In lieu of actual content…

Working full-time: check. Revising my novel: check. Feeding my kids at least once a day: check. Sleeping: um… what?

Due to impending insanity, I’ll be staying off-line as much as possible for a bit. So in lieu of actual blog content today, I bring you… LINKAGE!

1. Definitely check out the Winter Blog Blast Tour this week – more than two dozen author interviews spread over ten blogs. See the full schedule over at Chasing Ray.
2. If you’re an introvert (like me), being told you need to promote yourself and your book can send you fleeing to a dark corner with your eyes scrunched shut and your fingers in your ears while you chant “I can’t heeeeeeeear you”. What, that’s not just me, is it? I didn’t think so. Check out Shrinking Violet Promotions for awesome suggestions as well as gentle reassurance that you are, indeed, normal.
3. Have you visited Jacket Whys (a blog about children’s and YA book covers)? Worth a visit, for sure!
4. Don’t you just hate it when you get that “it’s on the tip of my tongue” mental block about a word? Finally, there’s help.
5. And last, a little something for all you NaNo-ers out there:You’re welcome. Now, what are you doing reading my blog? Write, bb, write!

Peace….

Acquisitions, reality, and hope springing eternal

Over on Buried in the Slush Pile, The Buried Editor wrote a great post about the acquisitions process, which, according to the nifty diagram, includes eleven points at which the manuscript may be rejected and five points at which the author may be asked to do revisions. Interesting, yes, but the last sentence of the blog post is what stood out for me: “It also demonstrates just how miraculous it is that anything ever gets published.” I chuckled, and then I thought, wait! I don’t want to hear this.

Actually, I kinda already know how hard it is to get published, how high the odds are stacked against any one manuscript or author. But I don’t want the reminder. Sure it’s important for aspiring authors to be informed and to understand the process, at least to some degree, but I guess I don’t like letting reality suck the fun out of dreaming and hoping.

Then again, keeping my dreams alive is up to me. I did choose to check out the diagram – which is truly informative and interesting should you wish to have a peek – and I can also choose not to let harsh reality get me down. I can choose to work hard to improve my craft, too.

Yes, it’s tough to get published. No, not everyone who hopes to get published will. And we writers can’t necessarily do much about that: as The Buried Editor points out, there is a lot that the editor does and very little the author can do during the acquisitions process.

So what’s my job? Write the best manuscript I can, and don’t worry about the odds. Write, learn, improve, write some more. Dream a little. Oh, and don’t give up. Hope springs eternal.

On synchronicity, and fish for breakfast

At the beach this morning, I watched a heron fishing for its breakfast. I watched for quite some time, amazed at the heron’s patience. He stood motionless, waiting… waiting…. Several times ducks and gulls disturbed the water near the heron, and I imagined him wanting to shush them – “be still! you’re scaring away the fish! – but he didn’t move. Even when a breakfast-sized fish jumped about six feet behind him, he didn’t flinch a feather. Occasionally he’d arch his neck forward to peer more closely into the water, then straighten up again and wait some more. Waiting, until the perfect moment, the moment that brought the right fish into the right place, and then… strike! (I expect the fish’s perspective would be that this was entirely the wrong place at the wrong time.)

All this reminded me of two things: first, a brief chat I recently had with a writing friend about synchronicity, about things coming together at the right time. We thought that perhaps this applies to stories, and I wonder if when it’s the right time for us to tell a certain story – and not before – the pieces will fall into place. (Depending on where you’re coming from spiritually, I imagine this idea of synchronicity may be interpreted as coincidence, luck, God’s timing, one’s stars aligning, et cetera.)

For me, forcing a story that’s not ready to be told – or that I’m not ready to tell – isn’t likely to meet with good results. I’ve been stuck at a point in one particular story that I really want to tell, and I’ve berated myself over my lack of progress on it. But I decided to cut myself some slack. Maybe it’s just not the right time for me to write this. Instead, I’m outlining a new project and spending time “refilling the creative well”, nurturing my spirit so that when the story demands to be written, I’ll be ready.

The second thing the heron brought to mind this morning was how painfully slow the publishing process can be, lol. So much waiting! And as we wait to hear back on critiques, queries, revisions, contracts, edits, and so on, it can be tempting to grow impatient or discouraged and give up before our breakfast swims by (if you’ll excuse the silly analogy), or to be jealous when someone else gets a bigger fish, or gets one more quickly, or to be frustrated when those blasted ducks splash about, disturbing the water and delaying, yet again, us getting what we want.

