Does this caterpillar make my hand look fat?
The retreat was great, but what really surprised me was that I discovered my untapped Super Power while I was there.
As it turns out, I'm a caterpillar rescuer!
On average, I saved at least 20 caterpilars that had wandered into peril, whether it was in my cabin, or if they were dangling from a spider web, I was there to save them! (insert super hero trumpet here)
Thanks to me, there will be more butterflies in PA this year.
What is your Super Power?
If you don't know your Super Power,
Click here to find out what it is.
Here's that mysterious word writers hear about all the time.
VOICEIt's a crucial element in a manuscript but it's a confusing term. It's hard to wrap our minds around of what "voice" really means. I've found it very helpful to listen to those in the "know" talk about their take on what "voice" is.
Last year about this time I got to hear editor, Martha
Mihalik's explaination of
"Voice" This year I got to hear the perspective of a successful author,
Rich Wallace. Rich had some awesome points and gave great examples as well.
If I were to boil down Rich's advice, I'd say that
VOICE = THE CHARACTERS UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE How do your characters show their unique perspective of the world and their thoughts through the words that you choose?
Here was Rich's advice on developing "Voice":
1) Develop a unique eye that makes a scene different.An example that I can think of from this is Judy Blundell's
description of the moon from "What I Saw and How I Lied"
A FAT CUSTARD MOON WAS SPLAT IN THE PURPLE SKY.I think Judy nailed the "unique scenery description" with that one!
2) Research dialogue in specific regions in order to may your dialogue believable.He uses author (I don't know if I copied her name correctly, so I will refrain from using it) as an example. This author drives around area's, gets out of her car and simply listens and looks for the local oddities that make the area unique. She'll go into bars and listen to how the locals talk to one another.
One of my personal recent examples would be Ingrid Law, author of SAVVY where just one sentence gives you a sense of the characters speech.
"I had liked it with a mighty kind of liking." Ch 1
3) Develop and eye for details that make a person unique.Mr. Wallace used the example of Susan Orlean who developed a unique sense of personal details by traveling with a group of gospel singers.
An example that I can think of is from "The book Without Words" by Avi
Ch 2 "Everything about Mistress Weebly was small: small body; small face; small gimlet eyes; small nose. Her smallness was emphasized by her being dressed in an overlarge, soiled gown of green that reached her ankles - sleeves pinched at her wrists, apron over all, wimple on her head. It was as if she had been dropped into a dirty sack and was spying out from it. Indeed, the womans only largeness was her curiosity."
I just love that one!!!
What about you? Do you have any authors in mind that have mastered any of these elements of voice?
When the Good Fairy waves her magic wand, Fairy Dust flies and "POOF" Pinnochio becomes a real boy. Easy for her, right? Wave. Sparkle. Poof. But did you ever stop to think about where this Magic Fairy Dust comes from?
Well. . . I'll tell ya what. One thing that I've learned from this workshop is that this natural resource is not easily mined. Mined. That's right. The stuff that Magic Fairy dust is made of comes deep from the caverns that many do not dare to go and this Fairy dust isn't just handed over, you have to work for it. . . and in our very first morning session, Rich Wallace led us there. Let me explain:
This is where it started. From this cozy living room on a warm country morning, Rich led us into the depths of our memories; that dark forbidden place where Fairy Dust is born. The magic that can turn a paper character in to a flesh and blood person to whom we can relate.
Rich's advice to us was this: Use the emotional heat from your experience and give it to your characters.
You don't have to make every story a direct experience from your life. But you can add the feelings of anticipation, sadness, love, etc. pluck it out of your life and add it to whatever circumstance is in your story.
Rich also told us to put ourselves inside of each of your characters heads. Even the antagonist. Because to have a believable antagonist, he/she needs to seem real to the reader. So, instead of having just a skeletal villan, we need to put flesh and blood on his bones. Since we tend to hate our own antagonists and want the reader to hate him/her, we tend to only think of them as bad. But to give the antagonist more depth, Rich suggests that we ask ourselves this: "What do you like best about your antagonist?"
Rich led us through an exercise where we were to think of a life changing moment from our past. First we were to list details that we remember; emotions, those involved, sensory details, words spoken, etc.
Once we made our list of details, we went back and wrote the memory in story form. Then we each shared our memory with the group. This was like a therapy session. I think if Rich had not become a writer he may have very well made a good therapist. We all reconnected to that time in our life and the emotion showed in our voices. Many of us even cried.
Our final assignment was to take the emotion from that moment in our lives and start a new story that involved the emotions we had just dug up. (I'll share more about what I came up with in a later post.)
