Only One and a Half More Days

For those of you who have been following my blog, you may have noticed that its been awhile since I've posted. That is mainly due to summer going on farrrrrr toooooo looooooong. I decided it was in the best interest of my family, to stop everything and but the shambles of my house back together, buy back-to-school supplies and mostly try to keep everyone from seriously hurting one another. Needless to say school cannot begin soon enough.

But I have not been idle. The meaty parts of Book Two in my Three Wishes Trilogy is shaping up as my research skills formed while earning a History BA are put to the test. I've been discovering fascinating tidbits about ancient Egyptian culture and becoming increasingly excited as I piece together some plot points for my reluctant protagonist. I'm at that thrilling phase where the idea is just taking flight and can really go anywhere.

If only there wasn't a toddler jumping on his creaky bed. Oh well, there's always the trusty One AM slot. I may have to make an appointment.

Baa Baa Black Sheep

We're all familiar with the black sheep cliche, the family member or friend who doesn't quite fit in with the standards of the others and is, in general, considered a pain in the rear end. The poor misunderstood black sheep tries to fit in but efforts are either not seen as genuine or, even worse, not seen at all, spiraling Black Sheep further into the world of Black Sheepdom.

So what's Black Sheep to do? Of course there are many contributing factors, but Black Sheep has two options. They can deny their Black Sheepdom and come back to the world of Sheep, constantly dying their wool match, and most likely becoming tired and bitter. Or Black Sheep can embrace the mystique, the image of rebellious toughness that combined with smarts and good sense can propel Black Sheep to the head of the flock. Because, keep in mind, Black Sheep is not separate, just different.

I'm always impressed, and a little wary when people introduce themselves as a black sheep. I watch self-proclaimed Black Sheep out of the corner of my eye, wondering if they have told me of their black sheepness because they are hoping I'll forgive them for their differences or that when the time comes I'll help them, or just get out of their way.

I'm inclined to like Black Sheep. They are often intense, mostly smart and always interesting, which is a main reason writers use Black Sheep so often as their protagonists in literature. And where would we be without Elizabeth Bennet, Lirael, or Harry Dresden, just to name three of my favorite black sheep.

Who is your favorite Black Sheep?

Patience Please

People by nature are impatient beings. Think of yourself as a squalling infant. Did you care that your mother just went through one of the most moving, incredible (i.e. traumatic) experiences of her life? No, you did not. All you cared about was being feed. Now.

Learning the virtue of patience is a lingering challenge. In today's world of microwaves, Internet and iPhones, anything we want is only seconds away. I can buy a blouse, check my e-mail, talk to my mother and cook a meal at the same time and be done in five minutes. Okay, maybe ten..., remember I have kids. I may actually have to preform some sort of manual labor in that time frame, such as hefting the sippy cup out of the cabinet to fill with juice, because they want it. Now.

Okay, so I learned to share when I was a toddler, and I waited months for college acceptance letters and then I went through Patience Boot Camp becoming a new mother, and continue my tour of duty in the Patience Reserves for the subsequent children, so I'm no lightweight when it comes to the virtue of patience. So why is it that a two or three month wait for feedback from a manuscript reading seems like an eternity? I eagerly check my email to see if there is any news. I even look for the NYC area code on my caller id when I get an incoming call, (all you writers out there reading this, don't you laugh at me because you know you do it too). I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas morning in the summer. I've got a long way to go.

So Patience, don't fail me now. I need you to lord over the selfish click happy finger that wants to send manuscripts directly to the publishers, because that finger is a thrill seeker looking for the instant adrenaline rush of knowing there is a new chance in the world. It cares nothing for the long term goals that we have been steadfastly working toward. And I promise Patience when I do land a great agent, the bottle of Cristal champagne that has been in the refrigerator for three years, that's got your name written all over it.

Three Wishes - Get 'Em Ready

I've given a lot of thought to wishes in the past year, mainly because the main character in my completed manuscript discovers a genie and part of...tap, tap, tap....ah, excuse me a moment.

Click, clack, click clack...yes?...oh hi... of course Jinny, but... yes, I know, I know but it might give too much...yeah, okay, great outfit by the way, love the skirt...okay, okay....is that it.... sheesh....click, clack, click, clack.

Ahem, I was informed that I needed to correct the semantics of the above statement. Jinny is a Djinn, not a genie, although correct in the essentials; she has the ability to grant her Mistress three wishes. Awesome, huh? I bet you can think of ten things right now that make your short list. A billion dollars. Eternal youth. World peace. The possibilities are staggering. I know what you're thinking, "Where can I get one of them Djinn's for myself?" Sadly, I've promised not to say, at least until Cassie and Jinny's adventures are over. But just for the fun of it, shine up your top three and tell me, if you had three wishes at your command, what would you wish for?

