Well, yes, I did have a big miss, that’s for sure. But this past week, I’ve discovered Ann Patchett.

I was enjoying a summer luncheon with four  friends.  A diverse group we were – a pharmacist, a teacher, an artist, and a community activist  Everyone was raving about the book that one of the women was clutching in her hand. ”I picked it up and didn’t put it down until it was finished,” the pharmacist said.

Ah! My kind of book. I borrowed it. And was immediately transported into ‘The Patron Saint of Liars’ (1992). An unusual book set in a home for pregnant women.

 Oh my goodness! This was the author’s first book, at age 26. She said in an interview that when she was fifteen, she always knew she was going to be a writer. Then she simply went about ‘doing it’.  Ms. Patchett has continued on her journey, creating ‘Taft’, ‘The Magician’s Assistant’, ‘Bel Canto’, Truth & Beauty’ and ‘Run’. 

I had vaguely heard of ‘Bel Canto’ over the years but for whatever reason, didn’t pursue it. Sometimes books come along at the right time of one’s life. They match your mood, or your dreams or your distress. A phrase, a description, an introspection touches your heart.

That’s why I read. For those special moments when nothing else exists except the words on the page.

What have you read lately that has transported you into another world?

©2010 Jodie Esch | Confessions of a YA author. All Rights Reserved.

It’s always intriguing when a popular, accomplished author undertakes a journey down a different path. Susan Juby has done just that by revealing her teenage drinking patterns that led her to alcoholism. Now twenty one years sober, she chronicles her early drinking experiences, fragile recovery and her dedication at this point in her life, to sharing her story with young substance abusers.

 As a thirteen year old, she was ‘catastrophically unpopular’ according to her own definition when interviewed by Sheryl MacKay’ on CBC’s radio programme, North by Northwest. Combined with shyness and a feeling that she didn’t fit in, alcohol became Ms. Juby’s vehicle for obliteration. 

As she states in her book published by Viking Canada (2010):

“We passed the bottle between us until it was gone. I’ve always wondered how other people experience alcohol, how their bodies interact with it, and how they feel after a few drinks. I’ll tell you how I felt. Like I’d just been cast in the next John Hughes movie as the quirky but adorable female lead, who had coincidentally just been accepted to Harvard on a full scholarship and had recently won a gold medal in a widly popular sport. I felt lucky. Invincible. Powerful. A few drinks drowned all the fear and anxiety that rang constantly in my ears and blurred my vision. A few drinks turned me so outlandishly confident, exurbant even, that I had to share the excellence that was me.”

Ms. Juby writes in an honest and humourous style, just as candid as her novels geared to young adults. At one point she suggests that she could have called her book, ‘Drinky pants’.

At the end of this memoir, Ms. Juby takes the opportunity to share stories of addiction and recovery. She focuses on interviews with young people who are now embracing a sober culture. These profiles are engaging and stripped to the core revelations of men and women who are taking life ‘one day at a time’.

 Thanks Ms. Juby for sharing your story. As you said at the beginning of your book – ‘I remember enough’.

©2010 Jodie Esch | Confessions of a YA author. All Rights Reserved.

“How could you do that?” my husband asked. Easy, easy, easy. When you gather together a group of determined authors and head to Vancouver for the ‘Write On, Vancouver’ conference, hosted by the Greater Vancouver Chapter of the RWA - there are lots of opportunities to share opinions about books and the complexities of writing fiction.

A merry little group we were: Rachel Goldsworthy (Women’s Fiction) Reggi Allder (Romantic Suspense) Marjorie Lindsey (Romance) and myself (dancing in the YA world). On the way home, Alice Valdal (Historical Romance) joined our enthusiastic dinner. We were a very happy bunch, as we’d chosen to ‘upgrade’ to the buffet. Always a fine idea.

 It was hard to notice the world class scenery outside the windows of the ferry, as we crossed from Vancouver Island to the mainland. Why? Because we are  passionate about our work and this  was an outstanding chance to share opinions and learn from each other.

Why bother with a conference? you may ask. And many folks do. However, in order to make an effort to understand even a small segment of the publishing business, one has to stay informed. Going to a conference enables me to share in the writing journey of others. I hope to learn from their tips and strategies.

 In other professions, there is always a learning curve. One can’t expect to improve one’s writing without putting forth effort. Sometimes that means launching oneself into a writing conference.

Having the opportunity to speak with editors is always a bonus. They are the recipients of all of our hard work. It was a pleasure to speak with Johanna Raisanen, Editor Harlequin/Silhouette and Martin Biro, Acquiring Editorial Assistant, Kensington Publishing. 

 I enjoyed listening to Laura Resnick’s Keynote address, following her journey to publication, which was certainly a bumpy ride. I read her candid nonfiction book, Rejection, Romance, and Royalities: The Wacky World of a Working Writer the day after the conference . Her tale certainly made me appreciate how fortunate I was to be regularly paid in my previous career. 

  All in all – a fine day. It was delightful to share time with like-minded people. People who can spend the entire day listening to, talking about and exchanging ideas about writing. Thank you G.V.C.

How did the day unfold for you?

©2010 Jodie Esch | Confessions of a YA author. All Rights Reserved.

