emilia-plater.com

And the Winners Are... + A Kitten

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:45:00 +0000

The giveaway from last week is over - thanks for participating, everyone! The prizes were an ARC of Shatter Me, a $25 iTunes gift card, and a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card. Thusly are the winners:

1) Sommer Leigh, 2) Bianca, and 3) Jpetroroy!

Selected randomly by random.org! CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!! Your emails are on the way.

Now that that's done, here's some footage of a kitten playing basketball.

College is one of the most hectic, yet fun things... and watching cat videos is probably my most favorite way of procrastinating important assignments. Also, watching [INSERT SECRET GENRE] movies as "inspiration" for Hysteria. Right. Inspiration. Correct. Yes. *nervous laugh* What's been your favorite way to procrastinate lately?

Love you guys!!! I can't say I'll be posting a lot because of College, but I'll definitely keep you updated if anything new happens. And I welcome emails anytime! HUGS HUGS HUGS and kittens. :)

YAY UPDATE Feat. Fun Life Stuff and Scrolling (Also, a Giveaway!)

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:45:00 +0000

Hiiiiiiii!

OH GOSH IT HAS BEEN SO LONG. If you're reading this, I love you. SO MUCH. That's because it's been a long while since I wrote anything here, which means you're here after a long while, and man, that is love-worthy!! Also, I just love you really creepily.

I'm going to stop before this turns into the creepiest love fest ever (that's later!) and instead tell you the story of what the heck I've been up to for the past whole summer! Get ready, Internet, because this shizz reads like some kind of cah-razy YA novel!

1. *~Graduated High School~*

With my sister at the ceremony! :)

You know those times in your life when everything changes and you're like, "Whaaaat?" But you love it. Graduating from high school in June was like that. To be honest, I'm so glad be out of HS and into college - but it's still scary to me that I've officially left what was, in order to run head-on into what will be.

And by scary, what I really mean is EXCITING AND WONDERFUL. Yes!

2. *~Backpacked in Freakin' Europe!~*

3 weeks in July. 2 girls (me and one of my best friends!). 5 major cities: London, Paris, Nice, Venice, and Rome. 3 years spent dreaming and saving up the moolah. 6 months of preparation. 1 majorly awesome experience!

Seriously, backpacking in Europe was just as life-changing and eye-opening and YA-novel-esque as I could have hoped. The only pieces missing were a couple of cute foreign love interests (next time)! I learned that I want to keep traveling for the rest of my life, and I learned a ton about patience (have it), flexibility (have it), adventure (embrace it), cultural diversity (appreciate it), the world (it's beautiful)... even writing! (More on that here. Plus more pictures!)

(I like parentheses. ONWARD TO THE NEXT THING!)

3. *~Started College~*

If you're currently at a point in your life where you're considering which colleges to apply to, I recommend Vassar College because it is AMAZING! Okay, now that I'm done advertising: it's true. I'm a College Person now. What??! I don't know, dude.

This is the library. No joke AUGH.

Coming to college is pretty much the biggest life step I've ever taken - and even though term started in August, the fact that I'm here still hasn't quite sunk in. But I'm still so thankful, every day, for the fact that this step has been made.

Nonsensical feelings aside, I gotta wonder: where are all the relatable New Adult novels written to help peeps like me understand this crazy-yet-fun newness? There's a market! Let's make it happen! Right? Right? Well... someday soon. Muahaha.

So, that's the story. Overall... yeah, oh man, wow. And between all of this has been writing - slow writing, but writing! A non-contemporary novel by the name of Hysteria is coming... oh yes, it is coming. Dun-dun-dun-dun... *Jaws theme*!!

If you're reading this, and you are currently writing, or revising, or outlining, or brainstorming, or editing, or struggling to finish an essay, or trying to earn money for books, or freaking out about the upcoming holidays, or anythinging, I just want to say this to you: you can do it. You are amazing. You are fantastic. It's going to take work, for sure, but it's going to rock. YAY HUGS

OKAY NOW LET'S GET TO THE FREE STUFF!

I want to give one of these things to you: a $25 iTunes gift card (also good for buying books in iBooks) ~ a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card ~ an ARC of Tahereh's Mafi's SHATTER ME (coming out November 15th)!!

3 free things, 3 random winners! The winner picked first gets to choose first, etc. HOW DOES ONE GET THESE THINGS? Forreal, just comment saying you want to enter, and you shall be entered for a chance to win. No tweeting or following required, although of course I would appreciate that kind of thing so so so much. Giveaway ends at 11:59PM on Wednesday, October 25th!

And that concludes this update. Thanks so much for listening, fellow traveler! :) Have a mind-bogglingly wonderful day!

The Secret Life of a Graduating High School Kid

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Mon, 16 May 2011 10:45:00 +0000

YAAAY. I'm not dead! Holy grilled cheese, though, it's gotta have seemed like it thanks to this extended Interwebs disappearance I've been conducting. Before I attempt to explain, I want to talk about why it's a really, really excellent thing I'm not dead. And why the same goes for you. THE ANSWER MAY SURPRISE YOU. (Not really. But I love you, so run with me?)

First, some background. D'you know what this week is? It's the week of my eighteenth birthday! And prom. Also, signed forms for the college I'm attending this fall are due. Also, high school graduation is in exactly one month. O LAWDY!

Is life moving as fast as a shark on speed, or what? Okay, probably not that fast, BUT. A lot of Life Stuff going on recently has made me feel like I'm at the center of some epic fast-paced YA novel, complete with momentous changes, existential wonderings, and lots of exciting teen traditions.

What momentous changes? The obvious one is that I'll soon be a college student at - it's official - Vassar College! The somewhat less obvious one is, oh my gosh, my whole life is changing. I've spent the past eighteen years at home, with parents, with plenty of cushioning and protection. College isn't quite the real world. But it's a HUGE step - one I can't stop thinking about. Which leads in to...

What existential wonderings? Ones like: what am I gonna do with my life? How do I know if I've made the right decisions so far? Oh man, last week I spent a whole minute looking for my phone only to realize it was in my hand - are they really letting me go off on my own? What if I drop out and become a writer-hobo? WHAT IF...? Obvs, all these questions have the same sensible answer: *~*calm down*~* and let things go as they will. Hee, hee. Then again, it's tough to stay calm when so much is going on...!

What exciting traditions? There's prom. There's grad parties. There's last-minute, what-if-I-never-see-you-again? socializing. And - get this - there's the post-graduation trip my friend and I taking in July: three weeks backpacking across Western Europe! (I'm looking at you, Ginny from 13 Little Blue Envelopes.) So nerve-wracking... and so exciting!

Honestly, all this YA-esque Life Stuff is making me feel a lot like a YA character: scared. Confused. Happy. And a whole bunch of other emotions that I'm so grateful to be experiencing because I'm a young adult, because everything's new and wonderful, and because life is in motion now - nothing can hold it back.

Changes, graduations, the future - those are scary concepts. But I'm realizing that it's up to us to meet the challenge head-on, to take advantage of the chance, like the courageous people we are, like the awesomely alive people we are. Wh00t! The future is coming... and that's why it's excellent to be not dead!

So to finally attempt that explanation I promised in the first paragraph: all that Life Stuff? It, paired with feverish work on Big Sekrit Project, has been enacting cuts on my Social Internetz Time!!! W.T.H. Seriously, though, I love you all out there even though I haven't been showing it enough, and I can't wait to get back to bloggin'/Twitterin' like a mofo. Hopefully before the summer ends!

Well, those are all the ~~boring~~ Emilia secrets fit to ~~ignore~~ blog. Now, I want to hear about YOU! What Big Things are happening or will soon be happening for you? And if no Big Things can be forseen, what about Small-but-Secretly-Kinda-Big things? And if there are no Small-but-Secretly-Kinda-Big things, well... get your suitcase ready, 'cause I'm comin' over tomorrow, and we are embarking on a wicked life-changing road trip. Hell yeah! Hugs for all, and everyone have a great start to summer!

Making the Leap of Awesome, OR: A Genre-Switching Misadventure

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:45:00 +0000

You're standing on the edge of a cliff. Jump across the gap, and there's no guarantee you'll make it to the other side - heck, there's no guarantee what's there is worth jumping for. But something won't let you back down. Something inside you keeps urging you to try. Do you jump?

You guys. I've been holding this in, hiding this away, for too long. I HAVE A SECRET.

