The article posits that today's YA doesn't offer strong, smart female characters: "It's rare to find a best seller with a strong heroine anymore, in large part because, although girls will read books about boys, boys won't go near a girl's book, no matter how cool she is." They also weren't big fans of Twilight's Bella.
"That's bull," I told my husband, waving the Newsweek over the salmon I was half-heartedly cooking last night. "There are plenty of YA books with strong, independent, smart girl main characters. Like... like...." And in all my swizzle and swirl, I found myself coming up short. And I realized that maybe of the reason I read so many BOY main character YAs is because the boys get to be smart, and action heroes, and funny, and get the girl. You don't see quite so much of that with girls. I'm feeling more than a little guilty about having another boy MC in CANDOR...
Is it true? If my next book features a smart, strong girl, is it going to be a harder sell, both to publishers and to my readers?
But there have to be plenty of YAs out there with smart strong girls. Great and Terrible Beauty. Dreamquake. Life as We Knew It. The Earth, My Butt, And Other Round Things. Help me out! Give me your favorites!
- Mood:
distressed - Music:Pendulum Swingers by the Indigo Girls
Today I signed up for Holly Lisle's "How to Think Sideways: Career Survival School for Writers" on-line course.
As you may remember, I'm a big fan of Holly's writing advice site, and her tips got me through my last CANDOR revision. Holly is a full-time writer who worked her way into that career slowly and steadily, so I value her advice. She also has a way of teaching that gets my butt in the chair and fingers typing.
The course lasts for 6 months, with new lessons each week (so, a total of 24 lessons) Some of the weeks I'm particularly itching for are:
--How To Generate Ideas on a Deadline
--How To NOT Be A One-Book Wonder--Learn To Produce Repeatable Results
--How To Plan Your Project While NOT Killing Your Story
At $47/month it's expensive enough to be a commitment, but cheap enough to be justifiable. Besides, it's tax deductible!
If anyone else is signing up, let me know if you'd like to form a kidlit working group inside the course. I'd love to have some buddies to do it with.
- Mood:studious
"Our old label dropped us," Amy said. "It was awesome."
She didn't say it ironically. It was more like: gee, we could have won the lottery but something better happened! The people bringing our art to the public decided to wash their hands of us. Yippee!
Can you imagine an author saying that?
"I've got ten titles with Big Name Publisher X," they'd say. "Thank God that's over. Two decades of hell. I'm self-publishing from here on out. Screw the big publishers."
Say what you will about self publishing. But if someone's gone the route of conventional publishing and done very well with it, I can't imagine they'd be thrilled to get traded to the other team.
But this is something you see with big names in music, sometimes. They talk about artistic freedom, lowering the cost of music for their fans, and being done with "the suits".
I thought maybe this had to do with volume: that far fewer albums are released per year than books. If that was the case, maybe it would be easier not to "get lost" if you go indie, on the music side. But it's the opposite. A quick (and possibly inaccurate!) Google search says that about 39,000 albums are released each year vs. less than 15,000 "literature" books in the US. Seems to me that musicians have to fight just as hard as self-pubbed authors to get their art out there.
What do you think? Any chance that future big authors will "go indie"? Perhaps as digital book distribution gets easier AND more common, this will start to happen. Or perhaps the two industries are just very different beasts.
- Mood:
curious - Music:Despite our Differences by the Indigo Girls
Just saw my PM listing for the sale. Whee! Here it is:
Pam Bachorz's CANDOR, set in a perfect, planned community where all the residents are kept under control by subliminal messages and the one boy who knows the truth, to Regina Griffin at Egmont, in a very nice deal, for two books, by Elana Roth at Firebrand Literary (NA).
Astounding exciting gratifying news. My lovely and amazing agent, Elana Roth at Firebrand Literary, has sold CANDOR to Regina Griffin at Egmont USA. It's a two-book deal and CANDOR will hopefully be on the debut Fall 2009 list.
CANDOR, a dystopian YA, will be my first pubbed novel. It is the third novel I wrote (and the other two shall stay forever dustbinned).
For those who like the gory details on the sale:
It all started with bad luck. I grabbed my toothbrush late one Thursday night--but it fell, and landed on my hand mirror. The glass shattered. Curse you, heavy Sonicare. I looked at the clock.
12:05 AM. It was officially Friday the 13th.
To satisfy both my Irish and Gypsy ancestors, I immediately walked counter-clockwise three times. Just for safety's sake, I threw in a tribute to my husband's grandmother Bea and muttered "poo poo poo bad luck" the whole time (her answer to any bad luck or bad thought). I know it sounds crazy. But a girl has to cover her bases. And give me some credit for not dashing downstairs to get salt.
