Week of Writing Recap

by Leslie Colin Tribble

Groggers at WOW - Janie Reinart, Sherri Jones Rivers, Suzy Leopold, and me in the back.

And the GROG is back after a little summer recess.

Several of us used our summer break to attend the Week of Writing (WOW) Retreat in Helen, Georgia. One of us, Sherri Jones Rivers has attended all three of the WOW retreats, while others have been at least twice. This was my second year at WOW and it was just that, WOW!

The conference is held at Unicoi State Park, which sits at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. Rolling hills covered in green stretch as far as you can see. Coming from sparsely vegetated Wyoming, Georgia always feels like a foreign land. Unicoi is a great facility - the lodge where the sessions are held is comfortable and our rooms are just a short walk away. There are hiking trails, and this year we had the option of taking the shuttle into the nearby town of Helen, a Bavarian village in the heart of Georgia.

A Georgia peach morning.

Kristen Fulton organizes a fabulous retreat, and this year was no exception. The faculty was outstanding, the round tables were intimate and we had plenty of time for writing.

The food is always great as well.

Yes, you read those menu plates correctly!

Faculty included authors/illustrators Lisa Amstutz, Anna Crespo, Jill Esbaum, Barb Rosenstock, Linda Skeers, Don Tate and Duncan Tonatiuh. They spoke on writing for the educational market, how to get editors to read past the fourth word, inserting humor, looking at your stories from an illustrator's point of view, and how to be the best writer you can be. We were treated to a bonus Thursday evening when attendee and new author, Nancy Churnin (The William Hoy Story), gave a great after dinner talk about marketing your book.

The agents and editors were all very personable and approachable.They included Sally Apokedak, Silvie Frank, Clelia Gore, Kathy Landwehr, Victoria Selvaggio, Tamar Mays, Kelly Barrales-Saylor, and Essie White.

Author Panel

One of the changes at WOW this year was the roundtable format. Last year we had four or five attendees, plus a faculty member. The larger groups meant you had less time for comments after your story was read. This year it was two attendees plus a faculty member and you had an entire 20 minutes for a read and critique. That was very helpful - you could really delve into your story and see what wasn't working and why.

Author/Illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh

Another change was having much more time to write. Most days we were finished with sessions by 2:00, with roundtables following. The rest of the afternoon and evening were free for hanging out or revision work. Last year I was so brain dead by the day's end I couldn't even think about rewriting. This year with my head full of incredible knowledge, I raced back to my room and really got some great revision work done.

If you haven't been to an extended writing workshop, I encourage you to find one. Being able to write without the normal distractions of work, family, pets, etc. is a gift, and being around encouraging, helpful, fun writers just makes it all that much better.

Besides the valuable sessions, roundtables, and the opportunity of being able to purchase paid critiques, WOW offers writers the chance to connect with like-minded individuals. Evenings on the porch of the lodge, watching gorgeous sunsets, and getting to know the other attendees is really what makes WOW special. You can talk to people on every rung of the writing ladder in a non-threatening, inclusive atmosphere. It's never the exact same group every night with folks flowing in and out depending upon their mood. Some great friendships have formed at WOW, which I think is very special.

What made WOW valuable for me? Putting into practice what I learned during the day. Being able to spend an entire week immersed in writing was incredibly beneficial. I spent a lot of time revising the three manuscripts I took and am really excited about how they're shaping up. If you're struggling to find quality writing time, maybe WOW is exactly what you need.

The theme for next year's WOW 2017 retreat is Rock'n Roll'n and Writ'n. More details will be available August 1 at www.wowretreat.net.

We'll have more posts about WOW by other Groggers throughout August. Enjoy!

The Friday night party is always a blast.

Critique Mystic: What I've Learned by Kathy Halsey

What are the elements of a good group? How do you find a great critique group? How do you keep a good group going?  In this "Kat Chat," I'll explain what I've learned in the last 2.5 years.

 The Not-So-Good

As a new writer, I joined an eclectic group at my local indie bookstore. I had to drive 45 minutes each way once a month to get advice like "fun," "good title," "main character needs work." This group included those who wrote YA, adult, erotic, flash fiction, short stories, and romance. When I heard that a WIP about my Corgi should be in the shape of a dog, I knew I was driving too far for too little. 

A picture book in the shape of Wiley Corgi? I think not.

What I Learned

1. It can be important to be with those who write in your own genre, especially in the beginner's stage.

2. Input and output should be somewhat equal or at least substantive. My feedback did not equal the drive time.

3. Trust your instinct when it's time to go. I parted amicably with this group as I lucked into an all picture book critique group with a published author.

