"Scratched Notes"

This weekend, I scratched out some notes on my new characters. I really don't know them that well yet, but an image of them is in my head. Their personalities will be a fun learning experience.

I sketched out the basic GMCs - Goals, motivations, conflicts. I have the general concept of the story. The GMCs often alter over the length of the book, but I need a general goal. A set-up to try and get to know these kids better.

I'm going to try and not go too dark, but--haha--if I worry about it too much, I'll get blocked! So I'll go with it and see how it goes.

Started a rough first scene... This story will have two POVs and a romance.

I thought about making a book collage, where you cut out images that relate to your story and characters and paste them together since I'm a pretty visual and hands on person, but I was too eager to start.

I think it would help, though, once I get to know these characters better.

Good writing to you.

"Fascinating discussion on the Lack of Multicultural YA"

There is a fascinating discussion going on at Chasing Ray, regarding the lack of YA books involving, "African American, Native American, Jewish, Muslim, Asian American, Indian, LBGT and on and on."

The blogger asks the question:

" [...] are their fewer teen books published with minority characters because publishers do not think they will sell or is the problem that writers capable of crafting such books from their own experience are uncommon?

In other words - are white writers (who are in the majority) afraid to write books with minority characters or are minority authors prevented from being published because the kids they write about don't have the purchase power of the white kids?

[...'] Do you think that writers and publishers address this identity issue strongly enough and in a balanced matter in current teen fiction? Can authors write characters of different race/ethnicity or sexual preference from their own and beyond that, what special responsibility, if any, do authors of teen fiction have to represent as broad a swath of individuals as possible? "

Published authors have given wonderful and thought-provoking answers on the blog post and many interesting comments. I have to admit I've been a little afraid to be so honest on the topic, without coming across as complaining. Here are my thoughts I posted in the comments and what I've experienced writing multicultural YA:

This is a fascinating discussion. One as a published author I have been afraid to discuss so that I don't come across as merely only rooting for the multicultural writer or publishers not supporting MC (multicultural) titles.

I've been writing MC characters for about ten years as I am multicultural. What I discovered when trying to sell my first adult novel a few years ago, editors were only interested in MC books if the books were about the cultural experience--an issue the MC character had to deal with then prevail. At the time, my first book was with a MC character but because she wasn't dealing with a MC issue, the editors were not interested.

When I chose to write for teens, I wanted to write characters of mixed ethnicity. Characters who were of two cultures. Or maybe even more nationalities like myself, Mexican, Filipino, and Italian. I also wanted to write books teens wanted to read. When I was in school, it was extremely hard to enjoy the classics and wouldn't it be great to write a book teens would want to read for school?

My two books Graffiti Girl and Invisible Touch have MC issues weaved through the stories and I've recently discussed with my agent that I'd like to write a story with MC characters where their conflict is not MC. We'll have to see the feedback we receive from editors on the next submission. I've grown up with MC issues, but also issues teens of all colors have experienced, so why I cannot write a MC character with issues even Caucasian characters face?

With the MTV Books imprint I was published with there was only one other Latina writer on the list. I can't believe that writers are not writing MC characters, but sadly my first thought is that publishers are buying few and the ones that are published are not receiving the publicity push that could help get the book to interested readers.

On the topic of MC authors writing MC characters, I do feel the instinct to write what I know. It would be difficult to write deeply about a cultural I do not know much about myself, but that's only my feelings about my own writing. I have nothing against writers writing about other cultures that are not their own, in fact I encourage it.

Many teens who are MC have reviewed or written to me that they can relate to my characters--some not even Latina--and it makes me feel good. I'm not a bestseller, and I also have to admit I do not have a literary voice that resonates with adult YA readers, but it has with teen readers. It gives me some hope that I'm doing the right thing writing MC characters even though they are not selling in a big way, even knowing that readers who are not Latina won't pick up my books because they may feel being raised in another cultural that they couldn't relate to the story.

Thank you very much for this thought-provoking post.

"The Blank Page"

This is what I have to start with...a blank page.

I had two complete book proposals, nearly half of two books, but they didn't work. They were too dark, not enough feeling. Maybe no light. So now I'm back to a blank page. In a way that could mean nothing.

And in another way it could mean everything.

The blank page could be a story waiting to be written. It could be ready to be filled with dark and light. It could be ready for some feeling. That's what I want to create this time. I don't want to worry about the time going by. Or the sales numbers or the things happening that don't really matter in long run when all you have is a blank page to fill.

