Cheryl Rainfield's Blog, page 85
November 29, 2011
November 28, 2011
I'm hosting #engchat tonight 7pm EST on Twitter.
I'm hosting #engchat tonight on Twitter, 7PM EST. Feel free to join me, ask me any questions about my books, writing, Scars being challenged, etc. It's super easy to follow along using Tweetchat.com
Wonderful review of HUNTED!
It feels SO good to have others love the books I write! And to have a glowing review of (my upcoming) HUNTED makes me sit here beaming. I want my books to touch people, want them to be gripped while they read and finish wanting more, and I am so grateful when they do.
The review that had me beaming this morning? The 5 out of 5 cupcake review of HUNTED by WordSpelunking. I hope you'll check it out.
November 27, 2011
November 23, 2011
What I write and my writing process
I love books–and I need them. I'm an incest and ritual abuse survivor, and a big part of the way I survived my child- and teen-hood was by reading (and writing). I'm not sure I could have survived without books. Books became my escape from the abuse, and glimpses into worlds I didn't know, where parents could be kind and loving and "normal." I also needed writing to survive–it gave me an outlet, and helped me listen to my own self. My abusers frequently threatened to kill me if I talked, so writing (and art) became my voice, my way of speaking out. Writing has always felt natural to me, and used to feel more natural than talking aloud.
I write YA books–both edgy realistic and edgy fantasy. I put a lot of myself and my trauma experiences into my books–though I make sure to only put a fragment of my abuse into the books, since I don't want to overwhelm my readers. I write the books I needed as a teen, books that didn't exist. It's so important to me to break silence, to write about painful issues that aren't talked about much and that there's (often) a lot of shame about–things I've been through–like self-harm, sexual abuse, and being queer in SCARS, and like ritual abuse/cults, torture, and oppression in (the upcoming) HUNTED. I want to help people who've been through similar experiences to know that they're not alone, that there's hope, and that things can get better–and to encourage people who haven't been through those experiences to have greater compassion for those who have. And I know I'm succeeding. A year and a half after SCARS came out, I'm still getting reader letters every week, telling me that Scars helped them feel less alone, helped them to stop cutting, get into therapy, talk about being queer or self-harm or their abuse for the first time to others, or help them know that things will get better. And I get letters from others telling me that they understand more, now, or judge less. It's wonderful!
I usually write my first drafts of novels pretty quickly (though I've gotten slower since I need to spend so much of my time doing book promotion to make sure my books reach others, and also since I got a concussion a year and a half ago). It used to take me about 2 months to write a first draft; now it takes longer. I write quickly because that's the way I work, it feels right for me–but it also helps the words flow. In writing quickly, I can (mostly) avoid the internal editor or criticizer, and just get the words out. I don't think editing belongs in a first draft–at least, it doesn't for me. But once I've got a draft, I then edit and re-edit my manuscripts until they're working for me, until they feel publishable. I do many kinds of edits–edits where I'm looking at the story as a whole, edits where I'm working on specific threads or storylines within the overall story, edits where I'm looking at the language. Once I've got something I'm really happy with, I send it to my agent, who will give me feedback, and once it's ready, she submits it to my publisher.
I never used to plan out my writing–I just did a heck of a lot of drafts, and I preferred writing that way, intuitively. But for the manuscript I'm working on now (the sequel to HUNTED), I planned it out a bit more, making sure I knew the major revelations and conflicts. I still gave myself a lot of room for what happened in the book, but I knew a bit more of the direction it was going in. I'm hoping that will mean less revisions, but I don't know yet; I'm still writing the first draft.
For Scars, I wrote more than 40 drafts over the 10 years it took to get it published. For my next book, HUNTED, I did far less drafts–about 15 complete edits. I think (and hope) that I'm getting better as I go along. I want my writing to reach people, to move people, and to be the best I can make it.
I write and edit my novels longhand. I feel more connected to myself and to my creativity when I write longhand; the novel I tried to write through typing felt more disconnected, not as alive or as vibrant, not as much in my own voice. I also learned, when I took courses in editing, that you miss much more when you're reading on screen, and that you can catch so many more mistakes when reading text that is printed out. After I've written or edited my work, I then type in any changes I have (and my pages are usually littered with changes). Once I have a few drafts written, I read my work aloud, making changes as I go. I find that that helps me hear when things aren't working, when the language isn't flowing.
