Friday, March 16, 2012

Cheers to Critters and Seven Months

I love my critique groupers. They have given a whole new light to my attempts at writing. I feel like I am really in it now, that progress will be made...someday.  In fact, I am so appreciative for their feedback,  I feel like I should give them a new cuddly nickname like my critters. I love my critters. They do make me feel warm and fuzzy, just like this guy. Thanks ladies!


One thing I must say however is, never open critiques on a big day like your anniversary, or your birthday or your niece's bat mitzvah. Your insides will surely shrivel like a grape in the sun if you are in the wrong emotional state. This is my FIRST RULE OF FIGHT WRITE CLUB.

As  I mentioned in a previous post, if you aren't able to find me at my new writing station, you can probably find me hiding under here.


This is exactly where my loved ones found me this last Saturday, wallowing in self-pity. I know, I know. Ridiculous. The good news is, it only lasted a few hours, or perhaps several hours, okay, maybe a day.

If that was the first rule, the SECOND RULE OF FIGHT WRITE CLUB is:

Don't query manuscripts before you have found your voice. (At least this is a rule I have set for myself.)

How many queries have I sent out with manuscripts written in the world's most awkward voice? Too many. I have one thing to say about me finding my own voice:

 I stinkith so mucheth it hurteth.


I have a dark side. When I say dark side, I mean I like writing about homeless men...who are chipper.=) But I do so much like to write about more serious subject matter than the content of this blog tends to be. It just doesn't come as natural. What can I say? I just feel so comfy-cozy here in the blogosphere... So, I wonder, how do I transfer this thing called voice from my blog to my manuscripts while still touching on those serious issues that interest me?

Maybe it would be easier if I were to make it official by giving my desired transition a title:

Operation Transfer Blog Voice to Children's Book Manuscripts.
(OTBVCBM..which by the way, is just as hard for me to remember as the SCBWI acronym.)

 I just don't get it. It's hard. At least for me it's hard.

To me, I can equate finding my voice hard to trying to learn the SUBJUNCTIVE in Spanish hard. So abstract, so unattainable, so torturous! Will it ever happen? When Universe, when?



THIRD AND FINAL RULE OF FIGHT WRITE CLUB (at least for today):

Give yourself some time to develop as a writer, Elizabeth Stevens Omlor.

I have been attempting to write for children for seven months. SEVEN MONTHS! Sometimes I forget that. I think of one of my favorite authors, Cynthia Rylant, who sent her first book off and then two months later it was on its way to being published. I want to be Cynthia Rylant! Don't you?

Must I toil? Must I suffer? Must I keep complaining? =) NO!

To make myself feel better, I've decided to make a list of all the things that take longer than seven months to develop/accomplish:

  • a human being in utero (I love that word, utero.)
  • an elephant in utero (Yowza! Two years is it? No wonder they're so amazing.)
  • a foreign langauge (Do you hear that public education policy makers?! (Me tardo tanto aprender el idioma. Si, es cierto. No estoy bromeando. La unica cosa es que no se poner la puntuacion correcta en Blogger.)
  • algebra skills  (Good Lord do they take longer than seven months. Hyperventilation has begun, along with flashbacks.  "Please don't make me solve for x, Mr. Wenzel!" )
  •  shedding baby weight in the real world...(If it took you less time, I'd definitely prefer not to hear about it or see any pictures.)
  • I'm beginning to feel better about myself
  • my daughter's bangs after an experimental self-trim (first AND second time)
  • learning to walk (unless you are a furry, four legged animal)
  • learning how to park without hitting the surrounding parked cars (Or was that just me? Yikes! I ALWAYS left a note.)
  • sewing skills (Eh.)
  • disposable diaper decomposition (But they are so easy! Sorry Mother Earth.)

I am sure there is so much more to add to this list. If you can think of any others, please by any means, let me know. My self-esteem will thank you.

Now, the real reason for this post...the book giveaway!

