It's been a lovely holiday... alotta long talks, alotta red meat and pie, and alotta Ruby duty ~ protecting the kidlets from her piranha-like puppy teeth, and the rugs from her lightning-fast pee squats.
But my break was a wee longer than anticipated. So, it's back to work I go... back to blogging and my cubicle. In fact, I'm here today... with FOX news streaming and space heater sputtering.
Finally finished the
Twlight saga, too. Coulda done without books 2-4... but appreciated their crack-like quality nevertheless. And purchasing all four certainly contributed to stimulating our economy, too ~ especially thanks to the frequent and strategic availability of hardbacks only. Harumph.
Next up?
Marley and Me. The movie alerted me to its existence, and I'm smitten by the story... a newlywed couple navigating work, pregnancy and family stress, all under the duress of a psycho-lovely pup. Just like my Ruby. I can't wait to dive in... and am buying it at
Borders during lunch today.
Ah me, it's good to be home again... [insert contented sigh].
What books has the holiday machine churned into your life lately?
Christy, helmstress of the fabulous Christy's Creative Space, nominated me for the Honesty Scrap award ~ "Many times truth and honesty are discarded material, considered scraps and left over." I'm honored. And here's tagging Devon, Becky, Justus, Paul, Serena and Gutsy.
My uncomfortably-honest facts follow:
* I bloody my knuckles over honesty. It's really hard, but I keep trying.
* I didn't even TOUCH the writing goal I set last Monday, did you?
* I can't afford the SCBWI Winter conference after all, and fear you'll think I'm non-committed.
* Most facts I can't post. It'd be too much.
* I hate myself. I know. Gross. It comes and goes...
* I fear I'll never be a comfortable person. That I'll always be driven by certain insecurities to the point of madness.
* I worry my friends don't really like me.
* I believe "miracles" through prayer happen all the time, but are wrongly chalked up to chance or luck, or they don't happen as expected and are missed altogether.
* I wonder why my husband "picked me."
* I'm now obsessed with becoming a White House reporter...
And because I have no platform other than my husband's ear...
Shame on you, shoe-throwing Muntadhar al-Zeidi! How dare you abuse your journalism post to dishonor our president. What are you, five years old? It's called an op-ed, and you should be de-credentialed. And shame on our fellows for mocking this. Our country needs healing right now, no matter our party affiliation!
Ok, I'm done. And thanks to my little blog for listening.
Meet the Motivation Monster... Is it working? Are you startled into action?
Let's do it. Let's go on record. Name me one writing goal to conquer by the weekend.
Your best advice from last Friday's post packages up so nicely. This post is a tribute to your kind and practical words...
Breathe, make bite-size goals and, no matter what, keep writing.
I hereby vow to complete my novel's character exercise that I abandoned one long month ago.
What's yours? Name it. Make it doable AND a bit of a stretch. We'll haul each other along, and check in this Friday!
Our time with lovely, aspiring MG author, Sheri Oshins, concludes today... Be sure to support Sheri's work and vision by visiting Diary of Children’s Book Writer!
GwG: Why were you advised to start a blog? What about blogging is most worthwhile? Sheri: I was shy about blogging, but a friend of mine suggested that we need to self-promote and that blogging is a fun way to do this. So I began, almost a year ago. Now, I struggle shutting down once I've started. Admittedly, it takes up too much of my time.
This is something I need to control, but it’s so addicting. Why? Because you connect with people who have the same goals. Or maybe they've already made it and you get to live vicariously through them. You feel connected to their story and their rise to the top. It’s exciting and educational.
This year, I will set aside an hour a day and an hour at night, and that's that! But I always feel so badly if I didn't visit all of your blogs. We count on each other. It's a shout out to other writers, and when they comment it's a shout back that they know you're there.
GwG: I love the resource lists posted on Diary of Children’s Book Writer. Any more advice for aspiring authors? Sheri: Thank you. This was really inspired by
Class of 2k8 author,
PJ Hoover (hi PJ!). My advice is to make yourself accountable. Publicized deadlines do this, as does joining
SCBWI or a writer's group. Read blogs by other writers. Start your own blog.
