Congratulations to Kate, the first winner of the Countdown to Camp Contest! Kate will be receiving an autographed copy of JEMMA HARTMAN, CAMPER EXTRAORDINAIRE as well as lots of other fun stuff to use at camp (like pens, stationery, cards, tattoos, etc.) Kate, I hope you have a daughter or niece who goes to camp! Please e-mail me your snail mail address so I can get your prize to you.
Kate's memory of marching around her cabin shouting "Burn them bras!" reminded me of a fun tradition at my camp (Camp Birch Knoll) that I chose not to include in JEMMA HARTMAN. It's called Bra and Underwear Night. One random night each summer, all the girls run around camp in their (you guessed it) bras and underwear. Such fun! It usually ended up in skinny dipping in the lake or dancing on the hill. I remember buying a bra specifically for that event before I even needed to wear one! Our camp was girls only, but there were some male staff members. I wonder why we never felt self conscious about them seeing us like that. I suppose it was because we felt so free at camp, so completely confident and comfortable. Just another example of the magic that is camp.
In other news... JEMMA HARTMAN has been reviewed by Kirkus! They said, "For all the tweens who believe in BFF but find out, to their great disappointment, that it isn’t for everyone, this is the book for them." And "The emotional turmoil plays out against a lovingly depicted month at summer camp."
This is JEMMA'S first review, and I'm pretty psyched about it because really, is there a tween out there who hasn't been disappointed by a BFF who turns out to not be so F? I think not! Therefore, if you do the math, this book is for EVERYONE! And the whole impetus for writing this book was to lovingly depict summer camp, so I hope this means I succeeded.
It's not too late to enter the Countdown to Camp Contest. I'll be choosing a winner every week until the book comes out. I'd love to get more kids to enter the contest, so please spread the word to young people in your lives. And if you've already entered, there is no need to enter again. Your name might still be drawn.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Countdown to Camp!
Sure, I'm still wearing my winter coat, hat, and gloves, but I've got summer camp on my mind because JEMMA HARTMAN, CAMPER EXTRAORDINAIRE will be out in just 6 weeks!
In order to celebrate, I'm hosting a contest. With prizes! Each week until the book comes out, I'll be giving away an autographed copy of JEMMA HARTMAN as well as some other fun camp items. To enter, all you have to do is tell me your favorite camp memory. Post it here in the comments, or send an e-mail to brenda at brendaferber.com. The memory can be funny, embarrassing, poignant, or ridiculous. It can be about day camp, overnight camp, or any other kind of camp you attended.
I can't wait to hear all your stories! And I hope you'll enjoy reading mine.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Fan Mail Excerpt...
I think this might be my favorite line in any fan letter I've received to date...
I really liked the book JULIA’S KITCHEN, but then I wanted to stop reading the book because Janie and her mom died. I started crying. But I decided to keep on reading because if I didn’t I’d have to watch the Basketball game.
Thank goodness for girls who don't want to watch basketball!
I really liked the book JULIA’S KITCHEN, but then I wanted to stop reading the book because Janie and her mom died. I started crying. But I decided to keep on reading because if I didn’t I’d have to watch the Basketball game.
Thank goodness for girls who don't want to watch basketball!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Do You Have a Creative Genius?
One of my writing sisters forwarded this video to me yesterday. It's a speech by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, about a wonderful way to think about the creative process. Very interesting and worthwhile 20 minutes...
Thursday, February 12, 2009
A Girl's Gotta Dream...
I admit it... I dream of winning a Newbery! I also dream of having a NYT best seller, winning a National Book Award, having a shelf of books written by me, and being a household name.
In the meantime, I'm anxiously awaiting reviews of JEMMA HARTMAN, CAMPER EXTRAORDINAIRE (coming out in about two more months!) and trying my hardest to write my next novel and to make it better than my first two. Because the truth is, awards are out of my control, but improving my craft is something I can do.
