Cape Cod Children's Writers Blog http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog To comment click the articles title Thu, 17 May 2012 09:58:20 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Feeling A Story http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2170 http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2170#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 09:57:46 +0000 Linda Williams http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2170 Greetings;
The next time writers’ block descends, sit back in your chair, close your eyes, and let your arms hang . Wiggle your fingers, rotate your head all around, and then squeeze your upper arms. (Everyone needs a hug, especially when alone, and it’s good for circulation.) Then, when you feel more relaxed, think back to a summer morning when you were young and the day was brand new—an empty slate waiting for your own special story to appear. A clean scent wafts through the air from an early morning rain, and the sun has decided to shine its warmth on you all day as it ambles across a clear, cobalt sky. Whether you have woken to a country or a city morning presents a much different range of feelings, not only because of setting, but because the slate is filling with what you know and your feelings are unique. Now, remember what you liked best about such a morning and how it made you feel. When choosing to find a friend to play with, who would it be and why? Where might you go together in search of adventure? If no one is around, what might you do for fun on your own? As you remember, a new children’s story is germinating because the “Who, What, Where, When, and How” are basic elements of every good story, and most importantly, you will be writing about what you know.
Dialogue is another essential element for it makes a story come alive. Without conversation, what is written on the slate presents only a telling exercise. Dialogue can SHOW a whole range of feelings from anger and despair to excitement and hope. What is said to a friend differs from what is said to one, who instigates anger, cruelty, jealousy, and other negative feelings, which make up conflict. (One can’t write a convincing story without conflict.)
When we were young, there was always conflict, and whether it taught us inner strength or how to hate often depended on our role models. Those models were not only our parents, but the friends we chose. The “why” of a young child’s reasoning presents many avenues of thought. Without getting too involved with heredity or environment, the cause and effect consideration, one can still think about what it felt like to be a child. (Child psychology classes taught me that the child, who once was me, is still alive within and wants to help write my children’s stories.)
So, sit back, clear your mind, and remember the child, who was you. Then fill your slate with a new story. If the memory is sad, it will be a catharsis in itself. (An inexpensive way to unearth childhood sadness and release them.) If it’s a happy, fun memory, remembering will be a joyful experience, and one can’t have too many of those.
Until next time, allow the child in you to write a story. Be well. Linda

]]> http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=2170 0 A Weekend with Creative WOmen http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2166 http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2166#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 16:34:01 +0000 Christina Laurie http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2166 Last weekend I spent in Washington, DC, with some 90 Pen Women from all over the country. The experience was most stimulating and exciting. In addition to being elected third national vice president of the National League of American Pen Women, I won three poetry prizes, a first, a third and an honorable mention. Consequently, I was invited to read at the Library of Congress on Thursday afternoon, April 19, with two state poet laureates (Delaware and Alabama) and two national book award nominees. I certainly felt humbled!
One of the things I love about Pen Women, of which I have been a member for 47 years, is the continual learning I am acquiring with each branch or national meeting or board meeting. A gathering of professional women artists, writers and musicians, the Pen Women is the oldest women’s professional organization in the world, being founded in 1897. Our headquarters is in the Dupont Circle area of DC in a four-story brownstone which is a museum in itself. It’s a mere four blocks from the White House!
I continually learn from the workshops, meetings, and casual conversations that I am privileged to experience both in our Cape Cod Branch and nationally. Women who may be younger than I but who have been professionals longer have advice from how to promote myself, to crafting my writing, to public speaking, to finding agents or venues for publication and so much more. The professional web site, www.AmericanPenWomen.org or www.NLAPW.org , is full of information on webinars, contests, poetry, news, reviews, and much more.
At the biennial, held in the very central L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, we experienced beautifully professional concerts, lectures, seminars, workshops, panels and videos. If you look at the web site and click on “biennial”, you will see a smattering of what we were treated to for four days.
Creatively,
Christina

