

• You must fall into the 14-to-18 age category.
• You must be an active member in good standing on the WRITE ON forums.
• You must REALLY ENJOY YA paranormal. (Otherwise, this won't be fun for you.)
• You must promise not to discuss the story with anyone except me (or I'll send someone to slice your fingers off).
• As such, you must be willing to "sign" a non-disclosure statement via email (cool, huh?).
• You must not put any of your other obligations at risk (i.e. school work, chores, your own writing).

PLEASE NOTE:

• I am not asking for critique.  As such, I am not looking for "critique partners" or people to swap work with.  I'm simply looking for beta readers in my target audience.  Which happens to be you.
• For your parents: My books do not contain sex or sexually explicit scenes.  There is occasional mild swearing (no f-bombs or anything like that).  There is occasional violence.
• Ideally, I would like to hear from my teen beta readers within the next 3 or 4 weeks.  Please don't volunteer if you know you're too busy.  I promise I will ask again in the future!

INTERESTED?

Email me at facelesswords(at)gmail.com.  I WILL ACCEPT THE FIRST 3 PEOPLE WHO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.

And thanks in advance.  One of my favorite local teen readers happens to be a guy.  And this novel maps more to girls.  So I'm not going to torture him. *grin*

Once I've accepted your offer to read, I'll send you an email with more details on what I'm looking for.  

That's it, really! 

Have an awesome weekend.

UPDATE:  I've got my 3 readers.  THANKS SO MUCH!

So I'm Thinking...

We'll be doing in-house critiques on a regular basis, so that's covered.

We'll continue to have author interviews and other Interesting Things.

And of course, there's ALWAYS something going on in the forums.  (Have you been there lately? I mean...they're hoppin'! Lizzy is doing an amazing job running that place.)

But that leaves me with the big question: What else do you need from me?

I'm going to be writing a weekly feature for you.  It's going to be called The Basics.  And it's going to cover everything about writing that is NOT about the industry.  In other words, it's going to be about the WRITING.

As in, writing.

Because, I hate to say it--well, I don't hate to say it, actually, because it's true--but some English and Creative Writing teachers are teaching bad writing habits instead of good ones.  They're not doing it on purpose.  And if they knew they were doing it, I think they'd stop.

I'm not talking about non-fiction, by the way.  I think most of them have the term-paper, research-paper, two-page-report-on-the-boring-life-of-Emily-Dickinson thing down.  And more power to them, because I kind of hate that stuff.

I'm talking FICTION.  You know.  The good stuff.  *grin*

To be fair to them (and, for what it's worth, one of the people who influenced me the most as a writer was one of my English teachers), they're stuck with the curriculum.  And curriculum does-not-equal the be-all end-all of what it means to WRITE FICTION WELL.

So.  I'll attempt to fill in the spaces.  Correct the wrong thinking.  And help you all to write like AUTHORS instead of like ENGLISH STUDENTS.

If you know what I mean.

How does that sound?

(Oh, and those non-fiction writing assignments you're receiving from your teachers or parents?  I WANT YOU TO WRITE THOSE WELL, TOO.  I may hate writing them, but I believe anyone who calls himself a writer should take ALL writing assignments seriously, whether they flip your chocolate chip cookie or not.  So no slacking!)

What would make YOU happy?

Needless to say, I've got some cool things planned for this blog.  Like our very first teen-centric interview with a published author.  And critique sessions that focus on sharpening basic writing skills.

That sort of thing.

But what I'd like more than anything is to hear from YOU.  What would make you happy?  What would help you most in your writerly journey?

A lot is already going on in the forums, of course.  (What, you haven't join yet? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?)  There's already an intense book discussion going on, for instance.  And a chance for you to get to know each other on the general discussion board.  Obviously that's what the forums are for.

The blog, on the other hand, is the place where I can bring you the best information, instruction, and interviews, as well as critique opportunities and--wait for it--CONTESTS!  Because who doesn't love a great contest?

So talk to me.  Leave your suggestions and ideas in the comment box below.  And be sure to say hey and tell me your age, too!  I do pop over to the forums, but that's ultimately Lizzy's show.  I'd love a chance to get to know you and answer your blog-related questions RIGHT HERE.

Now's your chance, while the blog is new and shiny!  Help me make it into EXACTLY what you'd like it to be!

Well.  Within reason.

*grin*