Countdown to Boston

Today was the last day of school and for me that means a few things... Until my kids go back in Sept my writing will grind to a slow crawl, my house will turn into a daycare of sorts, and my refereeing skills will require sharpening.

It also means we're heading into Canada Day weekend, a time when everyone regroups and celebrates with the usual requisite parade, pancake breakfast, etc. Last of all, it means I'm only 19 days away from flying to Boston (sans kids) where I get to spend 4 days wandering around the Boston Common (sans kids) and the Public Garden (did I say sans kids?!) where my next novel is set. Insert an enthusiastic *whoop* right about here!

Finding your rope swing

Growing up, we had a big old rope swing in our neighborhood. It wasn't on anyone's property. It was tied to the branch of a huge tree on the side of a steep hill overlooking our neighborhood, and that meant it was fair game for anyone to use.

And use it we did.
The rope swing was revered by kids of all ages, whether six or sixteen. I was never 100% sure why, although I get it now. It didn't take a lot of skill to grab that rope, back yourself up, and run full-tilt to the jumping off point where you'd go airborne. Anyone could do it. Matter of fact, I recall a few parents giving it a good go, too.

Of course, it was the airborne part everyone loved, that feels-so-good rush that came over you when you were in the air and all the planets seemed perfectly aligned, at least for a few seconds.

I have no doubt dancers get that same feeling when they're dancing, or gifted musicians when they lose themselves in a piece of music, or race car drivers when they cross the finish line and hear the crowd roar. I'm sure the same holds true for waitresses when someone leaves a big tip, or sales reps when they overshoot their monthly quota, or even IT technicians when they solve what seemed like an unsolvable problem.

On some level, I think we all look for those airborne moments while we're doing whatever it is that we do. For me, it happens most often when I write. What about you?

How not to get published...

A woman I met at a conference seven years ago emailed last week to catch up. She's written four novels and still can't find an agent to represent her. She has a shoebox full of rejection letters. She's frustrated, disheartened, and fighting to stay positive as she begins her fifth novel.

I like this woman. She's a retired English teacher, she has a sense of humor, and she's a good writer, but she's constantly getting in her own way. Years ago, I recommended a few books to her about the publishing industry and she said she didn't have time to read them, she already knew how to write. Twice last year she was 'almost' offered representation but refused to make changes to her manuscript and both agents backed away.

"I was told my novel's are too quiet," she said.
"Maybe they are," I replied.
"One said my female protagonist isn't likable."
"Maybe she isn't," I said.
"Another wanted me to cut a main character right out of the story, said she doesn't offer anything to the narrative drive!"
"Maybe she's right," I suggested.
"I'm so down," she complained. "What would you do next? I want your honest opinion."

So I gave it to her.

I told her not to write another word until she'd read these books. (By the way, I'm of the opinion that all four of these should be mandatory reading for aspiring writers trying to break in the industry.)

The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman
The Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas

"Listen to what agents are saying," I said. "You need to be more flexible. Swallow your ego. Shelve your pride. Show them you're professional, someone who's easy to deal with vs. a diva with an attitude. Open your mind. Think of your novel as a product. How can you take what they're saying and use it to make your product more saleable? What you're doing isn't working, so kick the stool away and do something radically different! Allow these people to take you under their wing, experts that they are, and guide you. It's what they do for a living."

She emailed back and sheepishly admitted she hadn't read one of these books, that her husband had told her much the same thing not long ago; that if she didn't change her approach she'd never get published and she was probably developing a bad reputation in the industry among agents every time she queried like crazy and then didn't take their advice.

"Smart husband," I said. "Buy that man a drink."

What's the one hardest thing?

I was asked this last week during a book club chat from a gentleman who writes a weekly column for a local paper and wants to tackle writing a novel.

"Is it the self-discipline required to write every day on the same piece of work for six months to a year? Or the rewriting once you've finished your first draft? Or the gutting and rewriting yet again after you receive editorial input from an agent or editor?"

