New Synopsis--What do you think?

Hey guys and gals,

I thought I'd post my new synopsis out here for you all to take a look at. What do you think? Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks!

Synopsis—Beauty Secrets

Every Beauty Secret representative knows two things: never come between a woman and her lipstick, and always keep your client’s secrets. Unfortunately Keira Diaz didn’t get that memo.

While making a beauty delivery to Marion Siebold’s house, Keira finds her client unconscious on the floor. The police arrive as Marion comes to and it’s revealed that Marion’s playboy husband, Roger, is missing.

The police are quick to dismiss the case, assuming Roger ran off with a girlfriend. Most of the town, including the police, are more concerned with finding a kidnapped little girl. That is, until Roger’s body is found.

Strangled by a pair of black nylons and with red lipstick smeared on his collar, Roger’s murder was set up to look like a crime of passion. Keira recognizes the shade of lipstick, Goodbye Kiss, from last fall’s line, but unlike the police, she’s not convinced a woman committed the murder.

Suddenly, Keira’s job goes from selling lipstick to solving murder.
Keira is safe until she uncovers the murderer's secrets. She was right—a woman didn’t murder Roger, his business partner did. Seth Perez couldn’t risk financial ruin if Roger’s corrupt practices became public. Embezzling funds from the notorious Vincent Delgado was bound to ruin them both.

The plan had initially been for Roger to fake his own death and run off with his girlfriend, leaving the insurance money to settle his debt. But when the plan fell through, Seth took matters into his own hands—killing Roger and then setting Delgado up to take the fall. Seth even made it appear that Delgado used Roger’s playboy reputation to set the murder up.

Keira puts the pieces together when she finds the Goodbye Kiss lipstick from the crime scene at Seth’s house. Mastering the art of female persuasion, Keira seduces Seth into confessing. Things get dicey when Seth takes Keira’s flattery too far. Not understanding the word “no,” Keira is forced to knock Seth out with more than a kiss. Thank heavens for crystal vases and women who aren't afraid to fight.

Funny Ha,ha? OR Just Plain Sad

My Internet quit working again, this time on Thursday night. Having the whole high-speed-radio-antenna-thing, it happens. Only this time it didn't come back on the next day, or the next.

So, I finally got a hold of tech support today (of course they never called me back from Saturday) only to find out my account was turned off for overusing bandwidth. Yes, Speednet thinks I'm downloading massive amounts of porn, illegal music files and/or movies.

What was I actually doing? Obsessing over a major rewrite for BEAUTY SECRETS and researching agents into the wee-hours of the morning. Last week I clocked over 56 hours of writing in 4 days (that's an average of 14 hours a day). Not to mention the extra 22 hours I spent researching agents. I think I went a little mad, or to quote Alice in Wonderland:

Me: "Have I gone mad?"

Alice: "I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are."

The rewrite was totally worth it, albeit scary at times, but worth it. I surprised myself with the ease at which I slashed words and poured forth new ones--changing plot points, characterization and clues. Wow, what a ride.

Then of course the conundrum I found myself in was, "Do I resend my partials to agents who already are reviewing them? Or do I wait to see what they say on the original partial I sent?"

Well, I went ahead and resubmitted a revised partial. Why? Well, here's what I was thinking: I don't want to be an imprudence, but I thought if the agent hasn't started reading my partial yet, it shouldn't be too much trouble to replace my revised partial with the original one. However, if the agent is too annoyed or busy to honor my request, then phooey on them. I'd rather have an agent pass on me because they're annoyed, then pass on the work itself.

What's the difference you ask?

In one case, you're passing on me because of my character. On the other, because of the writing. If you're going to pass on my writing, I'd rather have it be the most recent version. That way, when I see your rejection, I know it was the best I could do, and I won't always be wondering "what if?"

So, that's what I was doing the last week. Hopefully I'll have time this week to catch up with all of your blogs and jump back on to Twitterville. "See" you all soon!

