Partner on the Path--Jaime Callahan

Jaime Writing

Let's welcome another hardworking member of the #wipmadness gang!

What resources have you found most helpful on your writing path?

There are so many great blogs -- author blogs, agent blogs, editor blogs, and anything by anyone who’s in the business of writing. There is a wealth of knowledge out there that’s being shared freely. My favorites are the Book View Café (http://blog.bookviewcafe.com/), the Writer Beware blog (http://accrispin.blogspot.com/), and the QueryTracker.net blog (http://querytracker.blogspot.com/)

What’s the most encouraging thing you’ve experienced along the way?

I think that the people are the most encouraging thing. There are some bad apples, naturally, but most of the folks I’ve interacted with have been nice and extremely willing to help out others.

Favorite children’s books? Authors?

My favorite children’s books are by my favorite author, Diana Wynne Jones. All of her books are fabulous, but my favorites are Howl’s Moving Castle, Dark Lord of Derkholm, and the Chrestomanci books.

What keeps you going when you feel like giving up?

I let myself imagine what it would really feel like to give up and never finish writing anything. It’s a deeply unsatisfying thought and that usually spurs me onward.

If you could choose to live any place on the planet, where would it be?

Oh, gracious, I’m going to have the most boring answer ever, but I really like where I live now (the East Coast). Sometimes I think about living some place a little more rural, but I love being only 15 minutes away from the bookstore and the library.

Describe your fantasy writing space?

Some place I can sit down! I do a lot of my writing while standing up, so I’d love to have a big comfy chair. I’d probably never get to use it, but at least it would exist!

What obstacles have you overcome in order to keep writing?

Lack of time. I really have to squeeze writing into any spare time I can scrounge up. Some days I would really rather just collapse in front of the television, but nothing will get written that way! My other biggest obstacle has been how critical I am of my writing. I’m still working on that one.

What one word describes your writing process?

Scattered.

What do you appreciate the most about being part of the children’s writers community?

The best thing has been how encouraging I’ve found other writers to be. Everyone that I met online has been so supportive, and it really helps to know that other people are cheering you on. It is definitely worth it to join a writer’s forum, follow the writing hashtags on twitter, and just get out there and meet other writers.

Best writing advice you’ve been given?

Just get it written. It can be fixed later. (Some day I will actually listen to this advice.)

What do you like to keep in mind while drafting a story?

I always try to think about the relationships between my characters. I love to read about people navigating the treacherous waters of human interaction, regardless of genre, so that’s something I really want to try to get right in my stories. It can be hard because relationships are rarely straightforward love or hate -- they’re more like tangled balls of yarn.

How will you celebrate the publication of your first book?

I honestly haven’t thought about it. It’s so far in the future! I’d probably just do something quiet and low-key with my family, maybe go out to a restaurant or have a cake or something. That sounds so dull, but it’s the truth.

Social media presence? Please share your links

Website/Blog: http://www.jaimecallahan.com

Twitter: @jaimecallahan

The Most Interesting Thing--Sometimes You Just Gotta Read

"There is creative reading as well as creative writing."

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

This week I've been on a reading binge. Five days, five fabulous novels:

Gary Paulsen's HATCHETT

Stasia Kehoe's AUDITION

Anna Sheehan's A LONG, LONG SLEEP

Jessica Martinez' VIRTUOSITY

Christine Fletcher's TEN CENTS A DANCE

Why am I reading so much? Because my creative well needs replenishing. My writing feels empty and dry.  For me, there is no better cure. 

How do you fill your creative well? And if you've read any outstanding novels lately, please share!

Partner on the Path--Lora Rivera

Meet another fun, hard-working member of the #wipmadness gang:

What resources have you found most helpful on your writing path?

I love Twitter, honestly. #wipmadness, #amwriting—they keep me going every month. I love the encouragement and kicks-in-butt I know my fellow writers are just dying to give. I love doing the same for them, too, because this energizes me. I’ve found several betas this way, too—mutual, of course. The blogosphere, for me, goes hand-in-hand with Twitter.

Books on craft include On Writing by Stephen King, Characters and Viewpoints by Orson Scott Card, and The Art of Fiction by John Gardner. Yeah, I picked that up in one especially good MFA workshop, so it’s pretty dense.

