Nikki Loftin

Archive for the ‘Children’s Fiction’ Category

Scared to Let Go

It’s been an interesting summer. My first book, The Sinister Sweeetness of Splendid Academy, is off at copy edits right now. I’ll admit, on the final round of line edits, I found myself almost physically unwilling/unable to hit send. To declare myself DONE! There had to be something I could do to make it better, right? Maybe just rewrite that first chapter one more time? It was — and remains — a scary thing, that letting go of a manuscript, handing it over to an editor/copyeditor. (And someday soon, it probably will be just as difficult to know it’s in the hands of a critic/critical reader. Excuse me while I wet my pants now.)

But it had to be done. I cashed the check.

And I wrote another book.

And then got even another idea. An amazing idea that gives me the shivers.

Now I’m in that prayerful time, the last weeks leading up to my total immersion in that New Idea. There’s only one thing –I shouldn’t call it new. This one is a manuscript I’ve started and stopped so many times, rewritten in different points of view — different genres, even! — that it feels like an old friend.

An old friend I wanted to poison with arsenic at times, but an old friend. You know what I mean.

The thing is, I just realized — it wasn’t the story that was at fault. It wasn’t weak, or flawed, or any of that other nonsense that can lead to the manuscript graveyard. It was me — I had the story muddled. I’ve been telling it from the POV of the wrong character. Now that I’ve realized that, it all seems so… obvious. Natural. But I had to let go of my original idea, my belief that the story belonged to this other character.

If I made this “realization” sound easy, it wasn’t. I’ve been fooling with this one for a long, long time. I just couldn’t let the other POV character go.

Do you find yourself doing that? Staying married to one idea of how a story “should” go, when the story itself is telling you something else entirely? Does it derail you? Does it invigorate you? Does it drive you to drink copious amounts of gin, and flirt with a diabetic coma brought on by too much British chocolate?

Or is that just me?

Maybe you find yourself feeling like this in your writing life:

I know I do, and often. But usually it’s a good scared.

Stay scared, Writer Friends. Terrified even. Hold on as long as you can.

Just know when it’s time to let go.

 

 

 

 

Story at Literature4Kids

Hi, Peeps!

I am pleased to announce one of my short stories is in this month’s online kid’s mag, Literature4Kids. This one is about a crab called Tarquin — named after one of my son’s hermit crabs. And, yes. It is an anthropomorphic kid’s story. I write those, too. So there.

In other news, I am busy entertaining company from Scotland, writing Christmas greeting cards (gotta love those holiday deadlines in July!), and enjoying my kids.

I’ve been reading, too! Just finished Boys Are Dogs, by Leslie Margolis. Lots of fun, and funny, too. The perfect “beach read” for an eleven-year-old girl. Er, or for me. (I’m secretly reading middle-grade girl books now. Just wait.I have a reason.)

 

What are you reading this summer?

 

 

Dark Middle Grade, Anyone?

There’s a been a bit of a furor on the Internet/Twitter/Author circuit about the Terrible Darkness that’s infecting the Young Adult bookshelves at Barnes and Noble.

I am SO not going to weigh in on this argument, folks. Not that my opinion would make a difference. Let’s just say I’ve been shaking my head a lot.

And wondering what in the world they’re going to think once the Darkness Police get their hands on my current manuscript.

Why do I wonder this? Well, to give you a very vague, non-spoilerish hint…

I was at my dad’s house the other day. I’d dropped in for a cup of coffee and a chat, and he very politely asked what my next book was about. (He’s good that way — he knows all his writer-daughter really ever wants to talk about is ice cream and/or her novels.) When I told him, he smiled, hopped up, and said, “Oh! That sounds great. I think you might need a book I have.” And then he went and got this for me:

What would those Wall Street Journal folks think of that? We may very well find out.Won’t that be fun?

So… what awesome books have you collected for your research, Writer Friends? Anything scary/weird/dodgy?

