Paying it Forward and Friday Fives

Here are the blogs you should follow.

Sarah- Glissades and Gabble

Alicia- Slice of the Blog Pie

Molly Greene- Worth Becoming

Check out the list of participants here or here



 Paper Hangover asks the question- What are you five favorite childhood books.

1. The Monster at the End of This Book


2. Are You My Mother?


3. Little House on the Prairie


4. Nancy Drew



5. The Babysitter's Club

Mixing it up

I'm not doing a Theater Thursday post today.

That's because tomorrow I'm participating in the Pay it Forward Blogfest hosted by Matthew and Alex.

What do you do?

1. Sign up.
2. Talk about 3 blogs you follow and why other people should follow them.
3.  Check out the other blogs on the list.

So go sign up because they are almost at 200 participants and come back tomorrow to see my three choices.

RTW- #100, The Journey

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on our own blogs.
What has your writing road trip looked like so far? Excitement? Traffic Jams and detours? Where are you going next?


My journey feels like the turtle of the turtle and the hare story.  
I've written and some part of me has wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember.  Once I graduated college I was working away at being an adult and felt the pull to write again.  
I wrote.  I got rejected.  I gave up.  
During this time good things happened for me writing-wise.  I won honorable mention in a local poetry competition.  
But somehow I didn't think I was a good writer.  I thought I needed the perfect day job that would allow me to work during the day then come home and write.  I didn't get that job but I learned to love the job I had and realize why it was the perfect job for me as a writer.  But for a while I was disappointed and I didn't write.
But the whole writing thing wouldn't leave me alone.  
I was running one day and I heard the lyrics to a song on my iPod and I knew that I needed to pursue my dream of being a writer no matter what.
I came back to the page.  This time I was more serious.  This time I wasn't willing to quit.


My pace has been slow and steady.  Partially due to a car accident and then a health issue consuming a year of my life.  But now that things are better my progress is faster which is good.


I hope to someday be a published author.  That would be amazing.  If I never become published, I'll still write.

Minnesota Monday- Paul and Babe

I'm not sure if you know this but Minnesota is one of the states that claim to be home to Paul Bunyan.

I knew of Paul Bunyan from my childhood visits to The Enchanted Forest Waterpark in The Adirondaks so I was happy to find that Minnesota also has some Paul Bunyan stories

Above is Adirondack Paul and Bemidji Paul and Babe.

In Minnesota, Paul Bunyan is responsible with creating the 10,000 lakes with his footprints.

Today I went to a new coffee shop in my neighborhood named Blue Ox Coffee Company and the tea was so amazing and the atmosphere so nice that I will definitely be back for writing.
I drink tea so how a coffee shop does tea is important to me.  The Blue Ox isn't messing around when it comes to tea.  This was the most amazing cup of tea ever.  So good in fact that I decided I needed to write about Paul and Babe just so I could talk about this place.

The shop has a few Paul and Babe things including a book of Paul Bunyan tales.

One of my favorite books about Paul Bunyan is Paul Bunyan's Sweetheart by Marybeth Lorbiecki.  There's also a statue of Lucette in Hackensack, MN



What's your favorite Paul Bunyan story?

HP Quilt- Bertie Bott's and Chocolate Frogs

The next square for my quilt, Honeyduke's candy store.  Enjoy.

Friday Fives- Inspiration

Paper Hangover asks the question What are the five ways you find writing inspirations?

1. An Old Friend from Far Away by Natalie Goldberg.  I love this book full of prompts for writing memoirs.  Writing for 10 minutes about ice cream, sounds or my hopes and dreams really gets me in a place to write.

2. Books.  I love reading.  I dream of the day I'll someday be holding my own book in my hands.  Reading books inspires me to want to write them.

3. Work.  I love working in theater.  Being around people pursuing their dreams of being on stage inspires me to write.

4. Walking.  I'm blessed to live near a beautiful park in a wonderful neighborhood.  Some of my best ideas come to me while I'm taking a walk.  When I'm stuck on a story I go for a walk while I figure it out.

5. Vacations.  I don't take nearly enough vacations but whenever I get a chance to get away I always feel refreshed and recharged and inspired to write.

