Dead Leaves and Surprise Guests

October 1st, 2008 by Sara

I’ve never been a gardener, but when I moved 8 months ago, my mom came out for my birthday and helped me plant a gorgeous garden. Purples and blues and pinks rioted in front of my house. I have to say I was a bit perplexed when I saw the result. It was beautiful, but foreign. These weren’t the colors I usually surrounded myself with.

And for a while I was meticulous about the garden. The watering, the weeding, sometimes just going outside to admire it. I fought to save plants in distress and glowed when people complemented the flowers.

But somewhere around August it all went horribly wrong. Carnivorous plants devoured the weaker, less ambitious ones. A potted plant died a long and arduous death and I didn’t replace it. I skipped a watering day here or there. Then came the vacation.

I went out of town for a couple of weeks. When I got back, despite my neighbors’ best efforts, my garden was a mess. My basil had grown into a tree, my roses were sagging, and my window box could only be described as brown. Since I got back, I’ve been avoiding eye contact with them all. Watering them only when the guilt got too much. I just couldn’t face the overgrown, weedy mess I’d made.

Then today, I filled up the watering cans, pulled out the scissors, and made my first stab. I started pulling off the dead leaves. One by one. Immediately things looked brighter, cleaner, and one of the leaves even started waving it thanks. Waving? I took a closer look.

A lovely, alien praying mantis was dangling from the rosebush. She maneuvered her stick-like legs, trying to find a better perch. I watched in awe. Something wonderful had chosen to make her home here. I had a guest in my overgrown jungle.

Right then I decided, I would fix the place up. Weed out the clover, haul back the petunias, and replace the dead plants. And this time, I would fill my garden with oranges and yellows. This time, it would look like me.

Sitting down at my computer this morning and opening my novel revision, I make the same decision. Time to prune and replant. And somewhere in this tangle of words, maybe I’ll find a surprise guest.

Posted in Revision, Nifty happenings, Writing

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The Bells! The Bells!

September 22nd, 2008 by Sara

I just got back from the SCBWI Working Writers Retreat, a particularly cruel event where they entice you with tables of inexpensive YA books and promises of wine and chocolate, then run you ragged with constant critique groups, editor talks, and yoga. Children’s writing is a harsh world and those of you that don’t know this should get out while you can!

Let me set the scene. Down in the valley, there lies a land called the “Holy Spirit Retreat Center.” This placid setting of zen-like landscaping is just a set-up to expose those of us with hard-to-control impulses. For starters, there’s a giant bell that makes a delicious gonging noise right there in the courtyard. Anyone could’ve just walked up and rung it! What kind of world do we live in that has bells just lying around to tempt all?

Then there was a circular patch of grass that had a sidewalk circling around it… but there was also a slightly worn footpath short-cutting straight through the middle. Every time you walked in that direction you had to make the decision. Go around the ‘right’ way? Or cut across the grass? I wanted to give into temptation, but I was sure there were cameras that the nuns were monitoring.

I haven’t even mentioned the duck pond with its rock-throwing possibilities or the constant access to coffee or the giant basket of little candy bars that I wanted to steal all the Butterfingers out of. I think I’ll stop now… I might cry.

But there was one bright spot in this torturous retreat. Julie Williams, an phenomenal wordsmith, writer, and artist, did a session called “Words and Images, Images and Words.” She spoke and demonstrated ways to generate ideas when we need a little help with our writing. One of the simple, but wonderful, exercises she did with us used a series of four writing prompts.

We each started with a random image that had been handed to us. Mine was a magazine picture of several pieces of blue fabric draping down, like the folds of a woman’s dress. We did a continuous free-write for 2 minutes about the picture. Then we got a piece of fabric to add to the mix, mine was a piece of lace. 2 more minutes of writing. Then a button was added (an old, small, white one). An finally a word (jack).

Each item made the ’speed’ story we were writing grow richer and richer. And my prompts led me into the world of my next book complete with textured, opening scenes. I was astounded by the truth of something I thought I already knew. Physical objects can ground fiction in a way that nothing else can. They breathe life and energy and exactness into your writing.

Of course, I wanted to keep my writing prompts. As I was sneakily slipping them into my bag, convinced that they would be taken away from us, just as we got inspired, I heard Julie say, “You can keep your objects to remind you of what you’ve written today.” I sighed. I was guilt-free. Maybe I’d go outside and ring that bell after all.

Posted in Authors, SCBWI, Revision, Nifty happenings, Writing

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Not, not, not a box!

August 26th, 2008 by Sara

*First off, apologies to Antoinette Portis and her modern classic picture book, Not a Box for leaning on her wonderful pictures and themes. Go buy Not a Box! *

A box is a cozy place to be. It’s dark and quiet, with plenty of corners to curl up in. You can touch the walls around you and make certain they are there. You can make up all kinds of stories in your box in complete safety.

