All right-I know I’m behind on multiple different blog posts, but I’ve always said that I would only blog as long as it didn’t interfere with my priorities as a writer. I would prefer that you look upon that declaration as a wise and thoughtful choice instead of a personal lack of blogging fortitude–but if you can’t *tthhhpppffttthhhh* there’s a big fat raspberry coming your way. *grin*
So where do I start? Finish my agent journey? Baby Blogger interview? The NY SCBWI Conference? I’m going to go with the conference because it’s all I can think about. It was AMAZING!
This was my third year at the Writer’s Intensives and I registered before I landed the most amazing agent on the face of the planet…Michelle Wolfson. I’d planned on bringing my YA Touching the Surface to the tables, but instead I focused on one of my favorite funny picture books. My MC Iggy was well received and got chuckles in all the right places, so I think he’s ready to spread his wings and get out into the world.
I needed to get my 10yo on the bus before I left Friday morning so the train was going to be a bit of a dash. Of course the 7:05 mocked me by pulling in the same time I did and waving to me as I was huffing to the platform looking like a psycho bag lady. Luckily the 7:13 found me much more appealing and I made it to the doors of the Hyatt with 9 minutes to spare. All that running I’ve been doing has its advantages. I checked in, checked my bag, checked my coat, hit the ladies room, registered with Marilyn Hershey (a fellow writer/runner who was impressed with my mad skill), grabbed a bagel and cream cheese and sat down with seconds to spare before the opening panel-Listening to Feedback with an Open Mind.
On the panel were…
*Edward Necarsulmer IV (Agent) Heads up the Children’s Literature Department at McIntosh and Otis, Inc.
*Julie Strauss-Gabel (Associate Publisher) Dutton Children’s Books.
*Liz Szabla (Editor-in-Chief) Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of MacMillan Children’s Publishing.
Here are some golden nuggets from the panel…
LS-Has found gold at the Intensives. She discovered two authors who are on their second books. Yay!!!
JSG-If the story is good enough-it won’t lose money.
LS-Number one reason plot doesn’t work is that the ending is telegraphed.
EN-Voice needs to be backed up with plot.
LS-Writers shouldn’t be surprised that we are publishing for a market-that is where the books are sold.
LO-(On critique) Listening with curiosity is different than listening while waiting to speak.
JSG-Writing is really hard-it sucks sometimes. :o)
My first wonderful table was with
Edward Necarsulmer IV from the panel. There were only five of us at the table due to weather interfering with transportation. While I was sad for those who didn’t make it, it did afford us extra time to discuss the fabulous Carrie Jones, her Need Series and her eagerly awaited DEAR BULLY anthology.
After lunch, my second table was with Diane Muldrow, editorial director at Golden Books/Random House. This was another awesome table. We were slightly on the rowdy side, but well within the limits of good taste. LOL!
The afternoon panel was led by Aaron Hartzler (staff member of SCBWI and fellow conference tweeter aaron007) and consisted of…
*Nancy Conescu (Executive Editor) Dutton Children’s Books.
*Rachel Griffiths (Senior Editor) Scholastic.
*Michell Poploff (Vice President, Executive Editor) Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers.
All three editors gave great advice on how to take the Intensive experience and turn it to your best advantage as a writer.
Of course no Intensive is complete unless you hang out with old friends, meet new ones and hit Kidlit at the Wheel Tapper Pub. Of course-Kidlit makes it harder to get up the next morning, but its a blast and well worth it.
If you’ve seen the movie Freaky Friday, you know that its premise is about change and growth through role reversal. For my Friday Blog entry I thought it would be interesting to interview aspiring authors–writers who spend lots of time reading the interviews of published authors and dreaming of the day when they might get their book on the shelves…
Today’s interview is with Holly Dodson. Holly and I met on Book Blogs , a really interesting place for people who blog. It’s a great place to meet new people and make connections. I can prove it to you–let me introduce you to Holly.
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and when and why you started to write?