Still, I was nervous. "That's it," I told my husband. "Seven years of bad luck. Or maybe more, since it's Friday the 13th."
That afternoon, Elana called. Egmont loves the book, she said. They want to publish it. She didn't have any other details--they would need a few more days to negotiate--but she wanted me to know. "You're going to be a published author," she said.
I spent the next week in frothy, delirious denial. Was it real? Had CANDOR really found a home? Today I got the go-ahead from Elana: I can tell the world.
So, world, here it is: CANDOR is on its way to being flesh and bone (or, paper and binding)! The next step will be receiving edits from Regina, and then I'll be aiming to get the final edited manuscript to her by September. Summer promises to be busy.
Maybe Friday the 13th is now my lucky day. My sister says it figures. I never do things the normal way.
At the risk of sounding all Sally Fields, I want to thank everyone who ever encouraged me, or read some/all of CANDOR. My journey to this point proves that critique groups, SCBWI conferences, family support, and good writing friends make a huge, huge difference. As does a fabulous agent! I wouldn't have gotten to this point without all of them.
- Mood:
ecstatic - Music:Yellow by Coldplay
Happily, Design Star just started a new season and Project Runway should start some time in July--so I will get my fix of creative people having public meltdowns because there's only one yard of midnight-blue satin, dammit!
Until someone figures out how to make a reality show about writing, I will just have to get my creative vibes off chefs, designers and decorators. And not be ashamed. Well, mostly.
Just don't look at the rest of my PVR list. Except for all those John Adams episodes I haven't watched. They make the rest of the list feel a little more cultured.
- Mood: rejuvenated
So I'm trying something new, and slightly insane: interviewing my main character for one of the projects, LOST AND FOUND. This is facilitated by my husband being out of town and having a fresh bottle of Macaroni Grill chianti (I am nothing but classy!)--so I don't feel strange sitting on the couch, fixing my stare on an empty chunk of air and saying, "So, Vale, tell me about the worst birthday you ever had." If I'm quiet, she answers. I write it down. And then I ask another question.
I got the idea from a cool book, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors, by Brandilyn Collins. It applies the principles of method acting to creating characters. So far this is just the first "secret", so I'll be curious to try the other six.
At first I felt pretty stupid, but I've learned a lot of useful, interesting things about my MC. It will be much easier to create a plot for someone I know so intimately, rather than learning about her as I write (although I'm sure new discoveries will pop up along the way too).
- Mood:industrious
Authors, watch this because it will make you laugh. And scare you. And make you think some more about how to promote your book.
Then go buy Dennis Cass' book, because doesn't he deserve it? I mean, didn't he make you laugh out loud? I thought so.
Thanks to Cinda Williams Chima for the link.
- Mood: nervous
That doesn't count time actually spent creating her art. That's just prep time.
Imagine if we took 3 hours each day to perfect our tools. Reading books about writing. Doing free writing or writing exercises. Reading excellent works. Just prepping. Not creating. Heck, I'll admit that most days my own "workout" is reading other authors' fiction.
Do you spend time "working out" as a writer? What are your favorite ways to perfect your writing skills?
- Mood:
contemplative
Bit o' Lit is taking submissions--but they do charge at a rate of $150/page (only upon publication). Given the circulation and audience, perhaps it's worth it for some YA authors out there. They have all the submission info on their website, where excerpts can also be read.
You can also fill out a survey on their website, indicating what kind of literature you like to read. And yes, "teen" is one of the choices!
The printed booklet includes a calendar of "Book News", listing upcoming signings at DC-area bookstores. Perhaps another promotional opportunity for my fellow Washingtonian authors.
- Mood: intrigued
Check out this excellent article about YA fiction in the online edition of NEWSWEEK. Makes a YA writer feel all proud and determined.
It was also refreshing to read Sarah Dessen's comment, in the article, about having an 8-month old baby and not yet working on her follow-up to her brand-new book, Lock & Key. I found it very hard to get into the writing groove after having my son, and I remember another writer telling me to expect to write "one year of crap you'll never publish". She wasn't far off. So Sarah--- just chill for another 4 months or so!
Apologies if this link has been all over the blogosphere--I haven't seen the link posted yet but I'm behind on my reading! Tnx to Annette Curtis Klause for posting this on a listserv I subscribe to.
- Mood: pleased
Non-writing friends who ask about my writing get major gold stars in my book. Seriously, friends, if you ask about my writing every once and awhile, I'll wash your car and watch your kids every weekend.
Maybe it matters so much because it doesn't happen all that often. I have many perfectly wonderful friends who never stop to ask how my writing is going. Maybe they worry I won't want to talk about it. Maybe they feel like they have nothing to contribute to the conversation because they don't write (neither of those things are true). Or maybe--and most likely--they kind of forget to ask, because our relationship isn't based around that part of my life.
