The PAPER HEARTS blog tour: Some Marketing Advice

I am so excited to be a part of the Paper Hearts blog tour! And it's not only because Beth Revis is a friend and a wonderful human. She's also a NYT best selling author and a font of information about the business of publishing.

A few months ago I read Beth's first Paper Hearts book, Some Writing Advice, and I found it wise and reassuring. I've published three novels, but there's always SCADS more to learn, right? Beth has a brilliant way of cutting to the heart of matters and waving off the "noise" that is distracting rather than helpful.

Of course I was eager to read her book on marketing strategies, since this is something that brings me a great deal of stress. To my relief and amazement, Beth has broken it all down and provided reasonable options for getting the word out. So writers, whether you want to be traditionally published or you're taking the reins to self-publish, you really need to be reading this book ASAP.

***And now . . . a marketing tip from Beth!



Beth says: Work with friends.

No matter what you do in promotion, it’s better to do it with friends.
Holding a giveaway? Grab other author friends, get signed copies of their
books, and add them to the giveaway. Better yet, cross promote and do join
giveaways with several authors. Doing a live event? You could stand up
there and be boring, or you could invite other authors to come talk with
you and make it into a fun conversation about books. Chatting online? Get
other authors to help host a Twitter chat or Facebook party.

Doing things with other authors is not only more fun, but it brings your
audience to theirs and vice versa. It lowers expenses—if you each provide
one signed book to a winner, then the winner could get five books, but
your personal expense is only one. If you’re doing live events with
others, you can get varied responses and also have a break from being
“on.”

The key here: don’t think of other authors as your competition. People
will buy more than one book. Other authors are your colleagues, and, if
you’re lucky, your friends.

***Also, Beth and I answer a couple of questions about marketing:

1. How did you decide which social media platforms to use and which to avoid?

Beth's answer: Use the ones you enjoy. Avoid the ones you don't. That's all.

My answer: I agree 100% with Beth. Don't force yourself to use a social media platform just because it's supposedly cool or the new thing. If it's fun for you, great -- people will recognize that and want to interact with you. If it's a drag for you, or if you're only using it to constantly remind people of your book, please stop. I, for one, have given up particular platforms because they just weren't a good fit for me and it felt like work to keep them up to date.

2. Does promoting your own books get any easier over time?

Beth's answer: I think it does actually--one of the few things that does! Because it's
not until you've self promo'ed for awhile that you start to realize how
much of it you can let go. How much the advice to just write the next book
really is the best advice. Of course I feel like I always have to do so
much to sell my books--I always feel that pressure. But I give it up
quicker now. Because there's only so much you can do. And the longer I'm
in this game, the more I know that the only thing I can really do to make
a difference is write the next book. So it's easier, because I'm able to
let go more and write.

My answer: Again, have to agree with Beth here, particularly about learning what to let go. Keep in mind that Beth is a very creative person and has pretty much investigated every option before choosing what works well for her. I've just locked on to a few marketing tricks that are comfortable (if not entirely effective) for me. However, now that I have her book, I might try a few new options. She's done a lot of the work for us, folks!

***Finally, enter to win signed books!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Learn more at BethRevis.com
Paper Hearts, Volume 1: Some Writing Advice on Goodreads

Purchase Paper Hearts, Volume 3: Some Marketing Advice
Amazon – Kobo – Barnes & Noble – The Book Depository

Follow along with the rest of the tour at the Paper Hearts Tour Headquarters, or follow Beth Revis on Twitter!

Setting in fiction

Sonia contemplates a particularly inspiring setting

Recently I participated in my first Twitter chat! One of the questions I barely had time to answer properly was "Any tips for setting in a historical novel?" (Thanks, Abigail!)

Well, I love to talk about setting, because all my stories start with place. As soon as I encounter an intriguing setting, I am eager to know more about its history. An exploration of this history often makes me wonder what sort of people might have inhabited that place and time. Then I wonder what conflicts the setting might create for a character. At this point a story begins to take shape in my imagination.

So, YES, I have tips! And they are very straightforward.

Tip #1: If at all possible, spend time in your setting. This is true for contemporary and historical fiction. For historicals in particular, be sure to visit historic buildings, museums, and historical societies. Living history sites are the best! Take photos and video footage (so easy with a phone these days), grab maps and brochures, and maybe even talk to the locals (especially if it’s recent history). Very often the physical experience of a place will spark all sorts of story ideas. On the other hand, actually being there might lead you to realize that a potential plot point is not realistic after all.

Tip #2: Know your setting so well that you could write a detailed pamphlet or give a tour. Along with visiting the setting, read nonfiction accounts of that place and time. Read other fiction with the same setting—I promise it won’t “pollute” your own story. If you can find diaries of people who lived in that place/time, you’ve struck gold. Take notes as you read—I find that handwritten notes stick in my brain much longer than typed ones. Pretty soon you’ll have quite a stack of information. However, keep in mind that 95% of that information, awesome as it is, won’t show up in the pages of your story. And none of it should show up in passive description. Instead . . .

Tip #3: Treat your setting like a character in the story, and show your protagonist interacting with it. For example, some ideal moments to describe your setting might be:

-- when your protagonist encounters it for the first time. It’s just like meeting another human character for the first time. Is this setting welcoming or hostile? Beautiful or depressing? Familiar or alien? We learn about a character by his or her reaction to a new location.

-- when your protagonist is in conflict with it. Does the character feel contained or smothered by the setting? Does it give her the heebie jeebies? Is your character battling the elements? Corralling cats or small children? A setting that creates conflict can be a source of horror or humor.

-- when it is teaching/inspiring/soothing your protagonist. (This is one of my favorites!) Is there a place that inspires or comforts your character—a place of escape? A place to dream or cogitate? What if that place is under threat somehow? What would your character do?

Above all, don’t just tell us how this setting affects your protagonist—show the character’s awe/alienation/inspiration/comfort through a scene. (See this blog post from Writer’s Digest for examples of showing vs. telling.)

