tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25162001362933750972024-03-14T10:21:18.200-07:00Scribble Babblethe life and times of a would-be authorMara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.comBlogger503125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-53903722141618589592017-07-18T17:00:00.000-07:002017-07-18T19:23:31.855-07:00Pitch Wars 2017 Mentor Wishlist for Team Pusheen<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome to the Team Pusheen Wish List for Pitch Wars 2017! My co-mentor <a href="http://www.joanhewrites.com/">Joan He</a> and I had a blast working together last year, whipping our mentee’s book into tip-top shape (and what do you know, you can now look forward to buying this book in 2019!). We’re back again to boost you to PW success and shower you with all things Pusheen. If you’ve got a YA manuscript of the speculative fiction vein, we want you to be a part of our fam!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 11pt; margin-right: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="427" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/TmaG9YyOg5aJG6bBYnCCONPihy_RhU1LaVeeCfovaW7JA3aPX20R9iEl6Pct_SweWQJS5cSTWfLGA7u0L8bBwOvvzP6GbBkt5pKAR2h-EDJvsHfYwFbp1XrYdmK6Sx_4nymHJVK2" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="407" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who are we?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm Mara, a 2014 mentee and ‘15 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ‘16 mentor. Along with my diplomat husband and two sons, I have lived in Yekaterinburg, Russia and Lima, Peru. We will be moving to Belgrade, Serbia, next August. In addition to writing and reading, I love exploring new places and cultures, doing pretty much anything with my identical twin sister, and chatting with my Pitch Wars writer friends, who are my support system no matter where in the world I am. They are without a doubt the BEST part of Pitch Wars. I am represented by Uwe Stender of Triada Literary.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And from Joan: Hi guys! I’m Joan, a psychology major at UPenn, a major lover of wombats, anime, and art (writing included, obviously), and represented by John Cusick of Folio Literary. Mara and I were mentor and mentee in 2015 (respectively), and I’m eternally grateful for all the guidance and support she provided me. Giving it back in 2016 as a co-mentor was an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to do it again! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What we're looking for in a manuscript:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So, the heart of our wishlist hasn’t really changed from last year’s (which you can find below--definitely do take a look for juicy details). We still want all the YA speculative fiction (scifi, fantasy, a mix of the two, or something with a fantastical/scifi TWIST). Here’s an updated list of the particular things that are likely to put hearts in our eyes.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THINGS WE LOVE IN FANTASY:</span></div>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New worlds. “New” can take many forms. Got something culturally new (own voices is a huge plus if you’re modeling your fantasy culture off an existing one)? Or a cool, never-seen-before magic system? Or a mythology that’s weird but so rich it’s almost real (think STRANGE THE DREAMER)? WE WANT. Bonus points if this “new” element seeps through all levels of the book. Let it add texture to your writing and influence the way your characters look at things.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adventure AND/OR political intrigue. We’re seriously down for both as long as it meshes well with your premise and the character arcs you’re trying to get across (e.g. FLAME IN THE MIST </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AND I DARKEN)</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beautiful writing (duh). Nothing purple, please, but writing that is succinct and makes each word (not just the adjective, but the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">verbs</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) count. (e.g. THE WINNER’S CURSE)</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Emotionssss (e.g. STRANGE THE DREAMER). PAIN. TRAGEDY. ANGST. Give us gritty characters who’ve been through a lot and struggle to see the good in the world. OR give us characters who are about to see that their world is a LIE (seriously, MY WORLD IS A LIE is a great mid-point/turning point).</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If there’s romance (n.b. Joan doesn’t </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">need</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> romance; Mara loves it), a LI who is there for the PLOT and the MC’s journey, not just for the swoon-factor/sassy banter scenes.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DARKNESS. The darker the better (think Leigh Bardugo).</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We don’t need a ton of magic, but if there </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> magic, huge bonus points if it leaps off the page and every time the characters use it, it's framed around emotions (e.g UPROOTED).</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THINGS WE LOVE IN SCIFI</span></div>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anything mentioned in the fantasy section that can apply here! </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Especially for scifi, we want stories that are framed around the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">characters </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and not necessarily the tech. This doesn’t mean the tech can’t be advanced, but that the ultimate conflict should primarily raise themes that make us look closer at </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">humanity</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. (e.g. the twist and climax of ENDER’S GAME is super character focused) (e.g. the philosophical questions raised by WESTWORLD) (e.g. the whole conflict of FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON) (e.g. the character stakes of INTERSTELLAR).</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well-drawn worlds (THE THOUSANDTH FLOOR). In scifi especially it’s easy to fall back on tropes, so the right details in the right places really does a lot. </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Psychological elements (WESTWORLD, INCEPTION).</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THINGS JOAN ALWAYS LOVES</span></div>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a repeat from last year, but SERIOUSLY GIVE ME ALL YOUR GAMES. Mind games, board games, military games, cat and mouse games, etc. (THE WINNER’S TRILOGY, ENDER’S GAME, HUNGER GAMES). The key, though, is that the heart of the conflict should always go back to the characters</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Characters who break away from the “tropes.” I’m VERY partial to characters whose voices aren’t primarily based on wit and snark. Wit and snark are great, but something I often find is that they’re covering up lack of substance. Your character’s “voice” is the way they express their worldview, which means you need to know their worldview and how it came to be (so bonus points to a solid backstory that actually makes sense). “Voice” should also affect the ways in which they handle all their relationships. </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Introverted characters, characters who aren’t what they seem, characters who sacrifice for others and aren’t always diving head-first into things to make the biggest splash themselves, characters who are older than their years, who seem “grounded” but harbor secret demons OR are trying really hard to keep on their masks (think Sarai from STRANGE THE DREAMER or Kestrel from THE WINNER’S CURSE).</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Smart premises (WESTWORLD, WOLF BY WOLF, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Attack on Titan</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TWISTS. I AM YOURS IF YOU CAN CATCH ME OFF-GUARD. I’m always down for a fun read, but I LOVE reads that make me think and linger long after I’m done.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GENIUSES. Give me your Kaz Brekker’s, your L’s (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deathnote),</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> your Lelouch’s (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Code Geass), </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your Kestrel’s (THE WINNER’S CURSE). Morally shady geniuses are even better.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unique structure (ALL OUR YESTERDAYS--please read this book and be wowed. It actually has a ton of the other elements I love e.g. geniuses and scifi that comes back to the characters).</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THINGS MARA LOVES</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As you can see, Joan is the brains of this operation lol. My tastes aren't as specific, but some of my eternal favorites are</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE, A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC, A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES, THE SCORPIO RACES, SHADOW AND BONE, STRANGE THE DREAMER, etc. Strong female characters and amazing world building are basically no-brainers for me, although I like an MC who has soft spots and weaknesses to overcome. I like darker characters and themes (SIX OF CROWS) but I also love humor (MY LADY JANE). I still love retellings as long as they're unique. And I love a good romance.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why Joan and Mara?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joan: I’ve been told that I’m strong on big picture edits. I’m a super critical thinker (probably why I’m always guessing the twists :’D) and know the ins and outs of plotting + weaving plot points and character agency together. Do you struggle with your middles? Your endings? I’m your girl. We’ll achieve that tight, game-changing middle together, and keep the speed up all the way to the end. I’m also really good with world things (again, big picture) and will help you develop the best atmosphere to suit your plot. It should be noted that I will always respect your vision. I’ll first and foremost consider what you already have, and try to work </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">it before doing anything drastic.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While I’ll tell you straight up where your book needs work, I’m a huge gusher--and it’s all genuine, because we won’t pick your book unless we love it. So you’ll definitely have me in your corner as your personal cheerleader through this journey </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">beyond (because let’s be real, we’re all in this for the long run). I’m here for you! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mara: I won't pick a book unless I love the premise, but in terms of big picture stuff, I'm told I'm good with pacing, world building, characterization, and dialogue. That said, I'm great at catching the small stuff - I was a copyeditor in a former life and I'm repeatedly told I draft very clean. Last year, Joan did a big-picture read-through first and I did a closer read after. We found this system worked well for us and we'll likely do something similar this year. I'm also awesome at pitches and queries (and titles, just ask Astrid!). You're basically getting two mentors for the price of one, which means double the help and cheerleading! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to think I'm equal parts reassuring and empathetic, because I've been at this for a long time. I'm a quick reader, and because I'm super deadline oriented, I won't keep you waiting for notes or feedback. Pitch Wars has been instrumental in both of our careers, and that's why we love paying it forward! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And if that's not enough, our 2016 mentee, Astrid Scholte, got a ton of requests for her novel FOUR DEAD QUEENS, resulting in multiple agent offers and a very quick sale to PRH. We can't wait to see her book on shelves in 2019! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What we're looking for in a mentee:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-9ffd670c-b254-89af-25cf-cfc214a42204"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Simple: someone who’s genuinely nice and willing to grow. If it’s not necessary, we're not going to have you rewrite your book, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to work. If you can approach this experience with an open mindset, then we'll be a great match! Also, a love of Pusheen doesn't hurt.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://wp.me/p3YLhv-7Yc">Return to the mentor blog hop</a></span></div>
Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-60925419059563151592016-07-19T17:00:00.000-07:002016-07-19T18:40:32.186-07:00Pitch Wars Mentor Wish List for Team Pusheen!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwk1Wt95GtwPKs8W7cSqlCseCd_oJV7C5qcOWDC6BCw0yDMo1ck7WPeJVZt6Qa72Xgg-e2SelyloiJznU4dJyuGDTLYcQtgQ5ieX_gWcjkCnZt8JFa4z2PbDLeS9cTJpzEA2ijTi2HziU/s1600/pusheen+T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwk1Wt95GtwPKs8W7cSqlCseCd_oJV7C5qcOWDC6BCw0yDMo1ck7WPeJVZt6Qa72Xgg-e2SelyloiJznU4dJyuGDTLYcQtgQ5ieX_gWcjkCnZt8JFa4z2PbDLeS9cTJpzEA2ijTi2HziU/s400/pusheen+T.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>T is for...Team Pusheen!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Welcome to the Team Pusheen Wish List for Pitch Wars 2016! My co-mentee Joan He and I are soooo excited to be working together this year. It took us a while to discover our shared love of all things Pusheen, but once we did, our team name was a no-brainer. In addition to our Pusheen addiction, we both love speculative fiction, and we can't wait to find another awesome writer to add to the fun!</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GGTEfqFnRADEuMLutoGK1OnSVlnKAAyWVhrLTsBJa2zLCmSfQnjVshOTHSTTIpTBRt-Rp-MOxoYdwwUQFkU3NanP3lsteLYkFFHRxFA-MSMfpz_lDkrzr9OQ9ghp7YiQEkAUA5J7vRw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-07-06+at+3.56.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GGTEfqFnRADEuMLutoGK1OnSVlnKAAyWVhrLTsBJa2zLCmSfQnjVshOTHSTTIpTBRt-Rp-MOxoYdwwUQFkU3NanP3lsteLYkFFHRxFA-MSMfpz_lDkrzr9OQ9ghp7YiQEkAUA5J7vRw/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-07-06+at+3.56.25+PM.png" width="305" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who are we?</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm Mara, a 2014 mentee and 2015 mentor who currently lives in Lima, Peru. My husband is a U.S. diplomat, meaning every few years we move to a new country. Our first post was Yekaterinburg, Russia, which inspired the novel I entered into Pitch Wars '14 (I signed with an agent just a few weeks later). We have two sons, Jack (6) and Will (2), and in addition to writing and reading, I love exploring new places and cultures, doing pretty much anything with my identical twin sister, and chatting with my Pitch Wars writer friends, who are my support system no matter where in the world I am. They are without a doubt the BEST part of Pitch Wars. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And from Joan: Hi guys! I’m Joan, a psychology major at UPenn, a major
lover of wombats, anime, and art (writing included, obviously), and represented
by John Cusick of Folio Literary. Last year, Mara and I were mentor and mentee,
and I’m eternally grateful for all the guidance and support she provided me. Hoping
to give it back this year to all you hopefuls! I’m going to try to keep a lot of stuff short so that I can
reduce your stress-level by being more detailed in the What I’m Looking For
section.</span></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What we're looking for in a manuscript:</b> I'll let Joan take it away for this section, because her tastes are a little more specific (my thoughts in red):</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: 0.5in;">Mara and I are looking for all the
YA speculative fiction (bonus points if you take us to new worlds. <span style="color: red;">HUGE BONUS POINTS!</span>). So, YES’s
to fantasy, scifi, and things in-between. But since that’s still really broad,
I’ll give you as many details as I can about some particular things I look in
books, with some real book examples:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Games—all kinds of games. Mind games, board games,
military games, cat and mouse games, etc. (THE WINNER’S TRILOGY, ENDER’S GAME,
HUNGER GAMES)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Art. If you have any kind of art (visual, literary, auditory,
etc) featured in your book (in your premise, or as part of a character’s
hobby), I want.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Between the two common subgenres of
fantasy—adventure-based and political intrigue—I’d probably enjoy the political
intrigue more (THE WINNER’S TRILOGY). That being said, I also enjoy a healthy
mix of both (THE GRISHA books, CROWN OF MIDNIGHT). I’m pickier when it comes to
more straight-up adventure books—I always need something more than just
sword-fights—but compelling characters can do the trick for me (it helps when
they are whip-smart like Kaz Brekker from SIX OF CROWS). <span style="color: red;">I probably prefer adventures, but as Joan says, a healthy mix of both is always good.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Life and death stakes that are actually built into the premise.