Thanks to Lisa Chellman for the news about this video. And a Happy Birthday shout out to my niece Riley and author extraordinaire Judy Blume!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
My Attitude Today
It's not about making it through the storm. It's about dancing in the raindrops.
This inspiration is brought to you courtesy of comedian and cancer survivor, Robert Schimmel.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Writing Like a Reader
I'm sure you've heard of reading like a writer... today I'd like to talk about writing like a reader.
Here's how I read:
1. I read novels for kids. Therefore I write novels for kids.
2. If I'm reading a book and not totally in love with it, I'll stop. I definitely don't have to finish something just because I started it. The same goes for my writing. I write about 50 pages of a new novel before I realize I don't want to write it (usually), or I am absolutely compelled to finish it (rarely... exactly twice in my life).
3. If a book is suspenseful, I will stay up way too late to finish it. Or I might blow off everything on my to-do list to read it, with the rationalization that reading is part of my job. Similarly, I've found I need to create suspense when I'm writing. And my recent experiment with being a NYNNie taught me how to do that. I simply didn't allow myself to check e-mail, Facebook, or anything on the Internet until I had finished writing 2000 words each day. The suspense of wondering what e-mails were waiting for me kept me glued to my desk, writing like a fiend. With this strategy, it only took me a week (instead of my usual 3-4 months) to figure out I didn't want to write my new novel.
4. When I'm reading a book, I'm constantly thinking about where the author is going, how he or she is playing with my emotions, what might come next. When I'm writing, I often pretend to be a reader. I literally imagine turning the pages of my book, seeing what would come next if the story were finished.
5. I love books that make me laugh or cry. Books that show regular kids growing up and seeing themselves and the world in a new light. My aim, always, is to write books like that.
Here's how I read:
1. I read novels for kids. Therefore I write novels for kids.
2. If I'm reading a book and not totally in love with it, I'll stop. I definitely don't have to finish something just because I started it. The same goes for my writing. I write about 50 pages of a new novel before I realize I don't want to write it (usually), or I am absolutely compelled to finish it (rarely... exactly twice in my life).
3. If a book is suspenseful, I will stay up way too late to finish it. Or I might blow off everything on my to-do list to read it, with the rationalization that reading is part of my job. Similarly, I've found I need to create suspense when I'm writing. And my recent experiment with being a NYNNie taught me how to do that. I simply didn't allow myself to check e-mail, Facebook, or anything on the Internet until I had finished writing 2000 words each day. The suspense of wondering what e-mails were waiting for me kept me glued to my desk, writing like a fiend. With this strategy, it only took me a week (instead of my usual 3-4 months) to figure out I didn't want to write my new novel.
4. When I'm reading a book, I'm constantly thinking about where the author is going, how he or she is playing with my emotions, what might come next. When I'm writing, I often pretend to be a reader. I literally imagine turning the pages of my book, seeing what would come next if the story were finished.
5. I love books that make me laugh or cry. Books that show regular kids growing up and seeing themselves and the world in a new light. My aim, always, is to write books like that.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Puppy Update
A few people have asked to see updated photos of our mini-whoodle, Ozzy. He's now 4 months old and about 15 pounds. So incredibly sweet and wonderful! Even though he's a huge responsibility, I can't imagine life without him.
I'm just really really really wishing for a fenced backyard!
I'm just really really really wishing for a fenced backyard!
Playing with a stick in the snow. He LOVES the snow!
Ozzy giving love to Sammy.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Brag Time
Is it okay to brag for a minute about my son Sammy?
I promise, it will just take a minute.
But man, that boy can write!
He just completed a first draft of a 150-page fantasy novel. And he is 12-years-old.
Here's a little excerpt...
------------------
"We have a very interesting assembly planned for you today, kids," began the principal of New Longance Elementary School. "These people volunteered to teach you about the dangers of alcohol and dr--"
He was interrupted by a faint rumbling noise. Thinking it was only thunder, he continued. He had barely finished his sentence when another rumbling noise echoed through the big auditorium, this time louder. Some of his students were starting to notice, looking around to ask their friends if they heard it too.