You read. (past tense)
You laughed.
You cried.
You wrote witty remarks in...CAVE MAN!

It was a tight race, but the winner of the Me Want Pet! book giveaway was....

Penny Klostermann

Congratulations Penny! If you missed her comments you must go take a look. I was very impressed. I was actually so impressed by all the funny posts that my Laugh-O-Meter needs replacing!

I have just opted to use  Random.org for future contests. Which reminds me, if you haven't yet, make sure you read and comment on Lori Degman's post. She is giving away a copy of her book, 1 Zany Zoo and a critique for a rhyming picture book!

One last tid-bit....next Tuesday, March 20th, I will be featured on Julie Hedlund's blog, Write Up My Life! Her Tuesday series spotlights pre-published authors and I would LOVE to see you there!
Happy Friday!

40 comments:

  1. Sarah Stewart said, "Give your book the time it needs." Wise words. Forget about publication, easier said than done. It just seems like a logical conclusion, but it's out of our control.
    Read.
    Write.
    Angst.
    Celebrate.
    And repeat.

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    1. Thanks Linda. Wonderful philosophy. =) So glad to have you here!

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  2. If it makes you feel any better, my baby is nearly 15 (years!) and I'm still working on that baby weight :) I have never successfully learned a foreign language (unless you count pig latin). I hit things when I back up so often that I don't bother getting my bumper repaired. And I cannot sew AT ALL! And it took me a lot longer than 7 months to feel like a writer - and I'm still learning every day :)

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    1. Wow Susanna. You really know how to make a girl feel validated! Thanks so much for sharing! =) You are an inspiration!

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  3. I really enjoyed your post. As one who also struggles with the whole concept of voice in writing, it is comforting to know others have the same trouble. I can especially understand how it would be hard to bring your more casual blog voice into a very serious subject matter, though it certainly could be done with the right story. That raises the question, should an author use the same voice for every situation? I would say no, but it would be interesting to hear other points of view about that.

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    1. Thanks so much Diane. I have wondered about the ability of an author to use a different voice for each work. I read recently, that some authors, while they change the tone of their books, still maintain a voice that is strictly theirs. I think I need to do some research on that. Was that about Jane Yolen? Can't remember. =) Thoughts?

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  4. You are hilarious! You feel like a writer to me. :)

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    1. What compliments Ella! Thank you so much for stopping by. That is the biggest compliment of all!=)

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  5. Excellent post! You blog is like home...home to me as a writer who feels those same things. It's like we share a brain....now that's scary. I mean we all share those same struggles and thoughts about those struggles.

    Me so happy me won book! Ooga! Me thank BIG thanks!!!

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    1. I would love to share a brain with you Penny! =) I am glad you struggle with the same stuff, not that I would ever want someone to struggle, but I am glad I am not alone. Especially since you seem to have it all so together! =) Can you send me your address either here or on FB? Ooga.

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  6. Eeeekkkk! That should've said "your blog."

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  7. I love this blog!! Okay...things that take longer than 7 months: Becoming an artist (a good one), finding your marbles after child birth, redesigning my blog, unpacking after a move....should I go on??

    I agree with Ella - but I also understand your dilemma as I'm living there with my writing and art.

    Thanks for the encouragement we can grow together!!

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    1. Yay! Thank you Melissa!

      Great examples of things that take longer than seven months. Phew! I thought others were just being kind. =)

      Still trying to find my marbles after childbirth,however it is getting easier with them both over the age of two now!=)

      Thanks so much for stopping by Melissa! Great to see you here!

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  8. That's one cute critter Heather. Seven months may seem like a long time and it was for me when I crossed that mark. I'm working on a much longer time scale but still I "Just Keep Swimming" like Dory does. I love that movie! Anyhow, I will definitely be stopping by Julie's blog on Tuesday to check out your appearance. Mine is next in line. Thanks for making my laugh. Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by Jennifer! I'm honored I made you laugh! See you on Tuesday...and then the following Tuesday! Can't wait to read your post!

