by Roseanna White | Aug 4, 2011 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
I have a family of drivers. My husband goes for drives to clear his head. My sister was one of those kids who begged her way behind the wheel on our farm vehicles as soon as she could see over it. My mother-in-law has a list of dream-cars. My dad is the proud owner of a truck, an SUV (okay, this one’s my mom’s), a Harley, and a four-wheeler. All these folks will jockey for a chance to drive whatever new vehicle joins the family. They love it.
Me? I’d rather being in the passenger’s seat, or on the back of the four-wheeler. At the end of the boat (not that we have a boat, but when we’ve been on others’) staring into the wake. Feeling the wind on my face but able to look off into nowhere for my enjoyment. Watching the scenery go by. Ignoring the traffic.
I drive–when I must. I love the freedom of being able to, don’t get me wrong. I appreciate and am thankful for my car, so much so that every car in my family gets a name. Our car now is Xander, our Jeep is Bartok. I’ve also had a Sparky and a Snowball. And yeah, I have a list of dream-cars too. But when we go out as a family, there’s never any question of who will drive. The keys go to David. The daydreaming goes to me.
The other night I hopped on the back of my dad’s four-wheeler to go over to the farm, and said, “Wow, this is my first ride on this.” I used to ride on my neighbor’s all the time, but I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed it.
Dad replied, “It’s really easy. Look–drive, reverse. Gas, brake.”
Me: “Mmm hmmm. . . ” Ah, wind in my face! And look how green the fields are, stretching out until they meet the river, the mountains rising up . . . What a beautiful place I grew up in. What an amazing world God has crafted.
On the way back, Dad asked, “Wanna drive?”
Now, if you asked my 3-year-old this, he would probably say yes, LOL. But me, I just climbed on the back again and said, “Nope.”
And I spent the two-minute ride back trying to figure out why. It’s not that I dislike driving, per se. I certainly am not afraid to try it, I know it would be easy. And I can understand why folks get a thrill out of being in control of the motor that’s taking them from here to there.
But more important to me is seeing what I can see while going someplace. Having the freedom to ignore the musts of gas and break and traffic, of potholes and bumps, and focus on the ifs.
I think it comes down to being a dreamer. I’d rather experience from the backseat and try to imagine what the driver’s feeling than actually do the driving–because then I’m too busy doing to absorb. I’d rather sit on the sidelines and watch the game than play, because I can both see the moves and the expressions on the faces, I can learn the rules and create a story around them.
Obviously there are exceptions to this, things I’d rather do than watch. But I sometimes find it funny when everyone keeps pushing me to try something, and I just have to smile and say, “No, really. I don’t want to. I like it here.” I do wonder, occasionally, if this is a failing of mine . . . but you know, so far I don’t think I’ve really missed out by staying in the passenger’s seat most of the time.
I still go all the places the driver does . . . but I see a lot more along the way. =)
by Roseanna White | Aug 3, 2011 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
I admit it–I have shopping on the brain. For the first time in six months, I’m actually going shopping. As in, look around, not just go in for one thing in particular. With my mom and mom-in-law. And my kids. All morning. Can’t wait. =)
So the other day when I was reading through my current work-in-progress and came across a fun factoid about 18th century shopping, it jumped out at me. And I thought, “Hey, I’ve yet to tell them about vendues!”
Ever hear of these? I hadn’t, until reading Washington’s Spies by Alexander Rose. One of the historical figures he talks about (and who also appears in my book) apprenticed in a store called Templeton & Stewart in the City of New York. T&S had two divisions–an upscale one in the fashionable district of the city, and then a vendue across from the city’s red light district, Holy Ground.
I would have scratched my head upon reading that, had Mr. Rose not gone on to explain what this “vendue” thing was, LOL. Apparently it’s much like a discount store today. When there was either overstock or damaged goods in a regular store, they would send it to a vendue, where the goods were either auctioned off or marked down.
Apparently there was some grumbling when Templeton & Stewart opened a vendue, from owners of other retailers. But they were soon happy to see that it didn’t detract from their clientele–that two different sets of people shopped in these two different kinds of stores.
