Scribbles From Jenn

Celebrate With Others

2012-02-07T22:07:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, February 4th I had the privilege of celebrating with Sara Wilson Etienne during the debut of her novel HARBINGER at Children's Book World in Santa Monica. The event was standing room only as family and friends came out to celebrate with Sara. It was a culmination of years of work of which I had the privilege of being a stow away on Sara's journey. I watched as she read 100 books, revised, revised, revised, searched for (and found) an agent, followed by more revisions, then finally grabbing onto the golden ring, a book deal. I rejoiced with her on Facebook when she made the announcement, empathized with her as she revised the drafts until they were ready for print. Got chills as I scrolled through her pictures of the final copies of her books arriving in the mail, with a REAL ISBN number, and finally celebrated with her as she introduced HARBINGER. I didn't bring my camera, not that it would have helped since I was in the overflow room. But, you can check out The Writing Nut and experience the event through the wonderful photography of Nutschell.

Congratulations Sara! It was a long journey, but you have arrived. Which gives us all hope that one day, we will too!

Pay It Forward

2012-02-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

In 2000 Warner Brothers produced a movie called Pay It Forward based on the book of the same name by: Catherine Ryan Hyde. The movie, starring, Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment, was about a boy who decides to take his teacher's challenge to make the world a better place by doing good deeds and asking others to do the same, or Pay it Forward. Twelve years later the ripple effect continues as people celebrate Pay It Forward Day on April 26th. Why not get a jump start on Pay It Forward day, and Pay It Forward today?

As a mother I want the world to be a better place for my children and grandchildren. Since February is known as the month of love, I am challenging myself to Pay It Forward as a lifestyle. Maybe I'll pay for the coffee of the person behind me at a Starbucks drive-thru, bring in my neighbors trashcan, leave a cold bottle of water out for the mailman on a hot day, something that let others know they have value. In the loosely paraphrased words of John F. Kennedy, "My fellow Americans, ask not what someone can do for you, ask what you can do for someone." Make time today to Pay It Forward. A world filled with people Paying It Forward, on a regular basis, is much better than a world filled with people waiting around to be paid. I believe that as you give, it will be given back to you. My grandmother often said, "It's easier to get something in an open hand than a closed one." Today, let's open our hands and Pay It Forward.

Freedom To Date An Artist

2012-01-19T22:28:00.000-08:00

As part of my journey towards freeing the Artist in me, I am required to take myself on a date. As a busy wife, mother and budding artist, carving out time to take myself on a date can be challenging. However, being a mother of a teen and tween, I find that I can be alone even with the kids since they are more independent. That is how I found time to take myself on a date this week to The Skirball Museum. I have been planning to go there for several years and am glad I finally went. It was wonderful. The current exhibit Women Hold Up Half the Sky was a reminder of how blessed my daughter and I are to be here in the USA. As well as a call to arms to help those who are not. The ongoing Noah's Ark exhibit is a place where we found something to stimulate all the senses. Including a comfortable hammock swing where I could sit and read, while the kids explored the plethora of activities available to them. At the end of the day, I can say it was a good date with great company and I am looking forward to dating this Artist again.

The Way of the Artist

2012-01-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

Recently I've joined a blog group on a journey to find the artist inside. Each week we read a chapter of Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way and share our thoughts, feelings, insights about the chapter. In the past I had heard rave reviews of the transfromative powers of this book. But the skeptic in me chalked it up to another movement from those who liked to be moved by the latest movement. How wrong I was. I have been on this path for a little over a week and I've been transformed. Only one week of following Julia Cameron's advice has freed the artist in me. I'm moving forward with my ms with an obtainable goal in my near future. I can't wait to see what the rest of this book brings. If you are a stiff skeptic, as I had been, give The Artist's Way a shot. You might discover the artist trapped inside of you.

Happy New Year! Let's Live Our Dreams!

2012-01-02T12:49:00.000-08:00

2012 is here and yes, I'm still writing. Which I guess is a good thing because others have thrown in the towel, or shall I say keyboard, and given up their writing dream. However, I have not. January is the perfect month to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King and not give up the dream, but follow it with a passion that allows it to live and not die. I believe you are never too young or too old to follow your dream. Surround yourself with like-minded people who will cheer you on. Celebrate your success and dust you off after your failures. Each step you take brings you closer and closer to making your dream a reality. I too have a dream and I choose to hold on to it.

How Do You Retreat While You Work?

