Aimee Said's Blog, page 8
May 22, 2011
Star picks
Last week Google reader delivered me a selection of thought-provoking blog posts, including:
author Sarah Ockler's reaction to a New York Times review of two YA books that claimed that the 'purpose' of YA is often to 'to send a message, usually in the form of a much-needed lesson'. Yep, because young people don't have enough people in their lives telling them what to do/think/be. Sarah's post was timely for me: since Little Sister was released I've been asked by a couple of journalists whether I wrote the book out of a feeling of 'responsibility' to address bullying and homophobia, to which my reply is always the same: as a writer of fiction, my only responsibility is to write a book that people want to read.The Rumpus's gorgeous San Francisco Public Library in its own words reminded me once again how much more our libraries do than just loan books, and why they're so important to communities. (via The Centred Librarian)Meg Rosoff commenting on 'factory books' and their toll on publishing (and readers).V. Rossi sharing her conference commandments, timed for the US writing conference season, but equally applicable to Reading Matters in Melbourne this week, I think. John Green's stirring vlog about the value of studying both maths and literature. (I agree with him in theory, but, as someone who struggles with the most simple maths problems, I can't help thinking that you can only be as enthusiastic about this as John is if you actually understand both mathematical and literary theory.)
author Sarah Ockler's reaction to a New York Times review of two YA books that claimed that the 'purpose' of YA is often to 'to send a message, usually in the form of a much-needed lesson'. Yep, because young people don't have enough people in their lives telling them what to do/think/be. Sarah's post was timely for me: since Little Sister was released I've been asked by a couple of journalists whether I wrote the book out of a feeling of 'responsibility' to address bullying and homophobia, to which my reply is always the same: as a writer of fiction, my only responsibility is to write a book that people want to read.The Rumpus's gorgeous San Francisco Public Library in its own words reminded me once again how much more our libraries do than just loan books, and why they're so important to communities. (via The Centred Librarian)Meg Rosoff commenting on 'factory books' and their toll on publishing (and readers).V. Rossi sharing her conference commandments, timed for the US writing conference season, but equally applicable to Reading Matters in Melbourne this week, I think. John Green's stirring vlog about the value of studying both maths and literature. (I agree with him in theory, but, as someone who struggles with the most simple maths problems, I can't help thinking that you can only be as enthusiastic about this as John is if you actually understand both mathematical and literary theory.)
May 19, 2011
Writing what you don't know
We've all heard the old saying 'write what you know', but sometimes as a writer you need to step outside your areas of expertise. I know quite a bit about some subjects (British pop music of the mid-1980s, for example), a little bit about quite a few subjects (well, enough to get by in Trivial Pursuit, anyway...as long as I don't land on sport or geography), and not much about a whole lot of things. I think that's a pretty normal range of knowledge to have but, somehow, each of my novels has required research on a topic that is key to one or more subplots, about which I know very little (stage lighting for Finding Freia Lockhart, genetics, lactose intolerance and soccer, among other things, for Little Sister).
On Monday, I finally started writing Book3* and already, less than 10,000 words in, I've got a heap of research queries. That's not unusual but I noticed that my methodology has been significantly streamlined since I randomly typed "what is a fader" into Google all those years ago. So, in the interests of sharing, here's what I've learned about doing research for books:
Start at your local library. It might seem strange to begin offline when Google can bring so much info about every conceivable topic to you without leaving the house, but narrowing your choices can be a good thing. If you Google 'genetics' you will be faced with a choice of 'About 42,500,000' results; at my library I had a choice of five books, including Genetics for Dummies and the book that was more useful than the 100+ genetics websites I eventually visited: 50 Genetics Ideas You Really Need to Know by Mark Henderson.When you have an idea of the specifics of a topic that you want to investigate further, hit Google (or whichever search engine you prefer) and be as precise as possible. Searching for 'soccer fouls' rather than 'soccer rules' brought me the info I needed for the book (what does a player have to do to get sent off the field?) without having to wade through reams of irrelevant info about starting positions and equipment regulations.3. Don't use research as an excuse to procrastinate. It's very easy to convince yourself that you need to know and understand every aspect of a topic before you can write about it. When that week of research translates into three paragraphs in your novel you will realise that you don't.When in doubt, keep it vague. I spent two days 'researching' and attempting to write a scene in which a soccer player is given a penalty for an offside foul before admitting to myself that I – along with millions of others – was never going to understand the offside rule, and just stating that the player got a foul. I don't think the book loses anything for it. (That said, if soccer was a focus of the book, I couldn't have gotten off so easily.) (That said, if I attempted to write a book with soccer as its focus I think my publisher would laugh me out of the building.)If you really can't get your head around something, make it a topic your character doesn't understand either. It's no coincidence that Al, the main character in Little Sister, struggles with genotypes and phenotypes and alleles!* It turned out that all the motivation I needed to get started was to publicly admit I'd procrastinated over it for a year. Must try that at the three-month point next time!
