Write From the Soul

       Have you ever gone on a trip and found that it far exceeded your expectations?


       Then you'll understand when I say that my journey to Charleston, SC  last weekend to research and talk with family and friends of the late Philip Simmons (my picture book subject) was extraordinary.

I had several interviews prearranged, but the individuals I hoped to speak with were more of the if-I-have-time-I'll-meet-you or-catch-them-on-the-run variety.

They all had time.

I caught all of them on the run.


And everyone was gracious, and open, and willing to share their memories and stories with me.

Now I feel like I have a complete understanding of this wonderful and beloved man.


He was:
gentle,
soft-spoken,
respectful,
an observer,
a giver to all,
a cornerstone of his church and his community,
adored all children,
a man who appreciated everything in life,
and proud of his skills and craft.


I'm totally loving the writing of this manuscript! After my eye-opening Charleston trip, I have completely revamped the book. Now it feels genuine to me.


And I thank everyone (especially Rossie, Mrs. Gilliam, Ron, and Ronnie) in Charleston, including the people we met on the street who claimed Philip Simmons as a cousin, for making me feel a part of his incredible life journey.

And a special thank you to my good friend Laura who willingly drove me to Charleston with no agenda other than helping me take pictures and notes on every conversation.
Love you all!




Here's a picture of just one of Philip Simmons's gates called "The Olympic Gate." It's located in The Atlanta History Center, Shaping Traditions: Folk Arts in a Changing South exhibition.

Write From the Soul

      Life has been hectic. Last Thursday I left with a carload of women writers to drive to Birmingham, AL for the regional SCBWI Fall conference. The other 3 women were all signed up for a day long writers' Intensive on Friday by the keynote speaker, Darcy Pattison. I didn't sign up for the workshop but since I'm no longer a driver, I take rides where I can find them. I was sharing a room with one of my other delightful writer friends, Doraine Bennett- who was also going to the writers' Intensive. So what, pray tell, did I do on that free Friday?


I sat out on the deck of the hotel and wrote. 

Then, I went to the movies. I rarely buy food at the movies but the smell of the popcorn grabbed me and wouldn't let go, so I caved and bought some. And of course, you can't eat popcorn without something to drink. Ten dollars later (yikes!) I was ready for the movie.


BUT........ I needed to carry popcorn and a drink with only one hand. Why you ask? Because the other hand was sweeping in front of me with the white cane I now use. A dilemma, indeed.


I went over to one of the theater staff (they all look like they're about 15 years old, don't they?) and asked for some help. A very nice young man graciously offered to carry both drink and corn for me. Walking down the hall, I commented on how dark the hallways were for people with vision issues. He said he'd tell the manager. At the theater door, he asked where I wanted to sit. When I explained I needed to sit in the very back, in order to see the entire screen, he suggested we take the elevator to the top floor and not walk up all the stadium seating rows. I hope he said that because of the vision, not because he thought I was too old to walk the steps!



Did you know there were elevators in movie theaters???? I didn't. 

Once in the theater, it was very dark so he helped me find the row and seat. I thanked him and he left. As I removed my sweater and visor, I made a discovery. I was still wearing my clip-on sunglasses!!!! No wonder the hallways and theater seemed so dark. (Geez, feel much like a dummy, Gail?) But what a polite young man not to mention the sunglasses to me :-)


Saturday was the conference day - one keynote speech, 4 break-out sessions previously chosen when we registered, lunch, panel Q & A on publishing, writing, querying, and autographing books purchased there by the conference speakers. We fit all that in between 8AM and 4 PM. Oh, and I had a professional critique on my MG book. This was all followed by a 3 hour ride back to Atlanta with a different driver and friend, Cathy Hall. 

We had lots to talk about while the beneficent Mr. Hall drove. (Hey, that's what Cathy likes to call him so who am I to argue!) You see, there's a writing contest prior to the fall and spring conferences. Winners are announced (surprise) at the conference itself. And...... Cathy won 1st place in MG and YA fiction! Woo Hoo! Very exciting. Not only did she win free tuition to the next conference and a free night at the hotel, she also was invited by the senior editor who read all the entries, to submit the complete manuscript for consideration. How awesome is that! You go Cathy!!


The rest of the hecticness- is that even a word?- finishes this weekend.


I'm off to Charleston for 4 days. I'm interviewing friends and family members of a wonderful, gentle-spirited man who was a blacksmith and artisan. I'm writing a picture book about him. Many of the wrought-iron gates, fences, railings, and grills made in Charleston were made by him. I plan to go around the town and photograph them.

Who says retirees are sedentary?

Write From the Soul

 A "Peach" of an Idea



             This week a wonderful book went on sale! It's The 12 Days of Christmas in Georgia by Susan R. Spain with illustrations by Elizabeth O. Dulemba. Both of these women live in our Southern Breeze region (Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia) and are fabulous people!! For those of you love to share different versions of a story or song, this book is for you! Read it to your kids, your grand-kids, your nieces and nephews, your class, a neighbor's kid, or any other kid you find (just don't stalk them...it's kinda creepy).

