tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31699227495923992832012-01-26T13:29:29.449-06:00SHELLI'S SOLILOQUYShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.comBlogger2851100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-71817516642666049132012-01-26T13:10:00.002-06:002012-01-26T13:29:29.460-06:00What Is The One Thing Every Writer Must Do?STOP READING BLOG POSTS WITH THIS TITLE!
There is no one thing every writer must do, except write. And that's a given, but how you go about it is your choice and your path to find. There is no one supreme rule that you must follow and I'm at my limit with seeing/hearing things that claim to be just that.
Write Every Day? If it works for you and your schedule, sure. If not, NO! If you can write Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-13084307902391633372012-01-17T18:01:00.000-06:002012-01-17T18:01:27.813-06:00Little, Bitty, Teeny, Tiny Words on My FloorOver the weekend, I attended my second Darcy Pattison Novel Revision Retreat. The first time was wonderful and I definitely learned a lot, but I was exhausted going into that weekend and there is a lot of information covered in these revision retreats. This year I went in much more rested. I came out exhausted, but that's okay. I learned even more this time.
What you see in the photo above is myShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-1484510955693961332012-01-01T13:50:00.001-06:002012-01-01T13:50:56.280-06:00Happy New Year!Happy New Year! I'm starting the year off with some inspiration from people far wiser than I am. I hope 2012 is a year filled with dreams come true for us all!
If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right.Mary Kay Ash
Fear regret more than failure.
Taryn Rose
All that we are is the result of
What we have thought.
The mind is everything.
What we think, we Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-89838294822782442722011-12-31T14:35:00.001-06:002011-12-31T14:36:18.040-06:00The Suckers are Coming!Actually, Sucker Literary Magazine is coming. And, (blatant self promotion ahead) I have a story in the first issue. You can read a teaser on their Facebook page here. Hope you'll check it out!
Where are your words appearing in 2012? Inquiring readers want to know.
Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-15275548952197773942011-12-28T15:41:00.001-06:002011-12-28T15:42:28.982-06:00Did You Get a Kindle Fire for Christmas?Do you need to know how to install the Indiebound Reader on it? You're in luck! Samantha Clark gives step-by-step instructions on her blog.
Looking for a good eRead? Candlewick Press has released Cynthia Leitich-Smith's short story, "Haunted Love" and you can download it for free. What are you waiting for? Cynthia shares the details here. You can also find her short story, "Cat Calls" available Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-62504607019977734062011-12-06T11:28:00.001-06:002011-12-13T13:56:00.093-06:00Getting StartedI've had a hard time getting started when I sit down to write lately. Maybe it's the weather. Once I'm started I'm good and can meet my daily goal, but getting those first words down has been a real challenge.
Today I started by randomly pulling books off my shelves to read first lines. I do this sometimes. Call it procrastination if you want, but I think it's a good reminder of just how Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-26428325163516524262011-11-13T19:25:00.004-06:002011-11-13T23:16:13.957-06:00Tips for Formatting a Manuscript in the Digital AgeI am proficient at Word. Okay, I'm proficient at any part of it I ever bothered to learn, which was just enough to create a manuscript that looked nice on my screen or on paper. I should point out that I've been using Word for a really long time. I just never thought I needed to learn what I considered the bells and whistles. Who needs 'em?
Well, now I find out that my habits put "junk" in my Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-5143067813617592542011-11-10T10:27:00.005-06:002011-11-10T11:51:51.757-06:00November Wears Many Hats
I've already shouted about November being Picture Book Month. This thrills me to no end because I absolutely love picture books.
Do you know what else I love? Contemporary Young Adult. And, as luck would have it, I've just discovered that November is also Just Contemporary Month!
Thank you Basically Amazing Books and Chick Loves Lit! You've made my November even better. Hmmm, if December Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-36056296326909176932011-11-07T16:54:00.000-06:002011-11-07T16:54:07.206-06:00How Easily Does a Business Model Change?When I was growing up every grocery store had plenty of sackers/baggers. The shopper did not bag her own groceries. It just didn't happen. There was staff to do that and they pushed the cart to your car and put the groceries in your trunk or backseat, too.
Then a new grocery store opened in town when I was in my late teens. It was called Super Warehouse Foods. As far as warehouses go, it was Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-18739461936270618362011-11-03T10:39:00.004-05:002011-11-06T11:59:13.536-06:00What's Up With That Concept?Every new product, service, or business started out as a concept, an idea. Some of them must have garnered strange responses when they were first proposed. But some of those strange concepts went on to find great success, like:
1. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES. Debuted in 1987 and the merchandise is still selling. Cowabunga!
2. PATTERNED BANDAGES. Healing fake boo-boos and increasing a Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-88977239080909253722011-10-28T10:41:00.002-05:002011-10-28T10:59:32.256-05:00November is Picture Book Month!A fantastic group has teamed up to declare November Picture Book Month. What does that even mean? You can find out at their website for the project, which will feature a new essay from a picture book champion every day in November. This site also features great links to activities, author and illustrator blogs/websites, and some kidlit bloggers as well. Seriously, check it out. It's no accident IShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-70725614992111712462011-10-24T12:40:00.003-05:002011-10-24T12:52:47.828-05:00Things I Learned at The Texas Book FestivalI didn't take as many notes this year as I usually do, but I'll try to put up a few recaps later this week. Today I want to share a few things I learned at this year's festival:
1. Jack Gantos is as funny as his books. And he talks with his hands more than I do, which is a very endearing trait.
2. Cynthia Leitich Smith and Barry Lyga both have an understanding of the comic/graphic format thatShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-26584249308644816882011-10-20T10:35:00.004-05:002011-10-20T10:40:44.648-05:00Outrageous InspirationI love looking at the weird news headlines. There's some funny stuff out there sometimes. Sometimes it's weird, sad, and still a little bit funny, at least initially.