PLEASE feel free to comment with more suggestions about setting in fiction!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Friday Favorites: Writing Retreats

A couple of days ago I returned from a seven night Kindling Words West retreat in Marble Falls, TX. The Retreat at Balcones Springs offered cozy cabins and beautiful scenery, and our workshop leaders Nancy Werlin and Karen Romano Young provided guidance on how to find "unseen visuals" in our stories that could help transform our writing.


The goal for our morning workshops was to work on visual poems and other graphic representations of our stories, but Nancy and Karen encouraged us to follow our own path as much as we liked. As it turned out, I got caught up in this (not great) watercolor painting. I started with a random tree, added to it each day, and ended up understanding so much more about my protagonist and her relationship with nature. (Also, I got to live inside her brain in a new way, for she is an artist who works with pencil and watercolor.)


The bulk of each day was spent in silent retreat, and this was my main work station from 10am-5pm. Working on a bed is a little unorthodox, I know, but it turned out to be a good shift for my brain and body. (And strangely enough, I never napped!)


We didn't spend all our time working. Each morning we had the option of yoga, and during the day there were always opportunities for long walks. We encountered bluebonnets and other wildflowers, live oak and mesquite trees, insects, snakes, lizards, and for one group, a herd of wild boars! I really, really need to remember that when I'm blocked, a good walk can shake things up nicely. (I'll steer clear of the boars, however.)

I so appreciated all the time for writing (without the usual distractions), and I treasured the opportunities for communion with other writers. You artistic types out there -- give yourself the gift of a retreat! It doesn't have to be Kindling Words (though I strongly recommend it). You could take a day alone, or gather with friends for a weekend or longer. No matter how or with whom you arrange it, I really urge you to set aside silent work time.

For those who make a regular habit of retreating, what sort of activities, formats, locations, etc., inspired you?

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Monday Miscellany

For today's blog post I offer you a grab bag of happy-making things:

TEA AND A GARDEN WALK
This past Tuesday I picked up my dear friend Michelle in Dallas and we had quite the tea adventure in Fort Worth. I'd read glowing reviews of Antique Outlet and Mitra's Tearoom on Teamap. When we arrived, we were afraid the GPS had failed us -- all we found was an old and mostly dead strip mall. Upon closer inspection, we noticed the "Antiques and Tea Room" sign. We ventured inside to find a fairly ordinary-looking antique shop. At the back, however, was a little Victorian oasis of dainty, chintz-bedecked tables surrounded by teacup and teapot displays. Mitra's Tearoom doesn't actually offer an afternoon tea, but we enjoyed a "combo" lunch that included soup, tea sandwiches, salad, and dessert. It was DELICIOUS. Our tastebuds rejoiced and our tummies groaned.

We poked around the antiques afterwards, but soon realized a brisk walk was in order. Hence we made our way to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.


See Michelle above with our tea and muffin appetizers (or would you say amuse-bouches?). On the right is a lovely wooden path through the Botanic Garden. We certainly met our goal of walking off the meal--the garden encompasses 110 acres--and the fact that it was 90 degrees outside made it even more challenging. But what a gorgeous place! I can't wait to visit when the trees are in full leaf.

KIDLIT CELEBRATION

On Friday I took Michelle to the airport (wah!) and immediately set out for Tulsa, as this past weekend was the "Ignite the Spark" conference for the Oklahoma region of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Our regional advisors put together a splendid panel of agents and editors, and, as always, I enjoyed meeting up with old friends and new. (Above you see me with Valerie Lawson and my roomie/critique partner Brandi Barnett.) I left inspired and recharged, which is a good thing as this week I REALLY MUST GET SOME WRITING WORK DONE.

BRAINY COSTUME DRAMA

Finally, I just wanted to point out that the BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall is finally coming to PBS! Above you see Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell, and I am delighted to learn that Damian Lewis plays Henry VIII. This six-part series actually covers both Wolf Hall and its sequel Bring Up the Bodies. The Guardian called it "sumptuous, intelligent, event television." Go here for more review blurbs that seem to indicate an overwhelmingly positive critical reception of the mini-series. Huzzah!

Check out the BBC trailer:



Wolf Hall premieres Sunday, April 5!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

2015 -- Reflecting on goals

So last year I set some goals for myself, and I thought it might be fun to check on my progress.

1. Journal/blog more.
I'm pretty sure I wrote in my paper journal more than I did in 2013, but a counting of blog posts reveals that I wrote fewer. However, when you take out self-promotey sorts of giveaways and "hey, look at my book!" posts, it pretty much evens out. So I didn't necessarily fall behind, but I would like to contribute more to this blog in 2015. Content-wise, I'm pretty satisfied with what I wrote. Some of it resonated with readers, some of it didn't, but it was all meaningful to me. And I think I did spend less time "blurting" on Twitter and Facebook. One specific goal: write more "Friday Favorite" posts. They're a nice catch-all review of neat things I've encountered during the week. (I already know some things I want to showcase this Friday!)

2. Read more.
GOAL ACHIEVED! In 2013 I read 50 books. This past year I read 72. Hooray! 43 were adult (this includes research books), 12 were young adult, and 17 were middle grade. I did not slog through any work of fiction just because I felt I had to. (I consider this growth from last year.) I really enjoyed my reading. And here are some favorites (starred titles were featured on the blog for "tea and a book"):

My True Love Gave to Me -- adorable anthology of holiday romance short stories.
Cold Comfort Farm -- I enjoyed the film, but the book is so very clever! And much funnier.
High Rising* -- a re-read, but this time it launched me into full-blown Angela Thirkell obsession.
The Signature of All Things* -- the most unusual book I read all year.
The Crowfield Curse* -- compelling medieval mystery/fantasy.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? -- I love The Mindy Project, and this funny memoir showed me just how smart, ambitious, and hard-working Kahling is.
A Stitch in Time* -- my favorite Penelope Lively book so far.
The French Lieutenant's Woman* -- a very satisfying re-read.
Remarkable Creatures* -- early female fossil hunters!
Miss Buncle's Book* -- my introduction to D.E. Stevenson (I'm currently reading my 4th Stevenson novel).
The Hollow Kingdom -- I think of this as the proper resolution to my childhood obsession with Sarah/Jareth from Labyrinth.
Garden Spells* -- my introduction to the magically romantic books of Sarah Addison Allen.

