A Life Of Its Own

My writing has a life of its own. Once I sell a story or article, it's out of my control. I let go, say a little prayer, and wish it a safe voyage. Occasionally small miracles happen.

Last Thursday I received the following email out of the clear blue sky:

Dear Shannon,

I’m doing an article on profiles for The Writer’s Guide. Lonnie Plecha--editor of Cricket--mentioned your article “A Pirate’s Life For Me” as an example of a good profile for Cricket and when I went to your website I saw that you’ve written others as well. Would you be willing to do an interview with me about your process? I could send you some questions you could answer via email if that would work for you or we could set up a time to talk on the phone.

Thanks so much for considering this interview.

All best,

Patty Pfitsch

I wrote "A Pirate's Life for Me" several years ago. Much has happened to it since that maiden voyage. It appeared in the August 2008 issue of Cricket, an updated version was published in the November 2009 issue of Ask, and now bits of it will appear in The Writer's Guide. What a lovely surprise!

Have any unexpected bits of good fortune happened to your writing? Leave a comment and tell me all about it.

The Beta Readers

I finally have a first draft of my latest novel! I've done a couple of read throughs and made minor revisions. Now it's time for the beta readers, each of which brings different expertise to the process.

1. Jeannine Norris - Jeannine is a picture book author, (TONIGHT YOU ARE MY BABY). Because Jeannine writes short, she's great at spotting awkward sentences, overused descriptions, and passages which need clarifying.
2. Diana Sharp - Dr. Sharp is a reading researcher and creator of The Reading Machine, an iPhone/iPod touch/iPad app for beginning or dyslexic readers. My current protagonist has a reading disability and Dr. Sharp will lend her expertise to make sure I handle the disability in a realistic way.
3. Cynthia Chapman Willis - Cindy is a novelist, (DOG GONE and BUCK FEVER). She's great at pointing out what's lacking in my manuscript: passages that need more description, characters that need fleshing out, and plot points that don't hang together.

All of my beta readers bring "fresh eyes" to my work. They'll uncover problems that I'd never see on my own.

I've been letting my life slide to finish this novel. It's time to take a couple of weeks and just breathe.

The Groove Train

I'm on a writing "groove train." Within a couple of weeks, (God willing and the creek don't rise), I should have a draft of my latest novel.

Every writer's process is different. I was reminded of that this morning while reading my friend, Cynthia Chapman Willis' blog. Cindy has been revising by trimming her novel, (she compares it to a good haircut). I'll be revising by adding to mine, like working in a dollop of mousse to give it a little extra volume.

During revision, I'll see places that need more description, passages that should be drawn out, time gaps that should be filled. I don't understand how Cindy writes long, and she doesn't get how I write short, but in the end we'll both have completed novels.

Tell me about the process that works for you. Does your writing need plumping up or thinning out?

The Twitter Advantage

I enjoy Facebook's format more than Twitter's, but recently I've experienced the Twitter Advantage. For the first time ever, I am in a critique group with an author/illustrator. Eileen is interested in graphic novels...a subject about which I am woefully ignorant. So I posted on Twitter: "Need graphic novel recommendations for children." A woman that I didn't know recommended Owly. Within minutes I got a message that I was being "followed" by Owly's creator, Andy Runton. The Twitter advantage doesn't limit you to connecting with friends, but allows you to search for people that have the information you need. How cool is that? So what's your preference, Facebook or Twitter?

Books I'm Reading Now

STORY OF A GIRL by Sara Zarr - Thirteen-year-old Deanna Lambert's father catches her having sex with a seventeen-year-old boy. The premise makes me cringe, but yet books like this remind young girls they are not alone when they make a bad decision. For a parent who says, "I don't want my child to read this," I would offer a counter argument: the book shows such negative consequences that I think any young girl contemplating sex would stop and think twice.

IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES by Lisa Schroeder - Isabel's mother decides to reinvent herself by opening a cupcake shop. The problem is she lacks gumption when things go wrong. Isabel helps her mother with the shop and learns a lot about herself in the process. This book would generate lots of discussion at a mother/daughter book club.

