Heather McCubbin's Blog, page 37
June 11, 2014
Can you take a compliment?
On Mondays I babysit/nanny a wonderful little girl (we'll call her S) who is almost four months old. This past Monday, we took a walk up to a new bakery as I am on the search for the best croissants around! I ran into a mom with an even younger baby and she began asking me questions about S and I answered politely. Eventually, she told me, "Congratulations" and I said, "Thank You", even though S is not mine; she was getting hungry and I needed to place my order and then walk back to her house, so I didn't bother correcting the other mom.
However, as I walked back, I realized it was a compliment that she assumed S was mine. I'm in my 40s and I must still look natural taking care of a baby even though it's been awhile. This exchange made me realize how hard it is to accept a regular compliment these days. We always seem to shake it off; if someone likes your hair many of us say, "I just had it done" instead of, "Thank you." "I like your shirt/shoes/pants," may have a response similar of, "Thanks, but they are my sister's" or "they were the only clean ones I had." Can we just say "Thank You" and mean it?
When it comes to our writing, I think many of us view it as personal --or as Anna Nalick says in her song, "Breathe" : "These words are my diary speaking out loud."
It may be hard for some people to accept that the inner workings of their mind has affected someone in a good way. As writers we have chosen to walk this path and enjoy the positive and endure the negative. Has someone complimented you on your writing; a story you wrote, an essay in school or even a funny one liner? Were you able to just say "thank you" and did the other person offer "you're welcome?"
On the flip side, have you done the complimenting and didn't receive the answer you were expecting? Why do you think it's hard for us to accept and embrace compliments?
I look forward to reading your comments. Happy Wednesday!
June 10, 2014
Title Reveal for WIP...
When this story began, as a dream of Cindy's (my co-writer), she wrote it out as a short story. When I read it, I realized there was just too much of a story to be confined to just a few pages and offered to write, if she kept the storyline coming.
Up until a few months ago, this Work In Progress (WIP) was labeled as "Cindy's Story". I was trying to think of a good working title that encompasses the feel of this book. Because I am only slightly superstitious, I don't feel comfortable revealing the plot...yet.
I will say it is a Young Adult book, the characters are in their last year of high school and some are beyond it. There is a younger brother who hasn't spoken a word in his 14 years of life and no one knows why. There are three boys dressed up around Halloween time in demon costumes, or so our main character, Nicole, thinks. While navigating through her world she begins to realize there is a group of ancient beings who protect her. She has no idea who or why at first. As she learns new names, overcomes almost-insurmountable objects and navigates love and loss, she become stronger; physically, emotionally and with the powers that lay dormant...until she turned 18.
"Sticks & Stones" seemed to be the perfect title to work with.
Up until a few months ago, this Work In Progress (WIP) was labeled as "Cindy's Story". I was trying to think of a good working title that encompasses the feel of this book. Because I am only slightly superstitious, I don't feel comfortable revealing the plot...yet.
I will say it is a Young Adult book, the characters are in their last year of high school and some are beyond it. There is a younger brother who hasn't spoken a word in his 14 years of life and no one knows why. There are three boys dressed up around Halloween time in demon costumes, or so our main character, Nicole, thinks. While navigating through her world she begins to realize there is a group of ancient beings who protect her. She has no idea who or why at first. As she learns new names, overcomes almost-insurmountable objects and navigates love and loss, she become stronger; physically, emotionally and with the powers that lay dormant...until she turned 18.
"Sticks & Stones" seemed to be the perfect title to work with.
June 4, 2014
Hump Day! Productive Day!
I've been fighting a cold and sore throat my children so lovingly shared with me and today, I am worn out. It's gray outside and only 56 up here near Boston. I have nothing going on until this evening and realized that all the ideas I have in my head, for the current WIP, needed to get down on paper...laptop.
After talking to Cindy about an underlying theme we needed for our story, I got to work this morning on writing. I am up to 21K words. 60K is my goal, then I will edit/spell check and send it to Cindy. I'm hoping to coincide with her summer break so she can read it, add her flair, then we'll combine her notes into the story and find some beta readers. I am keeping my fingers crossed the first draft of this story will be ready to go out to a beta reader(s) by the end of August.
