First Friday-Five Favorite Things: Personal Effects

by E.M. Kokie

E.M. Kokie
This past Friday, May 3, Marcy and I posted our answers to Emily’s debut novel, Personal Effects. Today, you get to read Emily’s favorite’s. She’s obviously given a lot of thought to her answers, which isn’t surprising since the novel addresses so many thought-provoking topics.


1) What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character’s development and/or growth?


I love so many bits that show Matt’s growth, but one of my favorites is:


“Whatever it was, I didn’t ask because I figured, ultimately, whatever was in his head was about death. It never occurred to me it could be about life.”


2) What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?


It’s so hard to play favorites. And, I am conscious of spoilers. But I am very fond of the end of Chapter Sixteen — Matt is bewildered and flummoxed after a tense time with Shauna. I love the last two pages of that chapter, Matt replaying what has just happened, seeing things realign as he realizes how badly he has misread the situation. It ends with him standing on the sidewalk in front of the house, bewildered and shoeless. I love that sense of what the hell just happened, and then his analysis of what just happened, all while shoeless on the sidewalk. And I’m really happy with it because it was such a difficult scene, to find the right course and the best ending.


3) Who is your favorite secondary character and why?


This one definitely could inch into spoiler territory. So, I will say one of my favorite secondary characters is TJ. I love his strength, his kindness, his sense of humor and courage, and how the reader (hopefully) gets to know him through Matt’s and other characters’ memories of him. It seems funny to call him a secondary character, given how much of the plot involves him, but it is Matt’s story.


4) What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?


Personal Effects is in first person present tense. Much of it is Matt reacting to whatever is happening at that moment. But I love the scene early on in the book of Matt and his father in the kitchen, Matt is seated at the table, hurt and hurting, but still very much on guard, still afraid, all senses on alert — it’s description, but it’s also insights into Matt and his relationship with his father:

My neck’s so stiff, it might break if I turn my head, so I give up trying to read his face. Instead I track his path around the kitchen by sound.

Refrigerator. Sink. Cabinet. Sink. Freezer. Creak of the ice tray. Ice in a glass. Stray cubes in the sink. Clatter of empty ice tray on the counter. That cabinet opening. Twist of the screw top from the bottle. Whisper of scotch against ice. Long gulp. Silence. Crack-hiss of a can being opened. Silence. Clink of ice on glass. Smaller sip. Smacking lips. Silence. Deep breath. Silence. Movement. Then his feet are directly in front of me. I risk the pain to look up.


5) What is your favorite line of dialogue?


So much of Personal Effects is heavy. But there are some lighter lines. One of my favorite less serious lines of dialogue is from later in the book, from Harley:


“OK. Clearly, you are not picking up the thread. Natasha is a kick-ass spy. Well, she should be, anyway, if it weren’t a cartoon that relies heavily on a moose and squirrel always ending up on top. So let me be your Natasha and help with the spying or whatever.”



We appreciate you sharing your current favorites for Personal Effects and encourage our readers to pick up a copy of the book.

Dave Amaditz May 6, 2013 1 Comment Permalink

First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day

by Dave Amaditz &
Marcy Collier

Personal Effects by E.M. Kokie

Welcome to May’s version of – First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day. In this monthly series, we ask five simple questions about a debut novel that will hopefully entice anyone reading this post to pick up the novel and read it themselves, and/or give them at a glance some insight into the author’s writing style and voice as well as how some of the characters might think or act. We do this by presenting, first, answers to ourFive Favorite Things, followed by the author’s answers in a follow-up post.


This month we’re pleased to highlight debut author E. M. Kokie’s novel, Personal Effects.

1) What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character’s development and/or growth?

Dave – To me, this passage catches Matt at one of his lowest points. He thinks he’s finally worked out a way to reconnect with parts of his brother’s life he never knew, but… well, let Matt describe what happened, as he’ll do a better job than I.


I thought I was coming here on a mission, one last thing I could do for T.J., maybe the most important thing anyone could do for him. And I planned and plotted and drove and skulked and it all worked… except for the part where I got everything totally 100 percent wrong.

Marcy – On the road trip back home from delivering a special letter, Matt makes a stop at McConnells Mill State Park (which is actually one of my favorite places to take a day trip from Pittsburgh). He replays the last camping trip he and his brother T.J. took and realizes that he had everything all wrong when his brother tried to have a heart-to-heart talk with him in front of the campfire. This realization shows how his character has grown.