The terrible case of exotic animals being turned out by their owner in Ohio is a prime example. Everyone is referring to the "herpes monkey," which sounds funny, if for no other reason than the shock value, at first. I kept seeingShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-54491836016898300552011-10-13T10:41:00.004-05:002011-10-14T08:28:27.339-05:00Resources for Picture Book PeepsThe picture book market stinks. It's horrendous. It's nearly impossible to get a picture book published, especially if you're a debut author. Heard all this before? Still drawn to writing picture books? Yeah, I hear ya. It's like writing anything else. We do it because we can't NOT do it. I write YA novels too but I can't walk away from the picture books.
So, my fellow stubborn PB writing Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-38826754396635853512011-10-10T11:48:00.001-05:002011-10-10T11:54:01.884-05:00If We're Really Writing FOR Teens. . . then sometimes S-E-X might be a part of the story. I understand that some markets won't be open to it. But I write contemporary, realistic fiction for a secular, young adult audience. And some of them are having S-E-X. Gasp!
A long, long time ago I read FOREVER by Judy Blume. I wasn't an adult back then. Not so long ago, as a well-established adult, I read THE DUFF by Kody Keplinger. Then Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-31434430865651728722011-09-28T13:35:00.001-05:002011-09-28T13:46:13.692-05:00Finding Word 17,001On July 24th, the day after I announced signing with my agent, I reached 17,000 words on my work-in-progress. The moment after I typed word 17,000, my daughter called. Her first words were, "Mom? Mom? Okay, please don't be mad at me, but I just totaled your car."
It wasn't even the words. It was her voice, her tone. I could hear what was beneath the words. It was a knowing in the very core of myShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-84051754035146046552011-09-26T12:28:00.003-05:002011-09-26T12:40:12.832-05:00Why I Don't Hate the Term, Chick LitI've heard several writers complain about the term, "chick lit," recently. Apparently, it's offensive. To someone. I've tried to analyze it from different angles but, at the end of the day, I'm still not offended. I should preface any further ramblings by admitting I'm snacking on Fritos and Bean Dip as I write this. What is that, like, the world's most lowbrow snack? Yeah, so take my thoughts onShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-83174867804765254672011-09-23T13:17:00.000-05:002011-09-23T13:17:37.359-05:00Specialization in the SpotlightEveryone is talking about all the changes taking place in publishing. There's lots of speculation about how it will all shake out. I think the only thing that's really clear right now is that we are riding a wave of change that hasn't even crested yet. Some things are so new they can't even be called trends yet.
But one trend I'm noticing is much more specialization, even in the way traditionalShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-49923341606542962782011-09-08T13:38:00.001-05:002011-09-08T13:39:35.747-05:00Curious About the Digital Side of Things?
Don't miss this amazing opportunity to be in the audience for a Skype presentation by Lin Oliver, SCBWI Executive Director, as she talks about SCBWI and digital storytelling. Attendees will also hear informative in-person sessions from authors who have experience with their own digital books, eBook publishers, a book store's perspective on the digital age, and so much more!
Whether you're a Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-16337485741608254262011-09-06T23:02:00.000-05:002011-09-06T23:02:06.274-05:00Is Reality TV the Answer?I like to say I am not a fan of reality TV, but that's not entirely true. There's no one series I watch faithfully, but I've been known to sit through a few episodes of the too-young-to-be-a-baby-mama, too-blasphemous-to-take-place-in-a-church, or too-stupid-to-be-that-rich variety.
But, but. . . Hillbilly Hand Fishing? There's a show about noodling now? (Yes, I actually knew what it was beforeShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-45868859014801520252011-08-31T09:43:00.002-05:002011-08-31T09:46:49.542-05:00Good News for Good People! And Why It Matters For The Rest Of Us. . .With all the news of the bad economy and troubled times in publishing, a little good news goes a long way these days. So to brighten your Wednesday, I bring you the following inspiring bits of good news, which all just happens to be for good people I'm fortunate enough to know:
You follow Dear Teen Me, right? If so, then you're probably already doing the happy dance for its creators, E. Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-88647136328572863852011-08-23T17:35:00.000-05:002011-08-23T17:35:40.103-05:00Review: MARCEL MARCEAU MASTER OF MIMEMARCEL MARCEAU MASTER OF MIME
by Gloria Spielman
Available for pre-order. Releases September, 2011 from Kar-Ben Publishing
My rule about only reviewing ARCs since I'm not a full-time review blogger (I'm more of an all-over-the-map blogger) goes out the window when a critique partner has a new release! Congratulations to my very talented critique partner and all around lovely lady, Gloria SpielmanShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-547206588425027692011-08-19T13:31:00.000-05:002011-08-19T13:31:11.028-05:00The Organic Joy of Getting LostWriters often ask one another, "Do you outline or write as you go?" Or to put it another way: "Are you a plotter or a pantser?"
I fall somewhere in between. I like writing by the seat of my pants (pantsing), but that only works in its truest form for about the first 10,000 words (sometimes less) before I feel like I need some direction. But I never want a very detailed outline. That feels too Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-3333747178824403662011-08-16T11:40:00.003-05:002011-08-16T11:49:45.955-05:00Review: NEVER SIT DOWN IN A HOOP SKIRT AND OTHER THINGS I LEARNED IN SOUTHERN BELLE HELLNEVER SIT DOWN IN A HOOP SKIRT AND OTHER THINGS I LEARNED IN SOUTHERN BELLE HELL by Crickett Rumley
Egmont, USA
Available Now
How's that for a title? And a cover? The book is funny, too. Let me admit upfront that I may be a bit biased because I was raised on the Gulf Coast; though in Texas, not Alabama, but the Gulf Coast is the Gulf Coast, with or without the Southern Belle trappings. Now, Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-88483855091491365902011-08-11T14:29:00.001-05:002011-08-11T14:30:32.575-05:00Trying to Figure Out Google+?Me, too, my friend. Me, too! But I've found someone who can help. The wonderful Debbie Ohi has put together a great resource for learning everything you ever wanted to know. Check out her hard work and fantastic roundup here at Debbie Ohi Google+Guides & Tips for Newbies. That's us!
