Stuff I've Learned

One of the best things about being a writer is that you actually get to learn things through your research. The more you don't know about something, the more you have to research so that you don't look like a complete idiot and have some 11 year old call you out on the details. Here are some of the more interesting things I've learned over the years:
1. Raccoon daddies don't stick around. If you see more than one raccoon, it's a mama and babies.
2. How fast a body will decomp at just above freezing temperatures. You can watch fast-motion videos of pigs decomping on the internet. Thought I'd throw that out there in case you're having a slow night.
3. That I shouldn't try to write in rhyme. Ever.
4. The best way to strip the skeleton of an armadillo is using bugs in the backyard.
5. That the bony armor of an armadillo is called a scute. I used that word in Scrabble a couple of weeks ago, so that little detail has come in very handy.
6. You can go tandem hangliding just north of San Francisco. No lessons necessary, just strap yourself in and jump.
7. It takes one day, 19 hours and 20 minutes to take a bus from Austin to San Francisco.
8. Campus police can arrest you in Santa Barbara.
9. You need to open a window in the back of the house in order to get fire to spread there.
10. That there is a paid scholarship program for young singers at the Metropolitan Opera. That would have been so cool - if I could sing, of course.

On this date: In 1956, Elvis appeared on Ed Sullivan.

LIttle By Little

So now that my new character Eli has begun dragging me into his drama, I've put off actually starting writing in favor of a little research. As you are supposed to write what you know, there are a few issues with this MS:
1. It is set somewhere in the midwest (or at least somewhere that has tornadoes). I've never been in a tornado, and the only place I've been in the midwest was Kansas City, and I didn't leave the hotel where the conference was being held.
2. It involves opera. I know less than nothing about opera. Luckily I know someone who does.



3. One of my secondary characters is a foster kid. I have to learn a little more about the system.
4. There is also some diving, karate, football, piano and baseball. Not really and expert on any of these. Sigh.

It's also a matter of commitment. Once I open a new computer file and start writing, I have to write 1k words per day (anyone remember the last MS?). This means that I have to make sure I'm not unduly distracted for the next month or two. Of course, I started the last book right before Thanksgiving last year (what was I thinking?), so that might just be an excuse.

On this date: In 1966, Star Trek premiered.

The Process

The process of writing a new book is mysterious. I always have a couple of ideas kicking around in my head, things I've picked up in a magazine or heard about on the news. The last YA was inspired by a Marie Claire article I read on an airplane. These ideas have to percolate for a little while, until some sort of a plot starts to emerge and the main character begins asserting his or her personality. Sometimes I even get snippets of other characters too. At this point, I don't write anything down.

After a little while, one of the voices (hopefully the main character) really starts talking and developing a personality all their own. I usually start to hear conversations in my head, or sometimes even entire paragraphs of the character's inner thoughts. This happened to me last night, when I was in my favorite place - the bathtub. This particular character got to be so strong and opinionated that I had to hop out and start taking some notes. I was being fed so many good lines, it was time to start writing stuff down (someday, someone is going to invent waterproof pens and paper for just this purpose). By the time I was done, I had about two pages of quotes and maybe the first paragraph of the book. A few more notes on the other characters and the plot and I'll be ready to sit down and start writing.

So, this all sounds good right? That's exactly what you want to happen when you're trying to write a book. Yes, except for the fact that IT'S THE WRONG BOOK! I told Agent E that I was going to write a girl-centered YA. I had some of the basic plot points worked out and was going to start focusing on character when this other boy-centric mid-grade book popped up and asserted itself. The main character has not only told me his name and his nickname, but he's given me some really good lines to work with. As much as I try to focus on the other book, for right now it looks like he's going to win.

I know this all sounds crazy, but sometimes you have to take what you're given and run with it. Oh, BTW, his name is Eli. I kind of like it.

On this date: In 1940, my dad was born. Happy Birthday Dad!

Career Moves

It turns out that editor Cheryl Klein is looking for a few good interns. It's not paid, but you get to work with editors, do office stuff and get free books (not to mention college credits). Do you think that DH and the kids (and the cats, dog, kittens and turtles) mind if I take the next couple of months off, move to New York and work at Arthur Levine?

Ah, you're right, maybe that is another life in another time. Can't hurt to think about though, can it?

On this date: In 1957, On the Road is published.

Around the Dinner Table

T: So what part of the pig does turkey come from?



On this date: In 1966, the last episode of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet airs.

Due Dates

I've decided that waiting for a manuscript to sell is a lot like being 10 months pregnant:
* You know that something is going to happen, but you don't know exactly what kind of baby you're going to have or when.
* You overanalyze every little twinge - is this it?
* You get so tired of everyone asking why it hasn't happened yet.
* Unbecoming thoughts enter your head when you see other authors and their brand-new book babies while you're still lumbering along.
* Your mind is always elsewhere, no matter how much you try to be present.
* You picture your book baby in your head constantly.
* You have an excuse for being short with family members.
* Your ankles swell.

Okay, maybe that last one is just me.

On this date: In 1969, Star Trek's last episode airs.

The Kidlit Community

I don't know what it's like in the world of adult writers, but the best thing about being a kidlit writer is the great community. Rather than every writer for themselves, everyone seems to bend over backwards to help, cheer and commiserate each other.

Thanks to my not-so-subtle kvetching on the blog, several other writers (thanks Debi and Maurene) have sent messages that have resulted in a couple of great leads for things I can do at home that don't stray too far from my likes and talents.

One of the best resources for kidlit writers is the Verla Kay writer board forums. Not only do the writers on that board have some great advice, they are soley responsible for getting my first book published as well as hooking me up with Agent E. My favorite (and occasionally the most painful) thread is "Good News" where people go to cheer on everything from finishing a book to getting a publishing deal.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - writing might be a solitary experience, but it can't be done alone.

On this date: In 1985, the wreck of the Titanic was found.