But maybe he was trying to figure out if he could tell me or if he should tell me, or how. Maybe he was already getting ready to leave for good, leave me behind, and didn’t know how to tell me that. Whatever it was, I didn’t ask because I figured, ultimately, whatever was in his head was about death. It never occurred to me it could be about life.

2) What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?

Dave – Matt has been reading through stacks of letters and searching through tons of pictures that were part of his brother’s “personal effects.” They’re helping him to reconnect with the part of his brother’s life that he didn’t know. He’s borrowed his friend’s car and drove hundreds of miles to meet the girl, Celia, who has written most of the letters and is in many of the pictures, the girl who he thinks might be his brother’s wife.


The front door opens, and a tall guy in a suit shuffles through, juggling some kind of briefcase, two cloth bags, and some other stuff.


“Hi,” he says when he looks up and sees me standing there. “You must be Matt, right?”


Oh. Celia’s brother. A little older than in the pictures, and with the start of a scruffy beard, and glasses, but definitely him.


“Oh, uh, hi,” I carefully put the picture back where it was, adjusting it until it’s exactly like I found it. “I was just looking at the pictures.”


I think she has some albums set aside to look through with you,” he says, staring at the pictures on the table. “Some pictures of your brother.”


I want to say something, but nothing seems right, with the twisting sick feeling in my stomach and the itching desire to see the pictures she’s put aside right now.


“So, you’re Celia’s brother, right?” I take a large sip of my soda and push my hand out to shake hello.


“Uh, no. I’m Will. Celia’s husband.”

Marcy – I’m usually a pretty perceptive reader. I always seem to see the next surprise coming at me. I. Did. Not. See. This. Coming. Oh my gosh, this cliffhanger ending blew me away and forced me to stay up way past my bedtime to see what happened next. I will not ruin this for those readers who have not read the book yet. Go get a copy of the book!


“So, you’re Celia’s brother, right?” I take a large sip of my soda and push my hand out to shake hello.


“Uh, no. I’m Will. Celia’s husband.”

3) Who is your favorite secondary character and why?

Dave – Shauna is my favorite secondary character. She’s known Matt for years and knows everything he’s been through, yet chooses to stand by him despite all of his problems and how others think of him. She’s risking so much of herself to help Matt make connections with his brother’s friends, by lending him her car. The following example will give you an idea of how much she cares for him.


She shakes free and wraps her arms around her middle. “Look, whatever happens, or… whatever you decide to do, just call me, OK? Every day? Because I’m going to worry, and probably be grounded, and it’s going to suck and…” Her hard eyes scare me. “Just promise, OK?”

Marcy – Oh, Shauna – a girl after my own heart. She’s sweet and adorable but can be oh-so-tough and forceful when she gets upset. She’s been Matt’s best buddy since they were kids. Matt wants to become more than friends but would never jeopardize their friendship. She wants to join Matt on his road trip, but he won’t allow her to come. She’s so mad at him, but doesn’t break her promise of allowing him to use her car. Then, she throws him an envelope with cash in it.


“It’s only what I had on hand from my birthday and babysitting, so not that much, but there’s no way you’d make it back with what you have.”

4) What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?

Dave – So much of the story is tension-packed because of the relationship between Matt and Dad. I chose this passage because it shows that even with all the turmoil in his life, Matt is still on many levels able to function like a normal teenage kid.


I trade her one of the sodas for a steaming plate. Before digging in, I wait for her to sit. But she puts her soda down so she can pull her sweatshirt from around her waist and tug ittarget over her head. COUGAR SOCCER blazes across her chest in brand-spanking-new gold letters. I remind myself not to stare. It’s new – the sweatshirt, not her chest. Her chest has been tormenting me for years. Last week, all the rising-senior soccer players got their “senior sweatshirts” in one of those very-important-to-them ceremony things. She’s been wearing it whenever it’s the least bit cool enough and being very careful not to get it dirty. Shauna already has senior fever: excited and going through all the rituals of junior year to be ready. The way things are going, I may never be as senior. Her teammates think I’m a loser. They’re not the only ones.

Marcy - The reader doesn’t have a clear picture of Mom’s story until near the end. One of my favorite paragraphs relates to Matt coming to terms with his mother’s leaving him at such a young age.


How do you grieve for someone who kissed you good-bye one morning when you were five years old and then left while you were at preschool, so that you came home to an empty house and never saw her again? Do you even grieve when you spend the next year and a half confused and scared and sometimes worried that she might come back?

5) What is your favorite line of dialogue?