"It's the story," I said. "Any writer can throw down snappy dialogue, a handful of poignant or humorous pages, a few chapters that are structured perfectly. Lots of writers are great at character development, and many churn out novels that are technically brilliant, but when all is said and done most readers want just one thing when they pick up a book -- to get sucked into a golden story that stands out from the crowd, the kind you can't put down. So for me, the story is always the one hardest thing."

I have this crazy dream...

I've been given 90 days of solitary writing time and I get to choose where I spend them (this is one of my favorite fantasies, so humor me.)

Here's how my dream would go... I'd get paddled out to a tiny island carrying a laptop that operates on solar power. I'd be wearing sandals and island attire that would stay clean and unwrinkled the entire time I'm there (again, humor me; if I'm allowed to choose where I do this writing stint, I figure I'll drop kick a few other realities onto the other side of logic too.)
I'd bring a hammock, and my meals (including shots of espresso) would be delivered by the nice man who paddled me over to my tiny island. There'd be no phone, no family, no pets. Just me and the story for 90 days. This might not be everyone's heaven on earth, but it'd be mine -- just once. And no, you can't come with me. Find your own tiny island!

The Penny Tree released in France

I find it interesting to examine the various takes on covers and titles when novels get published in foreign countries. Here's the cover for The Penny Tree (which was obviously retitled) released May 22nd in France.

I've also learned that Quebec Loisirs, Canada's French book club, bought subrights and plans to promote the book this fall in their catalogue. It's all good stuff, and I'm grateful it unfolds the way it does because it helps spur me on to be working on novel #4 when there's still lots happening with novel #2.

Best birthday gift ever

My husband's away on business and it's the typical 'Kennedy zoo' around here, but this morning my son's surprised me by remembering that it's my birthday (possibly prompted by the 7 a.m. phone call their dad made from some airport to remind them?)

Here's the best part: Over breakfast, my boys informed me they're taking me for dinner tonight. Their dad left money in an envelope and after a heated discussion behind a closed bedroom door this morning they've decided they're taking me to (drum roll) ... Joey's Seafood, where, as my 9 year old said with a proud grin, "We want you to order whatever you want!"

So I have a seafood date tonight and I get to spend the entire day writing a scene I woke up thinking about this morning, a scene I can't wait to work on. Who could ask for more?

Raising a little nonconformist...

It's Memorial Day in the U.S., but not so in Canada and that means today's a work day for me. However, before I get writing let me share a brief anecdote about my youngest. Last week he carried home one assignment four nights in a row. The first night his teacher asked him to complete a question he'd left blank. Here's that troublesome question and the progression of my son's answers as each day went by:

Q: How would you describe a poetic moment?
A: I wouldn't.

Q: Note from teacher - Please try anyhow.
A: I'm not a poetic kid. I like basketball.

Q: Same question + a new note that says, Please complete the assignment even if you aren't poetic.
A: Find a picture that makes you feel warm and write words about it. P.S. Nobody cares about this stuff.

Depression and Oranges

Sorry for the lack lustre posts as of late. I've been busy writing (a good thing), finding myself more & more immersed in the novel I'm working on.









One section is set in the depression era so I found a bunch of photos like these and tacked them up next to my computer to wrap my mind around what it was like raising a family back then. Not an easy task, for sure...

On a separate note, Patricia Wood's debut novel Lottery has been short-listed for the prestigious Orange Prize which will be awarded June 2nd, so send good karma her way over the next few days.

Busy book club week

Monday night I spoke with a book club from Portland, Wednesday it was nine women in Tampa, and last night I talked to Lydia and her crew from Chicago. Here's a smattering of the questions I was asked:

Q: Any writing superstitions?
A: I seem to have developed one that's here to stay. ie., I don't like odd numbers. The Tin Box has 29 chapters, which has always bothered me, but The Penny Tree has 32 and The Silver Compass has 26, and I already know that the novel I'm working on now will end with an even numbered chapter.

