“Steadiness and toil will serve you better than brilliance.” James E. Faust
I love this quote; I first read it when I was 21. I knew then, what I still know now, that I’m not or ever will be brilliant. But I thought that perhaps I might still have a chance with the other two. And even when steadiness might fail me, I could still toil—and toil is definitely something that I can do.
I hear so many people limit themselves by saying, “I could never do that!” And I know that sometimes there are real limitations that need to be taken into consideration, but for the most part we all have the capability of accomplishing things that are way beyond our expectations.
So it’s in this spirit of accomplishing and achieving, through sheer work and determination that I’d like to start a series of interviews featuring friends that I admire greatly. Amid raising a young family and all the everyday cares, these women have managed to turn hobbies into a career that defines them without changing them or their lives. It hasn’t taken them away from children or family, it hasn’t turned them into millionaires, but it has given them great pleasure and they have achieved that which seemed to be unattainable at first. What I like about these moms is that they are your average women, who live their dreams every day and get the laundry done in between—sometimes. They embody this quote of mine, thought I have to say—I do thing they are brilliant!
So stay tuned for my next blog entry to learn more about Naomi DeLaTorre, blogger, writer, salsa dancer supreme!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Spot Light
Hey, hey!!! stop by Naomi's blog www.organicmotherhoodwithcoolwhip.com and read the spotlight she did on...yours truly.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Queries, Agents and Publishers
I was recently asked about queries and that brought back all kinds of bad memories! Querying agents has got to be every author's worse nightmare. Writers are artists and as such are whimsical not marketers. But we are a large bunch and clog up agent's inboxes and publishers with our creations. So to be able to put out creations out there, we have to polish our business side.
I was lucky in the sense that I went through the process of sending queries with one of my good friends Naomi De la Torre www.organicmotherhoodwithcoolwhip.com
Having a buddy who understands and is ready to hear you rant or watch you bounce off the with excitement is, in my opinion, essential! It keeps you motivated and focused.
Like so many people who are trying to get their book under the right pair of eyes, I did a lot of research on how to write a good query. I wrote and re-wrote it more times than I can count, but in the end I settled on this one.
I'm sharing it now because I loved reading the queries that others were writing, and I found that the most helpful blogs were the ones that had sample queries on them.
With this said I have to add: I don't think my query was particularly good.
In fact I don't really know what a good query is. I read so many queries that I found confusing and uninteresting that had managed to get an agent's attention, that in the end I was led to believe that a lot is hinged on whether the agent's bean burrito was good or not. Or if their skim mocha cappuccino was particularly hot at that moment or not.
So I'm not going to pretend like I can give you any advice, other than...Buena Suerte! and Valla con Dios!
Query for VEILED (draft # 426)
Silvina B. Niccum
My address
My e-mail
My phone #
July 19, 2010
Agent’s Address
Dear Ms. ________:
“I have always existed, not just me but all of us, the un-embodied spirits who wait to live.”
VEILED is the first of a proposed three part fantasy about Tess, and the evolution of her soul. Tess is an unborn spirit, who is about to embark on a much awaited journey into mortality to a brand new planet called Earth. She is chosen by the Eternals for an important mission, and is put under a rigorous training, which exposes her to some of her darkest fears and insecurities. These experiences, however, enhance her gift as a discerner of thoughts and reader of auras—thus helping her become one of Heaven’s most powerful angels.
But even angels falter, and deep inside her a gnawing fear is growing. Will she meet her soul mate in life? Will their love be strong enough to overcome the forgetting effects of the Veil? And, is she prepared to take on the responsibility of keeping the most dangerous renegade and leader of the Fallen Angels at bay during mortality?
In this 107,000 word YA fantasy, the supernatural, the spiritual, mortal, and the out-of-this-world intermingle quite naturally as twelve feet tall Cherubs with feathered wings and half-lion, half-human Seraphs take center stage as the superhero watchdogs of the universe. With a good moral and uplifting message about the never ending quest of finding oneself and that one true love—VEILED will capture the interest of “Ghost Whisperer” fans and C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” readers alike.
