Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Little Feathers: Older and Wiser

Little Feathers: Older and Wiser: It has said that we all have an inner child of a certain age that retains a strong voice inside us throughout our lives. The same people who...

Older and Wiser

It has been said that we all have an inner child of a certain age that retains a strong voice inside us throughout our lives. The same people who say that tell us children's writers do best if they write for that age group. Some people have a couple different voices. I feel like that is the case for me. I have a five year old inside who loves rhyming picture books. I remember that when my mom read to me, I loved all kinds of stories, especially ones with beautiful pictures. But I especially loved it when she read poetry; be it Mother Goose or Robert Frost. So I think that is why I drift toward that genre, and why it comes fairly easily to me. Also, there is a connection to musical rhythm in poetry, and I am drawn to that as well.
I also have a young teenager in my head. Of course, I was such a late bloomer that my thirteen year old was more like today's ten year old. When I work on the young adult novel, Raina Rising, that Sally and I are writing together, I feel those feelings again. Strongly, like I did the first time. I remember that invisible audience; feeling like someone would surely see me do or say any awkward thing if I dared to forget to keep my mask in place and reveal myself for the nerd I was.
I didn't hate being a nerd. And I wasn't the super brainy kind. I was just the kind that doesn't fit into the mold of public school. Probably if we asked a hundred teens if they felt "different", eighty seven would say yes. It's a stage in our development as people when we don't see ourselves, or anyone else, clearly. Just when we are questioning everything, and our place in the universe most of all, we can't really discern the truth about ourselves. Which is a pity. Those years of extreme growth would be so much richer if we could quit worrying about ourselves long enough to appreciate our youth.
Since I did feel different and out place as a teenager, myy protagonist in the young adult (YA) book gets to explore that aspect of my youth. And the fabulous thing about writing fiction is that my protagonist is many things I only wished I could be. One thing I am learning from her is that being talented is no protection from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune (no, the book doesn't take place in Denmark). Those who rise to the top of social strata still wrestle. At least, Raina does. And she makes me think that most everyone must.
Am I older and wiser than Raina, the fourteen year old Soviet ballerina? I'm certainly older. But she may help in the wisdom category. She is teaching me a thing or two. Go Raina!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Little Feathers: No Fear

Little Feathers: No Fear: My husband, Bob, and I learned a saying a long time ago that we both like: "Faith is saying it is so, when it is not so, in order that it wi...

No Fear

My husband, Bob, and I learned a saying a long time ago that we both like: "Faith is saying it is so, when it is not so, in order that it will be so."  Believing in myself is the only way I will be able to pursue my dream of being an author. Well, I have shared with you already that I can now use that descriptor, since I have a picture book coming out this summer and a young adult fiction book that Sally and I are self publishing under the pen-name Tessa Franklin. So, though I have been a writer for many, many years, and have actually been paid a bit along the way, now I allow myself to use that "a" word. And a lovely one it is, too.
I won't allow the niggling voice of doubt that speaks up loudly to derail my plan. Like the grating sound of self doubt that recently cropped up at a writer's conference (here is a shout-out to a fabulous Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators gathering here in Austin last weekend!). It is a little daunting to hear from Learned Editors and Agents about the barriers to entry for children's books. It would be very easy to decide that I will never be good enough. When I compare myself with award winning authors, I get downright intimidated.
BUT I believe that there is no reason for me to write if I don't intend for others to read my work. I am sure a lot of people find writing cathartic, and the process itself is the reward. Not me. I want to throw it out there into the universe and see what happens. Do I need an award to be an author? No. Do I need to sell books to be an author? Yep.
So, picture me drowning out the paralyzing voices. That tappy-tap-tap you hear is my keyboard under attack from optimistic fingers. Nike says, Just Do It. Okay. I will.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Little Feathers: One Plus One

Little Feathers: One Plus One: I've been working on a young adult novel about a ballerina in a Soviet ballet school for about three years now. It has morphed from one genr...

One Plus One

I've been working on a young adult novel about a ballerina in a Soviet ballet school for about three years now. It has morphed from one genre to another, starting with fantasy and ending up in the real world. But it kind of plodded along. Until now. Now it is zooming ahead with a vigor that more than amazes me. 
About a month ago I got inspired by a little girl, Nelle, who posed for the book cover photo shoot. She lent real physical presence to my fictional character. I got inspired by Katie, my dancer daughter, who posed this little beauty in the photo shoot. Watching her interact with Nelle ended up coloring a dance teacher in the sequel. Watching Nicole shoot the photos, looking at how the light and color palette affected the mood of the pictures inspired a studio description in the sequel. Because one plus one is always more than two in a creative venture!
Last week my daughter Sally had an idea that blew the socks (or tights, in this case) off the ballet novel. Now we are collaborating, and she is writing the voice of the protagonist's roommate. Book two has suddenly been outlined, in a matter of hours instead of months, and we have a firm idea of the conclusion in book three. Viola! A story arch, a hero's journey!
My husband, Bob, used a great word to describe our collaboration: synergy. That word may have entered the business world overused-buzzword hall of fame. But that usually happens because a word is particularly appropriate or insightful. But whatever word we use when inspiration strikes due to bouncing ideas off another creative person...I am very excited about the result.
So, our target date for publication of a paperback and an ebook on Amazon of Raina Rising is April 1st. That may be ambitious, and we may have to be more patient. I have a fabulous friend and editor, Alison, whose work is so important that we can't hurry her along.
And, you need to know this fun fact. Sally and I are co-writing under a nom de plume that combines my parent's names. You'll read our work when you buy a book by Tessa Franklin. How fun is that???