"You're a Triple Threat!" - Harper Collins

Harper Collins submitted their review of my book proposal/outline for South of Light's End. It's kinda long so I won't post all of it, just some of the highlights.

I was excited to see the book proposal for South of Light’s End and thought it was a really great submission. Firstly, I want to start by saying you’ve come up with a really interesting and original concept with well-drawn characters and a compelling storyline.


Most importantly, you’ve created genuinely interesting characters with fleshed out back stories and a sense of humour. I wanted to know more about everyone, wanted to follow their story. I also liked the shifting POV in the chapters. It’s a difficult style of writing to pull off and shows your confidence which is great for an editor to see. I would worry that there might be a lack of dialogue (often the lifeblood of a good YA novel as it keep the action moving forward) as Willa doesn’t talk until the end but that’s something we’d have to see in the actual writing.


I also like that even though the murder mystery/ghost story has been done before, you’ve created your own rules with the echo. I thought that was brave and original.


One of the things I really liked about this was the full fleshed out relationships of all the characters. Tate and his little sister were super charming and I really like the potential for culture clashes (I’m English and laughed out loud at the ‘blow me’ comment!) between Willa and Tate but again, that might be limited if she doesn’t speak until the end.


All in all, you’ve come up with a genuinely original take on a very popular genre and essentially for a publisher, there is absolutely room for a sequel which shows both writing talent, creativity and commercial awareness – you’re a triple threat! Can’t wait to read this once it’s finished. 


Note: Since receiving this review, Willa becomes verbal much earlier in the book now.

Patience

I want to write but I shouldn't until I get my review. I'M GETTING IMPATIENT.
Which brings me to a point to ponder. In the ghost business you need patience. I went to my first ghost hunt recently at an old and purportedly haunted bed and breakfast, and the most that could be said for it is that I was bored. Much patience is needed if you're going to hunt for a ghost. I had to reach down deep to find mine. Also, some people's over the top excitement for the tiniest things was just...eh. I had to control myself to keep my eyes from rolling...to their face anyway. ;)

Another Win!

My outline for South of Light's End won a contest for a review from Harper Collins. Yay!

Here's the pitch for the book.

If reality is based upon perspective, Willa, Tate
and Elliot’s reality is something to perceive.

A farmer’s daughter moves to the Florida coast, Cape San Blas,
after her father suffers from a stroke. Willa’s unfortunate circumstance
leaves her with little to say, even to her good-intentioned foster parents.
If they or the pompous Tate in her Honors English class aren’t
bothering her, the ghost haunting her new bed and breakfast home
is. When she develops feelings for the lonely specter, life gets
interesting.

Elliot used to be a normal boy. That was until his premature
death. Everyone he cares for believes he drowned. Only he knows
the truth, but when you’re a ghost finding someone to listen to
the truth is near impossible. That is until he meets Willa. All
he wants is for her to help him catch his murderer. Is that too
much to ask of the living?

Tatum Julius Von Loux III didn’t suspect life in America to
be a dream. He merely wishes his parents would stop arguing.
Maybe then he’d have a shot at understanding love. Little does
he know that helping Willa hunt for Elliot's murderer would
lead him to that understanding. Now, if she would only look at
him like she looks at that dead boy.

Full of mystery and the kind of love that death can’t stop,
South of Light’s End tells the tale of three teenagers whose
paths cross in unexpected and haunting ways.

A Real Publisher's Review

I received my review today from a real live publisher. No, it wasn't to get my book published. This was just for informational purposes, and it was great information. I'm sort of in a daze now with all that they said along with my new ideas floating around in my head (sorry Amy). I'll come out of it when I finish revisions. ;)

New Book

I started on a new book this past weekend. Yay me! It's about a girl, a boy and a ghost boy named Elliot. In this one the ghost stuff starts right away. Hehe, I'm a ghost writer.

The Joys of Internet

I've been attending a sort of internet writing conference this week. It's been so very helpful. I suppose I should go ahead and apologize to my customers and employees for my inattentiveness. Nah, I'll wait until the week is over - more apologies might be needed.

But all this learning was perfect on the heals of my mini vaca-Ahem, research trip. We took a trip to Cape San Blas (yes, it's a real location and yes, it's in my book White Star), and St. George Island. Let me tell ya, that place is gorgeous and the lighthouse was so adorable and quaint. But the most surprising little discovery was Apalachicola. I had no idea it was so beautiful. I thought it was going to be the typical briny, rough-around-the-edges port city. Not even. The downtown is so pretty and it's so rich in history. The natives take so much pride it in also. My sister and I will be going back soon. Gibson Inn, here we come!
(pictured St. George Island Lighthouse)

Contest

It's been a while - sorry. I'll give a quick update.

I recently won a bit of a contest where people could "vote" on my book from over 5,000 other books. Winning the contest means I get an experienced editor to read White Star and give me a full review. I'm excited about this and nervous as all get out. I had a lot of revising and editing to do before turning my precious baby over to them, but it's done. Go me!

In the coming weeks, I will be sending out query letters to agents and test the waters on how well my book idea will be received. I'm nervous about this too. To be truthful, I should have already been doing this. The idea of failure had me stuck. But I'm pushing ahead and, sink or swim, I'm putting my book out there.

In a week or so I will post a link up where you can go read the first five chapters of White Star. I'm excited about this too.  Keep checking and the link will be here soon!