DL's DEJA VU BLOGFEST is here!

Today, myself, Nicole Ducleroir, and Lydia K are co-hosting DL Hammon’s 

DÉJÀ VU BLOGEST! 

The Gist: Today everyone who has signed up will repost an old blogpost- perhaps from their early days- or a post they feel is the most helpful or worthy of a bigger audience.  

It was a hard choice but I decided to go with an oldie that helped start it all- the post that sparked those first few comments way back when and set the tone for what Creepy Query Girl is today.

I give you the one, the only, the QUERY SPOOF.  A query letter that contains pretty much everything a query…shouldn’t.  I’ve itched to send this out to a real agent, but have never dared.

***

Dear Mister Agent,

I came upon your profile through eharmony.com. After reviewing your agency website, I firmly believe my manuscript could be puddy in your strong, well shaped hands. I also like long walks on the beach and sing Sinatra lyrics in the shower.

The world of ‘SAVATAR’ will blow your proverbial socks off. Agent Marmucker has been dealing with the loss of his limbs since the bubblegum factory explosion of 2087. On a secret mission to planet Hooters, Agent M. will have the occasion to live a normal life once more. Through technological mindmelding means, he will incarnate the body of an eleven foot tall native boogyfry named ‘Crut’ and infiltrate their tribe. The knowledge he acquires will change his perception of the human race forever. He alone can prevent a war between the two planets by taming the flaming Spleagle-whats and becoming chief of the boogyfry tribe.

Oh yes, and he SAVES THE WORLD.

This is my first almost finished book and I have been writing non-stop for…..five whole days. I think this could really be the next big thing- bigger than Harry Potter and Twilight put together. I am dead serious. Dead. Serious.

Even my neighborhood psychic Sabine says there’s no doubt that SAVATAR will take the world by storm, and she totally predicted Michael Jackson’s disappearance (he’s still alive, btw) - so trust me when I say that this is a win-win.


Thank you for your time,

Sleep Deprived in Detroit

Have I Seen This Before?

Today, myself, Nicole Ducleroir, and Lydia K are co-hosting DL Hammon’s 
DÉJÀ VU BLOGEST! 

The Gist: On December 16^th, everyone who has signed up will repost an old blogpost- perhaps from their early days- or a post they feel is the most helpful or worthy of a bigger audience.  

**What I love about this idea is that it’s a way to unite the blogosphere in a really accessible way- no need to brainstorm, research, or put together a new post, because the posts have already been written! And it's an occasion to reflect on what you want to put back out there now that you’ve been in the blogosphere for awhile.  It will be interesting to see what everyone picks to post that day and I wonder if I’ll be able to recognize any of the oldies!**

For more details, be sure to visit DL at Cruising Altitude 2.0. 


You can SIGN UP HERE!

Have a Cup of Bloffee and Pay It Forward...

Today I’m combining my usual Friday MorningFollower’s Bloffee with Alex and Matt’s Pay It Forward Blogfest!  To anyone who is new to the blog- all you have to do to participate in breakfast bloffee is:

1.  Comment. 

2. Tell me what you’ve brought for morning bloffee.  (Today I’ve started out with some coffee and a box of all-important wheaties.) 

3. Click on someone you don’t know in the comments section and check out their blog!  Voila- a new friend and potential follower connection has been made!

In the meantime, I’m going to give you three blogs newly discovered by my creepy self:

One Little Spark- A Writer’s World by blogger CDMeetens. – I was immediately hooked by the flashy but classy deco and the straight up posts about writing and publishing.  The train poem was totally adorable too!  Check ‘em out!

Rebecca Mahoney- Writer  Becca is a ‘twenty something assistant extraordinaire with a  love of good food, animated films, and budget-busting fashion. I’m an aspiring YA author, and I write fantasy, mystery, and horror- sometimes a mix of all three!’ – There’s nothing I enjoy more than meeting aspiring YA authors like myself.  We’re all in the same boat!

Crystal’s A Pistol – Well written and introspective posts on life, love, and creativity!  Love this woman’s energy!

Hope you guys enjoy the blogfest and bloffee!  Have a great weekend!