Back to Basics

The last few hours have brought a refreshing sense of self and accomplishment for me. Sometimes I think too much, as the previous post and past two weeks have proven. Right now I'm taking my writing back to the basics and remembering what I love about it. We all have things we love about writing and being a writer. Of course there are times when the prospects of being published become killjoys, but the good times outweigh the bad any day. I'd rather be a writer than anything else. Period.

So now it's time to write. I've added some more characterization to Keira today and this afternoon I'm back to developing my new WIP, which, dare I say it, borders on literary fiction. Actually, there's no border about it. It is literary fiction. Eeep! I said it!!! Gasp.

Okay, back to work.

Happy Anniversary

Yes folks, today is the one year anniversary of me being a full time writer. How do I know? Because my unemployment checks have run out :)

On a positive note, this past year has taught me so much--not just about myself, but about the publishing industry and what it truly means to be a writer. I have all of you to thank for that, so THANK YOU!

What's in store for me this next year? Well, for starters I'm still querying BEAUTY SECRETS and looking for that perfect agent to take it on. I'm also busy writing INFINITY = ME and plan to have a solid first draft hammered out by April.

What else?

I'd love to get back to work on LIP GLOSS & LIES. I have 15k written, but put that project on hold to wait and see if an agent nabs BS first. Priorities people, priorities.

And who knows what else I'll come up with this year. I've been kicking around a middle grade novel concept for a while, and it seems I'm always writing YA, so we'll see.

What about you? Any writing goals for the next year, or heck, even the next couple of months?

Sweet Savannah

Savannah is my Southern hometown. Okay, I'm not from Savannah, but we have close friends that live down here (and Dom went to high school nearby), so it always feels like home when we visit.

Plus, the really super cool thing is that Beauty Secrets' setting takes place in Beaufort, South Carolina, which is about 30 minutes from Savannah. It's been three years since I've been down here, but even I'm amazed at how accurate I remembered everything for my novel. I love it. The inspiration is so strong.
Today, while Dom and his friend Carey golf, I'm tacking advantage of the silence to read/edit Beauty Secrets for a couple hours. There's something magical about editing a novel while being surrounded by your setting. You can't beat it.
What about you, my friends? Do you live/or have you lived in your novels' settings? (If you write fantasy, that might be kinda hard...just sayin') OR have you taken a special vacation just to get a feel for the locale? If so, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

(P.S. These pics are a few that I took this morning while walking around downtown.)

Any Takers?

I've spent the entire day today and most of last night revising the beginning of BEAUTY SECRETS. So now comes the fun part, sending it out into the world and asking for a critique.

Would any of you fine folks be interested in reading the first 20 pages of my MS? I'm not looking for a line edit, but more of an overall opinion. Basically I'm wondering if I've set the story up enough to hook you, and if I've given you enough time to know my protagonist before diving into the mystery aspect of the novel.

My mantra for the last twelve hours has been, "Set up the story. You need to set up the story. Set up the story. You need to set up the story."

So...Let me know if you're down to help me out!

Thanks guys!

I Need Chocolate

Today has been a busy day and I've officially reached my full mental capacity.

NANO, what's that? The last two days I've kinda let LG&L die off at 13,000 words to shift my attention back to BEAUTY SECRETS. You see, I received some feedback from a super fantastic agent a couple months ago and at the time I wasn't sure how to take their advice. Not that I didn't want to take it, but that I wasn't sure exactly how to do what they were asking for.

I mean, at first their comments didn't make any sense because they were supposed to love my novel as is, right? And then their comments made sense, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to change my story that way. And then suddenly in the calming moment that is my nightly bubble bath It. Just. Made. Sense.

EREKA! I get it!!!!!

However, my happy moment of elation was quickly replaced by "Oh Crap!" now what?!

I understand the concept and what I have to do. Now I just have to do it. I think I better go put my Nike gear on before I tackle this one. Oh, and eat chocolate. Lot's and lot's of chocolate!

Wish me luck!

Query Letter - Take 5 (or was it 25?)

As promised, I've revised my query letter and have decided to post it here again for your lovely comments. Thanks again for everyone who commented last time - let me know if you think I've got it yet.