3. Spend more time researching and planning my next story.
I do think I've improved in this regard. Now must endeavor not to languish in the planning stage for too long.

4. Be more like Elfrida.
This goal was about being a better friend, listener, and comforter (like Elfrida in Winter Solstice). Not sure how to measure my progress, but I probably should have been more mindful of it. Part of the goal also involved inviting more people to my house, and in that regard I failed miserably. I only had two friends to stay in the entire year! No group gatherings or parties of any sort. Specific goal: plan a gathering in my home to take place before May 1st.

5. Be more conscious of living in the moment (and detach self from phone).
Hmmmm . . . not sure what to do with this one. It's rather vague. More specific goals: take at least one walk each day. Sit in the living room without turning on the TV. Sit on the patio in warmer weather. Put phone in kitchen when working in the office.

Final specific goal for 2015 -- make a "to do" list at the beginning of each work day. It's a simple thing, and it works!

How about you? Any goals for the new year?

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Journal Lust

I have a problem.

Here's the scenario: over the summer, during one of my many visits to Blackwell's in Oxford, I somehow failed to avert my gaze when walking past the journals. Instead of getting the heck out of there, I headed straight for the rotating display and proceeded to handle those lovely bindings. (I almost said "manhandle" but ladies like to grope things, too, don't they? It's just . . . we tend to grope purses and books and teapots. Or maybe that's just me.)

One of those journals was so gorgeous I just couldn't resist. Even though I already have a closet full of journals too impractical to be of any use--pretty little books that don't open flat, are too small for my gorilla hands, are narrow-ruled or have no ruling at all. But they were all so pretty I just couldn't help handling them, which inevitably led to acquiring them.

That day at Blackwell's I told myself "Sonia, you CANNOT buy another journal until you fill all those orphaned journals in your closet with thoughtful thoughts. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT."

Yeah right. I bought the journal. Isn't it gorgeous?


It's a Paperblanks Grolier Ornamental, if you're interested in one for yourself.

Part of the deal for me is I'm enamoured with fictional depictions of journals and journal writers. Like László Almásy (Ralph Fiennes) in The English Patient, when he uses blank pages of his battered copy of Herodotus for writing poetry and painting pictures. Or Roland in Possession, who writes poetry in his journal, too, but also uses it to hide the stolen draft of Randolph Henry Ashe's letter to Christabel LaMotte (or is that just in the film?). And of course, there's I Capture the Castle, but I already exulted over Cassandra Mortmain and journal writing in this blog post.

I shouldn't forget the film adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest, which was memorable to me only because of Cecily's amazing leather-bound journal that looks almost like an illuminated manuscript (it appears around 1:38):


Yes, there's all sorts of romantic schmoopery going on in that clip, but you know what I was thinking? "Let's see more of that JOURNAL!"

In the end, I did make good use of the Grolier Ornamental from Blackwell's. It has become my research journal for a new story. Who says a research journal has to look serious and researchy? Can't it be pretty? I've jazzed it up by coding the ink color and putting sticky notes all over the place. I'll probably paste photos and stuff in there, too. It actually inpsires me just to look at the thing, so I count this as a WIN for journal lust!



I know there must be others out there who share this depraved and insatiable appetite for journals. What attracts you to a particular journal? And how do you use that crazy sexy thing? (You know, that thing you bought with a stack of crumpled singles because you didn't want your husband to see the charge on the credit card bill?) Do you have favorite fictional/cinematic depictions of journals? Please share!

P.S. If you like the look of that stack of journals in the photo at the top, go here for more info!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Wednesday Writing tips from Neil Gaiman

At school and library visits, I almost always get questions about how to be a better writer. I don't consider myself an expert, but I do love talking about this sort of thing.

Needless to say, I got pretty excited when I saw this video in which excerpts from a Neil Gaiman podcast are paired with clips from films about writers. He says ALL THE THINGS that I've said or wished I'd remembered to say to would-be writers, and he expresses it all so much more eloquently than I ever could.



I found the video here -- Neil Gaiman's advice to aspiring writers -- and I really just wanted to put it in a handy place on my blog so I can direct new writers to it. It's really quite wonderful.

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Focus objects and written intentions

Last week I experienced Kindling Words West in Breckenridge, CO.


As you can see, our surroundings were sublime.

Our first evening together, all the attendees stated their intentions for the retreat. The mornings that followed began with yoga (optional), a fortifying breakfast (so necessary and appreciated), and an inspiring hour-long talk from Laurie Halse Anderson (brilliant). At the start of each talk, Laurie focused us with a writing prompt, usually about significant objects from our past or present.

When she asked us to journal about an object in our lives that helped us refocus into our writing, I wrote about the various inspirational doodads I've collected or been gifted since I got serious about writing. That was fun, but then I remembered the Brontë poster I brought back from the Parsonage Museum -- Branwell's portrait of Anne, Emily, and Charlotte. As you may know, this painting originally featured the artist standing at the center, but now all that remains of him is the golden column where he later effaced himself.


I face the poster when I'm sitting at my desk, and it's the perfect focus point for a little informal meditation. When I look at that painting, I think of the sisters rambling the moors and scribbling at the kitchen table. I imagine them burning up with a story fever that poverty and loss couldn't extinguish. And as for Branwell -- his tragic self-loathing is a good reminder to be kinder to myself. (The muse responds to deadlines, but not so well to disparagement.)

So, inspired by Kindling Words and Laurie Halse Anderson, I've identified a focus object and pledge to list intentions at the start of each writing day. I hope it becomes a habit.

How about you? What would you choose as your focus object?

