Maureen Johnson on How to Get An Agent

Maureen Johnson, author of manymany YA novels, posted a video through vlogbrothers today on how to get an agent. :) And although I think I knew this already, it's always good to hear it again.



She also posted a blog about "how to get an agent", and it's sarcastic in that everything she tells you do, actually you are NOT supposed to do! (she says this at the end, so while you read the post you're like, "huh? i AM supposed to that?" and then you find out, "NO! DON"T DO ANY OF THIS!!!") haha

http://maureenjohnson.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-write-query-letter.htm

Just some stuff

Sometimes I freak out about how I have to be an expert on fencing, horses, horseback riding, warfare and all types of crazy crap! (not really crap, but i just had to throw in that Strong Bad reference. ^^) Luckily, I have 'internets' and a boyfriend who helps me out sometimes.

I'm always on the lookout for pictures that remind me of my book, and lately I've found some good ones! Some of them were like BAM, that is IT!
Like this one. I really like it, although I probably couldn't tell you exactly why.


I also found this pic online that I thought was cool for an animated pic. :)

I did a search for castle ruins and found this one. So cool!

All of Jenna's traipses through the woods make this picture just about perfect for the book!

Yes, the girl here has red hair, but I LOVE the tone and feel of it!

A beautiful vista in Scotland~

Just a girl, in a forest, wearing clothes that don't fit with the forest. :) Love it!

I really like this road! I can just see Jenna and Michael and co. walking down it!

So that's all for now. I'll try to start writing more. Because as you write, then you have more inspiration for MORE and then even MORE! :D

Melissa sent this to me today, and I love it just as much as she does~

Reading

Another thing contributing to my need/want to write, is that I've been reading 'Hood' by Stephen Lawhead. It's a retelling of Robin Hood, and I'm only on the third chapter, but I really like it! And it's good to use for 'research.' :D

And to celebrate, here's a Book 2.5 quote!!

"Spiteful wretch!"

Who says it? Can't tell ya!! :D

Thank you Erica!

Erica and I just finished reading Book 1 together.  It was great to read out loud again, and fix tiny things I STILL hadn't noticed (after HOW many times reading?? GOSH!), and after it was finished, I just could not. stop. smiling!! I LOVE IT!

And lol, Erica was totally into it, and at the end scene, she goes, "JENNA IS AN IDIOT." HAHAhhaa, and I totally agree, but at the same time, Erica does not know what I know, mwahahahahhaa!

YAAAYYY! I love writing!!

Current mood: ^____^

Progress

My thoughts on writing: Oh man, it's fun! :D 

Here's a quote from the Book 2.5:

Jenna: “All I’m saying is that it doesn’t seem right to love your enemy, and hate the ones you work so hard for.”

Playlist Reader's Guide

For those of you who have finished reading Book 1, or for those who are in the process of reading it now, I am making a guide as to when/where/how/why songs in the playlist fit in. YAY!

You can refer to this blog entry while you read, won't that be FUN!? I KNOW. :D


**SPOILER ALERT** If you haven't read the book, and don't want the plot to be spoiled, DO NOT read the Playlist Reader's Guide!!!!!


Here goes:

1. The Great Escape: this song is for the Spencer Era, when she thinks everything is going spectacularly. ... heh...

2. Show Me Tha Money: getting ready for a date~

3. Who Knew?: the break-up

4. Stranger: referring to Spencer. (what a jerk!)

5. Gone: again, referring to Spencer. Jenna is GONE. out of there! HA!

6. Since U Been Gone: can you guess that these are all break-up songs?

7. Fighter: finally, Jenna realizes that the experience made her stronger. SHe's now a fighter~!

8. Crawling: she still needs the rage music sometimes...

9. Happy Ending: yup, Spencer is a carcass fit for hounds.

10. The Garden: just a good song. She was broken up about it, but now...

11. Way Back Into Love: Ben helps her along. awwww~

12. Move Along: another one referring to Ben.

13. Pop Princess: how Ben feels about Jenna sometimes (although it's not from his point of view, this gives a little insight.)

14. Bubbly: Jenna feels so happy with him!

15. Blackbird:  Technically this is in Book 2, but I really like this song, and I listened to it a lot while writing.

16. Cristofori's Dream: another one I listened to a lot to get me in the mood. This goes at the very first time Jenna sees Michael, and probably any other time.

17. January Rain: soothing, eh?

18. (Pride and Prejudice) Credits: I guess this should go at the beginning of the playlist, but... meh. Anything from Pride and Prejudice helped me write that first encounter she had, waking up in the field.

19. Spell: Jenna seems to put spells on anyone she comes across (figuratively, that is). Michael and Ben are both spellbound by her.

20. Somewhere Only We Know: Um, oops, this is probably supposed to be in Book 2.

21. Stand My Ground: When Jenna makes up her mind to tell Ben her secret.

22. X&Y: This is from Ben's point of view. Basically the whole time he's with her. And maybe more so especially at the end.

23. Love Is Dead: heh heh heh, this goes at the make-out scene at the charity dinner. Why? Because its drive is PERFECT, and it also foreshadows what both Jenna and Ben are feeling. :D HEH!

24. It Ends Tonight: when Jenna decides Ben is not for her. oh how sad!!

25. **secret song** : I can't tell you what the song is, cuz it will give things away!

26. Roadside:  The break-up. Both still definitely feel things for each other. Hmmm~



Well, that's it! I flippin' love having a soundtrack to the book!