Interviewed by Cynthea Liu
Cynthia Liu interviewed me for her site Writing for Children and Teens. This site is chock full of information, interviews, tips, and quips from Cynthea's sidekick, Snoop. Click here to read the interview.
Book Roast--It's What's for Supper
Chris Eldin and friends are serving up books and more on their new blog Book Roast. Posts will include short book excerpts, silly questions, and stuff you can win! Check it out!
I Ran into an Old Friend
I knew I recognized that voice. I was throwing darts in this restaurant when I heard him, and I looked around. Gosh . . . was that . . .
I looked at him openly, but he didn't seem to know me. I swore it was him. I thought about doing the usual procedure in this case--yelling out his name and watching to see if he responded. Or I could just pretend I didn't see him.
Instead, I walked by his table and said, "Excuse me, are you T?"
T looked up, curious. "Yes"
"It's me, Danette!"
A smile and affection washed over his face. I slid into his booth and caught up with him and his dinner companion, his boy who is now a man.
T is doing something new with his photography. As I listened to him, I got caught up in his enthusiasm. When someone is passionate about something, they exude excitement and it's contagious. It's inspiring to listen to another artist talk about their work, what they're trying to do, and how it's going. I love that type of conversation.
Then my Reuben got served and it was time for me to go. But it was wonderful running into an old friend and remembering the work we used to produce together, and even better, sharing the new work we're both doing now.
Tidbits from the Newspaper
The local paper's editors are so smart. Look at these nuggets:
Don't exercise too much too soon.
Don't worry. I am already fulfilling this advice.
Dine out for Father's Day.
HA! Like you had to tell me.
A few other bits I found interesting:
Though the high today will be 90, it will feel like 97. This perceived difference is called the heat index; it's the Floridian equivalent of what you up north call the wind chill factor. The Almanac tells me that today, the sun will damage my skin after I am outside for ten minutes. I will combat this effect with my number 50 SPF.
Someone's selling a size ten wedding gown. It's beautiful, she says, and never worn.
I see ads like that all the time--huge diamond rings going for a fraction of their value, "divorce" garage sales, infant car seats for sale. These items represent huge events or the passage of time in the lives of people I don't know. I linger on these ads, wondering about the stories behind them. It's weird being privy to what you think might have happened, yet quite intriguing.
Hmm. Time to get the notebook out.
Happy Birthday, Stephen Parrish
Happy birthday, Stephen!
Surprise, surprise! A little birdie came and whispered in my ear. Stephen is one of my blogging buddies and if you've never checked out his blog, do visit. Don't be fooled by those tear-jerking Hallmark commercials Stephen posts--he also tears into politics and other controversial subjects and he does not back away from being specific! You might be uncomfortable; you might disagree; but you will definitely be made to think!
Plus, he plays with Barbies!
Notes from the SCBWI Florida Mid-Year Workshop
Me: I'm a little nervous about the workshop. I want to talk with other writers, but I don't know them and I don't know what to say.
Him: Here's how I do it--if I see a kid outside on a Ripstik, I say, "Can you do tricks on that?" and then I say, "Can I have a turn?" Then we start talking about Ripstiks and stuff and then we're friends. You should just ask people what book they're writing now. That's what you should do.
Me: You are a very smart boy.
* * *
First off, thank you and congrats to Linda Bernfeld and a host of others who pulled off another fantastic workshop in O-town. Linda called me last week and asked me if I wouldn't mind picking up an editor from the airport and driving her to the hotel. Ha! An hour alone with an editor. Yes, Linda, yes, I would be more than happy to help, mwahahaha.So that's how I got to meet Nancy Siscoe, Associate Publishing Director and Executive Editor for Knopf & Crown Books for Young Readers. You will be proud to know that I did not ply Nancy with possible stories, not even once! But I did play an endless loop of my middle-grade ideas, recorded on CD at a pitch so high, only the subconscious could hear it. Nancy should be writing out that six-figure contract even as we speak.
People I met (as in, I actually spoke with):
Michael Stearns, Firebrand Literary--Michael sported the best accessory in the house--a cast. I was so happy to meet him, I forgot to ask him what happened to his foot. I shook Michael's hand, so now if he goes back to New York and shakes my agent's hand, well, you know, six degrees of separation and all that. In any case, Michael was witty and informative and very approachable.
