Carolinas SCBWI Conference Recap

I've missed seeing my Carolina writer friends so much and was pleased to know that none were affected severely by Florence. Of course, many towns north of Myrtle Beach are still not in operation. This is going to be a long recovery and many had just recovered from Matthew two years ago.

Vanessa Brantley Newton got us started off with a story about a farmer, his wife, and their little goat who had sensory issues and was dyslexic too. And the way she tells the story of this little goat who fell into a pit and managed to still get out is one that is only she can tell. She *is* the little goat. I loved hearing her story, her struggles, her triumph. She mentioned "diversity designed by adversity."  The thing that stuck with me is how she kept making art even when times were hard and there wasn't any money for food, let alone art supplies. And it's not what's expected of an African American. However, when opportunity knocked, she was prepared! I've read many of her picture books and now I can enjoy them even more. She's an amazing storyteller on and off the page. And can she sing! She sang You Have to Be Taught from South Pacific. She's pictured here with Teresa Fannin, who is our Regional Advisor, and who works tirelessly (with Bonnie Adamson) to make this a memorable conference for all. Thank YOU, Teresa.

Vanessa and Kelly Starling Lyons shared how they fell into writing and illustrating chapter books [CBs]. These are bridge books between the EZs and the MG novel. They are written for children ages 6-10 and have a wide range from 1,500 to 15,000 words. They tend to be very character driven, with a plot that moves right along. Think Junie B. Jones, Ramona, and now Jada Jones! 

Both these ladies are excellent teachers. The majority of stories will revolve around family and friends because that is their world. And as always, develop your character with these basic questions (replacing Jada with your own main character):
What does Jada want?
Who or what is standing in her way?
How does she solve the problem?
How is she changed?

I have so many CB ideas written down! And I hope some of them are marketable! My kids loved these and though they are part of a child's life for a short time, perhaps only for a couple of years, they are beloved books. I still remember learning to read by myself at age 6 and how the world opened up for me. I would've loved Jada then, a girl much like myself. I was reading the Brer Rabbit books written by Enid Blyton at the time and I saw myself in those animal characters. 

I was super-excited to meet Tammi Sauer. I've known her for a long time on the Blueboards and remember when she sold her first PB, Cowboy Camp! She has sold nearly 30 PBs with many more in the pipeline. And these are books you want to read over and over because they bring so much joy! Not only is she talented, she's delightful and generous. And when she's on, she puts on a show! She takes the prize for entertaining!!! She shared her PB secrets--it's stuff you know, like the necessity of reading, having conflict, using word play, words that sing, etc.--but the way Tammi presents it is completely unique. Don't miss a chance to see her. 

Rebecca Petruck has a new book out: Boy Bites Bug! That title reminds me of my sister, who chased ants until the day one big one bit her tongue. Yes, she ate ants! But I digress. 

Rebecca's lecture on what to do when you are sooooo close was probably the most heart-breaking because we've all been there. The collective sighs said it all. But she provided some advice that she collected from published authors and the single best advice is to move on to the next story. I agree so much with this. Everything you learn writing a book can be applied to the next one. Of course, it has its own unique lessons to teach. The second piece of advice seems contradictory: Persevere. But it isn't really. Listen. Revise. Repeat. Don't stop making art. She shared how Carol Baldwin has been returning to a historical fiction book over and over, not afraid to gut it and start over from scratch. It is going to be so wonderful when it's finally published. 

Rebecca also mentioned the value of using professional editors, contests, and connecting with your tribe. She mentioned how valuable Pitch Wars has been, not just if you get picked to be mentored, but for its community. It's precisely to meet more writers from SC that I went to this conference. I really, really miss my vibrant critique group I had in WA, the monthly get togethers with the writers from a larger area. Writing is a wonderful profession but it's hard to grow in a vacuum. I have online partners but nothing beats having a little group where you can talk shop.

I know a lot of people go to conferences to connect with editors and agents, but for me, this was all about reconnecting with other writers. I want to build a kidlit community here, preferably on Daniel Island, because you know that it is the center of my universe :) I still get those darned migraines and wish to be free of them but until then, I get so much support. My dear Michael drove me up. I rode home with Rebecca Ivester and she managed to get me to church in time for choir practice. I was so happy to get to know her better. We are plotting...something. Stay tuned. 

