Random Notes Friday: Why We Write

I love to read books that talk about other authors' writing process, and feelings about writing. It helps me feel less alone in what is sometimes a lonely business.

That's why I particularly enjoyed reading Meredith Maran's new book, Why We Write: 20 Acclaimed Authors on How and Why They Do What They Do. Many of these acclaimed authors are people who's work I greatly admire: Isabel Allende, Susan Orlean, Ann Patchett, David Baldacci, Jodi Picoult, and more. Her book also introduced me to writers I was, until then, unfamiliar with--Mary Karr, Jennifer Egan, Kathryn Harrison--and now plan to read.

I was heartened to read that many of these authors who's work I so admire don't outline before they write. This is always a topic of great, and often heated debate, among writers. Isabel Allende says, "When I write a book, I have no idea where it's going. I only know that in a subtle way, a hidden way, I want to have an impact on the reader's heart and mind." That prolific mystery author, Sue Grafton, says, "I write largly by trial and error." Sara Gruen, who wrote the wildly sucessful, Water for Elephants, likes to let a story idea "steep...until the first scene comes to me whole." Being a dedicated "steeper," and non-outliner, I took a great deal of pride in the fact I was in good company!

It's always encouraging (in a weird way) to hear how terrified even hugely successful writers are--as terrified and unconfident as I. David Balcacci, who's sold millions of books, says, "Every time I start a new project, I sit down scared to death I won't be able to bring the magic again." And Sue Grafton describes herself as "a persistant writer, and a terrified one." Do you know how happy that makes me?

All the writers, whether commercial or literary, fiction or non-fiction, agree on why they write: because they have to. It's not for the prizes and honors (although between the 20 interviewed authors, there's a bucketful of them), or the money or fame. It's because they can't not write. Just like me, when they're not writing, they feel cranky, out of sorts, and like a big part of their inner life is missing.

At the end of each author spotlight are tips from the author to writers--tips like:

• "Whether you're writing a novel or a cover letter to a potential agent, shorter is always better." David Baldacci
• "You can only write regularly if you're willing to write badly. You can't write regularly and well." Jennifer Egan. 
• "Planning and plotting and research are all fine. But don't just think about writing. Write!" Sara Gruen
• "It's always good to have a motive to get you in the chair. If your motive is money, find another one." Michael Lewis.

And many more. My only gripe with Why We Write is the fact that no children's authors were interviewed. Hmmm...maybe I see a book on the horizon!

Fido and Friend in Five: Jane Paley and Hooper!

Jane Paley

We all remember those heartbreaking images in the days following hurricane Katrina: stranded people perched on rooftops surrounded by rising water, desperate for rescue; bodies floating in the water, and people frantically trying to leave the city any way they could. And then there were the animals. So many left behind either because their people were sure they'd be back the next day, or because authorities would not allow owners to bring their animals along. As a result, hundreds and hundreds of dogs and cats were left homeless. The lucky ones were eventually rescued by the various groups (Humane Society, Best Friends Animal Society) who came in the days after Katrina. Some were eventually reunited with their people, but many were not.

Jane Paley is many things: an Emmy award-winning television producer, an assistant professor at St. John's University in Queens, New York, a writer, and a dog lover. It is the collaboration of the writer and dog lover in her that produced her first novel for middle graders, Hooper Finds A Family, which I read a couple of months ago. Can I just say I loved the book? I mean, you have to love a happy, goofy, plucky golden lab who loves to play games with his bone in his back yard somewhere in New Orleans, right? But then the hurricane comes and, like so many animals, Hooper is left behind. Suddenly, he is in a dramatic, can't-put-the-dang-book-down fight for his life. And even when he finally does get adopted, it's not exactly smooth sailing. I really admired that about the book, because often in adoption situations, it's not all rainbows and sparkles at first. But love and patience find their way, and Hooper did find a family to love.

TV Star!

I googled Jane Paley to find out more about her. I was stunned and excited to discover that her book (although fiction) is based on her own Hooper who she adopted from Labs4rescue, and he had been orphaned by hurricane Katrina! In the years since his adoption by Jane and her family, Hooper has become quite the celebrity. He's been on televsion several times (including CBS Early Show!), been written about in the New York Post as well as several other magazines, and has become a much beloved therapy dog.

Given all his star power (he has been called the Brad Pitt of labs), I'm very honored to have Hooper and Jane on today's Fido and Friend in Five!