*CQG*

Drive Me Wilde!

-There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. (The Picture of Dorian Gray)

-Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.

-Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.(Lady Windermere's Fan)

-When good Americans die they go to Paris. (The Portrait of Dorian Gray)

-It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances. (The Picture of Dorian Gray)

-To many, no doubt, he will seem blatant and bumptious, but we prefer to regard him as being simply British. (Pall Mall Gazette)

-I never play cricket. It requires one to assume such indecent postures.

-One must have some sort of occupation nowadays. If I hadn't my debts I shouldn't have anything to think about.(A Woman of No Importance)

-Duty is what one expects from others, it is not what one does oneself.(A Woman of No Importance)

-It is very easy to endure the difficulties of one's enemies. It is the successes of one's friends that are hard to bear.

-I have nothing to declare except my genius.(at New York customs)

-All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his. (The Importance of Being Earnest)

In high school, I totally had a crush on Oscar Wilde after reading his play ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’.   So like I did with every dead artist newly discovered by my teenage heart (Elvis, John Lennon, William Shakespeare, Jim Morrison.  Huh-Come to think of it, I guess I kind of had a thing for dead guys back then.)- I quickly went out and bought a book of Oscar’s plays and the only novel he ever wrote ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’.

Wilde wrote plays that mocked high society.

And they loved him for it.

He was a masterful wit- stating the obvious, the absurd, and above all- the truth about the world with a clipped humor that remains unmatched by any other.

‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, however, touched on a truth that no one of the time was willing to acknowledge.   Homosexuality was illegal in England when the book was published, and the insinuations of romantic feelings between two men were denounced by the general public.  -Add into that Wilde’s philosophies on aestheticism and hedonism and you’ve got yourself a Molotov cocktail of controversy.

 The Daily Chronicle of 30 June 1890 suggested that Wilde's novel contained "one element...which will taint every young mind that comes in contact with it." and the book was banned from many major booksellers.

Today I’m offering up a FREE COPY of ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’- considered today to be one of the greatest works of the time.  All you have to do is comment to be entered in the drawing.  And be sure to check out the other participants in the Banned Books Week Bloghop!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

*CQG*

LIKE MANDARIN Non-Blogfest

In support of the newly released ‘Like Mandarin’- Kristan Hubbard’s debut novel,  I’m spilling my guts about those embarrassing I-wanna-be-like-you chick crushes I had in my younger years.

I would have given anything to be like : 

Cher from ‘Clueless’

I didn’t have to practice it in the mirror.  The tips of my thumbs would touch with pointers extended as I snobily drawled ‘Whateeever !’.  I’m not ashamed I went out and bought the mock catholic skirts, knee socks and mary janes.  I even wanted to dye my hair blond but my mother wouldn’t let me.  So I secretly bought bottles of ‘Sun-In’ and sprayed the shit out of those floppy locks whenever I thought I could get away with it.  Cher had it all- she was beautiful, rich, popular and had boys falling over themselves.   I watched ‘Clueless’ on a loop throughout eighth grade. 

I would have given anything to talk like :  Buffy

‘Wow, That was boring.’  -nuff said.

I could never quite manage: ‘The Rachel’

  Try as I might, my stringy, flat, partially bleached hair just wouldn’t pop and tuck enough to offer the beauty of what was once referred to as ‘The Rachel Doo’.

Who was your MANDARIN?  For more details on the LIKE MANDARIN Non-Blogfest, click here.

All the Cool Kids Are Doin' It...

Today I joined the April 2011 blogging A-Z challenge.  

Took me long enough.  I believe I’m actually candidate #294 on the link list.  (I know-holy crap!) Basically you have to post something new every day in April (except Sundays).  Each topic reflects a letter of the alphabet in order. 

Now, I know that I’m probably going to fail this challenge miserably.  To tell you the truth, my blog is starting to give me naked-in-front-of-the-blogosphere-holding-a-blue-ribbon nightmares.  I wake up on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and think ‘oh crap.  What am I going to blog about today?’  Then I pray inspiration strikes.  Most times it does.   Other times…not so much.

