Sarah Ockler's Blog, page 3

Evaluating Critique Groups: 6 Crucial Questions

Despite our seemingly constant online interconnectedness, the act of writing—the physical part of sitting down at the computer or notebook and translating ideas into words—is a lonely, isolating endeavor.

(Especially for those who work from home in PJs and stay up all night with the vampires and frequently miss the window of opportunity for showers. *Ahem* not to name names…)

Anyway, flying solo isn't bad. It's part of the process, and the alone time is necessary to creating unique and powerful stories. So I say, turn off your phone, ignore your loved ones, embrace the loneliness (and the stinkyness, if you're so inclined), and write like mad.

But at some point, even if no one else is speaking to you because you've ignored them for so long and/or you've become olfactorially offensive, you've gotta show that manuscript to someone! Even a maniacal literary genius (an unavoidable combination, if you ask me) can't write forever in a vacuum—not if he wants to be published or gain a readership beyond his dog. Seeking external feedback from writers and other industry professionals is critical to writing (or revising) a good book, and it's critical to a writer's longterm growth and development.

One of the best ways to seek that feedback—along with some much-needed moral support—is through writers' critique groups. In addition to getting objective opinions and (hopefully) helpful advice on your own work, reviewing the work of your peers is a great way to inform and inspire your own writing.

I'm a huge advocate of critique partnerships, either one-on-one, in groups, or through workshops that offer both craft lessons and critiques. In the right hands, a writer can really hone her craft, learning from and supporting her peers and contributing to valuable discussions about writing and literature. In a strong group, the bonds she forms with her fellow writers may even extend beyond her early writing days into the agent search, publication, and beyond.

Conversely, the wrong group can be toxic, rife with jealousy and inertia, stressful, and wholly detrimental to the writing process. It can suck the creative energy from even the strongest writer or worse—discourage her from writing altogether.

Finding a good critique group or partner is a huge challenge, but a worthwhile and totally attainable one. Like the search for a literary agent, doctor, babysitter, or soul mate, you just need to do some homework (i.e. Google stalking, chatting, and reference checking) before jumping into a longterm relationship.

Evaluating Critique Groups: 6 Crucial Questions

Whether you're checking out an online or an in-person group, asking questions like these—either of the group moderator or of individual members—can reveal information about the group or partner's working style and help determine whether you might be a good match. There are no guarantees for ultimate satisfaction, but the answers to some of these questions might make your initial decision a little easier:

Is this a general writing group or does it focus on specific genres? Many groups are open to a broad category of writers such as "novelists" or "short story writers," especially in smaller communities where there simply aren't as many people. However, reading is subjective, and while an adult historical fiction writer may be able to offer suggestions on the basics of a contemporary YA romantic plot, she might not be familiar with the nuances of today's popular YA fiction, or she may have preconceived notions about what the category means and how it "should be" written. Many of my YA workshop students have come from general novel workshops where adult fiction writers who don't read or care for YA are unnecessarily critical or unhelpful, simply because they aren't qualified to critique young adult fiction. That's why I recommend finding a group of writers who are experienced in your specific genre or category—and by experienced, I mean writers who not only write in your genre, but who read it avidly. I'm always surprised to meet aspiring writers who simply don't read (but I'm not surprised that these folks don't make the best critiquers).
How does the submission process work? You'll want to find out how often and how much you'll be expected or allowed to submit, and whether the group focuses on one member's submission at a time or encourages a less structured everyone-submit-as-you-can dynamic. Also ask about the expected turn around time for giving and receiving feedback and the format in which feedback is given. Do members bring printed copies to in-person meetings? For online or email groups, do they mark up changes and comments in Word, respond directly in an email, or simply provide a summary of issues and suggested changes? How extensive is the feedback, generally speaking? Then ask yourself: Does this meet my needs? Can I commit to their schedule and format?
How long have most of the group members been writing? Has anyone been published? Chances are you'll seek out a group of writers with similar experience levels, where most everyone is on equal footing. However, if possible, look for a group with at least one or two writers who are more advanced than you so that you can learn from their experience, and one or two who are less experienced to offer fresh ideas and perspectives. A mixed group can balance experience, enthusiasm, and creativity nicely. Above all else, keep an open mind—all writers, regardless of experience level or publication credentials—can learn from one another if the environment is nurturing and positive.
What are the goals of the writers in the group? Writers seeking traditional publication or looking to write as a full time career will have different expectations for and approaches to the writing and critique process than those who are writing as a hobby or for a school project. Look for writers with similar goals—you'll have a mutual understanding of what's at stake and what you're all trying to achieve and you'll be able to support each other through the various stages of the journey.
Is there a group facilitator or moderator? Some groups use moderators to coordinate submission schedules and resolve member issues. If not, find out how the group handles situations such as hostile or negative members, scheduling issues, or members that consistently miss deadlines or skip critiques. This is your manuscript we're talking about—probably your dreams and quite possibly your career as well. The last thing you need is to be stuck with a group that allows toxic or dead-weight members to linger, dragging the rest of the group down with them.
Can we do a trial period before committing to a long-term relationship? By participating in a round or two of feedback on a trial basis (ideally where you have an opportunity to both submit a piece for critique and to evaluate other members' writing) you can get a feel for the group dynamic and critiquing skill level before fully diving in.