This isn’t a book, but ideas like the anime <i>Sword
Art Online</i>, where characters are trapped in a video game (here we go with
the games again) and will die in real life if they die in-game, really hook me.
Also, anything with spying in it (AM EMBER IN THE ASHES).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Smart, thought-provoking premises (UNWIND, WOLF BY WOLF)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- In my fantasy, I don’t need magic, but I need the epic
(this doesn’t mean loud—a quiet fantasy can still be epically meaningfully) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- In my sci-fi, I don’t need hardcore science, but I need a
human element to drive the story forward (something important at stake, and
strong motivations from the character) (FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON—not YA, but a
must-read). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Though I appreciate a good one, I do not NEED romance in
my books. I’m quite picky about the romance, and only when I'm onboard a ship
110% percent will I like seeing a large chunk of the plot devoted to it. <span style="color: red;">I actually really, really love a good romance. It doesn't have to be a huge part of the plot, like Joan said, but I like the kissing if I'm being honest.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- I prefer tragedy to comedy. A good cry does a lot more for
me than a good laugh (typing that out just felt really depressing, but I can’t
be the only one who searches for emotional, this-will-make-you-cry music on
youtube…right?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- If you surprise me with a twist, GIVE ME (ENDER’S GAME,
WOLF BY WOLF). If you leave me mind-blown, I will love you forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Structurally unique, but not confusing (ALL OUR
YESTERDAYS) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Really atmospheric tones (think anything by Brenna
Yovanoff, especially THE SPACE BETWEEN)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Lush, haunting writing (anything by Lauren DeStefano)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;">(I'll add a few of my favorite books here: DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE, A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC, A COURT OF MIST AND FURY, THE SCORPIO RACES, SHADOW AND BONE, etc. - Strong female characters and amazing world building are basically no-brainers for me. Originality is key, too, because it's super competitive out there!)</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why Joan?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the editing front, I’m good at figuring plots, twists,
character motivations and psychology, and line-level writing issues such as
when to add/cut description and exposition, etc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the personal front, I’m not on top of my gif game like
some other mentors, and I’m pretty out of the loop in terms anything
pop-culture. In other words, I’m really uncool. That being said, I, just like
Mara, have gone through the experience of PW myself. I’ll be there for you when
you get heartburn right before the entries go live because I was in your shoes
a year ago.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why Mara?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I won't pick a book unless I love the premise, but in terms of big picture stuff, I'm told I'm good with pacing, world building, and dialogue. That said, I'm great at catching the small stuff - I have copyediting experience and I'm repeatedly told I draft very clean.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Personally, I like to think I'm a great cheerleader, equal parts reassuring and empathetic, because I've been at this for a long time. I'm a quick reader, and because I'm super deadline oriented, I won't keep you waiting for notes or feedback. Joan and I are both busy, but we went back and forth four or five times during the revision window last year. Pitch Wars has been instrumental in both of our careers, and that's why we love paying it forward! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What we're looking for in a mentee:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Simple: someone who’s genuinely nice and willing to grow. If
it’s not necessary, we're not going to have you rewrite your book, but that
doesn’t mean we aren’t going to work. If you can approach this experience with
an open <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>mindset, then we'll be a great match! Also, a love of Pusheen doesn't hurt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<script src="https://www.blenza.com/linkies/thumblink.php…" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<div id="preview-05Jul2016a" style="border: 2px solid #bbb; color: #bbbbbb; text-align: center;">
<b>Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Thumb-Linky widget will appear right here!</b><br />
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.<br />
If this widget does not appear, <a href="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/links.php?owner=brenleedrake&postid=05Jul2016a">click here</a> to display it.</div>
<script src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/thumblink.php?owner=brenleedrake&postid=05Jul2016a" type="text/javascript"></script>
Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-6564849833394231482016-05-27T10:01:00.000-07:002016-05-27T10:01:30.678-07:00When Another Parent Decides They Know Better Than YouThis week, I had my first experience with another mother trying to hurt me via my kid. I have struggled to process it since it happened on Monday, because it's just such a foreign concept to me. I mean, there are plenty of people I don't like. You know what I do? I avoid them. But this mom went out of her way to hurt me, and the fact that she did it through Jack made it a million times worse. Here's the story:<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This mom (we'll call her Mary) was nice to me when I first got here. We hung out a few times, our kids were both entering Kindergarten at the same school, and I liked her just fine. I thought she liked me too. My first tip-off should have been a few months after I got here, when I met someone new who said, "Oh, I've heard about <i>you</i> from Mary." Huh, I thought. That was weird. But nothing had ever happened between Mary and me, so I didn't make much of it. In fact, she'd had us over multiple times for playdates or parties during our time here. Our husbands and kids got along. There was no reason to think anything was wrong between us.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then one day, Mary messaged me on a Friday to ask if I'd received the invitation for her son's party that weekend. I immediately wrote back and said no, I hadn't. On Saturday I texted again to ask if the party had already happened. Mary never wrote back again. I let it go, even when a mutual friend posted pictures from the party on Facebook on Sunday, and I recognized many of the moms and kids in the photo. I didn't tell Jack about it because I didn't want his feelings to be hurt. But then Mary's son and another kid in the class told Jack he hadn't been invited, and I messaged Mary just to ask what had happened to the invite. She never wrote back.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A couple of weeks later I ran into Mary, and she somewhat aggressively told me the invite had gone to my husband's office. That was odd, since I'd been in John's office multiple times to collect mail (he was out of the country that month) and never saw it, but all I said was, "Okay, but I wrote you back saying we hadn't gotten it and you never responded." She walked away from me. The invitation never materialized.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I ran into her a couple of other times and she was always perfectly nice. And then on Sunday evening she emailed to ask if Jack could go to a playdate at her house, because they're moving soon and her son wanted to have a last playdate together. Sure, I said. I was happy Jack wasn't being excluded, and she just lives down the street. I told her John would pick Jack up around 5. When he got there, Mary said to him: "I hope Mara's not mad, but Jack had two hotdogs."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you know me as more than a casual acquaintance, you know that I'm a vegetarian. I have been for a long time - nearly twenty years. I started eating fish when we lived in Russia because I was starving, but I try to limit my intake and I am careful to choose sustainable fish when I can (we order our tuna online specifically for this reason). John and I decided before our kids were born that they would be pescatarians. I became a vegetarian in the first place because I didn't believe animals needed to die just so I could eat them, and that reason still holds for me. But it has become about so much more than that in the years since. I'm not going to lecture anyone on vegetarianism here. It's a personal decision that I don't impose on anyone, other than my own kids, who can choose to eat meat when I believe they are capable of making informed decisions that don't require me scaring them with facts I don't think they're ready for. My kids are happy and healthy. That's really all anyone needs to know.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mary knows we are vegetarians. She knows this because we have been to her house for multiple parties and pizza nights, when she has always been gracious enough to offer us a veggie alternative. I appreciate when people do this, but I never expect it. I am happy to bring something if the host doesn't know how to cook vegetarian (but let's be honest, this isn't Texas in 2003, when I had a hell of a time being vegetarian; most people can come up with a veggie alternative these days, especially since we eat fish too). So I was shocked to hear this from my husband. "I hope Mara's not mad..." This didn't imply that she'd forgotten Jack didn't eat meat. This didn't imply that she'd tried to call or text me (I was at home, and she hadn't). This didn't really imply that Jack had snuck the hotdogs when she wasn't looking, because there was no apology. And let me tell you, Mara was mad.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I stewed on it for twenty-four hours. Half the people I talked to said I should let it go because Mary was leaving and there would be no future playdates. The other half said I should say something, because what she'd done was wrong and she should know it. After all, Mary doesn't know why I'm a vegetarian. She didn't know if it would make Jack sick (two hotdogs could make any kid sick, let alone a kid who's never eaten meat). Jack didn't even understand what hotdogs were. I was surprised he'd eaten them, honestly, because he's usually very opposed to the idea of trying meat, but I think he saw his friends eating them, and they looked tasty (he's eaten vegetarian corndogs and loves them) and he's getting to an age where he's very curious. I'm not surprised Jack liked the taste of hotdogs. They are designed to be delicious. They are also probably the last meat I'd ever give to my kid (some free-range chicken might have been a different story). But none of that really matters. What matters is that a parent took my child into her care knowing his dietary restrictions, and then decided that she knew better, that her feelings were more important than mine.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I tried to let it go, but I couldn't. I felt like my trust had been violated, and because of the other weirdness between us, it didn't feel benign. It felt targeted. So I sent a Facebook message saying I'd appreciated her having Jack over, but in the future she may want to ask a parent before giving their child a food she knows they're not supposed to have. I said that perhaps she'd forgotten in the chaos of her move, which was understandable (I didn't believe for a second she'd forgotten, but I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt), but that this was very important to me and I would have appreciated a call or text.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This was her response:</div>
<div>
"Mara, I did not forgot [sic]. I purchased an alternative especially for him, but he declined, and asked for seconds."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That was the entire response. No apology. In fact, she tried to rub it in my face that my kid had liked the hotdog. As if the reason we don't eat meat is because it doesn't taste good. As if she was justified, because my child enjoyed it. As if offering him an alternative that he declined (I don't know what this "alternative" was; Jack mentioned that he was offered an apple and chips, but he's six, and I don't take everything he says at face value because HE'S SIX) let her off the hook for asking me if I was okay with it, or simply telling Jack he'd have to take it up with me. As if she was right, and I was wrong. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I shared that with my friends, the opinions of what I should do were a lot more forceful: "Brass knuckle throat punch"; "Flame that bitch"; "GRILL HER"; "Time for throwing stars and full metal war."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fortunately, I was with my yogi friend when the message came, and she wisely advised that I let it go. I cried through our yoga session and came home and blocked Mary on Facebook, and then I decided to write about it, because that's how I process things. As Anne Lamott said in her wonderful book <i>Bird by Bird</i>, "You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't think I need to remind other moms that having a kid over for a playdate doesn't mean we can override his or her parents' rules, whether or not we agree with them. But maybe I needed to be reminded that sometimes we have to trust our own judgment about people, even if we don't know why they dislike us, even if it means our kids might feel left out from time to time. When it comes to "friends," there are some we're all better off without.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-62909144912187400482016-03-21T14:12:00.003-07:002016-03-21T14:20:34.628-07:00A Beautiful Disaster (aka John's Ironman New Zealand Race Report)I can't believe how terribly long it's been since I posted here! And now I'm posting on behalf of John, since he doesn't have a blog. But I figure it's relevant, since John's training is a big part of all our lives, and I've blogged about his running in the past. So, without further ado, here is John's Ironman New Zealand race report:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was my third IM after Zurich and Cozumel. Course,
atmosphere, and organization were on par or superior to Zurich, and all of the
above thoroughly outclassed Cozumel. This was a competitive and honest race
from start to finish. The mass-start swim is the real deal. Confidence in the
water is a must. The bike course is challenging to the extent that it breaks up
the packs and the officials were omnipresent and strict, and the run is a
roller lined with cheering fans from start to finish.<br />
<br />
Pre-race: clockwork. Very well organized and enhanced by the co-location of
start/finish and transitions. This made logistics much simpler than in Cozumel.<br />
<br />
Swim: mass start MMA style death match. Get your war face on. Per the race
program, this is one of the last IM mass start swims in the world. From a
safety perspective, that's understandable. If I'd been thrown into this
environment two years ago I'd have been near panic. A wide catch and a comfort
with contact are prerequisite to a solid showing. There's no doubt that this
type of start is slower than starting in clean water. On the one hand you're in
a massive current but on the other it's hugely inefficient. The course is and
out-back and my only critique is that the buoys are marked 1-24 or some such,
perhaps .1 mile segments, but with zero relation to 3800m. This wasn't made
clear in race program.<br />
<br />
T1: a healthy 1K run out of the lake and up a hill to standard IM changing
tents and an orderly and compact series of bike racks. Volunteers were abundant
and helpful with wetsuit stripping and bags. The mounting line was close to the
bikes.<br />
<br />
Bike: honest parcours. 2x out-and-backs with a short extra loop for
distance-making in between. The one or two stiff grades coming out of the town
center were small-chainring for sure. This was unexpected but not severe. The
chip seal out on course was a factor but not something that would necessitate a
swap from say 23c to 25c or more. 90 PSI was fine. The course marshals were
thankfully out in force and it seems to me that at the pointy end of the age
groupers drafting was much less a factor than in the other races I've competed
in. Every penalty box I passed had 2-3+ riders biding their time. Refreshing.
