Backstory Throw Up

Yes, you read the subject heading correct:

BACKSTORY THROW UP

That's what I call it when a writer 'throws up' backstory smack in the beginning of a novel.

Now let me ask you how can a reader connect with what you're 'backstorying' them with if they haven't even met your protagonist yet? They simply don't care if Jane has been divorced for four years now and has been a single mom and working two jobs because they don't know Jane yet.

Now remove the backstory and start with:

"For crying out loud." Jane swiped at a serving of ice cream dripping down her one hundred dollar satin shirt while keeping her cool. "No, Mikey, mommy doesn't want dessert."
The four year old laughed, flipping his dessert-filled spoon at his mom.
"Jane, your lift is here. You're gonna be late for work...again."
"Thanks, mom, I hadn't realized."
"Well, if you move in with me your problems will be solved."

Above tells you Jane is a single mom by her mom's offer. Tells you she feels a bit overwhelmed trying to get ready for work while entertaining her child. Puts her in the stressed out mood to paint her picture better than backstory would. It also introduces the character to connect with a
reader on a better level than a narrator's backstory voice.

Most of the rejections I've handed out is due to the backstory 'throw up' - and more that I'll get into in up coming posts.

So avoid this no no and avoid a 'for sure' rejection.

Lea Schizas

Life Begins At Sixty--Carolyn Howard-Johnson

The Writing Jungle Interview with Carolyn Howard-Johnson:

Beating Time at Its Own Game

Life Begins At Sixty

Sometimes the big barriers in life aren’t abject poverty, dreaded disease or death. Sometimes it’s the subtle ones set upon us by time and place. The ones that creep up silently on padded feet and, if we sense them at all, we choose not to turn and face them.

The decade of the 50s was a time when these kinds of barriers faced those with dark skin, those who lived in closed religious communities, and those who were female.

When I applied for a job as a writer at Hearst Corporation in New York in 1961 I was required to take a typing test. I was piqued because I wasn’t applying for the typing-pool, I was applying for a post as an editorial assistant.

I was told, “No typing test, no interview.” I took the test and was offered a job in the ranks of those who could do 70 in a minute. I had to insist upon the interview I had been promised. I was only twenty and had no real skills in assertiveness. I am amazed I had the wherewithal to do that.

Something similar was at work when I married and had children. I happily left my writing to accommodate my husband’s career and the life the winds of the times presented to me. That there was a time when we didn’t know we had choices is not fiction.

I had always wanted to write the next “Gone with the Wind” only about Utah instead of about the South. I had a plan that was, itself, gone with the wind.

It was the 1950s and women in that time, and especially in that place, had a notion of who they should be, could be and, mostly, they got it from those around them because many of them couldn’t see the difference from society’s expectations and their own.

“You can’t be a nurse,” my mother said. “Your ankles aren’t sturdy enough.” I also was told I couldn’t be a doctor because that wasn’t a woman’s vocation. The choice left to me was to be a teacher. My dream to write became a victim of the status quo.

Instead of following my star I searched for replacements. My husband and I built a business. For forty years I didn’t write and, during that time women become more aware. The equipment, gears and pulleys were in place for a different view on life. In midlife I became aware that there was an empty hole where my children had been but also that the hole was vaster than the space vacated by them. I knew I not only would be able to write, I would need to write.

Then I read that, if those who live until they are fifty in these times may very likely see their hundredth year. That meant that I might have another entire lifetime before me--plenty of time to do whatever I wanted. In fact, it’s my belief that women in their 50s might have more time for their second life because they won’t have to spend the first twenty years preparing for adulthood.

That was it. I started writing This is the Place. I had to relearn old skills and brush up on new, and I am proud that I did it. I’m glad that I waited until I was sixty. Forty years of experience gave it a dimension it would not have had if I had written it when I was young.. That first novel has expanded into four books inclding a new book of poetry, Tracings and I am now working on one called Best Book Forward: How to Edit for a Spotless First Impression. I like that I am doing something for other women and for other writers.

I also like being proof that a new life can start late—or that it is never too late to revive a dream.

(Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s novel, This Is The Place, is set in Salt Lake City in

the 50s and has won eight awards. The interest in that city because of the 002 Winter Olympics, the Elizabeth Smart case, the HBO series Big Love and the political career of Mitt Romney case and others along with a renewed interest in genealogy Carolyn’s unique insight into the place she was raised makes this novel not only timely but essential. Go to http://www.carolynhoward-johnson.com. Her chapbooks of poetry are available at http://FinishingLinePress.com or on Amazon.)

LEA: I want to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to be my guest today.

Carolyn: Oh, heck. You know how I love hanging out with you.

LEA: Can you tell us any major hurdles you’ve encountered as a writer and how you overcame them?

Carolyn: I’ve done first person essays on two big hurdles. One was being born a woman before the National Organization of Women fought for women’s rights. The other was a bout with cancer that made me realize if I didn’t write my novel, I might never get a chance to. That writing ended up healing me--at least in part.

LEA: What have been some of the family and friend reactions to your decision to become a writer? Also, is your family supportive of your writing and writing time?

Carolyn: Most of my family finds my new career vaguely amusing, I think. My mother used to say the only way one could prove to her mother-in-law that they were sick was to die. Writing may the same to many. The only way a writer can prove they are serious is to hit the NY Times bestseller list--or die. (-:

LEA: As writers we know how time consuming researching for our stories and actually juggling outside commitments is with our own writing. Do you have a particular schedule for yourself to make sure you write each day?

Carolyn: Oh, how I wish. Right now the very question makes me feel guilty!

LEA: Carolyn, you’re such a busy lady and am in awe of you. I’m curious to find out if you have a system for setting up your newsletter (organizing a theme, sending out your thank yous, etc) and how you manage preparing for it with the vast amount of emails I am sure you get? Also, give us the link to subscribe to your newsletter.

Carolyn: Oh, yes. My system is “easy.” Good things come to me by e-mail or when I’m surfing. I read a lot so when I find something applicable in the newspaper to the magazines I read, I plop them in. I plop them into my newsletter. Ideas come to me. I plop them in. So, you can see. I’m ver-r-r-r-y organized. (-:

LEA: What are some of the 'high's' and 'low's' you have experienced as a writer while establishing your career?

Carolyn: A high was definitely when I became an instructor for UCLA’s world-renowned Writers’ Program. I was surprised . . . and it felt like an affirmation. A low was when I finally realized that few people write poetry, but zillions write it. LOL.

LEA: What, from everything you have done as a writer, stands out as the most gratifying moment in your career? And why?

Carolyn: I know awards aren’t really important but they do feel like markers or milestones. I love the hunk of crystal on my coffee table from members of the California State Legislature that reads “Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment.” I love it partly because it’s pretty and partly because it reminds me to stay positive.

LEA: Writers tell me it’s hard finding ideas, editing their books, motivating themselves to write…what can you say to these writers?

Carolyn: Carry a notebook with you when you read, go to movies, travel, whatever. Then sit thee down in front of computer and type a word. Then another one.

LEA: Have you ever experienced writer’s block? If so, how did you cure yourself?

Carolyn: Sometimes I have trouble getting back to something if I’m interrupted. But I don’t get blocked. Not really. Once when I was assigned a “found poem” I searched for an article I read on quantum theory. I couldn’t find it but I found so many other snippets of ideas and magical phrases that those scraps became a poem. It is rough, but I thought your readers might glean something about process from it:

Finding Myself in a Sugar Bowl

My Wedgwood sugar bowl

burgeons with scraps, crumpled,

stuffed with promises. Sad,

limp fragments, unused,

phrases forgotten

or pencil-faded. A recycler

at heart, I think I must use

them, know a lifetime

not enough to make poems

of them all. The future of cold

is infinite. Poetry an uneven

equation, one shredded

idea not another's equivalent.

One only. One hope. One that pops

itself from the pot, makes me

retrieve it,

unfold it

maybe you'll be like your dad

maybe you'll be better than your . . .

LEA: What do you find harder: sending in your book for a review or your promotional journey? Please explain.

Carolyn: My promotional journey. Because, though I love it, it does keep me from my writing.

LEA: Do you write a new book while promoting the first or rather give it your all to promote one book before winding down and preparing for the next?

Carolyn: I used to do one at a time. Now I have many going and it is much harder.

LEA: Do you have a website where readers can keep in touch to find out what else is new in your writing career?

