writerjenn

Weatherwise, it seems like we've been living the same cold gray day over and over for the past two months. I'm a big fan of recycling, honestly. But isn't there a sunny 70-degree day that we could be recycling instead of this raw, dismal one?

Nevertheless, the flowers know it's spring. Violets, hyacinths, tulips, weeping cherries, and forsythia have joined the daffodils as the most recent bloomers. And here are a few more items to brighten the day:

The latest Edge of the Forest is up, as you've probably heard, but I want to give a special mention to the interview with Peter Cameron about SOMEDAY THIS PAIN WILL BE USEFUL TO YOU, which I've raved about here. I loved this book so much, I wanted to run around pressing copies into the hands of friends, family, and complete strangers.

The Author2Author authors (does that become Authors cubed?) are giving away more books this week! 

Check out this post from rosefiend.  It'll teach you how to garden.  Or how to write an advice column.  Or at the very least, will provide some comic relief on this (did I mention it's dark and depressing today?) lovely spring day.

Finally, I am counting down to the New England SCBWI conference in New Hampshire next weekend.  Any of you going to be there?  I'm putting up one of my userpics today so you will recognize me.  That will help you say hello or steer clear, whichever you prefer.  ;-)

I usually focus on the craft side of writing in this blog, more than the business side of publishing.  But I must tell you about this blog post on query letters by Emily from Author2Author, if you're looking for advice on querying.  Queries should be targeted to the specific guidelines and preferences of the person you're querying, but Emily gives some good general tips to follow in addition.  

Now for the dose of craft.  Last night I was working on a new piece, very new, first draft in fact, so that I'm not sure exactly what is coming next.  I have a basic idea of what is going to happen to the main character--let's call her Character A--and I know how Character B is helping to change her.  But it occurred to me that I didn't know how Character A would change Character B.  And Character B should change.  He's far too major a character, and he has too strong a plotline, to just stay stagnant.  Also, there has to be a reason for B to have gotten involved with A in the first place.  I knew A's motivations, and I knew why A needed B, but I had to ask myself why B needed A.  So I mulled it over, and I think I know the answer now.  Also, I discovered something new about B that should have been obvious to me long before. 

Reminder to myself: Every character needs motivation, not just the main character. 

The winds are howling, my windowpanes are rattling, and silvery clouds are gathering overhead. But spring is coming! I know because today I saw some of the earliest harbingers: snowdrops bowing their creamy heads, and witchhazel with its fruity-scented yellow stars. In this area, snowdrops and witchhazel are the earliest bloomers, getting a jump on even the crocuses. So, even though these blossoms are going to get their little heads frozen off tomorrow (projected high: 26 degrees F. Ouch!), the tide of spring will inevitably turn.

In other news, the authors at Author2Author are giving books away this week:

Monday – IT'S NOT ABOUT THE ACCENT, by Caridad Ferrer
Tuesday – SOMETHING TO BLOG ABOUT, by Shana Norris
Wednesday – THE SECRET LIFE OF A TEENAGE SIREN, by Wendy Toliver
Thursday – THE BOYFRIEND LIST, by E. Lockhart
Friday – LOST IT, by Kristen Tracy

The giveaway starts Monday, February 12th!  Pay them a visit to see how to win. Pay them a visit anyway, to read all about the various stages and emotions of writing and publishing, plus daily tips!

Finally, if you've noticed how slow the blogosphere gets on weekends, here's a Sunday feature you can count on: Quoteskimming over at Kelly Fineman's Writing and Ruminating.   In the interests of full disclosure, I will tell you she skimmed me this week, but I recommend the Quoteskimming feature (and Kelly's whole blog) regardless.  Today's gems include a link between writing and yoga, and the spirit of Jane Austen generally makes an appearance.