Happy tutoring! Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-90080865783736765912011-08-06T10:46:00.001-05:002011-08-07T00:04:17.567-05:00How Big is the Community, Really?So many times I've flipped to a novel's acknowledgments and thought, "Really? Did you really need to thank everyone you've ever met?" It can seem like that. Some of them are LOOOONG.
But lately I've been thinking about people I owe thanks to, even at this juncture, having just signed with my agent and not yet made a sale. And, um, well, my list is sort of LOOOONG too.
Writers talk a lot aboutShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-5140243898909774592011-07-31T12:35:00.005-05:002011-07-31T12:39:32.866-05:007 (Writing?) Life Lessons From Audrey HepburnMy daughter & I are both huge Audrey Hepburn fans so, when I saw this book on the clearance rack at Austin's super-fantastic indie, Book People, I had to have it.
These 7 life lessons from Audrey are from the chapter titled "Heartbreak and Solace," but they're so fitting for the writing life in general, I wanted to share them.
1. Things Will Not Always Go Your Way
2. Still, Give It Your All
3. Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-31361676049228801372011-07-17T21:19:00.000-05:002011-07-17T21:19:36.827-05:00Auntie B's Book Club Blogfest Contest EntryBrenda Lee Drake is hosting a contest and you can get the details here. My entry is posted below. Yes, it's supposed to be posted on my blog. And what's in it for the winners? Critiques from Cassandra Marshall and possible feedback from peers, and maybe even from actual teen readers. Now it makes sense, doesn't it? Here goes!
Title: WHAT A GIRL NEEDS
Genre: YA, Contemporary Realistic
Pitch:
Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-12435735071353936962011-07-09T23:05:00.003-05:002011-07-09T23:07:48.261-05:00Self Doubt. Are You There Yet?I know writers at every stage of the process. There's a long list of traits most of us have in common, whether we're published, agented but not yet published, or still querying. Most of the traits would be expected, but the fact that self doubt still lingers, even among the published authors, is something I wouldn't have expected when I started out. I thought published authors were all Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-24341029630582630382011-06-30T11:23:00.001-05:002011-06-30T11:24:16.186-05:00An Apology to a Door-to-Door SolicitorDear Exuberant Young Man with the Heavy Hungarian Accent & Bad Nicolas-Cage-In-Valley-Girl Hair:
(Yes, THIS hair! I'm not saying it was bad hair in 1983, but it's 2011. And also 100 degrees outside. First order of business? Get a haircut.)
I'm sorry I had to be so abrupt and speak to you in such an ugly manner on my doorstep. But seriously? Dude, you have got to learn when to shut up. And also Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-81092403541547728312011-06-24T10:50:00.002-05:002011-06-30T14:08:12.400-05:00Friday Facts & FunThis has been an interesting week. Someone backed into my husband's truck. The next day my husband backed over a sign. I'm happy to say my week has been better than his, but it has had its sigh-worthy moments. My daughter took her first road trip with a girlfriend. There were parents waiting at the destination but it was still a nail-biter for me. They arrived safe and sound and are having a Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-50939460974143161692011-06-21T16:46:00.000-05:002011-06-21T16:46:39.252-05:00Review: NOTES FROM THE BLENDERNOTES FROM THE BLENDER by Trish Cook & Brendan Halpin
Egmont, USA
Available Now
Ages: 14 & Up
The story is told in the alternating viewpoints of Declan and Neilly, who are about to become step-siblings -- very abruptly. The conversational feel of the narration makes this a quick, fun read. It feels a lot like NOTES FROM THE BLENDER could've been an MTV reality series, with Dec and Neilly now Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-16244997307332880512011-06-16T15:36:00.000-05:002011-06-16T15:36:12.595-05:00Review: SASS & SERENDIPITYSASS & SERENDIPITY by Jennifer Zeigler
Delacorte Press
On Sale: July 12, 2011
Ages: 12 & up
Sisters Daphne and Gabby Rivera are night and day different. Daphne (Daffy as Gabby refers to her) is a swooning princess who exists in a land of make believe where the dishes do themselves and her single mom will always be able to magically make ends meet. Gabby strives to keep up her grades so she can Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-89042625346834548032011-06-10T14:01:00.003-05:002011-06-10T14:09:29.077-05:00The Work in Progress Roller CoasterI just dove back into a manuscript I haven't had a chance to work on in a while. This work in progress (wip) was about 8,000 words along when I set it aside to do another round of revisions on something else. Getting back to this wip reminds me how new manuscripts are like roller coaster rides, and why you should never ride alone.
When I first dream up the concept or hear the first character Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-45309621071890155062011-06-09T17:27:00.001-05:002011-06-09T17:29:51.786-05:00Do You Remember the Post Office?I've sent a few things out recently to editors and agents who still use snail mail. That always feels a little like time traveling, but it's really not as uncommon as some think. Editors and agents frequently advise that not all of their successful colleagues are on Twitter or Facebook.
The truth is, not all of them are taking emailed queries or subs either, at least not unsolicited ones. I Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-78227035420448326852011-06-02T14:49:00.002-05:002011-06-02T16:27:40.995-05:00What Makes a Writing Reference Book a Good One?Someone asked me on Twitter if I could recommend a good writing reference for crafting a novel. I was a little taken aback by the question at first, not only because I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask, but also because of the stipulation that it be geared toward novel writing. Sure, there are books that tell you in the title they are aimed at YA novel writers or PB writers and there's some Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-81336388573137697352011-05-30T16:31:00.000-05:002011-05-30T16:31:28.323-05:00What Do You Know About Hidden Easter Eggs?
