Imagination Headed For The Endangered Species List

Today’s post is going to be slightly off topic. Just slightly. But it is also going to be the most important post I’ve ever written. This rant has been forming for a few years now, but it took a little nudge from a column I read this past weekend to get me to finally commit my thoughts to the blogosphere.

Sunday’s New York Times ran a humorous opinion column by Jon Methven on the disappearing art of daydreaming and how we would all be much healthier in body and spirit if we occasionally indulged. As writers, you daydream. I know you do. Writers must daydream or nothing would ever be written. It is where we mine our imaginations and discover new characters and stories.

But, sadly, over the past five years or so I have met many, many people who have no imagination and cannot understand the meaning of imagination, what it is, why it is good, or what a person should do with it. And they rarely daydream, in the way you and I might daydream. These people have all been seven or eight years old. They have been my second grade students. And they are missing that integral piece of humanity and most importantly of childhood: imagination.

In his column Methven points to our plugged-in society, always connected to technology, as one reason for the current dearth of daydreaming. Think about it. When we stand in line at the store we don’t let our minds wander to places unknown, no, we take out our phones and check our email, or text someone, or try to kill little piggies with flying birds. And as sad as that is, with our adult, fully formed brains, it is much more frightening when it is our young children with their still-forming brains.

I know from listening to my students that playing outside is a rare occurrence. Playing a make-believe game more rare. Sitting and staring into space and wondering what is on the other side of the end of the universe? Never. They are too busy playing the latest video games. They are always plugged in. And when they aren’t plugged in they are being shuttled to soccer, dance lessons, scouts, Chinese lessons, karate class, piano lessons, baseball, art class, the list goes on. THEY HAVE NO DOWN TIME!

This lack of imagination started showing up during writing lessons, about five or six years ago. I’ve always prided myself with giving my students exciting, fun writing prompts. For years my students would write and write about the prompt, weaving together wonderful stories they were proud to share. But not today. Now I’m met with a chorus of “I don’t know what to write!” Or worse yet, children who simply sit and stare at the paper, utterly confused by the concept of using their imaginations to create a story.

So, I would sit with individual students and ask questions that I hoped would spark some creativity. I’d ask lots of What If questions. Or Have You Ever questions. But, no. Nothing would work.

While imagination is necessary for the creative arts like writing, it is also necessary for all of the sciences that improve our lives. Scientists of every type help save lives, improve lives, and protect lives by asking What If questions. By using their fertile imaginations. By daydreaming.

For today’s children to grow up and become the people who find the cure for cancer, or end global warming, or discover ways to feed our world’s growing population, or write the Great American Novel they must possess rich imaginations. They must learn to sit and wonder. To think. To play make-believe. And for that to happen the adults in their lives must provide the time to allow thinking, wondering, questioning. The adults must unplug their children and stop overscheduling them.

A few years back I started ending every Back To School Night speech with my talk about avoiding overscheduling children. I had seen plenty of stressed out little children who had a hard time focusing in school, and I simply had to tell the parents what their well-meaning super-scheduling was doing to their children.

But now I see it as reaching crisis level. I fear imagination is becoming endangered by our children’s overuse of technology, eg. video games, and by overscheduling their precious little free time.

If you made it to the end of this rant, you know I feel very strongly about this issue. Please send this link to parents you think may benefit from the message. Bring up the topic at dinner tonight. Mention it at Tommy’s baseball game tomorrow. Please just spread the word.

Thank you.

From Inception to Rejection...to Contract!

Practice: to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient

Fledgling writers sometimes have to be pushed from the nest whether or not they feel adequately prepared for the world of writing and publishing, and certainly before they feel the least bit proficient. Working my way through the steps I’d prescribed for myself and my ‘practice novel’ I had no idea of it actually seeing the light of day. But that all changed quickly a few weeks ago.

After my second very kind and encouraging rejection for the ‘practice novel’, I looked at the advice of the second rejecting editor and used some of it to improve my manuscript. I liked it better and I thought another editor might just like it too. So off it went for one last submission, and I had absolutely made up my mind that this was the last time. After all, this novel was for the learning experience, and with this last polishing and submission I felt it was time to move onto the next experience, the next manuscript. (And there are two or three others sitting on my computer in various states of completion.)

I was surprised and pleased when I received a request for a full. Sent it off, hoping for the best, but expecting nothing. While it sat in someone’s computer on the other side of the country I had a lot going on in my own personal and professional lives that kept me distracted and busy. Little time was spent wondering about the novel. Instead I was preparing myself to say good-bye to two dear friends who were both moving out of state within weeks of one another, and was wrapping up a long-time career as a full-time teacher—I will substitute in the future. Everything in my life was very emotion-laden and my little book was the furthest thing from my mind.

