tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76920591762071831032024-02-02T16:12:33.524-08:00Michelle Tran WritesMichelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.comBlogger449125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-19699270085621481862016-02-05T08:48:00.002-08:002016-02-05T08:48:39.251-08:00My blog has MOVED!To everyone who has been following my journey so far, I am so thankful! But I wanted to let you all know that I've decided to move my blog/website here: <a href="http://www.michelletranwrites.com/">www.michelletranwrites.com</a><br />
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I hope you will continue to follow me on my journey :)<br />
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Thanks again for the past four awesome years on this site!<br />
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xoxo, <br />
MichelleMichelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-67541513749765493162016-02-01T07:40:00.001-08:002016-02-01T07:40:10.941-08:00Drafting, glasses, & my latest obsessions, oh my!I'm back at drafting my next WIP and it feels awesome but scary at the same time! I haven't drafted since April when I wrote <em>Diamond Queen</em> so it always feels new and different when I get back at it again. Drafting is a different kind of animal compared to revising and editing, but the best way I go about it is to flash draft (which averages about 4-6 weeks depending on the idea). To keep myself accountable I aim for a daily word count of 2K. I can't always make the 2K, but if by the end of the week I can get to 15K, I'm happy.<br />
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And it just so happens that I met my goal for week 1!<br />
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Now, I just need to keep at this pace and I'll be golden (as long as I can keep my internal editor in check).<br />
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This past week was also strange because I was getting used to my new prescription glasses. This is my first time ever wearing glasses so it came with a learning curve. At first it made me really nauseous, and now my eye won't stop twitching. Oh well, you lose some you win some, I guess.<br />
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I've also tried to keep my distractions at a minimum so that I can focus on drafting, but who am I kidding. My latest obsessions? <u>Orphan Black</u>, <em>Wolf by Wolf</em>, and trying new things.<br />
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Have you ever had a multi-grain latte? According to my barista, it's pretty common in Japan and Korea, but it was totally new to me. It has no coffee in it whatsoever, but was marketed as a protein-filled-afternoon-productivity-boost (her words, not mine!). I managed to get 1K words in after drinking it, so I guess it worked?<br />
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Also, these donut holes with coconut cream. There's no significance to them, except that they were delicious!<br />
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Also had a date with this stud who introduced me to <u>SOMM: Into the bottle</u>, a neat documentary about what goes into wine. Spoiler: it's not just grapes!<br />
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How was your week? What's your current read or latest obsession? Comment below!Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-81488354411839501862016-01-25T08:13:00.001-08:002016-01-25T08:13:20.230-08:00Big Magic & A Shiny New IdeaGood morning Mondaayyyyy!<br />
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Ok, really. I'm not that chipper, but I am trying to be more positive. Post-Pitch Wars writing has been tough. I had started on this neat idea, but then life got a little busy around December and January with vacation and wedding planning, making it so difficult to return to said idea. That's why I truly believe in flash drafts. For me, I need to blast through that first draft before I lose the spark. Once I get it down though, I'm able to keep the spark burning by reworking and molding it into my vision.<br />
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So speaking of sparks and ideas, it's really difficult to get one of those suckers that makes your whole heart swoon. After vacation, I kind of felt like a lost lamb. I had no motivation to write, because everything that came out of my fingertips seemed no good. In truth, I was becoming really critical with myself instead of allowing myself some creative freedom in the first draft.<br />
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My awesome CP Krystal (who has been with me throughout my whole writing angst the past year--bless her kind soul) recommended that I read <em>Big Magic </em>by Elizabeth Gilbert.<br />
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And I'm so glad I did. I rate this a solid 4! Here's a quick blurb:<br />
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<span id="freeText5820036221569963093"><em>Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy.</em></span><br />
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<span>At times it was a bit quirky, but Gilbert's idea of inspiration resonated within me and her words were comforting and encouraging. After reading, it changed my perspective on what it means to live a creative life. For instance, I had this deep desire to be validated for my writing (and that meant getting an agent), that I became so obsessed with wondering what an agent or the market would want to read instead of digging deep and figuring out what I wanted to write.</span><br />
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<span>At the same time, I was really struggling with the possibility of failing. What if everything I wrote amounted to nothing. No matter how many manuscripts I wrote and revised, what if none of them were published? Would all of that time spent be a waste? Before reading the book, I would have answered yes. Now after, I would say no. Because I write for myself, and no amount of validation would bring me the same joy like getting a scene just right, or nailing down my last sentence and writing 'The End' after. And that's what creative living is all about, doing something you love and enjoy that enriches your days.</span><br />
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<span>Another thing that hit home was Gilbert's advice to not expect financial reward for creativity, because nothing kills creativity more than depending on it to provide for your lifestyle. So yeah, I'd really love a career in writing, but I'm level-headed enough to know not to expect that, because if I do, I'll be taking all the joy out of something I love.</span><br />
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<span>Once I finished the book on Friday, I felt more at peace with myself and free to create whatever I wanted. And a mere hour later, I was hit with this image in my mind that grew into a shiny new idea. So I went home and brainstormed and thought to myself, <em>this is what I want to write.</em></span><br />
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<span>Yesterday, I started the first draft and wrote 2300 words. It's kind of different from what I've written before and the main protagonist so adorkable and endearing that I'm excited to see her character arc and story blossom before me.</span>Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-76418451732503852202016-01-19T08:46:00.000-08:002016-01-19T08:46:55.554-08:00Hawaii & Beach ReadsWow January, look at you go! You are seriously flashing before my eyes.<br />
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It's been awhile since I've blogged, but I am back from my Hawaii vacation and ready to catch up with you all. Vacation consisted of beaching, reading, eating, drinking, and wedding planning! I am happy to report that Michael and I have set the date for our destination wedding next year. Here's a glimpse of my time on the island:<br />
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During my time there, I read four books and just had to recommend to you YA lovers:<br />
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<span id="freeText3350725556421536483"><strong>Overview:</strong> The sheriff’s son, Kellan Turner, is not the golden boy everyone thinks he is, and Romy Grey knows that for a fact. Because no one wants to believe a girl from the wrong side of town, the truth about him has cost her everything—friends, family, and her community. Branded a liar and bullied relentlessly by a group of kids she used to hang out with, Romy’s only refuge is the diner where she works outside of town. No one knows her name or her past there; she can finally be anonymous. But when a girl with ties to both Romy and Kellan goes missing after a party, and news of him assaulting another girl in a town close by gets out, Romy must decide whether she wants to fight or carry the burden of knowing more girls could get hurt if she doesn’t speak up. Nobody believed her the first time—and they certainly won’t now — but the cost of her silence might be more than she can bear. <br /><br />With a shocking conclusion and writing that will absolutely knock you out, <em>All the Rage</em> examines the shame and silence inflicted upon young women after an act of sexual violence, forcing us to ask ourselves: In a culture that refuses to protect its young girls, how can they survive?</span> <br />
