Tag: AROHO

Books, Encouragement, Writing

Writing From the Neck Down-advice from Janet Fitch

Mona Alvarado Frazier
The Labyrinth at Ghost Ranch
The Labyrinth at Ghost Ranch

One of the greatest rewards of attending A Room of Her Own (AROHO) writer’s retreat was the ability to listen to writers I’ve long admired. One of these writers is Janet Fitch, the author of a beloved book of mine: White Oleander.

When I read White Oleander, back in 2001, I was working with youthful offenders in a correctional facility. Most of them had been in the foster care system (like the protagonist in White Oleander). I often wondered how this writer managed to capture the loneliness and sense of hopelessness felt by foster kids and put these feelings into a poetic narrative.

This quote is one of my favorites:

“The pearls weren’t really white, they were a warm oyster beige, with little knots in between so if they broke, you only lost one. I wished my life could be like that, knotted up so that even if something broke, the whole thing wouldn’t come apart.” ― Janet Fitch, White Oleander

While at AROHO, I was too awe-stricken to approach Janet Fitch and let her know how much her book meant to me. Her book was one of the reasons I wanted to begin to write. I must confess that my “awe-struckness” diminished when I observed how down to earth Ms. Fitch carried herself among the group. She sat in the audience like the rest of us, mixed and mingled, strolled the grounds without an entourage, and pleasant to everyone. I relaxed even when I ended up sitting next to her at a presentation. I didn’t take the opportunity to tell her how much I love her writing (I’m a classic introvert).

My “awe-struckness” reared its head again when I inadvertently caught up with her on a stroll down a dirt path. For four days I planned to walk the labyrinth and rake the zen garden. During break time I hustled down the road towards the labyrinth. The woman slightly ahead of me wore a very cool, tightly woven black and white sun hat. I commented on the hat. Janet Fitch turned around and replied, “Thank you.” She then proceeded to tell me that she found my presentation, the night before, powerful and advised me to send my writing to a journal, giving me the specific title and editor’s name. I had to work at closing my mouth while I nodded in appreciation. She was trying to find a place to paint and we walked until we found the right place for her to paint the mountain behind the labyrinth.

But I digress. Back to the title of this post. Later that day Janet made a presentation “Writing from the neck down.” Her first point was that most writers stay “above water,” when writing.

Janet FItch-AROHO 2013
Janet FItch-AROHO 2013

“We have to write about the 9/10’s that are beneath the water.”

So how do you get below the waterline to write the deep stuff, the emotional, the essence that writers need to put on paper?

  • by chance, synchronicity, by opening yourself up
  • write down a word, then question it: “…it was high,” well how high was it?
  • write down the emotion and ask what does that emotion mean? use the word as a prompt, write it out, draw it out, paint it out
  • let your writing go, incorporate what you smell, feel, hear, touch, taste and see around you

An interesting story Janet talked about was her muses. She has five great authors she sits with for tea (in her imagination) in her parlor. She asks them questions about the work she is creating. Unfortunately, I didn’t capture all five but here are four to give you an example.

  1. Dillon Thomas-she goes to him about words
  2. Carl Sandburg-she discusses humanism
  3. Sei Shonagon (11th Century Japanese writer/poet)-she discusses beauty
  4. Sor Juana-I’m not certain but I think it was for her poetry

When it comes to writing novels, she says that she does a visual meditation about the protagonist and asks the following:

  • “What’s up with you?” and then listen
  • Interview your character. Jot down what you hear
  • “What do you want me to say for you?”

Now, write a scene. Now another-keep going.

Did you move your protagonist from one scene to the next using the senses, emotions, and her inner world? If you did, these exercises helped. If not, well, go back and meditate a little more or take a slow walk and be amazed at the hundreds of things around you. Touch the leaves of a flower, photograph outstretched branches, look at the clouds, see your reflection in the water. Go and seek out the miraculous.

You can visit Janet FItch’s blog to find valuable tips such as ” 10 Writing Tips That Can Help Almost Anyone.” 

You will also find this blog, by fella AROHO writer Barbara Yoder,  filled with more info about writing from her small group sessions with Janet Fitch.

“Live like a poet. See the world differently. Search for the miraculous. Be more amazed.”- Janet Fitch

Thanks for stopping by and write on.

Chingonas, Strong Women, Wisdom, Writing

Five Steps to Finding the Right Publisher

Mona Alvarado Frazier
AROHO Foundation
http://aroho.org/home.php

My cell phone screen saver has the dramatic backdrop of the mountains and mesas surrounding Ghost Ranch, just to cheer me up. I still have the AROHO retreat on the mind and the spirit of the women I met in my heart.

These women are “chingonas” “strong women,” in my book. They’re not strong because they were born that way, or Superwomen, but rather they became strong through failure, weakness, trials, and experiences that would defeat many. They learned from these challenges, gathered knowledge along the way, and shared that wisdom with others. That’s what makes them “chingonas.”

What I learned through these women helps me touch my AROHO experience and I hope assists you in some small way.

Each day we chose to attend 15 minute “Mind Stretches.” These were discussions on topics exploring craft, creative process, issues personal to women and publishing. Several of my past posts had to do with the craft of writing, such as Writing on the Edge but today’s post is about publishing.

“You think finding the right partner is a problem? Try finding the right publisher.” Kate Gale

This quote gives you a little insight into the witty personality and honesty of Kate Gale, PhD.  She is Managing Editor of Red Hen Press, Editor of the Los Angeles Review , Past President of PEN and President of the American Composers Forum, LA. She serves on the boards of A Room of Her Own Foundation and Poetry Society of America. She is author of five books of poetry and six librettos including Rio de Sangre, with composer Don Davis.

Kate Gale-Writer, Poet, Publisher
Kate Gale-Writer, Poet, Publisher

Kate’s bio shows us that the woman knows what she’s talking about when it involves writers, poets, and publishing. Her insights into the world of writers is priceless:

“…the most difficult part in getting one’s work out into the world is that you are a cave dweller if you are a writer. You have to come out of your cave, understand the world of editing, publishing, publicity, social media, and you have to talk to people. And you don’t know how. So you go back into the cave angry. And emerge later. Telling people how you aren’t appreciated. That doesn’t make them love you more. You start to seem misanthropic. Writers can be fun. Funny and fun. There is a lot you can learn from writers. About patience mostly.”

Now go grab a pen and notebook, it’s time for some interactive work to help you find the right publisher.

Answers these five questions:

  1. Who are you? Come on you can list more than three items. What are you passionate about? Keep writing until you get to the heart of you.
  2. What does  your story (novel, memoir, poem) want to say? What is your message? Keep writing until you find some universal themes.
  3. Who are the writers in your tribe (genre of writing)?
  • List 5-10 writers you love to read in your genre of writing (most of them have to had published in the last five years). Let’s say the writers/books you write about and love are in the historical fiction genre. Now:
  • What regional, national associations in this genre do you belong to?
  • Have you attended conferences, workshops, seminars in this genre?
  • Do you attend readings in this genre?

4.  Once you find your tribe (in #3), you need to find out how to open and get inside that door. The people you meet should be part of the tribe.

5.  Form connections with authors, editors, agents, publishers you meet in these settings.

  • Meet them one on one. Step out of your comfort zone.
  • Let them know how much their reading, presentation, or book meant to you.
  • Once inside the door, make yourself useful. Volunteer, hold an office, contribute in some way. Be a literary citizen.

Did you fill up at least one side of your paper? If you did, you’re on your way to finding the right publisher for your work. It’s a difficult road to walk as a writer, but with guidance it may be a whole lot easier. Happy travels and happier writing.