Carolyn: Oh, yes. And it includes all kinds of resources to help other writers, too. It’s www.howtodoitfrugally.com. Writers might also want to subscribe to get my blog in their e-mail boxex. It’s at www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com

LEA: As writers we know the importance of promotion and branding oneself. But, do you find joining online groups, blogging, twittering as helpful? If so, is there a limit as to how many groups one can or should belong to?

Carolyn: Well, there’s sure a limit as to how many one can do justice, too. Twitter (I’m @frugalbookpromo and @frugalretailing) is the most successful social network for me--in terms of book sales. But any one will work for a writer--if he or she works it. They give back about as much as we give them. And we have to learn to occasionally let people know about our books or they won’t work at all!

LEA: The last question, Carolyn, is a hypothetical one: if you did not earn enough money from writing would you continue writing? Please explain if possible.

Carolyn: Oh, yes. It’s my life. I do go through stages when I’m more inspired than others. But give it up? Not a chance.

LEA: I want to thank you for your time and being my guest today, Carolyn. I'd also like to add that the deadline for our Muse Online Writers Conference is coming up: August 1st, so if you know anyone who hasn't registered yet, please yank them by the hair (well, okay, not by the hair but you know what I mean) and remind them to hop on over to the website, check out the 2009 Workshop page (and it's still being updated with new stuff), and then go to the Registration page:

http://www.themuseonlinewritersconference.com

Also, Carolyn, want to mention that my career started at 40, although I've written all my life. So regardless of the age, if the passion to write is there and the determination to do something about it is just as strong, then, like you, I say GO FOR IT.

Carolyn: It was lovely to get this surprise interview in my e-mail box. Thank YOU! (-:

Bookstores and Self-Published Authors

There's an interesting discussion going on at Crystalee Calderwood's blog.

What about? That heartbreak discussion we read about so many times, where a self-published author - and I am sorry but I'm referring to those authors who have fully fleshed out their characters, storyline, setting, dialogue, plot...the whole package, and not the ones who write something and then publish it without realizing the damage they are doing to their career, but to other self-published authors out there (but that's a whole different discussion altogether) - comes across closed doors, unanswered calls, and rude remarks when told, "I self-published."

That remark I made in-between my opener above is very important but we'll discuss this another time. Now the question is why is it so hard for authors to get that break into a bookstore, to have their books placed on the shelves? I understand about the big guns paying for space and upfront and center locations, but why can't a local writer get in?

It takes a tremendous amount of dedication and persistence to keep plugging away when all you get is 'we'll call you/we'll think about it/oh, self-published/who is your publisher/you'll have to go through our head office' - well guess what, I went through every head office with my very first book that I've since taken off the market. Banged and busted down doors, gave my book for them to read (about 20), gave my media kit, called back when asked, and after about a year I wanted to scream when told if I can please:

send me another copy because we can't find it
we don't shelf your type of book (since when doesn't a bookstore shelf YA, but anyhoot...!!!)
we're still evaluating it...

blah, blah, blah, and then some more blah.

I had a major 'in your face' with a local newspaper editor who was in charge of the children's and YA book reviews. I was told a review would be offered within a year. About a year and a half of patience (and remember this was my last local touch in my own backyard I was hoping for) I called her to be told I was never promised a book review, they didn't read MY TYPE OF BOOK (A Wizard of Oz type adventure with animals and humans, no swearing, nadda). Pissed off is not the word. My Greek nature came out after she said they get hundreds of books a week and can't possibly review all of them. The reason I got pissed is this:

I suggested to her to place a guideline for writers to send in a synopsis or query and then they can pick which books to read without having all these books and authors waiting for reviews that are not going to come to pass. A truly snide remark from a 'print' editor after I told her I was an online editor. That's another discussion coming your way next week. Anyway, I basically ended by telling her that it costs authors money to buy and mail their books to all the promised venues only to be let down with nothing to show for it.

The end result? She blocked my email address, refused to speak to me and she thinks I give two hoots about this 'print' editor who thinks she's better than online editors. Yeah...whatever.

Our Virtual Book Tour gang are wondering what everyone else has to say about the lack of opened doors to self-published authors?