I just loved learning that this whole idea is so well established. In my hometown we have a discount store that always got overstock and damaged stuff–once upon a time this meant most things had marks or holes, but if you looked hard you could find overstock. These days it’s mostly overstock, and awesome overstock at that. Which would be why I’m heading that way in an hour. So have a great day, folks! Off I go! 😉
by Roseanna White | Aug 2, 2011 | Uncategorized
I’ve had this for a month and a half already, but I didn’t want to share publicly until Summerside had it up. And since I and Annapolis am officially on
Summerside’s website (woo hoooooooooo!), I can now share my beautiful cover for
Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland!
Isn’t it beautiful?? I love the colors in the sky . . . and the model is just stunning (though fun fact–I had to go back into the story and change Lark’s hair color to match the cover. She was originally a dark blond/light brown, LOL). And I asked if I got to keep that amazing dress, but gee, they just laughed at me. 😉 The building you see in the background is the State House, which plays a pretty critical role in the story.
So, yeah, happy sigh. I’m really excited to finally get to share this gorgeous cover with you all, and add it to my sidebar here. You can pre-order it already, you know. 😉 And we’re officially four months out from its release! Wowzers!!
And that’s my exciting book news for the week. Thanks for indulging me. =)
by Roseanna White | Jul 29, 2011 | Uncategorized
I know I’ve talked about this in a couple ways before, but I can’t really dive into the new Friday format without including it. =)
Today I’d like to talk a bit about
Stephanie Morrill and, in turn, Shellie Neumeier, who go above and beyond to make the life of writing understandable and accessible to teens who dream of being a part of it.
I’ll be focusing mainly on Stephanie solely because I know her better, given that she’s my best friend. =) Stephanie (much like me) has been writing books since she was a teenager. Rather than attend college, she made the decision to work for her father’s company out of high school so she would have more time to focus on her writing. She began learning about the industry, the business. Attending writers conferences, seeking agents, learning how to pitch and sell.
It ain’t easy–not for anyone.
But Stephanie, after years of hard work, landed a three-book deal with Revell for a young adult series. Why young adult? Because that’s where her passion lies. And as she got feedback from her readers, she detected a common thread. Many of them would email her saying, “I’m a writer too–do you have any advice for me?” After getting these emails for a while, Stephanie came up with the idea for
Go Teen Writers.
I’ve mentioned before how much I love this site. It’s a fabulous meeting place for young writers, a place for them to ask their questions about writing and get informed, considered answers. It’s a place of encouragement and support. It’s a place that gives hope that maybe these dreams aren’t so far out there.
Having been beside Stephanie throughout her journey (metaphorically speaking–we live 1,000 miles apart. And only since we met in 2007 . . .), I can tell you that for a while she felt like blogging took from her without giving anything back. But once she hit upon
Go Teen Writers, there was a definite change. Because all of a sudden she knew she wasn’t just writing a blog to say, “Hey, pay attention to me!” She was writing a blog to help others. To make a difference. To give.
As a former teen writer, I can’t tell you enough how awesome I find this–and how I wish it had been around ten years ago!
Today’s a good day for me to talk about the teen-writers ministry, because the
NextGen Online Writers Conference begins on Monday (which
I blogged about a little while ago). Shellie Neumeier is the genius behind this fun opportunity for young writers, and Stephanie has joined forces with her to bring some fabulous writers together to offer their expertise. And I’m not just saying that because I’m a contributor. 😉
If you know teens who are often at their computer or hunched over a notebook, scribbling their ideas onto the page, then you can’t do better than to direct them to
Go Teen Writers and the
NextGen Writers Conference. Because you’re never too young to have a dream–or to chase after it.
