Critique Group Today

Jumping for joy. Critique group meets today which is good timing because I seriously need an afternoon with adults. On tap: discussions re J's and A's works-in-progress as they're both in exciting places--J in the inspirational phase of a new novel, A in the wrap-up stages. As for my hour of the meeting, I'm looking for input on the detailed scene outlines I submitted for the opening of KM based on the plotting work I did with Dennis Foley. By next time, I plan to have my middle completely detailed, and perhaps even my ending. Then it's onto another write through. Cool thing about all the hard work I did with Dennis, I'm in love with KM again.

Midnight Read

Read Crispin, The Cross of Lead by Avi yesterday. Intrigued by the spare eloquence of this story and the lasting impression its characters have made. No wonder it won the Newbery.

Plot is Not a Dirty Word

This week is my last with Dennis Foley of Plotting the Novel. What an awesome journey he's led us on over the last eight weeks. Thanks to our weekly assignments, I'm much more confident about how plotting fits into my creative process, and convinced that plot is no longer a dirty word. Not only is it a necessary foundation for any story, it's the road map my characters need as they drive their way through KM.

The Books Have Arrived!

After several weeks delay, the books finally arrived on my doorstep! Special Gifts: Women Writers on the Hope, the Heartache and the Happiness of Raising a Special Needs Child. The cover looks great, the pages clean and crisp, and there it is: my name in the table of contents and my essay with a byline.

Now that the initial press run is done and out, I get to pound the pavement with books in hand, setting up booktalks and signings, spreading the word to parents, moms, dads, teachers, social workers, healthcare professionals--anyone who loves or works with special needs children.

A caveat to future readers: This book doesn't sugar coat the lives of the women telling their chidren's stories. The essays are honest and raw. But I strongly believe the honesty is what helps make the book such a powerful read. Yes, the stories often leave one searching for a box of tissue, but hope echoes bright amidst the angst, anger, and frustration, offering readers insights and reassurance that they are not alone as they navigate the trenches with a special-needs kids.

Writer-ly Update: On the Mend and In the Groove

My back's on the mend and the girls returned to school. The alone time's been good. Not only am I making good progress uncluttering the office and getting organized, I've been making excellent headway on my manuscript, pruning, streamlining, and developing a throughline my character would truly die for.

Teen writer's group meets today. The topic: characters and starting them on their journey. Next time: plot.

Busy Writer's Prescription: Bad back, Bed Rest and Harry Potter

My back went out without warning over the weekend. With the girls under foot, and homework for Plotting the Novel hanging over my head, the forced bedrest and frequent breaks I need to take are less than convenient. However, there has been an upside to all of this: I finished Harry Potter yesterday. Wowsza! The last 200 pages of so, the house could have burned down around me and I probably wouldn't have noticed.

Explore the Forest

The Summer issue of Edge of the Forest is ready for you to explore. Interviews by yours truly:

Blogging Writer, Brenda Ferber about her writing life, her creative process, and her new blog, the first we know of in the kidlitosphere written by an author's children for the author.

What's in Their Backpack, an interview with Brenda's very funny kids about what they're reading and why.

I hope you agree this issue was well worth the wait. Happy reading.