News

Bruce Hale- Warrior’s Mind, Writer’s Mind

Feb 11, 2011 | | 5 Comments

Bruce Hale kicked off the SCBWI Miami conference and boy did he kick it off. Wow. Bruce is AMAZING! And not only is he a good speaker, he can write, sing and even dance. Oh, and he wears really cool hats too.

He read his book, Snoring Beauty to us (so funny! I loved it so much that I read it to my students who in turned laughed hysterically). He also concluded his talk with a song and got a standing ovation at the end. Truly inspirational!

As he was speaking, I jotted down some notes that I wanted to share with you. So if you’re feeling down or need some great advice, listen to Bruce Hale. He really knows what he’s talking about.

• Writing is a game of head and heart, not a game for sissies

• Art is war- at war with yourself

• Develop a mind/spirit of warrior


1. Start a Good Habit


• We are nothing more than the sum of our habits


• Too often do you do your habits- email, social networking, blog, tweet, TV, socialize on the phone


• Recommends changing 2 habits at a time




2. Write Like Your Hair is On Fire


• Write stories you are passionate about




3. Think it Through, Take the Big View


• Strategic thinking through the story




4. Teamwork makes the Dreamwork


• www.Brucehalewritingtips.com



5. Face the Iron Tiger


• Do you have something you are afraid to face?


• FACE- IT!




6. Beat Resistance with Persistence


• Most people give up just before they meet success


• If you pushed a little harder, would you get the results you wanted?


• Persistence beats talent any day




7. Deal with Rejection


• Don’t take it personally


• Give yourself permission to eat Haagen Dazs


Interesting Links

Feb 7, 2011 | | 9 Comments

I’ve been locked up in my writing cave for the last week (a little sick from too much chocolate and Twizzlers) working on revisions. But I still have more notes to share with you on the conference. I will get to those this week because they’ve got some good stuff in them and you’ll want to read them!

But in the meantime, I wanted to share some links that I thought were very linkworthy. They were passed to me by writing friends and some of the conference speakers:

Fantasy World Building

Writer’s Knowledge Base: a search engine for writers

Scott Westerfeld’s Teen Vernacular by Notes from the Slush Pile

Cinda Williams Chima’s Tips for Writers

Happy Clicking!

SCBWI Miami- Revision by Arianne Lewin

Jan 31, 2011 | | 9 Comments

Can I just say that the moment Arianne Lewin, executive editor at Putnam, started speaking at the SCBWI Miami conference I decided she was brilliant?

Not only is she down to earth and funny, but she has heaps of knowledge to share in an easygoing, natural way. She has also edited an incredible line of books including authors Cinda Williams Chima, Whoopi Goldberg, Laura Numeroff, and Julia Ann Peters.


So enough of me chattering away!

Here are some of the notes that I furiously typed down:


• Writing is revising!


• Think large-scale-big-picture revision first and then whittle down to the minor stuff


• Her job is not to take over a book but to make the best out of it


• A full revision would take about 8 hours


• If a book needs a big overhaul, she needs to make sure she thinks she can get out of the author what needs to be done


• Important things: voice, theme, quality, and good concept


• She can help you with the plot if you have a good voice, but can’t fix bad writing


• She likes to talk to writers before she acquires a book; she also has to show the author that she understands what the author is trying to do


• She’ll read a book two times before she begins editorial notes; she uses ‘track changes’- and then puts together an editorial letter (average 7 pages)


• She usually doesn’t read pitches


• Look for agents that are like minded to your work


• Keep in mind that a million editors will edit a manuscript a million different ways

How to Self Revised


– The experience of a book is more engaging than recapping it in narrative summary


– Scene is more engaging- take your readers right there participating in it, believing it


– Real time and watching the events unfold- gains the reader’s trust


– You want the reader to be put into the action and drawn into the story


– Showing something in scene allows you to make it deeply personal


– Trust the reader; let the reader draw their own conclusions


– Make sure your beginning doesn’t start too soon- you shouldn’t just jump into the portal but build that anticipation and characters

My SCBWI Miami Intensive

Jan 26, 2011 | | 4 Comments

Wow. SCBWI Miami was amazing. So amazing that after coming home I went straight to my computer and did a big push on my revisions.



The intensive I took featured agent Erin Murphy, author and writing coach Joyce Sweeney, and executive editor Krista Marino. They were amazing.


If you ever have the opportunity to take a workshop with any of these three- DO IT!


So here are a couple of gems that I picked up from the day:


What is your writing life like? Erin Murphy


1. What would my ideal writing life be like?


2. What are the obstacles that come in the way between my goals that ideal?


3. Am I over-disciplined or under-disciplined?


4. Think about tools that can help me- turn off internet, timer, turn off my screen when reading manuscripts


5. What are my strengths and resources I have as a writer?


Building a Scene- Joyce Sweeney


• If you can’t justify a scene, get rid of it


• Orientate your reader- promise the reader of what is to come


• Don’t describe a high school cafeteria!


