Always truth, never dare, except today! (#pitchwarsAMA)

You know, I sort of avoided playing truth or dare as a younger person. I could handle dishing out the truth, but I always shuddered at someone forcing me into a dare. I wasn't always afraid, just liked controlling my own crazy.  But today's post is a touch of both because the fabulous @ELWicker tagged me for the Pitchwars Ask Me Anything (#pitchwarsAMA) challenge. But this dare will reveal the truth about me as a writer and dreamer.

 Below are the questions posed to me by 2014 #pitchwars mentees:

 

@ELWicker asked: How does it make you feel when you finally (and completely) finish writing a book?

 
If you mean in a completely edited and squeakily kind of finished, the truth is I've never done that. Writing is an ever-changing process. But when I finished both my middle grade novels' rough drafts, I allowed myself a crazy, I-rocked-this-thing-out sort of jiggle before the reality of editing sank deep into my stomach. Then I sat down. And started to read what I wrote.

@Aightball asked: What must your writing environment be? (I.e. Quiet, music, special place, etc...)

Funniest thing ever. What is a writing environment? I have two adorable and ridiculously rambunctious girls under the age 7. I write between tantrums, hunger cries, and little person crises. I don't even know what quiet is. Sometimes I play music on my laptop when I manage to stay in my 2x4 office space for more then twenty minutes. Please don't take this as complaining. It's just the way my life is. Thank God for nap time!

I will admit that if I had the 'write' equipment and lived in a place that got more then a month of sunshine a year, I'd spend more time writing out-of-doors. I feel more grounded there, and my creativity has the room it craves.

 

@Hayley_stone asked: Growing up, what books or authors would you say had the most influence on you and your writing?

This is a fun question! My love of fantasy and historical fiction started at such a young age. Bruce Coville, Madeleine L'engle, C.S. Lewis, Tamora Pierce, Jane Austen, and Shel Silverstein all played a major part in showing me the unlimited reach words have on the imagination and my life. I would disappear into forgotten times and strange lands, only to submerge when my mom forced me to.

 

@Twin_Lotus asked: Who is the weirdest character you've written about?

Weirdness is so subjective. I think the pukulats, or stone spirits, in my first manuscript (now shelved until I can rewrite it) were the weirdest and most fun to write. I describe them as men that emerge from a sacred rock. They guard the way to a hidden fortress. Their joints clank as they move, like puppets made of stone, and they speak in rhyme, all the time, even as they climb!

 

@winellroad asked: Who would play the characters in the movie version of your book? 

I am not very movie, actor(ess) minded, so this is a hard question for me. Plus, my #pitchwars book is based on my upbringing, so I see a lot of my characters as the people they are based on.

If I had to choose, Dom would be played by Theo Holm. Reed, Dom's brother, would be played by Lincoln Lewis. Emma would be played by Elle Fanning. Taylor, Dom's rival, would be played by Kenton Duty.  Bad guy China Jin would be played by Wallace Chung.

 

@alisonwhipp asked: Do you have moments where you feel like giving up (WIP or writing)? If so, how do you push through that? 

Okay, first off, I gotta say that I have had these moments both mid-rough draft and in the editing process. But honestly, I'm a major optimist. When I have a give-up thought, I try really hard to nip it in the butt quick and focus back on what I love.

Sometimes, that means going back to a portion of the novel that I love and rereading it a few times. I've sent an email to a critique partner and told them I needed some cheering up. I'm also a christian, so sometimes I'll pray about it.

But my best tactic is time away. I'll step back for a few hours, or up to a few days. And it seems like I always come back refreshed and excited about the story again.

 

Duck, duck, duck...

Thanks for reading this post and all the great questions! Now its my turn to tag one of my question posers. So its duck, duck, duck, duck, stone! @Hayley_stone that is!

I loved your question and I really want to get to know you better! Be sure to tell me when and where you post your answers.

Why you want to mentor me in Pitchwars (#pimpmybio)

Welcome!