I'm not talking about the eggs you hunt after the bunny comes. I'm talking about hidden features in software and movie DVDs. My niece just introduced me to these Easter Eggs. Check out this archive of hidden Easter Eggs. You have to click through a few maneuvers on the remote to find them, which is cool because it makes it feel all super-secret and spy-like. No? Okay, maybe that's just me. I Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-59187360366106815582011-05-24T10:08:00.000-05:002011-05-24T10:08:05.706-05:00What a Conference IS and What it ISN'TI see a lot of talk floating around the message boards, Twitter, and Facebook about conferences. It's a never ending conversation. There's some good information to be gained and most of the important stuff is already out there. You can find posts about conference etiquette, who's speaking where, etc. But I still think there are some misconceptions about what a first-timer (or even a repeat Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-17126129460589914492011-05-18T10:04:00.003-05:002011-05-18T10:23:09.373-05:00People More Talented Than MeYeah, I know the title of this post should read: "more talented than I," but I don't like the way that sounds. It's a little more pompous than I'm going for here. I do, however, like the sound of Kate DiCamillo's voice in this interview over at Wordy Birdie. I like what she says too, but I also like the way she talks, her inflections, or lack thereof. Do be sure and read the blog post that Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-51802347244261786002011-05-11T15:23:00.000-05:002011-05-11T15:23:00.397-05:00Where Do You Do Your Best Thinking?So I saw this little car driving in front of me the other day and I sped up. I couldn't figure out what it was. Was it an art car or was that thing on top a real piece of equipment? I finally got close enough to figure out this is how those Google Maps Street View images are taken. That's what the green door says: Google Maps Street Views. My next thought was, "Hey, I think I want that guy's job!Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-76756390205233913702011-05-10T06:00:00.000-05:002011-05-10T06:00:13.829-05:00PRINTED BOOKS: Eternal Flame or Up In Smoke? On February 19, 2011 an auditorium full of writers and illustrators sitting on the picturesque campus of St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas settled from our applause. We had just heard the heartwarming opening presentation given by Arthur Levine and Julian Hector, wherein they introduced their charming picture book, MONDAY IS ONE DAY. It was an optimistic start to the Austin SCBWI Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-43467448438925173142011-05-08T13:23:00.002-05:002011-05-08T13:25:52.008-05:00Why I Can't Hate YouI MIGHT HAVE HATED YOU WHEN I WAS A KID, IF MY MOTHER HAD ALLOWED IT
I was not allowed to hate anyone when I was a child. My mother simply did not allow it. I don’t mean she didn’t allow the word. I mean she literally believed she could disallow the emotion. Hate wasn’t just an offensive word to her. It was the embodiment of ignorance, immaturity, and a complete lack of grace. It was Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-79535318697970889202011-05-06T11:03:00.001-05:002011-06-12T17:51:02.821-05:00Review: FAMILYThis novel in verse is loosely based on the Manson family. I remember when the movie "Helter Skelter" was on TV. I tried desperately to sneak and change the channel so I could watch it. My mother was in the front living room watching something else, something boring. I asked if I could go watch TV by myself in the den. She agreed without hesitation, but she was on to me. I was far too young to Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-38546894502459635822011-05-03T09:57:00.000-05:002011-05-03T09:57:38.620-05:00Help Write NowWe all saw the devastating news after the recent storms. Sadly, after the media coverage fades, all too often, so does the help/relief effort. Fortunately, a great group of people have put together an online auction where the help can continue, much like the Do The Write Thing for Nashville auction after the floods.
Please help make Help Right Now as successful as DTWTFN.
I hope you and yours Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-43610818106352923772011-05-01T19:21:00.001-05:002011-06-12T17:50:26.685-05:00Review: MY LIFE, THE THEATER, AND OTHER TRAGEDIESI have to preface this review by saying that I was not a theater kid. I enjoy going to the theater as an adult but I'm far from an aficionado. Okay, let me clarify: I had to look up the Scottish name that isn't to be spoken aloud in a theater when I read about it in this book. In my defense, once it came up, I thought, "Oh yeah. I knew that." But that doesn't forgive the fact that I did have to Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-57433275251215813962011-04-29T08:37:00.003-05:002011-04-29T08:43:33.224-05:00A Royal Wedding Form RejectionDear Royal Enthusiast,
Thank you for sharing your passion with me. While I found the premise of The Wedding interesting, ultimately I believe the project is too quiet for the current market. The story is a bit slight and I'm afraid the character arcs are incomplete at this point. It also lacks the level of conflict necessary to succeed in this climate.
Please know that I did give due Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-68897481454726701962011-04-19T10:50:00.002-05:002011-10-13T12:20:06.619-05:00This Ain't Your Mama's Picture Book MarketIf you're a fan of the picture book, you were no doubt angered by the NY Times' declaration of the death of the picture book article. And you weren't alone. That article drew responses from far and wide. My favorite is this most recent rebuttal, "A Scroll to the Editor," a unique letter to the editor. My hat's off to Lynne Sundstrom at Birch Lane Elementary in Davis, California. She sent a Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-83756807941656971122011-04-17T23:01:00.001-05:002011-06-12T17:49:44.853-05:00Review: CLEMENTINE AND THE FAMILY MEETINGThe Texas Library Association was exhausting fun last week and now I'm sorting through the ARCs I brought home. I wanted to start reviewing them as soon as possible but my brain is still recovering and not quite ready to dive into a new novel. Luckily for me, I came home with a copy of Clementine and the Family Meeting.
Marla Frazee and Sara Pennypacker signing Clementine and the Family MeetingShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-51820487267951747372011-04-15T12:21:00.002-05:002011-09-26T16:22:27.425-05:00TLA 2011: The Conference That Ate My Week!The Texas Library Association conference took place in Austin this week. This was my 2nd time at TLA, but last year when it was in San Antonio, the Texas weather decided torrential downpours would be a nice touch. They weren't. I only attended one day last year.
This year I helped set up the SCBWI booth on Tuesday and planned to come back for opening day on Wednesday to walk around for a few Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-84344502154044675752011-04-11T10:49:00.005-05:002011-06-12T17:25:11.257-05:00Wisdom From the Houston SCBWI Conference 2011I'm home from the Houston SCBWI conference and as usual, the Houston chapter put on a fantastic event. I have a full plate this week with TLA in town (Woot!) so I've gathered a few nuggets of wisdom from several presenters and compiled in one post. Watch for blog posts from other attendees though because I know some of them will put up more comprehensive notes.
