There are whole shelves dedicated to character development at the bookstore and library, but there is no better way to get inside your character's head than to spend time with them. Some people like to use question sets. You can create a Pinterest page for them, or you can just write scenes that you don't plan to use. That last one has been my method of not-really-by-choice.
I don't like the question sets, because they tend to lean on the side of ridiculous.
What did your character have for breakfast?
What's in his refrigerator?
Boxers or briefs?
Really? Is any of that going to tell me more about my character? If anything, I like the Proust questionnaire because I've actually used this (back in my college days) to learn more about people, but its not necessarily fun. Sooooo, I thought I'd do a pop culture magazine puff piece on for my character, Collette. Here is what she said:
What's your perfect day?
I'd spend all day on a private beach with Matt, eating pomegranates and listening to Sarah Vaughn and then I'd count the stars in the sky until I fall asleep on the back porch of our rented beach cabin in Hilton Head.
Collette, 16 year old empathic witch, just recently raised from the dead.
What's on your bedside table?
Talcum powder for the sheets, my bible and chrysanthemums for strength.
What's on your iPod right now?
Sarah Vaughn's Greatest Hits
What's in your Netflix queue?
Bright Road featuring the incomparable Dorothy Dandridge
What's your favorite word?
Insidious
Favorite Shopping Destination
Modcloth.com. They have all the latest styles and where else can you get gloves and calf-length pencil skirts? I don't want to look like a hobo. I have Mama's legacy to protect.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013
A Blerd Teen's Stocking Stuffer (Last minute!)
So, you know a girl who's a reader and you don't know what to get her. Sure there are a ton of lists out there of top ten this and top twenty that, but most likely there aren't going to be too many books on that list that feature girls of color as the main characters. You have to search for them and thankfully, your search is over. I've got a small selection of excellent titles that you can pick up from your local Barnes and Noble, order and download to your Kindle or request from your local independent bookstore.
Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones
Now this isn't considered YA, but it does feature a Black teen girl, two in fact. It's set in Atlanta during the 80's and chronicles the life of Dana, whose father is a bigamist. She's the daughter of her father's side chick and she's kind-of obsessed with her father's "real" daughter, who has no idea she exists. The action begins when Dana befriends her half-sister unbeknownst to her mother, her father or anyone else.
Primarily a coming-of-age story, this novel is great for adults who love contemporary Black fiction, but my high school aged girls love it as well, because they can relate to Dana and her sister.
Orleans by Sherri L. Smith
First came the storms.Then came the Fever.
And the Wall.
After a string of devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct…but in reality, a new primitive society has been born.
Fen de la Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader’s newborn, Fen is determined to get the baby to a better life over the wall before her blood becomes tainted. Fen meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into the Delta illegally. Brought together by chance, kept together by danger, Fen and Daniel navigate the wasteland of Orleans. In the end, they are each other’s last hope for survival. (From Amazon)
Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones
Now this isn't considered YA, but it does feature a Black teen girl, two in fact. It's set in Atlanta during the 80's and chronicles the life of Dana, whose father is a bigamist. She's the daughter of her father's side chick and she's kind-of obsessed with her father's "real" daughter, who has no idea she exists. The action begins when Dana befriends her half-sister unbeknownst to her mother, her father or anyone else.
Primarily a coming-of-age story, this novel is great for adults who love contemporary Black fiction, but my high school aged girls love it as well, because they can relate to Dana and her sister.
Orleans by Sherri L. Smith
And the Wall.
After a string of devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct…but in reality, a new primitive society has been born.
Fen de la Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader’s newborn, Fen is determined to get the baby to a better life over the wall before her blood becomes tainted. Fen meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into the Delta illegally. Brought together by chance, kept together by danger, Fen and Daniel navigate the wasteland of Orleans. In the end, they are each other’s last hope for survival. (From Amazon)
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Lizzie Bright as the Magical Negro and other Travesties
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt is a beloved book across the nation, filling the shelves of public and school libraries in every state. It's won multiple awards and has been optioned for a movie. I've read it and here is a synopsis:
So why are we discussing Lizzie? Well, I was looking at a new agent's submission wishlist and he really wants to see another book just like Lizzie Bright. Pause (deep breath).
