Amber Hamilton

My Daughter and Sharks

2010-07-06T06:06:00.000-07:00

My two year old (almost three) was trying to use the potty this morning. She asked, "Are there any sharks in this potty?"

My husband quickly assured her that there were no sharks in the potty. She then asked, "Can we buy some?"

5th GRADE READING!

2010-06-06T19:03:00.001-07:00

Next year, I'll be teaching 5th grade reading! I'm looking forward to being back in the business of reading on a more regular basis! Hopefully, my "kids" and I can bond over books!

Wish me luck!

End of the School Year

2010-05-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

Next week will be my last week of this school year teaching. Perhaps I'll make a few more posts here this summer! Woo Hoo! I'd almost forgotten about my blog. Teaching just takes so much!

I'm really proud of my school kids. I'm happy to say that they did indeed learn some math! That calls for another "Woo Hoo!"

Busy, busy, busy!

2010-03-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

To say I've been keeping busy is an enormous understatement, at least from my point of view. I've now got another group of "kids" besides my own two, both of whom keep me pretty occupied on their own. I've been doing my best to keep up with my new additions of 6th graders.

My other goal of late is to get back in some sort of decent shape. I walked/jogged three miles yesterday, and am feeling pretty proud of myself. Since today is Saturday, I'm planning on going walking again today. This time I'll be bringing my two and four year old along, so we'll see how that goes. (Are you LAUGHing? That's really just not nice. It MIGHT happen.)

I've just had a few days holiday (Spring Break). My husband John, ever so generously, booked a few nights in Lake DeGray Resort. That's a state park in Arkansas. We had a grand time eating, site-seeing, eating, sleeping late, eating, swimming,--actually, I left that privilage to my husband and kids who did much less swimming and much more shivering at the edge of the "heated" pool--eating, hiking and eating. Funny how a lot of eating and a little easy hiking don't quite balance out.

I've not had much time for writing, but I did take advantage of a few spare moments this week on vacation and have been reading "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson. I wasn't sure I would be able to get into it, but actually, it picked me up at the beginning and got better from there. I'm very into it at chapter 11 now.

Guess I'll sign off and go start that walking! What are YOU working on?

New Teaching Job

2009-12-06T06:05:00.000-08:00

Hello again! I've taken a job teaching sixth grade math! (A far cry from H.S. Family and Consumer Sciences, I know, but I'm very eager.) I will be driving quite a bit each day, so I will have much less time than ever. I probably won't be able to blog here much. I will be starting a blog or a site for my students & parents.

Thanks for checking in! Keep writing!

Amber

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-24T18:57:00.001-08:00

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with family and/or friends! Eat plenty! I promise I will.

Fun Diaper Fact

2009-11-20T11:12:00.001-08:00

If you are considering washing a disposable diaper in your washing machine as a science experiment, I advise against it. However, if you decide to ignore my advice out of curiosity, I now have the cure: Run the machine again with salt instead of detergent. Salt will dissolve the gel crystals after they infect your entire load of clothes. (Also, Oxy Clean is rumored to work.)

You know...just in case.

Passed the F&CS Test!

2009-11-16T13:34:00.000-08:00

Today I passed the test that will allow me to teach high school Family and Consumer Sciences! Hoorah!

Another Funny Son Story:

2009-10-30T04:48:00.000-07:00

Just had to pop in to share this one:

Two days ago, I made alphabet cards on cut-up manilla folders and let my son hang them in order on a string using clips. My son, who is three (almost four) was later talking to my mother-in-law on the phone, describing what we had done that day:
"I did my ABCs! Yeah, and we hooked them on hookers!"

Time Off to Study

2009-10-24T04:47:00.000-07:00

I may take a little time off from blogging while I am studying for a test to add another certification to my teacher license. Look for me again in mid-to-late November.

Publishers & Submissions EASY LINKS!

2009-10-23T05:43:00.000-07:00

Daily, I've been adding more publisher links to my Web site, along with links to any submission guidelines I can find online. http://www.amberhamilton.net/ (Scroll down on the Writers page.)

3rd Manuscript Downs Update! Yay!

2009-10-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Today, I am blessed with a personal reply! One of my manuscripts arrived with a personal note and two specific suggestions! And, the editor (with exclamation marks) hand-wrote that this may appeal to other publishers. (Unfortunately, the publisher isn't interested in the project's underlying theme, so even with changes, the book won't be right for them.)

Still, I'm excited to hear any news at all, and especially some suggestions that will help the book come along! Yay, for rejections with personal notes!!!! I'm on Cloud 9.