Theater Thursday- Dressing the Part

Do you watch Glee?  As I was watching the I am Unicorn episode I noticed that when the kids were auditioning for West Side Story they were each dressed in a costume for their part.  Rachel wasn't wearing her typical skirt and knee highs, she was dressed in a Maria dress and Blaine was dressed in a Tony outfit with the cuffed jeans and polo shirt.  They totally look the part.



So,  here's a secret.  I know actors who do this.  OK, maybe not to this extent but I know people who wear the perfect 40's style dress if they are auditioning for a show set in the 40's. They do this to make them stick out in the director's mind.  They want the director to be able to see them in that part.

As writers when we submit our work we are auditioning for the role of "published author" so it is important to look our best.

1.  Submit your best work. Write, revise, repeat until it is the best.  If you get a stack of rejections repeat the revise step.

2. Follow the rules.  Stick with the guidelines posted by the agent or publisher.  Actors have to follow rules for auditions.  They have to audition on a certain day and they have to prepare audition pieces that fit the show they are auditioning for.  Someone not following the rules probably isn't going to get the part.  Same with writing.

3. Have an awesome query or cover letter.  In your query or cover letter show that you are familiar with the editor, publisher, or agent you are contacting.

4. If you are contacting by email make sure your email is professional.  Make sure your email address, font, and signature are all professional.  If you send something from your email account, blutterfly77@_____.com an editor or agent might have a hard time remembering you.  Be aware of your signatures.  Bible verses, jokes, inspiring quotes are great for friends and relatives but not necessarily professional unless those are the kinds of publishers you are submitting to.

What other tips do you have for getting the landing the coveted role of "published author"?

RTW- Supporting stars

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered.  This weeks questions

What supporting character from a YA book would you most like to see star in their own novel?

Dumbledore

I know we learned a little about some of his adventures in the Harry Potter books but I'd still love to see more of Albus Dumbledore's adventures.  

Ethan from the Dreaming Anastasia series by Joy Preble.  OK so Ethan is part of this Brotherhood that has was supposed to protect Anastasia.  He's like 100 years old.  He has blue eyes and he isn't cold like Edward.  I want to know more about his adventures protecting Anastasia all these years.  

Minnesota Monday- Julia Gillian

The other day while riding my bike on the Greenway I saw a little group of preschoolers working in their community garden space and I was immediately reminded of the Julia Gillian series by Alison McGhee.


This is a great series for middle grade readers.  Julia is in fourth grade when the series starts and in sixth grade in the most recent book.

Julia is a wonderful character.  She keeps a list of things she is skilled at and she tries to add to that list.  She is a dog person.  She is independent.  Overall she is a believable character and her problems seem relatable.

The books are set in the Uptown area of Minneapolis.  In the book she visits places like Bryant Hardware (I pay more attention to the window display since reading these books). She goes to dinner with her family at Quang Restaurant.  She even sees preschoolers taking care of a community garden on her walks with her dog, Bigfoot.  She remembers a time when she was a preschooler taking care the community garden.  It is no surprise that seeing these kids working in their community garden made me think of the Julia Gillian books.  I would not have been surprised see Julia and Bigfoot at the dog park when I pedaled past.  

The drawings in this book are really fun also.  One of my favorites is of Julia in her Minnesota Twins jersey.

Check these books out.  You won't be disappointed.

Have you been reminded of a book because of a location?





  

HP Quilt- Whomping Willow

The Whomping Willow, complete with a car and tiny quilted versions of Harry and Ron.  

Friday Fives- Banned Book Week

Paper Hangover asks the question What are you five favorite banned books?

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  This is one of my favorite books.  I read it once a year.


2. The Awakening by Kate Chopin.  I read this book in high school and I liked it.  I read it again in college and I loved it.


3. The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler.  I love the character Virginia and her struggles with her weight and growing up are realistic and relatable.


4. Are You There God?  It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume.  I love how Margaret deals with the question of religion in her life.  I also love her struggles as she grows up.


5. The Giver by Lois Lowry  This is another one of my favorites.  I've read this one several times and I now I think I may need to read it again. I read a story about how caring for her aging parents inspired this book.  Listen to the stories your grandparents and parents tell.