This was such an awesome exercise and it was interesting to hear how each of the other ladies processed their emotions.
But mining a memory and putting it into a story isn't easy. You may not want to go back and face certain emotional moments. You may not want to put those feelings into a story for fear of showing a more vulnerable side of yourself. You may even come out liking something about your antagonist and relating to him/her even though you really don't want to.
So. Next time you read a book where a character or scene moves you, one where you can relate and connect. . . I'd say that you'd better bet your bippy that the author had to face a struggle to mine those gems and graft them into the story.
It's not easy, but ohhhhh. . . the difference it makes!
For me, One of the most memorable characters that I've read lately is Katniss from "The Hunger Games" Even though I've never been in her situation, I feel like she was written in a way that I can relate and feel for her. I wanted to stay with her through the whole ride.
What are some of the most memorable characters that you've encountered?
If you're ever interested in going on a writing retreat, the Highlights Founders Workshops are well worth it. Even if your low on $$$$$ they do offer scholarships.
This is the main house. This is where we got pampered and had our sessions. They have unbelievable cooks that are willing to cook to order if you have special dietary needs. Before I even got to the retreat center I was already hearing "rave reviews" over the food. Let me tell you, it's not just hype. Stuffed portabella mushrooms, grilled meats, waffles, scrambled eggs, fresh fruits, fresh baked cookies, gourmet desserts . . . nom, nom, nom, nom, nom. I must stop now. I'm getting hungry.
But even w/ all the fancy food, the kitchen is homey and the fridge is stocked w/ an assortment of beverages and they make you feel at home so that you can grab whatever you need at any time.
Only a short gravel-road distance from the main house are the cabins. There are about 21 or so. . . I forget how many.
We each had our own cabin. This was mine. Sweet #17 where approx. 20 caterpillars greeted me on the prorch and I had a great view of the woods.
The inside of the cabins are clean, well furnished and each room had a mini-fridge and a cofee maker.
On our first evening we ate dinner on the screened in front porch as we sat around and got to know each other better. Our facilitator was author
Rich Wallace. He was so nice, patient and down to earth and was a wealth of information. I couldn't think of anyone who could do a better job. I'll share more of what we learned fromr Rich in future posts.
So, I've shared my dreamy writing retreat space. Now you tell me. Where is your dream writing retreat? Have you been there already?
Today's blog is brought to you by: The horse that wanted to be Pooh Bear.
HI! I'm back from my writing retreat! Did you miss me? I missed you!
You know how sometimes you get a mental image of how something is going to be, but you're dead wrong? That's what happened to me this weekend.
I grew up with Highlights magazine. They were in every doctors office and school. Now that I'm an adult, Highlights is still going strong and is known as the Creme-de la Creme of Children's magazines. I've always thought that if I could have an article published in Highlights, then it means I've made it! If I'm good enough for them, I can write anything!
I suppose that's why I had a mental image of the Highlights editorial offices to be New Yorkish; A hustle and bustle of editors rushing around in black suits and uncomfortable shoes among offices that are furnished in a way that would make James Bond jealous.
So, imagine my surprise when we arrive in Honesdale PA, (a quaint town with beautiful churches and an old-time feel) and I arrived at the building below. I didn't really know where I was. At first I thought I was at the retreat center. But then again, that couldn't be right because I was under the impression that the retreat was out in the middle of nowhere.
Eventually (because I'm quick witted and all) I realized that this beautiful old home was the Highlights Editorial offices.
I wasn't disappointed in the least to find that my imagined stream-lined, pseudo New York office wasn't a reality. This down-home, small town feel was a breath of fresh air.
Before heading out to the retreat center, they gave us a tour of the Highlights Editorial office.
This is the foyer. I felt so cozy and right at home. :0)
This is one of the editorial offices. We got to hear from several of the editors. They were all so nice.
Speaking of feeling at home . . . I was giddy when the tour included visuals of how the Highlights covers have changed over the years. One of the covers they used as their modern example was illustrated by my friend and critique buddy, Karen Lee. How fun to go so far away and see things that are so near and dear to me. :0)
They also had Karen's cover framed and hung on the wall. (I know such cool people!)
I just thought it was interesting to see one of the first (and this may be the very first) covers of Highlights.
And then they took us out into the woods, in the middle of nowhere . . . more to come.
Super-speed! (I wish! lol)
I rescued a bunch of earthworms a couple of weekends ago. No butterflies saved - but the ground will be better - teehee
Julia from Verla's
You'd have your work cut out for you here...there have been so many caterpillars on the sidewalk, my dog keeps trying to eat them!