It's Not You, It's Me. And You. Okay, Mostly It's You.

You might find an ideal critique partner or group that exceeds your every hope and expectation. Congratulations! That's a great feeling, and you should certainly appreciate it and work hard to keep it that way. But also know that situations can easily change, and the perfect group today can turn sour tomorrow. Group members drop out and new ones join, people's lives and writing goals change, people get published and move on, people don't get published and quit writing. Things happen, and maybe the group no longer meets your needs (or you don't meet their needs).

Don't panic.

Whatever the reason, if at any time in the relationship you feel that it's not a good fit, be honest and end it. Don't stay in a bad situation out of obligation or inertia, and don't drag others down if you're the one who can no longer commit. Part ways quickly and professionally. Some people may feel badly about your departure—they may take things personally, talk behind your back, or act spitefully toward you—but you can't control that. Again, this is your writing, your dream, possibly the way you make your living. If it's no longer working for you, move on. Take some time to regroup, reassess, and write. And when you're ready to jump back in again, look for a new match. There are plenty of writers and groups out there seeking partnerships, and chances are you'll find a great fit, one in which you can build a mutually beneficial relationship for the length of your project, your journey to publication, or your entire writing life.

Added bonus? Making a new writing buddy may even give you that much-needed reason to change out of your PJs and venture out into the world! Preferably showered! (*Ahem* not to name names…)

Check back tomorrow for part two in the critique group series: Are You An Ideal Critique Partner? In the mean time, if you have any advice or experience on seeking or participating in critique groups, or questions about anything in the article, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Filed under: Book Publishing 101, publishing, writing Tagged: critique groups, critique partners, writing workshops

Cupcakes? What’s Not to Love?

Just in case you were wondering about the most important feature of the new book, BITTERSWEET… well there’s all the family stuff, and the love stuff, but also… the CUPCAKES!

And… if you “like” the Sarah Ockler Facebook page, you can read the first 2 chapters of BITTERSWEET right now!

Filed under: books, eats

Cupcakes? What's Not to Love?

Just in case you were wondering about the most important feature of the new book, BITTERSWEET… well there's all the family stuff, and the love stuff, but also… the CUPCAKES!

Filed under: books, eats

Meet Zoe Alea, Author Intern & Hair Twin Extraordinaire

I've known Zoe for about 3 years now — we met online just before TWENTY BOY SUMMER came out. She was one of the first book bloggers I'd ever met, and not too long before that, I didn't even know book blogging was a real thing. That sounds funny to say now, since almost everyone I know online is either an author, a book blogger, a librarian, or some combination, and pretty much everyone in that list blogs about books, but it's true. Zoe was one of the first. And soon after we discovered our mutual love of books, we realized we were curly red-headed hair twins (even though one of us gets her red hair from a bottle… not naming names… *cough* anyway… hey, look! Cupcakes!)…

Where were we? Oh yes. Hair twins. And the rest is history.