What are your favorite "banned" books?
Find a list of frequently challenged books here and celebrate your right to read what you want

Theater Thursdays- Dialogue

Last week I talked about a panel/reading I attended at The Loft with David Levithan and Brian Farrey.  It is now available to listen to online here.

Dialogue

I've worked in theater for many years and one of the things all that time listening to plays, watching plays and reading plays has taught me is how to write dialogue.

In plays dialogue is important and it moves the story forward.
"Hey"
"Hey"
"How are you?"
"Good, and you?"
"Good."
This is the kind of small talk dialogue you don't see in plays a lot unless there are character who don't know each other and so are maybe trying to fill the space with small talk.  Make your dialogue count.  Make it tell the story.

Dialogue isn't just about speaking it is also about listening.  On stage actors listen to each other, they react to what is being said.  Make your characters on the page react to what is being said.

Break up dialogue with action.  Sometimes it is easy to get into writing dialogue and allow your character to become talking heads.  When you watch a play actors have actions along with those words.  They pour a drink, they look in their purse for breath mints, they fidget with their jewelry.  When you have long passages of dialogue try to break it up with descriptions of what other business your characters are doing.

It's also cool to see how sets and costumes can help people understand dialogue better.  Think of a Shakespeare play staged using modern dress and settings to make it more accessible.  How would the dialogue in your story play out in a crowded cafeteria versus an almost empty classroom?

You don't have to dedicate yourself to a life in theater in order to improve your dialogue writing skills but seeing more plays can only help your writing.  If you follow things like The Artist's Way consider a night at the theater an artist date.

What is your favorite play?  Has seeing plays made you a better writer?

Way Back Wednesday- The Growl

It's Wednesday and while that usually means a ya highway RTW post I feel like I already posted about my favorite September read on Monday.

So today I give you Way Back Wednesday.

The first time in my life that I thought I'd want to be a writer was in high school.  I took a journalism class and joined the newspaper staff.  I worked on the newspaper staff my junior and senior year first as a reporter and later as a news editor.

I'd wanted to work on the school paper since 5th grade when I started reading Sweet Valley Twins.  In 5th grade my friends and I tried to start a newspaper for our elementary school.  It was cute.  

I loved writing for the paper, doing layouts, thinking of story ideas and interviewing people.  

I also learned about the financial end of writing.  Students were asked to sell ads in addition to writing.  Ads paid, in part, for our paper.  

One of the first things we did in journalism class was learn about freedom of speech and how important it was to defend it.  This is why you will still find me defending freedom of speech and books and the right for people to read and have access to books and information.

The newspaper also taught me a lot about writing.  Newspaper articles are typically short and they need to catch the reader's attention.  They need quotes (dialog), description, a hook, a catchy title. 

When I started writing with the hopes of getting published I gravitated towards picture books and stories for kids.  

What are some of your earliest writings? 

Minnesota Monday- Wonderstruck

I read the book Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick this week.

It is an amazing book and it starts in Minnesota. Gunflint Lake, Minnesota. Like Hugo Cabret this story is told in words and pictures. The words tell the story of Ben and the pictures share the story of Rose.

Ben's story starts in Gunflint Lake and Rose's begins in New Jersey but both stories lead to New York City and the American Museum of Natural History. Both characters are deaf.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a beautiful story told in words and pictures, Minnesota, museums, dioramas, love, and New York City.

Even though I picked this book up because of the Minnesota connection I also love the AMNH connection. When my brother lived in NYC this was his favorite museum so he took us there on one of our visits. My brother seemed to know a lot about this museum. I loved this museum and was reminded of it when I visited The Field Museum in Chicago.

Being around taxidermy animals reminds me of the art classes I took in college. My college had a large room full of taxidermy birds that the art and ornithology classes used. I know it had a real name but we all called it The Dead Bird Museum because the birds were usually behind glass in little bird dioramas. Below is one of my drawings from the dead bird museum.

Selznick has several tour dates for this book in the Twin Cities in October. A list is here.

What great books have you read lately?

#FridayReads for a good cause

Do you read?

Do you tweet?

If you answered yes to those two questions you should check out Steve Brezenoff's blog.

He has pledged to donate money to YouthLink, an organization in working with homeless youth in the Twin Cities for #fridayreads posts with his book Brooklyn, Burning on twitter. Details are on his page here so go check it out.