The box can be very important for stories just starting out life. The kind that will be vaporized under the hot sun. But if you stay in the box, that’s all they’ll ever be. Never sizzling, incredible, best-selling novels. Just stories.

Right now, I’m working hard on revising my young adult novel. I’m digging deeper to find my character’s voice. I’m pushing harder to make the world a scarier and more rewarding place for my characters. And it’s working. But when I’m try to get those characters from Point A to Point B, I’m still relying on my box.

I just keep doing it over and over. Moving my pawns around efficiently, but without regards to what builds tension or plays better for the reader. I’m just making making my story happen and working around my obstacles the easiest way possible. And easy does not make a good read.

So, I’ve started to keep a few things in mind, hoping that these tricks will help me cut some holes in my box so I can see my way out of it. One of these tricks I learned in Julie Strauss-Gabel’s revision class at the SCBWI summer conference (Thanks Julie and the class for your excellent advice!) and it was a big Aha! moment for me. Obstacles can be solutions.

Often, when I come up against a plot point that doesn’t make sense, I’ll ignore it… hoping maybe the readers won’t notice. An example: My main character, Faye climbs up to a roof to escape. A security guard is standing nearby, so she has to be quiet. Later, a roof tile breaks free and smashes on the ground. Problem: Why doesn’t the security guard react?

I came up with all kinds of rationale for this in my mind. Was he rocking out to his favorite Britney Spears song? Were the clouds so interesting that he got distracted? Did a venomous scorpion sting him, plunging him into a coma? Come on, these are very realistic scenarios! But for some reason my readers weren’t buying it.

Solution: The scene actually works better with the security guard noticing. It gives Faye someone to interact with. It builds tension. And it grounds the scene in reality. And voila! The obstacle is the solution.

I guess in the same way, the box is the solution. If you get yourself out of it, flip it over, and stand on top, you can reach higher or use it to go farther than you have before. Then it’s not, not, not a box! Vroom! Vroom!

Posted in Conference, Authors, SCBWI, Revision, Books, Writing

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Conference Karma

August 11th, 2008 by Sara

Recently I’ve been really feeling good about my writing. I’ve had quite a few “Aha!” moments and, slowly but surely, my story is transforming into a novel. By this, I don’t mean that I’ve been making it longer or writing the acknowledgements page (don’t worry, you’re totally mentioned).

No. What I mean is that before, my manuscript was the story of a character, Faye, that I loved and crafted and who was very much alive in my mind. Now, Faye and her world is strong enough to live in other people’s minds. To capture their interest and make them ask the most important question in the realm of books. “What happens next?”

I can’t express how grateful I was that my suspicion, that Faye was finally alive and kicking, was confirmed at this summer’s SCBWI conference. One editor assured me that my ‘voice’ was strong enough. Another editor expressed interest in looking at the whole book and asserted that she really thought there was something there. Topping it all off, on Sunday I found out that I was nominated for the Sue Alexander Award for most promising critiqued manuscript at the conference.

Well, aside from bragging and shouting from the rooftops, what I’m trying to say is… “She’s Alllllllllive! She’s Alllllllive!” Now, if she only would stop clomping around all night and eating brains!

Posted in Conference, SCBWI, Revision, Nifty happenings, Writing

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The Rules

July 14th, 2008 by Sara

A while ago, I had a friend read the opening chapters to my novel. He was very supportive, but he said that there wasn’t enough momentum to my story. Not enough momentum?! What does he know? He’s an illustrator. He reads picture books and graphic novels. He doesn’t know ANYTHING about young adult books!

Okay. Maybe he does. Maybe he was right.

The main problem with my book was that it wasn’t exactly sure where it was going. Or actually, it knew where it was going, it just wasn’t sure how to get there. And it didn’t know what the rules were.

Rules are what give your story boundaries. They give your words room to stand up and stretch. Plot points can be powerful and huge, or quiet and small, because they know exactly how far to go. And the reader can get comfortable, too. They may not know what’s going to happen, but at least they know what game is being played.

Another friend of mine said to me, Fantasy writers spend so much time creating their worlds, no wonder they write sequels and series. You wouldn’t want to have to start over!

The same thing is true for contemporary fiction. Each story has to have its own set of guidelines. How far are your characters willing to go? What principles lead them through life, determining what they would do, and what they would never do, even if it would be so convenient for your plot. And how far are you, the author, willing to go? Are your character’s lives in jeopardy, or just their lunch money?

My book has a foot in both worlds. It takes place in a contemporary setting, but all kind of unusual, supernatural things are happening. The reader never feels comfortable, if they don’t understand what the rules are. Magic wishes cannot be unlimited. Super heroes cannot be completely invincible. And life cannot always be fair. It is the limitations, and what the characters do with them, that gives your story power.

