Collaboration

We all imagine writing to be a solitary pursuit: one writer, sitting alone for hours on end, burning through their creativity with only their family pets to offer comfort and support. Sure, there are moments just like that. A lot of moments, in fact. But that's only part of the writing process, because writers can't do it all by themselves.

For me, the collaboration starts when I finish a draft of a novel ( or a picture book) and am ready for some outside feedback. I email it off to one of my trusty readers. After they get back to me, I revise more and send it to my next partner in crime, my agent Scott.

Sometimes he and I go back and forth a couple of times before he deems something ready to be sent off to an editor. For my first two novels, and now for my next two, that editor is Liz. And what we do is true collaboration.

Yes, I've got the story written. My characters and plot and suspense are all there. But they aren't ready yet. Not by a long shot. For The Compound, Liz and I worked for about 18 months shaping that manuscript until it was ready. Happily, The Gardener took half that amount of time, simply because of things I learned from her on the first novel. My hopes are that my two subsequent novels will take even less editorial revision time. But I always look forward to her having a hand in my work, because, despite all my alone time as a writer, I can't do it alone.

Thoughts and Wishes for 2010

I have started the year giving time each morning to making a "creative strategic planner". A friend of mine sent me this site: http://lisasonorabeam.com/2009/12/11/journal-peek-my-2010-strategic-planner—goal-setting-for-creatives/ and it seemed to offer the perfect way to plan out this busy, emotional, rich, full year ahead! 2010 is the year of balance and clarity for me, which means, I will be able to see my way clearly, if I can keep balance in my professional life as well as my family life. The two big events to balance are:

My daughter's graduation from high school and then a summer trip to take her to the college she chooses, and the publication and launch of my new picture book with Simon & Schuster in July.

I want to launch both book and daughter into the world with thoughtfulness and celebration, thus I am hoping my creative strategic planner will help with this endeavor.

2010 marks new beginnings as well... Between now and June, I am writing. I have several picture book stories in the works and have added a new element with the new year: my husband, Matthew Smith, composer, http://www.matthewsmithcomposes.com/HOME.html , is joining me in a picture book collaboration. We have met twice so far and have a very exciting manuscript in the works. (I will reveal more in the coming months... perhaps we could have a blog with the subject of collaboration?) I set June as my deadline for writing, because once the graduation is passed and my new book is launched, I have a new illustration contract with Beach Lane Books which I am very excited about, thus sketches, storyboards, and dummy books are in my 2010 future.

Travel is another wish for 2010. I loved my experience as a visiting author/illustrator in Mumbai and look forward to more such opportunities. At this point, nothing is on the calendar, but I want to do whatever I can to get some possibilities rolling.

And being inspired by Christy's post, I have signed up for a workshop through the Hamline Master's in Children's Literature program. And a poetry class at the Loft this year is something that could only add to my growth as a writer.

2010 is proving to be a full year. I did not even mention that I am writing the script for this year's Circus Juventas http://www.circusjuventas.com/ August show as well as designing and painting the sets. It is all... the writing, the painting, the parenting, and the planning... all stuff I love to do. I am looking forward to what this new year and new decade may bring!

Time for Resolutions Again?

With the arrival of 2010 comes the time for resolutions. As I thought about what to write in today’s blog I realized my resolutions have remained consistent for a number of years, so rather than generating new resolutions, this year I “recommit” myself to the continued pursuit of my goals. Here is my list:

1) Keep working on my craft
2) Read more
3) Though it conflicts with my introverted nature, continue cultivating relationships and networking within the children’s writing world
4) Cherish my critique groups and nurture their continued existence
5) Keep working on my craft

Not exactly groundbreaking, I know. I bookended the list with “working on my craft” because that is the hardest, and potentially most rewarding, item on the list.

One good thing about resolutions, for me, is the timing. I tend to take most summers off to go sailing and play with my family and recharge my mental batteries, and so with January coming just about halfway through winter, reviewing my goals provides a chance to refocus and prepare for the second half of my writing “season.”

Who knows, with any luck – and continued hard work – I might finally get a book accepted for publication this year. Even if I do, however, I am not sure my future resolutions will change that much. For me, writing is a lifelong, evolving endeavor -- a marathon with no real finish line but plenty of interesting checkpoints and sights along the way (to force a metaphor). With that in mind, I humbly recommit myself to an ongoing pursuit of artistic creation and fulfillment. Speaking of which, it is time now to sign off and head down to my shack for the day’s work . . .

Finding a Balance Between Writing and Writerly Business

I'm starting 2010 a bit sad to have 2009 (the debut year for my first "solo" novel) already behind me and a bit overwhelmed with my new responsibilities as Regional Advisor for the MD/DE/WV chapter of SCBWI. Although the position involves "writerly" tasks, including working closely with other writers, editors, and agents, it also threatens to steal valuable time away from my own personal writing life.

I hereby resolve to find a good balance between writing and writerly business. Like David, I will concentrate on things that I do have control over, such as finishing a first draft of my current work-in-progress, so I can get to the true meat of writing--revision. Like Christy, I will also concentrate on finding some poetry in my life--celebrating those little joys and often overlooked details by putting them down on paper in some form. I would love to say I have an adventure as exciting as Carmen's journey back into Picasso's life, but who knows what adventures the year may hold...

Here's to a New Year rich with writing opportunities!

NO CHOICE

My writing resolution for 2010 was to write a biography of Picasso. I have been reading a lot about him and have written poems from his birth to the cubist era. But need to see, smell, hear, and explore the places where he lived. The question, of course, was how, where would I get the money to go to Europe? I thought I had to can my resolution.

That won't happen. On Tuesday morning I got a call from Oregon Literary Arts. I won the Edna L. Holmes Fellowship in Young Readers Literature! In October (Picasso was born October 25th) I will travel to Málaga, Barcelona, and Paris to experience Picasso's life as fully as possible.

Resolved

There are many things I have no control over as an author: how long an editor will take to respond to my work, the economic viability of publishers acquiring new manuscripts, the way in which reviewers will treat my upcoming book.
So be it.
In the new year I resolve to work on those things over which I do have some control: making writing a priority, writing the strongest stories I possibly can, stretching myself as an author and illustrator, taking risks, reminding myself of the joy that writing can bring, giving myself time to read, and being gentle with myself when I don't live up to my own expectations.
These may not be new resolutions, but they are ones that I need to keep practicing.
Happy New Year, one and all!

Writing goals 2010

Next week I begin a Stanford Writer’s Studio course taught by former Stegner Fellow, Sara Michas-Martin. The class is called “Poetry: Writing the Moment.” I find much in common between poems and picture books: both are visual, both condense and distill thought, both celebrate smaller moments. I wish to sharpen my hearing and deepen my understanding as I read poetry. I am eager to experiment and hope to gain some confidence in writing my own poems.

I have poetry-picture book ideas in development that with any luck will benefit from what I learn at Stanford. Revision is big on my agenda for the year. I also want to make time for experimenting with my illustrations. I develop art simultaneously with writing—nailing down visual and verbal language alternately.