Life doesn't always happen the way you plan. In February we put a deposit on a puppy. I posted a picture of the litter when they were four weeks old and promised to announce which one we chose along with its name. But just before we were scheduled to pick the puppy up, the breeder discovered it had a serious health issue. Instead of waiting for another litter to be born, we decided to adopt a rescue dog. We fell in love with a mixed-breed puppy. Unfortunately, the people fostering the dog fell in love with it too and announced they were going to keep it. So two weeks ago, we stopped by the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and came home with the strangest looking, nearly hairless, nine-pound wonder. His name is Teddy. He's a one-year-old rat terrier mix who's been neglected and dumped by too many people in his short life. He's already won our hearts and I'll be sharing his story along the way. Our meandering journey to adopting Teddy reminds me of the path art takes. Stories start as one thing, twist and turn, morph and mutate, ending at a place we hadn't imagined. I'm a wild start-at-page-one-and-let-the-book-unfold kind of writer. I have only a vague idea who my main character is and what they want when I start. By the time the last word of the first draft is typed, I'm just beginning to figure it out. Other writers diligently outline their books before they start. They know a great deal about the plot and characters. But even careful planners admit their stories change as they write. Plots thicken, minor characters demand a bigger part, and major characters surprise us with unforeseen secrets. I think the best art is created with a lightly held concept. Flexible minds allow projects the freedom to grow. Paintings are layered testimony to the changes artists make. A brighter color here, more texture there, something solid in that corner, and underneath it all, the line or splash of paint that first marked the canvas. I've heard carvers say they allow the material to tell them what it will become. In each chunk of rock or wood, a figure or object waits to be revealed. Discovery is a thrilling part of making art. And it doesn't stop when the work is complete. Paintings and stories continue to speak as long as people interact with them. Each viewer interprets the art in a unique way and sometimes they reveal insights even the artist didn't see. Teddy is nothing like the cute cuddly puppy we hoped for. He comes with the kind of baggage you'd expect in a confused, neglected dog: no manners, health issues, etc. But he greets each day with optimism and he's eager to please his new family. We are holding him lightly and looking forward to discovering what he'll become given the care and respect he deserves.
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This month Likewise focuses on readers. In particular, Harry Potter fans. The Harry Potter Alliance formed in 2005 with a mission of "changing the world by making activism accessible through the power of story." That gives me goosebumps. I love that good books not only linger in people's minds but they move them to find other people who love books and then use that passion to make the world a better place. Goosebumps. This year the HPA won an unprecedented victory against child slavery when they convinced Warner Brothers to make all HP chocolate sold at WB outlets Fair Trade certified. It was a four-year effort, complete with HPA members sending cease and desist orders and muggle howlers. In 2013, they combined forces with Walk Free, a global anti-slavery movement, and last spring J.K Rowling joined the effort. At long last, Warner Brothers saw the light and conceded. Washington post reporter Alyssa Rosenberg called the victory " . . . a fascinating symbol of what activism might look like when it's animated by fiction rather than political parties . . ." The HP Alliance also helped win a battle for internet neutrality and continues to fight as the giant entities that provide internet service rally to erase that victory. HPA is a perpetual equal rights army with too many projects to mention. You can catch up on their blog, but I can't end this post without mentioning Accio Books, their campaign to gather and give away books. Since 2009, they've provided needy communities with over 200,000 books. This year, besides book giveaways, they're participating in the American Library Association's National Library Legislative Day and Celebrate Teen Literature Day, as well as gathering stories with personal value to HPA members to explore how story shapes membership. There are HPA chapters all over the world at high school, university and community levels. I counted eleven in Florida alone. Click here to find one near you or learn how to start your own. It's amazing what story lovers can do when they unite. Do friends ask for your opinion on their artwork or stories? Are you happy to oblige or do you scramble for excuses: I'd love to but my dog ate fifty-seven pages of my homework. Or sorry, we're leaving, right this minute for an emergency vacation. Then you hide out for the next few days hoping they'll ask someone else and forget they asked you. Rather than fumbling for excuses and hiding, it's best to be prepared. If you have the time, honor their request. Some day, you may need them to return the favor. We write stories and make art for ourselves, but most of us mean to share it when it's finished. If it's created as a class assignment, teachers and fellow students offer comments. But artists and storytellers don't stop producing when the last bell rings. The work you create outside of school needs support too. So its' a good idea to learn how to offer helpful, honest feedback without crushing someone's feelings. You may already know of the sandwich formula: Start your critique with a positive: Share what's working for you. What do you like about the piece? Even if it's something you'd normally groan at, take another look. Are there colors in the art that appeal? Is there a character in the story you find intriguing, even if it's just the main character's pet? Then address what isn't working. What would you add to enhance the work? What would you delete? What needs clarifying? Don't give them a list. Consider the person's skill level and offer a couple points you feel will help them grow. Like, "The painting has a lot going on. I really like what's happening here, but maybe you could tone things down a bit there," or "The plot is exciting but there's one or two twists I didn't understand." Finish with encouragement. Thank them for sharing their work. It's takes courage to expose art to others. You pour yourself into the work and risk potentially hurtful criticism when you ask peers to review it. So respect that and encourage creativity, not stifle it. And now a couple more thoughts. If a person comes to you who has never shared their work, offer mostly encouragement. Accepting criticism without the ego being bruised is a learned skill. It takes time. Then again, there will be people who have shared enough work to have learned to accept critical feedback and yet, they want only praise from you. They won't be open to helpful criticism no matter how sensitively you give it. So it helps to ask the presenter what they'd like from you in the way of feedback before you begin. And when you encounter people who aren't interested in your advice, save your breath. Becoming good reviewers is a skill that benefits others, helps you see mistakes in your own work and prepares you for the future no matter what path your art takes. As artists and writers, you'll value the relationships you build with others through critiquing and it will grow your work and your mind in unexpected ways.
