Blog Tour Q&A

When I met Becky Shillington at the Carolinas SCBWI Conference, she asked me whether I'd like to participate in a blog tour. I wasn't sure, but she said she'd email me instructions. In my physics lab the motto was: If all else fails, follow the instructions. 

What are you working on right now?

My YA historical, Emergency. I’m polishing my manuscript right now and giddy with excitement.

How does it differ from other works in its genre?

Although there have been many scholarly works published by journalists about this period in India’s history (1975-1976), there’s not much fiction, save that of Rohinton Mistry’s A FINE BALANCE, and no children’s books. Actually, this is the book that turned me into a writer, as I delved into my own memories of this period. Shortly after, I bought Anne Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD, and filled a half-used biochemistry notebook with words. My story looks at this period through the lens of a 13-year-old who is directly affected.

Why do you write what you do?

I write in a great many areas, spanning many ages. But it is curiosity that drives the writing. I write to understand, to make sense of the world we live in. I write to make a difference in people’s lives. I write to give a voice to those who have none. It reflects what I read once by Anais Nin: "The role of the writer is not to say what all can say but what we are unable to say."

How does your writing process work?
 

Write, Research, Revise, Rest.

Repeat as needed.
But in all honesty, I bite nails, procrastinate, read, read, read, clean house, blog, cook, walk, journal, goof-off, play, and pray far more than I actually place my BIC and write. But all these other activities feed my writing (except when they don't).

Any departing words of wisdom for other authors?

Write. Just do it. Throw out the TV. Stop browsing the web. Don't talk. Be still. Write.

Look at these writers to find out how they answer these same questions next week. I hope they all share something about their wips.

1.      Ruth Schiffman
2.      Anne Bingham
3.      Rosemary Freeman

The Weather Report in Chant

Last year, our very talented organist, Steve Collins, introduced Anglican chant for singing some of the propers of the Mass. I got into the habit of speaking in chant while speaking to the kids so that they'd get the chord progression in their heads. So imagine my delight when Steve sent me this link to the weather report sung in chant. Enjoy!

Surfing and Saints

I'm ready to dive back into polishing my historical, but not before I leave you with some beautiful pictures at the beach. As you can see, it's not at all crowded. Water temp. was in the 70s and the outside temps. in the 80s, and still I felt chilled after I came out, with the wind blowing. The waves were gentle, perfect for a beginning surfer-girl. And now matter how many times she wiped out, she was back out there, trying to catch the next wave. My son enjoyed taking all these pictures, so alas, there's not a single one of him.

 

 

 

This morning, I went for a walk in the drizzle and didn't get bit by a single mosquito! October is truly a beautiful month. It is the birthday month of two of my favorite people -- Charlanne and Colleen. While we lived in WA, it was always such a treat for me to celebrate together. Oct. begins with Feasts of St. Therese (Little Flower), St. Francis of Assisi and our Lady. My sister just made her total consecration, the quickest way to sainthood, and so I leave you with the Queen of the Holy Rosary.

SCBWI Conference Recap

Can you just see the energy and excitement of these ladies beside me? It takes a lot of work to put on a conference, so my heartfelt thanks go to Teresa Fannin, Stephanie Greene, Bonnie Adamson and all the volunteers who made this possible and fun. And I especially enjoyed seeing the winners of the Art and Writing Contest.

Friday was uber-busy. I don't think I've talked this much since spring. First I met with the ladies whose stories I had the pleasure of critiquing. Then got some folks fired up about magazine and nonfiction writing. Do your homework, people! And let me know if you get something accepted. After that, a delicious supper with excellent company. Stephanie organized a PAL discussion. Except for the size of the room, which was too small to accommodate all of us, it was great. Pam Zollman, former editor at Highlights, was there and it was lovely to meet her. She gave the inside scoop to all of us at the magazine table.

 

Saturday, I got to attend the various sessions. Here are some tidbits. I hope you find them useful.