Now, with the launch of BITTERSWEET (out January 3 — just 37 days away!) and the paperback of FIXING DELILAH (out December 5 — just 7 days away!) fast approaching, the vibe is pretty insane around here. That's a good thing in this business, but it's also a crazy-making thing (yes, "Vibes of Insanity" is a proven medical condition afflicting all writers). Zoe, brave soul that she is, has taken on the monumental task of helping me be slightly less crazy. And yes, as my new author intern, that's her official job description. A big job, to be sure, but I have total faith in her!

In addition to cooling out the crazy, Zoe's helping to get the word out about both books, so you might see her popping up on Facebook and Twitter and other places around the interwebs to host contests and chat about the books and generally be her cute awesome naturally red-headed self. So if you do see her, please give her a warm welcome and a virtual hug, and maybe a cupcake and a puppy, because she totally deserves them!

To make sure everyone is properly introduced, Zoe stopped by today to answer a few bookish questions. When you get to the end of her interview, if you're not totally distracted by the cupcake question (yeah, are you sensing a theme here?), be sure to follow the links to her blog and other online hangouts.

Now, introducing… Zoe Alea!

Zoe, How did you become interested in YA lit? Were you always a bookworm, or did you come across a specific book that had an impact on you?

I stumbled on YA lit when I was looking for books I thought I would like reading. I was never a bookworm until recently. The summer in between 5th and 6th grade I read Harry Potter, and after that I was completely hooked on literature. Harry Potter was a life changing book for me. I can honestly say that if I hadn't read it, I wouldn't be answering these questions right now.

Which character in YA fiction do you most relate to? Why?

I don't know! This is such a hard question. I think I relate to a mash-up of different characters. I know that when it comes to TV characters, I relate to Rory Gilmore from seasons 1-4 of Gilmore Girls, I think I relate to her the most because we're both really academically driven and we both love books. I think she's the one fictional character that I've really related to.

What's your favorite book ever?

Again, with the hard questions. Definitely Harry Potter, for sentimental reasons. And your books of course. I'm also a really big fan of David Levithan's books.

If you could spend the day with three characters from the world of young adult literature, which three would you pick, and why? What would you do with them on your fun day out?

You honestly don't know how bad I want to list only amazing literary boys. It's also really hard to not make all these characters people from books by Stephanie Perkins. The first one would be Anna from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Anna is amazing and she loves old movies (just like me!). I think that we would get along really well. The second character is Etienne St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. My reasoning for him is really simple. He's of french descent, has a British accent, and was born in San Francisco. He's also short and has clunky books, amazing hair, and loves history. So basically he is the most amazing literary guy in the world. And that brings me to my next person, which is actually two people (both boys). I know I didn't want this list to be dominated by boys, but literary boys are amazing. So Wes from The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen and Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. Wes is adorable and an artist. Cricket is adorable and an inventor. Really, how can I not want to meet these boys? I would totally like to pick their brains, you know? I would love to find out more about them than just what's in the book. We would probably meet of tea/coffee and cupcakes, preferably somewhere in Europe.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

When I was little, I wanted to be a fashion designer SO BAD. It consumed my life. I would sit around drawing sketches of clothes I wanted to make. Then I realized that I had no idea how to make clothing. Ironically, it was around the time I started discovering literature. Now I would like to work in publishing when I grow up! I would love to either be an author or someone who works in marketing.

Finally, in honor of BITTERSWEET (which features a lot of zany cupcakes, among other things), invent a cupcake that best represents you.

Hmmm. I think I would like to try a checkerboard cupcake. I don't know if they actually make those, but they have cakes that are checkerboard and those are pretty awesome. So it would be both chocolate and vanilla. For frosting maybe vanilla with chocolate sprinkles. Also, a cherry on top. Cherries are amazing (and I have red-hair, so it works).

I just looked up checkerboard cupcakes, and they don't exist. In this case, I would like my cupcake to be vanilla with chocolate chips inside!