First off, I have to give a HUGE Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-31557799784350342672011-03-30T10:42:00.000-05:002011-03-30T10:42:11.344-05:00Wearing Something BrightToday I have to go shopping - clothes shopping, but I'm going in search of something specific. I need something to wear to a funeral on Friday morning. An infant's funeral. And no, this isn't going to be a post about how tragic and awful that is. Obviously, it's tragic and awful. I doubt I need to clarify that.
These first-time parents have asked that everyone wear bright colors. They don't wantShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-45443681061103464782011-03-25T09:51:00.003-05:002011-03-25T10:08:32.976-05:00Why I Don't CareSnooki (Nicole Polizzi)* got a book deal. The book is out and it's called A SHORE THING. Yes, I'm among the many who enjoyed reading and laughing hysterically at some of the quotes that kind people who bought the book shared with the rest of us. But I'm not one of those who was incensed over Snooki getting a book deal in the first place. (and she's not the only Jersey Shore "star" who landed a Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-57246916709281243092011-03-18T12:43:00.006-05:002011-03-18T12:54:22.350-05:00Are Writers BS Artists?They say most good BS artists have a limited amount of knowledge on an unlimited amount of subjects. In that regard, I'd say, "Yes, most good writers at least have the ability to be good BS artists."
However, that's not the goal of most writers. In fact, most of us gain our weird tidbits of information on myriad topics while researching for our stories -- even our fiction. Okay, mostly our Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-65308010117683557082011-03-16T08:33:00.001-05:002011-03-16T08:35:13.479-05:00The "Alien" BookOkay, so the rest of the world is probably already familiar with the "alien" book, right? If you're one of the lag-behinds like me, you can read a little about it here in this Galleycat article.
It's written in an unknown language, illustrated, believed to be at least 25 years older than the Gutenberg Bible, and might be a reference text for creating a drug. So you'd think with that much Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-53304507874030884342011-03-08T22:46:00.001-06:002011-03-08T22:50:17.207-06:00You Should Have Your Book Made Into a Movie!What published author wouldn't want his/her book made into a movie? It happens, but how? Agent Rachelle Gardner explains on her blog and you can find part one here.
Now not only will you know more details about that process, but you can direct those annoying relatives to Rachelle's blog when they say, "Hey, you should have your book made into a movie! Why haven't you done that?"
Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-3906608625157425912011-03-07T12:44:00.002-06:002011-03-07T12:48:50.439-06:00Ooh, I Wants It!I am not a tech-junkie. That label goes to my husband and my son. I don't need the latest gadget of anything. Just give me a version that works and I'm good. Keyboards? Ergonomic? Wireless? Whatever. Do all the keys work? Fine. I'll take that one.
However, I love this thing! What is it?
It's a....
wait for it...
are you sitting down?
Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-42535205361602562202011-03-05T14:28:00.003-06:002011-03-05T16:14:46.744-06:00Thanks, Jeanette Larson!Once again the Austin SCBWI chapter gave us an amazing meeting with a presentation by Jeanette Larson. BookPeople is one of my favorite places to start my Saturday, so being able to combine that with an SCBWI meeting is such a welcome respite from a stressful week. Jeanette's fantastic presentation on loving the librarian was followed by a release party for her beautiful new book, HUMMINGBIRDS: Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-23139313931114842672011-03-03T09:52:00.000-06:002011-03-03T09:52:38.059-06:00In Honor of World Book DayAnd my love of all things Audrey, this picture at MTVBooks' Tumblr says it all.
I wish they'd put that on a t-shirt because I'd wear it. And it's a good thing I'm not a teacher because I'd hang that poster in my classroom -- and, you know, probably have to go to a few meetings over it.
Please feel free to enhance and embrace your pretty all you want. But pretty, pretty please: READ!
Now my newShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-13230303337364368302011-03-01T12:23:00.001-06:002011-06-12T17:24:21.123-05:00Elizabeth Law Mentioned More Than Mollusks at Austin SCBWI 2011 ConferenceElizabeth Law, Publisher at Egmont, USA, made us all laugh when she offered up mollusks as the next big trend in YA and announced her wish for "bivalve love" manuscripts.
But she also offered some serious insight. And she delighted me by saying that photo jackets are starting to fall out of fashion. Yay! Don't get me wrong. I've seen some photo jackets that I absolutely loved. I'm just tired of Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-67306465332324295542011-02-27T13:09:00.001-06:002011-06-12T17:23:39.300-05:00David Diaz Dazzles at Austin SCBWI 2011 Conference I really didn't take such good notes at this year's conference. My head was stuffy and my body was tired and pretty much just remaining upright and listening was all I could manage sometimes. But I wasn't about to miss it so I relied on Sudafed and Advil to get me through. They both served me well and I'm grateful.
I did have the sense to jot down a few gems from David Diaz. David told us whenShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-32733051910852613222011-02-20T12:52:00.004-06:002011-06-12T17:22:47.940-05:00GREG PINCUS: He's Geeky So You Don't Have To Be!
One of the fabulous presentations I heard at Saturday's Austin SCBWI conference was by Greg Pincus. I knew Greg from Twitter and the fabulous #kidlitchat sessions on Tuesday nights (8:00 pm CST) he started with Bonnie Adamson.
Aside: After his session Greg told me that he and Bonnie had no idea #kidlitchat would take off and become so popular. It was an experiment. Prime example of the power ofShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-20851171305279281312011-02-13T10:00:00.003-06:002011-02-13T10:03:49.523-06:00Am I Qualified to Critique?I'm going to being really annoying now and answer a question with a question: Can you read? If yes, then you are qualified to critique.
It really is as simple as that. And critiquing will make you a better writer, too. Trust me.