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<strong>Review: </strong>This book was recommended by my friend <a href="https://twitter.com/Mic_Domenici" target="_blank">Michella</a> (who is a fabulous book blogger) and I'm so glad I checked it out. I'd rate this a solid 4 due to Summers execution of the story (it read like a mystery to me, but kept the contemporary feel, so I can appreciate the genre blend). This is the kind of book that really sinks its claws into you with its gritty realness, so not for the faint of heart. If you like <em>Thirteen Reasons Why</em>, you may like this one too. It's different in style from Asher's book, but it definitely packs a punch in the gut.<br />
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<span id="freeText15237323477816214805"><span id="freeText3350725556421536483"><strong>Overview: </strong></span>Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard—falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her—and her best friend's boyfriend—start going around. Now Regina's been frozen out, and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina were guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth, and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past whom she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be <em>more</em> than just a friend...if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.<br /><br />Tensions grow and the abuse worsens, as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of <em>Cracked Up To Be</em>.</span> <br />
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<strong>Review: </strong>Solid 4.5 stars on this one. I could not put this down. I read it in one sitting and was completely riveted by it all. In my opinion, this is Summers at her best. I loved the complexity of the characters all involved, the plot line, and pacing. This is dark and edgy contemporary perfection and is now one of my favorite books. <br />
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<span id="freeText14122870077014381269"><span id="freeText3350725556421536483"><strong>Overview: </strong></span>Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.<br /><br />Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.</span><br />
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<span><strong>Review: </strong>This was hard to get into after reading <em>Some Girls Are</em>, but I felt like it was a solid read. 3 stars on this one because of the complex nature of the story and how it handled the subject. This one was definitely a character-driven story, so if you're into that you may enjoy it. </span><br />
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<span><span id="freeText3482761460487991965"><span id="freeText3350725556421536483"><strong>Overview: </strong></span>Jo Montfort is beautiful and rich, and soon—like all the girls in her class—she’ll graduate from finishing school and be married off to a wealthy bachelor. Which is the last thing she wants. Jo secretly dreams of becoming a writer—a newspaper reporter like the trailblazing Nellie Bly.<br /><br />Wild aspirations aside, Jo’s life seems perfect until tragedy strikes: her father is found dead. Charles Montfort accidentally shot himself while cleaning his revolver. One of New York City’s wealthiest men, he owned a newspaper and was partner in a massive shipping firm, and Jo knows he was far too smart to clean a loaded gun.<br /><br />The more Jo uncovers about her father’s death, the more her suspicions grow. There are too many secrets. And they all seem to be buried in plain sight. Then she meets Eddie—a young, brash, infuriatingly handsome reporter at her father’s newspaper—and it becomes all too clear how much she stands to lose if she keeps searching for the truth. Only now it might be too late to stop.<br /><br />The past never stays buried forever. Life is dirtier than Jo Montfort could ever have imagined, and the truth is the dirtiest part of all.</span></span><br />
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<span><span><strong>Review: </strong>I'm 3/4ths done with this, but I will count this in my beach reads post since I started it at the beach. This is a solid four. A great thrilling mystery with feisty characters. The historical aspect is done nicely and I found the writing enjoyable. I'd consider this a 'fun' read if you want something light, but interesting.</span></span>Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-87488082471481492832015-12-31T10:16:00.002-08:002015-12-31T10:16:52.699-08:002016 GoalsI completed all five of my <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2014/12/2015-goals.html" target="_blank">2015 goals</a>! Now onto 2016!<br />
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1. <em>Practice 'positivity, perseverance, and patience'.</em> This can be applied in my daily life, but also with writing. I've realized this year that in order to succeed I must keep a good attitude, work hard, and enjoy the process.<br />
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2. <em>Mind & body balance.</em> After five years of dealing with body issues (I have suffered from EDNOS in the past, but continue to struggle with body dysmorphia), I want to restore balance within myself by being healthier and active. My main objective is to reach a happy body weight (one that is healthy and that I am confident in). More on this in February and March ;)<br />
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3. Complete a <em>new manuscript</em> and continue to improve my craft.<br />
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4. <em>Be financially savvy. </em>This year, I want to be smarter with my money and pay more attention to my spending.<br />
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Cheers to a New Year!<br />
Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-65821026324521135562015-12-30T08:05:00.001-08:002015-12-30T08:05:51.617-08:00My top 15 moments of 2015!Like last year's <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-top-14-moments-of-2014.html" target="_blank">post</a>, here are my top 15 moment of 2015 (in no particular order):<br />
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1. <em>Vietnam</em> - Such an awesome <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2015/03/asia-vacation-2015-day-1.html" target="_blank">family trip</a> back to my roots!<br />
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2. <em>Korea</em> - Part two of my <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2015/04/asia-vacation-day-11-12-to-z-challenge.html" target="_blank">Asia travels</a>. Though freezing, the trip had its memories.<br />
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3. <em>Swan Lake</em> - My first time at<a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2015/04/swan-lake.html" target="_blank"> the ballet</a>! What a memorable birthday gift from Michael!<br />
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4. <em>House</em> - Michael and I moved from Seattle to the suburbs into a <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-move.html" target="_blank">new house</a>! It's been a fun adventure making it homey this year.<br />
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5. <em>SCBWI WWA Conference</em> - My first <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2015/04/scbwi-wwa-conference-2015.html" target="_blank">writing conference</a>. To attend a conference was one of my goal's this year, so check!<br />
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6. <em>Baby on the way</em> - On my sister's trip up to visit me, she surprised me by announcing that she was pregnant!<br />
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7. <em>Oregon Wine Trip</em> - Another <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2015/08/oregone-wine-country.html" target="_blank">wine trip</a> for the books! This time in Oregon :)<br />
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8. <em>Engagement</em> - When Michael <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2015/08/were-engaged.html" target="_blank">proposed</a> <3<br />
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9. <em>Pitch Wars </em>- Getting into <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2015/09/what-happens-after-pitch-wars.html" target="_blank">Pitch Wars</a>, gaining an awesome mentor, and a whole bunch of writing friends. It's been a crazy, but amazing journey.<br />
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10. <em>Alinea </em>- The <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2015/09/alinea-anniversary.html" target="_blank">best meal of my life</a> and celebrating Michael and I's meetaversery!<br />
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11. <em>Chicago </em>- The awesome <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2015/09/chicago-series-poetry-foundation.html" target="_blank">urban exploration trip</a>.<br />
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12. <em>Family Visits </em>- This year, just about everyone in my family visited me! This warms my heart.<br />
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13. <em>Thanksgiving </em>- Always going back home for Thanksgiving to see my family.<br />
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14. <em>The Nutcracker </em>- What can I say, I really enjoy <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2015/12/christmas-2015-going-home-coming-back.html" target="_blank">the ballet</a>! A Christmas gift from Michael :)<br />
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15. <em>Baby Jasalyn </em>- As of December 27th, I am an aunt!<br />
Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-29439409661371430152015-12-27T08:38:00.000-08:002015-12-27T08:38:27.154-08:00Christmas 2015: Going home, coming back, and 'The Nutcraker'Christmas is over! Still a bit hard to believe with the last couple of days being a whirlwind! I'm still coming down from my my ballet high. This year Michael got us tickets to 'The Nutcracker' for one of my Christmas gifts.<br />
