A typical meeting of the writing group starts at two o’clock on a Monday or Tuesday at the Queen’s house. There are four of us.
The Queen – in overall charge.
Eeyore – in charge of doom.
Dylan – anything goes.
Muttley (me) – in charge of disruption.
As we approach the door, we all stop to admire the garden. Hollyhocks, black pansies, trailing clematis and shrub roses, all line the route to the porch. It’s hard not to feel envy. The Queen has fingers greener than the Hulk.
Once assembled, we share news. Of family. Of films seen. Of food eaten. Of builders. Of fellow Bristolians. At some point the Queen guides us onto matters of writing. We are reluctant, like a book group where no one has read the book. Dutifully we report any happenings. This element is short. We move on, taking it in turns to read aloud our latest work. There should be a method in deciding who goes first, but no, we argue about it. Every time.
Eventually, one of us sighs, brings out a few sheets of A4 and the process begins. One voice. Three scribblers, pens at the ready. We mean well, all four of us, truly we do. But it might not seem that way. The reader, sharing her tortured words with us, is rewarded by giggles, sly glances, outbursts . . . There is a rule that we don’t interrupt, but we break it gaily.
Whether it’s Eeyore’s made-up words, my endless internal monologues, Dylan’s love for continuous present or the Queen’s arty descriptions, we let rip. Small tears and then often huge great gashes. The problem is that we don’t agree. Hardly surprising if you consider our books. We have a plotter, a dreamer, a lover of tangents, a repeater, a spiritualist, a pragmatist, a weaver, a schemer, a joker . . . We like first person, third person, omniscient, accents, fantasy, reality, the past, the future . . . We all think the pace is too fast, too slow, non-existent . . . We’d all write the scene differently . . . although not necessarily any better.
The feedback is only about a quarter useful – we ignore the comments we don’t like. (They’re the same every time anyway – old dogs, new tricks.) However, the relationships, support and conviviality are invaluable. Tea and sweet things add to the pleasure.
When we’ve all had our moment in the spotlight, we try to arrange the next meeting. This takes some time. The Queen likes to holiday. Dylan has a roundabout to play on, Eeyore doesn’t know when she’s free, and I cannot plan ahead. But we manage, noting the date, and then emailing the Queen a week later to ask what we agreed.
I was invited to join the group after a random chat in an aisle at the supermarket. I barely knew the Queen, and had never met the others. The first few occasions were nerve wracking. Not only did I have to produce a few hundred words I could bear to read, I had to try to make clever comments. I failed at the latter, but they let me stay. Three and a half years later, I still look forward to going. In a world with no structure, the discipline of stumping up the next chapter – because turning up empty-handed is just not the deal – has been a huge part of getting my latest book in shape.
It’s a lonely business, but less so, thanks to the camaraderie in the kitchen of the house with the garden to die for. Long live the writing group.
Guest Post: 5 Reasons I like Writing for Middle Grade/Teen Readers
By Cheryl Carpinello
1. Being able to write the types of stories I loved to read as a kid.
As a kid, I devoured books: adventures, mysteries, fantasies, animal stories. As an adult, I still enjoy the same types of reading, but I don’t find myself getting ‘lost’ in the adult reads. And so I write the stories of my youth. ex. The Harry Potter series
2. Knowing that kids lend themselves to imagination easier than adults.
Young readers, like adults, can be a difficult audience to write for. What I’ve found, though, is that they eagerly enter into the world of a book easier than adults. The innocence and imagination of young readers knows no limits at this age. ex. The Hunger Games, The Twilight series
3. Helping young readers to see their world in a different way or from a different viewpoint.
Frequently, young readers only see their world from their own point of view. Try visiting a middle school or high school and seeing all the drama that goes on with the boys as well as the girls. Creating the types of characters that these readers can identify and empathize with, helps them to see their real-life situations differently. ex. A Child Called It.