Dave – This line comes from Matt , and I think it could’ve been used as my favorite scene relating to character growth, as he is finally able to stand up to his father and say what he thinks.


“Dad… I’m not T. J. And I’m not you.” I don’t know who I am yet. “can’t you see that? And just let me… let me have a couple years to… figure it out? Figure out…”

Marcy–Matt has just discovered that he has no idea who his brother really was and can either face the truth or live in denial.


“If you want to hear about who your brother really was, come on back, or call. But if you ever take a swing at me again, I’ll break your arm.”

You can find Emily at:

Dave Amaditz May 3, 2013 Leave A Comment Permalink

Query Formatting Tips

by

Dave Amaditz

I’ve been busy submitting to agents as of late and have noticed most do not accept queries sent through snail mail. There are a lot of benefits to this, mainly the speed with which you can submit as well as the postage you save.

But I’ve often wondered if there is a different or better way to format an e-query and have read on different sites some suggestions. None of them, however, made complete sense to me as to the why and how of formatting until I was forwarded a link from Marcy, a fellow blogger here at Route 19 writers. After reading, it became clear, for example, where to place your contact information and your website address, if you have one, and also why it would benefit you by doing it that way. To find out the details, and perhaps clear some of your confusion, click on the link below, from Jill Corcoran, literary agent at the Herman Agency.

Dave Amaditz April 29, 2013 2 Comments Permalink

The Rutgers One-On-One Plus Application Is Up

by Marcy Collier

The 44th annual Rutgers One-on-One Plus Conference will be held on October 19, 2013. I had the privilege of being accepted the last two years. It is by far the best writing conference I’ve ever attended. Unfortunately, I can’t apply this year because of a conflict, but I wanted to get the information out to our readers.


To find all of the information about the conference, go to: http://www.ruccl.org/One-on-One_Plus_Conference.html

Many of the Route 19 writers have attended Rutgers both as mentees and mentors. Check out these articles to learn about our experiences.


Here are eight tips when applying for the Rutgers conference:


1.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DEADLINE TO APPLY. The council matches the number of mentees with the number of mentors.  Usually it’s between 70-80. A LOT of writers apply to this conference. The sooner you get your application in, the better.


2.  Be professional. Type your application. Check for typos. Read all of the information on the Rutgers website a few times.


3.  Submit you best polished work. Acceptance is based on the strength and quality of your work. The manuscript pages or the artwork that you send must be your best. Have your critique group read your submission and application before you submit it.


4.  Be honest about the track record of your manuscript. The Rutgers council works extremely hard to match mentees with mentors. If the agent or editor has already seen your work and has rejected it, he or she wouldn’t be a good fit.


5.  Send a resume along with your application. List places where you’ve published (i.e. magazines, etc.).  List conferences , workshops or classes you’ve attended to improve your craft.


6.  Once your submission has been sent, do not send it out to the agents or editors listed as mentors.


7.  Don’t forget to include your check, a S.A.S.E. for notification and a postcard to ensure that your application was received.


8.  Now the waiting game begins. Block off  October 19th on your calendar in case you get accepted. You will be notified by the end of August. I remember last year, I had been on vacation when notifications were sent. When I picked up my mail, I was thrilled to see the acceptance letter!


GOOD LUCK!!!  

Dave Amaditz April 15, 2013 2 Comments Permalink

First Friday-Five Favorite Things: Goblin Secrets

by William Alexander

(Photograph by Matthew Aronoff)

This past Friday, April 5, Marcy and I posted our answers to Will’s debut novel, Goblin Secrets. Today, you get to read Will’s favorites. Take note what he says about picking favorites. It was difficult for us, too. Perhaps that was because there are so many good things to choose from.
1) What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character’s development and/or growth?


Will – Firstly, I’m no good at favorites. I’m about to reveal my favorite bits of the book as of this particular moment. Ask me again in an hour and my answers will have changed.


So, as of this moment, my favorite moment of character growth in GOBLIN SECRETS is this one:


Rownie stepped backward again. “No,” he said. Now he haunted the tunnels. Now he was something to be afraid of.
2) Who is your favorite secondary character and why?

Will – Thomas the Tamlin (goblin) actor, because he is grumpy, eloquent, and curses like this: “I will write you into our next play!I will sculpt your face into grotesque caricatures and paste them onto small, ugly puppets! I’ll pen your name into immortal verse, and for a thousand years it will be synonymous with ridicule and scorn!”

3) What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?