Creativity is fed by our experiences. The broader our experience, the richer our art. So this month I'm featuring TED. TED stands for technology, entertainment and design, three areas TED's originators believe will shape the future. Their mission is "to make great ideas accessible and spark conversation." They do that by inviting bright speakers to share their ideas in front of audiences. It's that simple. Those talks are recorded on YouTube for all to see and hear. I've been inspired by authors, artists, and entertainers, as well as technology and business pioneers. TED also hosts an educational platform, an annual youth event and TEDx, a program that allows individuals to sponsor local TED events. TEDxteen is an annual international conference, aimed at stimulating conversation between teens. This year it's happening in NY City on May 16. They're hosting an amazing lineup of speakers, including visual and performing artists, writers and all around great thinkers.
What I like most about TED is their focus on expanding minds and tearing down walls. They prohibit speakers from having agendas or messages that divide people and they forbid themed TEDx events. Instead they encourage hosts to feature speakers with a wide range of topics. You may not think you're interested in learning about physics or geology, but any subject delivered by a passionate speaker with a keen mind is worth hearing. And every drop of knowledge, every new insight, pours into your art. Here's one of my favorite TED videos by middle grade and picture book author Mac Barnett: My husband and I are about to bring home a new puppy. We just got a photo of her and her siblings. She's just a few weeks old, barely has her eyes open. For sure, she hasn't figured out there's a world beyond her safe crate and yard, and she has no idea, we're miles away, picking the name she'll be stuck with for the rest of her life. Authors spend huge chunks of time worrying over character names. Not just the main character. Every person or animal that appears in more than one or two scenes is carefully considered. Does the name fit their personality? Is it too much like other names in the book? You don't want too many K sounds (for some reason I'm drawn to those) or two syllable names that end in Y or IE. Imagine a story filled with Lily, Kaley, Casey, Wylie and Bodie. By the end of the first chapter, readers would beg, "Please send one of them off!" Some authors use lists to choose names, like the ones that suggest baby names or the sites that deal with ethnic heritage. You can Google name origins and meanings to choose a moniker that highlights a particular personality trait. If the book is set in a future or alternate world, or the characters are animals, the entire lexicon is plundered, twisted and turned to create names. Even then, you want to consider the sounds. Read them out loud. How hard are they to pronounce? Are they all short and harsh, or long and lyric? Do they fit the tone of your story and the world you've created? I'm writing a book that has the potential to become a series and recently I realized that a very minor character could play a major role in a future book. She only appears a handful of times in the current novel. I was happy with her name. But when I envisioned reading it on every page, the name instantly annoyed me. I wonder if J.K. Rowling was ever sorry she choose the names she did? Harry Potter is such a simple, down to earth choice. But millions will never forget it and neither will she. We've chosen one of those puppies in the photo. But we probably won't settle on a name until we meet her next month. Until then, I'll let you guess which one we chose. And stay tuned for her debut. She'll probably be a regular on the blog. A year or so ago I came across this video of a nine-year-old boy named Caine Monroy who built a cardboard arcade. A filmmaker shot a short documentary about Caine's creation. You can read all about it and Caine's journey since he became a YouTube sensation here. His arcade sparked a nonprofit called the Imagination Foundation and worldwide cardboard frenzy. In October of last year, IF hosted the third annual Cardboard Challenge where over 125,000 people from forty-six countries came together to play with cardboard. IF imagines a planet " . . . where all children are taught to be creative thinkers and doers, and encouraged to make their very best ideas happen in the world."