So, when I saw the email from Soul Mate Publishing in my inbox, I knew I was receiving the inevitable rejection. Now, in the spirit of full and complete disclosure, there may have been some squealing and screaming when I opened the email from Debby Gilbert, senior editor, and read that she wanted to offer me a contract for THE VAMPIRE’S PASSION!! I quickly reassured my husband that no one had died or had been involved in a horrible accident. God bless him—he told me he knew this was going to happen, that this was the time. He wasn’t the least bit surprised.

Now the Fledgling Writer is getting to learn about contracts, and bio-writing, and editing, etc. The timing couldn’t be better. And I’ll be posting about the many things I learn along the way. Because, after all, this is all about the learning experience.

Oh, and, my book is going to be published!!

Happy writing!

Lessons from Donald Maass

When, after a lifetime of saying ‘someday’, I finally started writing a little less than two years ago, I assumed I knew all there was to know about writing. After all, I was a voracious reader, was a few credits shy of an English minor in college, and wrote regularly as part of my profession, so surely I knew all I needed to know to start writing novels. I will pause here for a moment for you to catch your breath after all that loud, choking laughter. Okay, it didn’t take me long to find out how much I did NOT know.

The education goes on…and on…and on. I’m finally wise enough to know I will never know everything there is to know about this craft. But when I look at where I was 20 months ago, and where I am now, I feel a certain satisfaction. And a lot of terror. Satisfaction because I know some of the terminology, know some of the rules, and have a vague sense of what it is I am supposed to be striving for. Terror because the amount I don’t know, and more importantly what I can’t yet do to my satisfaction, is overwhelming.

So I attend workshops. I read books on the craft. I talk to people who know far more than I do. And recently I was extremely fortunate to get to attend a workshop that is already transforming the way I write, and the way I look at my writing. I got to attend a day-long workshop given by the impressive—okay, a little intimidating—Donald Maass. The topic: Writing 21^st Century Fiction. I took voluminous notes. I soaked up every word he said. I tried to do my best on the exercises, but felt my skills woefully lacking. He taught us about using secondary emotions, and conflicting emotions to write characters who are more layered and authentic. We learned about using our own shames, secrets, and regrets in order to write more dramatic and bigger stories—aka stories that would be considered ‘literary.’

When I got home I wasted no time ordering two of his books: “Writing 21stCentury Fiction: High Impact Techniques for Exceptional Storytelling”, and “Writingthe Breakout Novel”. Since I had just attended the workshop based on the 21^st century book I decided to start there, but soon decided I should have started with the Breakout book. Setting aside the 21^st century I dove into Breakout, highlighter in hand.

I’m only half way through, mostly because I’m reading it so carefully. But I have to say most of the highlighting so far has been in the chapters on ‘Stakes’ and ‘Characters’. My writing has had a sad dearth of compelling stakes in the past. Public Service Announcement coming up. IF YOU ARE A NEW WRITER THIS IS THE BOOK ON CRAFT YOU SHOULD READ FIRST. [I also highly recommend Jerry Cleaver’s Immediate Fiction—which is an excellent starting point for the newbie writer.] Maass advises on how to write larger than life characters, how to sustain the tension that keeps the reader reading, and how to layer the plot—all of which make a more interesting, compelling novel and one that has a better chance of interesting agents and editors.

So if I’m reading how to WRITE a breakout novel, I thought it might be a good idea to also, hand in hand, READ a current breakout novel. The word of mouth novel I keep hearing about is Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, so I started reading it a couple of days ago. And lo and behold, Flynn has done everything Maass writes about in Breakout Novel. Reading the two concurrently is proving to be a great craft lesson, and one I recommend.

The Fledgling Writer’s education continues. And the Fledgling Writer is making some changes in her life that I’ll share next time. In fact, there are several things I’d like to write about in the coming weeks so please watch this space. I’ll try to actually keep up on the blog posts!

Happy Writing!

Fifty Shades of Red Revisited

Several months ago when I mused that due to the Fifty Shades phenomenon erotica would be the next big genre, an interesting conversation ensued here and I finally had to confess that I would never be able to write it myself. Several readers left comments echoing those sentiments.

But I’m always up for something new, and having written some fairly steamy scenes in my first novel, I decided to try my hand at full on erotica. Just to see if I could do it. Just as an experiment. A challenge if you will.