This secret has been sucking my time. It's been sucking my brainpower. It's been sucking my will to live! No, it hasn't actually been doing that last one (I just can't resist a Wayne's World reference). In truth, it's been injecting me with such an uncontrollable fervor to live and write that it's making. Me. Wonder. If. I'll. Survive!

The secret is: I've started a new YA book. And it's not contemporary.

WHY HAS THIS BEEN A SECRET? I don't even know. Okay, I do: I've been scared. Ashamed, even. Why? That's a good question. I mean, what happened was, I was working for a while on that other book about the beach town and stuff, and man, I still love that project and hope to return it, but then - then - this new idea came along. Well, it less "came along" and more "slapped me in the brain, whooped beach-book's ass, then started moving its furniture in without permission."

Brain-slapping ideas = good. Right? So what did it matter if this idea was different from anything I'd ever written or dreamed of writing? Why should I be such a wuss in the face of a genre-switch?

Oh, genre. Some writers define themselves by theirs. Technically, if you're published, that's the advisable thing to do. It creates an identity for your readers to come back to when they want X and Y. Of course, writers of all breeds can genre-hop: whether you mix everything together or create a separate pen name for each hop, it's all fine and fun. That's what I've been telling myself these past few weeks. But...

I adore contemporary/realistic YA, guys. It is what I've always written. So when I realized I needed to write this Idea, I felt a little like I was betraying something at my core. Plus, I was probably going to fail miserably. Contemporary: that was my place, my heart, ma gangsta hang (never let me say "gangsta" again)!

Or so I thought. As this new book has grown and flourished at a crazy pace, leaving me wide-eyed and breathless, my perspective has begun to shift.

For any writer, switching to a new genre - or literary format, or POV, or [insert Big Thing here] - can be a little like leaping over a canyon. That's a canyon filled with uncertainty, inexperience, and possibly some worry. For all anyone knows, you could fall flat on your face and have to crawl back to where you came from.

But part of being a writer means being brave. Being fearless. In the case of that question at the start of this post - it means jumping. In the words of George Prince, "Creativity is another word for courage."

So I invite you to try and live that job description with me. Failure is possible - I know I'm wary of it - but without the possibility of failure, there would be no possibility of awesomeness. Some people call it a leap of faith. I call it: A LEAP OF AWESOME.

So what the heck is the subject matter of this new book I keep rambling about, anyway? I'm not set to spill that info just yet. But I can tell you I'm absolutely in ~~lesbians~~ love with it, and I can tell you the title, and I can tell you what it's not about, under the umbrella of "non-contemporary"! Pumped? The title is...

HYSTERIA

And it does not involve in any way...

Zombies, werewolves, vampires, vegetarian vampires, a dystopian or post-apocalyptic world, fairies, mermaids, elves, angels, reapers, demons, possessed dollies, a historical setting, a futuristic setting, precognition, postcognition, telekinesis, time travel, dream travel, ghosts, witches, spells, gods, superheroes, chatty animals, dragons, monsters, other assorted fantasy creatures, mind control (sort of), OR unicorns (I tried, I tried)

Maybe that will give you a hint. Or maybe I'm just being super annoying, hee, hee... Love you all like always! Have you ever made a leap of awesome? What was your experience like? Everyone have an amazing week, and I wish you all the best of luck with your writing projects, new and old! XOXO!

Your Most Badass Self, & Other In-Demand Identities [RTW]

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:50:00 +0000

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fabulous YA Highway. This week's question, inspired by YAHer Kirsten Hubbard's new book Like Mandarin: who did you want to be like when you were a youngin'?

P!nk: THE ULTIMATE GIRLCRUSH.

Have you ever felt like you weren't living up to your true potential? Man, I know I have. Around fourteen - that age of disorderly limbs and awkwardness - I really wasn't digging who I was. I felt trapped inside myself, and blossoming into a more confident, more badass gal felt like a goal as far away as Antarctica.

Just like Grace in Kirsten Hubbard's amazing debut-that-came-out-yesterday Like Mandarin (EPIC PLUG YO), I would have given anything to be like someone different. Especially this one rockin' imaginary girl in my head. Who I described thusly in a 2007 diary entry. Why yes, I did go on to become a fiction writer; how did you guess?

Hairstyle inspiration? Oh yeah.
P.S. NO SMOKING

Name: Jolie (pretty en français)
Appearance: "Super-short hair, gelled up, dyed halfway platinum blonde."
Clothes: "All crazy fashion outfits~"
Social cr3d: "She's friends with everyone who's friendly... but she has her own circle of friends... And she likes everyone, too, and she sees the good in everyone. She goes to all the parties..."
Opinion of roller-coasters (yeah, I'd just gone to Six Flags): "Being afraid of a stupid roller coaster is NOT her. She isn't afraid of annyyyything~"

Simply put, Jolie was the girl I yearned to become. She was my most badass self - or so I thought at the time.

I wonder, what would life be like if everyone was their most badass self? If everyone could think of themselves as 100% self-fulfilled - the ultimate picture of who they've always wanted to be?

Maybe we'd have a lot more people with supermodel bodies walking around. Maybe we'd have a lot more supermodels - and artists, and straight-A students, and (holla!) successful authors. In a world of universal self-fulfillment, nobody would need to cry out and yearn for inner change. It would go down just like that.

But that, I think, would mean losing an important part of the process. Perhaps the most important part.

I tried to make it bigger, but Blogger yelled
at me for being obnoxious.

Four years after writing that description of the girl I wanted to be, I don't have a spiky pixie cut. (Tried it. Didn't look so hot.) I don't go to all the parties (what happens at those, anyway?), and fashion still isn't my forté (let's blame the wallet).

Luckily, I don't think I've failed little me in all respects. I've gained a lot: amazing friends, the courage to face a rollercoaster, and - this still shocks me every day - confidence and a liking for who I am.

Am I my most badass self, yet? No way. Who is? And maybe this question isn't such a crazy one to pose: who would want to be?

It's obvious that self-fulfillment doesn't happen easily. We struggle for it our whole lives, filling ourselves with yearning, drive, a passion for improvement and achievement. Even our idols, our non-imaginary Jolies, aren't perfect: they're struggling, too. Grace learns that well in Like Mandarin, with some sad consequences.

But that struggle doesn't have to be sad. In fact, I think it's beautiful. Honestly, it seems like it's the constant journey towards self-fulfillment that makes us who we are, imperfections and all. And whoever you are now - well, some would say that's your most badass self. (Like me! I would say that. BECAUSE YOU'RE AWESOME.)

Who did you want to be like when you were a youngin'? While you're remembering, don't forget to check out a copy of Kirsten Hubbard's Like Mandarin, which chronicles 14-year-old Grace's wild journey towards a new self. Help me help Like Mandarin take over the world! Why? Because it's already headed that way anyway, and who wants to impede the inevitable? Wh00t!

3 YA Books Winning the Universe Right Now

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:50:00 +0000

[Cue Ominous Movie Announcer Voice] Imagine a world... where there were three books... books that contained so much win and awesome that the very universe was at risk of exploding due their existence... and the only way to prevent this explosion, the only way to diffuse their awesome win, was to read them! [/End OMA Voice... For Now]

Are you imagining? What a world, right? I'd give anything to live in a world with those three books! Books that called out to read like the magical forest unicorn calls out to be ridden. Books whose authors possessed brains of pure genius, and sweet personalities to boot.

BUT WAIT.

There are three books like that. In this world. Coming onto the YA scene now. And their authors? Having met each one, I can honestly attest to their genius brains and sah-weet personalities. And so, I present to you: three books winning the universe right now!

#1. A TOUCH MORTAL by Leah Clifford (February 22nd, HarperCollins)

"Eden didn't expect Az..."

When I first read A Touch Mortal in ARC stage, I wasn't sure what to expect. But just like the rockin' protagonist, Eden, I was soon swept up into a world of tragic romance, unforgettable characters, and insanely intriguing mystery! With this intense story, fabulous author Leah offers an imagining of the afterlife that should leave anyone reeling.

The best part? This book officially comes out TODAY! So if you're not afraid of meeting (actual) tortured souls, finding out your boyfriend is an angel, or facing the dangerous allure of a certain sexy musician, then come along with Eden on her wild paranormal ride. Just know that I recommend wearing a seatbelt. (Safety is fun!)

#2. ANGELFIRE by Courtney Allison Moulton (February 15th, HarperCollins)

"Ellie's powers have been awakened..."

