Stuff!

Hey guys -

A whole lotta stuff going into this post. First, I've been invited to participate in the Young Adult Literature Panel at the Old Town Book Fair in Fort Collins, Colorado on July 7th at 1pm. (Try saying that fast seven times.) I am SO excited to be participating in this event. There are several other fabulous YA authors who will be answering your questions with me, including Laura Resau, Sarah Ryan, Brenna Yovanoff, and Amy Kathleen Ryan. After the panel, I will be signing copies of my books. If you live in the area, what a fabulous opportunity to come chat about YA lit. More information about the Old Town Book Fair can be found HERE. 

 I've been informed that Patch was nominated for the YA Sisterhood's Second Annual Crush Tourney. How fun! And flattering. Thanks so much to those of you who voted. I'll be sure to recruit your votes when Patch goes up against Percy Jackson in the opening round. Talk about stiff competition!

Some FINALE news. This week, I completed first pass pages. What are first pass pages, you ask? Basically, my final chance to read through the manuscript and make any last-minute changes. I caught a few typos, but my greatest fear is that I let a few slip through. It feels like I've read this book a hundred times. With each reading, it becomes more and more difficult to spot mistakes. I feel like I'd need lots of time away from the manuscript to see it with "fresh eyes," and time is something I don't have. The book goes to print ASAP! Which is actually very exciting. Onward, October!

My husband and I spent the weekend in Estes Park hiking. It's one of my favorite weekend getaways, but this time was a little different. After a day of hiking in 90-degree weather, we decided to call it quits and head back to town for food. Trouble was, unbeknownst to us, a fire had started in Estes while we were hiking. Our car was parked directly across the street from the fire, and the road to get there was barricaded. Park Rangers informed us that we might not get out. They had shuttles coming into the park to pick up stranded hikers, but my husband and I decided that was not the course of action we wanted to take. We'd driven my cute little convertible, and I didn't want to leave it behind! So we filled up our water bottles and began the long hike to rescue our car. At first we were wandering through meadows trying to find a road, but we did eventually find one. It took us right up alongside the fire. I'm happy to report the fire is out, and we are doing well. Even the car!

A few more hiking pics (the last is a view of the High Park fire from Estes Park):

Well, that sums up my week. Thank goodness it's (almost!) Friday!

-Becca

Tips?

As I'm going through fanmail, I'm noticing a trend: lots of readers are writing a book of their own and looking for general writing and editing tips. While I can't promise my advice will work for you, here is a short list of things that have helped me.

First, READ. It seems obvious, but more often than not, I have the following conversation with aspiring authors:

Me: You want to write a book? That's great! What are some of your favorite books?

Them: Oh, I don't read much. I don't have time. But I really want to write a book.

Me:

Many, many authors have said it, and I'll say it once more for good measure. Writing is reading. It's virtually impossible to do one without the other. I'm willing to bet most of the world's greatest writers are also wonderful readers. I suggest reading everything you can get your hands on, even if it's a genre you've shied away from in the past. Study books. See what works, and what doesn't. Read for fun, and read for learning. Your writing will improve because of it. I promise.

Second, keep a journal. I wrote faithfully in my journal beginning in junior high school and lasting through college. Looking back, it was great practice in free-writing. I developed my writer's voice. I also recorded my adolescent years, and I refer back to those years often now that I write teen fiction. You never know when an event from your own life will inspire a story. It's happened to me multiple times!

Third, join a critique group. Ask your local bookstore or library if they can direct you to a writers' group. If they can't, consider joining an online group. Sharing my work with others, and getting their feedback, has helped my writing tremendously. But I'll let you in on a little secret. I've learned more about the craft of writing from critiquing others' work. Forcing my brain to distinguish what works, and what doesn't, has helped me grow as a writer.

Next, try pantsing. If that doesn't work, try outlining. When I first started writing Hush, Hush, I drafted the book by the seat of my pants. I let the words flow. I gave no forethought to the story, because I thought organic writing happened when the writer let the story sprout uninhibited from the wellsprings of their mind. I've since changed my viewpoint. I'm a hardcore outliner. I spend 3-6 weeks plotting out my stories before I type, "Once upon a time..." Outlining works wonders for me. Warning: It might not do the same for you.

Finally, trust your instincts. If you're worried the middle of your book sags, it probably does. If you think your hero is lackluster, he probably is. The good news? Up until your book is published, you have time to change all those story weaknesses into strengths. Don't rush the editing process. Spend enough time to make the book the best you can. After the book is published, and readers' reactions start pouring in, you'll be glad you did.

-Becca

My Favorite (Summertime!) Things

When I was a teen, autumn was my favorite time of year. I loved watching the leaves change, running cross-country, shopping for school clothes, and wearing leather riding boots. I still love fall, but summer is my favorite season now. It's hot! The sun rises early! I can camp! And hike! And when it comes to my writing, I take a very relaxed approach: an hour or two poolside with my laptop is considered a success. Suffice it to say, I ADORE summertime. Below are a few of my favorite things about summer.