Pump your breaks. He didn't ask for books with main characters of color. He asked for what that book is: contemporary fiction or historical fiction with a brown boy or girl that will help change the white main character's perspective on life.
Lizzie Bright is a Magical Negro. There need only be one.
What is the Magical Negro?
These books exist and these characters exist in literature in so many ways and forms and, honestly, we could use a break. Little brown girls and boys don't need to aspire to be anyone else's guiding light. Let them be the hero, let them be the villain. You can even let them remain in their tried-and-true space as best friend, just make them fully realized with their own goals and dreams. And for God's sake let them survive the end of the book.
Can you imagine how disheartening it is to identify with a character to only have that character die tragically in the end or as in The Help, walk off into the distance without any resolution to their own troubles? Am I the only one who wondered how Abilene was going to feed herself after telling off her employer? Why couldn't she have gotten a new job or new lease on life too?
Can you name some?
It only takes a few hours for Turner Buckminster to start hating Phippsburg, Maine. No one in town will let him forget that he's a minister's son, even if he doesn't act like one. But then he meets Lizzie Bright Griffin, a smart and sassy girl from a poor nearby island community founded by former slaves. Despite his father's-and the town's-disapproval of their friendship, Turner spends time with Lizzie, and it opens up a whole new world to him, filled with the mystery and wonder of Maine's rocky coast. The two soon discover that the town elders, along with Turner's father, want to force the people to leave Lizzie's island so that Phippsburg can start a lucrative tourist trade there. Turner gets caught up in a spiral of disasters that alter his life-but also lead him to new levels of acceptance and maturity. This sensitively written historical novel, based on the true story of a community's destruction, highlights a unique friendship during a time of change. SourceSpoiler Alert!! Lizzie dies in the end. Not only does she die, but she dies of neglect, sickness, blah, blah, blah, but not before she leads the main character to enlightenment and self-reflection, touching the lives of many of the people in that small New England town. Like an angel, priest, or more aptly a sin-eater, she makes them better people just be allowing them into her presence.
So why are we discussing Lizzie? Well, I was looking at a new agent's submission wishlist and he really wants to see another book just like Lizzie Bright. Pause (deep breath).
Pump your breaks. He didn't ask for books with main characters of color. He asked for what that book is: contemporary fiction or historical fiction with a brown boy or girl that will help change the white main character's perspective on life.
Lizzie Bright is a Magical Negro. There need only be one.
What is the Magical Negro?
The Magical Negro is typically but not always "in some way outwardly or inwardly disabled, either by discrimination, disability or social constraint," often a janitor or prisoner.[6] He has no past; he simply appears one day to help the white protagonist.[7][8] He usually has some sort of magical power, "rather vaguely defined but not the sort of thing one typically encounters."[7] He is patient and wise, often dispensing various words of wisdom, and is "closer to the earth."[4] The magical negro will also do almost anything, including sacrificing himself, to save the white protagonist, as exemplified in The Defiant Ones, in which Sidney Poitier plays the prototypical Magical Negro.[4] Source
These books exist and these characters exist in literature in so many ways and forms and, honestly, we could use a break. Little brown girls and boys don't need to aspire to be anyone else's guiding light. Let them be the hero, let them be the villain. You can even let them remain in their tried-and-true space as best friend, just make them fully realized with their own goals and dreams. And for God's sake let them survive the end of the book.
Can you imagine how disheartening it is to identify with a character to only have that character die tragically in the end or as in The Help, walk off into the distance without any resolution to their own troubles? Am I the only one who wondered how Abilene was going to feed herself after telling off her employer? Why couldn't she have gotten a new job or new lease on life too?
Can you name some?
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
#PitchWars Team Orca
Woot! Woot! I'm an alternate on Team Orca in the 2013 Pitch Wars. A huge thanks must go out to Brenda Drake, the organizer and my mentor Stacey Lee. Pitch Wars is a huge undertaking and they have been so generous with their time.