Okay, so no one likes getting punched, right? (On second thought, don't answer that.) But when a book named Angelfire punches in you in the gut with its kick-ass heroine and crazy action scenes - that's another thing. Oh, and don't forget the excellent romance: one sewn into the layers of history, reaching its peak in a world packed with mythology, surprise attacks, and cool parties.

Forreal: if you're looking for a book to set your day on fire in a good way, gorgeous author Courtney's got the goods. So check it out, and get ready to wave an imaginary sword in your bedroom! (That was so not me. Who got video of that? Oh, man!)

#3. LIKE MANDARIN by Kirsten Hubbard (March 8th, Random House)
"Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin..."

To communicate the epicity of Like Mandarin to you, I shall utilize the perfect words of fellow YA writer Phoebe North, who described it as "intense and engaging and thoroughly beautiful." Beyond the beautiful book itself, I want to let y'all in on a not-so-secret secret: author Kirsten is the ultimate. As in, it's almost impossible for me to fathom what an incredible friend, writing partner, blog teammate, and person Kirsten is.

Come March 8th, I'm so happy everyone will have a window into the mind of this ultimate girl. To sweeten the deal, Kirsten's hosting a rad blog tour all this week into March! Seriously, you guys - in one vlog, we get to meet her puppy. Warning: ADORABLE AHEAD.

So there you have it: three books on the current scene that deserve their own flash-bang Hollywood trailer. Pick them up, devour them (it's the only way to prevent a deadly explosion!), and come back to tell me what you thought!

Which new books have gotten you excited recently? High-five if your answer includes any of the above - and even more high-fives if it's something completely different. Love to you all, and I hope you have a wonderful week!

The Power of Love (A Message to My Followers)

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:42:00 +0000

VALENTINE'S DAY! What better way to celebrate the deliciousness of chocolate? And pink glitter. And paper hearts with tape on the back so you can stick them on people and run off laughing maniacally. Wait, these things are what Valentine's Day celebrates, right?

Uh-oh. I'm getting a report it's about something else. It's about... love. Specifically, between couples. Of young age, in fit physical shape, sitting in expensive restaurants. (Possibly making out via spaghetti.)

PSH. Screw that!

Okay, okay, it can be about love. We can give it that. But how about, instead of just making it about physically-fit couple love... we also make it about love for friends? And family? And books and writing? And Cee-Lo's outfit at the Grammys? And, of course, most notably... blog/Twitter followers?

Yes. Regardless of the day, or whether or not we are in an expensive restaurant, I have this message to give y'all, my absolutely awesome and fantastic followers and friends: I love you guys. It's true! JUST LOOK AT MY* EYES AND TELL ME IT'S NOT TRUE:

*Animal representation of me

Legit, though, here's to the all-encompassing power of love on this Valentine's Day. If I could eat an expensive plate of spaghetti over candlelight with all of you, I would. (Accidental make-out may or may not occur.) Who or what do you love? P.S. Congrats to fabulous follower and friend Cory Jackson on her book deal for her novel If I Lie! DEETS here!

From Egypt to Writerland: A Revolution of the Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:50:00 +0000

Cairo, Egypt, February 1st. Source

Have you been following the events in Egypt? If not, there's a stellar run-down here! To summarize: on January 25th, the Egyptian people started a series of impassioned protests in response to the 30-year "democratic rule" - really, corrupt and violent dictatorship - of President Hosni Mubarak.

Protests are still going on, and a recent development is that Mubarak has promised not to run in the next election cycle - although he still hasn't resigned as president. (Update: as of 2/11, Mubarak has stepped down, and a new government is forming! How awesome is that?)

This revolution is legit history in the making. These are ordinary people rising up, just as various disenfranchised groups have risen up for thousands of years, in a determined attempt to change their lives for the better.

It sucks that it had to come to this - that Mubarak couldn't've just listened to his people, that violence had to become part of the equation. 'Course, when you're faced with a problem, it doesn't do any good to wish it didn't exist. The people of Egypt know that well. This picture of human action, IMO, is admirable and "wow!"-worthy.

And it's a little bit inspiring.

A lot of us go through life being held down. This can be super true for writers. Obviously, the oppression we experience is nowhere near comparable to the kind found in a place like Egypt, where issues include a dictator and the violation of human rights.

But some oppression is there. The forces that hold us down are quiet, almost able to be ignored. It could be the cutting derision of a family member in response to your writing dreams. It could be a life circumstance that makes it seem like you'll never be able to sit down and finish something. It could be a financially-squeezed publishing market not willing to take the plunge on your project.

Tahrir Square, Janurary 30th. Source

More often, though, that sense of oppression comes from within. We are the ones who hold ourselves down. As writers, we do it in so many ways: by believing we're not good enough; by doubting the realism of our goals; by letting distractions take over; by stalling at a certain stage instead of moving forward; by attempting to be a one-writer island; by trying too hard to be perfect. The list could go on and on, and each way could make up its own essay.

In reality, these issues don't press on us all the time, or we'd never write at all. But they're always there in the background, leeching off our passion and drive - preventing us from being our best, truest, most awesome creative selves.

When a problem arose, the people of Egypt rose in response. So here's my proposition for the people of Writerland: let's start a revolution in our minds. It'll be small - the news probably won't report on it. But I say that the rule of whatever is holding us down has reached its expiration date. And there's only one group who can do the overthrowing: us!

When one person changes for the better, the people around them notice. Who knows? We might be able to start a whole era of creative freedom - complete with yummy pro-freedom Egyptian chocolate cake! (Don't judge, man. Chocolate belongs in EVERY revolution.) What holds you down?

How to Care for Your New WIP, Kitten-Style

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:55:00 +0000

Man, January - it went by so fast! Seems like just yesterday ol' Jan and I were frolicking together in the Field of Apocalyptic Thundersnow... I mean, Dreams. Yeah, that.

Well, I hope you all had a fabulous first month to your 2011! Mine went by fast, I think, because I've been all wrapped up in this wacky new book I've been working on. It requires constant attention, and I feel like I need to be with it constantly, otherwise it's going to fall off the table and break its head open. Not unlike...

A KITTEN.

Drawing this parallel might seem crazy, and it's true that my kitten-obsessed brain is only bringing up the subject now as an excuse to spam pictures. HOWEVER, if you ask me, the process of effectively raising a kitten and of effectively developing a new Work-in-Progress are purdy darn similar!

Skeptical? Here's an unsolicited guide to caring for your new WIP... kitten-style!

STEP 1: PREPARE FOR ARRIVAL (Gather Thoughts)
Prep time! Whether you prefer to write a 10-page outline or, y'know, just sit in contemplation for a few minutes, the objective here is to create an open, yet safe environment for your new WIP (i.e. no exposed electricity sockets). Build up an idea of what you want to achieve with your writing-household's newest addition. This will be a journey with lots of twists and turns, so stock up now on inspiration, patience, and pet fur rollers. Vamos!

STEP 2: BRING IT HOME (Start Writing)
You've gone to the Idea Shop - or even better, your local Idea Rescue center - and come home with a WIP to call your own. Now it's time to test the waters! Write a little, introduce characters, and observe how the WIP reacts when you try new things, like dangling a piece of string in its face. (Answer: ADORABLY.)

Take this time to let your heart fill with boundless love for your new bundle of joy. Why? Because as little WIPpy grows and learns how fun it is to mutilate furniture, you may become frustrated and wonder what you got yourself into. It'll all be worth it, of course! (Right? Right.)

STEP 3: TRAIN IT (Get Serious)
During this stage, the WIP is the most fragile it'll ever be. It can't be pushed too hard to be perfect, or it will crack under the pressure; moreover, it can't be left on its own for too long without nurturing, or it will forget its previous progress and start ripping up your couch. You're building a literary foundation made from dedication and determination. So type with passion - full steam ahead!

STEP 4: LET IT GROW (Write That Thang)
At this point, your WIP should be gaining some autonomy. It's no longer just an idea or the fragile beginnings of a story: it is a full-blown Work (In Progress). As long as you don't stop feeding it entirely (nom nom, wordage) or forget about its existence, it will thrive. Yay!

Is it slightly less adorable, less full of endless possibilities? Sure. But with that loss of adorability comes a beautiful sense of knowing each other, of loyalty, of great days to come. Even if you worry sometimes whether it's plotting to kill you, this WIP of yours is a great friend to come home to.