Objectively Subjective or Subjectively Objective

Ah, the rejection letter, that rite of passage that almost all writers go through. It usually comes as a form letter, well written and impersonal, although my favorite by far as been from a respected agent who said, "frankly, I'm just not that interested." Its been a month since I got that one and I'm still giggling over the raw honesty. More usual is the last line of said form letter which states, "This is a very subjective business and I wish you the best of luck in your search for representation."

What exactly does it mean to be a subjective business? Or more interesting to me, how many other businesses have built their foundation on subjectivity? And is this foundation a key component for why the publishing industry is being rocked by earthquakes?

By definition being subjective means to base decisions on feelings and opinions rather than facts or evidence. It seems counterintuitive to running a business. Businesses are run with one object: to make money, and the publishing world is no different. When its all said and done, books have to sell to make money and who knows what is going to sell? Anyone? Anyone?

I personally think the next hot book will be about a seventeen year old girl named Cassie Thompson who explores themes of trust, guilt and friendship as icons of Egyptian mythology resurrect in modern DC....but I digress.

Hence the subjectivity.

So lets look at it objectively, making decisions without being influenced by our personal feelings. Vampires sell. Writers see this. Agents see this. Publishing houses see this. The floodgates open and saturation occurs. Just browse the teen section in your local Barnes & Nobles; it seems that every other book has a vampire in it. Yawn. That is not just me, its the publishing world in general. I'm reminded of a Monty Python movie where the fat man eats and eats and tries to reject the mint at the end. He ultimately succumbs to the temptation and explodes. So objectively speaking, the YA publishing industry has had an explosion of vampires. Yikes.

So subjectivity, huh? A hunch, a feeling, a gut reaction. These are the things we writers are banking on after we've put in the blood, sweat and tears over our manuscripts. Well, I've got a hunch that the next letter I get will be an offer of representation.

Hey, I think I like this subjective business.

Brides are like Books

I'm not a tomboy, although I thought I was growing up. I was the little girl in a dress watching everyone else climb up the treacherous "ladder" into the treehouse perched precariously twenty feet up off the ground. I settled in for a nice afternoon of a dolly tea party while my tomboy sister played Cowboys and Indians, and my tomboy mother stretched on a lawn chair to read a book. By hey, I was outside, didn't that make me a tomboy?

It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized I am not a tomboy. Never was, never will be. My favorite color is pink. Always was, always will be. I prefer skirts to jeans and I work part time in a upscale bridal salon, which is the equivalent of tulle wrapped nirvana in many ways for me. I really enjoy working with so many different people and consider it a privilege to be a part of the special planning that weddings entail.

It is also excellent people watching. If you ever want to observe the subtle nuances of body language, study the effects of polite versus impolite phrasing and watch the best and the worst of narcissism, go to a bridal salon on a busy Saturday. You will not be disappointed. There is so much to learn about the human psyche when childhood dreams meet adult reality.

These interactions leave me with invaluable information to use when writing my young adult books. Because really all young adult novels deal with some aspect of coming of age, and there are so few clear transitions such as getting married that highlight each young woman's coming of age. I am accepted into a circle of family and friends under intimate circumstances and privy to information usually concealed. For an aspiring writer, the joyous facial expressions, the rustle of flouncing skirts and the heavy stillness of an unanswered question is like gold.

Brides in many ways are just like books. The good ones can leave you smiling ear to ear, a reminder of what makes a vulnerability a strength, and the bad ones can leave you empty, wondering, "Why did I just waste my time?"

I'd Like a Bit of Messiness Please

I don't usually listen to NPR, but I was glad I did yesterday. I caught an interview with actor Paul Giamatti who was speaking about a his new movie, Cold Souls. I'm always interested in hearing what artists have to say about their work and became even more intrigued when the interviewer asked Mr. Giamatti if he remembered referring to himself as a"messy actor". His answer had me sitting up and listening much closer. He admitted believing himself to have this messy quality separating himself from other actors and then he compared the acting world to the world of literature. Many of the books coming out of publishing houses now are so clean and precise, edited to crisp detail that when an author comes along who is a bit of a mess, it is refreshing.

Yeah!!!! I couldn't agree more.

What happened to the Tom Robbins' and Terry McMillan's where the extra fleshy parts of the books are what make it so human and enjoyable. I've participated in heated debates with writers slamming Stephenie Meyer and her Twilight Saga because it is generally considered to be poorly written. But I believe that one reason her Twilight books have resonated with readers (especially young readers) on such a deep level is because they are not edited within an inch of their life. There is a rawness in Meyers telling that absorbs the reader. It works with Bella's narration of the unfolding romance and has captured millions of readers.

Hello Publishing World, are you listening? Readers are telling you that its okay to be a little messy, and heck they even like it...in the millions.

Now don't get me wrong, I know that if every book was a bit of a mess, this wouldn't work for the few authors who manage to pull this off. I am committed to creating clean memorable stories that move along and is clearly going someplace. The hours I spend editing the words I've already written can attest to that.

But I think I will go see Mr. Giamatti's movie, if only to see a bit of mess in action.