Confessions of a Young Adult Author

I’m a Finalist!

September 8, 2009 – 11:05 am

Wow! I entered the Emerald City Opener Contest hosted by the Greater Seattle Chapter of the RWA in June/09 with my YA manuscript ALMOST PERFECT.

And then the summer unfolded and I was occupied with reading and researching for my next book.

On the day when the contest organizers said they would phone finalists, I walked around with my cell phone in my pocket. No call.

The next evening after watching a movie at the local university and then visiting a friend, I went on-line and checked my email around midnight.

Oh yes! ALMOST PERFECT is a final round entry in the Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Emerald City Opener Contest.

I’m thrilled. As a bonus – I’m signed up to attend the conference with some writing colleagues. Total fun!

By Jodie •• Posted in Miscellaneous •• Comments (2)


Hitting ‘Send’

September 1, 2009 – 10:35 am

Oh yes! This past weekend, I finished my final edits on my second YA manuscript ‘Almost Perfect’ and sent it out into the world. It’s been a long journey. On Sunday morning, I hesitated and wondered if I had done ‘all that I could do’. Probably not. I’m sure I could continue to polish, hone and refine and perhaps my novel would be whittled down until it was a poem. And years would pass.

Those were my musings.  I thought about areas that still needed work, and fussed with them. I thought about my heroine Steph and fussed with her. And finally, I realized – the time had come. It was the moment to let this novel sail away.

Then of course, I was left with the strangest feeling. This manuscript was a part of my head. A part of my life. I felt uneasy, nervous and disconnected. 

I went to a party that evening. ”I finished a novel,” I said to a guest. 

 ”How lovely,” she replied. “What was it called?”

  “Almost Perfect.” 

 ”I’ve never heard of it.”

 ”It’s not published yet.”

“Oh! I thought you meant you finished ‘reading a book’. That’s amazing. Well, congratulations!” she said.

We lifted our wine glasses. “I’ve always wanted to write a book,” she said,”but I never  had the time.”

It was my turn to smile. I’m proud of myself. I made the time.

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Goal Setting

August 18, 2009 – 8:35 am

My friend Margaret set a goal and achieved it. Let me back-track. In Feb, 2008 at the height of her career as an elementary school principal, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Instead of staff meetings, surgery soared to the top of her day-planner.

Her journey unfolded with the tedious and debilitating months of chemotherapy followed by radiation. During this period of time, her family and friends joined her in her battle. Wave after wave of friends carried her along in their love, consoling her during her low moments and cheering her on during her periods of recovery.

When she was well enough, she proceeded to check items off her ‘To Do’ list. She bought a red convertible, learned to race a dragon boat, traveled and rejoiced with friends. She put ‘herself’ on her list. But she wanted to do more. She had her eyes on a bigger challenge.

On Saturday, August 15,  Margaret (Team MM) and her mini-team of daughter Danielle, son Ryan and step-daughter Alanna walked 35 K (22 miles) in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer in Vancouver, B.C. When I talked to her after the race, she was nursing blisters on her feet but enjoying her accomplishment. She had achieved her goal!

Margaret raised $4,845.00 for the cause. But that is not the most important thing. She chose her goal, researched, practised and most of all believed in herself. Congratulations Margaret! This is your Hallelujah moment! Cherish the memories.

What about you? Have you conquered a goal lately?

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Surprises on the Bookshelf

August 11, 2009 – 2:31 pm

As a collector of books, I often forget when and why I was attracted to a certain book. But I seem to acquire books for a reason, and then I stack them, store them, and then read them sometimes years later.

A couple of days ago I stumbled across ‘Wake Me When It’s Over’ by Mary Kay Blakley (1989) Random House. This is a compelling memoir of a journalist and mother who recounts the extraordinary personal, pscychological, and medical events that converged on her life – and triggered a nine-day coma.

This unplanned journey into unconsciousness reveals her fragile world that was bordering on collapse. As Blakely recalls, “when I awakened, I gradually discovered that the life planned by the woman I had been, no  longer fit the woman I’d become.”

A fascinating and brilliant read. Have you suddenly discovered a book that shook you to your core?

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Addicted to Adverbs

July 28, 2009 – 12:24 pm

When I started writing, I was surrounded by lists - mostly lists of what you can’t and shouldn’t do.

 For example, watch out for adverbs. Beware! They are not your friend! Hmm, I loved adverbs. I have to say I truly LOVED adverbs. And so, being a rule-follower, I meticulously (nice adverb) culled them from my writing.

Then I examined my work. Rather dead sounding. And so carefully, cautiously and rather gleefully I might say, I started to rescue a few of my favourite adverbs (see above) and bring them back to the light.

And last night, reading ‘Love Walked In’ by Marisa de Los Santos (Penquin 2005) I found a fellow adverb queen. She swims in adverbs, dances with adverbs, highlights her adverbs. I was awe-struck.

Of course, the fact that she has obtained a Ph.D in literature and creative writing certainly assists her knowledge base of  what constitutes stellar writing. Probably.

 Ms. de Los Santos knows when and how to utilize her adverbs to make her writing style creative and distinctive. Absolutely.

Moral of the story? Yes, listen to the rules but when the story demands that a different route might be taken, listen to yourself. And you could discover that you’re the one creating the new dance. 

Unexpectedly.

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Rejection Rituals

July 19, 2009 – 10:29 am

In the August (09) edition of The Writer magazine I read an interesting article  entitled Bumper-Sticker Wisdom. Ms. Jasheway-Bryant said:

Since rejection is an unavoidable part of writing, it pays to have some other approach to it than curling up in the fetal position. My own ritual is to write a mock “Rejection Letter”, which I personalize to the situation, but generally reads something like this.

