Sometimes life comes at you fast. Other times it takes a bit longer to get everything just in the right spot at the right time. Like a podcast episode. (Ahem.)
Prose can be like that too. So today, we talk about pacing in writing fiction, especially as it pertains to the revision process. Once that first draft is done -- or even second draft, or third draft -- how do you approach the problem of a story that's too fast or too slow?
Listen along and find out!
Episode 16: On Pacing in Revisions (Air Time 33:49)
We get by with a little help from our friends, and you can too -- with critique partners! (Or are they beta readers?) Listen today for our personal experiences, tips, tricks, and warnings about finding those writers you can call when you need a hand.
Episode 15: Critique Partners In Depth (Air Time 32:12)
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Iazliq44s6urjbj7hes3a3267zi
SHOW NOTES
CP Resources:
- https://www.reddit.com/r/YAwriters/
- Twitter: Check out hashtags like #amwriting, #amediting
- Pitch Contests (A few are listed here)
- Natalie C Parker's Agented Author Hook-Up: http://nataliecparker.com/agentedauthorhookup.html
- Miss Snark's First Victim: http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/
- Absolute Write Water Cooler: a forum with lots of resources, including CP boards
- SCBWI's Blueboard (formerly the Verla Kay Blueboard): forum
- Agent Query Connect: forum
Welcome again to another episode of UpvoteYA. Today we explore what we do -- and what we should be doing -- when we polish up our drafts. Join us for the discussion!
Welcome again to another episode of UpvoteYA. This week we tackle the topic of what it's like to write with a 9-to-5 day job (or 8-to-5, or 11-7, or whatever it is you do). We dream about hitting the big time as successful novelists, and we ask ourselves: what would it take to quit?
Also, guest author Shaun David Hutchinson chimes in with an interview! Don't miss it!
Episode 13: Writing With a Day Job (and Shaun David Hutchinson) (Air Time 35:24)
Your setting is a vibrant, vital part of your book, and it's just as important in contemporary fiction as it is in genre fiction. Today we talk with Nic Stone about contemporary worldbuilding and how to write about a place that exists while making it come alive.
Episode 12: Contemporary Worldbuilding with Nic Stone (Air Time 34:08)
Hello again, listeners! We're back after a holiday break, and we're ready to tackle a tough topic: point of view. We talk about how hard it is to get one good PoV into a book, let alone several. And what about tension? Also... there might also be a little bit of squeeing over the authors that really get it right.
All this and more on your first edition of UpvoteYA for 2017!
Hello and welcome to the tenth episode of UpvoteYA! Today we chat a little bit about worldbuilding. What is it? Why do you need it? Is it just for genre writers?
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Iazliq44s6urjbj7hes3a3267zi
Episode 10: Intro to Worldbuilding (Air Time 24:06)
SHOW NOTES
What follows is a list of all the books we talked about today, some of which you probably have heard of. If you want homework for what to read to brush up on your worldbuilding, start here.
Today we explore National Novel Writing Month. What is it? Can you do it? Should you? We have some tips and tricks to help you hit that 50,000 word mark over the course of this awesome thirty-day writing journey.
And we ask the big questions: Will this be Phil's year?
Joined by special guest Chelsea Sedoti, today we explore the roles of sex, drugs, swearing, and a little rock and roll in writing young adult fiction. And it definitely gets awkward.
If you've ever sat back from writing a scene and told yourself, "My parents/grandparents/aunt Nellie can never read this," then this episode is for you.
As the conclusion of our series on the querying process, today we discuss sending your query to agents and how to make it out alive. When do you nudge? How many should you send at a time?
And for crying out loud, what happens if they want to talk on the phone?
All this and more, this week on UpvoteYA.
Episode 7: Your Querying Survival Guide (Air Time 32:09)
Today on UpvoteYA, we take an in-depth look at querying. What is a query? What are the important parts? What makes an effective query? We try to tackle these questions and more.
As a bonus, after the episode we workshop two queries sent in by Redditors at /r/yawriters.
Episode 6: Queries and Workshop (Air Time 1:01:59)
In part two of "Agents and Querying," we discuss common misconceptions about literary agents, as well as what not to do when querying. We also interview agent Renee Nyen of KT Literary, who offers us some insights into her approach, how she became an agent, and more.
In our next episode we're going to take an in-depth look at queries. What makes them work, and how do you write a good one?
This series will culminate in a workshop episode. Tune in this week to hear how you can get involved!
Episode 5: Agents and Querying - Misconceptions and More (Air Time 30:01)
Literary agents are a big part of the traditional publishing process. So big, we can't fit it all into one episode! In part one, we talk about what an agent does, how to find one that's right for you, and how to know if an agent is legitimate. Whether you're first-drafting or #amquerying, we hope to shed some light on the subject.
Jennifer Laughran on Schmagents: http://literaticat.tumblr.com/post/138313665435/sooo-i-think-my-agent-may-be-a-shmagent-it
Discussion on /r/YAwriters on “Questions to ask during ‘The Call’”: https://www.reddit.com/r/YAwriters/comments/4x8c26/discussion_questions_to_ask_during_the_call/
Welcome to episode three of the UpvoteYA podcast! Today we're going to dive head first into the world of pitch and blog contests. We'll talk about what it takes to win one and what writers should expect to get out of them. We also interview two members of the #PitchWars community about their personal experiences. Thanks for joining us!
Episode 3: How to Win Pitch and Blog Contests (Air Time 47:26)
Welcome to the episode two of the UpvoteYA podcast! In this episode we explore genre in the YA marketplace. We also discuss resources and tools for discovering trends, word count targets for various genres of YA, and a few different approaches to drafting and revision. Thanks for joining us!
Episode 2: All About Genre and Process (Air Time 33:12)
Leigh Bardugo’s approach to world building (2012): http://www.gollancz.co.uk/2012/06/sticks-and-stones-my-approach-to-world-building-a-guest-post-by-leigh-bardugo/
Welcome to the first episode of the UpvoteYA podcast! We’re here to talk about all things related to writing and reading young adult literature. Today, we introduce ourselves and explore what makes these books different, as well as what draws us toward writing for teens.
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Iazliq44s6urjbj7hes3a3267zi
Today in the show we talk about:
Sweet Valley High, Fear Street, The Babysitters Club, Nancy Drew, The Boxcar Children, Goosebumps, Animorphs, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Giver, The Client, Jurassic Park, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Red Rising, More Happy Than Not, Judy Blume, Agatha Christie, Sage Blackwood