On Monday, I finally started writing Book3* and already, less than 10,000 words in, I've got a heap of research queries. That's not unusual but I noticed that my methodology has been significantly streamlined since I randomly typed "what is a fader" into Google all those years ago. So, in the interests of sharing, here's what I've learned about doing research for books:
Start at your local library. It might seem strange to begin offline when Google can bring so much info about every conceivable topic to you without leaving the house, but narrowing your choices can be a good thing. If you Google 'genetics' you will be faced with a choice of 'About 42,500,000' results; at my library I had a choice of five books, including Genetics for Dummies and the book that was more useful than the 100+ genetics websites I eventually visited: 50 Genetics Ideas You Really Need to Know by Mark Henderson.When you have an idea of the specifics of a topic that you want to investigate further, hit Google (or whichever search engine you prefer) and be as precise as possible. Searching for 'soccer fouls' rather than 'soccer rules' brought me the info I needed for the book (what does a player have to do to get sent off the field?) without having to wade through reams of irrelevant info about starting positions and equipment regulations.3. Don't use research as an excuse to procrastinate. It's very easy to convince yourself that you need to know and understand every aspect of a topic before you can write about it. When that week of research translates into three paragraphs in your novel you will realise that you don't.When in doubt, keep it vague. I spent two days 'researching' and attempting to write a scene in which a soccer player is given a penalty for an offside foul before admitting to myself that I – along with millions of others – was never going to understand the offside rule, and just stating that the player got a foul. I don't think the book loses anything for it. (That said, if soccer was a focus of the book, I couldn't have gotten off so easily.) (That said, if I attempted to write a book with soccer as its focus I think my publisher would laugh me out of the building.)If you really can't get your head around something, make it a topic your character doesn't understand either. It's no coincidence that Al, the main character in Little Sister, struggles with genotypes and phenotypes and alleles!* It turned out that all the motivation I needed to get started was to publicly admit I'd procrastinated over it for a year. Must try that at the three-month point next time!
May 16, 2011
Friends who Love2Read
I'm very chuffed to have become an official 'friend' the 2012 National Year of Reading, aka Love2Read. It's going to be a year devoted to 'discovering and rediscovering the joy of reading' - supercool idea, eh?
You can keep up with all the Love2Read news on Facebook and Twitter, or sign up for their newsletter.
It's going to be a great year!
You can keep up with all the Love2Read news on Facebook and Twitter, or sign up for their newsletter.
It's going to be a great year!
May 15, 2011
Star picks
Starred posts in my google reader last week included:
The Guardian's celebration of my favourite gloomy, thistle-eating donkey on his 140th birthday.the Centred Librarian's guide to 40 literary terms you should know sorted out my sobriquets from my scenes a faire (at least in theory)Tahereh's post on feeling inadequate and Omnivoracious's interview with Sarah Dessen on the highs and lows of writing both helped me steel myself to begin Book3*After seeing this book trailer, I really want to read The Meowmorphasis**
* Started today! Using Scrivener for Windows writing software and understanding why all those Mac-toting writers have been raving about it for so long!
** I'll take giant cats over giant bugs any day.
The Guardian's celebration of my favourite gloomy, thistle-eating donkey on his 140th birthday.the Centred Librarian's guide to 40 literary terms you should know sorted out my sobriquets from my scenes a faire (at least in theory)Tahereh's post on feeling inadequate and Omnivoracious's interview with Sarah Dessen on the highs and lows of writing both helped me steel myself to begin Book3*After seeing this book trailer, I really want to read The Meowmorphasis**
* Started today! Using Scrivener for Windows writing software and understanding why all those Mac-toting writers have been raving about it for so long!
** I'll take giant cats over giant bugs any day.
All launched out
It's been a very exciting couple of weeks since Little Sister was released. I've been interviewed by two local papers and the Star Observer, I had an 'official' book launch at Surry Hills Library in Sydney, and yesterday marked the final event in the Little Sister calendar: a not-a-launch celebration hosted by the lovely Younger Sun Bookshop.