Read the great writers of your genre, not for reading's sake but for learning's sake. Reading for fun and reading as a writer are two different things. Learn to read like a writer. Try to stay one-step ahead of the writer to see if your brain is working the story out in the same way. And if not, was your way better? Was the author’s way better?
Surround yourself with people who have the same goal as you. And remember, it's not the struggle that's important, it's how you react to the struggle, what you do with the struggle that makes all the difference in the world. We all will face sharp criticism and times of pain and tears. Some of us will give up. But some of us will rise up. Decide who you want to be.
Join SCBWI*You will meet other writers and illustrators.
*You will share each other's work.
*You will have individual sessions with editors, authors, or agents!
Writer's To Do List1.) Make friends with your local library.
2.) Join a writer's group. Or start your own. I did!
3.) Join your local chapter of SCBWI
4.) Attend workshops, conferences, seminars
5.) Read your stories to children
6.) Enter contests
7.) Of course, write something every day!
A Writer's Must Haves...To get started, here are a few tools of the trade you MUST have.
1.) An excellent thesaurus.
2.) This year's
Writer’s Market. I specifically buy the one for children’s literature… namely the
Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market.
3.) Read examples of good literature in your desired genre. If you plan on writing middle grade, like me, I suggest you read,
Pearl S. Buck’s The Big Wave,
Sharon Creech’s Walk Two Moons,
Out of the Dust by
Karen Hesse, and any, or all, of
JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books.
4.) Support. Join a writer's group. A good group will consist of positive, knowledgeable members who will help guide and challenge you, so you can put forth the strongest work possible.
5.) Stamina and strength. This is not an easy field. You will face a lot of rejection. But if you believe in yourself and have the stamina to continue no matter what, you will eventually break in!
6.) Knowledge about proper formatting. Learn proper standard submission guidelines. You will be hard pressed to find an editor who will be willing to read your manuscript, no matter how brilliant, if you haven’t at least taken the time to learn the basics of formatting.
This week, please enjoy a series of interviews with my friend, fellow writer and SCBWI member, Sheri Oshins. Sheri founded the Hunterdon County Children's Writer's Group (HCCWG). Her personal blog, Diary of a Children’s Book Writer, has charmed its way to a large audience since only 2007. Her group blog, devoted to HCCWG, has done the same. For 16 years, Sheri taught and tutored reading and writing. Now, she’s wholeheartedly pursuing becoming a published writer. We share this same lifelong dream, which is the platform for our friendship – two women, finally realizing our dream.
GwG: Why is joining SCBWI “the best thing you've ever done?”
Sheri: You know, people say to listen to the Universe, follow what the Universe presents you... I returned to work about 4 years ago. I am a former elementary teacher. I stopped teaching when I had children so I could pursue writing. But I never got much writing done. All you writer moms out there with young babes at home - I bow to you - I just couldn't do it. I was floundering. I didn't know where to begin.
I read the Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market and other books. I took a screenplay writing course in NYC, but I still felt I wasn't on the right path. And I was scared. It's hard to work with one income these days. So, once my youngest was in first grade, I ran back to the shelter of teaching. And I was miserable!
Teaching is more than a full time job. I was the 4th grade English teacher, so I saw all the students for LA, reading, and writing. I had about 70 essays to grade every week. Everything came second to teaching. My children, my husband, my home, and my writing. I was teaching about great writers like Sharon Creech, Pearl S. Buck, Karen Hesse, but I wasn't being one.
We went to see The Chronicles of Narnia (I will get to SCBWI soon, I promise...). The lights went down and we transported to this magical world. I sat there with tears streaming down my face during the whole movie. Not because it was an amazing movie. But because I couldn't stop thinking that I'll never get to see myself do this... write for children... invent worlds in books. It was a turning point for me.
After a long talk with my husband, it was agreed. I needed to stop teaching and give writing my best, whole effort. Life's too short. I stopped being afraid I wouldn't be successful, or we wouldn't have enough money. I just needed to live the life I was meant to live. Once I did, things started happening. My job (which was filling a year's maternity leave) happily came to an end. All the teachers wanted to fight on my behalf, but I knew this was the right move. I moved on. Sure, I was scared about bills and such, but I felt safe. I trusted the Universe.