~~And that's why cats are awesome~~ And that's how to care for your new WIP, kitten-style! What are you working on writing-wise now? Also, have you ever raised a kitten or other baby animal? That's right, I'm not picky. (Who is when it comes to cute things?)

And We Have a Winner! [RTW]

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:45:00 +0000

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: what is your favorite line in your WIP?

It's always party time on the Boardwalk.

Warning: the title of this post has a double meaning! (No, it's not sexual. GEEZ. Okay, okay, knowing me it totally would be.) The first meaning is... we have a contest winner! That's right, the Hello 2011 Giveaway ended last night, and the randomized winner of that $25 Barnes and Noble gift card is... (I really like ellipses...)

Lisa @ Lost In Literature

Congratulations, Lisa! For anyone wondering, Lisa is the creator of the book blog Lost in Literature, and just a quick visit over there told me she's awesome. So is everyone who entered! Thank you, guys, for making that such a fun giveaway.

Now, onto the second meaning...

Occasionally when you're toiling away at a WIP (Work In Progress), a line of words will fall from your fingers, splosh onto the keyboard, and leave you feeling 100% stunned. Did your brain just produce that? It might not be perfect - heck, it might've taken a round or two of edits to make readable - but man, it seems like a winner!

A winning line can be unusually imaginative, devastating, snappy, or just plain perfect for the scene it's in. It gets you excited and gives you the stamina to continue. Ideally, it will do the same for your readers!

I absolutely love when these lines pop up, considering how shy they can be. With Autochromatic edits done, right now I'm working on a new WIP tentatively named Bad Sun. It's so exciting to be working with all-new words - after all, the potential for new winning lines in a first draft is huge.

Oh hello there.

Here's my favorite WIP line so far (at this moment, at least). Context: main character Harper is eating dinner on the Boardwalk in the fictional beach town of Sun City, USA. It's silly, it's off-base, but it's so like Harper - and who could ask for anything else?

Somebody somewhere was the first person to deep-fry an Oreo, and I swear to all that is delicious, one day I am going to track that person down and make out with them. (...)

Yes, you are, Harper. Yes you are. What's your fave "winning" line in your WIP? Also, assuming you someday have the chance to try them and don't have a heart condition, fried Oreos = A YES. I will personally cover the increase in your health care costs later in life.* *This is not a guaranteed guarantee

The Resolution You Didn't Need to Make + GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 07:03:00 +0000

GPOK (Gratuitous Picture of Kitten)

Hey there, amazing dudes! Holy cats almighty, I cannot articulate how good it feels to be climbing back on top of things after the wackiness that was applying to college. Instead, I'll let some GIFs do the job: it feels a little like this. And this. And this.

Now, I know something happened during the wackiness... oh, yeah, THE YEAR CHANGED. I'd like to give a warm (if somewhat belated) welcome to the new year on the block, 2011! Actually, I wonder if it would be possible to really give 2011 a warm welcome... oh, hell, let's go for it. Come on in, 2K Double-1!

[Massive applause]
2011: Thanks, everyone, I really appreciate it.
PWK: So, 2011, how does it feel to be smashed between the decade-beginning 2010 and the famously apocalyptic 2012, effectively losing your own identity in the process?
2011: Well, uh... I don't exactly -
PWK: Don't answer that. What everybody really wants to know is: what are going to bring for us this year? Success? Joy? Doom? Relative mediocrity?
2011: I think that depends on the person and what they're determined to ach-
PWK: I disagree.
2011: You - what?
PWK: I think you are going to absolutely fantastic no matter what.
2011: Well, thanks, but -
PWK: And that's all the time we have! Thanks, 2011, and seriously - you're gonna be great!
2011: But I -
[Curtains close]

Wow! Quite an interesting interview, right there. In retrospect, 2011 may have had some points. What a year brings depends on what the person experiencing it is determined to achieve. That's why we have New Year's resolutions - to set the course for the coming twelve months.

Of course, when you're in the business of making resolutions, it's easy to get wrapped up in the things you lack, underperform at, and/or need to fix. In other words, you start the year off with a sense of previous failure layered beneath that sense of hope.

That's not necessarily a bad thing - in fact, it's a motivator. But I'd love to take a moment to remind everyone of the great things that have already been done. The key idea being: you have the power and the will to make even more greatness happen. So here's my question for you:

What's a resolution you didn't need to make this year?

In my case, although at the start of 2010 I was floundering re: how to buckle down and finish Autochromatic, by December I realized I'd learned how to sit myself down - and get stuff done. As 2011 begins, I know work-evading in writing will no longer be a (major) issue for me. Wh00t! I can now look at that achievement as proof that my 2011 goals won't be impossible.

Speaking of possibly wh00t-worthy things... how do y'all feel about a Hello 2011 Giveaway?

Let's do it. A $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble or BN.com - that's what goes to the winner! Leave a comment (e.g. your unneeded resolution) and you're officially entered to win (international is AOK). Extra entries apply, too: get +1 for Tweeting or blogging this baby and +1 for following PWK or being a follower. Contest ends at midnight on January 11th. Here's an easy Tweet format, if you'd like to use it:

A $25 B&N gift card is up for grabs over at @EmiliaPlater's Hello 2011 Giveaway! Comment to win: http://dft.ba/-pwk2011

With that, I hope you all have an absolutely fabulous beginning to this potentially fabulous new year. Here's to good friends, good times... and kittens! (Just thought I'd throw some kittens in there for health purposes.) YAY!

First You Got It, Then You Don't, Then You Do Again

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:46:00 +0000

It's 6AM. A disheveled teen girl sits grinning like crazy in front of her computer. She probs should have gone to bed eight hours ago, but sleep is totally for the weak. Also, school starts in two hours, but who gives a flipped pancake? Her manuscript is REVISED.

Is this disheveled girl me? Yes! Guys, I'm so excited - Autochromatic is new and improved, and I actually finished revising it a little earlier than I thought I would. Mostly because, I, uh, stayed up 'til 6AM on Wednesday night to do it [insert evil genius laugh].

Honestly, there wasn't even a deadline looming - it just felt right, and as time passed I felt like the Energizer Bunny. I came to school two hours later feeling gloriously hung over and giggling uncontrollably, but oh man, it was worth it! (Forreals, is there anything better than being a writer?)

For what it's worth, I got more done that night than I'd gotten done in the past week. Which, I think, raises some cool points about productivity. Sense says that in a rad ideal world, every writer's productivity graph - charting level of output as days go by - would look like this:

We're talking all insane 6AM-level output, all the time. Now, that's pretty epic, but it's also kind of unrealistic - most people's brains and bodies can't maintain it. So let's say the "real world" perfect graph is this:

Here the line is steadily productive, not spiking to either extreme. It's deff possible to maintain this, and set deadlines encourage it (that's why they're awesome). Still, I feel like most of the time, the average writer's graph is more like this:

As in, very unpredictable and random. Why? Because sometimes life gets in the way; sometimes it's happy to let you write. Sometimes you need time to think through a tricky scene, and sometimes you find yourself typing like a madman until late into the night.

I used to get so unnerved whenever my graph hit bottom for an extended period. But I've realized now that just because you don't got it one week doesn't mean you won't the next. As long as you love writing, you are still a writer, whether that chapter takes a day or a month to work through. Just because the oxygen for the fire is momentarily gone doesn't mean the coals aren't still burning, ready to roar to life again.

In truth, we all go at our own pace - and that's great. It means having a blast as you let your own personal ebb and flow guide you through this crazy voyage they call writing.

My question for you is: what does your productivity graph look like? Man, December has been wild so far, and now the holidays are upon us! I'm probably going to stay lamely internet-dead until my early-January college applications deadline, but after that I can't wait to get back in the swing of things. Somehow I know 2011 is going to hold great things for all of us. Wh00t!

When Six Words Equal a Life Sentence [RTW]

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 11:55:00 +0000

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: what is your six-word memoir?

Poems. Novels. Short stories. News articles. All these types of writing are mega-different, but for writers, they all have one requirement in common: keep things concise. Now add to that list - drumrollplz - six-word memoirs! To up the short-and-sweetness level, these abridged autobiographies describe a lifetime, not just a single romance or a missing kitten. (Missing kitten? Where? MUST FIND IT.)

Six-word memoir n. The compression of one's life story into six words, as featured in this book. E.g.: "Most successful accomplishments based on spite." "Nothing profound, I just sat around."

