BLOGFEST: Let's Talk

It's been awhile since I've participated in a blogfest, so I've decided to jump back in and participate in the Let's Talk blogfest, hosted by Roni Griffin at Fiction Groupie.

Below is an excerpt from AGAIN, my YA paranormal.  Enjoy!


[Excerpt has been removed to protect my work.]

Last Lines Blogfest

Note to self: Do not sign up for a blogfest until after I make sure I have a piece to submit!  I get so excited when I learn about new blogfests that I forget to think about whether or not I will have time to put a piece together.  The Last Lines Blogfest, hosted by Lilah Pierce, was more difficult than I anticipated.  

Some of my best "last lines" occur during crucial plot moments that I'm not ready to share yet.  So, rather than posting a significant cliffhanger moment, I've chosen a lighthearted scene between my main character and her friends.  It's from Again, the novel I'm currently revising. 


[Excerpt has been removed to protect my work.]

Body Language Blogfest

I admit that I nearly forgot about the Body Language Blogfest, hosted by Harley D. Palmer at Labotomy of a Writer.  Thanks to Roland D. Yeomans for reminding me!  

Below is my excerpt from Again, the Young Adult manuscript that I'm currently revising.  I haven't spent much time revising the chapter that my excerpt is from, so please understand that it's still a work-in-progress (the self-conscious side of me needed that disclaimer).  It was so hard to eliminate all the dialogue and only use body language!

[Excerpt has been removed to protect my work.]

Revision Tip

At ... and this time, concentrate!, Summer introduced me to Wordle, a website where you can post an entire manuscript and it will visually display the words you use the most.

To better see my Wordle results for my WIP Again, click on the image below.  

Wow, what an eye-opener!  I'm aware of some of my overused words, but others surprised me.  Now I can go through my manuscript and utilize the "search and edit" function to change these words.  

Thanks Summer for this great revision idea!

First Page Blogfest

I ran across an interesting idea today: a First Page Blogfest hosted by Kelly Lyman. Basically, it involves posting your first page of your WIP and letting readers comment about it. I've done this several times on Miss Snark's First Victim ... but anonymously. I know I need to develop a thicker skin, so I'm crazy enough to try this. Please feel free to provide as much constructive criticism as you'd like. Being the nervous sort, I do have to add a disclaimer: this is still a work in progress, so please don't expect perfection. :)

Okay ... (deep breath) ... below is the first page of Again:

[Excerpt has been removed to protect my work.]