Over at
Kidlit.com, Mary Kole is doing
The All-Important Beginning Workshop right now. Mary truly has a great eye on how to improve virtually any manuscript and I’ve been very fortunate to have a few critiques with her. Last year when Mary conducted her workshop, my submission was chosen. At first I face palmed myself and went DO’H (like Homer Simpson) and realized I had a lot of work ahead of me. Right away I started working hard (actually my butt off) because I knew if this dream of mine was EVER going to happen I had to find my voice, throw out every cliché known to man, and dig in deeper.
While I was plugging away I found out Mary was coming to town for a conference. I signed up right away and put in for a critique with her. I said to myself, “Oh I think she’s going to like what I’ve done and notice how hard I’ve been working!” Well, during our critique Mary had MUCH more to teach me and I had another Homer Simpson moment. This time she pointed out my over usage of metaphors and oh, that voice. You need to find your voice! She was so wonderful and I really enjoyed the time she gave teaching me more invaluable lessons.
I went back home with her notes and took a deep plunge. I started reading one hundred more books and blogs about voice, craft, and writing until my eyes just about went cross eyed. Then after sifting through the crap in my manuscript, I found out about The Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program and submitted my application. A few months later I got an email from Ellen Hopkins telling me I’d been accepted and that she was going to be my mentor. I was speechless! And I’m pretty sure that’s why I now have permanent smile wrinkles.
Ellen and I got to work. The first thing she told me was, “Find your voice!” She wanted to know who these characters were and why I was holding back. During the six months of the program I worked hard trying to find my voice and who my characters were without worrying so much about the theatrics. Ellen went on to teach me so much more and I’m forever grateful for all the time she sacrificed for me.
At the end of the program all the mentor’s and mentee’s met up in Virginia City for the weekend. When our group was up to read in front of the industry professional this is what I heard, “I really liked the voice!” Finally, I’d done it. I wanted to shout out, “EUREKA!”
I know I still have a ton of work ahead of me and lot's more to learn, but I’m enjoying every step of the way. So don’t give up when you have your Homer Simpson moments because if you work hard enough you’ll also have a EUREKA! Maybe ten. So tell me, what EUREKA’s have you had lately?
