Okay, couldn’t fool you on that last post. Tonight my Middle Grade novel became a Young Adult Novel. I have read the definitive reason on deciding how, The Difference Between Middle Grade & Young Adult, when it is meant for an 11/12 year old age group.
My book does have the subject of child abuse as a part of the story and this will probably put it into a more advanced Middle Grade category. With everything else I am fretting over, including yet another opening, I am not too concerned about this. It's for my agent/editor to decide.
A third draft of my query letter states: "When Alex and his two brothers decide they have had enough, they run away from home with the help of a half man/half black dragon and a deteriorating house fairy. But, that is only the start of Alex’ battle as he must learn to accept help from others and learn what being a friend means." This battle, for Alex, is due to his past neglect and abuse.
Now, if I could just find that perfect opening for my story. I just recently began revising my opening again after entering it in Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent's first paragraph contest. His comments about what an agent use to judge that all important paragraph, opened my eyes to the deficiencies in mine. I'm sure my personal editor will be just soooooo happy.
“It’s the journey and not the destination.” Anthony Bourdain and probably a few people before him, said. I love the journey of writing books and painting pictures. The destination is the icing on the cake. And, that is not bad, either!
Showing posts with label child abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label child abuse. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Help from a Stuffed Bear
I am drawing up a loose outline for each of the other books in my proposed five book series and I keep going back to the thought that something is missing from Book one. This is stalling progress, as I just cannot get my head around what is missing.
In the beginning, my family was a big part of my original idea and we did a lot of brainstorming. Okay, it was not exactly “a lot” of brainstorming. There was a week or so of that and then they lost interest, but they were always willing to answer my questions and give input, as they passed by. Teenage boys, who are now learning what it is like to have a normal life, are busy. We took these guys from their mother three years ago, due to extreme abuse and they have a lot of catching up to do.
So, lately, I have kept my book pretty close to me, but yesterday I just had to talk it out. My husband is disabled; he has been on disability for over eighteen years now and spends a lot of time sitting. He is quiet when I am writing on my book as this is an important occupation for me, but he is there, if I need him.
I had come in from watering the garden and doing some yelling (I don’t do it a lot but as things get tighter and tighter and break and can’t be fixed, it is happening more.). I was angry because we have water leaks everywhere, inside and out, and they are not getting fixed. Then, I apologize and tell him “I’m sorry; I’m just frustrated by the state of the economy.” And, he says he understands because he feels bad he is not contributing enough.
I go back to my writing and outlining, until I turn to him and began telling him my problem:
Me: “I feel like I’m missing a main point in Book one. I have this search for an Aetite.”
Husband opens mouth
I interrupt: “And then there is Phineus, (my Antagonist for book one) who gives him a tracker.”
Husband says, “Ah…..”
I interrupt again: “Oh, and I have to tell you that he has this little creature who is his guide, and becomes his friend and he gives him a gift of the tracker and ….”
Husband just stares.
I continue: “And, at the end … (no spoiler)”
There is a long pause in the conversation as I figure out that I do have what I was afraid I do not have and that is a thread throughout the story.
“See, you are contributing.” I tell him.
His reply: “You could have figured that out by talking to a stuffed bear.”
In the beginning, my family was a big part of my original idea and we did a lot of brainstorming. Okay, it was not exactly “a lot” of brainstorming. There was a week or so of that and then they lost interest, but they were always willing to answer my questions and give input, as they passed by. Teenage boys, who are now learning what it is like to have a normal life, are busy. We took these guys from their mother three years ago, due to extreme abuse and they have a lot of catching up to do.
So, lately, I have kept my book pretty close to me, but yesterday I just had to talk it out. My husband is disabled; he has been on disability for over eighteen years now and spends a lot of time sitting. He is quiet when I am writing on my book as this is an important occupation for me, but he is there, if I need him.
I had come in from watering the garden and doing some yelling (I don’t do it a lot but as things get tighter and tighter and break and can’t be fixed, it is happening more.). I was angry because we have water leaks everywhere, inside and out, and they are not getting fixed. Then, I apologize and tell him “I’m sorry; I’m just frustrated by the state of the economy.” And, he says he understands because he feels bad he is not contributing enough.
