Lori Ann Stephens's Blog, page 10
February 23, 2012
Revisions
How do you turn an upper Middle Grade manuscript into a low-end YA manuscript?
[image error]Step One
[image error] Step Two
[image error]Step Three
[image error]Step FourI love revisions.
February 20, 2012
Big News!
If you read my last two posts, you'll already know that I carpooled my way down to the Austin SCBWI conference (thanks, Tahni, for your expert driving and great company!).
The panels and speakers were fantastic. Truly, folks, if you're a writer or illustrator of children's/MG/YA lit, you must get yourself to one of these conferences. It's like a big old family--and not the dysfunctional kind. Everyone there is your cheerleader. There are published writers and illustrators and not-yet-published ones, agents and editors, and they all mingle and lunch and chit-chat at the same tables.
Some pictures from my iPhone (forgive the grainy images):
The fabulous writer Lisa Yee
Close-up: grainy, but still fabulous Lisa Yee
Agent panel (and Lisa Yee). Jill is on the far left.
The talks were inspirational and informative, well worth the small registration cost.
And here's the BIG news: Because I went to this conference, I have an agent! (I'm stopping to do my happy dance! Happy dance, Happy dance...)
[image error]
The incredible Jill Corcoran, with Herman Agency, is now representing me.
It was all so strange and unexpected, to say the least. So here's my How It Happened story:
At the last minute, I decided to go to the SCBWI conference in Austin, thanks to Tahni in my critique group. There, I was profoundly inspired by Donna Jo's talk on why writing stories about terrible things makes readers better people. (It was incredible, trust me.) After thanking Donna Jo with my curious and unexpected emotion, I sat down to write a bit on my laptop. Jill Corcoran and Donna Jo were talking a few minutes later, and I overheard Donna Jo say something like, "You have to meet this writer named Lori Ann Stephens." And so, I walked over with a pathetic flutter in my heart.
You see, a few weeks earlier, I had researched and fell in love with Jill, submitted a query to her, and had received a rejection email. I knew I had already blown my chance with her. (And she had been greatness on the stage, which made meeting her in person even more bittersweet.)
But I hadn't completely blown it! She asked me about my rejected query, and I told her. She listened and smiled and said yes, she'd had four or five other queries with a similar sounding main character and had robo-rejected them. That was when I realized that my query letter sucked! In the query, I hadn't really distinguished enough my main character and plot from the other writers who might dare to have a similar premise.
But as I described the story to her, Jill's eyes lit up. (Someone actually took a photograph of us while I was crouched on the floor describing my story to her. How I wish I could have a copy of it.) Jill asked me to email her the manuscript that evening, which I did. I fell asleep, nervous but grateful. Sunday morning, I opened my laptop to see Jill's email:
It is almost one am and I have to go to sleep but I keep reading! Thank goodness for Donna Jo!
more soon,
jill
A few hours later, I was sitting in a booth, still filled with wonder as she offered representation.So, now I have a lot of work to do. Jill gave me a list. It's nice to have a list.
Thank you, SCBWI!
The panels and speakers were fantastic. Truly, folks, if you're a writer or illustrator of children's/MG/YA lit, you must get yourself to one of these conferences. It's like a big old family--and not the dysfunctional kind. Everyone there is your cheerleader. There are published writers and illustrators and not-yet-published ones, agents and editors, and they all mingle and lunch and chit-chat at the same tables.
Some pictures from my iPhone (forgive the grainy images):
The fabulous writer Lisa Yee
Close-up: grainy, but still fabulous Lisa Yee
Agent panel (and Lisa Yee). Jill is on the far left. The talks were inspirational and informative, well worth the small registration cost.
And here's the BIG news: Because I went to this conference, I have an agent! (I'm stopping to do my happy dance! Happy dance, Happy dance...)
[image error]
The incredible Jill Corcoran, with Herman Agency, is now representing me.
It was all so strange and unexpected, to say the least. So here's my How It Happened story:
At the last minute, I decided to go to the SCBWI conference in Austin, thanks to Tahni in my critique group. There, I was profoundly inspired by Donna Jo's talk on why writing stories about terrible things makes readers better people. (It was incredible, trust me.) After thanking Donna Jo with my curious and unexpected emotion, I sat down to write a bit on my laptop. Jill Corcoran and Donna Jo were talking a few minutes later, and I overheard Donna Jo say something like, "You have to meet this writer named Lori Ann Stephens." And so, I walked over with a pathetic flutter in my heart.
You see, a few weeks earlier, I had researched and fell in love with Jill, submitted a query to her, and had received a rejection email. I knew I had already blown my chance with her. (And she had been greatness on the stage, which made meeting her in person even more bittersweet.)