Honesty with a Capital H

Below is a response I gave to a ning group I belong to. We were discussing loneliness in a writer's life. I wrote that I am never lonely because I carry my characters along with me. Yet as I thought of this I came to realize that 'lonely' has been a feeling these past three weeks but not in the literal sense, more on a deeper level which I try to explain below:

To be totally honest, if someone came along and told me I can have a whole year on a secluded island with nothing but amble paper, pens, computer, and internet, I would grab the opportunity.

You see, although family comes first, being 51, there are goals I want to meet. Let me clarify this for just a moment to better understand where I'm heading.

There are times in a writer's life where our Muse tells us we are moving forward but our true inner self doesn't feel it. We put our commitments and accomplishments down on paper and right there, before our eyes, we see we have accomplished not only our writer's platform, but also maintaining our deadlines.

The problem I have had to deal with is this:

I am meeting all of my groups goals, all of my duties as Submissions Editor, answering emails, helping writers, upkeeping my blogs and ezines, organizing the conference...

But have you noticed what is missing?

yes...personal writing.

A writer connects with his or her emotions on a deeper level when they feel their writing is moving forward. The commitments should be the secondary aspects in one's career. So when you actually jot down what you have done and see the lack of personal writing, this has a huge impact in one's Muse. At least, it has had with me.

The past three weeks have been extremely hard on me because I feel as though I have gone off my track...my writing track. I used to write everyday, regardless on what else I worked on. Even if I wrote one paragraph I felt contented because I knew I moved my own writing forward in some small way.

So the moral of this posting is to offer a personal experience and tell you that no matter what you involve yourself with, make sure you leave time for your own writing. Without this allotted time at some point you will feel an emptiness and hidden stress as though your Muse has left you and moved on.

Meet Harry Gilleland: Part Two

Well now we get to the nitty gritty and find out about Harry Gilleland, where he's from, what makes him tick as a writer.

Please tell us all about yourself, Harry.

I was born a poor white child to a blue-collar family. My father worked as a railroad car repair worker, which involved riveting, soldering, hammering, etc inside wrecked railroad cars to return them to service.

Where was this, Harry?

This was in Macon, Georgia. In the summer when the outside temperature was nearly 100 degrees, inside a boxcar was suffocating. Pop would come home after work with salt from sweat encrusted on his work shirt. He always told me, “Son, when you grow up, work with your head and not your hands.” I took this advice to heart.

What type of student were you?

I was a straight A student throughout my schooling, which was easy enough for me what with my natural intellect. In high school I was a certified nerd … chess club, honor group, the works. I hung out with the other nerds. (Aside: We nerds always wondered why all the girls went after the jocks and not us nerds. Didn’t they realize that we would become the doctors, lawyers, professors, the ‘Bill Gates’, and be a good provider? That football quarterback with the C- average they were drooling over ended up a used car salesman.) I earned a freshman scholarship and went off to the University of Georgia in Athens.

My senior year of high school, I had managed to secure a girlfriend. Midway through my sophomore year at UGa, I married her. She was 18; I was 19. It seemed like a good idea at the time. (Teenage sex hormones!) I guess I thought we could grow up together. The marriage lasted 18 years, and we produced three great children together. During these years, I earned a B.S. and a M.S. in Microbiology, and began working on a Ph.D. Then, (drum roll please), who came knocking but my draft board. Seems they were scrapping the bottom of the barrel (actually what they told me) in getting enough bodies to send to fight in Vietnam and they really needed me to drop out of my Ph.D. studies to join the Army. It felt satisfying being labeled “bottom of the barrel”, I can tell you.

I spent the next three years of my life serving in the Army. I went through enlisted basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in late December until the end of February. It was my first experience with ice and snow. We marched in it; we slept in it; we fired rifles in it. The Army gave me a test to see what my best military specialty would be. Guess what! Turns out with all my education I was best suited to be a rifleman and fight as an infantryman. Thank goodness I had applied for a direct commission as a laboratory officer and my appointment as a captain came through the last day of enlisted basic. I went from being an E-0 to a 0-3…and did my life ever get better! I learned a lot from the Army and feel I matured greatly during those three years. For two years I was Chief over the Microbiology section of the medical laboratory at William Beaumont General Hospital in El Paso, Texas. I learned a lot of hands-on clinical microbiology to supplement my book learning, plus I learned a lot about leadership. Then I got a chance to travel and see part of Asia. Vietnam was a nice place to visit, except that the VC wanted us dead. I finished my Army service and returned straight from Vietnam back to UGA and resumed my Ph.D. studies.