2nd Manuscript Downs Update

2009-10-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

My submission to Scented Aroma came back yesterday with yet another form letter. Somehow, I missed that they weren't accepting non-agented materials. I don't know how I did that, because when I checked my
copy of the 2010 CWIM, I had that info highlighted. Somehow, I still managed to waste three stamps.

One more sub went out to an educational publisher yesterday, but now I only have out nine, so I need to send out another one to catch back up to ten. My goal is to have ten mss out at all times. That way, I can always expect something in the mail. I've been writing long enough to have that many ready.

Publisher Links & Submission Guidelines

2009-10-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

On my Web site, you can now find links to publishers and their submission guidelines. http://www.amberhamilton.net/Resources.html

Have fun!

"Publisher Needs" FB Group for Aspiring Authors

2009-10-17T04:12:00.000-07:00

Because there is so much interest in my new private Facebook group for published children's authors, I started a new private group for aspiring authors. To join, please search for "Publisher Needs for Aspiring Children's Authors" on Facebook.com and request to join.

Comments are strictly limited to positive publisher needs news posts. Anything else will be deleted without notice. Members who do not comply with these rules or any other request I make regarding the group are subject to removal without prior notice.

If you are a published children's author, you may send proof of your published works to me at arahamilton at yahoo dot com. When your request is approved, you will be sent an invitation.

Thank you,
Amber Hamilton

"From Pee to Published" by Terry Lynn Johnson

2009-10-15T10:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Today's Guest Blogger:

Terry Lynn Johnson, an author of magazine stories about adventuresome topics such as kayaking and dog sledding, has graciously accepted my invitation to share the story of how she became "published". When I heard the basics of her first, humorous trip into the hearts of publishers, I wanted to know more and thought you might, too. Thanks, Terry!

http://terrylynnjohnson.blogspot.com/

I had just enrolled in an online writing course, Winghill School of Writing. My first assignment - research the submission guidelines of your favorite magazine and write an article. I browsed my two favorite magazines: Adventure Kayak and Dogs in Canada. Both had opportunities for readers to submit personal essays or opinion pieces.

I had spent the previous month looking up back issues of Adventure Kayak searching for suggestions to help me pee from my kayak. I'd read articles on women crossing huge swaths of water, sometimes sitting for 12 hours in the kayak. I wanted to know. I couldn't find a thing written about it, so I emailed one of the rock-star kayaker women. She responded with advice! Pee on a sponge, use a funnel into a jar, or stand on the back deck of another kayak and hang between. I was so excited to hear back, I wrote the story and submitted it - even though I could do none of these things. (a sponge? ew!)

I also wrote a humourous story about one of my marking-obsessed sled dogs. I titled it Frozen Turd Wars and submitted to Dogs in Canada. I thought, if nothing else, at least my first assignment is completed. My husband raised his eyebrows at the subject of both these articles, but tried to stay encouraging.
A couple months later I received acceptances by both magazines on the same day! My first two submissions were a success! After the response from those articles, I felt validated. It led to numerous articles in other magazines and acted as a cushion for the inevitable rejections.

Hopefully, one day I'll go to a bookstore, see my book on the shelf and think, it all started in the toilet.

New "Publisher Needs" Facebook Group

2009-10-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

"Publisher Needs" is a private Facebook group for published SCBWI members who want to share information from conferences they attend and/or from their own publishers. To join, please contact me.

The group just began today and is growing fast. As soon as we have a wide enough support base, I hope to send occassional e-mail newsletters listing new publisher needs.

Thanks,
Amber Hamilton

Mystery Writing

2009-10-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

Today my mystery is getting yet another makeover. Last night, I dug out MOOSTER AND MOOSESS SMITH AND THE MISSING SPARROW DIAMONDS and the two editor critiques I've received on it. One critique is actually a letter I received with comments from the slush pile. So, when/if I ever finish it, I will return it to that particular editor.

I'm trying to kick myself into gear. I need a PUSH!

How do YOU push yourself to finish something?

Manuscript Downs Update - First Runner IN!

2009-10-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

(See earlier "Manuscript Downs" post.) And it looks like Santa's Helper (#6) takes it by storm. (Wow, that was fast for snail mail!) Unfortunately, it's a one-sentence form letter with a typed, no-name signature.

After six years of this you'd think it wouldn't sting quite so much each time the response is a form letter.

5 Tricks for Wicked Good Writing - Article Link

2009-10-13T05:13:00.001-07:00

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/thisweekinbooks/5-tricks-for-wicked-good-writing-507923

First Paragraph Contest Announced

2009-10-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Nathan Bransford just announced a first paragraph contest, here: http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2009/10/3rd-sort-of-annual-stupendously.html

Manuscript Downs (Who's it gonna be?)