Maybe we should keep the whole synchronicity idea in mind during all the waiting, too. Things happen at the right time, and our job is to be ready to seize the opportunities when they come. Nurture our creativity; hone our craft; polish the stories we’ve already written so when we get a request, we can send it confidently; and when the pieces come together and the time is right for a new story, thank God / the universe / your lucky stars, open a Word document, and write!

What do you think about synchronicity as it applies to writing and waiting?

That’s entertainment

Last night DH, Son3, and I picked up a drink at Sbux and sat down by the marina to watch the boats coming and going. I love the smell of the marina – sea air and fish and creosote and boat gas. (Okay, listing it out like that doesn’t make it sound that appealing, but man, the combination is so awesome. Aromatherapy extraordinaire!)

Some massive yachts were moored there for the night — one called Reward, another At Ease – and we couldn’t help speculating on who might own such boats, and what it might be like to live on one (one had a sundeck that I’m sure was larger than the one on our house). (Gee, maybe I should write a story about a yacht-dweller… surely I’d have to go cruising — I mean, do research — right? )

The boats were interesting and all, but sea-life trumps boats any day. Minnows were jumping, or rather, they were flinging themselves well clear of the water in a hilarious display of bug-catching. I’ve no idea how they can propel themselves like that, but it was a fine show. We also saw an otter swim by, apparently unfazed by the power boats zipping past. I only caught a couple glimpses of the otter, but then, the coolest thing: a Great Blue Heron flew to the wharf and settled on the edge very near our vantage point. With slow, delicate movements, stepping carefully with his funny backward-bending knees and peering into the water, he stalked his dinner. Step. Step. Freeze…. Gotcha! He grabbed a fish in his bill, manoeuvred it into the right position, then swallowed it whole. Yummy. We watched a while longer as he poised on the edge of the wharf waiting for his second course to swim into range, but then a speedboat docked nearby, and the heron flew to another fishing spot out of our view.

The ferry had come and gone from the neighbouring island and was on its way back again by the time we were ready to go. On our way home, we stopped to pick up a movie, but IMHO, nothing in that video store could beat the entertainment value of an hour at the marina. It was a good evening.

Peace….

On mistakes, and courage

While I was out running this morning, I had an epiphany. I realized that everything I wrote yesterday was wrong. So today’s first order of business? Delete all of yesterday’s work. Did it bother me? Nope. Because I figure all the words and scenes (and entire novels) that I toss fall into the “live and learn” category. You could call them mistakes, but you could also call them learning experiences. All the writing I do helps make me a better writer. (Didn’t someone say we writers have to write a million words of crap before we can hope to write anything good?)

Man, it totally sounds like I’m trying to make myself feel better about scrapping all I accomplished yesterday! But I’m serious. I think sometimes I have to try on a lot of “wrongs” to find what’s right, so tossing a day’s work  just means I’m that much closer to having this chapter right. Right? I mean, if I know what’s not working, don’t I have a better chance of figuring out what will work?

I think it’s okay to try, and fail, and try again…. In writing, sure, but also in pretty much everything else. Except maybe sky-diving; it’s probably best to get that right the first time. But in most stuff, there’s just so much to learn in the trying, and even in the failing. And after the learning, we gather up our courage and try again, and maybe we get it right.

Courage does not always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day
saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”
– Mary Anne Radmacher

So. Getting back to writing…. What am I trying to say? Write. Revise. Repeat. Take courage; don’t give up; and try, try again. Which I’m off to do right now.

Peace….

20 Questions YA Author Interview: Lisa Schroeder

This month, I’m delighted to welcome Lisa Schroeder to my blog.

Lisa is a native Oregonian, which means her childhood summers were spent camping, fishing, reading books (of course!), and playing in the sun, when it finally came out. These days, Lisa spends her summers, and every other part of the year, sharing all the wonderful things Oregon has to offer with her husband and two sons. She is the author of two verse novels for young adults, both published by Simon Pulse – I Heart You, You Haunt Me and Far From You.

And now, 20 Questions for Lisa!

1. Morning person or night owl?
110% morning person. I turn into a pumpkin after 10 pm.

2. Outliner or pantser?
Mostly panster with a little outlining sprinkled in as needed.

3. Rejection letters – save ‘em or toss ‘em?
I’ve saved many of them. I have a fat file to show kids if I ever do school visits.

4. What’s the best thing a reader ever said to you?
All the letters I’ve received from readers touch me. But the one that stands out in my mind went something like – “My boyfriend died while we were dating – just 17. Your book made me feel a lot less alone in the world.”

