Pam Withers's Blog, page 19

The second novel syndrome

Everyone says one’s second novel is the toughest, and I certainly found that to be true with Peak Survival. A first novel is generally written on speculation, no contract or deadline or editor applying pressure. Not to mention that you probably have not yet been through a full critique (unlike on your second), so you soldier blithely on. By the time you’ve been through that critique of the first, you’re aware that there are techniques and skills you now have to incorporate. In short, the second novel is the big learning curve!

Also, I wrote my first novel to keep myself out of trouble while unemployed for a year. By the time I started Peak Survival, I was working fulltime again (as an editor), raising a rambunctious boy with my husband, and trying to come to terms with the fact that the first novel had turned into an assignment for a series. In other words, I now had to produce a novel every six months until the series was finished (that turned out to be five years) “in my spare time.” It was a lot of stress. After I finished Peak Survival I decided I had to cut back on work in order to start the third book in the series; it was too hard on my family life trying to do so much.

On the other hand, Peak Survival was fun to write in that I took up snowboarding specifically to help write it. Quite a change from cross-country skiing, which I had enjoyed for years. My son (age 11) gave me a homemade gift certificate promising me snowboard lessons (from him). We went up to the ski area and he watched me for ten minutes, offering encouragement and tips. Then he gave me a thumb’s up and said, “You’re good, Mom. Have fun. I’m outta here.” And off he went.

So I spent the next hour watching a young Chinese guy teaching his girlfriend in Chinese. I could not understand a thing they said, but I mimicked all she did, and eventually learned enough to get myself down the hill. At which point I realized I had to ride the lift up, and did not know how to get onto a lift with a snowboard! I humbled myself enough to ask a teenage boy ahead of me in the line-up. He smirked and mumbled something about “goofy,” not that I knew what that meant! I somehow managed to get on and exit the lift without making the operator stop the lift!

Here’s some other trivia about Peak Survival:

• To write up the disasters of the helicopter crash, avalanche and the fall into a crevasse, I interviewed a friend who owned a helicopter service, read helicopter accident reports, read books on avalanche safety and interviewed someone who had survived a fall into a crevasse.

• I won a helicopter ride from a charity auction, and was thrilled to add that to my hands-on research.

• My husband helped me with the wolverine encounter write-up, based on a wolverine sighting he’d once been privileged to experience.

• My character Fiona remains my favourite girl character, although my editor told me she initially “overshadowed” my main characters, Jake and Peter, and so I had to “sand her down” somewhat before publication.

• She has “pale blue eyes” because in the first version of the manuscript she gets snow blindness (and people with pale blue eyes are the most susceptible to this), which my editor had me remove because “you have too many disasters in the book, even for a Jake and Peter adventure.”

• I wrote up the snow-cave construction scene after reading a book on the topic. Then I handed it over to a search-and-rescue friend to edit. He laughed and edited it heavily. All of which proves that first-hand experience is far more important than by-the-book, and a writer must always be aware what they don’t really know.

• Fiona is claustrophobic because I am claustrophobic (and know that condition all too well).

• The ghost town they encounter is based on the preserved historic mining site known as BC Museum of Mining in Britannia, British Columbia); I basically “airlifted” it a number of miles northwest to place it in my story.

• I named most of the characters in the book after my nieces and nephews. I thought they’d be pleased until one (Neal) said, “How come my sister gets to be Jake’s sister, and all I am is a dead pilot?”

The story of writing my first novel

I wrote my first novel, Raging River, 16 years ago, just to keep myself out of trouble while I was unemployed for a year. I wrote much of it in chilly hockey rink arenas while my then 10-year-old son was at practice. I read each chapter to him as his bedtime story. He used to say, like any kid delaying his bedtime, “Mom, won’t you read me just one more chapter?” And I’d reply, “No, because I haven’t written it yet.”

It took me four months to write Raging River, then three years for eight publishers to reject it. A ninth accepted it and said the contract was in the mail, and assigned me an editor who edited the entire book (and deleted Chapter Three) without that contract ever arriving. Still, my husband, son and I went out to a nice restaurant and toasted my success.

At the time I was working fulltime as an editor at a high-tech consulting firm, when suddenly I was notified I was being laid off. I was cleaning out my desk my last day and thinking, “At least I have my first novel accepted,” when the phone on my desk rang. I wondered if I should answer it, since I didn’t technically work there anymore. Well, I did, and it was the editor letting me know that there had been a change in management and they were not going to publish it. The contract never had arrived in the mail.

