I don’t often participate in blogfests… But I’ve had a lot of people ask about my WIP (Work in Progress for those of you who don’t keep up with the latest publishing terminology, hi Mom!), so I figured this blogfest would be a good chance for me to talk about what I’m working on and where I’m at with the whole “getting published” thing.
I guess I’m supposed to answer some questions now, so, yeah.
WIP Title: Dungeon Duty – I’m not sold on this title. I’m still throwing things around and seeing what sticks. I’ve also been considering Once Upon a Spell. Which do you like more?
Word Count: About 65,000 words.
Genre: Middle Grade – It started out as Young Adult, but it kind of straddled those two genres a bit, so I’m doing edits right now to make it fit more squarely in the MG category.
How long have you been working on it?: About a year. Actually more now. I started querying it after a year, then some agents requested some changes and right now I’m working on fleshing out the second half before I send it back to them.
Elevator Pitch:
Okay, so on second thought, maybe hiring an evil sorceress to get her out of an arranged marriage was a bad plan. But Jessa has enough spunk (or ignorance, call it what you will) to take on the villainous she-devil and somehow magically survive to find her happily ever after … even if it means falling for the one guy she swore to hate.
Brief Synopsis:
Princess Jessamine would rather do a lot of things than marry Prince Alec—wear an itchy dress while her portrait is painted, count her father’s nose hairs, or even clean the dungeon’s chamber pots. But Jessa isn’t given a choice, so she enlists the help of a powerful sorceress to save her from the arranged marriage.
The sorceress casts her spell, but instead of getting rid of the prince as agreed, she takes care of Jessa instead. Now everyone sees Jessa as a lowly maid while the double-crossing sorceress is living the high life of a princess. Laws are changed, taxes are raised, and Jessa is on the run from the sorceress’s henchmen who are more bloodthirsty than a hyped up troll.
On the bright side, Jessa knows how to defeat the sorceress. She just needs to find a few rare ingredients for a counter spell and she’ll be on her way. Oh, and since the sorceress’s missing sister needs to be the one to cast it, it would be great if she would stop playing hide and seek and cooperate already.
Prince Alec is willing to lend Jessa a hand, and he’s got the strong shoulders to match, but Jessa doesn’t have a whole lot of time before the sorceress can put her unknown-but-definitely-evil plan into action. All Jessa knows is that her kingdom, and her future with *gasp* Alec of all people, is at stake, and no one, not even a psychotic sorceress who wants her dead, is going to stand in her way.
Are you looking for a Critique Partner?: I already have a couple of amazing critique partners, but it’s especially tricky to find someone who actually writes MG. So if you write MG, I’d at least be interested in seeing if we’d be a good match for future projects.
Are you looking for a Beta Reader?: If you read a lot of MG or write in it, then yes, I’d be interested in getting your take. My manuscript is getting pretty polished at this point, so this might be more for the future.
So there you have it – that’s my work in progress. I’m hoping to finish edits within a couple of months and then who knows where life will take me. I have ideas for a sequel, but I don’t know if I want to start that until I get an agent, which I’m really, really, really, really hoping happens for me. I feel like this is *the one* and I’ve put so much into it already. It’s so close! I’ve learned so much about my own writing, so even if this one doesn’t end up being the one, hopefully I can put all that I’ve learned toward my next book. Sigh. This whole writing thing isn’t for the faint of heart, is it?
I’d love to hear what you’re working on! If you have an elevator pitch or query, feel free to paste it in the comments below. What do you think of my WIP?
DL Hammons says
May 31, 2013 at 12:39 pmI'm one of the ones lucky enough to have read Dungeon Duty, and although I'm no expert on the MG genre…this will end up for sale on a bookshelf somewhere!
Thanks for participating today, Tiana! 🙂
Julie Dao says
May 31, 2013 at 2:50 pmI've also read DUNGEON DUTY and really enjoyed it! I think it's a great title, but I also like ONCE UPON A SPELL. I like that we both wrote YA and ended up changing to MG 🙂 Good luck with those edits, I know an agent out there will fall in love with Jessa and Alec and want to find them a good home!
tianasmith says
May 31, 2013 at 4:58 pmJulie – Kind of ironic, isn't it? At least I didn't have to cut as much as you, my problem is that I have to add more. Le sigh. 🙂
Pk Hrezo says
May 31, 2013 at 3:07 pmHi Tiana! Nice to meet you. I wrote a MG a couple years ago and it's def different than YA. That project is still collecting dust, but got a lot of requests initially. I steered away from it tho, and went back to YA and now NA. I prefer the freedom of older ages. But i adore MG. Your story sounds really fun! Best of luck with all those R&Rs !!
Crystal Collier says
May 31, 2013 at 4:23 pmCute concept! With a MG reader in my house, we go through a ridiculous # of books. I always wanted to be an MG writer, but have found my niche more in YA–not that I don't regularly splurge with some awesome MG reads. I'm super slow, and quite behind on my current work load, but if you'd like to exchange chapters some time and see if we're a good match, I'm always open to new CP's or beta reading friends.
