I am sending out queries in my sleep

I feel as though all I do is send out queries, but I feel as though I might run out of places to query. Although my sister suggested sending some to English companies, so I will be starting that soon.
I am enjoying writing again though, I can not wait to write and see where Ava is going next!!!!

Sorry I have not blogged for a while

I have more people following me on Facebook than here on my blog so most of my updates are on there. Charlotte Sheedy asked for my full manuscript, she looked over it. I got an email back and she said she feels it has potential but she did not connect with the pages enough.
Hopefully I will find someone that is willing to help me, and have faith in my work.

Professional Critique

I got a professional critique done of my book, and here is a snippet of it:
'Overall, I enjoyed this manuscript. Elves are always a fascinating subject for your intended market, and they will find this material very entertaining. The readers will love Ava and Jack, and the readers will enjoy watching them as this storyline progresses. You do seem to understand what your readers want and need from a manuscript.
I feel that this storyline is well thought out, well paced, and well written. Your various characters are well rounded, interesting, and they add to the plot and storyline.'

T-shirts

The store is up and running, so you can now get t-shirts, and bumper stickers, and lots more check it out.
www.zazzle.com/thelightofsilenddin

Sorry

I have been neglecting my blog. I have been posting mostly on my facebook page. It is just easier because I go on it all the time.
Well news, there isn't really any, I have just been keeping in contact with my agent, and sending her updates of my book. I have just been adding small extras in there that pop into my mind when I am not expecting it.
I am also still working on the second one, but just a few minutes here and there, it does not really add up to much.
I will post any exciting news as I get it. My brother in law has set up a store front for my t-shirts and bumper stickers, etc, only it is not quite ready when it is I will let you all know.

May

So I am trying to enjoy May, but so far it has miserable. I do kind of love how the weather just does whatever it feels like, my husband thinks that is why it is called mother nature, because women can never make up their mind!!!!

The Craziness of Life

So I just finished moving, and I am now unpacking everything I own. So I am sorry I have not posted for a while, but I am back and ready for more.
I now have t-shirts that my friend made and I will let you know more as we figure out getting them in different colors and sizes. Here is a picture of us modeling them outside an Ikea!

Pictures

There is a mirror in my book, that helps Ava. My brother in law drew a quick sketch of how I pictured it and here it is.

Moving forward

I got my critique back and they pretty much love everything. The title, the story line, the characters. The only thing that needed work was my grammar and I was not surprised at that.
I have now fixed what they have asked me to, and have filled out a sheet, that they send out to publishers, and keep in their data base for publisher to search. I am so excited.
Oh and my brother in law Dave Allen is drawing more sketches of things in the book. I will post them soon, as they are brilliant.
Right now things are looking good, not expecting it to happen over night though. I know it is still a long process. Just enjoying the ride, where ever it takes me.

Distractions

Sometimes I will be in the zone, and I am in my world of half elves and keepers. My fingers will be flying over the keys and I know exactly where I am going and it is all flowing out. That is when I hear "Muuuuuuuuuuum" and it all goes, I get lost and deal with whatever is going on with my kids and then try and find my way back into where I was.
I do wear headphones most of the time when I write, and sometimes that doean't block it out. I love my kids and they bring happiness to my life, and they also bring ciaos.

Critique

So my book is being critiqued right now. I will have to see how much needs to be changed, I am sure my grammar needs it. I am nervous and excited at the same time, it still does not seem real and I am worried I will wake up.
I have started work on the second book, and I am really enjoying it. I have missed it. I am ready for a new exciting journey, and I can not wait to go on it. It is funny how everything around you can influence your writing.