2011-09-13T16:11:00.000-07:00

You attend the SCBWI LA Working Writer's Retreat. This event is held the first week of September in the peaceful hills of Encino Ca. It's the perfect place to write, revise and reflect on your work as you spend the weekend sharing it with published authors and acquiring agents and editors. Of course with Lee and Sarah at the helm, it wasn't all work and no play. In addition to the wine and cheese night, they threw in a night of karaoke which revealed hidden singing talents in editors, authors, agents and Regional Advisors. The biggest nail biter in this event had to be the Sunday morning Idol moment when each author was given the opportunity to read 250 words to a panel of agents and editors. Even without a judge like Simon, it was still nerve racking. There's nothing like getting honest feedback, from an agent or editor, in a roomful of your peers. In this case it's all worthwhile, since honest feedback is what moves us to the next step on our climb to success. Plus, after you've received the feedback, revised, revised and revised your manuscript, you get the golden submission ticket! Even if all the critiquing and revision from the weekend doesn't lead you all the way to the top, you've a lot of fun along the way and you didn't have to cook or order out all weekend because this event includes all your meals! Mark your calendars, the 2012 dates are alreday set. Check out the SCBWI Calendar of Events for more details.

Saving the Cat

2011-09-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

Recently a friend, and fellow writer, told me about a book by Blake Snyder that changed the way I write. Mr. Snyder took the confusion of mapping out a story (even though he's doing a screenplay) and made it simple. He helped me find the holes, and sadly there were plenty of them, which in turn allowed me to seal them up. Now, instead of writing myself into a corner, and trying to find my way out. I'm looking at a story board with all the twists and turns needed to finish my novel. Thanks, Blake! I now know how to Save the Cat.

Back to Everything

2011-08-10T00:36:00.000-07:00

The lazy months of summer are over and for our family,it's back to everything. Back to School, back to soccer, back to dance, back to carpool, back to living in my car almost as much as my home. So why do I do it? Because I love it. For all you working Moms, welcome back to everything.

A Map IS A Good Thing

2011-05-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

Five years ago our family bought a 35 foot RV and decided to spend our vacations seeing National Parks. It was, and is, a great plan. The problem arises when you try to navigate a 35 foot RV through the crowded streets and low over passes of small town USA, without a map. Take it from me, it's not a good thing. After two years of narrow escapes, and too many close calls, we've come to realize that mapping the trip out IS a good thing. It allows you to see overpasses that are too low, streets that are too narrow and places that don't provide parking for your house on wheels. The same is true when writing your novel. Mapping it out, before you begin, and revising as you go, allows you to spot those pesky trouble areas long before you are letting the air out of your tires so you can get under that bridge. Who knew that those Caution Low Clearance signs really meant low clearance?

Just Because It Sounds Great At 2:00 AM, Doesn't Mean It Is

2011-04-09T19:11:00.000-07:00

I love to write. Sometimes I find myself hunched in front of my computer typing away into the wee hours of the morning. And the stuff I write... AWESOME! It's not like the stuff I write first thing in the morning that needs clarity and order. No, this just flows and is flawless. Until I see it again the next morning. I'm not sure what happens while I'm sleeping, but somehow my Newberry Masterpiece has become more of a Raspberry Mess. Although I'm a bit disappointed at the transformation. It does inspire me to find more time during the daylight hours to write, and save my work, before the moon rises and transforms it into something fit for the recycle bin.

Where Am I?

2011-03-13T23:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I get so lost in my story, I have to ask myself 'Where Am I'. I guess that's a good thing. It means Penny’s world is as real to me as the one I live in. I just hope that when it's all said and done, I can get back home and not find myself trapped at Victoria Elementary.

Your Muse Is Showing

2011-02-10T10:48:00.000-08:00

Has it happened to you? It's happening to me, my muse is showing. In fact she's showing up everywhere. I watch a TV show, the main character's name is Penny (the same as mine). I read a book, the mother-in-law collects pennies. I watch the news, it's a story on JC Penny. I can only take that to mean one thing; my muse is showing and she wants me to come and see what she's up to. I guess I'd better see what she wants.

Keep Your B in C

2011-01-10T22:50:00.000-08:00

Often I've heard that to write well you must have BIC (But In Chair) syndrome. Tonight I experienced that first hand. When I sat down to write I got NOTHING. I was as blank as the sheets of paper in my printer. In times like that I usually get up and go do something, because we all know that as a wife and mother there's always something to do. But this time I didn't, I kept my BIC and guess what??? It came! I can't say whether it's all good or not, that will be for another day, but at least there's something on the page for me to edit tomorrow. As one writer said, 'You can't edit a blank page'. Thanks to my diligent BIC, I won't have to.