For a brief moment, the principal thought of the infamous Rock Man. He was more a legend than fact, knowledge of his sightings being spread through rumors on street corners. But one thing was for sure; a lot of people had died in the past couple of weeks in this small town.
------------------
The whole manuscript is filled with humor, tension, action, emotion and a character arc with true depth. I'm sort of flabbergasted. And oh so proud!
I promise, it will just take a minute.
But man, that boy can write!
He just completed a first draft of a 150-page fantasy novel. And he is 12-years-old.
Here's a little excerpt...
------------------
"We have a very interesting assembly planned for you today, kids," began the principal of New Longance Elementary School. "These people volunteered to teach you about the dangers of alcohol and dr--"
He was interrupted by a faint rumbling noise. Thinking it was only thunder, he continued. He had barely finished his sentence when another rumbling noise echoed through the big auditorium, this time louder. Some of his students were starting to notice, looking around to ask their friends if they heard it too.
For a brief moment, the principal thought of the infamous Rock Man. He was more a legend than fact, knowledge of his sightings being spread through rumors on street corners. But one thing was for sure; a lot of people had died in the past couple of weeks in this small town.
------------------
The whole manuscript is filled with humor, tension, action, emotion and a character arc with true depth. I'm sort of flabbergasted. And oh so proud!
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Book Look
My latest Book Look column for the Prairie Wind is online. I wrote about The Pout-Pout Fish, by Deborah Diesen, and if you haven't read that book yet, I suggest you head to the bookstore today.
Here's a little preview...
I’m sure you’ve all heard the advice not to write a picture book in verse. Yet you can probably name at least a dozen rhyming picture books that you or your kids or grandkids adore. So what’s the deal? Why do editors tell novice writers to stay away from verse?
The answer is they don’t believe you can do it well. And maybe that’s true. (I’m pretty sure I can’t do it!) But if you have poetry and song and rhythm and rhyme in your soul, and if you understand story structure and the format of a picture book, and if you have an idea that is both fun and meaningful and not at all preachy, there is no reason you can’t master this form. Deborah Diesen did it with her first picture book, The Pout-Pout Fish. And we all can learn something from this well-crafted tale.
In other news...
I've hit my word quota for three days in a row. I'm on a roll!!
Here's a little preview...
I’m sure you’ve all heard the advice not to write a picture book in verse. Yet you can probably name at least a dozen rhyming picture books that you or your kids or grandkids adore. So what’s the deal? Why do editors tell novice writers to stay away from verse?
The answer is they don’t believe you can do it well. And maybe that’s true. (I’m pretty sure I can’t do it!) But if you have poetry and song and rhythm and rhyme in your soul, and if you understand story structure and the format of a picture book, and if you have an idea that is both fun and meaningful and not at all preachy, there is no reason you can’t master this form. Deborah Diesen did it with her first picture book, The Pout-Pout Fish. And we all can learn something from this well-crafted tale.
In other news...
I've hit my word quota for three days in a row. I'm on a roll!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year!
Tomorrow I start NYNN (New Year, New Novel). I'll be attempting to write 2000 words per day, six days per week, in an effort to complete a first draft of a new novel. I made a rule for myself that I'm not allowed on the internet AT ALL until I've completed my word goal for the day. I'm afraid there will be very few days this month when I'll be checking e-mail, reading blogs, playing on Facebook, or updating this blog. Boo hoo! But won't it be worth it? A first draft in a month? It sounds like heaven.
May 2009 bring us a revived economy, pride in our president and country, good books to read, peace on earth, and joy and laughter with our family and friends.