4. Understanding that while young readers enjoy stories, they are also looking for truths about themselves and life.
Being a hero isn’t easy. Sometimes heroes doubt themselves as well as those around them. Sometimes, heroes even fail, but they don’t give up. Young readers tend to think that they have to be perfect all the time, succeed all the time. As adults, we know that isn’t true or even possible. ex. The Lord of the Rings
5. Getting letters/emails from young readers.
Young readers are not shy. One of the exciting reasons I enjoy writing for these ages is that they have no qualms about saying what they think. Kids may not always be tactful when expressing their feelings, but they are truthful. It is the truth about your writing that will make you a better writer. As a high school writing teacher, I always tried to couch my criticisms in a positive, but instructive manner. In a way, this is what young readers do also if we as writers listen.
About the Author:
Although a retired teacher, Cheryl Carpinello still has a passion for working with kids. She regularly conducts Medieval Writing Workshops for local elementary/middle schools and the Colorado Girl Scouts. She is not the only one who loves Medieval Times and the King Arthur Legend. The kids thoroughly enjoy writing their own medieval stories complete with dragons, wizards, unicorns and knights!
She loves to travel and her other job is with a major airline. Her favorite trip was a two week visit to Egypt with her husband that included traveling by local train from one end of Egypt to the other.
Some of her favorite books include The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Once and Future King, and any by the duo Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
The World of Ink Network will be touring both of author Cheryl Carpinello’s Middle Grade Arthurian Legend books, The King’s Ransom (Young Knights of the Round Table) published by MuseItUp Publishing and Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend published by Outskirts Press throughout January 2013.
Some stories become legend while some legends become stories!
Follow Cheryl Carpinello at
I realized yesterday as I was working on the tractor and plow that I really didn't have a firm grasp of the plow-thingy. I couldn't locate the photo I'd originally referenced and all I had to look at was a crude sketch in ye olde sketchbook. My drawing experience is limited when it comes to mechanical things (and not high on my list of popular subject matter). The more I worked on it, the more uncomfortable I became - I was just "wingin' it."
So, I scoured the internet for a good plow photo only to discover that good plow photos are hard to find. Who knew? I finally found something to work from - a photo of a toy model John Deere tractor and plow. Of course, it was orientation and viewpoint, but I could work with that.
This evening, my one painting mission was to solve the plow problem and, at least, get it off to a good start (or restart). After 2 1/2 hours (time really flies when I'm painting), I'm happy with the change. I feel like it is a major hurdle that I've overcome. At least I have a plow that is grounded in reality.
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And now, I can move on to more "fun" stuff to paint!
May 1st is just a few days away and VBT - Writers on the Move's new schedule is posted at the group's blogsite:
VBT - Writers on the Move
We have a couple of new members and a NEW monthly Viewpoint feature starting May 10th.
Like the weather, things are heating up at VBT - Writers on the Move - make sure to check it out!
If you're a writer, take that leap and join the ongoing cross promotion we are known for.
See you in blog world,
Karen
Did you realize that most stories written for very young children today are written from a single point of view?
If you’re having trouble finding a publisher for a picture book manuscript, and you’re switching viewpoints with every line, that’s probably one of the reasons your manuscript is being rejected.
Become a member of the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club and learn all the “tricks of the trade” you need to know to become a successful, PUBLISHED children’s book author.
Why wait? Join the Club TODAY!
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This mild to medium heat Cherry Pepper is small, round, and bright red in color. Its shape resembles a cherry (hence the name...) and is considered extremely good in processing and pickling. Cherry Peppers, like Chico, are perfect for the home garden, but you will usually see them in the commercially canned pickled state sold at your local farm markets and grocery stores.
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Thank you Cheryl for sharing your thoughts. Very interesting and inspiring.
All good reasons! I know as a kid, I felt books were almost like friends -- an escape when I felt lonely or wanted to be by myself. So I love the idea of creating another "mind space" where kids can hang out.
Thank you, Virginia and the Utah Children's Writers for hosting me today! I am having so much fun doing World Of Ink's Tour. Am continually discovering new children/family friendly sites.
Thanks for stopping by Andrea. There is something magical about kids and books!