Happy Friday.

Theater Thursdays- The Actor's Brain

It's tech week so I really don't have an awesome post about how theater is like writing.

I did see this http://gu.com/p/2cdt8. It is a video of an actor having their brain scanned while reciting lines from a play versus counting. It's pretty cool. Also Fiona Shaw is the actor having her brain scanned so check it out.

It made me wonder what a writer's brain scan would look like when they are writing.

RTW- Under Cover

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. What are your all-time favorite book covers?

I love all the Harry Potter covers. For me seeing the cover was part of the fun of waiting for the new book to come out.

I loved Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. I want to read it again this Christmas.

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick. As beautiful inside as it is out.

Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

I love this book. Whenever I see this cover I want to read it again.

Minnesota Monday- Panel and Reading on YA LGBT lit

OK I'm thinking of making Mondays on my blog be Minnesota Mondays. This will give me something good to talk about on Mondays. (I'm a Vikings fan. Mondays are disappointing)

This weekend I attended a panel discussion and reading at The Loft.

The reading was part of the Second Story Reading series and the Normandale Reading Series.

The panel was interesting and included Marion Dane Bauer, Kirstin Cronn-Mills, David LaRochelle, David Levithan and Pat Schmatz. David Levithan and Brain Farrey read following the panel.

The panel focused on LGBT in YA Lit. Each writer talked about their experience publishing books with LGBT characters or subject matter and how things have shifted over the years. They talked about censorship and also sort of pre-censorship. Some of the authors from smaller towns shared experiences of their hometown library not even carrying the books they wrote. But it was cool to hear the experience of Marion Dane Bauer who published Am I Blue in the 90's and how that influenced other writers like Pat Schmatz who was also on the panel. It was cool to see how these writers had influenced each other.

They talked about how to incorporate LGBT characters in works for younger kids, picture book and middle grade, by featuring gay parents.

They talked about the idea of being pre censored. I live in the city and can find David Levithan's Boy Meets Boy on the shelf at my library but that's not always the case. Many libraries and schools don't have these books. Some of the authors from small towns shared experiences about their libraries not carrying their books. Since I liv

After the panel David Levithan and Brian Farrey did a reading, which was wonderful.

Before I left for the reading I looked at my shelves to see if I had any books I could get signed. This will teach me to lend out all my David Levithan books. Thank goodness Magers and Quinn was on hand to sell me The Lover's Dictionary so I could get it signed.

Another awesome thing about going to events like this is winning books. I won Absolutely, Positively Not by David LaRochelle. It sounds like great book and I'm excited to read it.

Friday Fives- Location, Location, Location

This week Paper Hangover asks the question- What are your top five ideal writing locations?

1. My desk. It looks like this. There is not usually an evil kitty overlord supervising my work.

2. The May Day Cafe- My neighborhood coffee shop. I love this place. They recently decided to have a gluten free baked good available every day. I'm in trouble now.

The coolest image of my coffee shop is available here.

3. The Coffee Gallery at Open Book- Open Book is a fabulous space. It is home to The Loft, Milkweed Editions, Minnesota Center for the Book Arts. In other words there lost of bookish things going on here.

4. Work- I work long days. Sometimes I spend a lot of time sitting backstage waiting for something to happen. I also write on my break if I think I will get more done by staying there than by going home.

5. The park by my house. I do this in the spring, summer and fall. Not the winter. It's too cold in the winter but I still take walks in the park during the winter.

Theater Thursdays- Be Prepared

In theater you have to be prepared for anything.

For actors this means having lines memorized but it also requires other skills from an actors toolbox, all the years they've spent studying the craft and the experience of being in shows.

For someone working backstage being ready means always having the tools you need to do the job. For technicians this means a multi-tool plier and a flashlight. For wardrobe people this means some sewing supplies, safety pins and a flashlight. Being caught without these things slows the process and it might be the difference between making a quick repair or not.

For writers I think we always need to be prepared for inspiration and ideas. Our tools are pens papers and of course books. You don't want to be stuck without a pen when inspiration strikes. My college roommate carries around one of these all the time and uses it to write down quotes and ideas.

