To regular readers, this is my #PimpMyBio for the awesome Pitch Wars contest being hosted over on Brenda Drake's website. Thank you SO much to her, the mentors, and everyone else who puts in so much time and energy to this wonderful contest. I entered last year, but have spent the last 12 months editing and revising so I'm excited to submit my updated project.
What project is that, Scarlet?
Well, first, let me tell you about myself and you'll know what inspired the book I wrote.
I live for creativity. In all aspects of my life I am looking for the "outside of the box" option...the unique angle...the focus no one has thought of yet. I have an intense need to create and to express myself through the arts. I love music, painting (I'm terrible at it!), photography, fashion, and, of course, writing.
I have been a musician for most of my life. I have a degree in Music and even had the incredible opportunity to play Carnegie Hall with my college orchestra. (An experience I will never forget, even though it was 15 years ago! Whoa...I'm old?) I was in a semi-professional orchestra for over 10 years, but left because of the time required and stress. It might not sound stressful playing the clarinet, but when 60+ people hear you play a wrong note...it is. Being in that orchestra taught me a lot. I learned so much about musicality and bringing more to the music than just playing the notes on the paper. I also learned about doing the work at home so I could show up and be the best musician I could be. I think this skill translates well to participating in group work or...to working with a mentor in Pitch Wars. I will always do the work to show up with my best product for those counting on me.
My "real" job is at a bookstore. I've worked there a long time and have seen so many trends both in how bookstores stay successful and in what is selling off the shelves. I got really into YA about 10 years ago and have been obsessed ever since. After a few years of voracious reading I realized I was learning so much about writing! So, I wrote a book....and then put it in a drawer and wrote another. It's taken a long time because I have a full time job, a lot of hobbies, and what I call my part time job: commuting. But I'm super proud of it and excited to enter it into Pitch Wars this year!
Yes...it's time to talk about the book I wrote!
People always say to "write what you know!" and to "write the book you wish was out there!" That book for me is THE MOVEMENT....a YA adventure story about a near-future America where the laws have gotten out of control as the President tries to keep a hold on the country. One of those laws is that music is not allowed. Expression in general has been squashed under an intense government because of the fear of resistance. Think about punk rock in the 1980s or protest music in the '60s...and then think about if the government decided it was dangerous to have songs like those out in the public so they made them illegal. *shudder*
In THE MOVEMENT, Lera is a 17yo high school senior who one day receives music on her tablet when she goes to the library. She is TERRIFIED when she hears the music play through her headphones, but....also intrigued. Music doesn't seem so bad. She kind of even likes it. THE MOVEMENT is, at its most basic, a story about falling in love with those "warm fuzzy" feelings we all have: butterflies in the stomach, excited anticipation, new experiences.
Looking forward to beginning the Pitch Wars contest and hoping to meet some new people as well as learn more about writing and publishing! Check out the other bios here.
