Old People Writing for Teens, IV

SpinningWheel · May 20, 2013

Arianne said:
Reading this made me wonder, how many of you have a special playlist you play only when writing your novel? I personally just play whatever (I have like 1000+ songs on my computer so usually I just pick a "mood' on my music player and play songs at random).

I couldn't write and have music on at the same time, but I have a few songs that I play in the kitchen when I'm forced to leave my desk and do unreasonable stuff like making food for my kids.

It's a mixture of music from the period in which my novel is set, and songs that capture the mood of a moment in the book.

Dorothy · May 20, 2013

Stuck In Kansas said:
SHAMELESS PIMPING TIME!

I know. I suck. And have no scruples.

But, please come vote for my book in the "YA Debut Novel 2013" list on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/12392.YA_Debuts_2013?page=2#17254166

I'll walk your dog. Bake cookies. Be your best friend.

Right now, I think "Tex, The Witch Boy" is at #153. I'm competing against Dorothy (who I voted for), maybe a few of you others. Need I say it again? Cookies.

Oh. And Hitler sucks.

Stuart, I looked twice and can't find your book. Help a girl out!

Okay, wait, I'll look again.

Dorothy · May 20, 2013

Okay, nevermind. I found it and voted.

It's number 95 at the time of this writing.

And if everyone wants to lend me a hand, I'm number 26 at the moment.

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/12392.YA_Debuts_2013#13597733

Kewii · May 20, 2013

Thanks for the feedback guys. I did end up grading it. It was just the outline, but it was poorly done at that. And she got a grade she would have deserved no matter what.

Unfortunately, having a big discussion with her about Hitler is mostly off the table. I live in a country where they deny that the holocaust happened and trying to discuss it could get me fired. Then there's the other opinion that the Jews got what they deserved, which is also, unfortunately, way too common.

I think my biggest issue was that I was offended, but couldn't tell the student why.

SpinningWheel · May 20, 2013

Kewii said:
I live in a country where they deny that the holocaust happened and trying to discuss it could get me fired. Then there's the other opinion that the Jews got what they deserved, which is also, unfortunately, way too common.

Oh, God.
Sounds like there's not a lot you can do then.

Dorothy · May 20, 2013

Oh man, I just did something really stupid. One of my daughter's friends said something behind her back. I found out about it and sort of confronted the girl, not in a mean way, but just like, "Wow. That wasn't nice. I thought you two were friends." And now my daughter is mega pissed at me. Am I a bad mom?

Stiger05 · May 20, 2013

Go Dorothy and Kansas! Numbers 26 and 91 respectively!

Just got back from vacation and I'm not even going to try to catch up on all I missed, haha. I hope everyone is well and writing!

No part of me wants to be in the office right now. This was longest vacation Hubby and I have taken since our honeymoon and I still haven't caught back up to my regular schedule. It was good though! A much needed rest. Well, except that I sprained my ankle on vacation day 2 and had to cancel some activities me and hubby had planned (on our anniversary no less).

Now to attack the 50 something emails assaulting my inbox...

southbel · May 20, 2013

Dorothy said:
Oh man, I just did something really stupid. One of my daughter's friends said something behind her back. I found out about it and sort of confronted the girl, not in a mean way, but just like, "Wow. That wasn't nice. I thought you two were friends." And now my daughter is mega pissed at me. Am I a bad mom?

Not a bad mom - just a normal one. It's natural. Sounds like something I would do! My daughter has finally given up on trying to teach me to be something else. I guess that's good?

Stuck In Kansas · May 20, 2013

DOROTHY! Good Mom, good! Gah! You should see some of the crap I've pulled. When my daughter broke up with her high-school boyfriend (the one I liked), I was actually emailing him, telling him how to win her back (um, yeah, I sorta' incorporated that into the second Tex book). I think I felt the break-up more than her. When Dad's Go Wild. I'll be selling the video outta' the back of a van.

STIGER! Welcome back from vacation! You suffering post-vacation blues? It happens.

KEWII! Hitler still sucks. I'm kinda' worried about your student.

SpinningWheel · May 20, 2013

Dorothy said:
Oh man, I just did something really stupid. One of my daughter's friends said something behind her back. I found out about it and sort of confronted the girl, not in a mean way, but just like, "Wow. That wasn't nice. I thought you two were friends." And now my daughter is mega pissed at me. Am I a bad mom?

In about 30 years, if she remembers, she'll get why you did it and like you for it.

Stuck In Kansas · May 20, 2013

For those of you sitting on the edge of your seats, waiting to hear the outcome of my misguided conspiratorial reconciliatory efforts...it didn't pan out. My daughter had her heart set on The Reefer King Of Slackerville.

But I'm still in there. Yesterday, I texted her loser boyfriend about my daughter's impending birthday. Just gave him a head's up 'cause I love my daughter. (And this is the guy who once said "Eff you, Mr. West." At least he had the courtesy of calling me "Mr." when he told me to "eff" off. Silver lining, guys, silver lining.)