Cute picture!
Julia, that brings back memories for me. My friends and I would save worms on the playground at recess before the boys could squash them. :0)
Adrienne, ah, yes. . . my arch enemy, the hungry caterpillar eatting dog! ;0)
I have nothing to add about caterpillars, but I'm thrilled that you went to the Highlights retreat! Thanks for sharing what you learned.
LOL! Every spring as we walk the dog, my son and I rescue caterpillars from the road. I don't know why they crawl into the road. It's not green. It's very dangerous. So we put them back in the flower beds and hope that we've managed to do our part to save their population in some small way :)
Go Caterpillar Rescuer Christy! My friends and I had a caterpillar club when we were in fifth grade or so. My daughter now likes to find caterpillars. We have a cocoon in our butterfly habitat right now!
I took the test, my super power was manipulating fire. I'm not so sure about that one. I'd like to have the super power of teleportation, we spend so much time on road trips!
More butterflies...or moths. Either way, more possible food for possible birds. (Oh, I'm so mean!)
Oh and my superpower is Mind Reading because I am, among other things, brilliant, insightful and intuitive.
According to the quiz, I should have electricity manipulation.
But personally, I think I should have the power of the supersnarf.
Thnx MG!!! and Thnx for stopping by my blog too!
Sherrie, you're a girl after my own heart. And I promise, if we ever go the the beach together, I won't give bread to the pigeons the make the come. ;0)
Kelly, manipulating fire is good. Embrace your power!!!! ;0)
Bish, well, I suppose an echo-friendly girl like you HAS to appreciate the food chain. ~sigh~
Carrie, surprisingly enough, there is a fine line between electricity manipulation and the power of supersnarf. The comparison is scary, really.
Like Bish, I am a mind reader. Do I have to even blog, then? Can't I just send telepathy?
People, people. listen...
first off, not all caterpillars turn into butterflies. some are just boring moths that will eventually get into your closet and eat your grandmother's clothing. Why do you think she buys so many mothballs?
Second, inchworms eat like 200 times their weight in plants and all that eating reduces the plant life on the planet which results in more global warming!
Third, and most importantly, I have a really great garlic and butter inchworm recipe.. actually, it's for mealworms but I'm sure it translates.
ian
fun quiz! i'm a mind reader. :)
why are caterpillars so keen on offing themselves?
I've been scrolling down and reading all your posts ... it's been much too long. I'm so happy you got to have a writing retreat.
I love caterpillars ... we routinely capture them and see what they turn into. Always interesting.
As to my superpowers, I'm all fire and dash!
Way to go, Caterpillar Rescue Woman!
Apparently, mine would be mind-reading! Go figure!
Oh, I totally remember the caterpillars from PA this time of year.
I'll go with flying.
dont know if you believe in totem animals but here is what caterpilars mean: Caterpillars symbolize transformation. When caterpillar totem presents itself know that a transformative change will occur. The transformation from caterpillar to a butterfly is nothing short of magical.
I just took the quiz and I found out that manipulating fire is my superpower...
Hubs would agree that I get a little hot under the collar when I'm mad...grin...
Jacqui, you still have to blog, because we can't read your mind. We need your witt in normal form.
Ian, or should I say "Anti-Caterpillar man, you're still sore because the last time we battled a top the Empire State Buliding, I laughed like an Anime Cartoon when you used your power of Freeze Stream and said "Ice to meet you."
Martha, unfortunatly, though they're cute, they're friggin' dumb.
Vijaya, Thnx for reading. Our Caterpillars always die when we catch them. (shhh. don't tell anyone. It would ruin my rep.)
Go, Fire and Dash!!!!!
PJ, I totally thought you'd be telekenisis! or Teleportation. Or is is it Telephone? Dang these multi-syllable words.
Shelli, I could use one of those super-cool changes. Bring it on!!! Bay-bay!
Lilfix, (I know you're really Brenda. Cause, I'm smart like that.)
I saw it all on Facebook. Maybe I'm clairvoyant too!!!! Yippee!
hahaha! I went on a hike the other day & saw a butterfly trapped in a spiderweb. I decided not to save it, but then on the way back, I noticed it had escaped on it's own. Yay strong butterfly who will go on to birth other strong butterflies, yay!
escaped on it's own.... but for some reason the spider looked fatter... so strange.
I got the electricity thing on the quiz -- probably from choosing to be struck by lightning. Silly me.
I don't know if I'd have any super powers, but people are starting to call me Dr. Doolittle -- LOL!
You are quite the super girl!