The problem with writing a first draft so soon after revising another book (which for me meant cutting about 20% or nearly 12,000 words), is this:

It’s nearly impossible to let loose and spew extraneous material all over the pages when I know I’ll be chopping most of it out. But it’s part of discovery ... it’s part of discovery ... it’s part of discovery ... it's par

The events of the week that tried to derail me:

1. Monday ... Surprise visit – Mason Ridge Elementary Book Group. About a dozen kids stayed after school to discuss The Gollywhopper Games with the school’s literacy coach. And, yeah, there was me, an un-introduced person sitting next to her. The educator, who’s also my good friend, led the kids in discussion for about five minutes before she said, “If the author were here, what would you ask her?” After the first kid asked his question, my friend said, “Go ahead an ask *her*.” So much fun to see the looks on their faces.

2. Tuesday ... Numbing, toxic-yellow eye drops at my eye doctor appointment which always make me feel like napping.

3. Wednesday ... Taking inventory and restocking a clothes closet. Not mine. This is a project at an elementary school which serves families who can’t always the afford clothes (new socks, underwear, pants, shirts, coats) their kids need to stay in school.

4. Wednesday ... Inaugural enshrinement of athletes at the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame. St. Louis has a rich sports history, and most of these inductees were in attendance: baseball’s Yogi Berra, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Stan Musial, Whitey Herzog, Red Schoendienst and Ozzie Smith; football’s Dan Dierdorf, Jackie Smith, Roger Wehrli and Larry Wilson; basketball’s Ed Macauley and Bob Pettit; bowling’s Dick Weber; golf’s Bob Goalby; tennis’s Jimmy Connors; soccer’s Harry Keough; hockey’s Bernie Federko and Red Berenson; broadcaster Jack Buck; and Olympian Jackie Joyner Kersee who brought her high school coach with her and made the night’s most heart-warming acceptance speech about how this one man changed her life which, in turn, has led her to help change the lives of other kids from her old neighborhood.

5. Thursday ... Free tickets for the matinee of In the Heights. Great musical. Fabulous choreography. So much energy.

I’m happy to report that despite this week of distractions, something that should have derailed me, I managed to stay on track and rework about 7000 words of this new book.

I’ve been fortunate that my books – published and never-to-be-published – have come with titles. It’s like I’d wake up and say, okay, I’m going to write The Gollywhopper Games (though my original title was Gilbert and the Gollywhopper Games). And while I have a working title for this new book – we’ll call it CC for now – I doubt that name will endure. It feels a bit forced. And I’m not sure whether that’s because it didn’t simply appear (I crafted it after hours of brainstorming) or whether it’s because I’m trying to hard to keep some alliteration in a title that needs to move in another direction.

The advertising/marketing training in me says, “Yes. Definitely. Look at your two titles. The Gollywhopper Games. The Seventh Level. The third should follow that lead. It must start with “The” then have two words which incorporate some sort of alliteration.”

The writer side of me says, “If the alliteration is going to make it sound like a Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys title and if it doesn’t capture the full spirit of the book, blast the formula and find the right title.”

I’m a pleaser by nature. I can also be stubborn. And a perfectionist. And an over-achiever. So I think what has me truly stuck is the real side of me that says, “You can have it all. You just haven’t thought of the right word combination yet. Keep going.”

Meanwhile, I write.

So I’ve been thinking about the crux of this next book, the pivotal piece that will launch the action. I’ve also avoided thinking about it because, as the lyrics go, “How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?” I don’t deal well with the elusive. What I have been dealing well with is catching little snippets of ideas and writing them down.

Still, it was only about 12 hours ago when I truly doubted whether I’d ever get that big idea. And it was only 2 hours ago when I realized, for a week now, I may have been in possession of every component I need. Have I been overthinking this all? Possibly. Does that mean I’m ready to write? Only one way to find out.

I mailed out a fan letter yesterday, my first U.S. Post Office-type letter to an author. This author wrote a story that made me laugh so hard, I couldn’t stop my eyes from tearing. What he wrote may not be your kind of humor, but it was mine. And when writing brings this kind of reaction, the author deserves a fan letter, even when – or especially when – he’s only in 6th - 8th grade.