Will – The south side of the city was dusty. Rownie  tried not to step in any of the dust piles that littered the street. Every morning sweepers swept their houses, and they left large, brown piles outside their doorsteps. Every day the dust came slowly back inside and covered the floors. There was a kind of fish that swam in Southside dust, and a kind of bird that fished with their long beaks in the dust dunes. The lives of sweepers became interesting during dustfish spawning season.

4) What is your favorite line of dialogue?

Will – More cursing from Thomas: “I will have our artificer build a pair of gearworked ravens and they will croak your vile name outside your bedroom window, every night, at irregular intervals! You will never sleep again!” He lowered his voice then, but only a little. “Does anyone remember his name?”

5) What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?


Will – He found the goblin sign. It read:


THEATRE!

A Troupe of Tamlin PLAYERS will Delight and Astound the Citizens of this Fair City at Dusk.

Discover their Stage in the CITY FAIRGROUNDS.

The stage will be Illuminated by Cunning Devices.

The Players will present the finest Performances of MIMICRY, MUMMERY, and VERSE, along with Feats of Musical and Acrobatic Skill to Delight every Eye and Ear.

Two Coppers per Audience Member.

He read it again. He still didn’t believe it. He read it again.

Goblins were putting on a play. Nobody could put on a play. Nobody was allowed to put on a play, but goblins were going to. Maybe he could see some of the show before they all got arrested.

Rownie ran the rest of the way across the bridge, through music from fiddles and whistles and drums. His coat billowed behind him like a sail.

Congratulations Will on your debut novel, Goblin Secrets and for winning the National Book Award!

We appreciate you sharing your current favorites for Goblin Secrets.
Look for Will’s second book, Ghoulish Song, which was just released March 5, 2013.
You can find William at:

Dave Amaditz April 8, 2013 Leave A Comment Permalink

First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day

by Dave Amaditz 
& Marcy Collier
Goblin Secrets
Welcome to April version of – First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day. In this monthly series, we ask five simple questions about a debut novel that will hopefully entice anyone reading this post to pick up the novel and read it themselves, and/or give them at a glance some insight into the author’s writing style and voice as well as how some of the characters might think or act. We do this by presenting, first, answers to our Five Favorite Things, followed by the author’s answers in a follow-up post.

This month we’re pleased to highlight debut author and National Book Award Winner, William Alexander’s novel, Goblin Secrets.

1) What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character’s development and/or growth?

Dave- I picked this passage because the main character, Rownie, has just had his narrow view of the world grow larger. Not only has he met a troupe of goblin actors, but he realizes that they know of his missing brother, Rowan.

The circle of goblins all stared at Rownie with their large, bright-flecked eyes. Rownie tried not to cough again. The world had just changed shape, and he didn’t recognize the new shape it was in.

Marcy – This development comes early in the story, but this brief snapshot gives the reader a better understanding for Rownie, the main character’s motivations and actions throughout the novel.

Rownie had a brother older than any of the siblings who shared Graba’s shack, an actual birth-brother. They looked alike, both of them dark with dark eyes – eyes you couldn’t easily see the bottom of. Everyone called the brothers Rowan and Little Rowan. After a while “Little Rowan” shortened into “Rownie.” Rownie had never had a name of his own. Their mother drowned before she’d had a chance to name him.

2) What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?

Dave- In Zombay, the tunnels are the worst place to go, yet Rownie goes there in search of his brother. He is confronted in the darkness by Graba, an evil spell caster, who is after both Rownie and his brother.

Rownie remained in the dark, with Graba. He tried to remember how to breathe.

Marcy – ***Spoiler Alert*** Poor Rownie has been searching high and low for his long lost brother the entire novel. The reader peers around every corner with Rownie, hoping and praying the two brothers will once again be reunited. I won’t give away the dramatic details, but check out this cliffhanger:

The railcar shook and slid to a halt. The lights inside sputtered and went out. “Rowan?” Rownie asked in the dark.

3) Who is your favorite secondary character and why?

Dave- Essa, a goblin, is my favorite secondary character. In the midst of chaos and danger she maintains her easy-going personality. What’s not to like about lines like these?

The first example comes when she sees Patch, a goblin whom they feared dead.

“Shut it, scowly trousers!” Essa came sprinting from the other end of the tower and knocked both Patch and Nonny to the ground with a tackling hug. Patch held his leg and winced. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” said Essa. “Are you hurt? Is it bad? Are you actually drowned and you just came back to haunt us? I hope not. I would hate it if you said even less than you usually do.”

The second example is her explaining to Rownie what a halberd is.

