from the mixed-up files

How Do You Know When to Let Go?

/ Tracy Abell

          

Cross-posted from From the Mixed-Up Files . . . of Middle-Grade Authors

According to Thomas A. Edison, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

I’m not sure to what Mr. Edison was referring with that statement, but I do know much writer-ly advice disagrees with the sentiment. How many times have we heard that writers should stuff our unsold manuscripts beneath the bed and start something new? Fellow writers, agents, and editors caution against obsessing over one manuscript. They tell us to let go and move on. Give it up, already!

I wholeheartedly agree with that advice in regard to a first manuscript.  And maybe even the second. Write those books, learn all you can in the process, test them in the market, and move on. In fact, I’ve pretty much subscribed to the Write Your Next Book approach since I began writing novels. I’d give the manuscript my best shot and then put it away to write another. In fact, I’ve been so concerned with writing the next book I have two drafted novels I haven’t looked at in a couple years; it’s as if I’ve convinced myself whenever I’m not creating brand new work I’m treading literary water.

But I’ve recently realized the Write Your Next Book advice doesn’t always ring true. I wrote and polished a book I love (my fifth) and while writing my next book (a story I was exceedingly excited about, one that’s high concept and has a bigger hook) received editorial input on that fifth book.  Conventional wisdom says I should continue with the hook-y work in progress.  Exploit the commercial potential and finish that shiny, new book!

Instead, I set it aside and went back to the old. Am I obsessed? Delusional? Clinging to the past?  Maybe. But thanks to the editor’s comments I now understand where the story was lacking. I understand why readers weren’t connecting with the main friendship and why they didn’t believe the protagonist’s fear. And because I’ve written a whole bunch more since that fifth book went out, I have faith in my abilities to make the revisions work. I want the story to shine the way it always has in my head and heart.    

So I’m going to offer my advice:

  • It Is Okay to Revisit a Manuscript if your love for the story hasn’t wavered.
  • It is Okay to Revisit a Manuscript if working on it helps you learn more about the writing process.
  • It is Okay to Revisit a Manuscript if the changes you’re making aren’t merely a superficial editing but represent a significant revision.

That's my thinking, but I’d love to hear your take on all this.  How do you know whether it’s time to move on or take a step back?

                

Listen Up, Writers: Take a Walk!

/ Tracy Abell / 15 Comments

      

Cross-posted from FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES…OF MIDDLE-GRADE AUTHORS 

I am a writer and an athlete. I’m also prone to bouts of seasonal affective disorder(SAD) that crush my motivation to write or exercise.  And as those who suffer SAD or depression will tell you, the longer you go without doing something, the harder it is to get started again.

I’d heard about treadmill desks from Mixed-Up Files alum Hélène Boudreau and had it in my head the desk had to be attached to the treadmill. But I didn’t want an attached desk because I use my treadmill to run, and so never pursued the idea.  Flash forward to the end of October when I was curled up on the couch, berating myself for being a non-writing, gelatinous waste of humanity. The thought of the long, dark months ahead had me in tears.

I needed to do something.

I remembered the walking/writing idea and did a little research. Guess what? Treadmill desks do not have to be attached! Treadmill desks can be free-standing shelving!

I went to a restaurant supply store and bought two 14” x 48” shelves and four poles for about $60. I thought I wanted shelves that were only as wide as the treadmill but am glad I was forced to get the 48” size because it turned out that extra room is great for my water bottle, dictionary, notebook, etc. I recommend getting two shelves so you have extra space but also because the second shelf makes the “desk” more stable.  This type of shelving is fully adjustable so you can tweak the height until it feels comfortable.  (We had an extra ping-pong table net and I attached that to the poles to create a backstop so I don’t have to worry about knocking my laptop onto the treadmill).

So far I’ve walked 47 miles and logged over 2,600 minutes of walking and writing time. I use a spreadsheet to keep track of my sessions, including calories burned (7,050!)  In addition to  those stats, here’s what I’ve learned:

  • It’s important to take frequent eye breaks. Every ten minutes or so I look up and out my window where I’m fortunate enough to see things like this: 

  • Because I’m a runner and geared for “faster/farther,” I initially also had that attitude for walking and writing. Wrong!  I learned the hard way it’s best if I work in 60 minute sessions at the slowest speed: 1.0.  This means I walk exactly one mile in one hour, but it also means I don’t suffer eye strain and upset stomach. I do, however, set my incline at 3.5 because that’s most comfortable for me. (Note: my heightened vision sensitivity may be due to the progressive lenses I wear and you may find you don’t have any problem walking faster and/or longer.  The key is building slowly.)
  • It’s helpful to increase the screen magnification.
  • There are days the treadmill seems extra creaky and loud, so I keep earplugs handy.
  • When I’ve reached my walking/writing quota I stand on the unmoving treadmill to continue working because while walking beats standing, standing beats sitting.