I'm ready to write another story that matters.

And I'm starting with a clean slate, characters to get to know.

I'm starting with a blank page.

Wish me luck. :)

"Storyteller to Publicist?"

I think one of the hardest parts of being a published author is the marketing. When you are on your journey to publication, learning your craft, taking workshops, entering contests for feedback, reading books, rewriting, what you are trying to do is make your book the best it can be. You are trying to make your book into a published book.

But what I've noticed after writing two published works is that I can't just worry about writing the best book I can. As a published author, I have to worry about what's selling to publishers, or my sales numbers, or marketing the books that have gone to publication in order to gain new readership.

And when that happens, the creativity suffers. The writing becomes harder.

I love being a writer. I love to tell stories. That is what I've wanted to do for the past ten years. It's a dream to be published, one I cherish. But being a published author doesn't stop at the creativity or the spinning of stories. Today it goes beyond that with marketing and trying to please all the people who work with you on the book.

I want to entertain myself as I write. I want to entertain readers who are willing to read my work.

But I can't just do that because I am a published author and have to factor in sales and marketing. I have to factor in that unless I spend money I don't even have to hire a publicist, I have to be my worst enemy to my writing.

I have to be a publicist when I want to be a storyteller.

And when I've done all I can as a publicist and it still doesn't work, I wonder one thing...

Where does that leave the storyteller?

"Reasons to Read Invisible Touch"

I'll be the first to admit, I had some trip ups with Invisible TouchMy first release date was supposed to be September 2008.  I didn't know if this was the perfect date, but I planned all of my promotion for September.  Then, the strangest thing happened...my Advanced Reader's Copy was printed instead of my edited manuscript. The publisher graciously fixed this and reprinted my books with the correct edits, but my release date was pushed to October 2008.  I moved my launch to a month later, but somehow it still felt a little off and promotion for the book hasn't been the greatest.  So I've come up with a list of reasons you might like to read Invisible Touch!

1. I commissioned this cool book video about the story...it really captures the suspense and premise of the novel.



2. Touch had the weirdest printing snafu that I mentioned above. Come on, my book has a supernatural storyline and this weird glitch happens. *shiver*  Is that like a sign??

3. It's listed in a Goodreads "THE ULTIMATE SUMMER '09 READING LIST" currently @ #14. (Coolio!)

4. It's been said to have a surprising ending in various reviews! (My lips are sealed!)

5. It's been given the "Gold Award of Excellence" from TeensReadToo.

6. It has a romance between a tough guy and a girl both struggling with secrets.

7. Enchanting Reviews gave Touch 5 Enchantments!

8. Invisible Touch is on the Fresno Library Summer Reading List (this was found by chance) and this is a quick blurb from the site: "There’s romance, Latino culture, mystery, and a touch of the paranormal, witten by the author of Graffiti Girl. It’s better than an asada burrito at El Pollo Loco!" Love that one!

9. Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz said, "Invisible Touch is a blending of mystery, romance, and deep and dangerous secrets." *sigh*

10. Ultimately, I wrote Touch for two reasons.  1) for the reader to have an entertaining read. I know as an author you can't please every reader, but I hoped to entertain as many readers as I can.  2) I lost two important men in my life and I dedicated this book to them. It was a way to say goodbye and I put a lot of my grief into the book. There was a time I was writing the book and I was so deep into Kara's POV, I spaced.  When I finally snapped out of it, I had a whole page written. I blinked and it was one of those weird moments that you're not sure what happened, but something weird did indeed happen. Still trips me out...

:)

"Happy New June"

Many people celebrate their new year in January. New beginnings, new goals and resolutions, right? But I've come to realize I'm never ready by January to start setting goals and getting organized. By January, I've just finished a mad shopping rush for the holidays and before I know it school is back on with activities and rushing around.

I think I'm ready to get organized and set goals in...June.

June is a busy month for us that's for certain. Three family birthdays are in June, my anniversary, school is finishing for the summer and baseball season is ending. But it's a moment to pause from rushing around each night readying for tomorrow, then rushing around that morning to set off for a new day. And now as school ends, it's a break to not rush so much and just breathe.

This weekend, I started organizing the kids rooms and front room and moving furniture. It was time for a fresh look and a little change. I finally had the time. I also started really writing these past couple of months on my WIPS and freelance projects. I feel inspired, ready to work, and motivated.

I'm ready to start my New Year in June. :)