Here’s much of what I wrote ...

When I got my packet of about 50 stories to judge for the Big Write, I knew many would take the same approach. I’ve been a preliminary judge for this contest before (which means I choose the three best from stack and send them on to the final judge who declares the winners), and I understood that when you give a group of people the same opening line, you’re bound to have a bunch of repeats. Then I put down entry #535 and moved on to #536.

That’s when I started laughing. I’m not talking about chuckling or giggling or chortling, I’m talking about full-out belly laughing, when you don’t know how you’re going to take that next breath. And so I’m writing to thank you for giving me the best laugh I’ve had in a long time.

There is another reason for this letter. And that is to encourage you to keep writing. Even if people tell you your ideas are too wacky or strange or nonsensical, smile and keep doing what you do ... because if you choose to write someday – books or for TV or movies – and you decide to work at ways to strengthen the fundamentals of storytelling and character development, you will be so successful.

The finals judge gave him an honorable mention. I probably would have done the same because, as stories go, there were two others, in my pack alone, which better embraced the rules of the contest and those that govern more traditional story elements. Still, you can’t buy and you can’t teach what this kid has naturally. It’s a gift, one I hope he might share with us all someday.

... then it must be Barrie Summy's Book Review Club.

(But first, because of the new FTC policy, I suppose I should state that no one strong-armed me or twisted my arm or otherwise paid me an arm or a leg or a cent to choose to review this or any other book on my blog. It’s by whim that I review the books I do. And while I do receive and read some ARCs, I will only review those I like ... and hopefully that’s enough of that. Now, on to the review.)

A lot of famous and/or classic books seemed to miss me for a variety of reasons. And when I was in San Antonio, having finished the only book I brought, Danielle Joseph’s very fun Shrinking Violet, I walked the three minutes to a B&N near my hotel, looking for something to read in restaurants while I waited for and ate my dinners.

Having already spent a lot of energy during the first few days of my school visits, I needed something that wouldn’t be angsty or particularly heart-pounding or drain me even further. So I bypassed a lot of books that were on my list. Then I saw this one: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. It was time to finally pick it up.

Now, it’s one thing to buy and read the 1968 Newbery winner. But why review a book with ample recognition, thank you very much? Why didn’t I choose to write about a lesser-known book, one that might benefit from the publicity?

It’s mostly because I was mildly shocked at the way I went about reading this book. Usually, I walk halfway through books, then read as fast as I can to outrace my annoying astigmatism that tends to make the words dance so much that I often can’t get to ‘the end’ in the next gulp.

With this book, though, I took it slowly. Savored the plot. Let it unfold to see how this brother and sister who had chosen to run away from home then camp out in New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art; see how they went about trying to survive on little money, trying to solve a mystery the experts couldn’t, and trying to keep from getting caught, and also figuring a way to save face, go home again.

Often these days, books (mine included) are written at a blinding pace in order to keep kids turning pages rather than veering off to play flash-a-second video games. I loved the fact that this book took its time, but still held my attention all the way through. And I appreciate how it may have taught me much as a writer.

FAQ: Isn’t it hard to make up all those puzzles?

Standard Answer: Puzzles are easy; plotting is hard.

New Corollary: When you decide the puzzles need to help drive the plot ... argh!

I know when it’s time to start, I often tell the students when I’m visiting schools. It’s time to start writing that new book when my the ideas get so strong, they threaten to blow out my ears.

After an October of travel, I’d planned to get serious about Potential Book 3 on November 2. Today. This morning, however, the ideas are barely whimpering. It’s okay, though. I actually began writing PB3 on September 4, 2007. I got about 30,000 words into it and stopped to work on my 6th-ish to last version of The Seventh Level. I’m thrilled I did stop. For three reasons.

1. The Seventh Level is the right next book.

2. Those 30,000 words were wandering, aimlessly.

3. Time away has allowed me to realize the cause of that aimlessness – mushy backstory.

So while the ideas are not blowing out my ears, my desire to develop the perfect backstory is growing quite strong.

