Category Archives: John

May 07, 2013   John   conferences, John, opinion, writing, YA  
6

Writing What You Know About YA

This past weekend, I attended the DFW Writers’ Conference in Texas. Extremely well organized with surprisingly tasty conference food, it made for a great atmosphere in which to hear pitches—lots and lots of pitches, most of them for YA. Perhaps best of all was keynoter Deborah Crombie, who did a great job of reminding the audience that “write what you know” is nonsense—as a native Texan, if she’d listened to that, she’d never have come up with Scotland Yard superintendent Duncan Kincaid and hit the Times bestseller lists year after year.

Well, in a perverse way, Crombie’s speech hit home for me with a lot of the pitches I heard. SO many of them were fantasy of one sort or another—high fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian, historical, mythic, you name it, I heard it at least twice. I guess you could say these writers were not writing what they knew, in that none of them had lived in outer space or fought with witches. But by following so many of the genre conventions and storylines that have dominated YA over the last five years, I’d venture that these writers actually are very much “writing what they know”, i.e., writing in the same book worlds they’ve lived in for so long now.

So, here’s the plea I’ve made before on this blog—how about some realistic YA fiction for a change? I’d suggest that realistic YA offers writers a way to avoid both sides of the “write what you know” trap. For one, realistic YA has been in such short supply lately that there aren’t a lot of people to slavishly imitate. And second, as adult writers, viewing the “real” world through teen eyes is a total act of not-knowing. I’d particularly make this plea to my new friends in Texas, which is such a fantastic setting for realistic YA—hey, all you need to do is look to S.E. Hinton’s nearby Oklahoma for proof!

February 13, 2013   John   fun, future of publishing, inspiration, John, opinion  
3

Taking her time

A little post on New York Magazine’s Vulture Blog caught my eye. It seems that after 11 years after The Little Friend, Donna Tartt is coming out with a new novel this fall—which is just about the same gap as between The Little Friend and her famous debut, The Secret History.

Doubtless the anticipation for the new book, entitled The Goldfinch, will heat up when it gets closer to its October publication date. But I was tickled that even the initial Amazon listing merited attention, because it highlights one of the things I love about the book biz—that readers are willing to wait, and in Tartt’s case, to wait a loooong time.

I mean, what other media or cultural event can sustain that kind of lag time anymore? I suppose there’s a lot of excitement out there for Star Wars VII right now, but there have been a ton of other Star Wars material to keep the franchise relevant since the last movie back in 2005. On the other hand, the band My Bloody Valentine just released their third album after a 22-year wait, and while the band’s fame and influence has exponentially increased over that time, from what I can tell the reaction has been muted, at best.

What’s especially heartening about the Tartt news is that with the rise of ebooks, we’re constantly told that content is king, and that you need to produce new work continuously or else the world will pass you by. And yet, an author like Tartt can wait over a decade to publish a new novel, and it still makes headlines—and better yet, gets readers excited.

Are YOU excited for The Goldfinch? What other authors have you been waiting on for a long time now?

December 04, 2012   John   advice, covers, fun, John, lists, writing  
5

A writer’s life

So, it’s December, which means it’s list season—in other words, the blog posts write themselves (I wish)!

Well, rather than look at the best-of-2012 lists (which would end up showcasing how few of the best-of-2102 I’ve actually read), I thought I’d share this little piece from Jason Pinter on the Huffington Post on the great and not-so-great aspects of being a writer. It’s all good fun, though I do find it a little disturbing that so many of the “great” things involve validation from other people—and that so many of the “not-so-great” are external as well. Do you find that to be the case, too? Are there any great/not-so-great things you would add to the list? I’d imagine writer’s block would fit in somewhere…

And for more good fun, DEFINITELY check out the bad book covers link he mentions!

 

November 06, 2012   John   advice, John, writing  
1

World building

Between Election Day (make sure you vote!) and Sandy (hope everyone made it through okay), the real world seems very “real” at the moment. But as the good folks at Paper Lantern Lit reminded me in an insightful blog post today, when it comes to books, making a world seem real is an act of careful creation—or, to put it another way, “world building”.

Now, the first time I heard the term “world building,” it was in reference to a fantasy novel. And indeed, I think when people talk about world building, they’re usually talking about fantasy or sci-fi, where the mechanics of the world can be a major selling point. Think about all those times when the narrator of a sci-fi movie trailer opens with “in a world where…”

But note how the PLL team stresses that world building applies to ALL fiction, not just genre—that it’s just as important in your present-day, realistic, issue-driven YA as in your space opera. To me, that’s a key point that very easy to lose sight of when you’re writing about the “real” world. Fortunately, they give good concrete ideas for how to get started and maintain your world throughout the writing process. In particular, the section on Rules is very instructive (not to mention pretty darn funny).

