I was asked by my daughter's teacher to attend 5th Science Camp with my daughter and other kids from his school. So many stories, so little time to tell them. While I was nervous about going a writer friend of mine, Nancy, reminded me of the great opportunity to listen and study how children talk. During my three days with the eighty-five ten-year-olds, it wasn't so much what they said, but watching their behaviors and attitudes.
Fifth grade seems to be the grade when girls start separating into different clicks... popular girls; quiet girls; and girls that can flutter between the quiet girls and the popular girls. I'm not saying that the popular girls weren't nice, but they seemed to have a narcissistic attitude the other girls didn't seem to possess.
When I was a child, 5th & 6th grade, there was a girl named Cindy that everyone picked on. I remember being nice to her when no one else was around, but I don't remember ever sticking up for her when she was being picked on. Same situation arose in high school, but this time it was a boy named Craig. Thank goodness by my junior year I grew some cojones and stood up for him. I still remember his surprised look when I did so, because not even the teacher did anything to stop others from jeering him.
Now, some thirty-years later, it was easy to identify the outcast children. At my daughter's camp, there was a boy--a child that has been picked on since first grade--and girl which seemed to be left out of everything on purpose. Both children were socially awkward and emotional. It made me wonder what their home life was like. Does this play a part in relationships with other children at school?
In my group of fourteen, there seemed to be six of the children who would qualify as ADHD. Whether they were hyperactive or maybe, emotionally, they needed the extra attention, I cannot say; but it was hard not to fall in love with all of them. Soon, I'll try to jot down some of the adventures I had at camp.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
No Title Needed
Today is a good day. Fall is my favorite time of year. Maybe because Pumpkin Spice Lattes are, once again, available at Starbucks.
There are lots of things in the works and mania is working overtime (in a good way). I'm waiting on several contest notifications to which I've submitted my novel and hope is always a good thing.
Lately, I've been working on a great new story. It is completely different than my first novel, 3rd person instead of 1st and past instead of present tense. It's easier to take criticism on this story--probably because it isn't mirrored in personal experiences.
I am so grateful for all the members of the most awesome, excellent, and wonderful critique group in the whole wide world. They teach me something new each and every week. I truly appreciate their imput, especially on a thing called POV.
There are lots of things in the works and mania is working overtime (in a good way). I'm waiting on several contest notifications to which I've submitted my novel and hope is always a good thing.
Lately, I've been working on a great new story. It is completely different than my first novel, 3rd person instead of 1st and past instead of present tense. It's easier to take criticism on this story--probably because it isn't mirrored in personal experiences.
I am so grateful for all the members of the most awesome, excellent, and wonderful critique group in the whole wide world. They teach me something new each and every week. I truly appreciate their imput, especially on a thing called POV.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
SCBWI Summer Conference
I attended SCBWI's Summer Conference which was awesome.
I was able to gather a plethora (Plethora...good word right? I learned it from the movie Three Amigos)of information and rub elbows with some of the greatest writers of our time. I have a wonderful story about one of those great writers which I'll tell later.
I resubmitted my revised first chapter to be critiqued at this conference. It was read by editor Elizabeth who told me to put more of myself into it. Her comments were similar to the story that Ingrid Law (author of Savvy) told during her talk on the last morning of the conference--which was a metaphoric masterpiece.
I spoke to Lin about SCBWI's work-in-progress grant to see how many entries there were. She told me there were over four hundred. I explained that I received a card back from someone who said that my entry was one of forty finalists. My fingers and toes will be crossed until results will be mailed in October.
Finally, I attend a session by a Delecorte/Random House editor, Wendy. It was nice to be able to associate a face with the company to which I submitted my novel in their middle grade contest back in June.
I was able to gather a plethora (Plethora...good word right? I learned it from the movie Three Amigos)of information and rub elbows with some of the greatest writers of our time. I have a wonderful story about one of those great writers which I'll tell later.
I resubmitted my revised first chapter to be critiqued at this conference. It was read by editor Elizabeth who told me to put more of myself into it. Her comments were similar to the story that Ingrid Law (author of Savvy) told during her talk on the last morning of the conference--which was a metaphoric masterpiece.
I spoke to Lin about SCBWI's work-in-progress grant to see how many entries there were. She told me there were over four hundred. I explained that I received a card back from someone who said that my entry was one of forty finalists. My fingers and toes will be crossed until results will be mailed in October.
Finally, I attend a session by a Delecorte/Random House editor, Wendy. It was nice to be able to associate a face with the company to which I submitted my novel in their middle grade contest back in June.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
My thoughts on my Agent's Day review
After reading his comments, I worried that there were no redeeming qualities about my chapter, but after a few deep breaths I told myself "If at first I don't succeed... rewrite, rewrite, again."
The week before the conference, a member of my critique group named Cindy--an excellent writer of middle grade horror--had mentioned that I start with the second chapter because it delves into action right away.
Several months before that, another member of my critique group, Carol--a published author of several middle grade novels--told me to put my main character into the same scenes that Chris from Firebrand said in his review.