Hanging Threads

2010-11-10T12:50:00.000-08:00

Recently I was wondering how to make sure there were no loose threads hanging around my MS when it was all done. While I'm writing, the thread seems like the most important one in the MS, and at that moment, it is. But as the ms gets bigger and bigger, the thread gets smaller and smaller and if I'm not careful, it will get lost in the midst of the big picture I'm creating. So, I created a single word document called, 'Hanging Threads'. It would be great if I had a wonderful writing program that would keep it all in order for me, but I don’t L. Each time I start a thread, I list it as a bullet point in my 'Hanging Threads' document so I can keep track of it. This allows me to see, at a glance without rereading the entire MS, all the threads I've begun and make sure I keep them in the loop (hahaha) as I write. When I get to the end, I’ll tie up all those threads and cut any stragglers that are still hanging around. I guess all that sewing in Home Ec. is finally paying off.

You have to believe it's real

2010-11-03T04:15:00.000-07:00

Recently I was lamenting over the fact that a story would be easier to write if it really happened when my GENIUS writing pal sad, 'You have to believe that it's real.' How simple is that? I spend hours imagining things, like I'm all caught up on my laundry or I just won the Newberry or Alice from The Brady Bunch lives in our house. But this is so much better. I can use all that energy to believe that my story is real and allow the events to flow from me as they happen. I love it. Thanks genius writing pal who shall remain nameless so I can keep all that genius to myself (insert evil laugh here).

Take Two!

2010-11-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

After careful consideration, OK, maybe not careful, because if I'd done it carefully I would have looked at all the things on my plate and passed, I've decided to blog again. Call me crazy, but I think it might help me and Penny, the main character in my work in progress middle grade novel, (I think work in progress sounds so much better than unfinished), get things on the road. Penny loves to talk, which she can only do if I'm typing, actually that's not true she talks all the time. I can only get down what she says when I'm typing. Hopefully blogging will give her more opportunities to talk to me when I'm actually in a place to listen, not while I'm stuck on the 405 freeway.

My first attempts at blogging were hindered by obligatory dates, topics, etc. This time around I'm just going to blog when the urge hits me about the things that hit me. Like the interview with ROBIN MELLOM & SARAH BILLINGTON.

Hearing about the success of others makes me happy all over knowing that someday my prince... er, book will come. In the meantime, I'll just relish in the success of others and take notes on how it happened for them.

If you get a chance check out the interview. It's a quick read and it may make you happy all over too. http://sarahbillington.blogspot.com/

Back In the Saddle....Again

2009-10-15T15:12:00.001-07:00

OK, so I'm not in the saddle but I do have my BIC. Does that count? Plus I'm putting myself out there. After reading Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book I realized that I too was taking the same path as, the Poet Nehemiah Trot. You remember him don't you? The one who refused to share his work with the human world, and chose to have his poems buried along with him as 'punishment' to those who didn't recognize his greatness. Believing that only after his death, when the loss of his greatness was fully recognized, would they be allowed to dig up his works and appreciate him in all his glory. I don't have to tell you he's still waiting.... So, here I am. Although my work may only rival that of Nehemiah Trot, I am back in the saddle again.

Bethany Plays The First Noel

2008-12-12T01:00:00.001-08:00

Bethany did such a great job playing at her Christmas recital. You can't see all the people there, but you can hear them singing! Go Bethee!

I Did The Unthinkable!

2008-11-13T18:59:00.000-08:00

OK, so I did it, I sent a couple of queries out for my story, and then I... I... I looked at the story and started changing things AUUUUGH! I know you are supposed to put it in a drawer and leave it alone, but I am a tweaker and I couldn't help tweaking. Legend says Mark Twain did the same thing even after his books were published, so I guess I'm in good company. However, I am not Mark Twain and I know I should have left it alone but I didn't, my only hope is the tweaking makes it better and no one notices what I did.

"It's no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense" - Mark Twain

One Line Dilemma Revisited

2008-11-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

Today I got a comment on my 'One Line Dilemma' post from January 7th, 2008. It was a simple statement "People should read this." Nothing deep or profound, just true. I am not saying it's true just because it was a comment from something I wrote, but because it is true. People should read it because one line dilemmas can be a pain in the neck for writers. Now of course I would also say the same thing about my books 'everyone should read them' problem is, I'm the only one who can.

Three Days, Still No Word

2008-10-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

OK, it's been three days since I submitted. I know only two of those days count, since most contacts are not made over the weekend, but it's been TWO WHOLE DAYS! Yes, I know the guidelines say 4-8 weeks, for Andrea Brown Agency and longer than that for most submissions, but one can always hope and pray for a miracle. I guess two days is far too much of a miracle, but I am a dreamer! Well, there's always next week, and the week after that, and the week after that and...