I do not see any YA or Adult books of this genre on the shelf. I find limited information in the library on what we are writing about. My instincts are telling me to try and get this out there soon because someone will beat us to it. We can make up whatever we want in this genre and as there really isn't any guideline out there now, I feel we have more freedom. (Think "Twilight" and how Meyer introduced us to the non-human killing Vampires who sparkle.) Now that I have given myself a deadline...and have a job...I should be able to do this.
My job consists of watching a lovely 3 month old little girl who takes two naps in the time span that I watch her, early in the week. This gives me time to write and since I am not in my own house and do limited housework, I have more free time there than I do in my own home; I have to utilize it!
We have the end of this book all worked out. We have a working title, finally, which I will reveal in the next post! I am beginning to form scenes in my head (I think in movie scenes and then try to get it down into words) and I'm slowly filling in the gaps between those scenes. We are also making a concerted effort to make this a 'clean' book. No, or very limited, swearing, no drug use...things like that. Cindy and I both have preteens and are more than conscious of what they are reading and can get their hands on. There are many good stories out there that don't have numerous four letter words or graphic sex scenes in them. Of course, since we are writing about 18 year olds-ish, we have to be realistic in their language, which is a fine line to try and balance upon.
Now that my break is over, off to work towards 22K words before the kiddos come home from school. Stay tuned for the working title reveal...
After talking to Cindy about an underlying theme we needed for our story, I got to work this morning on writing. I am up to 21K words. 60K is my goal, then I will edit/spell check and send it to Cindy. I'm hoping to coincide with her summer break so she can read it, add her flair, then we'll combine her notes into the story and find some beta readers. I am keeping my fingers crossed the first draft of this story will be ready to go out to a beta reader(s) by the end of August.
I do not see any YA or Adult books of this genre on the shelf. I find limited information in the library on what we are writing about. My instincts are telling me to try and get this out there soon because someone will beat us to it. We can make up whatever we want in this genre and as there really isn't any guideline out there now, I feel we have more freedom. (Think "Twilight" and how Meyer introduced us to the non-human killing Vampires who sparkle.) Now that I have given myself a deadline...and have a job...I should be able to do this.
My job consists of watching a lovely 3 month old little girl who takes two naps in the time span that I watch her, early in the week. This gives me time to write and since I am not in my own house and do limited housework, I have more free time there than I do in my own home; I have to utilize it!
We have the end of this book all worked out. We have a working title, finally, which I will reveal in the next post! I am beginning to form scenes in my head (I think in movie scenes and then try to get it down into words) and I'm slowly filling in the gaps between those scenes. We are also making a concerted effort to make this a 'clean' book. No, or very limited, swearing, no drug use...things like that. Cindy and I both have preteens and are more than conscious of what they are reading and can get their hands on. There are many good stories out there that don't have numerous four letter words or graphic sex scenes in them. Of course, since we are writing about 18 year olds-ish, we have to be realistic in their language, which is a fine line to try and balance upon.
Now that my break is over, off to work towards 22K words before the kiddos come home from school. Stay tuned for the working title reveal...
April 6, 2014
Favorite Book Quotes
This article came across my Facebook news feed; it is about 10 profound Children's Book Quotes. You can read the article here. They mention Dr. Seuss, The Giving Tree, Harry Potter...but the first two which came to my mind were not in that article and are quite different from each other.
#1: "Goodnight moon...Goodnight noises, everywhere".
"Goodnight Moon" was read to me when I was a baby in the early 1970s. I have vague memories of looking at the book with my little sister, helping her find certain things in the pictures. I was maybe four and she was close to one at the time and I still have my copy from the 1970s.
When my first child was born in '97, I bought him a board book copy and read it while pregnant and when he was a baby. Now, I buy "Goodnight Moon" as a gift for every baby shower I go to. I think it's a great way to teach children that sleep is not something to be afraid of when you are little. The drawings are simplistic, colorful and full of emotion. It also has a bit of fun within the pages as your child tries to find the little mouse that appears on every colored page.
#2: from Dumbledore to Harry Potter, "It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." This was even written on our local library's wall when I lived back in Maryland. To be honest, when I read the series it didn't stand out until I was in the Children's Room at the library and saw it written up there. As a parent (I read the series before and right after I had my kids) it hit me more than when I originally read it on how true that quote is.