Q: Do you like long chapters or short?
A: I like 'em bite-sized, and I do my best to write my own this way because I think they make it easier to hold a reader's attention.

Q: Are there any books you've read recently that you would recommend?
A: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, told from Death's POV, which shows you how talented this man is to pull it off the way he does. It's won numerous awards and at first I wasn't sure I'd like it, but it really is well done (thanks to Pat at Orion for giving it to me :)

Also, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, told from a dog's POV. I was fortunate to read an early ARC months ago, although it debuted this week on May 13th. It was bought for a seven figure advance and I've no doubt it'll leave it's mark on bestseller lists.

May in the Rockies...

There's always a lot to see and do living in the Rockies, so much so that I often dread having to write when summer finally arrives. That wasn't a problem this weekend, though. Matter of fact, hunkering down to write Chapter 6 of Book 4 was pretty easy after waking up to this.

P.S. Mother's day was nice, and yes, I did get those ear plugs I was asking for.

What do you want for Mother's Day?

I know there are mom's out there fantasizing about unwrapping jewelry, enjoying spa treatments, or having dinner in a revolving restaurant on Mother's Day while the waiter (who's so hot she can't stop staring) keeps the wine coming.

Not me, though. All I want is a box of earplugs for those days when I'm trying to pen a scene while the phone keeps ringing and doors keep slamming and half the neighborhood arrives at 3:30 to play with my kids, who won't stop arguing about whose turn it is! My husband thinks I'm kidding, but I'm not -- Ear plugs. Real simple. Someone please talk to him for me?

P.S. For anyone who read the post about my son's aggressive relationship with the tooth fairy earlier this winter, here's an update. He lost another tooth last night and when I got up this morning he was at the kitchen table with a $5 bill under one elbow, eating breakfast with his brother.

"Dude, she gave you five bucks?!" the older one said.

Thumbs up from the other side of the table. "Yup," my youngest replied. "And this time I didn't even have to threaten her!"

Come visit me at Chris Eldin's blog

Chris is hosting author's on her blog all week and today is my day for The Silver Compass. Pop by here and leave your guesses to the three questions she picked based on the excerpt I submitted. The winner will be announced later today and he/she will get a copy of the book!

Good news! May's reading list just got a whole lot better...

Has this ever happened to you? You finish reading a good novel and then... you just can't seem to find another one you're even remotely excited about? Well, it happens to me, as it did yesterday, and then I remembered that fellow author and good friend, Jacquelyn Mitchard, has a new one out!

Based on a true story, All We Know of Heaven was released last week. It's the sort of novel that will move readers of all ages. Like all of Jackie's stories, this one grabs you by the throat and immediately makes you want to run out and buy a few copies for gifts.

I tried, but couldn't copy her video clip about it over onto my blog, but it's great, so take 20 seconds, click on this link and go listen to it. It's an incredible pitch (Jackie never does anything that isn't top notch -- ie., I'm always green with envy when I look at her website.) Happy May reading everyone!

Back to work on novel # 4

I just got home from Winnipeg, where I once lived and where both of my kids were born. I was there to promote The Silver Compass. After my reading, one woman approached me and politely said, "I've now read all your novels and with each one I think your writing gets better."

What a nice compliment. It also helps me explain why I waited five years to write my next novel, Keeper of the Pond. To be honest, I just wasn't ready. I didn't feel strong enough or confident enough to do the story justice. But now I feel I can, which makes letting go of The Silver Compass a little easier as I get back to work on novel #4.

Even so, the task itself, the completion of that first solid draft, makes me feel (as it always does) like I'm climbing a steep and rickety ladder! Tomorrow I'll be digging back into writing in a big way for the next 2-3 months. Wish me luck.

I'll never forget Cleveland... next up, Winnipeg... and I loved Juno!