And then I don't help things by not volunteering any info about how it's going. I feel like if they don't ask, they don't care. Yeah, I know, it's a little nuts to think that way.
I was thinking about this today because I had lunch w/ a girlfriend I haven't seen for a few months--someone who's not part of my writing community. Still, we talked about my writing at length--not just me blabbering on but her asking questions. It was so cool that she was interested. And she reminded me of a story idea I'd been talking about years ago--and had completely forgotten. A good one too!
The lesson here for me, I suppose, is to remember to ask my friends about all those "curtained" or "different" parts of their life--like, hey, how's that off-road mud trucking going (OK, bad example, I don't know anyone who does anything like that... but you know what I mean!).
And you know, I could just talk about my writing more without being asked!
- Mood: contemplative
But there's absolutely no breeze. My sail hangs empty above me. No matter which way I twist the rudder, the boat simply bobs. And waits. As I nibble on a brandy-soaked orange slice, I ponder where I'll go next. To the land of the historical urban fantasy? Or maybe a suspense YA. I see the mysterious land of satire behind me, too. There are lots of ideas, hazy lands half-charted on the map. But the boat's true captain--my creativity--isn't talking yet. She is missing. Maybe she went scuba-diving, or maybe she's below decks, wondering who ate all of the Trader Joe's truffle brownies.
I will just tilt my head back to soak in the sun, and try not to rush her. She'll show soon enough, full of energy (if she found more brownies) and crazy ideas. Maybe she's even souped up this boat to outrun that inner critic who usually appears in her cigarette boat, Uzi in hand, about three chapters in...
Until then, until all of it, I float.
- Mood:dreamy
- Music:Wishing, Waiting by Jack Johnson
I leave recharged and with stars in my eyes from the amazing people who speak at, and attend, the conferences. How amazing to hear Richard Peck, Paula Danziger, Susan Patron, Libba Bray, and Lisa Yee speak (and that's just a FEW of the wonderful authors I've heard at conferences). My mother always comments on how "bouncy" I am afterwards! (I think I am making conferences sound like a dryer sheet now... soften your clothes with just one application of Lisa Yee!).
Conferences are also a great way to get a feel for certain agents and editors. You'll never see them all, of course, no matter how many conferences you go to. But editors and agents end to stay in our field for a long time, so after enough conferences, you'll get a good sampling of the industry.
If you haven't been, and you're writing or illustrating books for kids and teens---come on, now. Go find a good one and try it out! At a minimum there will probably be cookies. Isn't that incentive enough to try anything?
If you have been--to SCBWI conferences or others--what are your favorites? Leave a comment and let me know. I'm always looking for a new one to try.
I think my overall favorite is the SCBWI Florida Mid-Year workshop, which has small sessions split by speciality and offers lots of hands-on opportunities to improve your craft. It's the first weekend in June and they're still taking registrations! I'm sorry I'll be missing it, but my sister's wild (read: nice girls mixing mild margaritas and shopping in Williamstown) bachelorette weekend conflicts. Next year, Florida!
- Mood:
bouncy
When I launched into my last major revision, I had a revelation. I don't know how to revise. I can write. And rewrite. And trash the rewrite only to start over. That, I'd been doing for a long time. But revise, start-to-finish, then move forward? I hadn't really gotten the hang of it.
How about that, I thought. I haven't been rewriting my novel because it stinks. I've been rewriting because I don't know what to do next.
I was lost. Who was going to teach me about revision? And fast, because I was in the mood to FIX and be DONE?
A lovely writer friend told me about Holly Lisle's website. Holly is a full-time writer of adult SF, fantasy and suspense (though it looks like she's wading into the MG waters soon). She also has an impressive set of tips and articles about writing on her site. You can buy her books about writing, too, and subscribe to her free e-mail newsletter (Holly is also worth studying for self-marketing!). In all her tips, Holly doles out a fair amount of tough love, along with practical advice and encouragement.
In my mind, Holly has become my writing bootcamp instructor. Holly does not take crap. There are no excuses, no half-done jobs. You get it done and move on. In particular her One-Pass Revision workshop is what finally got CANDOR out the door.
And then when my agent asked for a synopsis, I realized that I had already written one, as a part of Holly's revision method. Talk about a major bonus!
Everyone responds to different techniques, of course. But for me, Holly worked the trick for revision.
- Mood: grateful
I was lucky enough to meet with my agent on Friday. It's always great to talk face-to-face with the people you usually work with remotely. We chatted about the submission plan for CANDOR (headed out this week! cross your fingers!), career plans and next projects, and I popped into the office for a little tour. Everyone was friendly, professional and had a smart gleam in their eye.
