Category: Michael D Young

Two Hundred Posts and Counting

March 20th, 2012

Happy 200th post!

A couple of really exciting things today. The first is that my next web serial debuts today! It is called “Canticle of Dawn” and is a continuation of the story begun in “Canticle of Night”, though it picks up some years down the road. It takes place completely inside the box that is the Canticle Kingdom, and delves deeper into the events that shaped what happens in the novel.

Please check out the first episode, and “like” it on Facebook if you do like what you read and/or hear. Who knew narration could be so fun?

http://bigworldnetwork.com/CanticleofDawn.html

Speaking of narration, I am also narrating another series called “The Adventures of Phineas Frakture”, which is a fun Steampunk adventure. It also debuted recently. Here’s the link to that one as well:

http://bigworldnetwork.com/PhineasFrakture.html

I was also featured on a guest post, which you can check out here:

http://apryl-baker.blogspot.com/2012/03/introducing-author-michael-young.html

Thanks for having me, Apryl!

Stats:

Running Total: 144,907

Month to Date: 38,575

Yearly Percentage to Go: 75.8%

Writing Tip of the Week:

When writing dialogue, make sure you keeping pacing in mind. If you have a lot of speaking without talking what the speakers are doing, the pace is going to feel quick. This kind of pace can tire out the reader if you use it too much. However, if you talk a little more about what the speakers are doing and their interaction with their environment while they are speaking, you slow things down a bit. I think your writing should have a little bit of each so that the rhythm of conversation ebbs and flows much like it does in real life.

Writing Update:

I’m writing the final climatic scene for Wandaful, and I think I’ll have that one done in a week or two. I had a great idea of another novel drop into my laugh this week, and I think it grown out of me following the elections this year much more closely than usual. I’ll post more thoughts about that project once I set them into place.

‘Til I see you again, write bravely and live well!
Loving the Ides of March

March 15th, 2012

My March sprint has started out strong. I’m well over the halfway point today and it is only the 15^th. (Got to love those months with 31 days.) The point, however, is not to get complacent. I found out how much a sudden sickness can put you behind. I’m starting up a small side business as an editor for both short stories and novel length works. Keep in mind, my “aspiring authors” program is still free and in effect. I am offering a discount for young writers, which I define as being under 19 years old. Here are the details that I will also post permanently on my site.

Rate: $1.00/page (standard manuscript format, 12pt font, double spaced)

Special rate for writers under 19: $0.75/page.

Recommended Genres:

Fantasy (all kinds), Science Fiction, Historical Fiction

Other Genres I’ll Accept:

Mystery, Horror, General/Literary

Genres to Avoid:

Romance, Erotica, Self-Help

To submit, email me at thecanticlekingdom@gmail.com. When I request the manuscript please send it in .rtf, .doc, or .docx format. It should have a common 12 pt font such as Arial or Times New Roman with 1 inch margins all around, and be double spaced. Manuscripts not formatted correctly may be sent back for reformatting.

Time Frame: The time frame is negotiable, depending on the length of the work. Please give me as much time as possible before a deadline.

Stats:

Running Total: 136,221

Month to Date: 30.434

Yearly Percentage to Go: 77.2%

Writing Tip of the Week:

Hang in there. I had a hard day for writing and it happens to be my birthday. I got two rejections from markets that had looked very promising. It is so hard not to be discouraged, especially when publishers and agents offer no more than form letter and send you on your way. In order to combat this, I’m going to do four submissions today, double the number of rejections.

I firmly believe that rejections are not necessarily a reflection of your writing, but that publishing is a strange and twisted game of trying to match your supply with a demand. I will keep trying no matter what.

Writing Update:

I did the first recordings for “Canticle of Dawn” this week and it is going to be great. I’m getting the hang of being a narrator now, which helps a lot. I’m also narrating a further series on the same site called “The Adventures of Phineas Frakture”. It is a set in a world where automatons replaced slaves in our nation’s early history, averting the Civil War, and vastly changing the course of history.

I’m about 2/3 of the way through writing “Wandaful” and about a quarter of the way done on the third books of the Canticle Chronicles and the Last Archangel series. I’m also hard at work doing my final edit of the sequel to “The Canticle Kingdom” and am excited about letting that see the light of day soon.

