I'm working on something new.

And it's a project I hope will:

1.) Increase my internet presence.

and

2.) Give me a pleasant new creative outlet.

And the really awesome part is--

it's an internet project.

As in, something I'll be posting online.

For my Scribblings.

=)

Feel the love.

~Angel

Not Dead

Okay, I know I have disappeared from both this blog and my website for a bit. If you had my Myspace account, you would know by now that life hit full blown chaos just after my last blog.

My boyfriend of over two and a half years got really sick suddenly, and we didn't think much of it for a while, because I had been pretty sick just before. Well, things continued getting progressively worse. Before we knew it, he'd been in the ER about three times and the doctors had no idea what was going on. After I had to go on a trip to St. Louis for a college portfolio review, I got a call from his mom that he was getting really bad and she was really scared and was taking him back to the ER.

Around an hour later I got another phone call. He was worse than anyone had realized. He'd gotten Steven Johnson's Syndrom and it was getting worse, so, to save his life, they were taking him to St. Louis (we live around an hour and a half south, in a small town) to a better hospital.

Luckily, after a week, there was improvement. For a while, we were all sure he wasn't going to make it. I hit a depression I couldn't shake. Even my writing came to a stop for a brief amount of time because then, none of it mattered.

Now he is back to perfect health though we have to watch out for him and make sure it doesn't start up again.

Well, Thanksgiving came along just a few weeks after all this. And now Christmas. We are buying a new house and moving January 9th. So, as you can see, my blogging life had to be put off briefly.

I am still writing. I just finished a rough draft for a short story I'm entering into a contest. I finished the third book in the BOE series, started the fourth. I've taken on new projects, been working on sorting out things for my future, and plotting to kick that Back-Up plan of mine into effect if I don't get anywhere with Mr. Agent-Man. I have to email him two weeks into January. Ugh.

So, in the middle of all this chaos and trying to hold my head above the water, I have been trying to find new ways to improve my blog, myself, my writing -- everything. I regret not being able to keep up with my blog, but sometimes we do what we must.

My apologies.

How is everyone?

~Angel

I have been a busy girl.

So. I'll get this outta the way now.
I posted a new review on my new review/interview and whatnot blog:
http://angelyoungreviews.blogspot.com/
and I'm pleased to say I'll be guest blogging tomorrow at the amazing Brooke's:
http://www.myspace.com/brookereviews

My website has been undergoing some changes:
http://www.freewebs.com/angelyoung15/
And Horror-web, which will have some new kick-butt reviews from me as soon as I finish my two newest. And my Dark Knight soundtrack review...:
http://www.horror-web.com/
And soon I'll have up my interview with Stephenie Kuehnert! [Any authors interested in an interview, let me know. I'm more than happy to do one]
-----
Okay. Now that we have that junk out--
I've been writing on my third book in the BOE series. I need to edit the 2nd one. I wish I'd hear back on the first.
It gets stressful, you know.
Anyway. I've been writing. And working on stuff for the internet. 'Cause I love my internet friends. =]
How are you all? Korey, Sam, Mai, Megan, Noel, Brittaney? Wyman? Anyone else that should totally speak up right now and say HELLO!
I miss you all.
Like, bunches.
----
So. My loyal ones. Friends. Neighbors. Lend me your eyes.
I'd love to know some things. Like, what authors -- that I'm capable of getting ahold of and replying, mind you -- would you like me to try to interview? Any books I totally need to read? Changes to the website in need of making? Fanfiction I should be writing to entertain you and myself?
I love input. Honestly.
And more FAQ's.
'Cause asking me questions rocks.
I'm bizzare.
---
Off to write until I pass out!
~Angel

Books and other such wonderful things.

