Adventures in Beta Reading

I haven't blogged much the last few days because I was beta reading for a blogging/Twitter buddy and omigosh, I loved her book. I can't wait until that thing is in print so I can write up a review on Goodreads!

I almost didn't do it. In fact, I almost emailed her to say, Sorry, but you should find someone else. I mean, I'm not published. I don't have an agent yet. What made me think I was qualified to critique her book?

Of course, this was just that same old fear in a different form, the fear that I'm not good enough. I'm so glad I didn't listen to that nasty bugger because I totally enjoyed reading and commenting on her book.

And here's the thing with being a beta reader. The emphasis is on reader. The fact that I write makes me notice things the average reader might not key in on. But really, my job is to ask questions, to point out things that confuse me or just aren't logical for the character. And, like, if there's like, too many repeating words, I try to like highlight those.

I also try to point out things that make me smile or laugh out loud, and especially things that surprise me. I've read a lot of books. So there are certain plot points that I see coming a mile away. When a writer can surprise me with a twist that I didn't see coming, I'm in love. This writer surprised me, more than once. I am in awe.

So when she sent me this email, I almost cried:

Thank you SO much!

Seriously, I don't think I've ever read a crit that I agreed with EVERYTHING in... I seriously think I've only not done ONE thing you suggested so far, and it was something silly... like a comma somewhere or something...Qualified to read my little book HAHA! You caught things that BOTH of my agents have missed... that's pretty impressive if I do say so myself!

And bless her heart, she's offered to return the favor for me and my little book. Have I mentioned recently how much I love the blogging community?

The Long, Winding Road

If you knew how long the road ahead was, would you have ventured on?

My husband had the day off yesterday so we drove up the coast to Pismo Beach for brunch. We walked out on the pier, let the kids play in the sand, then headed home the back way, down Highway 1. As we neared Guadalupe, a road sign caught my attention. It was for Oso Flaco Lake, a place I'd never heard of. We decided to check it out, see what we would find.

The road dead ended in a parking lot. We walked down a gravel path that led to a foot bridge that crossed this 75-acre lake. On the other side of the lake, the boardwalk continued for a mile, over a wetland area into the Oceano Dunes. At the end of the trail, we were staring at the Pacific. The wind was howling in our faces, but staring out at this beautiful, protected expanse of sand and water was totally worth the discomfort.

When we started up the road, my son asked how far it was to the lake. None of us had any idea, but we were so excited by each new part of the trail we encountered, that the distance seemed irrelevant. We were just having fun together discovering a new place. When I came home and found out we'd hiked 2.2 miles, I was surprised because honestly, it didn't feel that far.

My writing journey has been like this. And I wonder, if I had known ahead of time how far I had to go, how much I had to learn, how much ground I had to cover, would I have been overwhelmed? Would I have given up before I started? Would I have been brave enough to keep going?

I don't know. Because there are still some days when I feel like giving up. But then I read about a friend's success after eight years of trying to get published and I see other friends announcing their book deals. And I realize I can't stop trying. Perseverance is key to success and really, the harder you have to work, the more it means in the end. Right?

No matter how long I'm on this road, I'm going to enjoy the journey. And someday, when I'm staring a book deal in the face, I'll know. Every part of the journey was totally worth it.

What the Kids Are Reading

After two days of subbing I'm exhausted but happy.

Yes, you read that right. The school called me yesterday morning and asked me to fill in for my daughter's class so I ended up teaching both my children two days in a row! Fortunately, both of them were excited to have me in their classrooms. The sight of Jasmine jumping up and down with joy when she saw me at the teacher's desk will keep me smiling for days :)

My son's 5th grade class is currently reading Heartbeat by Sharon Creech and wouldn't you know -- the book is in verse! It's a great addition to my reading list for Caroline's Novel Challenge. I borrowed an extra copy from the teacher and I'm about halfway through.

It's interesting to hear 10- and 11-year-olds reflect on the story. What I see as simple, spare, beautiful language, they see as simplistic, literal and sometimes strange. They were quick to point out metaphors, personification and rhyme but were surprised when I suggested that some passages might mean more than they thought. Yes, the main character likes to run, but maybe she's also trying to run away from things that she really can't escape. And while scenes with the forgetful grandfather are funny, I tried to show them the undercurrent of sadness that comes from watching someone slip away before your eyes.

