I'm nearly done with my first round of edits on book two. Book 2 has provided more challenges than book 1. Book 1, only a small handful knew about the book so there was no expectation. Book 2 also revisits famliar characters, familar locations with familiar rules -- I cannot let readers find that I don't know my own book.
I am pretty pleased with the plot, and am pleased with how the editting process is going. Next week I will share with a few volunteers who offered to give some editting suggestions too. By the end of May, I am hopeful to have my second book published.
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This past weekend I got to meet and talk with, as I was someone kinda important at the event, one of the coolest authors around. In fact, a good friend said that the author and I were twins. The author is one of the neatest people with such a humbling back story and raw honesty.
At one point, this author heard that <another author>, an idol and inspiration, would be getting a copy of the author's book to read. The author said, "it really would be amazing just to know that <author> read something I wrote. I don't need feedback or endorsement, or anything. Just knowing <author> read it would be amazing." I emailed the author after the event stating, "That giggly, squeally feeling -- that's the same when I get to talk with you." Because I do. Every time I met this author, and other authors. They are my superheros and my celebrities. Last night I held my first "Author Chat" with friends who had read my book. We spent a bit of time talking about the book... and much of the time talking about other books and readers and authors and life. It was exactly what I wanted: discussion. No, we didn't dig deep into character analysis or plot development. Instead we focused on what makes reading the most enjoyable: connecting.
Oh, and much scolding to me that one of the characters in book 1 does not make an appearance in book 2. There was some demand that she show up in book 3. (Um, book 3???) The other day I read my book aloud. One sitting, front to back, entire book.
And I nearly cried. Not from joy of the accomplishment. Not from the happiness of knowing I had chased and achieved a dream. I cried because of all the errors I found. Some were little things like a small typo or missing punctuation. Others were a bit bigger grammatical issues. And some, well, they were just plain storyline mistakes. After some time, and maybe a bite of humble pie, I realized that I need to take this as a learning experience to help me grow as a writer and editor. It is a bump on the road to chasing dreams and one that I can learn to avoid for the next book. Yes, there is a next book. Chasing dreams is something I have done for most of my life. My dreams change as I grow up, but I still have them. Many times they motivate me to push on when it gets too difficult or I think I cannot do it.
Professionally, my dreams have been: My first dream was to graduate college. My second dream was to become an English teacher. My third dream was to become a school librarian. (Which incorporated the dream of obtaining my MLIS.) Next, I wanted to be an advocate for other school librarians (which resulted in becoming part of OELMA's board and presenting at conferences. My current achieved dream was to write a book. No, I don't have the ablity to be published by one of the big publishing companies, nor do I have the hutzpah to do that. Yet, I did write a book. And using Amazon's publishing, it exists. a.co/d/cdSPUUt What's next? Well, hopefully writing and publishing a second book. I've already started the outline doodles to make this happen. What dreams are you chasing? Readers. Like all people we seek out others who are like us. We want to connect.
Readers want to find not only other readers, but readers who read similar genres, who cry at *those* moments, who miss those characters we miss. Readers want to, through discussion, visit those places we read about and felt in our bones. Readers want to argue the merits of the characters, both villain and victor. I love, love, love when someone reaches out to talk about the book we've both read. I've cried over Ova, lamented poor Queenie and rejoiced over Alex and Eliza with others. It's a connection, to another reader and to the book. My reading community is typically my colleagues and my students. They know I read and want to share about their reading experience. It fantastic to talk with people to learn what pulled them into the book. Our discussions would lead you, the observer, to believe we know the characters, have visited the locations and participated in the conflicts. And we did. That moment was real, even if we were the readers. Who do you connect with? What books do you need to discuss? Cause I'd love to be part of your reading community. I can be an awkward fan girl at times. It happens when I meet someone who I admire so much, respect what they have done or created, and believe I am truly not on the same playing field as they are. They have done something truly spectacular that has touched many -- me among them -- and I have... well... not. My first truly awkward fan girl moment was when I met Jeff Galloway. He is an incredible, kind man who is an amazing, supportive running coach. Many runners use the "Galloway method" to train