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'The Nutcracker' was so much fun. The hall was decked out in Christmas decor and all the kids were so excited. The ballet itself was very festive and beautiful. It was my first time seeing 'The Nutcracker' and I loved every minute of it.<br />
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Before the ballet, Michael and I went to Petit Toulouse. They're rated top ten in best happy hours in the nation (according to their disclaimer on their menu)! The HH menu is pretty awesome though! Every single bite was delicious and none of the food went to waste.<br />
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Oh gosh. This white chocolate bread pudding was amazing. I am currently ranking it two in best desserts in Seattle, with the first being the maple bread pudding at Walrus & Carpenter.<br />
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Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we spent with Michael's family. As usual it was a blast with thoughtful gifts, great food, and great company.<br />
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Every year, I do miss my family. It's been three years since I spent a Christmas with them. Luckily, this year I flew down the weekend prior to Christmas to see them, also hoping to catch the birthing of my first little niece, Jasalyn. Of course, she was past due and didn't want to see me! But as I write this blog post, my sister is currently in labor, so I'm thinking good thoughts for her and her baby. By tomorrow morning Jasalyn will be sleeping in this little basinet Michael and I gifted to her.</div>
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I do have to admit, kids have grown on me! For awhile I thought I could do with or without them, but I am leaning toward them in the future now (like way wayyyyy in the future :P).<br />
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Now I can't wait to meet my niece next year!<br />
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How was your Christmas? Comment below :)<br />
<br />Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-48230790208920228202015-12-08T07:41:00.000-08:002015-12-08T07:41:24.449-08:00Tis the season to be sneezy!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9yIfSxSA_dp8WrjfZr7zWgELWFGNyQq1UgncAQku-8l7emRPcAkUY7CjVu17AxQWgQZpCzl79GIO0vyXBHUjydM_oPAFBSQyZkprQFhbwL2GQpvbj3LtfdJsk4bO8ESog7p0RjqgPahx/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9yIfSxSA_dp8WrjfZr7zWgELWFGNyQq1UgncAQku-8l7emRPcAkUY7CjVu17AxQWgQZpCzl79GIO0vyXBHUjydM_oPAFBSQyZkprQFhbwL2GQpvbj3LtfdJsk4bO8ESog7p0RjqgPahx/s1600/Untitled.png" /></a><br />
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You guys. I spent the ENTIRE weekend sick. I've gotten sick so many times this year, I can't even keep count. Be good to your bodies, guys. Unfortunately for me, I have a weak immune system :(<br />
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So what do I do when I'm sick? I become a couch potato. I watched the whole first season of Jessica Jones (and a lot of other stuff on TV), finally finished <em>Six of Crows </em>and <em>The Red Queen</em>, and had plenty of time to wallow about my lack of writing progress this month (on the plus side, I'm getting through my TBR list!).<br />
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If you get sick this month, I recommend watching Jessica Jones on Netflix. Great character and plot development throughout the whole thing and it wraps up nicely.<br />
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<em>Six of Crows </em>was amazing. I can't believe I put it on the backburner for so long. I bought it the day it came out, but got sidetracked with revisions. I finally picked it up from where I left off and could not stop. The character development and world building by Bardugo was fantastic as usual. I can't wait for the sequel.<br />
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Reading <em>The Red Queen</em> afterwards was a different experience when Bardugo set the bar so high. Though it was a quick read, it didn't grab me as much <em>as Six of Crows</em>. I thought the world building had the potential to be even better, so I'm hoping this is something Aveyard develops in book two. The story was well-written, but the plot didn't seem complex enough for me. Everyone raved about the twist at the ending, but I saw it coming all along. All in all, if you like x-men and court politics, I'm sure you will enjoy it more than I did. I do love this cover though.<br />
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With all the fantasy I've read lately, I'm starting to miss contemporary! If you have any recs, comment below!Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-15936087494771209972015-12-01T17:23:00.002-08:002015-12-01T17:23:29.486-08:00Hello, December :)I'm baaaaaaaack from California!<br />
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The first thing I notice when I land in Washington? It's so cold. Like bbbbbbrrrrrrrrr I can't feel my feet cold. Winter is definitely knocking.<br />
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So, I had hoped to inundate you with a million bajillion photos of my awesome family and my time spent with them, but I regretfully have none to show :( I know. I'm losing my blogging touch. I really, really, need to take more photos of my trips back home. The thing is, when I'm back home, I like to disappear into the moment. I unplug from the computer, I hang out with my family (even if we aren't even doing anything), and all my worries and stresses float away.<br />
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But my blog holds so many memories. I love flipping through the archives and reliving the moments so I'm disappointed to know that this awesome week won't be recorded (well, with pictures anyway). I guess the next best thing I can do is write a list of what happened on my trip.<br />
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<3 delicious home cooked meals (especially my mom's spicy crab dish)</div>
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<3 wedding dress shopping in San Jose (I didn't find 'the one' but it was a cool experience)</div>
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<3 quality time with the family through food excursions and fun activities</div>
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<3 wine tasting in Napa</div>
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<3 shopping with my sisters (aka the only time I really like to shop)</div>
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<3 watching the last HUNGER GAMES (my heart still aches)</div>
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<3 feeling my niece kick in my sister's stomach</div>
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<3 helping my cousin with his reading skills</div>
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<3 finally having time to read (I read two craft books and finally finished <i>Attachments</i> by Rainbow Rowell. Now onto <i>Six of Crows</i>)</div>
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I'm heading back down to California later this month, so maybe this time I can make up for my lack of photos :)</div>
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How was your Thanksgiving? Comment below!</div>
Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-83354899910497735942015-11-20T08:07:00.002-08:002015-11-20T08:07:53.693-08:00Thankful.I am so giddy with excitement! In less than 24 hours I'll be on my way to the airport en route to California!<br />
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Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it's the one time out of the year that the whole family is all together. It's crazy, it's loud, it's fun, it's perfect, it's love. I love my big ol' family!<br />
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In the meantime, Michael and I have hosted pre-Thanksgiving dinners (for the first time in the new house) for his family.<br />
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Can you believe I made that delicious looking entrée? Two years ago I couldn't even make rice -_-. It's been fun hosting our own Thanksgiving that it just might become a tradition for us.<br />
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As this year comes to a close, I grow more and more thankful of all the blessings I have. It's been a tumultuous year filled with ups and downs, but 2015 has been memorable and filled with so much love, my heart is more than full.<br />
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I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with love, family, and friendship!<br />
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Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-34794528559729802022015-11-11T11:22:00.002-08:002015-11-11T11:22:23.919-08:00Life After Pitch Wars: Wedding, Napa, Winter Book Launch Party, & the next MS!Hi Evvvvvveryone!<br />
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It's a little over a week since the Agent Round for Pitch Wars began. Eeeep! So what is life after Pitch Wars like? Exactly the same, except I check my inbox more frequently, made a bunch of new friends that I can't wait to meet up with IRL, and am anxious all the time. Ha, I guess it isn't exactly the same then.<br />
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In any case, I wanted to let you know what I've been up to, what I'm currently reading, and what my next writing project is!<br />
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This past weekend I flew to Cali for my best friend's (from high school) wedding. It was great seeing everyone and reconnecting with my friends now that we all live in separate states now. <br />
