Well...that's CRAP!

As I look at my novel through new eyes, I realize how many parts of it are CRAP.  That's not to say I'm a bad writer, it means I've grown.  I now see scenes with more clarity.  Before, I thought they had a purpose.  Now, I know they don't.

But that doesn't mean I have to get rid of them forever.  I can either reincorporate them later in the book, where they'd have stronger impact or keep them for future novels.  Either way, they're axed.  And it HURTS!

So, instead of giving up, I'm dealing by building a bigger, better novel.  I'm tightening things up--hammering words and thoughts into place.  It only makes sense.

I have faith.  I know I'm on the right path, because I see the signs.  Like I said in a previous post, I'll be attending SCBWI's Winter Conference in NYC.

And Sara Zarr is going to be there.

Why is this a sign?  Because she writes the most amazing realistic teen fiction novels.  Not fantasy, paranormal or vampires!

 (Not that I have anything against any of those genres-but YAY for me!!!!!!)

 And WHY does this matter?  I write realistic fiction and a few years ago it seemed that my genre was never going to come of age, again.  Now, I have more hope than ever.  There COULD be a Judy Blume type revival. And I'M READY!!  I don't think reality ever went away--it just sort of faded into the background of teen novels.  But with amazing authors including Jay Asher and Jo Knowles bringing it back with their talent, I believe the best is yet to come.  And I hope I'm one of them.

So, while I hope, I'll continue to axe and hammer my novel until I get it right.  It's the only way I'm going to get anywhere.  Yeah, it hurts, but I'll survive.  I have to.  I started this.  I'm not one to quit, EVER.

Goodbye Ethan

I am in the process of revising my novel, but have found myself stuck. The first eight chapters were easy to rewrite. I knew what I needed to add, delete and change. But now I've hit the part where Ethan, a secondary character, was involved in my main character's life. He needs to go. He does nothing to support the plot. But how do I leave him out?

In real life, I have trouble with goodbyes. I cling to people until all hope is gone. I am doing that with my novel. I guess it's good that I can see that, because now I can remedy it. Ethan was a character that I thought I needed, but he does nothing except detract from the REAL story. He could be a subplot, but I can use other, better defined characters to accomplish the same thing.

So, even though my soul is cringing, it is time for us to part, dear Ethan. I will always remember you, even if your name is no longer in print. You were good to me, but now it is time I let go.

Goodbye Ethan, good bye!

Venom in my Veins

Ok, I admit it. I am HOOKED on the Twilight Series. I devoured the first three books. New Moon was especially painful to get into, but I persevered and don't regret it. But, wait, hear me out...I don't love it like the OTHERS love it. I love it for it's research value. Stephanie Meyer has reached an unbelievable number of humans and probably moved some vampires as well, but HOW, is what I want to know.

I am not going to herald her as a literary genius; neither am I going to trash her writing. But I will say, that she has roped me into her emotional legacy. She has motivated me to continue creating my own emotional novel. I don't want to copy or mimick her, but I am happy to say, I am learning a lot.

The craft of writing is interpretive, I think. Or maybe it's the art that is. I don't know for sure, but I do know that we are supposed to read and learn from our own genre. Twilight is the epitomy of my genre, except I don't write about vampires or werewolves. I DO write about intense emotional relationships, though. And though I don't always like everything about the books, I am glad I chose to read them.

I have been inspired. I have venom in my veins that will keep me up late at night, thirsty for my next kill and maybe even younger too! Ahhh, to write is to dream, is it not?