Now I just need Mr. Hoyt (or whatever his name turns out to be) to open his lips and speak sweet history to me.

I’m hoping to get my act together later (not sure if that means later this afternoon or later this week) to post more pictures of the libraries I visited in San Antonio. This morning, though, I want to tackle something a little less time consuming and a lot less about me.

But yes, it does start with me taking a side trip to Austin the Sunday before last. School librarian and adopted cousin Felice Feldman volunteered to drive me to BookPeople for P.J. Hoover’s and Jessica Lee Anderson's book launches. P.J. and I were in the Class of 2k8 together, and I’ve loved spending time with her on two previous occasions in San Antonio. Here we are ...
  Me and P.J.; Jessica and P.J.; the SRO crowd at BookPeople

It was great seeing Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, Jo Whittemore and Jennifer Ziegler. And I’m still embarrassed about not recognizing you, Jennifer, then forgetting your name again three seconds later. I can blame exhaustion, but ... well, yeah. I’m playing the exhaustion card.

Plus, to show that some good deeds go unpunished, Felice won an author visit from P.J. She’s so excited.

Switching gears ...

Author Susan VanHecke – great writer, selfless promoter and total whirlwind (I’m guessing this would be true if I ever met her in person) – has two new books recently released ...

*Picture book, An Apple Pie for Dinner, with illustrations that look almost 3D.

*YA, Rock ‘N’ Roll Soldier, a Vietnam War memoir, co-written with veteran Dean Kohler and with a foreword by musician Graham Nash. Very cool.

Last, but not least ...

If you’re in a voting mood, you may want to cast your ballot for T. Rex in the Library to be included in boxes of Cheerios. This book is by author/librarian-extraordinaire/all-round-fabulous-person Toni Buzzeo. This voting page loads very fast; no need to register for anything. Just go to more titles and click on T. Rex.

The past week-plus was wonderful. I need to finish packing, but the short version ...

*Attending and presenting at the Missouri Literary Festival in Springfield
*Visiting with 6th graders at Southwest Middle School in Manchester, Missouri

*Talking to and with librarians – always a treat – at the Missouri Library Association Conference in Columbia

*Speaking at The Big Read in St. Louis ... with the most fun ... hanging out with Cindy Lord before, during and after (see her blog for more details right here)

And now, the granddaddy of them all, starting tomorrow ... visiting 15 schools in San Antonio.

The last time I was away from home for this long? I was about 15, and my parents took us for our first big trip, driving the southern route to Los Angeles, going up Highway 1 to San Francisco, then navigating the northern route back to St. Louis.

My mileage on this trip won’t compare, but I have a feeling the experiences will be just as rich.

This past Saturday night, I was 15 minutes late to the cocktail party, held for the patrons and us authors as part of the Missouri Literary Festival. Truth is, it’s easy to slip into the mingling conversations of a cocktail party. And 15 minutes is still within fashionable lateness. But the crowning reason that erased any guilt? It’s what made me late.

Earlier in the day, I attended three sessions from other children’s authors – J.B. Cheaney, Louise Jackson and Kate Klise. (All wonderful, by the way.) Kate’s presentation came just before her duties as our moderator for a panel on getting published. As timing would have it, we found ourselves walking back from the venue to the hotel together. And that’s when she handed me an ARC of her newest, Book One in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series, Dying to Meet You (2009, Harcourt Children’s Books).
(Turns out, it wasn’t just any ARC; it was her marked-up copy with notes to her publisher. Which I still have, but no worries she’s missing it. She told me to throw it away and she’d give me a clean copy. No thanks. This is better.)

I decided to open the enticing cover with the dilapidated Victorian house, always a lure for me. Knowing this was an epistolary novel, I thought I could read some of the correspondence between the characters, put the book down, get dressed and walk the 10 minutes to the Hammons Field clubhouse (a non-stinky locker room in a baseball stadium – very cool) for the party.