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Since the wedding wasn't until the evening, Michael and I took advantage of the glorious weather and drove to Napa to do some wine tasting. When we flew back to Seattle the next day, and it was grey and raining still, I was crushed. I need the sun, so I take solace in knowing I'll be back in California for the holidays.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael contemplating the wine, while I am ecstatic to taste!</td></tr>
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On the plus side, I went to the WINTER book launch with my writer friend Lisa where we got our hardcover copies signed by Marissa Meyer yesterday (who btw is so bubbly, I'd like to put her in my pocket and bring her everywhere I go when I need a dose of positivity--kidding! But really, she is just the sweetest darling in her ball gown).<br />
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Which brings me to my TBR pile. I haven't posted any reviews recently, but I will let you know that I finished my fellow mentee's ms, <a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/2015/11/pw-207-ya-contemporary-wlgbtq-elements-lady-hamlet/" target="_blank">LADY HAMLET</a> which was such a great read and had LGBTQ elements that need to be on the shelves! I also have another mentee's ms loaded onto my kindle, <a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/2015/11/pw-227-ya-fantasy-hesperia/" target="_blank">HESPERIA</a>, which I cannot wait to read. But I still have tons of things to finish. Currently 50% in on MY LIFE NEXT DOOR (which was such a sweet gift from my mentor), 25% in on SIX OF CROWS, 20% in on RED QUEEN, and I just started WINTER. I don't know how agents can balance reading subs, client ms's, plus queries, because there are not enough hours in a day and too many great stories out there to get to.<br />
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And speaking of stories, I found my next story to work on. Though I would love to write the sequel to DIAMOND QUEEN, I know that it's best to get working on another project to maximize my chances of being agented in the future. So, in a Michelle-like fashion I'm getting back on that Contemporary train (because you know, I always do after writing a Fantasy). If you check under my projects link, you'll see that I listed this one as THE OTHER SIDE OF BEAUTIFUL (my current working title). I don't have a blurb for it yet, but it's a dual POV set in NYC in the vein of FLIPPED but with a revenge twist. I've been toying with the idea since October when I wrote the opening chapter in passing between the Pitch Wars craziness, but now I am fully committed to power through this draft once I get my outline finalized. So wish me luck! Hopefully I'll have a 'Writing Progress Report' post up soon for it.<br />
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How's your week been? What are you reading and what are you writing? Comment below!Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-84935183197599734982015-10-30T09:00:00.001-07:002015-10-30T09:00:17.255-07:00Diamond Queen Inspiration (A Pitch Wars Mentee Blog Hop)Q: What was the inspiration behind your Pitch Wars story?<br />
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Before I get into my answer, I just wanted to say a huge thanks to my fellow mentees, Brianna Shrum (my mentor), and as always Brenda Drake for this incredible experience. I can't believe our journey is coming to an end, but I look forward to 'life after pitch wars' with you all!<br />
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Now, onto my manuscript, <em>Diamond Queen</em>, a story close to my heart. <br />
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<em>Diamond Queen</em> was the story I was always meant to write, I just never got down to do it. Inspired by a Vietnamese oral folktale I've heard all my life, I never gave much thought about it until my recent trip to Vietnam this past February where I had heard it again for the millionth time. The folktale is a spin-off from the phrase, "ngu long con chua" or "five princesses of dragons". <br />
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The phrase is almost always uttered when a person realizes my mother gave birth to five daughters. In the Vietnamese culture, five daughters within a family is considered a sign of good luck. The luck, as I understand, stems from the fact that each daughter is 'blessed' with a certain attribute. Whatever that means.<br />
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Growing up, the phrase went through one ear and out the other, because I never saw much good luck around us. We were a poor immigrant family with a single parent trying to make ends meet. But when we were in Vietnam this past February and I heard the story again, I made sure to listen. From the awe in my relatives eyes, I realized how far my family had come. My mother raised five girls on her own in an unfamiliar country, sent us all to college (and we now all have stable full-time jobs), and oh yeah, she beat cancer. <br />
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Maybe there was some luck around us. As a child, observing my family through the hardships, I couldn't see it. But now, I do.<br />
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Thus the premise of <em>Diamond Queen</em>. Though my story can standalone, it's a planned four-part series about five princesses blessed--or cursed, depending on how you look at it--scattered across the globe who must come together and save their country from tyranny. <em>Diamond Queen </em>is the story of the eldest sister, Avere, who is the heir of a kingdom that wants her dead. <br />
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I hope one day this manuscript gets into your hands in book form, because I am dying to share this story with you. <br />
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To close, below are a few photos from my trip mentioned that inspired my imagined country of Vadierra.<br />
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Best of luck to all the other mentees out there and many thanks for stopping by! Can't wait for you to see my pitch and first 250 words at the agent round <333<br />
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Check out Vanessa Edward's (fellow mentee and host of the blog hop) blog <a href="http://www.vanessabarger.com/blog/its-a-pitchwars-mentee-blog-hop" target="_blank">here</a> to check out more inspiration from the other Pitch Wars mentees! <br />
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Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-71978850243921650152015-10-29T07:42:00.001-07:002015-10-29T07:43:10.764-07:00Pitch Wars Edits / Writing Progress Report 3I AM DONNNNNNE WITH LINE-EDITS! <br />
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***throws confetti***<br />
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Hi All--<br />
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It's been awhile, I know. Before I delve into writing, I should probably explain why I've been more silent than usual. This past month I've had to do some follow-up medical testing after my annual exam at the doctor's. Nothing to be alarmed about, but it's always scary to get a phone call from the doctor's office asking if you can do another test, and another test. When I was in high school my mother had cancer, so the doctor's office really gets my anxiety going. My teenage self really thought she was going to die and I'd end up an orphan (not my best high school memories). Thank heavens everything turned out okay. Next month, I'll be going in for another test, yay (heavy sarcasm). But I'm not going to worry about it anymore, since nothing is seriously wrong or life-threatening. Anyway, that's why I haven't been up to blogging. <br />
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As the title suggests, I've been working on line-edits and I finished yesterday night. I sent in my revised draft to my mentor, Brianna, and I feel weirdly calm about the whole thing. This week Brianna helped me a ton on my pitch and the first 250 words (the entry that's posted) so I'm breathing easier (as long as I don't think about the agent round).<br />
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Line-edits weren't as bad as I expected, especially towards the last half of my manuscript. The first half ended up needing more work.<br />
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A few things I learned about myself during line-edits:<br />
<ul>
<li> I need a refresher on grammar rules. After seeing some stupid mistakes I made, I ended up rereading my copy of <em>The Elements Of Style</em>. Some common mistakes? Pronouns (Emperor vs emperor), the word capitol (when the whole time I meant capital), comma usage, dash versus semi-colon, noun matching posessives.</li>
<li>SHOW don't TELL mantra. There's always a place where you can improve a part by showing it vividly as opposed to filtering or summarizing. Idiosyncratic details are your friend.</li>
<li>Repeating words: and, but, that, just, etc.</li>
<li>Don't over explain.</li>
</ul>
I could list a ton more, but this is embarrassing enough.<br />
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When I had a break from line-edits I devoured this year's Pulitzer in one sitting:<br />
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It was SO GOOD. The writing and story so beautiful and poignant. I felt like I was reading a narrative through poetry. I annotated my hard copy as I read, and really digested Doerr's writing style. When I finished the book around midnight, I was stunned. <em>Why can't I write like this? </em>Maybe one day. For now, I'll just keep working at it.<br />