Maria--she writes scary stories--another member of my awesome critique group, told me that I cannot be afraid of the emotions my main character is going through.
So, that's what I do when I work on my rewrite.
Wish me luck!
The week before the conference, a member of my critique group named Cindy--an excellent writer of middle grade horror--had mentioned that I start with the second chapter because it delves into action right away.
Several months before that, another member of my critique group, Carol--a published author of several middle grade novels--told me to put my main character into the same scenes that Chris from Firebrand said in his review.
Maria--she writes scary stories--another member of my awesome critique group, told me that I cannot be afraid of the emotions my main character is going through.
So, that's what I do when I work on my rewrite.
Wish me luck!
SCBWI Agent's Day in Newport Beach
Last Saturday, I attended SCBWI Agent's Day. I submitted the first chapter of my novel for review. Chris gave me some ideas and expressed concerns.
One of the concerns was that I might be approaching a serious mental illness--bipolar disorder--with what feels like a light touch.
I agree with his observation, although children see their world as "theirs alone" and everything is always about "me" not the parent. A crazy home life is dealt in several ways, which include acting out, introversion, or sarcasm/humor.
I grew up in such a household and, as an adult, had to suffer with said illness for over ten years before diagnosis. Humor is a way that my MC is able to cope with her surroundings.
He was also concerned with the the word "CRAZY" title of my book. This concern doesn't bother be because it is ultimately up to the publisher to give final title approval. Crazy can also imply kooky or wacky and doesn't have to be interpreted with such a PC diagnosis.
I was reminded that the structure of the first chapter has a lot of recollection and back story. I was "telling" rather than "showing." I need put the reader in all of the scenes because it will help him/her relate to what my MC is going through, even if she's presenting the facts with a level of brevity.
His main concern is how the darkness of the disorder may possibly conflict with the fact that this work is a middle grade.
He advised me to tread lightly with some of the topics, given that middle grade is typically for readers from 8-12 and that I need to make sure to approach it with the right mix of humor and seriousness, but be careful not to write about areas that are too dark for young readers.
Chris provided me with excellent info to help me improve my writing. Kudos to the agent.
One of the concerns was that I might be approaching a serious mental illness--bipolar disorder--with what feels like a light touch.
I agree with his observation, although children see their world as "theirs alone" and everything is always about "me" not the parent. A crazy home life is dealt in several ways, which include acting out, introversion, or sarcasm/humor.
I grew up in such a household and, as an adult, had to suffer with said illness for over ten years before diagnosis. Humor is a way that my MC is able to cope with her surroundings.
He was also concerned with the the word "CRAZY" title of my book. This concern doesn't bother be because it is ultimately up to the publisher to give final title approval. Crazy can also imply kooky or wacky and doesn't have to be interpreted with such a PC diagnosis.
I was reminded that the structure of the first chapter has a lot of recollection and back story. I was "telling" rather than "showing." I need put the reader in all of the scenes because it will help him/her relate to what my MC is going through, even if she's presenting the facts with a level of brevity.
His main concern is how the darkness of the disorder may possibly conflict with the fact that this work is a middle grade.
He advised me to tread lightly with some of the topics, given that middle grade is typically for readers from 8-12 and that I need to make sure to approach it with the right mix of humor and seriousness, but be careful not to write about areas that are too dark for young readers.
Chris provided me with excellent info to help me improve my writing. Kudos to the agent.
Friday, May 15, 2009
My husband
Just a note about my wonderful husband. I got really lucky on this deal. We've been married for seventeen years, and he still loves me.
He gives unconditionally to his family and friends. Loves to camp and tries his best to make everything fun for anyone who camps with us.
He's an awesome cook, and doesn't care that I'm a horrible housekeeper because our house looks like a pig sty most of the time.
I love you, Lorne.
He gives unconditionally to his family and friends. Loves to camp and tries his best to make everything fun for anyone who camps with us.
He's an awesome cook, and doesn't care that I'm a horrible housekeeper because our house looks like a pig sty most of the time.
I love you, Lorne.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Technology is scarry as hell!
When I was in high school--too long ago to mention the year--personal computers hadn't really become commonplace. In fact, my high school offered only one computer class, and it had only 10 computers, which ran on an operating system called DOS. The monitor was only about 4 x 4 inches and it was connected to the computer hard drive.
I remember clearly, my father (he was the age that I am, now) telling me to take the class as my elective. My response to him was "Oh, Dad. Computers are just a fad. It's like math, I'll never need to use it in the real world."
HA!
Well, I computers weren't a trend, and neither was/is the Internet; so, I guess, blogging is here to stay. Be patient with me as I learn, and ignore the millions of mistakes I know I will make along the way.
Many thanks!
JW
I remember clearly, my father (he was the age that I am, now) telling me to take the class as my elective. My response to him was "Oh, Dad. Computers are just a fad. It's like math, I'll never need to use it in the real world."
HA!
Well, I computers weren't a trend, and neither was/is the Internet; so, I guess, blogging is here to stay. Be patient with me as I learn, and ignore the millions of mistakes I know I will make along the way.
Many thanks!
JW
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