I’m a single mom who works full time and still makes the time to write. I love every minute of it! My son is three and is the absolute love of my life. Currently I am finishing up revisions on my second YA novel, which I hope to start shopping to agents this spring. Eee!
I have always loved the written word. From the time I could read I don’t think I’ve ever been without a book by my side. Writing started for me in the form of keeping a journal. I can thank my English teachers for that! In high school I wrote many angsty poems and even a play trying to find my niche, but my first attempt at a novel came after my son was born. My life sort-of fell apart for a while there. My marriage failed and the only way I knew how to dig out was with my words. It’s all history from there. Writing is my passion. It’s as vital to me as the air I breathe and the kiddo who owns my heart.
That sounds great So can you tell us a little bit about your YA’s? First a little bit about novel #1. Did you ever send it out? What did you learn from it? Then of course we need to hear all about your WIP.
My first YA has been shelved for now. It was an amazing learning experience, and the novel was the one I needed to write first. I really found myself in it. Plus, I met my wonderful critique partner because of it, and I don’t know what I’d do without her.
My current WIP is titled BECAUSE SHE SAYS SO. It is about sixteen-year-old Kate who is trapped in a fairy tale and must escape before she loses her identity, or winds up dead.
Kate made a stupid wish to escape her life in favor of a fairy tale dream. When the wish comes true, Kate begins to realize that fairy tale land isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Inside the story, she is bound by the words the God-like narrator speaks. The venomous Prince Charming is out to kill her, and there is no happily ever after in this magical kingdom of torture.
Now, getting out of the mess she created won’t be nearly as easy as Kate thinks.
Ahhhh I love it! Don’t know if you’re a Broadway fan, but it sounds like it has a touch of Into the Woods (one of my favorites) in it. I LOVE the whole concept of the narrator playing a role. Very cool. I always find the story behind the story interesting. I know, in my own novel, that the creative journey was long and twisted. A real growing experience. How did you find yourself in the world of BECAUSE SHE SAYS SO? I’m also curious about how you came up with the title.
It’s a pretty funny story. When I was in college I dreamed about a girl who fell into a book. I swore up and down it was from a movie trailer I had seen, and honest to goodness searched for it. For years! Finally last summer I decided to write the story of this girl who has haunted my dreams for so long. I churned out a first draft in just a few weeks, and here we are. The title comes into play with the narrator. When she speaks the lines of the story, the characters are forced to do exactly what she says.
I love your story. I’m so glad you chased that dream down and I can’t wait to read it. The concept leaves really fun visuals dancing across my eyes.
I know that there are several authors that have had a gigantic impact on me and while I LOVE their books, there is a lot more to the hero worship than just that. In this age of technology and conferneces it is very easy to have access to an author in a way that was never possible before. So, who has influenced you and how?
The one author who really inspired me from the start — who inspired me to pick up my pen and write a novel in the first place — J. K. Rowling. I know, a lot of people probably say that, right? But here’s why: We’ve shared a similar path. She escaped an abusive marriage with her baby only to land in poverty, struggling to make ends meet, when she started writing Harry Potter. Six months into writing, Jo lost her mother. She said in an interview that her grief is reflected on every single page in the Harry Potter series.
I escaped an abusive marriage with my two month old son. There was no money. I started writing and the words flowed and flowed into my $0.10 spiral notebooks. Then a month after I started my first YA novel, my younger brother died in a tragic accident. Like Jo, every word on every page I write reflects that loss.
She inspires me to keep going. To keep writing no matter what I face.
I am so glad I asked that question. You need to give yourself a great big hug for being inspired and for taking that magic and turning it into something positive. Last but not least-I need your top five books.
Thank you. I’m very glad to be able to share my story with people. I only hope it will one day inspire someone else along a similar path as me.
Books:
1. HARRY POTTER, obviously, because of Jo Rowling. The magnitude of her inspiration could count for all five, but I’ll limit it to one. lol
2. THE SPIRIT HUNTERS which is by my critique partner, Susan Dennard. It’s due out Summer of 2012 from HarperCollins Children’s so you all can share in it’s awesomeness. Susan’s novel really inspired me from the trenches of the hard work. To watch it go from my critique notes, to Susan’s amazing eye for revisions, to a big house publisher was one of the most awesome things I’ve ever been a part of.