I buy those small notebooks from the dollar section at the craft store like they are going out of style. I keep notecards with me. I try to always have a book with me so if nothing else I can read while I'm waiting in line at the DMV.

What writing tools are you never without?

RTW- Deja vu

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. This weeks question:

What themes, settings, motifs, scenes, or other elements do you find recurring in your work?

1. School- I write middle grade and YA so school comes into play a lot.

2. Sports- For some reason I like to give my characters something sporty to do. I think this is because I really liked being on swim team when I was a kid. The thing I have to watch for is that I'm not writing about the next Lebron James or Joe Mauer or Brett Favre.

3. Theater and Costumes. Last year's NaNoWriMo was set at a theater camp but the MG novel that I've been working on for a while features a school mascot costume. What can I say, I worked for Sesame Street Live, I've worked for CostumeRentals. Costumes are kinda my thing.

Goodbye Borders

Last week I went to my nearest Borders on the day before it was going to close.

I'd been a few weeks ago but even then it made me sad to think about.

I live in a wonderful city that is blessed with a number of indie bookstores but I grew up in a place where the Borders became a central hub of books and coffee and social activity.

My best friend from high school met her husband while working at Borders.

A trip to my hometown usually means a trip to Borders. My mom loved the coffee there. My best friend and I would hang out there, drinking coffee and reading magazines.

When my dad and I want to kill time we duck into a Borders or Barnes and Noble and browse the bookshelves. My Dad will usually find a comfy chair and read for a while. I was always shocked that no one came and made him buy the book before he read it. He'd usually buy whatever book he found to read plus a couple more and a book for me.

As a writer who works in the arts working in a bookstore is on my list of back up jobs but as I walked up the empty aisles at Borders I wonder if I need to make other back up plans.

I love indie bookstores but I have to say that the big box stores like Borders and Barnes and Noble often provided my friends with income and health insurance while doing something that they enjoyed, selling books.

I won't bore you with all the thoughts I had about the future of books and e-publishing and the economy.

It makes me sad to see any bookstore closing. To see people losing their jobs.

What about you? Will you miss Borders?

7 X 7 Award

Tim at Life of Riles gave me the 7 x 7 award.

This award takes a look at previous blog post in seven categories.

Most Beautiful- A Road Trip Wednesday- I Would Have Given Anything to be Like.. post I wrote about my Aunt Ursula in celebration of the book Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

Most Helpful- How to Make an Awesome Diorama is my annual attempt to make a Peep diorama. The search phrases that lead people to my blog usually have the word diorama in them. I'm providing a resource here.

Most Popular- My post How to Make an Award Winning Diorama is by far my most popular post.

Most Controversial- I don't think my blog is very controversial. I did write a response to a WSJ article criticizing YA on my blog that has a lot of hits. My Response to the Critics of YA

Most Surprisingly Successful- Way Back Wednesday. Before I started participating in Road Trip Wednesday I gave posting some work from my childhood a try.

Most Underrated- I recently wrote a piece about the importance of Small Roles. I really like it. I may recycle it some day for a Theater Thursday post.

Most Prideworthy- Even though it isn't writing I'm really proud of my Harry Potter Quilt square posts.

I'm terrible at passing awards on because I know everyone is busy writing and blogging so if you want to do this 7X7 thing on your blog you should totally do it.

Happy Saturday!

Friday Fives- What I Read This Summer

Paper Hangover asks-

What are the FIVE best books you read this summer?

1. The Harry Potter series- I loved re-reading these books in anticipation of the final movie. I know this is 7 books. I'm counting it as one.

2. Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes- It is about baseball and tortillas and family.

3. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan- I loved this book. It was funny and sweet. I love the idea of people of the same name meeting

4. Possession by Elana Johnson- I've been a follower of Elana for a while and it was so cool to be able to read this. I like this book and kept thinking about the ending and the world of the book.

5. The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler- When I heard Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler were co-authoring a book I knew I had to read this book. This book was seriously funny.

Theater Thursdays- Announcement and Lessons from art

The theater I work at is looking for bloggers to come and see shows and blog about them.

I know this post is probably more beneficial for bloggers who live near Minneapolis but I know bloggers are great at passing on information.