This book focuses on the lives of two teen misfits, Auden a brilliant academic, a product of a restricted childhood and Eli a young man attempting to recover from a tragic episode in his past. Together, the fellow insomniacs explore the nocturnal world of their local town. Their quest is for Auden to discover the delights of her missed childhood and for Eli to move forward in his life.

This author has created a page-turner that will appeal to the adult reader as well as teens. I enjoyed Sarah Dessen’s voice and her ability to capture the challenges of teens as they search for their paths in the world.

Who have you discovered lately?

©2010 Jodie Esch | Confessions of a YA author. All Rights Reserved.

This evening I’m thrilled to take part in a course entitled Writing, Editing and Publishing Young Adult Fiction offered by The University of Victoria.  The instructors are Sarah Harvey, the teen fiction editor at Orca Books and the author of four books as well as writer Robin Stevenson, author of seven books. This is a hands-on creative writing workshop geared for adults who are interested in writing fiction for teen readers.

Initially I was on the waiting list and I’d decided that all hope was lost. However, just this week, I received a phone call, and now I’m registered!

This is meant to be!

©2010 Jodie Esch | Confessions of a YA author. All Rights Reserved.

When we sit down together to share a meal, not only are we swapping family stories but we are using dishes and other items from relatives that are no longer with me.

At my last party, everything was displayed on an immense bright blue tablecloth from Lima, Peru. We used my mom’s fabulous silverware mixed with dynamic FiestaWare from Arizona. We passed a bowl filled with vegetables that a friend carried in her backpack all the way from Thailand. We admired my Auntie’s gold plates and other collectibles from friends. Every item on the table had a story.

That’s the reason I like entertaining.  I remember the love and joy that I shared with that person. And for that period of time, I have a personal reminder that they existed and contributed so much to my life.  

Truly I do have a Table of Memories. Do you experience the same kinds of feelings when you think about some of the dishes you use?

©2010 Jodie Esch | Confessions of a YA author. All Rights Reserved.

a dog.

Yes, you’ve guessed correctly. I’m speaking about Enzo, the beloved canine in Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain (HarperCollins Publishers, 2008).

Above everything, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a love story. Enzo is in love with his human family. And his owner, Denny is in love with his wife and daughter and the art and sport of racing cars.

Readers have used such comments as uplifting, entertaining and inspirational. Susan Wiggs has noted in her praise for the book – “It’s a heartfelt story of hope, redemption, and the transformative power of love.”

This book squeezed my heart. There were a few moments when I didn’t think I could read further as I was connecting so strongly with the plight of the dog and his owner. All in all, an unusual novel.

Have you had the opportunity to read this novel? Or have you started a book where you didn’t think it was a love story but then suddenly at the heart of the book – it transformed into a love story?

I’m interested in your reflections.

©2010 Jodie Esch | Confessions of a YA author. All Rights Reserved.

This is The Year of the Tiger – with the focus on courage, power and optimism. I like these descriptors as it seems they are the qualities that one requires for maintaining focus in the writing business.

‘Courage’ reminds me that I can keep going – one day at a time, one paragraph at a time, one page at a time.

‘Power’ reminds me, that I am in control of my writing. I choose the topic, I choose the characters and I choose the plot. (Sometimes with great ideas provided by other writers or by craft books.) But it is important to remember that although I don’t have any control of the ‘publishing business’ I certainly can be in charge of my own writing. I am therefore, powerful.

And of course, optimism. There will always be a writer around the corner who writes faster and has more success. Writing is a humbling enterprise. I have to be thankful for the prolific, excellent authors  because they keep readers coming back to search out more books. Hopefully, one day, my book will be one of them.

What do you think of courage, power, optimism and writing?

©2010 Jodie Esch | Confessions of a YA author. All Rights Reserved.

I found ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ by Garth Stein (Harper), ”This Charming Man’ by Marian Keyes (Avon) and ‘True Colors’ by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s Griffin). As well, I located a non-fiction reference book, ‘The Constant Art of Being a Writer’ by N.M. Kelby (Writer’s Digest Books).

I am so excited. Fresh material. I’ve already consumed ‘True Colors’. I had to know what happened. It was a page-turner for sure. I was so appalled at the treatment of one of the characters that I had to race to the ending. I went to bed with my eyes sore, I hadn’t finished the book and couldn’t sleep. Finally, after tossing and turning, I got up and read until the end. I was hooked. Whew! 

Have your read anything lately that you couldn’t put down?

©2010 Jodie Esch | Confessions of a YA author. All Rights Reserved.

I feel the same excitement in September.  In fact, for a long time, September was the start of my year. Even though I’m no longer working in schools, I still enjoy that September exhileration of launching into something new.

I love New Year’s because I remember that anything is possible. Anything. And goals are the way to go. Somehow the whole concept of a goal seems more attainable than a resolution. I guess I’ve broken enough resolutions to not want to ‘go there’.

I am working on my goals today and certainly most involve writing. However, my key word for this year is ‘balance’. When my life is balanced then I’m able to observe, able to make better sense of my world and able to write.

So for my friends out there – if you need to remind me – BALANCE is my mantra for the year.

What are you thinking about as we approach the new year?

©2010 Jodie Esch | Confessions of a YA author. All Rights Reserved.