DORK DIARIES and DORK DIARIES 2 by Rachel Renee Russell - The tween heroine of these books reminds me of Beckie Bloomwood from Sophie Kinsella's CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC series. Both heroines get themselves into such outlandish situations that we as readers can't stop until we see how they are going to save the day. Another great feature of DORK DIARIES is its unique format, combining text and illustrations.

THE LEMONADE WAR by Jacqueline Davies - This book shows sibling rivalry at its finest. Evan and Jessie set up competing lemonade stands to see who can be the first to earn $100. Again the format is unique. The book contains mini posters with tips for running a successful small business.

If you've read any of these books, I'd love to hear your opinions. If you have suggestions of middle grade or young adult books that I might enjoy, I'd appreciate the recommendations.

Happy Reading!

Switching Teams: From PC to MacBook Pro!

Time and technology wait for no writer! My husband gifted me with a new Macbook Pro for Christmas and an i-Phone 4 for my birthday.

Let's start with the phone. The i-Phone is the easiest cell phone to use I have ever owned. It also doubles as an i-Pod so I can listen to music. With one touch of the screen, I can access my email when traveling. I adore my i-Phone!

After many years using a PC, I've had a bit of trouble switching to a Mac. Here are some tips based on my experience.

1. The Apple Store is your friend. For a small fee they will transfer the files from your PC to your Mac, and provide one-on-one tutoring.

2. MacBook For Dummies is a very helpful manual.

3. For backup purposes you can't beat "My Passport for Mac." It's a small black box that plugs into one of the Mac's USB ports and provides automatic, continuous backup. (Cost $100)

4. Good-bye virus scans. So far Macs are virus free!

5. My electronics are in-sync! I charge my phone by plugging it into the Mac's USB port and it syncs any music I've purchased via computer with my phone/i-Pod.

I checked in with a couple of writer friends who also use Macs and here's what they had to say:

"I can painlessly and effortlessly sync everything for the first time in my entire life. I can get apps like QuickCal, which make my life easier by orders of magnitude, yet are free or mainly cost me less than ten bucks. I can listen to music I like on Pandora because it magically arrives on my i-Phone - and all I had to do was name one thing for it to do that." Gina Hagler

Cynthia Willis says: "If I have a problem the Apple Store is nearby. I simply bring my laptop in and the problem is fixed. I also love all the software that comes with a Mac - iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie. My one and only gripe would be that Macs tend to outdate themselves very quickly. Visiting an Apple Store with a three-year-old computer is like walking in with a dinosaur in your arms."

I haven't taken the time yet to explore all of the software that Cynthia mentions. I'm finding the Mac to be a continuous learning process...I still haven't figured out how to add pictures to my blog. The Apple Store employees have their work cut out for them!

Please share any advantages/disadvantages you've experienced with the Mac. And if you have questions, post them and I'll ask one of my more experienced friends to chime in!

Tidbits from Cinda Williams Chima, Paul Zelinsky, and Robin Wasserman

SCBWI Miami, January 2011

Fantasy Writers: Cinda Williams Chima said her life and her books are all about transformation. Her website has helpful links and tips, many geared toward fantasy writers. One tip is sort of discouraging, but I agree with it anyway, "Don't be a writer unless you have to...there are easier, more reliable ways of making money." Cinda's latest book THE GRAY WOLF THRONE will be released on September 20, 2011. THE EXILED QUEEN is in stores now.

Illustrators: Caldecott winner, Paul Zelinsky, broadened my view of fantasy. He said fantasy today is "a world that is not bound only by our laws." He challenged us to ask the question: "What if our world is more than it seems?" To view some of Paul's wonderful illustrations check out his website.

YA Writers: YA author, Robin Wasserman offered the following tips:

1. Use the software Scrivener to organize research notes. More about Scrivener here.
2. Watch the television series "Friday Night Lights" to better understand teens.
3. Google Scott Westerfeld's presentation "Slanguage: Teen Voices and Teen Vernaculars."
4. Google Patricia Wrede's article about "Worldbuilding."

You can read more about Robin Wasserman at her website.

If anybody has actually tried Scrivener, I'd love to hear about your experience. How difficult is it to use? Pros and cons.