Monday, January 31, 2011
Labels: Launch Day Eve, Submit
Sunday, January 30, 2011
All about Sharon (and Schnooki)
What first got you into writing? Was there anything that sparked your curiosity?
My dad used to read fables to me as a young child and I loved it. He also created a picture book for my sister and me about a red haired bunyip. As a teenager I wrote some poems and short stories. Then when I went to university I studied literature, plays and journalism. The first proper thing I wrote was a play that was a way to help me deal with a death of a friend. After that I just kept writing as ideas came knocking.
What is your favorite genre to write and why?
To be honest I don't really have a set favourite genre to write. My YA stories are Speculative Fiction, Urban Mythology, Steampunk/Dystopian, Utopian, Science Fiction and General Fiction. My short stories lean towards horror and supernatural.
What gives you your inspiration? Do ideas just pop into your head, or do you sit down and focus before getting a great idea?
I am a day dreamer and a lateral thinker, so initial concepts just pop into my head. My main WIP, Dirty Rainbow, came to me when I was thinking about genetics and how I managed to end up with blue eyed boys when my eyes are hazel. That got me thinking about a whole bunch of other things, like the theory of adaption and then *bam* Dirty Rainbow was born.
What's the main reason you love reading/writing?
I love story telling. When I write I want to create something that keeps the reader guessing. At first I just wrote for a close friend, who I call my muse. I wanted to entertain her with my stories. I love reading and trying to work out the ending, which is why I'm drawn to paranormal, supernatural and speculative fiction. There is normally a twist at the end.
Do you plan out the plot and characters of your stories before writing? Or do you improvise and write as you go?
I usually know the basic ending and some of the plot, but that's about it. The story and characters direct me as I go. Sometimes that means I have to go back and modify earlier parts of the story, but it's what works for me.
Do you ever want to travel to America?
I would love to visit my friends in America one day.
Can Laura come live with you in Australia?
LOL - no. I have a full house already.
What are some of the biggest difference you see between Americans and Aussies. Whether in the media, in literature, or just in general/culture wise. And can Marisa come stay with you too?
Literature wise we are dominated by the American market. An editor at an Australian arm of an international publishing firm told me that we are publishing less Australian books. I find that quite sad. It's also hard to get an agent in Australia because the market is so small. The Australia agents have to work so hard, and I really admire them. A lot of them aren't open for unsolicated submissions, especially in YA, which makes it even harder for me. But Aussies can still submit to a lot of overseas agents as well. I'd just love an agent who is passionate about my work, whether Australian, American or British.
Schnooki is unimpressed at the thought of sharing her room with Marisa |
Computer or paper?
Both. I write notes on paper, and sometimes parts of the actaul story. Then I flesh it out on the computer. I really want an iPad.
Favorite animal?
Meow!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Hey y'all, I'm Laura! I'm here today to ask y'all's questions!
What first got you into writing? Was there anything that sparked your curiosity?
I've always been a reader, as long as I can remember. And I'm an actor. I used to have these elaborate little movie ideas about spies and secret agents. In eight grade I bought this little green notebook, which I still have, torn and tattered, and wrote this murder scene one day, bored in science. It ended up being the prologue to not a spy book, but an assassin book. The Assassin, which is probably my best known work out there.
What is your favorite genre to write and why?
Mystery. Without a doubt. I just get so caught up in those things that always make you go "Woah! Didn't see that coming!" I love being able to unravel mysteries in my books. Mysteries are just intriguing and I love being able to write about a murder and having to have the reader solve it.
What gives you your inspiration? Do ideas just pop into your head, or do you sit down and focus before getting a great idea?
I can grab inspiration from practically anything. It's almost pathetic in a way. I'll walk my dog and look at a weird rock and be like "what if someone was murdered on that rock?" Needless to say, stuff like that I often dismiss, but I get inspiration and thinking time on my walks with my dog, in the shower, on the bus, driving around town. You name it, I've probably been inspired while doing it.
What's the main reason you love reading/writing?
I love getting swept away out of reality. I love being able to relate to characters, to feel their emotions, the heartbreak, the anger, the agony.
Do you plan out the plot and characters of your stories before writing? Or do you improvise and write as you go?
What’s your favorite cheese?
ICK! I hate cheese! I'll eat it on pizza, and a couple other things, but that's it.
What are some things you love about living in Texas? Things you hate?
Texas is my home, I've lived in the same town my whole life. I love the landscape, and the heat in the summer. I hate the cold in the winter. I hate the steryotype people have of Texas. No, I do not ride a horse to school, no, it is not always 110 degrees, and yes. I do use the term "y'all." And "all y'all."
Computer or paper?
Both. I write on paper at school, and it gives me times to write scenes that I wouldn't want to write on the computer, but the computer is so much faster! So, I can't really choose, because writing on the computer is what gets me out there and noticed, but writing on paper is kind of therapeutic for me.
Favorite Animal?
Elephant! And yes, Evie says that she loved them first, but here's the thing. She says she's loved them since she was two? I wasn't even born when she was two! So, I think that's a stupid excuse, I can't help being born after her!!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
What first got you into writing? Was there anything that sparked your curiosity?
I started writing during a time when a friend and I were reading a ton of supernatural series. The idea came at random while I was at her house, literally just came from nowhere, and I said, “Let’s write a book!” She said, “All right,” and we did. From then on, I was in love with writing.
