What Kind of Writer Mama Are You?

This morning I watched a mom being interviewed about her daughter's incarceration and trip to rehab. Every time she was asked a question about her daughter's behavior and whether or not it would change, the mom skirted the question by pointing out something someone else did wrong.

How are kids supposed to learn and improve, if the parent refuses to look at what needs work?

This applies to writers too. We birth our manuscripts after long labors. Our stories are our babies. It's hard to hear negative things about them, but we must. If we don't listen, we'll keep making the same mistakes. We need an outsider's opinion on our beloved creations.

I love my critique group. There are seven of us, and everyone brings something different to the table. When it's my turn to submit, I squirm, because if my story is trite, they will tell me. The feedback is not to be mean. We encourage and celebrate with each other too. But each member wants the others to grow, improve, and send out their best work. If I am submitting a manuscript to an agent or editor, you can be sure my critique group has seen it first.

So, manuscript mamas, who do you trust to lovingly tell you what needs work? A critique group? Beta readers? Your mother-in-law? How has your writing improved because of the criticism of others?

Many Hats and a Great Resource for Writers & Illustrators

I wear lots of hats. I’m a mom, a wife, a children’s book writer, a freelancer, a Sunday School teacher, the list goes on. One hat I wear is related to the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. SCBWI is a fabulous national organization that helps newbies and gurus learn and network. I am the Online Networking Coordinator (ONC) for the Carolinas chapter. One my responsibilities is writing a column for the Pen and Palette, their quarterly publication.

The Pen and Palette is a great resource, and you can download it free. The artwork is beautiful, thanks to talented contributors from our chapter and art director Bonnie Adamson. Our editor, Rebecca Petruck, puts together informative and entertaining issues full of advice and opportunities. If it sounds like I’m bragging, it’s because I am. It’s a great publication, and I’m proud to be a part of it. I’ve added a link to the Pen and Palette at the bottom of this post and on the side of my blog. Check it out and let me know what you think.

My column, Caught in the Web, focuses on online networking. Make sure you come back for the Fall 2010 issue to read my interview with agent Natalie Fischer. She shared great information about what she hopes to find and not find when she looks up potential clients.

http://www.scbwicarolinas.org/scbwi-carolinas/pen-palette.html

Paying Agents?

As I write this, there is a passionate discussion taking place on twitter under the hashtag of #agentpay. Colleen Lindsay brought up the topic of what would it be like if, instead of working off of commission, agents billed writers by the hour.

I won't lie. This hypothetical proposal scares me, not because I don't think agents would be worth what they would pull in, but because many of us would not be able to pay them for all those hours.

How many writers would have to venture out into the world of slush without agents because they couldn't afford the billable rates?

Those of you with agents and those of you without, comment and share how the "what if" would play into your decision to seek representation.

Top 10 Things Writers Should Try Instead of a Pity Party

10. Read Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s blog posts on famous authors’ experiences with rejections. http://www.inkygirl.com/category/debbie/rejections/

9. Celebrate others’ success stories. This is not a beauty pageant. More than one person can win. Cheer on others, and daydream you are next.

8. Step away from the computer. Try a Zumba class. Go on a walk. Get some fresh air instead of overloading on everyone’s virtual updates.

7. Be thankful. Sometimes even grown ups get a case of the gimmies. Make a list of goals you’ve accomplished. Be proud of yourself.

6. Help someone else. Volunteer at a school, a soup kitchen, or animal shelter. It’s easy to lose perspective on needs versus wants.

5. In the words of Dory from Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming…” Keep writing. Keep revising. Keep submitting.

4. Find some fun. Paint your toenails a funky color. Meet a friend for a night of bad karaoke.

3. Set goals. Big goals. Little goals. Give yourself deadlines and find people to hold you accountable.

2. Think of setbacks as part of your story. Every main character has to overcome obstacles. Turn the page. Keep going. It’s the only way to get to your happy ending.

What do you think the #1 thing to do instead of having a pity party is? Tell us in the comment section. And if you can’t inspire us, at least make us giggle!

First Drafts And Dandelions

I love dandelions. They dot the grass like yellow smiley faces stamped by a five-year-old. My girls pick the puffs and blow wishes and seeds across the backyard. I know the dandelions will have to be tamed, but to me, they are lovely.

I also love rough drafts. They spring up, wild and free. I try to fence out my inner editor until they have bloomed. Adverbs, passive verbs, and exclamation points can be weeded out later. The important thing for me, is to let the ideas land and grow.

May 1-7 is National Picture Book Writing Week. Paula Yoo challenges anyone who wants to participate to write seven picture books in seven days. Let your inner editor have a week off. Blow your wishes and ideas into the universe. Don't worry about what the neighbors will think. There's a big privacy fence surrounding your work and plenty of time to revise and edit before the submission party.

Who will be joining me for a walk on the wild side? Leave a comment and let me know. For more information on National Picture Book Writer's Week, check out http://www.paulayoo.com/ and follow #NaPiBoWriWee on twitter.

The Books We Hide

Confession time: I've been known to hide certain books from my kids when it's time for bedtime stories.

I know. It's awful. I should be delighted to have girls that love all sorts of books. But there are books a mama can only take reading aloud so many times. What children's books do you hide when it's read aloud time?

As a writer, I want my book to be read, loved, and reread. It's important to look at why some books are sweet repeats while others are not agains. So let's share. Comment and tell me what makes you not want to reread a book to your kid. I'm all about keeping things positive and being kind to other writers, so DO NOT TELL THE TITLE OR AUTHOR of the books you discuss. Let's keep things general so we can all learn from them.

Book hiders of the world, come clean. Tell us what to avoid when writing for children.

When Plot Bunnies Play: Writing for Different Audiences

Overheard on twitter this morning from fantasy and paranormal romance writer Ruth F. Long (@RFLong):

“Wait, I don’t write picture books. So why do I now have an idea for one? Out, d*#* plot bunnies, out I say!”

Has this happened to you?

Last summer, I was driving home from the library when an awesome idea for a thriller seeped into my head. With many experts advising writers to stick to one target audience, I decided someone else’s muse must have gotten confused and whispered in my ear. So I ignored her. Sort of. But the story is still there, spinning around and occasionally bumping my brain when I should be focusing on a draft of a picture book.

What do you do when you get a fabulous idea for a book that is not in your marketing category? Do you write the story, share it, or walk away quickly and quietly? Please leave a comment to let us know what you do when the plot bunnies play.