I’ll just mention, too, that as an agent I’ve noticed that world building has become a bigger area of attention for editors—certainly it’s become a more frequent reason for turn-downs. True, it’s partly because editors have been flooded with fantasy and paranormal stories so they’re naturally pickier, but even in realistic fiction, the need to create a coherent, believable world has never been more important.

So, check out the blog, and then let’s build a better world together!

(sorry, couldn’t resist that last line.)

 

October 23, 2012   John   advice, art, John, opinion, picture books  
2

Behind the scenes of a picture book

It’s been a while since I did a picture book post, much less one that focuses on artwork. But when I came across this blog post on Caldecott Medalist Eric Rohmann’s artistic process, I knew I had to share. For one, the artwork here is simply spectacular—and who doesn’t like to look at pretty pictures? And second, if you want to be humbled, check out the stages of the relief print technique, of which Rohmann is a master.

Furthermore, I’m always fascinated by an artist’s process, especially when the artist is illustrating an outside author’s words. In particular, I was struck by the fact that Rohmann inserted the text into his very first sketch—even though the text is simply “Whoopee!” It show the respect for the words that’s crucial for a successful picture book collaboration.

And taking it one step further, Rohmann is clearly concerned not only with leaving enough space for the words to read, but for placing the words for maximum visual effect.  It’s notable in some of the other finished spreads how much room he leaves for the text to stand out. As an editor, time and again I’d struggle with designers to cram text into over-decorated pieces of art. It truly speaks both to Rohmann’s art and to his modesty that he would design his pages to give the words so much prominence.

Of course, there’s a lesson here for picture book authors, too—write short! Obviously, Rohmann would be a lot more limited if he had to navigate a lengthy text. And going back to design, look at how the onomatopoetics become part and parcel of the artwork—by playing with fonts and sizes, the words become one with the art. Perhaps that’s the handiwork of a good designer, but I’d like to think the author had something like that in mind at the start!

 

October 09, 2012   John   inspiration, John, music, opinion, writing  
11

In a Not-So-Silent Way

Having been out far too late on a Monday night at the Jens Lekman show (if you don’t know Jens, DEFINITELY worth checking out), I’ve had music on the brain all morning today. So, I was pleased to find this article from the New York Times “Draft” blog by Aaron Gilbreath on how Miles Davis influenced his writing style. Gilbreath draws an extremely effective analogy between Davis’ concision of phrasing and his own attempts at creating a stripped-down style.

But while it’s a very insightful piece of analysis, I had to wonder—was Gilbreath actually listening to Miles Davis while he was writing? In other words, did the music influence him while he was in the act of creating, or did he recognize the correlation between Miles and his writing later on?

I’m not posing these questions as criticism, but out of interest, because for years and years—going back to high school, even—I always wrote everything with the stereo on. And by and large, I never gave much thought as to whether what I was listening to was affecting my prose. It seemed like I managed to get words on paper with just about anything on in the background. Okay, I’ll admit I shied away from the loud stuff and the free jazz when I really had to concentrate, but not because I thought it might come out in my writing—forgive me, Music Gods, but sometimes Husker Du and Ornette Coleman just give me a headache…

Anyway, all of this is to ask: Do you write with music on in the background? If so, do you find the type of music dictates your style? Or, do you look to music (or other art forms) when you’re NOT writing as an influence on your style?

 

September 25, 2012   John   advice, comics, fun, John, reading, writing  
5

Starting out with comic books

Here at DGLM, we’re doing one of our periodic webpage updates, so I was taking another look at my personal essay. Over the past two years, it’s been heartening to receive numerous submissions from writers who felt a connection with me because I grew up reading Tintin and Asterix comics. Full disclosure, though: while I certainly started out with those series, and continued to read them for years, I did move on to more traditional comic books like X-men, Spider-man, and Teen Titans. (Hey, they were big in the 80s.) In fact, I only started with Tintin and Asterix because my parents thought the rest were junk!

It wasn’t until I started earning some spending money that I became a regular at the old West Side Comics on 86th Street—I was there on the day Spider-man debuted his black costume, and for a brief stretch, I could tell you the difference between all the printings of the original Teen Age Mutant Ninja Turtles. Needless to say, my parents still thought they were junk, but at least when I was ready to put them away in high school, they didn’t haul them off to the dump. Though it has been a while since I’ve seen the boxes in the attic—next visit, I think I need to do a thorough inventory…

Anyway, all of this came to mind when I was reading an essay by Jeramey Kraatz at Nerdy Book Club. For anyone who has a low opinion of comic books and worries that they rot your brain, it’s worth a read. I love his explanation of the imaginative aspect of comics, and how, contrary to the common opinion that comics put everything on the page, he shows that the panel format actually encourages visualization and makes readers fill in the blanks. And I think he makes a good case for how comics not only spur further reading development but also writing—seems like a great parenting tip to have kids write their own stories while they wait for the next monthly installment of their favorite series.

