Tess Hilmo's Blog, page 12
March 13, 2011
Stalled
Imagine with me...
You are listening to a lovely piano concerto. You lean back in the comfy chair, close your eyes and relax into the smooth flow of music.
then the pianist hits the wrong key.
EEEK.
flow interrupted.
That's what happened to me this past week with my WIP. I was going along all fine and dandy but then something wasn't right.
It began as a nagging whisper at the back of my mind...
not right...not right...not right...
Of course, I ignored it. I was following my plot line...I was building scenes....what could be wrong?
not right... the voice grew louder.... could be better it whispered.
So I stopped writing.
Stalled.
It is a lousy feeling, but I'm glad that my inner voice is telling me to reassess and redirect my work.
I'm not sure exactly what is not working...or how I'm going to fix it...but I will listen to that inner voice and find the answers.
It means more work, more time, more ripping my hair out...
but I'll do what it takes.
*sigh* writing a novel is blasted hard work!
You are listening to a lovely piano concerto. You lean back in the comfy chair, close your eyes and relax into the smooth flow of music.
then the pianist hits the wrong key.
EEEK.
flow interrupted.
That's what happened to me this past week with my WIP. I was going along all fine and dandy but then something wasn't right.
It began as a nagging whisper at the back of my mind...
not right...not right...not right...
Of course, I ignored it. I was following my plot line...I was building scenes....what could be wrong?
not right... the voice grew louder.... could be better it whispered.
So I stopped writing.
Stalled.
It is a lousy feeling, but I'm glad that my inner voice is telling me to reassess and redirect my work.
I'm not sure exactly what is not working...or how I'm going to fix it...but I will listen to that inner voice and find the answers.
It means more work, more time, more ripping my hair out...
but I'll do what it takes.
*sigh* writing a novel is blasted hard work!
March 9, 2011
True Confessions
Today I will share some of my deepest confessions.
I am white and nerdy. And a Wierd Al fan. And my neighbor married an Osmond (that's Donny in the clip).
Last night my oldest participated in a talent show of sorts and the teens did a rendition of this song. I had posted this clip long ago but had to pull it out in honor of my daughter -- who got her white and nerdy-ness from me.
Hope this clip makes you giggle - one WARNING: a teeny tiny part of this clip is PG13, just FYI.
*
Laugh on!
*
*
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
*
March 6, 2011
Writing = Zero
I can't say enough about Peurto Vallarta....beautiful people, beautiful city. Safe, inexpensive (this Marriott ocean front room was a steal at $150/night!), delicious food....wonderful stuff.
And what did I write? Nada.
Sometimes we have to live life first...you know? Take a break. Look around. Rest.
That's where I've been...how about you?
And what did I write? Nada.
Sometimes we have to live life first...you know? Take a break. Look around. Rest.
That's where I've been...how about you?
February 23, 2011
Things to Know
There is a super meaty interview of Kirsten Cappy, literary publicist over at the Class of 2k11 this morning.
She talks about how bookstores choose which books to carry...about how cover art and other people influence a books sales...how to use social media depending on if you are writing commercial or literary, young adult or middle grade. No matter where you are in this writing journey....these are good things to think about.
Link over and check it out!
She talks about how bookstores choose which books to carry...about how cover art and other people influence a books sales...how to use social media depending on if you are writing commercial or literary, young adult or middle grade. No matter where you are in this writing journey....these are good things to think about.
Link over and check it out!
February 20, 2011
Cover Reveal!
Things I love about this cover: Ollie's expresson.......the lighting of the clouds and path....the gorgeous turquoise blue sky......the trailing papers (which are invite fliers for her daddy's revival).....how the front flier says "come one come all" big enough for the reader to see on the book (which I think is a cool invitation to open the book)...
I think the good people at Farrar Straus Giroux nailed the middle grade market for this historical piece.
Matt Mahurin is the artist....super talented with a huge range (check out his website - it is amazing stuff!)
What do you think?
February 13, 2011
An Honest Moment
Me: (having a moment) I should be nothing but grateful for the upcoming release of With A Name Like Love, but part of me is terrified. Not everyone likes historical fiction, you know. Half the people will think it's totally lame.
Daughter: At least.
ah...so the truth goes...