Thanks to everyone who came out to my reading in Cleveland where, yet again, I closed the store down after running wayyyyy over my time-limit because we were having such fun.

I guess I'll have to schedule future readings so I have 3 hours cause I'm clearly unable to fit everything into two! Picture this: While I was talking at 8:50 pm the janitor started vacuuming. Following that, at 9:00 pm, half the lights were turned off (an obvious nudge to wrap things up.) Then, while I was answering a few final questions, they began playing music throughout the store, strains of Good Night, Irene, Good Night. How funny is that?!

I don't blame the book store, though. I've managed a business before and I realize employees aren't paid to stay late. But when you have a crowd that's really engaged (as this one was) what can you do?

Next up, I'm off to Winnipeg, where I'll be reading and signing at McNally Robinson's new Polo Park book store on Thursday, April 24th at 7:00 pm. If you live nearby, why not come out and help me close the store down!? Chuckle...

P.S. I watched Juno on my way home from Cleveland and loved it. When the credits finally rolled, I kept thinking, Oooh, how I wish I'd written that! (the best possible compliment any writer can wish for!)

Hoping for a microphone in Cleveland...

I lost my voice last week and although both readings Thurs and Friday were great, it wasn't easy making sure everyone at the back of the room could hear me Thurs night at Chapters in St. Albert... without a microphone. Ouch!

Thanks for coming out you guys. You were a great crowd! Next year I'll bring my own microphone, okay? My hubby has promised to buy me a portable one for Christmas :)

Next up, I'm off to Cleveland...

If you live nearby, please join us for a reading/signing this Thursday, April 17th at 7:00 pm at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Legacy Village, 24519 Cedar Road in Lyndhurst, east of Cleveland.

Northern Alberta bound...

Thanks to everyone who came out to meet me in Chicago, including all the employees from DDB Advertising as well as Diana and Sue, who arrived hours early to patiently wait in the front row... It was so great meeting you guys! And Borders Books on State Street? Your store rocks. I know I say this every year, but I love Chicago.

That said, I did slam my finger in a car door (it's black from the knuckle down, so I'm off for an x-ray this afternoon), I've got an ear infection, and I've almost completely lost my voice...

Still, this won't stop me from making it to my readings in St. Albert (tomorrow night, 7:30 pm, St. Albert Chapters) or Athabasca (Friday, 7:00 pm, Seniors Center). I may need a shot of something to make it through each reading (preferably espresso through an IV) but I'll be there all the same, and I promise we'll have fun.

I hope you can make it out!

Next up, a reading in Chicago plus contest winners from March

I'm off to Chicago for a reading Monday, April 7th at Borders Books, 150 North State Street @ 12:30 noon. If you live in the area and are able to make it out, please do. I'd love to meet you.

Secondly, here are the winners (belatedly) from March's blog contest. Please send me your mailing addresses so I can forward the packages.
Thanks, and congrats!

1. J. Thomison from Oregon
2. Marie Wyliss from Lansing, Michigan
3. Rhianne Platt from New Jersey

By the way, we received 392 contest entries this month. Thanks everyone!

The Silver Compass has arrived ... Readings planned for Alberta/Chicago

In some ways it seems odd having an April Fool's Day release date for a book, doesn't it? Either way, the next 3-4 weeks will be busy as I put aside what I'm working on now to properly introduce everyone to novel #3 of my writing career.

If you live in Southern Alberta, please join us this Friday, April 4th at 7:00 pm at Redwood House (Wolf Willow Room) in Redwood Meadows, approx 15 mins west of Calgary. Last year, we had over 50 attend and most stayed until 11 pm to chat, ask questions, and talk about the publishing industry.















There's no fee to attend (coffee, beverages, snacks included). However, this year, we've added a Silent Auction with $850 worth of books donated by fellow authors as well as book bags from the Strand Book Store in New York. (All proceeds will be donated to the Banded Peak School Library.)