(Oh, and my dad is a Methodist minister, so it’s totally all right that he had this book in his library. Don’t want you all thinking he’s some sort of devil-worshipper. Hi, Dad!)

 

Using Your Super Powers

I had a wonderful dinner last night with a Writer Friend* who was unstinting with her ideas, encouragement, and advice. I think one of my favorite pieces of advice was this: Use your super powers.

At first, I wondered how she’d heard about my ability to hear my children plotting mischief from two miles away, but that wasn’t what she meant. We were talking about the individual skills each writer brings to the process –  touching on the fearsome topic of publicists and book “extras” like curriculum guides — and I mentioned that I had been a teacher. And that I had written curriculum for years.

Oh, yeah! THOSE superpowers.

It started me thinking. I spent a long time NOT being a writer. I was a GT and a music teacher, a salesperson for expensive glass art and jewelry, a Director of Family Ministry (which meant weekly public speaking, curriculum planning and SO much more), and a mom. (Well, I still am a mom, which entails a whole host of superpowers, but that’s not the kind I’m talking about here.)

I’m used to my life experience creeping into my work — if I hadn’t been a musician from the time I was four, would I have written a main character who loves to sing? If I hadn’t taught music to kids, would I have written a witch-like music teacher who loves to kill defenseless children? Oh wait. — but I hadn’t really thought about how those experiences would pertain to the publication/publicity process.

So I’m taking inventory this week, Friends, of what I have in my Bag of Tricks that I may not have thought about. Wondering how my acting credits might come in handy at school visits, for instance.

And even how I could use my hip-hop dancing skillz ** to move copies.

Break it down, Peeps. What do you have in your shady pasts that might help you onto the NYT list?

* The NYT best-selling type of Writer Friend, from whom advice about the pre-publication process is invaluable. And who happens to be one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

** No, that’s not me. But it could be. It could be.

I’ve Got Joy… and Happiness, Too

“One joy scatters a hundred griefs.”

– Chinese proverb

Today, let’s talk about joy in the writing life. And why not its red-headed, cross-eyed cousin, happiness, too?

I know, I know. Happiness isn’t in vogue, is it? We’re supposed to be all post-post-modern and deconstructionist, supposed to be too cool to care about such things.*

Here’s the thing. As writers, especially writers seeking publication/external validation/an audience for our work, we need to forget being cool and look for happiness wherever we can find it. Because, honestly? The publication process has plenty of the other stuff for us all. Dish after dish of hot, steaming rejection, tables full of despair, and wafer thin mints for the “successful” in the form of brutal reviews from Kirkus, etc.

Happiness matters. Even little scraps of it. Maybe Lolcats do it for you. That works.

For me? After a bad day of writing, all it takes to bring me back is a margarita with a friend. An inappropriately funny website shared with my older son. Belly farts on my eight year old’s stomach. (Hold that thought. I have to go do that now. Back in a minute.)

Where was I? Oh, yeah. Happiness. I’ve been meditating on happiness in general and Writer Happiness in particular because I’ve been thinking about why so many writers avoid the page – including me, at times.

I think it’s easy to take all the rejection to the page with you, to open up your WIP file while you’re playing your Soundtrack for Failure in the background.

I think, maybe, we forget how to experiment with the words, how to build the worlds we’ve imagined with a sense of joy and wonder, rather than fear and foreboding. We forget it’s supposed to be fun, and joyful, and more about the process than the product.

We forget how to play.

When was the last time you wrote with abandon, with joy, with a smile on your face and your fingers flying on the keyboard? That feeling? It’s heaven.

I think, maybe, that’s part of what my favorite storyteller was talking about when he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

I wish you all joy this week, and happiness, too. Play with your words!

And if any of you need a margarita with a writer friend? You know who to call.

***

Nikki News: My flash fiction piece is still up! Thanks so much for the comments. I have another story coming out next month – links in a week or so. And I’m almost done revising Dark House… my next story is impatiently nudging at me. Can’t wait to cut loose on it!

