Armchair BEA - Nurturing Relationships

Dictionary.com defines a "Mentor" as a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. I've had some wonderful mentors in my professional life, but not in my writing life. In my early years--when I was learning the craft and just getting started--I didn't seek out a mentor.

I do, however, have wonderful friends who I have learned "the ropes" with and those are the nurturing relationships I'd like to talk about today.

Writing is often a solitary endeavor. Butt in Chair, Hands on Keyboard. By yourself. But if you're like me, you need to talk about that process, vent about the challenging, complain about the rejections, rejoice in the successes. The failure doesn't seem as bad, and the success seems that much better if you share it with others. It takes the sting out of the rejection if you can share it with someone who understands.

So this post for Armchair BEA is dedicated to the three women in my critique group: Ansha Kotyk, Laura Pauling, and Jennifer Carson. All talented. All supportive. All incredible creators of children's literature. We've all been up and we've all been down. And we share each step along the way.

I've also met some great people through the New England Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators--professional organizations are a great way to find your own nurturing relationships. In fact, it's how I found my crit group to begin with. 

And the cool thing is to be able to nurture others. Support, Empathy, Understanding--sometimes it's enough to just say you understand how someone else is feeling. 


What are your nurturing relationships like?
 

Writing (and Banding) Together

One of my favorite things about being a writer is the incredible community I have discovered. I never in a million years expected to find friends, colleagues, or writing partners when I started writing for children a few years ago.

Recently, I joined the Afterglow Book Review blog as a contributor. It's an incredible group of writers and bloggers who love books. We're hosting a big blowout Beginning of Summer Spectacular starting on Monday (5/23). Thanks to the energy of Jen Daiker, the crew is hosting a giant giveaway--check it out and enter to win some fabulous prizes.

There are lots of ways to band together with other writers.
1. Write with Tina Laurel Lee in the Practice Room.
2. Critique with friends at Critique Circle.
3. Form your own critique group (online or in person) (NESCBWI Critique Group Resources)
4. Go to a workshop or a conference--it's great to meet other writers!

Share your other methods of banding together!

Time Capsules aka Old Manuscripts

My crit partner, Ansha, was weeding out her hard drive the other day. She found a file called "Knight.Asselin.doc" dated May 7, 2008. It was a critique she had done for my short story, THE KNIGHT IN TAN KHAKIS, approximately 2300 words.

The weird thing is, Ansha and I didn't become crit partners until after the NESCBWI conference in 2009. We'd met the year before, but I have no recollection of her critting my short story.

That particular story ended up being published in Golfer Girl Magazine in the fall of 2008. As I spent the summer of 2008 revising the short story, I started think it might be a novel. Just thinking.

72,000 words, three years, and who knows how many drafts later, it IS a novel. With an agent.

When I opened the document, it was like a flash back in time. Lots of telling, no showing. Not enough dialogue. But the characters were there, just waiting for me to write their story.

I've learned about writing in those three years. I've made some wonderful friends. I've published some nonfiction. I have been paid to write. I am an author.

Wow.

I wonder what the next three years will hold? Thanks, Ansha!! ::hugs::

What do you seen when you read an old manuscript?

Critiquing and friendship

Tina Laurel Lee asked me to write a post about my crit group and the critiquing process.  I've got a great crit group--we meet weekly, but we've only been in the same room a couple of times.  You see, we meet online.

We connected for the first time at the 2009 NESCBWI conference--and even then we didn't all meet each other in person.  Ansha and I knew each other and we met Jen in a session.  Jen knew Laura from her hometown.  We were in the right (write?) place at the right time and all admitted we needed a crit group.  A dynamic and energetic group of friends was born.

We all had partially completed novels at the time and immediately set up a schedule of bi-weekly submissions.  Laura and I subbed one week, Jen and Ansha subbed the next.  We met in a chat room weekly to share anecdotes, family stories, and encouragement.

Now, a year and a half later, we've all completed the works we had started.  Some of us are in revision mode, some are working on new things.  We've all queried and received positive feedback from agents and/or editors.  We're all still on the path toward being agented, but Jen's book TO FIND A WONDER was released last fall.  Her book launch was one of the most exciting moments our group has shared so far!

The critique process itself can be difficult.  It's not always easy to put your words out there.  We all have different writing styles and strengths--but that's the best part of our group.  I know Laura's going ask me questions about my protag's character and whether her behavior is realistic.  Ansha looks at the big picture.  Jen is stellar on detail and world building.  Without each of them, my novel would not be what it is today--getting good feedback and nibbles from agents.

 

We're now in our sophomore year--we still meet weekly in a chat room.  We've come together to see Jen's book turned into a successful musical.  Laura has become a successful and prolific blogger.  Ansha spearheaded a successful blog series this summer.  And I've had a few more nonfiction projects assigned by my publisher.

It's not always easy to be a writer.  Not everyone understands the trials and tribulations.  But my crit group understands.  They're often the first ones who hear about my recent rejections--because they get it.  Sometimes cheerleaders, sometimes task masters, sometimes psychologists.  My crit group!  Love you guys!

Ansha Kotyk
Jennifer Carson
Laura Pauling

To Find A Wonder - Jennifer Carson

Jennifer Carson, aka the Dragon Charmer, masterfully weaves a sweet and powerful story about a squire discovering what it takes to be a knight. Young squire Mortimer wants nothing more than to be a knight, but his liege refuses to knight him unless Mortimer can return with a Wonder, in 5 days no less. Knowing that most knights never find a single Wonder through lifelong quests, Mortimer heartily agrees and takes his trusty mount, Lady, on the journey of a lifetime.

Not only does Mortimer return with multiple Wonders, he creates one or two of his own along the way. He also learns the power of friendship, loyalty, and honor. Memorable characters such as Percival, the fire breathing dragon; Goon, the minstrel; a bumbling Wizard; and a frog prince pepper this lively story. Kids, young and old, will enjoy the adventure. “May your heart be true and your sword be loyal.”

I encourage you to check out To Find A Wonder.  Jen is a member of my critique group and I may have a signed copy (or two) of Jen's book to give away.  Check back tomorrow to find out!