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Writing & Reading: Pass It On

file000880964107The other day I caught the tail end of an NPR story highlighting research that says, despite the ease and frequency with which teenagers interact on social media (adding new layers to peer pressure), “parents are still the most powerful influence when it comes to…values.”

The story is talking about teen drinking and smoking and deserves a listen. But, that isn’t exactly why I bring it up.

Something psychologist, Susan Lipkins, says during the show stuck with me and can be applied in how we nurture writers and readers at home as well:

“I ask parents, when I speak to them, I say ‘OK, so there was a car accident; what did you do? Did you stop and help? Did you call 911? Or did you just pass by and say; boy I’m glad it’s not me?’ That’s a very mild example of how we teach our kids what to do.“

Actions speak louder.

Writing

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Surely my daughter has seen me spend too many hours at the computer, heard me tell of a story accepted or turned down, listened to me talk of the Grandmas and Grandpas I teach who write their stories. She’s heard me sigh when the writing wasn’t working; speak of hope when it was. Witnessed how I’ve kept at it and–on many days–enjoyed it.

So last weekend when I mentioned that Cricket Magazine–her magazine–was running a poetry contest, she jumped at the chance to write her own poem. Literally. Jumped up and grabbed a pad of paper and a pencil and wrote her first poem, “The Art I like.”

Then, she typed it on the computer and signed it, and we submitted it. This isn’t the first thing she’s written (she was on a spree for a while churning out picture book after picture book of stories…master of her muse), but this is the first piece she’s sent out into the real world. It was pretty cool, putting a stamp on that envelope.

Reading

IMG_0486My son isn’t into writing the stories, but he’s very much into reading them. Considering how we don’t have cable and at least one of us can be found with face in book during the day, I’m not surprised. What has caught me off guard is that he also likes to rate his books.

I review books. I’m a grown up; grown ups write reviews. I suppose I’ve even mentioned it once or twice in passing conversation. But since he really doesn’t like writing, I never thought he’d craft his own.

Then, after buying him several of James Patterson’s Middle School books through my Kindle account because he loved them, plowed through them, asked for more, I got an email notice from Amazon saying my recent book review had “gone live.”

It had been months since I’d reviewed anything. Confused, I opened the email and saw his rating, his words, about one of his favorite books, Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life.

5 stars
Title of review: Awesome
“It was very good and a good ending. I have read it 3 times before.”

For a half a second, I considered taking it down before anyone wondered why this review read so differently from any of my others oh-so-important formal reviews. But then, I stopped myself. For crying out loud.

He took initiative without any direction from me. He made a point to click the link at the end of the book that let him write his honest opinion about a book he appreciated. He’s done it two more times since then.

Parenting is never easy; half the time I am quietly begging for the burning bush or a tablet inscribed with ten commandments of good moms and dads (or something like this post from Amy Shearn about the 12 ingredients for a good parenting day), because I have no idea what to say or how to lead.

Then, I look around. I take a photo. I keep it as evidence that, sometimes, you don’t have to say a thing. You just do; you just open the door, pave the way, and your kids will follow.

Writing and reading. How do you pass it on?

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There’s something to write about.

IMG_0471I’m typing this while the sun is shining, but it’s bitter cold. There’s a mountain of laundry yet to be done. The bathroom upstairs needs cleaning. I just finished scrubbing the stove. I have reheated my coffee twice, vacuumed the crooks of the couch. Swept. Swiffered. Punched pillows back into shape.

I have gone to bed early for the last three nights in a row.

I like a clean house and a good night’s rest, but let’s be realistic. I am totally avoiding that one thing: revisions.

It’s a story, it’s a novel, it’s an essay. Whatever, it’s the draft I don’t want to open or consider, because something about it isn’t working. So, I straighten and fluff and scrub and grow cranky in my writing restraint. Then, I find comfort in someone else’s essay, like Andrew Porter’s “If There’s Something There” in this month’s Glimmer Train bulletin:

…never give up on a story out of frustration.

Losing interest is different from losing faith. Take a break, he says, but get back at it. Because obviously–if you’re frustrated?–you’ve got something to work with and a good story to tell.

What are you scrubbing like a mad woman?

This post first appeared on christicraig.com.

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Blogging & Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, & Pinterest. Oh my!

IMG_0432Saturday’s workshop on Blogging & Social Media for Writers went well with only a few Power Point hiccups that can be blamed mostly on user error. Technology keeps us on our toes, doesn’t it? (I’m talking to you, computer gremlins, who took over my slide show and clicked NEXT when I said STAY).

Aaaanyway…. Success of a workshop greatly depends on the audience. The writers who came to the table on Saturday showed up with various levels of experience, asked great questions, and offered excellent discussion. I think everyone left with a strong understanding as to what’s out there and a drive to investigate those options more. Because when I said last week that articles about blogging and social media just keep coming, I wasn’t kidding.

I finally had a chance to read my February issue of Writer’s Digest (I know, I’m so behind…!), and blogging and social media is addressed there as well in Chuck Wendig’s “Best of Both Worlds.”

In his article, Wendig specifically focuses on the prospect of becoming a “hybrid” author, one who pursues both the traditional and self-published routes, but he touches on points we discussed in the workshop on Saturday.

1. Diversity is crucial.

Diversity means survival. That’s true in agriculture. it’s true in our stock portfolios. It’s true on our dinner plates.

And, it’s true in publishing. Survival as a writer means embracing diversity from the beginning. And that means thinking of yourself as a ‘hybrid’ author.

Again, he’s mainly talking about using both traditional and self-publishing to your advantage (and he’s persuasive in his argument as well as helpful, listing pros and cons and offering tips on how to and heeding warnings on what to avoid). But diversity is just as important when considering social media.

This doesn’t mean authors must set up and manage every single profile known in the networking world. But, it benefits an author to consider the options and decide on a select few that might help them grow a wider and more versatile audience–an audience of readers and other writers.

2. Visibility is a priority.

[You must] increase the visibility of your work. This often starts with a strong social media presence–not one devoted to marketing, but one devoted to you being the best version of yourself and engaging authentically with your potential audience.

For hybrid authors, it’s vital that all of your…platform-related efforts lead to a central online space (a professional author website or blog) that showcases your other work.

I can’t emphasize this enough. I call that central space a “home base” or an online P.O. Box per se. People will look for you online with the sole purpose of finding out more about you and your work. Make it easier for them to find you (the author) in one solid place.

This month’s issue of Writer’s Digest is available in print of course, but you can download a digital version easy. Go read “Best of Both Worlds”, and then check out Chuck Wendig’s companion piece, “Case Study: Becoming a Hybrid Author,” at Writer’s Digest online HERE.

There’s so much to learn whether you’re a new or seasoned writer. One of the greatest gifts we have is access to information and community–online and in person.

Red-Oak-Writing-Logo-1000x1000With that said, and if you’re close to Milwaukee, take a look at the next few workshops on the docket at Red Oak Writing:

  • From Blank Page to Written Words. March 22nd, 9:30-noon. Laurel Landis will help you “free your mind and focus quickly” and write, write, write.
  • Publishing Your First (or next) Collection. April 26th, 9:30-noon. Learn from Robert Vaughan who will share his experience getting “his first three projects (Microtones, Diptychs + Triptychs, and Addicts & Basements) from his office desk into the hands of publishers who all agreed to bring his work to life.”
  • Writing for Radio. May 17th, 9:30-noon. “Most writers are used to writing for the reader. [Mel Misikimen] will teach you the skills you’ll need to hone your piece for the ear….”

How do you diversify online? Better yet, how do you man-handle your Power Point into behaving?