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Writing Process Blog Hop

My fabulous friend and critique partner Brandi Barnett invited me to join her in blogging about the Writing Process. Brandi is the author of YA novel Glamour, and she blogs about the magic of everyday life at brandibarnett.blogspot.com. Thank you, Brandi, for inviting me to join the fun!

Now to the questions . . .

What are you working on?
I just finished a middle grade contemporary ghost story. Now I'm in the planning stages for a couple of Young Adult novels--both mysteries, one contemporary and the other historical. Each has its own little bit of metaphysical/paranormal flair, of course.

How does your work differ from other of its genre?
This is a tough one, so I'll focus on process rather than content. I don't know how other writers of ghostly mysteries get their ideas, but with me it almost always starts with place rather than character or plot. When I discover an out-of-the-ordinary setting, I start to wonder what sort of people might have inhabited it, and what kind of joys and trials they might have experienced. The story takes off from there.

Why do you write what you do?
Simply put, I try to write the kind of books I want to read. I love mysteries and historicals. I love Gothic settings. I can't get enough of characters who are haunted in some way -- by an actual ghost, by the past, by a loss, or perhaps by some trespass they've committed. I collect favorite (& sometimes random) story elements like a magpie, with the goal of mixing them up into something new. Something me.

How does your writing process work?
I'm a planner. I outline. I fill in character questionnaires. I create index cards for each scene and arrange them on a bulletin board. I love any sort of graphic organizer for planning OR revising a story. It's the drafting that nearly kills me -- seriously, sometimes it's about as painful and ugly as ripping the guts from my body. (Well, not quite, but you know what I mean!) Revision isn't that much easier, but for me it's more fun, partly because the graphic organizers come back into play. I like to chart story elements to identify gaps and redundancies. For instance, when I'd completed a solid draft of my middle grade novel, Steve and I charted each chapter on a huge dry-erase board. So fun!


We spent three full days on this. My husband is a prince, I tell you. (Also, it was OU's semester break.)

Next Monday, April 28th (or in Valerie's case, a little earlier than that), three friends will join the blog hop and give you the deets on their writing process. Do pay them a visit!

Jerry Bennett is an illustrator and pre-published graphic novelist hard at work on his 'underwater western'.
Jerry blogs at Tumblr, and you also can follow him on Facebook.

Mari Farthing is a freelance editor and writer in the OKC area who blogs about family, music, pop culture and just about everything else you could think of at Mari, quite contrary.

Valerie Lawson is a young adult contemporary author who also dabbles in middle grade mysteries. She lives in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, with her husband and two children who suffer through her delusions of grandeur and bouts of madness with grace. Follow her writing journey at Valerie R Lawson: Barbies on Fire.

Have a great week, everyone!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

The Writing Barn: Interview with Creative Director Bethany Hegedus

Last April I attended a writing workshop at The Writing Barn in Austin, Texas. You'll find some photos and details here. I learned so much from Sara Zarr and the other participants, and I had a lot of fun, too. I must confess it was a little nerve wracking to participate in the workshop process (see more below), especially since many of the participants were MFA grads who were well accustomed to this sort of critique. I managed to overcome my jitters, however, mostly due to the lovely sense of community. I recommend The Writing Barn to new, agented, and even published writers. To reinforce this recommendation, I'm pleased to share an interview with The Writing Barn's Creative Director, Bethany Hegedus.

The Writing Barn is situated in a magical setting and attracts writers from far and wide. How did it all start?
Bethany: The Writing Barn is the dream I never knew I had. It sprang from a strange combination of perfect timing for me in my career-life and my love-life. A year into living in Austin, I meet the man I would eventually marry, who

The wooded setting of The Writing Barn

lived on 7.5 wooded acres in South Austin, only 20 minutes from downtown. I had been working at the Writers’ League of Texas and had two novels already out. When we married, we decided to use the guest house/Barn as a place to hold classes, events, and writing workshops and as luck would have it, once upon a time, it had been a working horse barn, the name “Writing Barn” hit me. I am a sucker for a good pun.

The Writing Barn is a mixture of everything that calls to me: teaching, community, craft-focused writing conversations, books, books and more books. We have a fire pit for roasting marshmallows, a screened in porch which we’ve dubbed the “party porch” as our Cocktails and Conversation evenings that kick of our Advanced Writer Weekend Workshops take place there. Visiting published writers are encouraged to sign the party porch and retreaters and attendees who are yet-to-be published are excited to return and sign when their time comes. We’ve been open two years this January and word of mouth about what we are doing keeps spreading. It’s a joy.

What are your goals for writers who attend Writing Barn workshops?
Bethany: I want all writers who attend our workshops to come away inspired and with new ways of looking at their works-in-progress, and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a piece. The lectures that have been presented thus far, have bowled me over; and I have been writing for over ten years and have an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of the Fine Arts. Uma Krishnaswami mentioned “face theory” in her lecture on voice. It was something I hadn’t heard before and sprang from Uma hearing about the work of Japanese novelist Endo Shusaku, about how our characters all have four faces. It blew me away. Being a part of a conversation of craft, inquiry, and discovery is one of the best things a writer can do to take his or her work to the next level.

In your opinion, what is particularly effective about workshopping a manuscript in person?
Bethany: Workshop is the foundation for all writing programs and for those who gather in critique groups. The workshop experience at The Writing Barn is formal, the author doesn’t speak while the pages are critiqued, but has a chance to ask questions and respond when the discussion of their work is over. Workshopping in person, with a

Picture Book Workshop

table full of eager readers and fine minds shows a writer what is and is not working in their pieces, as written right now. Plus, and this is mentioned in The Writing Barn workshop guidelines, you get as much, sometimes more, from hearing and participating in the other pieces being critiqued. Ah-ha moments abound.

