Showing posts with label revision. Show all posts

Author Interview: Annabel Pitcher, author of The Silence is Goldfish


I enjoy literature and writing and teaching literature and writing, which is why I wanted to ask Annabel  some questions about her favorites, least favorites, and tricks of the trade.  I know all my fellow teachers out there would love the tips too.

 I share her love of the Harry Potter series and admire her 'real talk' about writer's block.

 The opinions here are 100% mine!  This post contains affiliate links.

 First a little nibble of her new book:
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SILENCE IS GOLDFISH
By Annabel Pitcher

My name is Tess Turner--at least, that's what I've always been told. 

I have a voice but it isn't mine. It used to say things so I'd fit in, to please my parents, to please my teachers. It used to tell the universe I was something I wasn't. It lied. 

It never occurred to me that everyone else was lying too. 

Fifteen-year-old Tess doesn't mean to become mute. When she discovers that her dad isn't her biological father, at first she's just too shocked to speak. But quickly she begins to see the benefit of silence. She can protect herself from the questions she's too afraid to ask. It frustrates the heck out of her parents. And it also gets the attention of her handsome Math teacher, Mr Holdsworth...


Tess sets out to discover the identity of her real father. But when trouble strikes and everything spirals out of control, how can she ask for help when she's forgotten how to use her voice?
And on to her interview...

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Who is your favorite author? Why?
This is a tough one! Hmm... I have never been much of a fan-girl, but I went uncharacteristically crazy over Harry Potter, queuing up at midnight dressed as Hermione to purchase my copy of the The Deathly Hallows. I still listen to the Stephen Fry audio version before I go to bed and a framed copy of ‘The Marauder’s Map’ is hanging in my study. So yeah, J K Rowling would be up there for me. I relate to the stories but also to her as a person. She’s a self-confessed ‘born tryer’ and I just love her tenacity. She inspired me to write. Her rags-to-riches fairy tale made the whole publishing thing seem possible. But I am less keen on her adult stuff and have no interest in her crime novels, so would she be my all-time favorite? I’m not sure. Competing for that honor would be Lionel Shriver, Jonathan Safran Foer and good old Charles Dickens.



Who is your least favorite character in your book? Why?
That would have to be Mr Richardson – and for good reason! He’s cunning, manipulative and two-faced. When Tess discovers her father is not her real dad and sets about searching for the truth of her identity, she convinces herself that the man she’s looking for is Mr Richardson, a teacher who has just started at her school. Without wishing to reveal too much, he abuses her infatuation in a horrible way. I hated him, but I loved writing about him. That is often the case with the villain!
How do you handle writer’s block?
I used to be embarrassed to admit that I suffered from writer’s block, saying, ‘A plumber doesn’t get plumber’s block so why should a writer get writer’s block?’ It seemed so self-indulgent to suggest that some days the words just don’t flow so the work cannot get done. But, in all honesty, that is sometimes the case. And I think having a practical, no-nonsense attitude to it can be helpful. Writing is a job, after all, and (like a plumber) you have to turn up and do your best even if you don’t feel like it. But writing isn’t just any job. It demands an unusual amount of concentration, creativity and giving of oneself. When it feels difficult, it’s often because I’ve been giving too much from the creative well, so to speak, and I need to replenish it. So, when I have writer’s block, I force myself to work in the first instance just to check I’m not being lazy. If it still isn’t happening, or if days go by without me producing very much of any substance, I take a break and rejuvenate. I used to think this was silly, but now I see it as a vital part of the writing process. I go to the cinema or the theatre. I have a change of scene. I walk the dog. I make collages or write poetry – anything that isn’t the book. I kind of ‘stock up’ on creativity and I allow myself to think and wander and daydream, so when I come back to the book, I feel refreshed and the problem seems to sort itself out.
What advice do you have for young/student writers?
Make a habit of writing. If you want to be a writer, you have to write, every day if at all possible. You will get better at it. You will lose your fear of the dreaded blank page. 

 Expect to hate your first draft of anything you do. Self-loathing is part of the process! Turn off your inner critic and allow yourself to write whatever comes into your mind. Commit to finishing it, however much you despise it (and you will). Get to the end, and allow yourself the joy of seeing a project through to completion. Then rewrite it to make it better. Then rewrite it again. And when you think it can’t be improved, rewrite it again.
Explain your revision process
I have to fight the temptation to revise as I go. It’s difficult. I like a page of writing to be the best it can be before I go on to the next. But that is impractical, and I constantly hinder my own progress, tripping myself up by going back over (and back over... and back over...) the same chapter in order to perfect it before moving on to the next. I am learning to live with imperfection, though, constantly reminding myself that a first draft should be wild and bold and full of flaws. It should be experimental and innovative and daring. It shouldn’t be careful and precise. It’s not easy, but I try and let myself off the hook and just write the first draft quickly, without worrying too much about the quality. That can come later in the edits.
When editing, I’m lethal, cutting anything that is not absolutely necessary. Finding flaws in my own work is something that comes naturally (!) so it isn’t difficult to find a reason to delete something. Sometimes, the greater challenge is to NOT get rid of an entire chapter in a fit of self loathing, but to work with it and make it more effective. During the revision process, it is vital to identify the crux of the story, the heart of the narrative, the characters’ motivation. Knowing these things changes how you edit, so I spend a lot of time thinking about the book on a grand scale as well as agonizing over the minutiae on each page. 