* I never was cool. I always cared too much. WAY too much. I teared up in my graduate lecture when we were discussing Toni Morrison’s Beloved. My tears brought the class to a halt. “Wow,” said one of my classmates. I can’t remember the last time I cared that much.” I thought that was kind of sad, actually.

I wish I could say that it was only great works of literature that gets my tear ducts working, but it’s not. I also cry for Hallmark ads, seatbelt PSAs  like this one, and when my kids are on stage anywhere, anytime.

I always have been a huge dork. I’m okay with it.

Hurry Up! Now Wait.

Hi, Writer Friends!

As most of you know, I’ve been hip-deep in alligators and line edits. (I’m convinced that term does NOT mean what I thought at first. I had visions of small, piffly, “which word would work better” changes. Not so much, in my case. Eek.) Oh, and I did almost all of those line edits at South Padre Island on vacation with my family. Fun times.

(Actually it was fun. Seriously awesome in fact! Hinky Punky caught a sting ray! Dave took amazing pictures that he will turn into artistic gold! I learned how to line edit BEFORE drinking the pina coladas!)

So, no major blog post. Just this, my author picture.

I look mahvelous, darlings. Ah, the wonders of Photoshop.

Happy Writing , Friends!

Freaky Flash Fiction

Happy Memorial Day, Writer Peeps! I have good news. Not only do I get to sleep in tomorrow (what, that doesn’t rate as good news? Does for me.), my very first flash fiction story came out today in Flash Fiction Online. It’s short, weird, and — dum dum dum! — Young Adult.

Oh no! NOT middle-grade? Hide your sons and daughters!

No, seriously. This piece isn’t for all ages. But for you? Yes! My favorite part of the story is the comment from Suzanne at the end. I was bouncing up and down, like, “She got it! She got it! I must have done something right because this reader got it!”

Which reminded me (I’m not sure why) of an excellent post about reviews my agent-sister Hannah Moskowitz had on her blog this week. Read it. Hannah’s so smart, and funny, and wise. Listen to her, book reviewers!

Of course, then I had to Google myself to see if *I* had any negative reviews floating around out there… and I found a review! A very strange one, but lovely… I think. Or maybe not. Of a poem I had published a year ago, in Front Range Review.

Here’s the link to the review. If you scroll down alphabetically to Front Range and read my review, can you please leave a comment and let me know — is “clear, pungent juice” a good thing in a poem, or a sign that you might need some antibiotic cream?

Here’s to publication, and reviews, and all the attendant strangeness that this writing life brings with it. Have a lovely weekend!

The Day I Met My Editor

Everyone’s laughing at how fast the whole thing is going for me – the pubishing thing, that is. Which makes me want to laugh, AND cry, and cringe. “It hasn’t been fast!” I want to scream. “It’s been glacier-slow! Continents have drifted, stars have collided, galaxies formed and crumbled since I started writing this book!” Although that might be a slight exaggeration.

But still. I went through so many of those traditional “firsts” when we were still in Top Secret Mode for MONTHS after signing. I didn’t get to post pictures of a contract, pictures of my editor at lunch in NYC, pictures of my edit letter. So I’m doing a bunch of that now. Why? Because probably, if you’re still reading ths, you’re my mom and you care.

Here’s my editor! She is beautiful! She is tall! She has exquisite taste in restaurants! I am ever-so-slightly in love with her.

And here is my editing letter! it came to my house… no, wait. It didn’t. It came to my TRASH CAN.

Yes, the Fedex guy left it tied to the trash can.

Did he know something?

As it turns out, no. Laura’s comments were all editorial GOLD. She loved my manuscript, ans she is a Super Genius, and Super Geniuses just have a lot to say about… things. Manuscript-y things that need some fixing. *whimper*

And now, we’re through with the substantial edits, and I’m waiting for my line edits. Of course, I’m also following the sage advice of my published Writer Friends, and writing as fast as I can. Well, revising this week, adding in Completely Inappropriate Scenes for middle-grade fiction that will be deleted once Suzie sees them. I think. But so much fun to write.