And if you live in the Chicago area, please come join us at Borders Books, 150 North State Street on Monday, April 7th at 12:30 noon for a reading/signing. I'd love to meet you!

Additional events are also planned for later this month. Please refer to sidebar on right.

Spring break balancing act

It's spring break, the kids are out of school, and my husband is away on business until Friday night (seems suspiciously convenient, don't you think?)

So far, I've spent three days juggling promotional details for the novel I have coming out next week (yes, The Silver Compass hits book stores Tuesday) along with my kids and a steady flow of interruptions...

First there was an hour-long argument where my youngest swore he saw his brother cheating at Monopoly. "Where are your ethnics!?" he kept screaming. "Where's your confidence?!" (To clarify, he meant ethics and conscience, both often discussed in our home.)

Then, on Tuesday, my oldest (with a straight face and seemingly 100% serious) asked why I don't run a daycare from our home during the summer months? My response? Something along the lines of, Are you out of your tiny little mind?!

Yesterday, I took them for haircuts, and my youngest suddenly became a wall, refusing to let anyone touch his head with scissors & demanding to know why(loudly) I can't just accept him for who he is?!

Of course, all this rattled the hairdresser so badly that she gave me the worst haircut I've had in years... I'm talking such a hack job here that as we exited that spring-break-infested hair salon, my oldest turned to me, grimaced, and said, "It's not too bad, Mom. Just don't show anyone the back of your head when you're promoting your new book."

Dream vacation gone bad?

Now here's a picture that'll get any writer's creative juices flowing... Can you imagine wandering down a beach and stumbling across a sight like this?! I sure wouldn't be boarding a flight to leave that island any time soon, not unless I was medicated and strapped to a stretcher with restraints of some kind!

The fun behind character creation

I've been developing a secondary character for my new novel, Keeper of the Pond. He's only in the first half of the book, but the man himself, and what he does for a living (he's a magician in the 1930s) will have a big impact on my main character and the choices he makes later in life.

This is my favorite part, creating the characters that will carry the story from beginning to end, letting them get under my skin, allowing them to become familiar enough that I start thinking about them all the time.

Want a character to be shorter? Poof! He's now four feet tall. Think she should have an addiction problem? Tap-tap-tap on your keyboard and suddenly the woman's gambling online after her family goes to bed. Need some dramatic tension? Poof again as a door opens and there stands the 15 year old son your protagonist never knew he fathered back in high school...

And all this states the obvious: that writers really are just a buncha control freaks, don't you think?

Oblivious to my own back yard

Why is it that we often can't see the beauty of our own back yard until someone else comes along and explores it with a fresh set of eyes? When I looked at these photos this afternoon

(all of them taken 30-60 min from my front door) I went very quiet (a rarity for me), mostly because they show me what I've been missing over the last year while I've been hunched at my desk, writing, or else juggling my family's needs.










My author guest, Patricia Wood, leaves tomorrow and given the sheer volume of photos she took (I'm talking hundreds here) I think I can safely say she enjoyed her visit stumping through Kananaskis country and the Rockies almost as much as I did.

Author acting as tour guide

The guest room at my home is a busy place. There's forever someone coming or going, family or friends on their way to the mountains or on their way home from skiing/hiking/climbing...

At the moment, I have an author, Patricia Wood, visiting from Hawaii who's never seen the Canadian Rockies. Or a black bear. Or a dog as big as a black bear. She flew in to meet with four Calgary book clubs and a library group, all enthusiastic readers and huge supporters of my work. (By the way, thanks ladies. I can't believe there were 38 of you at the bistro last night from the first two clubs. You guys rock!)

While she's here, Pat's also determined to see the mountains, so today I took her to Kananaskis (only minutes from where I live) and also plan to take her to Banff. She keeps begging me to help her spot a moose, which will take more effort than she realizes as she's under the impression one simply snaps their fingers and *poof* a moose materializes, camera ready. Clearly she's been watching waaaay too much Animal Planet, don't you think?