The Cardboard Challenge attracts younger children. But that shouldn't stop teens from taking it on. When I was in college, I chose cardboard for a project and serious artists are doing amazing things with the medium. Check out these sculptures by artist Chris Gilmour. The thing I like most about IF's project is that it encourages collaboration between generations and people with various talents. And it's fun. The fourth challenge officially kicks off in September, 2015, but why wait? Gather friends and neighbors of all types and ages. Get parents, mentors or teachers involved (you'll need a sponsor and gathering site). Brainstorm ideas, draw up plans, and wow us with your cardboard creations. You can even use the event to raise money for IF's scholarship fund if you want, and there's a contest for best video. Here's a link to FAQs about joining the challenge. So teen artists, why not cardboard? It definitely made a difference in Caine's life. I spent Valentine's night watching Neil Gaiman and his wife perform. Gaiman is one of my favorite YA authors and it was an evening I'll never forget. There were lots of funny moments, poignant and thoughtful moments too. But because people had just been killed in Denmark while gathering to talk about free speech, Gaiman opened the evening with something serious, his response to the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris. I'm sorry I didn't record his reading but you can see some of it here in The Guardian. Gaiman's a fierce defender of free speech and as I listened to him read, I remembered a video I'd watched of Hank Green a week or so ago. He was speaking about ideologies, tolerance and the freedom to practice your beliefs without fear of retaliation. There is lots I could say about this subject but I think Gaiman and Green have said it better. Here is Hank Green's response on YouTube to the negative comments he received after he interviewed President Obama. Blur the edges. Artists and writers, create work that celebrates the easing of boundaries. Readers, read and share books that promote tolerance. Don't buy into monocultures that promote hate. This post introduces my blog's new venture, LikeWise. Once a month, LikeWise will feature places where like-minded creative teens can connect. I hope throughout the year to offer an eclectic mix of programs, some known and others more obscure. I'm starting with a big one. By now, most people on the planet know of John Green, the contemporary YA author who wrote The Fault in Our Stars (recently made into a movie) and Paper Towns (movie soon to follow). And many will have heard of John's brother Hank who helped form the Nerdfighters website. Together, they have created an army of dynamic fans. Nerdfighters is "A place where nerds gather to play. We fight to increase awesome and decrease suck." Nerdfighters is like a warehouse full of rooms for creative brains. Behind every door, there's an invitation to join in a project or discussion or intriguing challenge. Like collaborative YouTube videos and almost 3000 Nerdfighter subgroups (writers, poets, artists, readers, Iowans, no kidding, Iowans). Once a week, The Art Assignment (produced by PBS) introduces artists from around the country who present assignments. The Sci Show features short, funny videos that inform about everything science, and Crash Course teaches history, anatomy, astronomy and politics. See what I mean? Doors galore! John and Hank Green used YouTube to unite and ignite a community of creative young minds. Nerdfighters is a powerful force making positive changes in the world. Every year, the Project for Awesome raises money for worthy causes. Last December over one million dollars was donated! It's hard to imagine what the Green brothers will do next. This month, Hank interviewed President Obama and he included fan's questions. Their voices were heard by an ever-expanding online audience. Artists, writers and readers spend a lot of time alone with our passions. But that doesn't mean we can't also be part of a community. I said a sad goodbye to the Christmas tree, lights and decorations last weekend. The world always seems a little bleak after the holidays. It isn't just the loss of tinsel and cheerful displays. Spirits also take a dive. Is it because we've lost that sense of anticipation? I don't know about you, but I need something to look forward to, something that makes my insides tingle every time I think of it. Valentine's Day doesn't do it for me. I have nothing on my writing agenda this year. No exciting conferences, no contests, not even any goals. I'm thinking I better change that. Setting one goal with one date attached can make a difference. If I commit to a children's writer's conference in June, then I'll want to present the best version of my current novel there. That's motivation to polish my messy story. So revision happens. And that little tingle in my belly keeps me typing. The conference isn't on my calender yet, but I do have a new goal for this blog. While writing November's post, Finding Your Creative Path, I recognized how important it is to find like-minded souls and mentors who support and encourage your passion. The sooner, the better. So I'm adding a second monthly post called LikeWise, featuring venues that connect teen artists, writers and readers. Last year, I challenged myself to create a sketch for each post. But it held up publication. So this year, I only promise to share sketches IF they happen before I'm done with my post. Don't hold your breath. However, I will be sharing gorgeous art from my set of illustrator