Monday, June 28, 2010

The Maddening Summer Writer's Slump! Who's got it?


So, I don't know if it's the dog days of summer, the opening of the Harry Potter theme park or the fact that LOST is over forever, but many writers these days are reporting an inexorable writer's slump. Though I'm over mine (Yay!), many writers are still stuck deep in the doldrums of this maddening affliction.

When I'm in a slump, I just ride it out. It's usually because my mind is searching for a story breakthrough and it just hasn't reached it yet. I love doing research and that usually has a way of shaking something loose, as it did a few weeks ago in regards to Book II of the Nightshade Chronicles, which meets its deadline in three short months! Gah!

So, what about you?  How do you kick that block or that 'I have no clue what to write about and never will!' feeling to the curb and get going on your story again or heck, start a new one? I think knowing that so many of us have been feeling terminally slumped lately, it would be of great help to hear how each and every one of us deals with it.

Happy writing (despite that infuriating slump)!

xoxo -- Hilary

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Writing Creepy for Kids Without Scarring Them for Life! | helluo librorum

Today, I'm lucky enough to be the guest poster on Teresa Frohock's fantastic blog, Helluo Librorum! Teresa is not only an uber cool, boot wearing librarian, but she's also a super talented horror writer! Her challenge to me, how do you write for kids without scarring them for the rest of their ever living lives! Good question!

Please check out the post and give Teresa a shout out and follow! Her blog is filled with author interviews of both adult and kid writers and on honing your craft, no matter what genre you write in!

Writing Creepy for Kids Without Scarring Them for Life! helluo librorum

Oh, and of note on this post: I got a hold of Stephen King's IT, when I was about nine. Let's just say...NOT GOOD! I didn't sleep for months! Still gives me shivers!

Happy writing!

xoxo -- Hilary

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Welcome to Nightshade City! Let's Meet Our Players...


The Nightshade City hardcover arrived at my door last Friday! I have to tell you, holding the ARC in my hands was amazing, but holding the actual hardcover, the book that will be sold in stores, feeling that raised gold font on the jacket, heck, even seeing the bar code, is an unforgettable experience! On top of that, I finally got to see the amazing interior illustrations Omar Rayyan created. Below are some key players I'd love to introduce!

Killdeer is the High Minister of the Catacombs. He is large and in charge and someone you don't want to mess with--rather a nasty rat, who's quite convinced the world revolves around him. He is suave and charming and the only thing worse than being out of his Oshi berry wine, is having to actually run his kingdom.

Billycan is Killdeer's second in command.  He's left with the duties of running the Catacombs, not to mention cleaning up after Killdeer's messes. He is the Commander of the Kill Army and the High Collector of Stipend. He's an albino. To be exact, the only albino left in existence.  An ex-lab rat, Billycan has a fondness for brutality, not to mention collecting a misplaced tongue or two. In other words, not a kindly fellow.

Coming of age in the oppressive Catacombs, brothers Vincent and Victor Nightshade finally escape, avoiding mandatory recruitment into Killdeer's Kill Army. They soon realize their father, Julius Nightshade, was a very important rat--whose memory still shines brightly. They also learn life is meant to be lived, not just survived.


Mother Gallo is a kindly soul, forced to work as the High Mistress of the Robes, a seamstress for Killdeer and his army.  She does her job and she does it well, but she's hiding a secret--and a very dangerous one at that. 
Juniper Belancort--a rat among rats. Juniper knows to well of Killdeer, Billycan and their crimes against the rats of the Catacombs. He is a rat of principle, a rat who believes in doing what's right and never letting a few decide the fate of many.
So there you have it.  A few of the Nightshade City players! Only 3.5 months until they are sitting on a shelf near you!

Happy reading!

xoxo -- Hilary

Friday, June 11, 2010

The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment: NIGHTSHADE CITY

Today, I'm a guest on Matthew Rush's fab blog, The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment. Try to say that really fast a hundred times!

We are talking about my query letter for Nightshade City that landed me at the Nancy Gallt Agency and with my uber awesome agent, Marietta Zacker!

My query letter is far from perfect, but it did the trick! Please show your support for Matt (err...and rats) and check it out! Every Friday he has a new query letter ready for review, one that nabbed an agent, which I think is so valuable--a great way for writers to figure out what works for them and what does not.

Happy Friday one and all and of course, happy writing!

xoxo -- Hilary

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Hey! What's Your Favorite Line of All Time?


So, when I think about all the books I've read, certain lines, phrases come into mind--words that have always stuck with me. Some have touched my heart, others have made me laugh out loud and some were just so darn bizarre I couldn't get the words out of my head!

One of my most favorite lines of all time is from The Meaning of Night, by Michael Cox. I loved this book so much, but what really captured me was the first line of the book. It's so matter-of-fact and by the by, it surprised me to say the least, because who isn't a little hungry after offing someone? “After killing the red-haired man, I took myself off to Quinn's for an oyster supper.” Enough said, Mr. Cox, please tell me more! I highly recommend this book, by the way--brilliant!

