Cheryl Rainfield's Blog, page 107

I will be speaking at a 2011 ALAN Workshop on book banning! (Which is kind of funny–perhaps ironic?–after what happened with Scars.) I can't remember if I told you all before or not, but I hope to see you there.

Will you be at ALAN this year?

photo credit: lindaaslund

I always take a book with me wherever I go. It used to be whatever paperback I was in the middle of. Now it's my Kindle–with whatever ebook I'm in the middle of, but also all the other books I have loaded on there, just waiting for me to open up. It's such a relief to be able to pull out a book when waiting in line–at a store, the bank, the bus stop. The odd time I've forgotten my Kindle or a book, I feel like I'm wasting that line-up or travel time where I could actually be enjoying myself, instead of whatever it is I'm doing that I'm not particularly enjoying.

Do you take a book with you when you go out?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers) has an annual day-long conference for children's and YA authors and illustrators to better their craft and connect with others.

This year's conference will be on Sat, Nov 5th at Victoria College in Toronto.

New this year:

We'll start the day with a Welcome Address by Governor-General's Award winner Sarah Ellis.

The twelve workshops will include Master-level sessions—intended for established writers and illustrators—as well as a session for Beginners. All others sessions will be at the Intermediate level.

Workshops will include marketing and business topics, such as online book marketing and how to pitch your work.

Also new, is our Pitch Perfect manuscript/portfolio critiquing sessions. You can get a one-paragraph pitch plus 1000 words critiqued by either editor Gail Winskill or agent Ali McDonald in a ten-minute private session. Or you can get five portfolio pieces critiqued by art director Andrea Casault. Space is limited, and spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

You can enter a raffle to win a Blue Pencil mentorship for a picture-book manuscript with Frieda Wishinsky.

A buffet lunch of sandwiches and salads will be served to all registrants.

Here's PYI's line up of workshops:

Explore the nuts 'n bolts of publishing for beginners with author Mahtab Narsimhan.

Learn how the graphic novel combines elements of art and prose with graphic novelist Jim Zubkavich.

Make connections through non-fiction writing with Catherine Rondina.

Learn how to craft a picture book with Frieda Wishinsky.

Write hearty historical fiction with author Caroline Pignat.

Discuss the illustrator's role in character development with illustrator Bill Slavin.

Explore social media to connect with potential readers with author Hélène Boudreau.

Learn how to how to write a compelling middle-grade mystery novel with author/illustrator Kevin Sylvester.

Explore young-adult fantasy writing with bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.

Discover how to make your submission shine with editor Gail Winskill and agent Ali McDonald. In the workshop, they will also provide first-page critiques for anonymous submissions. You can submit your first page, in any genre, to [email protected], if you want a chance to be critiqued during the workshop.

Join established writers for a master-level workshop with Sarah Ellis.

Join established illustrators for a master-level workshop with Ruth Ohi.

The keynote speaker will be the inspirational and creative author/illustrator Loris Lesynski.

Register early to get your first choice in workshops and one of the limited number of Pitch Perfect critiquing sessions.

Need another reason to register early? This year, the first 75 registrants will be automatically entered in a draw to win a Blue Pencil mentorship in any genre with keynote speaker Loris Lesynski.

For more information, go to Packaging Your Imagination 2011 or contact the office at 416-515-1559 or [email protected].

I've thought for several years now that screenwriting books teach story structure and plot more clearly, practically, and fully than many books for novelists, with more insight and in a way that works (though I've also learned a ton from fiction writing techniques–but not so much on structure). So I'm glad I went to the Toronto Screenwriters' Summit this past weekend with some fellow children's and YA writers.

I got a lot out of the weekend-long conference. Perhaps because I've worked on writing technique for years, and because I think I already have a strong voice in my writing, I found John Truby and Michal Hauge's speeches that delved into more advanced plot and structure techniques the most helpful.

Linda Seeger emphasized the importance of finding one's own voice, and of learning as much as you can about your own creative process and doing what works for you–both of which I really agree with. Something I hadn't thought about in a long time that made me rewrite a part of the manuscript I'm working on now was her talking about choosing the right season for your work–that seasons can be metaphorical. She also recommended several books–her own, of course, since she's a successful script consultant, including Making a Good Script Great–as well as Experiences In Visual Thinking by Robert McKim and Put Your Mother On the Ceiling by Richard de Mille to learn to think, and thus write, more visually.

I like that she talked about the need to have some unconscious time with your work, or incubation, which I tend to do naturally.

John Truby talked in depth and in great detail about how to structure a story so that it works on a deep level. I highly recommend his book The Anatomy of Story to really understand and successfully structure a book. It makes the whole process easy to understand. He talks about 7 basic steps, and then 22 steps–and all of them made sense to me, including the hero's weakness and need (weakness: one or more serious flaws that hurt the hero's life, and needs which are based on that weakness), desire (the hero's goal–what she wants in the story), the opponent or antagonist (who tries to prevent the hero from reaching her goal and who wants the same goal as the hero but for different reasons), and the self-revelation. (Check out his book for all the steps and much greater detail.)

John also talked about figuring out which genre your story fits in (or which meld of genres), which will change or add to the seven steps. I think here is where novels may differ. I found myself thinking that my novels are drama, with some suspense and some love thrown in–but drama was not one of the genres.

John offered such a wealth of information that I almost couldn't write fast enough! Though it was like a review for me, since I've read his book, it was a great reminder, and I found myself absorbing the information.

