Comments on: Gah!

By: Ciara

Ciara — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:16:40 +0000

Thanks everyone! i’ll let you know how it all goes, assuming PNWA can hook me up with a new agent.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:57:53 +0000

Ciara, I’m sure you’ll rock that pitch and everything! Good luck and happy early Birthday! :D

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:53:13 +0000

I have confidence that you will work everything. Breathe. Don’t freak. Breathe. Eveything will be fine. :)

By: Shelli Stevens

Shelli Stevens — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:38:58 +0000

Ciara, I LOVE your new blog header. It’s so fun. I’m quite jealous, actually :) Oye I’m sorry about the Vistaprint cards. I’ve had good luck with them mostly, but have heard stories of others not so lucky. I’m about to order magnets for San Fran (if they expedite shipping!)

I’m excited your pitching! You’re going to rock. I know it :) I’m in the same boat, by the way, I’m like 7k from finishing a novella and I can’t do it. Been sitting on it for months. Finding other things to write. Bad me.

Happy upcoming Birthday!

By: Kristina Y. McMorris

Kristina Y. McMorris — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:36:41 +0000

Oops! Make that “YOUR blog is hilarious.” I really, truly CAN spell. Although the heat and my two toddler boys are rapidly depleting my brain cells.

Okay… crawling back into my cave now.

By: Kristina Y. McMorris

Kristina Y. McMorris — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:34:37 +0000

Hi Ciara,

You’re blog is hilarious. :)

As a fellow Zola finalist, I just wanted to say hello! I’ll be at the PNWA awards dinner, as well as RWA nationals, so I look forward to meeting you soon. Strangely enough, pitching (though it still makes me nervous beforehand) is one of my favorite things about conferences. I won’t be pitching this year, but I’d be more than happy to give yours a peek and provide any suggestions if you’re interested. Either way, I’m sure you’ll be wonderful. (Cocktails always help, btw. No more than two though. Until afterward. LOL.) Just take a deep breath and remind yourself that those scary, sharp-fanged agents/editors are just as eager to get their hands on a fabulous ms. (which you obviously have) as you are to hand one over.

Good luck!
Kristina McMorris
http://www.kristinamcmorris.com

By: Carolyn Jean

Carolyn Jean — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:20:40 +0000

If you’re at your HEA, I would suggest you go back and start your second draft and not worry about wordcount. For me, usually a ms will grow on 2D. Look for your most boring places and add conflict to make them your most exciting places. Also, there are probably places you rushed over that could be exploited or slowed down. I bet the wordcount just grows by itself.

You are going to do great! I am so jealous you get to go. For your meeting, might I suggest black and beige. One can never go wrong with black and beige.

By: katiebabs

katiebabs — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:18:44 +0000

I wish I could be your fairy godmother and say: POOF you have a publishng deal for your next 10 books ;)
me not going to RITA awards :( me so sad.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:06:22 +0000

I have been watching your word count on your gchat away message. I have been in awe as it has steadily climbed. You are doing great! Keep up the good work :)

I agree with the deep breaths and knowing your material forward and back. Once you write it, practice giving the spiel. Anyone you can pin down? Give them your presentation. Your hubby? Say it to him so often that HE knows it forward and back.

You will do great!

By: Kristie(J)

Kristie(J) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:52:39 +0000

The finalists do indeed wear Oscar worthy gowns. I felt SO out of place in my cheap (real cheap) Walmart dress and running shoes. So this year I treated myself and got something much fancier – though certainly not Oscar-like!!!! And I bought better shoes too.