Paperback Writer: Scarab Outlining

Scarab Pectoral, from the Tomb of Tutankhamun

A couple of things. First, I'm about to add Paperback Writer to the sidebar. I can't imagine why I haven't already.

Second, what a clever idea for outlining. I love her "scarab" outline, especially since I love things from the flapper era and scarabs were all the rage. (I even included a scarab in one of my novels.)

What is a scarab outline? Well, follow the link below and see!

Paperback Writer: Scarab Outlining

Morning Pages, Writing Spaces

I love seeing where writers write.

I love hearing and reading how writers write.

"Process" fascinates me, and I learn so much from it.

It's somewhat timely that when I discovered this blog that has pictures of many writers' offices, I found Heidi Durrow [The Girl Who Fell from the Sky] who  mentioned her morning pages.  [Now if you're in my evening class you know what that is. If you're in the morning, you don't, yet. At least, not from me. I will tell you Tuesday.]

The space of Eugenia Kim [The Calligrapher's Daughter] appeals to me this morning.  I love her view because I love trees, and yet it's so cozy.

And look at that board and bookcase:

 I could create there.

And finally, a few takes on morning pages:

Here.

And here.

And here.

Do you do morning pages? Like them? Hate them?

Where do you write?

YA books for you to read.

If you're writing YA, you should be reading YA. Sounds obvious, right?  (I might have mentioned this before, ahem.)

To answer a few questions that came up in week one's classes, I went back to Doug Solter:

Me: Suggestions for YA books that might be along the lines of Harry Potter?

Doug: "The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann: Harry Potter meets Hunger Games."

[From Amazon] Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret--behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime. In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation. But it's a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

Me: Suggestions for high school settings, non-sff?


Doug: "I would recommend anything by Courtney Summers, John Green, and Amy Lynn Reed. Good Contemporary YA stuff to start with. If they want to write stuff that's contemporary high school they need to look for the sub-genre 'contemporary YA.'  Ellen Hopkins comes to mind too. Check her out also."


There. That should get you started! (Me, too. I'm going to look into The Unwanteds, myself.)

WEEK ONE – HOMEWORK

1. Take yourself on an Artist’s

     Date.

2. Try “morning pages.”

3. Read the “first pages.”

4. Use your “capture device.”

5. Watch WITNESS.

6. Be a writer.

Got questions?  Ask!  (Or email me.)  And don't forget to sign up for email delivery of this blog.

Go write something!

A Must-Read for Friends of New Authors!

This is a link that you're going to want to keep handy and send to people when your book is about to be published by a traditional publisher. (Traditional publisher means a publisher that pays you an advance, that puts print books into book stores, that is not self-publishing or some variation of it.)

Publishing has become more and more like movies, and that's not great news.  Bottom line, "opening weekend ticket sales" (or in the book world, pre-orders and the first two weeks your book is available for sale) can make or break you. 

Not All Sales Are Created Equal—What Your Writer Friends Wish You Knew But Are Too Polite to Tell You 

 

Inspiration and Advice, 2011 looking to 2012

I stumbled across this "year-end wrap-up" of an aspiring writer who is going after the dream with all the energy and heart and brain-power she possesses.  I think reading her 2011 accomplishments and thank-yous might prove both inspirational and informative to my students (and others following with this blog).

From Darcy to Dionysus: A Writing Repository: Mentors & Magicians of 2011

I'm also very pleased to say that the "Practical Meerkat" weekly series of writing advice that I've pointed you to all year (check the sidebar) has completed and will be appearing in a great writing book soon. Stay tuned for more info on that.

I look forward to a new semester of classes and I hope to hear from more of my former students as time passes.  In fact, I should probably start posting updates on them as I get them.  Good idea, huh?