5. What was the last song you had stuck in your head?
Sweet Thing by Keith Urban – “The moon is high and the night is young, come on and meet me.”

6. What was the last movie you watched?
Seven Pounds with Will Smith

7. What was the last book you read and loved?
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen.

8. What’s your all-time favourite story?
BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE by Kate DiCamillo [Oh, I love that book, Lisa! Kate is such a wonderful storyteller.]

9. Any nicknames we might come across if we delved into your past?
I can’t think of any!

10. Any phobias you’re willing to admit to?
I’m terribly afraid of heights. When we went to the Space Needle, I didn’t even want to go outside on the deck.

11. What’s the most unusual job you’ve ever had?
I picked strawberries the summer of my sophomore year in high school. The deal was my grandparents would match whatever I made, so I could buy a purebred cocker spaniel. His name was Lucky and he became the love of my life.

12. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
Written a novel in verse. And then another one. And then another one after that!

13. What’s one thing that really bugs you?
Laziness.

14. What’s one thing you’re really proud of?
My kids.

15. What’s the last thing you Googled?
Your blog, so I could read other interviews.

16. Where’s the farthest place from home you’ve travelled?
Orlando, Florida

17. What’s your idea of a perfect vacation?
Anywhere where I wake up in the morning and the only goal is to have fun for the WHOLE ENTIRE DAY!

18. What’s your favourite sports team?
Since I know QB Aaron Rodger’s family, I’m going to have to say the Green Bay Packers.

19. What’s up next for you writing-wise?
I have three books coming out in 2010 – a picture book called LITTLE CHIMP’S BIG DAY, a mid-grade novel called IT’S RAINING CUPCAKES, and a third novel-in-verse with Simon Pulse called CHASING BROOKLYN. Wheeeee – I can’t wait!

20. What’s your favourite piece of advice for writers?
Read a lot and write a lot. Play. Have fun. Try new things. Focus on craft. Find your strengths and write to those strengths.

Great advice, Lisa. Thanks so much for being here!

Thanks, Shari, for having me here! It was fun!!

Fake Saturdays and brain freeze

It’s a very Saturdayish Monday. The kids are off school for Spring Break, and I’m not working today, either. The sun is shining (spring! yay!). I slept late, went for a run, baked muffins, and am now in the midst of beta-reading a friend’s work. Very Saturdayish indeed. That’s the best kind of Monday, don’t you think?

::takes Son3 and friend out to 7-Eleven for Slurpees::

Okay, I’m back. Apparently to ten year olds, sun + above zero temperature = Slurpee weather. Now they’re both happily sucking back some sick combination of frozen creme soda, orange, and cola. (Yes, they layered their Slurpees. Ick.) I’m happy with my non-slushified Diet Coke because I’m one of those people who gets nasty brain freeze really easily.

That reminds me of what was probably the worst case of brain freeze in history…. Back in my “youth leader” days, one of the girls in my fabulous and oh-so-mature bunch of teens decided to snort Slurpee in through her nose. Priceless. Er, I mean, ::puts on mature adult voice:: not at all recommended, do not try this at home. Anyway, I wish I had it on video for you, but alas, no. Instead, here’s a brain freeze skit from Uphill Both Ways:

Wishing you all a good Saturdayish Monday.

Peace….

20 Questions YA Author Interview: J. E. MacLeod

It’s snowing here on the West Coast. On April first. But while Mother Nature tries to get the last laugh, I’m warm and dry inside getting ready for my next 20 Questions interview. I’m very happy to be welcoming debut author and fellow Canuck J.E. MacLeod to my blog this month! We won’t let a little snow get in the way of our interview, being tough Canadians and all (doing the interview in the comfort of our own living rooms while wearing fuzzy slippers is also a plus).

J.E.’s debut YA novel, Waiting to Score (WestSide Books), is now available!

And now, 20 Questions for J.E….

1. Morning person or night owl?
Morning. I go to bed early!

2. Outliner or pantser?
Panster.

3. Rejection letters – save ‘em or toss ‘em?
Both.

4. What’s the best thing a reader ever said to you?
“Waiting to Score is probably one of the most entertaining young adult novels of this decade.”  What’s not to like about that, right?

5. What was the last song you had stuck in your head?
I Kissed a Girl [In case anyone else wants it stuck in their head.... here's a link!]

6. What was the last movie you watched?
Race to Witch Mountain

7. What was the last book you read and loved?
Breathing, by Cheryl Renee Herbsman

8. What’s your all-time favourite story?
A Wrinkle In Time. My Grade Six teacher made this book come ALIVE for me. [Yay teachers!]

