Deborah Halverson's Blog, page 9

3 Cheers for 3 Writers (and a week one for me)

I don’t always post my cheers when writers I’ve worked with as an editor reach their goals because I don’t want to look like I’m trying to take credit for their hard work and talent. As an editorial consultant I point out strengths and weaknesses, and I make suggestions about opportunities and guide when writers need clarity. I help writers see the forest for the trees and step forward with confidence. Notably, I’m usually just one of the many people that contribute to their journeys. But heck, when people I’ve worked with have great turns in their career, I’m happy for them. I want to high five them. I want to CHEER!!!  So… how about if I do that without naming names? That works for me, so that’s what I’ll do today. Today, I cheer three people who have had fabulous career turns since the new year: two writers I’ve worked with have been offered agent representation, and another has landed a book contract. Huzzah three times over!

And heck, while I’m at it, I’ll dare to cheer for myself a little bit because it turns out an excerpt from WRITING NEW ADULT FICTION is going to included in a writing craft anthology later this year. Huzzah, too!

I’m liking 2016 so far.

The Power of the Perfect Writing Space

When I first saw feet sticking out from under the desk, I thought, “How cute!” Then I thought, “He writes his stories under there, and he’s very productive. Maybe I should take that spot when he goes to school tomorrow.” I was mostly joking. But that thought made me stop and mull the power of finding your perfect writing nook. You see, that Lego table he’s under used to be my writing desk before I had children. I wrote two novels there. Now someone is writing novels UNDER there, and it’s not me.

Sometimes, as a writer you write where you must. You make where you are work for you. But sometimes a writer gets the joy of nesting into the perfect space—one that lets you get into your creative mindset and tune out the world and, to put it bluntly, produce. I’ve noticed that for me the “perfect writing space” has changed over the years. Not just because I had kids and they covered my table with Lego ships and robots. Rather, I’ve found that it’s useful for me to “flip the switch” now by actively leaving my house. I’m not just avoiding sinks of dirty dishes calling out to be washed, or baskets of clothes begging to be folded. It’s that I physically have to “go to work.” Elsewhere. Away from home. Only then does my mind slip off into creative mode.

And that’s okay. My dream of working from home has shifted from the notion of doing a day’s work without ever leaving my house (which seemed the desired antithesis to reporting to an office with a boss and a daily helping of meetings) to the notion that my work is about my mental space, not my physical place. I want to work where I’m most productive. And that’s what I’ve got. I wrote Writing New Adult Fiction at the mall food court near my house. Free wifi, comfy furniture, access to food, a lovely breeze and a nearby bathroom. But then that place starting feeling less productive. So my place shifted once more, and it involves an actual office… of sorts. Now I pack up a lunch just like I used to when I worked in an office, I walk out the front door in the morning just like a used to (although later), and I get in my car just like I used to. Only, now that’s pretty much the destination. That car. Or rather, that minivan. I call it my Mobile Office. I drive it to a nearby park or the beach, find a shady spot with a lovely view, then roll down the windows for a breeze, crack open the laptop, and start typing. By then I’m in my creative mindset. My writing perfect space.

I imagine this, too, will shift. But since I can drive my office to all kinds of different settings to add variety, I’m counting on the shift not happening for a good long while. About 7-ish years, to be exact. You see, that’s when my boys are set to graduate high school and head off to college … and I get my desk back.

The Danger of Letting a Storyteller in Your Kitchen

Today I was peeling large Pink Ladies for a Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Baked Apples snack for the boys, peeling away speedily, thinking about how one must be careful not to peel away one’s finger instead, then thinking about what one would do in that situation then how people would react to the blood then how you’d react to their reaction then how the scene would play out then how it would affect the greater narrative and the protagonist’s arc and the—“Damn it! I just peeled my finger off!” Now the storyteller is awaiting the timer’s ding announcing her Brown Suger & Cinnamon Baked Apples snack with a very large Band-Aid on her hand.

(recipe for Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Baked Apples)

 

Fab Review for Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies!

Author/blogger Lee Wind is well known for caring deeply about writers, so his recommendation of WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES on the SCBWI blog makes me super proud: “Deborah Halverson (who I’m always so impressed with) has put together a really useful guide… Her book is packed with good stuff.”

I love to celebrate milestones and good news by paying it...

I love to celebrate milestones and good news by paying it forward. This week I’m celebrating WRITING NEW ADULT FICTION winning a San Diego Book Award by giving away a FREE FULL MANUSCRIPT EDIT away on my writer’s advice website DearEditor.com.

If you’re a writer or know a writer who might want an edit, click on over and enter. The giveaway runs August 10, 2015, through August 14, 2015. Good luck!

Pulling Back the Curtain

Sometimes our assumptions don’t jive with reality. Today, my twelve-year-old neighbor stood next to me as I signed a copy of Writing New Adult Fiction to mail to the winning bidder in the Quest for Queen Auction. I explained what I was doing, why, and the purpose of the bookmark-that-doubles-as-a-business-card that I’d tucked into the book. I then fought to jam the book into an envelope that was just barely big enough. It was the only envelope I had on hand and I didn’t want to go to the store for another.

The girl watched me struggle for a moment, then said, “You know, when I was growing up, I thought authors lived in big mansions like celebrities.”

I sealed the envelope then pumped my fist in victory. “And now you know the truth.”

Reading and Debating

The boys and I finished reading The Giver together. Friends of mine had asked me how I think ten-year-olds would do with that book. It’s got some challenging themes about humanity and courage and compassion, but the storyline is clear and accessible to young people and I felt my guys were ready to tackle the issues it brings up.  I thought they’d enjoy it.

Boy, did they. Jonas’s story made them wonder and speculate and puzzle and worry in a delicious way. The ending spurred debate, as it does with all readers. That’s one aspect that had me really curious. How would the boys interpret it? Turns out they came up with all the possible interpretations I’ve heard from older readers. Ultimately, two boys insisted on the happiest options, and they all hope for additional insight from the next books in the Giver quartet. I’ve only read Gathering Blue—the second book, which we started last night together—so I don’t know if extra insight regarding The Giver’s ending will be had. I doubt it since I haven’t heard that to be the case. Regardless, it’s fun wondering with them.

Watch Where You Sit!

One reason I buy bound books for my sons instead of e-books is because books laying around the house become books discovered by other brothers. Last night I threw EL DEAFO on the couch last night to see who would discover it this morning. Turns out the strategy works on grandmas, too.

My Interview for Adventures in YA Publishing Blog

I’m honored to be featured on the fabulous blog Adventures in YA Publishing this week. The blog covers Young Adult Fiction in general, gives away YA books (several giveaways going on this week!), features advice from YA authors, and shares writing tips, and publishing information. Here’s an excerpt from the interview: “With the current enthusiasm for contemporary realistic stories, I see too many manuscripts that showcase above-average writing but fail to deliver a fresh angle on the contemporary teen experience. What makes your story about a regular kid in high school stand out from all those other well written stories about regular kids in high schools? I want to see more great writers find their distinct angles so that they can find publishers and places on bookstore shelves.“

Happy New Year! (…18 days into that year)

Is it 2015 already? Golly, the end of 2014 was a bucket of crazy-busy. I’ve just finished leading a three-day intensive for SCBWI Central Coastal California, and that marks the end of a big push of work and retreats and holidays and school vacations for me. As a result, TOMORROW feels like my New Years Day. I’m excited to regroup, refreshed and invigorated by three days in a pool of creative energy and enthusiasm. I hope that YOUR new year is rolling in smoothly and good things are on your radar, too. 2015, here we come!!