I've read that you're not a "real" writer if you don't write every day. That isn't true. You can be a real, serious writer, and not write every day. I don't. I have periods where I write for crazy long hours every day, and then periods where I don't. Other times, I get a fair amount of writing done for days on end, and then take a bunch of days off. I find that for me, personally, I sometimes need a break to recharge my creative batteries. I also struggle with depression and the effects of the abuse (post traumatic stress, DID, etc) and so sometimes I can't write or can't write much. And book promotion takes up a lot of my time every day. But I need to write–it's who I am, it's how I have a voice–and I always come back to it. And I write a lot. I will likely have another book coming out soon, and I have others that I want to polish and then submit. I have a lot of books in me, and I can't imagine not writing. I have always written. I think writing is such a creative thing, and we all have our own way of going about it.
I love how, in writing, I can rewrite events so that I have a happy ending or outcome, where I didn't in real life–such as Kendra's abuser in SCARS having consequences for his actions. My abusers didn't. It felt good to be able to write that ending. I also love how my books reach people; it feels SO good to know I'm making a positive difference in the world.
I am grateful that I can make a living writing; it is my dream, and it feels incredible to have that happen! And I love that I am touching readers now, just the way other authors have touched me.
Another great gift idea for a booklover you know
I just found the most gorgeous Bookshelf Necklaces on Etsy. I think they're a great gift idea for a booklover who's special to you. 
My personal highlights from ALAN (and being on a panel)
So…after two months of worrying about me being on a panel speaking about challenged books in front of 500 people, and then two weeks of anxiety, and then a day of absolute fear right up to (and during) the panel…I "did good"! I knew I had a lot to say–Scars has been challenged at least once formally that I know of, and informally in Meghan cox Gurden's op-ed. My abusers tried to silence me most of my life; I don't want to be silenced any more. But actually speaking about it all in front of 500 people live felt pretty scary. I think I spoke well, though–honestly, emotionally, passionately, and intelligently. I still can't believe I spoke well! It took a while for me to know it–but I started taking it in afterward from the many responses and from people telling me that in so many ways.
I know public speaking is hard for many people, at least at first. It is for me, too. But for me there's also the added layers of all the abuse training–my abusers repeatedly telling me they'd kill me if I talked (and since they'd murdered other children in front of me I knew they could), and abuse that happened on raised stages (like child porn), and all the years I learned to be silent, quiet, and not speak out, except through my writing and my art. But yesterday I learned that I CAN speak publicly, even to a large group, and it can be okay and even a good experience.
Me speaking, photo taken by Sandi Walden
Some of the time before my panel I felt alone and scared and insecure as the hours stretched on, so I took a breather, and sat in the hallway against the wall. But doing that I felt like I was socially awkward and sticking out, the way I had as a teen. And then who should come by but A.S. King (Everybody Sees the Ants, Please Ignore Vera Dietz)! She sat herself down beside me so easily, and we sat, backs against the wall, talking. Amy was reassuring and understanding, and so down-to-earth. I loved hearing about her own experiences, and just…spending time. Hearing Amy talk about ALAN so enthusiastically made me want to join.
I also got to meet C.J. Bott in person–she recognized me as I passed by, and we talked briefly, and then she sat down for a bit with A.S. King and me. C. J. Bott did a lovely review of Scars, and we'd talked back and forth via email a bit, so it was cool to meet her in person. She'll be vice president of ALAN next year!
I also talked a bit with Professor Melanie Hundley, who was an incredibly friendly, bright spot in the day, introducing me to other authors and to teachers, pointing out my handouts to others, and just being lovely.
It helped to have such friendly, caring people around!
The whole experience was also made better by my wonderful book publicist Julie Schoerke, picking me up at the airport, taking me to dinner, and then coming the next day to be with me for my panel. I was getting more and more scared the closer it got to my panel, and thankfully Julie arrived about an hour before. She sat on the floor with me in the hall, we had a lovely chat, and she got me laughing.
I was actually so scared during the panel that I was shaking inside. But people listened to me–I could feel the listening silence–and they responded. And they clapped so loudly afterward–it felt good. Some great teachers also whooped when I mentioned Maureen Johnson starting the YA Saves movement on Twitter.
More highlights for me:
-Laurie Halse Anderson (Speak, Wintergirls)–someone I look up to so much–blew me a kiss as she walked past the stage on her way to throw donut holes to the audience at Lauren's request. That was something to watch! But Laurie blowing me a kiss–that felt so good, coming from her. It was a real highlight for me.
-Lauren Myracle sat next to me on the panel, and she commiserated with me about the Meghan Cox Gurden article, and she joked with me in the panel a bit, and all that helped me be a bit calmer. Thank you, Lauren!
-After the panel, Paul Yee gave me a great hug and thanked me for being me and for what I said–and that felt so good and heartwarming.