In any case, after lots of thought, I knew I couldn’t pass up the A-Z this year.  You see, a year ago this April, Creepy Query Girl was born.  I remember wandering around like the bald, bleary-eyed newbie that I was, attempting my first comments, clicking the ‘follow’ button until my finger developed abnormal twitchiness…

And most of the blogs I frequented at that time had a common theme.  They were ALL doing the A-Z challenge!   Capitalized letters were busting through the seams of Googlereader.  It was everywhere.  The posts were original, funny and often pulled out of one’s ass.  But that’s what makes it so great!

So, for the month of April, I’m setting down my binoculars and pink camouflage agent-stalking outfit in favor of a quill pen and some old-school ABC’s. 

Das right.  Going back to the root of all – cause you know…letters are like the atoms in matter, forming together to create something different every time, with like, it’s own genetic code. 

*ahem*

Sorry.  Just feeding my analogy addiction.  It’s a long road to recovery.

Anyways, for those interested in the challenge, you can check it out at Misadventures in Candyland here.

Be there or be square.

*CQG*

Just Kiss Already Blogfest

In honor of the big V-Day I've joined in Christina Lee's and Stina L's Just Kiss Already Blogfest!  Below is a 250 word excerpt from my YA contemporary romance Love Potion N° NOT!.  Be sure to check out the other entries here.  Have a great Valentines Day everyone!

Craig turned towards her, shaking his head.  His eyes flickered over her features.  “I don’t think you’re a loser, if that’s what you mean.”  He took her hand in his and they looked at each other for a moment; crystal blue eyes meeting deep brown. 

She barely had time to think before he closed the distance between them in one step and his lips were on hers, nudging her head upwards gently.  Avery started in panic, eyes wide and lips pliant beneath his kiss.  Warmth from his body seeped through her until her eyes slowly fluttered closed, her lips finally working against his.  She ran her fingers up through his soft hair while Craig’s arms circled her, pulling her closer to him.  He inched her back toward the brick wall, finally pinning her in place as the kiss grew heated, their mouths meeting harder and tongues sliding together in perfect rhythm.  Avery pressed against him and he pressed back, one hand gripping the back of her thigh.

BAM!  The door to the parking lot slammed open and Craig pulled away, breathless.  “Jesus.” He turned away from the doorway where students began to flow out into the parking lot, signaling the show had ended.  Avery gripped the wall behind her, chest rising and lips swollen.  They swayed inwards, hungry to take up where they had left off. 

“Hey Craig!”

Craig’s head flew up, the spell broken.  “Shit.”  His eyes grazed over Avery’s body once more before he pushed away from the wall.  “I gotta go.”

The Great Blogging Experiment

When I first saw the cast for ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’, my jaw just about dropped to the ground in awe.  The casting was absolute perfection.  Harrid, Dumbledore, Ron, McGonagall…it’s like either J.K. Rowling wrote with those actors in mind or her characters were just that developed and dimensional, it was almost easy for the producers to cast accordingly and for the actors to slip into those rolls like a second skin (-yeah.  I’m going with the second explanation too.) 

J.K. Rowling built a solid foundation.  But what makes for compelling characters in the big scheme of things?  Here’s what I think:

First, compelling characters are ‘seen’.  Physical description has to be tight, along with all the little quirks that make them unique- just like real people.  ‘tall with dark hair and eyes’  isn’t gonna cut it.   How do they walk?  What does their voice sound like?  Their accent?  Physical ticks, habits or dress? 

Secondly-  Background.  Part of what makes a character intriguing is how their background relates to the story.  Do they have the ability to help?  Or hurt?  Can they be trusted?  Do they have a reputation?  Or are they discrete and mysterious? 

Third- Personality traits and tension building.  Each character has to have their own personality.  If two characters resemble each other too closely- you can probably roll them into one.  Different traits allow you to create tension- whether humorous, apprehensive, angry, sexual, or just plain fun.   Opposites attract, or repulse; making harmony or chaos and when you have different personalities, there are a million ways to bounce them off one another- creating tension throughout the story.