Becky Shillington was my roommate and we tried not to stay up too late gabbing. She took such good care of me, letting me sleep in, making me a cup of tea, sharing her cookie. I am like an elephant, never forgetting a kindness. I learned that her husband makes really good naan, so I'm wrangling an invitation to stay with them for a day. I figure we can cook an Indian meal. By the way, I'm thinking I should have a BOUND workshop that's all about food. It'd be so fun. I made another batch of kalakand but this one is more like ras-malai, with cardamom and saffron. Yummm.

It was fun to run into my very first room-mate, Jacqueline, and Viviane, who has a new picture book coming out next month--Teach Your Giraffe to Ski. I also made a couple of new friends. And last, but not least, I got a big bear hug from Donna Earnhardt, author of Being Frank, and our keynote speaker. What Scares You? Well, write it anyway. Sorry, she said it much better with stories from the Bible, LOTR, Ella Fitzgerald, and a reading of Oothar the Blue by author Brandon Reese himself.

Hope and Fear ask the same question. What if? How will you answer it? I'm leaving you with a poem that Donna shared:
Hope is the thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson and my sweet Benny, who allowed me to finally type up a few notes.

Hope is the thing with feathers 

Art on folder by Ashlyn Anstee.

That perches in the soul, 
And sings the tune without the words, 
And never stops at all, 
  
And sweetest in the gale is heard;         
And sore must be the storm 
That could abash the little bird 
That kept so many warm. 
  
I’ve heard it in the chillest land, 
And on the strangest sea;        
Yet, never, in extremity, 
It asked a crumb of me.

You Are Enough

I’ve been blogging for ten years, yet never entered a writing contest on someone’s blog…until now. Positive Writer is hosting You Are Enough writing contest: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-you-are-enough/  I hope my entry achieves what it’s meant to do—to make you believe in yourself and your writing abilities.

You. Are. Enough.  

Read those words slowly. Believe. If you have a desire to write, know that you already have what it takes to write. I know because this truth has been borne out in my life many times over and I have observed it in others as well. I’m not a brilliant scientist, yet I foster my curiosity about the natural world. I’m not much of a musician, yet I sing and make a joyful noise, lifting my heart and mind to God. I’m not a great writer, yet I have stories that only I can tell, and so I write. I believe that every deep desire is written upon our hearts by our God and He would never place that desire without the necessary graces to make them happen. However, we must cooperate with Him. 

What does cooperation look like? It’s working towards those dreams. You want to be a writer? Then write! No time? Steal it. Write during a lunch break. Get up fifteen minutes earlier. Treat it like you would a lover. No space? Write at the kitchen counter. In your car (when it’s parked!). Or your bed. No money? You only need a cheap notebook and pen. You can get a free education at the library. Sacrifice something else. When people say they have a passion for something, it means they are willing to suffer for it. That’s passion. So. No excuses! Remember, you are enough. Take the example of Mother Teresa, who did what she could, where she was, with what she had, and God blessed it enormously. 

We tend to be our own worst enemies. We have doubts. Fears. These are all real and legitimate. But when we make decisions based on our doubts and fears, we end up choosing the wrong thing. I know because this truth has also been borne out in my life many times over. I love medicine, but was afraid to be in debt, so didn’t pursue it. I love children, but was afraid of the time they take to raise, so stopped having children. I have stories that burn inside me, but I’m afraid of what others might think of them, so tear them up when they show up on the page. But I feel the most alive when I’m cultivating the gifts God has given me, when I write what I believe, what I know to be true, even if it frightens me. So I’m learning to place my trust in God, asking him to be with me when I write. Who shall I fear when God Himself is with me? 

You say you want to write. Then write!

You. Are. Enough. And may God bless and prosper the work of your hands.

 

In Praise of the Local -- Island Expressions

I always try to shop locally and one of the most wonderful things about living on Daniel Island is that everything I need is here. About the only time I leave the island is on Sundays to go to Latin Mass at Stella Maris. Yes, this is how small my life is and I like it just fine :) 

My interview with Heath Ellison of Daniel Island News is up. A friend of mine saw it before I did--our newspaper was soggy by the time I found it. I doubt many on the island will even see it because of Florence. I shouldn't complain when so many people have lost their homes in NC and upper SC. It's better to have a Cat 4 hurricane blow through quickly than this awful slow-moving Cat 1/tropical storm. The torrential rainfall has caused devastating flooding. 