A few months later, Whitecap Books accepted it (the version as just edited). My new editor thought “something seemed to be missing” between Chapters 2 & 3. So I delivered the chapter that the previous editor had deleted, and she was happy to put it back in. 

I had (rather boldly) proposed that Raging River be the first in a series of novels on extreme sports, and Whitecap called my bluff and assigned me to carry on (delivering one novel every six months for the next five years). Whoa, how intimidating was that?! Luckily, I had started doing school talks and the students were more than happy to suggest sports to cover. I actually took votes from them to determine the next nine books.

Other trivia about Raging River:

• I wrote it with no outline; I just knew that a waterfall plunge would be the climax. (I’ve learned since to always outline; I definitely do NOT recommend writing without an outline, because it takes twice and long as doesn’t turn out as well.)

• Names of characters were taken from the kids in my kayak club at the time.

• Having been a whitewater raft guide, kayak racer and kayak instructor, I found it easy to write about my sport, and Nancy (the raft company boss) is more or less based on me.

• This remains the novel that was easiest to write, only because I had no idea what I was doing. Once I knew more about plotting and writing, and what I had done wrong, writing became more challenging!

• The Cattibone River is fictional, but I’ve had readers tell me they tried to find it on a map. It’s based in part on my experience kayaking the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

• The grizzly bear attack, beaver dam experience and heron attack are all based on real-life incidents of friends with whom I’ve paddled.

• Sam Miller, owner of Sam’s Adventure Tours, has my pre-married last name, and his headquarters resembles the rafting headquarters of a California outfit for which I used to work.

• I set the book in Chilliwack, B.C., Canada, because it’s a long-time training center for both American and Canadian kayak racers; I spent much time there during my kayak racing days.

“Where do you get your ideas?”

It’s probably the most-asked question I get, and I always reply, “From my twisted imagination.” And kids laugh, because most of them can relate to having twisted imaginations; it’s as adults that we too often lose touch with this creative capacity.

But in truth, ideas are not as important as readers think. It’s what you do with ideas! Ideas for novels rain on me all day long. I only need to choose one every few months to take and run with. But again, a droplet of an idea is just that. It’s how you grow it, nurture it, develop it into a full-blown readable, hopefully gripping, story that counts. My best tip for developing an idea is to immerse yourself in one or all of the following books and CD: Weekend Novelist, Writing the Breakout Novel, or The Hero’s Two Journeys. Then develop your own template for drawing an outline out of your original idea.

For me, the hard work is outlining, the fun part is writing. And I figure I have to “earn” the fun part by doing the hard work. Yes, some writers write without an outline, but my experience is that doing so means the writing takes twice as long as doesn’t turn out as well. And yes, writing can be hard work too, but so often when one is stuck during the writing process, it’s because the outline wasn’t thorough enough, or because it needs some tweaking.

In future blogs, I’ll reveal how I took and ran with some of the ideas that fired my twisted imagination.

Back to School (Presentations)

It's that time of year when kids go back to school and kids' authors go back to school too: to give school presentations! It's my favorite part of being an author; I just love public speaking.

And I'm excited this year to be giving two types of presentations: a FREE one to adults about boys and literacy (PTAs, PACs, public libraries and parents' groups), and another (sorry, not free!) to students grades 4 to 8 about how I research my novels (which means tons of amusing anecdotes, not to mention special encouragement to read and write). Check out http://www.pamwithers.com/talks

Better yet, I'm off to California for two months to write and do presentations for schools, libraries and parents' groups. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, feel free to book me now. If you live en route from my Vancouver, Canada home (i.e., western Washington, Oregon), you're also eligible for a talk without travel expenses. http://www.pamwithers.com/contact Toll-free: 1-866-413-9216

Want to know my most embarrassing moment in a school presentation? The time I had to rise very early for a long drive, so I wore my comfy driving shoes and took along my nice dress shoes to change into. I arrived, changed into my nice shoes, walked in and gave the presentation. Only afterwards did I glance down and see that I had on one (brown) dress shoe and one (black) driving shoe. No wonder a few teen girls in the front row were snickering. Or maybe I was kicking off a new fashion trend?

Happy back to school week!

Book review by young fan

I keep all my fan letters and I try to answer every one of them. Why? Because it takes a lot of initiative and confidence and effort for kids to write me, and I salute that effort. It's also flattering, of course. :)

Last week I got a special one, because the young reviewer (Isabella, age 9) even decorated the card she used for writing a review of my latest book, Paintball Island. She splattered the front of the card with all colors of paint, while also including her own artwork of paintballers (and a coyote!) running from tree to tree. Very creative!