Can you tell us a bit about your brief stay in Canada?

I earned my Ph.D. in Microbiology in 1973 and immediately headed off to London….Canada, that is. I spent two years on a fellowship at The University of Western Ontario. In Canada, I learned many Canadians didn’t approve of Americans and hated Kraft cheese for some reason. I also learned what winter from October to June was like. The day I arrived at work frozen and found out the temperature outside was –10, with a windchill factor of –35, I knew I was finding a job in the South!

-35 is just about right, Harry. Although lately we've had -40plus with the chill factor. So, did you find a job down South eventually?

Sure enough I joined the faculty of LSU Medical School in Shreveport, La in 1975. I remained on the faculty until I retired in 2004. During these years, I lectured to medical students and graduate students and did scientific research. My project was investigating the use of a purified outer member protein F of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a vaccine candidate to prevent pulmonary infections, primarily in children with CF. I enjoyed publishing our results and presenting our data at meetings and conferences in the U.S. and in Europe. This work allowed my second wife and me to see Munich, Paris, London, Florence, Rome, plus take train rides across Bavaria and France, as well as through Austria and Tuscany. Being a professor at a medical school is heady stuff…

I divorced wife #1 in 1982; then married my second wife, Linda, in 1985. We belong together…true soul mates. Linda and I are now both happily retired and living the good life. In 2001 I started writing poetry. Now I am a self-published author of three poetry books and two works of prose. Life is good! I hope to continue as a writer until the day I die.

I am grandfather to five grandchildren, aged 10 to 7. One’s immortality lies in one’s descendents for generations to come.

You said that you were not attractive to the girls in high school. When did you become so fabulously desirable to members of the opposite sex, i.e. women?

Strangely enough, the women paid me no mind while I was a professor and a scientist, but when I became a poet, they became totally fascinated with me. They pursued me relentlessly, much to my wife Linda’s chagrin. I finally had to gain a lot of weight and go bald headed so that I could disappear among the legion of fat, old, bald men to escape. Just one of the few drawbacks to being a writer and an author, I guess.

You are known primarily as a poet. Do you plan to write more prose novels?

Yes, hopefully so. I enjoy the difference between writing poetry and writing prose.

My wife Linda loves Bob the Dragon Slayer and wants me to write more prose. Like any smart husband, I try to keep the wife happy.

What a smart man you are, Harry. Keeping the wife happy means a continuous stream of dinners for you.

I want to thank you for taking time today and allowing our readers to meet you on a more personal level.

If you missed Part One where Harry talks about his YA book, Bob the Dragon Slayer, click here to read the post. Harry, I want to wish you continued success in your writing career and please keep us posted with any new publications.

Welcome Harry Gilleland

I want to welcome Harry Gilleland to The Writing Jungle. Today we're going to find out about Harry's Young Adult novels, Bob the Dragon Slayer.

As a Young Adult author myself I have to say this age group is most exciting. Why? Because young adults are spontaneous and writers use this advantage to offer exciting adventures to one and all, regardless of age. Look at the Harry Potter series. There were readers of all ages enjoying those books.

And now without further delay, I like to welcome and present Bob the Dragon Slayer by Harry Gilleland.

Author: Harry Gilleland:

Bob the Dragon Slayer

Paperback: 108 pages

Publisher: Lulu.com (April 25, 2005)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1411633156

ISBN-13: 978-1411633155

Bob, a mere peasant lad, sets off to see a dragon that is terrorizing a village and soon falls in with a wizard named Stephen. Thereafter, his life is filled with adventures that involve dragons, knights, damsels in distress, castles, a fair lady, friendship, true love, an evil king, civil war, and lawyers. This rollicking tale belongs not to history but to legend. Written with wit and humor, this novella will delight readers from teenagers to octogenarians.

This novella will entertain and delight readers from mid-teens to elderly. It is a fantasy with a heart and lots of humor. It is appropriate as a Young Adult (YA) book, especially for those teenage male reluctant readers. Its brevity, short chapters, humor, and fast pace will keep even reluctant readers engaged. This is not to say that adults won’t enjoy this novella also. This book should appeal to any reader above the age of 13.