Anyhow, newspapers are notorious for cutting off the ends of things if they're running out of space, so my book signing/meet-the-author event didn't show up. Locals: I'll be at Island Expressions on Tuesday, Oct. 9th from 4-6 pm. I hope to see you there. I picked up a dry copy of the paper from the lovely shop--it's the place I go when I need to get a unique gift. The best part is that many of the items are made by artists in the area. So thankful for local arts and crafts.   

 

Finally, here's a very useful website that lists all newspapers in the US: http://www.usnpl.com/  Local papers are always happy to publish community news so if you have a book to promote, never hesitate to contact your newspaper.

A Summer of Shame

Where to begin?

For the past few weeks I've been struggling to process the news coming from the Church. It's bad. Very bad. And the rot goes all the way to the top. Bishops protecting their brother bishops, the Pope admonishing victims for gossiping and calumny. Can you imagine? It made me sooo mad. And now he has “no comment.” I know he doesn’t have to answer to anybody (except God), just like he’s not answered the dubia (going on 2 years now), but isn’t the beginning of wisdom the fear of the Lord? How about sacking the bishops who allowed the abuse to continue? How about cleaning up the house of God? It reminds me of the quote by St. Chrysostom: "The road to Hell is paved with the bones of priests and monks, and the skulls of bishops are the lamp posts that light the path."  ETA: It's his feast day today!

This is the damning testimony from Abp. Carlo Maria Vigano. He had warned Pope Francis about Cd. McCarrick but what did Francis do? Lift the restrictions Pope Benedict had imposed upon McCarrick, thus allowing him to make appointments. I am sure all these allegations will be proven true in time. Then there's the Grand Jury report from PA. I've not read it--it's over a thousand pages--that's how bad it is. But I’ve learned from reading summaries that 80% of the cases are of male on male predation, like it was in the 2001/2002 scandal. By the way, we watched an excellent movie—Spotlight—that covers it. I don’t understand why the media is silent about this summer’s scandal. I don't care that the worst of it was in the 1970s and 1980s, it has to stop completely.
 

"Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!" declares the LORD. ~ Jeremiah 23:1

The Church already has protocols. My understanding is that a priest who has affairs with women or has children with one is laicized. If a seminarian has homosexual tendencies, he’s not ordained. But clearly, these practices have not been followed in recent decades. It’s total rebellion against the Church’s teachings on chastity and sex. When Humanae Vitae came out, many in the Church were shocked. They thought that Pope Paul VI would get on with the times. When he didn't, dissenting priests taught against it. And now we see the fruit of rebellion. As shameful as all this is, I agree with the words of Pope St. Gregory the Great: "It is better that scandals arise then the truth be suppressed." Jesus Himself told us that the truth will set us free (John 8:32).

 

For the first time in my life, I am anxious about many things, but especially for the Church. How many will lose their faith because of this? How many good priests will be painted with the same brush as those who are wicked? Where will the sheep go when there's no shepherd? I am deeply troubled. Wounded. I know something about shame. I think of the victims--the children, the young women, and the young men who wanted to give their lives to Christ. What courage it takes to come forward when you are ashamed of what's been done to you. And what courage it takes to stay in the Church when her leaders fail you. I stay because Jesus, my dear Jesus, is in the Church. Because in the words of Peter: "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." John 6:68  Indeed. I won't abandon Him now, not after what He's done for me. I will help carry this Cross. I will remain faithful. But it's a FIGHT to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus in these stormy times. 

I heard this joke at one of the Marian Eucharistic conferences on how various people have sought to destroy the Church. So Napoleon and a Cardinal are in conversation. Napoleon, frustrated, says, "I have the power to destroy the Catholic Church." The cardinal says, "Your Majesty, we, the Catholic clergy have done our best to destroy the Church for the last 1,800 years. We have failed, and so will you." The best jokes really do have an element of truth in them, no? All joking aside, I am thankful that our good priests are asking for change and accountability in the way things are done. Please feel free to add your own signature to the letter. I humbly ask to please also pray for the Church and Her good priests. Thank you so much.

This is my favorite prayer for priests--from the Little Flower--St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus:

O Jesus, Eternal Priest, look down with love upon Thy priests.

Fill them with burning zeal for the conversion of sinners.

Keep them within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart.

Keep unstained their anointed hands which daily touch Thy Sacred Body.