As I was considering possible storylines I recalled a conversation I’d had with a friend some time back. Something this friend had said struck me as a wonderful title for a book, and I’d filed it away in my memory for ‘someday.’ I had never thought of it as an erotica title, since I was never going to write erotica, but now it sounded like the perfect title for an erotica novel. However, the very title itself required the story to include an element of infidelity, and I quickly discovered, by perusing some erotica publishers’ websites, that infidelity is verboten. Back to the drawing board. (My friend and I were disappointed—it could have been a good story.)

So I came up with a new idea and got to work. I soon discovered that writing erotica is rather fun—quite a bit of fun actually. And the only person I’ve allowed to read it, my Dear Husband, has been impressed. But there’s the crux of the matter. I can write it. I just can never let anyone read it. Ever. The thought of anyone I’m not married to reading my erotica writing is horrifying. You talk about Fifty Shades of Red—fifty wouldn’t even begin to cover the shades of red I’d be if someone else read it.

Or is what I actually fear the idea of allowing someone I KNOW to read it? Could I let perfect strangers read it? Something new to ponder. In the meantime I look on it as a good writing exercise. An exercise which most likely will stay hidden away on my flash drive.

Happy Writing!

Young Adult vs. New Adult

As recently as a month ago I had never heard the term “New Adult”, but now it seems to be cropping up everywhere. As a writer trying to finish a couple of YA novels the new designation intrigues me. And after I read New York Times columnist Leslie Kaufman’s article “Beyond Wizards And Vampires,To Sex” (December 22, 2012) I realized I needed to do some serious critical thinking about my WIPs.

For the one person left in the universe who has not yet heard of this new term, New Adult is a category aimed at 18 to 25 year olds. The characters are older, and apparently have a lot of sex. Parents also tend to be much less visible. While there has long been a cross-over appeal to YA books, with older adults also buying YA books, publishers are seeing greater cross-over numbers with the New Adult books.

As with other current publishing trends, New Adult got a foothold with self-published books. According to Kaufman’s article this is, in no small part, due to the fact that brick and mortar bookstores haven’t had a place to shelve New Adult. That concern isn’t a problem online and especially not with ebooks, with which the targeted audience is very comfortable.

When Kaufman mentions that some authors and publishers are now publishing two versions of books, one for the YA crowd (less graphic sex) and another for the NC-17 group (more sex), I sat up and paid attention. The WIP I am currently focusing on would lend itself well to this treatment. As I mentioned in my last post, When Ignorance WAS Bliss, I may choose to self-publish this particular novel. There is a fade to black scene when the female protagonist loses her virginity to the male protagonist who is a redeemed ne’er-do-well boy with a lot of sexual experience. I could keep the fade to black version for the YA market, and include a more graphic version of the scene for the New Adult market. There is another pivotal scene in which the redeemed protagonist is seduced by a demon straight from hell, which could also be given this treatment. Doing so would be rather simple and wouldn’t change the story at all. But it could open the book up to a larger market.

I know it is hard enough for experienced authors to keep up with the fast changing trends in publishing, but for the fledgling writer it can be a bit overwhelming and daunting. I think, though, that this is one trend I’m going to have to keep my eye on.

Happy writing! And Happy New Year!

Ignorance WAS Bliss

Every writer has experienced the moment when a heretofore unheard of, unknown character has appeared from the creative ether fully formed, fully voiced. These moments usually occur in those quiet in between times when our brains are uncluttered and open to the voices of characters, both known and new. (For me it is in the shower.) Sometimes the voice may be a gentle whisper introducing itself, other times it is loud and nagging: “Write my story! Write my story!” We ignore them at our own peril. Angie introduced herself to me loudly and insistently.

I put aside my WIP, and set to taking dictation from the seventeen year old who seemed to believe her story was unique and the true path to finding an agent. Yes, I believed this was the one. This was the story that would put me on the Young Adult map. Novel, original, Angie’s story would certainly lead to that coveted agent contract. And it was going to be so much fun to write.

Fast forward about 25,000 words. I’m perusing the YA section of a local bookstore and my eyes light on an attractive book cover that seems to be rather evocative of Angie’s story. My hands are shaking as I take it off the shelf and read the inside flap. Stomach flops. I flip to the first page. Yes, this book has eerie similarities to Angie, though there is plenty that is different, I tell myself. Ten minutes later I see another book with a similar theme. Gulp. This bookstore visit is no longer any fun and I turn and leave.

Shaken, but undaunted, I continue to plod away on Angie. Day job and life keep me from writing at the pace I’d like, but forward progress is made.