Another reason, I love in-person workshopping, is that writers expand their writing circle of friends at our events. You may have found a new person to be early eyes or a final reader before sending off to your agent or the agent you wish was yours. Last year, we launched the Advanced Writer Workshop series and three of our attendees from last year’s programming have had wonderful successes. One, Joy Preble, sold the novel she workshopped in the Sara Zarr event, and two-writers, Katie Bayerl and Kayla Olson went on to sign with agents after their attendance in our programming. I also signed with a new agent, Alexandra Penfold, at Upstart Crow after her AWWW workshop and the piece I was working on then is now being shopped. We’re keeping our ears open for future success stories!

What do you have coming up this year?
Bethany: 2014 is a busy year as we increase our programming both locally in Austin and with our programming that brings in writers from around the country. We have three Advanced Writer Weekend Workshops this year. Our first is in May

Writing Barn Lecture

with Jo Knowles and Robin Wasserman, and they are tackling revision with Discover the Beating Heart of Your Book. In October, agent/author Ammi Joan Paquette and K. A. Holt will be with us for Writing Outside the Box: Multiple Viewpoints, Unreliable Narrators, Unusual Structures—Oh My! And in December, best-selling authors and friends Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian will be with us.

There’s also the Full Novel Revision week: Mastering the Middle Grade with Newbery Honor authors Kathi Appelt and Rita Williams-Garcia, Shana Burg and myself in August. And in September, best-selling picture book agent Erin Murphy with two of her clients, Audrey Vernick and Liz Garton Scanlon lead The Complete Picture Book Workshop. Applications and registrations are open for all these events and they are filling up quickly. We also offer on-site lodging and airport shuttles.

Writers may also choose to have private or group writing retreats with us as well. Anyone interested can email us at info@thewritingbarn.com for more information.

Thank you for stopping by the blog, Bethany!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Friday Five: battling the gloom

I have been wrangling with the opening of my new story. The first paragraph languishes at the top of my computer screen, summoning just enough energy to mock me but otherwise managing to be completely useless.


Is my writing fairy smirking, too?

So when I read these opening words of Jane Gardam's Long Way from Verona (recced by Michelle Cooper at her blog), I thought "Wow."

I ought to tell you at the beginning that I am not quite normal, having had a violent experience at the age of nine. I will make this clear at once because I have noticed that if things seep out slowly through a book the reader is apt to feel let down or tricked in some way when he eventually gets the point.

I am not, I am glad to say, mad, and there is so far as I know no hereditary madness in my family. The thing that sets me apart from other girls of my age -- which is to say thirteen -- is that when I was nine a man came to our school -- it was a private kindergarten sort of school where you could go from five upwards but most girls left when they were eleven unless they were really stupendously dumb -- to talk to us about becoming writers.

My second thought after "Wow" was . . . "Man, I suck."

And then all the writing/publishing/being-a-deeply-flawed-human ANGST washed over me, etc., etc.

Perhaps you know the drill.

In an effort to stop the flailing, I am going to make a list of inspiring/soothing blog pages.

1. This blog post from author Mette Harrison about "Failure."
"It’s really true that you can look at your life as a series of failures or a series of successes. The same life, the same facts, just turned different ways. I think that it’s also true that failing is just a way of giving yourself another chance for success."

2. "On a long run, on a long run," from Will Wheaton.
"I can stop being so hard on myself, and I can stop judging myself, and I can stop holding myself up to standards that are so high, even the people I’m comparing myself to every day would have a hard time reaching them."

3. "This is Not the End; It's the Middle," from dear friend Saundra Mitchell.
"I’m still working on a new book. I think it’s a worthy one. It won’t shut up and leave me alone. So can’t stop. I won’t stop. I’m not done."

4. And here's an old favorite: 12 Things Happy People Do Differently.

5. Also, baby animals!

So how about you? Any "go-to" websites/blogs/images/what-have-you to recommend for one who is feeling deflated and angsty? I'd love to see links in the comments! Perhaps I could make a "Masterlist of Anti-gloom."

In the meantime, don't be so hard on yourself, okay? And have a great weekend!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

It's 2014 -- shall we chat about goals?

We made it through another year!


Let's celebrate with tea and a good book. :)

I'm not going to do an extended recap/evaluation of 2013, even though I enjoy reading those posts from other folks. Instead I will list some goals for 2014:

1. Journal/blog more. This post from Neil Gaiman really got me thinking, and like him, I plan to blog more and tweet/tumbl/facebook less in the new year. I totally understand the allure of interacting with the world in 140 characters or less (or with photos, etc.), but I'm not that good at it, and it's making me feel strangely fragmented. Anxious, even. I miss the old days of Livejournal. I miss the details, the ruminating, both from my friends and from myself. In the new year, I hope to curb the number of quick blurtings and take more time to express thoughts and share deeper joys. It may be that no one has the time or inclination to read that sort of thing these days. But I'm not blogging to promote myself or create meangingful/practical content for users (or whatever the platform mavens say). My stories are my product. My blog is me. And maybe you'll come by and visit from time to time? I'll certainly make a point of visiting you!

2. Read more. I only read 50 books last year. I recall long stretches of time when I was stuck in a particular book, not making any progress, or just between books, and I felt myself getting out of the habit of reading. In those times, my imgination seemed to slow down, too. I must be more intentional about reading! And lo and behold, studies show that reading novels is good for brain function! (Thanks, C, for linking that article.)

3. Spend more time researching and planning my next story. I'm already a planner rather than a panster, but I still get in too much of a hurry somtimes. Since I don't have a hideous deadline hanging over me, I'm going to immerse myself in the historical context for my next story, and do some deep thinking about character and motivation, before I launch into the first chapter.

4. Be more like Elfrida. One of my favorite novels read in 2013 was Rosamund Pilcher's Winter Solstice. The main character is a warm soul who offers physical and emotional refuge to friends in crisis. Now, I'm too much of a cranky hermit to be 100% Elfrida, but I do want to be a better friend. A better listener. I need to be quicker and more adept at offering the same sort of refuge to my friends. And darn it, I could actually invite people to my house from time to time. Maybe I should start small, like with a bookish tea party? Something casual and joyful, with lots of yummies? Let me know if you're interested. :)

5. Be more conscious of living in the moment (and detach self from phone). This one is pretty self-explanatory.

What about you? I'd love to hear about your goals.

