Over the past few weeks, I've been writing lots of new things, editing and thinking about how my writing has changed since I signed with Agent A almost one year ago. (Seriously! Wow!) We've all got our writing strengths and weaknesses. Mine? Okay. My strongest writing comes with my plots. When others read my MSS, their first comment is usually, "Wow, I didn't get bored for a second. You kept things moving." Then the next comment is, "But I didn't feel inside the character's head enough." So, strong at plotting and weak with internal emotion. Fixable, right? Sure, and once someone points out your weaknesses, it should only make you more aware of them so they can be addressed. When I first started writing book-length fiction in November 2006, I had no idea how dialogue tags worked. They were a MESS. Now, it's second nature. Don't even notice my tags. Practice definitely pays off.

So, what are the strongest and weakest parts of your writing? Have you mastered something you once struggled with?

P.S. Isn't the class of 2k8 widget (see right and scroll) adorable? It'll show a new book every time you refresh the page! Clever. (Widget on Blogger, not LJ)

Right before the holidays, I changed my MySpace layout. Fine, right? Sure. It was pretty and girly and I loved it. Friend requests stopped coming in, but I didn't notice...until a few days ago when some nice person e-mailed me and said "hey, we can't friend you because you have no contact table!" Eek! The beautiful layout came without a contact table and I didn't even notice. Sigh.

So, I've got a new look and layout and the most important thing--that table! If we're not already MySpace friends, feel free to add me.

Today's a big day for Lauren Baratz-Logsted and Lisa Schroeder! Both of them have books releasing today. Lisa's debut YA novel, I Heart You, You Haunt Me is out TODAY from Simon Pulse. Lisa's also a member of the class of 2k8. :) Go check out both of those books today!

All right! The Class of 2k8 is up and blogging! Check it out : http://classof2k8.blogspot.com

Their Website will be fully functional soon, so be sure you check it out here. I'm so proud of these guys. They've got a fantastic group, exciting books and they're going to take 2008 by storm.

Happy holidays to all, whatever you choose to celebrate.

EDIT: I think I fixed the blog link. If not, let me know! :)

 Here Comes the Class of 2k8!
Following the final book launch of the Class of 2k7, the Class of 2k8
has set December 17 to debut its website and its 28 authors and
books. Please find us at www.classof2k8.com, look around, then follow
the links to our blog, MySpace, and JacketFlap pages to find out even
more about us.

And, yes, there will be a Class of 2k9. Several former 2k8 members
(whose books were pushed back a year) are now taking names of any
interested authors with a first middle grade or young adult novel to
be published in 2009 by a publishing house listed in CWIM. Please
contact class president Rosanne Parry at rosanneparry@comcast.net
Thanks,
Jody Feldman co-president Class of 2K8