]]> http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=2166 0 Cape Cod Writers Annual Conference http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2158 http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2158#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 12:28:34 +0000 Linda Williams http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2158 Greetings;
The Cape Cod Writers Center will celebrate fifty years of a literary tradition at the annual writers’ conference beginning on Sunday afternoon, August 5, with a welcoming reception from 4-5:30. It will be held in their new location, the Resort and Conference Center of Hyannis, located at 35 Scudder Avenue. For directions or to make hotel reservations at a special conference rate, call 1-800-828-8259.
On Sunday evening from 6-7:30 attending members will be introduced to the faculty and guest of honor, the Honorable Theresa Murray, President of the Massachusetts Senate. The conference officially opens on Monday morning with classes beginning at 8:30 and running until 5:30 followed by a dinner. Programs are scheduled each evening from 7-9. The conference will run through Friday, August 10.
Monday night’s speaker, Joseph Finder, is a New York Times bestselling author of ten novels whom the Boston Globe has called a “master of the modern thriller.”
Tuesday night’s speaker, Amy Caldwell, is an Executive Editor of Beacon Press, who works on literary non-fiction in a variety of forms and subjects to scholarly cross-over. She has edited such notable authors as E.J.Graff, Stephen Puelo, Marty Moran, and Eboo Patel, whose memoir ACTS OF FAITH won the Grawemeyer Award in religion.
Wednesday night’s speaker, Andre Dubois III , is a New York Times bestselling author of five books, who won the “Editors Choice” for his memoir, TOWNIE, which is listed as one of the “Top Non-fiction books for 2011.”
This year’s conference faculty includes a screenwriter, poet, humorist, book doctors, fiction and non-fiction authors, including crime and dark literary fiction authors. Also offered are courses in how to overcome procrastination, how to understand the e-book explosion, creating networks and websites, and writing for film and theatre. No educational stone has been left unturned for this special, fiftieth year celebration.
There will be seven agents available for critiquing manuscripts—first ten pages. They are listed in the program booklet for availability. The cost is $150 for an hour session.
Each year, the conference also features a Young Writers Workshop for poetry and prose, with its own specialized faculty, which takes place during the week of the conference. The event is held at the Barnstable Intermediate School for approximately 45 young people, ages 12-17. Entrants are selected through submissions judged by a committee of writers
To obtain a conference booklet and/or registration form, contact the Cape Cod Writers Center at www.capecodwriterscenter.org. The center is located in Osterville, MA 02655. (P.O.Box 408)
Whether you are a new or seasoned writer, this conference is one not-to-be-missed.
Until next time, be well. Linda

]]> http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=2158 0 The Breakout Novel – Part 2 – April 20, 2012 http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2161 http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2161#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:54:59 +0000 Christina Laurie http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2161 Donald Maas continued talking about the three kinds of protagonists in a novel during his all-day workshop in Dedham.
First, the Everyman/Everywoman: what are their characteristics: are they good, strong, admirable, fun, notable? What is active or noble, positive about this character? Then give them a fatal flaw, something that trips them up on their way to their goal. This adds interest and conflict to the story.
Second, is the Hero/ine: put them in the way of danger, Maas encourages. Give them high authority, a problem or job with action and possible danger (like police, seals, high government position, etc). Give them a characteristic, something that makes them a ‘regular” type folk (like a tick, puts glasses in a strange place, can jump out of an airplane but never learned to Parallel Park). Then build the character into a bigger than life person to attack a problem.
The third type of protagonist in a novel is the dark protagonist, the anti-hero. He’s dark, haunted, wounded, self-loathing, or actually inhuman (shape-shifter, fallen angel, werewolf).
Finally, Maas encourages the writer to illustrate one important characteristic of the protagonist in the first five pages by SHOWING how he responds in one particular situation. This sets in our mind the type of person the protagonist is. How do we see the longing, desire, and need of this character? Is there something symbolic that the writer can show us to illustrate what this character hopes for, needs, wants? “Make the reader FEEL the longing for change, or normalcy,” Mass said.
Now write it!
Creatively,
christina