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Besides line-edits, I've been researching my agent list, revising my query and synopsis, and critiquing my CP's manuscript (loving' it so far ;)). In other words, keeping busy!<br />
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Can't believe the agent round is coming. Eeeeeeppppppp!<br />
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I'll leave you with some photos of Blaire to make your Thursday a little bit cuter.<br />
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How has your writing been going? Comment below!Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-66090713859945659152015-10-12T13:19:00.002-07:002015-10-12T13:19:55.598-07:00A Date Night: Walrus and the CarpenterI can't believe it's the middle of October. Really guys, where did the time go? I cannot believe the agent round of Pitch Wars is three weeks away. Excuse me a moment while I hyperventilate.<br />
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Last week, I agonized over my pitch, query, synopsis, and first 250 words of my manuscript. Honestly, I think I'm overthinking it, but that didn't stop me from having a panic attack on Friday and texting my mentor about my insecurities. Brianna, as always, was encouraging and offered to help, which really calmed me down. <br />
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That night, I hung out with my writer friend Lisa over happy hour and dinner which also helped. It's nice to talk to someone who 'gets' it, someone who's on the same (though different) journey. It also made me see just how lucky I am to get the opportunity to work with someone already in the industry (thank you Brenda Drake for creating this fabulous contest). I ended the night by hanging out with Michael and his co-workers a little calmer than I felt all week.<br />
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On Saturday morning I woke up to the first 100 pages of line-edits from Brianna. Just glimpsing at the track changes overwhelmed me. I'm a REALLY anxious person so I took the day to absorb it. The day turned out pretty awesome despite the rainstorm. Michael took me out to Walrus and the Carpenter (one of our favorite restaurants) for a date night and it was amazing. I love eating sea creatures ;)<br />
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Oysters with a beautifully paired wine = heaven. I still can't get believe that I get to spend the rest of my life with this handsome fella! My stomach does flips just thinking about all the future date nights we'll get to have.<br />
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After oysters we moved on to octopus! Sliced so thin with a zesty marinade, it was absolutely divine on the taste buds. After having it this way, I rather have my octopus sliced thinly all the time thank you very much.<br />
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This was my fave dish of the night. A savory crawfish instead of the spicy creole style crawfish is normally served in, I gobbled this up and licked my fingers with no shame. Crawfish, like quail and crab, remind me of my childhood, so dishes like these always make me happy.<br />
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I've said this many times, but I'll say it again. This maple bread pudding is the best dessert in Seattle. </div>
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After this meal, you bet I woke up the next morning and worked all day on my line-edits. Delicious food is the cure for anxiety ;) Ha! At least that's what I tell myself!</div>
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How was your weekend?</div>
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Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-35674837321765763722015-10-05T08:11:00.001-07:002015-10-05T08:11:41.487-07:00Pumpkinsss It's that time of year! Time to get pumpkins! <br />
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Michael and I go every year, and this year his sister Cristine invited us to go with her and her husband Tim. We were fortunate to get a beautiful autumn day which made the day even more picturesque. Because I was lazy and didn't take many photos, I stole the one's below from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204858306209240&set=pcb.10204858312289392&type=3&theater" target="_blank">Cristine's facebook</a>.<br />
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To start, we did a corn maze that supposedly takes 45 minutes to an hour to do. We did it in about 20 minutes thanks to the boys. <br />
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To be fair, we did have a map! So without it we'd probably be lost for awhile. <br />
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After, we headed to the patch to get pumpkins galore!<br />
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Now our home is filled with them! I still felt so festive the day after, I made pumpkin oatmeal balls the next morning before Michael and I hit our matinee showing of The Martian (which was super good btw).<br />
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How was your weekend? Are you into the pumpkin craze?Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-43884862383877647282015-09-30T08:36:00.000-07:002015-09-30T08:36:53.083-07:00Pitch Wars Edits / Writing Progress Report 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
YAAAAAASSSSSSS! I turned in my first round of edits in yesterday night to my awesome mentor <a href="https://twitter.com/BriannaShrum" target="_blank">Brianna</a> and I am both thrilled and nervous! It's also the last day of September! Which is grand, because I love October. I may just have to get a pumpkin latte to celebrate!</div>
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Anyway, so here's the skinny on my first round of edits. If you missed my first progress post last week, click <a href="http://michelletranwrites.blogspot.com/2015/09/pitch-wars-edits-writing-progress.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Last time I talked about what I learned about myself in the process, this time I'm going to post about my method for it.<br />
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First and foremost I gathered all my notes from my edit letter and my video call from Brianna into my handy dandy writing notebook and made a list. The photo below is a simplified list I wrote up, with in depth details on the preceding pages (that I did not post). On the right side of the notebook is a progress log showing which chapters I worked on which day. I'm one of those people that works better in chronological order (gives me a sense of flow). As I write I also tend to jot notes down on a sticky and add them in.<br />
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My handwriting is pretty messy, but you'll notice that chapters 6, 7, and 12 were chapters that I had to work on for a while. What do they all have in common? They're scenes that has or leads to romantic tension. Yeah, the *feels* are tough for me. Luckily, Brianna sent me some really good articles to read. An article from Roni Loren was included which resulted in me divesting all of her blog posts for writers. I forgot which post it was, but Roni suggested the book below so I ordered it.</div>
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I found the book to be extremely helpful. It's not something to depend on entirely, but it helps when you get stumped and is pretty easy to navigate, so I recommend it.</div>
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So after I incorporated all edits I made another list for my read through:</div>
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A read through is a MUST. For me, I loaded my ms onto my Kindle so I could look at it in a different medium. This helps spotting issues you wouldn't otherwise notice. </div>
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During my read through I was able to read my changes with the rest of the novel in a short span to see if they worked or not. Two of my edits in chapter 4, and of course, 12, did not. So I ended up rewriting those again. But besides that, the ms read better. Things not included in my checklist were things like varying sentence structure, word choice, taking out passive voice, renaming chapter titles, and etc, which I changed as I read.</div>
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My draft is INFINITELY better than the draft I submitted to Pitch Wars. I love that I can see the improvements after having a mentor. My ms is almost there, but I think with a round of line-edits I can get it where it needs to be.</div>
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Edits are tough though. I was starting to hate the ms because I couldn't get some scenes to work, but after my reread, I fell in love with it all over again. I suffer from bouts of doubt from time to time, but I am also proud of myself and hopeful of where <em>Diamond Queen</em> will go.</div>
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To end, here is a song that I feel encompasses <em>Diamond Queen</em>. If I imagine the story like a movie, this would be playing at the end credits.</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sZwsvTNjb6M/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sZwsvTNjb6M?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Lyrics: </div>
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<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html">Some days
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It's hard to see
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">If I was a fool
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Or you a thief...