If analyzing plot arc isn't your thing, that's okay. Maybe catching details like a supporting character having his name changed in a single scene 2/3 of the way Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-11255851102144984032011-02-11T13:26:00.001-06:002011-02-11T15:29:58.858-06:00Learning to Trust a Stranger Stranger Danger! Yeah, I know it goes for adults too. But sometimes we have to trust strangers. If you think about it, you're kind of trusting a stranger if you send your work to a new critique partner you've only met online. What about agents and editors? If you're lucky, you've maybe met them once during a conference lunch, or maybe you've chatted a little online, but you don't really know Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-5215296295346866432011-02-08T11:11:00.000-06:002011-02-08T11:11:28.696-06:00Sometimes It's Not What You Say...(all together now) It's the Way You Say It!
This morning on the way to school my daughter and I were listening to the radio. The DJ said, "The shooting of The Hobbit will start soon."
My daughter made the most disgusted face and said, "What kind of freak would spend money to see that?"
I was confused because she actually likes "The Lord of the Rings" movies so I asked why she thought "The Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-388320327348038452011-02-04T07:51:00.000-06:002011-02-04T07:51:00.217-06:00Snow Day in Austin!If you're reading this from anywhere north of Dallas, you have to stop laughing now. Yes, this is actually enough snow for the schools to be closed here. Many businesses are shut down, too. It'll melt soon and the roads will all be sanded and reopened. But for now, we're "snowed in."
So, if you ever read about a snow day in a book set in Central Texas, you now have the appropriate mental imageShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-89280652357725535872011-01-31T11:33:00.002-06:002011-01-31T11:37:53.597-06:00Thank You, Sara ZarrLinks to highlights from Sara Zarr's keynote at SCBWI's Midwinter 2011 conference are all over the internet this morning. I'll point you only to this one from Notes From the Slushpile. You can easily find more.
If you're anything like me, you really wish you could've heard Sara's speech firsthand. But maybe you're also really glad that you were home -- writing or celebrating the success of localShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-42631369186101350032011-01-25T08:12:00.001-06:002011-01-25T08:15:25.804-06:00Recurring DreamsDo you have a dream that comes back again and again? I have one but it's not always the same dream; it's the same setting. I dream about a small, coastal town with a healthy tourist economy. I have dreamt of this fictitious (I think) town for years. There is obviously a beach but none of my dreams ever take place on the actual beach.
There's a little bar there that I frequent in dreamland. I Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-52688168068088905272011-01-23T12:10:00.001-06:002011-01-23T12:20:26.089-06:00A Thesaurus For Every NeedMany thanks to Lynne Kelly for pointing out this fantastic blog. If you find your characters rolling their eyes or shaking their heads too often but just can't think of any other way to convey the emotion, check out the BookShelf Muse. The sidebar has emtional thesaurus entries than can help you break the eye rolling habit. There's also a setting thesaurus and many other tools.
I'm sure I'll beShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-72264297221678362762011-01-12T11:58:00.002-06:002011-01-12T12:51:21.885-06:00Who Does Pirated Content Really Hurt Anyway?If you've ever illegally downloaded a book by an author you love, you probably felt entitled on some level. Honestly, it seems like most people do feel that way these days. And who did it hurt anyway? Some multi-billion dollar evil publisher who probably deserves to make less money to begin with?
If you're nodding your head right now, you seriously need to read this account of the real tragedy Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-13654155071800255822011-01-10T09:37:00.001-06:002011-01-10T09:38:41.077-06:00Do You Love Contemporary YA Like I Love Contemporary YA?If the answer is yes, check out this challenge! And spread the word.
Let's commit to reading these books and spreading the word about them, okay? You can get the details of the challenge from The Undercover Book Lover.
So, what are you waiting for? Register already. Let's do this thing!
Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-10090690047703327332011-01-06T17:51:00.000-06:002011-01-06T17:51:49.585-06:00Finally, I Have Something Useful to Say Again!I think it would be quite useful if I say:
Go here and read Ingrid's excellent post, 10 Tests to Prove Your Manuscript is Ready for Submission. Thank you, Ingrid Sundberg. Your notes are excellent. And thanks to Deborah Halverson for the presentation that provided the wisdom for these notes.
As for me? Well, I may have some useful words of my own to share again at some point in 2011, but this Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-88310473106972833372011-01-05T18:19:00.000-06:002011-01-05T18:19:27.401-06:00Off With a Bang!Oh, I just realized this post title sounds like an accidental haircut. And maybe I shouldn't use the word bang in a post title -- you know, for search purposes. People might not exactly find what they're looking for here. Too bad for them, though, because I'm too tired to come up with anything better right now.
2011 has started with a bang for me -- a writing bang. Okay, that is not a reference Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-8033085511597453542011-01-04T22:08:00.000-06:002011-01-04T22:08:54.633-06:00Back in the ChairI spent most of today in my desk chair and it was exactly where I needed and wanted to be. Lots of revision work got done. Yay!
Nothing else got done. True story. Nothing else at all.
I'll be back at the revisions tomorrow but I have one request. Can someone please give me the secret to putting everything else in a state of temporary paralysis until I'm done? If the rest of the world would Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-12351349262762175582011-01-01T23:21:00.000-06:002011-01-01T23:21:03.002-06:002011: I Think I Need a Couple of Anacin Tablets!We have more than generations before us: more choices, more resources, more privilege, and more convenience.
Some people say they'd like to go back to simpler times. I am not, nor have I ever been, one of those people. I like technology and convenience. Yet, I have been one of the hold-outs who didn't want to acknowledge electronic books or readers. Apparently I was comfortable with the Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-69185572570024205892010-12-22T09:31:00.000-06:002010-12-22T09:31:03.496-06:00The Final Stretch BeginsBeing the Griswolds of the cul-de-sac paid off. We won the neighborhood holiday lighting contest. My husband likes to pretend it's no big deal but he was pretty proud of himself for winning. A wife can tell these things. We've never won 1st place before. We came in 2nd once but I actually thought they judged earlier in the month, before our lights were even on the house, so I was surprised by ourShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-73341888676747934492010-12-17T10:54:00.001-06:002010-12-17T10:57:41.669-06:00The Male Brain vs. The Female BrainOkay, so it's no secret men and women process information differently. I've been reminded of this fact several times so far this morning.