For those of you who love to share nonfiction with kids, try   Rosa's Bus. The Ride to Civil Rights by Jo S. Kittinger and illustrations by Steven Walker, another wonderful person from our Southern Breeze region. She tells the story of the bus boycott of more than a year in Montgomery, AL and the resulting Civil Rights movement.  The best part of the book? It's about the bus and it's journey.


These are great books to buy..... and maybe next year (or the year after that)  one of my books will be available to buy as well. (fingers and toes crossed)

Write From the Soul

          I think being a writer brings out the insecurity in us. First we worry about whether we have any writing skills at all. Then we wonder if we can put enough words together to create a cohesive story. Of course, through the writing process, there's that fear we'll never finish the book.

           And then it's done.

           And then we worry.......will anyone like it? Will an agent want to represent you?

            This is where I currently am. Between that will-anyone-like-it rock and the agent hard place.

             Today, a friend and member of one of my critique groups shared her feedback with me. 

• She called my main character a wonderful, gentle but strong boy. 
• She said he was on a heroic journey in the story and handled it with grace. 
• She said she read the story all the way through and couldn't put it down because she loved the character so much. 
• She pointed out similarities I didn't even realize about the protagonist's and the antagonist's struggles.

And my heart sang. 

And now I dare to hope that the queries I'll be sending out in the next 2-3 weeks, will touch an agent's heart and make it sing as well.

 Then I can start the process over again with a new project.

Unless I get stuck thinking about publishers.....

Write From the Soul

 
One of the best ways to improve your writing is to read about the craft. (The best way, I think, is to keep writing, writing, and writing!)


Lately I've read about 6 word memoirs. The idea is to express important aspects of yourself, share your feelings or beliefs in only 6 words.

Not so easy for a wordy girl like me!


But I figured it's great practice for writing a book pitch. Yes, I know the pitch is 1-2 sentences. However, after you squeeze the essence into 6 words, you can always add more description, right?


Some of the samples were from kids. In fact, the suggestion was made to use this as a writing lesson in a classroom. You can read the finished short memoirs aloud and see if classmates can guess who it talks about.


The teacher in me still loves to find different ways to teach kids.....even if I don't have a classroom anymore.


Here are a few "kid samples"
        Math was made to torture me!
             Dogs are the world's best pets.
             Brother for sale;make an offer.

Here are a few about me.
        Sight is precious;use it wisely.
              Wish sweets were good for you!
              Family and friend make me smile
              No food comes close to chocolate!

So take the challenge....write a 6 word memoir about  yourself and share it with me.
It's a fun way to learn about each other :-) .   

Write From the Soul

I've been out of pocket for 2 weeks while I was celebrating the Jewish High Holidays with my family in the Boston area. I meant to post, I planned to post, but I got busy and didn't post. Sorry. My bad. Didn't mean to worry anyone. Love you.....

Now I'm back and "in pocket." And boy, do I have a great contest to share with my writer friends. 




Angela Ackerman of The Bookshelf Muse  
has hit the coveted 1,000 followers !!! She is offering not only critiques but also a three month mentorship! (gasp)


She will be available for email questions, help with your blog, web site, platform, query letter, and general all-round cheerleader for your book and career. How awesome is that?!


Head on over to her blog and sign right up. NOW. Don't stop. Go do it. Now means immediately. Don't even finish this p.....

Write From the Soul

          I have finally completed my middle grades book. 

I've revised it a billion times (and probably will do more revisions if I'm honest with myself). But just having the initial draft done gives me a sense of completion and permission to begin thinking of submissions.

I decided to read through some of the many writing articles I've saved to my computer [ you know, the ones we save to read when we either have nothing else to do or are trying to procrastinate from something!] and I found one that seems appropriate to now. It's from The Institute for Children's Literature. If you aren't familiar with them and don't already receive their FREE eNesletter, go right now to the web site, find 'free eNews' on the left sidebar and sign up! They have wonderful tips, encouraging articles, and many ongoing features. 

One of those ongoing features is Kristi Holl's blog based on  her book called Writers' First Aid

In the archives (May 10, 2010 to be exact) she talks about the Serenity Prayer For Writers. I think she brings up important points to remember so.....
here it is for you!

Remember the Serenity Prayer? It goes like this: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

How about reducing frustration with your writing life by applying that wisdom to your career? Here are some things to accept that you cannot change:

• How long it takes to get a response from editors and agents
• Rejections
• Editors moving before buying the manuscript they asked to see
• Size of print runs
• Reviews
• Publisher’s budget for your book’s publicity and promotion

Trying to change anything on the above list is a sure-fire route to frustration and wanting to quit.
However, do you have courage to change the things you can? Here are some:

• Giving yourself positive feedback and affirmations
• Reading positive books on the writing life
• Studying writing craft books
• Writing more hours
• Reading more books in the genre where you want to publish
• Attending local, state, regional and national conferences you can afford
• Joining or forming a critique group

If you’re battling frustration and discouragement with the writing life, chances are good that you’re trying to control something beyond your control. It will make you crazy! The fastest way back to sanity is to concentrate on what you can control about the writing life.


Good things to remember, while working on your writing or your life!