Fast forward another 20,000 words. I follow the blogs and tweets of several agents who represent children/YA writers. I open the blog of one especially prestigious agent to read that if she sees one more manuscript with the XXXXXXX theme (Angie’s story!) she will go crazy. She, and every other agent in the world, receives at least five such manuscripts daily. Oh dear. Oh dear. I had no idea. Truly, though I read YA, I had never read anything like my book. How and when and why had this happened?

And what to do now? Abandon the story I’ve enjoyed writing? Continue on just because? Continue on and self publish, since obviously there’s a reason these books are being written and catch that wave while I can?

Any long time reader of this humble blog knows by now I don’t easily give up. So I chose to finish the first draft of Angie, and am now working on the first rewrite. I’m not sure what I’ll do when I finish, but at least I will have finished another book. I’ll make my decision when that time comes. And if you have any advice, please leave a comment. I welcome any suggestions.

By the way, I know I disappeared from the radar for an unprecedented length of time. Between the day job and a long and nasty bout of pneumonia I fell behind on everything in my life. But I’m back and ready to forge on.

Happy writing!

On Reading Stephen King's On Writing

Dear Mr. King,

Okay, so first off I should probably tell you I’ve never been a big fan of yours—I am sorry. It isn’t so much you, as it is your genre. I read Carrie as a teenager and it scared the living bejezzus out of me, so I never read anything else. Everyone I know loves your books, so this is really all about me, and not about you. I know you are a very talented and imaginative writer; your work simply gives me nightmares.

So, when I finally started writing after a lifetime of saying “one day”, everyone recommended I read your book on the craft, On Writing. I kept putting it off, because, well, sorry again, you wrote it and it might scare me, and give me writing nightmares, where pens and paper and computers come after me wielding axes and are covered in blood. Ewww.

But I finally decided to bite the bullet and read it. What a fabulous surprise when I could not put it down! The memoir half is riveting and one thing in particular became obvious to me as I read that section: I sadly did not live a painful enough childhood to render me a talented writer. Like Frank McCourt in Angela’s Ashes, you suffered some fairly grueling experiences and were not a robust, healthy lad. I had scarlet fever as a very young child—does that count for anything? I still remember the hallucinations, all these decades later—surely that should count for something!

But of course the reason for reading your marvelous book is for the insights into the craft. I’ve read numerous books written on the subject, but yours is the most helpful, straight forward, and most  enjoyable to read. If it is alright with you Mr. King I would like to share with my readers some of the wisdom I’ve learned from your book.

Oh, and I’ve decided to give a book or two of yours a try. But if they give me nightmares you’ll be hearing from me again. Oh yes…you’ll be hearing from me…

Sincerely,

Monica Knightley

Some of the stand-out bits of Stephen King’s wisdom, as in ON WRITING: A MEMOIR OF THE CRAFT:

1. 1. “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” This is my favorite, because I’ve been doing this all my life. Easy. He adds, “Reading is the creative center of a writer’s life.”
   
   
   2. King isn’t a plotter. He puts characters in a situation and begins to narrate, allowing the characters to do things THEIR way. I’m not sure if this can work for all of us, after all he’s brilliant and can pull it off. I would love to write like this, and maybe someday I will be able to, but I’m not there yet.
   
   
   
   
   3. Dust off that copy of Strunk and White’s ELEMENTS OF STYLE! (Strunk and White would tell you there is an error in that sentence- let’s see if you can find it.)
   
   
   4. “Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.” Writers must be vigilant against overdescribing and underdescribing. I’m working hard to master this one.
   
   
   
   
   5. Use passive tense verbs sparingly. Active verbs are king.
   
   
   6. “The adverb is not your friend.” And “…the road to hell is paved with adverbs.” I know this. I’ve read this so many times. So I want to know this: Why am I teaching adverbs to my second graders?
   
   
   
   
   7. Avoid dialogue attribution whenever possible, and never, ever use adverbs in those evil attributions. “…while to write adverbs is human, to write he said or she said is divine.” So simple, so clear.
   
   
   8. When you rewrite you’re taking out all the things that are not the story. I’m posting this in my writing space. (see 9)
   
   
   
   
   9. A writer needs a writing space and it needs a door the writer is willing to shut, thus telling the world you mean business. Most important, this space should contain nothing that can distract the writer. He obviously (adverb alert!) wrote this book before the dawn of social media.
   
   
   10. “Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference.” Thank you Dear Husband for believing in me!
   
   
   
   
   Happy Writing!