Author: Patricia

My NanoWriMo Failure

~ Patricia

www.patriciabaileyauthor.comI had such high hopes on November 1st. Hopes for bursts of inspiration. Hopes for daily writing. Hopes for a complete draft of the novel I have been struggling with all year.

Then I had middling hopes. Hopes that I could manage to pull the great ideas I have for this book a little closer. Hopes that the plot would come together somehow. Hopes that I could hit the voice I’ve been aiming for, that I could nail the characters that I know are in there, that I could find the funny and maybe-kind-of sad story that seems to be hovering just out of reach.

Near November 28th I had low hopes. Hopes for just a few more sentences. Hopes for just a single word that sounded real and true and maybe kind of close to the thing that’s been living in my head.

And at the end I had desperate hopes. Hopes for a magical burst of inspiration and clarity. Hopes for a visit from the genius Elizabeth Gilbert mentions in her Ted Talk. Hopes for a whirling dervish of words and ideas that would spin this novel into its possible self – full and complete, and well, just a little bit wonderful.

The genius never showed – or rather, the genius showed – just not in the cobbler’s elves way I had hoped for. So instead of 50,000 incredible, magical words, I ended up with around 20,000 words and several pages of notes that together I think might lead to a complete – and maybe even good – new novel.

So, I failed NanoWriMo. But my NanoWriMo failure – though painfully real – ended up being a bit of an win for my new book. Not an easy fairy dust kind of win. Not by a long shot. But maybe one that’s a bit inspired – the way something built and torn apart and built again is somehow made better by the sweat and tears and little bit of blood required to create it.

At least that’s my hope.

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2017 Debut Book Love – Wait For Me

~ Patricia

Book Review | www.patriciabaileyauthor.comI love historical novels. Always have. Historical fiction is what sparked my interest in history. It’s what led me to the library to learn more about the people and events that have shaped our world when I was a kid, and it’s what help me decide on my minor in college when I was an adult. Best of all, it was my love for history that inspired my own 2017 debut, THE TRAGICALLY TRUE ADVENTURES OF KIT DONOVAN.

Which is why I was so excited to see another 2017 debut historical on the ARC list. I’ve wanted to read Caroline Leech’s YA novel WAIT FOR ME since I first read the summary. There’s just something about being transported to another time and another place that gives you a fresh perspective. WAIT FOR ME’s beautiful Scottish setting and characters did just that.

Wait for MeWait for Me by Caroline Leech
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A touching war story – well told. Caroline Leech’s WWII romance, WAIT FOR ME, is filled with angst and empathy as enemies become friends – and fall in love – even as they are forced to face their own fears, prejudices, losses, and desires. Romance lovers will appreciate the slow burn of forbidden first love, while history lovers will be drawn to the detailed depictions of time and place and the unique setting. And everyone will love the characters – from Lorna’s pluck to Nikki’s cheerful desperation, from Jock’s quiet strength to Paul’s tragic kindness.

WAIT FOR ME is a strong debut. The author, Caroline Leech, has an eye for romance, and and an elegant hand with detail – and suspense. A great YA read.

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For readers:

  • A swoon-worthy love story.
  • Great historical detail.
  • Spunky and brave characters.

For teachers

  • A fresh historical perspective and setting for WWII.
  • Discussion about empathy, fear, and loss.
  • A WWII story with a strong female protagonist.

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Get It Published: An Author Discussion Panel

~ Patricia ~ 2 Comments

My awesome local library hosted an author discussion panel this month – and my new super amazing writer friend Janet Sumner Johnson asked me to be on it.

How cool is that?

I got to meet the super fantastic Laura Shovan and the three of us talked about our wacky weird journeys from writer to published author. We covered everything from writing the first draft to getting a publishing deal – and all the joys and frustrations in between.

It was fun. Fun to be part of – and extra fun to hear Janet and Laura present. As Sweet Sixteeners, they are pros at this – so in addition to getting to sit at the table with them, I got to watch how they do this whole author presentation thing. And I learned a lot.

Win. Win.

Janet Sumner Johnson and Laura Shovan
If you’re looking for some wonderful middle grade reads, check out their books, THE LAST GREAT ADVENTURE OF THE PB&J SOCIETY and THE LAST FIFTH GRADE OF EMERSON ELEMENTARY.

 

Extra big thanks to the Klamath County Library for hosting the event – and to Janet and Laura for inviting me to be part of it. You’ve just gotta love the middle grade writing community.

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2017 Debut Book Love: Family Game Night and Other Catastrophes

~ Patricia

Book Review | www.patriciabaileyauthor.comI love it when I find a book that makes me want to write.

Mary Lambert’s middle grade debut FAMILY GAME NIGHT AND OTHER CATASTROPHES did exactly that.

I simply couldn’t put it down. I read it in one sitting – unable to drag myself away.  It’s a book that makes you long for a magical fix – even as you know that such a thing is impossible. And it doesn’t take the easy way out. There are no solid answers – just the sense that this family will continue on – sorting out the beautiful mess of their lives together.

Family Game Night and Other CatastrophesFamily Game Night and Other Catastrophes by Mary E. Lambert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is everything I love about middle grade novels. Perfect voice. A cast of well-rounded, interesting characters. True-to-life friendships and family relationships. And, best of all, it doesn’t take the easy way out – but manages to leave you with hope just the same. Mary Lambert’s debut it a triumph – mixing real pain with just the right amount of humor to give the reader a heartfelt look into a family trying desperately to grow and change – while struggling to keep themselves and each other together in the process.

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For readers:

  • A great main character that you can really relate to.
  • A true-to-life sibling relationship.
  • Sad and funny all rolled up together  – just like life.