Last, I think the most important thing to relate to all of the above is realism.  Characters shouldn’t take illogical or unreasonable courses of action. Dialogue should reflect both personality and background and neither action nor dialogue should be used just to move the story along- but also to develop these characters as much as possible.  They need to be real.  To feel real.  I think, for this, getting to know your characters is key. 

One tip I’ve read about is to write one hundred facts about your character.  For example: (I’m taking this from one of my wip’s)

 1. Name is Aiden

 2. Seventeen years old

 3. Has pin straight blond hair that falls flat now matter how much he ruffles it, to his dismay.

 4. Eats constantly- Loves junk food.

 5. Is a terrible liar.  As in, can’t lie to save his life.

 6. Has hazel eyes

 7. Is horny about 90% of the time

 8. Gets emotional and heartfelt when he’s hammered

 9. Hates the fact his parents never have any money

10. Hates the fact his dad expects him to be a fisherman like him and never have any money ever.

Getting the picture?  Getting to know your characters inside and out will help you determine how they’d realistically react in a situation.     

I’m really glad to have heard about The Great Blogging Experiment and I can’t wait to check out what all the other participants had to say about ‘writing compelling characters’!  Thanks Elana Johnson for coming up with this brilliant non-blogfest!

I Can't Do It!

I can’t pick just one blogger for the ‘I GOT YOU’ blogfest.  I tried, I really did.  But there are just so many awesome bloggers out there who have made me laugh, cry, get motivated and nod my head saying “Yes, I totally get you.  And I know you totally get me.”

Without the blogging community, I’d still be holed up in my Paris suburb apartment, sending out hard copies of the first three chapters of my totally-in-need-of-revision first manuscript to UK agents. 

Without the blogging community, I probably wouldn’t have a husband or a friend left in the world because they all would be completely sick of hearing about my ms, wip, revisions, querying, agents, publishing and all the ups and downs involved.

I love you all.  But since I’m ‘supposed’ to pick one,  I guess I’ll settle for picking three.   Sorry Sheri.  I can’t help myself!

I haven’t met any of you face to face.  Not really.  But I can’t help feeling close to you guys anyway.  This will probably read like end of the year messages in a senior yearbook- but I don’t care.

Candy from The Misadventures in Candyland- I don’t know how she manages it, but all of her posts are so hilarious, so honest, and so full of personality.  AND she keeps it real.  She puts her whole self into everything she does, full-heartedly and I can’t help but stand there in awe of all she stands for and accomplishes on a daily basis.  I love her spunk, her eye for detail, humor, and the worthy causes she promotes with her kickass contests.  Candyland, your blog is, has been, and will remain a place where I feel like I can kick off my shoes,  have a beer, listen to punk rock  and giggle my ass off, all while pondering all the serious and absurd life has to offer.  I love you chica!

Jen from Unedited-   I admire this girl’s energy.  She wrote her first book in, what was it Jen, FIVE WEEKS?  How many words Jen? Huh,  Huh?  I don’t remember the number -but I’m pretty sure it was some obscene word count.  I don’t know how she manages to keep us all entertained on a daily basis, promote upcoming authors, recently released books, and other bloggers, and- get this- she STILL manages to keep up with her writing and revising like no other.  She’s probably the most generous blogger I’ve ever met- with her time, her posts, and her comments and all you have to do is look at her ever rising number of followers to realize her generosity is inexhaustible.  Jen- you are my idol.

Jessica Bell from the Alliterative Allomorphe-  when I first discovered Jessica, all her posts were alliterated.   Seriously.  I can’t imagine the work that must have taken but I just started reading, my mouth dropping open at the sheer genius it must have taken to put them together.    SO. FREAKING. COOL- and I recommend everyone check them out if you have the time.  Jessica and I were born on opposite ends of the earth, but I can’t help but feel like we’ve lived kind of parallel lives.  Sometimes, it’s downright creepy.  And I know creepy.  We both write English education materials- she does it as a full time job.  I do it because the French system can’t seem to provide any so I have my make my own materials to teach with.  We both grew up with musician parents, went through the list of possible passions, only to find that writing takes the cake.  Now, we both live in European countries.  I feel like her writing is so filled with SOUL.  She is poetry in motion and I’ve been thrilled to get to know her these last few months.

