Jennifer R. Hubbard's Blog, page 141
September 28, 2009
Book Challenges
For Banned Books Week, I thought I'd discuss a question that I see a lot in various forms.
Q: A challenge is an unsuccessful attempt to ban. Since it's unsuccessful, no harm done; what's the fuss?
I'll start with a quote here:
"The challenges documented in this list are not brought by people merely expressing a point of view; rather, they represent requests to remove materials from schools or libraries, thus restricting access to them by others. Even when the eventual outcome allows the book t...
Q: A challenge is an unsuccessful attempt to ban. Since it's unsuccessful, no harm done; what's the fuss?
I'll start with a quote here:
"The challenges documented in this list are not brought by people merely expressing a point of view; rather, they represent requests to remove materials from schools or libraries, thus restricting access to them by others. Even when the eventual outcome allows the book t...
Enthusiasm
I brought home a pile of library books the other day, and I noticed what a big lift that gave to my spirits. I also received two ARCs in the mail, and ordered some books, and that made me happy too. Every time I look at that pile of unread books, I get a little shiver of excitement. Getting new books (even borrowed books) is like getting birthday presents when it isn't even my birthday.
This is one reason I became a writer--I love books.
Now, while reading them is certainly fun, I also enj...
This is one reason I became a writer--I love books.
Now, while reading them is certainly fun, I also enj...
September 26, 2009
writerjenn @ 2009-09-26T12:21:00
Some things on a Saturday:
--Banned Books Week is starting. I've been wondering how to observe it this year--I debated whether to do it at all, because I keep seeing the same arguments over and over. Then I decided that I would like to answer some of the statements that I keep seeing over and over, so I think I will do at least one post.
--Danielle Joseph's Shrinking Violet has become endangered, but not because it's been banned. If you love this book, or if you haven't had a chance to rea...
--Banned Books Week is starting. I've been wondering how to observe it this year--I debated whether to do it at all, because I keep seeing the same arguments over and over. Then I decided that I would like to answer some of the statements that I keep seeing over and over, so I think I will do at least one post.
--Danielle Joseph's Shrinking Violet has become endangered, but not because it's been banned. If you love this book, or if you haven't had a chance to rea...
September 25, 2009
Tying up the threads
How much do you wrap up at the end of a story? Everything? Nothing? The main conflict and a couple, but not all, of the subplots?
Exiting a story requires a delicate dance. Even if the ending is abrupt, it still takes planning on the writer's part. Whatever doesn't get tied up should remain loose by a deliberate choice on the author's part, not because it's been forgotten, or because the writer has written herself into a corner, or because the author doesn't know how to resolve something, o...
Exiting a story requires a delicate dance. Even if the ending is abrupt, it still takes planning on the writer's part. Whatever doesn't get tied up should remain loose by a deliberate choice on the author's part, not because it's been forgotten, or because the writer has written herself into a corner, or because the author doesn't know how to resolve something, o...
September 24, 2009
Transitioning to Second Drafts: The Muse Stops By
Muse: I've been thinking, that scene you've been working on belongs earlier in the book.
Writer: Right. But then I need something else big to happen here. I thought this was going to be the big scene at the end of the book. Now you're telling me--not so much.
Muse: I think I know what big thing is going to happen next! I can't wait to tell you.
Writer: Then I have to figure out where to move the current scene.
Muse: Yes. You probably need an outline. You have most of the scenes, now you just hav...
Writer: Right. But then I need something else big to happen here. I thought this was going to be the big scene at the end of the book. Now you're telling me--not so much.
Muse: I think I know what big thing is going to happen next! I can't wait to tell you.
Writer: Then I have to figure out where to move the current scene.
Muse: Yes. You probably need an outline. You have most of the scenes, now you just hav...
September 23, 2009
Banned Books Week warmup
If you want to start observing Banned Books Week early, see Laurie Halse Anderson's post today on challenges to her YA novels TWISTED and SPEAK (link below).
An excerpt from her post:
"I suspect the roots of the parental concern about TWISTED are the scenes in which teenagers make stupid, dangerous, and occasionally horrifying decisions.
Why on earth would someone like me put things like that in a book?
"Because readers who can experience those decisions – by reading about them – and appreciate t...
An excerpt from her post:
"I suspect the roots of the parental concern about TWISTED are the scenes in which teenagers make stupid, dangerous, and occasionally horrifying decisions.
Why on earth would someone like me put things like that in a book?
"Because readers who can experience those decisions – by reading about them – and appreciate t...
September 21, 2009
Give Up the Ghost
Our latest 2009 debut launch is Megan Crewe's Give Up the Ghost, out now from Holt. Synopsis: "A teen outcast who sees ghosts and uses the secrets they dig up to expose her fellow students' deceits must choose between revenge and compassion when the popular student council V.P. comes to her for supernatural help."
At the Class of 2k9 blog, Joy Preble interviewed Megan's agent, Kristin Nelson, about the book, and I found this Q&A particularly intriguing:
Q. Describe your reaction to Megan...
The Joy of Lists
I have a lot going on. In addition to writing, I have a full-time day job, a marriage, friendships, and a few other obligations. One way I handle this is by setting my priorities in line with what I want my life to be, rather than what others might expect it to be. For example, I write every day, even if it means my house (or the part of it that I'm responsible for; loving spouse does more than his share) isn't as clean as I would like. Am I proud that my writing office is currently in s...
September 18, 2009
Wordplay
One of the challenges writers face is finding new ways to say things--to use rich, imaginative language rather than trite phrases and cliches, to show rather than tell. When I'm revising, I flag these kinds of phrases:
trembled with nervousness
a mile a minute
heart pounded
beautiful face
beet-red
Some of these phrases are overused; some are not specific enough. To fix these phrases, I do the following:
Think about the experience I'm describing. What does it really taste, feel, sound, smell like?...
trembled with nervousness
a mile a minute
heart pounded
beautiful face
beet-red
Some of these phrases are overused; some are not specific enough. To fix these phrases, I do the following:
Think about the experience I'm describing. What does it really taste, feel, sound, smell like?...
September 17, 2009
Thankful Thursday
Whenever I read a book from the 1970s or earlier about women writers, I am struck by the main social issues they faced, and how different things are now. I read these books mainly for the "craft" aspects of writing, but a writer's emotional and professional life is often part of the package.
When I say the social issues have changed, I don't mean that female writers never experience gender-based discrimination anymore. But children's publishing is a field in which a huge number of editors, a...
When I say the social issues have changed, I don't mean that female writers never experience gender-based discrimination anymore. But children's publishing is a field in which a huge number of editors, a...