But I hadn't completely blown it! She asked me about my rejected query, and I told her. She listened and smiled and said yes, she'd had four or five other queries with a similar sounding main character and had robo-rejected them. That was when I realized that my query letter sucked! In the query, I hadn't really distinguished enough my main character and plot from the other writers who might dare to have a similar premise.
But as I described the story to her, Jill's eyes lit up. (Someone actually took a photograph of us while I was crouched on the floor describing my story to her. How I wish I could have a copy of it.) Jill asked me to email her the manuscript that evening, which I did. I fell asleep, nervous but grateful. Sunday morning, I opened my laptop to see Jill's email:
It is almost one am and I have to go to sleep but I keep reading! Thank goodness for Donna Jo!
more soon,
jill
A few hours later, I was sitting in a booth, still filled with wonder as she offered representation.So, now I have a lot of work to do. Jill gave me a list. It's nice to have a list.
Thank you, SCBWI!
February 18, 2012
Mid-Conference Wonder
I'm sitting here at St. Edward's university during a smallbreak at the SCBWI conference. I have listened to panels of agents and writerstalk about the children's book industry and the creative process. A few minutes ago, I walked over to thank onewriter for delivering the most intelligent and compassionate talks aboutcensorship that I have ever heard. In the middle of my "thank you," and whiletelling her why her speech was so important to me, I started crying. Shockedand embarrassed, I scrambled to wipe away my tears and compose myself.
She stood up and embraced me. I had another moment of shock and awe. Thiswoman, Donna Jo Napoli, ended up giving me a more than I had expected from theentire conference. (And there are many talented and otherwise amazing peoplehere among me.) Thank you, Donna, for your empathyand your humanity. You helped me realize not only what I need to write, but also why.
I had an epiphany today. Thatmakes today a beautiful day.
Tomorrow: YA conference with LisaYee.
February 16, 2012
A Writer's Weekend
I have all of five minutes to whip out this post because I've still got packing to do.
But I did want to say that, for the past several years, I've been fortunate to take part in Highland Park's incredible Literary Festival. Tomorrow morning, I'll head over there once more to lead a few fiction workshops. After having listened tonight to the featured author, poet Naomi Shihab Nye, I feel awash in gratitude.
After I teach 3 morning workshops, I'll head on to Austin for the SCBWI conference. It's been an emotionally rough week, so I'm looking forward to this weekend. For those of you who are curious about what Children's and Young Adult novelists do in large gatherings around a cash bar, I'll do my best to report when I get back.
But I did want to say that, for the past several years, I've been fortunate to take part in Highland Park's incredible Literary Festival. Tomorrow morning, I'll head over there once more to lead a few fiction workshops. After having listened tonight to the featured author, poet Naomi Shihab Nye, I feel awash in gratitude.
After I teach 3 morning workshops, I'll head on to Austin for the SCBWI conference. It's been an emotionally rough week, so I'm looking forward to this weekend. For those of you who are curious about what Children's and Young Adult novelists do in large gatherings around a cash bar, I'll do my best to report when I get back.
February 1, 2012
On Bullies, Essayists, and Chicken Boy
I ran across some good things online this week, particularly relevant to writers. But if you're not a writer, it's still good stuff to read:
1. Samantha Mabry blogged about the Tuscon United School District's banning of the Mexican American Studies program. Teachers actually snatched books away from children at school. They're "storing" away those dangerous books by Cisneros and Urrea (and many others), and chocking in some Shakespeare and Sherman Alexie (a brilliant Native American writer) because those guys also make people think for themselves (a dangerous and seditious mental activity). Bullies. Sandra Cisneros was THE writer who made me believe in myself as a writer, made me believe that stories about women and girls mattered, too. Samantha's short response to the Tuscon United district is spot on. Read it.
2. On the lighter side, in case you're thinking about dating an essayist, hop over to BARK and read this fun list of reasons "not to sleep with an essayist." Particularly relevant to people who have never attended a creative writing (or creative non-fiction writing) program.
3. My old (and dear) friend Greg Allen won the first round of the MeeGenius picture book story contest by popular vote late last year. Now, his story about a boy with autism and a great imagination has been illustrated by an appointed artist and is up for votes again; this time, he's up against 14 other stories that the MeeGenius crew selected from the batch of entries. Please vote for Greg's story.
If you have some good stuff to share with me, I'm always up for a distraction.
1. Samantha Mabry blogged about the Tuscon United School District's banning of the Mexican American Studies program. Teachers actually snatched books away from children at school. They're "storing" away those dangerous books by Cisneros and Urrea (and many others), and chocking in some Shakespeare and Sherman Alexie (a brilliant Native American writer) because those guys also make people think for themselves (a dangerous and seditious mental activity). Bullies. Sandra Cisneros was THE writer who made me believe in myself as a writer, made me believe that stories about women and girls mattered, too. Samantha's short response to the Tuscon United district is spot on. Read it.
