From Mary Oliver’s poem “Sometimes.”
original image: Cannadian Horseshoe Falls by Robin Lee
Tag: writing
Friday Fifteen
Happy Friday, guys! We got some much-needed sun this week, and I got some good writing time in. Here’s a look at what I’ve been reading and writing, in fifteen words or fewer:
Reading: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō
I’m both side-eying this advice and compelled to clean my closets.
Writing: “…I felt her warmth beside me, and it felt like we were happy.”
I think I’m settling on my new project. Fingers crossed!
Links Galore
All the links I’ve been saving:
- Sometimes you need the hard truths.
- Like what it means to actually be a writer.
- Allison has a great post on motherhood and writing.
- Need a trombone? Want to join a coding club? Check your local library.
- Even Judy Blume hates the first draft.
- And Isabel Allende’s first draft can be a struggle, too.
- A few simple tips for writing the biggest bestseller ever.
- It helps it it’s something the same but different.
- On the importance of prison library programs.
- How to be a teen in a novel for adults.
- Crit partner and awesome writer Tara Sullivan on the best advice she’s ever received.
- Some awesome Shakespeare trivia for my fellow English Majors.
- And which Shakespearean play should you see?
- And maybe introduce your kids to Shakespeare.
- On the singular ‘their.’
- Wise words by feminists of color.
- How the Pulitzer affects your sales.
- Love some bookish haiku.
- “There’s no rap battle like a rap battle for 1,300 11th-graders.”
- Being an advocate for your writing career.
- Publishing myths and legends.
- I can totally get behind this casting.
- Anna-Marie McLemore on magical realism and where our magic lives.
- “Next, remember that writing is what you do, not who you are.”
- How to cope with rejections.
- It’s okay if all your reviews are four or five stars.
- Fictional dragons are my jam.
- Batman Returns…his books to the library!
- Diversity and geek culture.
Friday Fifteen
Happy Friday, everyone! It’s been the grayest, rainiest week in the Boston area, but between NESCBWI last weekend and jumpstarting the YA Buccaneers‘ Spring Writing Bootcamp, I’ve been feeling the good writing vibes. Here’s a look at what I’ve been reading and writing in fifteen words or fewer:
Reading: The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
Parts didn’t quite hang together for me, but love her characters and settings.
Writing: “We were born for bad luck.”
We’ll see where this goes.
NESCBWI Prep: My Dos and Don’ts for Conference Newbies
One of my favorite annual conferences, NESCBWI, is this weekend, and I’m so psyched to see lots of wonderful writer and illustrator friends for a weekend of bookish inspiration. But only a few years ago, I was a total NESCBWI newbie, and was headed to Springfield equal parts excited and nervous.
In case you’re a newbie to the writing conference experience, here are my tips for getting the most out of your weekend and having a blast.
Do: use the conference hashtag
Intimidated by how everyone seems to know everyone else? Joining in on social media can be a great way to connect with a lot of people at once, and it’s way easier to meet people in real life if you’ve already interacted on Twitter. This weekend, follow along at #NESCBWI16.
Don’t: be scared to talk to people
I know, it’s hard to be the new kid. But everyone’s there because they love the same thing you do, and that means you already have something in common. Ask what they primarily write/what kind of media they use in their art/what book they’re totally fangirling over/how their last session was.
Do: take notes
It’s easy to think you’re going to remember everything from that amazing session on outlining, but details get fuzzy a week later when you’re diving back into your WIP. Bring a notebook or your laptop/tablet and jot down a few helpful points in each session.
Don’t: stress about remembering everything that was said in every talk/workshop
The stuff that really resonates with you will stick with you. Sometimes it’s more important to be present than to feel like you’re going to have to recite the workshop verbatim next week.
Do: get your time and money’s worth
Conferences can be expensive and take you away from your other responsibilities for a weekend. (Sorry, laundry, see you Monday!) Take part in workshop exercises, listen to the keynotes, join in on open mics, get a critique from an agent or editor. This is your weekend just to be a writer, so you might as well get the most out of your time that you can.
