Fantasy vs. Realistic Fiction!

During the baby stages of Book #1, I visited countless bookstores and researched extensively online to learn that fantasy, paranormal, and futuristic novels are extremely popular genres amongst young adult readers. It was a no-brainer, I thought, to follow suit of these trendy styles and create an intriguing story that would capture the minds of high school students. But the more I tried to incorporate these elements (vampires, werewolves, fairies and hocus pocus) into my outline, the faster my story fell apart. I quickly became overwhelmed and even contemplated throwing in the towel.

After several hours of brainstorming, I thought of stories I enjoyed as a teenager: S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, Lois Lowry's Number the Stars, and Louisa May Alcott's Little Women , none of which had hocus pocus elements and eventually became bestsellers. These stories had one thing in common: they dealt with realistic issues that grabbed the reader's attention on the very first page.

It didn't take long for me to realize, however, if I was going to pour my heart and soul into writing a novel, then I needed to include elements that resonated with today's youth. Therefore, it seemed only natural to gear my project around the stories I enjoyed reading as a teenager: multilayered, realistic fiction.

So, when opportunity knocked, I was in the final weeks of a long-term maternity leave position at a school in Gilbertown, AL and knew there were no teaching units available for the remainder of the school year. I decided this was the perfect chance to get Book #1 in the best shape possible and begin querying agents. In other words, I didn't just quit my day job to pursue a career in writing. Unfortunately, it chose me!

You see, instead of allowing my circumstances to get me down, I remained persistent and took advantage of every spare minute of my day (usually during the children's naps and late at night) to finish Graduate School and seek representation for my first novel.

In the weeks, months, maybe years to come, I'm hopeful that young readers, librarians, teachers and YOU will have the opportunity to fall in love with my multilayered, realistic novel as much as I have. For all the support and encouragement you've given thus far, I appreciate it greatly and hope you continue to follow along as I write about this exciting journey in my life!

Have a wonderful Thursday, everyone! Tory

Are You A Giver or Taker?

The subject for today's post might make a few of us squirm in our seats, and if it does, then we've most likely answered the question for this powerful principle: Are You A Giver or A Taker?

Some of you might wonder what spawned this topic, so let me dig deeper and explain.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with the kindest writer, Shari Maurer (www.sharimaurer.com). She is the author of Change of Heart, a YA novel scheduled to hit the bookstores in May 2010. *Please read more about Shari and her book at the end of this post!

I stumbled across Shari's blog at www.jacketflap.com and commented on her "Look What I've Got..." post. Within a few hours, I received a message stating that she would be delighted to answer some of my "newbie" questions.

Since then, nearly two weeks ago, Shari has been gracious enough (I'm sure her time is now limited with Change of Heart raring to hit the bookstore shelves) to answer my questions regarding the publishing industry (including: the query process in general; time management as a mother/writer; what to expect with editing, etc...). But most importantly, Shari has been a GIVER of information, and that is what inspired me for today's post.

You see, in our daily relationships, whether it's between parent and child, best friends, coworkers or spouses, the manner in which we exchange our time with one another is something a lot of us never consider.

How do you categorize yourself? Do you emerge more as a giver - someone who naturally goes above and beyond, like Shari Maurer, to help and support those in need? Or are you more of a taker - someone who expects others to give relentlessly, whether it's through praise, recognition, superiority, monetarily, etc...?

If we know it's unhealthy (both spiritually and mentally) to behave so vainly and full of arrogance, then why do we continue to take, take, take from one another? Is it simply because we are human, and after all, no one is perfect?

Hmmm...does this question make you squirm a little in your seat?

Well, if anything, I hope I've given some of you (including myself) something to ponder over for the next few days.

My goal is to be more like Shari, a GIVER of knowledge, support, and a person of genuine kindness! Have a great Tuesday, everyone! Tory

More about Shari:
Shari Maurer lives in New City, New York, where she grew up. This serves as a constant reminder of her teen years and enables her to write using very fresh memories. She went to undergrad at Duke University and grad school at NYU, studying English and Dramatic Writing and yelling loud at basketball games. For six years, Shari was at the Children’s Television Workshop, working on international productions of Sesame Street and other kids’ shows. She married Mat, the boy she met at 17 (another source of fresh memories) and they have three children, Lissie, Josh and Eric. Mat is now a cardiologist, which came in very handy when she was writing CHANGE OF HEART, her YA novel to be published by WestSide Books in Spring 2010.

About her book:
CHANGE OF HEART: When you’re 16 years old, it never occurs to you that you might die. Emmi Miller’s got a fabulous life. She has tons of friends, does great in school and is an all-star soccer player who played in Europe last summer. It even looks like Sam Hunter, a totally cute baseball player, might be interested in her. And then she got a virus. No biggy, right? Until the virus goes to her heart and weakens it so much that without a transplant, Emmi will die.

