Cheryl's Musings

The data’s in: nice guys DON’T always finish last

2009-11-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

Recent research at Binghamton University and the University of Arizona casts new light on the nice guy versus aggressive jerk question. Who is more successful, the polite gentleman or the pushy fellow who won’t take no for an answer? The answer appears in the November 6 issue of Science Magazine.

This is a very important question for YA writers, don’t ya think?

It turns out that these scientists study attraction in water striders rather than in humans, but their findings seem to translate to human culture pretty well. When a male jerk (water strider) approaches a group of female water striders, the females bug out (bad pun intended, and no, water striders aren’t really bugs, my fine fellow science geeks…) If a female happens upon a gentleman of a strider, though, she sticks around. Pretty soon, the nice guys are surrounded by females while the jerks…I don’t know, maybe they get into a bar fight?

Take heart, all you sweetheart males in the world. As soon as the gals notice you, you’ll be the center of attention.

I’m not sure this is good news for the girls, though. It might explain why most of the good guys are taken….

:) Cheryl

October Tweets: How to dodge subconscious blocks and WRITE THE STORY

2009-11-05T08:21:00.001-08:00

Write the Story #9: Re-read a favorite writing inspiration book, sa Bird by Bird (Lamott), Take Joy (Yolen), or Page After Page (Sellers)

Write the Story #10: Re-read a favorite writing craft book sa Stein on Writing (Stein), Writing the Breakout Novel (Maass), or Story (McKee)

Write the Story, #11: Find a book you admire; re-read passages to study craft. (Great post on this: http://bit.ly/AjaEF)

Write the Story #12: Retreat and write! Writing retreats are a great way to find focus, inspiration, and like-minded creative folks. Heaven.

On retreats: A retreat with other writers can energize you with feedback, brainstorming sessions, and a safe haven for your creative self.

Write the story: RT @chavelaque: Fellow plot dorks, behold these charts by the wonderful Jennifer Crusie (@CrusieNews): http://bit.ly/1wVrWZ

Write the story #13: a change of scenery can do wonders toward enticing your muse. Try a coffee shop, library, or park bench.

If you’re interested, come join me at @CherylRWrites for Tweets to help you overcome creative blocks and thrive on the writer’s road.

:) Cheryl

I love being a writer…

2009-11-04T15:30:00.001-08:00

…because I spent the afternoon watching videos like these and can honestly say it was for my work. These are research for my current WIP, because the main character recently lived on the Valdez Peninsula in Argentina, where she and her father studied orcas.

I wanted to discover details about what it might be like to live there—and since I don’t have a few thousand to plunk down on a trip (as always, my first research choice) I took a virtual journey a la You-Tube.

Contest!

2009-11-03T19:14:00.000-08:00

If you’re a full-time undergrad student, check out the seventh annual Sylvia K. Burack Scholarship offered by The Writer magazine. The winner receives a $500 scholarship and a year’s subscription to The Writer.

Entry Deadline: March 1, 2010

Researching First Love

2009-11-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

I'm writing a YA novel in which love plays a major role—the first, fluttery, uncertainty of a girl with a crush on a guy she really, really likes. I need to do a bit of research, a bit of remembering, because I want to capture all the painful magic of the experience on the page...and I've made the delightful discovery that I can commission my significant other to help me.

Maybe this idea works for me because I've been away from sweetheart and family for 5 days. I find myself savoring each moment as if we've first met. It takes me back to a snowy college night when I had my first true-love kiss.

I like it. I like the rediscovered headiness and uncertainty of first love—probably better this time around, when I'm not actually afraid of rejection or hurt. I know how this story ends.

I think I'll call this sweetheart-o-mine and ask him on a date—a goofy date that costs nothing but time and imagination, like those we used to have before jobs, marriage, kids and such. And we'll do a bit of lovely research.

First Drafts: what to do with rewrite suggestions

2009-10-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

If you’ve stopped by here of late, you know I’ve spent the past few days at a writing retreat where I’ve received feedback on some of my writing. Most of that feedback was on my latest WIP, VOICE, the story of teenage Cass and her father as they return to the island where her mother was murdered twelve years before.