So, this begs the question: what book quotes have stuck with you through the years? Do your kids have a favorite one?
#1: "Goodnight moon...Goodnight noises, everywhere".
"Goodnight Moon" was read to me when I was a baby in the early 1970s. I have vague memories of looking at the book with my little sister, helping her find certain things in the pictures. I was maybe four and she was close to one at the time and I still have my copy from the 1970s.
When my first child was born in '97, I bought him a board book copy and read it while pregnant and when he was a baby. Now, I buy "Goodnight Moon" as a gift for every baby shower I go to. I think it's a great way to teach children that sleep is not something to be afraid of when you are little. The drawings are simplistic, colorful and full of emotion. It also has a bit of fun within the pages as your child tries to find the little mouse that appears on every colored page.
#2: from Dumbledore to Harry Potter, "It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." This was even written on our local library's wall when I lived back in Maryland. To be honest, when I read the series it didn't stand out until I was in the Children's Room at the library and saw it written up there. As a parent (I read the series before and right after I had my kids) it hit me more than when I originally read it on how true that quote is.
So, this begs the question: what book quotes have stuck with you through the years? Do your kids have a favorite one?
April 1, 2014
20344 and counting!
What felt like a few minutes ago, I pulled up the previous post and looked at what my word count was before I sliced out a section. Next thing I know, I'm beyond that number and into the 20Ks. Amazing how fast time flies, and your story, when you find the thread that will weave everything together and start pushing you towards the crux of the story.
I don't worry about being perfect when first writing out my story. It's a brainstorm of ideas, thoughts, sentences, conversations. I stop and start like a 16 year old learning how to alternate between the gas and brake pedal. I go back, read what I have written and add or take out a few things then move on. Once the whole story is completed, then I go back and do a full edit, which can take weeks, as I delete those pesky words I use too much, like "that", or flush out an idea. I spell check and use the thesaurus. Working on "showing" versus "telling" is one of the hardest things for me, so that's when I send out my first edited copy to a beta reader. I am hoping I'll hit this stage sometime in May, but we'll see.
I don't worry about being perfect when first writing out my story. It's a brainstorm of ideas, thoughts, sentences, conversations. I stop and start like a 16 year old learning how to alternate between the gas and brake pedal. I go back, read what I have written and add or take out a few things then move on. Once the whole story is completed, then I go back and do a full edit, which can take weeks, as I delete those pesky words I use too much, like "that", or flush out an idea. I spell check and use the thesaurus. Working on "showing" versus "telling" is one of the hardest things for me, so that's when I send out my first edited copy to a beta reader. I am hoping I'll hit this stage sometime in May, but we'll see.
March 27, 2014
19171 words...
I'm getting there. After deleting half a chapter, I am scratching my way back and it's going in a great direction. Our ideas for this book are so many, I'm having to pick and choose which ones we want to represent in this book and what we could possibly use in any subsequent ones. My goal is 60K words for "Sticks & Stones", then numerous edits. If all goes well, I hope to have this finished in two months so Cindy can have something to do after she is done her classes for the spring semester :-)
Off to research diamond dust/powder as it will play an important role...
Off to research diamond dust/powder as it will play an important role...
March 24, 2014
19983-18079=eureka!
Today I had a thought about my WIP. Months ago, I ran into a wall and after getting frustrated, I ignored writing.
I've done everything else BUT write: foster a pregnant cat (see my blog: www.batting-at-strings.blogspot.com) search for a job, clean the house, volunteer, take the dog on a walk, college visits with my oldest, read. Then today as I was walking from one room to another I thought, "I need to call Cindy. I wonder if we should cut the last scene I wrote. Make the readers wonder about "something" throughout the entire book rather than having it solved up front." I knew the answer before I even finished voicing the thought to myself!
I didn't call her because she has been studying for mid-terms. Then around lunch time she calls, mainly for some reassurance she'll do wonderful on a nursing assessment test. She will. We chat about that but I then ask her the question I thought of and she doesn't hesitate when she says, "Yes. Love that." So, I let the idea percolate a bit.
Fast forward 4 hours-"now"-and a friend of mine just posted she has a literary agent. I realize, I have to get moving on this story. It's a great idea, unique, one of a kind from what we can tell. I don't want someone else to snatch it up before it ever gets "that" good (and finished) where we can begin to market it.