Will Emmi get a heart in time? Is Sam too good to be true? What about her new friend Abe, who has also had a transplant and guides her through these scary times? Is he just being supportive or is there more going on between them? And will Emmi realize it before it’s too late? (www.authorsnow.com)

My Daughter's A Blogger Now!

Thanks to Australian native, Charmaine Clancy (view her blog @ www.clancytales.blogspot.com) and her adorable children - Tilly and Milly, my oldest daughter is now a blogger.

Catie, age 9, was in complete awe of the Clancy sister's blog (view it @ www.paperdollsbooks.blogspot.com), that she has decided to follow suit of Tilly and Milly and create her own book review site.

I must admit, I immediately thought it would be another something for me to keep up with. But after seeing Catie's interest in Paperdolls (it could be worse, I thought to myself), I couldn't resist.

She's committed to doing her own research, posting often, and getting my approval before making any changes or adding new friends to Rainbow Reviews (thought the grandparents and overprotective family members would appreciate this).

So, to all of you reading this post, I encourage you to check out Catie's blog @ www.catie-rainbowreviews.blogspot.com.

She will be ecstatic to see that someone (other than her mom, of course) has taken interest in her book reviews.

Thanks, everyone, and have a wonderful Sunday! Tory

It's Perfectly Fine to Dream BIG!

Roxy @ www.roxyhanie.blogspot.com sent me this award on Monday, and I wanted to pass it along to some of the special followers who have contributed to my posts. Thank you for showing such support to Head in the Clouds!:)

1.) Jess Ross @ www.wcpls.org
2.) Nicole Ducleroir @ www.nicoleducleroir.blogspot.com
3.) Lindsay Currie @ www.lindsayncurrie.webs.com



And Nicole @ www.nicoleducleroir.blogspot.com sent this beautiful butterfly to me on Wednesday. Thank you, Nicole! I'm sharing it with:

1.) Roxy @ www.roxyhanie.blogspot.com
2.) Carolina Valdez Miller @ www.carol-in-print.blogspot.com
3.) Alleged Author @ www.anallegedauthor.blogspot.com

Now for today's post!

If you could imagine the perfect day, what would it be? Would you be sailing on a forty-foot yacht out in the Pacific, eating caviar as the slosh of the waves dampen your feet. Or perhaps your idea of a perfect day would be high in the mountains of Tennessee, traveling with your friends to a relaxing cabin for a weekend retreat.

While we need to remain grounded and focused on the reality of our life, I believe it is equally important (if not more) to allow our minds to dream of the impossible.

As an aspiring writer, this is something I've enjoyed the most when working on a project. The thrill of creating dynamic characters (some with admirable traits, and some characters that are down-right despicable) is what motivates me to put the pen to paper and lose sense of all time.

The point I'm trying to make is that when there are no limits, anything is possible. And this (along with my children's college tuition in mind) is why I've crawled out of the bed at 11:00 P.M. to finish a chapter, or risen at 6:00 A.M. to begin a new one.

My question for you: How would you be living your dream if there were no limits? Think about your dreams for a minute (write them down if necessary) and make an effort this weekend to move yourself in that direction.

Have a great weekend, everyone! Tory

Meeting Gilbert Morris!

So today, I (along with 18 ladies and gents from Millry Baptist Church) traveled South to Foley, Alabama to meet the famous Christian writer Gilbert Morris. It was a thrilling experience because I was aware the 83-year-old author had written and published over 100 books, including the House of Winslow series.

It isn't only that I admire Mr. Morris as an accomplished writer, though of course I do, but I admire him even more because he has spent the majority of his life preaching God's word.

The highlight of our lunch meeting came when several ladies from our group encouraged little-old-me to engage Mr. Morris in conversation about his success in the publishing industry.

At this point, my throat tightened and my upper lip began to quiver. But instead of letting my fellow church goers down, I took a deep breath, smiled confidently, and pranced my five-foot, eleven-inch body down to Mr. Morris' end of the table. Given that I felt a dozen eyes staring at my back, I swallowed hard and bravely asked Mr. Morris for a minute of his time (I can assure you that I'd already planned an exit strategy just in case he became aggravated by my presence!).

Thankfully, Mr. Morris' face matched my enthusiastic expression. He held out his hand and offered a spot next to him at the end of the table. And for the next fifteen minutes, I listened attentively - hoping my forgetful mind would kick in overdrive and soak up every ounce of his words.

On the drive back to Millry, I thought of the experience and realized that I had been in the company of one extraordinary man!

Good nite, everyone! Tory

Humpday Reads!

I am so excited about the books chosen for this week's "Humpday Reads!" Some are new to the bookstores and some have been around for a year or two. But with no time to waste (you know, kids to chase, laundry to fold, and lunch to prepare) let me jump straight to the list.

