Merry Christmas and We Have a Winner!

YO! J Lenni Dorner is the winner of the critique from Sharon Mayhew. Congratulations, woman! Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you have a safe and happy celebration. I'll see you all in 2015.

A Path To Publishing, Y'all!

Writers, today I am going to tell you about a venture that Jill Corcoran (boy howdy, it is THAT Jill Corcoran) and Martha Alderson (yep, The Plot Whisperer herself) are involved with. They have built a writing how-to. A how-to for novels and one for picture books. Take your pick.  I have rented the videos for both. So I am speaking as one who rented them and watched them.  My review is after the info on the videos. Read on, people!                                

I'm so excited to Host 2 amazing ladies on my blog today, along with the fabulous program they have put together to help authors get their book published and to learn how to revise their own novels in a manner that will make manuscripts shine!!

Let's Introduce you first to this program!

VIDEO SERIES

We offer writers two video series with more in production:


1) PlotWriMo: Revise Your Novel in a Month
http://apathtopublishing.com

8 videos, 5.5 hours + 3- hands-on exercises

Congratulations! You have written a draft of a novel. You’ve accomplished what many
writers merely talk about and dream of doing – you have written an entire story from
beginning to end. When you finish celebrating, it is time to revise: to re-envision and
rewrite what you’ve written into a novel that agents, editors and readers will devour.
Writing a great plot involves craft and skill and know-how. Before you undertake a major
rewrite, first consider your story from all angles with the help of step-by-step instruction
and daily exercises. You know you’re ready to rewrite when you’ve checked all the
essentials elements for creating an exciting story with compelling characters and a
meaningful plot.





-----//-----

2) How to Write and Sell a Picture Book with a Plot
http://apathtopublishing.com/how-to-write-and-sell-a-picture-book/

7 videos explain how to plot, write and sell picture books + provide exercises how to
immediately integrate the concepts into your own unique story. Learn about all the
different kinds of picture books, examples of character-driven and action-driven picture
books, how to develop winning picture book concepts, what are the major turning points
in every great picture book with a plot, writing, voice, character goals and motivation,
how to revise, testing your theme and take-away, who to submit to and so much more…








Here’s How the Video Series Work

Each video includes an in-depth look at the specific elements promised and how to
consider these essential story principles as you write, revise, rewrite, sell your story.
Writing assignment(s) guide you with step-by-step instruction.
Whether you decide to watch all the videos in a row and then go back and do the
exercises or jump right in to the 1st video’s exercise, work at your own pace and take
more or less time on the step-by-step exercises. The series are designed to fit into even
the busiest of schedules. Sign-in and watch video lectures, complete homework
assignments, and ask questions in a public forum on a timetable that fits your needs.



Shout Outs:

**The 1st draft you let yourself write any old way. Now revise your story from every angle

**Can't seem to #finish your #novel? Ready to give up? Before you do, revise!

**I’m finding the revision process FUN! Did I actually say that? Loving this process, thank you!

**Friends don't let friends ‪#revise alone
‬


Let's introduce you to Jill and Martha now!!

Jill Corcoran bio

Jill Corcoran is the founder of Jill Corcoran Literary Agency and co-founder of A Path A Publishing

 

Martha Alderson bio

Martha Alderson, author of The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master, is known as “The Plot Whisperer” for the help she offers writers worldwide. She is the founder of PlotWriMo: Revise Your Novel in a Month and the award-winning blog The Plot Whisperer

These ladies not only brought us these amazing author tools, but also offer another service with 2 levels of Participation (Participants and Observers):


Office Hours
2nd Thursday of every month
9:30-11:30am Pacific
on-line
http://apathtopublishing.com/office-hours/


Active Participants and Observers

ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS: 8 authors each have 15 minutes to work with The Plot
Whisperer Martha Alderson and Literary Agent Jill Corcoran on whatever you want help
with. Read part of your manuscript, query, discuss energetic markers, concept, brainstorm
plot, characters, etc and receive feedback you can immediately apply to your work.
Active participants must watch either Plotwrimo: Revise Your Novel in a Month or How
to Write & Sell a Picture Book Videos. This gives us a common language and baseline
understanding of underlying plot and story concepts for better communication.
Receive a critique of your First Pages, Query, Concept, or get help with your Characters,
Where to Start your Story, Crisis, Climax, etc. It is your time...your choice

***OBSERVERS: 15 observer spots. As an observer, you do not participate/read your
work, but listen and learn from others during these sessions.



SO MUCH HARD WORK FROM THESE LADIES! LET'S SEE WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THESE VIDEOS AND SERVICES:

Reviews of the series:

"The amount of time, heartache, frustration, and hell that these videos are saving me from
is immeasurable."

"Don't wait until you have a first draft to get the video series. If you have an inkling of a
concept, get the video series. The videos will show you how to define your energetic
markers. You'll learn the difference between crisis and climax. The 8 videos constitute a
'top to toe' writing course. 
Jill Corcoran & Martha Alderson, thank you for giving me
the opportunity to call myself a writer with pride." Dolly D Napal

"I have been writing, writing, writing, and reading about writing, but I knew I was still
missing the mark. How I write and rewrite books will be forever changed for the better. "
Wendy McLeon MacKnight

"I felt overwhelmed with my latest revision. I feel like a weight has been lifted and I'm
just on day one."