Here's her review:

"I liked the part where they all wore nightvision goggles. I liked the character Marie because she is very curious and clever. The story reminds me of the coyotes howling in my back yard. I still wonder if the coyotes will have their purple spots forever. Three words to describe the book: Mysterious, Fun! and Exciting."

Thanks, Isabella. And anyone curious about why I included a deaf character in that novel, read this blog:

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As for anyone else out there willing to write a review, if you're willing, please do so on Amazon, Chapters and other online bookstores, please.

The cure for kids' summer boredom

"I'm bored!" my 11-year-old nephew declares on a regular basis, never mind whether he's at the zoo or seaside or even summer camp. "Buy him a camera," a wise parent advised my sister. She did. And now? My nephew is never bored. He is always raising his camera and shooting, therefore seeing so much more about him, seeing it in a new way. Boredom? Solved by becoming a shutterbug. What a great tip for parents of pre-teens (or kids of any age). And here's a shot of my nephew capturing some baby seals during a boat ride yesterday. It didn't hurt that our boat captain was a professional photographer who encouraged my nephew (and knew where the seals hung out). Seal photo by Captain Toby: http://tobysnelgrovephotography.com/Welcome.html

Hope everyone is having a great August. Pam

What do Farley Mowat, JK Rowling and L. Frank Baum have in common?

They're all highly successful young-adult authors, yes. And I have most of their books, yes. But here's the real reason I've grouped them together. My husband and I just bought a former bed and breakfast ocean-front cabin, where we'll hold the occasional writer's retreat and retire to eventually. And there are bed and breakfast rooms, which were begging to be named. (Bed and breakfast rooms need names. Right?!) So they are now the Farley Mowat room (which will double as my office when no guests are around), the JK Rowling room and the L. Frank Baum room. I've stocked each room with the author's bio and books, and although two of these celebrated writers have passed away, JK Rowling is free to show up and stay in her room anytime. :) Our little hideaway is on a Gulf Island that is four miles long, and situated between Victoria and Vancouver, B.C, Canada. That's all you get to know for now! P.S. L. Frank Baum wrote the Wizard of Oz series, and I read every single one as a child.

Helping struggling readers: a great resource!

As someone who is passionate about getting kids to read, I'm always pleased when I stumble across a great resource. Maybe many of you know about this website already, but I'd like to do a shout-out about it. It includes articles like "7 ways to get students excited about reading" and "How do you keep struggling readers motivated when they don't see improvement in their reading?" Anyone who has found my book Jump-Starting Boys* useful, hopefully will find this site useful too.

Here's the link! https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Literacy-Reluctant-Struggling-Readers-1483117?home=&gid=1483117&trk=anet_ug_hm

*Jump-Starting Boys:

www.amazon.com/Jump-Starting-Boys-Reluctant-Learner-Success/dp/1936740397/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407801367&sr=1-1&keywords=jumpstarting+boys

Calling all friends and fans!

Who out there has read one of my books and can submit a quick review on Amazon, Indigo, or direct to me (info@pamwithers.com)? Yes?! Super! You're all the greatest!! Because Alex is making me do this. Alex is my new social media adviser, and she says (can you imagine!) that I need more reviews on these sites (and my own website) for new fans and potential readers to contemplate. Alex (who is savvy and enthusiastic when it comes to social media, as opposed to my Neanderthal self) also says I have to blog more than two or three times a year. (Seriously?!) So watch for more verbiage in this space. And if I love your review, watch for your name on my home page soon, too! Thanks, family, friends and fans!

Okay, just to make it easier, here's a list of my books so far. Best, Pam (coming out of the Neanderthal Age, thanks to Alex)

Paintball Island, copyright 2013, ISBN-10: 1928014089, ISBN-13: 978-1928014089 www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=paintball+island

Tundra Books:

First Descent, copyright 2011, ISBN 978-1-77049-257-8 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=first+descent&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Afirst+descent

[COMING SOON!] Andreo’s Race, copyright 2015 ISBN 978-177049-766-5; e-book is 978-177049-767-2. paperback Can $14.99 / U.S. $12.99

Extreme series:

Raging River, copyright 2003, ISBN 978-1-55285-510-2 http://www.amazon.com/Raging-River-Take-Xtreme-Withers/dp/1552855104/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407802104&sr=1-1&keywords=raging+river

Peak Survival, copyright 2004, ISBN 978-1-55285-530-9 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=peak+survival&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Apeak+survival

Adrenalin Ride, copyright 2004, ISBN 978-1-55285-604-6 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=adrenalin+ride&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Aadrenalin+ride