I'll skip out the boring parts and get right to the good stuff:

Dear Super Agent,

Every Beauty Secret representative knows two things: never come between a woman and her lipstick, and always keep your client’s secrets. Unfortunately Keira Diaz didn’t get that memo.

When her client’s playboy husband, Roger, goes missing, Keira finds herself quickly wrapped up in the mystery. Keeping track of her Southern socialite clientele wasn’t in this girl’s job description, but their clues are the key to solving this case.

And their secrets? Boy do they tell. If it weren’t for them, Keira would have never learned of Roger’s infidelity while his wife battled breast cancer, or set up her best friend with Savannah’s most corrupt businessman.

As the evidence builds, Keira vows to find Roger. What she wasn’t planning on was finding him dead—or befriending the murderer.

Multitasking Diva Here

My writing career is in full swing - Well, I mean minus the agent and whole publishing contract thing - but still, I'm busy!

First up, NaNo. It's the start of day two and I've currently got 2,727 words written. Awesome, go me. I'm loving LIP GLOSS & LIES and confession, it's already better than BEAUTY SECRETS - ahhhhhhhh!!! So, remember last week how I said I was done with BS, well, not anymore. I've thought of a couple slight tweaks that I hope will make my debut even more stellar (because it will be my debut I tell you!).

So that brings me to number two - make additional changes to BS, revise my query, and then begin submitting to agents worldwide!!!!

Let's see then: NaNo, BS changes, Query... Oh, I know, and blog. See I'm accomplishing stuff already.


Hi ho hi ho it's off to writing I go...

It's Finished... Oh, Wait.

Yesterday I finished my third (or was it fourth?) complete read/edit of Beauty Secrets, which you all know is very time consuming. But now I can confidently say that "it's done!"... for now. Some of you might remember that my goal four weeks ago was to finish my edits and send BS off to the St. Martin/Minotaur First Crime Novel Competition, well today my friend I'm doing just that. After paying $58.04 to have my manuscript printed, I'm packing it up and shipping it off. It feels so good to have that goal checked off my list. And the time couldn't be more perfect with NaNo starting in two days (boy, do I have A LOT of work to do between now and Sunday).

Also, with wrapping up BS, I'll have some more time to work on revising my query again. Thank you all for your comments this week. I'll put the advice to work and revamp my query over the weekend and repost it next week. Hopefully I'll be able to add the voice that I know is missing.
This Just In

I'd like to give a big thank you to Debra Schubert over at Write On Target for the awesome blog bling and such kind words. Okay folks, you know how it goes. Here are the rules:


1) Copy the pretty picture and post it on your blog.
2) Thank the person that gave it to you and link to their blog.
(Did I mention how awesome Debra is?)
3) Write 7 things about yourself we don't know.
4) Choose 7 other bloggers to pass the award to.
5) Link to those 7 other bloggers.
6) Notify your 7 bloggers.

Seven things you've always wanted to know about yours truly:
1. Cherry yogurt is my favorite flavor. Key lime pie, strawberry shortcake, Boston cream pie, and Pineapple upside down cake are just wrong.

2. Just like my protagonist, Keira, I have an obsessive personality, which makes for excellent determination, but can also make me a little batty. If I want to write, I do, and if you make me do anything else, I'll be very grumpy.

3. In keeping with number 2, I'm also stubborn and you'll have a helluva time trying to get me to do something that I don't want to do :)

4. Wine and dark chocolate make the perfect gift, in case you were wondering. My birthday is April 27th...

5. And speaking of that, 27 is my all-time favorite number. Not only is it lucky, but it also makes me smile and it happens to be how old I am.

6. Writing also makes me smile, and I'm VERY excited to be starting LIP GLOSS & LIES! I just have such an awesome feeling about this series. Good things are about to happen.

7. And there's nothing better than having Halloween on a Saturday. Sleeping in, eating candy all day and watching scary movies (well, Scooby Doo anyway). Tomorrow is going to be so much fun!

