Homework Helpers by Michelle McLean

This post is in honor of the release of Michelle McLean's new book

HOMEWORK HELPERS: Essays and Term Papers


Michelle is a young adult writer also, and a long time pal of mine. This is her first published book and I am here to attest, first hand that it is awesome.

Why do I know?

Because my daughter and I used it!

Last spring my ninth grade daughter had a massive research paper due in a class whose sole focus was that paper. The teacher had them put together research, work on grammar, learn to site sources, etc. Unfortunately, the class was less than systematic and so was the time frame. The students were given about two weeks to complete the entire paper, and my darling daughter, bless her dear little heart, had NO idea what she was supposed to be doing and when. So the NIGHT before the ENTIRE paper was due, we both realized the whole massive thing was due the next day. And what had she DONE? Nada. Now you can imagine how many gray hairs were formed that night and how high my blood pressure spiked.

Okay. Some parents might have taken the *you made your bed now lie in it* approach. Okay, I admit--I am a bit of a helicopter. But I didn't waste a breath on anger. There was no time. Instead, I emailed Michelle. I knew her book wasn't due out until NOW, but she was kind enough to email me her proofs. Which I USED to help my daughter organize herself, literally the NIGHT BEFORE. AND...drumroll, with Michelle's clear-eyed, systematic approach..it GOT DONE. By 10PM.

Final grade: 88

I think the teacher was a little stingy, because the paper turned out AWESOME.

And if not for Michelle's book, my daughter and I would have been rendered into a quivering mass of jelly.

So--consider this an endorsement of a fabulous tool for students of all ages--and go out and get it.

http://www.amazon.com/Homework-Helpers-Essays-Term-Papers/dp/1601631405

Michelle a freelance writer and the Chief Editorial Consultant for PixelMags, LLC., a company that digitizes magazines and other literature for use on mobile devices. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from Weber State University and a Master of Arts Degree with Distinction in English from National University.

Upcoming events and an artistic breakthrough

Well, well, well--I have been--uh--lazy? Also, I got myself a new gmail account and that messed up my blog sign in. So I had to puzzle that out (with not much gusto) for a bit. But here I am, and unlike alot of other more diligent bloggers I am NOT going to promise wonderful things on my blog. I am going to remain true to my impulsive blogging self and only post when I actually have stuff to say or share. Which is not, to be honest, all that frequently.

I do admire regular posters. You have a lot of discipline. Discipline I don't possess. Not for blogging, anyway. I prefer to save my limited stash of discipline for writing, artwork and doing my job. Lately I am going to add--going to a REAL gym--as opposed to Curves.

First, let me congratulate my two critique-mates, Heidi Ayarbe (COMPROMISED 2010) and Kate Milford (THE BONESHAKER 20210) on their YALSA nominations. That's HUGE and I am so proud--but hardly surprised. They are brilliant writers (and two of the very nicest people I know).

So, I have two things to share. Well, maybe three. I am hoping to interview Ellen Potter of THE KNEEBONE BOY. And I am going to feature a post about my friend Michelle McLean who's book HOMEWORK HELPERS: ESSAYS AND TERM PAPERS is due out this month.

The third thing is that I have finally made a major breakthrough on my languishing picture book. I am now, officially on a roll with the art, though I have not written a single word. (see below). Also, I got a thumbs up from my agent, Victoria Marini, on the premise for my new WIP, so that gives me the kick I need to dive in.

My book LIFE AND BETH is still out on submission. We've gotten two rejections, but as Victoria assures me (she is so ASSURING) they are GOOD rejections. In other words, they are not about the quality of the book, but more about marketing issues with the particular publisher. Not sure I totally buy this, but I am not going to sweat it. Everyone can't fall in love with you, right? But a perfect match is out there. I found Victoria, after all. Just need an editor that has as much faith.



















Anyway--keep an eye out for my post on the wonderful Michelle McLean. I have known her for many years and I have actually used her book to help my daughter pull off an academic miracle last year when she waited until THE NIGHT BEFORE to turn in a ten page research paper. And somehow--with the help of Michelle's book (ARC emailed as an amazing courtesy) she not only got it done but got an A- on it.

Shameless Holiday Book Spree

I now bring you my shameless holiday book list. I hope you will buy these books for two reasons:
The first being that that are excellent! The second being that I know all the authors and want their books to sell.