for and complete many running races. This guy is incredible. As it was my turn to meet him, I became a tongue tied 13 year old, giggling and unsure what to say. (Mind you, I was in my late 30s at the time.) My second fan girl moment was not much less embarrassing. I was able to meet Donalyn Miller. Her advocacy for student reading utilizing self-selected titles to help create life, long readers (or Wild Readers as she calls them) is inspirational. My hope is to make her ideas a reality for my students. When I met her this year, it took 2 colleagues to convince me to get my photo with her. A friend who knew I was there, and knew another person also at the conference, was able to get a book autographed for me. (I might have squealed when I got the book.) There are times I've skipped out on being a fan girl. Each of them I have to completely regretted it afterwards. I had the opportunity to meet Maggie Stiefvater... and bailed. My "I'm too big a dork" stopped me; I 100% regret it. (Again I was lucky enough to have a friend get a book autographed for me. This means not only am I lucky, I am a blathering fan girl!) This fall was not the first time I had the opportunity to meet Donalyn Miller. A few years back I was at a conference where Donalyn Miller was a presenter. Did I say hello? No, I totally freaked out and didn't introduce myself. I kicked myself afterwards. What I have taken from those moments, both the missed opportunities and the lucky meetings, is just go be the fan. The person you are so excited to me is typically just as excited to meet you. Don't regret missed opportunities. That's why when e. E. Charlton-Trujillo, author of Fat Angie and Fat Angie Rebel Girl Revolution was going to be at October 2019 Ohioana -- I went. I adore e. E. I adore Fat Angie. I'm not sure which I would rather have a tea with. (Yes, I know Fat Angie is fictional.) While I was there I spoke with Sharon Draper, Margaret Peterson Haddix and David Wanczyk. Each was truly personable and glad to meet me. We discussed their books and I was able to get a copy autographed. It was wonderful -- and I am glad I spoke with each of them. I did not wimp out and yes, I spoke with e. E Charlton-Trujillo. Was I once again an awkward fan girl, blathering on and on? Oh yes. Was e. E. gracious and kind? Oh yes. Moral of the story: go be a fan and meet those who inspire you. It will be an amazing experience for both of you. This school year, my 10th as a school librarian, I have read more books than I have any previous school year. As of today (April 24) I am at 59 books for the school year; 33 for the calendar year. I began to wonder, "Why? What about this year is so different?" One way I find books to read is from my colleagues. Teachers have recommended a lot of books to me -- or asked me to read a book to give an opinion on a topic or ways to implement in the classroom. However, that's not uncommon from year to year. We have a 40 book challenge... but that too is not new to this year either. So what was new? After rolling this around and around in my head for the past month, I realized two things have changed. (1) I gave myself permission to read books NOT intended for a middle school audience. While that might seem strange, I typically steered away from books meant for adults. This year I've read Good Things I Wish You and The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Alice Network and Let Your Mind Run plus a few more. I enjoyed every one of them. I allowed myself to read beyond my job. (2) I began to read what my professional gurus were reading. People like Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp and John Schu, to name a few, began to help populate my reading list. Activities like Battle of the Books pushed me to read every book (18) on the list. I used these lists, populated by experts, to build my reading list. And I am still reading away; right now I am listening to The Hate U Give while reading The Incomplete Book of Running and Linking Picture Book Biographies to National Content Standards. I figure I will finish the school year around 70 books. But then there is summer.... As odd as it may sound, I know summer is my slide time. Many summers I read 1 or 2 books -- over the course of three months! While I am ashamed to admit it, I know it to be true. Reading in the summer gets overlooked. Not this summer. I plan to change that. Donalyn Miller began a Book a Day challenge a few years back. The challenge is to read 1 book for every day of summer break. That might be some days you read nothing but the next you devour two or three. My summer break will be 80 days. Thus 80 books. I am already compiling lists of books to read. (Please feel free to send me any books you think I should consider. Use the button below to email me.) If you are on Twitter, you can follow the hashtag #bookaday to see what others are ready; feel free to follow me on Twitter (jseebauer) to see how I am doing on my challenge. 80 books of summer -- here I come! I admit it. I love to read.
And I want everyone to love to read. Thus, it's it time for me to pursue my passion: sharing about reading. This blog will talk about books, authors, tips for connecting with readers and so much more. One word at a time. |
Mrs. SeebauerA reader who wants everyone to see themselves as readers. Archives |