• Capture the voice and attitude of the main character


• Be as entertaining and energetic as possible


• Bring in layers with the character (use flashbacks)


• The climax of the story is when someone won and someone lost


Voice- Krista Marino, Executive Editor


Elements that contribute to voice:


1. Diction- speaker’s vocabulary, choices and expression

  • Doesn’t mean using teen speak or slang or brand names- words you choose and level of formality- ways things are described
  • Limited experience of the world and that impacts the way they use words and communicate
  • Teens don’t make the decision they make because they are dumb. It’s because they don’t have enough experiences or life lived

2. Characterization- age, social status, cultural background- all things that make up a character. Know this!


3. Dialogue- Verbal exchange between 2 or more characters; interior or inner dialogue

  • YA is the teen experience
  • Internal monologue- shows what they are thinking and often the complete opposite of what they are thinking

SCBWI Miami Here I Come!

Jan 13, 2011 | | 9 Comments

Yep. That’s right! I’m off to Miami tomorrow after school for a weekend of writing bliss. I’m attending the SCBWI Miami conference. So excited! I even got my “ballgown” (Target special, but don’t tell) for the Dragon Slayer’s Ball. Everyone is dressing up as fairy tale characters. I’ve decided to be Isobel from Mistwood (love that book). I’m such a book geek.

On Friday I’m taking the Novel Writing Intensive with author Joyce Sweeney, agent Erin Murphy, and editor Krista Marino.

Jealous yet?

Then on Saturday, I have a manuscript critique from Cinda Williams Chima. Squee!

I promise to blog about it all when I get back. Let me know if there’s anything you’re especially interested in hearing about.

Gotta go and finish up packing.

Slow It Down!

Jan 5, 2011 | | 8 Comments

So I have a confession to make. I like to write FAST. Yep, I’m a fast drafter. Sit down and type everything in one swift motion. I suppose it goes back to the fact that if I had to choose between walking everywhere or running I would definitely choose running.

I absolutely love to run. I can get where I want to go in half the time. Think of all the things you could get accomplished if you ran everywhere!

But many of you would say, walking allows you to see the details in life. The little things that make the world special. 

You’re right of course, even if it’s hard to let go of that feeling of the wind in my face and the runner’s rush. Besides, my boss wouldn’t look too fondly on me running through the halls with my students in tow.  (Confession: my students do scamper behind my clipped pace through the hallways)


I’m happy to sit at the computer and not worry over the five million mistakes I’m making, those huge plot holes, or all of my character’s inconsistencies. You could say I’m the perfect fast drafter.

And I bet you can guess that I’m not the perfect reviser. I’m trying though and thanks to my critique partners who keep saying, “Dig deeper!” “You have grammar and spelling errors!” and “Plot hole!”, I’m realizing how to become a better reviser. They even offered to read the whole book again after I revised it. Now that’s pure dedication. (I heart my crit buds.) 

So I’m slowing things down. I don’t have to finish the novel in exactly 42 days. And it’s okay if I have to rewrite a scene (36 times). I’ve also found that when I take things slower I’m noticing those missing words or odd phrasing. My latest novel is reaching a whole new level because of those details.

If you’re like me, make yourself some agreements:

  • Promise to not go fast drafting a new project until you know your current book is as good as you can possibly get it to be
  • Give your book long breaks and then pick it up and revise it some more
  • Listen to your brilliant critique partners (if you don’t have any, get some!)
  • Learn to see your story through the eyes of others

And you can only do all of that if you slow it down.

Another Year

Jan 2, 2011 | | 10 Comments

It’s a little shocking when I look and see when I last posted. Eek! But this past month has been such a good one and I’ve had so many wonderful moments this holiday with my family. It’s been a very long time (10 years!) that we’ve been in the States near family for the whole holiday season. So I really took advantage spending those precious moments with them.

But whenever I’m away from blogging, I realize how out of touch I feel with the writing world! Blogging keeps me connected and I suppose that is one of my main reasons for keeping up with this blog. Sure I’ve got lots to say (hey, I’m a writer!) but I really enjoy visiting your blogs too!

As far as writing, I’ve been working hard and I’m totally pumped over my latest round of revisions. My WIP is looking all shiny and pretty. I suppose you can also blame my WIP for keeping me from Blogger Land. 

And as far as my goals for this year:
1. Attend two writing conferences (I go to the SCBWI Miami conference in 2 weeks!) and work on my craft
2. Submit my latest WIP
3. Write a new book (I’m dying to start but I told myself NO until this WIP is as perfect as I can make it)
4. Find ways to juggle full time work, full time mom and writing
5. Read! 

What about you? What are your goals for this year?

Photo by Melinda Nagy

Kidlit Critterpalooza!

Nov 17, 2010 | | 3 Comments

 For over a year now, CRITTER, the creation of artist Ian Sands, has been travelling the world, meeting many talented writers and authors and exploring where they live. At each stop he learns more and more about KIDLIT and the importance of literacy and creativity. This journey was the brainchild of Christy Evers, who got her hands on Critter after an interactive art project of Ian’s, where 500 Critters were hidden all over her city for people to find.