So, dear readers, did any of you find your creative spark in the land of Marvel and D.C.? Have you developed storytelling techniques based on the panel format? And, for fun, what’s the best comic you’ve got stored in your parents’ basement? For me, it’s either TMNT #2 or some really old Spideys.

September 11, 2012   John   advice, John, pitch sessions, writing  
5

Every Book Deserves a Hook

It’s always struck me as an odd paradox that writers sometimes have the hardest time describing what their book is about. I’ve sat through any number of pitch sessions at writers conferences where a writer with good publishing credits will start to describe her book, and in no time flat she’ll lose me with an overly detailed plot summary or a tortured explanation of what she was trying to achieve.

Do you ever find yourself struggling to sum up your work in a compelling way? Well, then I strongly suggest you check out the writers’ blog Through the Tollbooth, where they’ve got an excellent two-part post on crafting a “hook.” Not only do they provide a persuasive argument for why all books need a hook, but they offer good, concrete steps for coming up with one. I have to admit, I’ve led a number of workshops with authors on how to shape a hook or pitch, and while I’ve been able to suggest ways to improve the pitch they’ve presented, I’ve never had a good answer for how to initiate the process. From here on out, the hundred words and three questions are definitely in my toolbox!

The one point I’d love for them to explore a bit more (and maybe this is a post to come) is where in the writing process do you start thinking about your hook. While the authors talk about how a hook can be a tool in the writing process, they seem to suggest it’s not where a book begins. And most of the focus seems to be on crafting a hook once the book is done.

So, I’ll put it to you: at what point in your writing do you start thinking about your pitch? At the start? Along the way? At the end?

July 31, 2012   John   advice, controversy, John, nonfiction  
4

It’s all over now, Baby Blue

Oh, Jonah…

I’m sure most of you saw the news yesterday that somewhat-discredited writer Jonah Lehrer is now fully discredited, having resigned from The New Yorker after admitting he fabricated some Bob Dylan quotes for his book Imagine and then lied about it. It’s a shame, because, while I haven’t read Imagine, I’ve been impressed by his writing on-line—he’s clearly a smart guy. But while I was willing to let it slide earlier when it seemed like he was self-plagiarizing due to feeling overwhelmed/over-committed, it’s a lot harder when he’s putting words in Bob Dylan’s mouth.

Anyway, I bring all this up just as a simple plea: if you’re writing nonfiction, don’t make stuff up!

I know, it seems self-evident, but there’s a long history of smart writers plagiarizing or fabricating material for a variety of reasons. And while publishers can protect themselves to an extent with the warranty clauses in their contracts, which place the burden of truth squarely on the author, as an agent all we really have is the author’s word. Yet if a problem arises, we certainly catch our share of the blame (witness the silence of Lehrer’s agent on this).

So, for my sake and yours, please don’t pull a Jonah—otherwise, to quote (accurately, I hope) the man in question, “a hard rain’s a-gonna fall…”

July 17, 2012   John   fun, inspiration, John, libraries  
2

A Little Free Library grows in Brooklyn

If you didn’t see this article in the Times this morning, get ready for some major cuteness: The first Little Free Library in New York City has gone up in Brooklyn. Have you heard about the Little Free Library program? Evidently it’s an international movement to set up some kind of receptacle—usually a box, but evidently canoes (?) or ovens(?!) work, too—in a neighborhood where residents can leave books for borrowing.

Well, if the kid-cuteness factor and neighborly good vibes are to be believed, I dearly hope we see some more of them around town, and soon. Right now, I’m having a bit of a lovefest with the NYPL—I took some books out last Friday for my 3 ½-year-old, and I’ve been amazed at his reaction. While Henry certainly gets excited when I bring home books to keep from work, the idea that these are on loan has made him completely obsessed—I think we read Revenge of the Dinotrux three times in a row this morning over breakfast, partly because he knows it has to go back to the library. At the same time, he keeps asking when I’ll go back to the library, and when I do, I must get him another Spider-Man book—or else!

And I have to say, considering his ever-growing list of demands and wants, this is one request I’m happy to oblige. Besides, I have totally selfish reasons here—after all, libraries build readers, and readers eventually buy books. So, to keep me in business, I’ll be heading back to the library for Henry this Friday afternoon. And who knows, if the red tape doesn’t choke us here in Manhattan, maybe there will be a Little Free Library on the Upper West Side soon—I certainly hope so!

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