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  9. What an adorable little hedgehog...we have one as a pet, and love her to death!
    You have good things to say here, Elizabeth. Thanks for sharing your heart with us. Yes, indeed, something worth the doing is worth the time working on it. Seven months out of a lifetime is not long, but, I know it feels like an eternity. Keep up the good work...we will look forward to seeing you on Julie's blog!

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    1. Lucky Jarm! I want a hedgehog as a pet! Why don't more people have them? Hmmm...Maybe I'll do some research. Thanks so much for reading and commenting! It really is all worth it. Great to see you here and look forward to next week!=)

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  10. I love your voice on this blog, and I think listing things that take longer than 7 months is a great idea. :)

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    1. Thanks so much! Great to see you here! I love lists.=)

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  11. You know what, friend? Your voice is wonderful. KEEP your voice. Make your MC YOU... only 8 years old. You are doing sooooo well!

    You make me (and others, I am SURE) laugh so hard, with every post you make. I'm proud that you realize that you've only been writing for seven months! It takes people so long to recognize how brand new they really are to this field(and by "people" I mean "Me", and by "brand new" I mean "terribly novice" and "annoyingly over confident"). Keep going!!!

    And, by the way, it took me one full YEAR to learn the
    acronym for SCBWI. So there's one more thing that took longer than seven months to perfect. ;)

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    1. Awwww... Bethany! Thank you. What a compliment to know that you laugh! Yeah...I just have a hard time with voice. =( The good thing is, writing seems to be a hard habit to break now that I have started, so thanks for the encouragement. It means SO much! Ha, ha! SCBWI is a hard one. =) Thanks again Bethany!

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  12. Your critique groupers love you too, Bananabeth!

    I'm a HUGE groupie of your blog. Your voice is perfect.

    Do you ever stay in your pjs til noon or maybe even all day and write? Do you look up at the clock from your writing and wonder where the time has gone? Do you obsess over your story or maybe even a scene or a line? Welcome to the writing life, my dear!

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    1. Ah man! THANK YOU! Sometimes I sacrifice showers during nap time to write...does that count? Should I be embarrassed? TMI? You are lovely! Thanks so much for your support.

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  13. Never say you stink! I may have to fly cross country and give you a shake! And then take you out for a delicious dessert to give you the strength to come out from under the laundry.

    I read this post this morning and it has stuck with me all day. Writing stories with a message is HARD. Really, really hard. The message needs a solid story to hold it, but it also needs space to shine out and touch the reader's heart. Not an easy balance.

    Giving and receiving critique is also hard. Art and writing is such an intimate endeavor, so much of ourselves goes into it that a critique can be painful. I think I said only about 3 dozen words in the two days after receiving my Rate Your Story critique. It was a wonderful, thoughtful response that made my ms so much better, but did it ever hurt when I first opened it up! Even so, I find receiving critique much less stressful and less anxiety producing than giving it.

    Learning to walk takes more than 7 months. Learning to drive takes way more than 7 months. (at least it did for me)
    I still can't beat a level on Super Mario Bros Wii without help from my kids and we've had that game for 3 years.
    Understanding how batteries work? Magic. My husband has been trying to convince me otherwise for 5 years. I am suspicious of his "science".
    Baby weight? Yeah, I own it because 9 years later it's moved in.

    Keep on keepin' on. It's all in the practice.

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    1. Heather! Thank you for making me laugh! Dessert would be the right trick to get me out from under all that laundry! =)

      I am very lucky to have SUCH great critique partners. I am sorry to hear about those three days after your critique, but happy to know that I am not alone. =) It is so personal.

      What I find beautiful is that the work is not just my own anymore. I would never be able to fully say it is mine anymore because it is being bettered with the help of others. It feels pretty amazing.

      Thanks for the additions to the list of things that take longer than 7 months. My favorite is the Super Mario Bros. I can relate. Also, batteries? Who really knows? For me, I have a hard time subtracting when multiple zeros are in the equation. It cracks my husband up!