Andrea Tompa, Associate Editor, Candlewick Press--Andrea was cool and funny, and I caught her as we were all packing up. More on what Andrea likes later.
Lots of other writers. I asked them what books they were writing and now we are friends.
What Happened in the Middle-Grade Track:
Bruce Hale, author of the popular Chet Gecko series, Michael Stearns, and Andrea Tompa sat at the head table for the Middle-Grade Track. One thing that always surprises me at conferences is how well the speakers work together and how they play off each other.
For me, the first page critiques provided an excellent education. Humorous pieces elicited the best comments from the judges. (At this point, I was thinking of them as Paula, Randy, and another Randy (two Randys because no one was snarky enough to be Simon).) They advised us to avoid frontloading--making an info dump in the beginning so your reader has the whole thing right away. Instead, feed in the necessary information through dialogue and other bits and pieces.
Bruce told us to let the manuscript cool off between revisions, a month if you can do it. I must say my cooling off periods have been much shorter, but I like the idea of leaving the manuscript long enough to stop editing it in my sleep.
Michael showed us how to pace a novel by outlining a YA chicklit novel in which a guy named Bruce was the loser in a romantic triangle.
Andrea reminded us to make sure to bring into play things you introduce. Everything should serve a purpose. Although Candlewick is a closed house, she reads manuscripts from conference attendees for a specified period of time. If you know me from somewhere, like this conference, she said, open [your query] with that. Andrea likes literary science fiction and stories that feature an outdoor challenge.
The mood at the workshop was one of camaraderie and excitement. Writers were buying books and signing books and everyone looked happy. Even the lunch was good. What can I say? I had a great time. Now I'm looking forward to Miami!
I Went to College and it was okay
I Went to College and it was okay is like Diary of a Wimpy Kid for adults. I first discovered it in a used bookstore and gave it to my brother, but I liked it so much, I ordered one for myself. Using black and white stick figures, Scott Dikkers captures the sense of being on your own for the first time--that sort of lost, sort of curious, sort of I-know-what-I'm-doing feeling. Much of the book depicts non-events, which it what gives it that familiar feeling, the feeling of trying to put shape to shapeless days. A very pleasant excursion through "Jim's" first two years at college.
In Which I Bypass a Bad Driver and Receive Prizes
It's going to be a great day!
First off, I was stuck behind a guy who apparently drives while talking on his cell phone and using his console as a desk. His car floated left and right, crossing over the lines and those bumpy reflector lights. There was a mile of empty blacktop in front of him, but this was a single, no-passing road.
After watching him weeble-wobble down the road, I pined after that long, free stretch in front of him. Then I passed him using the acceleration ramp on the right! Ha! I am a rebel today! My music was loud and I drove fast. Then I received a phone call that something I was concerned about is hundred percent okay, and if that wasn't good enough, I found prizes from WOW! on my doorstep!
Look at the bounty! A shout out to WOW! Women on Writing and Angela Mackintosh for their support, encouragement, and for their wonderful website. And a shout out to God because I am grateful for the health of my kids.
It's a beautiful day!
It's Already Wednesday
When you have Monday off, all the other days are off too. I had to put the timer on to remind myself to leave on time, but when it started beeping, I was eating my lunch and thought it had something to do with my food. I turned it off. It wasn't until twenty minutes later that I realized I had to leave. Do you think that was the holiday effect or was that due to my insomnia-induced short circuitry? Or perhaps the newspaper I was reading was so scintillating I couldn't tear myself away, you know, For Better or Worse, Zits, and LuAnn. We also get Ann Landers, but I really like Carolyn Hax's advice column, "Tell Me About It."
* * * * *
By the way, don't forget to stop by Ello's blog. She's interviewed Dr. Gigi Durham, author of The Lolita Effect, The Media Sexualization of Young Girls and What we can Do About It. Interesting conversation going on over there.
Two Old Ladies Go Into the Woods
I was visiting Big Tree Park* and as the path narrowed, I found myself behind two old ladies going into the woods. It seemed rude to pass them, so I stayed a distance behind--a distance I closed up when their hoary heads bent together and they began to speak.
