Category: Writing Wednesday

Blog Chain: For the Love of It…(or something like that)

Blog chain time again. This time it was started by Laura. She asks:


“What keeps you going (either trying to get an agent or to get published or finish that WIP that’s kicking your butt) when you know the odds are stacked way against you?”


I’m going to be honest. When I saw this topic, I groaned. Loudly. Not because it’s a bad topic but because I’m in one of those “This writing life is so so hard” kind of moods. I’ve answered this before and it’s interesting to me that this topic comes up often. I guess it’s because we all want to know how to keep going when the going gets tough. When it stays tough for a long time.

So since Laura asked this question almost 2 weeks ago, I’ve been thinking about it. I don’t have an answer. I just keep going. I feel there’s no other way. I don’t want to be that one book wonder person. I don’t want to fall off the face of the Earth when people barely know who I am, when I haven’t left a mark yet. There is so much more I want to accomplish with my writing–so many more books and genres I want to tackle. Quitting is not me–be it with writing or anything else. Plus, if I quit, I’ll never know if all my goal could have been achieved.

I think the odds are often stacked against us. But then that voice wonders why CAN’T it be ME? So I strive to make it happen. That in itself is hard because I can only control my writing, nothing else. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.

So why do I keep going? Because I’m grown up now and this is what I always wanted to be. If I stop, what else am I going to be when I grow up? It was always this.

Check out Eric’s inspirational post from yesterday, and keep an eye out for the next blog chain.



Writing Support

Last week’s Teen Author Festival went far beyond my expectations. It felt amazing to be on a panel with talented authors Sarah Darer Littman, Maryrose Wood, and Arlaina Tibensky and have such enthusiastic students welcome us. The debut author panel with Arlaina, Jocelyn Davies, Christopher Grant, Anne Heltzel, and Kimberly Marcus the following day, where we spoke to our peers as well, was surreal. Seriously, so much talent was just inspiring. And the support of other debut authors as well as much more established writers was so meaningful. I have worked in other fields and cannot say that co-workers welcome newbies in the same way.

And then came this week. Where it’s back to reality of revisions and looking at rankings and wanting more. We authors are hard to please, you know. I have often said, “Geez, what is it like to be….normal? To just be content.” I guess I’ll keep wondering. 🙂 Last week, I read a terrific post by Mandy Hubbard about writers never being satisfied. Check it out here. It explains a lot. And I just want to add something else that can help all us fragile writers just a little bit. Thing is, a lot of the writing community is so supportive and knows what questions not to ask, so I thought I’d create a do/don’t list for friends and family of writers. Please, print it out and refer to it when you get the urge to talk to us about our careers. Thanks!

1. After a signing, please DON’T ask, “So did you sell any books?” or any variation on that question.
DO say: “How did it go?”
Yeah, yeah, it’s kind of the same thing, but to the second one, I can just answer “Fine.” Because, sometimes, I may not sell that many books but I make meaningful contacts and that could lead to something good. Or, I may not sell many books, and don’t really want to go into details. AND, if I do sell lots of books, you won’t even have to ask me. I’ll be telling you all about it myself.

2. I made it a point, not to ask friends and family if they liked my book. Everyone has different tastes; some books are just not your thing. It’s OK. Really. And I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable. But, on the same taken, if you didn’t like it, can you not seek me out to tell me? Reviewers critique my stuff, my writing group critiques my work. As I said, I PROMISE, I won’t ask what you thought. So DON’T say, “I really liked this one line. It was so insightful. But I wish there was more of that throughout. I know you’re just starting out, though and learning, so maybe you can focus on doing that more in your next book.”
DO say, “I really liked this one line.” Then please stop talking. And, if you didn’t like the book, that’s OK too. But, really, what will critiquing it at this point do for me?

3. If you’re a good friend or family member, of course I’d love for you to buy the book. Of course, you don’t have to. You can be saving the $9.95 for your latte supply or an imitation Prada bag. Or waiting until Borders discounts my book to 50% off. It’s all good. BUT DON’T say each time you see me, “I really need to get out and buy your book.” They’re not selling out, girl. Go get one. If you’re in my house and there’s a crate of them, DON’T say, “I really need to buy that eventually.” The time is now. The crate is taking up space in my living room. Just like I won’t ask if you’ve read the book, I will never make you feel like you need to buy one. So, if you don’t want to buy the book, just don’t and we can talk about tons of other things, like the newest Glee or Degrassi.

