Archive for the 'Writing' Category

Misery Lit: Have We Had Our Fill?

Pam May 5th, 2010

I recently read that Daisy Goodwin, Orange Prize chair, was bothered by the unrelenting “misery” going on in the books eligible for the prize. In case you’re not familiar, the Orange Prize is awarded to a woman writer of any nationality for a novel written in English. After reading 129 novels, Ms. Goodwin told the Guardian, “There’s not been much wit and not much joy, there’s a lot of grimness out there…Pleasure seems to have become a rather neglected element in publishing.” She went on to say, “I was surprised at how little I laughed…and the [books] where there was humour were much appreciated, I can tell you.”

What really struck me was I how much I agreed with her. My book club had just read Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See. Most of us felt that while the book was well written and had compelling moments, it was also unrelenting in its misery. (We’re all fans of Snowflower and the Secret Fan and Peony in Love, BTW.) I can’t speak for everyone, but personally I felt it could have used some lightness—humor, romance, wit…anything to relieve the grimness of the story.

YA lit has its share of misery right now, too. Suzanne Collins, in her post-apocalyptic novels, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, while making every moment gripping and often terrifying, somehow managed to instill a bit of hope. Maybe it’s in the quiet way Peeta loves Katniss, or in the way each wishes to save the other. I wish other writers of dystopian fiction would work a little harder at taking the edge off the hopelessness with a bit of joy. Find something to celebrate in all the bleakness. Something with a human connection.

I know we’re living in a scary, crazy world, and modern fiction reflects the concerns and anxieties of writers, and readers, too, I suppose. But I do wish all the horror, hopelessness, and mayhem could be interspersed with some offsetting moments of happiness. Isn’t that more reflective of life?

To quote Daisy Goodwin again, “I’m more of a light and shade person and there does need to be some joy, not just misery.”

What do you think? Are you longing for a little joy and humor in your reading?

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Why Do You Write?

Pam November 17th, 2009

Probably none of us would answer that question in quite the same way.

Would you keep on writing if you had no hope of publishing your work? If you would, can you explain what motivates you? If you wouldn’t, why not?

We’ve talked about this in our critique group, and we disagree. I’d love to hear your view.

Pam’s Manuscript Critique

Pam October 16th, 2009

My heart pounds out an irregular rhythm. I try but fail to suck in one of those deep, cleansing breaths that are supposed to be so calming. Short gulps of air are all I can manage. Sweat breaks out on my forehead. My limbs feel heavy, immobile. Job interview? Nightmare? Am I being chased by zombies, werewolves, or vampires? No to all of the above. It’s only the critique of my new manuscript, about to begin any second. I’m waiting for that one person to say, “I’ll start.”

It’s so difficult to send a manuscript out into the world. I always fall in love with the characters and think the story is perfect. Well, maybe not perfect. Bound to be a few flaws here and there, but nothing that won’t be a quick fix! I steel myself, waiting to hear what everyone thinks. I’m grateful that the critique is taking place at a gorgeous home in the mountains above Boulder. We’re sitting in a “great” room, the last golden light of fall streaming in from the French doors.

And so it begins. Everyone starts with words of praise, because our group is respectful, caring, nurturing. There’s not a single person present who doesn’t want to help me improve my manuscript and ultimately reach my goal of becoming a published writer. As with any group of writers, the thought processes differ wildly. (There’s a reason we call ourselves the Wild Folk!) Some see the big picture. Others focus on detail. There are the “outside the box” thinkers who suggest new turns the plot might take. Several people point out characters who need further development, aspects of the story that don’t make sense, and in the case of this book, an ending that simply doesn’t work. I’m busy taking notes and asking questions, trying to understand and decide if the various suggestions fit with my vision of the book.

Of course, I can’t really do that until I’ve given myself time to process everything. Since the critique, which was on October 4, the manuscripts have been stacked on my dining room table. I’ve read through everyone’s comments and charted the “issues” mentioned most frequently. I’ve spoken privately with some members of the group who I thought could help clarify certain points. Slowly, I’m working my way through each manuscript and taking note of comments written in the margins. As many of us in our critique group are frequently heard to say, “Writing is hard work!”

Now I’m trying to pluck up the courage to begin the re-write. Frankly, I’m scared to death.

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Attributions: He said, she said

Pam May 13th, 2009

An admonition writers always hear from speakers at conferences is to stick with the venerable “said” as a dialogue tag. Other writers, editors, agents, creative writing teachers, and the authors of writing craft books–all seem to agree.

Every time I hear or read this piece of advice, it seems the very next time I pick up a book, I find countless examples of other attributions: urged, roared, shouted, barked, yelled, whispered, muttered, hissed, and so on. I know the prevailing view on this is that use of these words takes the reader out of the story, but I never feel that way. I enjoy a little roaring, shouting, whispering, and hissing. It doesn’t bother me one bit, unless, of course, it’s used to death. I guess every reader knows what her breaking point is. Continue Reading »

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My Life in Books

Pam January 25th, 2009

Today I’m so happy to launch a new title and new look for my blog!

First, the new look. The talented and up-and-coming cartoonist/artist, Corinne Mucha, designed the header just for me. I love it, because not only is it a perfect fit, it’s so cool! The design, the color, the detail, I couldn’t be happier with it. Having been a librarian, teacher, and now a writer, I’m proud to say that the harried little person typing away surrounded by stacks of books is…me. Thank you, Corinne.