3. TROUBLING A STAR by Madeline L’Engle. This is a book I read over and over and over again as a kid. I couldn’t get enough of it. It really fostered my love of reading and the way it could transport me to other places and times.
4. THE MISTS OF AVALON by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Another book I would devour again and again. It always left me feeling powerful, and like there was more to life than just going to school to learn stuff. It really made me think about the impact I was having on the people around me.
5. Last, but not least, DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST by Juliet Marillier. I read this as an adult and again, the passion and the beauty of these words held me transfixed in a way few have. Marillier inspires me to be a better writer, to have that poetic, twisting prose that pulls on your heartstrings.
Thank you for interviewing me! It was fun to put to words all these meanings and reasons behind my writing. 🙂
Holly, it was such a pleasure to get to know you and I’m looking forward to meeting you in person some time. I appreciate you taking the time to stop over and get a little freaky. *grin*
If you would like to get to know more about Holly Dodson, you can check out her web site or her blog Super Mom Writes.
Just a little teaser… I’m starting to interview book bloggers (because come on– they are really cool) and Holly’s sister Jessica is a "Baby" YA Book Blogger. Her interview will be up next week.
I’m back and gratefully a little smarter than I was in Part 1 and 2 of this adventure. When I left off, I’d just joined SCBWI and even more shocking–I’d signed up for the SCBWI 2007 Eastern NY Conference. I’m not sure what possessed me, I’m not super spontaneous on a normal day, but to make it even more of a head scratcher–the conference was on my 2-year-old’s birthday. OK-maybe a little break, even from this cutie, wasn’t a bad thing for a mom of three boys under the age of six. It felt important–I was compelled to go. Of course, my super, fabulous husband has supported me from the beginning and so the term "Daddy Party Weekend" was born. LOL!
Of course the birthday was fully celebrated later and on multiple other occasions, but I still wonder how I ended up at that conference… All I can say was something was pushing me. Was it my Dad? I’d like to think he was giving me a nudge in the right direction.
I went, but I almost didn’t make it through registration. I walked down the step into a room full of people who I didn’t know. I was sure they knew that I was a kid-lit impersonator. I came so close to leaving–then I saw one face that I knew…
Chris Shave and I taught together at a local Intermediate school and he was my life raft for the day. I had someone to hang out with and to sit with at the lunch table. Thank you, Chris. (((((hugs)))))
****I need to interrupt this blog for an important public service announcement…if you’re ever at a conference by yourself–with no one to hang out with. (Example: eating room service alone at your first NY SCBWI Conference) COME FIND ME!!!!! I know how bad that feels, so hang out with me instead. We will now return to our regular programming.****
Once I settled down and decided to stay, my life changed forever. I met the two most wonderful role models an aspiring children’s writer could ask for–Laurie Halse Anderson and K.L. Going.
I didn’t take pictures at that original conference, so I’ll borrow this one from Laurie’s book tour of Chains. If you’re interested, my very first blog post EVER was inspired by Laurie and written about her. (ORIGINAL BLOG POST) It took me two months of cyber stalking the Mad woman in the Forrest to get up enough courage to write that first post…but I did it.
Later, when I saw Laurie at the book signing in the picture above, I broke into tears as I proudly told her that I’d completed the first draft of my novel and it was because of her. I’ll never forget her sincere interest in me. It made me feel like a legitimate writer for the first time. I love this lady even more because she cried with me and told me more wonderful things that I’ll never forget…
She told me to remember that she once stood where I was standing and the reason she was here was because someone else had done for her, what she had done for me. She said that Children’s Writers are the finest people in the whole world and when I make it (and she knows I will) I will pay it forward and help other aspiring writers on their journey.
So in case you’re wondering–I’m planning on making it. I have something to pay forward and amazing people who believe in me.