So here's the link.

http://www.guthrietheater.org/blogger

Last week I was on a road trip to see the Twins take on the White Sox in Chicago. While I was in Chicago I went to the Art Institute with my friend and college roommate, Sarah.

While we were looking at some Monet paintings I remembered a line from the movie Clueless that reminded me to step back from the painting and look at it from across the room. I have to say it totally changed the painting and made it seem even more magical and to wonder how they could look even more defined from far away. I imagine Monet stepping back from his paintings and looking at them from across the room. Or maybe he just had really long paint brushes.

Even though it isn't theater Monet still made me think about writing. How we as writers need to step back and see our work as a whole. Does it fit? Does it sparkle? Does it move us?

RTW- Grown ups

This week's question from YA Highway is:

What non-YA character would you love to see star in a YA book as themselves?

I think Liz Lemon from 30 Rock would make a great character in a YA book.

She's funny and nerdy.

Since I work in theater with actors I sometimes feel like I relate to Liz Lemon. I think a teenage Liz Lemon would be hilarious.

What about you? What adult character do you want to see as a teenager?

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day.

In Minnesota, Labor Day means The Minnesota State Fair. Fun, farming, food on a stick, people carved in butter. It is a magical thing.

One favorite stop on my State Fair rounds is Crop Art in the Horticulture building.

Check out the Hunger Games seed art.

Friday Fives- Titles

Paper Hangover asks the question- What are the Five book titles that caught your attention.

1. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green- I know this one isn't out yet but I can't wait to read it. I was crying during the description of this book.

2. Dramarama by E. Lockhart- I love books about theater so I knew I'd have to read this one. It was a fun read.

3. The Strange Case of Oragami Yoda by Tom Angleberger- In my TBR pile this book is. Love the title. Read it I will.

4. Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando- This is in my TBR pile. I love the title but I also love the description of what it's about.

5 The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet by Erin Dionne- I think this title also looks fun. A girl, named Hamlet. It's in my TBR pile too.

HP Quilt- Firebolt

I'm going out of town on vacation and I'm not bringing my laptop because I don't think I'll use it enough to justify bringing it. I am bringing a notebook, pens and my current draft so I can write if I find a coffee shop to sit and write in. To keep you entertained in my absence here is another square from the HP quilt.

Theater Thursdays- Writing lesson from Theater

Tech Week

I’m sure I’ve talked about my glamorous life in theater before. Theater and writing go hand and hand for me. So I’m thinking on Theater Thursdays I might share with some wisdom that I’ve learned backstage that I apply to writing.

While reading people’s RTW posts yesterday I was surprised when people talked about days when they only write 200 words as being bad writing days.

It made me think of Tech Week. For non-theater people tech week is the grueling process of adding the tech elements (lights, sounds, scenery, costumes) to a play one line, movement, transition, scene at a time.

Some days we make it through 20 minutes of the play in 5 hours. It might take us a whole 10 hour day to get through one act of the play. But then there are scenes that fly right through. You’ll be crawling through the show at a snail’s pace and then the next set of transitions fly through at what feels like normal speed. The more elements and people involved the slower the process. Bringing all the elements together takes time. It’s like a dance; every actor and technician has to be in the right place at the right time for things to run smoothly.

It reminds me of writing. Maybe there are scenes in a story that can only be written in 200 word chunks but then there are other passages really fly. Honor both because work is work and writing is writing even if it comes 200 words at a time. Look at the scenes that are hard to write. Do they involve a lot of elements? (characters, scenery, action) Take the time to fit the pieces together even if it happens 200 words, 500 words, 1000 words at a time.

Does your day job teach you lessons about writing?

RTW-Cures for Writer's Block

This week YA Highway's Road Trip Wednesday topic is:

How do you beat writer's block? Do you go for a jog? Read a book? Go to a movie? Come on, share your secret--we're dying to know!

If I'm stuck on an idea I go for a walk. I live next door to a beautiful park with a lake in the middle. This is where I walk and while I walk I try to think about my writing project and how I can make it better.

Sometimes the best cure for writers block is writing. I take my notebook and a book with writing prompts outside and find a place to sit in the park or at the coffee shop and write. Writing about something else can help me get unstuck. It gets the words flowing again and eventually I feel ready and excited to return to my project.