Let's start with the 6:30 a.m. alarm. I get up to start making my famous Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal cookies to take to my sister's this afternoon. We're celebrating Christmas with my family this weekend and my brother-in-law likes these cookies so much, he has Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-42377622278629052702010-12-14T21:28:00.002-06:002010-12-14T21:32:26.090-06:00High Voltage HolidayMy Christmas tree is up. My holiday display table is all decorated. There are even some presents wrapped and shimmering under an abundance of LED bulbs. Oh, and the yard? Once again, we are the Griswolds of the cul-de-sac. And we love it that way.
Ahhh, I could sit and take it all in for hours... the glimmer, the warmth, the hum of the electric meter spinning out of control.
It's only for a Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-6683806033738371722010-12-10T10:55:00.000-06:002010-12-10T10:55:12.889-06:00More Jinglebell!Okay, it's feeling a wee bit more Christmas-y now, probably in large part due to the awesome Austin SCBWI holiday party last night. Social time seems to improve most funks. You'd think I'd know that by now and would immerse myself in something social everytime I'm feeling the blahs.
I'm sure working from home contributes because back when I was a slave to the traditional time clock, I never Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-65807285036654231972010-12-06T20:09:00.001-06:002010-12-06T20:12:29.114-06:00Christmas is Coming!Do I know this because my lovely tree and gorgeous holiday display table are glimmering in the next room? Uh, no. I haven't started on either one yet. The most I've done in the way of holiday decorating is set a pretty tray of ornaments on the coffee table and make both of the kids a wreath for their doors.
True confession: I made the wreaths instead of cleaning and preparing for the Christmas Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-46588359962719015182010-12-01T08:09:00.000-06:002010-12-01T08:09:45.125-06:00Dear Teen MeI'm so happy to be a part of this project. Today is the kick-off of the Dear Teen Me project.
Be sure to take a few minutes to check in every day and find out what advice/information these amazing kidlit authors are sharing with their teen selves! And please share the link with the teens in your life. Being a teenager can be an absolute blast. It can also be a very difficult time. Sometimes it Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-14332750196859211972010-11-30T12:46:00.001-06:002010-11-30T12:47:13.417-06:00Beware of Green Eggs!No, not the type of green eggs Dr. Seuss rhymed about.
This type:
This is the Big Green Egg. It's a grill/ceramic oven. It's amazing. I bought my husband one a few years ago and it is, without a doubt, the best gift I ever gave him. Let's forget my failed attempts at buying him tools wherein I believed what the commissioned salesperson said he most definitely needed. Commissioned salespeople lieShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-9184858985812755002010-11-23T16:19:00.001-06:002010-11-23T16:29:14.767-06:00Happy Thanksgiving!I know I haven't posted in two weeks. I've been revising, Promise. And, as a result, I've had my face buried in my own manuscript so I really have nothing interesting, amusing, or otherwise worthwhile to share.
So I'll just say: Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
See you next week. Hope everyone proves wrong the theory that nothing happens in publishing during the holidays. Gear up, y'all. Let's Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-69713363597140120322010-11-14T15:25:00.000-06:002010-11-14T15:25:50.096-06:00Darcy Pattison's Novel Revision RetreatI just got home from my first Darcy Pattison Novel Revision Retreat weekend. It won't be my last. I'm so excited because our SCBWI RA for Austin is already talking to Darcy about bringing this retreat to our area. Yes! Go, Debbie!
Darcy has sifted through the bullshit and compiled a fantastic series of lectures and exercises, complete with a workbook, to get you into the thick of the revision Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-65062786108815697752010-11-09T10:56:00.001-06:002010-11-09T12:21:57.452-06:00What's the Best Thing You've Done for Your Writing Lately?Fair Warning: This post is going to go all fangirl -- and quick. Just indulge me, will you?
So, the question is: What have you done for yourself lately? Did you attend a great conference? Read an inspirational or informative blog post? Read a good craft book? I'm extremely fortunate because I can answer yes to all three of those questions. But I honestly think the best thing I've done for myselfShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-55449294990505642332010-11-03T09:26:00.000-05:002010-11-03T09:26:59.340-05:00It's Like Christmas in July!Saying something is "Like Christmas in July" is a lot more fun than saying, "This is something that has never happened before." Using language in a fun way is, well, fun -- for a writer anyway. The problem with fun phrases like this is that they become common. They become cliches.
Yet, they're still hard to resist. In conversation they work so well, but in manuscripts they can be annoying, Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-11401384144126174472010-10-30T19:58:00.001-05:002010-10-31T17:17:24.707-05:00Do You Like Free Books?In honor of Trick or Treat I thought I'd show you how to get the best treats of all: BOOKS! I'm not hosting my own contest but all the folks below are giving away some great books. Take a look and good luck!
Ree is giving away SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Eric Luper is giving away an ARC of his new book, JEREMY BENDER VS. THE CUPCAKE CADETS.
P.J. Hoover is giving away THE MARBURY LENS by Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-40714004837225959242010-10-29T14:24:00.000-05:002010-10-29T14:24:14.162-05:00Stop Blaming the Kids!I have had it with poor customer service, especially with in-person service encounters where the employee freely spews their dissatisfaction with their job, or life in general, to me, the customer. But I've noticed something kind of sad. Whenever I share one of these stories with someone, they almost always interject and state something about how teenagers just aren't taught any better these daysShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-67887849913164091282010-10-27T18:55:00.001-05:002011-06-12T17:21:10.745-05:00Better Late Than Never: Texas Book Festival, Take TwoYes, I know. I'm terribly late in providing this second panel recap from Tx Book Fest but I didn't forget. Half a gold star, maybe?
