About Me:
I received my BA in Media Production from the University of Oklahoma in 2003, and currently work as a graphic/art designer for an advertising agency in East Texas. I am married, a vegetarian, and the “mother” of several pampered animal companions. Though I never considered myself a “writer,” in the spring of 2005, I was struck with an idea, and in full pursuit, completed my first book within three months of first sitting down with my laptop and coffee at a local Panera Bread café. Less than a year later, I turned “my idea” into a potential series (“The Nameless World Series’) by completing a second book. With the third book in the works, I strayed from the series to pursue another book idea, and finished a third book, “Growing Up Mabel.” Though I am currently unpublished as an author, I am a published illustrator of the recently released “My Weird Family Series: My Vampire Cousin,” by young author, J.K. Hawkins. Check out http://lilyruthpublishing.... to see some of my illustrations.
What I Write:
In addition to writing children's novels, I also enjoy writing short stories (of a darker nature).
Credits & Accomplishments:
It is a bit redundant to note it here, too, but- I am a published illustrator.
Hobbies
painting, drawing, writing
Music:
Anything from Sinatra to Sarah Brightman to Linkin Park to Three days Grace... I'm open to anything EXCEPT country and "gangsta rap"
Favorite Movies:
The Never Ending Story, Labyrinth, The Princess Bride, 300, and anything by Tim Burton, Frank Miller and M. Night Shyamalan.
Favorite Television Shows:
NCIS, The Mentalist, Burn Notice
I attended a writer's conference over the weekend at which literary agent, Joanna Stampfel-Volpe (Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation) spoke. Her topic: The dreaded synopsis.
I don't know about you - but I have actually AVOIDED submitting to agents who require a synopsis at times because I just had no clue how to begin to summarize my 61,000 word manuscript into 2-3 pages (and yes, unless otherwise specified, they don't want to read more than that in a synopsis).
So, I thought I would share the advice that Joanna provided at the conference for others who share the same "jitters" about this submission requirement.
And really, her advice was simple - think of it as if you were writing a high school book report. Consider the main characters and plot points, and only highlight the important factors in the book. The synopsis is a TOOL to give the agent or editor an idea of where the story goes. It should not be clever, but instead concise- this is the ONE TIME you can actually be boring when submitting something to an agent or publisher. They do not want the author's voice interjected, as they will see that in the sample pages that you submit along with the synopsis.
She admitted that most agents will read the sample pages FIRST, and then if they like where it is going, they will read the synopsis to see how it all turns out (which means, YES, you have to give away the ending!).
She used Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as an example- and guess what - Her mock synopsis of the story only included Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort and Professor Quirrel as characters she thought were worth mentioning by name in the synopsis - all the others, though important in the actual full length story, could be lumped into the general statements: "On his eleventh birthday he was visited by a giant," (Haggrid) "He makes friends for the first time..." (Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, etc.). So, that should give you some food for thought about who and what is important to mention when trying to summarize your book.
I hope this was as helpful to you as it was for me.
The new edition of "My Weird Family Series: My Vampire Cousin" AND book 2 in the series, "My Werewolf Brothers" are hot off the press!! Though the official release date is not until June 30th, fans (and soon to be fans) can catch a glimps of these books in print at up-coming book signing events for J.K. Hawkins! She will be featuring the printed copies as previews during her book signings at the following locations:
Look for J.K. Hawkins on April 18th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Hastings in Paris Texas. On May 16th, J.K. Hawkins will be making appearances at TWO book signings, back-to-back, at the Hastings Book Store in Mount Pleasant, Texas from 12:30-2:30 and then again at the Hastings in Longview, Texas from 4:30-6:30!
For those of you in the area, I hope to see you there!
Yeah, that's totally me. Just because the agent says they normally don't take on new writers without getting comments on them from other people they know or meeting them at confrences doesn't mean I can't submit right? I figure if I tell myself they're all going to reject me it will be easier, but in my heart I keep praying. We'll see what happens, now I get to play the waiting game... Good luck to you and thanks so much for sharing.
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Yeah, that's totally me. Just because the agent says they normally don't take on new writers without getting comments on them from other people they know or meeting them at confrences doesn't mean I can't submit right? I figure if I tell myself they're all going to reject me it will be easier, but in my heart I keep praying. We'll see what happens, now I get to play the waiting game... Good luck to you and thanks so much for sharing.
VolenciaJustine
02:13 PM CST