Keep unsullied their lips purpled with Thy precious Blood.

Keep pure and unearthly their hearts sealed with the sublime marks of Thy glorious Priesthood.

Let Thy holy love protect them from the world's contagion.

Bless their labors with abundant fruit,

and may the souls to whom they minister on earth be one day their joy and consolation in heaven.

Amen. 

PSS: An excerpt of a wonderful letter by J.R.R. Tolkein to his son during the 1960s. 

Last year I read and reviewed The Devil Hates Latin by Katharine Galgano. It now seems like thinly veiled fiction. 

Saint quotes are from Traditional Catholic Priest. A great resource. 

Sorry about the long and ranty post. I guess given enough time even I could bear to write about this. Parce Domine.

Déjà vu

Remembering the people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Requiem aeternam.
  
September seems to be the peak of the hurricane season. I remember when we moved here seven years ago and closed on our house. Irene brushed by us. Now it seems like business as usual--prepare, wait it out. But this year, Michael and Dagny have gone down to Florida to visit with Max, have Dagny sit in on a few classes at Ave Maria, and have a little holiday. Praying for a safe journey for them and for all in the path of Florence. I really, really feel badly for the folks in NC who will take a direct hit. I am, of course, staying home with our pets, and have a writing retreat.

I love the pictures from space, how immensely beautiful it is to see the winds whirling about. This picture reminds me of last year when we had Irma, Maria, and Jose, all lined up. I know so many who've still not recovered from last year.

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.  

 

Happy Bits and Bobs

I'm sooo delighted to have Bound in the Pauline Books & Media store downtown Charleston as well as in Island Expressions, a beautiful little boutique shop on Daniel Island. It's wonderful to be amongst the greats. Books really are the only thing that break the space/time barrier so my book is happy to rub its spine against Flannery's. Up above were Tolkien and Lewis. 

I promised that I'd share results of my weekend sale for the e-book. It was a success. There were 18 downloads :) Don't laugh. When you've had zero in a week, 18 is progress. As you can see, my reach is very small. I know of people who get thousands of downloads when they have a sale. I don't know enough about advertising to throw $$$ at it yet. My hope is that those who read Bound will share it. That way readership will grow organically. 

Friends, I ask that you request Bound at your library whether or not you've purchased a copy. This becomes win-win for all. ISBN is 978-1983227417. Thank you. 

We've also had a bounty of jalapenos so Michael made ABTs. I made an Indian milk dessert--kalakand--from the gallon of milk left over. Oh my! It was a perfect antidote for the jalapenos. The cats, too, enjoyed licking the bowl. Here they are, sated!

I also received a newsy letter in this beautiful handmade card from my PhD advisor, Lin. I love how much care she's taken to choose a card (her sister is the artist) that fits with Bound. I can almost imagine it was made specially to highlight some of the themes in my book! She'd introduced me to Marcel Proust--there was a copy of Remembrance of Things Past in our tea room, where she also kept the two-volume Oxford English Dictionary. Even though I had to use a magnifying glass to read it, I loved it. It's such a rare scientist who enjoys using words precisely (I think it's a necessity no matter what field you're in). It was so good to catch up on her life and to know she enjoyed Bound so much she wants to share it with a long-time colleague and friend from England who comes every summer to do a few experiments with her. How I wish I could join them for a discussion. It'd be like old times. Happy sigh! 

Labor Day Weekend Sale

I am determined to learn marketing this fall, so my first experiment is to play with pricing on the e-book. For this Labor Day weekend, I'd like for you to have the fruit of my labor for only 99 cents! 

I hope Bound reaches many new readers at this low price. Please spread the word. If the results are spectacular, I might even share them :)

The e-book is also now available on other platforms besides Amazon thanks to Draft2Digital. I've changed the price on all the platforms through Sept. 3rd. I'm not quite sure how to reach people who are on all these other platforms. But going wide is the first step. I have thought about joining KindleUnlimited but they want exclusivity. I'm a little leery of putting all my eggs in one basket (okay, I know it's only one small egg, but still).

I made the advertisement using https://coverssellbooks.com/ I don't know if I'll be doing paid advertising any time soon. I still haven't recouped the cost of hiring a professional designer. Still, given I'm in this for the long haul, it's a most worthwhile investment. Here's what James Egan, a guest judge, on the Book Designer said about the cover: A nice straightforward approach. I like how the lines of the title font mimic the lines of the illustration. A most educational website both on self-publishing and book design.

