Mandy Mikulencak

Category: Blog

  • What Would St. Valentine Say?!

    In honor of Valentine’s Day, Oasis for YA, an online community for writers of young adult fiction, has asked writers to post a romantic and/or sexy excerpt from their books. The following is from my novel, Hannah’s Half. A bit of info to set the scene: Hannah’s love interest, Adam, is a ghost who’s unable to move on to the afterlife. He and Hannah are twin flames (or halves of the same soul) who’ve spent several past lives together … each time with disastrous results.

    —————————————————————————————

    “I need you, too, Hannah.”

    He kissed me roughly and I kissed him back. When he pushed me onto the bed, I didn’t stop him. He pulled off his tee shirt, which left his hair disheveled and wild. He straddled me while we both pulled at my tee shirt.

    “What if this doesn’t work?”

    He stopped my question with another kiss — long and deep and perfect. I unzipped his pants and he pushed my hands away, removing his own jeans while I tore at mine. Our knees bumped clumsily as we kicked to free our legs.

    Touching Adam felt like being under water. Our movements became softer and slower as if I was buoyed by the pressure of his body. His kissing slowed and his hands became less desperate and more deliberate. I shuddered when he pulled my leg around him.

    Every movement I made was accompanied by a flash of memory; all our past lives in one tornado of emotion. I moved my hand over his smooth chest and down over his belly, hooking my thumb in his boxers – it was the present and past all in the same instant. I’d never felt so complete.

    “I want you,” he whispered.

    “You’ve always had me,” I said.

    “Then I want you even more.”

  • May the Force Be With Us

    May the Force Be With Us

    All I can think about today is the VW commercial where the little boy in the Darth Vader outfit runs around trying to manipulate things with his awesome power. I found many of the Superbowl commercials to be so-so. The VW one, though, is getting universal accolades. (It’s my personal favorite.)

    There are those stand-out ads that we will always remember (E*TRADE baby, the Budweiser streaking goat). It’s hard to quantify what makes these work and others not so much. Yet, we instinctively “know it when we see it.”

    I think this must be what literary agents are up against: they must wade through the so-so slush until that brilliant piece leaps out. I’m guessing some manuscripts try too hard and just come across as icky: like the Doritos commercial where the guy licks the orange, Dorito dust off a co-worker’s fingers.

    Writers (published and unpublished) often want agents to quantity the unquantifiable. They want a secret formula that will make their stories stand out. The problem is that there is no secret formula.

    Dear fellow writers…if we’re honest with ourselves, we know when we hit that sweet spot and we know when we’re just trying to be clever. To finally get that agent’s attention, our writing must be creative, stand out above the slush, and be able to evoke a response in our readers.

    May the force be with us.

  • Paying It Forward in the Tweeterverse and Blogosphere

    Recently I sat down to make out my ‘wish list’ of agents to query for “Hannah’s Half,” the YA paranormal novel I finished (and am revising!). I was hopping around Twitter, trying to find a particular agent to follow when I happened upon a writer’s blog.

    Shelli (srjohannes) shared a story about an agented writer and blogger who stumbled upon her book synopsis and liked it so much, she referred it to her own agent. Yes, you can guess the rest of the story. Shelli is now represented by the same agent.

    Shelli’s now hosting a contest on her web site as a way to ‘pay forward’ the generosity shown to her. She’s agreed to select a pitch that intrigues her and share it with her agent.

    It got me thinking of the serendipitous connections I’ve made in my writing life.

    Some time ago, I wanted to form a writers’ critique group. I sent out a Facebook notice without noting that the group needed to be local – as in Durango, CO. A former work colleague sent the message to a friend in Maryland who contacted me. We began to exchange emails and war stories. Then, she offered to critique my YA novel. I’d only written women’s fiction to that point and needed a YA author’s insight. And boy has Tracy given me that and more.

    My manuscript is SO MUCH BETTER because of her generosity. And the girl keeps on giving! Writers usually have to be their own cheerleaders, especially in the face of rejection. I now have Tracy as a cheerleader whenever I’m down (and I hope I am to her as well). Plus, the girl loves cupcakes. We were meant to be friends.

    Has anyone done anything special for YOU that you feel you should pay forward?

  • On Expanding One’s Reading Horizons — Or, I’ll Only Read That If You Make Me

    On Expanding One’s Reading Horizons — Or, I’ll Only Read That If You Make Me

    I am known for horning my way into book clubs…well, the same book club actually. When I moved to Durango, CO, in 2003, I heard my staff talking about their book club. To make things really awkward, I asked if I could join. How do you tell your new boss “no”? Not my finest moment, but the Mountain Sistahs welcomed me with open arms.

    Somewhere along the way I decided I was too busy with work to have outside interests. Can you see the warning sign that I didn’t? So, I quit.
    After a number of years, I wised up, established better work boundaries, stopped saying yes to every request to volunteer, and carved out time for me. Then last summer, I saw a member of the Sistahs getting her hair done at my stylist’s shop. Once again, I “invited” myself back into the group. Actually, I asked Jackie to ask the rest of the group if they’d accept me back.. And they did!

