About me (and my dog)

Hello one and all. Glad to be here. I've been writing and taking some courses for the past seven years. Finished my first middle grade novel and mailed out the manuscript two weeks ago. I also have a middle grade series in the works with the first book in its final editing/revising stage. I've completed two other first drafts of middle grade novels and have five others outlined and plotted. I've been spending most of my free time lately studying the market. An unpleasant but important task all writers must do.

My interest in writing for children started way back in grade school. I loved the Choose Your Own Adventure series and wrote an entire manuscript in 6th grade. I still have a typed copy (yep, used a typewriter for those of you who remember what that is) and I like to read it every now and then for a laugh or two. Not that it was humorous, it just plain stunk.

My dog, Scratchy Paw is barking and growling at me. I promised her I'd let you know that I'm not the only one in the house with a wild imagination. She's a yellow lab full of energy and insight. You can check her blog out at:

http://bloggypaws.blogspot.com

There! Now she's waggy again. As for me, I'm always looking to improve my writing. I look forward to chatting with everyone on this wonderful forum.

Ooooh your dog is so cute!! sorry - i'm a dog lover.

Welcome to the Board, its great to have you if you have any issues/questions just pm me or the other mods.

Oh tell us a little about the MG your shoping around. i'll have my fingers (and i'll get my dog in the act too) crossed!!

Hello there!

I've got two dogs - both black labs. I think a dog is an essential part of a writer's life; dog walks are such good thinking time.

Why don't you tell us a bit more about your manuscript?

I'm one of the mods, so feel free to PM me or one of the other people with purple names if you have any questions or suggestions.

~daeonica

Hey there! My family used to breed Jack Russell terriers, so I grew up surrounded by dogs. None now, though.
I'm Novel-Goddess, but call me Novel. PM me or any of the other mods if you need anything.

Hello!

Good luck with your MG! I'm working on an MG right now myself. Your dog is super cute. I love dogs!

Thanks for all of your kind words and asking about my manuscript.

The middle grade I'm currently shopping is a fantasy titled Magical Hats of Caveldin. Here's a quick synopsis:

Caveldin’s darkest hour approaches. The King and his followers are trapped in paintings. The once beautiful kingdom is turning into a muddy wasteland. Men, women, and children are forced to flee, clinging to the faint hope that what the ancient writings refer to as a savior from another world is indeed on his way.
That savior is Chip Draysen whose life is in crisis. He’s failing Math. His classmates (especially that pushy, suffocating DeLorin Pips) are a nuisance, good for only one thing; serving as soldiers in the war game Frisbees and Flashlights. Worst of all Grandpa; the person who matters the most to Chip, the father Chip never had, the only friend Chip needs… is dying.
One by One the magical hats of Caveldin are falling into the clutches of the evil Emperor. Chip must get them back in order to free Caveldin and save his own world as well.

With Caveldin I wanted to create a fantasy world unlike any other. So I stayed away from the typical mythological creatures that populate so many genre specific works and instead created species that can only be found in Caveldin; the loveable, bumbling Slaygin named Stantly, Utar the Grummel, Drumek the Squilla -- all of whom help Chip on his quest. Of course it wouldn't be much of a story without the antogonist, Klaw Skree'Loathe always getting in the way.

Just so you all know, my dog only contributed a tiny bit to this manuscript as I used her feistiness on the outside/cowardice on the inside personality as the prototype for Drumek. Don't tell her I said that.

Unfortunately, due to most publishing houses being swamped with queries, the majority of them do not respond to submissions unless they are interested. I'll give this particular publisher twelve weeks before I send out to another. I'm expecting it to be a long, arduous process. One can only hope to hit the right editor at the right time. Might soon send out to an agent as well.

Thanks for reading.

I loved those Choose your own adventures!

Nice synopsis. Hope the publisher responds soon.

Hi! That sounds like an awesome childrens book. I once started one about a kid that thought every time his stomach started growling that it was because the bear in his stomach was hungry! I never got too far though, maybe someday I will finish it.

If you have any questions or are not finding what you need here feel free to PM me!

Bluepolarbear, you have GOT to finish that book! I'm dying to know what happened to the bear

Sounds like the makings of a good early reader book.

Ooo that sounds really fun and original Scratchy! I hope it gets published so I can buy it!