biographies published by Peacock Press/Bantam Books in the 1970s. The one above is by Nancy Ekholm Burkert from Hans Christian Andersen's book, The Fir Tree. The text for the illustration was: " . . . a hare would often come . . ." I hope your 2015 calender is filling up with dates and goals that make your insides tingle. If not, this is a good day to find some. In January I challenged myself to read five Newbery and five Printz award books by the end of December. I also began a book log because I had never kept track of how many books I read in a year and I was curious. The total so far is seventy, five of them nonfiction. I didn't note picture books (which I read like candy) or the novels and reference books I started and didn't finish (probably a half dozen). Here's what I learned from the experience: I will never read as many books as my critique partner, author and former librarian Augusta Scattergood (who reviews children's books for The Christian Science Monitor) or fellow writer and librarian Leslie Zampetti (who gobbles 300 books a year). That's okay. I'm not a librarian and I'm not looking to break any records. But I do get antsy if there isn't a stack of unread novels on my bedside table or lined up in my e-reader. Please God, keep those books a-coming! Pulling titles from Newbery and Printz awardees was 100% rewarding. First, I chose books I thought I'd like. Then I dipped my toe in genres I didn't often read. That's how I found new favorite authors: John Corey Whaley, A.S. King, David Almond, Sharon Creech and Jack Gantos. Five new authors from reading ten books! Just think of all their titles I haven't yet read and future books they haven't yet written. It's a bottomless treasure. And no lie, there wasn't one Newbery or Printz book I didn't enjoy. So if you're searching for a good read or a great gift for readers, try the award lists. Now, here are my last three reviews for 2014: Susan Cooper's The Grey King (book four in The Dark is Rising series) won the 1976 Newbery Medal. Set in England and Wales, the story weaves myth and King Arthur legends. The characters and story are quaint, more Narnia than Harry Potter. But after my twenty-first century brain unwound (Seriously, we expect non-stop action these days! And these books have plenty, just not at Hunger Games speed), I enjoyed every one of the five books. I'll try not to reveal too much of the previous story but if you're a fantasy fan and haven't read the series, it's best you skip this review. Will Stanton is not really a boy but the youngest of the Old Ones, soldiers of the Light. After recovering from a serious illness, he's sent to Wales to recuperate. When he meets a strange albino boy named Bran and Bran's constant companion, Cafall, a sheepherding dog with uncanny silver eyes he instantly recalls the beginning of a prophecy: On the day of the dead, when the year too dies, Must the youngest open the oldest hills Through the door of the birds, where the breeze breaks. There fire shall fly from the raven boy, And the silver eyes that see the wind, And the Light shall have the harp of gold. In the Old Ones ongoing battle against the Dark, Will, Bran and Cafall set out to find the magical harp, a key to releasing six Sleepers. But the Dark's mighty Grey King guards the Welsh treasures and he's not about to give them up. Dead End in Norvelt won the 2012 Newbery award. Author Jack Gantos books are slices from his colorful life. This book opens with Jack (yes, the character is named Jack Gantos) being grounded his entire thirteenth summer for shooting his father's rifle at a drive-in movie screen and digging up his mother's vegetable patch. Never mind his father encouraged him to clear the garden to make way for a runway . . . for his new airplane . . . that he's hiding in the garage. Jack's only escape is helping his arthritic neighbor Miss Volker type obituaries and history spots for the local newspaper. But when the last of the town's senior citizens begin dying at a mysterious rate, Jack and Miss Volker team up to discover why. Gantos's story is full of larger than life characters and hilarious small town adventure. It will also steal your heart. Holly Black (author of The Spiderwick Chronicles) won the 2014 Newbery for Doll Bones. The book follows twelve-year-olds Zach, Poppy and Alice whose friendship centers around a fantasy world of toys, ruled by an antique china doll, locked in a glass cabinet, never to be touched. When Zach's father claims he's too old for the game and orders him to stop, he retreats from the friendship. Then Poppy swears the doll is made from a dead girls' bones and the girl's ghost demands they bury her in her hometown. After she steals the doll from the cabinet, Zach reluctantly joins her and Alice on a quest that will either save their friendship or ruin it. So mission accomplished. Ten award books, a book log, oh yeah, and a drawing every month. The last sketch is Usefa, the sleepy reindeer in the photo above. I bought her when I was in art school at the University of South Florida bookstore just before I left on holiday break. She road on my car mirror for awhile, then moved into my apartment and on to future houses. Now, she graces my office every holiday season. Hope you end this year with people you love, good health and good books. Next month, I have a new challenge up my sleeve. See you in 2015! |
AuthorI write middle grade and young adult books with a magical twist, and I'm represented by the fabulous Leslie Zampetti at Open Book Literary. Writer Websites
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