Therapy Dog!

1. How did you and Hooper find each other? We met on-line. Days after the death of our previous dog, Hammer, I poured my heart out on-line, desperate for grief counseling. In minutes, I heard from compassionate rescuers, one of whom sent a photo of Hooper with a note about how he was a healer. My husband was skeptical. Moreover, he wasn't ready for a new dog, especially one who was sick (heartworms) and far away in New Orleans (Jane and her family live in New York). Many tears and entreaties later, he could no longer buck my force-of-nature determination and made all the travel arrangements. The rendezvous took place late at night in Richmond. From that moment on, Hooper was a healer, as advertised.

Tennis Ball Hoarder!

2. What makes Hooper's tail wag?  We play a game called 2-ball with tennis balls. Hoop won't do traditional toss and fetch because once he gets the ball, he doesn't want to give it up. So we show him the second ball so he'll drop the one he's retrieved. This can go on for 15 minutes or so until he tires. At that point, he simply trots to the back door believing he's won the U.S Open.

3. What's your all-time favorite dog story?  I suppose it's de rigeur to say Old Yeller, or one of the other classics, but the truth is, I love Stanley's Party by Linda Bailey. When Hooper and I visit libraries (we're a Pet Partner team), I always read Stanley to the kids and we laugh ourselves silly.

4. If Hooper could change just one thing about you, what would that be?  Nothing. He thinks I'm perfect. What a rush.

The Dog of Her Dreams

5. In five words, tell us what Hooper means to you:  The dog of my dreams.


Thanks so very much to all that Jane and Hooper do to make a positive (and pawsitive) difference in this ol' world of ours. You really must check out their website to read all the fun things they're doing!

Random Notes: Imagine...

Yesterday I spent some time at a school down in Salt Lake City doing a booking signing for their Scholastic Book Fair. They had me set up at a table in the large lobby, unfortunately far away from where the actual book fair took place, so I wasn't exactly overwhelmed with kids wanting me to sign their books!

My eyes wandered around the walls in the lobby, reading all the notices posted on every possible place. There were notices congratulating kids for making honor roll, reminder notices for ballroom dance classes, and then this notice: "Students are not required to participate in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance." I blinked. Had I read that right? I walked over to the notice and read it again: "Students are  not required to participate in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance."

Wow. I went back to my table surrounded by memories of high school, all the times I got sent to the principal's office because I refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It was the early 1970's and I, like many others in the country, were doing small (and not so small) acts of rebellion to protest the Vietnam War. I felt so strongly that our country's involvement was so misguided and destructive I did not want to pledge an allegiance. I also felt there were far too many injustices in this country to claim, as it does in the proclaim "justice for all." After I was sent to the principal for about the tenth time, he finally called my mother. She came down and gave that principal what-for.

I still don't recite the pledge, on those rare occasions I'm in the situation where it's being recited. I've often said, the older I get, the more I understand and even embrace the sentiments in John Lennon's song, "Imagine." I truly feel it's that division of "us" versus "them" that has created so much heartache in this world. Every religion feels it has God's ear and the corner on truth; every country believes it is the best country, every person thinks their way of living, their way of raising their children, their way of loving is the best and, therefore, the only way.

Some people have called John Lennon's "Imagine" the anthem for atheists.  I don't think that's true. I think all Lennon was trying to say is we need to somehow eliminate these artificial barriers so that we can all--Christian, Muslim, Republican, Democrat, heterosexual, homosexual--can "live as one."

So thank you, Hawthorn Academy, for understanding and respecting differences, and for giving students the choice to pledge or not. It sure would have saved me a lot of trips to the principal!

Fido and Friend in Five: Susan Taylor Brown and Zoey!

When my editor for A Dog's Way Home, Molly O'Neill, told me I needed to have a "presence" on social media when my book came out, my heart sank and my hands grew clammy. I couldn't imagine spending time at my computer tweeting, friending, and being linked in! And while I'm still only an occassional tweeter (and have avoided being linked in), I do enjoy the friends I've made on FaceBook. Some are old friends, some are dog friends, and some are author friends. And some are both!

Susan Taylor Brown is a great example of why I enjoy Facebook. She's both an author and a dog person--a passionate and very knowledgeable dog person, I might add. She's also an amazing photographer. Trolling through Facebook, I always look for her photographs, particularly of her gorgeous white (newly adopted) German Shepherd Dog, Zoey. But let's not get ahead of ourselves...

