Skip to main content

Dear Future Self blogfest!

Dear Future Self,

First, let me apologize for making this journey hard on you. I’ve made all the mistakes. Writing the first book and thinking it rocked. Querying that book to hell, when I should have realized the next idea was better. Doubting myself to no end. But then I learned a few things about writing, checked my ego, and cranked out the next manuscript. What a good move, huh?

But all of that hard work taught me something that I hope you haven’t forgotten—writing is forever learning, forever striving to become better. Never think you’re “good enough,” be great. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone, test other genres, and experience change. Enjoy the ride. You’ve earned it.

Lots of love to you,

Melissa

P.S. Can you respond? It would be a great relief to know when this dream finally comes true. No need for a specific date. The year will do just fine.

_____________________

Want to participate in this awesome blogfest? Check it out here.

Comments

  1. Great letter! I totally get what you mean about the next idea being better--I'm so thankful I stopped myself from querying my first novel. It needs sooo much work. The project I'm working on now is much much more solid. LOL.

    Thanks for joining the blogfest!

    ReplyDelete

  2. Hello Me, this is Me. We did brilliantly... love you too. 2020

    Just kidding - brilliant letter, enjoyed the read
    Lxxx

    ReplyDelete

  3. Thanks for stopping by, Kristin and Laura!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

GRAVITY e-book is Now Available!

Exciting news!

GRAVITY did have a book birthday yesterday after all—well technically today. It is now available in both Kindle and Nook formats! And check out these amazing blurbs for the book: "A thrilling debut packed with action and mystery. Aliens never looked so good."
USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout.

"GRAVITY is a nonstop action thrill ride set in a richly imagined sci-fi version of earth, featuring a bold heroine who knows how to fight, just not who she should be fighting for. Start reading and you won't. Ever. Stop." Jennifer Bosworth, author of Struck (FSG/Macmillan)
~~~ The print version will be available online and in stores within a few weeks. But to celebrate the release of the e-book, I need your help to spread the word! And I have a few prizes available for participating.
Ways to play:
Tweet that the e-book is now available with links to GRAVITY’s Kindle and Nook e-books on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Must use hashtag #…
4 comments
Read more

Make your readers uncomfortable

I have this one scene in TWISTED ROOT that is…intense. It is so intense that I’ve had reactions all over the place from my CP’s and betas.

Let me start by saying I have a ton of people read my work. An 8 person crit group, 2 crit partners, and 2 that I would say are alpha readers—friends who read tons and have strong editing backgrounds.

So I receive crits all over the place, and this scene has created some interesting responses. One critter went crazy for it, loved it. Another referred to it as slightly icky. I loved that response. :) Another blushed when we discussed it in person. And all of the male critters I have thought it was awesome—go figure. Men have a much higher threshold for uncomfortable-ness, than most women. (JMHO!!!)

Now I’m not saying I don’t adore all my readers. I do. I couldn’t write without them. Each one makes my work stronger. But here’s the thing, I’m keeping the scene, as it is (for now). Wanna know why?

I think as a writer you should make your reader uncomfortab…
12 comments
Read more

Insta-LOVE

I’ve grown a little obsessed with Goodreads lately. Some reviewers seem to love everything, while others hate everything. The logic behind many of the reviews can be fairly funny to read. One such topic for YA has been “insta-love.” The reviews define the term as two characters meet and 20 pages later they’re madly in love, willing to give up their lives for one another.

While I think 20 pages is likely quick for the word “love,” I do not think it is too quick for obsession. Why? Because that is teen love. I have a 14-year-old niece who has a different boyfriend all the time it seems. One such boyfriend “cheated” on her—meaning he went to a movie with another girl—and she said “it was really hard because we were together so long.” So I asked her how long and she responded: “three weeks.” Yep, it took three whole weeks for my young niece to fall for some boy.
I think it is very important to remember our true audience when writing for YA. We are not writing for the 30-year-old women who…
5 comments
Read more