Don’t: get conference burn-out
Getting the most out of your weekend is one thing, but you don’t want to be so drained by it all that you end up zombie-walking through your last four workshops. Take some alone time when needed, or hole up in your hotel room and grab an hour of inspired writing time.
Do: dress comfortably
It’s a writing conference, not a fashion conference. (Miranda Priestly will not be there to judge you.) Modcloth-cute outfits are appreciated, but you’re also going to be walking from room to room and floor to floor and dodging people to get a seat at lunch. Comfortable shoes are key, and a lot of people wear jeans.
Don’t: forget to bring a few essentials
I like to have a notebook, a few pens, my cell phone charger, some business cards/bookmarks/other swag to hang out with my name and book on it, cash for the bookstore, and a reusable water bottle. Your essential items list may vary, but I think these are good basics.
Do: ask questions that benefit everyone
Most sessions have time for Q&A, but nothing’s worse than someone taking up 15 minutes on a question that only applies to their very specific situation. Think about questions that might apply to lots of other people in the group. If you have a specific question and the workshop presenter is available to talk after, bring it up individually.
Don’t: network all the time
We’re writers/illustrators, but we’re also people. You don’t have to be pitching your book or bragging about your daily word counts all the time. Remember that your fellow conference-goers are also people who have families, other hobbies, favorite movies, etc. The best ways to connect with your colleagues are when you remember that they’re regular humans, too.
Do: have a pitch for what you’re working on
This one is still hard for me, too. At some point over the weekend, someone will ask, “What do you write?” Instead of mumbling “Oh something about people and feelings, but it’s funny” like I do, think of a one or two sentence pitch for each of your projects.
Don’t: feel bad if you leave a critique without an offer from an agent or book deal
I’m not gonna say getting signed by an agent or editor can’t happen, but instead of worrying about getting that contract, try to focus on what’s working in your story and what you should consider in revision. And remember that not every agent/editor is the right one for you–maybe the one doing your critique could offer helpful suggestions, but ultimately isn’t the one who’s the best match for you or your book.
Do: have fun!
Conferences like NESCBWI are a great opportunity to meet people and learn more about your craft, but they should also be a chance to enjoy yourself among your peers. Writing is hard enough, so when we’re all together for a weekend, we might as well celebrate.
And if you’ll be at NESCBWI this year, copies of The Chance You Won’t Return should be available in the bookstore. I won’t be doing an official signing, but if you have a book and find me around, I’ll totally sign it for you (and give you a hug/high five).
Other conference tips? Share them in the comments!
Friday Fifteen
Happy Friday, everyone! This has been a pretty exciting week for me, and I’m having a birthday redo this weekend (since my actual birthday involved food poisoning and frozen pipes), and today’s the second anniversary of The Chance You Won’t Return‘s publication, so I’m giving mid-April a big thumbs up. Let’s get the weekend started with a look at what I’ve been reading and writing.
Reading: The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
Characters solved mysteries a while after I did, but enjoyed the writing a lot.
Writing: He doesn’t say it, but I think it—no one else who wanted you.
Ping-ponging around new projects. We’ll see where I land.
Pace, Colorful Accessories, and Community: 26 Writerly Lessons from the Boston Marathon
Because I’m a writer and because apparently writers are incapable of going for a long run without thinking about how it applies to their writing lives, here are 26 things about running that resonated with my writing life.