Cynthea Liu gave the keynote. I loved that she was the "visual" and she made sure she got a standing ovation. We were thoroughly entertained as she discussed the elements of a good plot, using her own writing life as a model. There was the younger Cynthea as well (for a PB) who bore a surprising resemblance to my daughter. Cynthea had the best heels. She told us to stand tall, no matter the setbacks. It was a great keynote.

Sarah Davies, founder of Greenhouse Literary, gave us the lowdown on contracts. She is bright, articulate, and a very good storyteller. It made me realize that I need to re-enter agent queryland again, and find the just-right agent.

Emma Ledbetter, assistant editor at Atheneum, gave a fantastic talk on the picture book, particularly the sidle-up effect. She covered the three essentials: subject that speaks to a child, language that creates a moment, and a character that feels genuine. I noticed that nearly all the books she mentioned are part of a series. However, in each case, the author had a strong first book, which children loved.

At the faculty dinner, I had the good fortune to sit next to Patti Ann Harris, senior art director at Little Brown. She had given an intensive workshop with Dan Yaccarino and I enjoyed hearing their stories. At the breakout session, she shared so much about what goes on behind the scenes at LB. Although I am not an artist, I am highly visual and over the years, have really enjoyed doing the layout for my books. I also enjoy doing photo-research. I think every PB writer should attend illustrator sessions because it's so helpful to get that perspective while we shape our stories. I was very lucky that in my first critique group, we had Kevan Atteberry. Not only did we get the male perspective on our stories, but he was great at seeing whether something would work as a PB.

Patti Ann closed with a quote from Chuck Close that resonates deeply for me: Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work. All the best ideas come out of the process; they come out of the work itself.

So true. So get to work!

Alan Gratz did a great job reading first pages. I will forever remember the Butt-guy. It was a brilliant PB manuscript and everybody clapped. However, most of the PBs had very little hint of conflict. Many had a MG voice. And of the novel excerpts, very few hit the mark for me. I was either confused or didn't care. The best ones were the ones with a great voice and a hint of conflict. First pages are so instructive when the editors are honest and we certainly had that with our panel.

Later that night we had an author round table (chair) discussion about the writing life, the challenges and joys. Several local authors joined us, including Carrie Ryan and Cate Tiernan. What was amazing is how many of us have done a good amount of work-for-hire to put food on the table. This isn't talked about much; the focus tends to be on trade books. But many authors have been asking me how to get started in this area because even when you are published, it is not easy to make a living wage.

The last session I attended was Stephen Barr's on setting as a character. All my novels could not occur any other place than where they do, and Stephen did a great job of showing how to use the setting in our stories, given that our characters will carry emotional baggage because of who they are and where they're from. We did a writing exercise in which a small or large element of the setting provided the central conflict. I think this is one area where writers don't pay enough attention, but it can be a powerful tool. I think of Sherman Alexie's books or Dickens' and they could take no place else but where they're set. I'm so psyched to polish my historical and send it out. Probably next year. 

I had the chance to catch up with old friends and new. Here I am with Buffy Silverman who is taking a sabbatical with her husband in NC. My husband said that I've met my match. We're both smallish, NF writers. I've known Buffy online for quite some time, so it was great to meet her. Last year, I sat across from Ann Eisenstein at supper, and this year it was lovely to cement that friendship. Samantha Bell introduced me and I'm so thrilled she has a new picture book out. And last but not least, my lovely and trusted writing partner, Deana, who made sure we arrived at the conference and returned home in time for choir practice with plenty of time to spare.

Solemn High Mass was heavenly. I managed to make all new mistakes, but the choirs of angels were there to help us. Now it's time to buckle down and prepare the Faure Requiem Mass. 

 

 

 

On Preparations for SCBWI Carolinas Conference and Angelic Warfare

As I prepare to drag some participants of the SCBWI Carolinas into the world of children's magazine and nonfiction writing, I am also preparing for High Mass for the Feast of the Holy Angels. This is an especially important Mass since many in our parish (including my husband and I) are also committing themselves to Angelic Warfare. It is an apostolate of the Dominican Friars to promote chastity and purity with help from the Angelic Doctor, Thomas Aquinas, and the Blessed Mother. And it just so happened that last week, Chris Stefanick, came to speak at our Catholic High School about chastity and moral relativism. It was perfect timing.