And then, SCBWI kept whispering to me. At first, I ignored it. But then, the whisper grew into a shriek until I was reminded of that joke about the man who drowned waiting for a sign from God... I spoke to the RA of my local chapter, who was so welcoming. I joined and saw immediately why my first publishing attempt, armed only with the Writer's Market, had failed.
You need other writers in your life. If for no other reason than to surround yourself with people who are living writing life. It enables you and inspires you to press on. Also, you need one-on-one, face-to-face connections with editors and agents. You can't get that anywhere else! SCBWI puts you face-to-face with the very people who might buy your MS. It puts you ahead of the slush pile. It helps make the nearly impossible, possible. I have seen it time and time again: All the writers I know with contracts made those connections through SCBWI.
GwG: How did you form the HCCWG writer’s group, and what was your inspiration to do so?
Sheri: Well, again, this was because of SCBWI. After attending my first workshop at SCBWI, I saw that I really needed to join a peer critique group. But all the groups I tried to join through NJ SCBWI were either full or disbanded. I felt discouraged and called Kathy Temean, the RA for NJ SCBWI. She said, start your own group. I thought, why not?
At first, I went to a large book chain. They suggested I put up fliers in the library. Again, the Universe smacked me on the top of my head! So I called, and as kismet would have it, they said they wanted a writer's group to bring new life into the library. When you are on the right track, things just fall into place. The library also wanted the local paper and radio station to interview me. The article attracted 60 people to our first meeting. I was shocked! We formed 6 smaller sub-genre groups. I found 5 wonderful women to run each of the small groups, and we have run strong ever since.
We celebrated our year anniversary this past April and currently have 40 dedicated members with the same common goal - to write for children and become published. Each facilitator meets with her own small group once a month and we, facilitators, meet once a month, too. We put on events, have guest speakers... it's a great organization, if I must say so myself. And... my writing has grown so much over this year by surrounding myself with honest, diligent writers. You can visit our blog, too.
GwG: How has HCCWG enhanced the writing process for you?
Sheri: First, we set deadlines for one another. You must be accountable for your own progress. And not be the dead weight in the group. We share outlines, writing struggles, dilemmas, brainstorms. It's priceless.
The feedback is priceless too. Not in the sense that you might always agree or want to take all the feedback you hear, but it makes you think. It either solidifies your original intentions, echoes inner fears you've harbored anyway, or highlights what you didn't consider. We have a rule in HCCWG, it's take it or toss it. We heard this at an SCBWI event and we've adapted it. If you hear something that doesn't resonate, don't reject it right away. See if you receive similar feedback from those outside your group. If you hear it at least three other times, it's time to consider this feedback as worthy.
The group also taught me to respect my own process as unique. We often compare what we do and how we do it with other writers. But we need to stop this. Discover when you write the best, the morning, the afternoon, the night.... the spring, the summer, the fall... I have found my writing process is from Sept to May/June and in the mornings. Once summer hits, I need to read, study, and reflect. That's just how it works for me. I've learned, from being in my group, to trust my process.
Presenting "Strategies for Growing a Tougher Skin," from our friend, Edie Hemingway. GwG: Rejections are unavoidable. Have you ever doubted yourself and your abilities? What comforts you?
Edie: Yes, of course I have doubted myself and my ability to produce new work! Sometimes I think it's even harder once you've been successful with a first book. There's a tendency to think you can never do it again, and sometimes it's easier not to try. My suggestion is to keep writing in short spurts that don't seem so overwhelming, and to write just for yourself, so you're not always trying to please someone else. Little by little you'll regain your confidence. Another suggestion is to read widely in your genre. The best writers are also avid readers!
• Realize from the start that it’s impossible to please everyone.
o Decide who your audience is and focus on pleasing them.
o Please yourself.
• Realize you are not alone in your vulnerability. Even a seasoned, professional author has problems with rejection—sometimes more.
• Realize you’ll never reach the point where you know it all and have perfected your writing skills.
o Keep striving to improve.
o Quote from
David Gerrold in his
Worlds of Wonder. “Your first million words are just practice. You practice finishing stories, practice polishing them, and practice sending them out for publication. If an editor is interested in one of your finished pieces, you practice signing the contract, and practice taking the check to the bank. When it gets published, if it wins an award, you practice going up to the podium. You accept the award with a ‘thank you’ (more would be embarrassing). Only when you have passed that million-word mark should you begin to take yourself seriously.”
o Be open to new ideas and suggestions for expanding your style and interests.
o Don’t be afraid to go with your gut feelings.
