Photo by Vicky Lorencen

This week I read a blog post by an author who shared her frustrations over a particular manuscript’s near-misses. This author’s husband towed her from melancholy by reminding her of all she’s gained amid her pursuit of a sale. The sad sack author glanced over her shoulder to see the accumulation of things—including her husband and her child—that came, at least in part, because of her publishing pursuits (regardless of the coveted contract).

Feeling inspired, I compiled my own list of accidental treasures I’ve accumulated as I push (tumble/slide/skid) toward publication.

1. My concentric circle of friends. It is difficult for me to imagine my life without this ever-growing congregation of creative people (mostly because I don’t want to imagine it!) Every year since I got serious about writing, I’ve had the outrageous fortune of adding more smart, talented, soul-sweetening friends into my life. I could stop the list right here and be satisfied.
2. Books and their authors. How many times have I had the pleasure of reading a book by someone I actually know? Lots. Not everybody has that in their lives. I do. I don’t have to rely on Goodreads or Amazon to tell me what to read next. I know amazing authors who faithfully produce well-crafted literature I can devour. It’s a fine system, if you ask me.
3. Travels and experiences. The Big Apple; mountainous Montpelier, Vermont; lovely Lake George in upstate NY; charming Chautauqua, NY; homey Honesdale, PA; plus oodles of spots in my home state of Michigan (including one-of-a-kind Mackinac Island). Now, I know this isn’t exactly a list of the world’s four corners, but I loved all of these places and it’s quite likely I would have missed most of them (minus Michigan, of course) had it not been for my publishing pursuits.
4. Frog on a Dime. Never thought I’d be a blogger, but this is fun, and I owe it all to my writing ambitions.

How about you? Stop for a moment. Look back. Look around. How is your life different–better–because of your passion for writing? You may be surprised and delighted by your own list. (You’re welcome to share it with me, if you like.)

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. ~ Henry David Thoreau

Photo by Vicky Lorencen

Yes, I lied. But I had a good reason. It made my life simpler.

See, ages ago, when I was college-bound, well-meaning folks asked me about my intended major. When I said, English, they’d immediately said, “Oh, you’re going into journalism, then.” And I would nod.

I was nod-lying, you know. I never intended to become a journalist. I’ve always known I wanted to be a writer–a children’s writer, specifically. But admitting that was too messy. There’d be uncomfortable follow-up questions I wasn’t prepared to answer. Or worse yet, there’d be unfounded advise or words that sounded like “How interesting,” which really meant, “That’s not a real job, Sweetheart.” And so, to avoid all that discomfort, I lied.

Learning to un-lie about my ambition was a process. While still in college, I decided to “out” myself to an English professor because it seemed relatively safe. The good thing was, he took me seriously. In a letter of recommendation, he wrote (among other things), “I believe Vicky’s chances of success with her chosen profession are better than most because she is willing to define herself so exactly.” That experience bolstered my courage–a tad.

I endured lots of awkward, sidestepping conversations before I could say, “I’m a writer and I want to write for children,” without first weighing the potential for quizzical looks. But you know what? Telling on myself was freeing. Making my dreams known opened up connections with once-unknown-to-me children’s authors in my own community, allowed me to grow, to network and to uncover resources to advance my pursuits toward publication.

Now, back to that nod-lying I’d mastered long ago, it turns out that skill can be re-warmed and re-applied (minus the actual lying part, which is nice). When you say, “I’m working on a children’s book,” and someone starts in with all of their well-meaning advice, you can simply smile and nod. They’re just being kind because they’re excited for you. You are pursuing your dream–and extraordinary dream–and that excites people and makes them want to help you (even if they don’t know what the heck they’re talking about). And that’s cool. Those are among the people who will be celebrating with you when your book comes out.

Please try being honest about your ambitions and what’s in your heart.  You will be amazed by how liberating and energizing it will be. Good things and great people will find you as a result.

Before I let you go, you want to try that nodding thing with me? Sure you do. Go ahead try it. Turn up the corners of your mouth and bob your head gently up and down. Don’t overdo it. We aren’t going for bobblehead, just polite recognition of what’s being said to you. Now, wasn’t that easy? (Ahem. That’s your opportunity to practice nodding and smiling.)

Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly. ~ Franz Kafka

Apply within

My goal is to become better acquainted with my already-identified main character as early in the novel-writing process as possible. Why? Well, for one thing, that kid and I are going to spend a heck of a lot of time together. But also, knowing him allows me to anticipate how he’ll think and feel in the situations I’ll plot for him.

Based on the interview outcomes for each player–primary and secondary–I’ll compile character sketches. Each character has a job to do and I want to make sure they’re up for it. Slackers need not apply!

Oh sure, my characters will surprise me as we go–and that’s the fun part–but I hope hosting a meet and greet for the entire cast at the outset proves helpful before we buckle up and motor into the unknown together.

Here are some sample character interview questions:
Who is your hero?
What’s your favorite day of the week? How come?
What’s under your bed?
What’s your earliest memory?
Do you have any allergies?
What candy is your all-time favorite?
If you could change your name, what would it be?
What’s your biggest fear?
What are you good at in school?
What do you wish you were good at?
When you look in a mirror, what part of your face do you like best?
What do you like to do when you get home from school?
Do you have a pet?
Do you have brothers or sisters?
How do you parents get along?
Who lives at your house?
What’s the best vacation or trip you’ve ever taken?
What seems unfair to you?
If you could live in another time in history, when would it be?
What ticks you off?
What rule would you change if you could?
What would happen if your best friend moved away?
What’s your least favorite chore at home?
Do you have a bad habit?
Do you like being hugged?
What would you do with $100?

These are just some starters. I know you can think up even better ones.

Why not interview your characters too? Even if you’re already mid-novel, it’s not too late to conduct an impromptu Q and A session. You may discover something that will add depth or quirkiness to your characters and “maybe” even help to explain why they do what they do (or aren’t cooperating!)

Have fun!

Every time I write a new book, I want to push myself to try something different. ~ Lauren Myracle