Getting Stuck

Yesterday I visited another class for a Google Hangout session with two other Spooky Middle Grade Authors (Kim Ventrella and Josh Allen). As usual, the students had lots of great questions for us. The one I’d like to address is another common question we are often asked:

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU GET STUCK WRITING?

Here are my three suggestions for avoiding that dilemma.

1. Before I start writing a story, I do some initial planning. I like to get to know the characters who will be in the story, especially the main character and important supporting characters. I usually explore who they are. I’ll write notes, maybe fill out worksheets. I’ll brainstorm on not only their physical aspects but their wants, their problems, their likes and dislikes, their friends, their family. All of the things that make them unique. All of the ways the characters in my story are connected to each other as well.

2. Before I start the story, I also write a very simple outline of the plot. I break down the story into chapters, and I’ll write a one to two word sentence telling the big element that should happen in that chapter (or scene). If you’re writing a short story, you might need to only break your story into the beginning, middle, and end.

For me, this outline is an important part in avoiding “getting stuck” because I know where the story is headed. Now that doesn’t mean the story always sticks to that initial plot—very likely it will change (often dramatically) from what I originally envisioned. But I still won’t be stuck. I will simply see that I need to go in a different direction or create additional scenes to make the story stronger.

3. When I do become perplexed with where the story should go or more likely I’ve been asked to revise something, then I step back. I like to go on a walk or do something mundane, like washing the dishes, so I can let my mind wander. I ask myself questions about the characters, their motivations. I ask myself logical questions about what could or could not happen in the world I’ve created and how it impacts the characters. I simply keep asking questions and exploring possibilities until I come up with a solution. It’s much like solving a mystery. 

The most important thing is DON’T GIVE UP!

Don’t give up on your story. Don’t give up on your writing. Don’t let yourself stay stuck!

Today I joined three of my Spooky Middle Grade Authors for another class Skype visit. The students asked a number of different questions, but it seems like no matter where our Skypes take place, there are always some questions asked over and over again.

I’ll answer one of the most popular questions we are asked–

Q: How long does it take you to write a book?
A: Usually, months—oftentimes years for me. I will start a book and give myself a daily schedule, which I am generally good at keeping. I’ll often have my writers’ group take a look at my progress and provide feedback, which often requires editing. This first stage can take a few months–after doing initial plotting and research (which can also take a few months). Then generally, if there isn’t a deadline involved, I’ll put the story away at least for a month or more. I give it time to simmer. I give my brain a break from that story and work on something else. So when I come back to the previous story, I can see it with much fresher eyes. I can appreciate the good parts and hopefully see where the story still struggles. Then I’ll dive back in for rewrites. And often I’ll seek further help from others as well. I want to polish it as best as I can before sending it out to editors.

While this timeline probably sounds much too long for middle grade readers–and writers, I hope it doesn’t intimidate them. My main point with this question is to show that we writers don’t get it right the first time. We write and rewrite a number of times. I hope this will empower students. They don’t have to write their story perfectly the first time.

A good thing often takes practice–whether it’s sports, or music, or art, or WRITING. Try to enjoy the process–learn, and grow, and tell YOUR story!

Come back soon for another question and answer!

Here is your chance, young authors!

Create a spooky story of 1,000 words or less and enter to win some spooky swag from the always scary Spooky Middle Grade Authors!

You’ll need to use the story prompt below to start your frightening tale:

Spending the summer in a haunted school bus in the middle of the woods was bad enough. Did there have to be killer pineapples?

For all the details, click the link above. And for story writing tips, look for pointers from your spooky authors on our website. You can also find information on how to Stir Up a Story right here.

Summer Reading Fun

I had the opportunity to read a preview copy of my fellow Sweet 16er’s new middle grade novel–CAMP SHADY CROOK by Lee Gjertsen Malone. The adventure came out this week–just in time for a fun summer read. The characters will draw you in with their quirky, flawed personalities–and their shenanigans.

You can read my review below of CAMP SHADY CROOK. You might also want to try Ms. Malone’s first MG book, THE LAST BOY AT ST. EDITH’S. Another middle grade misadventure.

Camp Shady Crook

Troubled middle school students, Archie and Vivian, meet at Camp Shady Brook and soon discover a shared love of conning other campers. Archie tries to teach Vivian his techniques mainly in an effort to keep her under control, even as she pulls a con on him. The cons keep coming as the notoriously nasty camp grows ever more mildewed and overgrown and the campers grow ever more discontented. But when a con goes dramatically wrong, Archie and Vivian, finally see the error of their ways and attempt to set things right. The trouble is, it may be too late to make amends to their family and would-be friends. An entertaining summer read with memorable characters searching for the true meaning of friendship and self worth. 

Figurative Speech

One of the biggest reasons I love writing is simply because it’s so much fun. Of course, there are the endless characters I can create. And all the mysteries, the mayhem, the plot twists and turns. So delightful! But most important are the WORDS themselves!

Words can be serious and profound. Words can be funny. Words can be twisted and teased. Words can be clever. Words can be mysterious. Words are EVERYTHING!

Today I invite you to look at seven ways you can experiment with words in your story.

HYPERBOLE

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

PERSONIFICATION

The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.

SIMILE

A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, using “like” or “as.”

METAPHOR

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

ONOMATOPOEIA

The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g. cuckoo, sizzle).

IMAGERY

Visually descriptive or figurative language; symbolic.

ALLITERATION

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

Don’t let these definitions (taken from the online Oxford Dictionary), cause you to stumble. Most likely you use examples of these all the time when you speak or write.

Let’s take a look:

Hyperbole–I got a million texts from her last night! (an exaggeration)

Personification–The wind wailed down the street. (giving the wind a human characteristic of voice)

Simile—She looked like a zebra in her new black and white coat. (comparing one thing to another with “like”)

Metaphor--The sturdy oak tree stood silent guard over the old house. (comparing one thing to another without the use of “like” or “as”)

Onomatopoeia—Ding! Ding! I could hear the ice cream truck approaching. (using words that sound like the actual sound)

Imagery–The locket held more than a picture. It held her fragile heart within its tarnished gold case. (descriptive/symbolic language)

Alliteration—Ten tiny tadpoles twisted through the tangled reeds. (using words with the same first letter or sound)

Make Your Writing Colorful

Click on this link to the Figurative Language Worksheet from INTO THE SHADOWLANDS to see how I played with the words in my spooky story.

Happy Writing!