I know–I could have died happy right after that experience, but by golly the writing gods have a purpose for me and they were hammering home their point that day. They say lightening can’t strike twice, but I also met K.L. Going and was equally as inspired by her. Then I discovered she was giving a very intimate local Writer’s Workshop in a couple of weeks and I could also get a 10 page one-on-one critique. I decided to go, but first I had to start writing my book…
I had an idea. It was a beginning. It’s morphed and changed and grown since the summer of 1997, but I had an idea and I wrote 27 pages down and I had my critique. It was perfect. Kelly gave me enough thumbs up to keep me going and lots of ideas on world building and a million other things I didn’t know. Then I began to work on it. Kelly has a motto and its by my desk where I can see it every day. Be yourself. Have an Opinion. Tell the World. My work was cut out for me.
The following year, with my first NY SCBWI conference (room service and all) under my belt, I returned to Kelly’s workshop again. It was one year later and I purchased a double critique and sent her my first 20 pages.
*K.L. Going’s Workshop
I was nervous. It had been a whole year and what if what I’d written stunk? I was feeling like this…
I could have flown to the moon and back when she commented about my persistence IN CLASS!!! She said that she’d seen a HUGE improvement in my writing since last year. Then we talked and once again she pushed me in the right direction and I learned another extremely important lesson–the whole story can be in your head–but no one can read it unless it is on the page. I needed to stop revising so much while writing my first draft. I gave myself permission to just write.
I also gave myself a couple goals. I’d just applied to the Rutgers On-on-One Conference in October. I didn’t know if I’d get in or not, but I was going to have a finished draft by the date of that conference. Then when I was done revising, I was going to hire Kelly to critique my full manuscript.
I finished the first draft AND got into Rutgers.
The day I put the last words on the paper–I laid my head down on my desk and bawled. I hadn’t known. It was shocking to figure out that I hadn’t been sure I could really do it–write a whole novel. I also realized that I had no idea how the story was going to end until I finished it. I finally understood that this story was my emotional journey, just as much as it was my characters, and no matter what happened to this book in the future–it existed. I existed. I now occupied the world in a brand new way. Everything was perfect–well until I had to learn all about that thing called revision. But for now, lets just enjoy this magic moment. Revision is a story for another day. But keep in mind, you don’t get an agent without being able to revise…stay tune and I can prove it to you. Of course I learned the hard way. *grin*
I know–I owe you part three of my agent journey–it’s coming. But right now, there are a few things that I must share with you. They are things that make my life fabulous…that are not Michelle Wolfson. This in no way should be taken as an indication that Michelle Wolfson is not fabulous. She is uber amazing!! In fact, it wasn’t easy to find things that make me as happy as Michelle Wolfson. *grin* But…I’ve now reached the point where my cheeks have been smiling for so long, I have to stop thinking about her in order to prevent premature wrinkles. I’ve now realized that strangers look at me funny when I start to jump up and down, hoot and holler and pinch myself in public. People in the grocery store can be soooo uptight.
So, in order to prevent wrinkles and ensure adequate food for my family we are going to try to get back to earth from time to time.
Here it is–my list of fabulous things that I think you might not be able to live without once you try them. Michelle would have been on this list but unfortunately she can not be purchase on-line or in stores at the moment. Polish that query letter–she’s worth the effort and in the meantime be sure to follow her on Twitter #sheishilarious.
Here’s my short list…
1. Bogs
All right, I admit they may not be the most attractive boots on the market, but by golly they are the warmest and driest boot I’ve ever shoveled snow in. They are waterproof and insulated and easy to get on and off with helpful built in handles. They have lots of quirky cute designs but I went neutral. It’s a little like having a tattoo-I plan to have these for a long time and I know I get bored and my tastes change. So, no tattoo in case you were wondering and If I need to spice it up–I’ve got stickers.