Heeeere's Jenny!

2008-10-08T21:31:00.000-07:00

After a much needed summer break, that extended into early Fall, I am finally back! I often wonder what happened to those people whose last blog post was July 2004. Did they die? Move to a deserted island, get abducted by aliens? None of those happened to me, so I am back. The real question is why am I back, well it's because I committed the big S. No, not sin, I submitted AUUUGH! I finally got up the nerve to send my story to the two people who asked for it last year. Don't worry writing is like that, you can still send in stuff two to three years later. Wish everything was like that :-) Anyway, I did it, I submitted so now all I have to do is wait. It's been almost 24 hours and I haven't heard anything yet, so I will take that as a good sign!

Adventures For Authors

2008-06-12T22:04:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 8th against all odds I made it to the Ventura Critiquenic and how lucky I was to have been there! The event was held at Adventures 4 Kids Bookstore in Ventura, founded by the multi-talented Jody Fickes-Shapiro, but this really was an Adventure For Authors.

Everything was very orgaznized, one would expect nothing less from the Awesome Alexis O'Neill, and was free to SCBWI members. The event was attended by a plethora of writing talent; I even got a few to take a picture with me! Rubbing elbows with the 'famous ones' is always fun!

It took a leap of faith to bring my work to this event, but I DID! Of course I had to wrestle with my ego, take something good so you can look good, or take something you're struggling with so you can get help. In the end, I let commonsense win out over ego and took something I was struggling with and BOY am I glad I did. Barbara Bietz was my group leader and she was BRILLIANT! Her insight opened pages of ideas for me. Of course this means ripping out some old stuff and doing more threading, but I know it will make my story better, so off I go to Rip it, Rip it, Rip it!

Threading

2008-05-13T08:46:00.000-07:00

As a young girl my mom taught me to sew. Although I loved the finish product, mostly doll clothes, I often struggled to get them to a point of completion. In sewing terminology I was what my neighbor calls a Frogger; 'rip it, rip it, rip it' because I often had to rip out a seam and start again. After several years of Frogging, I gave up sewing for other pursuits.

Time has a funny way of bringing things full-circle as I once again find myself threading and ripping, but this time it's in my writing. Now that my story is all done, I have the daunting task of threading events and details throughout the story line to keep it connected. While ripping out details that don't move the story along. As I read and re-read I discover threads I began and dropped or did not carry through to the end. Frustrated with the entire process, I googeld the word 'threading' and found this:

Threads are a way for a program (or a person in my case)to fork (or split) itself into two or more simultaneously (or pseudo-simultaneously) running tasks. Threads and processes differ from one operating system to another but, in general, a thread is contained inside a process and different threads in the same process share some resources while different processes do not.

After reading this I felt MUCH better! The problem isn't me, it's my inability to fork (or split) myself into two or more simultaneously (or pseudo-simultaneously) running tasks. Additionally, since the thread is inside of me, I must learn to share some resources and not others. Now, if I can only figure out a way to apply this to my life, and explain it to my family and friends, I think I will be on to something!

Have You Seen Her?

2008-04-23T09:10:00.001-07:00

This morning when I woke up the lyrics to a song I listened to as kid with my mom, were tumbling around in my head. It was called 'Have You Seen Her' by the Chi Lites. MC Hammer re-recorded it and released it on his MC Hammer album in 1990. After listening to it awhile I asked myself that very question, Have You Seen Her? The answer was yes, I've seen her, she was driving to Culver City for her daughter's field trip, helping out in her son's 4th grade class, teaching in her daughter's Sunday School Class, helping out at her friends' surprise birthday party, driving to Santa Barbara for her son's 4th grade field trip, driving her kids to school, piano, guitar, youth group.... (you get the idea). I saw her cooking, cleaning, doing homework etc., then repeating this daily. But what I haven't seen her doing is writing. So today I am going to write my version of he Chi Lites 'Have You Seen Her' as it relates to me;

One month ago today
I was happy as a lark (I was in Yosemite)
But now I go for walks
To the market - never to the park

I take a walk down the same old aisle
Then checkout and pay
You know, for them it's dinner
But to me, it's just another day

Well, I would go on, but the school just called telling me my son forgot his backpack, so off I go and it's not to the park.

I Did It!