What’s the most encouraging thing you’ve experienced along the way?

When I was a teen, my best friend’s grandpa who used to be the president of two large Florida newspapers and formerly taught at Missouri School of Journalism, read and critiqued my first complete novel. Y’all, this thing was 200K. And he did it with kindness and integrity. We wrote letters back and forth while I was in college—he offered to pay my way whenever I scraped to get by. He believed in me.

Favorite children’s books? Authors?

Chronicles of Narnia—I lived and breathed this series for years. I can quote you a whole chapter from The Silver Chair. Also, Scott O’Dells Island of the Blue Dolphins. More recently, I adored Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials and Plain Kate by Erin Bow, to name a few.

What keeps you going when you feel like giving up?

Running, writing friends who tell me I can do it, ice cream. Er. Well, and then pushing through despair until I forget it was there. Oh, and my brother, who’s an aspiring film maker living the dream out in LA—i.e. living gig to gig, hand to mouth. We shared a lot of world-making together as kids. He’s inspiring and brave.

If you could choose to live any place on the planet, where would it be?

I really can’t answer this question. The idea of living somewhere, of settling down, scares the bejeebies out of me. But I do have this dream of traveling to some place in far East Europe (or something), and living on a farm with a family I don’t know and can’t speak to because nobody for 40 miles around speaks English, and doing manual labor for room and board for 2 years. No laptop, no cell phone. Just sweat, my own thoughts, and the smell of living.

Describe your fantasy writing space?

Coffee shop with just the right amount of ambient noise. The perfect blueberry scone or zucchini muffin. The perfect cappuccino. Gorgeous wood paneling and bay windows with linen curtains. A light, chill breeze whenever the door tinkles open.

What obstacles have you overcome in order to keep writing?

Parting ways with good friends who were also crutches. That’s the biggest.

What one word describes your writing process?

Demanding

What do you appreciate the most about being part of the children’s writers community?

How amazingly kind, generous, truly well-meaning and outwardly non-competitive everyone is. I don’t have to ask twice for help, encouragements, challenges… I never imagined it’d be this way.

Best writing advice you’ve been given?

Go with your gut, but guts can be honed.

What do you like to keep in mind while drafting a story?

From scene to scene: 1. What my MC wants or needs to have happen. 2. What my Antagonist wants or needs to have happen. And 3. The ending, the feel and weight of it in my mind. That trajectory.

How will you celebrate the publication of your first book?

Probably tears, squeals, excessive dancing & prancing, lots of phone calls.

Social media presence? Please share your links

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/lroseriver

Blog: www.lorarivera.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/674132-lora-rivera?ref=header

The Most Important Thing--The Value of Critique

"Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things." --Winston Churchill

You all should be very grateful that I made the loving decision and chose not to post a photo from my skin cancer surgery last January, even though it fit better with the quote. You're welcome. 

Do you agree with Winston on this? This week I got feedback from some of my hard-working betas who care enough about my writing career to have called attention to the "unhealthy state of things" in my story. Without this sort of valuable input from others, I don't believe I would have been able to brainstorm the solutions that have made the story stronger, healthier. 

Giving and receiving critique is a delicate thing. On the giving end, I've learned the importance of the critique sandwich--commend strengths, expose weaknesses, commend strengths. On the receiving end, I know to wait until my defensive spirit has died down and I can approach suggestions with an open mind. 

What about you? What are some of your favorite tips for giving and receiving critique? 

Partner on the Path--Shari Green

Shari is another long-time writing buddy. I contacted her years ago when I first started my  journey. Not only do we live in the same corner of the globe, but we share a lot of the same writing partners. Shari has been an encouraging  part of #wipmadness for quite some time.

What resources have you found most helpful on your writing path?

My awesome critique group, “the blueboards”, and a few fave craft books. Oh! And the Surrey International Writers’ Conference (amazing!).

What’s the most encouraging thing you’ve experienced along the way?

Last fall, after parting ways with my agent, my confidence was at a low point. But then in October, I won the “Writing for Young People” category of the SiWC writing contest. The win would’ve been encouraging any time, but at that particular point in my life, it was an immense boost.

Favorite children’s books? Authors?