Deanie Humphrys-Dunne says
May 31, 2013 at 4:45 pmYour story sounds so cute and Interesting, Tiana! I hope it's the story of your dreams and you have an agent soon.
My sister and I are working on a new book for our Charlene the Star series. Most of the story is finished, but my sister and I are discussing the illustrations. She always does a fantastic job with them. The name of our new story is Charlene the Star and Bentley Bulldog.
Kari Marie White says
May 31, 2013 at 4:57 pmTiana- I really like Once Upon A Spell! Dungeon Duty was an awesome read, I wish you all the best with it! I'll stand inline to get my copy when it's published.
Anna Roberts Moore says
May 31, 2013 at 6:07 pmMy suggestion: if it's YA, go for Dungeon Duty – the title sounds dark, mysterious. If it's more MG, Once Upon a Spell.
Kate Larkindale says
May 31, 2013 at 6:56 pmSounds like a cute story. I think for MG I'd go with Once Upon A Spell as a title. Dungeon Duty sounds too dark.
tianasmith says
June 1, 2013 at 3:41 amAnna and Kate – I'm surprised so many people think Dungeon Duty sounds dark … I honestly never thought of it being dark before! I guess that's one good reason to test things out on multiple people, right?
catemorgan.com says
May 31, 2013 at 7:22 pmThat sounds like a romping good time, Tiana! I admit, other than the voice it sounds a bit YA to me, so I can definitely see your quandary. Once Upon A Spell sings, title-wise. Dungeon Duty sounds like it's being written for boys in MG, with a male protagonist.
Elise Fallson says
May 31, 2013 at 9:10 pmGreat idea for MG, truly. This sounds like the kind of book I'd read to my kids when they start reading MG.
sydneyaaliyah.com says
May 31, 2013 at 9:20 pmI really like your pitch. It's well written and shows your writing style. I don't read MG, but it sounds like a good story.
Suzanne says
May 31, 2013 at 9:42 pmI just loved the sound of this novel – really got me – definitely would like to read it when it's finished!
Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
Cathy Keaton says
May 31, 2013 at 9:43 pmThis sounds really great, even to me, a person who doesn't read much MG. I think you are on to something. Hopefully, this is THE one! It sure sounds like a big winner to me.
I like the title Once Upon a Spell best of all, but I suppose Dungeon Duty could fit better depending on the specific contents of the story. That's my 2 cents.
Dianne K. Salerni says
May 31, 2013 at 9:54 pmHi, Tiana!
I feel awkward going against everybody who commented above, but I think Once Upon a Spell is forgettable. Dungeon Duty sounds more original. (I don't think it's dark — it sounds humorous — and I don't think it sounds boyish either. Why would a boy have Dungeon Duty? Cleaning dungeon chamber pots would clearly fall to some poor maid.)
Of course, a future publisher would make the final decision on the title anyway.
As someone who recently revised a YA novel into MG, I am wondering about the romance/arranged marriage element. Was the switch to MG what the agent requested? I ask because … well shoot me an email if you want to hear my experience with this. dksalerni@gmail.com The story is kind of complicated!
tianasmith says
May 31, 2013 at 11:37 pmDianne – Now I am so curious! I'll send you an email 🙂
Sharon K. Mayhew says
June 1, 2013 at 1:15 amI really like the second title. Based on your synopsis it seems like all her troubles start because of a spell. But…Dianne is a wiz, so I'd jump on her advice if I were you…
Timothy Brannan says
June 1, 2013 at 2:24 amI like Once Upon a Spell!
Given my books though I am likely to be rooting for the Sorceress! 😉
Tim
The Other Side
Trisha F says
June 1, 2013 at 3:33 amI think I like Once Upon A Spell better 🙂 And I love the sound of your book!!! No doubt it'll be snapped up when it's ready 🙂
Carolyn Brown says
June 1, 2013 at 5:19 amOnce Upon A Spell has won me too! Hey, I never thought about dungeons needing chamber pots before, now my imagination has me thinking how sorry I feel for those who had to empty them in real life.
Donna Hole says
June 1, 2013 at 6:05 amHi Tiana 🙂
Well, I really like the title Dungeon Duties, so if your novel incorporates a lot of "or even clean the dungeon’s chamber pots" and "Now everyone sees Jessa as a lowly maid" to further the plot, then please go with Dungeon Duties, or even Dungeon Princess. Once Upon A Spell, while appropriate, is just a little too – – cliche. But either of your titles seems to sum up the overall content of the novel excellently. Sounds like a fun read.
When you publish it I hope to buy it for my grand daughter who loves stories like this. I'll write a review based on her reader experience 🙂
………dhole
Milo James Fowler says
June 1, 2013 at 12:36 pmA well-written pitch/blurb — and a great-looking site you have here. Very professional!