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Made it through the maze
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">You found my one in a million
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">And now you're just a page torn </span><span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">from the story I'm building
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body"></span> </div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">
And all I gave you is gone
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Tumble like it was done
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Thought we built a dynasty </span><span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">that heaven couldn't shake
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Thought we built a dynasty, </span><span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">like nothing ever made
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Thought we built a dynasty </span><span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">forever couldn't break up
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body"></span> </div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">
The scar I can't reverse
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">When the more it heals, the worse it hurts
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Gave you every piece of me,
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Don't wanna risk missing
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Don't know how to be so close to someone so distant
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body"></span> </div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">
And all I gave you is gone
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Tumble like it was done
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Thought we built a dynasty that heaven couldn't shake
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Thought we built a dynasty, like nothing ever made
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Thought we built a dynasty forever couldn't break up
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body"></span> </div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">
It all fell down
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down ehhh
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body"></span> </div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">
And all I gave you is gone
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Tumble like it was done
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Thought we built a dynasty that heaven couldn't shake
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Thought we built a dynasty, like nothing ever made
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Thought we built a dynasty forever couldn't break up
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body"></span> </div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">
It all fell
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">
It all fell down ehhh
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">(And all I gave you is gone)
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down
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<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">It all fell down
</span></div>
<div data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0">
<span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.$lyrics-body">Thought we built a dynasty forever couldn't break up</span><span data-reactid=".13jszg4pclc.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.2.2.0.1.0.1"></span></div>
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Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-16233242254138702002015-09-28T08:27:00.001-07:002015-09-28T08:27:08.379-07:00An interview, a read through, and some writing inspiration.Happy Monday Everrrrryone!<br />
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I cannot believe that it'll be October soon and the Agent Round of Pitch Wars is about 5 weeks away. Eek! If you haven't seen it already, check out my Pitch Wars interview with my amazing mentor <a href="https://twitter.com/BriannaShrum" target="_blank">Brianna Shrum</a> below!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZhWzxoI8nffLeTsemPcWZ0BM677ZfGZPryZb2OTyVqM-4zWGhoX0BLMz234OYeCHx8eWA-CqA-sYI6tIJpj79HWRt7j-ooh9RUAA_Hr8DQBgQcNM2Mm6pgq8XxyUWaMryJCOnt7XVZ1j/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZhWzxoI8nffLeTsemPcWZ0BM677ZfGZPryZb2OTyVqM-4zWGhoX0BLMz234OYeCHx8eWA-CqA-sYI6tIJpj79HWRt7j-ooh9RUAA_Hr8DQBgQcNM2Mm6pgq8XxyUWaMryJCOnt7XVZ1j/s400/untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/2015/09/pitch-wars-interviews-michelle-tran-brianna-shrum/" target="_blank">Pitch Wars Interview with Michelle Tran and her mentor Brianna Shrum</a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
#TeamSparkleShine</div>
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I spent the majority of my weekend working on first round of edits and I finished on Saturday, whoo! So now I'm going to do a quick read through and I'm planning to tweak one of the chapters a little bit more before I turn it in to Brianna. So for now, I've loaded it onto my Kindle and making changes on the computer file whenever I see something that needs to be corrected. I highly recommend you reading your ms in a different medium. It helps point out things you wouldn't normally notice on the computer screen.<br />
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To end, one of my mentee mates <a href="https://twitter.com/beingcindy" target="_blank">Cindy Baldwin</a> shared a great blog post by Robin LaFevers this weekend with the rest of us so I decided to pass it along. Check out <a href="http://www.robinlafevers.com/2014/05/16/surviving-nearly-there/" target="_blank">Surviving Nearly There</a> for some writing inspiration!<br />
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Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-41511267348670739832015-09-24T08:07:00.000-07:002015-09-24T08:07:29.741-07:00Suggestions for your TBR pile.In lieu of writing up multiple book reviews of my current reads these past two months, I've decided to make a list that you may want to add to your TBR pile.<br />
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For you contemporary lovers: Stephenie Perkins's <em>Anna and the French Kiss</em>, and <em>Isla and the Happily Ever After</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxitw2ERUrgOSom3vzwP2gNYU7zHGkty4RTQqyhe_7mSkf-jcGlz5r6n9qzwWpjpD4EAPdT7ENW2CeJcz_RvVYwZa19EB7yWFk8g0ph45rNwrnwhnuhK_h7d9wz7SaRdgZjDPBMCkUK8c/s1600/6936382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxitw2ERUrgOSom3vzwP2gNYU7zHGkty4RTQqyhe_7mSkf-jcGlz5r6n9qzwWpjpD4EAPdT7ENW2CeJcz_RvVYwZa19EB7yWFk8g0ph45rNwrnwhnuhK_h7d9wz7SaRdgZjDPBMCkUK8c/s1600/6936382.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong>Why you'll like it: </strong>Very cute YA romance set in the idyllic Paris at a school abroad. You'll fall in love with the city and the MC's in one quick read.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnaJ8OVOKZ-eQAZ-GDAwgG0PPT7D-zuPjeH3RsLb3wqrP1MkbJRAzzNYrzB1fFj578vlYGz0vhAALZP55n0nMMZXfVHAMlb1WzSMUVdANTcSh6fw2haMFrXHHYFD4hPAjtqPSLOGQQAG9/s1600/9627755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnaJ8OVOKZ-eQAZ-GDAwgG0PPT7D-zuPjeH3RsLb3wqrP1MkbJRAzzNYrzB1fFj578vlYGz0vhAALZP55n0nMMZXfVHAMlb1WzSMUVdANTcSh6fw2haMFrXHHYFD4hPAjtqPSLOGQQAG9/s1600/9627755.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong>Why you'll like it: </strong>Another cute YA romance using some of the cast from <em>Anna and the French Kiss. </em>This one had a deeper romance and the MC's quirky and artsy. The setting also takes this from New York to Paris, to a charming town in Spain. <br />
<strong></strong><br />
For you fantasy lovers: Leigh Bardugo's <em>Grisha Trilogy</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkFZr48SO7VJVcKTsHDhyphenhyphenYlOY7x0IIWZP4yhtFLEr4kGiFkzLM8b5yFZOUQv_9ofX69z3s5miIHevvlS_cfqkdv94xmJ6PbFJT7W6QcQ_w0c21EWPfs7uL0SZiu-12X01UeqY_xjsaSF_/s1600/grisha-trilogy-covers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkFZr48SO7VJVcKTsHDhyphenhyphenYlOY7x0IIWZP4yhtFLEr4kGiFkzLM8b5yFZOUQv_9ofX69z3s5miIHevvlS_cfqkdv94xmJ6PbFJT7W6QcQ_w0c21EWPfs7uL0SZiu-12X01UeqY_xjsaSF_/s640/grisha-trilogy-covers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong>Why you'll like it: </strong>Want an immersive fantasy that's a tad dark, but also fresh? Try this Russian-inspired fantasy. I devoured this series immediately. It's so good, it may even sway you to root for the dark side. <br />
<strong></strong><br />
And for those of you who love retellings (or even if you don't): Brianna Shrum's <em>Never Never</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbttscVkbkx813JP4P5Hf2kAu3vVhNQ_8_ywYQwte3STwQr-9ydMH3wEsX_Md58Ms3IqdQTbGuCC8yLj8dkheBkFbWV_zeHe5-bEWLwROUph4wi6mV9wDECU2vxPVAkAzaz4AyC8IaWvKZ/s1600/24517738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbttscVkbkx813JP4P5Hf2kAu3vVhNQ_8_ywYQwte3STwQr-9ydMH3wEsX_Md58Ms3IqdQTbGuCC8yLj8dkheBkFbWV_zeHe5-bEWLwROUph4wi6mV9wDECU2vxPVAkAzaz4AyC8IaWvKZ/s1600/24517738.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong>Why you'll like it: </strong>This is a hooky (pun intended) tale about a bad ass captain. But is he truly the villain? Shrum takes you on his journey from a little Lost Boy to one of the most frightening pirates in Neverland. Pick this up, now. Though I feel I should warn you, you may end up SWOONING for the man with the hook ;)Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-10645922781424819132015-09-23T08:54:00.001-07:002015-09-23T08:54:47.417-07:00Pitch Wars Edits / Writing ProgressSo, first and foremost, Happy Fall! This is my favorite season! Bring on the scarves, hats, gloves, sweaters and hot drinks :) After moving into the house and finally feeling settled in, I'm excited to deck out the place with some fall leaves and pumpkins :)<br />
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With the cooler weather, it's the perfect time to get cozy, break out the fuzzy socks, sit by the fire, and get back into the groove of writing. This time, however, things are a little different with being in Pitch Wars and all.<br />
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Being in Pitch Wars is pretty darn awesome. I'm still stunned at finding myself in this position and I intend to enjoy every minute of the process (no matter how much my eyes want to read anything but my ms! I've read it so many times, the words are mushing together--but more on that later). It's been really great connecting with the Pitch Wars community; everyone is so sweet and kind, not to mention extremely talented--it's a great honor to be amongst you all.<br />