 

(For all my regular readers, bare with me as I post this bio for my most recent writing contest.)
Everyone else, and especially any mentors checking me out and wondering if I am the person they may like to work with, welcome to my #pitchwars #pimpmybio post! I'm glad you stopped by. I hope this gives you a taste of who I am and helps you decide in my favor as your lucky mentee. And if not, we can still be friends.

About Me

 

Hi there. *Waves*. Most people participating in the Pitchwars writing contest know me as E.G. Moore, but my friends call me Emily. I'm pensive, but loud. I'm thoughful, but tactless. I'm hardworking, but know when to take a break. And I know that pitchwars isn't that time.

My family includes my husband, a recent U.S. Navy veteran who can make me laugh no matter the circumstances, my two daughters Mikayla and Brylie, two hyper doggies, and a very vengeful cat.

My love of telling stories goes back forever to the "owl that says ruff my mom recorded on a cassette tape. But I didn't start really taking my writing seriously until a bout with depression had me grabbing for the things I loved most. And I haven't stopped since.

My day jobs include waitressing, chauffering, nanny-ing, cooking, cleaning, errand running, accounts receivable and payable, researcher. Oh alright, I'm really a mom and in between all these faucets of motherhood, I freelance blog and web content, and ghostwrite cookbooks. 

Determined as the Wind

 

The subtitle above isn't just pretty words. My commitment to a cause has served me well over the years, including top jerky saleswoman in junior high school, Miss Trinity 2004, U.S. Navy Family Readiness Group Coordinator, and Moms of Preschoolers Group leader. When I want something, I go for it skull, center, and soul. Pitchwars is no exception. I've not just entered, I've participated in both the learning part and the neurosis twice, as well as half a dozen other query and pitch contests. I want to be a published author, and if you are willing to work with me, I can guarantee that desire will make me the hardest working mentee you've ever helped.

Six More Random Reasons, Just in Case You're Not Convinced Yet

1. I've moved almost a dozen times in my 28 years. Sometimes by plane, sometimes by car. Once or twice alone, and always with a smile. These experiences have created fodder for my stories.

2. I'm semi-fluent in Spanish and know a tad of Italian. If you need an interpreter on ANY trip to Spain or Italy, please call me ASAP. My schedule will open up.

3. I've never really been into music or television. But let's talk about books because I guarantee we will find at least six first loves to talk about for hours.

4. I'm native to California, and no I didn't walk the beach every day of my childhood. I'm from a small mountain town in Northern California. I don't mean San Fransisco. The state capital is further north than that, just so you know.

5. My concern for the earth we live on and our impact on it is real. I'm very aware and careful about what my family eats, wears, and uses on and in their body. I love reusing and recycling. I'm not a tree hugger, I just believe in a cleaner, safer world and I am more than happy to tell you about it.

6. I have a fascination with cultures. You'll especially notice Native American elements in most of my works, even if subtle.

My Novel's Inspiration

 

Just like in LITTLE WOMEN, I've found that writing what I know is the key to authenticity. My entry for Pitchwars stems very much from that. ROWDY DAYS OF DOM SANDERS is a contemporary middle grade retelling of THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER based on my husband's scarce upbringing and our friendship growing up. (And in case any of my romance writing friends are wondering, no we weren't high school sweethearts.) I've been told it feels real with punchy MG voice and the perfect country setting. All I know is that I feel transported to my childhood when I edit it or relive a scene. And that is the sort of reading experience I want to give to young readers with all my books.

Pick me, Pick me!

 

And here's where I beg. I really want to experience Pitchwars as a finalist and find an agent for DOM. I love this book and I want a mentor and agent as crazy about it as I am. I'm not afraid to shred up the manuscript and bolster its full potential from the ground up. I am open and ready for criticism in all its forms. I'm looking for a mentor who will obsess with me, become a friend all the way to publication, and maybe, just maybe even meet in person some day. Feel free to check out my social media from the links below:

www.facebook.com/emilygmoorewriter
Tweet @egmoorewriter


And if all this doesn't convince you, well then I'm not above bribing. Just kidding, just kidding, just kidding. But seriously, I have tequila floats and dove squares. Ask any of the other #pitchwars contestants. They'll tell you.