Alas, what is perhaps the worst timing, we just discovered that our minivan has big troubles brewing. Transmission problems. Oy. Thankfully, there are friends coming to help us while we get it fixed. My husband doesn't think we'll have a catastrophic failure, but I don't want to take any chances, not on the freeway with the children. I see how instinctive it is to protect and preserve ourselves, but when it comes to matters of love, we are terribly reckless. My husband and I didn't even consider the ramifications of giving ourselves to each other without a commitment, and of the dangers of a broken heart. We were made to love and care for one another, not to use each other. And so we pray that our children and young people today will flee instinctively from counterfeit love and learn to discern and choose authentic love. Hence our commitment to Angelic Warfare.

I love the music our priest and choir director have chosen ... a beautiful Gregorian-style Mass by Rene Quignard. The hymns too, are beautiful as we call upon the three archangels and the Blessed Mother to come to our aid. Our organist is very talented and arranges much of the music for us. He is also fluent in Latin, so we often get a Latin lesson during choir practice. We are so very blessed to be bathed in so much beauty in our little church.

We pray the St. Michael prayer daily but until today I didn't know it was a short form. A good friend recently shared a Audio Sancto sermon that explains in greater detail who angels are, the powers they have, and how they help or harm us (yes there are bad ones too). At the end, the priest prays the entire prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII. If you have fifteen minutes to spare, I think you'll find it fascinating ... and perhaps find yourself criticizing children's literature featuring angels in completely absurd ways.

As you can see, my brain is again full of stuff. I am looking forward to the conference, the High Mass, and taking it easy for the next couple of weeks before polishing the historical. I ask for your prayers this weekend as we make these many preparations.

Sunday Sweets

Sweet … moi? I’m more of a salty person … But Faith nominated me for "Super Sweet Blogger Award" and I accepted. Because I can be sweet sometimes …


The rules copied from Faith: answer the following five sweet questions and nominate five sweet bloggers. Easy-peasy.

1. Cookies or Cake? Cookies! Ideally, ginger snaps. I cannot resist a little sweet something, probably to counteract all the salt and spice.

2. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate. A luscious Belgian chocolate (I got spoiled living two years in Belgium). But I’ll settle for a Cadbury.  

3. Favorite Sweet Treat? Fresh mangoes. It's as if I've died and gone to heaven.

4. When Do You Crave Sweet Things The Most? In the afternoons, when I need a little pick-me-up.

5. Sweet Nick Name? My brother nicknamed me Winkie and it has remained. I tried to teach my husband a few Indian terms of endearment, but not one stuck. But he need only look at me ... and I melt.

Five bloggers who've added sweet goodness to my life (and who've not yet rec'd this award).

Marcia Hoehne, a dear, dear friend with whom I discuss life, faith, and writing.
Mgsr. Charles Pope, a holy priest who has taught me much about my faith.
Kristi Holl, whose Writer's First Aid is a great gift to all of us who are writer-mamas.
Verla Kay, who created the Blueboards, the best community for children's writers to support one another in their journey and where you can find me moderating/procrastinating.
Shannon Grogan, a writer from WA who sent me a copy of a book featuring my poem, and who is coming out with a new YA suspense FROM WHERE I WATCH YOU.
Becky Shillington, is a writer whom I'll get to see this coming weekend at the Carolinas SCBWI conference.

Is that six? Shucks, I can't count ... as it was quite apparent at choir practice last Wed.
 

The Prodigal Son ... Coming to His Senses

Today's readings are so good. If you have ten minutes to spare, please read. You see, I am the lost sheep; I am the lost coin; I am the prodigal son.

These verses strike me particularly:

I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

and

Coming to his senses ... “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”

and

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.

I didn't realize until today that it is the Father's gaze that allows us to come to our senses. Even when we leave, He doesn't stop looking at us with love. Oh, we hurt Him, but when we return we are bathed and baptized in His very tears. So, my friends, if you've been away, let the Father's gaze draw you near Him. It is never too late to come home.