Neil Gaiman takes over the radio

Last night I listened to Neil Gaiman on 89.3 The Current's Theft of the Dial

Basically, Theft of the Dial is a show when someone awesome comes in and takes over the radio controls for an hour and plays their song choices.

They give reasons for choosing certain songs and may even tell a story especially if the song mentions them.

If you are a Neil fan you'll love this. If you are a writer you will love this.

I listened to the whole thing because I am both a Neil Gaiman fan and a writer. The section before the first song is when he talks the most about writing.

For example. Why does he have a super awesome blog and why does he tweet and stuff? Because he enjoys it. Not because he has to. He reminds writers to write good books because the thing people will remember about you is not that you had an awesome blog or that you had the best tweets they will remember the books.

He also talks about the biography he wrote about Duran Duran. The lesson he learned from this experience about writing for money versus writing what he wanted is pretty valuable.

If you are reading this right now saying "OMG I can't believe I missed this program" don't worry. You can stream it here.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current/theft-of-the-dial/

A song to deal with rejection letters

Rejection letters should not be allowed to arrive on the weekends. I think this holds even more true with email. Weekends should be awesome and rejection letter free especially summer weekends.

Getting rejection letters makes me think of this song.

But you know what's a great remedy for rejection letters? Ice cream. Not just any ice cream but ginger ice cream from Sebastian Joe's eaten outside on a summer evening in the park watching what can best be described as a chick flick. That makes things better.

Reflections on WriteOnCon

I spent the last three days at WriteOnCon.

I went to WriteOnCon last year but I mostly just read what was on the main page and didn't really spend much time in the forums.

This year was different. This year I posted some of my writing in the forums. I gave feedback on other people's writing and I got feedback on my writing.

I love my writing group and I don't think my group wants to protect my feelings but after reading the story for two years they are very close to the story. Putting my words out there for conference attendees to read meant new fresh feedback.

Reading other people's stories meant seeing the level of work others are writing. I confess I thought my story was the best it could be but after reading other picture books that were similar in subject matter to mine and others that were different but from mine completely I realize I still have more work to do.

There were moments of insecurity reading the feedback but I'm returning to page with new determination. Is there a place for this in the market? How can I make my mc, a guide dog puppy, more relatable? How can I add more conflict and still present some of the information? I also entered my pb manuscript in a contest through The Loft where I take writing classes. If I win (fingers crossed) the prize is a day long revision class with a published author. Win or lose I've got my thinking cap on and I'm looking at ways this story can be improved. I'm determined to look at my work with new eyes and do some Re-Vision.

RTW- Around the World

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributorspost a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on our own blogs.

What is the most inspiring setting you've ever visited in real life?

The most inspiring setting I've visited is London.

Sometimes books written by writers from across the pond make me jealous. It seems kind of magical to live in a place full of underground tunnels, small alleyways, princes and princesses.

When I think of London I feel like there could be places like Diagon Alley tucked into a hole in the wall.

When I visited London I loved taking the walking tours. The Shakespeare/Dickens one was a favorite and I also like the Jack the Ripper tour.

For quieter inspiration I like Madeline Island. It is an Island in Lake Superior and you can get there by ferry from Bayfield, Wisconsin. Sitting on the beach on Big Bay you can almost forget that you are not on some remote island in the ocean. There are beautiful views and it is easy to find the quiet of nature but also the fun carefree island life as well.

My close to home inspiration is Minnehaha Falls and Fort Snelling State Park. It is an escape in the city and I go there when I need to recharge. Minnehaha Falls has a waterfall and a statue of Hiawatha and Minnehaha.

Triathlons and WriteOnCon

Yesterday my mom and I competed in a triathlon.

It was the YWCA Women's triathlon. Women from age 14 to age 78 competed. It was an amazing, beautiful event.

I am in vacation mode but also thinking about revisions for the next draft of my novel.

I'm also looking forward to WriteOnCon starting tomorrow.

One of the coolest things about WriteOnCon is that it is so accessible. There is really no excuse not to sign up and attend. I've been to conferences so I know they are awesome but sometimes the job that currently pays the bills isn't always flexible. WriteOnCon is great because it takes that it's-really-hard-for-me-to-get-time-off-from-work excuse away. Check it out because it might work for other excuses such as I-can't-afford-to-go-to-a-conference (it's free) or I-can't-leave-my-family-for-a-weekend.

