Stories don't just Stop with You

Love you AlphaSmart (thanks PhotoBucket)

I have this awesome device called and AlphaSmart Dana

See it right there? I love it!

I use it when my kids are on my computer, when I have to carpool and am stuck in the car for an hour, and when my lappy isn’t working (my charger broke down and am without it for a week! A week! Ack!)

Well, the best thing happened today when I hit that power button on my AlphaSmart. I found a story, I hadn’t written. My son had.

The best feeling is seeing your children grasp on to something you hold close to your heart. When I saw his story, I couldn’t help my heart feeling full (and the smile wouldn’t wipe off my face for hours).

What about you? Have you had any unexpected surprises happen from doing the things that you love?

Do Too Many Cooks Spoil the Stew?

I just finished a new picture book manuscript. It’s a Christmas story. As soon as I finished it, I sent it out to some of my critique friends. The critique process is fascinating. It is rarely what I expect.

I have three critiques back so far on The Innkeeper’s Daughter, each of them unique. I had one concern about my story, and no one commented on that issue. Each critiquer had suggestions, but there was literally no crossover. That’s unusual.

I love to hear what others think of my manuscript, because each represents the thoughts that an editor or prospective buyer might have. I carefully consider every comment. If several readers see the same weakness, then I take a very serious look. If only one person comments on a certain idea, then I weigh that against my own feelings.

Now the sifting begins. Which suggestions will strengthen my story?

As a picture book author, I have specific needs. I don’t need to add detail to the story that can be shown in pictures. I need to keep my word count low. I need to appeal both to an adult audience and a child audience because most picture books will be read aloud to a child by an adult. I need to use interesting language that is accessible without being condescending. If I am retelling a familiar tale, I need to find a fresh approach.

When a reader invites me to add detail that can be shown in illustrations, I know that reader doesn’t understand picture books. When a reader invites me to add detail that will stress my word count, I know that reader doesn’t understand picture books.

When a reader invites me to tighten a phrase, or clarify something that feels confusing, I am excited to try. When a reader invites me to strengthen the ending, the action, the dialogue, that is really helpful. When a reader shows me how to introduce sensory details: taste, smell, sound, sight, feelings, I can take my story to another level.

Do too many cooks spoil the stew? Nah? I love critiques because they make my writing better.

Sifting.

Linda Garner

Happy Memorial Day I love this time of year. I love remembering my ancestors. I am grateful for my connection to them because it tells me who I am and who I can become. My mother has a pear tree that has wonderful pears on it. Each year the grandchildren love to come to her house to eat the pears from the tree. Now they are grown and the children live far away. I help her dry the pears and mail them to each grandchild so they can eat them during the winter. Fresh pears are available in the stores. But grandmother’s pears mean more than just nourishment for the body. Grandmother’s pears are nourishment for the soul. My grandchildren love to come to our house and eat blackberries and cherry tomatoes. I make sure to have both when they come. I always save a few blackberries for the freezer so they can remember the summer fun when they are here in the fall and winter. What are your memories?

Going...through... withdrawals...

My lappy isn't working!

The battery charger is dead, and now I have to share my writing time on the family computer (and let's just say that the boys got a new online game...thus my withdrawals).

I miss you lappy, I miss you so much. *wiping tear from eye*

I'm trying really heard not to pull out my hair, but if you see a patch missing...you know why.

So, while I am waiting. What'cha up to? Querying? Revising? Drafting? Just hanging around?
And be honest, what do you do when you don't have your compy to write on? Write by hand, write on an Alphasmart, or wait (like me, with balding spots on your head)?

Have a great week everyone. I hope to stop by as many blogs this week, but you know...no lappy. *sigh*

Need a Spring Tune-Up?

Do you need a spring tune-up? Have you been putting it off?

I have been putting off some routine stuff. Health stuff. Dental exam. Mammogram. Colonoscopy. You know the stuff. Nobody likes it. Most of us put it off, but hey, I like my life and I like my body. I decided it was time to do myself a favor. It took me a whole afternoon, but I scheduled all those routine check-ups. Time for a spring tune-up.

Monday, the fun began with getting my eyes dilated. I’ve been good about this because of my diabetes. Still it counts. No bad news. Well, no real bad news. I do have the beginning signs of cataract, but the doc assured me that it’s perfectly normal at my age. At my age? What’s that supposed to mean. Is that supposed to be a complement?

Tuesday, I got to visit my brand new dentist to get prepped for a crown. Now I haven’t always hated dentists. I used to be the poster child for great teeth. That was before the diabetes. After the diabetes the word dentist has never been said with a smile on my face.

My last dental experience was so unpleasant that I haven’t been back for about two years. It’s a long story, so I’ll spare you the gory details. Let’s just say I couldn’t make myself go back to sausage fingers. Shouldn’t there be a requirement for a dentist to have smallish fingers? Just saying.

Well my new dentist does have smaller fingers, and he’s perfectly nice, but there’s just something awful about losing control of your own mouth. The poking, the pushing, the prying, the poking. Need I say more. Oh and it’s a little freaky looking at someone’s nose hairs close up and upside down.

Question 1: Why does the dentist ask you questions while he has your mouth artificially propped open and his fingers are occupying most of the space in your mouth? Does that make sense to you?

Question 2: Why do they ask you if you’re okay, when you’re obviously not okay? Why do they ask you to tell them what’s wrong, when your mouth doesn’t even work, and you don’t want to talk anyway because you’re trying not to have a meltdown?

To my credit, when the dentist told me I could come back in two weeks to get my real crown, I managed a weak but heartfelt “Yippee.”

The good news is I survived, and the better news is that today I get to go for a mammogram. What a week. I’ll bet you’re excited for me. This is my second mammogram, so I know what I’m getting into. I’ve been diligent about getting a mammogram regularly. Every 15 or 20 years, without fail. I hope that’s not too often.

After today, I’ll be one up on my mom for mammograms. She only had one. Her comment after the first: “If you didn’t have cancer going in, you will going out.”

Besides the mammogram, I also get a bone desity scan. Mom had osteoporosis. I wish there had been bone scans then. They say it's a piece of cake, but then I'm diabetic, so cake is forbidden. Besides that's what they always say.

I love my body, and I am happy to do these things for her. She's always been there for me. It’s the least I can do. Can’t wait for the colonoscopy! Can I get an amen, I mean yippee.

And now to get my writing tuned-up.

Need a spring tune-up? What are you waiting for?

Linda Garner

I took yesterday and today off. I'm working in my roses. I do love roses. Make the earth a better place. Nourish a plant today. Christy

Springtime Sniffles

Sorry. I'm out of the writing office this week.

Why?

Need...more....tissues

Need I say more?

Keep on writing everyone! See you next week when my nose doesn't need anymore tissue!