]]> http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=2161 1 The Breakout Novel – April 15, 2012 http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2159 http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2159#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:33:51 +0000 Christina Laurie http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2159 Last weekend I attended an intensive, all-day workshop with Donald Maas, author of The Breakout Novel and head of his publishing firm. After 24 pages of notes, my head was swimming, but here are some of the best points.
He opened by asking us: how do you experience fear, shame, anger, embarrassment, brokenness, loss, war, abuse, and what is unacceptable in life for you. Then he said, what is it like to feel these emotions? Put them into your protagonist.
Most characters, he continued, don’t feel strong/passionate enough. Many writers have resistance to writing the fearful emotions, but “GET OVER IT! IT’S ONLY A NOVEL”. What would happiness, anguish, fear look like for the character? What would s/he be able to do that s/he can’t do now? What is currently blocked that could unravel for him/her? What would make him/her more human? These are some of the questions he posed to deepen a character.
Create tension through conflicting ideals or values in the protagonist and antagonist or even in a minor character. This causes a problem, a dilemma for the character to solve, making a more interesting plot. Create full minor characters to make a deeper novel.
Next look for the irony in the scene. If emotions are high/strong, contrast them with normal or even dull spots. High action – low emotion, low action – high emotion. He encouraged us to pick eight scenes in our book and go bigger or smaller in the action, details, movement of scenes; find a new depth and work it out. “Too many MS are too dull and familiar – go deeper,” he said.
Creatively,
Christina

]]> http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=2159 0 Line Editor http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2151 http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2151#comments Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:07:16 +0000 Linda Williams http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2151 Greetings;
When a dedicated writer has mustered the courage to allow a stranger—publisher, editor, writing club critique person—to view one’s “finished” manuscript, a few important points should be considered. If such a person receives a manuscript in the form of e-mail attachments, within an e-mail, or by snail mail, there is no personal connection. Therefore, the reader reads that piece in his or her own way, which can be far from what the writer intended. If you, the writer, have written about a country setting in detail and a city-raised editor doesn’t understand what a spring-fed pond is, perhaps the rest of the feedback will be off course. The same applies to an editor, who is critiquing a fantasy piece, but has no education in that realm. Sometimes, the sensible thing is to ignore the feedback and send it out again to someone versed in your field. (Keeping current with the annual books published, which detail publishing companies’ specific needs for the current season, will save time and effort.)
When a manuscript reaches a copyeditor’s desk, it is in its final form. (As far as the writer is concerned.) There is no time for a copyeditor to change the form other than to make it grammatically correct, circle repetitive words and misspellings, and/or note inconsistencies of characters’ ages or physical characteristics. (An unscrupulous character can’t change into a good person without some progression of change and the reasoning behind it; characters must continue to be “real” to be accepted by a reader.) If the work needs more help, it will be rejected because there are too many other manuscripts waiting to be critiqued.
A line editor’s job is different, for she or he can help to reshape the offering into a work of art. When a new writer’s manuscript is returned by a line editor, however, it is not for the weak of heart because the piece, which the writer has assumed is almost completed, will often be strewn with corrections, sometimes on every line. The first time I received such a piece back, my throat tightened so it hurt. My precious “baby” was a mess! I threw it into a drawer. Thank goodness I didn’t throw it into the round file. (Rubbish.) A week later, I resurrected it and calmly went through each line. The result wasn’t nearly as horrendous as I’d thought. The line editor had noted each time there was a grammatical error or the like, so I could see how often I had made the same error. And, many notations were actually positive. She liked the plot, the POV character and the scene descriptions. She also wrote that the dialogue helped bring the story to life. The “mess” when considered in the right frame of mind, did wonders for my morale. I made the corrections, re-wrote the piece over and over again, and sent it off to a contest. It took a second prize and I was sent a check for one-hundred dollars. Please remember if or when your “feelings get hurt,” by an editor or a critique to take it in stride and move forward. I love the old proverb, “…there’s no sense in looking backward, it’s not the way you’re going.”
Until next time, remove the weeds from your writing garden so good plants can flourish. Be well. Linda

]]> http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=2151 0 EARTH DAY AT EIGHT COUSIN’S BOOKS http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2153 http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2153#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:45:40 +0000 Joan Walsh http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2153 April 18, 2012, Anne Barber and I celebrated Earth Week at Eight Cousin’s Books in Falmouth center. We shared our picture book entitled CAPE COD MEMORY MAKERS Explore the Town of Falmouth, with young children from various towns in Massachusetts.

Many children proudly wore their MEMORY MAKER buttons after purchasing their new interactive writing journal.