Find The Silence is Goldfish: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Goodreads


 About Annabel


Annabel Pitcher studied English at Oxford and has since worked as a script writer and an English teacher. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband. MY SISTER LIVES ON THE MANTELPIECE was her first novel. She is a full-time writer.





3 winners will receive a finished copy of SILENCE IS GOLDFISH, 
US Only.

Be sure to check out all the other stops on this tour


Week One:
5/9/2016- BookHounds YA- Interview
5/10/2016- Here's to Happy Endings- Review
5/11/2016- A Dream Within A Dream- Guest Post
5/12/2016- Just Commonly- Review
5/13/2016- Kovescence of the Mind- Interview

Week Two:
5/16/2016- A Gingerly Review- Review
5/17/2016- Lost in Ever After- Excerpt
5/18/2016- Pink Polka Dot Books- Review
5/19/2016- A Book and a Latte- Guest Post
5/20/2016- 5 Girls Book Reviews- Review

Author Interview: Julie Roberts and The Wow Factor

The opinions here are 100% mine!  This post contains affiliate links.

Last week you got to meet one of my college sorority sister's, Erica, when she shared her experiences teaching in Mumbai, India.  This week I am fortunate enough to have another one of my college sorority sisters here sharing about her new education book, The Wow Factor.

Julie and I have known each other since 1999 and have stayed in contact through social media over the years.  In fact I remember when she was scouting out stories for her first book (I liked it at the bottom) about crazy college roommate stories.

When I found out that Julie had a new book out that focused on education, I reached out to see if she would answer some questions on her book, her inspiration, and her writing process with me and my readers.


 What was your inspiration for this book?

The main inspiration for this book came from my desire to share what teachers may experience behind the scenes. On the surface teachers need to put on a strong front for parents, students, and administrators. Yet there is a lot that goes on that is often kept out of public view. 

Teaching is an emotional job because you often put your heart into your work and students. There is a lot politics in education today; test scores, enrollment, trying to please difficult people. This book gave me the chance to openly express my views and make others aware of some of the challenges and triumphs teachers may face.

Who should read this book? and Why?

Anyone who has an interest in education could enjoy this book. Parents, education workers, politicians, and students thinking about becoming teachers would all gain from it. It is a short, easy read that gets right to the point. It helps people see the classroom experience from a teacher's perspective. 

Everyone has their own agenda and it doesn't always align with who they are interacting with. By helping to bring understanding between groups, this book assists people to work more cooperatively in improving education. This book aims to bring more empathy and support for those on the front line in education.

Explain your revision process.

The revision process for this book was slow and thorough. I wanted it to be as enjoyable and error-free as possible. Once the first draft was finished, I reread it myself, and then submitted it to my publisher to make revisions. We then ordered our first proof, which is a rough draft of the printed version. 

Each proof had to be carefully screened by myself and my publisher. I also had a close friend and family member read it over as well. Because when you are dealing with your own writing, it can be easier to overlook the errors. It took several proofs before it was ready for release. Once we had a proof that appeared mistake-free, it was approved for sale.

What book has influenced you the most? Why?

The teaching book that has influenced me the most was Rafe Esquith's, There Are No Shortcuts. I really enjoyed this book because it gave a straightforward, common sense approach to teaching. There are many teaching methods pushed today that are displayed as magical techniques in education. Many successful teachers are forced to teach in ways that don't work well for them; yet they are pressured to follow the trend. 

From my own experience, I agree with Rafe. What works in teaching is really a lot more simple than some curriculum pushers want to admit: hard work, focus, and dedication. Students are in control of their own success, teachers need to help them take charge of their learning.



Summary from Amazon

“Sometimes you need to rock the boat to stop it from sinking.”~ Julie Roberts 

There is lots of news buzzing around about education today; broad topics such as curriculum reform and budget cuts are covered often by the media. Teachers and students are mentioned as large masses, but their personal experiences are rarely singled out. Government officials and school administrators make daily decisions about education, yet we rarely learn the names and faces of those affected by them. 