Okay, so I'm off to find a way to make Zoe's Zany Checkerboards! In the mean time, you can check out her book reviews at Zoe's Book Reviews, on Twitter @zoealea, and on Facebook! Friend and follow and all that good stuff, and watch out for more from Zoe soon!

Filed under: writing

Big Book News: Cover, Title, & Release Date Makeover

I have some exciting news to share on the new book front!

The book formerly known as The Language of Impossible Dreams is now called… Bittersweet! And it's rocking a brand new cover, too. See all that sweet and wintry goodness? Yumz!

It's always tough to title a book. I mean, how do you sum up an entire story in just a few words? Or one word, for that matter. It's HARD. And you don't always get it right the first time around. In fact, sometimes it takes a few times around to really find the right one. Now, we've finally done it! The new title and image perfectly captures Hudson's challenges throughout the story as she struggles with lots of conflicting emotions and opportunities. Follow her own Olympic-sized dreams, or sacrifice her goals to help out her family? Um, not to mention all the confusing hockey boy love (swoon!) and the ups and downs of friendship (drama!) and school and cupcakes (yum!) and lake effect blizzards and an adorable little brother and everything else that comes her way this winter.

New title, new cover. I couldn't be more excited! Except…

Okay, I actually could be more excited about one more bit of news… ready?

Bittersweet will hit the shelves much sooner than anticipated! On January 3, to be exact. This coming January 3. Perfect timing, because everyone knows that curling up under a blanket with a book (especially a winter romance!) and a mug of hot chocolate is pretty much the best way to spend the snowy season. And now you know how to use those holiday bookstore giftcards from Nana and Papa!

I hope you love the new cover and title, and I hope you'll check out the new book soon! For now, you can pre-order it on Amazon or add it to your Goodreads list. Yay!

Filed under: books, reading Tagged: Bittersweet [image error] [image error] [image error]

Still Here!

Hey loyal readers! Thanks for not giving up on me just yet. Don't get too excited or anything — this is just a quick note to say hello and let you know that 1) I'm still alive, 2) I totally miss you guys, and 3) I'll be updating you all very soon. There's so much to chat about! Banned books week recap, new book news, short story news, summer vacation essays, the fact that I finally finished all 5 seasons of Friday Night Lights and spent about three days crying because Tim Riggins is so awesome… Yes, it's a glamorous life! I also have some tips on critique groups and social marketing for my writing friends, all coming in the next week or two. Stick around!

In the mean time, I would love to know… for those of you celebrating Halloween, what's your costume this year? And what was your favorite costume of all time?

Filed under: grab bag [image error] [image error]

Banned Books Week Events: Indianapolis, IN & Springfield, MO

Banned Books Week starts this weekend and libraries and bookstores across the country are planning lots of fun events. I'm thrilled to tell you that I'll be visiting readers in two locations next week: Indianapolis, IN and Springfield, MO.

(I know that was rather anticlimactic, considering I gave away the ending right there in the blog post title. I'll try to make it up to you by making the visits themselves climactic. Deal?)

Indianapolis Details:

I'll be doing a presentation and book signing at the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library on Tuesday, September 27, at noon. The event is free and open to the public

Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library

The Emelie Building

340 N. Senate Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Springfield Details:

I'll be in Springfield at multiple locations from September 30 to October 1, as follows:

Friday, September 30, 7:00 PM

Author talk and book signing

The Library Center

4653 South Campbell

Springfield, Missouri 65810-1723

Saturday, October 1, 12:00 PM

Read-out!

The Library Station

2535 North Kansas Expressway

Springfield, Missouri 65803-1184

Saturday, October 1, 4:00 PM

Read-out!

The Library Center

4653 South Campbell

Springfield, Missouri 65810-1723

Saturday, October 1, 5:00 PM

Banned books discussion panel

The Library Center

4653 South Campbell

Springfield, Missouri 65810-1723

If you live near any of these locations, please come say hi! I would love to meet you. But no throwing tomatoes. I don't want to dodge any produce. You can, however, throw chocolate.