I’m about a third of the way through the first draft and have cranked out a LOT of pages over the past week. Now, I have some terrific feedback on the first 40 pages from several different authors, editors, and agents (and yes, an offer of representation even, but I told him I was already taken, Gary.)

Writing question of the day: what the heck do I do now? Do I continue to plow forward with the first draft, to get it out? Or do I sacrifice my forward momentum to incorporate comments while they’re still fresh in my mind, laying a firmer foundation for the pages that follow?

:) Cheryl

Bottling a bit of life

2009-10-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

I want to bottle it up: this delightful self-confidence. I’ve come home from my writing retreat feeling like there’s no stopping the words that pour from my pen…feeling beautiful and interesting and funny and yes, I do cave to the occasional attacks of writerly insecurity in all these things. I think I have a pretty decent self-concept most of the time, but in this business of writing, where feedback is rare and minimal, it’s easy for my heart to override my head and drag me into self-doubt.

I don’t think this is an uncommon problem. I’ve taken to asking fellow writers about their struggles with self-confidence, and every person I’ve asked has a story about their own moments of doubt. this includes writers of all ages and all ethnic backgrounds; writers who are just starting out and those who have their first book on the shelf and writers who have won national awards and well-established careers.

I think of these as self-doubt attacks—as someone or something that lays siege to my self-confidence. I know I’ll have others in the future, maybe even soon, although I suspect that this recent writing retreat will hold me for the next few months. So…how can I bottle up all the feedback, encouragement, and inspiration I was given in the past week? Should I write myself a letter? Make a “down day” file? Or do I have to plan to attend another retreat event in six months? Although that last idea is certainly attractive, I’m not sure I have either the time or money to do so.

What about you? How do you hang onto those moments when all is right in your world? I’ve been given such a gift in the past week and a half. I want to savor every bit of it!

:) Cheryl

Theoretical distractions in snowy Colorado

2009-10-27T11:00:00.001-07:00

Theoretically, a Colorado writer could get totally derailed because the next words in her sentence are supposed to be the name of a teen folk-rock band.

Theoretically, she could then spend an hour or so looking up teen bands, band names, and baby names (that might become a cool band name;) and, also theoretically, that might lead to time spent reading blogs, researching the local band scene, and investigating the band names that are already out there.

This could take up a lot of a writer’s time.

I’m just sayin’.

:) Cheryl

Back in the real world

2009-10-26T09:28:00.001-07:00

After ten astonishingly wonderful days at the Writing Away Retreat in Breckenridge, CO, I’m back in the real world—richer by several friends, a list of books to read, a pile of thoughts to pursue on writing and life, and a host of questions generated by late-night philosophical conversations in the hot tub.

I’m also poorer by many hours of sleep, which I hope to pay back ASAP. In my experience, sleep debt is not a good long-term investment.

So here I am, feeling a bit daunted by piles of laundry and bills and a poodle whose hair is WAY too shaggy, but at the same time filled to brimming with inspiration, encouragement, and renewed confidence that I’m on the right track writing-wise. Homecoming is sweet; I’ve been homesick for my family for the past week. And at the same time, I’m now homesick for my cozy writing spot by the fire and my new, wonderful friends.

Ultimately, that’s what a writing retreat can give you that a conference cannot: concentrated time with other people crazy and wonderful in the same ways you are. Nowhere else in my life have I met so many people I loved so much in such a short space of time: funny, irreverent Deb with her book proposal that will challenge readers to think and change; ever-cheerful Chris, with her amazing YA voice and cool plot twists; quiet Bryan, with his puckish hair and wit and a vortex in his apartment; clean-cut Brandon, with his habit of reading the first half of an amazing short story so you had to track him down later to discover what happened; innocent-looking Aaron who talks his (amazing) scenes out loud when he thinks no one is listening; and, of course, our wonderful host Cicily, who has an endless number of tales of jazz, interviews, and this crazy writing life.

Wow, and that’s not even CLOSE to everyone who left a major impact on my life. And I only mentioned my fellow writers, not the faculty, some of whom I know will be lifelong friends.