-
Runs by Steel Wool
Your pace is the only one that matters
The first few miles, I was passed by a LOT of people, even though I was going slightly faster than my planned race pace. But I had to remind myself that trying to ‘keep up’ with everyone would majorly hurt me in the long run. Even if everyone else seems to be going faster, it doesn’t matter. Your journey and your work is the only thing that matters to you. - You have to put in the time
You can’t go to the start line and know you’re going to finish without having trained for weeks (months!) beforehand. And you can’t write a novel without sitting down and writing and rewriting and revising for weeks (months! years!). - Conditions don’t have to be ideal
When we started seeing weather predictions for the 70s, I got nervous. I feel way better running in the cold than I do in the heat, and I was afraid I’d get sick in the middle of the course. But I adjusted my plans for pace and clothing and fuel, and it all ended up working out. You can’t wait for the weather to be perfect or the muse to strike–you just have to accept the conditions you’re giving and adjust accordingly. -
Hydration by Robot Brainz
Fuel accordingly
Hydration is keep when you’re running. Coffee is key when you’re writing. Also chocolate. (Okay, water is key when you’re writing, too.) - Recovery is necessary
In our marathon training plan, we had specific rest days scheduled, and I took those seriously. Sometimes you also need breaks from your writing, like distance yourself from a story to better revise it later or to give your brain a break between projects. This doesn’t mean giving up–it means letting yourself rest so you can be stronger later. - Supporting other people is fun
Cheering at the marathon is the best, and so is supporting other writers at book events. Plus sometimes book events have cake! - A lot of people work hard to make it happen
On the DFMC team, we had a staff and lots of volunteers making sure our training could happen, and no one organizes a race like the B.A.A. Even though it’s easy to think that a published book just shows up on shelves, it takes a lot of people–crit partners, editors, agents, marketing teams, supportive friends–to get it there. - Alone time can be nice
Although I loved having organized group long runs, one of my favorite parts of running is having that time for myself. And while I love having a writing buddy, sometimes it’s nice to feel like it’s just you and your story. - Get out of your comfort zone
This was my first marathon, and ten years ago I never thought I could run a mile, much less 26. Writing also means pushing yourself out of your comfort zones–your characters need to make hard choices because that’s where the most compelling story is. -
Time by Moyan Brenn
Make the time
You need to set aside time to run and time to write. Otherwise it’s really easy to say “eh, I’ll do it later” and not give yourself any time. - Having a plan is helpful…
Our coach made training plans for novice, intermediate, and advanced runners. Having that on my schedule meant that I never had to guess what my weekly workouts should be. Similarly, having an outline (or at least a general idea of what plot points you want to hit) can make the writing process easier. - …but plans can change
All running plans don’t fit all bodies–sometimes you need to cross train on a day you’re supposed to run, and that’s okay. And as someone who’s never been able to accurately outline a novel, letting yourself explore as you write is okay, too. Do what works best for you and don’t get upset if that doesn’t fit into a plan. - When you run into problems, ask for help
In late January, I went for a long run and got major knee pain by mile 8. Instead of hoping the problem would go away on its own (like I’ve done in the past), I got advice from our team coach and connected with a physical therapist, who was also a fellow team member. Thanks to her help, I went into the marathon feeling strong and didn’t experience pain for those 26.2 miles. If you’re having a problem, there’s no reason to suffer on your own–reach out to your writing friends, your agent, your editor, your family, whoever can give you the support you need. - It’s easy to spend a lot of money on stuff
Why yes, I do need those new running leggings! And more books, please! Those things are great, but keep an eye on your budget. And utilize your local library. -
New running shoes by quimby
But colorful accessories can make you feel better
Hot pink post-its and bright blue running socks can give you that little extra boost that plain white just can’t match. - Music can be a huge boost
I never thought I’d be someone who had earbuds in on marathon day, but guys–5+ hours is a LONG time, and even if you have it on low so you can listen to cheering around you, sometimes what you really need is a boost from the Hamilton soundtrack. Similarly, I know writing with music on isn’t for everyone, but it’s one of my essentials. - You end up talking to yourself
Motivational chants on repeat in your head? Characters talking at you? No, you’re not having heat-induced hallucinations–you’re just a runner or a writer? - Support can come from people you don’t even know
A marathon would suck if there were no spectators. Their cheers make the difference when you’re struggling. And kind words from readers about how much they liked your book means way more than they might realize. - You miss out on other stuff because you’ve got work to do
Friday night party? Nope, sorry, got a long run in the morning and I need to be in bed early. Netflix binge time? Not until your writing is done. - Self-promotion is hard but necessary
I hate asking for stuff for myself or talking myself up, but those funds won’t raise themselves. Reaching out to friends/family about fundraising or book promotion feels so awkward, but most of the time people are either happy to support you in whatever way they can, or they’ll ignore it. - Know what keeps you going
I joined DFMC because I’ve seen cancer affect too many loved ones’ lives. Being part of the team, I heard even more stories about cancer survivors and loved ones gone too soon–and these people are why we run for Dana-Farber. Recently, my agent reminded me to forget all the stress and focus on the heart of my stories–the core that really matters, that truth I want to understand and share. Having that deep down reason makes the difference when things are hard.
