Er...I'll have Electric Pink With That...

Have you heard about this? Fish nibbling dead skin off toes pedicure....

Inspiration Monday: Jason Mraz, Make it Mine

This is a great song to listen to on a Monday. No.  Make it every day.  Man, this guy just makes me smile.

So, here's today's inspiration.  Jason Mraz's "Make it Mine."  

Now go follow your dream. You can do it.

Writing Tip: In Search of Rare Books for Research

I found a copy of a rare book from the nineteenth century that provides much needed research about the little details for my current WIP. Can you say HAPPY?

I'm a facts type of gal.  Even though my historical WIP is fiction, I still want it to be as accurate as possible.  Otherwise, why go to all this effort to write about a different time period if the reader can't be right there, along with my characters?  

I've been doing most of my research on the web, since I haven't found much in my public library system.  And almost every site I researched, referenced this one particular book, which is apparently a collector's item. Harvard University, which is close by, has a phenomenal library perfect for my subject matter, but sometimes it's nice to be able to reference something at your own leisure.  Plus, after reading Chris Barton's post, I didn't want to spend $50.  I need to buy gas and I have three kids I need to send to college one of these days.  Ha!  As if it would make a difference...oh, well.  Every little bit helps.  But, I digress.

Enter Amazon.com.  Imagine my shock when I discovered Amazon.com had this rare book and I didn't have to pay a fortune.  They sell books published by Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprints, which offers "thousands of scarce and hard-to-find books."  

Kessinger Publishing has a printing statement in the beginning of the book:

"Due to the very old age and scarcity of this book, many of the pages may be hard to read due to the blurring of the original text, possible missing pages, missing text, dark backgrounds and other issues beyond our control.

Because this is such an important and rare work, we believe it best to reproduce this book regardless of its original condition."

I'm flipping through the book I just received, and this is definitely a photocopy of the book. Many of the pages are dark, though very readable. And I've already discovered some missing pages--I'm only hoping the pages I really need are here.

In any event, I can't wait to use this to tie up some loose ends in my manuscript.  I'm off to read now!

Jason Mraz Makes Me Smile

I've been putting together a playlist for a manuscript I've dusted off a couple months ago.  Music inspires me and gets me into the groove of revising scenes.  I came across this fantastic song, "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. I've just discovered Jason's music, and his songs are perfect for my protagonist.  Check out "I'm Yours"--it totally makes me smile.



If you want more happy, listen to Jason Mraz's version of Kermit's Rainbow Connection. 


Have a nice relaxing weekend.

Poetry Friday: The Black Swan by James Merrill

The Black Swan

by James Merrill

Black on flat water past the jonquil lawns
Riding, the black swan draws
A private chaos warbling in its wake,
Assuming, like a fourth dimension, splendor
That calls the child with white ideas of swans
Nearer to that green lake
Where every paradox means wonder.

Though the black swan’s arched neck is like
A question-mark on the lake,
The swan outlaws all possible questioning:
A thing in itself, like love, like submarine
Disaster, or the first sound when we wake;
And the swan-song it sings
Is the huge silence of the swan.

Illusion: the black swan knows how to break
Through expectation, beak
Aimed now at its own breast, now at its image,
And move across our lives, if the lake is life,
And by the gentlest turning of its neck
Transform, in time, time’s damage;
To less than a black plume, time’s grief.

Read the rest of the poem here

Other works by this Pulitzer Prize winning poet

Interesting notes:

The Black Swan is native to Australia.

The Black Swan Theory states a black swan is "a large-impact, hard-to-predict, and rare event beyond the realm of normal expectations."  Check out the book.

   

Kelly Fineman is hosting Poetry Friday today.  Go over here for a poetry feast.  

Writing Tip: Critique Etiquette Basics

Unless you've decided to go the professional critique route, if you've joined a critique/writing group, you'll be part of the receiving and giving end of the critique.  Since you've done your research, you know this is a huge time commitment and needs to be taken seriously.  As I've mentioned before, I love the critique process.  It's an incredible learning experience and as with any form of study, it takes time to do well.  Because you wanted to know about this, I've decided to share with you the basics of critique etiquette.  If anyone else has anything to add, feel free to do so in the comments.

If your work is critiqued:

1. Submit your writing in the best shape possible and if needed, tell your group members what you need help with.          
   
2. If you are unable to submit on time, let your group members know and find a replacement, if necessary.
   
3. Be prepared for honest feedback and do not take it personally.  Remember the critique process is meant to help you improve your writing.
4. Thank people for their feedback, even if you don't agree with them.  Depending on the size of your submission, group members will focus on your work for an hour or two.  Be grateful and show it.
   
5. Do not argue with what people have written.  Step away from your work and the critiques, if need be, and then reread at another time.  If you have questions about what someone said, start up a polite dialogue.  This is not about winning the argument, but getting your work in top-notch form to submit to an agent or publisher.  
6. Remember that critiques are offered as suggestions on how to improve your work.  You have the final say on what you will implement in your writing.    
   

If you are the critiquer:

1. Spend time to read the submission.  I've read in some groups they recommend you read over the work two to three times.  Once to get the immediate impact of the work and then at least one more time to go over specific feedback on the writing. 
   
2. Be honest with grace.  This is not a forum to abuse the writer.  Give constructive criticism with kindness.  Remember, your job is to help the writer achieve his/her vision, not change the story to fit your likes or writing style.  
   
