Resources for Authors During the Revising Process

by Jennifer Simms

I've been to several writing conferences where an attendee asks a member of the industry, "What makes good writing?" and I hold my breath, waiting to learn what will make my novel truly shine. Instead, I find myself sighing along with the audience because the  answer, "I know it when I see it," makes it sound like good writing is illusive, impossible for mere mortals to define. However, after completing the Writer’s Digest University course A Master Class in Plotting and Structure, taught by editor and self-professed “narrative nerd” Cheryl Klein, I now believe that good writing, or at least good plotting, can be quantified (though, in fairness to the industry panel, it may take eight weeks to do so). For months (or years, honestly) I’ve been trying to shape my first novel into a story editors will clamor to buy, but I lacked a concrete revision strategy besides trying my best, crossing my fingers, and sending it out again. Now, thanks to Ms. Klein, I have specific, definable strategies I can use to create a satisfying plot, which is, of course, the foundation of good writing.


The online course was presented through eight easy-to-read lectures, each with questions and/or an analytical assignment designed to help participants dig into our novels. Much of the work was done with the lens zoomed out, answering big picture questions about our intention and tone, and looking at how the entire plot worked (or didn’t). I used Ms. Klein’s directions for analyzing subplots to consider how well each contributed to my main action and emotional plots. She also provided tools for evaluating the structure of each individual scene, which helped me better define why certain sections of my novel dragged or fell flat. In addition, she supported the course material with great online resources and anecdotes about editing Marcelo in the Real World, by Francisco X. Stork. By far my favorite feature of the course was the ability to ask Ms. Klein questions in the class forum, which was like an eight-week backstage pass to the brain of an editor! I highly recommend this course to anyone who’s trying to figure out why your plot isn’t working or why your novel keeps generating rejections. Though her March class is already sold out, Writer’s Digest suggests you email them to learn when it will be offered later this year. (WDWOWAdmin@fwmedia.com)

Meanwhile, if you’re seeking a new perspective on your manuscript, pick up Ms. Klein’s book Second Sight: An Editor’s Talks on Writing, Revising, and Publishing for Young Adults, which is a compilation of her conference lectures and blog posts. It covers some of the material from the course, and provides additional insights on many topics, including picture book manuscripts and character development.

Another great resource is Writing Irresistible KidLit, by agent Mary Kole. Her straightforward style tells you exactly what you should and shouldn’t do when crafting MG and YA novels that will sell.

Thanks to Ms. Klein, I now have a roadmap to lead me through the (hopefully final?!) revision of my novel. What about you? Is there a writing course, book, or conference that’s taught you the qualities of good writing? If so, let us know about it!

Free Downloadable Gift Tags Featuring Art by Sarah Watts

I Found My Agent at the Mall or How Christmas Came Twice in One Year

by Michelle Houts

I’m really not much of a mall shopper. I tend to gravitate toward small shops and neighborhood stores. But there’s something so wonderful, so magical about the mall – any mall – at Christmastime, I could spend hours there. From Santa’s house to a Winter Wonderland to the massive ornaments and decorations, I don’t need to spend a dime. I’m happy just gawking at the glitz!

Recently, I was at the mall with my oldest daughter on her 19th birthday. I’d arranged to make a very important telephone call in the middle of the day. It was one of those calls every author waits for: an agent wanted to speak with me about my submission! So, the first order of business after arriving at the mall was to scope out a quiet spot to make this potentially life-changing phone call. But finding a quiet place in the midst of this…

…wasn’t going to be easy. There were people everywhere. There were children everywhere. There were elves everywhere! And, most of all, music everywhere. Now, I adore Christmas music. But how could I risk not hearing that all-important phrase, “I love your manuscript!” just because Jingle Bells was playing too loud?

Finally, my daughter had a brilliant idea.

Have you seen the ladies room at Von Maur? Von Maur’s restroom looks more like a Hilton lobby than a restroom. Nicely appointed with comfortable furniture, soft lighting, and best of all – delicate, classical piano music piped in from above, it was the perfect place for me to settle in, take a few deep breaths and get my thoughts together before my shaking fingers made THE call.

So, that’s how I found Karen Grencik at the mall.

I felt like Santa came early when Karen offered to represent me. She’s smart, sweet, and she believed in the middle grade manuscript I sent her. What more could an author want?

Oh, a book deal, you say?

Well, Christmas came again in May.  This time, no malls or restrooms were involved. Just an early morning phone call in which Karen announced we had an offer from Candlewick.  Sold! And guess what? It’s a Christmas story. 

I told you the mall is a magical place at Christmastime.

Happy Halloween!

Welcome to a special Halloween edition of Foxy Friday (on a Wednesday). Our illustrators have outdone themselves this time with some deliciously spooky Halloween art. Make way for bat garlands, Day of the Dead Nutcrackers, Frankenfairies, and more! Plus, an eerie excerpt from Tom Llewellyn's middle-grade novel about a 13 year old boy who writes letters to his dead dad--who writes him back. . . best read in the dark, with a flashlight.

Here's to some good, juicy scares today.  