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But what comes after the PW announcements? Hard work. <br />
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After getting my edit letter and video call from my amazing mentor, Brianna Shrum, I had my list of things to tackle on my MS. It was nice to have some sort of direction going into revision. I went through my MS with my CP and made changes before submitting to PW, but in my gut I knew it wasn't ready yet. Brianna really hit on the nail for me when she explained what my MS needed--which I've realized is one of my weaknesses. None of my edits included major macro changes though, and for that I was pretty happy with because truth be told, I'm not sure if I could handle a huge overhaul in the short time frame. So to you Pitch Warriors cranking out those huge edits, I applaud you.<br />
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To break down this month and next, I'll be taking the rest of September to revise my manuscript. I'm planning to be done by this Sunday, and then I'll do a read-through on Monday and Tuesday to make sure that all the changes are cohesive. Then off to my mentor on the 30th, where I wait for line-edits! As I wait, I'll work on my pitch, query, and do some agent research on who I'd like to query outside of the contest when it's over.<br />
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Sounds pretty peachy, but how am I doing exactly?<br />
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Well, the edits were harder than I thought they'd be (aren't they always?). I really only did heavy changes to one chapter so far, but I feel like I'm being hyper critical when I read my manuscript that I'm going at a snail's pace, second guessing every single word choice. I am driving myself mad I tell ya. Because I feel like I'm doing something, but when I look at my track changes, it looks like I haven't done much at all. The story looks the same (plot-wise), but I am hoping it *feels* different. <br />
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Hopefully when I do the reread and I'm reading it on my kindle versus MS word, I'll feel better.<br />
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But here are a few things I've learned about myself in the process:<br />
<ul>
<li>The gut twinge - This happens when I read something in my MS and I instantly hate it. This tells me that it can be written better, but I don't know exactly how. It just feels off, so I tweak and tweak, hoping it solves the problem.</li>
<li>Rearranging & transitioning - When you rearrange paragraphs within a chapter, you lose the initial flow, so you have to revise so the flow in the chapter works, but also with the whole of the book. This is actually much harder than it sounds and probably contributes to me feeling like I'm doing nothing.</li>
<li>Bad eggs in the carton - Some chapters are really great, and then there are others that aren't so much. But you can't just toss that bad egg out, or in this case, the chapter. You need it to make a dozen. So you patch it up and try to make it work, but it still doesn't look whole. The yolk is oozing from the cracks. Chapter 12, I'm looking at you.</li>
<li>Digging deep - Since plot is there in the MS, I'm focusing on building up the emotion throughout the novel. Considering I'm an emotional person since I cry at basically everything, you'd think that'd be a breeze. But it's difficult bringing the emotions of characters to life without being melodramatic. You teeter between that fine line, and you don't want to tip over the edge.</li>
</ul>
There are some positives though:<br />
<ul>
<li>This is probably the best polished manuscript I've written (and within a small time frame too, whoo!).</li>
<li>After doing major tweaking on one of the chapters, I think my pacing is right on!</li>
<li>No insta-love BS in this manuscript, which I take as a compliment, because looking back on M2, I could have built the romance part better knowing what I know now.</li>
<li>This book's more hooky than M2, which I think will make it more commercially viable.</li>
<li>I'm making significant progress in novel writing from when I began in Fall 2013.</li>
</ul>
Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-78520465439518817522015-09-21T11:22:00.000-07:002015-09-21T11:22:29.217-07:00Family visit weekend.<div style="text-align: left;">
September has been ridiculously busy! But sometimes it's good to be busy, if being busy includes a visit from my family! This was the first time my mom and my sister who had just moved back from NY came to visit. We did all the touristy things. I think I've been on the Space Needle about 5 times now? And it will definitely be my last (I hope). Now that everyone has visited, I've made it pretty clear that I am done with all things touristy!</div>
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The weekend was really a great one though. I haven't seen my mom much this year. Even when I visit home, she has to work a lot, so it was just nice to have her vacationing up here. She's the one thing I miss most about California. (I am, and will always be, a mama's girl) ut she's very happy for me and has given me her blessings to pursue love and to reach for my dreams. Which I am beyond thankful for. She is the fuel to my fire when I write, the reason to keep on going when I feel like I can't go any longer. She is my muse, she is everything I am. I miss her already. If you are blessed to see your parents on a daily basis. Be grateful. We never know how much time we have left to spend with our loved ones.</div>
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<br />Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-75379778807147177922015-09-16T08:40:00.000-07:002015-09-16T08:40:29.251-07:00Chicago Series: A foodie day instead of museums.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Day 4 in Chicago was HOT. The hottest day of our stay, but we rallied and went to the Bridge House Tavern for brunch. It's a really neat place right off the river with great food. For not having reservations the wait was relatively quick (though we were drinking mimosas, so that may have past the time) and we got one of the best seats in the house.</div>
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So funny thing is, Michael is normally the one who loves savory foods while I always like things sweet. When it comes to breakfast/brunch though, it's the opposite. Yet when the waiter arrived, he didn't want to be the one to order the sweet dish so he ended up ordering the crab cake benedict for me, and I got the brioche French toast for him. </div>
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After brunch, we planned to hit some more museums, but because it was Sunday and a holiday weekend, the lines to get in were long and outside. We were melting and decided it wasn't worth it and rested at the hotel. To end the evening and our trip, we got some drinks before heading out to dinner at Travelle.</div>
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The food was amazing, and on the healthier side of what we had been eating on the trip. Michael paired it with a Grand Cru Chablis, making it perfect.</div>
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To end the night, we went to The Kitchen Chicago, one of our favorite bars to end the trip with a night cap.</div>
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But of course, when you're drinking so much, you can't help but get the munchies so we ended up ordering garlic fries (another weakness of mine).</div>
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The next morning was spent leisurely before heading to the hotel. From that point on, we went back to our normal diet, because let's face it, after drinking and indulging in high fat food, you start to feel it wearing down on you.<br />
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But, if you're a foodie like me, Chicago is definitely a place to go!<br />
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As for the next urban adventure, I'm thinking about maybe Washington DC, or even Baton Rouge? Or maybe get out of the city and see some canyons? What do you guys think? Where would be a cool place to go within the states?Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-3622698389489555722015-09-15T08:36:00.002-07:002015-09-15T08:36:58.310-07:00Chicago Series: Cloud Gate, Buckingham Fountain, Deep Dish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Day 3 of our Chicago trip, I saw the bean! It reminded me of an alien egg dropped in the middle of the city. It was actually cool to see despite it being ridiculously crowded.</div>
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Up close, it actually had some scratches along the surfacee that I wondered how in the world do they clean it? Up above, I'm sure it would make great target practice for the birds.</div>
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That day we had a late start so we skipped breakfast altogether and went to Remington's for lunch. Please don't judge us, but it was a bad eating day. And when I say bad, I mean full of guilty pleasures. Mac n' cheese is my weakness and I wanted to see how the mid west did it. Creamy cheese, with texture on the top, but the noodles were a bit mushy. I need my noodles chewy. It was great to try though.</div>
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Michael ended up with the lobster roll/sandwich. It was pretty big. The portion sizes on this side of the country is nuts!</div>
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After, we walked along Millennium park until we reached the Art Institute. It's a pretty large museum with a lot to see. We ended up staying there for over two hours, but still hadn't seen everything. My aching legs won out though so we left to see the Buckingham Fountain.</div>
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After we went back to The Gage for a pick me up. Mussels and drinks! Yum.</div>
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After, we went back to the hotel to freshen up before going out to get deep dish pizza. It was cool to try, but I don't see the hype in it at all! It was monstrous, and shouldn't even be called a pizza. The cheese was rubbery and the meat probably not a high grade. The only good thing was the crust, but even that was too buttery at times. Can someone explain to me the hype? Am I just not getting it?</div>
