Hey all.

I am totally beside myself this morning. After a weekend of not feeling good at all! (god love allergies, cuz I DON”T!) I was surprised to see something in my inbox this morning…

My editor, Lynda with Guardian Angel Publishing, sent me an artist sample for my ebook to approve. And…………………………………

……………………………………………drum roll please

!!!   I LOVED IT   !!!

And yes, I got a little weepy eyed! *sniff, sniff* It was what I had pictured in my head, and maybe a little more.    :^D     BIG GRIN from me here.

Now I’m signing the artist/author contract and holding my breath. It will still be a few more months until I have my baby to show the world. But now I’ve got a date in my head. I’m hoping for a Christmas baby. hahaha. I almost am. How about a Happy Birthday present to me. ***teehee***

The ones who know me, know how long I’ve been at this and how hard I’ve tried. I know they will be cheering me on in the coming months too. For those of you who aren’t quite as familiar with me. I’ve been writing professionally since the beginning of 2000! Yep, almost nine years. I’ve gotten several magazine credits and have had a few oh-so-close times with getting a printed book published.

Now, NOW here I am. Within a few months of being able to show my grandfather what he started on those oh-so-long-ago nights. When he told his grandaughter about some frogs and some lightening bugs, and the girl with golden hair, the other one who liked wearing a red hood, and don’t forget about the bears and a boy who just had to climb. And SOOOOOOO many, many more.

Thanks Papa!

When you submit a story for critiquing it’s a HUGE step. You are going into unchartered territory. And that doesn’t mean only with your first story you ever submit. Each time you send something to your group, or a friend, it can be scary.

“Will they like it? Will they see where I’m going? Will they understand it? Will they tear it down?” Are some of the questions that run mad in my head on any given day. But I’ve found that children’s writers are some of the best people on earth. They are extremely helpfull and don’t mind pointing each other in the right direction. Take a deep breath and let that baby of yours go.

Receiving a critique can be difficult at best. There are times when I read over a critique and go: “WHAT?!?” Some times I’ve wanted to stomp my feet and have a righteous fit too. **haha, but really*** Then I’ve gotten the ones that “”"I”"”" got right away and could see what they were saying.

Getting critiques that tell you how good everything is and how you can be published is great for the ego. But I’ve found that the ones that point out where even one line can be stronger better. It is a tid for tat, love hate relationship.

Having someone say… “I don’t understand this paragraph” or “I think you need to cut this scene out, because…” or “Where did this come from” or any number of other things helps me out and gives me focus. When I get all my critiques together, I try to remain objectionable and look at each one individually and then as a group. Does one really hit home? Are they all (or a majority)  saying the same thing in one area. Even if I don’t agree with what they are saying, I let it sink in for a day or two.

Then the revisions start. You don’t have to make EVERY change that your critique partners suggest. ***this is your baby after all*** But I have done a total rewrite on what some have said. I’m talking about TO-TAL, going from one pov to another total. WHEW! And guess what?!? ~~~I liked it! HA!~ Go figure, right. Of course I didn’t do the rewrite right away. I sat and stewed about it for a week or two. And then -just to prove myself wrong- I did it. OH BOY! What an ego burster I can give myself. BUT in the end I learned better trust of my group and my group learned that I’m not as pig-headed as everyone thinks I am. *blushing*

Do I submit my story back to my critique groups??? You betcha! My groups have seen their fair share of each of my stories. And I have inreturn seen theirs. It’s all part of it, esp. with a major revision. But I have found that my critique groups are a valuable part of my writing process, or should I say my life too. They have helped me over many hurdles. And I know I’m a better writer for it!

Hey there everyone.

Had to give a heads up:

Hélène Boudreau will be giving a book away each week until the official launch of ACADIAN STAR, October 18th. Go check out her blog at: http://www.heleneboudreau.com/?p=335 and be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win. And hey! while you’re at it, let her know that I sent you (Tracey M. Cox).

Here’s a sneaky peak of her cover:

very savvy!!!

Good luck everyone!

So you find a group (or start one on your own), but are unsure of the ins and outs of critiquing. Here’s the best advice I’ve ever heard and given away…

Don’t sweat it!
Give your honest opinion, and do it openly.
And last, but not least, always back it up with something positive.