Guess That Character Blogfest Part Deux

It’s time for the great reveal!  Yesterday you all tried to guess what my character Sage Reynolds looks like based on an excerpt of his voice alone.  Can I just say so many of you came close it was almost creepy?  Without further ado, I give you:

Sage Reynolds

So many of you had the right details, but if I have to choose a winner I guess it would be the very first commenter yesterday:

Bethany Elizabeth Says:

Okay, so here's what I'm seeing: Not tall, but taller than Kelly, tanned skin. Brown hair, curling slightly, maybe, highlighted by the sun, with that kind of unusual beauty you get when a tomboy kid learns how to look pretty and enjoy it. Eyes with color that contrasts with her face - like a really deep brown…

Almost everyone got the brown wavy hair- how did you know??  Tanned skin and muscles.  It just strikes me as so weird how you all got such a close image from just the voice in the piece.  Ya'll are a bunch of psychics! lol.   Great job you guys!  Thanks Jen for such an awesome blogfest thanks so much to all of you for playing!

Other commenters who were on target:

Susan Fields Says:

Ooh - I like this guy! I'm going to say he has wavy, longish brown hair and brown eyes. He's pretty tall, with a slender but not wimpy build. And he's really hot. :)

Amie McCracken Says:

A somewhat skinny build that he's attempting to grow into. With a slight slouch because of the weight on his shoulders. Brown wavy hair that doesn't fall into his eyes, an attempt to make people respect him again. And muscles that look misplaced because of his skinny-ness.

Vicki Rocho Says:

I'd say he's slightly taller than average, solidly built, but not intimidating. He's got a strong sense of right and wrong which makes up for what he lacks size-wise. Brown hair, and light brown eyes. Hair is a little longer, bangs falling in face. Hmmm...jeans and tennis shoes kinda guy

Damyanti Says:

I keep thinking this guy has some serious abs...definitely a looker, brown hair, dreamy, dark eyes.

Terry Stonecrop Says:

Brown hair, streaked blond from the sun. Tallish, tanned, muscular but not large. Hazel eyes. A gentle heart in spite of his quick temper. Protective of his girlfriend.

Good show!

Jemi Fraser Says:

Great scene :)

Tall (she had to reach up on her toes), tough, athletic yet lanky build. Dark hair, eyes. Scruffy hair :)

Genie of the Shell Says:

I see a tall, dark-haired boy with a slim/muscular physique and a shaggy or messy hairstyle. I don't know his eye color, but I want it to be light and striking to contrast with his hair!

Diane J. Says:

I see a teen of about 17, he is built like a wide receiver, but doesn't play football. He has dark brown hair that is a smidge (just a smidge) too long. Brown eyes and a killer smile. Maybe even a small divet on one corner of his chin when he flashes a big smile. Very toned and very tan.

Brenda Drake Says:

Okay, I'm totally thinking Dallas from the Outsiders--medium build but ripped, devil-may-care attitude, brown eyes,and messy hair in a good way. Very romantic with a sensitive side, though. Love him!

Bethany Mattingly Says:

Great excerpt! Fantastic! Umm, okay I see a guy who tends to mold into what other people see him as. So maybe slightly distressed jeans, devil may care hair that tends to do what it wants, I'm thinking darker brown with some lighter bits. I see his eyes as dark brown with some kind of untold secret within their depths. I could also see him like playing a guitar which sounds soooo random to me right now, but whatever I guess. I am definitely checking out what he looks like tomorrow!

J.C. Martin @ Fighter Writer Says:

I see a real sweet young man, always well-meaning but clumsy, still not quite past the gawky teenage phase. He is cute in his awkwardness, though: messy, curly mop of dark brown hair, decent build, could be even better with a bit of tone. Medium height, say 5'8-5'9", brown puppy eyes.

Christine Danek Says:

I love this! Great voice.

Brwon, messy hair. Hazel eyes with hint of green. Medium build. Sneaky/sexy smile.

Can't wait to meet him!