I hope you all take a rest from your labors and enjoy the holiday.

Back to School

Ready. Set. Go! My girl is ready to conquer this last year of high school. I think she might even have enough AP credits to skip a year of college. We'll see. 

And this school year, I will learn about marketing. I have a good handle on writing, I'm learning about publishing, but marketing feels like a mystery to me. To this end, a very busy writer-mama-of-six and I had a chat over several cups of tea about BOUND: my first interview! I enjoyed it so very much and especially the surprise. Please see:

http://faithehough.blogspot.com/2018/08/kitchen-table-chat-with-vijaya-bodach.html

Another friend sent me a list of places to reach out to for interviews. If they are as fun to do as with Faith, I'm game. If not, I'll learn to have fun. I am so very blessed to have friends who push me. 

What new things are you planning to learn this school semester? I have a feeling I'll keep to a "school" schedule even after Dagny flies the nest.

Reading

I love having my very first writing teacher--Peggy King Anderson--her voice in my head again. The journey of the Potawatomi's forced removal from their Indiana home to Kansas is told through the eyes of 11-year-old Simu-quah in Two-Moon Journey. What I loved best was how visceral this journey is, how I feel as if I were taking this journey myself (even my feet cramped from the endless walking), tending to the baby and the old and sick, many who die along the way (this is why it's called the Trail of Death), sleeping in strange places and hearing strange sounds, witnessing the violence the soldiers inflict upon her father and others, wondering and worrying about the future. But above all, Simu-quah has her family to guide her, hope, and is able to forgive, to begin her new life in Kansas. 
I am sorry to say I never learned about this in any American history class. I hope teachers will include this on their reading lists. It is a thoroughly researched and beautifully told story. 

Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough is an amazing debut (it is her 10th novel so take heart). Lyrical, it tells the story of the artist Artemesia Gentileschi as a young woman, how she painted, the horrific trial she endured, and the two women from the Bible, Susanna and Judith, whose stories gave her the strength to go on. This book is a masterpiece. Of course, I had to look up Artemesia's paintings and I'm not surprised that many of her works are about women mistreated by men. 

Alexander Hamilton's Guide to Life by Jeff Wilser is the one book about Hamilton you can't afford not to have. It's concise and filled with many of Hamilton's maxims. Ex: "'Tis my maxim to let the plain naked truth speak for itself; and if men won't listen to it, 'tis their own fault."  on self-improvement, career, romance, money, relationships and more. However, he had nothing to say about leisure except, "Employ all your leisure in reading." I was particularly fascinated by his facility at writing, how quickly and decisively he wrote. "All the genius I have lies in this...It is the fruit of labor and thought." It's a good guide to the writing life as well.

Acedia & Me: a Marriage, Monks, and a Writer's Life by Kathleen Norris is a difficult book to describe. I'd never even heard of this word, but by reading this book I've learned not only its meaning but its history, and the role it has played in the author's life. In short, acedia is indifference, and today more people than ever are suffering from it. The front flap says, "left unchecked it has the power to destroy the capacity for joy and to undermine commitments to work, marriage, friendship, faith, and community." The monastic tradition gives an answer on conquering acedia. If you've ever felt depressed or spiritually dead, this book might just give you a lifeline. Kathleen Norris writes like a poet.

The Art of the Wasted Day by Patricia Hampl is a lovely book full of memories of home and travelling. It is also a little bit sad because I realized partway that she is missing her husband, who passed away. She purposely recounts the visits she makes to places where people made leisure their goal. She begins with two Irish ladies who retire in Wales, followed by a visit to Mendel's monastery, and finally to Bordeaux where Michel Montaigne invented the personal essay. I've never read Montaigne but I found a copy of his essays in Max's pile of books. This book reminded me again of Leisure: the Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper. What's stuck with me is how the highest leisure is really that of contemplation and the fruits that arise from it--like music, art, stories. It is such a gift!

I'm happy to say this summer has brought plenty of leisure time. It's what allowed me to learn about self-publishing. I hope you all will steal some time to do what you love if you haven't already done so. Today is our 24th wedding anniversary. So thankful and blessed to be married to a man after God's own heart. I love you, Michael, especially when you make okra and tomatoes from the garden. Yum!