So, I opened up my story folder, found the one we are working on and deleted the last scene. I went from 19,983 words down to 18,079. Not a HUGE cut; not starting over; nothing I can't surmount. However, it has given me a whole new direction to go in and I'm excited to once again begin working on this story we have dubbed, "Sticks & Stones." The original title, when Cindy wrote it as a short story, was "Shades of Grey". Umm, yeah. That won't work anymore. Even though our title came out years before "50 Shades of Grey" hit the shelves, we knew we couldn't have anything that close. Especially since it is not anywhere NEAR the genre of "50 Shades."
So, in between dinner and running my son to a meeting tonight, I'll pick at it. We have the last scene plotted out so maybe I'll work on that and then fill in the "blanks."
Tomorrow is wide open until dinner. I should be able to get a couple thousand words down by then, right?
I've done everything else BUT write: foster a pregnant cat (see my blog: www.batting-at-strings.blogspot.com) search for a job, clean the house, volunteer, take the dog on a walk, college visits with my oldest, read. Then today as I was walking from one room to another I thought, "I need to call Cindy. I wonder if we should cut the last scene I wrote. Make the readers wonder about "something" throughout the entire book rather than having it solved up front." I knew the answer before I even finished voicing the thought to myself!
I didn't call her because she has been studying for mid-terms. Then around lunch time she calls, mainly for some reassurance she'll do wonderful on a nursing assessment test. She will. We chat about that but I then ask her the question I thought of and she doesn't hesitate when she says, "Yes. Love that." So, I let the idea percolate a bit.
Fast forward 4 hours-"now"-and a friend of mine just posted she has a literary agent. I realize, I have to get moving on this story. It's a great idea, unique, one of a kind from what we can tell. I don't want someone else to snatch it up before it ever gets "that" good (and finished) where we can begin to market it.
So, I opened up my story folder, found the one we are working on and deleted the last scene. I went from 19,983 words down to 18,079. Not a HUGE cut; not starting over; nothing I can't surmount. However, it has given me a whole new direction to go in and I'm excited to once again begin working on this story we have dubbed, "Sticks & Stones." The original title, when Cindy wrote it as a short story, was "Shades of Grey". Umm, yeah. That won't work anymore. Even though our title came out years before "50 Shades of Grey" hit the shelves, we knew we couldn't have anything that close. Especially since it is not anywhere NEAR the genre of "50 Shades."
So, in between dinner and running my son to a meeting tonight, I'll pick at it. We have the last scene plotted out so maybe I'll work on that and then fill in the "blanks."
Tomorrow is wide open until dinner. I should be able to get a couple thousand words down by then, right?
March 23, 2014
Kittens!
I've been busy blogging our experience with the kittens, who are now 2 weeks old and require a bit less hovering, but still a lot of handling to get them used to us!
Feel free to follow me: http://batting-at-strings.blogspot.co...
Feel free to follow me: http://batting-at-strings.blogspot.co...
March 7, 2014
I'm writing, but not a book at the moment...
Our foster cat had kittens, and it wasn't an easy birth. I've been blogging about it here: Batting At Strings.
Please take some time and follow me on a journey with these adorable kittens! Once we have them fully settled in, I will try to get back on schedule and continue writing the story I am doing with my friend, Cindy.
Thanks!
Please take some time and follow me on a journey with these adorable kittens! Once we have them fully settled in, I will try to get back on schedule and continue writing the story I am doing with my friend, Cindy.
Thanks!
February 27, 2014
...Speaking of e-Books and more...
One of my friends, Lani Woodland has published an e-book; the last in the Yara Silva Trilogy. It is aptly entitled "Inevitable" and currently is $3.99 on Amazon. Beginning with "Intrinsical" and then "Indelible" this last book wraps up what has proved to be a very difficult few years for Yara. If you are looking for a great series that has ghosts, romance and family ties then this series has it. Buy "Intrinsical" here. Not only did Lani Woodland work on these books, she managed to co-write "Pieces of Jade"--exclusively an e-book. Honestly, when I read the blurb I thought it wasn't for me but since she is a great friend and I didn't know much about this story, I downloaded it and found I could not put it down! It was fast paced, had twists, pirates and leaves you wanting more...which Woodland is going to do. Book Two will be out but not fast enough! Download "Pieces of Jade" from here.