Daughter: At least.
ah...so the truth goes...
February 8, 2011
Brian Jacques....Farewell to a Legend
I saw this on Publishers Marketplace this morning....
Brian Jacques, author of the Redwall series--said to have sold 20 million copies worldwide--died over the weekend of a heart attack. He was 71. His US publisher Philomel says that the 22nd and final Redwall book, THE ROGUE CREW, is scheduled for publication in May 2011.
71 is too young. Brian Jacques is one of the authors that made my son an avid reader. I am grateful to him for that and I know his fans will miss him.
It is also a reminder to all of us to get writing! To push and work and learn and grow....
life is short.
Brian Jacques, author of the Redwall series--said to have sold 20 million copies worldwide--died over the weekend of a heart attack. He was 71. His US publisher Philomel says that the 22nd and final Redwall book, THE ROGUE CREW, is scheduled for publication in May 2011.
71 is too young. Brian Jacques is one of the authors that made my son an avid reader. I am grateful to him for that and I know his fans will miss him.
It is also a reminder to all of us to get writing! To push and work and learn and grow....
life is short.
February 6, 2011
Why Authors Can't Really be Book Reviewers
I've had a thought musing in my mind over the past several months. I worried that I was the only one who felt this way. I even wondered if people would judge me for having this opinion. I kept it to myself.
Then I came across this discussion over at Stacia Kane's blog. WARNING: I keep this blog all things PG, but that post has a touch of language in it.
The discussion is about if you are published, soon to be published, wanting to be published ... should you review books?
See, I used to do that a little bit but realized the children's publishing community is a small world and I started wondering if giving reviews of other novels was a good idea.
I'd like to say that I absolutely love every book I pick up, but that is not honest or fair.
No one does or should.
But I think as authors (and I would propose aspiring authors as well) we need to think about how we present ourselves within our professional community.
If I adore a book, I'll feel free to shout it out. If I don't so much...I'll keep my lips sealed.
It is a professional courtesy....and maybe a little bit of hoping that other authors will extend that same courtesy to my work. Let the book review sites be honest. Let them review what they desire, say what they desire, rate things as they feel they should.
As writers, it is a line we should give serious consideration before crossing.
Question: what do you think about this? it's okay to disagree...let's have a discussion!
Then I came across this discussion over at Stacia Kane's blog. WARNING: I keep this blog all things PG, but that post has a touch of language in it.
The discussion is about if you are published, soon to be published, wanting to be published ... should you review books?
See, I used to do that a little bit but realized the children's publishing community is a small world and I started wondering if giving reviews of other novels was a good idea.
I'd like to say that I absolutely love every book I pick up, but that is not honest or fair.
No one does or should.
But I think as authors (and I would propose aspiring authors as well) we need to think about how we present ourselves within our professional community.
If I adore a book, I'll feel free to shout it out. If I don't so much...I'll keep my lips sealed.
It is a professional courtesy....and maybe a little bit of hoping that other authors will extend that same courtesy to my work. Let the book review sites be honest. Let them review what they desire, say what they desire, rate things as they feel they should.
As writers, it is a line we should give serious consideration before crossing.
Question: what do you think about this? it's okay to disagree...let's have a discussion!
January 30, 2011
Character Tells V. Character Traits
The more I learn, the less I know. But this past experience of working with an editor really taught me a few things.
One thing I've been musing on lately is the difference between character tells and character traits.
I like to use character tells. In the past, I thought it defined the character.
It does not.
It is one part of the equation, but without building those tells into traits we are writing uni-dimensional characters.
As you may know, a character tell is something they may do.....clicking their tongue, straightening their tie, refusing to drive a car and walking everywhere
We should never give a character a tell without building it into a trait.
For example Clicking their tongue implies judgment....is this character judgmental?
straightening their tie incessantly implies vanity or insecurity.....does this character have other vain or insecure traits?
refusing to drive a car implies cowardice or past issues....do we support this in the character as a whole?
If we have a character who flips her hair but isn't at all vain then we may be missing an opportunity to create more depth.
We need to pay attention to which tells we choose to use....use them sparingly....and back them up with fleshed out traits.