Save your money. Plan your time. Do something like this retreat . It will change your writing life forever—in an amazing way.

:) Cheryl

Kate Gale on blogging

2009-10-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

One of the best aspects of the Writing Away Retreat is the opportunity it provides for writers to pick the brains of all those lovely keepers of the keys in the New York publishing industry. Or the LA publishing industry, as in the case of poet/editor/publisher/(unofficial) stand-up comedian Kate Gale .

Kate was one of the two folks I asked to critique my nonfiction children’s books projects…a conversation that quickly evolved into a discussion of the future of the children’s nonfiction book market. Since I’ve devoted years of my life to working on these two nf projects, you can imagine this is a subject near and dear to my heart.

See, here’s the deal: I started on the nf projects years before because nonfiction, theoretically, is easier to sell; I have a science background; and I actively enjoying researching and writing about my latest obsession in the nf world. The problem is this: now I’m a bit farther along in my writing career, and I’ve done quite a bit of market research, I’m realizing that the children’s nf book market is actually much smaller that I’d first believed. And most of the nf market is educational publishing, which is fun and all, but my two pet nf projects (the almost-finished, I’d-like-to-send-them-out-soon projects) definitely don’t fit most educational publishers’ lists. And I’m not sure they appeal to a wide enough audience to appeal to many trade publishers.

Wisdom from Kate: the future of children’s nf lies in online content associated with the book. Science teachers want the kind of stuff I’m writing—but I have a much stronger platform if I can offer online content to augment material in an actual book. For instance, can I include additional info on the books’ topics in my website? How about a choose-your-own adventure approach to expanding the material? An hour critique appointment transformed into an hour-and-a-half brainstorming session and ongoing conversations throughout the weekend on ways to add value to my book concepts.

What’s the blogging connection? Well, Kate authors a smart, funny blog that covers everything from her latest speaking engagement to her thoughts on news, education, and nude beaches. It also includes pieces that will appear in one of her own nf book projects. She sees the blog as a way to discipline herself to produce the material for her book as well as building a platform on the topic.

Hmm. One of my ongoing blogging concerns is what value I add to the blogging community. I mean, sure, I love blogging, I love reading about other writers’ ups and downs in their writing lives, and I love collecting my thoughts on how the heck we thrive in the crazy writing life some of us choose—but I also want to reach beyond my circle of writers to the folks who might, someday, become my readers. I want my writing to reach a wider audience. I’ve never had a good idea how to do that.

Thanks for the food for thought, Kate! And for my fantastic readers, I’ll add this: someday, somewhere, find a time and place where you can ask smart people in the publishing industry smart questions about writing, career, marketplace, and so on. Those conversations are valuable beyond measure.

Plus people who share this weird writing life have GOT to be the best, most interesting people in the world, so you’ll have a darned lot of fun, too :)

Cheryl

The Conversational Shoplifter reports on all things retreat….

2009-10-21T10:33:00.001-07:00

In case you’re interested in a different perspective on the retreat thus far—or if you just want to laugh your socks off for a bit—check on new friend Deb C’s hysterical observations on characters, conversations, and the happy mix of writers, editors, agents, hot tub, and fine food and drink we have here at the 2009 Writing Away Retreat.

Plus she manages to overhear some of the funniest bits of dialog I’ve ever heard anywhere. And yes, I’m officially joining her team of conversation spies. What can I say? She’s irresistible!

:) Cheryl

Breckenridge, writing, and a lovely dose of creative energy

2009-10-21T10:22:00.001-07:00

I’m about to start the second session of the Fall 2010 Writing Away Retreat—and I’m in a very different place than at the start of the first session. I showed up for the first session exhausted, stressed about leaving kids and dogs, with my focus scattered between multiple projects. Now, I’m rested, recharged, with renewed focus on what kind of writing I need to be doing right now.