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After that we went to get a night cap before heading to the Navy Pier for the summertime fireworks. It was another great day despite the let down of the pizza.</div>
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<br />Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-64044283908420261502015-09-11T14:00:00.002-07:002015-09-11T14:00:55.068-07:00Chicago Series: Poetry Foundation, Chicago Style Hot Dog, and the Architecture Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Day two of Chicago was sunny and cool. We started with grabbing a quick lunch and walked along the Magnificent Mile. </div>
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Halfway through we took a left to cut through the north loop of town to see the Poetry Foundation Building which houses a complete library of poems.</div>
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The space was beautifully designed and the performance room's acoustic was right on. </div>
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It was neat going through the books as I found some poetry books from my professors at UC Davis here. We spent an hour or so reading. </div>
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Emily Dickinson is my favorite poet, so I couldn't help but take a photo of a few of my favorites.</div>
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By the time we were done, we were pretty hungry so we walked to Portillo's for Chicago-style dogs. I'm not a hot dog fan, but I actually thought they tasted pretty good.</div>
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After we went to this cute tea shop to rest up our legs. Next door was a Patisserie so I grabbed a few macaroons to go with our tea.</div>
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We continued our walk up the Magnificent Mile until we reached Oak Street Beach, which had a pretty cool vibe nestled just out of the hustle and bustle of all the stores. </div>
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From there we biked along Lakeshore using city bikes, which really are the worst because I'm so tiny and can hardly fit them. I almost got into a collision with another biker within 5 minutes. From Michael's point of view, it was highly entertaining. I rolled my eyes and continued on the bike. In the end it was a cool thing to do, but it really sucks to be so short in this scenario. </div>
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For dinner we went to Union Sushi, recommended by my sister, and it did not disappoint. I loved the drinks, east coast oysters, beef skewers, and black rice sushi! The fusion vibe really worked in the restaurant's favor so I can see the appeal.</div>
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My picture of our dessert doesn't do it justice, but this was a mocha pumpkin cake and it was gooey, soft, and so moist packed with flavor. </div>
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To end the night we did the twilight hour of the Architecture cruise. If you are ever in Chicago, this is something to put on your must-do list. It was really fun to learn about the buildings and the city. The sights were also nice on the eyes.</div>
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We ended the night with a nightcap at The Gage. All in all, another great day in Chicago. Such a fun city to visit for sure!</div>
Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-1036941427095072262015-09-09T13:30:00.000-07:002015-09-09T13:32:24.820-07:00Alinea AnniversarySeptember 3rd is my favorite day. In 2012 it was the day Michael and I met. Every year after on this day we usually go out for a nice dinner and celebrate. In 2013 and 2014 we explored some French restaurants in Seattle (Le Pichet and Café Campagne). But this year Michael got us tickets to Alinea. Let me repeat, because this is insane: Alinea. One of the most decorated restaurants in the world. <br />
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To quote Wikipedia:<br />
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"It currently holds the highest rating of three stars from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_Guide" title="Michelin Guide">Michelin Guide</a>. It has received the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAA_Five_Diamond_Award" title="AAA Five Diamond Award">AAA Five Diamond Award</a>, the highest level of recognition given by the AAA, in consecutive years from 2007 to 2014. It also ranked No. 9 on the <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._Pellegrino_World%27s_50_Best_Restaurants" title="S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants">S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants</a> List, second only to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleven_Madison_Park" title="Eleven Madison Park">Eleven Madison Park</a> in the U.S. As of 2014, Alinea is one of two Michelin 3-star restaurants in Chicago."<br />
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Now, don't go thinking Michael and I eat this way often, because we don't. It's actually a once and a lifetime thing and it was the best meal of our lives.<br />
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That morning we flew into Chicago. After an hour of traffic we got to our hotel to freshen up, then headed for the restaurant. I would never guess it was a three-star restaurant looking at it from the outside. It was just a black door with an Alinea valet-sign on the sidewalk. But when the door opens, we were brought into this dimly lit hallway guided by lines of light along the floor leading us to an open foyer in front of stairs. To our right was the open kitchen basked in light and to the left a lounge area. <br />
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After giving the hostess our coats, we were led up the black stairs to the second floor where the restaurant was divided into three smaller spaces sectioned off by curtains. In each space the floor was carpeted, minimalizing any noise and the décor minimalistic, with great lighting that highlighted the dishes like a stage, and abstract art along the walls. The staff was all dressed in black suits with white shirts and were always attentive with a great sense of humor. The whole thing felt surreal.<br />
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In total we had 23 courses (bite size) with wine-pairings. I wish I could really give you a play by play, but no one else in the room seemed to be taking photos so I didn't think it'd be the appropriate place for that (though I did manage to sneak a few). What I will say is Alinea is worth saving up and flying out to because it wasn't just a meal. It was a whole sensory art performance. From presentation, to taste, to touch, to smell, to even sound, it delights in all the senses and something I've never experienced before. When it came to an end and we were led back the black hallway and through the double doors, I couldn't help but feel an immense sadness that it was over.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graffiti</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">helium filled taffy balloon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tropical fruit and coconut ice cream</td></tr>
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I know this night will be one I keep in my memory forever. I'll always remember our first night in Chicago like our evening in Paris: magical.<br />
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After dinner we went to 96th Floor Signature Lounge in the Hancock building for the drinks and awesome view.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the bathroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the handsome fiancé </td></tr>
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Afterwards, we were still a bit hungry since we had skipped lunch and only had a smoothie for breakfast before Alinea, so we ended the night with some pizza before heading back to the hotel.<br />
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Our first night in Chicago was so amazing, I wondered that night if the rest of our time here would be just as good.Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692059176207183103.post-23074859837286460752015-09-08T08:25:00.000-07:002015-09-08T08:25:16.906-07:00What happens after Pitch Wars announcements.1. You pinch yourself until you get bruises because this is all so surreal and you can't believe you actually made it.<br />
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2. You declare your love for your mentor and Brenda Drake because really, this would not be possible without them and then you celebrate by drinking a bottle of wine with your fiancé while you try to keep up on twitter and text messages filled with congratulations. <br />
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3. You get to know other Pitch Wars mentees and you get tossed into this really cool support system that will be there for you while you go on this journey (all the while you're thinking, oh em gee, the talent here is amaze-balls. Am I sure I'm in the right place?).<br />
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4. EDIT LETTER. You read it like ten times, hugging it to your chest because the words are like diamonds! Gem-sized nuggets that will really make your manuscript shine! Suddenly it's like you found your writing fairy godmother and you can't help but look forward to the ball (or in this case, the agent round).<br />
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5. But then you remember you don't have the best outfit (aka your manuscript still hasn't reached it's full potential) so you get down to work and sew yourself the best darn gown you can.<br />
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6. Oh, but wait. You are a total newb at sewing so you video call your writing fairy godmother to go over the stitching and how to approach it (aka discuss the edit letter and make a game plan).<br />
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I am currently heading into stage six as I compile my list of questions for my mentor. I also squeezed in a vacation between stages 4 and 5 so this week has been just a whirlwind of AWESOMENESS. <br />
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*pinches myself* Is this still real life?<br />
Michelle Tranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03365228934310630891noreply@blogger.com3