MURILLO, Bartolomé Esteban (1667-70). I have this painting of the Return of the Prodigal Son on a prayer card, the act of contrition, but of course!

+                

Car Talk Guys discuss the Pope's Renault

These are just some of the comments that had me laughing:

I always thought the Pope would drive a Christ-ler

The pope can easily handle a flooded engine. Even if it’s of Biblical proportions.

I haven’t seen car trouble like this since we tried to fit all the Apostles in one Accord.

It’s either burning oil, or you’ve just been replaced.

“A little black smoke is fine, just watch out for the white smoke”.

Look the Vatican acquired a new relic.

“The Spiritus Sancti made manifold…”

“Well, sir, it keeps overheating because the water in the radiator keeps turning to wine…”

Read the full article here:

http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2013/09/13/what-did-the-popes-mechanic-say/

Wipes tears!

I love this Pope! He's keeping everybody on his toes.

DONE!!!!

This evening, I finished a grueling round of revisions on my historical that has taken me over a year (in fits and starts). The holes are filled, the characters deepened, and I understand my story better.

I'm looking forward to taking a break from this for a couple of weeks, concentrate on the upcoming conference and other short stuff I'm writing. The next round will not take nearly as long as I'll be revising for pacing and clarity, but tonight, I am so thankful to be done with this revision.

This historical has a long history. It's the first novel that I ever attempted to write, when I had no skills. The ideas were nebulous. There wasn't a burning question in my heart, just a desire to understand something that happened in India's history when I was ten years old. I can't say I do now, but over the years, I collected books and read articles, which made me ask even more questions. Much like when you do science.

I abandoned the novel almost as soon as I started it, because I didn't know how to write a novel, and decided to focus on short stories. I love the form because my head is full of stuff and it was a way to explore many different ideas. But at least once a year or so, for about a month, I worked on the historical. And each time I picked it up, I eliminated one of the plot threads because there was just too much going on ... I mean, you can't have a political intrigue, love, betrayal, industrial accidents, religious conflicts, and assassinations all in one book. Oh, and there was time travel too ... because I love time travel books. You can see the problems with this novice writer ...

This went on for five years. I'd work on the historical for a month and put it aside since I was busy with my young family and almost always on deadline doing work-for-hire. But this is not the ideal way to write a novel. Then for five more years, I put it away completely. I worked on a different novel, a contemporary. It took me three years to finish. I spent the second half of last year querying. But it was a disappointing experience. Even the agents who praised the book, didn't love it enough to take me on as a client. Three new novels were percolating in my head. But this historical wouldn't let go. I told myself I owed it to myself to finish this.

I am so happy I did and the timing couldn't be more perfect. The novel is so much richer now for having sat in a box for five years. I am no longer the same person I was five years ago, and the insights I gained have not just been linearly incremental, but exponential. My critique partner asked me whether I have intentionally put this book aside because I'm afraid. It is such a personal book.

Short answer, no, not intentionally. But I do think there is a right time for everything, and this is the right time for it, and not a moment sooner. I'm a better writer now. And being a Catholic makes all the difference in the world. Thank you, Lord.

Have you ever resurrected an old manuscript after many years?

Surprise Mail

I've had quite a bit of writing inspiration from daily chores, including laundry. I know many women who bemoan having to do the wash, but since I have a washing machine, it is no trouble at all. I try to do one load a day and now that I have a clothesline, I hang them up ...

 

As a stay-at-home mom, I've tried to do the household work with my children. They loved sorting through socks, and this little poem was the result. Ladybug published it first in Dec. 2005. Those Ladybug readers are now reading Spider or Cricket, but I am delighted that a new batch of kids gets to have fun matching socks. There's also a matching game your children can play online. But, psst, it's better for them to do the real thing ... life skills and all, you know! 

 



I love this illustration by the amazing and multi-talented Laini Taylor ... and I think there's only one Laini Taylor. Pink-haired, fresh, funny, and a superb writer. I've listened to her speak about writing and I have especially enjoyed her posts about the writing process. Thanks Laini, for adding dromedaries to a simple poem. And thank you, Ladybug, for reprinting the poem.

This little package certainly brightened my day!