My MFA Journey (Part 5)

by | Dec 12, 2018 | Mentoring, On Writing

Note: I’ve been writing about my journey during my MFA at the Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) in Writing for Children and Young Adults. You can read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 of my journey as well.

I’m currently finishing up my second semester with my genius advisor Amanda Jenkins, author of the Printz Honor Book Repossessed, among others titles. My goal this semester was to understand how to convey authentic and deep character emotion in both revised and new manuscripts. It expanded to include how to structure a story based on a character’s emotional journey.

Here’s what I did over the last six months:

  • I read and analyzed books in a wide range of genres — picture books, chapter books, poetry, novels for kids and teens, graphic novels, novels in verse, manga, short stories for kids and teens, nonfiction and memoir. I listened to 20 audio-recorded VCFA lectures and a handful of critical theses.
  • I wrote short essays about how to use humor to maximize reader engagement with emotionally taxing characters and how to use micro-level tools to focus emotion in a scene. At the request of my advisor, I wrote a personal essay on why I’m drawn to write monstrous characters like Bog, since one of my works-in-progress has a monstrous character in it. I also wrote two long essays about power relationships and group dynamics in kid-lit families and peer groups.
  • I researched for my upcoming critical thesis, which I’ll write in my third semester, and I wrote a proposal for it. I’m super-stoked to start writing this!
  • For my creative writing, I wrote side writing about my works-in-progress as well as new manuscript pages. I focussed on two projects: a revision of a YA novel and first draft of an MG novel. My creative was focussed on depth of characterization and understanding the story that occurs off the page as well as on it.

I emerge from this first semester with this big-picture takeaway: how I can transform my writing process to achieve greater depth of character emotion and use that emotional depth to form the inner arc of a story.  I’ve now got a handle on my characters from both my novel projects, and I’m ready to write them in a way that is both honest and deep.

My third semester starts in January with a residency filled with workshops, lectures and readings — and a new faculty advisor. I’m so grateful for what I’ve learned so far and I’m excited for the next steps!

Want more? You can read Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, and my final MFA post.

My Inner Critic

by | Oct 15, 2018 | Uncategorized

Thanks to author Claudia Osmond for hosting me on her REAL TALK blog. Her site is full of insights on the creative life from the perspective of different creatives. I hope you’ll take a look!

My post is one of five perspectives on the inner critic. I’ve been battling my own inner critic since I can remember. How about you? You can read my post here:

Young Voices Magazine 2018

by | Sep 27, 2018 | Uncategorized

Today I’m sad and proud at the same time. I’m sad because this 2018 edition of the Toronto Public Library’s Young Voices Magazine is my last one. I’m proud because I’ve helped launch teen writers through this magazine since 2007.

I enjoyed every minute. I loved reading the selections and meetings with teen editors to select pieces. I loved the launches, where teen writers and artists shared their inspiration. I loved working with librarians to develop the program. I loved delivering writing workshops in libraries and through outreach to places like youth shelters and an eating disorder clinic. Most of all, I love reading the magazine.

You can pick up your copy at any TPL branch or read it online here.

And for Toronto youth, the Young Voices Writing and Art Fest is this weekend!

Ways to Grow as a Writer (Part 2): Critical Discussion

by | Sep 17, 2018 | Uncategorized

In June, I posted an article I wrote for the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP) about the value of critical writing and how it’s given me mind-blowing insights about my creative writing. In a second article, I wrote about how critical discussion has done the same.

The second article appeared in the CANSCAIP News Fall 2018 issue. Thanks to CANSCAIP, you can read it here:

 

Workshop: Become Your Own Plot Doctor

by | Aug 1, 2018 | Mentoring, On Writing, Presentation News

I’m excited to be presenting at CANSCAIP‘s Packaging Your Imagination 2018 along with so many talented creators and industry experts. You can check out the full line-up here. The date is November 10, 2018. Hope to see you there!

I’ll be delivering a workshop on plot. Whether you’re outlining, writing, or revising, an analytical examination of your story will help diagnose and treat any plot problems. I’ll be discussing how to become your own plot doctor by asking yourself questions about your characters and story, and then intuitively answering those questions.