2009-10-11T19:17:00.000-07:00

I currently have 10, count 'em, 10 manuscripts in the mail. They were officially off and running on October 6th, though one late entry went out early on Oct. 10. (Nine required an SASE, so I have hopes that at least nine will return in one "form" or another.) My plan is to document when they come back in on my blog...so be looking for news in three to four months about this. I'm not going to name publishers, but for fun, I will give each manuscript its own racing name. (If you guess any of them, please don't post spoilers.)

1.) No SAS(e) Soap
2.) Button Rhymer
3.) Scented Aroma
4.) Pressed Wheel
5.) Blooming Apple
6.) Santa's Helper
7.) Crazy for Kids
8.) Bird Apple Squash
9.) Riders Three
10.) Tennessee Runner

Be looking for "race" updates in a few months. All bets are off. :)

Esther Hershenhorn as "Coach"

2009-10-09T03:19:00.000-07:00

Esther and I had a manuscript coaching session on the phone last night. (She spent quite a bit of time with me and didn't let me go until she felt I was happy with the results; I was, of course.) We spent quite a bit of time brainstorming ideas for making my main character deeper, which seems to be the main problem I keep hearing about on my manuscripts, so I am going in the right direction to know my characters better and write from their viewpoints. Duh, but sometimes it's harder done than said.

Here are the other problems with my manuscript that we worked on:

Need for set-up/premise/reader hook (Done. We worked this out. It changed a bit when I actually wrote it later, but it's right on track with where she was going.)

Organization of scenes (She suggested a structured progression for my scene changes.)

Need for dialogue (This was an on-purpose monologue to fit the story, which was a concern of mine. We developed the characters and story to the point where I can write them having conversation now. I know that sounds like a basic, but you have to understand the difference of the original story.)

Narrator choice (I'm still working on this one a little, but I won't know exactly how it will go until I get further in. It now has a natural progression that should help.)

Sensory details - (Hmmm…OK. I'm trying to write in taste, smell and use onomatopoeia as much as is possible and warranted.)

Dummying/illustration suggestions - (Done, and will dummy again soon.)

Need for refrain: (This is coming into play, but I've taken out the overdone refrain from the first version. I'm going with a more subtle and varied refrain for now. I'm still hoping I'll tackle this one correctly.)

Inevitable yet surprising satisfactory resolution - (Haven't gotten there yet. This seems to take the most time with my work, at least until the muse hits. I'll probably write the story and mull over the ending for a longer time before sitting down to write it.)

The title? (Done. Now, we both love the title, and it helped shape the story and characters even more.)

I'm not sure how you work, but when I receive a creative push like this, I spend a lot of my early, early mornings writing. My brain just seems to wake me (usually at 3:00 a.m.), even though I don't want to, and says, "write, write, write! Go NOW, BEFORE THE KIDS WAKE UP!" After rolling ideas in front of my mind's eye for a time, while trying to ignore my brain and go back to sleep, I tend to get my best story inspirations.

Anyhow, the juices were flowing after my "chat" with Esther, and having the conversation at night proved to be the best thing for my story. I actually wrote about it a couple of times after laying down for a couple attempts at sleep. (Normally, I'm out in two minutes or less. Ask my husband. It aggravates him because I snore, or at least I used to. Come to mention it, he hasn't complained in a while.) Then, at 3:46, I woke up with a completely new story idea. That one is firmly planted now, so I'm going to give it a few days to mull before I start writing it. It is a bit complicated to figure out, but will roll smoothly once I decide the correct mathematical statistics for what needs to happen in the story. I will most likely have to consult a statistician. Did I spell that one right?

OK, now you can really tell I'm writing at 4:30 a.m. I can't stay on topic at all (not that that's necessarily different from any other time). The point is: Esther's coaching services worked wonders. I have a solid new beginning and direction for my manuscript, and I now have a new story idea, which came purely from the creative push and was not something we discussed or that I had even thought of before this early morning.

Thanks, Esther.

How I Became "Published"

2009-10-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

I like hearing other folks' success stories so much that I thought someone might enjoy reading about mine:

Here's the WHOLE story: I joined the SCBWI in 2003 after phoning publishers for information--yes, phoning. Eck! Someone on the other end of the line quickly, and luckily, asked if I was a member of the SCBWI. "Um...the what?" She explained that they didn't accept anything from non-members. My next move was an internet search that led me to the organization, which I almost immediately joined.