I didn’t originally purchase my Bogs for winter wear. I got them for puddle stomping and yard mucking and three-boy-chasing but my feet have never been so happy while shoveling the snow. My only regret is that I didn’t have them last year when this happened…
Next up-keeping with the theme of footwear…
2. Down Booty Slipper.
They are light, warm and purple. They also amuse me because I giggle very time I say down booty *giggle* You can’t go wrong with these, they are little down comforters for your feet. Ahhhhhhhhh
3. Cashmina Sheets
Santa brought a set for the boys and I’m very thankful to that jolly old elf because those boys kept crawling under my comforter, with ice cold feet, trying to steal all my fluffy, warm happiness. These sheets will NEVER leave my bed until spring. (Ummm I mean I WILL wash them and put them right back on but other than that-a staple!)
I love them soooo much I even got a set for my babysitter-which may not have been the best idea because I haven’t seen her since. I’m hoping that has everything to do with us being sick and nothing to do with complete hibernation. We’ll find out Tuesday when I try to break out and go to dance class. In case you need to get yourself a pair ASAP…google Cashmina Micro Plush Sheets. Don’t forget to compare prices. They differ, but all the sheets seem to be great-I’ve ordered from three different locations because they were sold out EVERYWHERE!
I’ll make this my last fabulous item of the day because you need time to go track these items down. This one isn’t warm or fluffy but you could use it in bed while wearing your slippers…
4. Stonyfiield Organic After Dark Chocolate Ice Cream!!!!
Honestly, not a lot to add here that you can’t figure out on your own. Just keep in mind I’m a complete chocolate snob and know of which I speak. Go grab a spoon!
Hmmm so where were we? Oh, that’s right–Dad just died, pregnant with 3rd child, recently discovered the benefits of being an emotional risk taker and now dedicated to being a children’s book author.
I’m sure you’re all saying… “Blah, blah, blah–sweet story and all–but what has this got to do with the truth about getting an agent???”
It’s coming. I promise. I’ll also add–Michelle Wolfson of Wolfson Literary— well worth the wait.
It’s June of 2005 and although I’m now dedicated to being an author of–something involving children literature–this little guys is still one of my best creations EVER!
My 3rd little boy. *heart squish* We thought for sure he was going to be a girl. He corrected that notion straight off by taking a well aimed whizz on my head–twice LOL! From the moment I laid eyes on him, I’ve never missed having a girl. I’ve felt pretty lucky to have my very own super hero and–if you squint–he looks almost exactly like Mike Jung.
For the next year or maybe it was an eternity–lets be honest–I wiped a lot of butts. I had a newborn, a 2 year old and a 4 year old. Hell, I’m just lucky I survived LOL! My ability to stay afloat was illustrated in my Christmas card for 2005. I stuck with two very important goals in the making of the card…
…find the easiest way to deal with outfit stress and containment. This was the only way I could get a picture without someone running away LOL! I also have to give a nod to photo technology for making this picture possible because I have a pepto-dismal pink tub.
So, I dabbled in poetry and then in picture books. I couldn’t wrap my mind around something that wasn’t “bite sized” (I had no earthly idea that size and level of difficulty are not related when it comes to the world of outstanding picture books)
Even within my comfort level, I didn’t write much, but I learned another important lesson that has come to serve me well–I always have time to think. I’ve now come to call these days “Mull-it Days.”
Not this kind of mullet…eeewwwww
My mull-it refers to using that computer on top of your shoulders. Mull-it days have replaced the days that used to make me feel bad about myself because I couldn’t sit to write. I mean, come on, with the Sabatini Zoo Crew there were days I didn’t even get to sit at all! So, I’ve learned that there’s value to writing and plotting and developing characters in my head while my kids are at the play ground, or while I’m doing laundry. It’s important to push yourself, but there is also value in learning what works for you. Maybe to write a unique book, you have to be a unique person too. You also have to have a little courage thrown into the mix.
Courage is an interesting thing. Some people find it when someone else validates them.
Other people are cliff divers–they just jump right in without thinking. Ummm….that scares the heck out of me in case your wondering. If I’m taking a cliff dive, call the cops–I’ve been pushed! I’m the kind of courage that comes in baby steps. You’re gonna see me revving my engine for a good bit before I hit each speed bump one at a time. *grin* Slow and steady…they should write a fable about that.
