The past two days have been CRAZY in the creativity department.

I’m furiously working on Canterwood #16 (MASQUERADE) and it’s my main focus. I’m about to write a chapter that, well, is going to shake Lauren’s world. Canterwood won’t be the same after this night. That, of course, makes me super eager to start the next book, JEALOUSY, to start writing this new dynamic into Canterwood.

But . . .

I e-mailed Finn Fan a while ago about this idea for a new series that I had after talking to Kate. I’ve written down a 1-2 line synopsis for–and here’s where it’s wrong, LOL–EIGHT books. They would be chapter books, so much shorter than CC. But geeze, it’s Writer Rule #1 that I learned–don’t write about a sequel if the first isn’t already sold. So, what does that look like if I have loose plot ideas for eight? Eeep. At least I didn’t write eight unsold books. Then it would be time to send me off to Author Rehab.

On the YA front, I’ve got two ideas that are at the top of my list. I’d love to keep them in the family, so to speak, and I’ve got a full summary for Project #1. I just need sample chapters then I can send it off.

Project #2 came in one of those rare, organic moments today. Kate and I were talking and got on a very random topic that sparked something in my brain. I told Kate the plot idea, half-cringing that I’d actually said it aloud because I NEVER talk about an idea that fast. I usually take my time to mull it over, really think if it’s a good idea or if *I’m* the only one who would think so. I almost fell off the bed when K said, “Write it down.”

And I did. I mean, it’s just a half page that gives the basic idea. But there’s something about this YA that excites me SO much. Obviously, since I blurted it out the second I had the idea. 🙂

What’s everyone else working on?

xo

I am so proud of Team Canterwood for voicing their opinions. No matter what the outcome, it means so much that you all took YOUR time to do this.

Much love!!

View the petition here: http://www.change.org/petitions/simon-schuster-allow-jessica-burkhart-on-the-cover-shoots-of-her-books-canterwood-crest#

Hi, all!

I am in the process of turning my usual Skype lecture into a DVD. It will run about an hour long and will include some of the following:

Talking about how to form an idea
A brief discussion of the correct way to format a manuscript
What revision REALLY mean
The argument that one is never too you to begin writing
Debate over whether or not to outline
Common FAQ

and details that are a work in progress.

I’ve had several librarians, teachers, book clubs, and even students who want to learn all they can about writing.

I intend for there to be several DVDs so viewers are not overwhelmed. I’ve used much of this material during classroom Skype visits, but the DVDs will go into much greater detail, show actual edited pages from my manuscripts.

As for the intended audience, both boys and girls, likely ages 7-16. Every writer has a different skill level, maturity, and I will not be talking down to older viewers nor covering super simple topics for a younger audience.

If you, or someone you know is interested in the first DVD in my collection as well to inquire about price, please contact me at jess _ burkhart AT gmail DOT com.

I’d love it if you’d repost this blog and alert others of a project that I’m incredibly passionate about that will help young writers.

🙂

xo

* Major changes/additions to the Canterwood Crest Website

* A book signing on August 25 in West Chester, PA (details on sidebar!) 🙂

* Vlog

* A few other fun things (*teases*)

They’re in planning stages and will be coming to you this summer/fall! Right now, I’m on Super Deadline Mode with MASQUERADE. Don’t want to be late and keep you guys waiting.

xx

I’m going to camp this summer!! I’ve never been to camp before and I’m sooo excited! I wouldn’t have known about it had Katharine Swan not left a comment about it. Thank you, Katharine!

On August 1, I’m going to Camp NaNoWriMo. There’s also a June 1st camp, but it doesn’t work with my writing schedule. So August it is! It looks like so much fun–writing 50,000 words in a month with other “campers.” Just looking at the site puts me in a summery mood. I’m sooo insanely excited! I think I’ll get marshmallows, Hershey bars, and other camp-like stuff and turn my living room into a cabin. Oooh! A sleeping bag!

I can’t wait to see what “cabin” I’m assigned. Friend me (jessicab_87) if you haven’t already on the NaNoWriMo site. Thank you to everyone at the Office of Letters and Light for ALL of the hard work you do. It’s inspiring beyond words and I would not be where I am today without NaNoWriMo.

Anyone else up for going to camp with me? Or starting camp June 1st?

Any of you guys ever been to a real camp? What was it like? Did you love it? Hate it? Get eaten by mosquitoes? What did you take to camp? Srsly, help me out here to make my at-home camping experience as authentic as possible. 🙂 Tell, tell!

I’m dedicating pretty much my entire weekend to writing. I’m working on MASQUERADE and doing #1k1hr with friends has been awesome. This weekend, though, what if we try smaller goals? I propose:

Write Your Book Twitter Style!

Every time you write 140 *words* (I changed it from Twitter’s 140 characters) you get a point. All weekend, keep track of your points and feel free to share them here, Tweet, Facebook or whatever you like. Just know there will be someone else doing it, too. 🙂

If you Tweet about it, hashtag it with #140words.

Anyone want to commit? 🙂

Yesterday, I signed the above copies of various Canterwood books at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square. It was my first visit to the 4 story store and it’s awesome! 🙂 If you want to grab a copy or reserve one, def head over or have someone pull a book from the shelf. 🙂

Had a lot of fun writing MASQUERADE today! I can only write for about an hour at a time before stopping to ice my arm, but I’m seeing a doctor again soon. Hopefully, I’ll either have surgery in the fall or have a plan so that I can write all that I want! Eeek! It’s something I used to take for granted–being able to write allllll day and not even think about it.

Since 2006, though, what started as carpal tunnel (and still is present) has progressed to tennis elbow and/or thoracic outlet syndrome. Basically, it’s too much pain for OTC pain relievers to touch and braces only help a teensy bit. The second I’m off the computer, I’m in pain for the rest of the day or even a few days after. It’s like a toothache that won’t go away. The WORST is when the pain spikes. The best way I can describe it is as though someone’s shoving a white hot iron fire poker into my elbow. Not so fun!

But I feel great when writing gets done, like today, and I know to stop before I make my arm too mad. I tried my Barnhart girl, Lauren’s, #1k1hr strategy on Twitter and it was so fun and totally worked. Doing it again tomorrow. 🙂 Search the hashtag and try it for yourself if you’re up for a challenge!

Signing off!

xo

Hi, Team Canterwood!

Happy Monday to you all. If you celebrated it, I hope your Easter weekend was fun! Anyone get amazing candy? I want to hear about it! What’s your fave kind?

Kate and I are at a hotel in Rochester, MN (for Mayo) and the hotel was sweet enough to give us Easter eggs with jelly beans inside. Yum!

My fave candies are: Strawberry Twizzlers, malted milk chocolate eggs, Junior Mints, Snickers, Sour Patch Kids, and…ooops, LOL, went off on a candy tangent!

Hi, guys!

Writing from Rochester, Minnesota while Kate and I are still at the Mayo Clinic. Not sure when we’ll be heading back to the BK soon, but we miss home!

And the kitties.

And our neighborhood.

And R.

And the apartment.

And the sweet guys at the bodega.

And Mike, our UPS guy.

And a zillion things you don’t think you’ll miss when you’re gone, but you do!

(Like, K’s a Mac person and she brought her Mac. I didn’t bring my PC. I’m going through PC withdrawal!)

We’re in our hotel room or at the hospital 99% of the time, but we did get to the local Target for some fun PJ shopping and groceries (our room has a microwave and mini-fridge) and also to the local mall for a little bit.

So, tell me what you’re up to! How long have you ever been away from home? What did you miss the most?

xxoo