I was born and raised in Argentina and at the age of fourteen, my family moved to the United States. I later attended the University of Utah where I studied Spanish Literature. I now live in Dallas, Texas with my husband, and am a proud homeschooling, yoga stretching, treadmill running, 6 a.m. writing mother of three. I am also a member of the Writers’ Guild of Texas.
I appreciate the time you have taken to read my query and would be delighted if you were interested in representing me before a publisher. This is a simultaneous submission. Sample chapters and a full manuscript will be provided upon request. Please feel free to call me at _______ or ____________.
Sincerely,
Silvina B. Niccum
I was lucky in the sense that I went through the process of sending queries with one of my good friends Naomi De la Torre www.organicmotherhoodwithcoolwhip.com
Having a buddy who understands and is ready to hear you rant or watch you bounce off the with excitement is, in my opinion, essential! It keeps you motivated and focused.
Like so many people who are trying to get their book under the right pair of eyes, I did a lot of research on how to write a good query. I wrote and re-wrote it more times than I can count, but in the end I settled on this one.
I'm sharing it now because I loved reading the queries that others were writing, and I found that the most helpful blogs were the ones that had sample queries on them.
With this said I have to add: I don't think my query was particularly good.
In fact I don't really know what a good query is. I read so many queries that I found confusing and uninteresting that had managed to get an agent's attention, that in the end I was led to believe that a lot is hinged on whether the agent's bean burrito was good or not. Or if their skim mocha cappuccino was particularly hot at that moment or not.
So I'm not going to pretend like I can give you any advice, other than...Buena Suerte! and Valla con Dios!
Query for VEILED (draft # 426)
Silvina B. Niccum
My address
My e-mail
My phone #
July 19, 2010
Agent’s Address
Dear Ms. ________:
“I have always existed, not just me but all of us, the un-embodied spirits who wait to live.”
VEILED is the first of a proposed three part fantasy about Tess, and the evolution of her soul. Tess is an unborn spirit, who is about to embark on a much awaited journey into mortality to a brand new planet called Earth. She is chosen by the Eternals for an important mission, and is put under a rigorous training, which exposes her to some of her darkest fears and insecurities. These experiences, however, enhance her gift as a discerner of thoughts and reader of auras—thus helping her become one of Heaven’s most powerful angels.
But even angels falter, and deep inside her a gnawing fear is growing. Will she meet her soul mate in life? Will their love be strong enough to overcome the forgetting effects of the Veil? And, is she prepared to take on the responsibility of keeping the most dangerous renegade and leader of the Fallen Angels at bay during mortality?
In this 107,000 word YA fantasy, the supernatural, the spiritual, mortal, and the out-of-this-world intermingle quite naturally as twelve feet tall Cherubs with feathered wings and half-lion, half-human Seraphs take center stage as the superhero watchdogs of the universe. With a good moral and uplifting message about the never ending quest of finding oneself and that one true love—VEILED will capture the interest of “Ghost Whisperer” fans and C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” readers alike.
I was born and raised in Argentina and at the age of fourteen, my family moved to the United States. I later attended the University of Utah where I studied Spanish Literature. I now live in Dallas, Texas with my husband, and am a proud homeschooling, yoga stretching, treadmill running, 6 a.m. writing mother of three. I am also a member of the Writers’ Guild of Texas.
I appreciate the time you have taken to read my query and would be delighted if you were interested in representing me before a publisher. This is a simultaneous submission. Sample chapters and a full manuscript will be provided upon request. Please feel free to call me at _______ or ____________.
Sincerely,
Silvina B. Niccum
Monday, January 24, 2011
Creating a Book Cover
My cover was created by Jaimey Grant ( http://www.anauthorsart.com ), the cover design artist for Treasurline Books Publisher.
She is a woman of amazing talent both as a writer and as a cover designer.
The cover of a book is almost as important as the contents. The saying to "Don't judge a book by its cover" is only really true when it applies to people--not actual books.
Lets face it, a good cover will make you pick up a book that you would have not picked up other-wise.
