Thanks! I'll get to your two new chapters as soon as I can - on vacation - no printer.  Not so good at editing on-line.  Anyway - been revising mine from the top based on everyone's suggestions (thanks so much for your input!)- got the idea to add some evil villain pov to add creepiness to the whole conspiracy thing - worried it won't flow or will ruin surprises.  We'll see if I can pull it off!  Happy New Year!

Ann Walters wrote:

Regarding your references to dark literature, I think I got them all except the Shirley Jackson one. I'm not familiar with that one.

Two endings would be awesome. There used to be a series of books called Choose Your Own Adventure, when my boys were young. You'd read so far, then you were given a choice. If you want the character to go left, go to page 24. If you want the character to go right, go to page 34. (for example). Writing both endings, you could do something like that. I think kids would like the ability to choose--and you would have fans for both endings, which would generate sales.

Ohhhh, excellent! I am so glad you are getting the slang - I really wanted to be original and Fairy(ish) lolololol. If  you haven't read, "We have always lived in this castle", I highly recommend it, one I will not forget for a while.

Okay, so I think I will go with the 2 endings then....IF I can pull it off.  Thanks Ann.

Susan Stec wrote:

Ann Walters wrote:

Regarding your references to dark literature, I think I got them all except the Shirley Jackson one. I'm not familiar with that one.

Two endings would be awesome. There used to be a series of books called Choose Your Own Adventure, when my boys were young. You'd read so far, then you were given a choice. If you want the character to go left, go to page 24. If you want the character to go right, go to page 34. (for example). Writing both endings, you could do something like that. I think kids would like the ability to choose--and you would have fans for both endings, which would generate sales.

Ohhhh, excellent! I am so glad you are getting the slang - I really wanted to be original and Fairy(ish) lolololol. If  you haven't read, "We have always lived in this castle", I highly recommend it, one I will not forget for a while.

Okay, so I think I will go with the 2 endings then....IF I can pull it off.  Thanks Ann.

You know, the kids all read those Unfortunate Events books by Lemony Snicket. (I can't get through them) You might pull from those for characters/references.

Susan Stec wrote:

I'll check them out on Amazon. I've never read one. But sounds like a bit more research is in order. ;-)

Just kindled the #4, sounds like something I will enjoy - might have seen a children's movie for the first one..... I think....

Your contract doesn't allow you to publish with any one else, even if the story has noting to do with your winged creatures?

Lucy Rice wrote:

Ann Walters wrote:

Susan, I don't think I'm going to do the Brothers Grimm thing. My contract with Briona Glen won't allow it, methinks. I'm going to focus on my sequel, then finish Under the Almond Trees. That's enough for now!

I've asked in the past if they mind if I shop short stories elsewhere, and I've been given the green light. It's a right of first refusal. Just ask.

Of course, the short I wanted to shop was Gracie, and I decided to turn it into a novel instead. Dunno if I'll have time for the Grimm challenge. But BG - not an issue.

Oh, thanks, Lucy!  I GOTTA call Dayna....

Well, glad we got that straight. LOL I agree Lucy, more credits can never hurt marketing.


So Ann, you gonna enter?

She's in that area. But she hasn't been able to get email (just checked in with her husband).

She's probably visiting her lions.

ack, Susan! I just read your reply to my latest review, and caught an error! I had made the following nit suggestion:

taught blue skin on his bobbing Adam(')s apple,

and there's another error in it. It should be 'taut' not 'taught'   

Hey Susan-
I think I neglected to answer a Q you had for me in your last review.  (I had a sick kid on my lap, wasn't too productive an afternoon for me!)  Anyway... no permanent hitchhiker connection to Jack, but it gave me the great idea to add in how AInsley would be able to predict much of Jack's behavior.  Could be funny & I need more words! So thanks! 
Hey - did you ever write a line about suction cup Garfields?? I swear every time I write a good line I think it came from somewhere else!!  Let me know!

Susan, (and anyone else reading this) I am hosting a month of guest blogs in March for anyone who is trying to promote thier books.  You can do a guest blog to sing it praises, tell us how you came up with idea, etc.  Its your chance to do a shout out for it.  You can put up your links, your book covers, etc.  If anyone is interested in doing a guest blog, let me know and I'll add you to the spreadsheet.  Several days are already taken, but I'd love to have you do a guest post.

April

Susan, my new one, the orphanage is about to turn very dark, maybe too dark for YA.  Any thoughts on how dark a book can be and still be classified as YA?