Inspired by my Past

I'm writing a kissing scene in my young adult novel, and being as old as I am, needed some reminders of how it felt to be a teen kissing. And what a better resource than myself. Confused yet?

I have been a prolific journaler since I was twelve and I've saved them all. Interestingly, I didn't write much about my family life, but I did write about the boys I had crushes on.

I spent over an hour reading some of my high school journals last night and learned a lot about myself back then. I was horribly insecure. The only way I felt good about myself was through a boy. Maybe this is why I can't stand Bella's character in Twilight-- it rings home. I did read some good kissing stuff though to help me with my character.

A surprise for me as I read, was how much poetry I wrote. I knew that was a part of how I expressed my emotions, but forgot how many I wrote and how intense they were. I thought I would post one of the poems I wrote when I was 17. Me and my best friend in the world stopped being friends.

Lost Treasure

I wish to write something of gold.
A treasure found warm and bright.
A treasure, something like a friendship.
You see gold in the sky, in the sun, in the stars.
It is of the rarest kind, so when you lose it,
it will be forever difficult to find.
It is valuable, so nothing will ever be good enough
to replace it.
You are gold Lisa, of the rarest beauty,
and quality there is.
You are valuable to the heart,
a lost treasure.

Impressive for a kid, I must say.

Reflection

I just returned from my first writer's workshop. It was held by SCBWI, a great organization, on the beautiful campus of Dominican University, San Rafael, CA.

The four faculty members were, Jill Corcoran from the Herman Agency; Andrea Welch, editor for Beach Lane Books; Kathleen Duey, author of Skin Hunger; and a wonderful woman, Martha Alderson, author of Blockbuster Plots. After we were barraged with information to help us improve our craft, the faculty hung out at night and simply talked with those of us that stayed for the weekend.

No matter where we were on the totem pole: writer wishing to be author, author wanting to publish next book, agent wanting to find talent and help their clients reach the esteemed editor, or editor wanting to find a fresh voice, we all had one thing in common - to add something to a child's life by providing them with good literature.

I noticed things around me I sometimes miss because I'm distracted. Thus the photo I have included above was one of those giggly moments when we walked by this tree at night and it looked like a bunny had hid easter eggs on it's limbs.

I also heard the most wonderful children's book, written by my friend Pat, that was so good we had to hear it twice in a row and then we talked about it the morning after. I can't wait for the published piece. I also hope my friend Pat, will write a book that made us laugh about her Border collie with Attendion Deficit - squirrel? - Disorder.

It was hard to be ripped apart by critique, but I believe I'll be a better writer for it.

Tracking Chapter Details

I have been working diligently on the re-write of my YA novel and have found that I need to go back and organize my details. I have heard some writers keep bios of their characters, dates and events. Up until now I didn't feel the needed to do that thoroughly -- alas my details are increasing.

I am reading Martha Alderson's, Blockbuster Plots for the upcoming conference I'm attending where she is a facilitator. She has a wonderful chart on organizing scenes, summaries and plots. It is perfect timing to use this tool, although like any tool, I will modify it a little to fit my needs.

I am going to start off by tracking things by chapter: timeline, characters involved in the chapter, goal, conflict, emotional change of characters, and what I want the reader to take from it. The biggest thing for me is to track time and details about my characters. If they mention where they are from, what painting my protagonist is working on, cell phone ring for a character, these are the details I'll need to refer back to to keep things consistent.

I am raising the character's stakes and building tension on every page. The re-write is also making my character's voices more clear and focused.

The best indicator on the success of my re-write is that my 14 year old niece, that is being a test reader, can't wait for me to give her my next chapter.

Connecting to That One Child

Last week I had the opportunity to visit a 4th grade class to talk about my poetry, artwork, endangered species and getting published. I noticed, as I surveyed the room while I was doing my presentation, one child that I just couldn't connect with. He stared in the opposite direction of me.

Usually there is at least one child like this when I visit a class. I really like the challenge of grabbing their attention, and try different things in my presentation to draw that child in.

My paintings wouldn't turn his head. My animal questions didn't turn his head. Reading poems in my book didn't turn his head. I didn't realize that while I was doing all these things, I was trying to reach that child, until after.

Finally, when I started using volunteers to show the size of a Mekong Giant Catfish, the wingspan of a Comoro Black Flying Fox and California Condor, and how far a Snow Leopard can leap, the boy connected. He got excited. I started asking how many feet were in XX number of inches and this little boy answered. He couldn't wait to volunteer. I had him hooked.

It was a neat feeling for me.

Oh, and he had been listening, I knew this by the wonderful questions he asked at the end of my presentation.

Teaser Tuesday - Accidently

Renna (14 yrs old) is home from the hospital after survivng the lion attack that gives her lion-like abilities. She is starting to discover her new abilities.

“Dad, should I be worried about anything?” She could see every wrinkle in his face increase.