It comes as no surprise, that during the "Twilight" craze, Little Brown re-packaged some old classics like "Wuthering Heights" and "Pride and Prejudice" with covers to match the iconic solid black background and single red or white flower of the "Twilight" books. Did I pick it up? Yep! I sure did! After closer inspection I realized that I was holding two old books in a new cover. I thought it was a witty idea.
So while I wrote and wrote and dreamed and dreamed, I also thought and thought about what I wanted my cover to look like.
I think I even posted some examples on some of my earlier posts.
At one point I asked Linda Boulanger from Treasureline Books, about covers and she did a great post on her blog ( http://writersshelflife.blogspot.com ). So after reading that post I went to work at finding stock photography that I thought I could use for my cover.
I spent a solid weekend looking at more pictures that I care to remember, finally I found three pictures that I thought could mesh into a cover.
Jaimey took these three pictures and with her magic keyboard made an awesome cover! I did go a little diva on her a few times, wanting to try different things and fonts. I'm sure every time she sent me a new re-mix on the cover she rolled her eyes and said a prayer!
In the end all my bright ideas didn't seem all that bright and I learned that she was spot on from the beginning!
So here I am, one step closer to the actual hold in my hand 6X9 matte with cream colored pages Dream!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Woo Whoo, I’m an Alien
…I’m a legal alien!
It’s intricate work being an alien, there’s lots of fine lines to walk and a lot of taboos to learn about. The name itself is a daunting task—alien. Right off the bat you know you stand apart, not “natural born” but of foreign origin.
Then there’s the language, one my favorite lines from a movie “A Walk in the Clouds” the character of the father says to the guy that just married his daughter, “I don’t think with an accent.” Man, I love that line.
When I first moved to the U.S. at age fourteen, I really confused a lot of people. My appearance has always been incongruent with my accent. Or complete lack of understanding of the English language, because when I first moved to the U.S. I spoke no English. Sure, I could say “Where’s the bathroom?” and “My name is Silvina. Hello, how are you?”
In Argentina, my mom made us all take English from a young age. She considered it a must for us kids, and even started her own English Institute in Buenos Aires when I was twelve years old. The problem with me and English was that I never thought I would use it, so I never cared to learn it!
Some of it must have stuck, because my first High School English class I took, I got an A. We were studying Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and I could read and write somewhat in the language. My mom was furious! She actually complained to the Principal about my A, asking him why I was given such a grade when I couldn’t even speak the language.
School wasn’t easy for me here, in spite of my initial A, and neither was making friends. One look at me and most kids would peg me for an American, then I would speak and I could see their wheels start to turn. “Australia? Sweden? South Africa?” Yep! Believe it or not, those were the usual suspect countries that I was peg to be from.
I could have tried to fit in with the Latino crowd, but that was equally impossible. They would hear me speak with my Argentine accent, and wonder where on earth I was from.
Alien, I was an alien. Alienated on both sides, but don’t feel too sad for me. These things build character, so I turned to books!
The other part of being an alien that is tricky is the whole “status” thing. Until I became a “Naturalized Citizen”, I had to keep my status in check. My parents were “Permanent Residents”, a very coveted status to have. But as such they could not keep me in the U.S. legally after I turned eighteen. So I had to apply for a “Student Visa” and study. This I did gladly, but a tragic turn of events rendered my father unable to work, so I was faced with two choices. Go back to Argentina, or transfer schools.
My mom was teaching—then at a two year school—where I could study for free. The problem now was that I was a senior, majoring in Spanish Lit. The college my mom was teaching at was working on a four year program in that same department, but it was a long ways away form materializing.
Thant’s when Culinary School came into my life! Not only was I able to keep my status as a student, but I was also able to learn the art of cooking. So now I’m the Queen of Eclectic!
My accent is my own, with no discernible root. Visually I’m as gringa as they come. Now a mother and a homeschooler, a treadmill-runner, stationary-biker and incense burning yoga-freak!
In February…or March, perhaps I’ll add “Published Author” to my eclectic list. Wahoo! …and still an Alien!
Here's one of my favorite Recepes from Culinary School
It’s intricate work being an alien, there’s lots of fine lines to walk and a lot of taboos to learn about. The name itself is a daunting task—alien. Right off the bat you know you stand apart, not “natural born” but of foreign origin.