Thanks to the wonderful, dedicated, book-lovin' folks at the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library and the Springfield-Greene County Library District for making these visits happen!

Filed under: events, reading Tagged: Banned Books Week

Banned Books Compromise: "I'm not touching him!"

If you have a sibling, you know what I'm talking about.

You're crammed into the backseat of the car, or maybe stuck side-by-side at the table at Applebee's, and you exercise your natural right to torment your younger brother. Within seconds, he's screaming. "Mom! Sarah's touching me!"

"Stop touching your brother," Mom says.

"Fine," you say, raising a threatening eyebrow. Then you wave your hands directly in front of his face, blow in his ear, give him creepy looks, and otherwise annoy him to the greatest extent possible while still following Mom's directive, proudly proclaiming, "I'm not touching him! I'm not touching him!"

Still with me on the tangent-coaster? Good. Because the whole I'm not touching him thing? That's how I view the Republic school board's "compromise" on recently-banned Twenty Boy Summer and Slaughterhouse Five. Last night, the board voted to put the two books back in the school library… in a "secure area" where only parents will be able to check them out.

(Remember those old school video stores—you know, pre-Netflix—where they had all the "adult" stuff in a separate back room behind a curtain? I really hope there's a curtain at the library. Just saying.)

From the article in today's Springfield News-Leader:

"It does keep the books there in the library, and if parents want their kids to read the book, by all means come and check it out," said Superintendent Vern Minor. "…It still puts the decision in parents' hands."

With no discussion — and only board president Ken Knierim commenting on the change — the board voted 6-0 to adopt a revised draft of the book standards originally approved earlier this year.

It merely changed the way "challenged" books — the two in question and any others removed in the future — would be accessible in the district.

"…That's what has come under scrutiny, that if parents want their children to read a book that has not met the district standards, they have to get the book from somewhere else," Minor said. "It's not in our library. That's the issue that seems to have surfaced."

In other words, we're still censoring books by limiting access, but since everyone complained about the books being removed from the library, we've addressed that by putting them back in the library. You can't get to them unless you're a parent, but they're technically in the library. Problem solved.

While I'm glad that the school board was willing to reconsider the original ban, I don't believe this compromise is the answer. I've stated before that my biggest issue with Mr. Scroggins' complaint is that he took the decision and discussion away from other parents. So I totally support parents who want to be involved with their kids' reading and want to make decisions on appropriateness for their own families. The thing is, I'm not sure this should be happening at the library, before the book is even checked out. Do all parents have time or inclination to go to the school and request the books from the secure area (ahh, visions of secret parental cabals whispering together behind that curtain!)? Is the school library staying open beyond school hours to accommodate parents' work schedules? What about the parents who've already made the decision to let their teens read whatever they'd like? Now those parents have to go down to the school just to check out a book? And what about the parents who just aren't involved, one way or the other? The books are not accessible to those teens. And even if one teen has parents who can't or won't make the trek? She might be the one who most needs to read those books. And that's what kills me.

Parents, what do you think? Should teens need you to check out their books from a public school library? If not, how do you get involved in your child's reading (if you do), and what do you do if you feel something might be inappropriate for him?

Teens, what are your thoughts on this?

I'd love to hear your opinions. Because while I don't pretend to have the answers on this, for me, the issue still stands: Limiting reading options for all teens on a broad institutional level is not the way to go.

Filed under: reading Tagged: Banned Books Week, censorship, Slaughterhouse Five, Twenty Boy Summer, Wesley Scroggins

Sara Zarr's How to Save a Life

Sara Zarr's latest novel, HOW TO SAVE A LIFE, hits the shelves next month, and I can't wait, because I read it last week and I'm so excited to talk about it with other readers!

Description from Goodreads

Jill MacSweeney just wants everything to go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends–everyone who wants to support her. You can't lose one family member and simply replace him with a new one, and when her mom decides to adopt a baby, that's exactly what it feels like she's trying to do. And that's decidedly not normal. With her world crumbling around her, can Jill come to embrace a new member of the family?