“If an ax and a spear had babies, they would be halberds,” Essa told him. “It’s a pokey-pokey weapon for convincing things that are taller than you to stay back, please. Here’s one.” She handed it to Rownie and grabbed another.

Marcy – Even though Rowan doesn’t appear until the end of the novel, I get such a clear picture of his vibrant and vivacious character through Rownie’s eyes that I keep hoping that I’ll get to meet the real Rowan, not simply hear about Rownie’s memories of him. Throughout the novel, little snippets of big brother’s character shine through like the paragraph below.

Sometimes Rowan had enough to buy an extra fish pastry, and they would split the third one. He always gave his younger brother the larger piece.

4) What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?

Dave- There were so many fantastic images throughout, but in the end I decided to pick one that gave a little insight into Rownie’s personality as well as his kid-like voice.

Rownie understood very little of the conversation, though he listened carefully. He sifted words through his head like fine dust through his hands, and he caught what he could. As the youngest he was used to piecing together his understanding from snatches of overheard conversations, and the rest he set carefully aside on the shelf in the back of his mind.

Marcy – Like Dave said above, there were so many great lines of description that I had a hard time choosing as well, but I decided on one simple sentence. Twelve words. What an image it paints for the reader – well done!

The gravestones were all worn and crooked, like teeth badly cared for.

5) What is your favorite line of dialogue?

Dave- This comes from Essa, a goblin, and is extremely short. But I loved it. What else would a goblin actor say to their fellow actor before going on stage?

“Break your face, everybody!” said Essa. She said it with so much hope and cheer that Rownie was sure he must’ve heard her wrong.

Marcy – There is a scene in the novel where Thomas, one of the Goblins goes on a tirade and is going to curse Cob, the owner of the alehouse, for not paying the goblins for their performance. His young daughter comes out to make amends and shows true honor and bravery toward the goblins. Her sincerity comes through in these lines:

“I’m just sorry he tossed you out,” the girl said. You should have some payment for the show, so I brought you some bread.” She lifted the basket she held. “It’s fresh. It doesn’t have maggots in it, not unless your curses work very fast.” She gave him the basket.

You can find William at:

Dave Amaditz April 5, 2013 3 Comments Permalink

First Friday-Five Favorite Things: Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters, Meredith Zeitlin

by Meredith Zeitlin



This past Friday, March 1, Marcy and I posted our answers to Meredith’s debut novel, Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters. Today, you get to read Meredith’s favorite’s. If you look closely enough you’ll notice that some of the answers Marcy and I posted on Friday are the same as Meredith’s answers.
Here are the five (SPOILERS WITHIN)!

What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character’s development and/or growth?


The first time Kelsey really considers someone else’s situation before her own is when she learns a friend she’s in a fight with is being played by her boyfriend. Kelsey isn’t malicious in her self-centeredness – it’s just sort of how she is. But at this moment in the story she realizes her problems might not be the most pressing: “Can I really not say anything to Cassidy? She needs to know the truth, and from a friend; finding out through the rumor mill might serve her right for dashing my hopes and dreams, but it would be humiliating and awful for her.”


What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?


The end of the chapter where Kelsey catches one of her best friend’s kissing her crush. The first time I read this aloud to a group, everyone gasped. It was such a cool moment!

“It’s Cassidy. MyCassidy. And she’s kissing… Jordan Rothman. My stomach drops to my knees.”


Meredith – Who is your favorite secondary character and why?


Probably JoJo. I love how much self-confidence she has, and her ability to be herself and never worry if her choices are “cool” or not. I wish I was more like her at 14… or, you know – now.


What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?


The scene where Kelsey gets her costume for the school play: “I look like Pavarotti – if he were grilling at a barbecue. In seventeenth-century Russia.”


What is your favorite line of dialogue?


My editor insisted I take this line out, saying that no mother in the world would actually say this to her daughters. I told her that my mother (who I dedicated the book to, lest anyone doubt that my mom is an amazing and beloved woman) has been saying this to me and my sister for as long as I can remember, and the line was staying IN. It’s the editing battle I’m proudest of winning. “I always said you girls take after me, even if you look just like your father. He ruined both of you with that nose.”

Congratulations Meredith on your debut novel Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters! 

Thank you again, Meredith!


You can find Meredith at:

Dave Amaditz March 4, 2013 2 Comments Permalink

First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day

Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters
by Dave Amaditz and Marcy Collier
Welcome to March’s version of – First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day. In this monthly series, we ask five simple questions about a debut novel that will hopefully entice anyone reading this post to pick up the novel and read it themselves, and/or give them at a glance some insight into the author’s writing style and voice as well as how some of the characters might think or act. We do this by presenting, first, answers to our Five Favorite Things, followed by the author’s answers in a follow-up post.