And now I must now nominate seven other worthy blogs...

1. Bane's Blogging Blues - in addition to being an awesome fantasy writer, Bane posts funny youtube videos and cute puppy pictures for our entertainment. What's not to love?

2. Jennifer Bennett - Jen's just so nice and her blog is always too cute. And I love her blog topics, like yesterday's post titled "What Sells" where she ask's the question that if something sells then does that make it great? Good question!

3. A Misinterpreted Wave - Chris writes beautiful poetry and I must admit that her vocabulary is impressive (read: I'm jealous). Stop by and see what I'm talking about.

4. Penny Lane - The girl loves cupcakes and skittles, has an adorable kitty cat names Jasmine, and she's brave enough to video blog. Yeah, video blog. Even I'm not brave enough for that.

5. VR Barkowski - Fellow NaNo participant, VR's blog is full of the type of fantastic information and links that writers like us want to know. Awesome job.

6. The Bloodcrossed Writer - Tara's a fabulous writer and reviewer extraordinaire. Videos and links will keep you entertained for hours.

7. Regina Rhythm - Regina's blog says she a writer, artist and adventuress - you got that right. Regina's blog is fresh, informative and most of all, creative.

So there you have it, my choices for the Kreative Blogger award. Happy Halloween everyone!!!!!!

National Novel Writing Month - You in?

I've been seeing this - NaNoWriMo - out on the blogosphere lately and until tonight I had no idea what it stood for. But alas, I have become educated and now know that it stands for the National Novel Writing Month, which takes place Nov 1-30. According to the website:
National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.

Wowzers! If I recall, I remember a few folks talking about this last year, but they were already way to into it and I was way too lazy to get involved. But this year? Now that could be cool, as you all know I'm thinking about starting a new novel anyway. AND the more I think about it, I actually wrote the first draft of BS in two months (65k) and that was with a lot of days of doing nuttin'.

Reading through the website, the 10 steps to success are pretty amusing. Take #4 for example:
4) Begin procrastinating by reading through all the great advice and funny stories in the forums. Post some stories and questions of your own. Get excited. Get nervous. Try to rope someone else into doing this with you. Eat lots of chocolate and stockpile noveling rewards.

But most of all, it's #10 that's my favorite:
10) Win or lose, you rock for even trying.

The rules of NaNo seem pretty basic too. I especially like this one, "Write more than one word repeated 50,000 times." See, basic. I can handle that.

So, what's my game plan you ask? Well, according to the guidelines you have to start from scratch, BUT you can have your outline and character sketches already developed, which is a very, very good thing. Without these steps done, my confidence in completing even 25,000 would be bleak. So that's where I'm starting. Over the next few days I'll finish outlining LIP GLOSS & LIES and get ready to write. Wait, first I need to sign up...

Now, what about you? You in? C'mon, it'll be fun...

Oh, I'll also add that I just saw they have a "word war" widget where you can compete with up to 5 authors and it'll keep track of everyone's word count on your blog. How cool is that?

Can I Get An Opinion Here?

Series - have you ever written one? They tend to be my favorite to read and write because once I meet a character, I hang on and don't let go until the. very. last. page.

Sounds all poetic, doesn't it? But is that really practical from a writing standpoint? Especially for an un-agented writer like moi?

I think I remember reading somewhere that Janet Evanovich doesn't recommend it - not until the first book sells. Which technically makes sense. Why would you write a sequel if the the first book hasn't sold yet? Duh. Who cares if you love the characters and the plot?!

But...But...

But what do you guys think?

In case you can't tell, I'm itching to start a new WIP. I've done just about all I can with BEAUTY SECRETS and I'm looking to spark my creativity again with a new novel. I've tentatively titled BS's (nice acronym) sequel LIP GLOSS & LIES - and I already have it outlined, but I haven't written a single scene yet.

So, before I dash off to write a the next greatest novel, I'd thought I'd get your opinion. You tell me, write a sequel or start something new?