2. On the lighter side, in case you're thinking about dating an essayist, hop over to BARK and read this fun list of reasons "not to sleep with an essayist." Particularly relevant to people who have never attended a creative writing (or creative non-fiction writing) program.
3. My old (and dear) friend Greg Allen won the first round of the MeeGenius picture book story contest by popular vote late last year. Now, his story about a boy with autism and a great imagination has been illustrated by an appointed artist and is up for votes again; this time, he's up against 14 other stories that the MeeGenius crew selected from the batch of entries. Please vote for Greg's story.
If you have some good stuff to share with me, I'm always up for a distraction.
January 18, 2012
The Magic of Critique Partners
I can't believe I haven't peeked in on my blog for a month. (That New Year's Resolution doesn't count because it was stolen from Neil Gaiman, who probably grumbled at Tweeters and Bloggers and Facebookers worldwide, "Get your own resolutions!")
Now that the spring semester has begun, I'm getting back to my writing schedule. Paris was lovely and relaxing and good for the soul, but it wasn't my quiet house in Plano where I'm most productive with fiction writing. In December, I did two things that have already started paying off.
First, I joined SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) because I wanted to understand the market for Middle Grade and Young Adult novels. I was a little overwhelmed by the immensity of this group. (It reminded me of the first time I attended the AWP conference in Chicago. I was a guppy in the Pacific Ocean.)
Second, I found a local (North Texas) Critique Partners group through SCBWI. Not two minutes after I paid my dues to join SCBWI, I emailed the leader of the CP group and asked if I could join. I haven't been a member of a CP group since I was in grad school, and frankly, I had no interest in joining one for the past 8 years. But I'm in new literary territory now, and I realized last month how much I need a close, trustworthy community of MG and YA writers. But I was nervous, too. What if they were wack?
They weren't!
I lucked out. I've had a month to critique a few works from my CPs and they've responded to my first few chapters; my CPs rock! I'm so relieved that they understand the nature of critiques, the delicate balance of honesty, tact, and perspective. It doesn't hurt that they're a nice blend of writers: some agented, some with traditionally published books, some new writers. We are seven in all, but because only about four of us are actively submitting at any one time, the critiques are not overwhelming.
I didn't realize how much a good group of CPs could rejuvenate my writerly soul. Now, I'm inspired to go back and tackle those final two chapters that have been haunting me. They're not quite right, but with the feedback from my CPs, I know they'll shape up and turn into something stunning.
I don't know about other writers, but I find that I'm most productive when my plate is impossibly full.
from here
Like "Pancho's" full.
also from hereI'm all "Raise the Flag!" and pile on more projects the second I see plate peeking from beneath all the stuff I have to do. (To those of you who don't understand the Pancho phenomenon, forgive me.) I can write a college syllabus, reread Fitzgerald and Roland Barthes, help my son with his science project, work on my manuscript, query agents, and write this blog entry only when they all need to be done in the same week. I'm never this productive when I actually have a free week to do any one of these.
So here's to a New Year (imagine my raised champagne glass): may you always have enough on your plate to keep you active and hungry for more. May you find critique partners who have razor-sharp vision but gentle souls. May you create something that is beautiful to you, and dare to show it to others.
Olé!
Now that the spring semester has begun, I'm getting back to my writing schedule. Paris was lovely and relaxing and good for the soul, but it wasn't my quiet house in Plano where I'm most productive with fiction writing. In December, I did two things that have already started paying off.
First, I joined SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) because I wanted to understand the market for Middle Grade and Young Adult novels. I was a little overwhelmed by the immensity of this group. (It reminded me of the first time I attended the AWP conference in Chicago. I was a guppy in the Pacific Ocean.)
Second, I found a local (North Texas) Critique Partners group through SCBWI. Not two minutes after I paid my dues to join SCBWI, I emailed the leader of the CP group and asked if I could join. I haven't been a member of a CP group since I was in grad school, and frankly, I had no interest in joining one for the past 8 years. But I'm in new literary territory now, and I realized last month how much I need a close, trustworthy community of MG and YA writers. But I was nervous, too. What if they were wack?
They weren't!
I lucked out. I've had a month to critique a few works from my CPs and they've responded to my first few chapters; my CPs rock! I'm so relieved that they understand the nature of critiques, the delicate balance of honesty, tact, and perspective. It doesn't hurt that they're a nice blend of writers: some agented, some with traditionally published books, some new writers. We are seven in all, but because only about four of us are actively submitting at any one time, the critiques are not overwhelming.
I didn't realize how much a good group of CPs could rejuvenate my writerly soul. Now, I'm inspired to go back and tackle those final two chapters that have been haunting me. They're not quite right, but with the feedback from my CPs, I know they'll shape up and turn into something stunning.