Zan Marie says
June 1, 2013 at 12:39 pmTiana, this is great! You've got a great premise.
Damyanti says
June 1, 2013 at 2:34 pmI love how you're pitch-perfect 🙂
Tina says
June 1, 2013 at 7:57 pmThis is awesome, and I really like your voice! I think the middle graders will eat this up. I would too, and I'm a grown-up, I think…Good luck!
Tina @ Life is Good
Morgan says
June 1, 2013 at 11:42 pmGah. Tiana, Dungeon Duty is sooooooo good!!!!! And I love the title. You're seriously ridiculously talented & I can't wait to see your success. This story is it–the humor, voice, and world-building is incredible!
tianasmith says
June 2, 2013 at 6:39 pmMorgan – Ha! I can always count on you for an ego boost!
Amy "Lyre" Turner says
June 2, 2013 at 10:27 amI think I'm liking Dungeon Duty as well. Loving the voice, and the pitch is great!
Lyre @ Lyre's Musings
Nick Wilford says
June 2, 2013 at 4:23 pmSounds like a lot of fun! Good luck.
Meradeth Houston says
June 2, 2013 at 7:02 pmDungeon Duty definitely got me! Sounds like a lot of fun to read (though I did wonder: marriage in a MG?).
Joanne R. Fritz says
June 2, 2013 at 7:07 pmI like Once Upon a Spell, but it sounds way too much like other Princess/fantasy titles, so for that reason alone, I'd say Dungeon Duty. There's nothing else out there quite like that!
Tiana, I read almost exclusively MG these days, so keep me in mind in the future for beta reading.
L.T. Elliot says
June 2, 2013 at 7:36 pmWhat a fun WIP! And I heard really wonderful things about it from Mary. 😀 How wonderful that agents have requested changes because that means you're definitely on the right track. It sounds like a really fun read!
Hunter Emkay says
June 2, 2013 at 11:35 pmLove the humour in your synopsis. Makes me want to read it.
Margo Berendsen says
June 3, 2013 at 2:20 amI love your premise – the sorceress stealing the princess's place! I am currently writing YA, but I do have an MG story that I spent years on, and plan to return to, so I'd love to read this!
Robin says
June 3, 2013 at 4:03 pmLove this premise. I read YA and MG and this one sounds right up my alley. Best of luck to you and thanks for visiting my blog!
deathwriter says
June 4, 2013 at 12:05 amI liked the humor in your synopsis. My 9 year old son is always looking for funny books.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Deniz Bevan says
June 4, 2013 at 4:36 pmI like it, I like it!
Hmm, both titles work, depending on which aspects of the story you want to emphasise…
Susan Oloier says
June 10, 2013 at 2:04 amTiana, I absolutely adore the voice in your synopsis! I don't read much MG, but this one has my attention.
Mark Koopmans says
June 11, 2013 at 10:19 amAloha Tiana,
LOL, no this writing thing is definitely not for the sane of mind 🙂
GOOD LUCK with WIP – it sounds like a *lot* of fun and the "voice" sounds great 🙂
I also wanted to say thanks very much for stopping by and commenting on my recent D-Day post. (I'm still working through all the comments!)
CSM Ryan's story has received an incredible amount of support and a HUGE *Thank you* goes to DL Hammons – and all the Blitzers 🙂
PS: Bill said to let everyone know he really appreciated all the personal comments directed his way 🙂
Shelley Sly says
June 11, 2013 at 4:59 pmI would so read this! 🙂 I'm *all* about MG — I read a ton of it regularly and have written many MG manuscripts. I know I'm late to the party, but if you find yourself needing a beta reader between now and submission time, I'd be happy to read over it for the MG voice. Best of luck!
Jamie Burch says
June 13, 2013 at 2:46 pmThis is fantastic, Tiana! Really enjoy your voice and writing style, and looking forward to when I can buy my own copy. Good luck!!! Oh, and my vote goes for Dungeon Duty as well. 🙂
Mary Campbell says
June 18, 2013 at 12:30 pmI've been meaning to check up with you to see what's happening with the story. That's awesome that agents have been interested. I do think it belongs in MG. I like both titles. I think I personally like Dungeon Duty better with a funny cover of a princess stuck in a dungeon. I think it would draw my attention more than Once Upon a Spell. Let me know if you need anything and good luck.
tianasmith says
June 18, 2013 at 2:04 pmThanks Mary 🙂 How's your own writing going? I haven't heard from you in a while!
Cortney Pearson says
June 19, 2013 at 8:50 pmThis sounds SO fun!!! You've got a great voice and I would definitely pick it up and read it! Good luck finishing your revisions!
Sherry Ellis says
June 23, 2013 at 7:02 pmI enjoyed reading your pitch! I think you have something good!
I will be looking for a critique group. I'm moving, so I'm about to lose the awesome ladies I had been working with. I write chapter books for kids, though – not quite Middle Grade. If you want to hook up and see how it works out, let me know.
Best of luck with your work!