You've heard the saying "write what you know," right? I think that's part of the reason why I like to write for teens. I was a teenager not so long ago myself, and I can totally relate to their up and down emotions, struggles and daily life.
I was the kind of girl in high school who was in love with both the captain of the football team and the geeky guy who played trumpet in band. I was an orch dork and overweight and invisible.
I also realize, when I look back at my life now, that I was such a monster to my parents sometimes. Between the ages of 11 and 13 I picked so many fights with my parents simply because I wasn't afraid to express my opinion. I never snuck out late at night, but I was a holey terror when it came to getting my way.
In a way, I still feel like a teenager. I'm not afraid to take chances, I'm independant until I simply can't handle a situation anymore, and I'm still full of insecurities.
"Write what you know" doesn't mean write what you do every day. It's more about what you've felt and seen, dreamed and overheard. We all have a little angst left in us if we dig deep enough, and that's why I think sometimes it's not so hard to find a story within yourself that teens can relate to.
I had an idea today for a book called "Obesity Blues." I think I might start it out as a short story, as it's just a glimmer of something right now. Besides, I can't handle thinking about yet another YA novel at this point. The title just came to me- kind of a play on "Varisty Blues" I think. Anyway, I hope it comes out of me soon.
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
There's No Such Thing as Writer's Block
Someone once told me there's no such thing as writer's block. Some days, I don't believe them. But most of the time, I am inclined to agree. Writer's block is in your head!
"Writer's block" can occur for a variety of reasons. Think of some of the times you haven't been able to write one word. Chances are, one of these things applied:
1) You were stressed or otherwise too preoccupied to think of ideas or concentrate enough to put them down on paper.
2) You were stressed or otherwise too preccupied with real life to have the time to put your ideas on paper.
3) You hadn't been living life enough and you didn't have a single thing to write about.
Many people will tell you that free-writing, brainstorming, or writing with prompts will get your writing juices flowing again. And that can be true, to an extent. But if your situation is anything like #1 or #2 listed above, you must learn to take care of things before you sit down to write. Always sit down to write with a clear mind, uncluttered of worries and responsibilities. Think "I love doing this and it will help me relax." If your writing must wait until your baby is asleep, your dog no longer smells like skunk, and your husband has been fed, then that's when you must do it.
If your situation is #3, walk away from your desk, go outside, meet some people, walk around the park, observe some children, get on the bus, watch the people come on and off and make up their life stories, go shopping for new sneakers, join a pick-up basketball game in an unfamiliar neighborhood, and THEN come home and tell me you have nothing to write about!
"Writer's block" can occur for a variety of reasons. Think of some of the times you haven't been able to write one word. Chances are, one of these things applied:
1) You were stressed or otherwise too preoccupied to think of ideas or concentrate enough to put them down on paper.
2) You were stressed or otherwise too preccupied with real life to have the time to put your ideas on paper.
3) You hadn't been living life enough and you didn't have a single thing to write about.
Many people will tell you that free-writing, brainstorming, or writing with prompts will get your writing juices flowing again. And that can be true, to an extent. But if your situation is anything like #1 or #2 listed above, you must learn to take care of things before you sit down to write. Always sit down to write with a clear mind, uncluttered of worries and responsibilities. Think "I love doing this and it will help me relax." If your writing must wait until your baby is asleep, your dog no longer smells like skunk, and your husband has been fed, then that's when you must do it.
If your situation is #3, walk away from your desk, go outside, meet some people, walk around the park, observe some children, get on the bus, watch the people come on and off and make up their life stories, go shopping for new sneakers, join a pick-up basketball game in an unfamiliar neighborhood, and THEN come home and tell me you have nothing to write about!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Overflowing with Ideas
I now have no less than three different ideas for Middle Grade and YA novels. The one I'm currently working on (still half way) and two more.
This weekend, Mark and I were driving by a florist shop in Baltimore. I saw the name and said "That sounds like the title of a fantasy novel of some sort." Mark instantly had the plot. Soon, I had dreampt up the characters, and now I'm wrapped up in creating the setting and attempting to put it on paper before it has faded from my memory.
Mark and I plan to work on this one together, although I really wish I had the time and energy right now to just sit down and let it all flow out of me in one big rush. That would be such a relief and would help me relax too. These characters are haunting me.
Idea #2: I was looking around for something historical to write about. I want to either do non-fiction or an historical novel. I was researching famous teenagers throughout history, and somehow I landed on figure skaters. As a teen, I loved watching figure skating, and I looked up to young skaters like Michelle Kwan. I combined this love with an historical event, and boom! The idea was born. Its a Middle Grade novel that takes place in the 1960's and revolves around figure skating, and that's all I'm going to say about it for now.
The problem, of course, is that I must work and eat and sleep. I can't write all day, or even every day. And I can't let myself get lost in a new project if it means abandoning my current one, which is very likely since I'm half way through and running out of steam.
What's odd is that I used to think I could never write a novel, and now they're all I can think about. I'm constantly putting myself up to the challenge. I can write anything and everything I want to. As I sometimes say, I could write my way out of a paper bag, and I could write my way out of a plot hole if I had to.
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. . . in my own time.
This weekend, Mark and I were driving by a florist shop in Baltimore. I saw the name and said "That sounds like the title of a fantasy novel of some sort." Mark instantly had the plot. Soon, I had dreampt up the characters, and now I'm wrapped up in creating the setting and attempting to put it on paper before it has faded from my memory.
Mark and I plan to work on this one together, although I really wish I had the time and energy right now to just sit down and let it all flow out of me in one big rush. That would be such a relief and would help me relax too. These characters are haunting me.
Idea #2: I was looking around for something historical to write about. I want to either do non-fiction or an historical novel. I was researching famous teenagers throughout history, and somehow I landed on figure skaters. As a teen, I loved watching figure skating, and I looked up to young skaters like Michelle Kwan. I combined this love with an historical event, and boom! The idea was born. Its a Middle Grade novel that takes place in the 1960's and revolves around figure skating, and that's all I'm going to say about it for now.
The problem, of course, is that I must work and eat and sleep. I can't write all day, or even every day. And I can't let myself get lost in a new project if it means abandoning my current one, which is very likely since I'm half way through and running out of steam.
What's odd is that I used to think I could never write a novel, and now they're all I can think about. I'm constantly putting myself up to the challenge. I can write anything and everything I want to. As I sometimes say, I could write my way out of a paper bag, and I could write my way out of a plot hole if I had to.
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. . . in my own time.
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