I wasn’t sure about coming to two sessions. It’s a pretty big deal for any mom to leave her family for ten days, never mind the financial side of things, but it’s turned out to be a valuable gift to my writing self. I feel like I spent the first days stripping away a lot of the “shoulds” and “have-to’s.” Maybe I could have accomplished that at home; but I’m not sure I would have. I would have kept plowing forward, trying to do everything, rather than questioning which part of “everything” is really important.

Today’s quiet and snowy—I plan to sit in front of the fireplace and immerse myself in story.

:) Cheryl

Where is Cheryl, take 2

2009-10-19T10:45:00.001-07:00

I have, thankfully, completed my research into all things illness. (if confused, check out my previous post!) In fact, I believe I’ve done enough research on the subject to last me quite a while, so if you have any influence with the flu/bronchitis/pneumonia and other agents of mass destruction, please mention that I can be taken off their lists.

It’s kind of nice to return to the real world (at least, at least as real as the world of the writer ever gets….)

Actually, I’m not in the real world at all right now. I’m at a ridiculously wonderful writing retreat in Breckenridge, CO, basking in all things creative. This session, I’ve had the chance to meet "officially" with editor Kate Gale of Red Hen Press, author Justin Taylor, agent Sorche Fairbank, and agent Scott Hoffman of Folio Literary Agency. They're all very nice and human. And smart. And funny.

And can you imagine any other setting where you have official one-hour meetings with so many different people in the industry? Pretty cool. Add in amazing food, a hot tub, and a seemingly bottomless bowl of peanut M&M’s, I’m definitely feeling inspired! Especially now that I stopped trying to grind out the projects I thought I *ought* to be working on in favor of the project I *want* to be working on.

Message for the week: when writing, follow your heart. Maybe that’s not always the right answer, but it’s definitely working for me right now! So I’m off to write more about Cassandra Fort as she drops into the sleepy community of Rodger’s Island, WA, with all the subtlety of a breaching whale…a character who makes me laugh aloud when I write about her. More later!

Where is Cheryl?

2009-09-25T09:59:00.001-07:00

Cheryl has developed a sudden, urgent need to do research on her local medical facilities. For instance:

Cheryl: (in line at doctor’s office) Weird—I can hardly see wearing this mask . (Looks up, looks down. Looks up, looks down. Looks up—)

Receptionist: You can pinch the top of your mask around your nose. Then it won’t cover your eyes.

Cheryl: Oh. Thanks. (Pinches mask and starts to walk away.)

Receptionist: Ms. Reifsnyder? You still need to sign this?

Cheryl: Sorry. (Signs and starts to walk away.)

Receptionist: Ms. Reifsnyder—your check-in papers?

Cheryl: Oh. Sorry. (Gets papers and tries to cough while wearing mask. Mask sucks into mouth.)

Receptionist: You can go now.

Cheryl: (Walking upstairs to waiting room) Wow, (breath) I can’t take a deep breath in this thing. Just (breath) lots of (breath) short (breath) small (breath) breaths (breath). Cool (breath) it makes (breath) my mask (breath) flap (breath) in and (breath) out.

Nurse: Excuse me. Ma’am? Long, deep breaths please. You’re going to get dizzy.

***So—I’m taking lots and lots of notes on the sensations of mask-wearing, back-thumping, dizziness, and other illness-related details which I’m sure will prove very, very useful in my writing someday soon.

…just as soon as I feel well enough to write something that makes sense!

:-) Cheryl

Last Week’s Tweets: How to dodge subconscious blocks, inspire creativity, and WTS (Write The Story!)

2009-09-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

Ease your subconscious into WTS, #6: “Sketch” scene in note form on the left-hand notebook page—less intimidating than real writing.

Ease your subconscious into WTS, #7: Step back into research. Spend time on Flickr or Google searching for images that inspire.

Ease your subconscious into WTS, #8: Step back into research. Read news articles or blogs from the place your story is set.

If you’re interested, come join me at @CherylRWrites for near-daily Tweets to help you thrive on the writer’s road.

:) Cheryl

Building a Platform a la Christina Katz

2009-09-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to reading Christina Katz’s latest offering, Get Known Before the Book Deal: Use Your Personal Strengths To Grow An Author Platform…and yep, it’s just as good as her last book, which I discuss here.

