Prologue Prolapse

After diving into the 3rd or 4th re-write on my YA prologue, I dove into Chapter One and the water had receded. Something didn't feel right-hitting the sandy bottom never does. I'm new to writing prologues, though I liked what I did, I had doubts. I cruised through several blogs on the subject and soon, my prologue went into prolapse, and sank to the bottom of the Cea. Bits and pieces are floating up, and will be resurfacing into Chapter One. Praise Google for making this painless!

Writing What I Imagine-Instead of What I Know

Last night's news made my heart sink as I watched a bomb go off during Boston's Marathon. As horrifying as this was, it's worse on the other side of the world. According to the United Nations, the two year civil war (only 2 years!) in Syria has now a death toll of 70,000 people-adults and children. My heart plunges deeper into these forsaken waters of mankind. There is only so much the heart can take. As a child-age ten to be exact, I was exposed to the atrocities being committed to my best friend...sexual and verbal abuse by her father. Sworn to secrecy, I told no one. There was no Oprah Winfrey Show back then. In the midst of this, I lined up to see Star Wars and loved reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I suppose this is why I choose imaginary over reality, when it comes to writing for children. Escaping to a magical world in a book can inspire hope and ignite imagination in the mind and heart of a child, and sometimes,even as an adult. Wasn't it Star Trek that inspired the invention of the cell phone?

Reading and Rolling

I just completed Sarah Ockler's Twenty Boy Summer and I liked the challenges Anna was faced with when her best friend's brother dies. Two years prior, I bought Jessi Kirby's book, Moonglass where the the main character, Anna, sorts out her painful memories of the death of her mother. Funny, how I stumbled on two great books that take place on the beach and weave seaglass into the story. Another coincidence or not, both authors will be touring together this summer! I'm reading my second YA book as ideas for my young adult story rolls around in my head. My father's old leather camera case inspired it. (see pic in earlier blog). My main character also deals with loss but it's in tornado alley, far from the beach. I've got the prologue, but the water has to be warmer before diving into chapter one.