She Said Eleven

I was at my local bookstore today when I ran into an old client of mine and her young daughter whom I hadn't seen in a long time. She told me that they were living overseas for the past three years and I told her I've been writing children's books. I asked the daughter how old she was and she said eleven. I asked about the books she liked, and she mentioned the book series School of  Fear and another series I can't recall because my head was reeling after she listed The Hunger Games and mentioned she had seen the movie twice! Eleven, really?? I do understand that no two eleven year-olds are alike, but  would you allow your 10,11 or 12 year-old to read this trilogy? Are the kids & parents today just numb to violence because of what they see on television and the Internet? I liked the books, they were well written, but gratuitous violence holds no meaning, so it was no surprise that I soon found the violence tiresome. Back to my revisions-nothing violent or dystopian, I'm happy to say.

The Wind has Died

Right when I thought my book was about to set sail, the wind died. I had a great phone consult with my editor friend, Joyce, on my book. She and I wrote a script together years ago, and it was awesome to experience the play of ideas again. Love the way we bounce things off of each other. I was toying with changing a few things on my first page, just wasn't sure what. Joyce triggered some new ideas that I'm excited to bring to my story, but at the same time, dreading it also. The past week I've been formulating it in my head and now's the time to write it. Once again, it's revision time. It's like getting the nerve to jump into the cool ocean. When you finally do it, the chill of the water shocks the system then you acclimate and discover playing in the waves is fun and exciting. When you leave the sea to lie on the warm beach, a sense of satisfaction rolls through you.

SCBWI OC Editors Day Conference

Sailing inland for the OC Editors Day Conference, I found the waters were inviting with schools of fellow writers and an amazing pod of informative and supportive editors & agents. The catch of the day was being randomly chosen, along with five others, to have lunch with Yolanda LeRoy Scott, Editorial Director of Charlesbridge Books. Yolanda wanted to know how we ended up writing for children after we learned how she landed in the book biz, which was a surprising and cool story! I've been so secretive with what I've been writing, except with my critique group, so I was shocked how much I shared! But I felt safe to do so and the others equally shared. All of us had unique stories and influences! I'm diving back into the Cea of Writing with completing rewrites on my MG book from edits I just received from my pro-editor friend, Joyce, and one more rewrite (I hope) on my one page synopsis, then it set sails to it's new destination.

Resurfacing

Fall is on the way and I'm now resurfacing. I live in an art town that comes alive in the summer with art festivals, music and the infamous Pageant of the Masters. And for the first time in a couple of years, we've had nonstop sunshine which makes it extremely difficult to stay in and write. If only my laptop had the nook technology so I can write on the beach when I'm not paddle boarding! I've been reading though. I'm on the third book, the Amber Spyglass of the Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman. Children's books, really?? A part from the lead character, Lyra being ten, I find it to be more of an adult book. I'm amazed how flawlessly he brings in so many characters and subplots! I meet with my critique partner tomorrow so I'm off writing!

One Page Synopsis Reaches Shore

It's been almost a month since I've blogged!! Summer, family & friends caused me to fall overboard. Some amazing events-I got my second rejection, I wrote a prologue for my next book, and I completed my first draft of the one page synopsis! The agent who rejected me did include a BTW that said, "I Loved Your Pitch!" Which I was pleased to know! I continue to scope out for the right harbor. The prologue was a late night inspiration and the one page synopsis was completed last Sunday night. Two things that was key: 1. Writing my jacketflap synopsis first 2. Writing a list of my plot points. Maybe this can help you too.

Inspiration for my next book

A couple of years ago my mother asked me if I wanted my father's old camera case. May dad had passed away and it was just sitting in the closet. Of course I said "yes," as memories of his case flooded my mind. When I went to pick it up, I discovered nestled inside, an old Nikon Camera, lenses, flash, etc.- each in its individual leather case. It has decorated my floor ever since. But it was last summer while gazing at it, a story synopsis came to me. Love when that happens don't you? The book is going to be a YA and I have now written my prologue for it. Ye! As for my MG one page synopsis, it's adrift but I think it will reach land sometime tomorrow morning.

Slow Boat

I'm taking the slow boat on this next submission since this agent wants the whole book and I do have time. So why rush? I've gotten feedback from two out of the five people that I sent it to; all, are outside of my critique group. Of course, they are readers and some are writers too. I was able to get some reading done. I finished Catching Fire but have yet to get back to The Golden Compass. I was sidetracked by Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai. A beautiful and profound book written in prose that opened a new world for me. A young girl's experience as a Vietnamese refugee. I was deeply touched and saddened that I never learned about Vietnam, the country or the war in school. I hope this book finds its way into the hands of children across our nation. As for my one page synopsis, it keeps diving below the surface!