It answers some of my long-standing questions about platform, such as:

What the heck is platform, exactly? In practical terms.
What does platform mean for a fiction writer—and is it still important?
If I write for kids, does it make sense to build a platform that’s read primarily by other adults? And not just adults—adult writers.

For the answers, you have to read the book for yourself.

Although much of this book is targeted for writers of nonfiction, this book is also a great resource for the fiction writer. It discusses how to identify your niche as a writer; how to identify your audience; and, most important, how to get yourself in gear and start building a platform that works for you.

This is the kind of book to buy and put on your shelf for reference. Full of practical advice and questions (yes, you have to do some work to get the most out of this book), Get Known takes you from platform novice to platform savvy in a fun, fast-paced read.

:) Cheryl

Tricky Transitions

2009-09-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else find that transitions are the trickiest part of the book to write? As I plug along through the first draft of my new yet-to-be-named YA fantasy, I find that I can whiz through writing a scene—that’s the easy part. The hard part is getting to the next scene.

For inspiration, I do what I always do: pull out a few great books and take a look at how other authors accomplish the dreaded transition. I thought I’d share my findings…

In Rage, by Julie Anne Peters, I found a number of scenes that start in the middle of the action. For instance:

p. 59: Robbie bounds into the room a few seconds after me. Doesn’t say hi or hello or no or “cooperate with Johanna.”

p. 106: “Johanna, there you are.” Tessa sits up in one of the lawn chairs out back, crocheting a square of pink and purple yarn.

In Shield of Stars, author Hilari Bell sometimes begins a scene with a summary of the time that passed since the end of the previous scene:

p. 101: Setting a brisk pace, they managed to reach the small village of Sweetsprings just after dark.

p. 122: It took them a day and a half to reach Coverton.

In Fact of Life #31, Denise Vega provides examples of beginning with a quick sentence to set the scene (which is kind of like Hilari’s “time passes” transitions, above.

p. 213: About a week after the New Year’s Eve Horror, I was dusting the Babies on Parade wall when the door banged open. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

p. 218: Abby had tried to get in touch with Libby.

…So what good does this do me? Well, now I have a few “types” of transition to try. Also, these books all reminded me why my current transition attempts aren’t working: a good transition is short, moving quite rapidly to the scene. Currently, my transition is long, filling in the reader with lots of little details that can come out elsewhere.

I’m back to the book-writing now. I’ll let you know how it goes!

:) Cheryl

Why You Should Write for Magazines, from The Magnificent Intern

2009-09-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

First: if you don’t read The Intern’s blog, you should. It’s hilarious plus full of industry info with an…interesting slant.

Second: if you don’t think you should write for magazines while honing that epic novel of yours (or your 50th picture book or whatever…) read this post.

That is all.

:) Cheryl

The Week’s Tweets: How to dodge subconscious blocks, inspire creativity, and WTS (write the story!)

2009-09-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

1. Ease your subconscious into WTS, #1: Step back and rewrite the last page you wrote the day before.

2. Ease your subconscious into WTS, #2: Visualize the scene. List smells, tastes, textures, sights, and sounds to prime description.

3. Ease your subconscious into WTS, #3: Outline your character’s motivation, thoughts, feelings, and responses in a scene.

4. Ease your subconscious into WTS, #4: Making a collage taps a different part of your creativity than writing, providing inspiration.

5. Ease your subconscious into WTS, #5: No time for paper and glue? Make a virtual collage using online images and software s.a. Picasa.

If you’re interested, come join me at @CherylRWrites for near-daily Tweets to help you thrive on the writer’s road.

:) Cheryl

Letting the Right Brain Speak

2009-09-04T09:44:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, I indulged in two of my favorite activities: I spent time with a few writer friends and, simultaneously, created a collage for my new novel. It’s the perfect combination. The friends keep my analytical left brain occupied with conversation, while my right brain can select images, words, faces that speak to me about the story.

The result is shown above.

Did it reveal anything to me? Oh, yes. Not in concrete words, but in my character’s emotions and voice, which have been the most difficult for me to capture. Since I think character emotions and voice are the most critical part of any story, that was kind of a problem!