Writing this baby is a challenge for the ages. Or in this case, your ages. So exciting! Here's mine to start. It was freaky hard to think of, so I kind of... well, uh... I kinda... UM. Bloggerly malfunction

Found some unicorns; they were awesome
¿Qué? Okay, so while my go-to birthday wish is for this memoir to be literal, as of now 'tis only metaphorical. Unicorns = the impossible, incredible, magical, world-expanding (non-illegal I swear) experiences that lil' me only ever dreamed of as being real. The things that make it all worth it when it's been a while and hmmm, is anything happening around here? Such as:

Realizing writing was The Thing
Feeling 100% (err, 99.5%) self-confident for the first time evah
Getting an agent (note picture)
Those random moments when you're just sitting there and suddenly everything hits you, the beauty and weirdness and potential and greatness of everything, and usually it's 4AM but who cares, dude, let's go explore!
This song
Waffles for dinner

Admittedly, lil' me also had the experience of waffles for dinner, but damn, that buttery euphoria is the gift that keeps on giving ~~heart disease~~. Overall, unicorn-experiences have defined this writergal's life, and I can't wait to have more stampede through. I think we've all had them - aren't they great?

In seasonal news, the holidays are here, and Xmas is only eighteen days away! In fact, I'd say New Years' is the perfect time to conduct a sentence-length reflection on how life has been going for you so far. What's your six-word memoir? Also: what have been your unicorns? Have a fantastic day, guys!

Show Me Your Themes, Groovy Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 12:05:00 +0000

Ah, teenagerdom. It's a time of confusion, firsts, and some seriously awkward dancing. Am I an awkward dancer? No way! Ego translation: yes oh God yes a million times yes. But just 'cause I'm a maniac on the floor doesn't mean I'm not a normal teen. Right? What does it mean to be a normal teen, anyway?

The actual act of being a teenager is hard to put in a box, and I think that's because everyone has a different experience. Some of us graduate high school without having once done something dangerous. Some of us go through a lifetime of pain and heartbreak before leaving the -teen suffix. Everyone experiences these years in a personalized way.

But could it be that there is some common ground in the teen experience? Like, a permanent and deep common ground, one that goes past crushes and dances and into a sort of powerful core of experience? A core that can be recognized and used in stories to a YA writer's benefit? Yeah, you know I wouldn't be asking those sweet rhetorical questions if there wasn't.

If you're feeling groovy, check out the post I wrote today about these very questions over at YA Highway: That 70s Show, Timelessness, & the Groovy Old Themes. I seriously love That 70s Show, so I'm mega excited to have the opportunity to write about it. I feel like it really relates to that core of being a teenager - plus, it's freakin' hilarious.

In the meantime, I want to know: what TV show do you think depicts the teen experience perfectly? And will you come to the disco with me? I swear, I won't start trying to do the worm while everyone watches. I swear. I can't swear that. Have an psychedelic Tuesday, guys, and an amazing rest of the week!

3 Reasons For Givin' Thanks the Writerly Way

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 11:55:00 +0000

This TG turkey is a BAMF.

Hello, holidays! Can you guys believe the New Year is almost here? Seems like just yesterday the summer heat was beating down like an oppressive heat-beast, and now Old Man Winter is knocking at our doors. (Southern hemisphere buddies: reverse that previous sentence. Sweet.)

The 25th is Thanksgiving in the U.S., which means there will be much belt unbuckling and TV a-watching going down. I'm going up to NYC to hang with fam, which should be mega fun. And as soon as I get back, it's time to finish these book revisions! Hells yeah.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share with y'all some thoughts this crazy brain's been having on the reasons writers can feel thankful - reasons that may sometimes slip our minds. I know they tend to slip mine, so it was nice to think of these little reminders in the spirit of the holidays!

So what is there to be thankful for as a writer? Well, to write, you need to have...

The Ability I really love this infographic - it points out in a radly designed way the fortunes that members of first world countries often take for granted. Most notably: those amazing literacy rates!

If it weren't for our ability to read and write, well... we wouldn't be able to read or write. Which is an idea that can't be phrased in a more fear-inducing way. Having this skill is one of the easiest things in the world to take for granted, but at the same time, it's an incredible gift that opens up a gazillion doors. Like the one to the world of Harry Potter nerddom! That's, you know, obvs a top one.

The Means With NaNoWriMo coming to a close, it can be assumed that those amazing participators among us have been spending lots of quality time with their keyboards lately. (The best kind of time!)

It's true that it's 100% possible to write with nothing but paper and a pen - heck, that's how it's been done for centuries. But with the advent of technology like computers, the process has been made easier, faster, funner, and many more fabulous -ers. And you know that little tool called the Internet? It lets writers share knowledge, help each other, keep each other sane, and more. So fantastic! Personally I don't think this 'Net trend is going to catch on, but that's just me. Yeah.

The Right We're all at different stages of getting published, if we're going after that goal yet at all. So most of the time, censorship may seem like a problem only for well-known authors who write apparently controversial material. Plus, it's generally a scattered occurrence - one that literary forces work to fight against every day.

But the fact that censorship is a relatively scattered occurrence in places like the YA world... the fact that writers like you and me have the right to write about most anything we want, using most any language we want, and that right is protected by our governments? Now that is cool. Freedoms FTW!

Overall, I feel like the chance to be a writer is a lucky one. Often when we're engrossed in a certain way of being, it's easy to see nothing but the stressful or the objectionable. We all have so much invested in this art we love, and when something goes wrong, it can - understandably - feel like a blow.

But it's important to step back at times and take a look at the things that enable us to have this life - one that, more often than not, delivers happiness and meaning all over the place. Plus, if we couldn't write, who KNOWS what we'd be doing... (Uh-oh.)

What are you thankful for as a writer? As a regular ol' person? (I think there's a difference.) Happy Thanksgiving, guys. I hope your holiday season starts off with a bang! Not the lethal oven-accident kind. The awesome kind. Wh00t!

Craziness With a Side of Greatness [RTW]

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:55:00 +0000

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. In celebration of the upcoming release of YAHer Kirsten's wildwind-y debut, Like Mandarin, this week's prompt is: explain a time you did something crazy!

Say you're walking down the street and this hobo dressed in a Lady Gaga mask and wizard robes corners you and exclaims, "You're crazy, man!" How do you react?

I know, I know. This incredibly excellent hypothetical situation will probs never happen to any of us. Aaand you might feel a little worried for your personal safety. But looking past that, one of the first thoughts to come to your mind might be: "I'm crazy? You're crazy, you magic hobo!" Right? It's obvious you're not the insane one around here.

One thing to consider when making a statement like that is that crazy is a matter of perspective. Like, when faced with the question of what's something crazy I've done, my first instinct is to dig up some wacko feat I've achieved, like bungee-jumping or harassing people while dressed like a pop star wizard. This is a problem because I suck and haven't done those things yet. (I will, though, oh yes, I will.)

But that's just the traditional definition of crazy, isn't it? There are so many other ways of looking at the term. Maybe it's the thing that made you the most scared. Or the event that was over quick but changed your life forevah. Or the leap of faith that shifted your view of the world. Or hey, it could be a mix of all three...

I think I've got it. The craziest thing I've ever done is... and maybe, maybe the craziest thing you've ever done is...

Written a book.

SUCH A COP-OUT ANSWER. Oh man. But... okay. Hear me out.

This thing we writers do. It's crazy, dude. First making the decision to risk failure. Then stripping the essence from our hearts and our minds and sticking it on a page in around 50,000 words. And then looking at that essence we've stripped from ourselves and declaring it crap and trying to fix it. And fix it. And fix it. Until we've taken the essence of our hearts and minds and made it into this visible, readable thing. That is coherent. And stuff.

And it takes time. Anywhere from a time to a long, long time, depending on your way of doin'. And it takes tears (maybe not the physical kind, but they always show themselves at some point). And questions. And wondering if we even have the right to do this. Or the way. Or the will.

But we fight through it like crazy peeps because storymaking what we love. Heck, the only thing that gives us a sense of sanity is the thing that drives us most towards the edge. Love, that's what it's all about - love, the thing that's been the main source of human craziness for eons, manifested in our nerdy funny writer heads, and the result is a book.

It's cah-razy!

Like Grace in LM, I blame
the wildwinds.

... And it's beyond great.