My Team:
Team Stacey/Orca (YA/NA)
- Mentee: The Sea Wolves by Bethany Smith
- 1st Alternate: Willow Born by Shanna Miles
- 2nd Alternate: Bryn of Nannedar by Becky Lees
It is really hard to express how excited I am about the next few weeks. By the end of this journey I'm hoping to have a tighter query and manuscript and even more fire in my bones to query. Stay tuned for more updates!!
My Team:
Team Stacey/Orca (YA/NA)
- Mentee: The Sea Wolves by Bethany Smith
- 1st Alternate: Willow Born by Shanna Miles
- 2nd Alternate: Bryn of Nannedar by Becky Lees
It is really hard to express how excited I am about the next few weeks. By the end of this journey I'm hoping to have a tighter query and manuscript and even more fire in my bones to query. Stay tuned for more updates!!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Book Clubbing
I have a book club full of girls and one brave guy who love books, the problem is that they can never agree on what book they'd like to read so what we've done is implement the Blind Date.
Blind Dates are easy. I usually wrap a book and "tag" it with genre and single word elements so that they can't see the cover or read the backflap. It looks a little like this:
For instance Cinder by Marissa Meyer might say : Robots, Romance, Fairy-Tale Retelling
I was wary at first because the kids are so picky, but when I added the element of mystery their natural inclination to reject a thing was replaced by a stronger association of happiness that accompanies opening a gift. Only a few kids didn't like their blind date.
I wonder if the publishing industry tried this how well it would work. Trends take on a life of their own and suddenly contemporaries are done, vampires are outdated and literary is dead, but libraries are full of people who buy and read books of all genres. When all the gloss is taken away the kids just want to know, "Is it good?"
Yes, yes ma'am, it is.
Blind Dates are easy. I usually wrap a book and "tag" it with genre and single word elements so that they can't see the cover or read the backflap. It looks a little like this:
For instance Cinder by Marissa Meyer might say : Robots, Romance, Fairy-Tale Retelling
I was wary at first because the kids are so picky, but when I added the element of mystery their natural inclination to reject a thing was replaced by a stronger association of happiness that accompanies opening a gift. Only a few kids didn't like their blind date.
I wonder if the publishing industry tried this how well it would work. Trends take on a life of their own and suddenly contemporaries are done, vampires are outdated and literary is dead, but libraries are full of people who buy and read books of all genres. When all the gloss is taken away the kids just want to know, "Is it good?"
Yes, yes ma'am, it is.
Querying While Black (QWB)
I am guilty of querying while Black. I can't help it. It's the way I'm made. I write books with main characters of color who have friends of all backgrounds and come from a community of people with shared beliefs and sayings and ways of eating. With that being said I also write paranormal stories, science fiction stories and mystery and romance. My stories are not urban. I don't know anything about the school of hard knocks. None of my characters will ever witness a drug deal, have a pregnancy scare or run from gang violence. My stories are for kids like me, nerdy, suburban and full of imagination. With the exception of authors like Sherri L. Smith, Jaime Reed and a few others, books written for kids like me are few and far between.
I'm not sure if you can say that I've dipped my toe into the querying pool or if I've dunked myself full stop, but I will say that it is harrowing journey for anyone and if your main character (MC) is of color then it becomes even more interesting. Most writers take it as a rule that finding an agent is hard work and finishing your manuscript, making it readable, enjoyable and sellable is just the beginning. After you're fairly confident that you've got a good concept and good book you now have to find that one agent who is willing to fight for it.
That's the hard part.
You're pitching to a community of readers, chances are you'll find someone, maybe more than one who will want to read your book, but are they willing to fight for it? If your MC is of color, dealing with issues that are universal, but also those that may be community specific then what you've got is a relatability problem, and that's a big problem when you're trying to find an agent. Take into account that the vast majority of publishing agents are young, white, and female you're going to have to steel yourself for some rejection.
Everyone tells you that publishing is a highly subjective business, so who do you query? I'll admit that if an agent's wish list doesn't specifically say they are looking for diverse characters, I usually keep looking, and I'm not totally sure that going the self-publishing route may be where writers like me need to begin.