What do old ladies speak of? I imagined it would be like those commercials, Herb died. Poor Stella, their insurance didn't cover the coffin. She buried him in a pine box without his teeth. I picked up my step, sneaky-like, so they wouldn't notice me. Here's what I heard:
Old Lady #1: What would you do if he had a gun?
Old Lady #2: I don't know.
Old Lady #1: If a guy with a gun came up to me and said, "Your money or your life!" I'd say "Then take my life--I'm saving my money!"
Much laughter ensued, and I walked behind, delighted in the secret life of old ladies.
*Yes, there is a big tree in Big Tree Park. In fact, there are two. "The Senator" is a 3500-year-old bald cypress standing 118 feet. It used to be taller, but a hurricane cracked off the top. Standing nearby at 89 feet is "Lady Liberty," a 2000-year-old bald cypress. Want to see pictures? Click here and scroll.
Miss Snark Day
Today we gather at Patricia Wood's blog to pay homage to Miss Snark, who retired a year ago. Rumor has it she'll be making appearances ala Elvis, so check it out--you may glimpse the infamous stilettos.
The Cover for Violet Raines is Here
Hooray! It's here! This is the cover for Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning. Hooray! The designer, Daniel Roode, really captured the spirit of the book. I can't wait to post this everywhere!
Interviewed by WOW Magazine
This weekend, I was interviewed by WOW! Magazine's warm and wonderful Angela Mackintosh. Angela is the editor and CEO of WOW! and just an all-around great person. I've enjoyed reading her interviews with other writers because they seem so natural and conversational, and I felt the same way as I answered her questions. Click here to read the interview.
If you've never visited WOW! Magazine, let me say it's a good site to add to your favorites. Every month, new articles on the craft and business of writing are added, and the site hosts a quarterly flash fiction contest, which is judged by qualified readers: the last contest was judged by literary agent Kristin Nelson; this quarter's contest will be judged by literary agent Wendy Sherman. Want to get acquainted with an agent? This is a good way to do it. There's even an option for critique.
I've enjoyed this website for more than a year, so it was an honor to break in.
Query Shark
Thanks to Editorial Anonymous, I've discovered a blog that critiques queries--Query Shark, a blog featuring query critiques by literary agent Janet Reid. (More than one commenter has wondered about the Snark connection.) Lots of insight in these critiques, check it out.
Jacquelyn Mitchard Featured in Parade Magazine
Author Jacquelyn Mitchard was featured in yesterday's Parade Magazine.
I didn't know much about this author until I read her article. Then I tracked down her website and read her bio. Quick recap: She wrote her first book, The Deep End of the Ocean, while in her 30s and sold it after she turned 40. First book. Here's the part that amazes me: The copyright date of that first book is 1996. JM's website now boasts thirteen books, spanning genres from picture book to adult. And she has seven children. And she mends their clothing--yes, that's right--with a needle and thread.
And she blogs, travels, and writes articles.
She sews . . . oh my gosh, how does she do it all?
Funny, Weird, or Scary Signs #5
I'm trying to capture an alligator for you,but all I spot are these signs.
.
.
Behind a Sunday Driver on Monday
Dear Sunday Driver who was in front of me Monday on a single lane, no passing road:
In Which I Receive an Invitation of Sorts
Him: If we go on another field trip, I want you to come.
Me: Aww. . . [sniff, sniff]_I would love to come.
Him: Yeah, 'cause then you could bring my DS Lite in your purse like K's mom did.
In Which I Ride a Ripstik
I first saw a Ripstik last year in a sporting store. "What good is this?" I said to my companions. "A skateboard with two wheels--who can ride it?" After giving it a good harrumphing, we walked away.
Since that time, Ripstiks have become popular in my neighborhood. Everyone has one. So I hang out on the edge, waiting for a lull in the action. "Can I try that?" I ask.
"Sure," they say. I give them popsicles. They give me pointers.
