The End

I submitted a manuscript for review by my new critique group, then held my breath as I sat in the hot seat and listened to every comment. I was heartened by their kind praise of my tween novel, SEASHELL SECRETS, calling it a well written and powerful novel. This initial review helped soften the challenging suggestions that followed, suggestions they believed would make the story better. Of course, this is why they're there, and it's why I'm thrilled to be a part the group. Since the review, I've immersed myself in revisions. It's interesting how an easy suggestion can turn into hours and hours of work. Several of the members felt that a key scene in my manuscript needed to come earlier in the book and become the first turning point. I know they're right, but it's like one of the writers remarked, "pulling on one thread sometimes unravels the whole sweater." It actually hasn't been quite that bad, but close. In the early chapters, I had a number of scenes leading up to that key scene. After the change, I found myself referring to people who the protagonist hadn't yet met, or talking about something that hadn't yet happened. But I've almost completed those revisions and am feeling better about the book.

Then there's the other BIG thing...the ending. Endings can be tricky. In the "old" days, most books, especially children's books, had happy endings, sometimes too perfect. Now, the emphasis is on making the ending realistic, while still infusing a sense of hope and showing that the protagonist has changed and grown. I like my current ending, but can it be better? Possibly, and that's what I'm working on. My critique group offered several scenarios, all of which carry merit, a few which would require a considerable amount of rewriting. One thing is for sure, I will carefully consider all of them, even if it means going through the exercise of rewriting the final scenes, before settling on the ending to my story. We always want to believe that what we've written is as good as it could possibly be, but that's why we have critique groups, to keep us honest. And after my first critique, I have no doubt that my new group will keep me honest.

Historical Fiction - Telling it Like it is

During my celebration dinner with author Claudia Mills the other night, we had a discussion about a topic that's been on my mind since I began writing my tween novel, SEASHELL SECRETS, which is set in the early 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement. The issue is this: In order to tell a story involving the plight of black citizens during that time, and tell it honestly, you risk using language and writing scenes that were, and are, offensive. I was so moved by Kathryn Stockett's book, THE HELP. In it, Ms. Stockett bluntly describes the treatment (or mistreatment) of black maids in ways that sometimes brought me to tears. She could have softened the account to minimize the risk of offending readers, but she didn't. The recent controversy over Mark Twain's use of the "N" word begs the question about "accuracy" versus "non-offensive," understandably a difficult discussion. A related issue is whether it does more harm than good to write a book that brings back difficult, less honorable, times in our history after we've made significant strides to improve upon those times. After much thought and discussion, I believe historical fiction is one way to remind us of our past, offensive though it might be, and force us to recognize telltale signs that such despicable prejudices might resurface if we're not careful. There are constant reminders in the news that, as a nation, we have not conquered this problem. I asked a delightful black woman named Dorothy to read my manuscript before I began submitting it to agents. I told her I wanted the story to be accurate but not offensive. Dorothy looked at me and said, "If it's accurate, it will be offensive," and I realized then, that nothing would be more offensive than to downplay the struggle of the black population as they strove for equal rights and proper respect in our country.

Word for 2011

My wonderful mentor, Claudia Mills, comes up with the most delightful ideas. For example, as she talks about in her blog, she chooses a word each year that will be her word the year. This year she has chosen the word "grope". Today, the first day of 2011, I decided to pick a word, too, and the word I chose is "celebrate." It's fitting because less than an hour ago Claudia sent me an email, and after reviewing my most recent revisions to my tween novel, SEASHELL SECRETS, she proclaimed it DONE! And that is certainly something to celebrate! I wrote a blog a while back talking about how important I believe it is not only to celebrate the big things (like contest wins and your first book offer), but also the small accomplishments along the way (settling on a topic for your next book, completing the first chapter, the first draft...sending it out). This is true not just in writing, but in daily life. We certainly scold ourselves for mistakes made, but all too often, we forget to pat ourselves on the back for jobs well done. I will be taking Claudia out to dinner one evening soon so we can both celebrate, and I can hardly wait!