Me, Lauren Myracle, Paul Yee, Andrew Smith, David Gill
-People came up to me after the panel, when I sat at a table with Paul Yee, who had a wonderful long line to sign his books. Alas, my publisher did not send any books for people to get, so I had no line–and yet people still came up to me to talk, or to get me to sign a postcard, and said kind, warm things, like how they or their students loved Scars and couldn't keep it in their libraries or classrooms because it was so popular (and sometimes kids would steal it), or that Scars sounded like an important book and they'd buy it now, or that they found my speech moving or heartfelt or important, or that my book was important and made a real difference. Some of them had tears in their eyes, many of them hugged me or clasped my hands, all of them felt heartfelt and moved, and that was so lovely.
-A bunch of people wanted their photo taken with me. I hadn't expected that, and didn't really believe it was happening. I had a tiny bit of a hard time because having my photo taken (and cameras) trigger the child porn I endured as a child in the abuse–though I'm getting much better with cameras. But I know that I often have a forced smile with cameras and that's why. It's pretty cool people wanted their picture taken with me, and i know it's a compliment.
-It was especially nice to meet teacher Claudia Swisher (below), who emailed me months ago letting me know that a student of hers loved Scars so much that she'd made a book trailer of it, and had introduced Scars to Claudia.
-I also loved that Jackie Morse Kessler (Hunger, Rage) and Heather Brewer (First Kill, Twelfth Grade Kills) both came up to me, hugged me, and told me that I was fantastic, that what I was doing was important, and that I was an amazing, beautiful person. Wow!
Jackie Kessler, me, Heather Brewer
-I found out afterward (seeing the photos my publicist Julie took) that Scars was up on the screen for people to see when I was talking about banned and challenged books. Very cool!
the screen while the panel was going on
-As I was leaving, I caught a taxi to the airport with three fantastic English teachers who really want to reach students with banned books and books that have issues that people need to look at. They said they were happy to ride with me; they'd just heard me speak. They asked me a ton of questions on the ride, starting with Scars and then moving on to my life, and they had such enthusiasm for books. And they said they'd buy Scars, too.
-I also really enjoyed meeting people I only knew from Twitter and FaceBook, such as childofthe80s (Sandi Walden) and Alybee930 (Alyson Beecher). I think there were more, but I have a hard time retaining things when I get really stressed or overwhelmed. And yet it was such a good day!
-And all the way home, for the first time that I can remember, I had parts of me knowing that I "did good" and feeling glad and grateful about it–instead of thinking about things I did "wrong" or not being able to take in the positives people told me. This time I was able to retain a lot of positives, and it was wonderful!
I am so glad I went to ALAN! I met so many friendly, caring people who truly love books and reaching students with books.
November 20, 2011
Guest Post by YA author Jus Accardo : The World Is My Inspirational Oyster
YA author Jus Accardo (TOUCH)
Our favorite songs, the TV shows and movies we love—even the foods we can't live without—they've got one thing in common.
Inspiration.
The most mundane things in life can bring about brilliance. Stepping outside your house and into the crisp fall air, surrounded by rich colors and distinctive smells, can tug at the creative soul. I find inspiration to write in everything I do. Everywhere I go, everyone I talk to—it's all got the potential to help me create unique scenes and vibrant characters.
Every part of my life contributes to my writing. Bits and pieces of overheard conversations can morph into dialog, or sometimes, situations. Standing on line at the grocery store, simply watching others shop, can turn into character mannerisms and description. Just walking around downtown, out in the open air taking in the buildings and cars as the pass can help in creating scenes and characters that feel real.
And music… Music is a huge one for me. When I'm blocked I usually only have to flip on my Zune to get my brain into motion again. There's so much emotion in music. Good, bad, sweet and sour. Angry and happy… There's something for every feeling and every occasion. Need fuel for that touching scene you've been stumbling over? Flip on the radio!
If you find yourself stuck on a scene, or have characters that just aren't speaking to you, get out of your chair and hit the road. Go hiking or troll the mall. Sit in a diner for an hour and just look and listen. Get out there and pay attention. I bet you'll be surprised at what you come back with.
Author Bio:
Jus Accardo is the author of YA paranormal romance and urban fantasy fiction. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald. Her first book, Touch, is due out in November 2011 from Entangled Publishing. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
About TOUCH:
"When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.
Except there's something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she'll turn to dust if he touches her. It's not until Dez's father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there's more to this boy – and her father's "law firm" – than she realized.
Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation – an organization devoted to collecting "special" kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons – his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. Dez and Kale team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they're caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.
A secret Kale will kill to protect."
Title: Touch by Jus Accardo
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-44-2
Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-45-9
Release Date: November 1, 2011
Buy Links:
Website: http://www.jusaccardo.com/
YA Saves Sunday – where I talk about using real life in YA fantasy
Today on Patricia's Particularity for YA Saves Sunday, I talk about HUNTED & using real life in fantasy and realistic novels. I hope you'll check it out, maybe leave a comment.
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