The Truth About Forever, by Sarah Dessen, and Looking for Alaska, by John Green, are the two books I credit with hooking me on YA lit. Now, I have a ton of faves, but the best two YAs I’ve read so far this year are How to Save a Life, by Sara Zarr, and Imaginary Girls, by Nova Ren Suma.

What keeps you going when you feel like giving up?

I’m too stubborn to give up, lol! But if I do feel like quitting someday, I expect spending time reading and writing just for the joy of it – rather than as part of a “publication journey” – would renew me.

If you could choose to live any place on the planet, where would it be?

I love where I live! First choice would always be by the ocean, and right now I’m lucky enough to live a 10-minute walk from the beach. It’s heaven.

Describe your fantasy writing space?

A room full of books and good light and a great desk, with a window overlooking the sea. But I’d settle for any dedicated writing space – I’m almost desperate enough to transform the closet under our stairs into a Potter-esque writing hideout.

What obstacles have you overcome in order to keep writing?

The biggest obstacle is that pesky way the earth keeps rotating on its axis, spinning my time away. In my non-writing life, I’m a nurse, mom of four, and pastor’s wife, so my days are full! But we fit in what’s really important to us, don’t we? (For me, that’s meant goodbye TV and hello writing-time!)

What one word describes your writing process?

Evolving.

What do you appreciate the most about being part of the children’s writers community?

The support! It’s amazing. It really feels like being part of a huge extended (and not even particularly dysfunctional) family. I love it.

Best writing advice you’ve been given?

“Some stories are like stew: the longer they simmer, the better they are.” I’m a muller, and sometimes things need to simmer for a long time. I use to struggle with feeling unproductive, thinking I needed to write every single day. Fact is, I don’t. True, I can’t let myself fall into procrastination and lack of discipline, but recognizing “mulling” as a valid part of my process has freed my creativity and restored a lot of joy to the process. (Thank you, Catherine!)

What do you like to keep in mind while drafting a story?

Something needs to happen! (I tend to be very character-focused.)

How will you celebrate the publication of your first book?

I’m not sure, but I suspect margaritas will be involved. You’re all invited.

Website & blog: www.sharigreen.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharigreen

Twitter: @sharigreen

Tumblr: sharigreen.tumblr.com

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/sharigreen

The Most Interesting Thing: How I Got Out of a Rut

"The only difference between a rut and a grave are the dimensions."--Ellen Glasgow

The Rut

Six months of drafting

Six days a week

Drove me

Into my writing grave 

My joy

My creativity

My love of story

Dead

Then along came a challenge

Could I revise a novel 

In three weeks? 

Mais oui! 

Change is good 

Popped me 

Straight out of

The Rut

Has your writing routine ever buried you in a deep writing rut? If so, what helped you get out? 

And the winner of Gae Polisner's PULL OF GRAVITY is . . .

***Georgia Summers***

 Congratulations! Please contact me with your mailing address:

yascribe(dot)angelina (at) gmail.com  

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who entered. I hope you'll pick up a copy of this book and enjoy it as much as I did. 

Partner on the Path--Marie Andrews

If you're looking for an early morning cheerleader, follow Marie on Twitter. She gives warm and consistent encouragement to sleepy travelers on the path. And she's a lovely person. I'm pleased to introduce you.

What resources have you found most helpful on your writing path? I’ve found the best resources have come from fellow writers who tirelessly share their wealth of knowledge through postings and workshops.

What’s the most encouraging thing you’ve experienced along the way? Support from friends, family, and readers.

Favorite children’s books? My favorite books growing up were Anne of Green Gables, The Wind in the Willows, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Encyclopedia Brown, and Trixie Belden.

What keeps you going when you feel like giving up? Desire and the inability to quit.

If you could choose to live any place on the planet, where would it be? Off the grid with acres of private land surrounding me.

Describe your fantasy writing space? Large spacious room with many windows that look out to a breathtaking bay view, and French doors that lead off to a large deck. There’d be a lush flower garden, a pergola, little bridges, ponds, and little stone paths that lead off to secret getaway spots just perfect to sit and read a book or stargaze.