Then there’s the language, one my favorite lines from a movie “A Walk in the Clouds” the character of the father says to the guy that just married his daughter, “I don’t think with an accent.” Man, I love that line.
When I first moved to the U.S. at age fourteen, I really confused a lot of people. My appearance has always been incongruent with my accent. Or complete lack of understanding of the English language, because when I first moved to the U.S. I spoke no English. Sure, I could say “Where’s the bathroom?” and “My name is Silvina. Hello, how are you?”
In Argentina, my mom made us all take English from a young age. She considered it a must for us kids, and even started her own English Institute in Buenos Aires when I was twelve years old. The problem with me and English was that I never thought I would use it, so I never cared to learn it!
Some of it must have stuck, because my first High School English class I took, I got an A. We were studying Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and I could read and write somewhat in the language. My mom was furious! She actually complained to the Principal about my A, asking him why I was given such a grade when I couldn’t even speak the language.
School wasn’t easy for me here, in spite of my initial A, and neither was making friends. One look at me and most kids would peg me for an American, then I would speak and I could see their wheels start to turn. “Australia? Sweden? South Africa?” Yep! Believe it or not, those were the usual suspect countries that I was peg to be from.
I could have tried to fit in with the Latino crowd, but that was equally impossible. They would hear me speak with my Argentine accent, and wonder where on earth I was from.
Alien, I was an alien. Alienated on both sides, but don’t feel too sad for me. These things build character, so I turned to books!
The other part of being an alien that is tricky is the whole “status” thing. Until I became a “Naturalized Citizen”, I had to keep my status in check. My parents were “Permanent Residents”, a very coveted status to have. But as such they could not keep me in the U.S. legally after I turned eighteen. So I had to apply for a “Student Visa” and study. This I did gladly, but a tragic turn of events rendered my father unable to work, so I was faced with two choices. Go back to Argentina, or transfer schools.
My mom was teaching—then at a two year school—where I could study for free. The problem now was that I was a senior, majoring in Spanish Lit. The college my mom was teaching at was working on a four year program in that same department, but it was a long ways away form materializing.
Thant’s when Culinary School came into my life! Not only was I able to keep my status as a student, but I was also able to learn the art of cooking. So now I’m the Queen of Eclectic!
My accent is my own, with no discernible root. Visually I’m as gringa as they come. Now a mother and a homeschooler, a treadmill-runner, stationary-biker and incense burning yoga-freak!
In February…or March, perhaps I’ll add “Published Author” to my eclectic list. Wahoo! …and still an Alien!
Here's one of my favorite Recepes from Culinary School
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Larry King Live Interview Part II
As promised I made a second interview!
In this second part to the interview between Tess, the main character of my soon to come out book titled "VEILED", Tess talks to Larry about the gifts that some of her clan members have.
Larry gets a bit disgruntled when he finds out what Tess' gift is.
Hope you enjoy this next bit of silliness!
In this second part to the interview between Tess, the main character of my soon to come out book titled "VEILED", Tess talks to Larry about the gifts that some of her clan members have.
Larry gets a bit disgruntled when he finds out what Tess' gift is.
Hope you enjoy this next bit of silliness!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Out of the Mouth of Babes
Some times I wonder if my children got computer classes in heaven. They seem to have come hard-wired to work that mouse and know instinctively how to surf the net. I was 21 when my room-mate called me to her room to show me this "new thing" called the Internet and e-mail. Nowadays instead of teaching our children to use the computer, we have to teach them what a record player is; and they look at you like you're some sort of pre-historic creature.
When I see this video I can't help think that perhaps this little girl (now a teenager)took a lot of art classes in heaven, before coming to Earth.
How about this other little girl who most likely was one of those angels who she now sings about...
Whatever our talents and gifts in this life might be, one thing I know for sure. They are God given and they are meant to be shared.
When I see this video I can't help think that perhaps this little girl (now a teenager)took a lot of art classes in heaven, before coming to Earth.
How about this other little girl who most likely was one of those angels who she now sings about...
Whatever our talents and gifts in this life might be, one thing I know for sure. They are God given and they are meant to be shared.
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