Rosalinde Bonnet

Masha D'yans

Elizabeth Haidle

Adam Gustavson

S.britt

Hannah Harrison

Catherine Stock

Elizabeth Haidle

Diane Browning

Stacy Dressen McQueen

Mary Ann Fraser

Marty Kelley

Michael Wertz

Jed Alexander

Shelley Rotner

Marty Kelley

Oliver Dominguez

Sarah Watts

Martian Chronicles

Foxy Friday is a little late this week since yours truly was away at the SCBWI Montana writing retreat this past weekend in Big Sky. Michele Corriel graciously dealt with the challenges of hosting a new mama away from her three month old infant for the first time and showed Simon & Schuster editor, Ruta Rimas, and I the wonders of Yellowstone, where we shared the road with lumbering bison and spied on regal elks. Ruta was determined to spot a moose but, alas, the probably moose factor (PMF) was low this weekend and they hid from us during our brief hike into the hills. The Montana SCBWI chapter is small but highly talented and everyone was very kind and tolerant as I foisted photos of Tristan at them. A big thanks to everyone at SCBWI Montana for helping me survive my first time away from the little guy.

And now, without further ado, here is this week's Foxy Friday. We were inspired this time by the recent landing of NASA's Mars rover, Curiosity, the fourth US rover to reach Mars since 1997. This photograph, taken by Curiosity just a few weeks ago, gave me the chills:

Something that we built, something touched by human hands, is now on the surface of Mars, roaming its red hills, pushing through its alien atmosphere, exploring its hills and valleys. It just gets the imagination going. What if one of those brave canine space pioneers actually made it to the red planet?

 

Mary Ann Fraser

What if Martians made their homes below the surface?

Rosalinde Bonnet

What would it be like to float among the stars?

Diane Browning

Jennifer Simms' Conference Experience

            Every time I attend the SCBWI Rocky Mountain Chapter’s fall conference, I receive encouragement to continue on my writing journey. At my first conference, a critique session with an enthusiastic editor confirmed that, YES, I was in the right place. The next year a woman who introduced herself by saying, “You look so young, I thought you were here with your mother,” became a good friend and treasured member of my critique group. Another year, author Julie Anne Peters’ inspiring dinner speech lead me to apply to work with her in the annual mentor program, and her insight helped make my novel submission-ready. In fact, this encouragement has come so regularly that I no longer wonder if I’ll be inspired but how. This year, I registered for the conference in search of encouragement to get my butt in the chair and get back in the writing game after a six-month leave. With my previous conference experiences, plus the news that my agent, Karen Grencik, would be on the faculty, I was confident I would not be disappointed.

            Saturday started with several uplifting experiences, like chatting with a brand new writer at lunch and receiving advice on a dusty manuscript in my critique. As I kept my eyes pealed for Karen, I confess I wasn’t sure how to act. Should I hang around her like we were already friends or give her space to mingle and work? Karen answered that question the second I introduced myself by wrapping me in a huge bear hug. But as I observed her throughout the weekend, it was clear her kindness was not only for me. As a speaker, she was warm and genuine. As a critiquer, she was able to validate the person while still providing an honest evaluation of the work. Just being in her presence made me feel valued, and listening to her share the inspiring story of selling Double Luck, Memories of a Chinese Orphan made me proud to have such a tenacious agent.

            The encouragement continued as I assisted Karen during her post-conference workshop, Writing From the Heart and Finding Your Authentic Voice, on Sunday. The purpose of the session was to help us better understand ourselves so that we could connect to that heartfelt space from which our voice originates. Karen’s sincere introduction set the stage for the twenty attendees to get deep, get personal, and let their unique voices be heard. Volunteers shared pre-prepared answers to a thought-provoking questionnaire. This provided each of us with the opportunity to receive validation from the group and to better connect with one another. Listening to others share what they had overcome to pursue writing reaffirmed my quest for publication. And hearing others give similar answers to questions like, “What beliefs have kept you from achieving your dreams?” helped me to consider the fallacy of my own doubts and realize that I wasn’t battling them alone.

            Next Karen asked us to write a poem to complete the phrase, “I come from…” to test her theory that a stronger connection to self and others will help your writing flow. I started by brainstorming individual words and then suddenly the phrase, “Born in the mountains,” appeared in my mind and the rest of the poem just poured onto my paper. It was an otherworldly experience I can only describe as inspired. And it was evident from the work produced in that short time that the other attendees had been equally moved. The poems shared reaffirmed that when we consider who we are, we can better access our own voice.

            After a weekend with Karen, I can see her authentic voice in the way she interacts with people and in her approach to agenting. Her example inspires me to seek out my own true voice as I draft my new novel and to write about the themes that resonate most with me. With my butt now firmly in my chair, I may or may not write the next Harry Potter or Hunger Games, but I am confident that what I do write will be authentically me. I am grateful to the RMC-SCBWI for giving me the opportunity to meet Karen and for hosting a wonderful conference. I look forward to another large helping of encouragement next fall.

 

 

 

 North Beach, San Francisco, 1955: A gawky fifteen-year-old girl wearing bright red lipstick and ballet slippers uses her fake ID to sneak into The Jazz Workshop, a club on Green Street. John Coltrane is playing tonight. The girl finds a table off to the side, with a good view of the stage. She orders a Coke and takes out her sketchbook. Coltrane starts playing his sax and music pours out of his horn like a stream of whispers. The girl starts drawing. 

Years ago, in an old photo album, I came across my mom's sketches from her youth in Beat era San Francisco. I like to imagine her then: young and in love with jazz, art, and the city. Today, in honor of her and the  release of the film version of Kerouac's On the Road, we feature Beat-inspired artwork from the Red Fox crew:

Diane Browning

Rosalinde Bonnet

Elizabeth Haidle

Sarah Watts

Jed Alexander

Adam Gustavson