Can you query a sequel when the original novel hasn’t been accepted for publication yet? If so, do you rewrite it as if there’s no earlier work and hope someone will treat that like a prequel some day, or leave it as is?

*You know this is the equivalent of “Asking for a friend,” don’t you?

Threw our annual cast party last night. How long have we been an ensemble? Let’s just say, with the exception of myself, nobody was with the same partner they were when they joined the troupe. And don’t say improv ruins your marriage…

Someone or something from Canada visited my blog in the wee hours of the morning and viewed 49 different posts. If you are a human, I would like to say I am humbled that you found my writing so time-worthy. If you are a bot, don’t tell me. Not that you could…If you are in the NSA and are looking for subversive activity, you have the wrong Nissenson. That was my parents.

I’ve been in L.A. refreshing my perspective and creative juices with a Picasso show and a day at the Getty and didn’t want to blog until I’d absorbed it all.

Obviously this is a lie (not the part about seeing the Picasso show or the Getty). I also was treated to a fab and calorie-laden dinner at Ink, had amazing pizza, and saw an improv show at Upright Citizens Brigade. I TOTALLY FORGOT TO POST. I  wrote about 200 words over the last four days, but, hey, it’s a 6-hour flight home. I might get something done.

*This is a rhetorical question. Don’t say ‘no’ and hurt my feelings.

Remember the cartoons where the Good Angel sits on one shoulder and the Bad Angel sits on the other, both whispering suggestions to the hapless MC?**

That’s my conflict as I write my new mystery. I am a pantser.

Bad Angel says “Let a neverending stream of words flow onto the page.”

Good angel says, “Don’t listen to her. One continuity issue and the whole plot might collapse.”

So now I’m working with a spreadsheet and pages and pages of notes.  If I write 500 words in a day I am THRILLED. Thanks a lot, Good Angel.

*In non-writer language, someone who flies by the seat of their pants. Not a pretty picture in my case.

**In non-writer language, that would be Main Character, as opposed to Master of Ceremonies.

A genuinely wonderful agent at a recent conference suggested that my MC’s voice was not YA, and I should age her up. She was absolutely right. It gave me a lot more options plot-wise and I got a full manuscript request.

That said, what the hell is a YA voice? I’ve known more than a few 16-year-olds who enjoy discussing Martin Buber and a 9-year-old who can tell you all about winemaking in scientific terms.

I’ve read, on the other hand, that agents hate it when your teen characters overuse “like” and “like, you know.” Sadly, many highly intelligent young people* can’t get through like six sentences without like saying like, like—like two if they’re, like, talking to someone their own age.

Pontification warning (prepare to jump ship)

I’m a nurture over nature person. Voice is more than a product of age or raw intellect. Content, vocabulary, inflection, etc. are generally a reflection of what we hear and are regularly exposed to. Some 10 year-olds sound like adults and vice versa.

“So what is your conclusion, Carol?” I hear you ask.** A character’s voice needs to be consistent with who she is, and ‘teenager’ is only part of that.

*At my age that would mean anyone under 35.

**Of course I didn’t hear you. That was a figure of speech, you silly.

I have returned from three days in NYC, bearing bagels, my creative energy radiating from every pore. When I win the lottery or write a runaway best seller,* I shall acquire a pied a terre** in whatever the coolest new part of Brooklyn happens to be.

*It still behooves me to understand why you would want your novel to run away.

**Sorry, but I’m tired of looking up “How to type accents on your Mac.”

I signed up for the Unicorn Writers Conference ( March 25, Purchase,NY) today. It does not feature unicorns. But there are agents and editors.*

It’s expensive. But it’s also in a castle, which justifies the expense.

If you go, seek me out. I’ll buy you coffee.**

*Two out of three ain’t bad.

**Assuming I can still afford it.

Did I go to my favorite writing spot at 8 am today because it’s so quiet then I can really concentrate? Or was it because I wanted someone else to make me breakfast?

As I’m getting little done on my novel today (ok, I did add to the list of notes and spreadsheet, but seriously?), I shall again spotlight my son, who is absolutely getting things done. He’s the guy with what Tiki Barber refers to as a ‘Squishy Afro.’