Now I’m off to see if I can translate the gut-level inspiration provided by the collage onto the page….

Beginnings

2009-09-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

In my last post, I discussed whether the “Call to Action” had to appear in chapter 1 of a book—and decided, in short, not necessarily. However, that’s not to say that the opening isn’t important. It’s crucially important. It’s just that, sometimes, I think that presenting the characters and their situation (the “real world” for those fans of The Writer’s Journey—an excellent craft book) may be more important than diving straight into action.

So what’s this mean for my book?

It means that I have to decide what my book is about. Is it a straight-up adventure about solving a series of mysterious disappearances? Is it primarily a magical encounter, where the main character is learning about this strange underwater world surrounding the San Juan Islands?

Or is it primarily the story of a girl troubled by the past, trying to discover who she is?

I think I have a call to action in my opening chapter now. It’s not the sort I expected when I was brainstorming ideas with my critique group. But it’s the sort that fits with the story, or with what the story wants to be.

And of course, I would never have gotten there without my group :).

Cheryl

Where to Begin?

2009-08-31T08:53:00.001-07:00

I had a great conversation with the members of my critique group last Friday about where my new novel should begin. One member, a multi-published fantasy author, said I was beginning the story too soon, basically giving backstory. A fantasy/sci-fi novel, she said, needs to have a "Call to Action" by the end of the first chapter. We brainstormed and came up with a couple compelling and exciting twists that would bring action in the opening.

But once home, I began to question whether action DOES belong in my opening chapter. So I decided to do a little survey, to see where the “call to action” occurs in a number of current YA novels. Here’s what I found:

Shrinking Violet, by Danielle Joseph is a contemporary YA novel. By the end of chapter 1, the reader knows that Teresa is painfully shy, that she fantasizes about being the DJ “Sweet T,” and that a DJ spot just opened at her stepdad’s radio station—but she’s too scared to volunteer.

Call to Action? I’d say no. The groundwork has been laid, but Teresa is not FORCED to act. And she doesn’t—yet.

M.E. Breen’s Darkwood is a YA fantasy. By the end of chapter 1, the main character (Annie) has overheard her aunt and uncle planning to sell her to the Drop, where she fully expects to die.

Call to Action? Yep. Stay and get sent to certain death versus flee into the dangerous darkness and face unknown dangers. Annie has to make a choice.

Need, by Carrie Jones is another YA fantasy, but this is one of those “real world” fantasies that starts in the here-and-now. For the first few chapters, the readers gets hints of other, but no clear portrayal of the paranormal or fantastical.

Call to Action? Not so much. By the end of chapter one, the reader knows about Zara’s troubled past and that she’s crushed by her father’s recent death. We also know that her mother is worried about her and has sent her to Maine to stay with her grandmother. We get one hint of the supernatural: a weird-looking guy who might or might not be stalking her.

In R.A. Nelson’s contemporary YA Breathe My Name, the first chapter sets the stage for the story ahead: Frances lives with nightmares, sleeplessness, and stress because deep down she fears the return of her real mother.

Call to Action? Nope, this takes place a few chapters down the road, when the lawyer arrives with a letter from her biological mother.

So…what have I learned from all this?

That a book’s opening—as we all know—is VERY important. It has to hook the reader and set the stage for the rest of the story.
BUT—that doesn’t mean that the first chapter HAS to include the actual “call to action.” Especially when plot and character are closely intertwined, it makes sense to introduce the main character and her underlying problem in the opening chapter.
In straight fantasy, it seems more common to introduce the call to action in chapter 1; in contemporary fiction, not as much.
Some books cross genres—like Need and Twilight. These books seem more likely to break the “rule” about introducing the call to action in chapter 1.

The First Draft! (or, climbing the mountain)

2009-08-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

Yes, I’m still mulling over the weird process of how we write first drafts. Everyone seems to do this differently: some people wake up in the night hearing their characters’ voices. Others have a general concept of plot and characters and just start writing, planning to go back later and iron out any wrinkles in structure. I like to outline first—outline in such detail that one editor said I was really creating a storyboard for an entire novel. My chapter outline can run 20 single spaced pages. It includes scene sketches, snatches of dialog, notes on character emotions and motivations…it’s almost like taking notes on the story’s play-by-play as I imagine it in my mind.