For teachers

  • Discussion about dealing with crisis behavior – helping others and helping ourselves.
  • Discussion about family – and how we care for those we love.
  • A great example of voice.

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Surreal Moment No. 2

~ Patricia ~ 2 Comments

A Surreal Moment in a Debut Author's Life | www.patriciabaileyauthor.com Surreal Moment – October 20, 2016
Fly the Point. Draper, Utah.

I’m reading through the Swanky Seventeens Facebook group where one of the author’s mentioned she just found her book up on Amazon. So I click over to Amazon and type in The Tragically True Adventures of Kit Donovan – because why not? AND IT’S THERE. With my name and a bio I don’t remember writing and a PUBLICATION DATE and a PREORDER LINK.

PEOPLE CAN ORDER MY BOOK you all!
A thought that immediately makes me feel like throwing up.

 

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2017 Debut Book Love: How to Stage a Catastrophe

~ Patricia

Book Review | www.patriciabaileyauthor.comHave I said how much I love my fellow middle grade debut authors? If not, I mean to. Everyday.

It’s been a while since I’ve gotten an ARC (advanced reader copy) of one of my fellow middle grade debut friends in the mail, but then, on a cold, dark Halloween day, Rebecca Donnelly’s super fun HOW TO STAGE A CATASTROPHE showed up in my mail box and saved my life.

Part play – part novel – and all funny, I read this book in short bursts – not letting myself gobble it up in one sitting. And I totally fell for the characters. Sid and Folly are smart and funny and full of good (and not-so-good) ideas, and just the kind of kids you want to hang out with. Even the adults in this book are great. And despite the spot-on descriptions of Florida heat, I kind of wanted to move to Hatahatchee and spend some time backstage at the Juicebox Theater.

How to Stage a CatastropheHow to Stage a Catastrophe by Rebecca Donnelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a fun read! Hilarious and heart-warming, Sidney and company’s quest to save the Juicebox Theater is a joy to read. The characters are fantastic – smart and funny and kind – but full of wild ideas just the same. Great for theater lovers, theater wanna-be’s, and anyone who loves a good play (and a few chase scenes!), Donnelly’s story will keep you reading and laughing and longing for the next performance. The creative design and chapter structure is just an added treat.

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For readers:

  • A great set of fun and smart characters who are getting things done.
  • Theater stuff – behind the scenes and on the stage.
  • Friendship, fun, and a really awesome dog.

For teachers

  • Great structure – and a fun way to introduce kids to play structure and the ins and out of stage work.
  • Discussion about community – and how to work together to save something you care about.
  • Discussion about passion – and how to work hard on something that matters – without hurting others in the process.

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Surreal Moment No. 1

~ Patricia

Surreal Moment in a Debut Author's Life | www.patriciabaileyauthor.com Surreal Moment – October 15, 2016
Women Writing the West Conference. Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I am standing outside the door of a hotel conference room having an *actual conversation with TWO New York Times Best Selling Authors about cover art – theirs and MINE.

*Note to readers:  an actual conversation means I’m an active participant. I’m not just standing silently, smiling and nodding. I’m saying real things that make other people nod and smile and say real things back. Un-freaking-real, right?!

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The Fourth Annual High Serenity Ranch Writer’s Retreat

~ Patricia

Sprague River | High Serenity Ranch Writer's Retreat | www.patriciabaileyauthor.com
By Jim O’Connor, USGS photographer (http://or.water.usgs.gov/proj/Sprague/) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
I had the best time speaking at the High Serenity Ranch Writer’s Retreat in Sprague River, OR on Saturday, Oct. 29. Sponsored by Klamath Basin Writers, this event brought writers of all interests together in a lovely setting to write, share, and get inspired.

I ate beautiful food, talked with wonderful people about writing and creativity and life, wrote short pieces in response to fun prompts, and even put together a plan for my writing goals. And I got to share my experience on this writing road – from dealing with rejections, figuring out next steps, and finding the the very best friends and colleagues to share the journey with.

I’m so happy they asked me to present and gave me the chance to meet so many wonderful writers. Thanks to everyone who attended – and extra love to Laura, Perri, and Jo for putting the retreat together and letting me tag along.

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Surreal Moments

~ Patricia ~ 2 Comments

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Emotion_motion_%284895522092%29.jpg
By Jelly Dude (Emotion motion) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
There are a lot of firsts when you are a debut author. First call from an agent. First chat with an editor. First time your name and picture appear in Publisher’s Weekly. First time you see a cover sketch for you book. First time you see your name on Goodreads and Amazon and Powells. And all of it is heart-racing, jaw-dropping amazing. And terrifying. And unreal.

Still, you’re expected to be a professional. To hold up your end of the deal. Your part of the conversation or presentation or panel discussion.  To simply do the work. So that’s what you do, and you do it all perfectly normally and appropriately. Or at least you seem to. Because inside – another part of you – a much more real part of you – is jumping up and down, screeching and poking you in the ribs. “Can you believe this?!” this part is screaming. “Are you paying attention?!” “Is this really freaking happening?!”

I had one such experience at a conference I was at recently. A part of me was chatting and talking and nodding along – making perfect sense, while the rest of me was floating above the room trying to take a mental picture of what was happening so I could treasure it forever. Which is why I’ve decided to start recording these events here on my blog, in a little series I’m going to call Surreal Moments in a Debut Author’s Life. That way all those little “Oh my God this is really happening” moments can have a place to express themselves and their excitement as inappropriately and unprofessionally as they want.

Because, let’s face it, I’ve never been terribly cool – and I really don’t think that’s suddenly going to change now.

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