First, I want to say this about Susan: she has a beautiful soul. No, I've never met her, no I've never seen her soul, but she's a poet and an artist, garderer, and a dog lover. That's enough evidence for me. She's the author of the multi award-winning middle grade novel in verse, Hugging the Rock. Susan is also the author of several picture books, including Oliver's Must-Do List and Can I Pray With My Eyes Open. She's also published a whole mess of books for the educational market. What else does this amazing woman do? She's a motivaltion speaker and teaches poetry to incarcerated teens. Don't you think that earns her some angel wings? Susan is also one of the "authorletes" in this year's March Madness Poetry Tournament!  How cool is that!

Speaking of angels, there's her dog, Zoey. She's as white as an angel with the same soulful eyes. Okay, so she may act like the devil sometimes, but Susan loves her all the same. Let's meet Susan and Zoey on today's Fido and Friend in Five:

Angel girl

1. How did you and Zoey find each other?  We adopted Zoey from the German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California, which is the same rescue group we adopted our last German Shepherd, Cassie, from.  We lost Cassie in December, and when I contacted Cassie's foster mom to let her know, I asked her to keep an eye out for another potential dog for us. She said she just happened to have one she was fostering that she felt would be a good match for us. She worried that it might be too soon after losing Cassie, but we had been grieving Cassie for several months as her health went down hill. We knew we didn't want to be without a dog for long. We set up a meeting with Zoey (who was being called Noelle by the rescue group) ASAP. It took all of about 5 minutes for Zoey to lean into me and "claim" me as her human.

Fast girl!

2. What makes Zoey's tail wag?  Playing chase or anything involving food! Probably chase most of all. She gets the "zoomies" and loves to run, and she is FAST! I think there's lure coursing in her future, maybe even flyball.


3. What's your all-time favorite dog book?  Because of Winn-Dixie

4. If Zoey could change just one thing about you, what would that be?  That my bum knee would let me run and chase her more often and faster than I can right now.

5. In five words, tell us what Zoey means to you:  Pure joy fills my heart.

Pure joy...

Thanks so much, Susan and Zoey, for sharing your love with Fido and Friend in Five. Be sure to check out Susan's website, and particularly her blog, to find out the latest with her writing and with Zoey. Ever blog entry is graced by one of Susan's arresting photographs. And beautiful Zoey also has her own website! Be sure to check out more news about her life and her growing vocabulary. 

Random Notes: Planner or Panster?

There are two camps of writers out there: planners and pansters. Planners are the ones who outline their whole entire plot before they even write a word. And very often, they've written up lots of notes on their characters and even interviewed them to find out all about them! By the time they sit down to write, they know every thing.

Then there are the "pansters." Pansters don't do any of the above stuff. They fly by the seat of their pants, at least for that first draft. They don't outline (at least not before hand) and they don't know every single hair and idiocyncracy of their characters before they write.

I'm a panster. On of the things I love about writing fiction is the element of surprise. I get chills when the plot takes unexpected turns. I truly enjoy getting to know my characters, just like (hopefully) the reader does. I love to sit back and watch the whole thing unfold and reel out in my head like a movie. It's truly magical...

Which is not to say I don't think about the story after it taps me on the shoulder or whispers in my ear, "Write me." I live with it for a few weeks to see if I stay fascinated by it. If I do, then I write down (in free form) everything I know at that point about it. Often, I never look at those notes again, but it does give me an overall picture, kind of like looking down on a trail from the ridge above. But still, it's magic.

It is in the revision process that I go from the magic to the nuts-and-bolts work: cutting, tightening, and re-seeing. That first draft is all about discovery.

So when I get asked (as writers sometimes do with each other) if I'm a planner/outliner or a panster and I feel embarrassed to say, "Panster," I remember these two quotes:

"You have to play what you hear, not what you know." Miles Davis
"Dont' think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity."  Ray Bradbury

So how about you? Are you a planner or a panster?

Fido and Friend in Five: Jacqueline Kelly, Molly and Laika!

Last week's Fido and Friend in Five spotlighted Sheila Turnage, whose book, Three Times Lucky, had just won a Newbery Honor medal. Continuing along that path, today we have 2010 Newbery Honor winner, Jacqueline Kelly and her two dogs, Molly and Laika!