While attending my second SCBWI conference a Clubhouse editor made a magical statement. He said they had never turned down a certain type of story. So, I left the conference determined to write that kind of story and write it well! He shared three of these types of stories as something to go by when writing one. Because the story type is complex, I took the three stories (OK, I'll just tell you--they were choose-your-own-adventure stories.) and cut them apart and taped them up like giant flow charts on the wall of my living room to see how they worked. Then, I spent about three weeks writing one. After that, I asked three high school English teachers to please edit my work. Then, I took their suggestions and edited the story. If two or more mentioned something, I changed it. If only one of them mentioned something, I only changed it if I agreed or could make it better. Then, I sent my story in to the editor.

It was a long time before I heard back. I was worried that mine would be the first of this type of story in their history that they turned down. Thankfully, it wasn't. The editor e-mailed me that a contract for LOST IN A CASTLE would arrive by mail. I signed it immediately upon arrival (after quickly reading it, of course) and sent it back in. About 30 days later, I received my first check for my writing. The story was published more than a year later in March 2006, and the whole issue was about castles. MY story was the ONLY ONE listed on the front cover and took up four beautifully done pages! I was floating on clouds!

Since then, they've published three more of my stories. The next story, RACE AT MAZE ISLAND (2007), was another choose-your-own adventure that I wrote with my friend Mary Tolleson. We had to rework that story a couple of times, but they finally accepted it. A third story was an interview of four kids called EVERYDAY HEROES (2008). And the fourth, FISH TALE (Dec. 2008), was about the history of the Christian fish symbol. They've also turned down a few, but hey, that's life.

What about you? What's your story?

Self-Pity...I Feel Like Cinderella

2009-10-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my new friend Terry Lynn for the inspiration for this self-pity post. She is thinking of attending a FABULOUS conference; lucky her! If you don't want to read about my self-pity, stop reading and skip to the next post.

Ok, first of all, let me tell you, I don't usually air my self-pity (except maybe to my wonderful husband), but I think this is a funny comparison, and it may be how a lot of authors feel (even males), I don't know.

Have you ever felt like Cinderella with carpel tunnel or ink-stained fingers? (That's not the self-pity part; I love carpel tunnel. Don't you?) This is the self-pity part: I can't go to the ball--I mean, the conference. Boo Hoo Hoo! I can't afford to traipse across the country (to N.Y.) to one of the best conferences I've heard of, and I can't afford to attend many other conferences, even local ones, most of the time.

Ok, here's the honest truth: I've decided to stay home with my kids for a few years. If I was still teaching, I COULD afford the conferences. (I know, no one really feels sorry for me. Many of us are in the same boat.)

Just thought you might feel a little like me, as if we were Cinderella. Where the heck is our fairy godmother?

My First Four Novel Pages

2009-10-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

I've decided to post my first four novel pages on my Web site. You can view them at http://www.amberhamilton.net/ on the PROJECTS page.

Yikes! This is a bit scary!

Please keep in mind that this is an early draft and may change quite a bit over time.

Novel Progress

2009-10-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

I've recently returned home from church, and my kids are in bed. My husband, unfortunately, had to work today. So, before I take my nap, I thought I'd update my blog:

My plan is to actively start writing more in this blog about my MG novel in hopes that it may move me along a bit. I had ten pages, and while the original plan was to write the first "crappy draft" (a term I've heard other authors call their first drafts), an upcoming conference in Austin offers professional critiques on your first ten pages. Therefore, I've put aside the idea of finishing the crappy draft for now and hired out a professional critique on the first ten pages I had. Why not use one more reason to procrastinate. At least it's a good one.

So far, I've reworked the first five pages from critique notes, and they have become four. They are also almost COMPLETELY different and, I think, MUCH better. Pretty soon, I'll rework the next five pages, and I'll let you know how it goes.

P.S. I realized it might sound odd to someone who doesn't write professionally that I hired someone to do a professional critique in preparation for another professional critique. It is important to get your work in the best shape possible. Editors do edit, but they won't edit bad writing (unless, possibly, you are a celebrity). Even when they take on good writing, they still have loads of work to do on each manuscript before it is ready to publish. For me, and for most authors, multiple professional critiques are important. Many authors have critique groups made up of other professional authors who can do this for each other. I'm not far enough along in the game to have a critique group that is that qualified...yet.

Unfortunately, my novel will not be critiqued by someone who may have interest in working on it as my editor or agent (The agent doing my critique does not work with this type of book. The other critiquers are already booked. The critique spots went fast.), but he should still provide good advice on my next step. And, for a limited time after the conference, I can submit to the other professional editors & agents who attended. From what I've seen, this is the best way into closed houses, especially as an unagented, unpublished author. (I am published, but not in book form, yet.)