This month we’re pleased to highlight debut author, Meredith Zeitlin’s novel, Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters.

1) What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character’s development and/or growth?

Dave- I picked this passage from the beginning the book, as I believe it sets the stage for all the problems the main character is going to face throughout the novel.

 “That’s another thing. Guys. How did it happen that I’m the only one of my friends – including Em, the shy one! – who has never hooked up with anyone? Not that I haven’t had any chances, mind you. A certain Keith Mayhew has been frantically pursuing me since sixth grade. (He’s totally nice, but… I don’t like himthat way.) I just want my first real kissing experience to be this utterly awesome thing, with the right guy and the right situation. And I know fourteen isn’t that old… but it feels like I’ve totally missed the boat. I mean, I am seriously the only one now. And what if my friends start having sex or something before I even get to first base, and I’m still wandering around, unkissed, unnoticed? I’ll just die of humiliation. Not that I can imagine anyone (especially myself) having sex with any of the guys I know – or anything leading up to sex, really. It all seems so awkward and sort of gross… and yet it’s what I think about ALL THE TIME.”

Marcy – The main character, Kelsey thinks that her mom wants to re-enact her own teenage years vicariously through her daughter. Kelsey never gives in and tries to keep her away from her friends and the latest gossip, until one day Kelsey has a breakdown. This scene is pivotal in the development of Kelsey’s relationship with her mom.

And then the weirdest thing happens. Maybe it’s her shrill, endlessly irritating voice or just the fact that my life is a mess, but I burst into tears. Even as it’s happening I’m surprised, though I guess after the last couple of months this is sort of becoming routine. Thanks, hormones. Anyway, Mom is really surprised. And somehow I find myself telling her all about Cass and Jordan and Em (I do not mention Keith for fear she’ll overreact and drag me to a gynecologist or something) and she actually really listens. Puts down the newspaper and everything.

2) What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?

Dave- This cliffhanger stood out to me, as I lived the tension right along with Kelsey. Who wouldn’t want to die seeing their best friend kissing their crush?

I laugh, looking back up at the balcony. Then the stage lights do a sweep over the audience, and for a moment, the girl’s face is illuminated.

It’s Cassidy. My Cassidy.

And she’s kissing…

Jordan Rothman.

My stomach drops to my knees.

Marcy – Kelsey has a major crush on Jordan Rothman. She believes that freshman year will be different, and she and Jordan will start dating even though they’ve barely ever talked.

*** Spoiler alert ***

Then Kelsey sees one of her best friends making out with Jordan. You have to read on to the next chapter to find out what’s happening. Terrific cliffhanger!

It’s Cassidy. MyCassidy. And she’s kissing… Jordan Rothman. My stomach drops to my knees.

3) Who is your favorite secondary character and why?

Dave- I switched back and forth between Travis, Kelsey’s younger sister, and Mom as my favorite secondary character. Mom won out in the end. She has parenting down pat and deals with the ups and down of teen life with humor. She knows when to back off and give her daughter room to grow, but also knows when to step in, to put her foot down, to say enough is enough.

Following is a response from Mom to Kelsey after Kelsey has just finished confiding in her about boyfriend/girlfriend problems.

Then she says, “I’ll tell you this much, honey: Even if Cassidy is experimenting sexually” – GAG! – “she is probably one of the few. Everyone always thinks the whole freshman class is getting it on” – vomit, seriously -“but then senior year you find out it was three people and a lot of imagination. Otherwise 20/20 would be doing a show about it.”

Marcy – JoJo beats to her own drum. She is this spunky, outgoing character who is full of life. She is a free-spirit who is always up for an adventure and makes every scene where she appears exciting. You never know what this character will say or do, but she is honest and true to her friends. Her laid back personality balances Kelsey, who is often high strung.

4) What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?

Dave- I picked this passage because it shows how desperate Kelsey feels to fit in. She describes Lexi, a new girl in school, as being beautiful, yet she has yet to realize her own beauty.

“It only takes a single day for me to realize that Lexi is way too busy being admired to even notice me shooting her death-ray looks across every hallway and classroom. She has a lot on her plate, after all, what with crossing and uncrossing her endless legs in their $250 jeans, giggling, and flipping her perfect, evil, cascading blond locks.