We had bubbly and lemon squash (which was also bubbly) and cake, and it was superfun! Big thanks to everyone who braved the cold, wet weather to come along; I was especially chuffed to meet a couple of members of the Younger Sun book club.
Me and Kate from the Younger Sun
(you can see more photos on Facebook)
Now that the celebrating is done, it's time to get writing again!
We had bubbly and lemon squash (which was also bubbly) and cake, and it was superfun! Big thanks to everyone who braved the cold, wet weather to come along; I was especially chuffed to meet a couple of members of the Younger Sun book club.
Me and Kate from the Younger Sun(you can see more photos on Facebook)
Now that the celebrating is done, it's time to get writing again!
May 9, 2011
Guest post: Twenty10's Rebecca Reynolds on Little Sister
WARNING: Rebecca's post contains spoilers. If you want Little Sister's action to be a total surprise STOP reading now.
Still here? Excellent! Twenty10 is an organisation I first came across many years ago, when I was working on a government website for young people. I was struck then by how valuable their work is, and was pleased to be able to tell Rebecca, Twenty10's managing director, this in person when I met her last year.
When I was invited to launch Little Sister in Sydney, I immediately asked Rebecca if she would speak at the event. Unfortunately she wasn't able to attend on the night but she very kindly sent a message of support, which is so lovely that I asked if I could put it on my blog as a guest post.
It has been a pleasure reading Little Sister. I work and live in a community where I see homophobia and bullying at its very worst, and Aimee has treated the issues that this brings up with a respect that indicates her understanding. This book also brings a lightness, however, and is true to life in that when life often feels like it is at its worst, then you meet and find some of the most amazing people, friendships and things of beauty. Congratulations Aimee. Your words have found a way to tell the stories of so many people, and to hopefully let many more truly see that they are not alone in their worlds.
Rebecca Reynolds, Managing Director - The Twenty Ten Association
About Twenty10 We all need a place to feel safe. A place to be welcomed and supported. A place to be ourselves. Twenty10 aims to create and nurture such places for young people, their families and communities. Twenty 10 is a community-based, non-profit statewide organisation. We work with and support young people of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities, their families and friends. We aim to be a beacon of strength and acceptance - supporting young people to build resilience and achieve their potential.
Nice, huh?!
Still here? Excellent! Twenty10 is an organisation I first came across many years ago, when I was working on a government website for young people. I was struck then by how valuable their work is, and was pleased to be able to tell Rebecca, Twenty10's managing director, this in person when I met her last year.
When I was invited to launch Little Sister in Sydney, I immediately asked Rebecca if she would speak at the event. Unfortunately she wasn't able to attend on the night but she very kindly sent a message of support, which is so lovely that I asked if I could put it on my blog as a guest post.
It has been a pleasure reading Little Sister. I work and live in a community where I see homophobia and bullying at its very worst, and Aimee has treated the issues that this brings up with a respect that indicates her understanding. This book also brings a lightness, however, and is true to life in that when life often feels like it is at its worst, then you meet and find some of the most amazing people, friendships and things of beauty. Congratulations Aimee. Your words have found a way to tell the stories of so many people, and to hopefully let many more truly see that they are not alone in their worlds.
Rebecca Reynolds, Managing Director - The Twenty Ten Association
About Twenty10 We all need a place to feel safe. A place to be welcomed and supported. A place to be ourselves. Twenty10 aims to create and nurture such places for young people, their families and communities. Twenty 10 is a community-based, non-profit statewide organisation. We work with and support young people of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities, their families and friends. We aim to be a beacon of strength and acceptance - supporting young people to build resilience and achieve their potential.
Nice, huh?!
May 8, 2011
Star picks: Little Sister edition
Last week my Google reader app delivered me a swag of lovely Little Sister-related links! Even though I knew most of the posts were coming because they were part of my blog tour, it was still a thrill to open my blog list and see the name of my book. There were also some very kind reviews, which I wasn't necessarily expecting.*
Here's a recap:
I was chuffed to be interviewed on Inkcrush (read Naomi's review)I stopped by My Girl Friday to chat about the challenges of writing about social media (read Steph's review)I shared 10 things I learnt while writing Little Sister on Literary Life (read Meagan's review and spoiler warning for those who start books from the back)I wrote about breaking the cycle of bullying on In The Good Books (read Skye's review)I revealed what I have in common with Little Sister's main character, Al, to The Younger SunI was also interviewed by the Star Observer (WARNING - spoilers aplenty!)