A MUCH Better Fit

I landed in a group of four other picture book writers who found each other via our SCBWI chapter. Dianne White and I had met at SCBWI event and hit it off. We joined forces with an illustrator/writer, a middle grade/picture book writer, a writer going through a formal program, and one more seasoned writer. We met monthly at the same indie bookstore as my former group and were able to attend SCBWI LA in 2014 and celebrate Dianne's first book, BLUE ON BLUE. Sadly, I had to leave these fab writers behind due to a cross-country move.

Dianne White, Kathy, and Elizabeth Saba, SCBWI LA 2014

The Takeaways Here

1. If one can meet face-to-face with a potential critique partner before joining a group, it is easier to see if you "jive."

2. Join a group with writers with more experience than you. 
3. Join a group with writers who have different experiences, too. Tanja Bauerle, our illustrator/writer, shared so much. She helped us see the illustrator's POV in our discussions.

The In-between

I have usually been in more than one critique group at a time. Some of the online groups fizzled out for various reasons: moves, re-evaluation of writing goals, lack of commitment to a group, or life changes. These groups served their purposes at the time and were valuable to me.

More Knowledge

1. Know that groups may naturally fizzle out or even reconnect in time.

2. Make an effort to stay connected in some way to members whose work you admire or whose critiques improve your craft. Andrea J. Loney, Lee and Low New Voices Winner, Pam Vaughn, and Lindsay Bonilla are still writer friends I can go to with any work in progress. 

3. Don't assume that critique partners will necessarily be friends (It's a bonus if you become friends), or that you did something "wrong" if a group breaks up.

The Present- A Real Present

Through my connections with Kristen Fulton's WOW nonficpic FB group, I met most of my current critique partners. We added members over time, we critique in smaller groups or on a one-to-one basis, and we all came together this year at the WOW Retreat 2015 in Georgia. We have some sort of magic glue that keeps us bound. People were even wondering how they could join our group! (Pam Courtney, Jackie Wellington, Kathleen Birmingham, Stephanie Thompson Box, and now Mona Pease.) This group of "sistas" as I call them are friends and honest, talented partners who help me grow. 

Pam and Kathy, Wow Retreat 2014

Kathleen and Mona, Wow Retreat 2015

The Critique Mystic

1. We all hail from different parts of the country: Mississippi, Atlanta, Ohio, Phoenix, Maine, Florida. This added a very unique regional component.

2. We have established rules and a formula to critique thanks to a super session at WOW Retreat 2015 by Kendra Marcus and Minju Chang. (One nugget: You are a consumer. Get what you need from your critique group.) 

3. We are dedicated to the goal of finishing each other's manuscripts  so that they are submission-worthy.

4. We bring different skills to the table: plot whisper, fixer of overall problems, lens of a former librarian, and 2 teachers of little ones.

I hope this post helps you see the components good critique groups  and what you can learn from your former groups. I would love to hear your critique group stories or suggestions in the comments.   

Reading, Writing and ... Research?

Some tips to help you discover the hidden treasure of your next project.

by Leslie Colin Tribble

Have you ever had the most perfect idea for a nonfiction picture book hit you like a tsunami? The idea washes over you, engulfing you in its absolute brilliance and you rush to your computer, ready to type as fast as your thoughts are flying. 

But then you stop because you realize this will require research. You realize you have no idea where to begin, where to start. How will you find all the juicy information that will make your book different from the rest? How do you actually DO research for a picture book?

I asked several of the Groggers how they start sleuthing for information. Read on to learn about research techniques from this group as well as some pointers from the recent Week of Writing (WOW) retreat.

Look It Up at Your Local Library

Nearly all of the Groggers said their first step is visitng their local library. Start locally but search statewide to save some time. Utilize your library system's inter library loan to request materials. It's gnerally cheaper to pay the fee for an ILL than purchase all those books. It also helps you decide which books are the best resources and which ones you really won't need.

Delve into the digital goodness of WorldCat.org. This online card catalog resource "connects you to the collections and services of more than 10,000 libraries worldwide." WorldCat displays materials in libraries near you, including other states. This is a great way just to see what's already been written on a topic.

Browse the Bibliographies

After you've read all those books from the library, check out the bibliographies. There's a goldmine of resources hidden in those pages. Some bibliographic resources might be out of print or hiding in a locked case at a library you can't get to. Marcie Flinchum Atkins recommends checking abebooks.com for out of print or unusual books.

