Remember that novel you read awhile back — the one with three, four, five (seemingly endless) pages describing a room/field/plaza/whatever? Guh. Yeah, you remember. That may have been the point where you put the thing down. Maybe you never picked it back up.
That is exactly what can’t happen for the writer, and it was a danger mentioned several times at the retreat I spoke of in my last post. We’re talking about children’s books here. You know, shorter attention spans. Yes, adults too.
So the warning was put out by people in the know; people like Newbery Award winner Linda Sue Park, who spoke so well about story structure and style that she will merit her own post. That’s coming, but for descriptions and internal monologues, she says she tends to limit herself to a few paragraphs because any more kills the action (progress) in the scene.
Author and editor Ann Angel compared description to an actor on stage suspending the scene to address the audience directly, pulling their attention right out of the story.
No doubt description has its place. How else would a reader understand the author’s world? The description’s got to have relevance, though, and can’t drag on forever. As I don’t wish this post to drag forever, I’ll end here. More on the retreat soon.
Soooo good is time spent learning and laughing with other authors and illustrators! My husband and I are back from a fun and informative weekend in Racine at the Fall Retreat for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Wisconsin Chapter.
The retreat is a chance to network, share, and critique. It’s an opportunity to learn of the business, changes, and trends. It’s an extended moment to laugh, meet colleagues, and make new friends. And there’s just too much to say it all here.
Over the course of the next few days, I’ll post more about the SCBWI-WI event; who spoke, useful tips, and great moments.
Notice the image above right? It’s the 2008 retreat pin designed by Michael Kress-Russick. Well done.
And perhaps you’re wondering about the “brownie” part of this post’s title? Well, there was a fantastically well-stocked snack table, groaning under the weight of the many offerings provided by members. It was a happy place to hover — around a great group of people.
http://www.silviaacevedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/logo_1024x156.png00Silviahttp://www.silviaacevedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/logo_1024x156.pngSilvia2008-10-19 19:43:242009-01-02 22:42:18Retreat Business, Banter, and Brownies
We all have so many hats we wear on a daily basis: Parent (home manager, teacher, chauffeur), daughter/son, friend, along with the title associated with whatever work we do in or out of the home.
Today I add the title of commentator to my repetoire. WTMJ-TV asked me to return to the airwaves to comment on a news topic of the day. I joined Anchors Courtny Gerrish and George Mallet and WTMJ-AM Host Jeff Wagner for two short segments. The first was about Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin’s comment on Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden. Check it out:
The second segment was about Harbor 550’s imminent closing and TGI Friday’s dismissal of a musician who sang the Chicago Cub’s theme song. See that here:
It was an interesting change for me, and it was superb to see my former colleagues at the station. Many thanks to those who watched and commented.
By the way, how many commentators does it take to screw in a light bulb? The world will never know — commentators never shut up long enough to do it.
I was shocked to find out that I’d passed — unnoticed — the one-year anniversary of my blog; August 20, 2008. A milestone that slipped by uncelebrated.
Until now. So I’m pleased to give myself a little pat on the back for a fun year of writing stories and blog entries and making strides in my writing career.
And I’d like to thank you readers for riding along. It’s been fun, and I can’t wait to see what the next year brings.
As many of you know know by now, Stephenie Meyer’s next manuscript in the Twilight Saga has been leaked and distributed over the internet. Midnight Sun was incomplete, but planned to tell Twilight through Edward’s perspective. Meyer has chosen to post a version of the partial manuscript on her own website so that fans don’t “have to make a sacrifice to stay honest,” ie, they won’t have to choose to engage in copyright infringement to read their beloved stories.
I won’t hide my disappointment in this whole affair. I wish the leak had never occurred, both so that Ms. Meyer’s creation could have followed its natural evolution and so that the rest of us could have enjoyed its fruition. I will encourage everyone, however, to just take a moment to think about what they’re doing before distributing items that they would have to pay for in a store. Not paying for items means the creators lose out on the joy of developing their artistic babies to the full and it means creators lose out on the money their creations would have drawn. Their works are their livelihood and their lifelong passions. True fans of creators would never want to deny them that. And before I sound like I’m on a high horse, I promise to examine my own behavior to ensure that I’m not inadvertently hurting creators, too.