Skater Stuntboys, copyright 2005, ISBN 978-1-55285-647-X http://www.amazon.com/Skater-Stuntboys-Take-Xtreme-Withers/dp/155285647X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407802537&sr=1-1&keywords=skater+stuntboys

Surf Zone, copyright 2005, ISBN 978-1-55285-718-2 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=surf+zone&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Asurf+zone

Vertical Limits, copyright 2006, ISBN 978-1-55285-783-0 http://www.amazon.com/Vertical-Limits-Take-Xtreme-Withers/dp/1552857832/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407801067&sr=1-7&keywords=vertical+limits

Dirtbike Daredevils, copyright 2006, ISBN 978-1-55285-804-2 http://www.amazon.com/Dirtbike-Daredevils-Take-Xtreme-Withers/dp/1552858049/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407801112&sr=1-1&keywords=dirtbike+daredevils

Wake’s Edge, copyright 2007, ISBN 978-1-55285-856-1 http://www.amazon.com/Wakes-Edge-Take-Xtreme-Withers/dp/1552858561/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407801157&sr=1-1&keywords=wake%27s+edge

BMX Tunnel Run, copyright 2007, ISBN 978-1-55285-904-9 http://www.amazon.com/BMX-Tunnel-Run-Take-Xtreme/dp/1552859045/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407802580&sr=1-1&keywords=bmx+tunnel+run

Mountainboard Maniacs, copyright 2008, ISBN 978-1-55285-915-5 http://www.amazon.com/Mountainboard-Maniacs-Take-Xtreme-Withers/dp/1552859150/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407801225&sr=1-1&keywords=mountainboard+maniacs

Orca Books:

Camp Wild, copyright 2005, ISBN 1-55143-361-3 http://www.amazon.com/Camp-Wild-Orca-Currents-Withers/dp/1551433613/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407801249&sr=1-1&keywords=camp+wild

Breathless, copyright 2005, ISBN 1-55143-480-6 http://www.amazon.com/Breathless-Orca-Soundings-Pam-Withers/dp/1551434806/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407801272&sr=1-1&keywords=breathless+withers

Daredevil Club, copyright 2006, ISBN 1-55143-614-0 http://www.amazon.com/Daredevil-Club-Orca-Currents-Withers/dp/1551436140/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407801302&sr=1-1&keywords=daredevils+club

Menasha Ridge Press:

Going Vertical (with Tao Berman), copyright 2008, ISBN 13: 978-0-89732-652-0 http://www.amazon.com/Going-Vertical-Life-Extreme-Kayaker/dp/0897326520/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407801329&sr=1-1&keywords=going+vertical

Viva Editions (FOR PARENTS): Jumpstarting Boys: How to Help Your Underachiever (with Cynthia Gill), copyright 2013, ISBN 978-1-936740-39-0 http://www.amazon.com/Jump-Starting-Boys-Reluctant-Learner-Success/dp/1936740397/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407801367&sr=1-1&keywords=jumpstarting+boys

Jumpstarting Boys in Chinese: Heliopolis Culture Group in Taiwan. Their web page: www.ezbooks.com.tw/ http://www.ezbooks.com.tw/bookcomment.... Or order from info@pamwithers.com

Meet Tony (age 12), who happens to be deaf

There's a reason that 12-year-old Tony, a character in my just-off-the-press novel Paintball Island, happens to be deaf. A few years ago just after I spoke at a literacy conference, a deaf-interpreter studying to be a teacher approached me to say, "Did you know that are almost no kids' books with deaf or hard-of-hearing characters? Maybe you could write one!"

Bam! That was the genesis of Tony, and that interpreter (Kirsten Hagemoen) ended up working with me to ensure Tony's and the plot's authenticity. Last week I had my first feedback on Paintball Island. Renate Ford, a tutor and retired teacher, wrote this after reading Paintball Island:

"This little book is an exciting adventure story for both boys and girls – of any age. The tale of Max and his family, who run paintball games on their island home, will captivate even reluctant readers (as one of my students can attest). In addition, a second story line introduces a young deaf character who first faces misunderstanding from his teammates, but is eventually accepted as a regular member of the group. Pam Withers approaches the issue of deaf culture with sensitivity and understanding. Bravo!"

Well, bravo for Kirsten, who took the initiative to ask all that time ago. My most fervent hope, as always, is that it inspires kids to read. Maybe deaf and hard-of-hearing kids will find that Tony resonates with them, and perhaps more importantly, kids without his issues will come away with a better understanding of fellow students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Either way, it was fun writing Paintball Island!

P.S. The sign above is for "P," the first letter in the book title as well as in my name.