Win an Award-Winning Book! 10/27/2009

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to win a copy of Dimensions, a Tweener Time Championship book by teen author Estee Wells. Dimensions, a sci-fi children’s adventure book, would make an excellent holiday gift for the pre-teen in your life. Why not get a jump start on your holiday shopping and enter to get this free book?

To enter the give-away, visit Estee’s blog and send her your information before the 30th. And if you don’t win the copy, fear not! There’s a fall sale for Dimensions through October 31, so everyone will have a chance to get a copy of this book.

Taking Notes 10/11/2009

My first year of college is well underway and midterms are behind me at last! Classes have gone smoothly so far, but I have reached the point in any semester where every lecture seems to last forever. It is easy to let your mind wander in class, but paying attention can save you much time in the long run (you’re stuck in class anyway, why not get something out of it?).

An important part of studying (for me anyway) is listening to the instructor and taking notes for later review. I found a helpful article the other day with tips on note taking. Here’s a summary:

• Review your notes from last class before your current one starts. It gets your mind in gear. Also, prepare yourself to pay attention. Make yourself interested in the subject, even if it isn’t your favorite.
• Finish any reading assignments before coming to class.
• If your teacher repeats something, writes it on the board, or says “It’s important to know…” it’s a good idea to include it in your notes
• Rephrase your notes after class in a more organized and thorough format. Create a sort of study guide for any upcoming tests.

And here’s a tip of my own: Study your instructor! Learn how they write their test questions, ask if they grade on a scale, and most of all read the syllabus! I had a professor last year who tested us over the syllabus material. Read it. Memorize it. Love it.

2009 Champions Announced! 10/04/2009

Creative individuals around the world work relentlessly to develop their skills in art, writing, and song writing. For seven talented teenagers, this work has earned them the championship title in the Tweener Time Competitions.

Here are the 2009 Champions:

Chapter Book winners:

1st place: Wesley Kriz, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan   Title: FLY

2nd place: Emily Eagen, Adrian, MI,   Title: REAL

3rd place: Deborah Yumi French, Cainta, Rizal Province, Philippines, Title: Bonded

4th place: Estee Wells, Hilton Island, S.C., Title: Seekers of Truth

5th place: Lydia Wassink, Grand Rapids, MI., Title: Legend of Isinglore

6th place: Bryce Michael Worrell, Madison, IN, Title: Sinister Hero

Songwriting Winner:

Benjamin Hoppe, Belleville, MI, Title: Standing

(As you may know, this is the first Songwriting competition through Tweener Ministries. I can’t wait to listen to the winning song!)

For updates concerning these amazing teenagers and their masterpieces, visit www.tweenertimecompetitions.org

Summer Vacation 08/31/2009

One of my goals for the year was to go somewhere scenic. Early this month, I accomplished that when I visited my grandparents in New Mexico. The land in the southwest is gorgeous! My Mother, my sister Lauren, and I enjoyed hiking in the mountains near Albuquerque and we even drove down to see Carlsbad Caverns. It was a wonderful trip, and I drew so much inspiration from the beauty of the land. What a perfect before-school vacation!

On Editing 06/29/2009

Only two days left to send your manuscripts in for the Tweener Time Chapter Book Competition! If you are anything like me, you’re probably panicking right about now, trying to do some last-minute editing. Truth be told, I did most of my proofreading the night before the deadline. It can be an overwhelming task, and possibly the most difficult part of the writing process, but it is important.

While you dive into your revision, here are some simple errors to look out for (and all of these are mistakes that I make):

• Incorrect: “I haven’t heard from you.” His mother said.
• Revised: “I haven’t heard from you,” his mother said.

• Incorrect: “My phone was abducted by aliens”, Johnny explained.
• Revised: “My phone was abducted by aliens,” Johnny explained.

• Incorrect: “Are you alright?” she asked.
• Revised: “Are you all right?” she asked.

• Incorrect: “After sitting on the steps for thirty minutes, Derek finally picked me up.”
• Revised (This is a dangling modifier. Look closely and make sure you clarify who was waiting for thirty minutes): “Derek finally picked me up after I had been sitting on the steps for thirty minutes.”

Beware of these commonly confused words– in fact, search for them in your document to make sure they are properly used.

• Lose/Loose
• There/Their/They’re (I know this is basic, but I still mess it up every now and then)
• a lot/allot
• everyday/every day
• its/it’s

Besides these few tips, all I can say is good luck! If you grow tired of your manuscript, try reading the chapters in backwards order to keep you aware. It helps me sometimes.

Tutus and Pointe Shoes 06/15/2009

Change is in the air! In the past couple of weeks, I’ve had my senior ballet performance, attended orientation/registration for Marian University (class of 2013!), and held my graduation open house. No time to think about any writing projects, but I still have all summer to write.