Winds were negligible, and the format made the K's click by. The countryside
was beautiful. Quintessential NZ farmland. Mountains, sheep, cows, and green
pasture in the mist.<br />
<br />
T2: same spot as T1 and just as efficient. Volunteers were on top of things and
my bag was handed to me as I stepped over the mat.<br />
<br />
Run: 3x rolling laps along the lake. Aid stations seemed to be every K or two,
and there wasn't a single stretch of lonely. The fans here were world-class!
Interestingly there were a few sections off-piste and along jogging tracks so
perhaps not the fastest possible, but very pleasing to have such varied terrain
and scenery. Beautiful and right up next to the lake.<br />
<br />
Finish: IM standard. That is, food options weren't so good, and once again no
contrôlée dopage. Coming from an ultra background, I continue to feel that WTC
can and should amp up the post-race chow a bit. Tomato soup, bananas, and cold
pizza? Come on, guys. The entry fee demands better options. Vendors were
selling some tasty looking food-truck fare but due to personal complications
(below) I didn't have the chance to partake. The entry fee also demands at
least a credible threat of drug testing. This is a non sequitur but I'd also
love to see a T1 bike sweep with whatever "mechanical doping"
detector UCI is using these days. The medal is Kiwi black and white cool, as is
the finisher shirt.<br />
<br />
John's IMNZ:<br />
<br />
Build: A mitigated disaster. Yes it could always be worse, but really at every
stage, more or less going back to early-January and the decision to leverage
the Cozumel form and register for NZ, The Universe made this one nearly
insurmountable. After a few unforced errors at IMCz and once again just missing
Kona – this time due to my own error – I was inspired to give the distance
another shot in short order. I was very keen to get back on the program
sooner rather than later so as to spare my family a full 12-16 week build of
weekend bricks and a generally energy-robbed husband/father.<br />
<br />
I'll spare you the bio details, but this otherwise textbook build - that I was
fully committed to - with a personally epic amount of swim volume - was plagued
by three plagues: shigella (bacterial infection), cyclospora (parasite), and
last but not least e-coli (bacterial infection). My watts/kg saw a fairly sharp
improvement over a 2-3 week period, but trust that it was NOT worth it. I had
multiple sick-days off of work but stubbornly stuck to planned volume, if not
intensity. Despite adversity (there will always be some) persistence and
consistency can be trained into an athlete, and can become learned behaviors
that shape our decisions come race day. The call of the bed is strong at 5am,
but the fat black and the early am chlorine have their own allure. "Marching
to the sound of the guns" I've found is critical to success in life and
sport, and practiced enough, takes the guess work out of forks in the road.
Despite not having a single training day in the last six weeks in complete
health, I still very much enjoyed the process and took pride in both my
consistency and positive approach towards this race.<br />
<br />
After a few weeks of antibiotics I'd kick one bug only to host another, and
really never got back to baseline. I am still sick. The training stress did not
help, but ultimately this remains a vicious case of slow gringo adaptation to a
developing country's biome probably made worse by chronically high cortisol
levels. All told though by 8-10 days out, I somehow marked PB efforts in the
pool for all distances 100m-400m, and on the bike bumped out the all-time power
curve from 1 second to 1 hour. I was ready. Kristian Manietta was as intuitive
as ever and wisely backed me off and pushed me as necessary. It occurred to me
these last two months that coaching is an investment with compounding interest.
KM is coach and therapist, and with each passing session, week, and phase he
knows me and my whole-person response to training better and better. Proud to
call you a friend, coach.<br />
<br />
Regarding training, one thing that I need to improve (there are others):
evening routine discipline. I find that in the only time I have to decompress
after a day of work and training and getting the boys ready for bed, I am
pretty much out of gas for foam rolling in favor of the couch or peeling myself
away from a good book in favor of more sleep. This is self-sabotage. It
makes the morning sessions that much more difficult to initiate and likely
lower quality overall. I was better in the last three weeks about body
maintenance and getting in the rack before 10pm, and this helped me show up on
race day uninjured, but there’s no telling what I left on the table. For
some reasons the morning routine – coffee – resets – meditation – all right
there and easy to make habits out of.<br />
<br />
Travel: Disaster. The airline lost my bike (brand new Scott Plasma 5, Di2,
fully loaded) and suitcase. The details are boring and it's a common enough
occurrence, but a cautionary tale. No matter how precisely you glue your
tubulars or top of your electronic shifting battery or zero your power meter, a
third party can wreak havoc and give exactly zero F's in the process. I arrived
in NZ with no bike, wetsuit, helmet, bike shoes, running shoes, sunglasses,
body lube, nutrition, electrolytes, socks, or goggles. I chose hope as my only
option and pressed ahead. I was met at the airport by the kindest soul anyone
could ever hope to meet. My second mom for the weekend. Christina gave so much
of herself to this complete stranger; I am so humbled by your generosity. In
retrospect no matter what result I came away with, I knew that the lasting
value of this long weekend far from home was in the new friends made. My
lasting memories of this place are of these truly special people who took me
into their home. Thank you.<br />
<br />
Pre-race: I arrived in Taupo at 9am on Thursday morning before a Saturday race
day. Christina took me directly to registration where I picked up a few
necessary items to get through swim and run sessions the next 36 hours.
We enjoyed the wonderful café scene and hit the lake that afternoon. I
loosened the arms and hips up in fairly cool Great Lake Taupo for maybe 1500m,
then ran back to Christina’s the 10k or so in my new shoes. The evening
and most of Friday were decidedly vacation like as I’d made a point of not stressing
over what I couldn’t control, and enjoying the most of NZ. We had some
great wine and not a few laughs together. Friday evening Christina’s
daughter Seon and her boyfriend arrived to round out my support crew, and we
had an easy evening. Having a kitchen to prepare standard pre-race fare
was a big win: salmon and simple fried rice in fresh local butter and eggs did
the trick and also doubled as my race day breakfast.<br />
By race morning I'd bummed a wetsuit off of X-Terra Australia, a bike off a
local who wasn't racing, and purchased untold $100's worth of new tri-shite.
Ugh. In any case I made it to the start line. The one remaining question mark
was nutrition and electrolytes. I normally rely on a ketone salt mix for the
bulk of my calories and all of my salts, but it was all still with my lost bags
and not available in NZ. I decided to roll intuitively and stick to simple
sugar and run a sort of Tim Noakes inspired zero-electrolyte supplementation
experiment. That all went fine. I really could have gotten away with eating
nothing but all told had two bags of Sport Beans on the bike, a few potato
chips on the run (yes the salt craving started to dig), and maybe 12 oz of Coke
also on the run plus ample water all along the way. And of course Vespa scored off
a few very generous fellows (Pete and Brett I owe you both).<br />
<br />
Swim: After a generous early morning ride to the start from Seon and thorough
warm up, the swim went well. 1:01. I know I have sub-1 in me, especially in a
rolling start, but the brawl that was the first K was a massive energy suck and
I like many others was trapped by slower swimmers ahead and not a few faster
swimmers behind. I felt incredible once I found open water: long, powerful,
smooth, and in control of the water and my body. I finally love swimming. My
biggest lesson here is that I probably could have pressed harder to get to the
outside in the first 1K, and could have found faster feet to follow in the last
2K. I found myself in a pack that was too quick to break away from, but just a
bit too comfortable to hang onto. Maybe that's the best to be hoped for.
I hit the beach fresh, so perhaps that’s another take-away.<br />
<br />
Bike: so, so awful. I was remarkably fresh and happy and having a good time for
the first 30 miles considering I was on an old borrowed Shiv with crap training
wheels, someone else's saddle, position, and downright pedestrian aerobar
configuration. Happy with my Z2 heart rate and moderate perceived exertion, I
was hanging with the Cervelo P6 crowd until pop went one spoke, and then
another 40 miles later, both on the front wheel. Pulling over to the side of
the road I managed to remove both spokes but could not open the brake caliper
enough to get the now severely out-of-true wheel to stop rubbing the pads. At
this point I knew that any hope of Kona was out the window, but despite
everything, I still thought just maybe... What to do with my effort level given
the state of the bike was a question mark for about five minutes after getting
back in the saddle when an aid station volunteer solved it all for me. A kid of
about 11 or 12 got way out in front of me in his eager attempt to pass me a
bottle, but somehow his shirt connected with the edge of my handlebar closest
to him and I was instantly over the top and cheese grating my shoulder, back
and forearm down the chipseal. And done… Or not. I sat bleeding in the
aid station for 30 minutes waiting for clearance from the paramedics to press
ahead. The decision was easy. If I could press ahead without doing long-term
damage to my body, I would. Yes it hurt, but why else had I come to NZ if not
to race? There was no other near-term race to save my legs for, and I’d been
hurt much worse in a race before and managed to press on for much longer than I
had left in this IM (at Western States in 2013 I fell at mile 17, fracturing my
left patella, but ran on until mile 78 where my leg simply stopped responding
to inputs). In some strange way getting back on the bike felt the same as
getting out of bed at 5am for a long swim set: it was uncomfortable but really
there was no actual decision point; it just was. The road rash was quite
severe, but I could tell that I wasn’t dealing with any major joint issues.