Michael Hauge also talked about structure, with some similarities to John Truby, and some differences and different emphasis, so both talks built on and complimented each other. I also couldn't write fast enough with him! I really liked how Michael said that the one thing we must know to be a good storytelling is how to elicit emotion through our writing. I know that when I'm emotionally involved with a character, I care more about them and I keep reading. Michael said that story structure is built on three basic elements–character, desire, and conflict–as well as an outer, visible journey for the hero, and an inner, invisible journey. I think the inner journey helps bring meaning to a story. Michael also said that conflict is what keeps us interested (and conflict is not or does not have to be physical). I really enjoyed and identified with what he said, and I'm going to buy his book Writing Screenplays that Sell and probably some of his other books, too.

All three talks sparked ideas and things I want to change or add to in my current work-in-progress.

I attended the workshop with fellow children's and YA writers Erin Thomas, Lena Coakley, Karen Krossing, Jennifer Gordon, and Urve Tamberg. It was such fun to sit together, pass the occasional note, and have our own row of kidlit writer seats among a sea of screenwriters!

If you'd like to read more about the conference and the various things we each got out of it, check out these writers' blog posts:



Erin Thomas

Lena Coakley

Karen Krossing

Well, I was right about "tentative title." I got that sense when I started to tell people the good news about my paranormal fantasy being published; when I'd say the title I had, people would say "What?" It didn't make sense to them (without reading the book). And my editor strongly agreed that it's not working.

So I've got to come up with a new, strong title that works. I'm working on that now (and then, of course, will be going back and forth with my editor on it). It's funny–I've always had an insecurity about writing titles. Writing the manuscript, I know I can edit and re-edit and make as strong as I can, as powerful as I can. Of course I can with titles, too, but somehow, some where, I got it in my head that I can't write titles. So now I have to pull on my creativity and my intuition–and rework this. And…this time I think I can do it! I like the ideas I've come up with so far.

At some point I'll have a new title, and will announce it here. I hope you'll pop by when I have it. It's wonderful to have others along with me during this whole process. Wonderful to have others understand that it's not always easy–but it is emotionally rewarding, and so much goes into the making of a book!

I am SO excited–my paranormal fantasy, tentatively titled Teen Para, is coming out from WestSide Books most likely this October! The WestSide editor, Evelyn Fazio, is a dream to work with, and WestSide has been incredible with me for Scars, so this feels really good to me on so many levels. I can't stop smiling! (grinning and grinning)

In Teen Para, Cassie is a telepath in a world where that is illegal. She is on the run from the government troopers, trying to stay hidden and alive–and trying to help make the world a better place for others with paranormal talents.

I drew on many of my trauma experiences in writing Teen Para, just as I did with Scars. Like my main character, Cassie, I know what it's like to have my life threatened, to face oppression, to experience torture, and to break free from cult or from a group of oppressors.

My main character isn't gay this time, but there is a queer character who's important in the book.

I care about this book a lot, too. I needed both realistic and fantasy books to survive my child- and teenhood. You've probably heard me say it before, but realistic fiction helped me know I wasn't alone, and fantasy helped me dream and hope. So I'm delighted that this fantasy book is going to be published and reach readers!

Just because an author is published doesn't mean that they don't receive rejections–so I'm even happier about Teen Para getting published!

I can't wait to see what the cover looks like, can't wait to share my novel with you! Meanwhile…I'm sharing my excitement. (grinning)

If you want to know more about Teen Para, read on:

As a child, Cassie watched as an angry mob killed her father, murdering him for being a Para. Since then, she and her mother have been on the run from government troopers, and constantly searching for her missing brother who disappeared during the riots. When Cassie starts at a new school she thinks she will have to do what she's always done–blend in as hard as she can, and never, ever let anyone know she's a Para–able to read people's thoughts. But then she meets Alex, a fellow swimmer who she starts to fall for hard, as well as Rachel, one of her first true friends, and she finds herself not wanting to hide any more. But the government is closing in, and someone is killing Paras, draining of them of their life energy. Cassie knows that she doesn't have much time before her identity is discovered. Ultimately, she must make the decision whether to save herself or save the whole human race.

And, in case you worry about it, Teen Para has a happy ending. Not over-the-top Hollywood happy, but happy enough to work for me (who doesn't like unhappy endings; I had enough of that in my life). I hope Teen Para interests you, and hope you'll check it out when it comes out!

I absolutely love this video in support of National Library Week…and reading. It's a kind of art. I love these public displays of art, but this one is special. Books, readers, people taking part together in celebration!

I was putting together a pantry for Petal's treats/clothes–& of course she HAD to be involved (grinning) On the boards:

Next to the screws, playing with her toys and chewies:

And of course trying to chew the screwdriver–and my hand–as I worked.

I found it funny, enjoyed it, even though it took a lot longer to put together the pantry. But the good feeling was worth it.

I'm surprised Petal doesn't try to be involved when I write! But thankfully, she either sleeps beside me on the couch when I type in changes to my manuscripts, or often lies on me while I actually edit and rewrite (by hand). I'm glad she's not walking all over my keyboard like my 21-year-old cat, Amazon, used to!

Actually–I think Petal IS helping me by resting near me as I work. It's comforting and lovely. And Amazon purring while I work is also a delight.

How do your pets help you or try to get involved (get your attention) while you work?

(For those of you who don't know, Petal is my new little puppy–a hairless Chinese Crested (though she's called a hairy hairless, because she has a bit of hair down her back, though none on her belly or sides. I think she is adorable.). She is 15 weeks' old this week.)

Um–so I have a FaceBook fan page for Scars now. (My publisher created it.) If you like Scars, I would love to have you 'like' the page, post a comment, anything you want!

I will be signing Scars in Toronto on Saturday April 23, 1pm at Indigo Yorkdale with the wonderful YA authors Neesh Meminger, Mahtab Narsimhan, and Helene Boudreau. If you're around, I hope to see you.

Check out the cool poster.