What obstacles have you overcome in order to keep writing? Due to not previously taking care of myself properly, I’ve had to make a complete change in my lifestyle. I now have positive habits of eating the right foods for my body, getting plenty of rest, and exercising daily – even when I don’t want to.

What one word describes your writing process? Ever-changing.

Best writing advice you’ve been given? Don’t ever stop learning.

What do you like to keep in mind while drafting a story? How my characters will grow.

How will you celebrate the publication of your first book? A home cooked meal with my family, and a bottle of my favorite wine.

Website – http://www.marieandrewsauthor.com

Twitter -  http://twitter.com/Marie_Andrews

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/people/Marie-Andrews/100002265785089

Blog - http://marieandrewsauthor.blogspot.com

The Most Interesting Thing--We Have a Winner!

Thanks so much to all of you who entered the BWB Blog Contest.  My good buddy, Kristen Lippert-Martin is way cooler than me and did two live (kind of) video drawings for the winners of the Best Writer-Buddy Contest. You can watch those here and here. As you may already know, I am technologically challenged, but have at least figured out how to use Random.org. Imagine the drumroll. . .

And the winner is:

LynNerd!!! 

Please email me: yascribe(dot)angelina@gmail(dot)com  

In other news, J, over at Concrete Pieces of the Soul awarded me with this:

The only stipulation attached to this award is that I must tell you one thing about myself that makes me feel good. You'd think that would be easy, but I had to give that question some serious thought.

Doing kind things for others makes me feel good.

 Can you do one kind thing for someone today?

AND 

What makes you feel good about yourself?

PULL OF GRAVITY Author--Gae Polisner Interview+Giveaway

Last August, the awesome book blogger Cari recommended I follow Gae on Twitter because we both love to swim. I am so grateful for that tip which lead me to the author of one of the most funny yet poignant books I've read in years. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Gae and offer you a chance to win a copy of her debut novel. Enjoy the interview and leave a comment for her. That simple. Contest ends at midnight, 10/11/11. I'll announce the winner here on Wednesday, October 12th. You don't want to miss this novel!

Photo: Rick Kopstein

Gae Polisner writes women’s and young adult fiction and wrote The Pull of Gravity as an homage to the books she loved as a teenager by the likes of Zindel, Konigsburg, Blume, and L’Engle. When Gae is not writing, she is a practicing divorce attorney/mediator and in her spare time can be found swimming in the open waters off Long Island. She is still hoping that one day her wetsuit will turn her into a superhero, but in the meantime, the neoprene seems to hold all her molecules together. The Pull of Gravity is her first (published) novel. Gae's Website

 

On Writing:

Favorite thing about writing a first draft: the hopeful, delirious opening moments where a spark of an idea comes, and my fingers fly across the keys, and these gorgeous words flood across the white screen, and there’s absolutely nothing to stop me - or these words - from becoming the most brilliant thing I’ve ever written.

Which, of course, is soon followed by the realization that I have no idea what the $*&%^ I am even writing about.

Best thing about writing for kids and/or teens: getting a note that says, “I’m not really a reader, but I couldn’t put your book down.” Especially when it’s from a teen boy. 

Favorite word?(no profanity please ^_^) *stares blankly at screen with all feasible options taken away* Okay, fine, I’ve always loved the word calliope. As for the words I must like because I use them too much, how about unfathomable and disconcerting. Apparently, a lot of things in my life feel unfathomable and disconcerting. And of course, the best word there is: water. Liquid. Waves. Give me water or give me death. *reads it over. Rolls eyes. Leaves it anyway.*

One word that describes your path to publication: (unfathomably, disconcertingly) LONG. ;)

If I could have two dream careers, I’d be an author and an: Olympic swimmer or diver. I probably would have liked to have been an actor too. I acted as a kid. I’m very dramatic. ;)

On Life:

If I could snap my fingers and solve one of the problems here on earth, it would be: Can I snap and get three more solutions? ;) Oh, man, this question is too hard. I hate human suffering. I hate it worse when children suffer. I’d solve every problem there is that leads to humans – and especially children – suffering.

Best thing about being a child: Everything still being possible.

Worst thing about being a child: The world feeling big and overwhelming.

Best thing about being a teenager: That sense of immortality/fearlessness that comes from hormones mixing with not knowing too much, and not caring about what you do know if it’s not serving your needs at the moment. 

