Erica O'Rourke

Five Fast Things

I have a ton of things to do today, and so have instituted an Ann-and-Kay style lightning-round policy of blogging --  fifteen minutes and then I'm off like a prom dress. Ready, steady, go.

 

1. Not only will I be at Story Studio on February 5th, I'll also be signing at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville on February 13th with my beloved Jenn Rush and Julie Cross, to celebrate the releases of their respective -- and awesome -- new books, ALTERED and VORTEX. Come see us! We will probably be inappropriate. (More info to come.)
2. We are taking the kids to Disney next week, which means I will be gone. It also means one of my kids will miss an academic competition and the other will miss a lip syncing contest and judging from their reactions, this makes me the worst mother in the world. Because I am taking them to Disney. I don't even, people. I DON'T EVEN.
3. More and more, I am convinced that reading the comments section of my local online newspaper is a terrible idea, and yet I cannot seem to stop, as it is the only way I can get community news when I am on deadline and locked in my basement. My entire social media philosophy pretty much boils down to, "Don't be a jackass," so this is really baffling to me. Why so much jackassery, hometown?
4. I am on deadline, which means meals around here are pretty much apples + peanut butter or frozen pizza for the kids, and hummus on pita for me. Except that we are out of pita. It also means my house is a disaster. When I turn in this round of DISSONANCE, though, I have every intention of applying Apartment Therapy's 30-day January Cure, even if it isn't January. I've been saving their daily emails in a folder, so that the day after I send off the book, I can hire a backhoe and restore some order around here.
5. Both of my children have recently purchased a game called Minecraft for their electronic devices. I've heard people raving about it, but I have not a clue what one is supposed to do? Mine things? Craft things? Craft mines? Mine the crafting closet? Most of its supporters are either smart or have smart kids or both, so I'm not too worried, but is there anything I should know?

Okay, my timer just went off, which means it is time to start MacFreedom. xoxo

I am blushing just thinking about it.

Popping in quickly to let you know that I will be participating in Story Studio's "Scandal, Seduction, and Romance" reading on February 5th with several other Chicago-area authors. Not only will you get to see how red I turn while reading the kissy bits of my books OUT LOUD, but you'll get to hear about some of the classes StoryStudio offers -- and check out their North Shore Studio, which you can rent as space for a writer's retreat. (So pretty!)

I'll be reading from the Torn trilogy, but if you ask nicely, I might tell you a bit more about Dissonance, too.

Also, there will be chocolate. Just sayin'.

Here are the details -- but please note that the event is intended for ages 18 and up.

What: StoryStudio's Scandal, Seduction and Romance Reading

When: February 5th, 7pm

Where: StoryStudio North, 723 Elm Street, Suite 26, Winnekta, IL

Why: Because the kissy bits are always the best parts.

Updated to add: It's FREE!

Click here for more information.

See you there!

Dear Enrichment Voyagers,

Note: This letter is, as you might have guessed, intended for the people who attended my workshops on the Winter 2012 Enrichment Voyage. But you're welcome to read on even if you weren't there and want to know about some of my favorite books/websites/resources for writing.)

Welcome home! By now you’ve probably unpacked and done a few million loads of laundry, and made some resolutions for 2013. (Remember: it is good to do something that scares you.)

Just in case your goals for the new year are writing related, here are links to some of the books and authors I mentioned during my workshops. Many of them were mentioned more than once, so the links are arranged by topic:

Craft and Structure:

• Debra Dixon’s Goal Motivation Conflict (www.debradixon.com)
  Remember, don’t buy this on Amazon – the price is hyperinflated. Go here instead.

• Many writing books will talk to you about three-act structure, but I tend to rely more on the articles at Michael Hague’s Story Mastery, especially this one.

• Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat: This is the book my husband constantly steals from me; I’ve also loaned it out to fellow writers countless times. It’s great for plotters.There's also a ton of information at www.blakesnyder.com.
• Here’s a popular blog post from Rachel Aaron on how to use plotting techniques to up your daily wordcount.
• Jennifer Crusie is a brilliant author with all sorts of advice and techniques on her blog. It’s a great resource for pantsers. www.arghink.com
  
  
• Donald Maass’s Writing the Breakout Novel comes in two formats: regular book and fill-in-the-blank workbook. I have both, because it’s just that good.
• Cheryl Klein’s Second Sight: An Editor's Talks on Writing, Revising, and Publishing for Children and Young Adults is a great read when you’re made it through your first draft and you’re getting ready to revise. Tons of examples! You should also check out her blog, which is useful for writers of all genres and age levels.
• Susan Dennard’s website has a ridiculous number of helpful articles about the craft and business of writing. She’s also an incredible author and delightful person.

Tools of the Trade:

• Microsoft Word is the industry standard, but I’m guessing you can find it on your own.
• Scrivener (for Mac and PC) is what I compose all of my projects in. It's flexible and allows me to keep all of my notes/outlines/research/deleted scenes/etc in one place. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It's a very powerful program, so you should also check out Gwen Hernandez's Scrivener for Dummies.
• MacFreedom (for Mac and PC) As we discussed, I would get nothing done without this program, which turns off the internet for pre-specified periods of time.
• Write or Die (Mac, PC, iPad, Web-based) I am too terrified to use this software, but many writers I know and respect absolutely swear by it. (It's the one that erases your words if you don't keep typing.)

Querying/Looking for Agents

• Publishers Marketplace
• Querytracker.net
• Absolutewrite.com
• Preditors and Editors
• Queryshark and Janet Reid's blog are both excellent sources of advice for querying and the agent search

—  Remember: Always double-check an agency’s website for their specific submission guidelines – and FOLLOW THEM.

 

There you go, guys – all the resources I mentioned in class, plus a few more I remembered while I was sitting in the Guayaquil airport. If you’ve got more questions, the best place to get them answered is over at my tumblr. (You don't even have to join -- just ask anonymously!)

Thanks for making my big adventure so much fun – I couldn’t have asked for better people to cross the equator with. Now: Butt in chair, hands on keyboard, and keep me posted.

xoxoxo

Erica

Resolved

Happy First Day Back To School, everyone!

Look. I love my children. I missed them horribly while I was gone, and we had a wonderful break, full of movies and adventures and toys and books and treats and togetherness.

SO MUCH TOGETHERNESS.

Now they are back in school, and I am back to work, and lo, it is good. Peace descends upon Casa O'Rourke and I can actually cross things off my list. You guys know how much I like crossing things off lists.

Speaking of lists, are you resolution-minded folk? I used to be, but after too many years of making dramatic vows of change and betterment, only to give up by Martin Luther King Day, I've shifted to attainable goals that make a measurable difference. If they sound familiar, it's because these are the same resolutions I make every year. Why mess with success?

Drink more water.

Cheap and easy. I've even unearthed my favorite water bottle from the back of the cabinet, so I'm all set. (See Resolution #3)

Do not engage the crazy.

There's no point. You're not going to win, and you're going to make everyone around you miserable. Instead, when faced with a situation where someone is bound and determined to push every. last. button. you have, remind yourself that discretion is the better part of valor, and rely on two key phrases:

• "That's so interesting."
• "Thanks for letting me know."

In both cases, you're letting the other person know you heard them -- which is all most people want, anyway -- without agreeing or disagreeing and without commiting yourself to any course of action. It's the quickest way to neutralize a conversation so you can excuse yourself to practice your primal scream therapy.

Have less stuff.

We are drowning in stuff. It's expensive, it's wasteful, and most importantly, it's a pain in the ass to keep clean. We're trying hard to make sure that we keep only the things that we love, need, or use frequently. Everything else is going to Goodwill.

Some people prefer to choose a word or a theme for the year, and if I had to choose one, it would be "hard work." I like hard work. It makes me feel proud, and strong, and accomplished. 2013 is shaping up to be a year that will force me to work harder than ever, but in ways that are exciting and challenging in the best possible sense.

How about you? Goals? Resolutions? Themes? What are you going to make of this year?