Mandy Kalinowski knows what it's like to grow up unwanted–to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, she knows she wants a better life for her baby. But can giving up a child be as easy as it seems? And will she ever be able to find someone to care for her, too?

Critically acclaimed author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr delivers a heart-wrenching story, told from dual perspectives, about what it means to be a family and the many roads we can take to become one.

My Thoughts

In a word? Real.

Through the perspectives of two teen girls, HOW TO SAVE A LIFE explores two extremely intense, emotional, and dramatic experiences — the sudden death of a parent and an unplanned teen pregnancy (and all the complications, pain, loss, fear, love, and hope that can arise from each) — in a compelling and page-turning way that never resorts to melodrama or forced emotion. On ever page, through every confrontation and thought, through the internal and external changes both girls endure and bring about, I believed these girls. I knew them. They were just so real.

Angsty, lost, deeply wounded by the sudden death of her father and the huge hole his absence has left in her life, Jill MacSweeney is dangerously close to shutting down, shutting herself away from the world. Yet something inside her still flickers, something still open to new love and friendships, no matter how hard she rails against it in her day-to-day life. Naive and immature on the surface, Mandy Kalinowski is understandably desperate for love, connection, and the basic human acknowledgement that she's a person, that she matters. Like Jill, Mandy has been torn apart by the loss and longing that comes from a broken family. Their lives intersect when Jill's mother, still reeling from the death of her husband and desperate to put her family back together, decides to adopt Mandy's unborn baby. She invites Mandy to stay with them in Colorado during the final weeks of her pregnancy so that they can handle the transition without lawyers or agencies. And while not all readers will have experienced the death of a parent and planned adoption of a new sibling like Jill has, or a teen pregnancy and difficult home life like Mandy has, Zarr still brings the story to all of us in personal and memorable ways. Who hasn't struggled to find their place in the world? Who hasn't felt the desire to run away, to start again? Who hasn't doubted their closest relationships, struggled to find "home," or felt like an outsider in their own families?

The story is told in first person alternating points of view, which is a huge and admirable challenge for authors because the characters' voices and perspectives must be unique, equally compelling, equally important, and wholly necessary. And each alternating scene must cover new ground while at the same time conveying each characters' thoughts, feelings, and reactions to shared moments and events through their own unique perspectives. Zarr crafts the point of view switches beautifully. I was immediately drawn to each girl for very different reasons, and found myself at times connecting with one more than the other, then my feelings would change, then change again, until ultimately I was so wrapped up in the outcome of their shared story that I simply couldn't put the book down until I knew how things would turn out for both of them.

Zarr has a talent for telling the story. By that, I mean, her books are never weighed down with extraneous detail, melodrama, or flowery, unnecessary language. Like her previous works, HOW TO SAVE A LIFE showcases this minimalist style beautifully, but it also weaves in layers emotion and detail so delicately — almost imperceptibly — that by the last page, the characters will so thoroughly invade your heart that you'll feel like you'd been through it yourselves, right along with Jill and Mandy. It's a rare gift for an author to be able to disappear completely from the narrative, and Zarr does it seamlessly. I forgot about her as I got lost in the pages, in the lives of these girls. Zarr makes the storytelling seem effortless — something I admire and appreciate as both an author and a reader.

I've read and enjoyed all of Zarr's books, but HOW TO SAVE A LIFE is officially my favorite. It comes out next month (October 18) from Little, Brown, but you can add it to your Goodreads list or pre-order it on IndieBound, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble now.

Filed under: books, reading Tagged: How to Save a Life, Sara Zarr

Something New!

You guys, I've been waiting forever to share this exciting news! But now that I'm ready to tell you, I'm not actually going to. That's so mean! Okay, okay, but first let me give you a few hints from the Library of Congress:

Related Subjects:

Divorce — Fiction.

Ice skating — Fiction.

Diners (Restaurants) — Fiction.

Cupcakes — Fiction.

New York (State) — Fiction.

Any guesses? No, don't guess. I'm still not going to tell you. I'm going to let my friend Christina do it! Head on over to Christina's blog (and don't forget to follow her on Twitter and Goodreads while you're there)!

Filed under: books