2001, My First Year

Senior Performance '09

The event closest to my heart right now is the ballet performance.  Some of my best friends are from ballet, and we have been through a lot together. They convinced me to come back to class year after year when I thought I wanted to quit (and I thank them a million times for making me stick around!) Though ballet as a career has never been in my future, I will always cherish my memories of dance class, even the ones involving blistered toes and grueling barre exercises.

I won’t bore you with any more sentiments about ballet– I just thought that I would write about something besides books every now and then, if anything to prove that I do get out of the house on occasion .

New Release 06/08/2009

Age Recommendation: 10-14

Length: 117 pages

Ari Callaghan, an average American teenager, wakes up one morning to find that he has leaped a week into the future. More horrifying, Ari discovers that his family has left for a vacation without him. He rides to his friend Jordan’s house to see what’s going on, but something is wrong. Jordan cannot see or hear Ari. In fact, no one can see him.

The next morning Ari looks at the newspaper and discovers that he has gone back a day. He is left alone, living life backwards one day at a time until the fateful night that started it all. Ari must discover the past that he cannot remember and build the courage to put his trust in God. Can he change the past? Should he?

Against the Current sets an excellent pace for the young reader while incorporating a strong Christian message. Teen author Greg Coles, 6th place champion from the 2007 Tweener Time Chapter Book Competition, has written an adventure that appeals to a broad audience. I stayed up until midnight reading it myself.

Click here to purchase Greg’s book, or the complete 2007 Chapionship Series.

What a Week! 05/11/2009

I am pleased to say that finals are done and I’m officially a graduate! Sure, I’m going to do some studying in my own time over the summer, but I’m finished with my formal classes. Hooray for class of ‘09! I look forward to attending Marian University this fall.

Straight after taking my last final, I rode to New Castle and spoke before an entire elementary school. In the four days after that, I have spoken to students at four other schools. It is great to meet so many creative minds, and I am glad to talk to these kids.

For the rest of the month, I will be speaking at schools around the state. My schedule is a bit hectic, but I am glad to see so many students fired up about reading/writing.

Celebrate Creativity! 04/20/2009

Gloria Gaither is hosting the second Celebrate Creativity workshop day!

Writers, artists, and songwriters mark your calendars! On July 11th, at the Gaither Family Resource Center in Alexandria IN, creative teens from all over the state (and beyond) will come together for workshops in their areas of interest. Parents/teachers will have their own session as well. Take a look at the options:

• Writers: Author and speaker PeggySue Wells will offer her expert workshops on developing a gripping novel for any age.
• Artists: Accomplished artist Paul S. Trittin will share a piece of his expertise in three sessions for young artists.
• Songwriters: Gospel music’s Gloria Gaither will personally teach students what they need to know about writing lyrics and melodies.
• Adults: Dr. Marvin G. Baker, author and publisher, will dip into his wealth of knowledge about creativity and help parents/teachers learn more about the creative student. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Dr. Baker explain how to properly cultivate a creative mind.

Students grades 8-12 are invited. If you are at all interested in the Tweener Time competitions, this is a great way to learn what the judges are looking for. A $25 fee is required for any attending student (adults attend at no charge). For more information, check out the Gaither Foundation. Or, if you contact me, I can mail a registration form

Writing Process and Outlines 04/14/2009

Over the weekend, I finished the first draft of my manuscript. It pleases me to say that I achieved my goal of finishing it before I turned 18.

After writing four books, I have learned what to expect in every stage of my writing. Everyone has their own process when working on a project– and mine is scatterbrained, to put it nicely. I have spoken with people who cannot touch the keyboard until they have outlined their entire story. Others write purely on inspiration. As usual, I can’t bring myself to take a side on this issue. Outlines serve their purpose, but I never know exactly where a story is going until I actually type he words out. My characters take on minds of their own, and they often don’t want to do the things I had planned for them. This may seem strange, and I suppose it is, but that’s how my stories have worked.

I may not be entirely consistent in writing outlines, but in the books I have worked on, many stages of development have emerged. My method of writing is on the fence between chaotic, unorganized flow of text and structured, impersonal dribble.

1. Get a vague idea for a character or a scenario that I want to build upon
2. Develop the characters in my mind– get to know them and decide what the setting & plot will be like (this stage lasts over a week. There are some story ideas I have been developing in my mind for a couple of years without writing a thing)
3. Sit down and force myself to write the first chapter. Every word is agonizing.
4. Try to hold myself back. Once I finish the first chapter, I cannot stop typing. My ideas go wild until I’m halfway through the book
5. Writer’s block kicks in. I grow irritated with my characters and wonder why I started the book in the first place
6. Grab a pencil and make an outline that will guide me to the end of the story
7. Become inspired again. Stay up several nights typing until it is finished
8. Print manuscript and edit

This pattern has proved true for every story I’ve written. Sometimes there are some extra detours. In my latest project, for example, I spent days re-writing a section of my story between steps 6 & 7. This could have been prevented if I had outlined my story beforehand, but even after writing four books, I must write myself into a corner before considering an outline.