    Last Wednesday was book-picking time again! I was so excited…until I realized how much interest there was in non-fiction titles. I wanted fiction! Non-fiction always felt like school-work or an obligation. Fiction transported me to other worlds. Fiction was fun!
    Some members sensed my panic and assured me it’s usually an even mix. I have to admit that some of the non-fiction picks in the past ended up being some of my favorite books (The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, and From the Land of Green Ghosts by Pascal Khoo Thwe). The book club forces me (gently) to expand my reading horizons and read books I’d not otherwise buy or check out from the library.

    My contribution to the reading list was The Sky is Everywhere, a young adult novel by Jandy Nelson. If my group can agree to read young adult, then I sure as heck can read some non-fiction.
    Readers…do you gravitate to fiction or non-fiction?
    Have you been pleasantly surprised by a book that was outside your typical reading tastes?
  • To Buy (Or Not to Buy) a Book — That’s a Loaded Question

    To Buy (Or Not to Buy) a Book — That’s a Loaded Question

    I’ve blogged, tweeted and Facebooked about a great web site called Page99Test.com. Authors (published and not) load page 99 of their book onto the site and readers comment on whether they’d turn the page and if they’d be inclined to buy the book.

    I’m excited that page 99 from This Side of Crazy earned a “Page Turner” designation! Seventy-three percent would turn the page (the average in the general fiction genre is 48 percent).

    This is all well and good — except that opinions are subjective. One commenter compared the writing to To Kill a Mockingbird while another called it a bit overdramatic. I still think it’s useful for authors to get this type of feedback, so I encourage you to bounce around the site and read a few page 99s. They’re anonymous, sorted by genre.

    Since the basic premise of the web site is that reading page 99 of a book can convince someone to buy (or not buy) a book, I wonder what compels you to make a book purchase?
    • Interesting title?
    • Cover design?
    • First couple of pages?
    • Inside flap or back cover description?
    • Recommendation from a friend?
    • Book review in newspaper or magazine?
    • Something else?

    Would love to hear your thoughts!

  • Gleeful Journeys

    Gleeful Journeys

    As I mentioned in my last post, I’m in Texas visiting family. My niece, Haley, received the first season of Glee on DVD. Watching the series has become a family activity. Everyone (including my 20-year-old nephew) loves it. Each time we hear the closing music we want more! Anyway, back on topic. What’s on my mind today is the season one finale where the Glee club goes to regionals to compete.

    They know they’re underdogs but try to stay confident. Then, their competition shows up one day in the auditorium, does a number and completely destroys the confidence of Glee club members.

    Mr. Schuester, the Glee club sponsor, suggests a medley of Journey songs as their regionals routine to remind them that winning isn’t what’s important – it’s the journey, the experiences we have and share along the way. One of the songs was “Don’t Stop Believing.”

    I know this applies to my writing life. There’s no end point – a prize – that will make me a real author. I’m an author today. The journey is going to include a lot of ups and downs. Does that mean I can’t be ecstatic that an agent asked to see my full manuscript this week? I’d miss out on so much if I lived in expectation of the day when it won’t be “hard” anymore. It will always be hard.

    My new writer friend has an agent (hurray!). She’s completed three manuscripts (triple hurray). Yet, she received three rejections from publishers this week. She’s still a success in my eyes. After a cupcake or two, I know she’s feeling better and that her journey continues. After all, she’s a writer. What can she do but keep writing?

    What’s your journey?

  • Gratitude in Gran’s Garden

    Gratitude in Gran’s Garden

    I’m staying with my sister, Tessa, in Texas for a while. After my mom passed away in 2003, Tessa began creating an outdoor space she’s called Gran’s Garden (my niece and nephew called my mom Gran). It’s beautifully and magically overgrown with bushes and trees; stone cherubs peek out from beneath the groundcover; a rusty metal archway teems with vines; a flagstone area beckons visitors to sit and meditate.

    It’s one of the most peaceful and spiritual places I’ve ever been. I love that I can end the year in such a place. I was standing in the garden yesterday, eyes closed. Dozens of birds were flitting about from limb to limb. All I could hear was the fluttering of their wings.

    And I said “Thank you” aloud. To whom? I don’t know. Spirit. The Universe. Mom. Doesn’t matter. The moment was about gratitute. Not longing, not expectation.

    2010 has been an amazing year. Did I get an agent or sell my book? Nope. Doesn’t matter.
    • I finished my first novel. I revised it and revised it again. It’s being read by agents. I have to trust the process is out of my control now.

    • I found a critique partner via a former work colleague. She’s 2000 miles away but I feel her support as if she’s in the room with me, sharing a cup of coffee. Her insights help me to be a better writer.

    • I wasn’t accepted into the Hedgebrook writers-in-residence program, but out of 800-plus applications, I made it to the 80 finalists. That’s a compliment I don’t want to lose by being upset with the final outcome.

    • I have an amazing spouse, amazing family and amazing friends.