I go back to my writing and outlining, until I turn to him and began telling him my problem:
Me: “I feel like I’m missing a main point in Book one. I have this search for an Aetite.”
Husband opens mouth
I interrupt: “And then there is Phineus, (my Antagonist for book one) who gives him a tracker.”
Husband says, “Ah…..”
I interrupt again: “Oh, and I have to tell you that he has this little creature who is his guide, and becomes his friend and he gives him a gift of the tracker and ….”
Husband just stares.
I continue: “And, at the end … (no spoiler)”
There is a long pause in the conversation as I figure out that I do have what I was afraid I do not have and that is a thread throughout the story.
“See, you are contributing.” I tell him.
His reply: “You could have figured that out by talking to a stuffed bear.”
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Butterfly Garden
I have just read an incredible book. It is The Butterfly Garden, a Memoir by Chip St. Clair.
As a child, Chip was raised by abusive parents. I am not going to give any of the stories away, but it is abuse by a man who was evil and sadistic and, in my opinion, a mentally ill mother.
That he survived at all, is a miracle, and he has shared his story with the world, as well as his break-through recovery.
This is a special cause for me, as I find abuse in my own family. I am now raising, well they are almost raised at 21, 19 and 16, three abused boys. I see, on a daily basis, how this background haunts them. They struggle with many things the rest of us take for granted. They are seeing a clinical psychologist, and have all had flashbacks from Post Traumatic Stress.
They were robbed of their childhood and education, and they hold a constant fear as to what is happening to their siblings. They sit and reminisce about being locked in closets and beaten with horse cinches. I am hoping that, Mr. St. Clair’s book can help them learn how to recover and I recommend it as a must read by everyone.
How many times have you said to yourself, “I wonder what goes on in that home?” Don’t just say it. Become informed. Go to some of the websites Chip lists as resources. Get involved. Do not sit back and wait for someone else to report it. It’s hard enough to get anything done about it; believe me, I know.
Children are too precious to ignore.
As a child, Chip was raised by abusive parents. I am not going to give any of the stories away, but it is abuse by a man who was evil and sadistic and, in my opinion, a mentally ill mother.
That he survived at all, is a miracle, and he has shared his story with the world, as well as his break-through recovery.
This is a special cause for me, as I find abuse in my own family. I am now raising, well they are almost raised at 21, 19 and 16, three abused boys. I see, on a daily basis, how this background haunts them. They struggle with many things the rest of us take for granted. They are seeing a clinical psychologist, and have all had flashbacks from Post Traumatic Stress.
They were robbed of their childhood and education, and they hold a constant fear as to what is happening to their siblings. They sit and reminisce about being locked in closets and beaten with horse cinches. I am hoping that, Mr. St. Clair’s book can help them learn how to recover and I recommend it as a must read by everyone.
How many times have you said to yourself, “I wonder what goes on in that home?” Don’t just say it. Become informed. Go to some of the websites Chip lists as resources. Get involved. Do not sit back and wait for someone else to report it. It’s hard enough to get anything done about it; believe me, I know.
Children are too precious to ignore.
P.S. I want to thank http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/ for the give-away I won this book on. It will mean a lot to my family
Saturday, July 12, 2008
New to Blogger
Thank you for stopping by. I just opened this blog late last night and I'm still figuring my way around Blogger.
I'm a writer, finishing up my Young Adult novel, and I'm an artist. This blog will be dedicated to that side of my life.
You might want to check out my older Blog at http://savanvleck.wordpress.com/. Wordpress is more about the personal side of my life. I get obsessed with my fight against child abuse there, as I am raising three boys who were abused in their home, and I tell all about growing up in a ziplock. I post nearly daily on this blog and hope to do so here too.
I dream big. Shouldn't we all?
Thanks for your patience.
I'm a writer, finishing up my Young Adult novel, and I'm an artist. This blog will be dedicated to that side of my life.
You might want to check out my older Blog at http://savanvleck.wordpress.com/. Wordpress is more about the personal side of my life. I get obsessed with my fight against child abuse there, as I am raising three boys who were abused in their home, and I tell all about growing up in a ziplock. I post nearly daily on this blog and hope to do so here too.
I dream big. Shouldn't we all?
Thanks for your patience.
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