It was one of those times when I had to remind myself to slow down and savor. I've worked hard on this project, on growing as a writer, and on developing my career. And we recently made a big life change by moving closer to NY (one of the attractions being quick trips like this). Friday was a nice pay-off day, when I got to enjoy the outcome of all that work and the changes. If it hadn't been gusty and rainy out, I probably would have paused at a street corner to toss a hat (if I had one) into the hair, all Mary Ricards-like.
Then I got to bring home home-made Italian cookies on Saturday (from my sister's wedding shower in Jersey!). All in all, I'd say that makes for a pretty great 30 hours in NY!
- Mood:energized
What finally got me off my pouting "how will I ever figure out how to do this" chair was a picture book. My three-year-old picked it out from the library. Please forgive me, author, I don't remember the title or your name. Basically it was something like Trains. Or, All About Trains. Each picture showed a train doing something different. I can't say it was as exciting as Leonardo The Terrible Monster or The Pigeon Wants a Puppy (can you tell we have a Mo obsession in our house?). But he liked the trains so I read with half a brain. Anyway, my son stopped me on the picture of a train going through a tunnel.
"Why do trains go through tunnels, Mommy?" he asked.
"Because they have to," said I.
(insert five iterations of "But why?" and "Because")
And then I wised up and said, "Trains go through tunnels because it's the only way they can get to the station."
And ah! A light bulb went on in my head. My son, who is learning Patience With The Household Artiste from my husband, stared while I babbled on about revisions and tunnels and making the train go faster.
So here's the revelation that got me working productively and without (much) moaning. Revisions are tunnels. They're dark and often you don't know how long they'll last. Depending on the tunnel, there could be bats, floods or fire. But here's the thing: you are ON TRACK. Just keep moving through the tunnel. It's your choice, of course, if you wish to linger in the tunnel. If you hop off the train and head out to have a Grey's Anatomy marathon, just know the train won't go anywhere. It will wait, in the tunnel, where you left it. And the only way to be done--to get to the lovely station named DONE FOR CHRISSAKE--is to move the train through the tunnel.
An engineer's hat and a gold star to all who made it through my metaphor! Hey, it works for me. That and Edy's Loaded, Peanut-Butter Cup flavored (how is it that it's only 140 calories per serving? Are they, like, tablespoons?)
- Mood: revelatory
- Music:Mystery Train by Elvis Presley
Rebecca has consented to be my first-ever interviewee (below). She's given me all the scoop about herself, her story and what it's like to be a winner of the contest. If you have other questions for Rebecca, post a comment and she can write back as time allows.
Give me your query-letter spiel about your writing career.
My publishing credits include TRIA AND THE GREAT STAR RESCUE (Delacorte), “Little Miss Perfect and Me” in THE KINGFISHER BOOK OF HORSE AND PONY STORIES (Kingfisher), and stories, poems, and puzzles in Ladybug, Cricket, and other magazines. I am a children’s librarian and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Tell me about your winning story!
The story falls into the younger reader/under 500 words category. It's about what happens when Mr. Moon orders a rowboat and receives a robot instead.
How did you find out that you won?
I received a phone call at 8:59 a.m. on April 30. I was in the middle of trying to open a Band-aid and had it dangling from one finger the whole time I talked to Marileta Robinson.
What did Highlights like about your story?
From notes that I scribbled while we talked: clever word play, logic and consistency, humor, the ending that brought home all those things, and the illustration possibilities.
Have you entered Highlights contests before?
Yes. Never won, never had any stories bought. I wasn't going to enter this time either, but the theme (stories set in the future) was perfect for me since I love science fiction
How long did it take you to write and edit the story, soup-to-nuts?
Usually I take forever (like years) to write something. But I woke up one morning with the idea and wrote the story in a few hours. I took the rest of the week to edit it and sent it in.
What will you do with your winnings? Trip to vegas? Lifetime supply of chocolate chips? A brand-new Frigidaire?
The lifetime supply of chocolate chips is tempting! I ought to use the money for house repairs, but I'm going to try to invest it in my writing through a workshop, class, etc.
When will your story appear?
I don't know yet. I did notice that one of last year's winning stories was published recently. The other two aren't out yet. So I expect it'll be at least a year.
Any advice for future entrants to the contest?
Enter. What do you have to lose?
I read lots and lots of Highlights stories to get an idea of the structure and pacing. You soon learn what a Highlights story should 'feel' like. Also, Marileta said that many stories fall short with the endings. Make sure the end is just as good as the rest of your story.
And let's not forget Rebecca's writing mascot and good-luck charm (I am a little biased in my love, since I found the little guy on Etsy and sent him the day I read her story!)
by Dogbone Art
Profile
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
pambachorz- pambachorz
Syndicate