3. Give specific examples, rather than only general comments.  "Great job," does nothing, but "I couldn't wait to finish reading this to find out how X character resolved his conflict.  Nice ending, don't change a word,"  or, rather than "Not sure about Z," how about saying, "Develop Z character more.  He is sixteen-years-old but when he talks to his friends, he sounds and acts like he's twelve."  
   
4. Be specific about character development, dialogue, setting, POV, and pacing. 
   
5. Keep your personal taste out of the critique.  You may not like reading historical fiction, but you can still use your knowledge to offer productive feedback.   
   
6. Encourage the writer at the end of your critique.  State what you liked about the writer's piece.
   
7. Offer praise.  If there is something specific that wows you, let the writer know.  It helps the writer know what he/she is doing right, as well, they're less likely to change it if they know specifically what you were impressed by.  
8. Remember other people in the group will benefit and learn from your critique.  Not everyone in the group will "see" the same things and may offer up different feedback.  Study all the critiques.  They will all help you in different ways to strengthen your own writing.
   
9. Honor the confidentiality of the writing in the group.  

Every group will have their own set of guidelines, so make sure you know your group's rules.  If you have anything else to add, feel free to do so in the comments.

Once you're in the group for awhile, and have experienced being the giver and receiver of critiques, you'll be able to tell whether the group works for you.  Look at whether your manuscript is improving, focus on the group dynamics, study your critiques you receive and give to your group members.  Ideally, if you're as lucky as I am, you will have a honest, trusting, respectful relationship with your group members.  And your writing prowess will be refined and strengthened.  Yay for FFW (my critique group)!

Writing Tip: Finding the Right Critique Group

If you've decided you're ready to take the plunge to find a critique group, you're ready for the next step.  What's that, you ask?  Now you need to take the time to figure out what type of critique/writing group fits your needs best.  Are you the type of person that works best with face-to-face interaction with other people?  Do you prefer working at your own pace?  Or, would you prefer having the expertise of a professional?  

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Face-to-Face Group

In a face-to-face group, you get to meet with your group on a regular basis.  It may be at the library, a school, a bookstore, a restaurant, a person's house, etc.  Each group operates differently.  Some will have the submissions sent to each group member ahead of time and then you can critique it at your own pace, bring it to the meeting and then discuss the work.  Other groups may meet, and the writer will read out his/her work out loud, so the members can discuss the work.  There may also be variations where submissions are handed out at the meeting, the writer reads aloud his/her work, and the group members then discuss.     

Private On-line Group

A private on-line group is usually small and meets on a regular basis via e-mails and whatever group networking system they decide to set up:  ie, Google Groups, Yahoo Groups, etc.  Submissions are posted and the group members post their critiques.

Open Critique Group

I don't know anything about this type of group, so please research before signing up.  Basically, there are groups you can find on-line or even through the magazines, newpapers, etc. that anyone can join and I don't think there are limits to the number of people that belong to the group.  Again, if you go this way, research this very carefully.

Professional Critique (via conference, writing program, editor, professional writer, etc.)

You will need to do extensive research if you go this way, particularly if you decide to hire an individual to critique your work.  I don't know enough about this to write about, and if you're going to pay someone to critique your work, it only makes sense to find out what the person's experience is, interview the individual, get references and find out what he/she will deliver to you, and in what timeframe.

However, I've only heard good things about the critiques offered through the SCBWI conferences and a select group of writing programs.  Just be sure to research and ask questions before handing over your money.

If you know of any other type of group I've left out, please mention it in the comments.

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Okay, now you know what kind of critique processes are out there, you need to decide what you hope to accomplish with your writing and what kind of writing you specialize in.  Are you writing non-fiction or fiction?  Picture Books?  MG?  YA?  Are you starting a manuscript and want to learn as you go?  Are you a writer looking to join a group before you finish a project?  (Thanks, Becky for mentioning this.)  Or, do you want to polish up your manuscript before sending it out to an agent or publisher?  Regardless of your writing level, you still need to research where the critique group openings are, find out their requirements, and ask questions to see if they meet your requirements.

Here are a list of places you can go to to find out about critique group openings (geared towards children's books):

1. Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
   
2. Verla Kay Message Board
   
3. Smartwriters.com
   
4. Writer blogs
   
5. Start your own group
   
6. Local colleges and writing programs
   
7. Local library
   
8. Word-of-mouth
   
9. Local bookstore
   
10. Writing Magazines
    
11. Google search
    

Any other ideas?

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So, you've got one or two or more potential critique groups in hand.  What do you do now?  The answer, my pretties, is you're going to research and ask questions, if need be.  Things that are important to know:

1. How many people are in the group?
   
2. What is their writing experience?
   
3. Any published writers?
   
4. What genre does the group focus on?  
   
5. What type of time commitment does the group require versus what kind of time are you willing and able to put in?  ie: meetings, travel time (if pertinent), reading through the submissions, writing a critique up, etc.? (Thanks Chris and PJ)
   
6. How is confidentiality of your work handled?  
7. What do the critiques focus on?  ie: plot, character development, grammar, writing structure, all of the above or just on one or two areas?
   
8. How are members added to the group?
   
9. What happens when a group member leaves?
10. What are the rules/guidelines of the group?
    
11. What are the submissions requirements and how are critiques handled? 
    
12. If you are going to pay for a critique, make sure you research thoroughly.
    

Any other pertinent things to think about?

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Tomorrow I'll discuss critique etiquette and how to decide whether the group is working for you.