Also I have one more answer: SEEING THE MIDNIGHT SHOWING OF DEATHLY HALLOWS ON A SCHOOL NIGHT when? oh I don't know tomorrow. SoexcitedholycowIloveyouall. (Edited to add: it was awesome!!) What's something crazy you've done? Plus, am I totally weird for thinking an act as mundane as typing words is crazy? (Answer: probably yes. But you knew I was totally weird already. Holla!)

Above all, don't forget to check out Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard when it comes out on March 8th! Any craziness aside, Kirsten is very possibly the most epic author-girl ever. You can trust me on that one. Have a great week, guys!

Ninjas, NaNo, & Beyond: The 3 Stages of Speed Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Hola amazing chicos and chicas! How you guys been doin'? I've been good, good. November is upon us, which can only mean three things: 1) Thanksgiving break is soooon! 2) DEATHLY HALLOWS AAHH. And most relevantly... 3) It's National Novel Writing Month!

I wasn't able to participate in NaNo this year, but I did get my own little taste of that writerly pressure, that word-count craziness, just this past weekend. It was traumatic. It was kind of fun. It was... The SATs (Standardized Aptitude Tests for colleges). More specifically, the 25-minute essay portion. Oh yeah!

Before I get into that, let me say I hardcore admire all of you who are doing or have done NaNo (or any of its variations). I mean, deadlines are my lifeblood, but 30 days to write 50,000 words? Dude. I rack up my dumbfoundedness to a healthy dose of inner perfectionism, and by healthy I mean analogous to a double-fried corndog stuffed with Oreos and wrapped in bacon. Mmm, Oreos.

Truth is, perfectionism can be a gift or a curse. And in the story I'm about to tell you in the hopes of spreading that thesis, it was the latter. (DUN DUN DUN.)

To set the scene: it's 8AM. The classroom is full of bright-faced little SAT-takers. The first section is The Essay. I can already feel my perfectionism buzzing through my pencil, but I swear I won't get all obsessive. I will finish in 25 minutes! The proctor says go, sadly not using a shotgun.

And the three mental stages of speed writing begin.

Stage 1: THE CALM

Hey, it's all chill at this point. I read the prompt, which is something about ~~SECRET INFORMATION REMOVED BY COLLEGE BOARD MONKEY NINJAS~~. I take my sweet time thinking of examples, and then I take more high-fructose time writing a flashy-fab introduction and topic sentence. Look at how smart I sound! Talking about the dawn of mankind and human society and stuff. Aww. I'm adorable.

After all that time perfecting with my words like a baby playing with duckies in the tub, I look back at the clock. Oh, crap. I've taken 9 minutes to complete the first paragraph. Not so good. So starts...

Stage 2: NNGHH

A slight uncomfortableness washes over me, and I pull at my hair as though the goddess Athena will spring forth from my forehead and write this for me. Faced with a block, I scrap my first example and lay all hopes on the second one. It regards The Fountainhead, which is super predictable. Dagnabbit, this has gotta be perfect...

Howard Roark! Big words! Varied sentence structure! I'm still not going that fast, but I'm feeling better. This will work out great. Hmmm, what's a better a more pretentious-sounding word for truly? Veritably! Sweet. Bask in my perfect analysis, College Board essay readers. Baask.

Then the proctor says it: "Five minutes left, everybody."

Stage 3: NUCLEAR PANIC

What? WHAT?!?!? NOOOOO. (Simba: Daaaaad!) I'm nowhere near finished! I only have a page! You need to fill all two pages to get a good score! That's all they care about! Oh. My. God. I'm going to get a zero OR WORSE. (Retrospectively, I'm not sure what could be worse than a zero, but the threat was there.) AND IT'S ALL MY FAULT.

Let me tell you guys: I haven't experienced adrenaline like that in a long time. My hand starts shaking as I scribble about the epic fail that is Peter Keating. Legibility falls to the wayside like a bloody victim of war. I'm supposed to be analyzing, but instead it's a struggle to complete a single sensical thought! BREATHE. When the proctor calls pencils down, I scribble one more word, neutering my conclusion but kinda-sorta finishing the essay. Breathe.

Breathe.

Breathe.

And then it was time for the math section.

*~~~The Moral of the Story~~~* Or, Notes to Myself

Whether you're writing a 400-word essay in 25 minutes or a 50,000-word novel in 30 days, time management is key. And what ranks as one of the biggest opponents of time management? Mr. Perfectionism. He'll eat up your time like me devouring leftover Halloween candy, leaving you with no time to actually complete your goal. Though he's useful come revisions, if the whole point is to write - and write fast - he's just a lame-o. You heard me, Mr. P!

Have you ever been a victim of perfectionism? And are you doing NaNo this year? If so, I'd love a picture of you for my wall! (Specimen is creepy yet loving.) Good luck writing to all, and I hope everyone has a great week!

Save a Horse, Ride a -- Setting?

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:06:00 +0000

They say home is where your heart is. Well, when it comes to books, setting is where the AWESOME is, dude!

... Sorry, I shouldn't come up with sayings. (Remind me to never apply for a job in greeting cards.) Despite that unfortunateness, setting is a big honkin' part of writing fiction. And now I've gone and blogged about the topic over at Kirsten Rice's blog, A Romantic Enters the World!

Kirsten is a college student and author, and her fabulousity knows no bounds, so I was mega honored to blog for her. Featured in the post is the beauty and desolation found within one of Autochromatic's main settings: the American West. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Cowboys, ghost towns, red rocks... the West is steeped in history and some incredible landscapes. I'd give anything to go visit it again. But here in the Northeast, the changing leaves make for a pretty cool setting, too! Those gorgeous reds and golds are a sign of transition.

Plus, they mean holidays are just around the corner! Mega exciting, foshiz. What's your favorite setting in nature? And what are you excited for between now and the New Year? (I know I can't wait to finish studying for these SATs... and to track down and STEAL THIS BIRD omg.)

Let's Get Speaking Comparatively [RTW]

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 10:30:00 +0000

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: what would you say are your comp titles?

Everyone is special. Before we even learn what six times nine equals, we learn that universal truth. You're special. Adorable little Billy is special. I'm special! (No, really.) Everyone is special - including all writers. But could it be that everything we've been taught is a LIE?

Hey, it happened to Keanu Reeves.

I mean, okay, six times nine is definitely fifty-four. (I swear it didn't take just me half a minute to come up with that answer.) But the special thing... In the arena of writing, could it be that all literature is just a play off past works, recycling the same elements that have been recycled for centuries, only acknowledging similarities in certain beneficial circumstances?

Well, duh. And that's where the fun starts! We're talking comps: the comparison of a book to other already-published stacks o' words, often used by publishers for marketing purposes. In the little writer world, it's fun to look at your book and compare it to others - maybe works you want to emulate because they're so dang awesome. Oh yeah - turns out not being special isn't that bad! LET'S DO IT.

I'll go first, yo. For those who don't know or were indifferent until now, Autochromatic is the story of a sassy artist girl named Riley who starts getting texts from her dead boyfriend's phone number. The texts turn out to be addresses, and they lead Riley on a ~*very explosive*~ road trip involving dark pasts, secrets, breakdowns, and cherry smoothies! Wh00t.

Plz note that, relative to the genius found in the following books, I'd estimate that I suck, uh, like a vaccuum. (Alternatively, I kick ass at similes!) So these selections should be taken with a grain of salt, 'cause these writers are geh-henius and I'm shaky on basic multiplication. Yeah. It's all good, baby. COMP NUMBER ONE:

1. Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers. Largely because when I read this fab thing a while back, I skedaddled straight home and changed the first chapter of a little book of mine to present tense. And it was a tense love affair from then on - hawt, passionate tense love. You know the type. (Gracias for the introduction, Courtney!) Also, the dark story of a damaged girl with a secret that she can barely admit to herself? Holla. Secrets rock!

2. Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt. What can I say? Road trip novels 4EVA! I had the amazing chance to hang out with Lauren in NYC this past summer, and once I got home I knew I had to read TWS. It was fantastic, and the humor, slowly-building ex-boyfriend mystery, and crazy romantical twists made me think a lot of AC. Plus, vintage cars. Gotta have a vintage car or two.