And honestly? This *is* the fun part, y’all. It doesn’t ever seem to get less nerve-wracking, but it gets a LOT more fun. Like the downhill part of the roller coaster.

Thanks for letting me share!

Book Launch Party Planning

I know quite a few authors now, and all of them have different stages of the publishing process that really appeal to them. Some of them (sickos) love revision, some go all gooey at the thought of seeing their galleys/ARC/finished book on the shelf at B&N. Me? I spend most of my daydreaming time planning for my book launch party.

That’s right. I’m party planning for next year. Don’t laugh. If you’d written a book about a school with haute cuisine in the cafeteria, and bowls of candy on every desk, you’d have some ideas, too. (Where can I get small, golden bowls for the M&Ms I MUST give out to my partygoers? Anyone?)

Of course, the book also touches on the possible cannibalization of small children, so that opens some interesting culinary doors. No, I’m not planning on serving my sons up as spare ribs! But gingerbread cookies with names? Small, child-sized, lifelike fingers and toes made of marzipan?Yesssssssss.

I am a very sick woman.

I’ve been attending book launches like a bride goes to wedding expos — with a gleam in my eye, and a notepad handy when I see great ideas. I’ve seen a lot of amazing launches – I do live in Austin, after all, so we’re lousy with talented authors who throw amazing parties/launches at our local Indie, Bookpeople.

I’m thinking of having more than one launch – why not? I had more than one wedding reception! (Three actually, one in Scotland with all those lovely boys in kilts. Dude, I got some wear out of my wedding dress.) I want to support my local library, so I’m thinking of doing a summer program there, with a contest for kids to design their most elaborate, magical school cafeteria menu… or playground… with prizes (donated signed books?) for the winners, and food for everyone.

Enough food to fatten up all the children, at least.

Can you tell I’m excited? What can I say: I’m a party girl.

So, what is your dream, Writer Friends? Are you a Contract in the Mail type? An Advance Check dreamer? A secret Newbery Fiend? What keeps you writing through the rejections and the revisions?

Conference Afterglow

What is it about a great writing conference that makes the following week seem positively bursting with writerly possibility? It’s like conferences produce tons of little idea babies that follow you home and keep you up at night. Kinda like those bedbugs from the hotels in Vegas. Souvenirs for everyone!

Okay, not exactly like that.

I’m home from the Houston Writer’s Guild conference, and having to tamp down all those Shiny New Ideas, since I have a fast approaching deadline. (It’s okay, not panicking since I think I’m done, just re-reading the last few chapters. Squee!) I had a blast in Houston, thanks to Roger Paulding, who invited me to speak and hang out. Thanks, Roger! I also met some new Writer Friends, including the amazing Elaine Scott who made her topic, writing middle grade nonfiction, sparkle like the stars!

In my talk, I said that the real treasure of writer’s conferences is the other writers you meet. I would like to introduce you to some of those people (clever ones who already have their blog posts up!).  You all know Vonna Carter, I’m sure — she writes an amazing blog for any writers, especially Houston-based kid lit ones, to read.  I also met and/or caught up with the incredibly lovely Sarah Warburton, the up-and-coming Lauren Hennessy, the amazingly prolific Pamela Hutchins… and so many others.

I know, I know. You’re going, WHO? Most post-conference blogs focus on the Names. Josh Getzler, Chuck Sambuchino, those guys. And, yes, they were amazing. But probably, they’re not going to come to my house and have ribs at the Salt Lick for my release party. (Although that would be so freaking amazing.)

These others? They’re all on the invite list. Have a great writing day, Friends! I’m off to read a bit more of my deathless prose (*coughchokesputter*), then hit send to my editor. Yay!

* If you were one of those who asked for my presentation to be linked here, I’m working on it. I’m going to add a new page with those Important Links and Awesome People as soon as I can. Be patient! Next week, probably.