Sharing My Writing Process with you

A new friend who waded through the #newagent trenches with me, a one Ms. Molly, insisted that I share the crazy, unhabitual way in which I translate stories to the page. Please go show her some love on twitter @mrsshafferjms.

About #MyWritingProcess…

“We writers share these things, but informally during workshops and at conferences (and, for a handful of established writers, in printed interviews), but not so much through our open-forum blogs. With the hashtag #MyWritingProcess, you can learn how writers all over the world answer the same four questions. How long it takes one to write a novel, why romance is a fitting genre for another, how one’s playlist grows as the draft grows, why one’s poems are often sparked by distress over news headlines or oddball facts learned on Facebook.”

 

Here are the four questions Molly sent my way:

            1) What are you working on?

I have two novels in the works right now. ROWDY DAYS OF DOM SANDERS is in its final stages of editing with four manuscript overhauls. It's a modern take on THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER, where my main character sees a cop's murder related to drug deals in a small town, and he must decide whether to come forward to defend his bully, who's arrested for the crime. This manuscript was a finalist in the #newagent contest this month, and will be entered in #pitchwars in august.

My other project right now is a young adult fantasy with the working title SAMANA'S FLAIR. Only ten chapters have been written, and I'm not entirely sure of its direction yet. I'll give you a few bits though... 1) It's a world ran by elves in which men are the lower class, 2) The elves rule because they have tattoos which signify either manual or magical skills, 3) A false elf (man) is trying desperately to keep his position as king and gets more and more evil to do it, 4) Samana is an orphan turned apprentice who slowly learns about her past and fights for her country's future, and 5) just like my first (and shelved) manuscript, this one has Native American elements woven throughout. That's all I know as of yet. I'm awaiting CP feedback before I continue writing the rough draft on this one. 

2) How does your work differ from others of its genre?

ROWDY DAYS OF DOM SANDERS is a modern retelling of a classic rather than a fairy tale.  The mix of those classic elements plus the 1990s details make this story feel very possible and authentic.

3) Why do you write what you do?

I write these stories for myself and also to teach children to think and imagine.  In this modern age, it seems like a lot of creativity is lost in the process of learning. I want children to open my pages, get lost in a world of their own imagining, and end as though they are coming up for air. That sort of complete engrossment is how I fell in love with books at such a young age, and I want to help that feeling of joy in being a part of the adventure to live on for generations to come.

4) How does your writing process work? 

I'll admit it up front, I am a pantser, as in I don't plan much. Usually I start with an idea and I spend a few weeks developing the plot in my head before I open a new word document. I usually draw a map within writing the first few chapters. Then I just take it one chapter at a time, thinking through where its going and where I want it to go as I write. Often plot twists come to me as I lay awake late at night or when I wake up thinking about the manuscript. My first draft takes a little while, and I edit as I go which slows down the process. In fact, I should really work on NOT doing that. haha. I rarely play music while I write, as its usually late at night when my children are sleeping or first thing in the morning as I listen to cartoon theme songs. My guilty pleasure in writing is over using exclamation points! And my most cut word during revisions is "And". I have to break up some of those long sentences for my young audience and to balance the pacing of the manuscript. I've done character sketches for SAMANA'S FLAIR, but I usually feel like I know my characters better than I know the plot, so I'm pretty sure that was just a creative way to procrastinate. My bad.

I Challenge…

 

Who to choose, who to choose? I suppose I should tap some entertaining writers I know, but how can I only pick a couple?

Nick Metal - (@LoveWinsDude) a new friend from the #newagent contest this month.

Anne Lipton - (@AnneLipton) because she's awesome and my blog's newest follower.

W.I.P. Blog Hop

I'm participating in my first ever blog hop, so pardon me if I -eeeeekkkk- have a moment or two throughout. The fabulous S. Usher Evans tagged me, eager to learn more about my story. Thanks, Love! Dom made it as a finalist in Michelle Hauck's query contest In With The New this past Monday, so I thought I would share more about the main character, Dominic Sanders.