I’ve read the partial manuscript Meyer poster on her website and enjoyed it thoroughly. If you’re reading this, Ms. Meyer, I sincerely hope you’ll go back and finish it someday. I’d actually love to read the whole series from Edward’s perspective, but I recognize that’s probably asking a lot. In the meantime, I hope you don’t ever have to experience this sort of thing again.
I’m not sure if her husband really feels like a two-month road trip will be a punishment, but Lesley Kagen suspects he might feel that way by the end of it. Last night, Lesley began her book release tour with a launch party at the Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop in Mequon. Next, the pair will hit Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan.
I had so much fun at the launch. First, it was packed with people who’ve either really enjoyed her latest book, Land of a Hundred Wonders, or were just catching on with her first, Whistling in the Dark. A very funny and emotional friend and bookseller, who’s very proud of her, introduced her, and then Lesley charged into a bit of her life story and how writing has been such a surprising and enjoyable success for her.
> “I just did it,” she said, about writing her first novel, without regard to publication. “I didn’t think about it that much.” She’s glad she didn’t; finding an agent and navigating the publishing world can be a nightmarish proposition.
And so she’s enjoying the reaction to her work immensely, especially talking with readers at book clubs and readings such as that.
She read from Chapter 1, which is a wonderfully rich description of character and world, and then took questions from the audience. There was several writers in the audience, myself included. Lesley was quick to tell everyone that she doesn’t write from an outline or plan of any sort; rather lets the characters react organically with each other. Of her characters, Lesley says, “When you get enough people together, somebody’s gonna start trouble.” So she sits back to let them do that until she’s got the necessary conflict for a story.
Where there’s less conflict for her now is in the business end of publishing. See, now that her books are selling, Lesley’s got a lot more say in the final product. Go figure.
She introduced the rest of her family members, whom she talks about often, and gave us readers something to look forward to: news that her next book is nearly half completed. Entitled Tomorrow River, it’s about two girls in Virginia. No other hints … boo hoo …
So a fun time had by all. Wonders is an enchanting read. I’d recommend you pick up a copy, and if you’re anywhere around her tour sites, stop by to meet her.
http://www.silviaacevedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/logo_1024x156.png00Silviahttp://www.silviaacevedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/logo_1024x156.pngSilvia2008-08-06 07:44:432009-01-02 22:43:56Launch Party
Brevity
/0 Comments/in A Writer Writes, In The News /by SilviaRemember that novel you read awhile back — the one with three, four, five (seemingly endless) pages describing a room/field/plaza/whatever? Guh. Yeah, you remember. That may have been the point where you put the thing down. Maybe you never picked it back up.
That is exactly what can’t happen for the writer, and it was a danger mentioned several times at the retreat I spoke of in my last post. We’re talking about children’s books here. You know, shorter attention spans. Yes, adults too.
So the warning was put out by people in the know; people like Newbery Award winner Linda Sue Park, who spoke so well about story structure and style that she will merit her own post. That’s coming, but for descriptions and internal monologues, she says she tends to limit herself to a few paragraphs because any more kills the action (progress) in the scene.
Author and editor Ann Angel compared description to an actor on stage suspending the scene to address the audience directly, pulling their attention right out of the story.
No doubt description has its place. How else would a reader understand the author’s world? The description’s got to have relevance, though, and can’t drag on forever. As I don’t wish this post to drag forever, I’ll end here. More on the retreat soon.
Retreat Business, Banter, and Brownies
/0 Comments/in In The News /by SilviaThe retreat is a chance to network, share, and critique. It’s an opportunity to learn of the business, changes, and trends. It’s an extended moment to laugh, meet colleagues, and make new friends. And there’s just too much to say it all here.