I haven't had a chance to tell my darling Scribblings my good news:
I, Angel Young, am the Presdient of the Book Club! Bwahahaha! That sounds ways way dorkier than I had intended.
Anyway--
I'm not sure why, but I feel the need to write like crazy, and work on some art like mad, and bound about on stage like there is no tomorrow. I want to lock myself away inside my creative little head until I feel drained.
Ha. Yeah. I'm kinda weird.
---
Good -- no, GREAT -- news! I'm going to have more stuff up soon for the website! Wooot! Including an interview with the wicked cool author of I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE! Sounds pretty sweet, huh?
I have some review stuff to get up soon, too.
Which reminds me --
You guys should check out Horror-Web.com
Horror buffs would dig it. Normal folks would too...Or so I believe.
----
I'm hoping I get around to a guest blog in October (I mean...for me to guest review somewhere.) I have the book in mind I want to review, too...
---
Back to La-La land..

~Angel

Dying to Catch My Breath

So, um, this is a day I dread. I mean, today was a terrific day. But writing wise -- oh buddy, don't get me started.
I'm one of those believers in writing what I'd like to read. Today, I wanted a break. I didn't want to focus on any particular old story, but instead wanted to start a project with myself -- a Chapter-A-Day Write-What-You-Wanna-Read project. That's how BOE was started, anyway.
I love writing when it's pure and absolutely untainted like this. When I can produce a chapter or so a day and have the feedback from others to motivate me into a complete novel in no time.
Today, I wasn't so lucky.
So, I've kinda resulted to what I think I'm going to end up working on for a little while (or so I keep telling myself). It's a fantasy, one I am still exploring the world of, so I'm hoping the, like, three chapters I have won't taint my Chapter-A-Day, Write what you want to read, thing.
We can only hope.
'Cause I need the writing freedom right now. It mellows Angel out sooo much.
---
So, what do my Scribblings think of the changes to the Website? Like 'em?
I'm thinking of asking the author of the August Read of The Month for an interview. =]
I'll be reviewing again soon. I have to guest review sometime soon...
And I need to get more active at Horror-Web.com.
All of which I will do, because I'm catching up.
Catching my breath.
----

~Angel

Backspace Conference

So, I’m a lazy hobo and never got around to posting about the Backspace conference. Yeah, I know. I’m nearly a month behind.
So, Day One at said conference, I was terrified outta my freakin’ mind. I mean, I was at a Writer’s CONFERENCE. With other writers. I know I should’ve felt like I’d be at home, but I was petrified. First thing on my agenda was my Two Minutes Two Pages session with two agents and a bunch of other writers. I think this was probably what had me so scared, because I had to sit in a little conference room at one of those long business tables and read from one of my stories. Out loud. As one of the youngest people there.
Yeah, I thought I would die.
Well, it actually went really well. I got great feedback, both were interested (did I mention one of two said agents is the one that requested BOE? That added on to my dread) and I got one of the best responses. The rest of the day I was perfectly fine. I attended some panels, had lunch with mom, went back to a few more panels, and left. In the midst of all this, I met several people, occasionally was dragged around by Heather to meet people. That night I hung with Heather Brewer, Jackie Kessler, A.S. King, Lisa McMann, and a bunch of other new friends at the cocktail reception thing. That was great fun.
As you can guess, Day Two wasn’t nearly as terrifying.
I got up, went to the Conference, attended some panels, chatted with some new friends, had lunch with Heather and a bunch of other writers (and mom. Can’t leave her out), went to some more panels, socialized some more (I met and befriended a humorous editor at Cosmo), then went back to the room and crashed a little while before going on this night city-lights tour thing.
I learned a lot, yet didn’t. It’s hard to explain. I learned a few things, added a little to stuff I already knew, and then got a lot of refreshing.
But it was a great experience, all in all. It felt weird coming home. No more breakfasts, lunches, or dinners with fellow writers or authors. No more excitement. No more constantly busy city full of amazing people.
I was back to being small-town girl, Angel Young, that wants to be an author.
It’s a hard fall, coming back down to reality.
Now, let’s hope I hear good things on that manuscript soon.