The Wow Factor goes beyond the headlines and takes you through one teacher’s journey through her first eight years in teaching. Starting with her college years, author Julie Roberts shares her passage from an insecure rookie, all the way to a veteran teacher. This story gives a no-holds-barred approach to Roberts’s outrageous encounters in and out of the classroom. From dealing with difficult coworkers, parental bullies, and cowardly administration, Roberts discloses her strong views based on personal experiences and battles. 

True tales of victory, disappointment, and shock are filled on each page. The Wow Factor is guaranteed to amaze you with its raw honesty and outlook. This book will definitely leave you with a “Wow” reaction by revealing what really happens after the bell rings.



Check out Julie's first book too


Summary from Amazon

Caution: what you are about to read is real: names have been changed to protect the identities of the innocent and the demented. 

If you haven’t yet started the college living experience, then this book is what you need. Unlike other college anecdotes you might have seen, this one doesn’t give a deceiving, sunshine approach to collegiate living. It isn’t trying to soothe or coddle you when the world seems harsh, but instead gives clear, cold hard truths about what can happen when students choose to leave the nest. 

So be warned: these are true stories of roommate experiences that people have lived to share. Some will make you want to laugh, weep, repent, disinfect, or heave. It’d be best to wait until mom and dad drive away before opening this book; that way you can’t change your mind and run back home. No doubt about it, Dorothy said it all when she left Oz, “There’s no place like home.” This book contains insane tales of deficient hygiene, soiled environments, untreated psychosis, and sexual malfunctions. Be advised that you may find it to be amusing yet strangely disturbing. Enjoy!

 

Author Interview: How will Amy Vote?

The opinions here are 100% mine!  This post contains affiliate links.
 TEENS Win the Vote!

It’s an election year, and Congress has lowered the voting age to 14. Not one to refuse political involvement, 16-year-old Amy joins a campaign to elect the next U.S. President. Her goal isn’t only to see her candidate win, but to prevent his rival—an arrogant, profiteering sleazeball—from ever stepping foot inside the Oval Office.

 Amy’s participation is also personal. The opposing candidate’s son viciously bullied her in the 3rd grade. Foiling his father’s bid for the presidency would be the perfect payback. But, there’s a problem. Her grade school offender has changed. He has grown into a kind and thoughtful (and cute) young adult. No longer able to dislike him, Amy’s hatred turns to affection. Is she falling in love?
I had a chance to interview Bruce Edwards, the author, about his writing process and favorite author.


Who is your favorite author? Why?
I have many, but there is one in particular who never fails to amaze me: Ray Bradbury. He was the master of the metaphor. Anyone who writes knows what a challenge it is to get that right. I had the privilege of meeting him several times. He could invent brilliant metaphors off the top of his head, and I would ask myself, “How does he do it?”

Who is your favorite character in your book? Why?
The book’s title character, Amy, is a 16-year-old American girl, who like most teenagers, attends high school, sleeps late, and quarrels with her siblings. Everyone thinks of her as the stereotypical rebellious teen, but she’s really not a negative person at all. Amy just wants to understand the times she was born into. She looks at the world with all of its problems and simply asks, “is this the best you can do?”

How do you handle writer’s block?
I separate myself from the written word. There is a treasure trove of inspiration in music, theatre, art, animation, and the like. I absorb those creative ideas, then adapt then to my work.

What advice do you have for young/student writers?
Don’t scrutinize the book publishing industry too closely. The number of books published each week is staggering. Brooding over this willsurely put you off writing, so don’t go there! Stay true to your vision and persevere. Writing a book is a hard road to go down, but it’s the most gratifying journey you’ll ever take.

Explain your revision process.
For me, revising is less analytical and more intuitive. If there is a problem with the narrative, it will generally reveal itself. Having written screenplays, I am particularly aware of pacing. Other than that, I just stick to the basics: Show, don’t tell, etc. There’s one other trick that is also very helpful: use text-to-speech to listen to your material. I find a lot of hidden irregularities in my writing that way.

What are you working on now?
Book# 5, The Age of Amy: Mad Dogs and Makeovers, sends Amy in search of a personality-altering shampoo, and is on track for a June, 30th release date.



Pinnacle Achievement Book Award, “Best Book for Young Adults.”
“Readers will appreciate Amy’s sharp wit and the overall comedy of political theater.” --Booklist
“This book will be popular with those looking for a quirky love story with an exciting twist.” --School Library Journal
“The author does a highly credible job of displaying the incredible cost of meanness.” --Readers’ Favorite

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Author Bio

Bruce Edwards writes young adult fiction on subjects most YA authors shy away from. His award-winning The Age of Amy series explores unconventional topics—from the trappings of modern technology to the absurdity of Washington politics. Through fantasy and imagination, Bruce addresses real-world issues, as young readers enjoy a fun read.
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Author Interview and Giveaway: Brains and Beauty

 The opinions and words here are 100% mine!  This post contains referral links that provide a reward for me at no cost to you if you choose to shop.