2008-04-03T22:01:00.000-07:00

I finished the first draft of my first book! I can't believe it myself, but I did it. It is amazing what wonderful things you can do when you have the TIME! I know finishing the book is just the beginning of the journey because like Robin Lafevers says; "When the book is done, then the work really begins."

I do think the tinkering with the story line might just be the best part. Getting to the end was challenging, but I made it, so now I get to go back and admire the journey :)

P.S. Congratulations Robin on having Theodosia nominated for the Agatha Award !

Wish Me Luck

2008-03-22T21:36:00.001-07:00

I once heard 2007 Newbery Award winner Susan Patron say she wrote The_Higher_Power_of_Lucky over the course of nine years during her vacations. I don't want to take nine years to finish my story, but I do hope that I can use my vacation time as effectively as Susan did and also finish my book. So, I will be on vacation for the next nine days working diligently to tap into my Higher Power, in an effort to complete the first draft of my first book.

I've learned that the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.--Andy Rooney

Brotherly Love and Lost

2008-03-12T08:51:00.001-07:00

Today, my family and I will lay to rest my big brother, Lamarr O'Neal. As the eldest child of a single mom, Lamarr had to assume the responsibilities of big brother and man of the house at a young age. The duty to care for his three younger siblings fell to him as mom worked full-time to support our home. As an adult I can look back and appreciate the magnitude of what he was asked to do and admire him for doing it. Lamarr made life fun with his unusual dinners like popcorn and grapes. However, when I shared this information with mom, as I often did, he changed his menu to hamburgers and greens; a wonderful culinary combination. Lamarr created in all three of us a love for reading. We spent many Saturdays at the Perris Public Library perusing the shelves and killing time. I think it was his great escape from reality into the world of science fiction that he loved.

John 15:13 says, 'Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.' Over the years my relationship with my big brother grew distant, but I will always carry in me the memories of a big brother who loved me enough to lay down his life for me and be the parent I needed when mom could not. We love you Lamarr and we will always cherish the times we spent together on Marie Street.

My Top Ten Hindrances To Writing

2008-03-06T19:38:00.000-08:00

The closer I get to the end of my story, the more challenging it is to find time to write. As I was running around the house, not writing, I began to wonder what are the hindrances to my writing? Of course there were many, but I narrowed it down to my top ten;

10. Chauffeur duties (only eight more years and my oldest will be able to drive).

9. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, (you get the picture).

8. Do overs (going back to the store because you forgot to buy the one item you went there for).

7. Emails (I need to turn off the little bell that tells me when I get an email).

6. Cooking, cleaning, laundry (this happens several times a day).

5. Social events (family & friends are great, but they don't like it when you bring your laptop to the table).

4. Writer's Block (this usually means I'm wrestling over the 15th rewrite of a single sentence).

3. Sleep (a necessary evil).

2. Cooking, cleaning, laundry (OK, maybe I do need a housekeeper).

1. I am not Wonder Woman (hmmm, isn't that the dilemma for every woman?).

A Feverish LaFevers Weekend

2008-03-04T08:43:00.000-08:00

WOW! Last Saturday, I had the good fortune of attending Robin LaFevers "ArchiTexture - A Multi-Faceted Approach to Building the World of Your Novel" workshop and it was fantastic. Now, don't misunderstand me, it was intense, but I walked away with more knowledge on plot, pearls and persecution (for your character of course) than I would imagine I could gain in a weekend! The event was held in the Art Center of the lovely little town of San Luis Obispo . The drive up was beautiful and the company along the way was the best! (Thanks Jill!) Robin is a great presenter and I highly recommend attending any of her workshops. Robin is also a great writer, I just finished the first book in her Lowthar’s Blade Trilogy and I am now reading book two. If you are into fantasy, you will love this series. Let me correct that, I am not into fantasy and I am loving this series! So, even if you are not into fantasy, you will love this series. Check out an excerpt from book one at: http://www.rllafevers.com/excerpts/forging.html

Good writing takes time, time and more time. However, after this weekend I am sure that the effort you put in is definitely the effort you get back.

Check out more about Robin at: http://www.rllafevers.com/index.html

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A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people. Thomas Mann

Write On!

2008-02-26T10:04:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I went to the SCBWI-LA Writing Workshop with Elaine Marie Alphin who had just driven in from Montana, her car with the personalized Montana plates 'Write On' was in parking lot to prove it. Elaine shared with us how she lays the track for her stories before she begins writing them. It was a whirlwind of a day with many colorful 'fill-in the blank' handouts, which included a 56 question character interview. By the end of the day I was on information overload. However, on Sunday, after I had time to digest all that I had received, I realized I had the keys to unlock the minds of my characters on levels I have yet to explore. After listening to how Elaine works through all the ins and outs of the characters in her book allowing her to know them deeply, before she writes about them, I realized I too can move forward creating characters who I know like I know myself, perhaps even better. This insight excites me and I am inspired to Write On!

