The Insecure Writers Support Group meets online every first Wednesday of the month. Founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh, IWSG was created to support and encourage all writers in every phase of their work, from writing to marketing. Click here to join, and for information, writing tips and more. Co-hosts for the May 6 posting are Eva Solar, Melanie Schulz, Lisa-Buie Collard, and Stephen Tremp!
April was a good month for writing and meeting deadlines. The A-Z was motivating and instructive, and it was fun learning about my theme and meeting new bloggers. The flip side is I did not meet the goals for submitting my novel. I'm fighting writer fatigue at the moment, but since my mother is visiting for two weeks anyway, I'm taking it easy and helping her with her memoirs. We spent the afternoon talking about my uncle's experience in a German prison camp during WWII. She's 90 years old but has vivid recall of all he told her. Here's hoping the memory genes were passed on to me!
During the A-Z, a friend shared some information I thought I would pass on to YA writers. Did you see this?
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Top 20 YA Agents: 142 Sales in the Last 12 Months
// Darcy Pattinson Fiction Notes
What agents are selling young adult (YA) novels?
That's great your mom can remember so much. I love talking to older people about the past. Thanks for the link too.
ReplyDeleteI did oral histories years ago in a nursing home and really enjoyed the experience.
DeleteOh wow! I can say that Holly Root is quite active. A couple of writers who write for my publisher have her as an agent.
ReplyDeleteI thought this list was so helpful. I have my eye on a couple and have my fingers crossed.
DeleteGlad you're spending time with your Mother, wow...awesome that she has those memories and hopefully you're able to write it all down so that important history and family information isn't lost.
ReplyDeletePopping round to say thanks to all for the sweet supportive comments.
I'm in a new home and new town, and have been looking forward to her first stay.
DeleteI'm fighting writer fatigue too. I hope you have a good time helping your mom write her memoirs. :)
ReplyDeleteGet out and do something fun, Chrys. That's what I've been doing. Hubby and I went out to the driving range and hit three buckets of golf balls. Felt so good.
DeleteI think all of us are a bit tired after the A to Z! How wonderful to have this time with your mother and you should by all means take advantage of the time with her. It is finite. Thanks for sharing, Lisa, co-host #IWSG, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying our time together...
DeleteThanks Lisa for co-hosting this month.
That would be some interesting conversation! There are not many people still living that experienced the camps.
ReplyDeletePretty rare these days for sure. We're struggling with actual dates, but I'm about 99% sure my uncle was captured in the Battle of the Bulge.
DeleteOh this is so great that your mom can remember. I am glad she and you are marking this all down. I know my mom's stories which i have to write down which is bad of me. She now does not remember much unless prodded by me and even then has forgotten much. This is the sad thing so enjoy your time with your mom...I miss that
ReplyDeleteI find she forgets a lot too, but her childhood is quite clear. I typed some of her stories over 10 years ago so have a good collection already. My only complaint is she often repeats the same story.
DeleteCongrats on all you accomplished! I'm a believer in taking time off the WIP to enjoy life, so don't get worried about what you aren't doing -- the WIP will still be there when you return. Look at all those sales from the 20 agents. Some people know how to pick winners. Have a great visit with your mom! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lexa, but seeing others be so productive (or so it seems) sometimes weighs on me. I try hard to keep the right focus but sometimes......
DeleteOf course you're burned out! You did so much, and you've earned the rest. And what better way to rest than spending time with someone you love and admire, hearing about another you loved and admired. I hope it's fruitful, but especially that it renews you and refreshes you. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks for seeing it for what it is....burnout! It seems to me that more were burned out after this a-z than ever before. I think it was the largest ever turnout. Maybe we all tried to do too much. Family trumps all in my book and I'm taking your advice to heart!
DeleteSharon, your theme was so powerful and enlightening. Enjoy your 'historical' moment with your Mother. That is some list of YA Agents!
ReplyDeleteThank you! This list is hopefully going to save me hours of work...
DeleteHi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. Your mum sounds awesome, say hi from me!
It's interesting to hear about your a-z blog experience, I haven't taken part - partly because I didn't want it to get in the way of my other writing time, did you find this happened or did it benefit in other ways?
Angie
I guess this gives a positive edge to the a-z, but April happens to be a busy month in general....weather is good, so family visits more. Gardening starts and there are taxes. Prime writing goals get sqeezed in...not good. The a-z was my only productive writing..i.e. the deadlines met. So in hindsight, this is likely my final a-z.
ReplyDelete