Dear Editor/Agent/Publisher

We’re sorry but we’re unable to accept your rejection letter. Although we felt it was well written and we like your style, we must turn it down because:

—-You did not include a SASE

—-We are not in the market for rejection letters at this time

—-We have rejection letters similar to this one in our inventory

The author states that she never sent the letter, but as every writer knows, imagining it is almost as good.

What do you do when your submission hits the wall?

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Starting Over

July 9, 2009 – 12:47 pm

Recently, an agent mentioned he was very fatigued when he had to read stories that were about forty-something women starting their lives again, setting up a bed and breakfast or a restaurant.

Hmm. I love those stories. But maybe for that individual he’s tired of that plot line but in real life and in fiction, women begin again every day of the year. Women re-organize themselves, re-order their priorities and are willing to tackle troubled relationships, money problems, health issues etc.  Women are tough! We keep going!

 And in fiction, I want my heroine to hang in for the ride. I don’t want her to be a quitter. Of course, she will learn about herself and others on her personal journey, but I don’t want her to ever stop trying. That’s why I read. For the possibility of a fresh start, a unique insight, the light at the end of the tunnel.

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A Writer’s Journey

July 1, 2009 – 10:20 am

My first book ‘Alaskan Bride’ was a traditional romance. I was in awe of what I’d accomplished. Full of confidence, I entered a large writing contest  And my work was, let’s put it bluntly, decimated. Determined, and with a clearer understanding of what I needed to work on, I pressed onwards.

My second book ‘Meeting at Midnight’ was supposed to be  romantic-suspense. The love story was intriguing, the suspense was non-existent. Ah well! Moving along.

My writing group kept mentioning ‘write a book of the heart’. And so I did. And ‘One Last Time’ was created. But what was it anyway? I finally decided the novel was women’s fiction. While writing, I discovered my eight year old character Annie. Finally, I was having fun.  She was bright, challenging and argumentative. I loved her.

Feeling I had momentum, I wrote ‘Grandpa and Me’ , a middle grade novel. It was sweet and full of childhood adventures. I still believe it has potential.

Then, I began my YA series, LIAR and ALMOST PERFECT. I continue to have a good time writing young people as they confront the complexities of their lives. The YA writing community is supportive and the authors have a great sense of humor. And in this business, humor is essential.

I love reading about famous writers and the convoluted paths they’ve followed to publication. John Grisham’s first book ‘A Time to Kill’ was released by a small New York publisher. The print run was 5,000 copies. Grisham bought 1,000 copies and organized his own book tour. His wife and a fellow attorney were his first readers.

Today he has sold more than 245 million copies of his 22 books. He states, “When I started writing in the fall of ’84, I had no idea what I was doing, but I was motivated for all of the right reasons. I had a story to tell and I wanted to see whether I could tell it.” (USA Today- June 22, 2009)

And I feel the same way.

What has your writing journey been like so far?

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I dwell in possibilities-Emily Dickinson

June 24, 2009 – 12:00 pm

I’ve returned from my adventure to Crested Butte, Colorado – home to The Sandy Writing Contest, hosted by Readers in the Rockies. Crested Butte is located high in the Rocky Mountains, (elevation over 9,000 feet) about four and a half hours from Denver.

It’s hard to explain, but I had a positive feeling about this contest right from the  beginning. There were a number of months between entering the contest and learning whether I had passed through ‘the eye of the needle’. But I was positive while waiting to hear the results. When I discovered I was a finalist, I decided to attend the award ceremony and take part in the conference.

 As I explained to my writing group (The Vancouver Island Chapter of the RWA) I needed a fresh burst of energy and wanted to create new ripples in my writing. Traveling and meeting new people along the way and at the conference helped achieve this goal.

In attendance at the conference were:

 Agents – Donald Maass - Donald Maass Agency & Colleen Lindsay- Fine Print Agency

Editors: Adam Wilson, MIRA Books & Katherine Nintzel, William Morrow/Harper Collins & Lisa Rector, Independent Editor, Third Draft NYC

Authors: William Bernhardt, Tina Ann Forkner, Aryn Kyle & Ruby Wright

The workshops were exceptional. I especially enjoyed the agent-editor panel.  They read anonymous ‘first pages’ and discussed why they were impressed with certain selections or at what point in their reading they would set aside the manuscript. This discussion was very helpful.

My YA submission, LIAR -was Second Place in the Children/YA category. As this was the first time I’ve entered a YA contest, I was thrilled. I was invited to read my work Saturday evening, June 20th to a group of interested readers and writers. That was an exciting evening for me.

The conference was warm and supportive because of the talented conference personnel. Thanks to Barbara McCutcheon Crawford, Conference Coordinator and Theresa Rizzo, Contest Coordinator. Congratulations ladies for all of your hard work.

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I confess – I am a Book-a-holic

June 8, 2009 – 5:23 pm

When I finish a manuscript – I gravitate  towards bookstores, where I can be surrounded by other people’s writing. It is an awesome experience to wander around and survey all the fantastic books that are available. I love books, and when I need a treat, they are the first thing I purchase.

Sometimes, after an exercise class, I’ll stop at the local second hand store and cruise the books shelves. I’m a regular. When the cashier sees me  he’ll say -”How about five dollars for the stack?” And I sail out of the store believing I’ve won the lottery.

And I have!

My books are layered in baskets all around the house. My friends know that they can always find a book to read at my place. If I could, I’d have floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, but I have vaulted ceilings. So that could be an issue.

When I see photos of an author’s workspace, I know that the majority of them will own a staggering number of books.

What about you? Are you a ‘book-a-holic’ like me?

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