Critter has visited PJ Hoover (and the Texas Sweethearts!) in Texas, Beth Revis in North Carolina, Christina Farley in Korea, New England with Nandini Bajpai, Illinois with Kelly Polark, MG Higgins in California, Rena Jones in Montana, Cynthia Leitich Smith in Texas, Bish Denham in the Virgin Islands, Jacqui Robbins in Michigan, Tina Ferraro in California, Cynthia Chapman Willis in New Jersey, Jill S. Alexander in Texas, Ellen Oh in Virginia and finally, Alberta Canada with Angela Ackerman.





Critter has been to college, rock concerts, national landmarks, a palace, attended his first SCBWI conference, walked among giant redwoods, and met the world famous artist, Robert Bateman. Now that his journey is coming to a close, it’s CRITTER’S hope that you will help him celebrate over at The Bookshelf Muse. His new hosts, together with old hosts, have teamed up to create the Kidlit-inspired event, Critterpalooza! and you’re invited!






There are many AMAZING prizes to be won, all in the spirit of helping Critter celebrate the wonderful creativity & support within out KIDLIT community, and to also raise awareness for his charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.


If you would like to donate a few dollars to Critter’s charity, just click on the I Love St. Jude button. Children’s lives are saved every day thanks to the support of people like you!


Check out Critter’s Adventures here:Ian: http://iansands.blogspot.com/


Christy: http://christyscreativespace.blogspot.com/search/label/follow%20Critter%20through%20Blogland


PJ: http://pjhoover.blogspot.com/2009/09/winner-and-critter.html


Texas Sweethearts: http://texassweethearts.blogspot.com/2010/06/featured-sweetheart-critter.html


Beth: http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/2009/10/critter-at-castle.html


Christina: http://christinafarley.blogspot.com/2009/12/critter-explores-palace.html


Nandini: http://nandinibajpai.blogspot.com/2010/01/ala-midwinter.html


Kelly: http://kpolark.blogspot.com/2010/02/rockin-with-critter-and-grammy-awards.html


MG: http://mghiggins.blogspot.com/search/label/Critter


Rena: http://renajjones.blogspot.com/2010/04/more-critter-pics.html


Cynthia LS: http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2010/05/cynsational-news-giveaways_28.html


Bish: http://bish-randomthoughts.blogspot.com/search/label/Critter


Cythia CW: http://cynthiawillis.blogspot.com/2010/08/meet-critter.html


Jill: http://jillalex.livejournal.com/18125.html


Jacqui: http://jacquirobbins.blogspot.com/2010/08/taming-of-critter.html


Tina: http://yafresh.blogspot.com/2010/08/critter-goes-to-collegegiveaways.html


Ellen: http://elloecho.blogspot.com/2010/10/visit-with-critter.html


Angela: http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/search/label/critter


The Bookshelf Muse: http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/

Are You a Fan of Critter?

Nov 5, 2010 | | 6 Comments

Yes!  You too can join the throngs of screaming, crazed, needing-autographs fans of Critter. Click here to be a Critter’s Fan.
This cute fellow created by Ian Sands has been all over the world and will be auctioned off soon to help kids.

The Adventure Continues…

Nov 4, 2010 | | 4 Comments

Yesterday on Beth Revis’ Across the World Tour, my waterfall adventure was featured here. I’m so excited to have been a ‘stop’ on her blog’s two week tour. If you haven’t checked it out, you still have time to hunt for the clues and enter her amazing contest.




But like I said yesterday in my comment section, my adventure didn’t stop after escaping the guys from the waterfall. As you can imagine after hiking all day, we were exhausted on our trek back home.

My feet were blistered. I was desperate for a shower. And starved for food.
 When you’re in that kind of shape, you’ll do pretty much anything. Like jump in front of a moving jeep to hitch a ride down the mountain. The driver kindly drove us to the banana plantation where he was headed. It wasn’t the whole way, but close enough.

It was a bumpy trip and it got even bumpier when the earthquake hit.

No joke!

Okay, so it wasn’t a major earthquake, just enough to shake you around. When I got home, believe me, I was relieved! A couple of things had been knocked over and a wall had a large splintered crack down the middle, but overall, everything was safe.


The earthquake had broken some of the water pipes in Bukit Sentul so we had muddy water (yeah, didn’t get my nice hot shower) for the next day. And the electricity was out, too.

But you know, even though I didn’t get my hot shower and had to use bottled water to get cleaned up. And even though there was no electricity, it was okay.

We all were safe. And that whole experience made me even more grateful for clean water and lights.

That night we ended up heading to the outdoor café for food. Man, I was so sore and that nasi goreng tasted so delicious! The sun was fading, but the restaurant, used to the loss of electricity, had plenty of candles. From our table, I watched the city of Jakarta light up in the valley below. The mountain we had hiked up to was behind me, silhouetted in the sun’s final rays.



And that’s when I realized how blessed I was to be safe, surrounded by my friends, and to have everything that I needed.

Archives

Categories