Saturday, May 21, 2011

LESSONS LEARNED

Why is it when I write a piece that I think is awesome, funny, a great story worthy of publication, it isn't even close?

Take for instance my latest story, HAUNTED TREASURES. Since I did so well on my first short story entitled, HIDDEN TREASURES, I decided that I could write an adult book full of short stories...the title would be, UNEXPECTED TREASURES. During my walk on the beach I came up with great ideas. Thank goodness I had a recorder with me so I could get these stupendous ideas down.

For the last few days I have been writing HAUNTED TREASURES. I've never written in first person, so I used this story for practice. When I finished, all I could say was, "Cool!" It was really, really good -- full of twist and turns, blood and supernatural happenings. WOW, I thought what a great to add to the potential book.

Then, I asked my husband (my biggest fan) to read it. "I just want to see if you get it," I told him.

Guess what! He didn't get it. In fact, he didn't even understand the ending -- the punch line -- my greatest accomplishment.

Hmm, lesson learned. When I think something is ready -- it needs a lot more work.

So, I decided to put this story aside for a while. I would leave it on the back burner, re-read it and hopefully I should be able to revise it so ... someone will "get it."

I've turned my sights to a poetry contest for Children's Writer. This ought to be good, since I don't know how to write poetry. But, gotta try.

I was fortunate to get a plethora of books from Writer's Digest. One contains two chapters on writing poetry for children. I read it.

My next step is a trip to the library and reading as much poetry as I can. Then I will read the two chapters again before I even put pen to paper.

I'm not sure I can do it, but, you know what...if I don't try I definitely will limit myself.

I find picture books a form of poetry. It I can master even a little bit of the rules that guide a poet, I should be a better picture book writer.

Here's to lessons learned...and learning more.

Monday, May 16, 2011

INSANITY REIGNS

INSANITY REIGNS.

There was an article published in the New York Times yesterday (May 15, 2001) by Kate Zernike, entitled, "Fast-Tracking to Kindergarten?".  If you get a chance, read it.

Evidently parents are so pressured to have their children top in their class by kindergarten they are signing them up for preschool enrichment programs that are so developmentally inappropriate (my words) that it is crazy insane.

Children as young as two are doing worksheets and 20 minutes of homework per course every night.

This stuff makes me cringe. Talk about robbing our children of their childhood. Worst of all, the people they trust the most -- their parents -- are doing it -- AND -- get this -- paying $200 to $300 a month for the opportunity. OMG!!!

I wrote an 800 word op/ed for the New York Times, but after reading their submission guidelines, I didn't think it would fly. So, I cut out 650 words and submitted a letter to the editor. Now, that was definitely a lesson it tightening up my manuscript. Here's what it said:

As a nation, we have taken a step backwards and forgotten all the tenets of a good early childhood program. The focus on academics has led us to forget our duty as parents and educators to address the needs of the "whole child." Children need to develop cognitively, but also socially, physically, and emotionally. To miss any piece of this is developmentally inappropriate and harmful.

We are depriving our young children of a well-rounded education when we cement them in the abstract world of worksheets before they exit their concrete world of learning through their senses.

It is akin to taking a small rose bud and prying apart the petals to bring forth a beautiful rose. It doesn't work. Children, like flowers, need to be given the freedom to grow at their own pace and blossom when they are ready.


I doubt it will get published, but it made me feel good to send it. I've been advocating for young children for ten years now...and just when I think it can't get any worse, it does!!!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

THE GOOD, THE BAD...DEFINITELY NOT UGLY

Here in southwest Florida we do not have four seasons like the rest of the country. We have two - the wet season and the dry season.