I invite everyone to (a) leave a message of encouragement for Stephanie and Shellie and their amazing work with teens and (b) check out these sites and direct young writers their way. If you leave a comment on today’s post (or
last Friday’s, or any other Friday’s coming up in August), you’ll be entered to win a fabulous selection of books that will soon be making their appearance in my sidebar. 😉 Please be sure you’re a follower! And for an extra entry, follow Stephanie’s blog.
by Roseanna White | Jul 28, 2011 | Remember When Wednesdays, Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
Confession time: I am not, by nature, the type to accept critique. Maybe (and I’m guess here) it has to do with the fact that back in grade school I was always the one at the top of the class. The one who was always right, who the teachers used as an example. I got accustomed to being the best. And when you think you’re the best, it’s pretty easy to ignore advice from lesser mortals. 😉
In high school, I remember when my AP English teacher was talking to us about constructive criticism. I understood the theory, obviously, but I recall thinking something like, “Yeah, but it never feels constructive. It feels like you saying you’re right and I’m wrong.” Have I mentioned I didn’t like being wrong? LOL.
When it came to my writing, I tended to do it for myself. I had eight books completed by the time I finished college, and only let close friends and family read them. There were quite a few times when I’d ask for advice about a certain aspect of the story, or on where to cut to get my word count down.
And nearly every one of those times, I’d ignore whatever advice came in. Think something along the lines of, “What do you know? This isn’t your story.” And do it my way.
I’m not sure when it happened exactly, but I finally realize that, in fact, it is the reader’s story. And so I need to write it for them, not for me. Which means I need to know what they need. What they think. What needs to be changed. And so I consider myself blessed to have critique partners and editors who offer criticism–the kind that really is constructive.
Last Tuesday afternoon, I got my second round of edits on
Annapolis. The editor, in her email, called it “pristine,” and said she barely got to do her job. Naturally, this made my day. And naturally, when I opened the document, I saw that there was still
some work to do. I paged through it as I was making dinner and getting ready to run out for an evening appointment, and when I saw that some of the suggestions required actual thought, my reaction was something like this: “You’re kidding me, right?”
Yep, the same reaction I’ve always had. Here’s the difference–I used to leave it at that thought. When I first joined a critique group, it would sometimes take me days to heed good advice. Now it’s the same process of acceptance on my part–but it only takes a few seconds. Sometimes part of a second. After that first, “But, but, but . . .” I go, “Yeah, I see your point. Okay.” And I get down to making it better.
Occasionally my work with other writers, many of them new to the business and still working on that first manuscript, proves that I’m not the only one with this problem with criticism. I’ve heard excuses, I’ve heard exasperation, I’ve heard outright denial that there’s a problem with their book. And I’ve thought, “If you don’t want honest advice, why did you ask me to read this??”
Then I realize they’re no different than me, and I make sure to offer my criticism along with the hammer and nails they need to incorporate it–because I don’t want to tear anyone down with my words, I want to build them up.
I know myself well enough to realize that I’ll probably always have that half-a-second argument when I get criticism. But I’m so glad that I’m to the point now where I can so quickly see the wisdom behind it. As I’m working regularly now with editors and agents, I keep thinking of the kind of author I want to be–and I don’t mean defining myself by what I write. Rather, I’m talking about being an easy author to work with. One they know they can depend on to deliver the best manuscript I can, to accept advice graciously, to work hard and quickly to give them what they ask for.
Yeah, a little pride sneaks in when an editor tells me my book is in great shape–pride quickly checked when they follow the praise with constructive criticism. But when I click “send” on a manuscript, it’s not with the thought of, “There, perfect.” these days. It’s with the hope that I gave them what they wanted. That they read through it and think, not that Roseanna is the best author ever, but that Roseanna is a great author to work with.
I have no doubt this will be an ongoing process–and I’m grateful the Lord didn’t bless me with a contract until I was to the point where I could accept all the work required for it with grace.
by Roseanna White | Jul 27, 2011 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
Okay, metaphorically. 😉 And this isn’t my post. But fellow Colonial Quiller Jennifer Hudson Taylor posted such a fascinating look into early American taverns over at the Quill today that I just couldn’t resist sharing it with you:
If Colonial Tavern Walls Could Talk
That, and after being sick yesterday and just kind of tired today, but still writing and entertaining the wee ones, I have no brain power left, LOL.
So, hop over to the Colonial Quill and take a fresh look at these age-old establishments–I know you’ll find it as intriguing as I did!
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.