Useful stuff:

--Dr. Lisa has some great suggestions in The 3 R's of Successful Resolutions.

--Family lawyer Shel offers 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Couples (without using the word ‘weight’).

--And here is a procedure for dealing with negative thoughts/emotions (from Elephant Journal).

Let's have a HAPPIER NEW YEAR, friends!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Friday Five

Oh, how I love autumn!

Haven't done the Friday Five in a while. Today I give you one alarming thing, and four lovely ones. (Actually many more than four lovely things!)

1. The Bechdel Test. Recently I was reading Michelle Cooper's blog (she's the author of the much beloved Montmaray Journals), and she mentioned this. You can read more about it here, but it boils down to the question of whether a novel, film, play, etc.: 1) has at least two women in it, 2) who talk to each other, 3) about something besides a man. As soon as I read that I thought HOLY MOLY, do my novels pass? And yes, they do, but I still appreciate the reminder.

Now, to the lovely things:

2. Author visits. I had a wonderful time talking to Choctaw High and Middle School students last week. They asked entertaining, thoughtful questions, and then they pretty much bought me out of books. (That never happens.) And this past Wednesday I met with a book group that has been meeting in Norman, OK, for several decades, and those ladies were so gracious, so fun to chat with, and at the end I was offered the most delicious petit four I've ever eaten. ALSO, during both visits I was told some hair raising stories of real life ghost encounters. Marvelous!

3. Middle Grade Books. Two in particular have warmed my heart lately, and they both were recommended by Caroline Starr Rose as part of The GreenBeanTeenQueen's So You Want to Read Middle Grade? series. With a Name Like Love, by fellow Elevensie Tess Hilmo, is an historical mystery featuring a traveling preacher's daughter who determines to clear the name of a woman who has falsely confessed to murder. Last night I finished Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff, about a girl who has been in foster homes her entire life. She finds a loving home with Josie, but she yearns for the former family she betrayed. Beautiful books!

4. Feel good movies. This is the time of year when I transition away from that craving for spooky Gothic horror. Instead I want predictable, gooey romance and friendship in a picturesque setting! I already mentioned on Facebook that I'm rather a junkie for Hallmark Christmas movies. I'll pass on the ones featuring Santa's wife/daughter/elf/whatever on the loose, but I love the simple and sweet romances like The Christmas Ornament (new this year) and Trading Christmas (2011). Last night I re-watched Enchanted April--I think it's been over a decade since I've seen it--and it was just as magical as always. (Though I wonder how those ladies can endure sleeping on craggy rocks!) Do you have any recommendations for me?

5. Short story anthologies. Last week was the official cover reveal for GRIM, a collection of dark fairy tale retellings edited by the wonderful Christine Johnson. I am absolutely delighted to have a story in this anthology! By the way, I also received two GRIM ARCs in the mail -- hooray! I will be plotting their fate in the next few weeks, so stay tuned . . .

The cover, front and back:



My story, "Untethered," is a modern interpretation of a little known and very tiny Brothers Grimm story entitled The Shroud. If you read it, you'll probably understand why I picked it. :)

Look for the hardcover release of GRIM in March 2014!

[Cross-posted to Livejournal]

Brontës on the Brain

I finished a first draft of my latest project, which had been dragging on FOREVER. The ending is a bit sketchy, but at least I have something to work with, so YAY!

I am very good at rewarding myself for finished tasks, and this weekend was no exception. Friday night, I re-watched Cary Fukunaga's Jane Eyre (2011), my favorite of all the adaptations.


It's no secret that I adore Michael Fassbender. He's probably too handsome for this role, but he has such a lovely intensity. And he can be ugly when the situation requires it. I love the early scenes with Jane in which his face tightens, his mouth flattens into a sneer, and his eyes flash with contempt for the world.


And Mia Wasikowksa is appropriately small and plain, but also projects the necessary fierceness. It is only in this adaptation that I fully experience the seductiveness of Rochester's attention to her, and the tragedy of having to walk away from the freedom, inspiration, and affection offered to her at Thornfield.


I also watched Les Soeurs Brontë (1979), which has become available on US DVD only recently, as far as I can tell. (I bought it on Blu-ray.) It's a beautiful film, shot partially on location in a way that capitalizes on the wide, bleak vistas of the Yorkshire moors.


I'd gathered in advance that the film was more about Branwell than the sisters, but I still found myself resenting the time devoted to his addictions and failures. In the documentary that accompanies the feature film, the director states outright that "in the final version of the film, it's like a vampire story, if you will, or virgin-vampires, in a way, who appropriate and accomplish the artistic destiny of their brother." BLECH! One could argue that Branwell was the one with the most external conflict, the most drama, and that his life translates better to the screen. As Claire Bazin says in the documentary, the imaginations of the sisters "were fertilized and developed by an interior richness, by their internal life." How do you represent that rich interior life on film? I don't know. What films have effectively represented the dramatic interior life of a writer?

(And anyway, the sisters did have dramatic lives--traveling to Brussels, opening their own school back in Yorkshire, governessing for crazy families, etc.)


Surprisingly, Emily Bronte was my favorite character in the film, and it wasn't just because (in this incarnation, at least) she liked to roam the moors in trousers and shoot guns. She was strange and passionate--a true brooding heroine. I never knew or had forgotten that the titular heroine of Charlotte's Shirley was based on her. I am not a fan of Wuthering Heights or Emily's poetry, but I think I would watch the heck out of a film that was mostly about her. Isabelle Adjani was absolutely mesmerizing to watch (and you can bet I'll be watching La Reine Margot and Camille Claudel ASAP).

I need to watch again, but for now my verdict on Les Souers Brontë is that it's a must-watch for obsessive Brontë fans, but may also be of interest to French film buffs. The cinematography is gorgeous.

In other news, I hope something comes of this notion of a BBC Brontë biopic (mentioned in 11th paragraph).