Here is a snippet from my book

I always loved my dad’s stories about Elves and their adventures. My best friend Jack was talking my dad into telling my favorite one.
“Oh please Glen, I have to leave in a minute.”
Jack was trying to pout, but he just looked like he was in pain. I was trying my hardest not to laugh, but if my dad did not give in soon, I was going to explode.
My dad had seemed a little off tonight, but gave in, I think, just to keep Jack from begging. “Many, many years ago the world was a very different place. Elves walked these lands, and magic was in the very air you breathed, you could almost touch it.
There was peace and happiness that spread everywhere. Nature was at one with all, and every living being lived in unison together. Elves would take care of nature and were masters of all they did. The trees would dance for the Elves, as they would glisten in the sun. Everything glowed in the happiness, and balance around you.
Elves lived in communities, some by the water, and others in the forest or mountains. Their dwellings where simple, but beautiful.
In the forests they would build in and around the trees, with the trees permission of course. Sometimes the Elves would help the trees to grow their branches, to be part of the structure. These were big ancient trees, there are not many of them left anymore, only really in the untouched areas of the world. Each was different, but they would all have soft lines, that would bend and curve into each other.
Elves loved to sleep in the tops of trees. They felt more comfortable, sleeping underneath the stars. If it did rain the leaves from the trees would move in to shelter their belongings, as Elves did not need to worry about the weather themselves.
The main hubs of the land had unbelievable dwellings for the leaders, especially for the royal family in Silenddin, which was the main city in those days. Theirs were not as simple as the dwellings around them.
They had gold and silver cloth hanging in the arched windows. The finest crafters from all around built furnishings, with intricate details. Every chair or table would have a story of the history of their land carved into it.
The royal family lived up in the highest trees, so they would be able to keep watch and protect the land and Elves around them. The royal Palace was joined from tree to tree by hallways of twisted branches. And everything in the Palace had the royal emblem on it, which was a beautiful tree with twisting branches, which had magic of its own.
Elves loved rich colors, which they reflected in their clothes. They were made from natural materials, which would move with them. The women would wear long dresses that would touch the ground, unless they were training. Then they wore trousers with a shorter dress on top that had slits for movement. The men wore trousers that feel straight to the floor, with shirts that laced in the front. When the men trained, they would tuck the bottom of their trousers into their cloth boots.
The King and Queen of Silenddin kept peace in the land, and truly were magnificent. Everyone loved them and all they stood for.” My dad stopped. He usually loved this part with the King and Queen. But today he looked sad as he told the story.
I was about to ask if he was alright, when he started again, but as he did I thought I heard anger in his voice.
“Unfortunately there was one elf, his name was Blagnor and he wanted more power. He did not want to live in harmony with the other elves; he wanted to rule and be the most powerful elf that ever lived.”
My dad had to take another breath, was he sick? I put my hand on his; he turned his hand over and held onto mine.
“Elves started disappearing and it was discovered that Blagnor was killing them for their energy and knowledge. He would learn all they had discovered in their lives, and as you two already know, an Elf can live for thousands of years. They can decide to move on when they are ready. So they have immense amounts of knowledge.
Blagnor used this knowledge to try and gain the power of all living beings. Instead of living free and in peace, everything would have been at Blagnor’s mercy; even the trees and animals would have had to obey him. In secret he was recruiting other elves, and corrupting them with his poisonous tongue. He created creatures and called them Tralons; he used them to help him gain power. They could only be described as panther like creatures. Their thin wings resembled bat wings, but looked as if they were made from helicopter seeds from a maple tree. They had the colors of nature in them, very dark green and brown with orange eyes, the color of sunset or sunrise. They almost looked as if there was fire burning in them. Their eyes were the only way you could see them in nature, so you always had to be watchful for orange glints in the trees. Sometimes it was just the sunset, but you had to be careful. Tralon’s did not have hair,
more like bark from a tree, thick and bulky, but they moved quicker and faster than you would ever think. They could be lying on a tree and you would never know.
Fortunately he had not learnt of the weapon that could stop him, which could only be used for good.
There was a great battle between the Elves, and Blagnor and his creature’s. Blagnor had become very powerful by this time and many Elves were lost, but there was a group of elves that were able to create the weapon, and used it to imprison Blagnor and his Tralon’s. These Elves would meet in secret until they had successfully created the weapon. Exactly what the weapon was is still secret. It is said that the weapon is still here and guarded just in case Blagnor ever breaks from his prison.”

I am now represented!

I still can not believe it but I have an agency (ahhhhhhhhhhhh). I will post a clip of the book soon, I will be busy polishing my manuscript with the agency so they can push it out to publishers. I remember hearing a saying I don't remember where, but I am living it right now. 'Until you spread your wings, you will never know how far you can fly.' I now realize how true that statement is, anyone who knows me knows that showing people anything I have done is out of my comfort zone. I would not be living a dream though if I had not stepped out of that comfort zone, so to anyone reading this, why not try it. I am not saying that it is all done, I still might not get published, but I tried and I have already come further than I could have imagined, and it also gives you more drive to keep on going. So everyone reading this live your dreams and take that first big step, believe me it is worth it.

The Aldenul Family Crest

So I have realized that I have not explained the tree that it up at the top of the page here. This is a very important part of the book, and I keep thinking that I am going to get it on a t-shirt. My brother in law, Dave Allen drew it for me and I love it, it was just what I pictured.

I must be dreaming!

Yesterday I got an email from one of the agencies and they want to see my manuscript. I know this doesn't mean they will take it, but it is another door that has opened. I had to read the email three times before I believed what it said. One step closer!!!!!

Synopsis

Here is a synopsis of my book, 'The Light of Silenddin.'

In the early spring of 2009, in a small town called Ogmore-by-sea in the Vale of Glamorgan Wales, there lived a 16 year old girl by the name of Ava Deanull. Ava was fine with the idea of being invisible to everyone around her. She enjoyed being with her father, and listening to his stories about Elves, from long ago, and the battles they fought against one corrupt Elf named Blagnor. All Ava needed in life was her father Glen, and her best friend Jack.
All was good, when her life was thrown off balance. Her father has disappeared leaving items, such as a mirror that has messages left on it from him, to help her deal with her family secret. She is half Elf, from her father who was left behind to guard the world if Blagnor were ever to return from his prison, and now that Glen is gone, the block he had maintained on her Elvish side will be lifted. Now Ava will have the huge challenge of hiding who she really is, as her powers begin to reveal themselves, in more and more ways than one.
With the help of her best friend Jack, a keeper called Samuel and other interesting characters, Ava must learn how to control her new powers, in order to help her father defeat Blagnor and his creatures called Tralons, who have broken free from the prison, that they have been captive in for thousands of years.
Ava has trouble keeping her secret as she attends school to keep up appearances. Instead of staying under the radar, Ava seems to have more attention than ever.

perseverance

It can be hard sometimes to keep a positive attitude when you get no after no. I am trying to though, and I am going to start posting info on here now as I have copyrighted my book.

My New Blog

Okay so I could not figure out my other blog so I am starting this new one. For those who are new, I am starting a blog about my book I have written and trying to get it published.
I have just sent it off to be copyrighted, so as soon as I hear back I will post clips of the book and reveal more.
It is called the 'Light of Silenddin.' It is my passion right now and I am trying to find an agent right now. I have sent lots of query letters off, I have had a few nos, but there are still a lot out there. I am trying to stay positive, I believe in it and I will not give up until I get it out there.
I love my characters that I have created so much that I kind of miss them when I am not writing, it seems weird but they seem real to me now. I have already started writing the second book in the series and I am enjoying when I get time to do it.
My book is a fantasy book, about a 16 year old girl named Ava from Wales. She finds out here family secret and has to hide it and train to control her new found abilities.
Here is a picture of Dunraven Bay, Wales, were Ava lives and does the beginning of her training.
More soon