What is your favorite genre to write and why?
I don’t have a favorite anymore. Initially, I loved supernatural and paranormal, but once I started writing dystopian and contemporary, I fell in love with those as well. For me, as long as I love the story, the genre doesn’t matter.
What gives you your inspiration? Do ideas just pop into your head, or do you sit down and focus before getting a great idea?
Ideas just come, sometimes too quickly for me to keep up. The characters come and talk to me, as weird as that sounds, and if the story sticks in my head all day or longer, then I know it's one I want to keep going with. As for inspiration, though, there is none for me. I have absolutely no idea what keeps me going.
What's the main reason you love reading/writing?
It’s a chance to leave reality and jump into someone else’s story. Different worlds, different people, different situations that I’ll (most likely) never have to deal with. It’s a chance to escape, and there’s nothing better than that, in my opinion.
Do you plan out the plot and characters of your stories before writing? Or do you improvise and write as you go?
I’m definitely an outliner. I have “Chapter Cheat Sheets” for every book. Of course, though, my characters like to change things every once in a while, so if that happens, I just change the outline. But I could never just sit down and write. I need direction and to know if my plot points happen at the right times.
Do you like eggs?
Laura, NO! I do NOT like eggs! Blech! Nor anything else (food or drink) that stinks or smells weird.
What do you like to do when you write, do you have to multi-task, or have total silence?
Complete silence and either a bed or desk. I rock back and forth sometimes. Completely strange, I know, but I can’t help it. And I have to be focused and in the moment or I can’t do anything. It's never writer's block that slows me down. It's my mental state and environment.
How did you make this template?
I knew this question was coming. :) Well, it is hard for me to explain because I don’t even know how I did some of it. But I started it back in November. Everything was drawn by hand, then I uploaded scans onto the computer, and then colored them. I wanted it to be fun and something no one else could replicate. The Treehouse Gang is different so I wanted our design to be different too.
Tell us about the scariest Kansas Dorothy-like tornado you've been through, if any.
Haha! Didn’t expect this question. Love ya, Marisa! But the scariest one would have to be the one from 2002. It went down my street and destroyed so many houses. I remember my dad filmed the aftermath as soon as it was done. It took until just a couple years ago for all the damage to get fixed. One of my friends’ bedrooms was completely torn apart (she lived on the top floor of her house) and so many I went to school with had to borrow clothes and supplies for weeks. So sad. :( Luckily, not many were injured.
Computer or paper?
Computer. I can’t stand writing out stories because then I have to type them. That’s double the work and I’m way too lazy to do it. Haha! And I can type faster than I write. If I write fast, then my handwriting is terrible and I can't read it.
Favorite Animal?
Elephants! And Laura’s going to have the same answer, but I LOVED ‘EM FIRST! Collected them since I was two and have too many to count. Love elephants!
Yay! So that's me...kind of. :) Hope y'all have a good day!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Hey. dudes and dudettes, I'm here to answer your questions. Funny thing--I'm usually the one asking questions.
What first got you into writing? Was there anything that sparked your curiosity?
What is your favorite genre to write and why?
What gives you your inspiration? Do ideas just pop into your head, or do you sit down and focus before getting a great idea?
What's the main reason you love reading/writing?
Do you plan out the plot and characters of your stories before writing? Or do you improvise and write as you go?
What are some of your guilty pleasures?
Tumblr of blogger? What do you like better and why?
Computer or paper?
Favorite Animal?
That's it for now! You'll see me around, that's for sure.
Labels: Insomniacs, Nella, Questions, Reading, Writing
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Labels: Calendar, Suggestions
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Here’s how it works. Every month we’ll have a different genre theme. Within the month there will be a different category of discussion for each week. Though the genre will change every month, the set up for each week will stay the same.
Week 1: Pitches
Week 2: Short Stories
Week 3: First Chapters
Week 4: Excerpts
We want YOU to submit your work to us, according to the month’s genre and the week's theme. For example, our launch month of February is paranormal, so you'll want to submit your paranormal novel’s pitch, that corresponds with the first week of February. You don’t write paranormal? Don’t sweat it! Each month we’ll have a new genre, so we’ll be sure to get to your genre eventually!
You can start to submit your theme specific work that Sunday and no later than Thursday. Please check the sidebar for submission format. Send your piece to YATreehouseGang (at) aol (dot) com. As a rule, your submitted piece can be no longer than 2,500 words. If it’s over the word limit, get in touch with a gang member. There are exceptions! We will pick a submitted piece at random and feature it in the blog on Saturday. If you don’t write that month’s genre, you can still get involved by commenting your critique on the featured piece. We will pick the best critiques and feature them on The Gang’s Review Sunday, along with our critiques.
Along with the submission reviews, there will be features such as Pitch Sessions, Tip and Tricks, and Book Reviews. Those of us who have writing experience in the genre will share, and there will even be monthly giveaways.
Mostly, we want this blog to be for YOU. So look around the site. Check out the Meet the Gang page, where you can read brief bios on all the members. There’s going to be a lot going on on this site, so be sure to check the calendar for information on the day-to-day posts. Have questions? Click here.
We’re all so excited for this site and want it to be great, but it can’t be without your involvement!
So stay tuned, as there is much more to come!
Labels: Submit, The Treehouse Gang, Welcome