Jackie's beloved debut novel, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, captured the hearts of many readers as well as the Newbery committee. It's the story of a young girl at the turn of the century in a sleepy little town in Texas trying to stay cool during a very hot summer. Her attempts to find ways to stay cool (back before the days of air conditioning, of course), lead Callie to spend lots of time down by the river with her cantankerous grandfather. Despite his grumpiness, he instills in Callie a love for the natural world and a yearning to live beyond the confines of what it means to be a girl during the turn of the century. Jackie has said she was inspired to write Callie's story during a blazingly hot summer day at her 120-year-old Texas farmhouse. "With the thermometer almost boiling over, I began to wonder how people stood the heat a hundred years ago with no air conditioning, especially since they had to wear all those clothes. Callie and her family sprang to life at that moment."

In 2012, Jacqueline's new book, Return to the Willows, was welcomed into the world with open arms! Publisher's Weekly called it, "...an affectionate follow-up to a classic of children's literature, one that succeeds on its own." And it is beautifully illustrated by Clint Young.

Jackie and her husband share their homes in Austin and Fentress with three cats and two dogs, Laika and Molly. Let's meet them all in today's Fido and Friend in Five:

Laika, CoyDog

1. How did you and your dogs find each other?  Laika was an abandoned dog living on top of a picnic table down my the San Marcos River. My husband fed her once or twice and--surprise--that's all it took for her to think she'd found a pretty good deal. We believe her to be that extremely rare mixture of chow and coyote. There's actually a word in the dictionary for a dog/coyote mixture: coydog. (My Boo is also a coydog!). Molly is of more refined blood, coming from a pair of purebred Goldens, but she does not lord it over Laika, who is definitely top coydog. Molly was just such a fat, jolly little pup that she stole our hearts when we went to pick her out.

2. What makes Laika and Molly's tails wag?  They both get very excited at meal times (show me a dog that doesn't) but very excited when they know it's time for their run.

Sweet Molly

3. What's your all-time favorite dog story?  As a youngster, I was terribly fond of the Lad, A Dog series by Albert Payson Terhune (me too!). Sadly, they have been out-of-favor for quite a while now. 

4. If Molly and Laika could change just one thing about you, what would that be?  Molly and Laika would like to go on two runs daily instead of just one, thank you very much.

5. In five words, tell us what your dogs mean to you:  Love. Slobber. Hair. Endless vacuuming. Love.

Thanks so much to Jackie, Laika, and Molly for visiting with Fido and Friend in Five today! To find out more about Jackie and her books and her background (did I mention Jackie has worked as a doctor and a lawyer?), be sure to visit her website. 

Random Notes...

I've decided to do something new on my blog: Once a week (or so) I'm going to post thoughts on a book I'm reading, or a poem I especially love, or a photo, or random thoughts on who-knows-what. Because, as we all know, the universe is random!

So for my first Random Notes, I want to tell you about a beautiful new book I just finished reading. It's a book that will transport you and haunt you and make you want to be a better writer. At least it did me. The book I'm talking about is Katherine Catmull's devastatingly beautiful debut middle grade novel, Summer and Bird. 

Summer and Bird is a story about two sisters in search of their parents. When sister, Bird, lets an owl in the window, their parents mysteriously disappear in the middle of the night. The only clue as to where they have gone and why is a cryptic picture message their mother (who is a mystery herself) leaves behind. The message leads the two girls from the safety of their forest home to a ruined, frozen world known as Down. As the sisters search for their parents, they encounter talking ravens, an evil Puppeteer, a kindly man named Ben, lots of other birds, and the tallest tree in the world. Their search for their parents turns into a search for their truest selves, as well. This is a book that, like any good fairy tale, sings on many different levels. One one level, it's an adventure/coming of age story; on another it's an exploration of sibling relationship and parental relationships; and on yet another level, it's an exploration of loss--loss of faith, loss of expectation, loss of identity, loss of The Mother we all seek. As Catmull writes in the book, We lose our mothers and look for them everywhere. Primarily in ourselves, I think.

Will Summer and Bird appeal to middle grade readers? I'm not sure. It will, though, appeal to readers of all ages who love the work of Phillip Pullman and Sonja Hartnett and Marcus Zusak, and some of Kate DiCamillo's more literary stuff.

I'm so awed by Katherine Catmull's writing, I can't wait to see what she does next!