I cruised the last 30 miles not really eating much and trying to remain
positive. Truth be told though I spent much of that time contemplating the sale
of my still-un-raced Scott Plasma, power meter, Mavics, etc… I think I’m over
that, but suffice to say I wasn’t in such a good spot mentally. As one
friend put it after the fact, my splits made it clear that I’d more or less
thrown in the towel.<br />
<br />
T2: more of the same. Seeing my back and leg, a doc in T2 was very
reluctant to let me out of the tent until I convinced him I’d do myself no
permanent harm. Another 10 minutes wasted and I was on my way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89dYd3Mla4ApdgiVijGrrmLYwN3aClZsfHEx8u2HvTjqACYUlxEiLMGd_PCahpn_e2-_S9LJZMKsCydEHOowUN0wh5A2XhQvayJs4cLPqZRYWkIKcnR1tDk1erBrCobUKeCs2hr4kixE/s1600/IMG_9369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89dYd3Mla4ApdgiVijGrrmLYwN3aClZsfHEx8u2HvTjqACYUlxEiLMGd_PCahpn_e2-_S9LJZMKsCydEHOowUN0wh5A2XhQvayJs4cLPqZRYWkIKcnR1tDk1erBrCobUKeCs2hr4kixE/s400/IMG_9369.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgn7o3SIWRUbvOpVXcGafFYNr8HutmDsXcRwc9f7SMwohNbLkd6Hwp-3Xn6ciMeWchbYYZF5lrXjkkEsAkhKt8n48Dg_eA-y4K-Eq1ui8odPcg7W_bxWc8TfWqCCB1hUZ-ZBBi3Fmg3o/s1600/IMG_9370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgn7o3SIWRUbvOpVXcGafFYNr8HutmDsXcRwc9f7SMwohNbLkd6Hwp-3Xn6ciMeWchbYYZF5lrXjkkEsAkhKt8n48Dg_eA-y4K-Eq1ui8odPcg7W_bxWc8TfWqCCB1hUZ-ZBBi3Fmg3o/s400/IMG_9370.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The only photos we got, courtesy of Seon Venville.</div>
<br />
<br />
Run: it stung, but it was the easiest marathon I’ve ever run. I was on
form for this race, and just cruised effortless 4:50km’s at 190
steps-per-minute sipping a bit of coke here and there. In a sense I
missed that late IM opportunity to celebrate months’ of preparation with a good
trip to the well, but reasoned with myself that there was no sense prolonging
recovery. With about 7k to go however I started skipping aid and pushing just a
bit harder to ensure a 10:XX on the clock. It was meaningless at this
point but I needed a goal. In the end, coming down the finish chute never
gets old.<br />
<br />
Post-race: prolonging the suffering. The catchers took me immediately to
medical where I spent about 4 hours between debriding, x-rays, and a few
stitches. One upside here is that the Kiwi Army medics had a catered
steak and salad buffet that blew the WTC fare away. This was small
consolation for the day and the fact that I wanted nothing more than to be back
at Christina’s, showered, and enjoying an IPA or two. My gracious hosts
Seon Venville came back to the finish to collect me and very graciously took me
directly to an even better IPA option. Not the best idea when I’d hardly
rehydrated and was hopped up on Kiwi army narcotics, but I wasn’t complaining…<br />
<br />
This was a beautiful disaster. It’s cliché to say that it’s the tough
ones that teach you, but it’s true. If nothing else, I’ve gained
perspective and hopefully burned through most of the bad racing luck the
universe has in store for me. I’m not sure what’s next. I am hungry
to race and far from burned out, but at the same time also feeling a bit burned
by the experience. I’ll be back at an IM soon, but how soon is TBD. There’s
always the argument to leverage the existing base fitness to turn it around and
hit another soon, but I also want to recapitalize some relationships both
personal and professional that have unfortunately suffered some neglect due to
IM prep and illness. This race did not turn out anywhere close to how I
imagined it, but it has helped me to recapture a healthier perspective on the
place of triathlon and sport in the life of John.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-66297492030673974462015-10-26T12:30:00.001-07:002015-10-26T12:30:41.907-07:00Mommy Mondays: My Third Wedding<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A couple of months ago, when my sister was visiting, Jack insisted on a second wedding (you may recall our first wedding, in Sarah's apartment. We drank lemonade and danced to Rihanna). I'm 99% sure this was just a ploy for cake, but Jack would not stop talking about it, and he insisted we do it while Aunt Shasha was visiting so it would feel more like a real party. I just got the photos from Sarah so I thought I'd share them here.</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-36iZgoiV15b_0v7Zi3_wmr6XfOY_GGeRGwnkhUjIwQhLXfke00lUiN4x0dMzQd0ozG_jOh4ixDOtZ7UJCqMX3ydeRDbJzO2zIZqU3YehepJMbfnqIa6AxYrZpIIgznABu3LBonLyKI/s1600/IMG_5034+g+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-36iZgoiV15b_0v7Zi3_wmr6XfOY_GGeRGwnkhUjIwQhLXfke00lUiN4x0dMzQd0ozG_jOh4ixDOtZ7UJCqMX3ydeRDbJzO2zIZqU3YehepJMbfnqIa6AxYrZpIIgznABu3LBonLyKI/s400/IMG_5034+g+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bride wore H&M and was escorted by her husband. Hmmm....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UkvubErOotyiSiNR5qZPVh9WSeVtkpJiRz3e4YFpr1jmBPy65w_mV1ygmrA2gGJgAyYgnBzn4c6k_qLUVMTIZ61XGEkHGvNcrg6XGkTP7JHtkVLzm27gg96678h7nN6nGALTVjJLMu4/s1600/IMG_5036+g+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UkvubErOotyiSiNR5qZPVh9WSeVtkpJiRz3e4YFpr1jmBPy65w_mV1ygmrA2gGJgAyYgnBzn4c6k_qLUVMTIZ61XGEkHGvNcrg6XGkTP7JHtkVLzm27gg96678h7nN6nGALTVjJLMu4/s400/IMG_5036+g+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shasha was kind enough to officiate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKKuXWuPTUJw6v_ewIKVqejD790ZchibmHp0OZFmw1ayDvwbE66ACXQsLf32Xg46CajSizselARDjWYj02k8HqxHZ0HSQWPoC0cZRBLVfgVzKBbuW4XzbxJWVmxs1e0R3BULdUmR2LtA/s1600/IMG_5039+g+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKKuXWuPTUJw6v_ewIKVqejD790ZchibmHp0OZFmw1ayDvwbE66ACXQsLf32Xg46CajSizselARDjWYj02k8HqxHZ0HSQWPoC0cZRBLVfgVzKBbuW4XzbxJWVmxs1e0R3BULdUmR2LtA/s400/IMG_5039+g+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exchanging vows. Jack decorated his shirt with Daddy's pilot patches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zjx1YjqUxdfCdlpOSXsVAq89yv7G5cj3bMz8j96PEONhXpp62F6rb1v1ldeczAIoOOKdAS2KNWQQACqWY1WCJ6Sx9NEHb2zAabSPsFg2-V9g0EO4R6kiPmTaeece1QgrzikcKx92oxY/s1600/IMG_5042+g+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zjx1YjqUxdfCdlpOSXsVAq89yv7G5cj3bMz8j96PEONhXpp62F6rb1v1ldeczAIoOOKdAS2KNWQQACqWY1WCJ6Sx9NEHb2zAabSPsFg2-V9g0EO4R6kiPmTaeece1QgrzikcKx92oxY/s400/IMG_5042+g+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack: "I love you more than ever." Cue tears.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOPIP4g9GgkPYz1yBsc98xbgFX1-5Qvz7Epe1RFVhRV2WOnjAXfg1ACO8pVZCpEpADZu4h4UoULU2DzoQkoDTbOUq6jjR518g6sybaFTCazRxlhRY-EGe4Dvy_y66O3MBur0QRnXG4e8/s1600/IMG_5048+g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOPIP4g9GgkPYz1yBsc98xbgFX1-5Qvz7Epe1RFVhRV2WOnjAXfg1ACO8pVZCpEpADZu4h4UoULU2DzoQkoDTbOUq6jjR518g6sybaFTCazRxlhRY-EGe4Dvy_y66O3MBur0QRnXG4e8/s400/IMG_5048+g.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sealed with a kiss. Who needs marriage licenses anyway?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
Always a bride, never a bridesmaid. Isn't that how the saying goes? Hopefully the third time really is a charm and this one sticks. I should be in the clear, unless Will catches on to the whole cake thing...</div>
Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-27037360075616811782015-10-05T11:47:00.000-07:002015-10-05T11:47:12.174-07:00Coloring Books from HarperCollinsRecently, HarperCollins asked me to review two of their new coloring books for grown-ups, <i>Color Your Own Van Gogh</i> and <i>Color Manga</i>. I happily agreed and ordered a new box of Prismacolors so I could attempt to do the books justice. They arrived a couple of weeks ago, which worked out perfectly since I just met a big deadline and finally have a little free time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaKMHywej0wRdz5dVN66RFOlhBoH0LVbLJATXLQWIiomATSk8boF8vJUtz9wQjB5CrIRxU0OXotaSlpCc1WGuysMHDim0WAPdn9U_OO91Zvi4XUkROrQn7XOKBHBZztQObImKZHuigH4/s1600/y648+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaKMHywej0wRdz5dVN66RFOlhBoH0LVbLJATXLQWIiomATSk8boF8vJUtz9wQjB5CrIRxU0OXotaSlpCc1WGuysMHDim0WAPdn9U_OO91Zvi4XUkROrQn7XOKBHBZztQObImKZHuigH4/s400/y648+%25281%2529.png" width="355" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNoFczZdBYCnoCTuz1Wm5Rb6lQViMmXNSPjFTD8fae5_GsGKY3cTpxkvcldAtN3XCgqzLkVjYtQzFn4jHW1w2Y0-fKTg2MZ5h0b9l5hdfnBdGeasMe8P21GsqQ5-ZiF_MBo4q48SdGKk/s1600/y648.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNoFczZdBYCnoCTuz1Wm5Rb6lQViMmXNSPjFTD8fae5_GsGKY3cTpxkvcldAtN3XCgqzLkVjYtQzFn4jHW1w2Y0-fKTg2MZ5h0b9l5hdfnBdGeasMe8P21GsqQ5-ZiF_MBo4q48SdGKk/s400/y648.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As you can see, both books are gorgeous. The Van Gogh in particular looks like it could sit out as a coffee table book. I sat down the other day to color and chose my first illustration from the Manga book. This particular image happens to look almost exactly the way I envision Akira from WINTERSOUL, so I was really excited to color it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNvkPM8lK8WUoB9X9IP07kVFHMflRUogTt6GGg5Au5lkp23jHRHPBbnBeTyYSjRRzwBiu3o3g6uhAESPwmxz-G_pC3dN9qJG_pXM0RIh6-khy1mw9B2PEP3j0NKnnR1YlXZo48JV3rDU/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNvkPM8lK8WUoB9X9IP07kVFHMflRUogTt6GGg5Au5lkp23jHRHPBbnBeTyYSjRRzwBiu3o3g6uhAESPwmxz-G_pC3dN9qJG_pXM0RIh6-khy1mw9B2PEP3j0NKnnR1YlXZo48JV3rDU/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am clearly no expert colorer, but this was fun. At first the paper seemed like it might be too thin, but the Prismacolors worked really well for this book. If I have one complaint about both books, it's that tearing out the pages isn't easy. Perforations would be a huge help. I accidentally ripped this one, in fact. But I could easily trim the page if I wanted to. Jack was so inspired by my coloring that he decided to make his own "Culrin Book" with a manga-inspired drawing:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfktebrWL-fWkhsxecJ0nVFXrsRvybcJgbLULKkjQt5vLD6x7Yq21Ih6kPAF1gC7oYjiJIE4HBvPOZ58CL8YoIlz_ruDf07ompMpxNr7HDRc6IM7b2WhaOImFqFGQbokdVi2WLPmyB2Gk/s1600/IMG_6234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfktebrWL-fWkhsxecJ0nVFXrsRvybcJgbLULKkjQt5vLD6x7Yq21Ih6kPAF1gC7oYjiJIE4HBvPOZ58CL8YoIlz_ruDf07ompMpxNr7HDRc6IM7b2WhaOImFqFGQbokdVi2WLPmyB2Gk/s400/IMG_6234.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Before I attempt to color any more of the manga illustrations, I really want to learn some proper coloring and shading techniques. I've got a coloring date with the teenage daughter of a friend who happens to be an artist and also has the really expensive art markers I couldn't justify buying. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Van Gogh was a little trickier for me. The drawings are almost set up like paint-by-numbers, without the benefit of numbers. This book is perfect for someone with a lot of patience, and possibly fine-tip or gel markers, because the colored pencils didn't work quite as well for all those teeny tiny details. I'm partially finished with "Sunflowers," but this is the kind of coloring I'll come back to in small bursts, most likely, when I'm watching TV or the baby is napping.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpW2tZv6pJHGlnJpnowSXy0ljYH1wlT5sGHFPU3eQoTIj9CXwG4xAT6Ys98RYsgy4faSuiHs3hWvUnOhkicfj1EvhhLrYBlDoVsHLXC6Vqyho3ddBq4y5Sz7FmsTx0FaA6URAqnCVlxk8/s1600/IMG_6244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpW2tZv6pJHGlnJpnowSXy0ljYH1wlT5sGHFPU3eQoTIj9CXwG4xAT6Ys98RYsgy4faSuiHs3hWvUnOhkicfj1EvhhLrYBlDoVsHLXC6Vqyho3ddBq4y5Sz7FmsTx0FaA6URAqnCVlxk8/s400/IMG_6244.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I haven't done any coloring since I was pregnant with Will, when I worked on the <i>Enchanted Garden</i> coloring book, but seeing the detail in the Van Gogh paintings was really inspiring. There's a house down the street with a little sign offering painting classes, and despite the language barrier, I think I'm going to sign up for some. It would be nice to have a creative outlet outside of writing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the meantime, I've got these coloring books to keep me busy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
(HarperCollins provided these books for review purposes; all opinions are my own!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-6332599084775670792015-09-23T07:19:00.000-07:002015-09-23T07:19:19.558-07:00Pitch Wars Interview with My Mentee, Joan HeI have been TERRIBLE about blogging lately, but I'm writing plenty, believe me! Here's a link to my Pitch Wars Mentor/Mentee Interview on <a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/2015/09/pitch-wars-interview-joan-mentor-mara-rae-rutherford/">Brenda Drake's blog</a>. I'm so excited to work with Joan on her beautiful Asian-inspired fantasy novel, HESPERIA. You are all going to love it when it gets published, which I have no doubt will be soon. Joan is brilliant and very hard working. I'm so lucky to have her as my mentee!Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-49724775208039793962015-08-26T19:51:00.002-07:002015-08-27T06:31:02.866-07:00Dear Pitch Wars 2015 MenteesOkay guys, I'm late to the party on this post so I'm going to keep it short and sweet. Basically, this is a letter to the mentees who will soon be announced for Pitch Wars 2015, the contest I entered last year that helped me sign with an agent. My fellow mentors have said pretty much everything worth saying (seriously, they're a ridiculously smart, kind, generous, and savvy group of writers), but I have a little story I want to share.<br />