And yet, even with all that advance planning, I find that the story frequently doesn’t pan out exactly as I plan.

I figured out why.

Let me explain: my sweetheart just returned from climbing Long’s Peak last weekend. For those of you who don’t know, Long’s Peak is one of the toughest non-technical climbs in the Rocky Mountains. It’s also an exceptionally long hike, where you have to circle a number of ridges, pick your way through an immense boulder field, and then traverse a skinny bit of trail aptly called the Narrows.

If you take a wrong turn along the way, you’ll find yourself at an impassable cliff, sheer rock face, or some other insurmountable obstacle. Luckily, today’s hikers have cairns marking the way for them—but even so, only about 3 out of every 10 people who attempt the climb actually reach the summit. It’s a really tough hike.

Imagine what it was like for the first people who tried to climb Long’s Peak. With no cairns or trail markers, they must have had to backtrack and try new directions again…and again…and again…and again.
I think that’s what writing is like. At least, for me :). Maybe I’ll get more of a bird’s-eye view of my stories with experience—but for now, writing involves a bit of trial and error!

Happy writing!

:) Cheryl

[“W of Long’s Peak” courtesy of eggheadsherpa at Flickr Commons]

Twitter? Me?

2009-08-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I’m finally convinced. If the Shrinking Violets say that Twitter can be a good thing, well, I figured I’d better give it a try. (See their post “If At First You Don’t Succeed, Tweet, Tweet Again”.)

I've been signed up on Twitter for a while, to follow a few others; now, I'm actually going to--don't keel over here--POST. Sorry. I mean I'm going to TWEET. I've actually posted one already!

Starting this weekend, I’ll be posting a series on how to bypass your creative blocks, inner editor, outer distractions, etc., and actually Write The Story (WTS). If you’re interested, you can follow me at: @CherylRWrites.

Come find me so I don’t get lonely in cyber-twitter-land!

P.S.

Thanks to the Shrinking Violets (@shrinkngviolets) for pointing me to this great guide for Twitter newbies: RT@mitaliperkins: Getting Started on Twitter: A Quick Guide for Kid/YA Writers: Newbie to Twitter http://bit.ly/f5pke

Finding the Right Trail

2009-08-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

It’s been a while since I was writing the first draft of a book—about eight months—and, as I wrote yesterday, the experience can be a bit unsettling. I’m big on outlining, so when I sit down to write a chapter, I kind of expect that the words will just roll out. After all, the plot made perfect sense when I put it together a few months ago.

Yeah. Have I ever mentioned that I’m occasionally optimistic to the point of being delusional?

Every time I write the first draft of a novel, it’s much harder to bring the pages to life than I expect. And every time, I’m surprised by this.

It took me a while yesterday to put my finger on what was wrong. I’d written a perfectly fine scene in which the main character’s father surprises her with a new bicycle. She hugs him, it’s touching, happy-happy joy-joy. My head said I should just keep on writing.

Luckily, I’m (slowly) learning to listen to my gut when it comes to writing, so instead of plowing onward (and wasting a lot of time) I kept poking at the story (well, and procrastinating, which is kind of like wasting time, except different. Sort of.) And eventually I made a breakthrough. I backed up the story, rewrote the previous scene to put Cass (the mc) in a much less pleasant situation, which naturally leads to tension when her father shows up, which naturally lets me explore her fears about their situation on this island….

To put it another way, the best way to tell the story is not always obvious. Sometimes you stumble onto the wrong path, and even though you’re pouring out the words, the writing loses its life and urgency. The trick is to trust the process—trust those hours when you don’t seem to be accomplishing anything—because if you just keep hacking at the problem, eventually you’ll have a breakthrough.

And meantime, you might even resort to desperate measures, like doing the laundry. Your family will be so astonished, they’ll probably take you out to dinner….

:) Cheryl