1.) Candor by Pam Bachorz (In the model community of Candor, Florida, every teen wants to be like Oscar Banks. The son of the town's founder, Oscar earns straight As, is student-body president, and is in demand for every club and cause.
But Oscar has a secret. He knows that parents bring their teens to Candor to make them respectful, compliant–perfect–through subliminal Messages that carefully correct and control their behavior. And Oscar' s built a business sabotaging his father's scheme with Messages of his own, getting his clients out before they're turned. After all, who would ever suspect the perfect Oscar Banks?
Then he meets Nia, the girl he can't stand to see changed. Saving Nia means losing her forever. Keeping her in Candor, Oscar risks exposure . . . and more. www.amazon.com)

2.) Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick (Despite the differences between the experiences of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and those in previous conflicts, one thing remains constant: the young — on all sides — endure a disproportionate share of the fighting and suffering. Patricia McCormick’s novel “Purple Heart” promises to tell that story by plunging her readers into the struggle of one 18-year-old American soldier as he wobbles under the weight of his experience. www.nytimes.com)

3.) As If Being 12 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mom Is Running for President by Donna Gephart (As if being 12 3/4 isn’t bad enough, Vanessa Rothrock’s mother is running for president and it’s ruining her life. Isn’t it enough that her enormous feet trip her up all the time, even on stage during the school spelling bee? Isn’t it enough that Reginald Trumball, love of Vanessa’s pathetic life, read her personal and private list of deficiencies to some boy she doesn’t even know? And that the Boob Fairy hasn’t visited her even once?! Doesn’t Mom realize that Vanessa needs her more than the rest of the country? More importantly, doesn’t she realize that she may be in grave danger? Vanessa's receiving threatening notes at school–notes that imply some psycho has it out for her mother at the Democratic National Convention. Vanessa might be the only person who can save her. But does she have the courage to do what that requires? www.randomhouse.com)

4.) How to Survive Middle School by Donna Gephart ("Oy, but David Greenberg has troubles: he is still missing his mother two years after she moved to another state; his longtime best friend, Elliott, has been behaving like a schmuck since hitting puberty; and even before the first day at Harmon (aka “Hormone”) Middle School, he has become a feared bully’s victim of choice. On the other hand, though his father is distant, his live-in grandmother is a reliable provider of food and support; his teenage sister Lindsey is always good for a quick hug; and he has really hit it off with new classmate Sophia—a smart, peppermint-scented, and refreshingly unselfconscious ex-homeschooler. Best of all (maybe), the Daily Show–style videos he has been posting on YouTube have gone viral, and suddenly he is a local celebrity. Readers will understand how good David really has it long before he does, and—despite a late, clumsily handled revelation that his mom won’t be coming home because she is too agoraphobic to travel—Gephart crafts for her likable protagonist an engaging, feel-good transition into adolescence that’s well stocked with tears and laughter." Grades 5-8. --John Peters

5.) The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnall (This book has yet to hit the bookstores, so make a mental note to look for it around April 27, 2010. Before Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a small-town girl who knew she wanted more. She's ready for real life to start, but first she must navigate her senior year of high school. Up until now, Carrie and her friends have been inseparable. Then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture, and a friend's betrayal makes her question everything. With an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we'll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins. www.amazon.com)

*Once again, I hope you find something from this week's Humpday Reads to suit your fancy. Don't forget to stop by your local bookstore or library on your way home from work or school today. There is nothing better than treating yourself to a great read! Have a wonderful Humpday, everyone! Tory

A Date to Remember!

Hopefully, if "Mommy Duties" do not interfere, I will be attending the 13th Annual Alabama Writers Symposium the last weekend in April. This year is such a remarkable year to attend! Why? Because if any of you are familiar with To Kill A Mockingbird, then you are aware that Harper Lee is celebrating the 50th anniversary since debuting her prestigious, award-winning novel.

I thought the following information might be of interest to some of you:

Alabama Writers Symposium
April 29 - May 1, 2010
Monroeville, Alabama

The 13th Annual Alabama Writers Symposium, Literature on Location - the Muse of Place, gathers a fascinating slate of writers, poets, artists, and musicians in Monroeville to explore how place and their sense of belonging inspires their writing. The Alabama Writers Symposium is Alabama's premier event for those who love to read.

Congratulations to Carolyn Haines , winner of the 2010 Harper Lee Award for Alabama’s Distinguished Writer and Ralph Voss, winner of the 2010 Eugene Current-Garcia Award for Alabama’s Distinguished Literary Scholar. Both awards will be presented Friday, April 30, at the Awards Luncheon. (Live perfomance of To Kill A Mockingbird will take place on the old courthouse steps from 7:00-9:00 P.M., Friday night.)

Please join us in the hometown of Harper Lee and Truman Capote, because 2010 is special: We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird.

A project of the Alabama Center for Literary Arts and sponsored by Alabama Southern Community College, Monroeville, Alabama. For information, call Melinda Byrd Murphy at (251) 575-8226 or email: mbmurphy@ascc.edu.

The information above is copied from: http://www.ascc.edu/?DivisionID=678

I hope to see some of you there! Good nite, everyone! Tory