Not that I’m spending all my time watching Lexi. Most of the time I watch Jordan Rothman watching her. Day by day, my meticulously imagined future with him slips away from me like a helium balloon on a windy day.”

Marcy - This line made me laugh out loud, and I’m quite sure this is how teenagers feel.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I take it out to see a lovely text from my mother about dishes in the sink and how she’s not my maid. Thanks, Verizon, I think, for making your phones so user-friendly that even the elderly can send text messages.

5) What is your favorite line of dialogue?

Dave- This is spoken by Keith after a quite awkward kiss with Kelsey, her first. (Boy am I glad I’m no longer a teen.)

Keith glares at me and shouts over the band, “Well, it’s more like you’re not doing it right. Have you ever even made out before? My brother is in college, y’know, and he told me everything there is to know about Frenching when we were in seventh grade, so I think I know what I’m doing, Kelsey. But don’t worry – I’m happy to practice with you till you feel more confident about your skills. “

Marcy – I did not see this accident coming. JoJo and Kelsey are at JoJo’s house drinking. After way too much alcohol, Kelsey brings the bottle of vodka to her lips and smashes the lip of the bottle against her mouth. She doesn’t know she has cracked off her front tooth until she looks in the mirror.

I yelp, “Oh my God, JoJo, I think I just broke my face!” 



You can find Meredith at:

Dave Amaditz March 1, 2013 1 Comment Permalink

Exercise and Earn More

by

Dave Amaditz

In May of last year I posted about the benefits of daily exercise. I talked out how exercising gave me more energy and how having more energy translated into better writing. To read the entire post, follow this link . http://rt19writers.blogspot.com/2012/05/exercise-daily-and-keep-physically-fit.html

I still exercise four days a week and definitely benefit by having more energy afterwards. Except today, because for some stupid reason I decided to push it extra hard, and although I felt great after the workout, I’m paying the price now… stiff muscles, and a burning (pun intended) desire to go to bed and rest.

Of course, I won’t let a little soreness stop me from exercising. Why would I? I know the benefits. And now, according to an article I recently read, research has shown that those who exercise daily earn more than those who do not exercise, by as much as 9%. To read a few different articles on the topic, follow these links.

So, now that we know how to get rich, shouldn’t we be exercising? Think about it. Those who exercise earn more money. Shouldn’t it stand to reason that those who exercise have more success in writing? Get more books published? Get more acceptance letters from editors and/or agents?

Hmmm. Something’s wrong here. I just finished my novel, and as of last month, began querying agents… And so far… nothing. I know. I know. It’s still quite early in the game. I need to give it plenty of time. So I will. I will be patient. (And keep my fingers crossed and say a few prayers in case the exercising doesn’t work.)

Well, here’s a shout-out to all the agents.

Hello agents! I exercise regularly. According to the article, I should be more successful…

On the other hand, maybe the shout-out won’t make a difference. Maybe agents don’t care if I exercise. I’ll bet they do care if I’m writing and if I’m writing with quality though – – and for that, there is only one solution.

Sit in front of the computer. Write. Then rewrite. Rewrite. Rewrite. Workshop the manuscript with your writer’s group. Then rewrite again.

Oh well, I guess it’s a good thing I’ve been exercising after all, because now, at least, I’ll have the energy to write a few quality pages.

And a stronger heart to handle the rejections I’m sure will come.

Dave Amaditz February 20, 2013 2 Comments Permalink

First Friday-Five Favorite Things: Freakling, Lana Krumwiede


This past Friday, February 1, 2013, Marcy and I posted our answers to Lana’s debut novel, Freakling. Today, you get to read Lana’s favorite’s. First though, I wanted to mention that the idea for doing this series came to me while I was reading Lana’s book. She had such great insight into her characters, and there were so many moments throughout when I found myself really intrigued by lines of dialogue or paragraphs of description as it related to her main character’s growth. After running the idea by Marcy, she and I came up with the questions for the series. Marcy and I both hoped that by doing this, both we and our readers would gain a little insight into the thought process of the authors we were highlighting, as well as a sneak peek at their debut novels.


What I didn’t realize is the effect that this would have on the authors. Here’s what Lana had to say about the exercise.


“This is actually very thought-provoking. I started wondering if I should start thinking about things like this in the early or middle stages of the writing process. I think a really interesting pre-writing exercise would be to journal about what is my favorite thing about this character’s personality. Or, what is her character growth going to be all about and how can it be shown to maximum effect? I do think about things like that, but I don’t often write it down or perhaps explore it fully.”