Most established groups will request that you make several critiques before you can send in a sub yourself. That is to let you get a feel of the group and also to see how others critique. Seeing is the best example, I’ve found. When you are new to critiquing it can seem overwhelming and a bit scary. I’m mean here you are looking over someone elses work and you’re expected to let them know what you think about it.

When I first began critiquing I would look over the story as a whole and see if it grabbed my attention and made me either think about something or would remember the story a week or a month from now. As I got more comfortable, I began looking over the structure of sentences, making sure things flowed together. Then I stepped into plot, character developement, subplots… on and on.

By giving someone an honest look and response, you help them see things that they cannot see themselves. That’s what happens when we work on something for a while. It all runs together. ***haha*** BUT I’m not saying to totally tear the persons work apart either. That is called ‘flaming’. Think of burning something up, which is exactly how that person feels when they receive a critique that is totally negative. ***and you would too!*** Back everything up with something positive.  Let them know that you’ve taken the time to give thought to what you are saying.

I found that as you grow as a critiquer, your own work begins to grow in depth also. You find yourself looking at your stories more objectionable. So there is another benefit of critique groups and doing the work.

Not everyone goes this route. But I have found that having an extra pair of eyes VERY, EXTREMELY benefitfull!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH, there’s another benefit too. You’ll find some very good friends along the way.

Now you’ve written a manuscript and went over it with a fine tooth comb. But you still don’t know if it’s ready to submit to publishers. That’s okay. I’m the same way. I want all the help I can get to give myself the best chance at publication. I have found that critique groups are great.

What is a critique group? It is a group of your peers you are willing to look over your text and give you an honest opinion on what they think of it.

How does a critique group work? There are different ways to get a critique. Some will give an overall view of you text. Some will give a line-by-line. Some will delve even deeper and go into plot, character traits, flow, ect. I like to get the last two, but have found that anything is a great help.

Where can you find critique groups? Start at your local library. See if there are other writers around.   ***Trust me, the librarian will know!!!***   If you live in a rural area, turn to the internet! This works well for those who might live in a big city too, btw. There are writers forums on just about every list serve. Yahoo, AOL, MSN. I’ve also found that Verla Kay’s Blue Board is a great tool. There is also the Write 4 Kids Yella Board, SCBWI boards, and Critique Circle. All of these are great forums to find other writers.

Now, be picky about a critique group. Just like with book publishers, you want to match up your writing. It also helps if you can find someone with at least a little bit of experience to be in your group. I’ve also found that you don’t want too many people, but you do need enough to keep the group going. Remember when you get a critique that person will want you to return the favor.

Keep in mind that a helpful critique doesn’t require you to be mean at all. Giving help (and getting help) in a positive way helps make the revising process flow much easier.

Good luck!

I’m going to build on my revising thread from the other day here…

Once you’ve gotten your first draft done, now is the time to go back over it and let your editor speak. ***good, boy. haha***

The first thing I go over is spelling. Spelling counts! As a writer you want to put your best foot forward. Typos are a big turn off with editors. And will spell check is great, it won’t always pick up all of your miss steaks. <—great example, btw*** I like to go over every line one at a time. Sometimes I’ll read them backwards. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a lousy speller. My critique group is great at helping me NOT make a fool of myself and spelling. ***thanks, guys!!!***

Now once I’ve got my spelling as best as I can I go over weak words. If you are in a word doc. I can save you mucho time here!!!! You can use your ‘find’ tool in the edit section of your toolbar to find all these words that clue in on where you text is lagging.  Here’s a list that my critique groups over the years and I have put together:

Weakest – Weedy – Word   List

 

cut these words and watch your story shape up

 

a bit

a little

a lot

about

actually

all

almost

almost like

already

all ready

also

anyway

appears

approximately

back

basically

be

beautiful

been

big

begin to

but

certainly

close to

cold

could

definitely

even

eventually

exactly

fairly

finally

had

had had

here

highly

hot

instead

just

just then

kind of

little

loudly

maybe

mostly

nearly

now

only

perhaps

practically

pretty

probably

quite

quickly

rather

really

scary

seem

seemed

seems

silly

simply

slightly

slowly

so

softly

some

somehow

something

somewhat

somewhat like

sort of

start to

stayed

such

suddenly

that

then

there

to be

to the

too

truly

usually

utterly

very

walk

was

went

were

would

 

Use a good verb, rather than an adverb       ie— ‘-ly’ word.

