Lessons Learned
Hello! Gosh, it’s been 3 & ½ months since my last blog post- so long, I’m not sure where to begin!
I’ll start with the news I am most excited about- I have been selected to participate in the We Need Diverse Books Native Children’s and YA Writing Intensive this August. The Intensive includes faculty/speaker sessions, one-on-one critiques/consultations with publishing professionals, and, of course, time to mingle with other attendees and faculty. To say I am excited about the program is an understatement!
In other good news, I recently completed my 2nd fictional picture book manuscript. While I am sure it will need various edits, I am really excited about this manuscript! It’s the story I wish I had when I was a child. It is also the story I submitted to the Native Children’s and YA Writing Intensive. I can’t wait to hear the feedback on this story! I’m hoping the feedback I receive from the Writing Intensive will help me polish the story so that I can send it off to my agent.
The idea for the story came to me about two months ago. I was in the middle of a nonfiction project at the time. So, I made mental notes and jotted ideas down as they came, but I remained focused on finishing the nonfiction piece.
Soon, the ideas became so clear and the protagonist’s voice so consistent in my mind, it was all I could think about. As if a sign from above, I received the notification about my acceptance into the Native Writing Intensive. The story was perfect for the Intensive and I was dying to tell it. So, I temporarily shelved the nonfiction project to write the fictional manuscript.
Boy, what a lesson that was for me! I learned that I am not capable of writing one story while another story is taking up space in my every moment’s thoughts. I have to write the story that consumes me.
As for the nonfiction project, it also fits in the good news category. I was asked to write a nonfiction picture book about a subject I am very eager to discuss and share with readers. I’ve been working on that manuscript since March, and I am making solid progress. But, writing that story has been a challenge.
My original concept for the book was scrapped when I heard another author was coming out with a book that would tackle the same subject AND take the same angle.
The editor and I quickly agreed on a different angle; however, after a month of struggling, I simply could not figure a way to say what I wanted and needed to say in 1300 words or less.
At this point, the other book was released. Unsure of how I would proceed, I bought the other book, hoping to find a new angle. Low & behold, the book was not what I had heard it would be! I could return to my original concept. Easy, right?
NOT SO! Now, I had it in my mind to say things that had never been said before; and, I wanted to say all the things that I had originally planned to say.
Nonfiction picture book 101: you cannot write every detail about a subject; you need to focus on one angle and present the facts that support that angle.
I wrote, rewrote and rewrote again. Every attempt saw the same result- there was not enough space to do what I was trying to do.
After another two months of saying I’d find a way, I had to admit, if there was a way, I wasn’t the person who’d find it. You have no idea how much this annoyed me. I needed a break from the project. I needed space to realize that my original concept was good- heck, it was what an editor wanted. WHY was I making this more difficult than it had to be? The original story we discussed is important, and it needs to be told. I can do it... So what was my problem?
After a three week break from working on the nonfiction piece to write the fictional picture book, I showed the nonfiction manuscript to my brilliant and very supportive Native writers group. The feedback was incredible. Not only did I receive encouragement and assurance that what I was writing was good, important, necessary, and educational, I also received wonderful suggestions on how to achieve my desired goal.
Lesson #2: fresh eyes and ears are often all that’s needed when a writer is facing the dreaded writer’s block.
I can’t thank the people in my Native writers group enough! I am now ready to finish the nonfiction manuscript and I am eager to share the story.
That Being said, I have a very busy month ahead of me (the Native Writing Intensive, edits to the fictional picture book, and completing the nonfiction picture book). I hope to touch base monthly, but if you don’t hear from me, I want you to know that I am busy writing (those stories that consume me) and I hope to share them with you soon.