Last, but not least, these ladies offer a fantastic workshop to help people actively learn from the
A PATH TO PUBLISHING services.


A Path to Publishing Workshops:
http://apathtopublishing.com

We often tailor-make an advanced workshop for writers who have watched the series to
ask questions and receive feedback on your own individual story.
A Path to Publishing Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/apathtopublishing/

Everyone is welcome to join A Path to Publishing Facebook group created by Literary
Agent Jill Corcoran and Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson as safe, smart, fun alcove for
writers and illustrators to share and learn about the craft of writing and the book biz. This
is NOT a place to sell your books, but a wonderful forum for us all to advance our skills,
our creativity, and our dreams plus learn about what Jill and Martha are up to at A PATH
TO PUBLISHING.

My review:

The videos are well worth the cost. I have learned a lot with them. The thing that really cements all of this is the homework which is so comprehensive and thorough. It validates everything in the videos and then some. I never knew how to use the energetic markers. Now I do. I feel confident that even after my year with the videos, I'll be able to revise my novels on my own because of what I've learned. I am revising my MG using the information from the videos. It is much stronger and tighter.

You can watch all the videos and then go through the homework or watch them one at a time completing the homework for that particular video moving to the next one. Move along with your time schedule. You have them for a year.

Jill and Martha have a conversation with you. It's not like your typical instructor/class. Jill and Martha talk directly to you. Like it's just you and them. Of course, in a way it is. They do not talk down to you either. Which is very important. Another very important thing is the fact that Jill Corcoran is a powerhouse agent. I mean BRICK POWERHOUSE! Martha isn't chopped liver either (snort). Her Plot Whisperer books have sold like hotcakes and have helped many a writer become published.

The picture book videos are also very good. There's also a list of picture books for you to study. The thing I like about the picture book videos is that they help you learn how to study other picture books. SO IMPORTANT! I had never learned to do that before the videos. That's my biggest takeaway. It is the best thing about the picture book videos. If you can read published picture books and figure out why they worked then you can write books that will work too.

My take? Rent the videos. You'll be so glad you did.

Be sure to follow along and see what others are saying about these services and how they have helped them! Read individual reviews and more information about how this video series can help you!

December 1	https://www.facebook.com/nordlinger
December 1	http://writingclassesforkids.com
December 1	http://inkandangst.com/
December 1	taffyscandy.blogspot.com
December 1	Rebeccalacko.wordpress.com
December 2	http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com
December 2	http://1st10pages.com
December 2	http://thestorytellersscroll.blogspot.com
December 2	www.katherine-hajer.com
December 3	http://www.jordanrosenfeld.net
December 3	http://robyn-campbell.blogspot.com/
December 3	http://aditebanerjie.com
December 4	lje1.wordpress.com
December 4	http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/
December 4	www.PenInHerHand.com
December 5	www.ChristineSang.com
December 5	Susan P
December 5	www.ChristineSang.com

AND NOW, JILL AND MARTHA ARE OFFERING SOME AMAZING PRIZES TODAY. SO BE SURE TO ENTER AND SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS EVENT AND THEIR WONDERFUL VIDEO SERIES! a Rafflecopter giveaway Giveaway | Rafflecopter :) www.rafflecopter.com

Thanks for reading, y'all. Are you interested in the videos? Write on!

How I Wrote 90,000 Words In Twenty (no, eighteen) Days For NaNoWriMo

I'll start out by saying that I intended to write the 50,000. I ended up with TWO novels and 90,000 words. I didn't outline. I'm a panster. But I did write a two sentence synopsis. WHEW. That was tough! So when Nov. 1st arrived, I already had a plan in my head.

Wake up early and write until my fingers were raw. NAH! I decided to write before homeschool. Early morning is when I'm my freshest. The MOST important secret to my madness? CONSISTENCY. Sticking with the early morning plan. There were two hospital days with Christopher in those 20 days too. I couldn't write on those days. So it was actually 18 days. I woke up every day with one early morning goal. WRITE. I timed myself the first day. That's when I discovered that I could write 5000 words each morning. COLOR ME SHOCKED.

So on it went. I wrote 5000 words every day. With 18 days of 5000 words and two novels finished, I'm asked how I did it. My answer? That wise adage, BIC. And consistency. No excuses made for why I couldn't write on a specific day. I woke up, poured coffee and typed. I didn't wake up, check email, visit FB, look in on twitter, etc, etc. Funny, I always thought that they were my writerly duties to be performed BEFORE writing. I learned during my NaNo write in that they are excuses. Go figure.

I am still relishing in my victory. But soon comes the cold hard reality of REVISIONS. So I will kick back and give myself the thumbs-up in the mirror every morning until January sets in.

Have you ever done NaNoWriMo? Ever thought you could write that many words in Nov? Or have you? Do tell it all.