May 2009 bring us a revived economy, pride in our president and country, good books to read, peace on earth, and joy and laughter with our family and friends.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Winter Break Rhythm
We sleep as late as Ozzy lets us (8:00 today... a record!). Eat a big breakfast and stay in pajamas till around noon. Read, watch movies, bake cookies, play games (like Monopoly, Apples to Apples, Whoonu, and Rock Band), play with Ozzy, go out to dinner, light Hanukkah candles, open presents, watch TV, then head to bed.
It's the perfect amount of laziness.
I love this break from the hectic day-to-day business of our regular lives. It fosters family bonding and allows time for creative and clear thinking. For about a year now, I've known I wanted to do some kind of summer camp book tour to celebrate the release of Jemma Hartman Camper Extraordinaire. But I could never figure out what I would actually do up at the camps. It's not a school visit, that's for sure. It would have to be something fun and meaningful and camp-like. Suddenly, yesterday, the perfect idea came to mind. It was one of those ideas that jumps out at you and makes you want to click your heels and shout "Eureka!"
Drum roll please...
It's a Time Capsule! Every cabin will choose or create an object that represents a story they want to remember forever. Then they'll present their stories to the camp and put the objects in a time capsule to be opened 20 years later at a camp reunion. There will be awards for silliest, most memorable, and most creative stories/objects. I'll talk about some of my camp memories and show how they ended up in my book. Then we'll sing songs, I'll sign books, and everyone will feel a little bit closer and more appreciative of their amazing camp experience.
Now I've just got to get some camps to put me on their schedule.
It's the perfect amount of laziness.
I love this break from the hectic day-to-day business of our regular lives. It fosters family bonding and allows time for creative and clear thinking. For about a year now, I've known I wanted to do some kind of summer camp book tour to celebrate the release of Jemma Hartman Camper Extraordinaire. But I could never figure out what I would actually do up at the camps. It's not a school visit, that's for sure. It would have to be something fun and meaningful and camp-like. Suddenly, yesterday, the perfect idea came to mind. It was one of those ideas that jumps out at you and makes you want to click your heels and shout "Eureka!"
Drum roll please...
It's a Time Capsule! Every cabin will choose or create an object that represents a story they want to remember forever. Then they'll present their stories to the camp and put the objects in a time capsule to be opened 20 years later at a camp reunion. There will be awards for silliest, most memorable, and most creative stories/objects. I'll talk about some of my camp memories and show how they ended up in my book. Then we'll sing songs, I'll sign books, and everyone will feel a little bit closer and more appreciative of their amazing camp experience.
Now I've just got to get some camps to put me on their schedule.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
What Do You Love About Writing?
Lately, I've been fickle, like a woman who falls madly in love with a man only to lose interest a month later. Of course, I'm still happily married to my actual husband. But I keep falling in and out of love with my plots. I start a new manuscript, thinking This is the One, only to soon wonder what I ever was attracted to in the first place.
It's not a very productive way of writing. And it makes me feel yucky.
I talked it out today at critique group. Have I told you how much I love my critique group? As usual, they had great advice for me. Jenny thought I should tell myself my next book would be my file drawer manuscript, the novel I wouldn't publish. She thinks the pressure is getting to me, and she's right about that. But unfortunately, I don't think I can trick myself into thinking I'm writing for nobody. Carol told me I should write about a character with the exact problem I'm having right now... a girl who thinks she has nothing interesting to say. That has its appeal, but it doesn't feel compelling enough for me to dedicate myself to it for a year or more. Plus, I don't like this feeling! Why would I want to immerse myself in it? Ellen asked, "What do you love about writing?"
That was a good question.
I said, "I love trying to answer a question. With Julia's Kitchen, the question was, 'Why does God let bad thing happen, and how do you deal with the worst possible thing?' With Jemma Hartman, Camper Extraordinaire, the question was, 'What do you do when a friendship that you thought would last forever starts to fade?' I love living vicariously through these characters as they figure out the answers to these questions."
So then, of course, Jenny, Ellen, and Carol asked me what I wanted to know the answer to now.
Another good question.
