One Little Elephant

I enjoy watching over-the-top kick-butt heroines like Lara Croft Tomb Raider or Xena Warrior Princess on screen. So you'd think I'd also enjoy reading novels with similar female characters. But maybe not.

At a recent writers' conference I was given a goodie bag with nearly 100 postcards, bookmarks, and other 'favors' advertising novels with female protags. As I read through them, sorting the ones that interested me from those that didn't, I discovered something about myself. If the card blurb described a heroine who was a gritty, kick-butt, smart-alecky, or take-no-prisoners type then that card ended up in my 'not interested' pile.

While I think pseudo-super-hero-tough-gal types are great fun in the movies, in novels I prefer my heroines strong, yet feminine. I'm certainly not interested in novels about weakling damsels in distress. But I do tend to favor heroines who are resourceful-real-people types, rather than estrogen-macho.

So why the difference? Why do I enjoy pseudo-super-heroines on the screen, but not on the page? I suspect it's because when I watch a character on screen I feel I'm watching her story from the outside. But when I read a character on the page I feel I'm experiencing her story from the inside. Experiencing her story from the inside means I have to stand at least partially in the character and perhaps I'm not a kick-butt kind of a gal.

Unless, of course, I have to be.

What about you? Do your tastes in movies and novels always run parallel?

Something that's helping me write today: A conversation with fellow writer Jen Fitzgerald this past weekend which has me thinking about the difference between the deep joy of the art of writing and the mere practical benefits of publishing.

I adore the man. He's been my husband and best friend for 20+ years. When I'm with him I laugh and smile. He makes me feel good about myself and my life.

But I want him to GO BACK TO WORK!

Hubby and the kids were off ten days for spring break vacation. Good fun. But when the door closed behind them as they returned to work and school, I admit I actually kissed the door panel before trotting gleefully into my office to write. I sat down in the cozy quiet and slid into my other-world. Delicious.

But not for long.

Hubby was at work only a few hours before he returned home sick. Very sick. Multiple doctor's visits, lots of meds, and several days later he is finally on the mend. But it's been two weeks (TWO WEEKS!) since I've gotten any real writing done. I'm starting to feel cranky.

To all you lucky sorts who can write with toddlers tugging your skirts, teens asking for car keys/cash/consoling, and husbands munching corn flakes in your ear while looking over your shoulder: I tip my keyboard to you.

I can bring that sort of concentration to almost any other endeavor: reading, tv viewing, conversations, algebra, anything. Except writing. At this point in my development as a writer I need to give my full attention to the process.

Constant interruptions are derailing. And anticipation of interruption is in itself an interruption.

So I'm spending my time doing things I can do between interruptions: research, broad plotting and outlining, character development, writing snippets of dialogue, reading, laundry. Four more days to a quiet house.

What about you? Can you work amid chaos or do you need quiet?

Something that's helping me write today: The fact that I would trade every word I've written or will ever write for this wonderful life I share with the people I love. And the comfort of knowing that because they love me too, I'll never need to.

I'm attending a writers' conference so I'm passing the buck and sending you to another blog.

The topic? Electronic queries.

Paper queries are going the way of the dinosaur as more and more agents and editors go electronic-only. Here then, is a short, clear explanation of how to format a query in the new paperless age from agent Nathan Bradford.

Something that's helping me write today: Two requests for partials. Woo-hoo!

The kids are out of school. Hubby is on vacation. And so am I. But in case you dropped by, here's something I found interesting and I thought you might as well.

Fonts

Who knew there were font experts at publishing houses anguishing over the shape of the letter g or carefully considering matching font to genre? Makes me feel fuzzy-warm to imagine my work might one day be fussed over like that.

Something that's helping me write today? Basic pen and paper. Because with those I can work even in a tent in the wilderness. Also the fact that if you run to the top of the bluff and stand in just the right spot you can get bars. Woohoo! But...sshhh...don't tell my hubby. I'm supposed to be on vacation.

Below is a favorite lunch. Cheddar, turkey, and guacamole on toast with a side of nuts and fresh berries. The calorie count:

150 cal. - 2 slices of toast

25 cal. - 2 slices lean turkey

100 cal. - pouch Wholly Guacamole

100 cal. - raw nuts and fresh berries

200 cal. - 2 slices cheddar

575 calories total


Now, let’s pretend I eat this same lunch 5 days a week and I want to drop a few pounds (which I do). Assuming I keep the rest of my diet static, I can lose 7+ pounds this year by simply changing one component of this meal and I won’t even notice the difference. How?