“Of course, sometimes the writing takes on an energy of its own, and an author can’t afford to ignore that. Even so, I find that if I can plant some solid ideas in my subconscious beforehand, then more or less forget about that as I write and let my subconscious work things out on its own, things come together nicely as I write. Not sure this is making any sense… the point is that I think these questions are really thoughtful and not the run-of-the-mill author questions, so good job!”


Thank you, Lana, for the compliment! Marcy and I really enjoyed reading the book and picking out our five favorites.


Now, let’s hear Lana’s five favorites.


1) What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character’s development and/or growth?


Taemon is a bit tricky to write as a main character, because his personality is reserved. He doesn’t like the limelight, and he would rather someone else take the lead. But he does have a strong sense of integrity, and when it was clear that people were relying on him to lead, he steps up to take that role. In my mind, this happens for the first time when Taemon and Amma get captured, and Taemon has to come up with a plan to escape. At that point, everyone looks to him for direction, and he doesn’t shy away from it. That’s my boy!


Here’s a quote from Taemon in which we finally see him taking a stand:


“It’s not right for people with psi to use it for violence. Isn’t that why the powerless colony was established in the first place? Because being powerless makes you vulnerable?”

2) What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?


All the chapter endings in Freakling have a bit of the cliffhanger, though some are stronger than others. I think one of my favorites is the end of chapter eleven. The scene where Taemon and Amma ride in the back of Jad’s hauler is light and fun, then things get tense quickly when Taemon realizes where Jad is headed. Oh, and my other favorite is in chapter thirteen when he discovers the mysterious psi door at the colony.


Taemon faked outrage. “All right, that’s it.” He picked up another piece of hay. “All or nothing. If I win this one, you have to tell me. And if you win . . .”



“What?” Amma asked with a smile. “What do I win?”



Taemon looked at the scenery. He wasn’t thinking about the hay-spitting game anymore. A deep anxiety worked its way from his stomach to his scalp.



Earth and Sky! Was that the city wall he saw in the distance? They must be way past the drop-off station. He should have been paying attention. He never should have trusted Jad.



Taemon turned and banged on the roof of the driving compartment. “Stop!”

3) Who is your favorite secondary character and why?



Challis! She was really fun to write because she seems clueless, but she knows more than anyone can guess.



Here’s a fun line or two from Challis:


“Ah, you’ve come to see your Auntie Challis. It was always good to see you, Thayer.”



“Um, you too,” Taemon said.


Hannova looked confused. “What did she call you?”


Taemon whispered to Hannova, “I think she’s got me mixed up with her nephew.”


“Thayer’s my father, not my nephew. And another thing, the pickles next year were excellent. Sour, just the way I like them.”


“Next year?” Taemon asked.


“It’s all in the eyebrows, Thayer.”

4) What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?


This is tough because description is my least favorite thing to write; I have to make myself do it. I’m the same way as a reader—I tend to skim over description. I think the hardest thing was trying to describe psi as I introduced it in the first chapter. I rewrote that opening chapter countless times, trying to get the right tone and to inform the reader enough without getting off to a slow start. That feeling when the scene finally feels right is so satisfying.


Here’s an excerpt from the first chapter:


One day when he was about three years old, Taemon realized dishes didn’t wash themselves. Someone nearby was using psi to tell the dishes and the doors and the quadriders what to do. You couldn’t see it, you couldn’t hear it, but when an object moved, someone nearby was doing it with psi. Da said even the Earth had her psi. She used it to fetch rain from the clouds and rouse the seeds in spring.

5) What is your favorite line of dialogue?


I think my favorite dialogue in Freakling is the kind where Taemon gets confused about how powerless things work. For example, when Amma wants him to paddle the boat around the lake and she has to explain to him how to use an oar. That “fish-out-of-water” stuff is really fun to write because it adds humor, of course, but also because it shows how strange the powerless lifestyle is to a city dweller. The psi wielders have become so dependent on their power that they no longer have the basic notions of how to do things by hand.


“Me? Captain?” Taemon asked. “How can I move a boat without psi?”


Amma rolled her eyes. “Ever heard of an oar?”


“Or? Or what?”


Vangie and Amma laughed, but Taemon shrugged. How under Blue Skies was he supposed to know these things?

Congratulations Lana on your debut novel Freakling! Be sure to check out the sequel to Freakling. Archoncomes out in October, 2013.


Thank you again, Lana!

You can find Lana at:


Twitter:  @LanaKrumwiede

Amazon:  Freakling


Dave Amaditz February 4, 2013 Leave A Comment Permalink