Worst thing about being a teenager: Not being comfortable in your own skin.

Most memorable teen moment: I have a few. One is my first real (tongue) kiss, which was actually a really weird situation… *doesn’t tell that story.* Another was senior year when my BFF and I had a secret sleepover *coughs* with our boyfriends at one of their houses, and the whole football team showed up outside on the lawn hootin’ and hollerin.’ Yeah, that was pretty.

One thing I’d like to say to my teen self: I know it’s trite, but it’s true: be who you are. **** anyone who doesn’t like you for it. Especially if who you are is a smart, kind, funny, gentle, good person who doesn’t want to do stupid things. ;)

A quote I live by: I have a few mantras. Here are two: writer-success-wise, “Keep your eyes on your own paper.” Life-wise, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

My  dream vacation: The hotel San Pietro, Italy, or an Alaskan cruise.

In My Perfect World…

Everyone would get a massage and fresh flowers at least once a week.

There would be an abundance of silliness and ridiculous, uncontrollable laughing. Also, water.

No one would be deprived of affection and human connection.

Every child would have unconditional love.

No one would ever (easy): suffer.

New windows would be free for everyone. Okay, fine, I got distracted. My house really needs new windows. ;)

Partner on the Path--The Golden Eagle

NEWSFLASH: THE FIRST WINNER OF THE BEST WRITER-BUDDY CONTEST HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED! KRISTEN'S BLOG

In the meantime, please enjoy this interview with our amazing teenage partner, The Golden Eagle. If you haven't already checked out her blog, you'll want to soar over to The Eagle's Aerial Perspective.

What resources have you found most helpful on your writing path?

The blogosphere is the most helpful place I’ve found when it comes to writing. There are so many other writers with advice, support, and who already know the ups and downs of the road.

What’s the most encouraging thing you’ve experienced along the way?

That almost all writers go through a process; many authors have written several novels before they were published, they’ve made mistakes, received a ton of rejection letters—but still achieved their dream of seeing their story in the hands of readers.

Favorite children’s books? Authors?

Oh, there are so many books. :) But some of my favorite authors are Blue Balliet, Eoin Colfer, Diana Wynne Jones, Lucy M. Boston, Kenneth Oppel, Wendelin van Draanen, Carole Wilkinson . . . to name a few.

What keeps you going when you feel like giving up?

The writing itself. Publication can only happen if there’s material there—and the material is what I fell in love with first. I enjoy working with words.

If you could choose to live any place on the planet, where would it be?

I’m not sure . . . I’d say the world from my novel(s), but that’s not one of the options! Maybe Japan. Or someplace in Canada. Or Australia.

Describe your fantasy writing space?

A large library room with tall bookshelves filled with old (and new!) books and high, airy windows, with a roaring fireplace at one end. There would be lots of cozy chairs and couches scattered across the room, and it would be winter outside—the room would look out on a pristine, white, mountainous vista.

(LOL. Okay, so I’m not going to be writing in a place like that anytime soon.)

What obstacles have you overcome in order to keep writing?

Time and my own unwillingness. Much as I love getting into the flow of writing, sometimes there are days when I’d just rather work on something else, read, blog, anything other than write.

What one word describes your writing process?

Plotter. :)

What do you appreciate the most about being part of the children’s writers community?

The other writers!

Best writing advice you’ve been given?

Hmmm . . . I had to think about this one. Though it wasn’t given to me directly, one phrase I remember well is “shut up and write”. :P And I find it is true—there are so many ways in which I manage to talk (or complain) about my writing, instead of actually getting into the nitty-gritty and trying to solve the problem.

What do you like to keep in mind while drafting a story?

1. Any typing errors, grammar problems, plot holes, character issues, and other pitfalls can be fixed later in rewrites/revisions. 2. Write down everything that comes to mind, since #1 allows for room to explore. 3. If the story fizzles, that’s okay. Not every idea is going to pan out as well as it was imagined in that first burst of inspiration.

How will you celebrate the publication of your first book?

Hopefully by writing a second book to be published. :) All right, that’s not much fun . . . If (when!) it happens, I’ll probably scream and shout and jump up and down, and then invite everyone I know to some kind of impromptu celebration.