3. The Bell Jar by Slyvia Plath. So this '60s novel comes out of left field - it's not even technically YA, man! But after reading and adoring it, I was amazed by how relevant it felt, as if it was the precursor to every Troubled-Girl-Comes-of-Age novel ever. And on top of that, how related the story's questions felt to those of AC - like what the heck a girl is supposed to do with her life, how she's supposed to fight for her freedom, and when she'll finally be able to figure things out once and for all.

In truth, Plath's writing is incredible, and I can only hope to one day come close to her level of awesome. But it's a goal I'm excited to pursue! (With, um... a quick detour around the oven. Y'know.)

So there you have 'em - comps! When it comes down to it, comparisons like these can help us feel less weird in our writer craziness, less alone in our art-making. Which is, truly, a nice feeling. Now for your stories! Which YA books compare to your own, or, which ones would you like to emulate?

That Crazy Will to Live

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:30:00 +0000

You know Aron Ralston? The guy who got trapped by a boulder in Canyonlands, USA for over five days, then cut off his own arm using a dull knife, thus escaping and living to write a book about it? Oh yeah. That guy.

Well, they're making a movie about him starring ~~the incredibly attractive~~ James Franco, and let me tell you, it looks pretty awesome. In particular, a tagline shot in the trailer got me brain-wheels a-turnin'. (They do turn! Sometimes...)

The will to live. From a writer's perspective, you could call it the ultimate character motivation. And the truth is, that will doesn't have to translate into something as crazy epic and point-blank as cutting off your own arm. Or collecting seven horcruxes in an insatiable quest for immortality. (Sorry, Aron, I didn't mean to just compare you to Voldemort. These things happen, y'know.)

It can translate into something smaller. People might not always realize it - hell, for the sake of mental health, it's better if we don't - but every day is made up of struggles. Struggles to be happy, to pursue goals, to overcome obstacles, to pwn opponents. Basically, to live. It sounds dramatic, but check out some day-to-day examples:

- Wake up to the alarm. Lame! Press snooze to snatch a few more minutes of delicious sleep. (Be happy)
- Cruel person cuts in front of you in the line for coffee. You go into WANTCOFFEE mode and work up the guts to say something to them. It's worth it, ja? (Pwn opponents)
- Get home, and despite tiredness, eek out a few hundred words of that ol' book. One day, man, one day soon... (Pursue goals)
- It's late. You have an hour to [insert 50 tasks]. You can do it! (Overcome obstacles)

None of these struggles come close to stacking up to Aron Ralston's story. And hey, few do. But when it comes to writing - to telling compelling headline stories - maybe ask yourself:

What activates this character's will to live? And what is their Aron Ralston moment?

The Aron Ralston moment: when everything comes down to one act of pure crazy will. In a fantasy book, it could actually be a character's refusal to die by the hands of a foe. In contemporary, it could be the girl finally asking the guy she digs to prom. (Go girl!)

It's the result of all other options being lost. It's defining, revelatory, and intense to read. It makes for a bangin' climax. Literally or not, human life is on the line, dude.

IRL, the average person will probs end up only experiencing a few of these moments. A mixture of wimpiness, smarts, and self-preservation instincts keep us in the clear. But in books, we get to insert them, strip the human experience down to the bone. That's pretty cool, right?

'Cause no one gets in the way of coffee consumption. And no boulder gets in the way of Aron Ralston. Wh00t! What activates your protagonist's will to live? And have you ever had an Aron Ralston moment?

Also, a quickie blog update: posting's gonna keep being a little spotty this month and into the holidays - impending SATs and college stuff beckon. But oh, soon these things shall be lifted, and the ~~greatness~~ ~~semi-goodness~~ cute efforts of PWK shall surge forth once more!

In the meantime, here's a video of Aron describing the amputation process. I know, that totally made you want to go canyon-adventuring. Even if you don't... have a fantastic week!

Reading It Up on the Island of Coolitude [RTW]

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 10:30:00 +0000

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's Q: as a reader and writer, which items would you pack for a month-long stay on a desert island?

Believe me, guys: you haven't known fear until you've been a 21st century teen faced with an EXTENDED POWER OUTAGE. What do you do in that situation? Lie in bed and weep, with nary a computer or seemingly cocaine-laced phone to comfort you?

I mean, there's always the option of getting a flashlight and like, doing homework, or whatever, but that's so... unstimulating. Weeping is the only way to go.

With this horrifyingly accurate cultural snapshot in mind, the question arises: for a month-long stint on an outlet-less desert island, which would be the key items to bring?

According to TV, this situation would be brought on by an epic plane crash, so it's obvs all gotta fit in one carry-on suitcase. (Airport regulations, yo!) Also according to TV, the island should provide enough resources for sustenance and shelter, so yay! The things can be writing- and reading-related! (As if anyone would ever pack anything else.)

Let's pack this suitcase.

TRIAL A. Okay. I apologize for this. I was thinking less about mental health and more about escaped island polar bears, here. Can you blame me (Lost FTW)?

Please note that I have no idea how to operate a handgun or even how to hold one without shooting my own face off. However, I feel, as I'm sure many of you do, that if faced with a stampeding polar bear, the use of a pointed gun matched with a rough-n'-tough "don't mess with me" look would surely cause that polar bear to turn around and retreat. TV tells us as much, man! ... Stopping now.

Verdict: Dead from boredom (and/or agitated polar bears)

TRIAL B. Here we go! We've got books galore, a great mix of old favorites and to-be-read YAs. A compact typewriter! Not sure if those exist, but it sure seems classy. Paper for the typewriter, plus a maximum supply of gummy worms for late-island writing sessions. It's true, I have a superb sense of nutrition.

Sharpies for instances of waking up on the beach and having nothing to write on but an old clamshell. Also, a mini-battleaxe. Just in case.

Verdict: It's all great! But... something's not quite right. It feels like I'm denying something. Maybe... Hold up. Could it be?

TRIAL C. Yeah. It could.

Pictured: one month of ah-maziing! Turns out a month-long stint on a desert island could end up being a cool paradise. And who could turn down free nerd points? What would you bring to your desert island? BTW, we'd totally be having a cross-island bash at some point. Party it UP!

P.S. In case you missed it: this past Saturday, I had the rad fortune to participate in YA Highway's Query Series! You can read about the query I used for Autochromatic, as well as peruse Suzie's comments on it. Have a rockin' Wednesday!

Cats and Dogs and Unicorn Stress-Relievers

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:55:00 +0000

CUTEST THING EVER <3

September was Writer-Stress Awareness Month, baby! At least, it seems that way. A couple weeks ago, I quizzed you guys on whether social media was getting you all frizzed out - a highly scientific study. But now it's time to broaden the playing field.

What about the glorious growliness that comes purely from partaking in one of the most awesome, rollercoastery, life-affirming, life-consuming, hobby-dream-things in the world? For the record, that doesn't refer to cat collecting, though I've got full intentions to be a freaky cat lady one day. (Doesn't everyone?!?)

That refers to being a writer! Stress can stem from it, so over at YA Highway, I've proposed 5 totally weird techniques for dealing. Check it out - it haz unicorns! And other stuff. ...Less fun stuff. As a preview:

3. Take up a self-calming mantra. Like a monk! Only sexier. Anytime you feel that writer-blood pressure rising, whip out your chant. It can be short, like "I am awesome" (you are), or long, like "My percievance of this situation has been generated by my own neural passageways and will have no significant effect on the universe as a unit of space-time." Uh-huh.

In other news, the end of September marks Banned Book Week, so don't forget to celebrate by picking up a favorite book that has been banned from schools or libraries! Here's a pretty epic list of 'em, plus a New York Times blog article (!!) chronicling the #SpeakLoudly movement in the YA sphere. And in other stress-relieving animal-related news... this.

One take, dudes. One take. (Take number one hundred and something, but still.) This is the doggie wonder we must all live up to. How have your stress levels been lately? Know of any other adorable animal music videos? Feeeed the addiction.

When Inspiration Strikes, Hard, In the HEAD: A Comic

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:30:00 +0000

As little writer children gathered around the hearth, we're told to never rely on inspiration when it comes to being productive. The idea-granting Muse, we're instructed, is just a figment of our imaginations, like Santa Claus. Yeah, about Santa Claus...

It follows that more than one dream is smashed. Violently. But is not waiting around for inspiration forreal the best route? I don't know, guys. I was thinking, and... decided to draw this comic instead of actually thinking! WH00T. Hey, it was a long week.

Artist's Notes: Notice the Van Gogh-like drawing pwnage. And uncanny ability to ~~utilize le Photoshop~~ render a computer with shocking realism! It takes skill. You know it.