Visit Elaine Marie Alphin at; http://www.elainemariealphin.com/Alphin_News.html

Think, Think, Think

2008-02-08T09:03:00.000-08:00

Lately, my words seem to escape me. I often think of great things to post in my blog in those dreamy moments right after I wake. However, by the time I have completed my morning routine and made it to the computer, the words have escaped me. That may explain why writers often look so disheveled, because by the time you are all put together, your thoughts have disappeared. Maybe I should start sleeping with my laptop so I can capture those thoughts as they come. Hmmm, I guess a pen & pencil on my nightstand will work just as well.

Poison Apples & Cell Phones

2008-01-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

Thursday morning, my seven-year old daughter shared a dream with me where the evil witch gave her a cell phone instead of an apple. I don't remember the rest of the dream. I got lost in my own thoughts of kids today who dream of cell phones instead of apples. It is amazing how much times have changed since I was a kid. Of course I did like the part where the cell phone was the symbol of something poisonous. If she keeps thinking like this,we won't ever have to worry about huge cell phone bills. Oh to be so lucky!

Rainy Day Scribbles

2008-01-23T16:08:00.000-08:00

I love the rain, not enough to live in Seattle, but I do love the rain. I love sitting in my dry house watching it come down. I love drinking warm beverages that make me feel all toasty inside. I love how it feels like dusk all day long. But most of all I love that I don't have to go anywhere in the rain and I can just sit and watch it come down while I write.

Rain on the green grass And rain on the tree,And rain on the housetop,But not upon me. Anonymous

Warm Fuzzies

2008-01-17T19:12:00.000-08:00

This morning at 5:15 my daughter climbed into our bed taking the warm spot my husband had occupied only moments before. She snuggled up to me, making me feel all warm and fuzzy. As I lay there in the dark trying to get back to sleep, I realized that this was the same feeling I often get when I read a good book. I grab a cup of hot tea, a blanket and curl up with a novel. There is nothing like it. With time and effort I hope one day the stories I write give others the 'Warm Fuzzies'.

Space

2008-01-10T10:13:00.000-08:00

The topic of the SCBWI Westside Schmooze this month was... 'Leaving Space' or how to leave room in your PB for the illustrator. It was 90 minutes of engaging conversation from a packed house. So in keeping with the tone of the meeting, here is some space for you.

Westside Schmooze <westsideschmooze@hotmail.com>

One Line Dilemma

2008-01-07T18:17:00.000-08:00

What makes a line great? In every great story there is one great line "Call me Ishmael.", "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....","Tomorrow is another day." Those lines are so great, that decades later I can quote them in this blog without even mentioning where they come from. Currently, I am agonizing over one line in my story, not the opening and not the ending, just a line somewhere on page 14. Will it be great, will anyone even remember it? I don't know, but it is really causing me grief. It makes me wonder, how does one know when the line is right? Does it just jump at you and say 'I am great?' or do you just say, 'I am done?' Right now, all I can say is 'I am confused'

"Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show." David Copperfield

Patience is a Virtue...Or so I am told

2008-01-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

This year I am going to use Thursday as my 'Thoughtful Day'. So here are my thoughts for today;

I am currently in the process of preparing a few pages to send out into the great unknown world of submissions. Of course I am SO excited that I want to send them out NOW! However, a wise writing buddy suggested that I wait. She actually encouraged me to hold on to my pages until I was really ready to let them go. As you know I am all about 'Setting Your Pages Free' so I was stunned at this suggestion that I should hold on to them. However, after I 'thought' about it, I realized she was right! After looking at my pages the next day and the next I noticed little discrepancies that needed clearing up. Oh how much nicer to find these before submission instead of after. So, I am practicing 'patience' as I look over my pages in preparation for setting them free and I encourage you to do the same.

"For your born writer, nothing is so healing as the realization that he has come upon the right word." Catherine Drinker Bowen

364 and Counting...

2008-01-01T17:16:00.000-08:00

Day two of the new year and I have responded to a post (thank you JBean), went walking with a friend and edited pages in my novel. I am off to a great start; well except the sweet thing. Oh well, it's only day two, maybe I will work on my sweet tooth next month.

New Year's Resolutions...Of Course

2008-01-01T10:54:00.000-08:00

It is the first day of January 2008, so of course I am going to make the required resolutions.
Below are my top five of which at least two I know I will do.