Verdict? My mental, emotional, and physical health improved via the treadmill desk. You know what else happened? (Beside gaining a new-found evangelism for treadmill desks? Ahem.) My writing life has improved. I’m writing more consistently and the writing feels stronger. My current work-in-progress is more cohesive than the second drafts of other manuscripts I wrote while sitting down.  Granted, much of that is due to writing from an outline for the first time, (HA!) but I also believe my brain is working in different ways.  Now when I’m stuck, I walk slowly and gaze at the finches and clouds as I work out the solution. I don’t quit and go visit the refrigerator. I don’t quit and check my email.

I don’t quit.

(Speaking of email, when I first mentioned having a treadmill desk my spouse wondered if I’d want internet connection in our basement and I said, “Absolutely not!”)

The walking/writing has also reignited my exercise routine. I’m back to daily yoga and runs, and even hooped outside one warm afternoon. I’m no longer the weepy woman on the couch. I realize converts can be an annoying species, but hope you’ll look beyond my zealotry and consider incorporating a treadmill desk in your life.

Remember: when you walk and write, you’re always moving forward.

              

Favorite Fictional Names

/ Tracy Abell / 12 Comments

            

S O S

It's bad form for me to disappear from LJ and then come back asking for help, I know.
For the last several weeks I was either frantically preparing for our local SCBWI conference
or recovering from the conference.
And in just a few days, it's my turn to blog at From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors.

I could really use your help.

I'd like to write about memorable character names in middle-grade fiction.
When I was preparing my last post at From the Mixed-Up Files, 
I was amazed that both Wildebeest and Zebu remembered a secondary character name 
from the Artemis Fowl books, and I wanted to to know what other names have stuck in readers' minds.

So.

Please let me know if there's a middle-grade fiction character whose name(s) you still remember.
Please let me know why that name sticks with you (funny, descriptive, sounds great, etc).
And please, if you're a writer, let me know how you go about naming your own characters.

If you tell me it's okay, I will use your names and quotes in the blog post. 

Thank you in advance for any and all help for this procrastinating blogger!

             

Reading Banned Books

/ Tracy Abell / 16 Comments

             

It’s my turn at From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors,
and I’ve posted My Childhood, My Reading List, an exploration
of banned books I have loved.

I hope you can stop by.

Wishing everyone a glorious autumnal weekend!


                                                                                                                                          Image from Morguefile.com
                

Do You Have Book Order Memories?

/ Tracy Abell / 21 Comments

                          

I’m working on my From the Mixed-Up Files…of Middle-Grade Authors blog post
and wanted to tap into the collective memory here in LJ-Land.

I’m writing about the huge role Scholastic Book orders played in my childhood,
and I’m wondering if anyone here wanted to share a memory or thought on the subject.
I’m also including stuff about my kids’ book order days, so those kinds of thoughts are welcome, too.

You may leave your comments here or send me a personal message.
And unless you tell me otherwise, I’ll asume it’s okay to use your material and name/link in my post.

Thanks much in advance!
               

Middle-Grade Blog Launch!

/ Tracy Abell / 12 Comments

         

I don’t know how I would’ve made it through childhood without books.
I’m the fourth of five children, and don’t have memories of picture books and lap reading,
maybe because life was hectic and it didn’t happen often.

But I do remember reading books by myself, some of them over and over.
Independent reading was a gift,
and I took advantage of it.
Every day.

In my room,
on the bed or floor,
on the couch,
in a tree,
back of the car,
in a tent,
on the school bus,
curled up on the window seat,
at the kitchen table.
Reading, always.

Books got me through.
They still do.
Which is why I’m so proud to be part of the group
From the Mixed-Up Files . . . of Middle-Grade Authors.
(Special thanks to Elissa Cruz for the idea and organization!)

Today is our launch and I hope you’ll go check out the new site.
You might win free books in our first giveaway,
but at the very least I hope you’ll relive your own middle-grade reading memories.