My Son is "Headband Guy"

2009-10-02T07:20:00.000-07:00

My three year old could inspire enough books to fill wall to wall bookshelves throughout my home. Now, how to start the books...Hmmm...

Today he put on a headband and declared that he is "Headband Guy", but he assured me that Ryan would be back soon. Actually, I wish I had this talent. He declared that Headband Guy was going to use the restroom. I think it would be neat if I could send someone else to use the restroom for me, especially when my writing is on a roll.

Yesterday morning Ryan stated "I'm not afraid of anything." I don't know where he got this idea. He didn't say anything else about it the rest of the day. We went to the carnival last night, and when we left he said he wanted to go through the castle. We told him that he wasn't tall enough. He replied, "BUT I'M NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING!"

Another name he has given himself that has stuck off-and-on for a few weeks now is "Findley." I also have no idea where he got that. And, many times he has pretended to be the father of children. He plays with his kids and protects them as they play. They seem like an invisible row of ducks he helps along. I've heard of invisible friends. Invisible children???

A Book Too Sad???

2009-09-28T11:20:00.000-07:00

A friend who read my picture book manuscript recently asked if I thought it might be too sad for children.

So, here's my question for you: Do you believe a pb manuscript can be TOO sad?

Novel Critique with Diane Bailey

2009-09-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I received a professional critique on the first ten pages of my MG novel from Diane Bailey. All I can say is, "Wow." Diane took so much time with my novel that if I hired her to look over the entire manuscript, her comments could be published as a separate book for professional writers. My novel of ten pages came back as almost 20, plus she included another five-paged, overall critique. I certainly feel I have my money's worth. While it is a little daunting to begin revisions, she made it easier to do than I imagined. She doesn't just give the basic critique info: "You need to fix a, b and c...", "Show, don't tell." She gave many specific suggestions of ways I could apply her advice.

One of my main problems that she's helped me not only to realize, but explained in DETAIL how to fix, is the emotional disconnect between my readers and my MC.

If you'd like to contact Diane Bailey, please see her Web site in my list of author resources.

Now, I'm off to work...

My son, the ideal novelist:

2009-09-21T07:27:00.000-07:00

Last night, the church nursery worker informed me of the funny story he was telling her during church. He, evidentally, has rockets to wear on his back that can and have launched him into space, where he visited the yellow, hole-filled moon... She said his descriptive story went on and on. She asked how he got home, and he explained that he just "plopped" down. For effect, he fell to the floor.

This is new to me. He's never been one to go around telling stories like this before, though he does write songs often and likes to sing them to me. He also puts on various, common household items and pretends he is different characters. The other day, a plastic cool-whip-bowl hat and a baby blanket around his shoulders made him "a soldier in a uniform with buttons". But he doesn't stop there, he describes how his uniform and hat look.

Also, recently, he learned the art of shaking hands at church. When service was over, he ran around saying "Hello" and shaking every hand in the building. A friend said, he'll either be a preacher or a politician. What's funny is, he usually acts shy around adults, at least at first. He got brave because he wanted to shake hands. I say, he's going to be the ideal novelist. He'll write great stories and be an energetic public speaker, promoting his books.

The Austin Conference

2009-09-18T02:42:00.000-07:00

The conference I'll be attending in January is "Destination Publication" in Austin on January 30th. Here's the site: http://www.austinscbwi.com/ Hope to meet you there!

Middle-Grade Novel

2009-09-15T19:39:00.000-07:00

While a couple of my picture books are making the rounds through revision classes, I'm working on a MG novel. I'm planning to attend the Austin conference in January because it looks fantastic! I need to submit the first 10 pages, so I'm getting them ready.

What are you up to?

Story Hermits

2009-09-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel that your stories are hermits? Mine must feel like hostages waiting for the day I'll cut their apron strings. I was just explaining to my fellow revision classmates that my stories probably all meet in secret on my computer at night while I'm sleeping, since I'm not willing to let them socialize in slush piles just yet. ("Slush piles" is the term used to describe piles of manuscripts that clutter publishing houses while waiting to be discovered as the next fabulous book.)

I'm so hard on my own writing that I don't let much out for air anymore. I mostly just tweak my stories to death and then put them away for a couple of years. When I DO get them out, I read them and think, "Hey, this is pretty good." Then, I tweak them some more and never send them out. What's wrong with that picture if my goal is to publish more of my writing? Why do I have such a hard time letting them go? Poor story hermits.