Write more, which includes this blog.
Exercise more, well maybe...
Eat less sweets, except at parties, special events or family gatherings.
Figure out where the comma goes in a sentence.
Spend more time with family and friends :)

What's your resolution for the New Year?

Take chances. You will succeed if you are fearless of failure." --- Natalie Goldberg

Set Your Pages Free

2007-12-19T17:11:00.000-08:00

After spending the last two weeks running around like a crazy woman planning parties, attending parties, cleaning up after parties, shopping, shopping and more shopping. I have finally reached the last lap in my race to Christmas. Of course I still have two more parties ahead of me, both at our home, but with the exception of one or two relatives my shopping is DONE!

With the majority of the shopping and partying done, my loving husband, who is definitely my biggest fan, did the household chores so I could write. Write I did! In fact I wrote an entire chapter in one hour and it was good! This brought me to the conclusion that our stories are trapped inside, waiting for us to 'set them free'. So leave the laundry, dishes and dust bunnies, and go and set your pages free!

Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else. Gloria Steinem

You Can't Edit A Blank Page

2007-12-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

I have often heard it said 'You can't edit a blank page' however, before all the holiday madness, this statement held little meaning for me. I always managed to find some time to write, even if it was only a paragraph or two. Now with this event and that event, I am finding it hard to check my emails let alone write and blog! Unfortunately the statement 'You can't edit a blank page' has become too personal. I haven't been able to edit anything, because I have too many blank pages. So, without further ado, I am going to fill up those blank pages and I encourage you to do the same. Even if it means stealing away from your next event and writing a paragraph or two while you are in the John.

Every word written is a victory against death. -Michel Butor

Imitation Precedes Creation

2007-11-16T20:47:00.000-08:00

My Schmooze coordinator the fabulous Sara (see sara. see sara write.) has decided to read 1,000 books by January 1st, a lofty to goal to say the least; however, a very wise one in deed. According to the master writer Stephen King before he wrote his first book he spent almost an entire year reading, then he rewrote those stories as his own. Today that is called plagiarism, but it worked for first grader Stephen King. All that reading showed him what a real story looks like and Mr. King eventually turned that experience into a career. With that said, I must go and do what else? Read!

You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants. Stephen King

Something Old, Something New....

2007-11-10T20:21:00.000-08:00

Recently while reading some picture books from our home library, gathered over my ten years as an elementary teacher, the phrase 'Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue' popped into my head. After 17 years of marriage it has been a long time since that phrase has been attributed to me. But, I thought, how would that figure into my PB reading log? Then I had an 'Ah-ha' moment. I decided to journal my reading in the following format: Something old; A PB published before 2000, something new; A PB published after 2000, something borrowed; from the library or a friend and something blue; a book with a blue cover or about something blue.

It is already proving to be an interesting journey, here's what I read today :
Old (1978) Babar; A favorite in our house as a kid and now.
New(2002); Giggle, Giggle Quack

Love this series!
Borrowed;The Selfish Crocodile

Borrowed permanently

from a friend (oops).

Blue; Happy Birthday Moon

Frank Asch, need I say more?

Are You and Innie or an Outie?

2007-11-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

After listening to all six hours of 'Story' by Robert McKee I have discovered that I am an innie. Of course, Mr. McKee is not referring to your belly button, but your writing style. In writing, like belly buttons, it is better to be an innie, than an outie. Being an innie allows you to discover what works in less time, teaches you to write more than you need, throw out what you don't need, and search until you find the true 'gems' in your story. If you want to find out more about writing as an innie or an outie, check out Books by Robert Mckee and discover your writing style.

The reason one writes isn't the fact he wants to say something. He writes because he has something to say. F. Scott Fitzgerald

Quotes From Alexis O'Neill

2007-11-03T16:40:00.000-07:00

One week ago today I was enjoying the SCBWI Ventura-Santa Barbara Writers' Day where I had the unique privilege of mixing with such greats as Susan Patron, Jay Asher and Greg Trine. Without a doubt Jay Asher was SUPER funny with his Michael Jackson impersonation, but everyone who spoke made a deposit in my writing bank that left me feeling inspired. However, Alexis was the queen of inspiration when she led the crowd in her 'Queen' version of 'We are, We are writers!' Always remember, published or not, you are a writer!

"If you do the verb, you are the noun"

Alexis O'Neill

Do Over

2007-10-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life.

Oscar Wilde

Anyone who has been a writer understands the concept of a 'Do Over' better known as a revision. I am currently in the middle of two do overs, one in life and one in art.