According to a Pew report in 2012, 50% of new births are to so-called minority parents, so why is it that less than 3% of children's books feature an MC of color. The percentage dwindles when you reach the Young Adult age group. This is not to discount certain imprints like Kimani Tru that cater to African-American teens, but when you label something just for African-Americans then you run the risk of only reaching Black kids and it becomes a vicious cycle, because those books are separated from the other books at the bookstore, the cover art is different and those girls who grow up to become literary agents aren't likely to read them.
So it's Adult Swim time and I'm out there trying to make it. I don't have the answers, but I'll definitely let you know how things are going.
Read More:
The State of African-American Publishing
I'm not sure if you can say that I've dipped my toe into the querying pool or if I've dunked myself full stop, but I will say that it is harrowing journey for anyone and if your main character (MC) is of color then it becomes even more interesting. Most writers take it as a rule that finding an agent is hard work and finishing your manuscript, making it readable, enjoyable and sellable is just the beginning. After you're fairly confident that you've got a good concept and good book you now have to find that one agent who is willing to fight for it.
That's the hard part.
You're pitching to a community of readers, chances are you'll find someone, maybe more than one who will want to read your book, but are they willing to fight for it? If your MC is of color, dealing with issues that are universal, but also those that may be community specific then what you've got is a relatability problem, and that's a big problem when you're trying to find an agent. Take into account that the vast majority of publishing agents are young, white, and female you're going to have to steel yourself for some rejection.
Everyone tells you that publishing is a highly subjective business, so who do you query? I'll admit that if an agent's wish list doesn't specifically say they are looking for diverse characters, I usually keep looking, and I'm not totally sure that going the self-publishing route may be where writers like me need to begin.
According to a Pew report in 2012, 50% of new births are to so-called minority parents, so why is it that less than 3% of children's books feature an MC of color. The percentage dwindles when you reach the Young Adult age group. This is not to discount certain imprints like Kimani Tru that cater to African-American teens, but when you label something just for African-Americans then you run the risk of only reaching Black kids and it becomes a vicious cycle, because those books are separated from the other books at the bookstore, the cover art is different and those girls who grow up to become literary agents aren't likely to read them.
So it's Adult Swim time and I'm out there trying to make it. I don't have the answers, but I'll definitely let you know how things are going.
Read More:
The State of African-American Publishing
Thursday, December 5, 2013
#PitchTunes
Now, while I will admit I need quiet to really focus, I do enjoy a dance break every now and then and there is one album that I have on repeat while I think of tiny edits here and there. That album is"Electric Lady" by the amazing, illustrious, and fantastic Janelle Monae. While all of her albums give you funky dance beats, smooth melodies and soul strumming bass, they also have a concept. You can feel the attention to detail in every song and you can't not love her android alter-ego, Cyndi Mayweather.
So Power Up Droidettes and listen hard!
So Power Up Droidettes and listen hard!
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Willow Born Audio Teaser
Hello!
So, I love audiobooks. They are fantastic to me because I get to listen to them while I'm doing other things at school or at home. Audible.com is really the only reason I'm able to stay current on all the new YA that comes out each year. I can't recommend good titles to my students if I don't read them myself.
That being said, I also podcast and if I can do that I can give you a peek into my novel. I've recorded a teaser for WILLOW BORN.
Take a listen!
So, I love audiobooks. They are fantastic to me because I get to listen to them while I'm doing other things at school or at home. Audible.com is really the only reason I'm able to stay current on all the new YA that comes out each year. I can't recommend good titles to my students if I don't read them myself.
That being said, I also podcast and if I can do that I can give you a peek into my novel. I've recorded a teaser for WILLOW BORN.
Take a listen!
Pitch Wars
I've neglected my blogging. In the past I was an avid blogger and had several on a number of topics, but a few novels, one baby and a completely new career later I've fallen off the wagon. Here's to a kick in the pants from Pitch Wars. I hope that this will lead me to a New Year's resolution that plants me firmly back on the right track.
http://www.brenda-drake.com/pitch-wars/
http://www.brenda-drake.com/pitch-wars/
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