Whatcha Think? New Query

Once again I've revised my query letter and I'd love to hear your feedback/suggestions/opinions. I find the hardest part in writing this lovely letter is trying to fit EVERYTHING into a couple of paragraphs. Have I included the key plot points? Have I hooked you? Is it well written? Are interested to read more?

So, the following is my most recent attempt at my query for BEAUTY SECRETS. Enjoy!

Dear Mr. Agent,

Beauty Secret Representative Keira Diaz was out to sell lipstick, not solve a mystery. An early morning house call to client Marion Siebold changes that. Marion’s playboy husband, Roger, is missing and unknowingly Keira is the first to arrive at the scene of the crime. The Beaufort Police Department quickly dismisses the case; their resources are already stretched investigating a kidnapped little girl. What the police don’t realize is that one man is the key to solving both crimes.

Keira’s Southern socialite clientele hold the clues to propel the investigation forward. If it weren’t for them, Keira would have never learned of Roger’s infidelity while his wife battled breast cancer, or set up her best friend with Savannah’s most corrupt businessman. As the evidence builds, Keira vows to find Roger. What she wasn’t planning on was finding him dead—or befriending the murderer.

BEAUTY SECRETS is complete at 65,000 words. If interested, the full manuscript is available upon request. In terms of writing experience, I’ve worked as an editor for five years and I teach advanced writing courses at a local university. For more information about me or my writing, please visit my blog at http://www.stephdamore.blogspot.com.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Confession

I got my New Moon tickets today! Yes, I know, it's not hitting theaters for another month, but the show sells out fast and I didn't want to be left out in the cold (seriously, I live in Michigan. It's freezing here already). Yay! I'm so flippin' excited even though the book lacks literal merit (all those adverbs!) and Rob Pattinson can't act (but he looks hot!) and Kristen Stewart is just so socially awkward (she really, really, is!) - I still will be there on midnight with my fellow Twi-hards wearing my New Moon gear and screaming with delight.

In other news, I've been busy editing these last few days. It's more like adding as opposed to editing seeing I'm taking an agent's advice and bringing more of the beauty selling aspect into Beauty Secrets. I'm also adding to my query letter, which I'm planning on posting here and over at the PQS soon. All of your feedback will be mucho appreciated.

Thanks and Happy Friday.

I Love It!

Okay, so you know when you've read your MS over and over and over again, and you feel like you're not getting anywhere and you wonder why and heck you even bother?
Well, that was me the last couple weeks. But then, I opened BEAUTY SECRETS and started reading and it all came back to me. I wrote a damn good story. It's clever, and witty, and funny, and my grandmother likes it. My grandmother I tell you! She said that it was a quick, fun mystery read. The kind that she'll spend an entire day reading just so she can find out who did it. How awesome is that.

That's all I wanted -- a fun cozy mystery. And I got it. So now I'll keep that in mind as I edit (again) and prepare to send out query letters (again). Because I have a damn good story and some agent and publisher and reader out there is going to love it. Who-hoo!

I'm Obsessed!

Just like Keira Diaz, my protagonist in BEAUTY SECRETS, I obsess over things all the time. I use the word things, because there really isn't any rhyme or reason to my obsessions.

Take this week for example. My Mom and I have spent every spare moment finishing a quilt for moi. Why do I need a quilt? Well, because they're cool. And I like 'em. So, we finally finished the quilt last night at 9 p.m. and where was I this afternoon? At Joann's buying more material to make another one. Why? Because the first one was so much fun silly.

So now instead of blogging, reading or writing, I am spending my time quilting - and watching Mad Men because apparently I'm obsessed with that show too (and you can't forget NCIS).

Of course, it's not like I have any free time. I really need to be grading right now and editing. I was on a roll writing daily the last 8 months (seriously, it's been eight months, wow!) and right now I feel like being creative in some other way. I'm still writing though too. Just last night I was making mental notes for more things to add to BEAUTY SECRETS. It's just I'd rather be quilting.

So, what about you? What are YOUR other creative endeavors?

Thursday Already?