<br />
I used to be a silently competitive writer. I didn't believe in supportive writing groups; I thought all that happy lovey-dovey critique partner stuff on Twitter was fake. Any time a blogger I knew got an agent, I felt like it was one less chance for me to sign with an agent. I truly believed there was only so much luck to go around, and that other people's successes were my loss. This, as you can imagine, was not a very happy way to be.<br />
<br />
When I got into Pitch Wars I was ecstatic. Maybe my luck was finally changing. I worked hard on my revisions for my mentor, but just a few days before the contest, she asked me to change my first chapter. Only it was too late. I'd already turned in my entry. And I PANICKED. Like, I literally had a panic attack. I was sure I wasn't going to get any requests during the agent round. When other people started getting requests, I was so full of envy that I wasn't even happy when I got a couple of requests of my own. A certain person had a fantasy novel with a similar title to mine, and she was getting requests right and left. Why would anyone want my book when she had an amazing first page and a similar theme? I was sure I wouldn't get more than a couple requests.<br />
<br />
But then I started to get more and more. I ended up with 12. This certain person, who ended up being the winner of last year's Pitch Wars, had 13. Within a few days of the contest she had an offer from one of my dream agents. Again, I was sure that her success meant I was destined to fail.<br />
<br />
A couple of days later, I had my first agent offer. I was shocked and elated in equal measure. And then I got two more offers. And suddenly I found myself on utterly foreign ground. I had no idea what I was doing. But two other writers in the Pitch Wars Facebook group were going through the same thing, including that writer who had won Pitch Wars. So, on a whim, I reached out to them.<br />
<br />
It's been nearly a year since then, and those two writers - the hilarious and stupidly talented Nikki Roberti, who started our Facebook group and is now Brenda's assistant, and Elly Blake, who won Pitch Wars because she is a freaking rockstar but also turned out to be one of the sweetest, most generous people I've ever met - are two of my best friends. And the other eighty-something people in our Facebook group have become those happy lovey-dovey writing friends I didn't believe existed. Through them, I've learned that there is not only plenty of luck to go around, but plenty of friendship, plenty of shared joy and sorrow, plenty of humor and humility and love.<br />
<br />
For several years I dreamed that Pitch Wars would help me land an agent. I had no idea it would introduce me to some of the best people I've had the privilege of knowing. So that, dear Pitch Wars 2015 mentee, is what I hope you take away from this contest. Your fellow mentees' successes are your successes, just as their losses will be yours. Learn from each other. Lean on each other. Make the most of this amazing opportunity.<br />
<br />
And whatever you do, DON'T PANIC. You've got this.<br />
<br />
And don't forget to visit <a href="http://tracielmartin.com/2015/08/25/what-no-one-tells-the-pitchwarriors-dear-pitchwars-2015-mentees/">Tracie Martin's blog</a> for the rest of the mentor's links!Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-9725095785606149032015-08-03T16:14:00.000-07:002015-08-03T16:14:12.920-07:00Pitch Wars 2015!Hi all! I just wanted to say it here - I'm co-mentoring in Pitch Wars 2015 (the contest that helped me land an agent last year) with my mentor, Jessie Humphries. I'm so excited to be a part of this contest from the other side, and to pay this opportunity forward to another deserving writer. You can read more about Jessie and me and what we're looking for over at <a href="http://www.jessie-humphries.blogspot.com/">Jessie's blog</a>.<br />
<br />
In a nutshell - I want all the YA Speculative Fiction, particularly Fantasy! We will of course consider YA of all stripes, but YA Fantasy is what I write and love. If you can create worlds like Laini Taylor, Maggie Stiefvater, Leigh Bardugo, and Victoria Schwab, send me your stuff. I also like a little darkness thrown in, a la Neil Gaiman and even Stephen King.<br />
<br />
Jessie helped point out some major plot holes in my novel, WINTERSOUL, and as an editor I can really whip your manuscript into shape. We are both easy to communicate with and, while we take the contest seriously, we aren't serious people. Meaning there are no stupid questions - we want to help YOU learn and grow through Pitch Wars. The most amazing part of the contest is all the wonderful people you will meet through the process. A shiny, submission-ready manuscript and maybe even some requests aren't bad either. ;)<br />
<br />
Can't wait to see what you've got!Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-83697725523598247042015-07-13T08:44:00.003-07:002015-08-03T16:14:21.899-07:00Mommy Mondays: Bonding Over BooksWhen I found out my first baby was going to be a boy, I was scared. What was I going to do with a BOY? I had boxes of porcelain dolls and Breyer horses packed away since high school for my future daughter. My poor American Girl Doll, Molly, had been waiting patiently for her chance to don her yellow rain slicker once more (it has since melted). I didn't know the first thing about Thomas the Train, and I was rather blissful in my ignorance.<br />
<br />
Then, for my baby shower, my sister made me a little card:<br />
"Remember: Shakespeare, Kipling, Tolkien, Twain; all boys."<br />
<br />
I still have that card. It was the perfect reminder that my true love - books, both reading and writing them - could just as easily be shared with a son as a daughter. Since then, reading to Jack has become one of my favorite parts of being a parent. We read something almost every night without fail. I am counting down the days until he's old enough for <i>Harry Potter</i>.<br />
<br />
Of course, at the time I had no idea that Jack would take to writing the way he has. After he penned his first masterpiece, "Marshmallow Joins," last year, he has gone on to write and illustrate seven more books. He's even got his own folder on my desktop. A few of weeks ago I took Jack with me to Starbucks to work, and after we discussed narrative arcs and inciting incidents, he came up with a story called "Meteors" about a little boy who saves the world from a meteor that falls into an underwater volcano. It's actually pretty good, if I do say so myself.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZseHn9-riLVauLFpdvcGvxm84g72OSc_w3WFQXbdS-yfRMc6pXc5tYefHR4Sz5Euij0ndTjaqDKzWvWV7wHli45kbfXXWwbpMKHMqEDOwpobD09wEoMgoVtXH36VESL3NzDG2FmZZln0/s1600/meteors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZseHn9-riLVauLFpdvcGvxm84g72OSc_w3WFQXbdS-yfRMc6pXc5tYefHR4Sz5Euij0ndTjaqDKzWvWV7wHli45kbfXXWwbpMKHMqEDOwpobD09wEoMgoVtXH36VESL3NzDG2FmZZln0/s400/meteors.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hero, Zyrus, with his mommy and pet labradoodle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Late last year I started buying Jack "chapter books." We've read several from the Roald Dahl collection I picked up at Costco (<i>James and the Giant Peach</i>, <i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i>, and <i>Matilda</i>) as well as <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> and <i>Stuart Little</i>. His observations are surprisingly astute ("This book has no plot," he declared midway through <i>Stuart Little</i>, and he's spot on with that one). To give E.B. White a chance to redeem himself, we picked up <i>Charlotte's Web</i>.<br />
<br />
When I started writing, it was always in the back of my head that I wanted an accomplishment of my own, something my children could be proud of someday. I wanted Jack to be able to point to a book shelf and say, "My mom did that." But I never imagined my love of books would be the thing I shared with my sons.<br />
<br />
There are many days when I worry I've spent too much time buried in my laptop instead of paying attention to my kids, when I'm preoccupied with an idea instead of focusing on a game of catch, when I let the baby stay in his crib a few extra minutes (or, you know, thirty) so I can finish a scene. Most days I feel guilty that I'd rather be writing than entertaining Will, that I'm simply not as passionate about mothering as I am about creating new worlds. I love my boys more than anything, but being a mom doesn't fulfill me in every possible way, and it shouldn't have to. I'm happy to have something outside of them, and I hope one day they'll appreciate it too.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, we came to the point in <i>Charlotte's Web</i> where Fern describes the fair as the best thing she's ever done in her whole life. So I asked Jack, what was his favorite thing he's ever done? His answer caught me completely off guard.<br />
<br />
"Going to Starbucks and writing down books with you," he said.<br />
"Really?" I asked through my tears. "Not going to Disney World or something?"<br />
"No. Because writing books is my favorite thing in the whole world."<br />
<br />
There are many days where I feel like I've failed as a mother, but yesterday was not one of them.<br />
<br />
<br />
(Note: I wrote this post on Saturday. Yesterday I TOTALLY failed as a mother. But that's another story for another time...)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-14730662774408992222015-07-08T07:23:00.004-07:002015-07-08T07:23:54.983-07:00Writing Wednesdays: An UpdateIt's been a while since I've blogged about writing, so I thought I'd give a brief update as to what I've been up to. You may have noticed I'm not blogging nearly as much as I used to. This is a combination of having been home all day almost every day with both kids since we moved, an effort to spend any free time I do have either writing or revising, and the fact that I may be suffering from Blogging Burnout.<br />
<br />
Believe it or not, this is my 495th post on Scribble Babble. I'm seriously considering retiring it at 500, although I may continue to update it should any hilarious Jack stories arise (and I'm hoping Will's going to start providing material soon, too). Back when I started writing young adult fiction in 2010 or so, we were all told we needed blogs. And we all dutifully started them. But I've noticed fewer and fewer of my writing friends maintaining regular blogging schedules lately, in part because many of them have gone on to sign with agents and even publish books. It's hard to justify blogging when you've got deadlines for an actual paid gig. I think blogging became so ubiquitous that it no longer made you stand out from the crowd. You simply *were* the crowd.<br />
<br />
In terms of writing, I just received the list of editors my agent is going to submit WINTERSOUL to and I couldn't be more excited. I would be extremely fortunate to call any of them my editor. I hope you guys will send out some good vibes for me. I'm so ready to start the next phase of this journey!<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I'm working on a new manuscript I started back when I lived in Russia. I've got the green light from my agent to keep working on it based on the first few chapters, and that's what I'm devoting my time to now that Jack is in camp a few hours a day. When school starts in early August I'll really be able to get to work, and I can't wait to be back in full-on drafting mode. Drafting is my favorite part of writing, when I get to create a new world and populate it with people entirely from my imagination.<br />
<br />
So that's my update. I've also got a "real" website now. There's not much to it but feel free to check it out: <a href="http://www.mararutherford.com/">www.mararutherford.com</a><br />
<br />
I hope I'll have something more exciting to share in the coming months, and for those of you still reading my blog after all these years, thank you!Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-36165440729430293292015-06-26T19:45:00.001-07:002015-06-26T19:45:44.010-07:00Foreign Service Fridays: The Food Post (Part I)A quick post about some of the delicious food here in Lima is up over on <a href="http://mosteligiblefamily.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-food-post-part-i.html">Most Eligible Family</a>. We're heading out of town tomorrow for our first Peruvian vacation! Happy Friday all!Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-27127627002149507952015-06-16T19:27:00.001-07:002015-06-16T19:27:49.907-07:00The EverydayI think one of the hardest things about moving to a new place is adjusting to a new everyday routine. Right now, without a car, we're "trapped," as John put it. That may sound a little dramatic, but some days it really feels like it's true. Jack isn't in school, Will is more mobile every hour it seems (and we remain baby gate-less, even though two different carpenters have come to measure our stairs), and we are going on one month of the same few toys and books. The things that are easy at "home" - running errands, getting groceries, going to a cafe - are so much harder in a new place.<br />