Use positive phrasing instead of negative.

It all helps to cut words.

 

When I find a weak word in my manuscript, I try to give that sentence more zip. These words help you find where you can make your story more active. Most of the time I find that it helps on word count too.

Of course all this ties into the read, and revising post that I did a week or so ago. Don’t forget to read your story aloud and make sure it sounds true to your own ears. Get those weak words pumped up. ***lots of iron works.*** And make sure you’re miss steaks r all gone. ***buh-bye***

Before you know it you’ll be ready to move on to your next step…

Today is a somber day. For those of you that don’t know, this is the day that America was attacked by terrorists. But out of the tragedy came hope. For the first time, I saw people caring about each other across the country, not in just one part here or there. There was a UNITED STATES of AMERICA!

This day has touched me. I watched in terror as the World Trade Center buildings fell. I couldn’t fathom what was happening, why it was happening. And then came the other two attacks.

I didn’t loose anyone personally that day. But a lady I knew, we were in the same critique group then, lost a relative. I had a connection with those buildings. They were there for as long as I could remember. And in a silly way, meant something to me. WHY? would someone from south Georgia feel that way? I know I can hear some of you asking the question. Those who know me know I’m from New York. Rochester, but always a New Yorker!!!

I never made it to NYC before the buildings collapsed, but my hubby and I went for the 4th of July this year. And yes, we visited the WTC site. I think, no I know, that was the most sentimental part of the trip for me.

I have some pictures posted on my ‘my trip’ page of the visit, but I wanted to post those that I took near the WTC site here. I couldn’t get close to the actual site. There is construction going on now as they are building again. I can understand why they don’t want pictures taken there. But I did get a few snap shots of the area.

    

Reflection ParkWTC Site Construction Gate

                                                                                                                                         

 

                                            

WTC Memorial Gallery

 

Ladder 10 NYFD

Ladder 10 Memorial Plaque

 

Me & One of the Boys

I also have a poem I would like to share. I wrote it back in 2001. It’s on my website… http://www.traceymcox.com but I’ll c&p it here for you to see:

I wear this ribbon upon my chest Close to my heart to show the rest That I won’t forget the ones who were lost They paid with their lives, the ultimate cost It’s for the cries of thousands without a sound And for the cries of a country when the buildings came down To show that when the dust settled and cleared A faint song is what you could hear

As the days pass the song does grow You can see it, hear it where ever you go The bells around the world for freedom ring Voices can be heard for freedom they sing For once America is a country united we stand The song rings out from a freedom land So for the people from the tragedy of a Tueday morn You didn’t die in vain, our country was reborn. by Tracey M. Cox (2001)

Again. Thank you for those who keep going day after day. Here at home and across the world.

Today is a day that will never be forgotten.

Yippee! I got an acceptance from Imagination Cafe yesterday for a recipe. So here I am doing my Snoopy Dance.

This was a nice surprise after a crazy couple of weeks. Been busy at the flower shops with the wedding rehearsal, actual wedding, and reception. You wouldn’t BELIEVE the flowers! But it turned out beautiful. Then last Monday AC -my middle child- had a helmet-to-helmet collision with a teammate and wound up spending the night in the hospital. He has a mild concussion. Took him to the dr. yesterday and he is still a no go for PE or football, but he is getting better.

And a BIG shout out to Cam-Cam!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

I am rejoicing Cam-Cam’s birthday, AC getting better, and my acceptance. So you’ll have to excuse the personal info here and letting me do a triple snoopy dance. haha!

Best wishes all,
~~~Tracey

Hello all.

I wanted to let you all know that I will not be able to post anything else for this week. The flower shop I work in is in charge of a wedding rehearsal dinner, the wedding, and the reception. Needless to say, I’m going in early and getting home late.

Posts will pick back up next week.

Thanks!
~~~Tracey