Well that seems to be how my new schedule goes. Monday's nice, Tuesday and Wednesday are a blur, and then Thursday is nice and slow again, which I am VERY excited about. Today I am a writer! (As a opposed to a teacher or student...)

With that being said, how's everyone's writing goals coming along? I'll give you my update first. Ready? I haven't worked on them. BUT that is my goal for the next two days. I have about 70 pages left editing of BEAUTY SECRETS and then I'm shipping it off to MWA.

And seeing it's Thursday, I thought I'd add the Weekly Mrs. Roosevelt quote, and there are so many good ones to choose. But, I stumbled across this one and thought it could apply to many of us out there, so here it is:

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.

My first reflection on this is quote of course relates to writing and the courage it takes to become published. We face fear with every step, but become better individuals because of it. And how awesome is it when we accomplish something we didn't think possible? I think it's an amazing feeling.

But of course this quote could really apply to any goal. Nothing worth wanting in life comes easy. The trifecta of strength, courage and confidence is the winning equation to success. I should get that tattooed somewhere. Or maybe I'll just write in on a post-it note...

Good Morning! Good Mooorning!

Happy Monday everyone!

If your schedule is at all like mine, then you have too much to do and not enough time, which is why GOALS are so important. So this week, aside from my academic readings and writings, my goal is to finish revising BEAUTY SECRETS - thank you to the lovely Ms. Jessica Faust for her suggested revisions - and to send the MS out to MWA's writing contest. Yes, yes, you're right. The whole MWA writing submission thingy has been my goal for the last two weeks (or was it three?) BUT this week I will send it out!

Okay, so what about you? What are your writing goals this week?

Query Help

As you know, I'm working on my current query letter (if you didn't know that, see the immediate post below). While scouring the internet I stumbled upon a recent blog post by Janet Reid, "I don't feel bad in the least bit" where she addresses query letters and the inability of writers to tell what their novel's about. She doesn't want marketing, she wants meat.

I know this. I know it, I know it, I know it. Then why do I always included marketing lines in my queries?!!!?

I would like to contradict Ms. Reid's statement that "the people who are doing this have never read this, or any other blog. They've certainly never availed themselves of the hundred or so examples at QueryShark." Because trust me, I read agents' blogs, I fret over my query letter and I submit said letters to query workshops (AQ Connect for one and recently the Public Query Slushpile).

Writing query letters suck. Bottom line. Writing novels are "fun." Selling them are not. BUT I'm not going to complain (anymore) - I'm going to keep revamping my query letter until a wonderful agent is able to read it and feel as passionate about my mystery novel as I do.

Onward, ho!

Query: Beauty Secrets

Okay my fellow writers out there - who loves writing query letters?!

Anyone?

Anyone?

If you're like me, you probably write several different drafts all of which seem awesome at first, but then quickly feel... what's the word... Lackluster.

Nevertheless, here's my recent attempt at my query for BEAUTY SECRETS:

Beauty Secret Representative Keira Diaz was out to sell lipstick, not solve a mystery. An early morning house call to client Marion Siebold changes that. Marion’s playboy husband is missing and unknowingly Keira is the first to arrive at the scene of the crime. The Beaufort Police Department quickly dismisses the case; their resources are already stretched investigating the kidnapping of a little girl. What they don’t realize is that one man is the key to solving both crimes.

Keira’s gossiping beauty clients hold the clues to the case, propelling her investigation forward. With these clues, Keira vows to find Marion's husband. What she wasn’t planning on was finding him dead—or befriending the murderer.

When you write genre fiction it’s important to bring something new to the table. Beauty Secrets accomplishes this by creating its own niche within the themed mystery novel market. The protagonist, Keira Diaz, is an independent beauty representative (think Avon or Mary Kay). Her profession gives her daily access to people’s homes, their private lives and the neighborhood gossip. Combine this with Keira’s natural curiosity and determination, and you end up with endless mystery-solving scenarios.

BEAUTY SECRETS is complete at 62,000 words. If interested, the full manuscript is available upon request. For more information about myself or my writing, please visit my blog at http://www.stephdamore.blogspot.com/.