Skateboards are old school compared to the Ripstik, or "caster board," which is the generic term. Caster boards are comprised of two independent boards connected by a pole that allows the boards to pivot in opposite directions. The proper stance is sideways, as on a snowboard; to move forward, you press one foot down (toes down) and the other foot up (heel down). Moving your feet like this causes the front wheel to move in a direction opposite of the back wheel, producing forward motion. Initially, I felt like I'd fall and crack my head open. But now--
I CAN DO IT!
Not well--not yet--but give me time! I love this thing! It's fun and challenging and different from anything I've ever done. No matter I am the only woman out in the street on a Ripstik; I'm shredding up the pavement.
I can hear you now: Danette, you totally rock! Or maybe you're saying, Danette, you are the village idiot.
And I just have one thing to say to both statements: I know, right!
Published in Writers' Journal!
My short romance, "Playdate," is published in the May/June 2008 issue of Writers' Journal. Page thirty-two!
I'm off to buy 5 10 all the copies left in the bookstore.
Spiders, Dragonflies, and Otters
I went out back to fill up the birdfeeder this morning, and the lawn was covered with these little webs; it looked like an aerial bombardment of spiders had taken place and all that remained were their little parachutes. As I tried to take the picture, A DF-75 (dragonfly in 75 degree heat) hummed right over my head and made me duck. The whole ordeal was quite treacherous.
If you click on this photo, you can see how pretty the beaded dew looks.
After coming in and properly slapping off my ankles, I searched for spiders on the Internet. I felt like they were crawling all over me with their long legs and their bad intentions. (Though a certain website told me that I'd have to work awfully hard to get bit by this spider--a grass spider.)
In other news, the other day, an otter--yes! a real otter--slipped across the road with a big catfish in its mouth. He appeared to amble, but he made good time, cutting behind my house and disappearing into the woods. I couldn't believe I'd seen him. Up to then, I thought my husband was teasing me, trying to make me jealous with his otter-sightings. Next time, I'll try to have the camera ready.
Family Portrait
Growing up, my family was always on a tight budget. My father was an Air Force man and we were all proud of him when he made recruiter. As part of the recruiting effort, the Air Force sent us to a local photographer to be photographed as a family; we’d show everyone what a happy Air Force family looked like. The real bonus was that we would receive our own large print.
My mom was thrilled at the prospect of having a real family portrait done. That morning, she fussed over our hair, curling and combing and hair spraying us. Even my brothers looked good. My mother of course was the real beauty. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen her look so beautiful as she did that day, coming down the stairs shyly with my father, who was all decked out in his dress uniform. What a good looking family!
The mood lasted until we tried to get into the car. Four kids, two window seats. The boys started hitting each other in their quest for the window. “Stop it!” Dad yelled.
The studio was only a short distance away, but it was a hot day and the station wagon had no air conditioning. Now we argued about the windows. My sister and I had long hair and didn’t want it messed up by the wind; the boys were hot and wanted the windows down. “The windows stay up!” Mom snapped.
A long line of other families greeted us. We tried our best to be good, but it was a long wait. By the time they were ready for us, we were no longer ready for them. They assembled us into our positions and snap! That was it--one shot. We drove home tired and quiet.
When the portrait arrived weeks later, Mom sat at the kitchen table and opened it. “Oh, my gosh! We look like The Munsters!” The four of us kids scrambled to the table to see what she meant. It was true. Our faces were grim, our mouths straight lines. We stood stoically, especially my dad, who seemed to be arching his back and tilting up his head. Mom slipped the portrait back into its envelope. It was never displayed in our house.
As the years went by, we’d think about that photo. “Remember the monster picture?” we’d say to each other. “Yeah, where is it Mom?” We’d be laughing even before she returned with the print. “Look at Dad!” we’d squeal, pointing to his stiff posture and the strange way he held his head. “He was trying to look taller!” Mom would roar. We’d break up laughing, and laugh some more, staring at our own somber little freckle-faces. That unflattering, never-displayed portrait became a cherished, full-of-good-memories family keepsake.
Book Promotion, Your Brain is Fat, and A Thought on Nose Blowing
Sarah Prineas has an excellent series of posts discussing the impact of self promotion. To read the first post and comments, click here.