If you want to listen to or read “Canticle of Night”, please visit my page at http://www.bigworldnetwork.com/CanticleofNight.html
Avoiding Cliche Like the Plague

February 16th, 2012

I’m back! I apologize for the short hiatus. From choir tours, to auditions, to funerals and more, my life has been on overdrive lately.

There have been many personal triumphs lately. For starters, if you are living in Utah, be sure to come see me perform in “The Secret Garden” at the Hale Center Theater Orem beginning in April. You can get details at http://www.haletheater.org.

I’ll let you know of the others in my writing update. As far as writing goes, I’ve really hit my stride. Just take a look at the numbers:

Stats:

My word count for the week: 11,672

Running Total: 75,586

Writing Tip of the Week:

I’ll start sharing some tips from my presentation at UVU called “Avoiding Cliché Like the Plague”. (See picture at the beginning of the post) Here’s my first installment:

There are three kinds of cliché I try to strike out of my writing:

Cliché Phrases: “He’s as skinny as a pole.”

Cliché Plot Points: “The knight saves the damsel.”

Cliché Characters: “The elf has pointy ears, and an affinity for baking.”

All of them can helped by taking what you have and twisting it, adding a vivid detail or two. Instead you could have:

“He’s as skinny as a melting icicle.”

“The knight’s horse saves the knight.”

“The elf is a sculptor whose greatest dream is to fly.”

Much more interesting, huh?

Writing Update:

One of my short stories “Checkin’ It Twice” was accepted into an anthology this week. It will be out in time for the holiday season. I’ll post more when I have it.

Speaking of Christmas anthologies, I still have a few slots in my own Christmas anthology of stories based on Christmas carols. Please check it out under “current projects”.

I’m getting ready to submit a short story to David Farland’s “Nightingale” contest. It can only be 2,500 words, but I think it’s great. Here’s hoping.

I also had two short stories become finalists in the Parables for Today contest (parablesfortoday.com). I’m waiting to hear if I’ll get one of the cash prizes (1^st-5^th place), but I’ll be happy in any case, because they will be in that anthology as well.

Things also plug along well with the novels, with about 20,000 words in each.

“Canticle of Night” has reached over the halfway point and has been really fun. Please take a moment to support it by clicking the ‘like’ button on the page.

If you want to listen to or read “Canticle of Night”, please visit my page at http://www.bigworldnetwork.com/CanticleofNight.html

I’d love to know what you think about it!
Interview with Jarom and Giveaway

January 19th, 2012

This week I’ve got a another character interview, this time from Xandir’s sidekick, Jarom the Cherub.

Speaking of interviews, I have one up here on Booksnatch that includes a giveaway of “The Canticle Kingdom”. Hop on over for more details.

http://booksnatch.blogspot.com/2012/01/interview-giveaway-michael-d-young.html

Interviewer: Today with us we have Jarom the cherub. He’s looking a little shell shocked. What’s the matter, kid? Never seen a city before?

Jarom: Actually, no, not an earthly one. It’s a little…dingy.

Interviewer: What did you expect? You mean they don’t let you look down here with your little heavenly periscopes or something?

Jarom: Oh, we could. I just never wanted to. It is heaven after all.

Interviewer: So, first I want to ask, are the streets there really paved with gold?

Jarom: Gold? For a garbage can maybe. We’ve got much better stuff than gold up there.

Interviewer: Interesting. Now tell me, what about St. Peter? Does he really sit up there at the gates and wait for everyone? Sounds like that could get a little boring.

Jarom: I think it would be more accurate to say the “Saints Peter” do that job.

Interviewer: I don’t understand.

Jarom: The St Peter you’re thinking about only does it once in a while. Basically, they recruit anyone who happens to be named Peter and split up the shifts among them. Most newcomers are too starry-eyed to notice the difference.

Interviewer: So what’s your job up there? Do you work for Cupid or something?

Jarom: Cupid? Heavens, no. He may look cuddly, but don’t get on his bad side, and don’t even think about using the word ‘cute’. Those heart-tipped arrows are plenty sharp. I actually work in the ambrosia business.

Interviewer: Ambrosia? Tell us about it.

Jarom: It’s only best food on heaven or earth. Manna comes in at a close second. Sometimes we even mix the too and have ambrosia filled manna. Literally, a match made in heaven.

Interviewer: So would you care to share the recipe? Sounds like I could win a few contests with that one.

Jarom: I only wish I could. Sharing the secrets of Heaven with man is a banishable offense. If you a taste, I’d have to kill you.