Another resource that can be helpful is the bibliography and links at the end of a Wikipedia article. But as Candace Fleming reminded the attendees of the WOW Retreat, Wikipedia is not a source. Use it as a first step if you need help getting started finding materials.

Identify the Experts

Often during your research you'll find a few names of experts which keep popping up. These are the folks you'll want to contact for an interview down the road. Experts are the final go to resource after you’ve done all your other research.

While you're in your discovery phase, you'll want to keep in mind the four paths of research which Candace Fleming talked to WOW participants about.

• First are the primary sources. These are autobiographies, interviews, eyewitness accounts, journals or anything else that came directly from the subject of your research.
• The second path are your secondary sources - newspaper and magazine articles, biographies and other books about your subject.
• Third comes my personal favorite - travel. If you can get to a place that was intimately connected with your subject then you’ll have a deeper understanding of the person and what makes them special. However, travel can be expensive and time consuming. Sometimes we have to fore go this path of research. Sigh.
• Finally, after you’ve done your homework, talk to the experts. Interviewing experts at the end of your work is a great way to fill in any gaps or unearth that nugget that will make your story glow.

Now you have a road map to start your research project. This discovery process can sometimes be as much fun as the actual writing, especially if you can add in some travel to your book work. Now get out there and get that research done!

Good Morning Sunshine by Kathy Halsey

Good morning Sunshine! Today we talk about my version of Morning Pages. I first heard this term about a year ago from writer friend, Pam Vaughan. Morning Pages is the brainchild of Julia Cameron from her seminal book THE ARTIST'S WAY. By ridding the mind of the mundane, the everyday practice on paper can help the writer stop thought loops from interfering with what is really important. Morning Pages (MP) can clear clutter from the mind and give us a fresh slate with which to begin our true work for the day.

Julia's advice is to write three longhand pages uncensored as a daily practice. It is a goal of mine that I dip in and out of  every few months. My discipline is not yet a habit, but for this go-round I am in a "pinky swear" with Pam to write MPs. We check in weekly and motivate each other.  No admonishments because writers are very good at piling on the blame.

My Version 

My version of MPs doesn't involve the first thing that pops into my head and the time suggestion has morphed from morning to afternoon on occasion, too. I do find a peace in my yellow legal pads waiting for me to start the day and the sound of a smooth pen gliding across the surface, a writer ice skating with words that flow. 

I don't just get out the mental detritus the has built up overnight, but, rather freely write on ideas that I've been massaging in my brain. I want to capture that first set of ideas and "can" the freshness of the moment I first write them down. I don't edit or revise, I just spill ink on a particular topic.Through writing I discover ideas and sometimes I like the shape they take and sometimes I don't. But, that's OK. Lately my ideas center around my parents and family times when I was young: listening to baseball games on a radio with my dad, a special weekend in Shaker Village with my mother, what the library felt like to me as child. I consider these "pre-writings" of stories that may bear fruit, but for that morning, it's enough to get them on paper. 

Candy's Crazy Pages

Candace Fleming (3rd from left) and several GROGers at WOW Retreat 2015

Candace Fleming's insightful morning session on the first day of Kristen Fulton's WOW Retreat 2015, gave my hybrid practice of MPs some validation. Candace bravely shared her "messy writing," her longhand pages on wide-lined paper and a Bic pen. This is her discovery process, random thoughts, her "crazy pages," as she calls them. In Candy's crazy pages, she 

writes about her story,  

writes around her story,

writes about not writing it.

She talks to herself on paper to discover the heart of the story.

This felt so organic and freeing for me, personally. I bet most, if not all, the conference attendees felt lighter and happier knowing that we were being given permission by Candace Fleming to mess around with our work. 

Other Ideas

Earlier this year, one of my favorite manuscript's defied me, and I couldn't begin it. I desperately wanted to write this picture book biography. Why was it being so stubborn? One critique partner suggested I write a letter to my main character. Another suggested I write diary entries in her first person voice. Finally, a critique partner suggested that I write about why I could not begin the story. 

I wrote six-some pages for two or three days. I purged the whys out of me in cathartic MPs sessions and found the heart of my story. I also found what drew me to my main character and how we were similar but different. Now, that manuscript is on submission because I overcame my writing block. 

I am a firm believer in creating your own version of Morning Pages, Crazy Pages, Afternoon Pages, whatever you choose to name the practice. Free yourself up, play, or purge on paper, so you can get to your true purpose and motivation. Good morning, sunshine, your words say "hello".