In other news, yesterday's Parade Magazine ran the Ask Marilyn column, in which Marilyn states that the human brain is 66% fat. So don't go on a diet--you might lose brain cells! And if the other thing is true--we only use 10% of our brains--that means we are only using 10% of 33% of our actual brain. That's only three hundredths of our gray matter! I guess there's no laughing at the dinosaurs and their peanut-sized brains now.
Also, there's a guy who makes $25,000 as a competitive eater. We could be making money for something we already do.
And finally, our paper's food critic says what I've been telling people for years: "If you must blow your nose, leave the table to do it."
My Flash Fiction Placed in WOW! Women on Writing ezine Flash Contest
I checked the WOW! Women on Writing site today and discovered my flash fiction had placed third in the WOW! Flash Fiction Contest. Hooray! Click here and scroll down for "Intersection."
Danette Haworth and Violet Raines have a Website!
The website for Danette Haworth (me!) and Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning went live last night! Some pages are "coming soon," but the main pages are up and working. I don't have a cover yet, but the site does include an excerpt from Violet Raines. And a little about me.
Come visit! Danette Haworth or Violet Raines--both roads lead to my new house.
I'll be adjusting the blogs, too, might change the look of Summer Friend to match the website. And I'll shut down the Danette Haworth blog now that the site's open.
Come on over, then, and tell me what you think!
Violet Raines is on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders!
I almost fell out of my chair after performing my daily ritual of searching for my book's title, Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning--Violet Raines is listed on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Borders!
And I received the galleys today!
And I've been blurbed!
I'm not able to share the cover yet, but I am excited to quote two wonderful authors who took time from their own schedules to read my book. Here's what they had to say:
"Danette Haworth has written a wonderful story that is as warm and bright as the Florida sun, and eleven-year-old Violet Raines--loyal, hilarious, and true--is the best friend any girl could have."
Lauren Tarshis, Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree
"Haworth's rich sense of place and telling detail embrace the reader like a hammock on a shaded porch, inviting them to while away the day. Danette Haworth creates characters so real they stand out on the page. They tell a story of friendship on the cusp of adolescence so full of spunk and humor I read more slowly as I approached the last page. This is a lovely debut."
Audrey Couloumbis, Newbery Honor winner, Getting Near to Baby
Two-Book Deals
A couple of Blueboarders recently snagged two-book deals--on their debut! Check out these exciting posts and feel the excitement!
One book and seven years' writing turned into an "outstanding offer" in a two-book deal for author Angie Frazier. Read all about it here. Congratulations, Angie!
L.K. Madigan posted her two-book deal in this blog entry. Way to go, L.K.!
All right! Now back to work, writers!
Thoughts on Mick Jagger and Other Tidbits from Parade Magazine
Parade Magazine and the Style section (which includes the books reviews) accompany my little donut and cappuccino every Sunday morning.
Mick Jagger graced this weekend's cover. Make all the old-guy jokes you want to--this guy's still cooking. I watched a documentary on VH1 in which Mick took the reporter into a room in his house that contained tapes of all the Stones' recordings. The walls were lined with boxed reels.
The reporter commented that Mick must be very proud when he enters that room, to which Mick responded something like, "Well, I'm not like . . . " and then he puffed out his chest like a rooster.
On the trailer for Shine a Light, the new Stones' rockumentary, a clip shows Martin Scorsese sitting at a desk when Mick calls. Mick expresses concern over Scorsese's use of cameras, particularly one that "swoops over the audience" and around the stage. He said he thought that would be annoying to the audience.
Humor and attention to detail--I like those qualities; I guess I never thought of someone like Mick Jagger being sort of like a regular person. Though I do not listen to the Stones, the film looks interesting. I especially think it's funny when Scorsese is totally stressed because the Stones won't pin down the set list for him.
No-Guilt Desserts--I didn't even read this article. No-guilt means the same as no fat, which equates to no flavor.
I did not know that Ping-Pong is an active trademark--did you?
The magazine closes with a feature on John Krasinski, who plays Jim on The Office. Apparently, his original goal was to be a scriptwriter, but another writer told him to go for acting instead, saying, "Don't even try making it as a writer. It's too tough."
Geez, now you tell me.
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