• Find a writing partner (you trust) with whom you can share your work.
o Someone on a fairly equal level, or better yet, who has the opposite strengths and weaknesses from yours.
o Be willing to read and comment for your partner in return.
o Be honest and expect honesty.
o Be able to laugh at yourself.
o Don’t over-extend yourself by offering to read for too many people OR by asking too many people to read your unfinished work.
• Follow guidelines when critiquing other peoples’ work and always start with positive comments. When making constructive suggestions, be as specific as possible. Expect the same thing in return. Just saying “this is great” or “this is terrible” doesn’t help.
• If you disagree strongly with some suggestions you’ve been given, it’s your right not to make the change. However, if you hear the same thing from a number of readers, then it’s probably worth considering.
• Don’t fall into the trap of arguing.
• Make your work as professional as possible
o Take classes and workshops, go to conferences, join organizations, subscribe to magazines and newsletters, schmooze, etc.
o Never submit a first draft. Make sure you’ve made your manuscript the best you can before putting yourself in a vulnerable position.
o Take advantage of having editors or agents critique your work at conferences.
• Reduce your chances of rejection by researching publishers before submitting.
o Don’t send a mystery novel to a picture book publisher.
o Follow submission guidelines exactly.
o Read widely in your genre and stay current with changing trends.
o Double check the publisher’s website before submitting to be sure you have correct submission guidelines and current names of editors.
• Keep hope alive by always having more than one submission out there…
• Have faith in your own work!
• Persevere, persevere, persevere…
It's been a lovely holiday... alotta long talks, alotta red meat and pie, and alotta Ruby duty ~ protecting the kidlets from her piranha-like puppy teeth, and the rugs from her lightning-fast pee squats.
Finally finished the Twlight saga, too. Coulda done without books 2-4... but appreciated their crack-like quality nevertheless. And purchasing all four certainly contributed to stimulating our economy, too ~ especially thanks to the frequent and strategic availability of hardbacks only. Harumph.
Hey, welcome back!! I don't know about media, but I finally read I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter. It wasn't on my radar at all until I started blogging and blurking and stuff, but I liked it a lot.
Ok, Miriam, I am really glad you reminded me about her / these teen-spy novels. I had promised myself to read "Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy" next, because I'm smitten by ANYTHING spy, but then forgot in the fog of my new Marley-obsession.
: )
I do love the crack-like experience of the Twilight books. I really liked the first and third books.
I haven't read Marley and me, yet. I really think your next book after that should be Gods Behaving Badly. It was so fun!
I'll remember this, Serena... how can you NOT with a title like that? I just thought of the Smucker's jingle - "With a name like Smucker's, it HAS to be good!"
: )
Thanks, my friend!
How nice to have you back!
First I'd like to say that, honestly, I haven't been able to get through the first Twilight book. :( I wanted to like this book, and based on all the hype, I thought I would. But somehow I couldn't get past the million references to Edward's smoldering eyes, his piercing eyes, his blazing eyes, his smoldering eyes (again)...You get my point. Ugh. The main character wasn't really doing anything noteworthy so I sort of gave up.
I recently enjoyed Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson (author of "Speak" which I also own). Memorable characters and a pretty good young adult story line. I especially liked the male main character/point of view this time.
I'm also reading So Lyrical by Trish Cook, because this plot has a similar plot to my own young adult novel that I'm writing. Tell me--is writing a book extremely hard and time consuming for you too?? I've been working hard on mine, but the deadline keeps moving up as I struggle through chapters. I didn't know it would be this hard, but in the end I hope I've got something worth sharing.
Happy New Year!
Shelby, AMEN sister! It's the hardest piece of time-and-soul management I've ever endured. I had no idea. When I walk around the Earth, prose just pours and babbles. But when I sit at the computer, it's fear that honks the loudest.
But, JUST like you say, it's my most cherished and beloved project. A lifetime coming. And once that first draft is complete, I believe all my innards will rejoice with a sense of "finally!"
Thanks for writing, and it's good to BE back... and, yes... about those smouldering eyes. If I could just outlaw five or six words throughout the series, it might be a lot more palatable... : ) Just a thought.