Reviews for Bob the Dragon Slayer have been uniformly positive. Please visit Amazon.com to read the nine reviews posted there.

http://www.amazon.com/Bob-Dragon-Slayer-Harry-Gilleland/dp/1411633156/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b

Other reviews may be read at the book’s Lulu site:

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/bob-the-dragon-slayer/118897

Here are two reviews from YA book review sites:

“Bob The Dragon Slayer” by Harry Gilleland

Young adult 108 pages Lulu Press May 2005 Paperback

Quirky humor makes Bob the Dragon Slayer downright funny. Author Harry Gilleland successfully combines the chivalry of knighthood with the casualness of a modern neighborhood to spark a laugh on every page.

The story of Bob is narrated by the patriarch of the McClair family during a Thanksgiving reunion. It is described as a “grown up tale of adventure” - Granddad even cautions fifteen-year-old Katie to cover her ears in spots. Readers would do well to heed this warning, because this is definitely not a children’s book. Some sexual innuendoes and swear words make parts of this story inappropriate for younger readers.

Bob the Dragon Slayer is a legendary hero of humble beginnings. Raised in a barn, he sets off one day to kill dragons and earn some fame and fortune. A wizard named Stephen gives him some much-needed help, and soon Bob has a reputation for being fearless. As certain secrets are revealed, Bob learns that he is not really a peasant but of the royal line. What follows next is nothing short of hilarious as Simple Bob becomes Sovereign Bob, and all his loyal subjects have big smiles on their faces.

This is a terrific book written with a huge dose of humor. Bob’s unique, entertaining adventures borrow some ideas from medieval history and the rest from a very active imagination; Gilleland weaves a story that is fast-paced and fun. These pages are filled with dragons, damsels in distress and even a war with an evil king. Friendship, love and honor are also explored through the actions of the characters.

Readers will feel an instant empathy with Bob, probably because he is more like a next-door neighbor than a legendary hero. And that’s the beauty of this story: Bob is someone worthy of our time because he is one of us. Although he’s a bit goofy and bumbling, his heart is in the right place - and that’s what counts.

-- Joyce Handzo/2005 for curled up with a good kid's book

Welcome to Young Adult (& Kid's) Books Central!

The Latest YA Book Reviews

Bob the Dragon Slayer by Harry Edward Gilleland

Bob, Spot, and Bruce save the day.
a review by Kimberly Pauley (YA Books Goddess)

More of a novella than a novel, Bob the Dragon Slayer is a fun, very tongue-in-cheek fantasy novel. Given the length and the humor, this is a very fast read that will bring a smile to your face more than once.

Bob, a simple peasant lad who also happens to be an orphan, sets out to seek his fortune. He’s heard that the king has offered both riches and his oldest daughter’s hand in marriage to anyone who can defeat a particular dragon bent on terrorizing the countryside.

Against all odds and with the help of a fledgling wizard named, of all things, Stephen, Bob actually defeats the dragon (his new sword, which he promptly dubs “Bruce” is also a huge help). However, the king and his daughter have no desire to associate or reward a peasant and they manage to legally wrangle out of Bob’s promised reward.

Upset, but without any recourse, Bob continues his travels and soon finds himself slaying dragons left and right, and (sometimes) actually collecting the promised reward. After killing a particularly monstrous beast, he falls in with Wilfred (or Willie, as he likes to call him), a true knight who pledges to help and educate Bob.

This friendship truly changes Bob’s life, especially after Willie discovers that Bob is actually the only surviving progeny of the rightful king. The other thing that really changes Bob’s future…? Meeting Lady Katherine, a woman of, er, ample delights.

With further interference from Stephen, support from Willie, and with thoughts of the lovely Kate always on his mind, Bob soon finds himself working on unseating the current nasty king (yes, the same one that denied him his reward) and getting himself crowned The Peasant King.

This is a fun little fable and Bob’s peasant attitude is sure to please reluctant readers. Recommended for readers aged 14 and up, primarily due to a bit of off-color-ness revolving around Bob & Kate’s romance, though it isn’t particularly racy (especially if compared to many of today’s most popular YA novels). Adults will also enjoy this one.