- People who have done it are the ones who get it
They know that writing a novel or running a marathon is a huge accomplishment, but those who have been there are the only ones who can really relate. They know all the hard work that goes into it, and that you’re not going to win/quit your day job anytime soon. - Take it step by step
Thinking about a whole book or a whole marathon can be overwhelming. But you don’t have to do it all at once–all you need is to go word by word and step by step. - You’re stronger than you think you are
Looking, running is hard. Writing is hard. It’s easy to look at these activities and think, There’s no way I could run a marathon/write a whole book. But if that’s what’s calling to you, the drive is inside you and you’ll surprise yourself by how far you can go and how creative you can be. - You love it even when it’s hard
Running a marathon and writing a book looks so impressive and exciting when you have the end result, but there’s a lot that goes into it that most people don’t see. You log lots of miles, you revise over and over, you feel stressed about it and doubt yourself. But at the end of the day, even the hard work is the work you want to do. -
The 2016 DFMC team photo
Your community matters
Running and writing feel like solitary activities, but having a supportive community matters. I never could have gotten to the finish line without the support of so many people. From my family and friends to the Dana-Farber team and staff and volunteers to people cheering for us on the course, it didn’t feel like I was alone in this journey. And I’m just as glad to be part of a supportive writing community that inspires me and encourages me every step of the way.
Lessons you’ve learned from writing and running? Share them in the comments!
Friday Fifteen
Happy Friday, guys! It’s April Fool’s Day, so instead of a regular Friday Fifteen, let’s change things up with some gif book reviews:
Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood
The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
And a gif for the writing process:
Happy Friday Fool’s, everyone!
Links Galore
Lots of links I’ve been saving:
- I need Lego Amelia Earhart. (Thanks to Ginger for the heads up!)
- Can we expect to see lots of baby Katnisses in the future?
- Geeking out over this look at the punctuation of famous novels.
- Teen readers are reading, in their own ways.
- A necessary read about diversity and publishing.
- Finding family history in Special Collections.
- The bestselling YA books of all time are mostly awesome; good taste, fans.
- Great interview with the awesome Tara Sullivan about The Bitter Side of Sweet and not giving up.
- And speaking of not giving up, the motivating post you need.
- Lots of intense female villains on this list.
- So many writers start with fanfic.
- On imaginary books.
- Where to start your story.
- Excellent post on disability and convenient workarounds in sci-fi/fantasy.
- Get ready for National Poetry Month with these YA novels in verse.
- Famous authors and their aliases.
- Lots of great YA movie adaptations to add to your Netflix queue.
- All of a sudden, everyone’s using quotes from Shakespeare in everyday speech.
- I’ve got a thing for weird YA character names.
- For the lovely Rhode Islanders out there, some great bookstores to stop by.
- Even Lin-Manuel Miranda has people telling him what he should write about.
- Great post on fat shaming in YA.
- Marley Dias of #1000BlackGirlBooks shares some favorite reads.
- You are still a writer.
- Shakespeare + YA = my jam.
- JK Rowling, I will make all the cake for you if you ever want to come to book club.
Quote of the Day
“You ask whether I should continue to write if no one but myself would ever see my work. There is no reason to believe that anyone will ever see any more of my work…We are likely to give many incorrect explanations for what we do instinctively. It is very easy for me to say that I write poetry in order to formulate my ideas and to relate myself to the world. That is why I think I write it, though it may not be the right reason. That being so, I think that I should continue to write poetry whether or not anybody ever saw it, and certainly I write lots of it that nobody ever sees. We are all busy thinking things that nobody ever knows about.”-–Wallace Stevens in a letter to editor Ronald Lane Latimer, from Letters of Wallace Stevens
We write because it’s what we do. We don’t write because it’s going to be published or win awards or get a million reviews. We write because we’re writers.