1. Country music. I don't know if it's a throwback to my childhood, growing up in the middle of the Midwest, but when I see cornfields sprouting along the highway, I want nothing more than to crank up the radio, roll down the windows, and belt out Alabama, Sawyer Brown, and Faith Hill.  Despite critics complaining about lyrics bemoaning the loss of the family dog, divorce, and trucks, country music fills me with the carefree, easy-breezy feeling that is summertime.

2. Hiking and camping. Fortunately, living in Colorado makes both these activities a cinch. One of my favorite places to hike/camp is Estes Park. You never know when you'll run into deer, elk, or even a bear. Speaking of which, we saw a black bear on our family hike up Horsetooth Mountain this past Memorial Day!

3. Beach Reads. Last year I discovered The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han. I love-love-love these books. What is more quintessentially summer than a summer romance? I love Belly and Conrad's story, and I've already packed the first book in my pool tote, fully intending to get lost in it again. These books remind me of my first summer romance, shortly before the start of my junior year of high school. I'd been in love with one particular guy since seventh grade, but he didn't notice me until the summer I was sixteen. A total Belly-Conrad moment!

4. Triathlon. If you've followed this blog for a year, you know I competed in a sprint tri last summer. It was my second sprint, and this summer I'm pulling out the big guns--I'm doing an Olympic tri! I'm a little nervous, especially about the swim, but I'm also looking forward to setting new goals and challenging myself. There is something incredibly rewarding and empowering about conquering fears (swimming!) and making them strengths. The pic below is from last year's tri--my little sister has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders!

5. Family. I'm looking forward to once again spending laid-back hours with the people I love most. Baseball in the park, roasting s'mores in the backyard, water gun fights, and bike rides to the ice cream parlor are on our to-do list. What's not on the list? Homework, early bedtimes, and jam-packed schedules.

Happy Summer!

-Becca

BEA

Hi, guys!

I'm back from BEA, which also included a family vacation to D.C. and N.Y.C.  It was a whirlwind week, and while it feels good to be home, I kinda miss all the commotion and energy that last week brought. My trip to the East Coast started off with a book event at the Arlington Library in Virginia. Thank you to everyone who came - it was wonderful meeting you, answering your questions, and signing your books.  I was especially touched by those of you who traveled from New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. I really appreciate your support! And I hope you had fun. Below is a picture my sister-in-law, Cara, captured during the event. I'm talking about how much the movie Romancing the Stone influenced Hush, Hush. When I was younger, I wanted to grow up and be Joan Wilder. I've got the romance novelist thing down, but I'm still waiting to fly to Colombia to rescue my sister from bad guys! 

I loved that, after finishing my event, instead of heading to my hotel to eat dinner alone, I got to spend time with family. What a different experience from being on tour. Here is a picture of the whole Fitzpatrick clan. You can see that height runs in my husband's family!

After exploring D.C., we drove to N.Y.C. My first trip to N.Y.C., in 2009, was quite traumatic. I got lost in Harlem at night, got lost again on the subway while inadvertently heading to the Bronx, and was finally rescued by kindhearted New Yorkers who pointed me in the right direction. This time around I am proud to say I did not get lost. I even guided my family to Magnolia cupcakes, my number-one place to visit in the city, ha! 

As for BEA, it was incredible! So many book lovers running this way and that, talking about anticipated releases, trends, the industry in general, and of course it was so much fun running into old friends and even making a few new friends. Once again I got to see Sara from Novel Novice, Shannan and Stacy from Girls in the Stacks, and several other bloggers who have been so supportive of my writing. What a special treat!

And the FINALE COVER REVEAL. Hooray! Finale's cover is out there for the world to see. I love it. And I love that it means we are that much closer to the October 23rd release. Let the countdown begin! Somewhere on my phone I have live footage from the cover reveal. I will see if I can dig it up and post it.

Speaking of BEA, Finale was mentioned in wrap-up articles by both the New York Times and Examiner. Talk about exciting!

Now that I'm back home in Colorado, it's time to put the finishing touches on Finale so that it is ready for your reading enjoyment come October. Yesterday, bright and early, I finished copyedits. I've also been hard at work writing bonus content that will be included in special editions. More on that later. I can also tell you that the flap copy (story description on the inside of the book's cover) is polished and ready. Finally, I'm starting to hear rumors about where I'll be touring this fall. My publicist has some great events planned. I can't wait until I can share those with you!

Becca

FINALE Cover and Countdown Widget

It's been an exciting week for FINALE!

Becca was on hand at BookExpoAmerica in New York City this week for the live unveiling of the FINALE cover!!  (It was also revealed online on MTV Hollywood Crush)  Here it is in case you haven't see it yet, with the UK cover, which was also revealed on Wednesday.

US Cover

UK Cover

There were a few angels there for photo ops with fans and to help spread the word about FINALE.  The reveal got all kinds of attention from BEA attendees and even an extra guest or two.  In fact, Drew Doyon, the Patch cover model stopped by to see the cover revealed.  You can see him below with Becca and the angel models.

And in case you were wondering exactly how much longer you have to wait for FINALE to be released, the countdown widget is here!  Becca's publisher has made an awesome widget, please feel free to post it and share it (there's no sound this time).