Another web site!

In January, I entered a contest at KidLit. The winners are absolutely amazing and they deserve every second of recognition they get. And even if I don't win, I still found a website that will help me so much in my quest to secure an agent.

But in February, I found something extraordinary. Via Twitter, which I resisted for a long time, I found this great resource, writer and marketing expert, Georgia McBride. She hosts chats on Twitter and maintains an online community that rocks for YA authors, called YALITCHAT.

It was because of one of her chats on Twitter, that I first heard about a publishing house that caught my interest, Teen Fire. And by becoming more involved, I found my contest for February AND an adventure for March.

Yes, people, I will be going back to NYC for the launch party of Teen Fire. It is going to be held during the week of the NYC Teen Author Festival. Another amazing opportunity, I might add.

Are the golden bricks finally falling into place for me? Yes, I do believe the great Emerald City and Oz are not that far away anymore. I know I still have a lot of work to do, but each step fills me with excitement and reminds me that I am meant to be a writer of YA fiction!!!

The Kidlit Contest....

A few months ago, I posted a blog about chances. And I believe one chance IS all I need. But in order to increase the likelihood of actually getting there, I need to create my own chances.

Anyone can do it. And if you have a novel that you are ready to submit, here's your chance. It's easy. And to be honest, I have found the preparation fun, but that's me. So, to all you YA novelists out there, take your chance along with me. Submit your first 500 words to:

Kidlit contest

And may the best words win!!!

Good luck.

Announcement of Intention

It's 2010. I have goals. Real ones. Some are in my control and some are not. My blog, website are in my control and may shift the tide for me.

I am about to embark on the lovely journey of finding an agent. It will be a long, hard road. I expect rejections, a lot of rejections. And honestly, I can embrace it. But what if one actually wants to read my novel? What if...God, I can't even go there. Though I should start imagining that I will sign an agent this year. Isn't that how dreams come to fruition?

Well, maybe later I will think of that.

Anyway, I have not been keeping this blog active. And that is going to change. So is the whole site itself, along with my website.

I have a plan. One that involves my platform: Young Adult, Fiction/Novel writing, Depression and Suicide.

Yes! I said the words: DEPRESSION and SUICIDE.

I want to talk about them. It's about time.

So, over the n ext few months, expect big changes from my blog and website. And maybe, I can interest a few agents, thereby swaying the odds in my favor.

NaNoWriMo: The chance I need

Every part of my life has a season. That season is always accompanied with music. It's just who I am. Right now, outside, the season is fall. The air is turning colder. In New England, trees shed their leaves and the grass turns brown shortly after a vivid display of color.

But to me, November is now a month of personal birth and new growth. I thought it started last year with my first attempt at NaNoWriMo. And then, I came to realize, now that I am in the depths of writing my third novel, this is how it has always been.

Though my birthday is in April, I don't actually grow up until November.

Maybe it's because I love summer.

I don't know.

Maybe it's fate.

Maybe it's because I believe in chances. Some chances are created for me while others I need to recognize. Either way, they exist. And in this novel writing month, that is all I have to believe in. And that is why this song is now my theme for this season of my life.

"Chances come and carry me
Chances are waiting to be taken
And I can see
Chances are the fascination
Chances won't escape from me
Chances are only what we make them
And all I need"