<br />
For example: two weeks ago, I spent hours of my life chasing the fastest, most tenacious ants I've ever seen around our kitchen, until a kindly gentleman from the embassy showed up with Raid. Because the truth is, I didn't have the energy to put both kids (one with a car seat, one sadly without, since I can't take both) and a stroller into a cab (where I inevitably have to dig around for several minutes to find all the seat belts), attempt to navigate in Spanish, search high and low in a store I don't know, call another cab, reload, and come home, just to deal with some damn ants.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, a week and a half ago, we hired our empleada, Celia. She is amazing with the kids, is a fabulous cook, cleans the house from top to bottom, runs to the store if I need her to, and translates for me when I'm desperate. And now that I have someone I can leave the kids with for a couple hours here and there, I was able to go out twice last week by myself! (After several weeks of not having a moment to myself, this is a big deal.) Cabbing here is never fun, but it's a hell of a lot easier alone than doing it with two kids in tow.<br />
<br />
One of the things I struggle with most is that this area of Lima isn't walkable. But today Celia (who I'm pretty sure was as bored as I am) suggested we go for a walk, so we braved the sidewalk-less streets and made our way to a little park near our house. It's just a series of winding dirt paths, but it's a quiet place where people go to walk their dogs and sit in the shade.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpfwoOW_j2GBIehBoQvuhQUTZ_2V2s2BafLYGIIp6BoIy8rYddIFcwq3oH5RT0SwSKSQfnHq3TCqSct2pkdgWv81B3CXOz5nhOh1esvzByVl50-JjQZ_UVM3U4_6tMDAic4OCZg4_ZE4/s1600/IMG_0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpfwoOW_j2GBIehBoQvuhQUTZ_2V2s2BafLYGIIp6BoIy8rYddIFcwq3oH5RT0SwSKSQfnHq3TCqSct2pkdgWv81B3CXOz5nhOh1esvzByVl50-JjQZ_UVM3U4_6tMDAic4OCZg4_ZE4/s400/IMG_0042.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parque Jerusalem (or "the Jewish park" as Jackie calls it).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span id="goog_450223098"></span>
Behind the park is a street full of little markets and shops. We stopped for cookies at a bakery and Celia bought three massive plantains and a bag full of green beans for less than 3 soles (about a dollar).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP2IbiSxXHbvcWOI_FRkv61F_ZNk_Kq3NkUwS8wTU5fjfSjE97vPJRQN5FC9GtrsTuG3jyNHff0dI0kmRHloBYjUFclmODWRnavBW2ycMBtXvKY-Txn9q3EhekdUJfNFTl8w7xEAdlnM/s1600/IMG_0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP2IbiSxXHbvcWOI_FRkv61F_ZNk_Kq3NkUwS8wTU5fjfSjE97vPJRQN5FC9GtrsTuG3jyNHff0dI0kmRHloBYjUFclmODWRnavBW2ycMBtXvKY-Txn9q3EhekdUJfNFTl8w7xEAdlnM/s400/IMG_0047.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Stop taking pictures already!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93TRl-oJz4wUiRTJBoAOS73LwzkIWsZZLBBLUI_fbZeAHONjkufoDqRSJNgqCyXYfyB7gs7wp34wnZH9gZpR2p1RdW8gjxyVrNcaRxj6Q6G3E3lu5OUMrP_KOaHMwgcP0aw_tyirVWk4/s1600/IMG_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93TRl-oJz4wUiRTJBoAOS73LwzkIWsZZLBBLUI_fbZeAHONjkufoDqRSJNgqCyXYfyB7gs7wp34wnZH9gZpR2p1RdW8gjxyVrNcaRxj6Q6G3E3lu5OUMrP_KOaHMwgcP0aw_tyirVWk4/s400/IMG_0048.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack is not impressed by the purple corn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was nice to feel like we're in a neighborhood, rather than just a series of walls and gates, with only the rooftops of our neighbors' houses visible.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0-Ry3r3LJgqSLn5W3auJar6incFmGqTNgCBnjfSlmsGu72dheAfKb4o7febeuirVedAOZH5V0m_pI3DWo9O0nQ6hG5fdsq4roLr1_E5XYvxrX6_tVEF8n_YmcBBot7yANFxChxY3W_w/s1600/IMG_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0-Ry3r3LJgqSLn5W3auJar6incFmGqTNgCBnjfSlmsGu72dheAfKb4o7febeuirVedAOZH5V0m_pI3DWo9O0nQ6hG5fdsq4roLr1_E5XYvxrX6_tVEF8n_YmcBBot7yANFxChxY3W_w/s400/IMG_0040.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walls and dirt mountains don't make for the best view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylBbjCPCOV37Jidfgip7nZglmqE0PstSvPhWVt_dNHMqbYOfWXhq1AYVBhMIYTNt314_EY5xtkfxKgGcbKzqtvO05y9NVSJw0mT5Ro0q7OvEiZMqVyukNd2vBeuZBxVZ5kiWNBw7Tl8k/s1600/IMG_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylBbjCPCOV37Jidfgip7nZglmqE0PstSvPhWVt_dNHMqbYOfWXhq1AYVBhMIYTNt314_EY5xtkfxKgGcbKzqtvO05y9NVSJw0mT5Ro0q7OvEiZMqVyukNd2vBeuZBxVZ5kiWNBw7Tl8k/s400/IMG_0043.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But bright flowers and happy kids help.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKzf33eSrCz-wNXgF93RDwKLTH_j2fft3gUE3OjuPq7eD2GDzRKcMGBhK0ilHsCzU4sdvXr4_amGWWsKSK_3CyY_UTx5uKlUQdz2tSWvXD-ScgwBe2WdUvstMOsJVW7-0W9pQJmLcC14/s1600/IMG_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKzf33eSrCz-wNXgF93RDwKLTH_j2fft3gUE3OjuPq7eD2GDzRKcMGBhK0ilHsCzU4sdvXr4_amGWWsKSK_3CyY_UTx5uKlUQdz2tSWvXD-ScgwBe2WdUvstMOsJVW7-0W9pQJmLcC14/s400/IMG_0045.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And cookies! Don't forget the cookies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know that once we have our car, Jack is in school, and I get into a writing routine, things will be a lot more comfortable. I miss my friends, but I'm grateful for Facebook and Skype (even if John thinks I spend way too much time on my phone), and we have our first trip planned for next weekend! I'm excited to get out and see something beyond Lima.<br />
<br />
Starting over is never easy, but I know how fortunate we are to be here. I really want to make the most of our time in Peru, because even though it doesn't always feel like it, two years of everydays will go by in the blink of an eye.Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-68499458300650126432015-05-29T11:12:00.002-07:002015-05-29T11:12:21.250-07:00Foreign Service Fridays: Lima: First ImpressionsI FINALLY got around to blogging! I talk a little about our first impressions of our new home, Lima, Peru, over at <a href="http://mosteligiblefamily.blogspot.com/2015/05/lima-first-impressions.html">Most Eligible Family</a>.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping to get back to a regular blogging schedule in the next couple of weeks. I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-31161010525372269632015-05-06T12:23:00.000-07:002015-05-06T12:23:12.649-07:00Writing Wednesdays: A Picture is Worth a Thousand WordsA couple of months ago, when I was in the throes of revision misery, some Pitch Wars friends mentioned they were commissioning artists to illustrate scenes from their novels. I'm a very visual person and loved the idea of seeing my work brought to life, plus I thought it would be a good distraction while I waited to hear back from my agent.<br />
<br />
My main character is half-Japanese-American and loves manga, so I knew I wanted a manga feel to my picture. I scoured <a href="http://cantieuhy.deviantart.com/">DeviantArt</a> until I found an artist whose work I loved who also took commissions. Then I described one of the opening scenes of my novel and let her go to work. I finally got the piece the other day, and I think it looks pretty fabulous!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sF-yUlzJwqprIOCeNjTqDU5lr-A6B44vf4yVrKtAH2uzwAZy8MFVJ84n34MfI5n0l6bPW9VbWl0MueCh5ZdFprFjO304ciQ1UaLBdU9J0eQQat1lVi7DYYgA6iul_Dqnw8dnaHwsn0E/s1600/Mararae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sF-yUlzJwqprIOCeNjTqDU5lr-A6B44vf4yVrKtAH2uzwAZy8MFVJ84n34MfI5n0l6bPW9VbWl0MueCh5ZdFprFjO304ciQ1UaLBdU9J0eQQat1lVi7DYYgA6iul_Dqnw8dnaHwsn0E/s1600/Mararae.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
If anyone is looking for a new way to get inspired by their work, I totally recommend doing something like this! It really was a great distraction, and I plan to feature the piece on my author blog some day.<br />
<br />Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-65650678987914729202015-04-28T12:44:00.000-07:002015-04-28T12:44:24.772-07:00Three Weeks Until Moving Day(Reposting this from Most Eligible Family, because it's Foreign Service and normal-life related, I think. Also, I've had so little time to blog lately! I have some decisions to make about blogging in the future, but I can say for certain I won't be doing much in the next three weeks while I finish up this round of revisions and prepare for our move!)<br />
<br />
I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. Only three more weeks until we leave DC (we'll be in Miami for a couple of days for consultations and then it's off to Lima). I am not ready. Not physically or mentally. There is always so much to do before a move, and it seems like it all has to happen at the last minute. I have to go through everything we own and start culling, because we are short on weight limits somehow. And even though I've gotten good at letting go of material possessions (I'm ruthless these days, because in this lifestyle you have to be), I have a particularly hard time parting with the kids' stuff. I wanted to take Will's crib and dresser with me, but it doesn't look like we'll have the weight, so I have to sell them. Jack's loft bed also has to go. I think part of it is that this house has really been perfect for us this past year, and I don't want to leave it.<br />
<br />
On the bright side, we got our housing assignment and it looks great. A big, modern house with a lot of space (and four bedrooms, so I will be expecting lots of visitors!). It also looks like a death-trap for small children, so I'm interested to see how GSO is going to "baby proof" it. We're talking a fountain out front, an outdoor staircase in the back, a deck with open rails on the second floor, all hardwood or tile floors, etc. But I will say that it looks modern and spacious, and I feel very fortunate to have gotten it.<br />
<br />
Moving is probably my least favorite thing in the world, so it's fabulous that I married a man who drags me all around it. It's actually the logistics of moving that bother me - I enjoy the change (although maybe "enjoy" isn't the right word; it's more that I like what happens to me when I'm forced to change). Anyone who has done a military or government move knows that just because someone else is doing the packing and moving for you, there's nothing easy about it. This isn't some across-town move where all your possessions get packed up and relocated. First there's the aforementioned culling due to weight limits. Then there's the separating of household effects (HHE), unaccompanied air baggage (UAB), and items for storage. On moving day (or days) you've got to watch the movers like a hawk to make sure everything goes to the right place. And I have heard some horror stories about moving: trash being wrapped up and sent halfway around the world; teeny tiny items being wrapped in ridiculous amounts of paper to drive the weight up; the usual broken items and things being shipped to the wrong place, etc.<br />
<br />
But fortunately, John and I already had what I'm pretty sure will be the worst move of our lives (unless of course the ship with our crap on it sinks, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/21/world/container-ship-loses-containers/">which also happens</a>). You see, way back when, a month before our wedding, the Marine Corps moved us from Texas to San Diego. And somewhere on the way, the truck was caught in high winds and jackknifed, spreading all of our belongings across the desert. When what was salvaged from the accident arrived at our house, we were horrified. Our brand new washer and dryer, John's road bike, a television, a computer, and a bunch of other expensive stuff was destroyed. Other things, like a headboard, a desk, and a box spring, were never found. And then there was my plastic bin full of bras and underwear. When I opened up the drawers I was met not with silk and lace but dirt and rocks. To this day I wonder what became of my underthings; I have a vision of a Texas longhorn with a bra dangling from its horns. When all was said and done, we got $7,000 dollars of the $20,000 or so in damages and loss. I'm not sure that we learned anything from it, but it sure makes all our other moves look pretty darn tolerable.<br />
<br />
Over the next three weeks, I hope I can stay somewhat organized and sane. But one way or another, we'll be on our way to Lima very, very soon!<br />
<br />
<br />Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-82385978612223718302015-04-13T11:25:00.000-07:002015-04-14T07:08:17.293-07:00Five Things I Learned at the Iceland Writers RetreatThose of you who are friends with me on Facebook may recall a post back in August, when John surprised me with the best tenth anniversary gift a girl could dream of: a four day writers retreat in Iceland with Barbara Kingsolver headlining. After months of anticipation and logistical preparation, I finally went last week, and it was even better than I'd imagined.<br />
<br />
