A few links to round out the week:
Lots of fun links for today:
At writing group last weekend, my critique partners mentioned they liked my latest project but were wondering where it was going, exactly. “Me too!” I said (in more or less words). I know a lot of writers who like to outline everything and map out exactly where their characters are going, but that doesn’t really work for me. I’m more of a “write-by-the-seat-of-my-pants” kind of writer–I have a vague idea of where I’m going, but I don’t have a strict outline and write toward where the characters feel like they should be going. Which sometimes makes it difficult to create a real plot.
So of course I was psyched to see this hilarious comic from Jane Yolen and Mike Cavallaro about creating plot.
Make sure to click through for the rest. I especially like Yolen’s comment at the end: ““There are two kinds of writers—the ones who figure out a plot ahead of time before writing, and the ones who set their characters in motion and then run after them saying, “Hey. . .wait for me.”” The latter is definitely more like me. And it might take a little while to figure out exactly what’s going on and how it should all come together, but there’s something exciting about chasing after your characters and learning about what’s important to them.
Okay, in case you’re a pants-er like me and do want some plot guidance, here are some great suggestions for laying out a basic plot map.
(image: Mike Cavallaro and Jane Yolen, via Figment) (H/T Lauren M Barrett)
http://lizwritesbooks.com/2012/05/the-7-point-plot-system-aka-save-the-cat-for-pantsers/
I’m feeling kind of like this, so thank goodness it’s Friday. Check out this week’s collection of fifteen-word book reviews:
1. My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud’Homme
Julia’s a favorite–fearless, funny, and an enthusiastic learner. She and Paul warm my heart.
2. Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee
Fun art captures a wild ride. (Although reading the book is ride enough for me.)
3. The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
Probably my least favorite of the series, but some powerful moments–Pan! My heart!
4. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
You’re either a Faulkner or a Hemingway. I’m a Faulkner. Could not get into it.
5. Amy and Laura by Marilyn Sachs
Where I first heard the “golden arm” story. Another one I reread a lot.
The 2013 ALA Youth Media Awards (aka, the Newbery, the Printz, the Caldecott) will be announced on Monday, January 28. Like pretty much everyone else in the kidlit world, I’m psyched to see which books are honored:
I’ve always been interested to see who’s nominated for these awards, but now that I’m becoming part of the YA/children’s lit community, I’m also really excited about the possibility of actually knowing people whose books could be selected. Less likely for 2012, but I know a few 2013 authors and lots of great 2014 authors. Even though obviously the ALA awards can’t recognize every awesome book, I’m still psyched by the possibility of actually knowing an award-winner.
(via School Library Journal)
Lots of great links for today:
“By the time I am nearing the end of a story, the first part will have been reread and altered and corrected at least one hundred and fifty times. I am suspicious of both facility and speed. Good writing is essentially rewriting. I am positive of this.”—Roald Dahl
I’m glad to hear Dahl, whose works feel so perfect, talk about how essential revision is. It can be frustrating when your critique group or editor says “This is great, but I’m confused about this and I need to see more of this and what about this?” It can feel like revision is a neverending process. You just want to be done already! But that’s what most of writing is. You start with the rough information, and slowly your characters and plots and themes start to come together.
I started work on Queen of the Air back in 2008 or so, and finished the first draft in 2009. The revision process has ebbed and flowed since then, but I was never “done.” And I’m still revising and editing. From talking to author friends, it seems like revising and editing happens almost until the final copy of a book is available in libraries and bookstores. But that doesn’t mean it’s all banging your head against the wall–it’s crafting and refining and making your story as awesome and compelling as it can be.
Click through for more quotes about revision.
(via Flavorwire)
Something you might not know about me: I really like surveys. I’ll fill out restaurant surveys, take quizzes in magazines, fill out online questionnaires etc. If it means I get to answer questions or fill in bubbles, I’m in. So when Jennifer K. Basile invited me to take part in the Next Big Thing blog tour, I jumped at the chance.
The idea is to share a little about your current writing project.
1) What is the working title of your book?
Queen of the Air. I know these things can change, but so far that one’s holding pretty solid.
Amelia Earhart and Lockheed Electra 10E NR16020 c. 1937
2) Where did the idea come from for your book?
I was walking around one day and the line “My mother thinks she’s Amelia Earhart” came to me out of nowhere. I was really intrigued by what that situation might be like and started to write a short story to that effect. Soon I realized this story was going to take much longer to tell and it grew into Queen of the Air.
3) What genre does your book fall under?
It’s pretty firmly in contemporary YA. I love wild stories of magic and historical epics and all sorts of genre, but I tend to write stories about real teens dealing with real life issues.
4) Which actors would you choose to play in your movie rendition?
Man, that’s a tough one. But I love playing casting director, so here we go:
5) What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
From PW: “QUEEN OF THE AIR, [is] about a teenage girl struggling to balance high school, passing Drivers Ed, and a new relationship while trying to keep her mother’s progressing mental illness — delusions that she is Amelia Earhart — secret.”
6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m going the traditional publishing route, and so far the experience has been great. I really appreciate all the hard work my agent and editor have put into this project, and I know it’s a stronger book for it.
7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The first draft came together pretty quickly. I wrote Queen of the Air as my MFA thesis, so it was roughly a five month process. But there have been many drafts after that. One reason I hate seeing movies about writers–usually it takes them a couple months to get from blank page to published novel. That’s so not how it usually works.
8) What other books would you compare this story to?
Trying to draw comparisons to books on the market feels a little like saying “A lot of people tell me I look like these beautiful movie stars.” But I hope that Queen of the Air has a similar vibe to other contemporary YA books like Sara Zarr’s How to Save a Life, or Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower for how these books balance life with friends/at school with trauma at home.
10) What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants–wait, that’s The Princess Bride. My book has Drivers Ed, Amelia Earhart (or at least people who think they’re Amelia), graffiti art, soccer, and, of course, secrets. At its core, Queen of the Air is about the secrets we keep and the daily burdens we bear. I think most people can relate to that.
Thanks to Jennifer for letting me join in on the Next Big Thing fun! Once I figure out who I’m tagging, I’ll post links here.
A few more links for today:
A few more links for the day:
