A Conversation with my Husband about Zombies.

 

 THE WALKING DEAD is freaking killing me. I was up all night thinking and dreaming about zombies. Here is an actual conversation I had last night with Dustin:

Me: "If I become a zombie, I'd want you to kill me. Cause, you know, I'm already dead."

Dustin: "So if you're going to become a zombie, kill you?"

Me: "No. Only kill me if I already am a zombie."

Dustin: "How would I know?"

Me: "Oh. You'd know."

Dustin; "Ok."

Me. "Just one shot to the brain, that's all it takes. But make sure you hit my brain."

Dustin: "Got it." Also he's distracted cause he's trying to watch the news and I'm all serious, because, you know, THE WALKING DEAD.

Me: "And make sure you teach the kids how to shoot guns."

Dustin: "Okay."

Me: "Even Jane."

Dustin looks at me like I'm crazy and also he's like, cool. Guns and kids. Me: "Promise." And I'm like practically crying cause I want our kids to learn how to shoot zombies in the eye.

Dustin: "Jeez. I promise."

Me: "I know it's like 8:15, but I'm going to bed now."

Dustin: *stares at fox news*

I lived here.

So, many years ago. Many. I lived in New Zealand for six months. Or, as I now like to call it, Middle Earth. THE HOBBIT comes out on Friday. It was my favorite book as a child. My mom read it to us many, many times.

I love it so much.

Part of me doesn't want to see the movie though. You know what I mean?

This is Hobbiton. (Matamata, NZ)

What do you think? Are you going to see the movie? Will the magic of my Hobbiton be gone?

Um. There's this.

You can check out my stats, here. Also, don't think I wrote like 10,000 words the last day. I already had some notes and alternate chapters in the document and I was too lazy to take them out, so it looks like I wrote more words than I did.

I'm not that talented.

I'll tell you all about my experience later. Right now, as reward and a day to spend selfishly on myself, I'm making a skirt for ME. Also, I'm going to read a couple of books, take a week off of writing and then dive right back in.

How did your NaNoing go?

The Girl With The Green Pen

This post has to start with a story, cause isn't everything a story? This story is about a girl with a green pen. And her name is Taryn. And she is one of my critique partners. And she's a genius teen, you know, like a character in a novel genius.

I met her a year and a half ago at a conference and we hooked up soon after that. My other CPs and I are all about the same age and in the same stage of life. But Taryn was eighteen and her MS blew all of ours out of the water. Also, it was clear during our class, this girl KNEW HER STUFF. We latched onto her immediately.

Here's an example of why she's so great (this is besides her editing skills and perfect query pitches). A few weeks ago I sent my CPs an email in my teenage voice. It was supposed to be funny, and I kept using teenage slang, mostly incorrectly. I told this entire story with an overdose of the word 'toads' to replace totally (as in: "He's toads hot.") Only I used it a ton, because I thought it was soooo funny. And my CPs thought it was funny and they started tweeting 'toads' in, like, ALL their tweets. And we were all so smug and funny and TEENAGERY.

And Taryn must've been in class, cause that's what she does, and when she finally got out, I got one really short text that read: It's totes.

I peed my pants. That is one of the reasons Taryn is great for VOICE.

But you should check out her new Editing business, you can find it here. You should read the testimonials because most of her clients now have agents. She's just that good.

Also, did I mention that she's brilliant?

Here's her mission statement:
My mission is to guide writers through the daunting task of revision. From idea development to editorial feedback to general publishing advice, I love working with stories and those who create them. As a nationally ranked swimer, I know the value of time, so I believe in quick responses from the first email to the last.

I am not just another freelance editor. Beyond providing an experienced and thorough critique, my secondary goal is to establish a relationship with my clients. I want to support you throughout the stressful submission process and celebrate with you upon any and all good news. Writers may put pen to paper alone, but it is through a community that the book gets finished, polished, and submitted.

See how I did that? How I made it all green cause she's the girl with the green pen? I'm practically like an eleven-year-old the way I can work around the interwebz.

The Middle.

I've past the middle part. And, as Anne Shirley would say, I am in the depths of despair! The middle does that to you every time. It's like I've buried my adorable, capable, and funny characters into a pit so deep, I'm not sure that--even with a little C-4--they'll be able to dig themselves out.

I'm going to be honest with you, I have considered chucking the whole thing. But then I remember that with each word I write I'm learning something about this book, its characters and its plot. And I might not learn it until I write it all. So I'm going to soldier on.

I spent the morning taking notes on what's working and what doesn't work and drew a timeline map, which I think will help a lot. Just a note, I did have an outline jumping into this but am realizing that I am a true pantster and like any pantster, pre-determined plots and outlines don't work for me cause I stray. Or, rather, my characters tend to stray. (Bad characters!)

Also, time travel is a bitch.

How are you all doing? I hope better than me.

This post was brought to you by salty tears and diet coke.

NaNo Update.

So, it has been almost a week since November began. After a slow start (I was vacationing with my kids) I've caught up to where I need to be. I'm at 13,000 words, which is a little bit ahead.

 As I suspected, pantster that I am, my plot has changed....but only for the best.

I am in good spirits today. Happy the election is over, happy to be home and working, happy it is the last beautiful day of the season, happy that my kids are in school, happy that I'm making homemade pizza tonight. So many happies!

I hope you can all read BEFORE EARTH someday, cause I'm having a fun time writing it!

How are you all doing on NaNo?

Bonus: My family and our Halloween Costumes.

Also, we had a lot of people ask us what muggles were. Really?

BEFORE EARTH

It is almost November. And, yes, I'm doing NaNo again. I did it last year and, while it was a challenge, I learned so much and couldn't help but to do it again. The reason I'm doing it is exactly the same reason I did it last year. I love the community of it. I feel inspired by it. I mean, we're human and we need story to survive, so why not go crazy with story for one month. I love it!

I'd love for you to join me if you're doing it this year. Here's a link to me.

You can follow my progress there. Last year I wrote THE ART OF MAKING STARS, which is a contemporary YA romance. This year I'm going with a YA science fiction. I'm really excited about this new book. It's called BEFORE EARTH. Here's the pitch (which will, I'm afraid, probably change a lot because I'm a pantster):

Seventeen-year-old Meg Williams is totally pissed off when her dad invites a vagrant named Damon to live above their garage. It doesn’t help that he ends up in her physics class at school the next day. Although, she has to admit, his army green Chuck Taylors are pretty hot. But when Damon tells her he’s from Mars, she knows he’s more than weird, he’s psycho.

 Then NASA discovers something on Mars, something that freaks the world out: An exact replica of The Statue of Liberty, lying on its side, half covered in rusty Martian dust. While scientists, militaries and world leaders scramble to find answers, Meg goes to the only person who actually knows the truth: Damon.

 Damon explains he is an ancient Martian from a prehistoric green Mars, which is slowly turning to the silent red-desert-planet we know. In desperation, the advanced inhabitants of Mars have opened up portals through time and space and are slowly emigrating to different time periods on Earth.

 To convince Meg, Damon takes her through a portal to the dying Mars and, while there, she sees something strange. Something that could change the history of Earth, erasing her existence and everything she knows.

 It’s up to her and Damon to figure out how to save the Martians while attempting to maintain the now fragile history and population on Earth.

Doesn't it sound exciting! Unlike THE ART OF MAKING STARS, this book actually has a plot! We'll see if I can pull it off!

 Here's an image that is TOTALLY part of this book:

Isn't it dreamy! I LOVE it.

Here's a tentative cover:

So. Are you doing NaNo? If so, why are you? I'd love to hear! Also, let's be NaNo buddies!

 

Another One Down...

My amazing CP, Robin, just signed with an agent. I am over the moon about this (whatever over the moon means, I think it's a good thing). You should go here or here to congratulate her. She absolutely deserves this. Her novel, LOVESENSE, is unique and funny with great voice and characters that I care about.

Robin also works harder than anyone I know. She wrote LOVESENSE last year during NaNoWriMo just a few days after the birth of her fourth child. I know, I could barely function with a newborn, she wrote a whole book while taking care of a newborn! She's extremely inspiring. You should go read her story. While it was a stressful, nerve-wracking week for her, it was delightful for me to watch agents battle for her awesome story.

In case you're keeping count. That is four of my CPs who now have agents. And, yes, I am the lone wolf still, barely, standing. But I have learned great things from these girls and their agents. And I'm so thrilled for all of them and am their biggest fan.

I'm curious, what are your stories to agent-hood? I love to hear the different ways people find their agents.

The Light is Changing.

Wow. It has been too long. I'm just realizing I'm not very good at this blogging thing. I want to be better, really, but I'm not.

I will try harder.

In the intervening months since I last posted a lot of LIFE has happened. You know, the kind outside of writing. It's been mostly wonderful and exhausting at the same time. I've also been doing some writing too, which always makes me feel good, even if the writing isn't.

School is back in. Mornings are misty with a tiny chill. Afternoons are warm and breezy. Crows caw. Grapes are pregnant. The house is silent. ALL the kids are gone. I miss the kids sometimes...and sometimes, I don't.

It is the same season here as the season in my book. This makes setting easier. All I have to do is look out my window and describe what I see.

The chickens are laying again and we got eight new chicks.

I got some lime green sandals in the mail.

We began planning our Halloween party last night.

Summer must be over.

Also, I've been doing this.

What have you been up to?

All I Want is to write a Really Good Book. That's all.

 I'm sorry I've been out of the office. I had an existential breakdown. For reals.

Don't worry, I'm better now.

It's been a month long process of figuring out who I want to be as a writer. I've had some serious breakthroughs and made some heart-wrenching decisions (like re-writing my WIP COMPLETELY). You know, stuff like that.

I had amazing help with my emotional state at WIFYR with my critique partners, my incredible author instructor and all my new writing friends from boot camp *waves to bootcampers*

Right now I feel in control of my writing life again. I'm taking it slow and allowing myself the time to write a really good book.

Also, I've mixed in some serious summer things like a lot of swimming, sunshine, and camping with watermelon and bears. Oh yeah, and I've been busy being a mom. You know, little stuff like that.

How bout you? Have you ever had existential crises related to your writing? And if so, what has the outcome been?

I Interrupt This Blog Silence With An Announcement...

I am World-building.

 

Here is a picture of my world. Sort of.

Why is the most exciting and fun and can't-stop-thinking-about-it thing also the most exhausting and crazy difficult?

I feel like I need a Panem movie to tell my world-building for me. I mean, seriously, Suzanne Collins with the mandatory clarifying movie before the reaping: brilliant. I have no way in my WIP to have a propagandist movie to explain my world. So...I guess I have to do it the old fashioned way: a little bit at a time, but smooth and flawless. Information that my readers don't even realize is information.

Why is this so hard?

Another thing I learned from The Hunger Games: Ms. Collins uses the even chapters in the first part of the book to world-build. The odd chapters are more action. Don't believe me, go read it again. It's quite a pattern and, pretty brilliant. Every time I started an even chapter and realized it was more world-building I whooped with excitement. I love patterns.

Tell me, what ingenious ways have you read or written to build your worlds?

Marine Layer

Might be covered by Ocean in my dream, or in the near Globally Warmed Future.

This morning, when I woke up early to go swimming, a thick marine layer of fog had covered our little valley. This happens, in the summer, every few days...but this is the first of the year. I love the fog. It's thick and smells of the ocean--and it acts like nature's air conditioner.

At swimming, one of the other swimmers said, "I love this marine layer. I feel like I'm in Santa Cruz." And we all laughed and smiled and were just being humans together. And then he said, "Whenever the fog comes, I feel like I'm on vacation. Like I'm living in a different place."

And...he nailed it. His observation is exactly how I feel about the fog, even though I'd never thought of it in those terms. And it reminded me of a dream I had. I dreamed that the vineyard, behind our house, had turned into the ocean. The ocean, right in our backyard. And instead of Shakespeare festivals in the grape vines, we sailed in the foggy gray waters. And it was like we were living in a vacation home, instead of our real home.

I love when people wax poetic, especially when they're not writers. I guess everyone has the powers of observation, but real people saying things that are meant to be written down and remembered is just magical.

Have you met a 'character,' out in the world. You know, one you didn't make up?

What I've learned at Writing Conferences

So. Last year I went to my first writing conference. It was this one and it was amazing. Here's what I learned:
My MS needed more work than I thought.
The hook is the hook, so don't introduce it thirty pages later. Introduce it on the first page.
My MS was better than I thought.
How to critique others' writing in a way that's helpful to them.
Published authors are very generous with their time and advice. Always take notes.
Also, published authors are people.
Editors and Agents are only slightly less scary than I imagined. (Okay, they're cool. And people too.)
How to bring a book full circle.
But the greatest thing about going to this conference, hands down, was meeting my critique partners. Meeting them has been the greatest thing for my writing since I learned how to write in first grade.

This conference put me six months to a year ahead of where I might've been if I'd only had books, blogs and articles to direct me.

I'm going again this year as a seasoned veteran and am so excited for what more I can/will learn.

Now, having said all this, it is possible to attend a conference that may not be as fantastic. I attended a different conference (which will remain nameless) that was not as helpful. The agents there were not as accessible and the crit groups not as useful. Also, there was a query session that was downright unprofessional and, well, rude. In fact, one of my contacts from this conference recently emailed me and told me she quit writing after the query session because it was "confusing and intimidating." And, if anything, conferences should encourage and teach, not discourage.

However, I also met some great writer friends (conference attendees and published authors) who were amazing people and generous with their advice. And for that reason alone, the conference was worth it.

Definitely my favorite part of both conferences was meeting people like me. People who understand what it's like to cry over made up characters and stay up until all hours of the morning to get that scene right. I loved that we would discuss for hours about people and situations that had found its genesis in one of our heads. That, to me, was priceless.

So, what are your conference stories? Have they been good experiences, not so good experiences, or horrifying? I want to know.

Meanwhile, can't wait to see anyone who will be attending WIFYR this year!!!

S L O W

I've been slow lately. Real slow. Drafting is easier. I can measure drafting (i.e. "I just wrote 2500 words today!"). But I can't measure revising. It's just there. A chapter and then a page and then a paragraph and then a word at a time. No counting. No red-faced, breathless typing. Just reading, making faces, fixing, experimenting and reading some more.

I need some diet coke or chocolate or maybe both. Although, I don't think they go well together.

How do you get through revisions? I need a system. Does anyone have a system? If so, please share!

Also, hypothetically speaking, if I were to come up with a dessert that involved, let's say, chocolate and diet coke, what would it be?

It's just hypothetical.


In case you're wondering, the photo is a representation of the Slow Car Movement. I thought it relevant.

YA Tour or BUST!

Last night I made my way to A Great Good Place for Books (isn’t that a great name?) in Oakland for a book signing with Stephanie Perkins, Nina LaCour, Gayle Forman, Jess Rothenberg and moderated by Yvonne Prinz.

Ah, yeah. Epic.

I loved listening to their writing processes, learning about working with editors, and a candid discussion on censorship (which Gayle Forman nailed using an analogy that may have involved green peas). Also, the bonus factor: about fifteen teenage boys who thought the YA or Bust tour meant they might see some real ‘busts.’

On later examination we learned they were there for extra credit. But still, what cool teacher gives extra credit for that? And, I bet despite their reluctance in being there, they actually learned a thing or two.

I have a bedside table full of shiny new books and had a fantastic conversation with Gayle Forman, my new writer crush. She was great!

I have realized, as I’ve gotten older, that book signings are my new concerts. I rarely go to concerts anymore, I tend to complain about the noise and not being able to be in bed by ten…but book signings…

They rock!

Readiness.

I’m going to try and broach a topic that I don’t really have the answers for. In fact, I’m hoping that you will. *waves at new followers from Ilima's amazing blog*

When are you ready to let your novel go?

I’ve been doing this for a while now and have yet to even attempt to look for an agent. Of course, that has always been my goal, but I feel like I might never be ready. I write, re-write, polish, get feedback fro crit partners and BETA readers. Agonize. Re-write. Polish. Send out again…. You get the idea.

So when is it ready?

I went to this conference and met Jeff Stone who is the MG author of the Ancestors’ Series. Someone asked him the same question and his response was interesting to me. He said something to the effect that if you are getting different responses from five different people, then take those responses seriously, but—ultimately—go with your gut. But, if you’re getting the same feedback from five different people…well…you’d better listen.

So I recently had some experience with this. At our Critique Writing Retreat my crit partners sat me down and, very lovingly, had an intervention about my first chapter. My first chapter that I had re-written, tightened and was married to. I fought back, grasping at straws, amazing first sentences and witty dialogue, but eventually, I realized they were right. And the fact that all of them had the same advice, well, I knew I’d better listen.

So I did.

I re-wrote.

And it’s better. And this week, I’m getting ready to let my novel go.

But my question to you is: How do you know when your novel is ready?

Post Traumatic Critique Retreat Disorder.

Robin, Ilima, Me, Taryn, Katie
We are enjoying a dinner at a Winery from my novel.

These amazing writers are my critique partners. We met less than one year ago at WIFYR. Since our amazing class with this lady, we have emailed each other nearly every day. That's right, every day. I don't know what I did before these girls made my inbox implode. We have written hundreds of thousands of words together. We all wrote NaNo together. We've argued over each other's first pages, first chapters and characters' flaws. We have fallen in love with each other's love interests. Right now, I have an ongoing crush on Theron, now Kai, Lancelot and Blue. And as soon as I start Robin's NaNo, I'm sure there will be another.

We've cried in front of each other. Talked on the phone. And tweeted (did I say that right?). I was so happy when every one of these gals answered my invitation for a Writing Retreat with a resounding YES.

We spent this last weekend writing, eating chocolate, talking way too much about fictional characters and caring too much about made up stories.

And we just get it.
We understand what it means to be an artist and a writer.
We know what it means to dream.
We love something we can't stop, even if we tried.

So, I'm toasting my friends with a blackberry Italian soda with a little cream and lots of ice. Thank you for coming and imagining with me.


And, no, I can't tell you the name of the winery. We don't want another Forks on our hands, do we now. Jeesh.

Disneyland.

I spent the last few days at Disneyland. And while many people can't stand the place with its people, commercialism and, well, people. I LOVE IT.

Here's why:

It occurred to me, while I was there, that Disneyland is all about stories. It is a park based entirely on stories. Some are classics like Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Alice & Wonderland and some are newer stories like Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Toy Story. Many of the themed rides even tell a story. There's an inciting incident, rising action and a resolution. I LOVE that adults can act like kids again and kids can act like exhausted brats. I love that I hear this on a regular basis, "You're going to have fun whether you like it or not!" I love that parents suddenly have more energy than their children and I also love that you can eat cotton candy and ginormous corn dogs.

What would it be like to have your story turned into an experience? Does it cheapen it, or does it honor it by exposing it to the masses. I'm not sure, but what I do know is that any exposure to a much forgotten classic like The Wind in the Willows is a GOOD thing.

Having said all that, I am glad to be home and back to, at least, pretending to write.

What vacations do you like? Crazy or peaceful.

More Distractions.

So, apparently having a blog and perusing the interwebz isn't enough distraction for me. While I've managed to stay away from--what is sure to be insanely addicting for me--facebook, I am now officially tweeting (did I say that right? Gah, I feel like an old woman).

I kept feeling like I was missing something and--come to find out--I was. A whole world of witty 140 character length gems of philosophical isms. I signed up and then promptly spent the next few hours getting completely immersed in the lifestyle of fellow tweeters. Who knew that John Green reads Moby Dick in his spare time? Who has spare time?

Do you all tweet? And if so, can I follow you? As long as you sprinkle writing advice in with what you're having for lunch...I'll be happy.

What's your take? Is twitter wonderful or all encompassing, addicting, life-consuming: like crack.

Also, I'm considering these. Aren't they ADORABLE!

Day Off.

The quilt of scraps I made for my daughters' bed.
It took six months. Literally.

Hello friends. I just wanted everyone to know that I will not be writing today. Sometimes we have to take the day off. Instead, I'll be starting a new quilt (Fridays are sewing days round here). I am almost as excited for that as I am to start a new novel.

In fact, it strikes me that noveling and quiltmaking have some similarities. For example, I get really excited to write a new novel. The idea is shiny and big and bursting to get on the page. Then, it gets boring and I think about leaving it in my closet for awhile. I have to force myself to keep writing until I finally finish it.

Here's the process with the quilt: find new fabric and design idea. So excited. Cut and sew together top. Still love it. Now time to quilt (bringing the top, middle batting, and back together) SUCKS. It's sort of like revisions. Finally finish quilting. Bind. Binding's not so bad, it's at the end, you can see the product of your work and it's satisfying to get it done.

Me, binding. Oh, how I love binding!
Binding must be like the final copy edits, maybe?

So...instead of noveling today, I'm starting a new quilt novel. I'm making a quilt for my sister (king size, which is comparable to writing a fantasy trilogy) it'll take me forever. I'm hoping to finish it in June.

Here's the new fabric for my quilt. Isn't it pretty?

What hobbies do you have that remind you of writing?

When Fiction Becomes a Game.

I made this shirt yesterday:

I'm going to wear it to my daughter's school where they are reenacting The Hunger Games. That's right, you heard me. Except, I don't think they're killing anyone.

They all read the book, they got split into districts, they had a reaping, interviews and the kids who aren't tributes are stylists and mentors. Oh yeah, and they are getting sponsors from the seventh and eighth graders.

I know. Awesome.

I'll let you know how it goes. My daughter is in District 10 (they excluded District 12 for obv. reasons) and is a stylist. She wishes she was tribute, of course. But we've spent the week sewing faux leather vests and making black and white cow-patterned skull caps. I think Cinna would be proud.

Happy Hunger Games!

Also, I wonder if when Suzanne Collins wrote this book she ever thought that people would care enough about it to work an entire curriculum around it. I love it when people get nerdy about characters from books!

Denouement

My cousin was here visiting this week and he asked me how my book was going. I tried to explain to him that I was working on the denouement.

I said: “You know, I’ve written the climax already. It’s just the stuff that comes after the climax, the denouement,” only I don’t know how to say denouement so it sounded like I was a ninth grader on the first day of French class. Or a white-tennis-shoed-very-American-tourist bouncing around Paris and butchering the language. And to drive in the fact that I didn’t know how to pronounce denouement, I repeated it like three times.

Each time I said it differently.

My nine-year-old son was working on some legos on the couch. I was unaware he was even listening to the conversation. Without even looking up, he explained to my cousin, “Falling action, resolution.”

What the what?

Me, sitting on the rocking chair, mouth agape. “Yes,” I finally said. “Like that.”

In my defense, I work with words all day long. I’m constantly in word overload. I find myself tripping over the most common everyday words. Words like of or because. I’m thinking about bringing my son around with me everywhere. I can just punch him in the shoulder when I need a word.

Do you have this problem too?

Also, how long should a denouement/falling action/resolution be? When is it too long? When is it too short? Thoughts?

Also, I’m proud of my son because he doesn’t exactly fit into the public education box at school. His teachers wanted to retain him in kindergarten, first and second grade. You can read about it here.

Clearly, they were wrong. He’s a genius!

Also, how do you pronounce denouement?

Worlds Collide.

So. I’ve been having an existential breakdown slash breakthrough while you have all been doing productive things like write books and stuff. Here’s the thing, I have written two manuscripts. One of my goals this year is to query. So I became consumed with re-writing my first manuscript, again, in order to get it agent ready. I have re-written this MS many times now. And I still feel like I’m s-t-r-u-g-g-l-i-n-g to get the right pacing, plot, dialogue, voice…you get the idea.

But, I love this MS. It’s full of exciting characters, ideas and plot. And it’s Science Fiction. So uber exciting, you know with space ships and physics and mind-bending imponderables. A whole universe to build and explore.

But, again with the but, I have this other MS that I wrote for NaNo and I also love it. It’s contemporary and sweet and safe, and, well, ME. Here’s the thing, many other people love this one too. And when more than one of my Betas texted me in the middle of the night to say she had stayed up to finish it…I had a moment of clarity.

*I think *

Maybe I need to give my first MS a break. A well-deserved break. Maybe it’s too complex for a first novel. Maybe I need to change the POV again. Maybe I need to tweak the plot. Maybe I need to build a better world/universe. Or, maybe I need to take what’s working and focus on that. Maybe I need to build my NaNo and go from there.

What do you think? Have you ever shelved, top-drawered, back-burnered a book? I feel like I’m letting someone die. My husband says I can always go back to it, but can I? Will I?

What’s your experience?

*A call out to the Universe for help.*

It doesn't help that I'm reading this right now.