I could probably write an entire series of posts about how amazing Barbara Kingsolver was, how every time she opened her mouth something funny, kind, or brilliant tumbled out, and how none of it was rehearsed - it's just who she is. One of the things that appealed to me about this retreat was that it wasn't a typical conference setting, where people are more focused on networking and attracting an agent's attention than learning. And I loved the idea of spending time outside the workshops with the authors, who were invited to all the same meals and excursions as the participants. But I never imagined I'd get to spend nearly two hours talking to Barbara between workshops, or eat breakfast at the same table as her almost every day, or stand next to her at the top of a waterfall. I was so surprised by her accessibility and generosity, and her complete lack of of pretense. Is there anything better than finding out that one of your very favorite authors is also one of the nicest people you've ever met?<br />
<br />
At any rate, I could gush about Barbara Kingsolver forever, but I won't. Here, in no particular order, are some of the pieces of wisdom I gleaned from the authors during the Iceland Writers Retreat. Erica and Eliza, the founders of the retreat, have really created something special. If you have the opportunity to go, I can't recommend it enough.<br />
<br />
1) "Bad memoirs come out of youth; Good novels come out of middle age."<br />
Adam Gopnik is hilarious. I didn't take his workshops but I got to speak to him a little and heard him read on our first night. His essay on learning to drive had me laughing out loud. One of the things Adam said he loved about the retreat was that it wasn't filled with a bunch of young people who want to write memoirs and have zero life experience. The retreat was geared more toward people in their thirties, forties, fifties, and beyond, many who have never completed a book. It's such a good reminder that the majority of writers don't "make it" in their twenties.<br />
<br />
2) "Find the internal contradiction."<br />
One of my favorite workshops was "Character Development" by Allison Pick. Allison told us that internal contradiction is what makes characters interesting. Considering my agent had just mentioned that my main character's arc was feeling a little flat, this was the perfect advice. No one wants to read about a character who doesn't have anything to learn, or who doesn't grow or change throughout the course of the novel. Point taken.<br />
<br />
3) "Revision is where art happens."<br />
I think this may be one of the writing lessons it's taken me longest to learn. When I first started writing, I had no idea how much revision it took to get a book from first draft to published novel. I got my second edit letter the first night of the retreat, and I can assure you that I'm becoming very familiar with revision. If I'd known when I started out that even bestselling authors like Barbara Kingsolver spend months revising their work, I don't think I would have given up on some of my earlier projects so easily.<br />
<br />
4) "Make a promise to the reader in the first chapter."<br />
When I told Barbara that my agent wants me to rewrite my first chapter, the first thing she did was ask me why. I told her he thought it gave too much away, which she agreed was a problem. Then she gave me this little gem of advice. She mentioned in her workshop that the best books are the ones where you say, "I knew that was going to happen!" even though you didn't really know for sure. I plan on looking back at some of her first chapters and trying to determine the promise.<br />
<br />
5) "Always do the scariest thing."<br />
The last morning of the retreat, the authors participated in a round-table discussion and answered questions from the audience. Several of the authors explained that they know they're on to something when an idea terrifies them. Ruth Reichl was referring to writing when she told us to "always do the scariest thing," but over the past few years I've come to find it applies to all aspects of life. It certainly served me well last week. These types of "camp" situations terrify me, and it would be very easy to hide behind my social anxiety, but I would have missed out on so much if I had, including a long conversation with my writing hero.<br />
<br />
I learned a lot more during the retreat, but these were some of the things that stuck with me. And now it's time for me to take some of that brilliant advice and go back into my revision cave. Wish me luck!Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-91286637441546711002015-03-24T08:29:00.000-07:002015-03-24T08:29:52.393-07:00My Second WeddingAbout six months ago, Jack mentioned that he wanted to marry me when he grows up. I thought it was adorable and nearly smacked John when he started to explain that it wasn't logistically (never mind ethically) feasible. Every now and then Jack would bring it up, and I happily went along with the scheme. One of my favorite things about being a boy-mom is how Jack thinks of me as a princess. I know the day will come when he wants nothing to do with me, so I'm soaking it all up while I can.<br />
<br />
I was not, however, prepared to marry Jack NOW. I always figured he'd outgrow it before it became a reality. But as we were driving home from school last Thursday, Jack informed me that we would be getting married that evening. I tried to dissuade him by explaining I didn't have a white dress - "You can wear your pretty black dress, Mommy" - or that we needed time to prepare a special meal - "We can have strawberries and dumpalings, Mommy" - but he stood firm. He made me a paper crown when we got home and was very excited to fill Daddy in on the news.<br />
<br />
To which Daddy replied, "It's illegal to have more than one husband in this country."<br />
<br />
Jack looked up at me with enormous, tear-filled blue eyes and said, "But that means I can't marry Mommy."<br />
<br />
And then I killed John.<br />
<br />
Actually, I said, "Ignore Daddy. I always do." And we proceeded to make wedding preparations.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, I was able to convince Jack that Saturday at Aunt Shasha's house would be better. I was already planning to spend the night at Sarah's house on Friday night, so we agreed I could wear one of her dresses. "I'll wear my belt," Jack informed me. (He's convinced that belt=fancy.) He also insisted I wear a tiara, so I dug up a little party crown from a couple New Years Eves ago. Shasha showed Jack a few dress options and he chose the fancy, long dress (which is actually Sarah's prom dress - it's nice to know I haven't grown in seventeen years, and that Sarah never gets rid of anything). With the addition of some vintage beaded flowers, we were ready to begin the ceremony.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibu2U5S5yETt8uEZ7sLnd5GNE1PJqfI4xZBXCM5GHfvWsmNORjXV4QMhKHUFxE5DHR1P-KuwP3J92mgOrJbrdyHGVs-pMBwc_0MmpzkF5CsrFHAhxLIoCWipE7cJLRhlnfkvB-vnnfFgU/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibu2U5S5yETt8uEZ7sLnd5GNE1PJqfI4xZBXCM5GHfvWsmNORjXV4QMhKHUFxE5DHR1P-KuwP3J92mgOrJbrdyHGVs-pMBwc_0MmpzkF5CsrFHAhxLIoCWipE7cJLRhlnfkvB-vnnfFgU/s1600/image1.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
"So, uh, what do we do?" I asked Jack.<br />
<br />
"First we have the vestibal."<br />
<br />
"Right, the vestibal. And what exactly does that entail?"<br />
<br />
"A dance party. And cheers-ing."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjET-nIsd6dAiApVjz5k-qeV6i5jppa-dla0EPPwzBhy7x0W0vJSvg_C2cHO_gAr-ZhtliMH7VFPjayOy9SbS4YQ54E7GTfvGQsWoYXMCZBbw3EZ9HVF-IlXMhcptRo53IVmWRsiQfVK4/s1600/image2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjET-nIsd6dAiApVjz5k-qeV6i5jppa-dla0EPPwzBhy7x0W0vJSvg_C2cHO_gAr-ZhtliMH7VFPjayOy9SbS4YQ54E7GTfvGQsWoYXMCZBbw3EZ9HVF-IlXMhcptRo53IVmWRsiQfVK4/s1600/image2.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Once we ascertained that he meant "festival," Shasha brought out her laptop and some glasses, and Jack chose that old wedding classic, Rihanna's "Only Girl in the World," for our dance party. We toasted with water. Jack promised to be a good husband, which entails helping with the cooking, taking care of Will, and going to bed at the same time as me. Then I asked Jack if we should maybe say that we love each other.<br />
<br />
Jack put his nose against mine and said, "I love you more than anything, a thousand times."<br />
<br />
That kid. I swear, he makes me crazy, but he can be the sweetest boy sometimes. I love watching him grow and change, seeing the way he interacts with the world around him and how curious he is about everything. I know he's only going to get more fun as he gets older, but I also know the day will come all too soon when I wish he still wanted to marry me.<br />
<br />
I love you more than anything a thousand times, Jackie. And that's one thing I know will never change.<br />
<br />
<br />Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-51062692393001119232015-03-19T08:13:00.001-07:002015-03-19T08:13:58.831-07:00Things I Love Thursdays: OutlanderSome time during my teenage years, my mom tried to give me a copy of <i>Outlander</i>. She'd loved it and thought I might enjoy it too, which was a reasonable assumption given my love of reading and fantasy. But for whatever reason (Too much history? Not enough magic?), I never made it past the first fifty pages or so. It wasn't until the winter before last, when I was pregnant with Will and living in Montana with Jack and my mom, that I decided to give it another shot. I was immediately sucked into it and couldn't put it down. What can I say, I like history now, and the lack of magic is more than made up for by the presence of this fellow:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclhaqGUiflFOZK0_PZnNj4A6NSo8ibedaTBOSQzNN3BVzaw95xvrM08_Iqz7PPrtK_Oor-uInmOSPaanUWhWcq5oLM8PqVXUJ7zWp4XGnFlIbqo_Mdsk9BQk1duH-Nom9kR6ObDRedHc/s1600/rs_560x415-150109132923-1024.Outlander-Jamie-Fraser.jl.010915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclhaqGUiflFOZK0_PZnNj4A6NSo8ibedaTBOSQzNN3BVzaw95xvrM08_Iqz7PPrtK_Oor-uInmOSPaanUWhWcq5oLM8PqVXUJ7zWp4XGnFlIbqo_Mdsk9BQk1duH-Nom9kR6ObDRedHc/s1600/rs_560x415-150109132923-1024.Outlander-Jamie-Fraser.jl.010915.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Jamie Fraser is completely swoon-worthy in the book, but really, my love for <i>Outlander</i> wasn't complete until I finally got my hands on the DVDs a few weeks ago. I watched the first four episodes at a nice, respectable one-a-night pace, until I couldn't take the suspense anymore and binge-watched the last four in a day and a half. The casting for the show is perfect, and having watched the "extras," which include a segment about the making of the costumes, I'm really impressed with how much trouble they took to make everything historically accurate.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy327eVsP2Da8XmQwSd0muoGDa8xfcVb4-9ZK_W-8rSVTDbHGVIrjEtU2QC17PfCuQC4EktIRpPjkTxP8ryzkBGtaMebRmmJikvZ04rwLSOiyYEEHSNG_U5vPglhe829OLCjVpz8r5_g/s1600/JamieandClaireOutlander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy327eVsP2Da8XmQwSd0muoGDa8xfcVb4-9ZK_W-8rSVTDbHGVIrjEtU2QC17PfCuQC4EktIRpPjkTxP8ryzkBGtaMebRmmJikvZ04rwLSOiyYEEHSNG_U5vPglhe829OLCjVpz8r5_g/s1600/JamieandClaireOutlander.jpg" height="347" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On the one hand, I'm glad I waited until now to watch the show, since I have a much shorter wait for Season 2. But now I have to figure out how I'm going to get my hands on a copy in Peru. There's no way I can wait another year to continue the journey! In the meantime, I plan on reading the sequel to <i>Outlander</i>, <i>Dragonfly in Amber</i>, post haste.Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-77094784687843201782015-03-06T08:51:00.001-08:002015-03-06T08:51:32.920-08:00Foreign Service Fridays: Some Thoughts on EFM EmploymentI finally blogged about something Foreign Service-y today! If you're curious about employment for family members, I link to a couple of interesting posts on the topic, along with my own two cents, over on <a href="http://mosteligiblefamily.blogspot.com/2015/03/some-thoughts-on-efm-employment.html">Most Eligible Family</a>. It's hard to believe we leave for Lima in ten weeks! Eeek!Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-18530314777269655912015-02-25T07:54:00.001-08:002015-02-25T07:54:36.419-08:00Writing Wednesdays: Surviving Revisions, and Jack's New BookHi all! I'm happy to say I have finally sent my revised manuscript back to my literary agent. It took six weeks and an average of 2-4 hours on week days, plus 5 or more hours on weekend days, and all I can hope right now is that I didn't somehow make my novel worse in the process.<br />
<br />
Learning to revise has probably been my biggest challenge as a writer. It took a long time for me to fully grasp how crucial revision is to the writing process (drafting is the easy part!), and it is definitely a skill that develops over time. I think I might finally be getting the hang of it. Maybe.<br />
<br />