Over the course of the next few days, I’ll post more about the SCBWI-WI event; who spoke, useful tips, and great moments.
Notice the image above right? It’s the 2008 retreat pin designed by Michael Kress-Russick. Well done.
And perhaps you’re wondering about the “brownie” part of this post’s title? Well, there was a fantastically well-stocked snack table, groaning under the weight of the many offerings provided by members. It was a happy place to hover — around a great group of people.
Commentating
/0 Comments/in In The News, Media / TV / Radio /by SilviaWe all have so many hats we wear on a daily basis: Parent (home manager, teacher, chauffeur), daughter/son, friend, along with the title associated with whatever work we do in or out of the home.
Today I add the title of commentator to my repetoire. WTMJ-TV asked me to return to the airwaves to comment on a news topic of the day. I joined Anchors Courtny Gerrish and George Mallet and WTMJ-AM Host Jeff Wagner for two short segments. The first was about Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin’s comment on Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden. Check it out:
The second segment was about Harbor 550’s imminent closing and TGI Friday’s dismissal of a musician who sang the Chicago Cub’s theme song. See that here:
It was an interesting change for me, and it was superb to see my former colleagues at the station. Many thanks to those who watched and commented.
By the way, how many commentators does it take to screw in a light bulb? The world will never know — commentators never shut up long enough to do it.
Yay, Me!
/0 Comments/in In The News /by SilviaI was shocked to find out that I’d passed — unnoticed — the one-year anniversary of my blog; August 20, 2008. A milestone that slipped by uncelebrated.
Until now. So I’m pleased to give myself a little pat on the back for a fun year of writing stories and blog entries and making strides in my writing career.
And I’d like to thank you readers for riding along. It’s been fun, and I can’t wait to see what the next year brings.
Partial Manuscript Leaked
/0 Comments/in In The News /by SilviaI won’t hide my disappointment in this whole affair. I wish the leak had never occurred, both so that Ms. Meyer’s creation could have followed its natural evolution and so that the rest of us could have enjoyed its fruition. I will encourage everyone, however, to just take a moment to think about what they’re doing before distributing items that they would have to pay for in a store. Not paying for items means the creators lose out on the joy of developing their artistic babies to the full and it means creators lose out on the money their creations would have drawn. Their works are their livelihood and their lifelong passions. True fans of creators would never want to deny them that. And before I sound like I’m on a high horse, I promise to examine my own behavior to ensure that I’m not inadvertently hurting creators, too.
I’ve read the partial manuscript Meyer poster on her website and enjoyed it thoroughly. If you’re reading this, Ms. Meyer, I sincerely hope you’ll go back and finish it someday. I’d actually love to read the whole series from Edward’s perspective, but I recognize that’s probably asking a lot. In the meantime, I hope you don’t ever have to experience this sort of thing again.
It will only hurt us readers again if she does.
Launch Party
/0 Comments/in In The News /by SilviaI had so much fun at the launch. First, it was packed with people who’ve either really enjoyed her latest book, Land of a Hundred Wonders, or were just catching on with her first, Whistling in the Dark. A very funny and emotional friend and bookseller, who’s very proud of her, introduced her, and then Lesley charged into a bit of her life story and how writing has been such a surprising and enjoyable success for her.
>
“I just did it,” she said, about writing her first novel, without regard to publication. “I didn’t think about it that much.” She’s glad she didn’t; finding an agent and navigating the publishing world can be a nightmarish proposition.
And so she’s enjoying the reaction to her work immensely, especially talking with readers at book clubs and readings such as that.
She introduced the rest of her family members, whom she talks about often, and gave us readers something to look forward to: news that her next book is nearly half completed. Entitled Tomorrow River, it’s about two girls in Virginia. No other hints … boo hoo …
So a fun time had by all. Wonders is an enchanting read. I’d recommend you pick up a copy, and if you’re anywhere around her tour sites, stop by to meet her.