What I got from my MFA

  This week, I sent a brand new manuscript draft to my agent. Well, let’s be honest. NOT so new. What it was: a completely new version based loosely on a draft I wrote when I was in my first semester at VCFA. (In other words: a big mess of characters and setting and plot…

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I pressed SEND!

  It’s a little too chilly for the beach, but I have just sent in a brand new manuscript. I know, I know, the work is only beginning. But today still marks a milestone. It is ready for comments. It is out of my hands…for a little while at least. It is time to CELEBRATE!…

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Time to reflect

Congratulations to my son, Elliot, who this week graduated from high school.   He’s the baby who crossed the busy street in a diaper. He’s the boy who wanted me to read the National Geographic Book of Mammals–especially all about the musk ox. He’s the bar mitzvah boy who thought that Sarah became the Messenger…

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Do you ever wonder….

what your teacher does after they send you a long letter with feedback? Here is the answer: they don’t sleep! Critiquing is a relationship. It is a bond that has to start and finish with respect and humility and trust. When I send feedback–especially the kind that invites the author to think in new ways–I…

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Daily dose of inspiration

  Today, I also posted some thoughts on Through the Tollbooth. Check it out here! Have a great writing day!

Know your process

Last weekend, I attended a very inspiring conference where I figured out quite a lot about my main characters. I made myself a list of notes of things I wanted to do in the manuscript. The lectures had pulled a bunch of pivotal scenes into focus. Note: I know where this manuscript will end, but…

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The right words at the right time

There are many reasons to go to SCBWI conferences and retreats and classes. There is the sense of community you get from interacting with other writers. There is recognition–which is something you cannot work without. There is wine. And chocolate. And laughs. And there is inspiration. The conversation. More than anything else I do as…

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Writing guarantee

  Right???? Jump off that cliff today. Write the scene you aren’t quite ready for. Be willing to see your character as part of yourself. Give a little. You will get a lot.

A tough scene

Lately, I have been spending a lot of time on ONE scene. Adding to it. Playing with time. Using scene…and summary. Writing a lot of really great sentences, none of which were making the story more interesting. This weekend, I tried storyboarding the section of the book. And today…. I think I finally figured out…

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