And thanks for the book recommendations, too.
Take care, and talk soon!!!!
I'm about to start New Moon, myself. I've heard mixed reviews, so I don't have very high expectations.
You'll have to let us know how Marley & Me is!
Oh, I definitely will, Jill! I've already flipped through it and am thinking it won't be long before it's gobbled up completely. Oh well...
Happy holidays to you, and take care!
I've been trying to make myself read Inkdeath. It's a struggle--like real work or something. Ugh. You got to read I'd tell you I love you before cross my heart, ok? I'm sorry you weren't all that thrilled with the twilight 2 and 3. I really liked those. 4 left me a bit put out though.
I really think you'll like the Ally Carter books.
Thanks for stopping by my new digs.
Oh, tell me how Marley and Me is! I've been wanting to read it, but I'm terrified that the dog dies in the end, and since my dog is just like Marley (except black instead of golden), I don't think I could handle it!!
I got the Absolute Sandman Volume 1 collection by Neil Gaiman. It's a massive deluxe edition. The thing weighs at least five pounds. Definitely going to be some good reading, though.
Paul
Dauntless by...Jack Campbell, maybe. A fine read so far. :)
My son and I are reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix together. I've also started the Charlaine Harris book that the HBO series, True Blood, was based on. All good!
LOL, I agree about books 2 - 4 of the Twilight series, though I too bought the lot, though have yet to bring myself to read book 4.
And do tell me what Marley and Me is like, I've had it for ages but haven't read it in case there are too many sad bits!
I hope you have a wonderful, best-ever 2009, Susan, xxx
I'm re-intrigued by 'Marley and Me' too ... so that will probably be on the list. I've heard the movie is really good (even from someone who's read the book!) ... but with a sad ending ... hmmmmm. They didn't give away details ... but I can ONLY imagine! Wishing you a wonderfully happy 2009!!! Loved your description of your own little Ruby!
I"m glad your holiday has been great and that you're content "corraling" your puppy! :0) Puppies are great. messes and all. What a perfect book for you; Marley & Me. :0)
My latest read was The Platform 19 (title may not be fully correct) by Eva Ibbitson. I'm entranced my Eva's writing ability. I picture a cute pudgy English lady as the Narrator. I wanna pinch her cheeks! (The Narratore, not Eva, OK. so Eva is the Narrator, but . . ) It wasn't a gift. Just one I picked up at the library. I read it over Christmas and finished it this morining. So cute!
Happy New Year!
Lots of books around here. Probably the most fun was watching my oldest get excited about a books she's been asking for (a mg thriller) and seeing my youngest so engrossed in a book THE SECRET HISTORY OF GIANTS from her stocking that the presents just had to wait!!!
Oh ... and seeing a group of pre-teen and teenage girls last night (New Years Eve) all sprawled out on the sofa reading. This was 1:30 am...after ringing in the new year... after 45 minutes of blasting fireworks and waving sprinklers....after toasting with sparkling grape juice.
Ahh... I love BOOKS!
I read Marley and Me and loved it. When John Grogan's memoir came out, I couldn't stand it. It made me feel like, "Well once you write a great book, you can get away with a crappy book next time" I kept thinking, "There's a lot of telling and no showing here." I only read the first 3 chapters though. Maybe it gets better later.
I would love to say I'm enjoying all sorts of books, but lately, it's been all about manuscripts. Between critique groups and manny swaps, I haven't read a published piece of writing in a while. Not that I'm not enjoying the unpublished work. There's nothing like being able to witness a manuscript grow.
I'm reading Terry Pratchett's MAKING MONEY, which isn't technically a Christmas book, but one I got with my bookstore gift card!
It's scarily relevant --but then, all of Pratchett's social satires are.
I'm also reading John Cheever's journals -- I'll never be able to read his fiction in the same way again, unfortunately -- and Miranda Seymour's history of Henry James and the other writers in and around Rye, England around the turn of the twentieth century.
All good stuff.
Happy 2009! I loved E. Lockhart's THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF F.E.B. It was one of the best books of the year! :)
Marley and Me looks good.. Enjoy!
Wow, many, many great recommendations!!! Thanks, all, and read on!!!