~Angel

Sweet Chaos

I've been MIA, as you may have noticed. I am SOOOO sorry.
I'll have to update later completely, but life has just been crazy lately. I did go to the Backspace Conference ( I just came home from New York yesterday) and had an amazing time.
Again, I'm sorry I disappeared, but I shall be active more! Just gimme a few days to recover and relax...



~Angel

The Verdict Is...

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to annouce, I will be attending the 2008 Backspace Conference in New York! YAY!
More bloggy goodness tomorrow!



~Angel

The Big, Bad, Back-Up Plan

I'm still waiting, still riding along with my good feeling that I will get represented by said dream-agent, but I'm a virgo -- I plan. Excessively. Which includes my back-up plan just in case things don't go as planned. So, I have this strategy I've got worked out.

For instance, there's the Backspacer critiquing my manuscript. I need that feedback. I need to know it's worth it.

If it is, I'll take the advice and work with it, figure out the flaws, tighten the manuscript. Polish it to blinding point, when an agent can't resist. Then, it's gleam will rub off on publishers, and they'll want a deal. See my genius?

I've got my second round of query people ready. I'm going to shine up my query and synopsis to max level. Maybe throw them at the Backspacers, see if they can help.

In the mean time, I'll work my butt off on my other manuscripts and short fiction. I'll try to get some short fiction published, get my name out there. I'll keep up my reviews on Horror-Web, get more going on my blog. Try to gain more Scribblings.

I'm going to seriously work my fingers to the bone. I want this, and I want it bad.

I almost cried today, because someone very, very important to me that has drastically changed my life said they honestly think I will make it. (I'm not revealing the identity, though I know this person should know that she did it. If not I'll have to poke her.) Hearing this makes my world keep revolving. Makes me want to keep pressing forward through the hardships.

I will make it, it's only a matter of time.

Of The Writing Life and Encouragement

I'm a writer. I love it. I suffer through various steps to try and get my little darlings out there into the big wide world. It's tough, tougher than I ever imagined when I first decided I wanted to be a writer.
And I know the minute I can get my work out there, or hear from someone in the biz that it is good, or hear from someone impartial that it's good, then I know it was all worth it. Every single drop of blood, every single tear. All worth it.
But still, it warms my heart when someone I know reads something of mine and enjoys it, honestly. And it really makes my day if it's outside the typical genre the read or something they typically can't stand, and they love it.
Writer's have what is known as Ideal Readers. Someone they subconciously have in the back of their mind as they write. Almost wondering to themselves what that person will think of the tale. Maybe not every writer does. Stephen King does, and I figured out, not too long ago, that I do too.
My ideal reader would be my best friend Krissy. My tiny little bundle of joy, heh heh. She's been reading what I writer since it was terrible. She read my fanfiction, my poetry, my earliest writings, my rough drafts, my revisions -- all of it. She's helped me stay motivated to write by giving me deadlines, told me if something didn't make sense, and spent countless hours pointing out my mistakes and highlighting errors (and, occasionally, highlighting for fun.). I know that she's read the story that an agent is looking at probably ten or more times, and still loves it.
If something ever does come about with my writing, especially the story I'm working to get published right now, she's going in every single acknowledgment, and getting a dedication, and whatever else I can get for her (whether I have buttons, t-shirts, whatever). She is always there, has always been there, and will always be there. She's that person that you know you'll have forever, no matter where you go. She encourages me after rejections, celebrated when my manuscript was requested, and pushed me to keep going even when I thought it was pointless.
Another person that inspires, motivates, and encourages me is my loving boyfriend, Taylor. He stands by my side, helps me research and checks my facts, reads over things, and keeps me going. When I got my first rejection, he said "Yay! You know what that means? One step closer to getting published. And presents for Angel time!". He might just be getting my first dedication, if Krissy doesn't.
My mom, though we fight and bicker more than any mother and daughter should, is one of my biggest fans. She helps me edit, funds my existence, and encourages me. She is a great reference, and tells me flat out if something is wrong, missing, or confusing in a story.
Last, and in no way least, is Heather Brewer. She's opened the door and let me into the Writing World. Her success inspires me. I can ask her a million questions and she'll answer every one of them. She convinced me to join Backspace, which is teaching me so much, and is teaching me things to better my career, like getting me to go the the Backspace conference, which is going to do wonders. She's a wonderful author, the best mentor, and a terrific (will you smack me for calling you this?) friend.
These people aren't the only people that are helping me in my journey to become a published writer, but they are some of the most signifcant. The people I can't help but be thankful to and grateful for. Without them, I'd be nowhere near where I am right now.
There are only a few weeks left to wait before I find out about my manuscript. Keep your fingers crossed and send me good vibes. I've got a good feeling, but also know that if I don't get it, I'll get over it. I'll get rolling on the next steps -- getting out short fiction, soaking up as much info from the Backspace community as possible, and rewriting my manuscript. I'll get out my second list of queries, work on some other WIP's that I want to get out there. There are several roads I can travel on. I just want to know which way I'm going so I can adapt.
Back to the life of an aspiring author.