Interviewer: A donut to die for. Now you’re just being cruel.

Jarom: I really am sorry. One angel who gave away secrets got made a destroying angel thousands of years. I can’t think of anything worse than that.

Interviewer: Do you have a pet peeve? Do angels have pet peeves?

Jarom: I assure you they do. And I know mine. It’s when people say ‘cherubs’. It’s not a word. More than one cherub and you say ‘cherubim’. Tell your friends.

Interviewer: I know you’re busy, but is there anything else you can tell us about heaven?

Jarom: Just that it’s worth it. I miss it like crazy already, and I’d do anything to get back. Something tells me that there’s a rocky road ahead before that happens.

Interview: Thank you, Jarom. We’ll let you get on to your assignment. There you have it folks, from the mouth of an actual cherub, proving that there actually are donuts in heaven.
Second Verse, Same as the First

January 16th, 2012

Week Two went about as well as week one, even though we were in the middle of moving from our apartment into a beautiful brand new condo. We’re all settled in and loving it. Don’t write off writing just because you are busy!

Stats:
My word count for the week: 14079
Running Total: 31645
Monthly Percentage: 63.3%
Yearly Percentage: 5.3%

Writing Tip of the Week:
Take rejections in stride. I had a very disappointing rejection this week, and stuff like that just hits you where it hurts…metaphorically of course. I think it’s okay to be sad for a little bit, to mourn that lost opportunity, but then you have turn around and start making your next moves. If you are not careful, you might be tempted to let that project languish on the farther back of burners so that nothing happens.

Most of time, it is not that your project was bad, just that it didn’t fit what the publisher wants right now. Send it off again as soon as possible. I’m already preparing to send it to two more publishers myself.

Writing Update:
I’m continuing to map out another web serial, and working on recording the audio version of “Canticle of Night”. Did you know it is available for free on iTunes? Good stuff.

I have been working hard this week on a non-fiction project for once that is a guide for LDS Ward Choir directors, but also can be helpful for any church choir directors. It is a topic about which I know quite a bit, having done it several times.

I’m also working hard on the third and final installments of “The Canticle Kingdom” and “The Last Archangel” series. Just getting these off the ground. In addition, I am preparing a novel called “Countdown” to enter in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award. Last year, my novel “Starspire” (as yet unpublished) was a quarter-finalist. I’d love to get at least to the semi-finals this year!

If you want to listen to or read “Canticle of Night”, please visit my page at http://www.bigworldnetwork.com/CanticleofNight.html

I’d love to know what you think about it!
Kicking Off Angel Thursdays

January 5th, 2012

Hello everyone!

I’m off to a great start on my marathon writing year. I’d like to introduce a feature I’ll be doing on Thursdays, in which I highlight posts about “The Last Archangel”. I just finished writing the sequel and hope to get that out in the world soon one way or the other once I’m done with revisions. The number of followers has grown significantly since the initial blog tour and so I’m going to highlight things from the tour and some never-before-seen content as well.

Today, I’m just going to do an intro post with a little about my book. The publisher recently slashed the ebook price for all their ebooks in half and so it can now be yours for only $3.99. (was $9.99)

The story revolves around Xandir, who is a an angel who fell near the beginning to this world and as a punishment has been forced to work as a destroying angel throughout history. The story chronicles his quest in our time to either find redemption–a quest which determines whether he helps destroy the world or save it. You can read a great review of it here in the Deseret News:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705395271/Review:-/’The-Last-ArchAngel/’-full-of-warring-angels-and-demons.html

You can purchase the Kindle version here: http://amzn.com/B0051PKCZC

Next week, I will highlight a character interview with Xandir, so you can get to know him better. Hope the beginning of your New Year is going great!
Announcing: Canticle of Night

December 20th, 2011

When many people read “The Canticle Kingdom” they told me that they wanted more backstory. Wait no longer! In conjunction with BigWorldNetwork, I am producing a 12 part serial story that details some of the backstory of Jorgen and Karsten Muller, the brothers who created the music box that would become The Canticle Kingdom. You can read and listen for free here: (I did my own narration as well)

http://www.bigworldnetwork.com/CanticleofNight.html

Please spread the word! I’m excited to see how this new format will be. A new episode comes out on Mondays, and I promise to keep it exciting and interesting. Please let me know what you think.
Raising the Stakes on NaNoWriMo

December 13th, 2011

I always look forward to November each year for more reasonsthan Thanksgiving. Though I am a sucker for turkey and stuffing, I also lovewatching my word counts skyrocket as I take part in National Novel WritingMonth. (NaNoWriMo for short) For theuninitiated, during NaNoWriMo, writers seek to write 50,000 words in 30 days,which is the length of a short novel.