And of course there was all the life stuff to deal with over these past six weeks, including the Cold From Hell that took down our entire family, strep throat (just me - that was fun), more car nonsense, and other crap I won't bore you with. But I do think my novel is much stronger thanks to these changes, and hopefully all my hard work will pay off!<br />
<br />
In other news, Jack (who wasn't always a fan of Mommy disappearing in the afternoons to work, or locking herself in her bedroom on weekends) is now an author. He has penned a "chapter book" and a sequel, Marshmallow Joins and Marshmallow Joins 2. They are...how can I put this delicately? WEIRD. I still don't fully understand the title, although there are marshmallows in the book. He really wants me to share it with the world, but I'm not sure the world is quite ready for it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAYialzY_qfw2oUYKB_gbphNCaejB6_sSE9BOVNf_84Dd3uuU6oA-84JmuqVW1OLRk1L52G5cC81MG7HWuBcghdU63Duhjp-GEZt10dyKujw9DjSp9saNQlNt27fTEyz4Xlm4u3vYics/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAYialzY_qfw2oUYKB_gbphNCaejB6_sSE9BOVNf_84Dd3uuU6oA-84JmuqVW1OLRk1L52G5cC81MG7HWuBcghdU63Duhjp-GEZt10dyKujw9DjSp9saNQlNt27fTEyz4Xlm4u3vYics/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="400" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack is a very serious writer (the pencil behind the ear was all his idea).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
He has also asked me to be his literary agent, and he insisted we type the books up on the computer. When Auntie Shasha came over for brainstorming sessions (I owe Sarah a HUGE thanks for the amount of time she spent talking over plot changes with me), Jack liked to join us and ask our advice on Marshmallow Joins.<br />
<br />
I love the fact that Jack wants to be a writer and is proud of what I'm doing. I've tried to find ways to make him feel included, like drawing a cover for my book (he really thinks it's going to be the cover; hopefully by the time the book is published he's over it) and reading "real" books at night time. So far we've read <i>James and the Giant Peach</i> and we're working on <i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i>. He's chosen <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> as our next book. As someone who was once terrified of being a mom to boys, I love that this is our thing. And while his prose may need some work, I see a real future for him in illustration.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejuN42UdgHQYZ9BHhb7EW_3OsV5p0NRLW36eFTcwnAihmUCee-jwmOBF6gPsj_70BT4G5bchyKef_bCBSV-o9x_GQq3C0JSqGqECGnDeg-ZVuRCV3aVz1IpaxB2_gkY9aMlldnvdiDJQ/s1600/FullSizeRender+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejuN42UdgHQYZ9BHhb7EW_3OsV5p0NRLW36eFTcwnAihmUCee-jwmOBF6gPsj_70BT4G5bchyKef_bCBSV-o9x_GQq3C0JSqGqECGnDeg-ZVuRCV3aVz1IpaxB2_gkY9aMlldnvdiDJQ/s1600/FullSizeRender+(1).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of the good witch and one of her marshmallows from Marshmallow Joins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYD9S3KBT_hi0_qdMENYe-xVpFhrt3I4g9ZFcwDtFEw2uuE-OfMrH6URkVYTogu7VWirVx7W-IiLaB_twYY_HCtgzG32PgOFB7mTa5NOwWvXBYr9Bs_eCW2VrzL9R9IBqQVoE2FwozFM/s1600/FullSizeRender+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYD9S3KBT_hi0_qdMENYe-xVpFhrt3I4g9ZFcwDtFEw2uuE-OfMrH6URkVYTogu7VWirVx7W-IiLaB_twYY_HCtgzG32PgOFB7mTa5NOwWvXBYr9Bs_eCW2VrzL9R9IBqQVoE2FwozFM/s1600/FullSizeRender+(2).jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack's cover design for Wintersoul.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-85315892244966416412015-02-02T07:15:00.001-08:002015-02-02T07:15:45.581-08:00Blogging BreakJust in case anyone is wondering what happened to me, I've decided to take a little time off of blogging while I focus on my agent revisions. I can't justify using whatever free time I have to blog when I have "real" work to do. On a happier note, John FINALLY got moved to the morning schedule, so I will now have a couple of hours every day to devote to writing. Yay! Hopefully I'll be back to blogging soon :)Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-65345929419219669242015-01-15T12:49:00.000-08:002015-01-15T12:49:34.906-08:00To Fall in Love With Your Husband, Do This?The other day, one of my writing friends shared a <i>New York Times</i> article called <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/fashion/modern-love-to-fall-in-love-with-anyone-do-this.html">"To Fall in Love With Anyone, Do This,"</a> about an experiment done twenty years ago that helped two couples fall in love, and later, the author of the article. Basically, two strangers were asked to spend 90 minutes answering a series of increasingly personal questions, and then stare into each other's eyes for 4 minutes. My friend thought the questions could help with character development, but as soon as I read the article, I started to wonder: could these questions help my marriage?<br />
<br />
To be clear, there is nothing wrong with my marriage! But I think all couples, especially those with young children, can use an opportunity to reconnect every now and then. Many of the questions are irrelevant to people in a relationship (we've been together for fourteen years and have fortunately figured out a thing or two during that time). But some of the questions are very thought-provoking, the kinds of questions I hadn't ever really asked myself, let alone John. (I know you're curious, so I've included the questions at the end of this post.) I decided to conduct our own experiment, to see if we could learn something new about each other, and maybe even strengthen our connection during the process. It couldn't hurt to try, right?<br />
<br />
Almost immediately, I felt like we'd accomplished something. We turned off the television and spent an hour talking instead of zoning out or checking Facebook. While some of John's answers were predictable, others took me completely by surprise. Some of the questions were easy to answer, while others required a lot of thought. John spoke in depth about some of his experiences in the Marine Corps, which to me often feels like another lifetime but is clearly still very much on John's mind. I can see how discussing things like your most treasured memory or whose death in your family would be the most disturbing would tell you rather quickly how you feel about a person, certainly more than talking about work or hobbies. Cutting to the chase on a first date may be uncomfortable, but it could definitely have its merits.<br />
<br />
After we finished the questions and got ready for bed, John and I tried to spend 4 minutes gazing into each other's eyes. I think the idea was to do it silently, but we talked the entire time. Whoops. Either way, I definitely felt closer to John afterward. I won't say it led to any major revelations, but it was a good reminder of why I fell in love with John in the first place. And frankly, between kids, jobs, busted cars, bike accidents, and impending moves, who couldn't use a little reminder every now and then?<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.4375rem;">Set I</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">4. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">11. Take four minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.4375rem;">Set II</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">14. Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">16. What do you value most in a friendship?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">17. What is your most treasured memory?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">18. What is your most terrible memory?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.4375rem;">19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">20. What does friendship mean to you?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">21. What roles do love and affection play in your life?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of five items.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people’s?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.4375rem;">Set III</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">25. Make three true “we” statements each. For instance, “We are both in this room feeling ..."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">26. Complete this sentence: “I wish I had someone with whom I could share ... “</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">28. Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you’ve just met.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4375rem;">36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner’s advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.</span><br />
<div class="ad ad-placeholder nocontent robots-nocontent" style="background-color: white; clear: right; color: #333333; float: right; font-family: nyt-cheltenham, georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 40px 7px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="ad text-ad middle-right-ad nocontent robots-nocontent" id="MiddleRightN" style="background-color: white; clear: right; color: #333333; float: right; font-family: nyt-cheltenham, georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 40px 7px; min-height: 250px; min-width: 300px; position: relative;">
</div>
Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-86619451678235843182015-01-14T11:59:00.001-08:002015-01-14T11:59:38.622-08:00Writing Wednesdays: The Very Inspiring Blogger AwardYesterday I received the Very Inspiring Blogger Award from the lovely ladies of <a href="https://subitclub.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/">Sub It Club</a>, an online support group for writers and illustrators who are sending their work out into the world (yes, it's so scary we need our own support group). I'm honored to be listed among some of the bloggers who inspire ME, particularly Dee Romito at <a href="http://www.writeforapples.com/">I Write for Apples</a>, who was so sweet and helpful when I got my offer of representation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5dPYN7C16Rp5v3ooO6ngYUPxFpD59fP2_3kQhwfaRFnsXmADKeWbvAe0i3WtQdi9YmRAIrDnvR5uEg4OkQBOcAOsph3JYTRn_fssKaUmv-ZtVKbfcIpPuCNcmUSLflQjadIQAx5nox8/s1600/very-inspiring-blogger-award-1-281x179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5dPYN7C16Rp5v3ooO6ngYUPxFpD59fP2_3kQhwfaRFnsXmADKeWbvAe0i3WtQdi9YmRAIrDnvR5uEg4OkQBOcAOsph3JYTRn_fssKaUmv-ZtVKbfcIpPuCNcmUSLflQjadIQAx5nox8/s1600/very-inspiring-blogger-award-1-281x179.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here are the rules for the award:<br />*Display the award on your blog<br />
*Link back to the person who nominated you<br />
*State 7 things about yourself<br />
*Nominate 15 bloggers, link to them, and notify them about their nominations<br />
<br />
I'm not going to choose 15 bloggers because everyone is super busy, but I will nominate one: my talented, intelligent, inspiring sister Elizabeth, who blogs at <a href="http://www.clashofcultures.eu/clash-of-cultures/">Clash of Cultures</a> about popular culture and lives in Paris. She is also the one who introduced me to Sub It Club so I'm extra grateful!<br />
<br />
And now, seven things about myself (with a writing focus, since this is a writing award):<br />
1) In my very first query letter for my very first book, I compared it to <i>Harry Potter</i>. I KNOW. (This is like one of the seven deadly sins of querying, so I totally deserved the "Not for us" scribbled at the top of the letter and mailed back to me. Ouch.)<br />
2) I wrote my second novel about a Marine pilot who is killed in action and what happens to his family in the aftermath. I still think the idea has merit, but I was nowhere near skilled enough to write the story at the time. I never queried it.<br />
3) The only writing class I've ever taken was focused on travel writing. I took it at the UCSD extension and my teacher encouraged me to pursue publication. His kind words were some of the first I filed away to bring out whenever I was feeling down about my writing.<br />
4) WINTERSOUL, the novel that finally found an agent, is my eighth completed manuscript, but I've got another half-dozen incomplete novels floating around.<br />
5) I wrote my first novel after I was fired from my crappy job at a newspaper and had nothing else to do. I also took up baking, knitting, and painting that year. Writing is the only hobby that stuck!<br />
6) Some day, after we've done several posts in the Foreign Service, I want to write a book about parenting overseas. My working title is "Abroad with Boys."<br />
7) Trust is a recurring theme in most of my novels. I'm pretty sure this says something about me, but I haven't delved too deeply yet...<br />
<br />
Thanks again Sub It Club!Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-28874578385042133972015-01-09T12:44:00.003-08:002015-01-09T12:45:04.086-08:00Foreign Service Fridays: When the Living Ain't EasySometimes my super-glamorous globe-trotting life*, well, isn't. I talk about it a little over on <a href="http://mosteligiblefamily.blogspot.com/2015/01/when-living-aint-easy.html">Most Eligible Family</a>. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Didn't this week seem LONG to you? Or maybe that was just me...<br />
<br />
* That was sarcasm, in case you couldn't tell ;)Mara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.com1