9. Any nicknames we might come across if we delved into your past?
Poor Wee Jannie.

10. Any phobias you’re willing to admit to?
Bridges. It probably has an official name but I don’t know it. [J.E., you're totally not alone on this one -- check out this NYT article I found!]

11. What’s the most unusual job you’ve ever had?
I was an MC for Male Strippers when I was 19 — I was a DJ at a bar and we had a Girls Night Out. [Okay, there's no way I'm posting a YouTube video for this one.... ]

12. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
Brought a baby home from the hospital. I was terrified.

13. What’s one thing that really bugs you?
Pessimism

14. What’s one thing you’re really proud of?
My son.

15. What’s the last thing you Googled?
When do puppies stop teething?

16. Where’s the farthest place from home you’ve travelled?
Scotland

17. What’s your idea of a perfect vacation?
Beach. Hot weather. Book. Ocean.

18. What’s your favourite sports team?
The Winnipeg Jets. Even though they don’t exist anymore.

19. What’s up next for you writing-wise?
I’m working on a new YA. As usual.

20. What’s your favourite piece of advice for writers?
Revise.

Thanks so much, J.E. — it was great having you here. Congrats again on Waiting to Score!

20 Questions YA Author Interview: Keri Mikulski

It’s time for another 20 Questions YA Author Interview! This month, I’m happy to welcome Keri Mikulski to my blog. Keri is the author of the teen sporty series, SCREWBALL (Blitz Publishing Inc., 2008). CHANGE UP, Book 2 in the series, will be out this spring.

Welcome, Keri!

Thanks, Shari, for having me!

Let’s jump right in with 20 Questions for Keri:

1. Morning person or night owl?
Morning person, but I always wanted to be a night owl.

2. Outliner or pantser?
Definitely a panster.

3. Rejection letters – save ‘em or toss ‘em?
Save some, toss some. Depends on my mood. Happy – save. Sad – toss.

4. What’s the best thing a reader ever said to you?
It’s a tie – “Your book was so real. You get what it’s like to be a teen.” & “Thanks for writing books for girls who love sports, like my daughter.”

5. What was the last song you had stuck in your head?
“We’re Knights, That’s Right” by: The Backyardigans

6. What was the last movie you watched?
“Sex and the City: The Movie”

7. What was the last book you read and loved?
I recently re-read Alyson Noel’s “Saving Zoe”.

8. What’s your all-time favorite story?
Tough one. I don’t think I can choose just one. Honestly, I’m really into “One Tree Hill” at the moment and I think the storylines and writing are amazing. “Where is My Mother?” is my fave childhood story. And “The Ring” is my fave romance. I can’t pick a fave YA – way too many.

9. Any nicknames we might come across if we delved into your past?
Bucky (from the Yankees shortstop Bucky Dent) and Boo Boo (from Yogi) – both from my dad.

10. Any phobias you’re willing to admit to?
Snakes, planes, and spiders.

11. What’s the most unusual job you’ve ever had?
Youth Basketball Referee – The parents were harsh.

12. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
Write a novel.

13. What’s one thing that really bugs you?
Selfishness.

14. What’s one thing you’re really proud of?
My daughter.

15. What’s the last thing you Googled?
A former professor’s name to locate her new email address.

16. Where’s the farthest place from home you’ve traveled?
Texas.

17. What’s your idea of a perfect vacation?
A beach destination with a book, nice bag, and my family.

18. What’s your favorite sports team?
Tie between the Yankees and the USA Softball team.

19. What’s up next for you writing-wise?
Book 2 of the SCREWBALL series, CHANGE UP, drops this spring. In the meantime, I’m working on book three and another non-sporty high concept YA novel.

20. What’s your favorite piece of advice for writers?
Write what you love.

Keri, thanks so much for being here! Good luck with CHANGE UP and your new projects!

Friday Five: Adventures in surfing

I may occasionally be guilty of spending too much time online. (Okay, those of you who really know me will have just snorted your coffee out your nose.) Fine. I spend too much time online every day. But there’s just so much cool stuff out in cyberspace! Here’s a “Friday Five” of things I’ve discovered whilst surfing online this week:

1. Cutest-ever promo for breast cancer research:
2. Photos of everywhere.
3. A very odd book which looks both disturbing and delightful:
4. Time passing.
5. Book art:

See what I mean? Cool stuff.  But now I’m going off-line so I can get some work done. Ah, but my work will be so much cooler now that I’ve received all manner of inspiration input.

Peace….