I'm thinking about it. And hopefully, when the right question comes to me, I'll fall in love with a character and plot and be able to commit, at least for the next year or two.
What do you love about writing?
It's not a very productive way of writing. And it makes me feel yucky.
I talked it out today at critique group. Have I told you how much I love my critique group? As usual, they had great advice for me. Jenny thought I should tell myself my next book would be my file drawer manuscript, the novel I wouldn't publish. She thinks the pressure is getting to me, and she's right about that. But unfortunately, I don't think I can trick myself into thinking I'm writing for nobody. Carol told me I should write about a character with the exact problem I'm having right now... a girl who thinks she has nothing interesting to say. That has its appeal, but it doesn't feel compelling enough for me to dedicate myself to it for a year or more. Plus, I don't like this feeling! Why would I want to immerse myself in it? Ellen asked, "What do you love about writing?"
That was a good question.
I said, "I love trying to answer a question. With Julia's Kitchen, the question was, 'Why does God let bad thing happen, and how do you deal with the worst possible thing?' With Jemma Hartman, Camper Extraordinaire, the question was, 'What do you do when a friendship that you thought would last forever starts to fade?' I love living vicariously through these characters as they figure out the answers to these questions."
So then, of course, Jenny, Ellen, and Carol asked me what I wanted to know the answer to now.
Another good question.
I'm thinking about it. And hopefully, when the right question comes to me, I'll fall in love with a character and plot and be able to commit, at least for the next year or two.
What do you love about writing?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Book Trailer Creativity
I'm not sure if book trailers are a fad or something that will take hold. And I'm not sure if they make any difference in terms of buzz or sales. But I do know one thing for sure... they are an area of creativity that is wide open for exploration and development.
And that is fun!
Check out this rap video trailer for Perfect Chemistry, by Simone Elkeles:
And that is fun!
Check out this rap video trailer for Perfect Chemistry, by Simone Elkeles:
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Feeling Silly
I am an honorary silly chick, and you can be one, too!
The Three Silly Chicks (a terrific blog by Andrea Beaty, Carolyn Crimi, and Julia Durango about funny picture books) has organized a drive for donations to Heifer International.
For only $20, this charity will give a family somewhere on this globe a flock of chicks. And then Each starter flock has from 10 to 50 chicks. One flock gives a family in a developing country a much needed source of food and income.
Did you know that chickens:
lay up to 200 eggs in a year.
require little space.
thrive on readily available food scraps.
control insects & fertilize gardens.
Can make an enormous difference in a family's life?
And you thought chicks were just cute and silly!
Please join The Silly Chicks in helping families from Cameroon to the Caribbean. Donate now and send a notification card to Three_Silly_Chicks@yahoo.com. Or send a copy of your receipt to Three_Silly_Chicks@yahoo.com as proof and they will name you an Honorary Silly Chick and give you a post on their website! (Note: The receipt does not contain any financial information!)
Friday, December 05, 2008
I'm a NYNNie
Have you heard of national novel writing month, NANOWRIMO? Well, my friend Carmela Martino has now created NYNN, New Year/New Novel. It's just like NANOWRIMO, but it takes place in January, and as absurd as it sounds, I'm going to try to do it. The idea is to write a 50,000-word draft of a manuscript in one month. Participants are called NYNNies (or writing fools). Today I had nothing major to do for myself or my family, so I decided to test out the feeling of writing 2000 words in a day.
I ended up with 619. And now I'm so sleepy I just want to take a nap.
Is it possible to write 2000 words in a day? Is it kind of like lifting weights in the way it gets easier if I do it on a regular basis? Will I be able to care for a family and a puppy and still write that much? Will I have to take a break from karate? Laundry? Grocery shopping? Will my family pick up the slack?
I definitely like the idea of turning off my inner critic and whipping out a first draft like this. I like the intensity of it. I like being called a NYNNie. And January looks pretty open on my calendar.
