Beth Consugar

Early this morning (at about 2:45!) I received an email from an agent I had sent a query to a few weeks ago. I opened it to read a form rejection.

At first I was badly disappointed. After about 30 seconds or so I calmed down. Then read it again. Then I realized, "hey, at least I got a response".

I am a bit bummed - just enough to know that I still don't have a "yes", but not so disappointed that I plan to give up. I can't give up. My plan? To write more, then write some more, then sub again, then write more.

How do you deal with rejection? Have you ever received a rejection that really hit hard?

Here is an update on my 2013 goals.

The year is only a month and a half old, and here are my accomplishments so far:

Completed one picture book (after three people critiqued it - THANK YOU!). Now looking for a home for this!

Completed one writing challenged (MWO for you folks from the Writer's Retreat!). I am currently workig on the second MWO!

I am currently re-working the outline for my YA Sci-fi novel. Something just wasn't working, and I need to give it another shot.

I'd say the year is off to a great start, considering I still work full-time in accounting.

Tell me what you've done so far this year.

I enjoy reading.

I guess that isn't a huge surprise, considering I enjoy writing, huh?!

In 2012, I read 50 books. That's a recent record for me. When I was younger, I would easily read 100 books or more just during the summer months. Those days are long gone now. I likely won't be reading that many books in a year any time soon, but I can still hope, right? This limitation means I have to choose which books I will read. I prefer to read books written by writer friends, and the books they recommend. I am also working my way through a series called THE WHEEL OF TIME. I am on book #8 in the series. Book #14 was released on January 8, 2013. I have a lot of reading ahead of me right there!

How do you pick the books you will read? Share your thoughts and recommendations!

Dear Fellow Writers,

I would like to add a link to your web site. If you would like me to do that, please send me an email or comment on this post to let me know you approve of me adding a link to your site.

Out of respect, I won't add a link to another writer's site without permission.

I would just like to make it easier for my site visitors to hop on over to your sites!

Thank you!

Beth

I am making 2013 the year I get a new start on my writing. I intend to update my blog twice a month. This is do-able for me. I may update more frequently, but I will do it at least twice a month.

My goals for 2013:

1. Outline and draft one novel. I have an idea that I have been mulling over for a few weeks now, and I want to work with it!

2. Participate in at least five MWOs (a monthly writing challenge we have in a writing group I belong to).

3. Write at least 10 picture books and begin submitting them

I will update my blog with the progress I am making towards my goals. This will keep me accountable for keeping up with my writing.

This is a short post, but you will be hearing from me soon!

Happy New Year!

I seem to struggle to post here as often as I would like. I need to make a schedule and stick to it. I would like to post here more often.

Does anyone have any suggestions for setting a schedule and sticking to it? I'm open to suggestion.

OK, I'm back after a bit of a break. I don't want to make any promises about how often I will post, but my intention is to post once a week or so.

That being said...tomorrow is November 1. You know what that means? NaNoWriMo and PiBoIdMo start tomorrow. Is anyone participating? I'm doing PiBoIdMo. My goal is to have enough ideas that I can start working on some picture books. It's a great way to get some ideas and get the creative juices flowing. I will post my progress throughout the month.

Even if you aren't participating, I encourage you to use November to work on your writing. Enjoy!

It's Saturday after my interview with Kelly, so here it is!

The winner of the signed copy of "May the Best Dog Win" is Natasha!

Congratulations, Natasha! Send me an email at bethpsu2002@yahoo.com with your address so you can receive your prize.

Thanks to everyone who commented on the blog post. Kelly's book was released today, so be sure to get your copy!

Kelly Hashway, author of "May the Best Dog Win" has taken some time out of her busy schedule for an interview. Welcome Kelly!

I am thrilled to have a chance to interview you. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule! You must be thrilled to have a picture book published!

Thanks for having me! I'm very excited about this book.

Your picture book, "May the Best Dog Win" will be released soon. What was your inspiration for Dash and his fight with Super Sweeper 5000?

I'm one of those crazy people who vacuums everyday. Wait, am I the only one who does that? Well, I'm obsessed with vacuuming because I have two pets. One is a huge German shepherd, and she's afraid of the vacuum. She sniffs it, runs away, comes back, gets in the vacuum's way, and then takes off again. You'd think she'd be used to it since I vacuum everyday, but she's not. So this got me wondering what my dog thought the vacuum was. MAY THE BEST DOG WIN developed from there.

Do you have any more adventures planned for Dash?

I would love to write more adventures for Dash. I do have one in the planning stages, but I'm waiting to see how well this book does before I write another.

Besides "May the Best Dog Win" you have written a number of stories and articles that have been published as well as two novels. Do you enjoy one over another? What is your favorite age group to write for?

I'm happiest when I'm writing multiple things. I have a special place in my heart for fantasy and having taught in a 7-12 school for seven years, writing middle grade and young adult comes most naturally to me. I spend a good portion of my day reading picture books to my four-year-old daughter, so I really enjoy writing those, too. But I also like to write outside my comfort zone, trying other genres. What can I say? I love it all!

How long have you been writing? What has drawn you to write for children, teens, and young adults?

I can't remember ever not writing. Even in elementary school I was writing stories. But I got serious about writing in 2004 when I wrote two practice novels that will sit on my flash drives. I also enrolled in writing courses, which have really helped. I write for children of all ages because I love kids. I think it's difficult being a kid, and I respect everything kids go through to find their way in this world. If I can bring them joy through my books, then I'm happy. 

Can you tell us what you are working on next?

Right now I'm working on a middle grade trilogy, which is of course a fantasy.

For fun:

Favorite color?

Green 

Favorite book?

The Great Gatsby

Favorite author?

Ah, this is hard. I have so many. Rick Riordan and Kelley Armstrong--yes, I'm cheating.

Favorite activity (other than reading or writing)?

Playing with my daughter

Thank you for taking time to do this.

Thanks so much for having me, Beth. It was fun!

"May the Best Dog Win" will be released in May 2011. For a chance to win a copy of Kelly's book, leave a comment. A winner will be chosen on Saturday, April 30.

See Kelly on the web:  http://www.kellyhashway.com/