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

The Writing Barn

Last weekend I ventured south to Austin, TX (with the lovely Bettina Restrepo as my traveling partner) to attend Sara Zarr's Advanced Writing Workshop on Emotional Pacing at the Writing Barn. What an amazing experience! Thought I'd share some photos (click to enlarge) . . .


The Writing Barn is situated in a large, wooded plot in south Austin. When we arrived for the mixer Friday night there was a magical atmosphere to the place. Cool and misty with a herd of deer wandering about -- like something out of a fairy tale. (Sadly, the herd eluded my camera.)


Here I am mixing it up with Samantha Mabry and Sue MacLeod. (You can see more photos from that night--all taken by Sam Bond of Sam Bond Photography--on the Writing Barn Facebook page.)


Saturday morning started with a lecture on Emotional Pacing from Sara Zarr. (One little tidbit from Sara's lecture as written in my notes: "It helps to have some understanding of human psychology, for this can deepen the story. Co-dependent No More is a great craft book!" Who knew? I'm definitely getting a copy.)


Sam Bond's photo of Sara Zarr truly captures her sassy charm, don't you think? I already had an author crush on Sara--I adore her books--but now I know how warm and funny and REAL she is in person. Yay!


After lunch we gathered for the afternoon workshop. Oy. This is where I confess that I've never truly workshopped a piece of writing before. I have critique partners, of course, and we get excellent work done, but we've all known each other for years and are comfortable giving feedback. I'd never done this with people I hadn't met before. Each piece was allowed 30 minutes for discussion, starting with positive feedback and then transitioning to concerns and suggestions for improvement. Intense! And incredibly illuminating. (The workshop continued all day Sunday.)


Our esteemed hostess, Bethany Hegedus, took this photo. We are standing on the site of a future building that will house eight people for a writing retreat. As Christina Mandelski said, "If you build it, they will come!"

I'm certainly planning a return to the Writing Barn. Thank you, Bethany and Sara!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Writers' Retreat

Wouldn't it be great if I could write 20k words in 4 days?

Dream on, Sonia . . .

The NEXT BIG THING blog

I've been watching this meme go around, thinking it would be fun to do, but deadlines and commitments kept me from joining in. Recently, however, my friend Doug Solter tagged me again (here's his entry), and this time I couldn't refuse. It's always fun to talk about your newly birthed (or still gestating) fiction baby, right? So here goes . . .

What is the working official title of your book?
The Dark Between

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The idea came to me when I was researching Spiritualism for my first book, The Revenant. Somehow (I think it was through Barnes & Noble's analytics, bless them), I came across a book titled Ghost Hunters: William James and the Search for Scientific Proof of Life After Death. To me, this non-fiction book written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Deborah Blum read like a suspense novel. The main "characters"-- all founding members of the Society for Psychical Research -- were so briliant and tormented, so vividly and relatably human, that I grew to care deeply for them. Their narratives unfolded like a film in my mind, and I could easily envision an HBO series featuring their attempts to scientifically prove the reality of paranormal phenomena, along with the ups and downs of their turbulent personal lives. I really wanted to write a story set within this world, but it took me a while to find my own characters and conflicts.

What genre does your book come under?
I would say . . . Young Adult paranormal mystery.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Ha ha! When I was planning this story (back in 2009?), I made a collage, which ordinarily is not my sort of thing AT ALL. I've always been a big fan of outlining and free-writing to flesh out a story, but I decided it would be a good change of pace to work with images instead of text. This is what I came up with for The Dark Between (click to enlarge):



First off, I have to say that all the images looked great...until I Mod Podged them. After that the poor collage looked like I'd left it out in the rain. Secondly, although I was at one point flirting with the idea of including some sort of EVP recording device, there's no phonograph in the story.

Now...actors. You can see that I chose an early photo of Jensen Ackles for Asher Beale, mostly because of his lovely freckles. (Or "frackles" as I'm told they're termed within Supernatural fandom.) (And yes, I googled "American actors with freckles" to find this photo.) For Elsie, a beauty with a dark secret, I chose the seductive yet vulnerable Scarlett Johanson in The Prestige. And for Kate, I chose a photo of Irish actress Elaine Cassidy from her performance as Maud in Fingersmith. (She looks particularly smeared from the Mod Podge, but it actually suits Kate's state of mind at the beginning of the book.)

All these actors were too old to play the parts when I made this collage, and that was years ago. Still, their faces inspired me.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
(I'm stealing this from the inside cover of the ARC. I guess it's the Library of Congress summary?

Three teenagers in Victorian era London spend the summer at a local college and soon discover that their hosts, the Metaphysical Society, may be conducting sinister experiments in an attempt to communicate with the dead.

There are some inaccuracies (it's actually set in Cambridge in the early Edwardian period) and oversimplifications, but this does convey the flavor of the book.

Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?
It will be published by Alfred A. Knopf/Random House on August 27, 2013.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Under a year, I think.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Here's what my publisher has to say about it: "A supernatural romance about the powers that lie in the shadows of the mind, perfect for fans of Sarah Rees Brennan, Alyxandra Harvey, and Libba Bray."

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

As mentioned above, it was the founders of the Society for Psychical Research, as described in Blum's book Ghost Hunters, who inpsired the characters and situations in The Dark Between. I was intrigued by this group of extremely well-educated, thoughtful, and rational (for the most part) men and women who wished to make a serious study of paranormal phenomena. But I didn't really want to write about the adults. I wanted to imagine what it might have been like for their children, especially if these children were shocked or ashamed by their parents' activities, and particularly if one of them had been suppressing a paranormal ability for much of her life.

Thanks again to Doug for inviting me to participate! Two of my critique partners, Brandi Barnett and Dee Dee Chumley, will be joining me in blogging "the next big thing" next Friday, February 15. Be sure to tune in!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

October event recap

I'm behind on EVERYTHING, but that won't stop me from sharing three October event photos.