Friday Fives- Author's I'd Love to Meet

Paper Hangover asks the question- What five authors you're dying to meet.

5. Laura Ingalls Wilder- I grew up in the midwest. I live a thirty minute drive away from the Big Woods. When I was a kid I remember the people from the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum came to school when we were reading the books. The thing I remember hearing about Laura was that she was always taking off her bonnet because she wanted to be able to see the world around her and she grew up to be a writer.

4. Rachel Cohn- I really loved the Gingerbread books. I read Gingerbread when it first came out. Cyd is such a cool character. I loved writing and knew that I wanted to write. But these books made me want to be a writer even more.

3. Neil Gaiman- I love everything I've read by Neil. Sometimes I cry at the end of Gaiman's books because I'm sad the story is over. There was crying at the end of The Sandman, Neverwhere and The Graveyard Book.

2. Stephen King- A favorite author. I loved his book On Writing. Would love to hang out with him and talk about writing.

1. J. K. Rowling- I would love to meet her. If I was going to meet her I'd have to show her the Harry Potter Quilt I'm making.

Small roles

I'm starting to get feedback coming in from my draft. Overall it has improved from my previous draft and I'm starting to think about my rewrite.

One problem I'm still having is distinguishing my MCs friends from one another and also making them all important to the story. So I'm thinking about them today and making sure I know their motivations and arc through the story.

In order to think about these small characters I've turned to Shakespeare. In the play Romeo and Juliet there is the character Balthazar. The role isn't a very large role. He's listed as a servant of the house of Montague. In a lot of productions the actor playing Balthazar ends up in scenes with Romeo and his friends Benvolio and Mecrutio.

Balthazar may not have as many lines as Benvolio or Mecrutio but he's important to the story. Balthazar is the one who brings Romeo the news that Juliet is dead. He races to Romeo before the letter from the Friar explaining that Juliet isn't really dead arrives.

I've seen productions where Balthazar appears a little younger than the other guys in Romeo's crew. Like he's trying to hang out with this older, cooler crowd of party crashing guys. Even though his role is small he is important to the action of the story.

So as I'm thinking about the group of friends that surround my MC I'm trying to make sure they are all distinct and important to the story and not just a way to get facts out. I'm trying to make sure their motivations and arcs are clear.

What are your favorite examples of minor characters in books?

HP Quilt- Golden Snitch

Tools of the trade- Note cards

One of my favorite tools is the 3 X 5 note card with a small file holder.

I learned this tip in a writing class I took a couple years ago.

I write tidbits about characters and plot on the cards.

The small index sized file holder is great for keeping the ideas organized. Some people might prefer a small recipe holder but I like these little file pouches because they are easy to take anywhere plus you can stock up on them in the dollar section at Target.

Each character gets their own section in the pocket file. Jot down different ideas about plot and subplots and keep those organized as well.

I love this tool for the beginning of the writing process when I'm getting tons of new ideas about all my characters.

What are some of your favorite tools for writing?

Happy 30th MTV

I was working on a post about how revising is like a fitting room but then I turned on the radio and the DJs were talking about how MTV turns 30 today.

Even though I was young when MTV first hit the airwaves it was a big part of my childhood. Believe it or not MTV was a big deal when it first aired but not everyone had cable back then and not everyone was allowed to watch MTV even if they had cable.

News of our MTV spread through the neighborhood teenagers faster than news of a house giving out full size candy bars at Halloween. There was never a shortage of teenagers who wanted to babysit my sibs and I.

My parents weren't the type of people who worried about TVs effect on me so I'm not sure they would have cared about the amount of MTV I watched when I was young.

My mom got remarried to someone who believed MTV was bad. Fortunately I taught my stepdad how to "block" MTV and VH1 by removing the channel from the lineup using the remote. The channel was still there and could easily be accessed by pressing the channel number on the remote. We were both happy because he thought MTV was blocked and I still had my MTV.

What are your memories of MTV? Were you allowed to watch MTV? If you weren't did you watch it anyway?