I think this might be the closest I'll ever come to running a marathon. People train for marathons, right? So I should think of this time as training. 619 isn't so bad. It's like running a mile or two. You gotta start somewhere.
I think I can I think I can I think I can...
I ended up with 619. And now I'm so sleepy I just want to take a nap.
Is it possible to write 2000 words in a day? Is it kind of like lifting weights in the way it gets easier if I do it on a regular basis? Will I be able to care for a family and a puppy and still write that much? Will I have to take a break from karate? Laundry? Grocery shopping? Will my family pick up the slack?
I definitely like the idea of turning off my inner critic and whipping out a first draft like this. I like the intensity of it. I like being called a NYNNie. And January looks pretty open on my calendar.
I think this might be the closest I'll ever come to running a marathon. People train for marathons, right? So I should think of this time as training. 619 isn't so bad. It's like running a mile or two. You gotta start somewhere.
I think I can I think I can I think I can...
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Loving Your Characters
When I write, I try to love the characters I create... even the villains. But I especially have to love my main character. I'm asking readers to go along for a ride with her, to root for her, to laugh and cry with her. It wouldn't be fair of me to expect readers to do that for someone I didn't think was totally worthy.
That's why I aim to create wonderfully flawed, vulnerable, spirited, and resilient characters whom readers (and I) can identify with or try to be like or at least want to get to know.
And that's also one of the reasons why I'm having trouble with my main character in my work-in-progress. See, she is popular, and I have a thing about popular girls. I tend not to like them.
I'm not proud of this reverse-snobbery. It started in middle school when I was completely intimidated by a group of popular girls. They were so cool, and I was so not. I stayed away from them, and instead of admitting that they scared me, I found reasons to hate them.
At first glance, it might have looked like jealousy, but I never wanted to be like them or to be included in their group. If anything, I wished they would be more like me. Maybe then I wouldn't be so threatened by their perceived superiority in practically every area of life.
Thankfully, once I grew up, I stopped being intimidated by popular girls, and the reverse-snobbery faded away, but I know it's still there, under the surface. And as I sit here, trying to write about a popular 8th grader, I'm finding it challenging to get past my bias. It's so much easier for me to love the outsider.
But I realized something yesterday. Popular girls don't call themselves popular. That's a term other people use to label them, to exert some power over them. So I'm going to stop calling my character popular. She certainly wouldn't describe herself that way. She would actually be annoyed by the term and all that it implies.
Hopefully that will allow me to get a little closer to her heart. And she to mine.
That's why I aim to create wonderfully flawed, vulnerable, spirited, and resilient characters whom readers (and I) can identify with or try to be like or at least want to get to know.
And that's also one of the reasons why I'm having trouble with my main character in my work-in-progress. See, she is popular, and I have a thing about popular girls. I tend not to like them.
I'm not proud of this reverse-snobbery. It started in middle school when I was completely intimidated by a group of popular girls. They were so cool, and I was so not. I stayed away from them, and instead of admitting that they scared me, I found reasons to hate them.
At first glance, it might have looked like jealousy, but I never wanted to be like them or to be included in their group. If anything, I wished they would be more like me. Maybe then I wouldn't be so threatened by their perceived superiority in practically every area of life.
Thankfully, once I grew up, I stopped being intimidated by popular girls, and the reverse-snobbery faded away, but I know it's still there, under the surface. And as I sit here, trying to write about a popular 8th grader, I'm finding it challenging to get past my bias. It's so much easier for me to love the outsider.
But I realized something yesterday. Popular girls don't call themselves popular. That's a term other people use to label them, to exert some power over them. So I'm going to stop calling my character popular. She certainly wouldn't describe herself that way. She would actually be annoyed by the term and all that it implies.
Hopefully that will allow me to get a little closer to her heart. And she to mine.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Rationalizing 101
Why I Hate First Drafts:
1. I don't know who my character is. (I mean really and truly who she is.)
2. I don't know what the story is. (I mean the actual truth of the story.)
3. I don't like writing badly. (And I've yet to find the magical pen that writes beautiful first drafts.)
How I'm Trying to Avoid These Problems with My Work-in-Progress:
1. I'm thinking about my character as much as possible, imagining what she would say or do if she were with me all day long. She's practically my invisible friend!