Christmas - Then and Now

Christmas brings such mixed feelings anymore. I miss the days when I was young and with my family at my parent's house with few concerns beyond what's in that big present. Since my parents died, my two brothers and my sister and I have gone different directions and it's hard to get us all together. This year, my eldest brother's family were all in town, and I had them over for dinner which was wonderful. He has two lovely daughters, both married, one with a darling daughter of her own. The spirit of Christmas shone bright in the eyes of this little 2-1/2 year old. I gave her some froggy pajamas, and as soon as she pulled them out of the box, she stripped off her cute Christmas dress and wore the pajamas the rest of the night. I think we all wished we could do the same. I loved being with my brother and wished with all my heart that my other brother and my sister had been there, too. If only I'd known as a child to cherish those days when being together was the norm. But I guess you have to grow up to appreciate what you once had. Still, there's a lesson here that I realize I need to pay attention to: I need to cherish parts of my adult life now that may be lost to me sometime in the future.

A toast to success and critique groups

I attended my second meeting with my new critique group yesterday. This one was extra special because we celebrated a good friend's first book offer! Pam Mingle's beautifully written YA time travel book titled KISSING SHAKESPEARE will be published by Delacorte in 2012. In it, a young girl suddenly finds herself living in the past with a daunting mission: she must seduce William Shakespeare. Otherwise, all of his plays will go unwritten. The book weaves an intriguing romance with mystery, and is filled with wonderful descriptions of the period. I highly recommend it when it comes out.


After we toasted Pam, we reviewed a beautiful short story by Laura Deal. The overwhelming recommendation was that it was so well written and the story so captivating, we all wished it was a full-length novel. Amid the praise were thought-provoking recommendations for changes that must have left Laura a bit dazed which is often the case when you're the one in the "hot seat." Again, I was struck by the talent of these writers, while at the same time a bit intimidated knowing that I will soon be the one in the "hot seat." I came away wondering how anyone writes a truly great novel without input from fellow writers. So...here's to Pam and to my new critique group.

Worthwhile Endeavors Take Time

I spent this past weekend at a girlfriends getaway in a lovely mountain cabin. We all used to work together and have been friends for many years. There's nothing quite like close friends with whom you've shared many ups and downs of your life and of theirs, and who can gather around the fire and pick up on any conversation because you know each other so well. Years of experience has its advantages, both in friendships and in writing. I cringe sometimes when I go back and read some of my very early work. They're two dimensional, like factual accounts of a kid's story rather than the subtlety it takes to make the reader feel like they're actually living the story along with the protagonist. Furthermore, they lack the emotional depth needed to make the reader care about what happens to the characters in the story. To achieve these essential elements takes hours upon hours of reading and writing for children. That's not really surprising. Anything worth doing well requires that kind of stick-to-it-ness, that kind of dedication. You have to love it, and I do. I'm on my fifth year of writing and revising my tween novel, SEASHELL SECRETS. I'm almost finished with what will hopefully be my last revision, which was quite extensive despite the fact that it won first place in the children's category at last years Pikes Peak Writers Paul Gillette Contest. Even after all these years and all this work, I still love the story, in fact, even more now. It remains to be seen whether a publisher will love it, too.

New Critique Group

I attended my first meeting with my new critique group yesterday. What an incredible group of writers! I've known some of them through workshops and conferences, and already knew the talent in this group was extraordinary. We meet once a month for four hours. The members take turns hosting the meeting, and it's a lovely atmosphere with snacks provided. Yesterday we reviewed a short chapter (possibly middle grade) book. The comments and suggestions offered were direct and insightful, not just to the author of the work, but to me, and I suspect to everyone in attendance. New members must wait three months before submitting their own work for review. The review itself can be grueling, but what an incredible opportunity to learn and improve my work. I was in a critique group prior to this, also wonderful writers, but the group began to dwindle and I was delighted to be invited to join my new group. About half of them are published. All of them are incredibly talented. They'll definitely keep me on my toes!