I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo for three years, and I’veimproved every year. My first year, I barely squeaked by on the 30^th,the next year I hit the goal on the 25^th, and this year I took ahuge leap forward in finishing on the 17^th.

This got me to thinking—why couldn’t every month be likeNaNoWriMo? If I can do in November, what makes it impossible in January orJuly? The answer for me is: nothing. I just try harder in November to work hardand minimize distractions because I have a firm target.

With that in mind, I want to set a very high goal this year:I literally want to make every month like NaNoWriMo. I think I’ll call itNational Novel Writing Year (or NaNoWriYe) for short. I want to write 50,000per month for every month in 2012 for a grand total of 600,000 words.

To put that in perspective that’s about two installments ofRobert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time” series. It is much more than I have ever written, butI think that I can do it. I am serious in my commitment to writing, and I thinkthis will be a formative year in my career.

I’m sure that many full-time authors can easily pull of thisfeat. However, I’m working a full-timejob, have a wife and two kids, and a very busy schedule with the MormonTabernacle Choir. I hope that in doingthis, I can inspire others who have busy lives to see that they can still fitwriting into their schedules.

I have also decided that I want to take it a step further.Many runners run to raise money for charity. I thought I would go ahead andwrite for charity instead. To help out, you can pledge an amount, howeversmall, for every month’s worth of words I write (every 50,000 words). Thatmeans, if you pledge $1, and I reach my goal, you would donate $12 to charity. In this case, I have selected the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in honor of a good friend who suffers from this disease.

To pledge an amount, fill out the form below. All you needis a full name and email address. I willthen send you an invoice through PayPal at the end of the challenge for theproper amount. I will be taking charity suggestions from my readers to figureout where the money should go. I won’tkeep a dime.

Anyone else up to the challenge? I’m excited and already alittle tired just thinking about it. Luckily, I have several full noveloutlines ready to hash out, and I’ll be giving constant updates here on my blogthroughout the year.

In this season of giving, I encourage you all to think ofways to spread the abundance we all have been given. Have a happy and blessed Holiday Season.
December Blog Hop

December 2nd, 2011

‘Tis the Season, and many of us are celebrating by giving away things that readers love, including books. Use the entry form below to enter my giveaway for a signed copy of “The Canticle Kingdom” and use the list to link to other blogs.

Please also consider submitting to the Christmas anthology I’m putting together. All you have to do is submit a family friendly story in any genre that is based on a Christmas song. Please send all entried to thecanticlekingdom@gmail.com. All proceeds will be donated to the National Down Syndrome Society.

Have a wonderful and blessed holiday season.

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National Novel Revision Month

December 1st, 2011

Congratulations to all those who completed National Novel Writing Month! I finished early this year and that felt pretty good. I’m now on to what I call “National Novel Revision Month”, in which I sand down the rough edges of my hastily-constructed novel. I’m sure many of you are doing the same. I’ve decided to call this sequel to the Last Archangel, “The Last Kingdom”, which has to do with the prophecy in Daniel 2 of the Old Testament. Go read it for a clue as to what I mean: http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/dan/2?lang=eng

As such, I want to announce the winners of my NaNoWriMo contest. Alas, no one who entered the contest beat me to the punch of winning NaNoWriMo, but I did select three lucky winners to receive first chapter evaluations of their NaNoWriMo manuscripts. They are:

Heather Justesen
Diana Ault
Megan Conway

Thanks for entering! I think I’ll make that an annual event, so start gearing up for next year.

Next of all, I’m very excited about how many people are preparing stories for my Christmas Carol anthology. I would still love to see more entries. If you are considering writing one, please let me know so that I can make sure we all write on different songs. I have included a list of those songs already taken in my “Current Projects” page above.

All proceeds of this project will go to the National Down Syndrome Society, which is a great cause, so I hope you’ll help me spread the word! If there is anyone who would like to volunteer their services in helping design a cover, edit/typeset, or anything else, please shoot me an email at thecanticlekingdom@gmail.com.

Finally, look for a new blog hop starting tomorrow, and to all of you, I wish a blessed and peaceful holiday season.