Writing in a Time of Uncertainty
July 2024: Revision Reflections
Not long ago, one of my students wrote to me to ask for some encouragement because she was "stuck" and struggling with believing in herself and the story she was trying to write. She worried she might not pass. She worried she couldn't write this thing she had so desperately wanted to write back at the beginning of the semester. “I didn’t think it would be so hard!” she wrote.
Sound familiar? It does to me. I’ve been in this same place too many times to count. What if my story is too difficult to tackle? What if the structure is too complicated? What if the topic is too controversial? What if my agent hates it? What if my writing is too boring? Too simple? Too cliché? Too long? Too short. Too… much? What if I just can’t do this anymore?
The thing I’m so excited to write about always seems to lose its shine when things get real, and hard. WHY AM I DOING THIS? I ask myself. It will never be good enough! WHY AM I DOING THIS? I ask myself again. The world is on fire! Why bother?
But after some deep breaths and a long walk, I always find the answer: Because it matters to me. And if it matters to me, I know it most likely matters very much to someone else, too. No one said writing was easy! [Actually, I’m sure a lot of people have said this, but we know the truth! Sometimes (usually), it’s not. ☺]
It’s not only about self-doubt, though. The world seems to get scarier by the day (see above). We have no idea what will happen in November. Book bans are still on the rise. Wars rage on. Very soon, we may be called on to once again (or to continue, if you’re already doing it, and thank you) write postcards and letters and take to the streets to protest all the injustices in the world. Why bother with this writing dream? you might ask. I have no idea! I might be tempted to answer. But one thing that will never change is our need for stories.
Whether they are silly or sad, true or fictitious, explore our past or present possible futures, stories connect us. Stories help us survive. And in the darkest times especially, they give us hope.
Something called each of us to be storytellers. When in doubt, I think it’s important to remember what that something was. We should nurture that. We should do it right now. Despite what’s going on outside our doors—or maybe because of it, we should allow ourselves a moment of kindness and firm but gentle encouragement to return to the page.
Here's what I wrote to my student to help encourage her to work through the hard bits and challenge herself to grow and experiment:
Dear [student],
As your mentor, what I want most for you is to see that you have grown over the course of the semester. What does that mean? All sorts of stuff, but here are a few possibilities, which hopefully might spark something in you as you struggle with creating new work, or linger on something you feel isn't quite "there" yet:
It means that you try new things.
Revise the hell out of something that just doesn't make you proud…yet.
Take risks.
Push yourself to write about something you're afraid to.
Explore form.
Conquer a weakness you've been struggling with, such as passive voice.
Surprise yourself and me with a new twist.
Discover the kernel of truth you've been trying to get at all along.
Write something that makes you uncomfortable.
Make connections.
Weave in a theme in a subtle, beautiful way.
Write something suspenseful.
Write something quiet and intimate.
Have your character realize something unexpected.
Have your character do something that hurts.
Think about regrets. But also pride.
Think about how you want this character to grow.
Make a schedule for yourself. If you're too tired at night, maybe try getting up earlier and write before work. If you put in just 30 solid minutes every day, you should be able to meet your goals. Put in a solid hour every day, and you will be golden. You can do this!!!!!
Sending lots of strength and encouragement,Jo
Sometimes I think what our writing needs is for us to get out of our own way. Move over, doubt! Let’s try something different!
Sometimes writing is easy (oh, I long for those days again). But sometimes writing is painfully hard. One thing I know for certain though, is that hard or easy, writing can show us something about ourselves or the world that we might never have known if we hadn't tried in the first place.
Whether they are silly or sad, true or fictitious, explore our past or present possible futures, stories connect us. Stories help us survive. And in the darkest times especially, they give us hope.
I wish you all the best the next time you sit down to write and set out to discover what that beautiful, surprising, possibly painful but ultimately life-changing thing is. Do it for yourself and for the reader waiting for it. Imagine that precious stranger reading your work and finding joy, a shared sorrow, a new friend, an unexpected giggle, a sigh releasing some burden your words helped shake off. Imagine an invisible string connecting you with this stranger (or many strangers!) that helps them feel less alone all because you shared a piece of yourself and did the necessary work to get it in their hands.
I’ll say it again: stories connect us. They always have and they always will, no matter what else is happening in the world. Someone needs your story. This is me urging you to give it to them.
With love and in community,
Jo
Announcements:
Creating Characters with Debbi Michiko Florence!
We have a very special guest hosting a zoomie workshop on August 21!!!! Please welcome Debbi Michiko Florence! Debbi is a R(ev)ise and Shine favorite and we are THRILLED to have her visiting us. You don’t want to miss this!
Workshop description:
How do you create characters that will leap off the page and linger on in the memories of readers? Join author Debbi Michiko Florence to learn how she creates her characters. During this 75-minute workshop, she'll share her process, give examples, and lead writing exercises with time for Q&A.
When: August 21, 2024 from 7:00 to 8:15 pm ET
Where: Online
Click the image below to find out more and sign up:
A third-generation Japanese American, Debbi Michiko Florence is the author of more than 25 books for children and tweens. Her books have received starred reviews, JLG Selections, and inclusion on lists such as Amazon Best Books and the Chicago Public Library Best of the Best. Her middle grade novels include Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai and her upcoming series Last Chance Academy. She is also the author of the award-winning Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series. A native Californian, Debbi now lives in Connecticut. Find out more at: www.debbimichikoflorence.com
Jo & Rob to Present at Teachers Write! on July 31!
We’re excited to announce that Jo and Rob will be participating in this year's Teachers Write — a free online summer writing camp for educators & librarians, hosted by the amazing Kate Messner.
Teachers Write is all about writing in community. It’s about walking the walk and taking risks with our own writing so we can be more empathic teachers when we ask our students to take risks of their own, to be brave enough to put words on paper and maybe even share those words.
Other guest authors this summer include Kekla Magoon, Lauren Tarshis, Eliot Schrefer, Elly Swartz, Saadia Faruqi, Josh Funk, Amy Guglielmo, and more!
On July 31st, Jo and Rob will host a free R(ev)ise and Shine! Zoom workshop just for Teachers Write participants.
Teachers Write 2024 runs from July 8-August 2.
Click the image below to find out more and sign up:
Join Jennifer and Lesa for a Working Retreat!
Have you been working in the children’s book industry for a long time? Join us at this Working Retreat where experienced authors and illustrators will gather to create and share concerns, goals, and celebrations with their peers. Faculty includes Lesa Cline-Ransome, Jane Kurtz, Juana Medina, Jennifer Richard Jacobson, and guest editor Trisha de Guzman.
When: September 11 - September 15, 2024
Where: The Highlights Foundation Retreat Center
Cost: $1399
Click the image below to find out more and sign up:
Love Debbi Michiko Florence! Will be a fabulous workshop!