    • I have shelter, food, health, financial security when there is such poverty and want in the world.
    My sister tells me I don’t need a physical space to feel this way…that I can carry Gran’s Garden in my heart. How true.
    Do you have a space you go to for reflection?
  • Yes, Virginia, You CAN Wait for Santa Claus

    Yes, Virginia, You CAN Wait for Santa Claus

    When I was a kid, waiting for Santa seemed an interminable space where day-to-day life was put on hold. “I can’t wait! I can’t wait!” became my daily (internal) mantra.

    I’m not waiting for Santa this year but I’ve put myself in a similar tizzy waiting in other ways.
    • One agent who has my full manuscript tweeted that she is going to read all submissions and reply to authors by the end of the year.

    • Three other agents have had my manuscript for weeks/months and I’m still awaiting word on those.

    • By the end of December, I’ll be notified whether I was accepted for a prestigious writing residency at Hedgebrook on Whidbey Island in 2011.

    Living more in the present has been a lifelong struggle. When I put this much effort into waiting, I become a permanent resident of limbo. It’s not a good way to live. My stomach twists, I stress-eat, I obsess about things completely out of my control.

    And if/when I don’t get what I’m waiting for, I’ll feel letdown – both because I didn’t get that agent/residency/big break, but also because I can’t get back these days that I’ve wasted not living presently, joyfully and gratefully.

    Sounds like I’ve begun my New Year’s resolution list early.

    Any resolutions emerging for you yet?

  • The Gift of Voice

    The best Christmas present I received this year was from a complete stranger: an author who put an excerpt of my book in front of 13 literary agents, editors, published and unpublished authors. (see previous post)

    While I received some great input on how to improve the opening of the novel, the most important thing I received was affirmation of my writing voice. When I’d completed the novel last May, I knew I’d nailed Cissy’s voice. She spoke to me more clearly than any other character I’ve created. There was no way I could have resisted that voice. It was the reason I dropped two other novels in progress and jumped into her story.

    The reviewers who read a snippet of my book heard Cissy, too, and for that I am incredibly thankful. Here are just a few of the comments. While these make me feel great, I have Cissy to thank for allowing me to tell her story.

    “Hello voice! I’m right inside her head.”

    “The voice here is fantastic- you’ve nailed it!”

    “While I don’t gravitate toward books with darker themes- there are some great ones out there (The Color Purple, The Lovely Bones). It was the voice that captured me in both of those and made me want to read the dark plots. Again, magnificent voice! And that’s often the hardest part!”

    “I actually really enjoyed this first bit of your story. I was drawn right in to her head. Her voice was great. Very believable. From the log line I got that the story is not actually about the incest (which, yes, is really tough), but rather about the adventure and relationship with her grandmother that brings healing to her life. That is what I found myself eager to read about.”

    “As for the excerpt, the voice is fantastic and I have absolutely no problem with it being backstory because it gets right to the point instead of being irritatingly coy. The last paragraph is enough conflict to hook me (if I weren’t already hooked by that amazing voice).”

    “Totally hooked. Beautiful voice, unusual setup of what might be a cliched problem. This character’s got spunk, and I’d be interested to read how she handles the aftereffects of her father’s abuse and her own actions to stop it.”

  • On Selflessness and Rejection

    This is the “speechless” edition of The Writing Life.

    1. The Good Speechless
    I follow the blogs and tweets of several literary agents and writers. I’m utterly dumbfounded by the generosity of some to help up-and-coming writers. AuthoressAnon, a writer trying to get published herself, actually hosts contests where agents agree to critique other writers’ work. Yeah, that’s right. Everyone’s work but her own. I recently got accepted into one of the contests called the Baker’s Dozen Agent Auction. On December 4, a snippet of my book will be posted with those of 39 other writers. Thirteen agents (and the public) will then give feedback on said snippets. Priceless!

    Then, earlier in the week the Knight Literary Agency hosted a similar contest in hopes of finding a new client by Christmas. More than 180 writers sent in three pages of their manuscripts. Deidre Knight and her fellow agents chose 50 writers to send in three chapters. Later, the field will be whittled down until they find an author worth representing. I didn’t make the cut but I’m heartened to see busy publishing professionals adding extra work to their schedules just to offer another opportunity for writers to get a leg in the door.

    2. The Bad Speechless
    In both these contests (and on Twitter) I read of instances of disgruntled writers acting out, sending negative rebuttals and insults when rejected. Not only is this rude, it’s dumb. So dumb. The publishing industry is small and word spreads fast. Rejection is part of publishing. Move on and improve your work.

    Since most of my blog readers are NOT writers, here are my general thoughts on 1 and 2 above.

    • Everywhere and everyday, people do thoughtful, selfless things. We only have take notice – and hopefully say thank you. Maybe we might try being selfless!
    • We all tend to take things too personally: not getting asked on a second date, getting a grumpy sales person, having our food order come out incorrect. The list goes on and on. Let’s take some advice from the Four Agreements: don’t take things personally, be impeccable with your word, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best. The world is a happier place for all of us when we take this advice.