I don't know about other writers, but I find that I'm most productive when my plate is impossibly full.
from hereLike "Pancho's" full.
also from hereI'm all "Raise the Flag!" and pile on more projects the second I see plate peeking from beneath all the stuff I have to do. (To those of you who don't understand the Pancho phenomenon, forgive me.) I can write a college syllabus, reread Fitzgerald and Roland Barthes, help my son with his science project, work on my manuscript, query agents, and write this blog entry only when they all need to be done in the same week. I'm never this productive when I actually have a free week to do any one of these.So here's to a New Year (imagine my raised champagne glass): may you always have enough on your plate to keep you active and hungry for more. May you find critique partners who have razor-sharp vision but gentle souls. May you create something that is beautiful to you, and dare to show it to others.
Olé!
December 31, 2011
New Year's Eve Wishes
"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." ~ Neil Gaiman"Listen to Neil." ~Lori Ann Stephens
Bonjour from the Seine (photo taken by my 8-yr-old, Julien)
Bonjour from the Seine (photo taken by my 8-yr-old, Julien)
December 16, 2011
Blogging from Paris
So, I'm in Paris now. I've been busy completing an interview with the marvelous writer, Matt Bondurant. Now that I've sent that off to the publisher, I'm working on my own writing and revisions. Mostly, though, I'm transcribing my younger son's blog. He's eight, and keeps a daily blog when we travel to Paris. Hop over and visit or follow his blog. He loves to read comments from readers.
Herve came home with a Christmas tree for Julien. Our first Paris tree. We've already started decorating it.
Herve came home with a Christmas tree for Julien. Our first Paris tree. We've already started decorating it.
December 4, 2011
Break
So, it's the end of the semester, and that means a few things. Grading final essays, submitting grades, France for Christmas Break, and writing.
As soon as I submit final grades for the semester, I hunker down and write. Seriously write. Six-hour-a-day writing, the kind that makes my heart want to explode, it feels so good. My favorite place to write is on the plane to and from France. The in-flight movies are either terrible or I've seen them (or both), so I pull out my laptop--and then my notebook when the laptop dies--and type/hand write several chapters over the Atlantic.
When we're in Paris, my eight-year-old son keeps his daily blog, which he dictates to me. That means I'll have little time to even log into my own blog. So if I don't make an appearance over the next few weeks, it's not because I'm not writing.
Have a great holiday break, teachers, students, and colleagues.
Oh, and if you don't want to fight the crowds at the mall:
Song of the Orange Moons makes a great little holiday gift (hard back OR on Kindle) for friends and family!
As soon as I submit final grades for the semester, I hunker down and write. Seriously write. Six-hour-a-day writing, the kind that makes my heart want to explode, it feels so good. My favorite place to write is on the plane to and from France. The in-flight movies are either terrible or I've seen them (or both), so I pull out my laptop--and then my notebook when the laptop dies--and type/hand write several chapters over the Atlantic.
When we're in Paris, my eight-year-old son keeps his daily blog, which he dictates to me. That means I'll have little time to even log into my own blog. So if I don't make an appearance over the next few weeks, it's not because I'm not writing.
Have a great holiday break, teachers, students, and colleagues.
Oh, and if you don't want to fight the crowds at the mall:
Song of the Orange Moons makes a great little holiday gift (hard back OR on Kindle) for friends and family!
November 27, 2011
Seeking Angels
Dear Readers and Bloggers,
If you've ever participated in the "Angel Tree" gift-giving, or if you ever wanted to give a holiday gift to a child who really needs and deserves a miracle, please consider making a donation to Sarah, whose jaw was destroyed by a tumor.
It's been a rough year for everyone I know. We all seem to be in the red by the end of the month. But consider swapping one holiday video game purchase for a holiday donation to Sarah's surgery.
Please give forward this month. Here's a link to sweet Sarah's donation page and photos.
Every donation counts. If all my Facebook and Blogger friends donated just $25-$35, her surgery expenses would be met.
Thanks for paying it forward this post-Thanksgiving season.
Lori
If you've ever participated in the "Angel Tree" gift-giving, or if you ever wanted to give a holiday gift to a child who really needs and deserves a miracle, please consider making a donation to Sarah, whose jaw was destroyed by a tumor.
It's been a rough year for everyone I know. We all seem to be in the red by the end of the month. But consider swapping one holiday video game purchase for a holiday donation to Sarah's surgery.
Please give forward this month. Here's a link to sweet Sarah's donation page and photos.
Every donation counts. If all my Facebook and Blogger friends donated just $25-$35, her surgery expenses would be met.
Thanks for paying it forward this post-Thanksgiving season.
Lori