~Angel

(p.s. Wyman, you deserve honorable mention, because you've been so wonderful and supportive after all this time. Thank you so much.)

Backspace Writer's Conference 2008

I'm beyond excited right now. Why's that, you may ask? I may be attending the 2008 Backspace Writer's Conference in New York in August! I'm so freaking stoked. You have no idea. Unless my mom decides I can't go, at which time I would cry and then eventually get over it.
But I reaaaaally wanna go. I want to shmooze with others in the biz, hang with my author buddies, learn as much as I can. I. Cannot. Wait. This can do wonders for my career.

I also got my ACT scores back, which I really stressed over. I only wanted to take it once, so I went in hoping I'd get the score I need for college. Wel.....I GOT IT! And then some. I'm beyond happy about that. Haha.

I also got my Horror-Web.com stuff in today. I love my hoodie. It's so soft, and warm...Heehee.

Well, I'm off for now. Toodles.


~Angel

Well, it's been a while...

I only have a few more weeks of waiting -- hopefully -- left. I'm really excited, because this is my dream agent. I know not to get upset if I get turned down -- that merely means I can revise it and try again. It gives me the opportunity to make some of my other WIP (work(s) in progress) some needed TLC and let them have a try at the publishing world while my currently submitted manuscript would take time to seek it's full potential. Plus, there is the reassuring fact that I have made it considerably far for my age. That really gives me drive.

So, I've become the newest reviewer for Horror-Web.com! I have my first review up, which was surprisingly helpful. When I submit a review to the guy in charge, he critques. I mean, really critiques -- which I love (though it terrifes me to think of hearing criticism). A lot of my new writing buddies on Backspace (which I'll get to in a moment) have been way supportive, telling me how wonderful an opportunity this is for me. I can see why -- It gives me some understanding of what it will be like to have an editor, to have someone go through something I wrote and say "This works; this doesn't". I mean, I have a few wonderful people that read my stuff now and let me know if there is something that doesn't quite fit. But they are, sadly, biased slightly. I want a good critique, and I usually get "You forgot a letter here." or "What did this mean?" or "I don't get this bit -- otherwise, wonderful!" I love and appreciate their time and help, but I need someone to really give me a good swift kick in the butt sometimes. I also consider myself lucky because the owner of the website that critqued so well offered to help me in my fiction by giving his critique of that as well!

Okay, I mentioned Backspace a moment ago, but haven't gotten around to explaining that yet. Some of my published buddies are on Backspace, a writing community online (a very supportive & informative one, at that!), and they reccomended that I join. I was a tad worried at first, because sometimes I feel like I'm just a little kid standing in a crowd of adults, trying to explain I'm one of them. Not that I'm calling everyone old. I just feel like everyone judges me by my age, not my writing ability. On Backspace...I don't feel like an outcast, I feel like I belong. It's incredible.

Oh, Wyman, if you read this -- Thanks a million for your wonderful support and kindness all this time. Reading your comments and chatting with you always makes me smile.