Leaving the lights off, he sighed and sat back down in the chair next to her, He reached out and took her hand. “I think everything’s going to be fine. Your eyesight isn’t affected, so I think our analysis is accurate.”

He squeezed her hand. “Now, go to sleep, and continue to heal.”

“Night, Dad. I love you,” she said returning his gentle squeeze.

Her dad yelped, tearing his hand away.

“Daddy, what’s wrong?” Renna sat up, and turned on the light. She stared in horror at her dad’s hand which looked contorted. “Did I do that?”

“Yes,” he said through clenched teeth. He braced himself against the wall, holding his wrist upright, trying to breathe deeply.

“It was an accident. You didn’t mean to hurt me.” He tried to reassure her as he examined his hand and tried to move a finger. Renna saw fear in her father’s eyes as his face twisted in pain. He’s scared of me, she thought.

“It looks broken. You should go to the hospital,” she said.

He nodded.

“How is this possible? I don’t understand. How could I do that to you? Daddy, what’s happening to me?” Renna began to shake.

“I don’t know,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense. Your strength doesn’t make sense.” He hesitated for a moment. “Don’t worry, I’ll be home as soon as possible and we’ll figure this out.” He quickly left the room.

Moments later the engine of the truck roared and wheels skidded in gravel.

“I’m so sorry,” she repeated between sobs.

Teaser Tuesday - Renna's eyes

14 year old Renna, is in a small rural hospital in Africa after the lion attack. She is talking with her best friend, Sean, who was with her when she was attacked. Sean is 16 years old. Both Renna and Sean's fathers are doctors without borders.

This is the first time Sean and Renna have seen each other after the accident. Sean is crying.

“I’m a bloody mess,” Sean said laughing at himself, and then abruptly stopped. “What’s wrong with your eyes?”

Renna's heart fluttered remembering the bright light of her dad’s flashlight. She looked around the room to see if her sight had changed at all, everything looked crystal clear. In fact, she couldn’t believe the details she could see of objects hidden in the dark.

Sean leaned closer, “Your eyes were brown, right?”

“Yes.” Renna looked puzzled. “Did you say-- were?”

“Your irises are like an icy lime color. I’ve never seen anything like them.” Sean said.

“Can you find a mirror or something? I want to look.”

Sean walked quietly out of the room. He returned a couple minutes later with a small cracked hand mirror.

Renna lifted the mirror and gasped. Her eyes sparkled a funky green color you’d find in a crayon box. Her dark long wavy hair, olive skin, and thick black eyelashes made the contrast in color that much greater.

She put down the mirror and looked at Sean. “They’re the same color as that lion’s.”

“You’re right, I should have remembered that. Can you see okay?” Sean said.

Renna nodded, distracted by concern. “There was something very wrong with that lion, like he had rabies or something.”

“Sean,” his father whispered from the hall. “We need to go, son. Say, goodnight.”

Sean rolled his eyes and squeezed her hand. “I’ll come back in the morning, if my mum will let me. Don’t worry about your eyes. If nothing is blurry I’m sure it’s not a problem.”

“I hope so. I just want to go home,” Renna said, and yawned. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I’ll see you tomorrow. By the way, I think the cub is safe.”

“I had forgotten about the cub. How do you know it’s safe? Never mind, we’ll talk about it tomorrow,” Sean said.

Sean turned in the doorway, “Ren, I don’t blame you for anything. I’d follow you anywhere.”

Teaser Tuesday

Renna has just survived a lion attack...

Renna heard voices. Her eyelids felt too heavy to open as she lay next to something soft and warm. Her leg ached and pain shot throughout her body, making her twitch involuntarily.

“I found my baby. She was barely alive under a bush,” said a voice. “The humans are close. We should leave quickly. Is the girl going to survive?”

“Yes. I think she will be okay. I’ve cleaned the wound,” said a deep melodic voice. “I am glad your cub continues, thanks to this girl. Did our pride chase the male away?”

“It took ours and the neighboring one to do so. We ran him far past our outlying territories. He is a freak of nature,” said the first voice. “Do you think his bite will shift her?”

“She is making the change. She’s healing very fast, a sign described to me a long time ago,” said the deep voice. “I’m just glad we were able to steal her away from the dark male. He deserves death for destroying our young. We will need to recruit other prides to eliminate him for good or he will continue his mindless killing.”

“We need to go. The humans are anxious,” said the first voice.

“Move the pride out. I’ll wait another moment before following,” the deep voice agreed.

Voices became urgent all around Renna, and then faded away. Warm breath kissed her cheek. Renna saw a faint glow of golden browns and whites above her, making her wonder if an angel was taking her to another place.

“You are a part of us now,” the deep voice crooned in her ear. “Thank you for risking your life to save one of ours. Take care little one, and be strong.”

The warmth disappeared, there was a brief silence, and then a wave of new voices rushed in.