During the dry season, we have an influx of people that are dubbed snowbirds. They flock from the north to enjoy our snow-free environment, full of warmth and sunshine. Oh, so good. Especially for me as a writer. I belong to a group of brilliant women that I would love to corral for the entire year, but alas, the bad...they are here just for the winter. We meet twice a month on a Wednesday afternoon in the condo of one of these women -- sitting at table, by a window with a panoramic view of the Gulf of Mexico -- reading our latest work. You would think that it doesn't get better than that, but it does. These women are former editors of newspapers, executives from ABC TV, Ph.D.'s that have written books...didn't I tell you they were brilliant. Not only are they smart and accomplished, but kind ... and ready to help novices like me!!!

It gets better. I have a SCBWI critique group full of --- what we call "year-rounders." Yep, we meet all year. And, again I am blessed with a group of bright, published children's writers...individuals in all stages of writing for children. Again, so many accomplished people ... kind and ready to help.

With all the craziness in this world, it is good go be associated with caring people.

And, speaking of caring people. I now have two people following my blog. So, Catherine...I guess you were right. Colored ink makes a difference.

Monday, May 9, 2011

THE FINAL LAP

I just finished another manuscript. Woo-hoo!! A picture book manuscript...what a good feeling. Of course, it needs to be tweaked and critiqued until I feel it's ready to submit. But, it's done...beginning...middle and end (Oh, how I have trouble with endings!).

I find picture books the most difficult to pen when writing for children. I would rather write a 25,000 word MG story than a picture book. Why? One would think a picture book would be easy because it consists of very few words. And, that, my friend, is exactly why it is so difficult.

 Each one of those words needs to be perfect...exploding with meaning...placed just right in the story like flowers in a garden...and be able to tell the story in a visual way so that an illustrator needs only to pick up his paints and create.

Ah, the satisfaction of a finished story. Much thanks goes to my muse that is lurking somewhere in the recesses of my mind.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

SO MUCH ADVICE

Where do you seek advice on writing, publishing, ideas, or the current trends in the marketplace? There is so much around...

I read three writer's magazines, follow blogs, receive e-mails from certain organizations, attend conferences and talk to other writers.

I gander quite a bit of information...good, bad, contradictory, confusing, and just plain interesting. But, how do I decipher all this for me and my writing.

Do I follow the trends, write from the heart, write for certain genres???

I tried writing for certain topics.

 Didn't

            work.

I tried the trends -- like fantasy.

Didn't

            work.

So, I learned to listen to my muse and follow my heart. Will I be published? Sure -- eventually. (Have to beat my brother)....I trust my muse, I trust my heart, I trust the words that fall from my brain and onto the page.  Plus, I love what I do...

                                                          *   *   *   *   *   *   *

An aside:  I have a 10 year old granddaughter who has her own blog.

She has more followers (2) than me (1). Now, she tells me it is because she writes all her blogs in different colors!!  So I am trying it ... do you think I will pick up one more "follower?"

Monday, May 2, 2011

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN

Finally, I'm back in the saddle again. In the era of the Knights and Ladies, of Kings and Queens, living and writing in another world. My muse is still asleep, but I know that just the act of writing will jump start her.

Thankfully, the story I resurrected, has an outline, so I know where it is going. I even have a great ending. And, if you've read any of my blah, blah, blogs, you will know that endings elude me. 

Sunday, May 1, 2011

THE RACE IS ON

The race is on. My brother sent me the first 80 some pages of his latest YA novel. Even though I'm a book ahead of him, he's fast approaching my speed. I read it and drat, it's good. He is writing in first person. This is something that has eluded me and I want to try, but not yet.

I have been struggling with what to do next. I have decided to pull the first book I tried to write out of the ashes and resurrect it. I am going to look at it as if someone else wrote it...edit the beginning...and then jump into it. I haven't done much writing these past few weeks. I just open my folders, re-read my musings, and then close the folder. Nothing I've done appeals to me. How sad is that?

I've asked my muse for a little help, but so far she sits silently, twiddling her thumbs in the recesses of my mind ... can figure out what the heck she's waiting for ... I could really use some inspiration. I do, however, know from experience that she will nudge me sooner or later. I just wish it was sooner.