I should be a little more active online soon. I've been 100% swamped lately. But I'm working on returning to my internet family.



~Angel

Could it be...?

Perhaps. It very well could be.
I got my first request from an agent about my manuscript. An agent wants to read it.
Oh. My. God.
Is this real?
Is it possible I'm about to make the mega step to becoming a published author?

~Angel

Surreal.

Just so you know, I'll be blogging more frequently, and producing more quality blogs. This is my last week of school, thus more free time. Yay!
---
Life:
Calming, slowly. I'm always so darn busy this time of year. But I'm starting to get my breathing room back. More free time, more blogs and more writing.

Writing:
I've done it. I've sent out my queries to some literary agents. I'm close to achieving my dream, or at least closer than I have ever been. It leaves this surreal feeling.
Hopefully I find an agent that wants to represent me and my work.
I'm working on some rewrites of other stories in my spare time. Let's hope for the best somewhere, huh?

Currently Reading:
"Ninth Grade Slays" by Heather Brewer.

Currently Listening To:
Artist - Death Cab For Cutie
Album - Narrow Stairs


-Angel

Long Overdue

Life:
Okay, so I've been sort of busy the past few months. I ask you for your forgiveness. March through May are my generally busy months. And, considering I am starting my senior year in August, things are a tad chaotic. I'm trying to get everything ready and all that.
Writing:
Working on some older stuff write now and taking a breather from my manuscript. It needs a good rewrite (saying that makes me want to puke). I'm also working on some short fiction to submit to magazines, etc. Busy, busy, busy.
Blog/Site:
I promise to get things updated soon on both my site and the blog. I'm thinking of merging them, if I ever figure out how. Haha.


~Angel

And then there were eight-thousand...

Currently listening to: "Crimson" album by Alkaline Trio

Hey Blog readers!

Well, I'll keep this blog short but sweet.

I want my manuscript, when completely edited, to come in at roughly 40,000 words. Sadly, it is only 32,000. See the issue?
Well, only eight-thousand words. Not too much, eh?

No, it isn't.

So, I'm going to go get to work on that!

~Angel

*First Blog*

Hey loyal Blog readers!
Or, um, hopefully-soon-to-be loyal readers.
Well, this is my first blog on this blog, so I figure I'll use it as a way of introducing myself to you.
I am a seventeen--working on eighteen-- year old Junior (Senior in August) that has a strong passion for fine arts. My chosen path in life is literature. I love to read, to write. To learn. Writing is my favorite hobby and I take great pride in what I do. I intend to get my Masters in Fine Arts with Emphasis in Writing. Though I pray that writing will work out for me, I also plan to consider teaching--creative writing, possibly literature or some such classes.
My interests vary, though most tend to deal in the fine arts. Obviously I love reading and writing. I also do a lot of artwork and acting. I love listening to music. (Oh yeah, I'm a rocker girl--though I do love all sorts of music.). My other interests include:
Archery. Theatre. Poetry. Love. Japan. Anime. Night time. Philosophy. Psychology. Good Old Romance. Wolves. Meeting Authors and Comedians. Art by Victoria Frances. Taking long walks. Rain. Working in haunted houses. Going to bookstores. The Phantom Of The Opera. Creativity. Photography. Candles. Dragons. Comics/Manga. JTHM. Movies. Horror. Video Games. Swords/Knives. My friends. My pets. Mythology. Vampires. Werewolves. Nature. Understanding. Individuality. England. Traveling. Knowledge.
Yeah. I'm a girl of many interests.
I am in a relationship--with my knight in shining black armor. Two years and going very strong.
I'm quirky, with a sick sense of humor. I like to goof off and have fun, though I know when to be serious.
And this, ladies and gents, is my first blog. I swear they'll get more interesting from here on out!

Interested? Want to know more? Add me on myspace:
myspace.com/lifes_a_story
Just give me a little message to inform me you read my blog, so I know where you came from. =)
Currently Listening to: "Ghost Train Out" by The Vincent Black Shadow