4. If you/your daughter/son/grandma is a writer too and are waiting to get published, DON’T say, “Do you think it was easier to get published because you write YA?” or  “But it’s YA so….”  I’ll tell you this. The first novel I wrote was aimed at adults and didn’t get published. BUT it didn’t get published not because it was for adults but because the story had MAJOR flaws. Had INCONVENIENT had the same issues, it would not have been published. If you think writing YA will get you published, go for it. Wait, what? You don’t know how to write YA? I guess it’s not so easy then, right?
How about you DO say, “Congratulations. That’s great. You must have worked hard.”

5. Piggybacking off number 4, if you/your aunt/your grandpa/your cousin is trying to get published and you want me to read something or have industry questions, I’m always happy to help. But, can you ask how I am once in a while? Can you send me some e-mails that just say hello? If I told you about stuff going on with me, before you launch into another 2 page e-mail, can you write me one asking if all the stuff got worked out? Seriously, people, just common courtesy.

6. Now, if you’re like my mom, you might say, “Fine, I just won’t ask anything then.” (Love you, Mom!!) But don’t do that. We’re all doing the best we can and sorry that our fragile egos get in the way. If you feel compelled to say SOMETHING, here are a few things that are always good:

I’m proud of you.
So great you’re pursuing your dream.
I saw your book in a store window. Here’s the picture I took.
I recommended your book to a friend.
Congratulations.


Deep Thoughts From Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur was this past weekend. For those who don’t know about this Jewish holiday, it’s a time to reflect on the past year, atone for mistakes, and make plans to be a better person in the year ahead. And to make it all more meaningful, you fast and go to synagogue. I’ll be honest. In past years, I reflected a lot. I reflected about how the day before, I had some yummy coffee and a bagel. While I sat in synagogue in the morning, I reflected on the pasta I had for dinner and whether there was any more in the fridge. After synagogue, I thought about how I really needed to focus on changes I could make in my life, how I’d be more spiritual and attend more religious services and–gosh, they always have such delicious pastries after those services and to-die-for Challah and I really hope someone brings that chocolate babka when we break the fast, and–what was I thinking about?

However, this year was different. I did think about coffee because how can you not? But I actually took stock of what I have and what I should be thankful for and what the year ahead holds and how important it is to be positive about the good things we have. I was out for a walk with a friend of mine after my last supper (for the next 24 hours anyway), and we were talking about some issues we have with self-esteem and why we feel the way we do, and I shared some writing things that had been going on last week (that were out of my control), and the conversation went in another direction and to our kids and bad tv and so on. At one point, though, she said, “It’s amazing, isn’t it? You must be so excited. Your book will be out in almost a month and you’re accomplishing what you said you would, what you set out to do. It’s so inspirational to me. You must be so proud.” And I had to think about it. Think about it?! The high school and college me and even the before agent me would have slapped me. And had this been a friend all this stuff was happening to, I would have said, “My gosh, you are amazing. That’s so fantastic!” But to me, I had to stop and think.

And I realized how ridiculous my attitude is and how it’s necessary to change it. I have a lot: a great husband, the opportunity to stay home with my beyond awesome three old boy, a great family who lives super close, a house, and now a book coming out. I’m not going to be all Pollyanna because that’s so not me. But I do need to take stock more, appreciate what I have. And I’m happy to say, I did that all Yom Kippur. I thought of coffee three times, but other than that, I had fun playing with my kid and cats and making fun of my hubby who acted as if he was dying of starvation and giving my head a break from all writing angst.

That night, after Yom Kippur ended, I did catch up on e-mails and plan a bit of my writing schedule for the week, but I was calmer. I think I’ll take stock weekly now–with a strong cup of coffee by my side.

My Traveling ARC

I got my ARC at ALA and have been doting on it since. This weekend, I took it on a little trip to the settings of INCONVENIENT. Lucky for me, my ARC is super photogenic and doesn’t mind lying around on the grass or in the heat. Perfect model! Only problem was that to get the settings I wanted, my poor, beautiful ARC looks all itty bitty. So first, here is my ARC in all its glory.