Remove a single slice of cheddar and
this.........................................................becomes this.


By breaking a half slice of cheddar into puzzle-type sections, as shown here, I can still adequately cover the toast.

There’s still cheddary goodness in every bite, but I’ve trimmed away 100 calories per meal.

100 cal x 5 days x 52 weeks = 26,000 calories or approx. 7.5 pounds per year.

Quite a difference, right?

But what does this have to do with writing novels?

I’m coming to believe that tiny, almost unnoticeable changes in my day, implemented consistently over long periods of time, are what will eventually transform a housewife into a published novelist.

So I keep eating that elephant one bite at a time.


Something that’s helping me write today: The example of the confident initiative shown by my handsome, but quiet future-engineer son. When he needed a date to a fancy dress ball, he walked right up to the prettiest, most vivacious girl he knew and asked her out - despite the fact he felt there was a good chance she'd turn him down.

She said, “Yes!”

I wonder if she could teach that word to some agents and editors for me.

She calls to share good news. I rejoice with her. Once the celebration dies down, she begins to talk about the rest of her day. Eventually she runs down and I tell her of a small triumph of my own.

Does she rejoice with me? Nope. She’s a Crusher.

I usually know better than to share my ideas or happy news with a Crusher. But today, lulled by the celebratory tone of the conversation, I slipped. And as a Crusher is prone to do, she tells me I'm doomed to have something go horribly wrong. Rest assured, she says, as if weaving a curse, something bad will happen soon.

We all need a Cheerleader type in our lives. We also need a Devil’s Advocate. When I’m trying to make a decision about what path to choose, I often meet with a person I know is a Cheerleader. I can be assured that they will greet my idea with enthusiasm and point out all its positive aspects. I also meet with a Devil’s Advocate - a person I know will curb enthusiasm and explore the idea’s potential negative aspects. But unlike a Crusher, a Devil’s Advocate will do so in a fair, considered way and leave me thoughtful rather than discouraged. And in the case of happy news, a Devil's Advocate will join the Cheerleader in rejoicing for me.

Both the Cheerleader and the Devil’s Advocate are valuable people to have in my life. They help me navigate the best route from one point in life to another with both enthusiasm and caution. Neither are Crushers.

I try to avoid Crushers. But most of us interact with them at some point in our lives because of accidents of birth/marriage/employment or simply because they have other redeeming qualities we value. So what do I do when I slip up and foolishly make myself the target of a Crusher's prophesy of doom by sharing new ideas, triumphs, hopes, and dreams? I try to change the subject. Fast. Then I give myself a mental pep talk, telling myself that I don’t anticipate any problems, but if problems arise I’ll deal with them then. Worrying in advance is a waste of time and energy.

I hope you have no Crushers in your life, but if you do, how do you deal with them?


Something that’s helping me write today: A pretty walk in the woods with two jolly beagles, an activity that's guaranteed to blow Crusher dust from the corners of my mind.

I know a woman who has a dream.

Each time we speak she tells me about her dream. Then she says she just needs to get her house clean and organized before she can begin.

She lives alone (not even a pet) and is financially independent, so she doesn’t work. And for the twenty years I've known her, she’s been trying to get that house clean and organized so she can begin to work toward her dream. In that same twenty years I've watched her do many positive things: organize numerous successful fund raisers for non-profits, spent endless hours helping people who were down on their luck, cheerfully pay uncountable visits to the sick, elderly, lonely and troubled. She's been a good friend to many and a source of inspiration to many, many more. Hers hasn’t been a wasted life. But she's never pursued her dream.

She’s desperately ill now. Whether she'll survive or not is up in the air. I think her life has been a good and useful one, but when I spoke with her a few days ago she once again shared her dream with me and her regret that she never reached out for it. Then she paused, smiled, and told me she was going to try for her dream despite her illness. But first she needed to get her house cleaned and organized.



Something that's helping me write today: The joy and relief that comes from being a FlyBaby and the memory of this sentiment from my friend Joan, "I'm guessing when I reach those pearly gates Saint Peter isn't going to care how clean my house was, but he may be impressed with the fact I always kept the bird feeder in my backyard full."

I'm a bit under the weather today, but in case you stopped by I didn't want to send you away empty-handed. So here's a little pick-me-up Wendy Marcus over at Must Have Romance directed me to not long ago. Thanks Wendy!

writeattitude

Something that's helping me write today: Hope. And aspirin.