Posted in Characters, Revision, Writing

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Brainstorming without consequences

October 31st, 2007 by Sara

I’ve had the pleasure this week of looking over a couple of friends’ fantastic picture book manuscripts. Since picture books are my life right now, what I’m reading, what I’m writing, even what I’ve been dreaming about, it’s been a bit of a greedy endeavor.

It’s wonderful to be presented with delicious stories and get to dream alongside the creators. I don’t have the stress of actually having to come up with the ‘right’ solution. I don’t have to judge the worthiness of my ideas. I just hand them over to someone else who has to do the tough stuff. It’s brainstorming without consequences.

The experience has taught me a lot about my own revision process. The pressure and restrictions I put on myself to ’solve’ my problems. Now, I hope to bring some of the freedom and creativity that I felt on the sidelines into my own work.

Posted in Picture books, First draft, Revision, Writing

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Channeling Faye

August 13th, 2007 by Sara

I’m brain deep in character development, right now. Unfortunately it’s for Faye, the main character of a novel I’ve been writing on and off for 4 years. Same novel. From the very beginning, I knew Faye. Who she was. What she wanted. The concept in my head was brilliantly clear. Unfortunately, my writing wasn’t.

After 3 revisions, Faye’s personality still isn’t coming across in my writing. I keep getting critiques (like the one at the conference) where people say they don’t want to spend an entire book with my character. To say that’s a big problem is like saying ‘I kinda want a book contract.’

And it’s not fair to Faye. I’m not doing her justice. Yes, she’s a little angsty. Yes, she might be crazy. But she deserves the reader’s affection or, at least, their undivided attention. She is, after all, the heroine.

And I think I’ve uncovered the problem. It isn’t that I don’t know who Faye is, but more I don’t know what Faye does. In the same way that you can love someone deeply, but not really know them until you’ve lived with them and discovered that they leave blobs of toothpaste in the sink and cute post-it notes scattered around the house.

So, I’m moving with Faye. Ransacking her CD collection. Mooching her chocolate hidden in the butter compartment of her fridge. Wearing her thrift store clothes out dancing. Peeking in the box of stuff shoved under her bed.

Unfortunately, since Faye lives in my brain, this is a bit trickier than it sounds. So I’m trying unorthodox methods. I’m desperate. I’ve made a mix for her/my ipod. ‘Get me away from here, I’m dying’ by Belle and Sebastian, ‘Psychobabble’ by Frou Frou, ‘Homesick’ by Kings of Convenience, are just a few of her songs. So, maybe she’s not so cheery. Give her a break, she’s 15.

I’ve also found a picture of Faye. She looks like the above picture of Juliet by John William Waterhouse, minus the renaissancey outfit. I’ve filled a shoebox with things that make me think of her. Pictures of Maine, smooth river rocks, packets of coffee.

There’s also some note cards in the box. I’ve jotted down questions I have for her, possible new scenes, food she likes, pretty much anything that comes to mind.

Hopefully, some of these things will help me channel Faye. Before I need an exorcism.

Posted in Characters, Revision, Writing

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An act of courage

July 6th, 2007 by Sara

If writing is an act of faith, then revising is an act of courage. You have to sit down with what you’ve written, look it in the eye, and admit it isn’t everything you hoped it would be. Worse than that, you can’t just walk quickly past your mistakes, holding your nose. You have to talk to them.

You buy them coffee and ask them how they’re doing, all the while cringing at their big, bulbous nose, their hunched shoulders, their crossed eyes. ‘What did I do wrong?’ you think to yourself, as they bather on about wanting a bigger part, asking ‘was there maybe a chance they could kiss the heroine at the end of the book?’, confessing how late at night, they lie in bed staring at the ceiling, knowing with a horrible certainty that there must be more to life than this.

And there is more to life. You know it. Your critique group knows it. Worst of all your characters know it. So what, Dear Author, are you going to do about it?

Here’s the scary part. Your story may not be perfect… but it could always be worse. If you reach in and touch up a character here, tweak a plot twist there, there’s no guarantee it won’t all collapse in on itself. You need an act of courage.

So you take a deep breath and get out the pliers. You take the kinks out of one character, you add them to another. You have to be completely honest with yourself here, not have any favorites. But most importantly, you have to believe that you are making it better.

But, when you open the door to honesty, in walks the creativity killer. The editor in your mind shows up uninvited, red pen in hand, eager to get started. It tells you that, while you’re being honest with yourself, you might as well admit that your story is crap and you are making it crappier. It tells you that you’ll never get this published. You’ll never be able to fix this mess.

But you can’t listen. Like a not-so-sweetly singing siren, this will drive you onto the rocks. Honesty works both ways. As you admit the flaws of your work, you must also admit its strengths.

That mistake you were talking to might look all wrong with a hunched back, but the enormous nose is actually perfect. Only by looking at what is working, accidentally or purposefully, in your story can you make more of it work.

So take courage. Get out that chisel. Even a jackhammer if you need to. But not the wrecking ball. Honestly, you are better than that.

Posted in Revision, Writing

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