Look what I made!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYVk9m4OEDo
The Firestorm Conspiracy is coming out in just over two months. Pass it around!
I have a few more neat things to share over the next week or so, and I should be able to find the time now that NaNoWriMo novels are marked and report cards are mostly done.
C.
I decided to post the second scene from my novel, Job Hunted, on the off chance those of you who’ve read the first scene would like to read more. You can find the second scene on the right side of this page under the heading, “Writing,” or you can click this link: http://cherylangst.wordpress.com/writing/job-hunted-chapter-1-scene-2/. I won’t spoil it, but I will say things don’t go as planned for Toni.
In other news, agent Suzie Townsend posted a link to yesterday’s post on her blog (http://confessionsofawanderingheart.blogspot.com/) and the publicity has driven my daily visit count through the roof! Several people stopped by long enough to comment, and a few even wandered around, checking out other posts and pages.
My stats from today confirm, for me, the power of social media. When I posted my Youtube video and Janet Reid blogged about it, my hits went from 30 to over 800 (and still slowly climbing). When I checked my visit count earlier this morning, my “10 Things…” post had 12 visits – it now has over 150. It seems I am slowly finding ways to get my name out there; now I need to figure out how to build on it.
From beyond the keyboard,
Cheryl.
Kathleen Ortiz posted on her blog today, explaining that her schedule and Suzie Townsend’s schedule are not meshing to the point where they have been able to sit down and watch the videos together yet. As a result, they are delaying announcing the winners of the epic Skype contest until Monday May 3rd, 2010.
My little vlog entry is still getting hits on YouTube. It is up to 706 now. I know this isn’t a popularity contest, but there is a satisfaction derived from knowing people were interested in my entry. Even though the viewing rate is slowing, I am left wondering just how many people are going to take the time to check it out.
My presence on YouTube has brought a small increase in traffic to my blog. I am getting at least one hit per day linked back to my vlog entry. So far no one has commented on my first scene (is this from apathy, horror, awe, or nausea? I don’t know).
My page in Page to Fame is still trucking along. I was reading on the forum that the number of ratings required before elevation is now over 250. I have 137. The threshold number is increasing faster than I receive ratings. I hope the WEbook people take this into account soon, because some genres have far more people reading than others, and I don’t want my page to perpetually remain in the first round because they keep moving the goal posts.
From beyond the keyboard,
Cheryl.
The Surrey International Writers’ Conference people are gradually updating their site; sharing advance knowledge of some of the key guests in October. Every time I see a new tweet, or click on a link to a new page, I grow ever more excited about the upcoming conference. The latest tweet/post is just one example of the cool things planned for 2010.
One of the agents attending SiWC this year is Joanna Stampfel-Volpe from the Nancy Coffey Literary Agency. Joanna is very active on Twitter and recently made a hilarious Youtube video with fellow agent, Suzie Townsend, about a day in the life of a literary agent (http://confessionsofawanderingheart.blogspot.com/2010/04/day-in-life-of-suzie-jo.html). Not only am I excited about meeting an agent I recognize, but she also represents the genre I am currently working in. I am totally going to pitch my novel to her!
And that brings me to the vlog contest with Kathleen Ortiz and Suzie Townsend. In answer to the question: what do I want to get out of the Skype chat? My answer is simple: assistance with preparing an in-person pitch.
From beyond the keyboard,
Cheryl.
Kathleen Ortiz posted the requirements for the Skype chat with herself and Suzie Townsend on her blog today (http://kortizzle.blogspot.com/2010/03/epic-contest-begins-today-skype-with.html). They are looking for vlogs.
I am excited and terrified by the prospect of this contest. I am excited because I will get to learn how to do something new. I have never created a vlog before, nor have I ever posted anything on Youtube. I am terrified of putting myself in front of the camera. I know a lot of people say they hate having their picture taken, but for me it’s almost a phobia. I have made dodging camera lenses into an art.
So I have to decide if this Skype chat is worth overcoming my fear. Thankfully I have some time to decide.
I wonder if I could use puppets…
Cheryl.
Today I heard author Sigmund Brouwer speak to a group of 200 middle school students. Talk about passion and lighting the fire within! Sigmund is a highly engaging speaker who hooked the students the moment he began his presentation. I watched, enthralled as he not only entertained the group, but instilled a passion for the craft of writing in a generation known more for movies, music videos, and Youtube than for the printed word.
He shared snippets from some of his novels, but the cornerstone of his presentation revolved around emotion. Sigmund emphasized the need for an emotional connection between people, and he argued that good writers seek to make their readers feel something – to make that connection. He made the students laugh, and illustrated how that was a connection. He made them groan, shudder, melt, and almost cry. He awoke their natural curiosity and left them begging for more. Sigmund connected with the students and showed them how to craft a story that would connect with their readers.
I enjoyed myself immensely and am very grateful I was able to attend such a fabulous presentation. Should Sigmund Brouwer ever be presenting in your area, I strongly encourage you to attend.
As I gear up for NaNoWriMo, I am thankful I heard Sigmund today. His words have helped to solidify my plan for my novel. I know which buttons I am going to push, and I know I’m going to push them often. Storytelling, and writing, is about making an emotional connection. I think I’m going to type that up and tape it to the top of my screen.
From beyond the keyboard,
Cheryl.
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