 Brains and Beauty
by Jeanette Watts

Regina Waring seems to have it all. A loving husband, a successful business, and the most expensive wardrobe in town. But nothing is what it appears to be. Her husband is critical and demanding, the business teeters on ruin, even the opulent wardrobe is a clever illusion.


I had the opportunity to interview Jeanette Watts, and she is an inspiration to the writer in all of us.

What was your inspiration for this book?

My readers were more than a little annoyed with me because of the way I ended my first book, Wealth and Privilege. I love ambiguous endings. Apparently, most people don't agree with me. For every reviewer who likes the fact that it's unsettling at the end, and we're left not knowing what happens, there are four threatening to wring my neck. Same is true with my readers. I had no intention of writing another book, but my readers had other ideas. After being glared at and told, "You ARE writing ANOTHER BOOK, right?!?!?" a lot of times, I was "inspired" to write another book... and I'm glad I did. I learned all sorts of things about my characters that I hadn't known yet!

Who is your favorite author?  Why?

My readers are tired of hearing this, I'm sure, but it's Margaret Mitchell. Gone With the Wind is a monument piece of writing. There are those who criticize the book for glorifying slavery, and the Confederacy, and say that it has done a certain amount of harm in our society. When a piece of fiction can have that kind of power over people's attitudes, that's some really powerful writing! She writes complex characters. They are flawed and human; there are people who love Scarlett O'Hara, and people who can't stand her. THAT is great writing. We are not lead by the nose and beaten over the head and told "you're supposed to like this character" and "you are supposed to hate this character." Instead, we readers get to draw our own conclusions.

Explain your revision process.

Iterations. I learned from a college professor when I was an undergrad, first you get it down on paper, and then you rearrange everything. And again. And again. Once I've gotten everything sanded down so that it's "ripe" enough for anyone else to see, then I get an army of proofreaders to take a look at it. I get 6-8 people to look at it, and even the eighth time through, there are still things that get caught. Maybe the historical things have been found, like the fact that the word "sex" only referred to one's gender until after 1929. But there will still be a missing set of quotation marks.

What book has influenced you the most? Why?

I'm sure it's no surprise that the answer is Gone With the Wind...

I appreciate her sharing her thoughts and process with me.


Regina’s life is one long tiptoe through a minefield; one wrong step and her entire life is going to blow up and destroy her. Attempting to hold it all together, she appeases the husband, dresses the part, and never, never says what she is really thinking. That would get in the way of getting things done. And, if there’s one thing Regina did really well, it was getting things done.

Enter Thomas Baldwin. Young and handsome and completely off limits, Regina is smitten at first sight. Then, to her great astonishment, he slowly becomes her best friend. He’s the one person in her life who never lets her down. Torn between her fascination with him and her desire not to ruin a marvelous friendship, she tries to enjoy each moment with him as it comes.

If only that were enough.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Was it really less than a year since she had witnessed the conflagration at the railroad yard?
Once again, she faced smoking ruins that had once been a thriving industry. This time, it wasn't human made. Or at least, it wasn't deliberate.

The mill ruins were, perhaps, more intimidating. The Washburn “A” had been a seven-and-a-half story building, and the explosion had been so large it shattered glass windows in the neighboring city of St. Paul. It left a crater in the middle of the mill district, destroying about one third of all the businesses in the area. The circle of destruction was ringed with the charred skeletons of mills that existed on the edge of the blast zone.

She was amazed that there were only eighteen other people killed in the explosion. Considering the scope of the wreckage, it seemed to her it could have been so much worse. As hard as it was to be married to one of the victims, Regina felt a certain gratitude that there were so few new widows. The bereaved would all be able to fit on a single trolley car.

Her eyes scanned for places where Henry might have been found. She had no idea where he was, or even who had rescued him. There were fallen walls everywhere – and nothing looked like a place where a man could be pinned down, and survive, even briefly.
Between the wreckage of the Washburn “A” mill, and the old wreckage from the collapse of the tunnel, Regina mused on her walk back to the hotel that this part of the world was very dangerous – or unlucky.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Jeanette Watts only lived in Pittsburgh for four years, but in her heart, she will always be a Pittsburgher. She missed the city so much after her move to Ohio, she had to write a love story about it.

She has written television commercials, marketing newspapers, stage melodramas, four screenplays, three novels, and a textbook on waltzing. When she isn’t writing, she teaches social ballroom dances, refinishes various parts of her house, and sews historical costumes and dance costumes for her Cancan troupe.



Jeanette Watts will be awarding a Victorian cameo necklace to a randomly drawn winner.
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