Currently, I'm reading The Somnambulist, by Jonathan Barnes and absolutely LOVING it. I can't get enough. It was the first line that got me with this book! "Be warned. This book has no literary merit whatsoever." All I can say is, SOLD! At least he's telling us the book has no literary merit, honesty counts for something, doesn't it? And by the way, Mr. Barnes totally lied. This book is full of all types of merit! I'm addicted to it!

Okay, so I suppose I like first lines! Anyway, what is your favorite or most memorable line from a book you've ever read? If you don't have one, what's a favorite line from something YOU'VE written?

xoxo -- Hilary

Monday, June 7, 2010

And the Winning Rat Name Is...

This was a very tight race! The winner nabbed it by one vote! Every time I thought a name had it locked in, a few more people would cast their vote and change things up! While Finnegan, Snug and Cotter got some serious love, there was overwhelming favor going to Milo, Rooney and Topher.

So, without further ado, our little friend, whose name will be published in Book II of the Nightshade Chronicles, will be called TOPHER! Thanks so much to the lovely Valerie Kemp, who suggested the name. My little son is especially happy about this because Topher is the name of the actor (Topher Grace) who plays Venom in Spider-Man 3! Ha, ha! Although, my son did like Milo and Snug too!

I'm so glad I ran this contest when I did, because I'm about to start writing about our dear old Topher and had nothing to call him! I liked so many of these names I might end up using them anyway!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated! This was a lot of fun!

xoxo -- Hilary

Friday, June 4, 2010

And the Winning Rat Name is...errr...still don't know! YOU DECIDE!

Okay, so first I have to tell you my news! Nightshade City will officially be in hardcover in one week! We've run out of ARC's, so my publisher decided the rest of the Advanced Reading Copies will be in the form of the actual finished bound book, which is so exciting! All that hard work and editing is done! I'll have the real deal hardcover in my hands before Father's Day and since the book is dedicated to my husband, you can only guess what he's getting!

Now, onto the rat naming contest, so you guys totally ROCKED the name game! So much so, that I had a terrible time deciding what name are little friend will have! For those whose names are not on the list below, don't feel like I didn't like your name--please! I've entered character naming contests before and have never come close to winning! The names I chose were not just interesting names, but names that go along with the feel of Nightshade City. Below are my top picks in the order of the entries, not ranked in any way. Since I love them all, I'd like you guys to decide! The top pick will be our loveable, although not too brilliant rat's permanent moniker to be published in next year's book! Since I'm leaving it in your capable hands, I've reposted our friend's description below for reference. Please only vote once and anyone can cast a vote, not just people who entered the first time around.

I'll leave the voting open all weekend, announcing the winning name on Monday, so lots of time to drum up some support for your favorites!

Our John Doe:
He's a sweetheart through and through, but let's just say he's not the sharpest knife in the block. He's the kind of rat who knows not to give out a secret, but can be easily swindled into giving it up without even realizing it. He looks up to grown rats like him, but sees them more as parents than equals. He's lanky, with a gawky build, long necked and unkempt brown fur. He's chews on his claws quite a bit and pulls on his ears when he's nervous. His favorite food is a very sour root called Waterchip and he's been known to fall asleep in the strangest of places!
So I ask you...what is his name????

Milo

Rooney

Cotter

Rixford

Owain

Coriander

Snug

Topher

Stilton

Snicket

Garrick

Finley

Finnegan

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Name that Rat Contest for Book II of the Nightshade Chronicles!

Okay, so I'm writing part two of Nightshade City's sequel which is due to my publisher on October 1st, the same day Nightshade City releases! Gah! So, in honor of that, I want to do something fun and get your help naming one of my characters, who will appear in the sequel!

Who is this nameless rat?
He's a sweetheart through and through, but let's just say he's not the sharpest knife in the block. He's the kind of rat who knows not to give out a secret, but can be easily swindled into giving it up without even realizing it. He looks up to grown rats like him, but sees them more as parents than equals. He's lanky, with a gawky build, long necked and unkempt brown fur. He's chews on his claws quite a bit and pulls on his ears when he's nervous. His favorite food is a very sour root called Waterchip and he's been known to fall asleep in the strangest of places!

Rat Naming Rules:
Please no goofy names like Mr. Pickles or Peanut Butter. It can be a common name or something unusual, but I'm going to tell you that Doug the rat will most likely not win! Ha, ha! I like unusual, but not too weird--a name that could translate over to our world, even though it might be considered a bit odd. It really just needs to be something that suits his description. Some examples of my characters names: Juniper, Billycan, Killdeer, Texi, Virden, Suttor, Vincent, Victor, Clover, Cole, Cobweb, Montague, Thicket, Stono...hopefully this will give you an idea of the kind of names that work! Please follow my blog if you don't already by clicking on the google followers link. You can put your entry in the comment section, but please only give one or two name ideas.

On Friday, I'll post the winner and that name (maybe the one you came up with) will be published in Book II of the Nightshade Chronicles!

Naming characters is a favorite part of writing for me, so have fun with this!  I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

xoxo -- Hilary