Speaking of new books...Erica Cameron only has five days to wait until her debut novel "Sing Sweet Nightingale"! This book is available in paperback or e-reader beginning March 4th! Feel free to pre order her book in paperback from here.
I'm very excited that two friends are so successful in their writing careers!
*******************************
A few notable books I have read over the past few weeks, which I gave 4-5 stars on Goodreads:
"Bird" by Crystal Chan. I foresee this being a book that middle schoolers will be required to read for their Language Arts class. So much can be discussed: family beliefs and values, differences/fitting in, friendship and love...loss of a sibling.
"More Than This" by Patrick Ness. I picked this up on a whim in the library and while I wouldn't give it to my 11 year old to read, I think it's appropriate for 14 and up as there are a few sexual comments here and there she's not ready for. I heard the movie rights have been picked up and can't wait to see what comes of it. This books deals with the question, "What is life? What is death? What is reality?" the theme of this book is a bit like "The Matrix".
"The Local News" by Miriam Gershow is an emotional journey of a sister trying to understand what happend to her brother. Did he go missing on his own? Was he kidnapped? You are taken in and tossed about in this story but it is very well written and as a parent, will strike you to your core.
"Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea. My daughter read this in 5th grade and it couldn't stop talking about it. She lamented how she'd love to have a teacher like Mr. Terupt and told me facts she learned then ran out to get the sequel when it was in the bookstore. I read it on my Kindle while traveling and realized, as a teacher, this book was full of wonderful ideas and shows you the difference in children and how their background influences how they learn. A very enjoyable book for upper elementary school and adults alike!
And now, for something completely different:
My family has recently begun to foster pregnant cats and kittens. We began early last summer and have continued since then. I will be putting together a blog about them as I'm finding more and more interest when I post about the pregnant mama cats on my Facebook page. I will post the link on here when the blog is up and running!
Enjoy the last few days of February and I hope you are warm, wherever you are.
Speaking of new books...Erica Cameron only has five days to wait until her debut novel "Sing Sweet Nightingale"! This book is available in paperback or e-reader beginning March 4th! Feel free to pre order her book in paperback from here.
I'm very excited that two friends are so successful in their writing careers!
*******************************
A few notable books I have read over the past few weeks, which I gave 4-5 stars on Goodreads:
"Bird" by Crystal Chan. I foresee this being a book that middle schoolers will be required to read for their Language Arts class. So much can be discussed: family beliefs and values, differences/fitting in, friendship and love...loss of a sibling.
"More Than This" by Patrick Ness. I picked this up on a whim in the library and while I wouldn't give it to my 11 year old to read, I think it's appropriate for 14 and up as there are a few sexual comments here and there she's not ready for. I heard the movie rights have been picked up and can't wait to see what comes of it. This books deals with the question, "What is life? What is death? What is reality?" the theme of this book is a bit like "The Matrix".
"The Local News" by Miriam Gershow is an emotional journey of a sister trying to understand what happend to her brother. Did he go missing on his own? Was he kidnapped? You are taken in and tossed about in this story but it is very well written and as a parent, will strike you to your core.
"Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea. My daughter read this in 5th grade and it couldn't stop talking about it. She lamented how she'd love to have a teacher like Mr. Terupt and told me facts she learned then ran out to get the sequel when it was in the bookstore. I read it on my Kindle while traveling and realized, as a teacher, this book was full of wonderful ideas and shows you the difference in children and how their background influences how they learn. A very enjoyable book for upper elementary school and adults alike!
And now, for something completely different:
My family has recently begun to foster pregnant cats and kittens. We began early last summer and have continued since then. I will be putting together a blog about them as I'm finding more and more interest when I post about the pregnant mama cats on my Facebook page. I will post the link on here when the blog is up and running!
Enjoy the last few days of February and I hope you are warm, wherever you are.
Heather McCubbin's Blog
- Heather McCubbin's profile
- 16 followers
Heather McCubbin isn't a Goodreads Author
(yet),
but they
do have a blog,
so here are some recent posts imported from
their feed.