And thanks to my daughter Katie for having the brilliant idea to ask Corinne to do this for my birthday. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving. I also owe Katie big time for suggesting the title. My life has always been so much about books, and no one knows this better than Katie. Continue Reading »

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Critique Group Welcomes the New Year!

Pam January 17th, 2009

My critique group met last Friday, our first meeting of the year. After our actual work–critiquing three picture book manuscripts–we revisited the writing resolutions we made last January, what we hoped to accomplish as writers in 2008.

Most of us (and we’re a fairly large group) achieved one or more of our goals. Here are some of them:

  • Participate in National Novel Writing Month
  • Be more diligent about submitting work
  • Create and adhere to a daily writing schedule
  • Set up an author consortium through SCBWI
  • Learn how to put together a web site
  • Query editors and agents for particular novels (several of us had resolved to do this)
  • Write at least four times a week
  • Concentrate on poetry for young readers
  • Finish first drafts for two novels
  • Read more
  • Spend 15 hours a week writing, or on writing related tasks
  • Resurrect a picture book from years ago and submit it

And this is one of my favorites: “To clarify and commit. Commit to what, you might ask? Well, that’s what I want to clarify.”

From the list of goals, it’s easy to see we’re a diverse group. Several of us have children still at home; others are grandparents. Some have full-time jobs, some are in graduate school. A few of us are retired from other careers. Most of us are now, or have been, dedicated volunteers for our Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI. One thing we all share in common: our serious commitment to writing.

At the end of the meeting, we listed barriers to our writing on flash paper and set it aflame! In case you’re not familiar with it, as I wasn’t, it’s a special kind of paper that flares brightly for a second, then simply vaporizes. No ashes or residue. Through this symbolic act, we hoped to put all of our writing demons to rest.

Release of the Writing Demons

Release of the Writing Demons

Now we’re all writing our 2009 resolutions, each hoping to draw on our inner reserves of strength to reach our new goals. Individually, we can turn out pages and submit work, but there’s no one among us, even the multiply-published, who doesn’t need the support of our group.

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No NaNoWriMo For Me

Pam November 26th, 2008

NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, occurs every November. The goal is to write 50,000 words throughout the month, which would serve as a rough draft, or put you well on your way toward completion of one, depending on the age group you write for.

I decided 50,000 words in one month was too daunting for me, but maybe I could manage, as the writer Carolyn See suggests, 1,000 words a day, five days a week. So, for the month of November, I decided to try it. I have a friend who lives by this method. I’m hoping I’ll get into this routine, and it will become so ingrained that I won’t feel right if I don’t stick to it.

I’ve been doing pretty well so far. A few weeks ago I was in a car accident, and I’ve had to put up with a sore chest and ribs, so I lost a few days there. But otherwise, I’ve made excellent progress toward my goal of a rough draft done before the holidays.

With historical fiction, however, research is always the bump in the road (or maybe it’s the cavernous pothole you can fall right into). Sometimes I use the word blank as a place marker, typed in red, so I won’t forget to dig for the necessary facts. Other times, I find I can’t continue without researching that prickly little detail immediately. And of course, it all depends on how crucial the bit of information is to the plot or characters.

If you NaNoWriMo’ed, hope you found great success. If others have found a surefire method of reaching their writing goals, please share!

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Gossip Girl?

Pam October 7th, 2008

I’ve never watched Gossip Girl before, but I’m watching it tonight. Right now. Since I’m writing for tweens and YA’s, I thought I should check out the show whose characters seem to be all over the internet. What’s all the fuss about?

Despite the show’s pretty glaring flaws–everyone’s rich, there’s not a person of color in sight, and it has that annoying voice-over reminiscent of Sex and the City–I got into it (okay, I’m slightly embarrassed to admit it). I like Blake Lively, who I know from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movies. The others I’ve never seen or heard of before. The guy who plays Chuck totally reminds me of a vampire, but since all things vampire are popular right now…I can see how this might be appealing.

A few months ago, a well-known critic from the New Yorker, Janet Malcolm, reviewed the Gossip Girl series (the books). I thought she’d hate them, but she made the point that the writer, Cecily Von Zisegar, is poking fun at her main characters while simultaneously sympathizing with them. She’s not a fan of the show, however, and I quote, “Without Von Ziegesar’s fast, mocking, commentary to propel them, the TV episodes are sluggish and crass–a move from Barnney’s to Kmart.” Read Malcolm’s review.

What do you think? Enlighten me. Please.

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Writing Community

Pam June 2nd, 2007

An unexpected surprise arrived via e-mail last week. Pictures from the 2006 Pikes Peak Writer’s Conference. That was the year Pandemic! won first place in the Young Adult category of the Paul Gillette Contest, sponsored by the Pikes Peak Writers. The contest coordinator, Dawn Smit Miller, sent a link to the photographer’s web site, where the photos were posted.

The smiling faces of my fellow winners took me back to the excitement and pleasure of that night. Among the winners that year were two other members of my critique group, Meridee Cecil and Randy Fraser. And two other friends, fellow members of our Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI, Ceil Boyles and Colin Murcray. Five of us from our close-knit community of children’s writers.

During the time we all waited to have our pictures taken, I felt a spirit of camaraderie, even with those writers I hadn’t met before. “What do you write?” “Where did you place?” “Tell me about your book.”

The room rocked with excited voices and laughter. And hopefulness. Winning or placing in a contest is a great confidence booster, and it’s an important asset for your writing resume.

Then, home and down to the hard work of revising and polishing. Handing out to first readers and critique groups. And a sudden jolt of reality when someone in my group said, “Back to writing. It’s not a contest anymore!”

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