So, keeping that in mind, I bring you the totally biased and self-serving booklist 2010: (Note--at the end of my fiction list, I am including a book that I read this year that hasn't gotten the attention it richly deserves, Ellen Potter's THE KNEEBONE BOY).

1. THE BONESHAKER by Kate Milford










2. CLAIRE DE LUNE by Christine Johnson














3.COMPROMISED by Heidi Ayarbe











4.SCONES AND SENSIBLITY by Lindsay Eland











And now for additional bonus, recommendation (pssst..I am going to be interviewing the author, Ellen Potter in a few weeks).

6. THE KNEEBONE BOY by Ellen Potter










And now for our non-fiction portion of the list:

7. EMOTIONAL INTENSITY IN GIFTED STUDENTS
by Christine Fonseca, School Psychologist









8. THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO PSYCHOLOGY by Carolyn Kaufman, PsyD

The characters who live in my head want to meet you

Hi all. My characters from LIFE and BETH have been living in my head for a very long time. They felt they deserved a proper send off. What I am posting here are photo-illustrations which I will then render as traditional drawings.

This first image is Beth Collins, the girl who not only plays a killer lead guitar, but can kill with her mind.

The second image is love interest, Alain Duquette, the French classical guitarist with secrets of his own. (pssst...note I gave Alain's shaggy main a trim--thanks, Christine!_

Finally--Rewrite off to readers (and agent) and what I learned

I know I've been absolutely silent on here and I apologize. I've been dedicating myself to completing the rewrite of my book LIFE AND BETH and it's taken WAY longer than I ever imagined. But, finally, finally, finally, I finished. I'm not fooling myself that more revisions aren't in store before my lovely agent Victoria Marini subs, but it feels good to have reached this milestone.

And you know what I learned? No matter what your writing method is--seat of the pantster, outliner, whatever, there are no shortcuts. I wrote the first draft of this book almost a year ago, in a very random way. It was DREADFUL. Then I created my (very pretty and useful looking) plot map. That helped a lot. THEN, I started to submit to agents and most of them came back and told me--yeah--we like your premise, we like your writing, but the whole thing falls apart like a flabby souffle.

So, then I downloaded Scrivener and used THAT to help me RE-OUTLINE the whole mess--and still, still I had a long haul ahead of me.

So what's the lesson here? The lesson is that there is no substitute for an awesome critique group and beta readers who target your weak spots like a laser beam. Thank you to all of you geniuses for getting me through this!

I am very excited to sink my teeth into my next project, which is writing and illustrating a picture book. There is also my untitled WIP, which I am going to outline on Scrivener FIRST.

Christine Fonseca Blog Tour Book Giveaway—WINNER!

We have a winner. The method for choosing the winner was this: I counted all the comments that were not either mine or Christine's. I entered the total amount into a random number picker and voila--the winner was commenter #6, and that was...drum roll....

Padget!

So, Padget, whomever you are--please email me your address. I will forward it to Christine and you will get your copy of Christine's book!

Rutgers One on One/ Christine Fonseca book giveaway reminder

Today I am leaving for the Rutgers One-one-One conference in Piscataway, New Jersey. I'll be driving there with my good friend and writing-mate Dhonielle Clayton and meeting up with my other good friend and writing-mate Colleen Rowan Kozinski, both of whom are wonderful muses and exceedingly talented writers. I'm also looking forward to the BlueBoarders dinner tonight at the Radisson Hotel.

I'm excited and a bit nervous. Since I've never been to one of these events before, I don't really know what to expect. It's a much less passive experience than most conferences as you are paired with a mentor. And you have no idea whom your mentor is until you get there. Kind of like a blind date. So, I'm busy getting myself together with my usual fear that I am going to forget something crucial. Hopefully, I won't. I know one thing I am bringing which I would rather not and that's a head cold. Wouldn't you know that after not having a cold for at least a year, I came down with one. But I refuse to let it slow me down. I'm planning to resist it! Hopefully, it won't slow me down too much.

Anyway, I hope to report back on this event when I return, or if I have a moment, maybe while I am there. Have a great weekend, all!

And just a reminder: Comment on the post below this for the chance to win the new book on gifted kids by the amazing Christine Fonseca.