Dear Editor Critique Giveaway

Deborah Halverson, author and editorial professional extraordinaire, is having a contest on her Dear Editor website. I continually follow and suggest this website, along with Deborah's book Writing YA for Dummies, to any would-be, wanna-be, and already-are writers. Even if you don't enter the contest, Deborah's archives offer a plethora (I learned this word from The Three Amigos and use it whenever I can) of information, so take advantage of her knowledge and read the posts on whatever topic you may be struggling with as a writer. Here's the link so click on it: http://deareditor.com/2013/11/04/newsflash-free-critique-giveaway/ NOW!

Goals and Social Media

A few weekends ago, I attended a North Texas SCBWI class taught by author and social media guru Matina Boone. The information she shared was important, informative, and scary as all heck--I am a technotard squared. Some of things she spoke about felt like they were directed to me personally, like setting goals and creating a social media presence. This is not something that is not new to me. Over the years, I've heard many authors, agents, and editors speak on this topic at SCBWI events, but was never broken down in the way Martina explained it. How do I build ME as a Brand? I'm just Joanna. I have a few college classes under my belt, but I suck at math, I don't always appreciate my husband and children, and I swear to much. How can I believe I should be marketed like a name brand soft drink or a kids' cereal? Then Martina said, "Good material won't reach anyone by accident." I've always known the message in my book is valuable. It's been an eight year journey of learning how to convert my storytelling into story-showing--which I'm still perfecting. However, if I want my book/message to reach the audience I would like it to reach, I MUST BELIEVE I'm as worthy of as much product placement as an expensive automobile. How do I get there? I need to set goals, which Martina broke down for me. What are they, you ask? I'll start with my mission statement. I will be professional, realistic, and use my skills as a writer and human being by engaging myself in acts of service as I define them, and always be willing to grow, adapt, and learn. My writing career goal is to write meaningful literature for children. On my path to reach this goal I will continually seek knowledge; learn and listen to the opinions of industry professionals and critique peers; read books on the writing craft and incorporate meaningful tips by creating my own personal AUTHOR'S VOICE eventually twisting what I've learned into the voice of my characters; read books in the genre/age group I am writing for; and finally never, ever be discouraged by the process and art of re-write. My purpose as an author is to let teens know they are not alone, by showing them my characters have the same human emotions and experiences as they have; although, my readers may not handle their problems in the same way. Hope is universal. There are so many authors I've grown to know and love as I read their novels because I bond with the struggles of their characters. God Bless Sarah Zarr and her accurate portrayal of dysfunctional families, or Jacquline Woodson and her sincere glimpse into an inner city kid's experiences, or Ellen Hopkins taking me into the emotional state of her characters as they process their life experiences and figure out why they want to live. Each one of these books and about a thousand others I've read offers its reader HOPE. I want to reach teens when they are ready to read/hear my message. For me this is now, but for some future teens it may be ten years after my book is published. I want the experiences of my characters to live forever. In each generation of youth, someone, somewhere will/has felt the way my characters feel. I loved the John Hughes movie The Breakfast Club when I was a teenager. Last weekend my fourteen-year-old daughter and I watched the movie on DVD. Although there were no smart phones and IPads when the movie was made, the human experience of the five characters touched my daughter as much as it did me over thirty-five years ago. THIS IS HOW I WANT TEENS TO EXPERIENCE MY NOVELS.

WeLcOmE 2 mY bLoG...

A lot of changes to my manuscript over the eight years since I've starting writing. My novel has been written, revised, completely rewritten, revised, scrapped and rewritten. As a writer it can be discouraging, but I've learned so much on the journey and it hasn't been all bad. In an SCBWI class I attended last Saturday, author and social media guru Martina Boone spoke on goals and making a brand for yourself. She said how important it is for writers to reserve their names or pen names as websites and establish a media presence. I'm grateful I thought ahead and made such arrangements. Actually, I did this to the extreme because I have my name and multiple other versions of my name as email accounts and domain names. I don't even remember when I set up this blog, but from the first entries it was in 2009. I should probably edit them, since I've learned a ton since I started the blog, and I believe I'm a better writer, but I will let the posts stand as a reminder of my progress. So, in response to last Saturday's class, I've begun my brand creating process, and re-established this blog. Eventually, I will activate CrazyLikeMom.Com but, until then, the blog will have to do. I have, however, played around with the banner I'd like on the website. It will be something like the photo below.

What do you think? Okay, it needs a little work. Maybe have the words read horizontally. I'll keep working on it.

More Recommended Reads

Milkwood by Jerry Spinelli - Anything by Jerry Spinelli is a fantastic read, even the somber topic of the Holocaust can be woven into a compelling story. Milkwood was a difference experience for me, but I loved it just like all of Spinelli's book. It should be recommended reading for middle graders.

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm - This was a charming story. The author has a wonderful way of adding humor to the voice and behaviors of her characters. This book won a Newbery Honor making it her third.

The Trouble with May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm - I read this sequel to Our Only May Amelia, which I'm currently listening to on cassette from our local library. I read it while on vacation and there are so many laugh-out-loud parts that during one chuckle-fit, the campers next to us (7th grade girl and her older sister) came up and asked me what I was reading. I love the way this author brings life and personality to her characters. Jennifer Holm makes me passionate about disliking Amelia's father so much that if he were in front of me I'd smack him. Other characters I find so charming that I wish I could hug them. This is how I want my characters to be!!!

Reading Recommendations

I regret my failure to document my reading. I have lost track of many of the wonderful books I have red since my last post. Recently, though, I have completed several books on our many camping trip. Here is a brief list.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I enjoyed this book, yet dystopian novels are not my favorite genre because they make me too nervous. I purchased the second book, Catching Fire, in the series, only to set it down after page nine for same reason. For those who love this genre, I hope you continue to read novels by this talented storyteller.

City of Amber by Jeanne DuPrau - I enjoyed this book, despite the fact dystopian novels are not my favorite genre. It was an easy read, one that my eleven-year-old would enjoy.

Matched by Ally Condie - I especially enjoyed this dystopian novel of a world where our freedoms have been realistically taken away for what is considered "in the best interest" of it's citizens. It is a book innocent enough for my daughter to enjoy, which she did, while causing her to reflect on how luckily she is to have the freedom she enjoys.

They Never Came Back by Carolyn B. Cooney - I almost set it down, but I'm glad I did because I enjoyed the book. I found the author use the country's current financial situation by comparing crooks like Bernie Madoff and others to her fictional characters interesting.

BELL PRATER'S BOY by Ruth White

I loved this book. The humor and voice caught me from the very beginning. How could a reader not fall in love with Woodrow? In 1997, Belle Prater's Boy received a Newbery Honor, so I wasn't the only one to fall in love with this endearing character.

When I read this book, I wished I had a highlighter because there were so many sentences and phrases that set the scenery and time frame with just a few gold nuggets of vocabulary. This is how I want to write.

STARGIRL by Jerry Spinelli

Several of my critique group friends told me how much they enjoyed this Y.A. novel. I must admit, they were right. It is a great book and this author has a wonderful way of capturing voice.

Another thing I love about this author is his sense of humor. I read this book on the beach over Labor Day and when I got to page 117, I broke into hysterics laughing and woke up several sunbathers on either side of me. This is a good book for 8th - 11th graders. It makes the reader question why it is so important to fit in with everyone else.