 

What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or historical?

Dom Sanders is a trickster of a twelve-year-old out to have the best summer of his life. While Dom is mostly fictional, the inspiration for this novel comes from the stories my in-laws told me about my husband Nolan and his brother Logan. So in a weird way, Dom is a semi-historical character based on my husband. 

 

When and where is the story set?

The story is set in Millville, a small California valley town in 1998. It's based loosely on Hayfork, California, where my husband and I grew up. All the different places in the settings (as well as some of the minor characters) are based off places I remember from growing up.

 

 

What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

 Dom notices Mom didn't pull any meat out for dinner, and decides to go hunting for some fresh game. Up in the federal lands behind their new property, Dom hears an argument between a corrupt cop and a weed dealer, and sees the dealer kill the cop. From then on, he struggles with guilt and doing the right thing. And the few times he follows morals, it backfires.

 

What is the personal goal of the character?

Initially, it's to scam kids out of money so he can buy a horse, but by the end of the novel, he wants to live life without looking over his shoulder and without being a hero.

 

Is there a working title?

This novel has changed names, oh I don't know, a dozen times. It's a modern retelling of THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER, so I played with titles similar for a while. But the word rowdy kept coming up, so finally I decided on the title ROWDY DAYS OF DOM SANDERS.

Where can we see more?

The only place you can see more right now is on Michelle's blog for the contest I mentioned above. Please don't comment, as that is reserved for agents who want more of the manuscript. Click here to check out my entry.

Be sure to subscribe to my blog for updates on requests for Dom and his publishing experience in the future! Also, follow me on twitter if you like.

 

The next victims?

I think we should keep the New Agent contestants going in this hop, but  I can only tag 3!??!??! Dang it, if I must chose:

Nikki Roberti - My new friend and critique partner because she was great at matching my energy at the In With the New twitter party all week and made me laugh on numerous occassions.

Kendra Young -  Another awesome contestant with wit like I haven't seen in a while. She and I shared virtual tequila floats on the hard days of waiting, and the girl is getting mad requests in the contest.

Keith Willis - The knight of the twitter party, Keith's repertoire and puns had me going all week, plus this guy's writing is awesome. I guarantee I will buy everything he writes!

Alright you three, let's see your W.I.P. blog posts! If you don't have a blog, I'd be willing to put it up on mine. Otherwise, share the link with me so I can spread the word!

My latest WIP

My wrists need a massage! I have been hard at work writing my latest WIP entitled SAMANA'S FLAIR, a YA fantasy.  I started the first chapter months ago, and putting it aside because the idea hadn't fully formed in my mind yet.  

But waiting on my critique partner while she tears apart DOM SANDERS left me time to focus on it.  And I am super excited to share a small excerpt with all my readers.  Keep in mind, this is a rough, rough, rough draft. :)  And please feel free, as always, to leave me a comment!

The nimble ruler danced around his road block and rushed down the hallway toward the alighted arch which led to the gardens. His man Mavey, a tall and silent stone of a servant, awaited him there, a cup of brew steaming on a simple tray in his hand. The king removed his hair cord and shirt, laid them over the manservant’s arm, and sipped at the hot drink offered him. The sweet tang of honey and earthy bite of sage slathered his tongue and made him sputter.

“Privacy, Mavey,” he stated, and received a curt nod in return.

Nearly nothing did the twenty-two year old king’s heart more good than the refreshing walk through his garden. It boasted the only lush landscape in the entire world: twined in vines, adorned in ornamental grasses, and bedded in floral design, fragrant all. 

But today, this green gift of the Great Essence could not overpower the guilt that had riddled its way into his mind through the previous night’s dreams. It taunted and tugged at him in shifting shadows to the sounds of horrific screams, and jerked him awake with sweat on his brow and remorse in his chest.

Tucked behind a glacial pool sat the holy building where King Ropay spent most of his time. His destination was thus, and he wasted no time getting there. The only solid door in the entire fortress groaned in welcome as he pressed the wooden face inward.