2. I'm outlining and re-outlining and re-re-outlining in an effort to get to the one essential truth of the story.
3. I'm not writing at all.
I realize at some point I'm going to have to actually write something. A chapter. And another chapter. And so on. That's kind of the key to writing a book. (Duh.) But until then, I'm not going to feel bad that I have nothing to show my critique group, my agent, or my editor. (At least not too bad.) I'm not going to focus on the fact that I started developing this idea four months ago. (Yikes!) This isn't procrastination or writer's block or any other negative sounding label. This is just the way I work. (Life is busy with three teens and a puppy, you know.)
Maybe all this thinking and pre-writing will help in the long run. Maybe when I finally write this draft, the story will come out in the beautiful and magical way I'm imagining it.
It doesn't hurt to hope.
1. I don't know who my character is. (I mean really and truly who she is.)
2. I don't know what the story is. (I mean the actual truth of the story.)
3. I don't like writing badly. (And I've yet to find the magical pen that writes beautiful first drafts.)
How I'm Trying to Avoid These Problems with My Work-in-Progress:
1. I'm thinking about my character as much as possible, imagining what she would say or do if she were with me all day long. She's practically my invisible friend!
2. I'm outlining and re-outlining and re-re-outlining in an effort to get to the one essential truth of the story.
3. I'm not writing at all.
I realize at some point I'm going to have to actually write something. A chapter. And another chapter. And so on. That's kind of the key to writing a book. (Duh.) But until then, I'm not going to feel bad that I have nothing to show my critique group, my agent, or my editor. (At least not too bad.) I'm not going to focus on the fact that I started developing this idea four months ago. (Yikes!) This isn't procrastination or writer's block or any other negative sounding label. This is just the way I work. (Life is busy with three teens and a puppy, you know.)
Maybe all this thinking and pre-writing will help in the long run. Maybe when I finally write this draft, the story will come out in the beautiful and magical way I'm imagining it.
It doesn't hurt to hope.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Extreme Makeover - Website Edition
Check out my redesigned website! Isn't it pretty?
A round of applause for web-designer extraordinaire, Maddee at xuni.com. She is the best!
In the spirit of creative renewal, I've decided to give this blog a new name... it shall hereby be called Fresh Baked Bits.
A round of applause for web-designer extraordinaire, Maddee at xuni.com. She is the best!
In the spirit of creative renewal, I've decided to give this blog a new name... it shall hereby be called Fresh Baked Bits.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Author Visits
Sunday night I spoke about Julia's Kitchen at a mother-daughter book club. I loved meeting these smart, cute sixth graders and their moms. It was such an intimate setting, especially compared to the 450 kids I spoke to in a gymnasium on Friday! To be honest, I enjoyed both speaking engagements. I guess I don't care how many people are in the audience. It is truly such an honor to be able to do these kinds of appearances. I'd love to do more of them, but I wonder what the perfect balance is.
When I talk to my author friends, they all confess that they spend at least a day worrying about the visit beforehand, even if they're doing a presentation they've already done dozens of times before. I confess that's true for me, too. I am always tinkering with my presentations because a) I'm trying to make them better, and b) I don't want to bore myself by saying the same things over and over!
So if you lose a day of writing by preparing, and you lose another day of writing with the actual presentation, how many presentations should you plan to do in a year? Maybe 2-3 per month is just right.
I recently hired a booking agent to try to drum up more school visits for me (Hi Mick!), because I would really lose writing days if I spent them calling schools! It will be interesting to see if she's able to make a difference. Whatever the case, I'm glad to have her try. That frees me up to do the important work of writing my next book.
What do you all think? If you could design your perfect calendar, how many school visits would you do in a year?
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