Now, you can certainly guess what happened next. I finished the book, jumped into my clothes, slapped thirty seconds of makeup on my face, ran to my car and drove the three blocks. Nope, I didn’t want to put the book down.

Dying to Meet You allows readers the privilege of seeing all the correspondence among the fabulous cast of characters. The three main ones:

*Ignatius P. Grumply, a crotchety, old children’s author who rents the Victorian house as the perfect spot to write his next book. He’s already long past missing his deadline and has spent his huge advance.

*Seymour Hope, an 11 year old, left to live on the third floor of the house while his parents are in Europe.

*Olive C. Spence, now dead 97 years, and who once promised to haunt this house she built until she gets a publishing contract or until forever, whichever comes first.

Other correspondence comes from Seymour’s parents, Ignatius’s lawyer and agent, the town newspaper and others who tie the whole wonderful tale together. The perfect illustrations are, as always, by Kate’s sister M. Sarah Klise.

With Dying to Meet You, Kate Klise has masterfully combined humor (often tongue-in-cheek) with a compelling story, perfect for readers from reluctant to voracious. I, for one, am dying to meet the next books in the series.

Yeah. And to hang out with Kate again.

P.S. You guessed it. This is part of Barrie Summy's Book Review Blog-o-Rama (not the real title, but you get the drift). Thanks for organizing us, Barrie!

During all those years of rejection after rejection, I would think ...

“I just want a chance to get into schools; have kids read my books; have some fun.”

So, we interrupt the Friday Five for this wonderful letter and news video that totally overwhelmed me.

Good evening! I'm writing on behalf of the Community Read Committee
at the Victor Intermediate School. You may have been in touch with
Maggie Elliott recently, but I thought I'd let you know that our Kick-
Off Celebration was a HUGE success. I've attached the link of the
news story to this email. We literally had nearly 1000 students
stomping their feet, waving their arms, and cheering for your book!
The Marching Band performed, and our local newscaster, Kevin Doran,
introduced the book with amazing flair! He definitely had the kids
all riled up.

We did take video of the celebration, and there was a news story that
has been taped as well. I'm sure that Maggie will send you those in
the upcoming weeks.

I just wanted to extend my thanks for writing such an amazing book.
Our kids have already latched on before they've even opened the first
page!

http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=119262 (Link to
News 8 Now story about our Opening Ceremony)

Have a great evening,
Kimberly Farrington
Victor Community Read Committee Member

Thank you so much, Victor Intermediate students, Community Read committee and  Victor Intermediate librarian Maggie Elliott whom I had the pleasure of meeting this summer. I’m speechless.

(Note: If you watch the video, there will be a brief commercial first.)

Growing up, I don’t know that I was ever told, point-blank, not to brag or boast, but I knew that’s something I shouldn’t do. I suppose I extended the lesson a little far, and I say that because, when I was about ten, my mom needed to teach me how to accept a compliment.

Still, old habits are hard to shake. I do feel mostly comfortable saying thanks when it’s warranted. I understand the necessity of plugging my books, yet, when I was up on that stage during the St. Louis Art Fair on Sunday to promo my appearance at October’s Big Read, I wasn’t 100% comfortable making my 15 minutes all about me.
 
So I came well-prepared to plug another author who’ll also be there. After I made my intro, read my chapter and told people to come see me, I did a wonderful job (yes, boasting a little) deflecting the attention off me. I held this up.



"How many of you have read this or otherwise know about this book?" Almost every hand went up (which made me very proud). So even though its author wasn’t there, she helped me out. And I have to say, it was much more fun boasting about Cindy than figuring out how far I should go myself.
 

1. Go to lunch with Cindy Reeg andthatgirlygirl ... check!

2. Get a tad nervous about sharing a stage with Ridley Pearson, Sunday 12:45pm, at the St. Louis Art Fair ... check!

3. Finish presentable draft of talk for Missouri Library Association conference ... check!

4. Buy mushrooms, egg rolls and an estate in the south of France ... check! check! and, um ...

5. Have a parent tell me I’m bigger than Hannah Montana to her daughter ... check!