In the summer of 2006 I entered a short story contest (Hudson Valley Tale Spinners) in my local paper. I didn’t win or garner any attention, but I decided to have my little courageous moment and emailed the the POC at the paper and asked what I could do to improve my writing. He contacted me and said he doesn’t normally provide feedback to contestants but he very kindly looked up my entry. (Give me a high five for asking!) He told me that while it was well written, it was (honestly) boring. He said it much nicer than that, but that was the truth. I thought about it and decided that this was good news. (Can you tell I’m a cup half full kind of a gal?) I decided to focus on the fact that my writing was good-he could have said it wasn’t! And when I thought about it, yes, the story was boring. It had no hook. In fact it was the same thing that 12 other people wrote about–lesson learned. I was going to keep that on file.
FYI just because I file something, it doesn’t mean I’ve completely absorbed it right away. Repetition is key. I promise I’ve got it now…ask my agent *grin* But that agent is still a long way off…
This is where I send my deepest apologies to Writer’s House and hang my head for being ignorant and clogging up the slush pipe. *blushes with shame* I finally decided to send out my first picture book submission. (Honestly, I’ve blocked the exact date from my memory.) But I can tell you that I sent it to Writer’s House Literary Agency because of one very important reason–LOOK HERE TO SEE THE REASON–the building was adorable! This loosely translates into–I didn’t know my ass from my elbow and had no business submitting to an agent, but by golly, I was even to green to know that. *sheepish grin*
It gets worse. This is what I sent them. I KNEW that it was just a matter of time until they were calling me back telling me that they couldn’t live without me!!!!!!!!!! (Just a reminder–this occurred in 2006 and I did not sign with my agent until 2011) Time to get your chuckle on folks…
REGINALD JONES
Reginald Jones was a very nice boy
He always said “Thank You” and picked up his toys
And although there were days he had construction to do
He played with his brother, who only was two
Now Reggie was nice, but he also was clever
He could count up to five-teen and sing all his letters
He knew all his colors like red, green and blue
He puzzled and sculpted and painted things too
When you’re nice, when you’re clever that seems like a lot
But there is one more good thing that we almost forgot
Reginald Jones was funny as well
That spry little guy had great jokes to tell
Like all boys and girls who have swell things to tell
There are a couple of things that he doesn’t do well
When things don’t work out the way Reggie might think
Well, that’s when that boy can sure make a stink
For example there’s problems with tying his shoes
Causing ranting and raving and lots of boo hoo’s
He yells “I CAN DO IT!” so everyone hears
But he won’t let his Mom create bunny ears
Reggie has problems with wetting at night
But he always insists that he’s doing it right
Dad thinks a wake-up’s a good thing to do
But that boy picks a puddle instead of the loo
Reginald Jones can squeeze out the toothpaste
But the squirt on the floor just seems like a waste
Then he insists that he give it a rub
His mother just sighs…now there’s some in the tub
When Reginald Jones pours his drink in a cup
It is guaranteed someone will mop the floor up
Next time they’ll guide his hand up and down
So he’ll sneak in the fridge when no one’s around
Last but not least Reggie can’t blow his nose
Air comes out of his mouth and shoots down to his toes
That boy gets upset when his mom holds his head
He just likes to use his finger instead
Reggie is clever, funny and nice
But when his parents describe him they never think twice
Independent, willful, a bit stubborn too
A boy with his own mind about what he should do
They are proud of their son and know that what makes him tough
Will serve him quite well when the world gets too rough
They are also aware that when Reggie gets surly
It’s probably best that he go to bed early.
Ummm as you might have guessed–they were KIND in sending me a form rejection. But I also did the smartest thing I possibly could.
I had a lightbulb moment, I revved my little courage engine and in April of 2007 I became an official member of the SCBWI. This was one of the smartest things I’ve EVER done in my quest to get an agent…I’ll tell you all about it in installment #3.