Below is ARC on top of the hill behind Alyssa’s house:


Here it is behind Glenfair’s local hangout, CVS. Notice how it’s straddling the rail, like one of the cool kids:


Here it is running the paths of Dunkerhook Park–the location for Alyssa’s retreat and cross-country meet:


Here it is beside the waterfall where Keith and Alyssa had their first kiss:


My ARC taking a spin on the mall carousel:


And because my ARC is so spunky and adventurous, here it is (courtesy of my awesome nephew) going down the falls:

Getting Hooked Part 2: How to Reel in Readers

The other day on my AuthorsNow! post, I wrote about books that have grabbed me as both a teen and adult. Today, I want to discuss ways we can hook our readers.

I’ll add the disclaimer that it’s not a one size fits all thing.You’ll run across methods that work beautifully in someone else’s book but makes yours look fugly. Or, like that sweater that always made your sibling look hot but looked gross on you until you added pearls, it’s a matter of adopting a method to work with your talents.

When I taught middle school, I told my students to start their stories/essays in one of 3 ways: description, dialogue, or startling fact. I think this advice can apply to novels as well.

Let’s start with description. You’re probably thinking that’s a great way to lose readers, and you’re right if you spend the first three pages writing heavy detail about a brown coffee table or living room. Heck, if you put this kind of detail even halfway through the book, I’ll skim it and move on to a juicier part, but that’s just me. 🙂

One of my favorite books, THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE, by Audrey Niffenegger, began with description. I love the poetry of the writing and how, from the start, Niffenegger’s words let us know something monumental is about to happen.

First paragraph:

Clare: The library is cool and smells like carpet cleaner, although all I can see is marble. I sign the visitors’ log Clare Abshire, 11:15 10-26-91 Special Collections. I have never been in the Newberry Library before and now that I’ve gotten past the dark, foreboding entrance, I am excited. I have a sort of Christmas-morning sense of the library as a big box full of beautiful books.

What I love about these lines is that Niffenegger utilizes the senses to draw us in. The details Clare sees and the way she presents them to us, really paint Clare’s character without us knowing anything about her. There is something child-like about her here and endearing, especially when she compares the library to “a big box of beautiful books.”

2. Dialogue–I have heard mixed thoughts on opening a book this way. Some balk at this method because we “hear” words without knowing right away who is saying them or anything about the speaker. But, if the words are alluring, we’re hooked, and then the writer can provide further details to flesh out the missing parts (e.g. setting, etc.).

David Levithan’s WIDE AWAKE begins:

“I can’t believe there’s going to be a gay Jewish president.”
As my mother said this, she looked at my father, who was still staring at the screen. They were shocked, barely comprehending.
Me?
I sat there and beamed.

I love the opening line here, and was pulled in immediately. I didn’t even care who was talking because the line was so surprising. The few lines above are the whole first chapter, but already we get a sense of the narrator. These lines are succinct, and the MC’s optimism/happiness of the moment comes through clearly.

3. Startling Fact–When I taught English and creative writing, this was often my students’ favorite way to open a story. It allowed them to bring out the most crazy, lavish line they could find and present it unapologetically. Sometimes, this is where they would begin and then create a story around the surprising detail. When I’m stuck on a character or chapter, I try to think of the most surprising element of that character and think how it would fit as a chapter opening. At the least, it helps rejuvenate a stalled writing process.

GOING BOVINE by Libba Bray is currently on my to-read list. When I hear a lot about a book, those first pages make me nervous because I really want to like them. I was hesitant to open this but am glad I did. The first page completely pulled me in, and it’s also a perfect example of a startling fact opening.

The best day of my life happened when I was five and almost died at Disney World.
I’m sixteen now, so you can imagine that’s left me with quite a few days of major suckage.

Dying at Disney World is definitely not ideal, but the MC says this was his best day. Really? And it was all downhill from there? Right away, Bray has me, and I can’t wait to read this book.

How about you? What are some of your favorite ways to start stories? Which books did you feel hooked you from the start? How did they do it?