Editing is for everyone

When I visit schools, I often tell kids that becoming a good writer is important even if they don’t want to become authors.  So, when I ran across this photo, I had to post. Below is President Obama editing a speech. Ya gotta love it!

A detailed look from White House photographer Pete Souza at Barack Obama, Copy Editor in Chief.

Color me garden

 

If you or someone you know is a fan of gardens and art, you’ll be delighted with these downloadable coloring pages from Secret Garden by Johanna Basford.  They’re absolutely gorgeous.  The accompanying video is a real gem too.

 

A unique voice

Karen Rivers is a brilliant writer. If you’re an unpublished writer trying to figure out why your manuscript keeps getting rejected, Karen’s writing will help you. Read her. Read everything she’s written; middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, and her short stories in anthologies. Her work epitomizes what publishers and agents are talking about then they say they are looking for great writing with a “distinctive voice”. No one writes quite like her.

Frankly, I love Karen’s work…from her latest novel The Encyclopedia of Me, to a recent blogpost on lightening which is a miracle in more ways that she realizes.

Whatever you do though, do not…I repeat, DO NOT try to imitate Karen Rivers. You could never write in her voice as well as she can.

In fact, do not try to imitate any writer!

But do read lots and lots of other fabulous writers.  Read them and reread them.  Writers like: John Green, David Levithan, and Sharon Creech are each superb storytellers, but each has a style that unmistakably theirs. Read them first to enjoy their stories. Read them again and think about what makes their voices unique.

Now think about what makes your voice distinct from anyone else’s and write from that place which only you can write from.

 

 

Books find there way to into our hearts

There are so many books that I love.  The list of books that have found their way into my heart is long.  But for some, one special book inspires.  I found this by way of Galley Cat, one of my fav. blogs.

A Literary Tattoo Guessing Game at Buzz Feed

Follow me on Pinterest

Yesterday, my friend and colleague Andrea Spalding posted some her her wonderful art on Pinterest.  I’ve been toying with the idea of posting on Pinterest for some time, but just haven’t gotten around to it.  She’s inspired me to get started.  I haven’t done much yet, but I’ve posted my book covers, some recent garden pictures, and some pictures from my b&b.  I plan to add more, soon.  I want to create an album of covers of some favorite books, possibly one of recipes, and another of west coast stuff.  You can follow me on Pinterest here.

What fun…mustn’t get carried away though…I’m in the middle of editing a picture book manuscript and want to stay focused.

Writing is a process not an event

Rejections are a part of every writer’s life. Even some of the most famous writers have been rejected. And, more than one famous writer has been rejected many times over. Writers Write has a list of  50 Iconic Writers Who Were Repeatedly Rejected which is worth checking out. Thanks to friend and colleague  Margriet Ruurs for the link.

Basically it means that if you want to be a writer, you have to have thick skin.  I was lucky that my first book was accepted immediately, but I’ve had plenty of rejections since.  Some who are new to the writing field figure that once they’ve had one book published, they’re home free. Not so! Even if you’ve “made it,” there are many reasons for a publisher to reject your second book.  It may not be right for them. They may have published something similar recently. They may not feel there’s a strong enough market to sell it. Or, they may feel it simply isn’t good enough.

Even if you’re lucky enough to get that first manuscript accepted, you’ll likely have a round or two of editorial revisions to deal with. Again, you’ll need a thick skin.  Remember, your editor wants to help you produce a great book. Acceptance and revision go hand in hand.

And, for those of you who haven’t been accepted, you’ll need to be prepared to revise and resubmit. Yep.  Rejection and revision also go hand in hand.

Having a writing group  can be helpful during the revision process.  This is not your husband or your mom or your best friend.  It’s a few people who know something about writing or who are willing to learn.  It’s a group who can give you honest and constructive criticism on what is and isn’t working in your manuscript.  It can be a local group that you meet with weekly or monthly. Or it can be an online group.  it doesn’t really matter.  What does matter is that the tone of the group  is constructive, honest, and supportive. But that’s only the start.  You will need to have the ability to listen to your group’s criticism, evaluate it and apply what is helpful to your writing.  Not all criticism is going to be useful to you.  But, enough of it will be that you can revisit your text and improve it.

The thing to keep in mind is that writing is a process, not an event.  Rejection is part of that process, and so is revision. If you work hard and you’re lucky, and you spend the time it takes to ensure that your work goes to appropriate publishers, eventually, celebration will also be a part of the process.  The bottom line is, keep writing.

The Walking Read…celebrating children’s authors in BC

And speaking of anniversaries, the Children’s Authors and Illustrators of B.C. are celebrating our own 20th anniversary with a benefit for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.  If you can make it to Vancouver, BC on June 14th you won’t regret attending this most fabulous of events…a costume gala with food, wine, music, prizes and some pretty sweet swag bags as well as a silent auction that includes original children’s book illustrations.  Costumes are encouraged, but not mandatory.

Buy your ticket today!

Don’t miss your chance to hobnob with some of Canada’s most beloved children’s authors!

Tickets must be purchased in advance. Visit The Walking Read for tickets & more info.

Even if you can’t attend, the on-line auction has some pretty cool things you may want to bid on.