As soon as he shut himself up inside, he turned to face the dark and whispered, “Tudatsi? Priest, are you here?”

When no voice replied, he exhaled and vigorously rubbed his ears until their peaks ease back to their normal, round shape. The persistent itching he endured all day finally ceased, and he relaxed like tea seeping into water. He heard the faint gurgle of the holy fount at the back of the space as his sight adapted to the dimness. He could barely make out the God’s Hand alters as he ambled past them, but he knew the curve of each wrist and finger better than he knew his own limbs. Pausing at the third left alcove, he nodded at the Giving Hands tipped toward him and muttered a thank you before moving forward again.

At last he reached his purpose, the Great Alter where six trails of Blessed Water exuded out of a zenith hole in the mountain wall and welled in a basin below. Here he knelt, letting his fingertips dabbled in the liquid, attempting to cool the anguish coursing through his veins.

Linky#5 for The Writer's Voice... Coaches, look here!

QUERY:

I am seeking representation for my 32,000-word MG fantasy adventure novel entitled MOON DAUGHTER RISING.

All twelve-year-old Native American Annalee wants is to fit in at her new school in Maine, and to find her missing dad. But when she crawls through a tree into her tribe’s spirit world, and meets her furry guardian, she is shocked to discover that her dad may be imprisoned there, in World Above the Sky.

To free her father, she’ll need to seek the counsel of two ancient grandmothers, who are hidden away in a warded fortress. But when Annalee discovers a pair of soul-eating ice giants intend to abduct her, just as they did her dad, she realizes she needs more than the grandmothers’ wisdom: she urgently needs the safe haven of their fortress.

Armed with her dad’s crescent talisman and aided by figures from forgotten tribal legends, Annalee battles to get to safety.  If the ice giants capture her, they’ll use her talisman to rule both Earth and World Above the Sky. But if Annalee kills them, her dad will die too. Outwitting the monsters will compel Annalee to use every ounce of courage and intelligence she has, and to embrace the spirit of the moon daughter rising within.

MOON DAUGHTER RISING is rooted in Micmac tribal myth and culture, and features several of their legends. I believe it will appeal to fans of Bruce Coville’s UNICORN CHRONICLES and Sage Blackwood’s JINX.  It is a stand-alone novel, but has series potential.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

FIRST 250 WORDS:

The dark-shrouded forest outside Annalee’s new home felt dead.  The eerie quietness made it feel as dead as the police claimed her father must be since he hadn’t returned from it.  Annalee laid awake fiddling with her long, black hair and wondering if she would ever see him again. How could a twelve year old get through high school, go on living really, without her dad?  Especially here, in the cabin her grandfather had built and her dad had grown up in?  It hurt too much.

An unearthly howl cut through the silence, followed by a thump, thump much closer. It made goose bumps ran up her arms. It shrilled once more, then thump, thump, thump, thump, thump. Too scared to leave the safety of her bed, Annalee huddled under the covers, hoping that the nightmare would stop. But the rhythmic pounding continued, and she heard a soft whisper vibrate like a kazoo, “wuzz, wuzz, wuzz” answered by a deeper voice that said “wizz izz muzzo, wuzz.”  The second voice tugged at her memory, reminding her of a noise she heard on a walk in the woods just this morning.  Blue, glowing smoke floated through her curtains and caressed her face.

When Annalee awoke hours later, she glanced at her clock and leapt out of bed.  She was late! She’d ask her mom if she’d heard the strange noises later.

            She slid into her desk just as the final bell rang. Several girls in front of her snickered.

MDR Made the Lottery List

On my last post, I mentioned giving MOON DAUGHTER RISING one last chance in The Writer's Voice contest in part hosted by one of my favorite literary bloggers Brenda Drake. After an agonizing day, both of waiting and excessive babysitting, I am pleased to announce that my name was on the list!  So the next post you see on here will be trailed by the coaches fighting over my entry, or so I hope.

Good night all!