Mr Fantapants and I spent the weekend in Sydney (where we grew up) for the 'official' launch of Little Sister. It was fantastic to share the occasion with my family and old friends (as well as a few lovely readers who braved the crowd to say hello and have a chat about books and writing), and to be able to thank in person all the amazing people at Walker Books Australia. You can check out the pics on Facebook, if you feel so inclined.
The celebrating isn't over yet! My not-a-launch part-ay for Melbourne reader friends is this Saturday, hosted by the lovelylovely Younger Sun bookstore. I'd love to see you there!
* Because all of my blog hosts have very clear review policies that state that they will give their honest opinion of books sent for review.
Here's a recap:
I was chuffed to be interviewed on Inkcrush (read Naomi's review)I stopped by My Girl Friday to chat about the challenges of writing about social media (read Steph's review)I shared 10 things I learnt while writing Little Sister on Literary Life (read Meagan's review and spoiler warning for those who start books from the back)I wrote about breaking the cycle of bullying on In The Good Books (read Skye's review)I revealed what I have in common with Little Sister's main character, Al, to The Younger SunI was also interviewed by the Star Observer (WARNING - spoilers aplenty!)
Mr Fantapants and I spent the weekend in Sydney (where we grew up) for the 'official' launch of Little Sister. It was fantastic to share the occasion with my family and old friends (as well as a few lovely readers who braved the crowd to say hello and have a chat about books and writing), and to be able to thank in person all the amazing people at Walker Books Australia. You can check out the pics on Facebook, if you feel so inclined.
The celebrating isn't over yet! My not-a-launch part-ay for Melbourne reader friends is this Saturday, hosted by the lovelylovely Younger Sun bookstore. I'd love to see you there!
* Because all of my blog hosts have very clear review policies that state that they will give their honest opinion of books sent for review.
Little Sister blog tour, day 5
** Why is this post three days late? Because I thought I was being a cleverclogs scheduling it to publish while I was away in Sydney but it didn't work. That'll teach me :\ **
It's the last day of the Little Sister blog tour. Today I'm visiting The Younger Sun to reveal what Al, the book's main character, and I have in common.
Not only is The Younger Sun my fave local independent bookstore, they're also hosting the Melbourne celebration for Little Sister next Saturday, 14 May. (Are you coming? Don't forget to RSVP if you are!)
In case you missed a stop, here's the full itinerary for the tour:
Inkcrush
My Girl Friday
Literary Life
In The Good Books
The Younger Sun
I'd like to thank all the bloggers who've hosted me this week. It's been a real honour to appear on some of my favourite blogs!
It's the last day of the Little Sister blog tour. Today I'm visiting The Younger Sun to reveal what Al, the book's main character, and I have in common.
Not only is The Younger Sun my fave local independent bookstore, they're also hosting the Melbourne celebration for Little Sister next Saturday, 14 May. (Are you coming? Don't forget to RSVP if you are!)
In case you missed a stop, here's the full itinerary for the tour:
Inkcrush
My Girl Friday
Literary Life
In The Good Books
The Younger Sun
I'd like to thank all the bloggers who've hosted me this week. It's been a real honour to appear on some of my favourite blogs!
May 4, 2011
Little Sister blog tour, day 4
The fourth stop on my blog tour is a visit to In The Good Books, where you can read my guest post on bullying and Skye's review of the Little Sister.
Even though she's doing her final year of high school, Skye still manages to read and review prolifically - I really need to get some productivity/anti-procrastination tips from her... (And possibly some tutoring if more science creeps into my next book.)
Previous blog tour stops:
Inkcrush
My Girl Friday
Literary Life
Last stop, tomorrow:
The Younger Sun
Even though she's doing her final year of high school, Skye still manages to read and review prolifically - I really need to get some productivity/anti-procrastination tips from her... (And possibly some tutoring if more science creeps into my next book.)
Previous blog tour stops:
Inkcrush
My Girl Friday
Literary Life
Last stop, tomorrow:
The Younger Sun
May 3, 2011
Little Sister blog tour, day 3
Head over to Literary Life today to read Megan's review of Little Sister. Megan also kindly let me guest post last week about 10 things I learnt while I was writing the book.
Megan is a prolific writer, reader and reading-related-event attender - I'm in awe of her energy and enthusiasm!
Previous blog tour stops:
Inkcrush
My Girl Friday
Coming up:
In The Good Books
The Younger Sun
Megan is a prolific writer, reader and reading-related-event attender - I'm in awe of her energy and enthusiasm!
Previous blog tour stops:
Inkcrush
My Girl Friday
Coming up:
In The Good Books
The Younger Sun