Five years ago we installed our kitchen counters without the benefit of professional installers, thus, the kitchen 'Do Over'. On Tuesday I had my critique group read my (I lost count) draft of my YA novel hence my art 'Do Over'.

Any kid will tell you a 'Do Over' is great! You get to throw out all your mistakes and start again. So while I sit and rewrite my yet to be discovered fabulous YA novel among the dust of broken tile and drywall, I am going to remember that this is my chance for a 'Do Over'. I am going to keep in mind that I should be grateful for both of my 'Do Overs' because one day I will get new kitchen counters and a book contract. One just might take a little longer than the other.

"Writing energy is like anything else: The more you put in, the more you get out." Richard Reeves

Story

2007-10-20T08:07:00.000-07:00

A fellow writer friend of mine recently recommended Robert McKee's 'Story', a 5 disk CD on substance, structure, style and the principles of screen writing. Although it is written for screenwriters, the information shared is valuable to book writers as well. I am only on disk two, so I am sure I will learn much more before the end, but a thought I am currently musing over is this... 'Your story must be believable or at least have the ability to make the audience suspend their disbelief.' I like the thought of reading something so good that for a moment, I am willing to suspend my disbelief. Even better, the thought that I was the one who wrote it.

"Take chances. You will succeed if you are fearless of failure." Natalie Goldberg

Ahhhh!

2007-10-15T12:34:00.001-07:00

I can describe this weekend in two words... AWE-SOME! OK, I know it's only one word, but for me it was so great that I had to stretch the one word into two. Why was it so great you ask? Let me count the ways...
1. The event was held on ten beautiful acres tucked away in the hills of Encino.
2. I was surrounded by writers and illustrators.
3. All my meals were prepared for me and I did not have to do any dishes (I know that has nothing to do with my craft, but it did free up a lot of my time.)
4. I spent the entire weekend focusing on writing, writing and more writing!

Well that is a synopsis of the event, (which Jennifer Jaeger from ABLA says she never reads), but for more, just check out the pictures on this blog.

If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams. ~Danzae Pace

Critique Groups

2007-10-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

Groups were created that traveled around together to have their work critiqued by Jennifer, Victoria, Judy and Stephanie. I was lucky enough to be in a small group and received a lot of GREAT feedback. Jamie Weil, Dorothy Raymond and myself (in the middle) made up three of our six person group.

Literary Talks

2007-10-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

Jenn talking to Jenn Jaeger from Andrea Brown Literary Agency (ABLA) and Victoria Rock from Chronicle Books. AWESOME!

Two Great Guests

2007-10-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Jaeger & Victoria Rock were the guest agent and editor. They were down to earth and a lot of fun!

Our Leaders Stephanie Gordon & Judith Enderle

2007-10-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

Stephanie & Judy put it all togehter and were joyful about doing it!

Blogging Blues

2007-10-15T10:38:00.000-07:00

Why you ask is there a picture of me just hanging out on my blog? Because every time I post my picture in my profile and then remove the initial picture post they both disappear. So for the time being, this picture stays put. Just smile and scroll past it.

2007-10-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

After weeks of waiting it is finally here! The Encino Working Writers Retreat, but even more exciting is that I am going! The event is a long weekend (Friday -Sunday) at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino, http://www.hsrcenter.com/Home.asp

I am so excited and nervous about the whole thing. However, I am sure I will come away a much better writer and a more peaceful mom!

Just Jump!

2007-10-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

There are three basic ways most people get into a swimming pool, those who put in one toe, those who run it to their waist and those who just jump! Well I have always been a one toe kind of girl, after setting up my blog three months ago and calling it a day; I am going to do it, I am going to JUMP! So here goes, I am blogging today and from here on out on a regular basis. I am not quite sure what a regular basis will be, but I can say with confidence, it will be more often than once every three months!

San Fransisco

2007-07-16T23:35:00.000-07:00

"The coldest winter I ever spent was the summer I spent in San Fransisco." Mark Twain

No truer words were ever spoken. It was really weird seeing people all bundled up in the middle of July! Of course that did not stop us from having family fun. In fact it was a really great day for all. Although the Golden Gate Bridge was obscured by fog we still enjoyed driving across it and the Bay Bridge. We also loved driving down Lombard street a first for the whole family. The highlight for the kids was the stop at the Jelly Belly factory, for Phillip it was the granite memorial to the "Lone Sailor" and for me, the tour and samples at the Boudin Sourdough Bread Factory. I have been to San Fransisco several times but I have never squeezed so much in one day.