For example...in my new WIP, I have an antagonist who is dangerous and very controlling. I have decided to give him a character tell of running his fingers through a cluster of keys that is always on his belt loop.
Why? the keys will play into the story but, more importantly, they are the source of his power and control. By having him constantly touch the keys, it shows he may not really be in complete control...that he might be seeking validation in that moment. Or he might just be reminding himself of his powerful position.
Either way, the tell was given for a specific purpose.
and, just for fun..here is a snippit of this happening in my current work (it's a modern day western MG):
He tugged on the wide brim of his Stetson hat and then ran his fingers through a cluster of keys hanging from his side belt loop. They clink-clinked against each other like ice cubes in a glass.
Questions: what do you think of this concept? do you use tells? do you support them with entire character traits? once I was able to catch the vision of this, it really helped me...I got so excited I just had to share!
One thing I've been musing on lately is the difference between character tells and character traits.
I like to use character tells. In the past, I thought it defined the character.
It does not.
It is one part of the equation, but without building those tells into traits we are writing uni-dimensional characters.
As you may know, a character tell is something they may do.....clicking their tongue, straightening their tie, refusing to drive a car and walking everywhere
We should never give a character a tell without building it into a trait.
For example Clicking their tongue implies judgment....is this character judgmental?
straightening their tie incessantly implies vanity or insecurity.....does this character have other vain or insecure traits?
refusing to drive a car implies cowardice or past issues....do we support this in the character as a whole?
If we have a character who flips her hair but isn't at all vain then we may be missing an opportunity to create more depth.
We need to pay attention to which tells we choose to use....use them sparingly....and back them up with fleshed out traits.
For example...in my new WIP, I have an antagonist who is dangerous and very controlling. I have decided to give him a character tell of running his fingers through a cluster of keys that is always on his belt loop.
Why? the keys will play into the story but, more importantly, they are the source of his power and control. By having him constantly touch the keys, it shows he may not really be in complete control...that he might be seeking validation in that moment. Or he might just be reminding himself of his powerful position.
Either way, the tell was given for a specific purpose.
and, just for fun..here is a snippit of this happening in my current work (it's a modern day western MG):
He tugged on the wide brim of his Stetson hat and then ran his fingers through a cluster of keys hanging from his side belt loop. They clink-clinked against each other like ice cubes in a glass.
Questions: what do you think of this concept? do you use tells? do you support them with entire character traits? once I was able to catch the vision of this, it really helped me...I got so excited I just had to share!
January 23, 2011
Where Ideas Come From
Years ago I attended my very first SCBWI conference in Los Angeles. Like seven years ago.
anyway... Norman Juster was a presenter and he spoke (in part) on this concept:
"Ideas are not external to you."
So often we (okay, okay I) search the world around us, like a frantic lunatic, looking for the perfect idea. We ask people for them. We read papers for them. I personally have even been known to beg the heavens for the perfect idea that will make it all better and easy and wonderful.
But it doesn't have to be that hard.
Norman spoke about keeping a memory journal and jotting down bits and pieces of our own memories.
He reminded us that we have a wealth of ideas inside of us and, what I thought most important, we don't have to farm them out all at the beginning of a novel.
We can let them come bit by bit
natural to our story.
We can, in short, trust ourselves.
Tell Me: where do you get your ideas? are you ever amazed at what comes dancing out of your fingertips in a writing session? do you sometimes forget to trust yourself? please tell me I'm not alone in that regard....
anyway... Norman Juster was a presenter and he spoke (in part) on this concept:
"Ideas are not external to you."
So often we (okay, okay I) search the world around us, like a frantic lunatic, looking for the perfect idea. We ask people for them. We read papers for them. I personally have even been known to beg the heavens for the perfect idea that will make it all better and easy and wonderful.
But it doesn't have to be that hard.
Norman spoke about keeping a memory journal and jotting down bits and pieces of our own memories.
He reminded us that we have a wealth of ideas inside of us and, what I thought most important, we don't have to farm them out all at the beginning of a novel.
We can let them come bit by bit
natural to our story.
We can, in short, trust ourselves.
Tell Me: where do you get your ideas? are you ever amazed at what comes dancing out of your fingertips in a writing session? do you sometimes forget to trust yourself? please tell me I'm not alone in that regard....