His response? "Why don't you find out what she wants and get back to me." (Shakes head in Kansas.)

parumpdragon · May 20, 2013

*hugs to you* you need em right now Kansas!

Stuck In Kansas · May 20, 2013

PARUMPDRAGON! Thanks, my friend! Cyber-hugs always make things better. And, gah! I just remembered I need to read your book I downloaded. Right now I'm struggling through a beast of a Stephen King book (Under The Dome). When I'm done with that, you're up next.

Dorothy · May 20, 2013

Thanks, everyone. Starting to feel a little better about it. I talked to my DD -- she's still mad, but a little less so. Insists I'm never to meddle again. Sheesh!

Stuck In Kansas · May 20, 2013

DOROTHY! Meddling is what we parents do. We probably shouldn't (see my horror stories above). But since we care and love, it's hard not to. Your daughter will come around. Don't fret. Sounds like you're a great mom.

ellewest · May 20, 2013

SpinningWheel said:
I couldn't write and have music on at the same time, but I have a few songs that I play in the kitchen when I'm forced to leave my desk and do unreasonable stuff like making food for my kids.

It's a mixture of music from the period in which my novel is set, and songs that capture the mood of a moment in the book.

Maybe it's because I come from a BIG family, but I feel like I work better in chaos - like the crazier things get, the more time I make to write and vice-versa.

I guess it really is an escape for me, but this morning I was writing like crazy while my husband was ranting about our pending eviction/talking to lawyers/dealing with a family crisis and then he went out and I just sort of looked around me and was like, hmmm, maybe I should take a break now.

CONFESSION: I think I might be using writing as a weapon to combat reality.

Dorothy · May 20, 2013

Stuck In Kansas said:
DOROTHY! Meddling is what we parents do. We probably shouldn't (see my horror stories above). But since we care and love, it's hard not to. Your daughter will come around. Don't fret. Sounds like you're a great mom.

cryaegm · May 20, 2013

Well, I was on a roll until my brother interrupted me. Now I can't remember where I was going with this dust thing. D:

Something about us being dust and coming from stars...it made sense in my head. 3;

lisalulu09 · May 20, 2013

Guys, I have a problem.

I appear to be suffering from writing burnout. What do you guys in situations like this?

cryaegm · May 20, 2013

Video games. Which I think I'm going to play some Pandora's Tower right now.

Periwinkle · May 20, 2013

lisalulu09 said:
Guys, I have a problem.

I appear to be suffering from writing burnout. What do you guys in situations like this?

I went through something similar a year ago. Well, not really writer burnout. More like real life burnout. I was so overwhelmed with the kids' schedules, the holidays, and other family stuff that I stopped writing for a while.

The important thing for me was to just give myself permission to stop writing until I was ready. To not feel guilty about it. I did a lot of reading in my down time which helped me unwind and eventually I started writing again. You've been writing a ton, Lisa. Maybe you just need a little break.

JKRowley · May 20, 2013

((Dorothy)) You did it because you care. She will forgive you....eventually. My teen holds a grudge if I buy the wrong chocolate syrup.

Lisa, I think it is a natural part of creativity to have some down time to recharge.

cryaegm · May 20, 2013

Speaking of recharge, I played Pandora's Tower for a bit and just finished chapter four. Excited dance!

I tried reading it out loud, but I had to be quiet so my brother didn't hear. He probably thinks I'm a weirdo again and have gone mad talking to myself. -Sigh-

SpinningWheel · May 21, 2013

lisalulu09 said:
Guys, I have a problem.

I appear to be suffering from writing burnout. What do you guys in situations like this?

Read. Ideally, it needs to be something either really good which will make this whole writing game feel like the most important thing in the world, or really terrible, so you get all indignant and 'I could do better than that!'

CJ Knightrey · May 21, 2013

SpinningWheel said:
Read. Ideally, it needs to be something either really good which will make this whole writing game feel like the most important thing in the world, or really terrible, so you get all indignant and 'I could do better than that!'

Agree with this. I'd recommend movies as well. Sometimes when I watch a really good movie with an awesome script it inspires me to write. And if it doesn't, well hey at least you took some time to wind down.

Sometimes when you're burnt out, you might just really need a break from writing, maybe a change of scenery?

And to cryaegm, congrats on finishing the fourth chapter! It's important to celebrate the small victories. :tongue

Old People Writing for Teens, IV

SpinningWheel

Dorothy

Dorothy

Kewii

SpinningWheel

Dorothy

Stiger05

southbel

Bless Your Heart

Stuck In Kansas

SpinningWheel

Stuck In Kansas

parumpdragon

I sometimes hiccup fire

Stuck In Kansas

Dorothy

Stuck In Kansas

ellewest

Dorothy

cryaegm

Snakecakes

lisalulu09

Potterhead Gleek

cryaegm

Snakecakes

Periwinkle

JKRowley

cryaegm

Snakecakes

SpinningWheel

CJ Knightrey

She Who Constantly Changes Avatars