Hello! Hope you’re staying cool this summer (mentally, I’m already in autumn). It’s been a great summer so far, and one of my big goals is right on track: I’m drafting my fourth novel, and I’m doing it in 30 days! Technically, I’m spending 22 of those days actually writing, because I built in days… Continue reading Drafting a Novel in 30 Days and Being ‘Enough’
Tag: writing
Summer Updates and New Projects
Hello! It’s been a little bit since my last post, but I had quite a busy spring. In May, I underwent surgery to remove my gallbladder (a source of problems for 10+ years), went to Paris for a week, and still managed to hit a massive, semi-secret writing milestone. Talk about a busy month with… Continue reading Summer Updates and New Projects
WriteMentor 2022 Wishlist
Welcome! I’m so excited to be a YA mentor for the WriteMentor 2022 summer program, and I'm thrilled you're considering me as a potential mentor! After having an amazing experience last year as a mentee, I’m ready to take what I’ve learned and pass it on to another incredible writer who's looking to take their… Continue reading WriteMentor 2022 Wishlist
The Road to Going on Submission for the First Time
Hello hello! Since my manuscript has been off with my agent for feedback and revisions, I’ve had a little writing break, but it’s been a great, productive few weeks. I’ve read 6 books in less than three weeks, which is a ton for me, have beta read a couple of fantastic books, spent time organizing… Continue reading The Road to Going on Submission for the First Time
2022 Goals and Dreams
Hello! Hope you had a great end to 2021 and are feeling good about the year ahead. I spent a lot of my break sick (thanks, back-to-back sinus infections), but that’s thankfully behind me now. Like December, January is usually a pretty reflective month where I focus on new goals for the year and what… Continue reading 2022 Goals and Dreams
24 Books of Christmas
Hi everyone! Happy DECEMBER! Our Christmas tree is up, the candles are lit, I’m drinking coffee from a winter wonderland mug, and I’m planning out my baking spree. Life is good! I’ll have more to share on the writerly front soon, but for today, I want to speak from the reader front! One of the… Continue reading 24 Books of Christmas
Autumn Updates and Querying
Hello wonderful people, and happy autumn! Hope you’ve been enjoying cooler weather with lots of pumpkin cream cold brews, good books (hello, The Ex Hex!), and all the spooky movies/shows. This has been one of the busiest seasons of my life, full of lots of new beginnings and new opportunities. I closed on my very… Continue reading Autumn Updates and Querying
Last Steps to the WriteMentor Showcase and Query Tips
Hello, friends! It’s been such a busy summer. I’ll admit, July was rough for me. I had some unexpected health problems, and my mental health took a hit alongside it. But after taking some time to focus on my mental health, I’m doing so much better, and life in general has been great. I hope… Continue reading Last Steps to the WriteMentor Showcase and Query Tips
What it’s Like Being in a Writing Mentorship Program
Hello! My last post was all about the benefits of applying to writing mentorships, and I’m thrilled to say that since sharing that post, I was selected to be part of WriteMentor! Third time’s a charm -- or more like seventh time’s a charm, but who’s counting? (Me, I counted. It was 7 total over… Continue reading What it’s Like Being in a Writing Mentorship Program
The Importance of Reading Far, Wide, and New
Hello, bookish friends! As writers, we’re often told that we must first be readers. I couldn’t agree more, especially for those of us trying to get traditionally published -- there are certain rules, trends, and subtle hints that can be learned from reading often, and reading widely. For example, my most recent books were Divergent… Continue reading The Importance of Reading Far, Wide, and New
valerie c. norton 