   

Why You Need to go to a Conference

By Leslie Colin Tribble

I'm the queen of cheap, the princess of penny pinchers, the tsarina of thrift. In other words, I don't spend money very often nor very readily. That's one of the reasons why going to a conference isn't easy for me. But I recently attend the WOW  (Week of Writing) Conference and I am SO GLAD I did.

Conferences are good for every writer and here are a few reasons why.

1. Networking
All those Facebook writing friends you have, actually become real flesh and blood folks when you attend a conference. Meeting the other GROGGERS at WOW was so much fun! Networking in person strengthens bonds and make you feel a part of something larger. Writers hole up in their offices, cars or coffee shops and can go days without really connecting with other writers. Conferences pave the way for finding like-minded individuals with whom you can connect once you get back home.

2. Learning
Conferences like regional SCBWI events or Highlights or any of the other myriad events you can attend go out of their way to secure top flight faculty. This is the best way to immerse yourself in the knowledge and experience of people who are successful at what you want to do. All of the teaching sessions at WOW were excellent, but getting to listen to Candace Fleming speak for 6 hours was alone worth the cost of the conference.

3. Finding Your Tribe
I had five days at WOW to talk to people I'd never met and discover they are just like me - not published and not agented. Ok! There's hope for everyone! Sometimes I did chat with someone who is agented and/or published and found out they're normal people as well. Just because you're on the next rung of the writing ladder doesn't mean you stop learning, stop connecting, or stop needing your tribe.

4. Getting Feedback
We had round table sessions at WOW where we read our manuscripts to a small group moderated by an agent, editor or published writer. Those sessions were invaluable for me. I got great, constructive, positive feedback which will help me grow in this profession. I had one agent tell me my story itself wasn't really working, but that I'm a good writer and would get it figured out. Having an agent say that I'm a good writer was again, worth the cost of the conference and then some. That kind of validation is such a soothing balm to a writer's fragile ego.

5. Fun
After the sessions are over, the round tables have finished and the individual critiques are done comes the fun. Sitting out under amazing starry skies and chatting with new friends over a glass of wine is where the true magic of a conference happens. Sharing life is really the best part of any event. That's real networking.

So which conference do you really want to attend? Figure out a way to make it happen. Start saving now. Find out if there are any scholarships or grants you can apply for. Do something extra to earn the money but GET THERE.

STILL LIVE from the WOW PICTURE BOOK RETREAT: GROGers SHARE

We are learning so much with our 33 "fantabulous" writing buddies. And, thanks to Kristen, all of us will be able to submit to the the agents/editors here. SQWEEEEE! 
Here are a few snippets from all of us regarding this fabulous week.

Hello, Peeps, this is Janie direct from the writing retreat. Just dropping in to tell you some of the wonderful things going on. 

The waterfalls and lovely camp grounds are relaxing and calming. Just the ticket to write and revise your work after a morning of exhilarating speakers (Lisa Wheeler and Karen Grencik).

The most amazing event for me is meeting people in the flesh after  knowing them virtually. As a GROGer, I now have the pleasure of getting a hug from Kathy, Sherri, Jackie, and Marcie. 

As a Picture Book Scribbler, (my online critique group) I am sharing a cabin with Donna Sadd, Pat Miller, and Ann Magee. Needless to say, we are talking up a storm and not getting much sleep. Yeah! for meeting every one here.

Kathy here again. This afternoon we met for the first time with our critique groups with whom we'll work for the rest of the week. The groups stay the same, but our facilitators change, which means we have the benefit of the professional opinions of editors, published picture books authors and agents. We can choose to perfect the same manuscript or submit a new manuscript each session. WOW is truly the word. Tonight is our dress-up and campfire night. Luckily it stopped raining and we a ready to write and bond S'MORE! 

 Sherri here:
Great Glorious Grogger Gathering. Can it get any better? We all connected right away--like we'd been friends forever. We're Learning lots of stuff; we're Burning the midnight oil; we're Yearning for a picture book sale. The mountain air clears our head. The rustic cabins help us to "get back to basics." Write from your heart. You have a story only you can tell. So, go to it. The children are waiting.

Marcie Flinchum Atkins: These are "my people." We speak the same language--the language of story. I always feel a camaraderie with writers, but somehow, I feel like I've known these people for a long time, and I'm just know meeting them in 3-D. With a mix of time to gain new tools and time to write, this is truly a retreat with time to make our stories better. 

And to reward you with reading this far on the GROG:
 a s'more 

and 
two fabulous web sites you WILL use as a writer: WritersDietTest  and Word Associations.  Happy Trails.