      Thanks so much for your support Heather. It really made my afternoon! =)

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  14. People I know who have been writing and getting published for years say they're still learning. I find that encouraging.

    Having one's work critiqued is hard, but it's so much more helpful in the long run than comments that just pat you on the head and don't really SAY anything. Your skin will thicken as time goes by. Everything takes time, and it's hard to be patient, but things do happen in time.

    As for voice, your own voice as an author will develop the more you write, but your characters will have their own voice, as well. Try writing a character talking about a happy time, and then have the character talk about a difficult time. It's the same person, just different situations. You go through different experiences, but you're the same person. You can bring that to your writing.

    It takes time...

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    1. That is truly encouraging to know that there is always more to learn, no matter how successful you become.

      I completely agree with you on the benefits of critiques. It has been amazing. I am just waiting for my skin to get a little thicker. =)

      That sounds like a great exercise to practice. Thanks so much for recommending it to me. I am always looking for ways to practice voice! =)

      Thanks so much for your visit Beth! It was great hearing from you.

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  15. Huge congratulations to Penny!

    I've been at this since 2003. Even though I've sold some books, I'm still learning. I'm still thunking my head onto my keyboard. I'm still getting rejection letters.

    But I keep at it. And I'm pretty sure you will, too. :)

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    1. I think "some" books would be an understatement! =) You are on a roll! Glad to know that you're still learning and thunking. It's hard to believe you get rejection letters! Are they crazy? Thanks so much for your kind words of support! That is just so nice of you! =)

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  16. You obviously know humor, girl! This post is hilarious! I've been at it (writing for children) since January when I jumped in and join 12 x 12. So glad I did. Glad to know seasoned writers grapple with issues too. Here's one for your list: Deciding to purpose in your heart to follow your dream(s). We're doing it! GREAT POST!

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    1. Pam! Thank you so much! So great to see you here! 12 x 12 has been a truly exceptional experience, hasn't it? I love hearing the experiences of others too.Great words of encouragement! Thanks so much Pam!

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  17. Fun post! As Dori says in the movie Finding Nemo, "Just keep swimming!" No matter what struggles come up in writing, we gotta keep going, practicing, and writing. I'm learning new things about this craft every day! I think you have a great voice in this blog!

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    1. Thanks so much Tina! Great to see you here! There is SO much to learn. :) I really appreciate your kind words!

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  18. Hysterical post! I don't think you need to find your voice - you clearly have a great voice - you need to find your story and let your voice tell it!

    Hang in there - seven months is a drop in the bucket!

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    1. What a compliment Lori! Thank you so much. I like your spin on letting my voice tell the right story.:) Great perspective. Thanks so much for everything! It has been great communicating with you! Such an honor! :)

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  19. I do the same thing when it comes to expecting so much of myself in a timespan far shorter than I should. I've seen people write only 2 drafts and have a pretty polished manuscript. Their brain just works that way. But I'm easily on my 10th at this point for my picture book, and still tweaking! I just have to keep reminding myself that it gets better each time. I guess it's all about learning how you personally work and working toward happiness with your manuscript (or any other project) regardless of whether or not someone "professional" would be happy with it. Because if you're not content with it that means it isn't in your voice yet (just like you talked about). I think being truly content with your own work is the first step to making it on-level for agents and publishers. Keep up the amazing work and never let yourself get down for too long. Just remember that every word you write teaches you something about you and your work and that continues to get you closer to your ultimate end goal. =)

    P.S. I gave you a blog award! http://quidforquill.wordpress.com/2012/03/18/saturday-status-awards-lucky-sevens-and-progress/

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  20. Thank you so much Lissa! Great words of wisdom! I don;t think I could ever stay down for too long with writing. One week, maximum...it is way too addictive. Just can;t get those ideas out of my little head. And thanks so much for the Blog Award! What a compliment! =) So glad to see you here. I'll pass the award on this week so be one the lookout! =) Take care.

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