1. A visit to Choctaw High School!
Librarian Theresa Kluge, the cooperating teachers, and all the students made me feel very welcome. Please note the GHOSTLY ORBS in the above photo, not to mention the young man doing his homework (hee!) and the girl with the gorgeous strawberry-colored hair.


2. A visit to Houston County Public Library in Erin, TN!
You guys, they made a POSTER for me. And they served punch and yummy cookies. Before stuffing my face, I spoke to a very charming group of folks, some of whom were friends and even former teachers. (I grew up in the neighboring county.) What a great time! [Photo courtesy of Houston County Public Library -- and yes, I desperately need a haircut. #shaggy]


3. A group signing at Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN!
Can you spot Beth Revis, Tessa Gratton, Stephanie Perkins, Myra McEntire, and Victoria Schwab? I'm such a FANGIRL for these ladies, and it was an honor to sign with them in this lovely little store.

Friday Favorites: I CAPTURE THE CASTLE and journaling

My hardcover edition

Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle ranks among my top ten favorite books. Along with brilliant writing, it features the sort of characters and plot elements that make me giddy:

-- a brainy, bookish girl who wants to be a writer
-- a ramshackle castle setting
-- an eccentric, artsy family
-- a pair of handsome, rich American boys as landlords and love interests.
-- kissing and dancing
-- yearning and heartbreak, but also PLENTY of laughter.
-- English countryside, English manners, English vicars
-- did I mention THE CASTLE?

Cassandra and Simon--this scene always makes me cry!

I rewatched the 2003 film adaptation this past weekend, and it sent me into swoons of ecstasy. Yes, in most cases the book is better than the film, but I have to give this screenplay credit for condensing the plot without sacrificing the emotional core of the story. And the cast! Romola Garai is perfection, as always, but in addition there are admirable performances from Bill Nighy, Tara Fitzgerald, Henry Cavill (so innocent prior to all that rutting about in The Tudors), and even Sinéad Cusack (Mrs. Thornton!) as wealthy, straight-talking (and vulgarly American) Mrs. Cotton. Still not quite sure about Henry Thomas as Simon Cotton, but this doesn't diminish my enjoyment of the film. The point of it all is Cassie, and Garai nails it.

Bonus wonderful thing -- while watching I wondered if the gorgeous soundtrack could possibly be available on iTunes. It is! And it was composed by Dario Marianelli, who also brought us the lush soundtracks for Pride and Prejudice (2005), Atonement, and Jane Eyre (2011), among others. Oh, and how fitting that Marianelli is rather handsome in a thinky and soulful way, which has nothing to do with anything except that I like to swoon.

Cassandra, her journal, and her castle

Best of all (and don't laugh at me), watching this film has renewed my zeal for journaling. And by that I mean actual writing in an actual bound journal, where I can say anything because it's meant only for me. After watching, I was just itching to write, but my current journal did not inspire. I bought it a few years ago at a lovely shop in New Orleans (Papier Plume), and it's charmingly compact and leather-bound, but I NEVER WANT TO WRITE IN IT. My hand doesn't fit! The lines are too narrow. I've only managed to write insipid stuff in this little book, which is an insult to the careful, loving way in which it was crafted. I'd promised myself that I wouldn't start a new journal until this one was filled, but when I looked at the long, long gaps between entries, I decided enough was enough. The little leather book has been put away, and now I am writing each day in my teNeus CoolNotes journal. It fits me! My thoughts spill forth onto its creamy, wide-ruled pages!

(I'm too old, however, to write in it while sitting in the sink.)

Are you a fan of I Capture the Castle--book and/or film? Do you keep a paper journal? If so, tell me all about it!

[Cross-posted to Livejournal]

All the lovely creepy things

Sorry it's been rather quiet here on the blog lately. My days have been all about writing/revising, with occasional breaks for DVD viewing to feed the muse. This morning I turned in a final draft of my next book, The Dark Between, and I've been told it's going straight to copy-edits. Huzzah! It's so close to being an actual BOOK. Before long I'll be able to share the cover and all that fun stuff. I'm very excited about this story, you guys!

I've been craving ghost movies lately, partly because of another story I'm working on, so I indulged in some of the B&W classics featured on Martin Scorsese's Top 11 Horror Films. Great stuff, but I'm going to blog about that later . . . as we get closer to Halloween. (*cue maniacal laugh*)

For now I'll talk about current ghost movies. When David Edelstein recommended The Pact on CBS Sunday Morning (see recap here), I knew I had to see it. (It's available for rental at iTunes and Amazon, or perhaps it's at a theater near you?)


The trailer for The Pact makes it seem more like a slasher film, and yes, the poster says "scream out loud scary," but it actually falls along the psychological end of the horror spectrum. Low on cheap scares and gore, high on dread and goosebumps. (Also, it features one of the best uses of hair in building tension--you'll see what I mean if you watch!)


Speaking of ghosts, it also has come to my attention that the lovely British film The Awakening is in theaters in the U.S. (Very limited release, I'm assuming.) I own the DVD, but I'd definitely go see it on the big screen, if only it were in a theater closer than Dallas. Argh.

Check out the trailer for The Awakening. Sadly, it's not getting great reviews. Entertainment Weekly was rather "meh" and Ebert gave it 1.5 stars, which just befuddles me. Then again, he gave 4 stars to Knowing, which I found vacuous and over-acted. (I give it credit for high production values, and that's about it.) Ebert and I agree less and less these days.

I certainly wouldn't claim the film is perfect, and I'll go so far as to confess mild disappointment after the first viewing because the final reveal was underwhelming. After subsequent viewings, however, I saw how carefully it was put together, and I grew to love it so much more. But I understand that you can't ask film audiences to watch a movie several times before they decide whether or not to like it. [Are there any films that improved for you upon subsequent viewings? Like at first you were just "it's okay" and then you became obsessed? Spill the details!] In the meantime, if you do come across The Awakening, check it out for the gorgeous setting and atmosphere, and for the endearing, nuanced performances from Rebecca Hall and the always-delicious Dominic West. Man, I'm jonesing to see it again myself!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]