With that, you have the answers! Sort of. Not really. I guess we've all got different tastes and methods. 2AM inspiration is awesome, as well as supremely annoying. Same goes for in-the-shower inspiration and doing-homework inspiration.

But the bulk of awesome will usually have to go down in the daytime, without waiting around for The Write Moment. (Get it? Get it? Yes.) Unless we're talking about some freaky sleep schedule experiments here...

When does inspiration strike you? And do you sometimes wish you could tackle your Muse to the ground and smash ITS dreams of Santa Claus? Uh, I mean, I'm not still peeved by that or anything. It's just that I don't think millions of children should be brainwashed, forced to eat gingerbread lies, only to - what? Here, have a gingerbread cookie. And everyone have a rockin' weekend!

You Encountered a Wild Scroggins! #SpeakLoudly

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:55:00 +0000

We've all been censored before. Heck, you're probably being censored right now - if not by someone else, then by yourself. I know I sometimes get in that groove: I don't tell a friend how their words got me down in the dumps. Instead of telling my dad to put the freakin' peanut butter away after he uses it, I just stand there and fume. (Ah yes, FUME.)

Censorship can be a day-to-day thing, something that we experience in our lives without realizing it. What's important is when we do realize it. When we're walking along and suddenly it jumps out, pulls a ninja move, and challenges us to a battle. A battle we can't refuse, man.

And refuse it we haven't.

On Sunday, an article spread like wildfire across the YA and general book-reading Twittersphere. (Yay overworn similes!) In it, college professor Wesley Scroggins compares Laurie Halse Anderson's award-winning YA novel, Speak, to "soft pornography" thanks to its two scenes depicting the rape of the main character. Yeah, dude. No joke.

His verdict: bannity ban ban from the schools in his Missouri district. He also expressed lotsa support for banning Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler à cause de its sex scenes and lauded the censorship of Slaughterhouse 5 for its profanity.

Word got around. People got riled up. More specifically, a whole communityload of fabulous, brave, and eloquent YA writers and readers got pretty dang peeved. In reaction to Laurie's response, people started blogging their stories and #speakingloudly. And you know what? It ain't gonna stop.

The facts: a girl getting raped is not equivalent to "soft pornography" in any way. Declaring what's appropriate for one's own household is fine - for an entire school, not so much. And censoring the voice of millions of girls by way of censoring one is not cool.

These are universal truths we all know, but that kinda... elude bookbanners like Scroggins. The ones that want to censor everything disturbing and "filthy" about the teen world. Even though that's reality. And if teens, if survivors, if everyone can't share a common reality... then what are we besides alone?

As a teen girl who read Speak last year and felt whole, I gotta say to Scroggins and all his similarly close-minded brethren: I sort of hope y'all get eaten up by a Pokemon. Or even sweeter, by a Twitter bird.

In small ways, this is the beginning. Or maybe the middle. Or maybe we're closer to victory than we think - we just have to keep fighting like mofos. Hells yeah!

The key thing is, Twitter and blogland isn't where this baby ends. Laurie's encouraged us all: talk to people about it. Write to the newspaper responsible. Write to your newspaper. Get chattin' with your teachers or local librarian. Do anything you can - because a few anythings can turn into one awesome something.

Also, you should totally buy Speak, 'cause it rocks. (My words, not Laurie's, promise!)

This stuff happens. A lot. We're faced with censorship and ignorance every day - whether in our own lives or in a way that affects a whole nation of teens. It'll happen until the last rival is met with strength, until the last battle is won. That might be never, which sucks. But for now, we can keep fighting - and we can keep winning, yo.

It all starts with each one of us. So hey, never forget to speak loudly: what's your opinion on the issue?

QUIZ: Do You Suffer From SMS Syndrome? Find Out or Cry

noreply@blogger.com (Emilia Plater) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:55:00 +0000

Social media! Just the phrase has the power to make authors worry, to ignite conversational fires, and to cook a twenty-pound turkey in twenty minutes flat (or something). Recent writerly discussion around the blogosphere has posed the question: what the heck's up with this 'Net world-thing?

If you're a writer or a reader or a publishing worker bee, is participation worth it? Is it harmful? Is it the Key to All Things Good Ever? Or something else entirely, something we haven't quite gotten a handle on yet?

Between Twitter, Facebook, blogging, email groups, Random Stalker Application 1, and Random Stalker Application 2, our shiny Internet-reliant world has become way smaller and more connected - while also becoming a lot more time-consuming. And just like eating more cookie dough ice cream means more regret when you realize the whole carton is GONE, more time consumption means stress.

The fact is, taking advantage of social media is important - how important and why is up for grabs, but it's pretty much true. At the same time, one can't help but be reminded of '50s housewife culture, which encouraged women to spend their days cleaning, fluffing and smiling, only to wake up one day and realize everything sucks and Betty Friedan has gone and written a book trashing your whole way of living. But is the situation really parallel? Only your heart holds the answer, baby.

For now, here's a quiz to evaluate whether or not you're suffering from Social Media Stress Syndrome, also known as SMSS! Your results, as well as some advice for any ailing souls, shall be revealed by a questionably qualified me at the end. It's fun and easy. ~~Just like your mom! WHOA WHAT.~~

Upon waking up in the morning, your first act consists of:
A) Eating breakfast, maybe going for a walk, then getting down to writing like a mofo. All that social goodness can wait until you've been at least a little productive. (Just a lil'.)
B) Checking your phone or computer for updates. It ain't the most zen start to a day, but if you wanted to go for a walk, you could. Honestly. It's a possibility!
C) Doing stuff online. Hell, that's your second act, and your fifth act... and your act during dinner... and right before you go to bed. Also, if you happen to wake up in the middle of the night for bathroom purposes. EPIC.

Trekking through the social media landscape makes you feel...
A) Cool. All these rad people actually want to talk to you! It's great to connect with everyone on a reasonable basis.
B) A little overwhelmed. It's so fun, but sometimes it seems like more of a job than a recreational activity.
C) Feel? Feelings? No time for those, man. Gotta keep updating and surfing. Gogogo!

A magic unicorn with recently evolved thumbs flies down, ties your hands together, and binds you to a chair. It then informs you of an Extremely Important Message waiting for you at your favorite 'Net hotspot. You:
A) Struggle, but soon surrender to staring at the unicorn's entrancing glittery tresses. The message can wait! No biggie.
B) Freak the heck out as your blood pressure rises. What if it's [Insert Important Thing]? You eventually give up and wait for release, but not before imagining all the ways this unicorn has just ruined everything.
C) Gnaw through the ropes and escape to check the message using a nearby axe. BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

Why do you Tweetblogupdatestalk, yo?
A) To please yourself! O' course.
B) Um, because you should? Like, for yourself... sort of. Okay, so a lot of it's for others... but that's life. Right?
C) Question does not compute. No reason necessary. GTG TBUS mo' SRY

And now, your results!

Mostly A's: Ridin' Calm Congratulations! You've found a good balance of social media participation that caters to your particular needs and wants. In the words of Hyde from That 70's Show: "Where zen ends, ass-kicking begins." Advice Spread your wisdom to any stressed-out little bees you might notice. Because we're all in this together, oh yes!

Mostly B's: Showing Symptoms Social media has become a chore for you, although you might not want to admit it. This is lame-o, and part of you knows it shouldn't be this way. Advice Designate a guilt-free day or two in the week during which you're not allowed to touch social media. This'll activate your brain's desire to press the "Do Not Press" button and make your "on" days más enjoyable. Plus, you'll get to relax and focus on what really matters. Like cookie dough ice cream.

Mostly C's: Damn. You've got SMSS! Similar to a sugar-hyped kid, you're bouncing from wall to wall and making your destitute parents lose sleep in the process. Further advancement down this path may result in burnout, nervous breakdowns, and inability to talk in anything but 140-character units. Oh man! Advice Take a break from it all for as long as you can manage, then come back with a plan. Ration your time online, and hold yourself back by remembering that the world isn't going anywhere. Updates come and go, but every moment of your life can only be enjoyed once. Take control! 'Cause you rock.

Please do not take these results seriously, as they come from the mind of a crazy girl and hold no scientific merit. Unless you want to believe they do, in which case I am totes flattered. Are you suffering from SMSS? If not, what's your key to a balanced life? (Besides whole grains, duh.)