JOAN

]]> http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=2153 0 Writers Need Readers http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2112 http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2112#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:55:13 +0000 Linda Williams http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2112 Greetings;
“Hey you!” rudely accomplishes what your story’s first sentence and paragraph should do. There is no timid tapping there for attention. When it comes to writing, all of your valuable time spent alone will be wasted if no editor is interested enough to read beyond the initial sentence. If it doesn’t SHOW something unique to an editor, it will never evolve into magazine or book form and there will be no chance for readers to read it. In critiquing manuscripts for blossoming writers, my comment, “Here’s where the story begins,” often appears three to five pages into the story. If your lead grows too long, (Spreading onto a second page is a good ruler.) revise and cut it.
A good writer relates topic to the reader. Decide before writing a word what audience you want to attract, both by age and interest. Whether writing from personal experience or perhaps relating some little-known historical fact about someone famous, be sure your words are tempered toward the age and interest of your reader. There are definite guidelines available in both Book Markets for Children’s Writers 2012 and Magazine Markets for Children’s Writers 2012. Such books are available in your local library and can be found in book stores for about $27-30. Every publishing house lists what is acceptable or announces “no unsolicited submissions,” saving you time and expense of sending a piece to that publisher. A sports story, written for children, must be geared to a sports’ audience using correct terminology and reasoning, which they can understand.
Let your reader know in advance whether he/she is embarking on an adventure of fun, fantasy, horror, or perhaps moving into some unique awareness with the help of faith and friends. Whatever the writer’s reasoning for writing the piece, it should be clear from the beginning. I am awed by a fellow-author’s ability to create a world of fantasy. Melinda has spent untold hours researching the languages of gnomes and the like–yes, there are actual gnome languages. Her vivid imagination uses fascinating logic in choosing characters’ fantasy names. Originality is the key as she pursues in-depth research and forges ahead with a plot, which will unlock a publisher’s door. Now it’s time for you, the writer, to work for your reader, keeping in mind the “who and why” you want to attract. Good luck.
Until next time, do set aside an hour just for you, somewhere in the coming week, and enjoy the warm weather. You’re worth the effort. Be well. Linda

]]> http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=2112 0 Books to Movies http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2130 http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2130#comments Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:57:50 +0000 Melinda http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As all the world probably knows, “Hunger Games” recently came out in theaters. No, I haven’t read the book or seen the movie, but my daughter has. And, after several books she’s read and then seen the movie, I can tell you she generally hates the movie. I constantly hear..”they forgot this,” “that quote was from a different scene,” “I HATE the movie!!”

In general, I don’t give it too much thought. I loved the “Harry Potter” series (movies and books). But there is one book that I love that’s been adapted many times into a movie-”Jane Eyre” and I have a beef. They always end when she finds him-blind, broken and alone. But that is not the ending scene in the book. JUST ONCE, I’d like an adaptation to end after she has a baby. Why? Because while it may seem anti-climatic to some there is great HOPE in that ending. Life is beautiful, it goes on and his sight comes back enough to see that his son has eyes like his were. I always feel gipped when I see the movies.

What about you? What are your pet peeves about books made into movies? Do you have a favorite book that a movie ripped to shreds or left you disappointed?

 

]]> http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=2130 0 QUERY VS SYNOPSIS IN FICTION http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2127 http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2127#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:33:49 +0000 Joan Walsh http://capecodchildrenswriters.com/blog/?p=2127 Your query is a one page letter that needs to entice an agent or an editor and leave them asking QUESTIONS. It is more of a tease, inviting the reader to ask for more chapters. It is one page in length.

 Your synopsis needs to tell the story and provide agents and editors with ANSWERS.  It is much longer than a query, but it needs to be as tightly written as a query, using powerful verbs, sentence rhythm, and elimination of repetitive words.

 The synopsis is an overview of your entire novel, proving to the agents and editors that you understand your main character’s inciting incident, story structure, plot arc, plot twists character description (that is carefully woven into the story), and a satisfying ending.

 You need to show the internal and external desires of your protagonist and antagonist. These main characters need to be described to the extent that agents and editors love and or hate your characters passionately.

Each major plot change and subplot must be mentioned, and contain information about important character’s actions and reactions. Show how the tension of your novel builds, and be sure to include the story’s midpoint, (where the plot probably takes a major turn). Always mention how your characters solve their conflicts, either alone or with the help of what other character.

 If you have sub-plots within your story, you must mention how challenges are resolved.

 For SF/Fantasy writers, you’ll need to include world-building as well.

 Make it your business to know the length of your synopsis, based on the requirements of a particular agent and editor. Many of them run between 800 and 1000 words. You must tell the story’s ending, no secrets allowed.

 Both the query and synopsis are selling tools.

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