This panel was called: True Grit: Kids with Chutzpah
Bethany Hegedus moderated and the panel authors were:
Carolyn Cohagan, Sara Pennypacker, and Lisa Railsback
The authors opened by reading a passage from their books and telling the audience something about Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-41262114331872651922010-10-20T11:05:00.001-05:002010-10-20T11:08:52.674-05:00PERSPECTIVE & PERSEVERANCEYes, the title of this post is in all CAPS for emphasis. For whom? Probably me, to tell you the truth. Writers hear all the time that a published author is one who didn't quit. We know it's true, but it's still sometimes hard to persevere because that nagging little voice in our head says, "Maybe you're just not good enough."
The best way I know to conquer that little negative voice is to Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-13579235560901293482010-10-18T12:20:00.005-05:002011-06-12T17:19:47.563-05:00Tx Book Fest: Where I Come From (and How it Got me Here)The 2010 Texas Book Festival seemed bigger than ever before and the speakers and panels exceeded my expectations (as always). My only regret is that I couldn't spend more time there.
The first panel I attended was moderated by Jenny Brown from Shelf Awareness.
Where I Come From (and how it got me here):
Naomi Mitchell Carrier was inspired by the only D she ever made. It was during college Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-43211248972085324962010-10-11T13:20:00.008-05:002010-10-18T15:10:55.345-05:00Sometimes Quick and Dirty is All You NeedRelax! I'm talking about "Quick & Dirty" writing tips. I had the great pleasure of attending a picture book/chapter book workshop this weekend at the beautiful St. Edwards University in Austin, TX. Thank you once again, Austin SCBWI for another great event!
Bethany Hegedus & Sarah Sullivan pose with Bethany's forthcoming book: TRUTH WITH A CAPITAL T
Ever been to one those conferences where the Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-6845236354047691312010-10-02T18:31:00.000-05:002010-10-02T18:31:19.460-05:00Ever Discover Something You Had to Rectify Immediately?I discovered a terrible wrong in my life today. In Target. Of. All. Places. Perhaps that admission alone speaks volumes about me. I realized I didn't actually OWN any Judy Blume books. My kids own some of her younger titles. She's one of my favorite authors, one of the few author names I remember from the books I read growing up. I remember lots of titles and I know who the authors are now, but Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-62859919451219610352010-09-24T10:01:00.000-05:002010-09-24T10:01:53.961-05:00If You Have Trouble With Characterization, This Blogging Experiment is For You!Okay, it's for all of us actually. This is pretty cool. Today a whole passel of blogging writers are posting on the same topic: Creating Compelling Characters. It's a one-stop shopping reference guide.
Elana Johnson has a great post and she has links to MANY others. No, really, I mean SO MANY.
If creating compelling characters is what you need to read about, it's your lucky day. Put in some Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-44514547394419170762010-09-22T19:23:00.004-05:002010-09-22T19:40:35.840-05:00I Don't Mean to Bring the CrazyI'm feverisly working on a YA novel that must be completed by October 1st for a revision retreat weekend in mid-November. I'll make my deadline. That's no problem. However, I just found out a few days ago I also have to write a query and a SYNOPSIS for this manuscript, both by the same deadline. The query doesn't worry me so much but I'm terrified that when I start working on the synopsis I'll Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-1891144052604923722010-09-19T12:03:00.001-05:002010-09-19T12:04:45.338-05:00Teens Should be Allowed to SPEAK LoudlyWriting this post makes me a little sad. I really didn't want to wake up to sad today. I wanted to share the fantastic SCBWI Editor Day I attended in San Antonio yesterday, and I will share about that soon, but I logged on to Twitter this morning and found something much more important needed to be shared with you today.
Laurie Halse Anderson is no stranger to opposition regarding her amazing Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-49922675939764229832010-08-31T21:45:00.004-05:002011-06-12T17:36:30.400-05:00Sydney Salter on Characters, Conferences & Chocolate Cake
1. In MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS, Jory delivers cakes for her summer job. I know you based this on a past job of yours. And personally, I'm jealous because I never had a summer job that cool to get fired from. Did you also work at a water park like Polly in SWOON AT YOUR OWN RISK? Any other past jobs that have contributed to your stories?
I haven’t worked in a water park, but Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-91749495550201827192010-08-22T19:30:00.000-05:002010-08-22T19:30:55.094-05:00An Impressive Reading ListThe 100 Most Banned Books from 2000 - 2009.
Some of these titles may shock you. You've probably read some of them. Enjoy reading the rest!
Thanks to the ALA for compiling these lists. Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-22999692130415608012010-08-19T16:04:00.000-05:002010-08-19T16:04:02.608-05:00How Revising Can be Like an Episode of HoardersHave you ever noticed that effective revisions tend to happen in layers? I think it's like cleaning up a hoarder's living space (because apparently my manuscripts tend to start out as spectacular, cluttered messes).
On the first day (the first round of revisions) a load of clutter can be cleared out, if the hoarder (writer) will allow it; if she will part with enough of her things, some headwayShelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-55102572357530395532010-08-17T12:30:00.007-05:002010-08-17T15:50:41.752-05:00Yes, the Stores Stock the Christmas Decorations in AugustAnd I start talking about Banned Books Week a month before the event. If you don't know what Banned Books Week is all about, start here please. Banned Books Week 2010 will be celebrated September 25 through October 2.
Why do I want to talk about it so early? Because I want you to read some books that have been banned, or to realize you've already done so. And then I want you to consider my Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169922749592399283.post-3392449931896013202010-08-12T10:33:00.002-05:002010-08-12T10:43:34.322-05:00My Argument for Arguing with MyselfI've been attending WriteOnCon this week. It's the first online KidLit writing conference -- and it's proving to be as fantastic a concept as it sounds. But I see that one piece of writing advice I struggle with there, just as I've seen it and heard it everywhere else: You have to know what your main character wants. He/she has to have a main want/desire and their actions should always be toward Shelli Cornelisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09247205714804640362noreply@blogger.com1