In my daughter's 2nd grade class, they are reading How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell, one of my favorite books for younger kids. After the 2nd graders wrote a summary paragraph, they drew pictures to illustrate the chapter we'd read together. What a riot! But figuring out the point of the chapter was a challenge for some kids.

Being in the classroom was a good reminder for me that it's so important to look at your writing through the eyes of a child. Phrases you think they'll understand can confuse them. Context doesn't always clarify the meaning of a word, especially when the words are being read out loud by an expressionless beginning reader. While a teacher or parent might be there to help them understand what they're reading, what happens when they read alone? Will your words make them want to read more, or will they put down the book in frustration?

There's a chance I might sub for the first grade teacher who is on call for jury duty this week. I'm almost hoping I get the call. Kids have so much energy. I love their curiosity and enthusiasm. And being a sub is almost like being a grandparent: you go in and have fun with the kids and they're on good behavior because it's a welcome change from the every day. But if I don't, I'll have plenty to keep me busy. I'm a bit behind on my page count...

The Substitute

Last night I was up late doing math homework. Why was I torturing myself with finding the solution to 6-2/3 x 3/10 x 4? Because today I'm doing one of the things I swore as a child that I would never do as an adult: substitute teaching. And it's been a while since I've had to do 5th grade math!

On a whim, I took the CBEST in February, so I was excited when I found out I passed in March. My credential arrived by email on April 1. Trust me, I got the irony. Yesterday the Ballard School secretary called to see if I could fill in today in my son's 5th grade class. YES! My first time subbing will be with kids I've known since they were in preschool. How cool is that?

I spent two years coordinating the hot lunch program at Ballard, and two years before that working as an aide in 2nd grade and doing playground duty. I know the kids at this school quite well. But for the first time, I'll be in charge of a class for the entire day. I am so looking forward to it.

I haven't told my son yet. Can't wait to see the look on his face :D

Scientific Sunday

My parents in infrared

I didn't get my pages done yesterday. But I have a really good excuse!

Yesterday I took the kids down to La Cañada Flintridge to the Jet Propulsion Lab's annual Open House. Can I just say that JPL is one of the coolest places EVER? Where else can you take an infrared photo of yourself, get run over by a Mars Rover and stand next to the original camera from the Hubble? All while eating a bag of kettle corn and downing a shave ice?

J with Explorer I

A clone takes our photo on Mars

My seven-year-old daughter wants to be an astronaut (as well as a rock star, novelist, actress, etc.) so she had lots of questions for the scientists we met. We talked to people who worked in clean rooms building new Rovers, men who worked on satellites getting samples from comets, women exploring the moons of Jupiter. To be perfectly honest, I could have listened to any of those scientists talk all day. They had so much wonderful information to share about the solar system, human exploration, spacecraft they've seen launched. They all got so excited talking about it and yet they were able to explain everything in terms we could understand.

When we got in the car at the end of the day, my daughter said she had the BEST time and wanted to know when we could go back again.

I can see a dystopian sci-fi epic looming in my future...

A Page A Day

I've been kind of stuck on this new novel I started writing. I'm fifty pages in and more than a little overwhelmed by the possibilities. I made an outline but I'm not sure if I still want to go in that direction. Indecision leads to inaction and...I haven't been writing.

So, when I saw that Weronika was organizing a page a day challenge, I signed up. It's only for a month. I plan to use the time to flesh out backstory, just free write stuff that will probably never end up in the book, as well as to write an actual page of story. Every day.

Need a kick in the pants to get back on track with your writing? This might be the ticket. Find out more about the challenge and the people participating on Weronika's blog.

Deep Thoughts

“Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations. For if you do, you may still exist but you have ceased to live.” - Henry David Thoreau

Every week on American Idol at least one judge tells a contestant: don't lose sight of who you are.

It's a good reminder. Sometimes we get so caught up in wanting to achieve that we sacrifice little pieces of who we are. We change our views to fit in or try to make ourselves into who we think other people want us to be.

Don't do it.

Hold on to your dreams, stay true to who you are. And don't forget to live.

Okay, so it's just one deep thought for today. I think it's enough.

Have a fabulous weekend!