Writers are Exciting People: Meet Kelsey Timmerman

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The cliché that writers sit locked up in their writing space, introverted and alone is so far from the truth. Writers are some of the most exciting people to hang out with. I had the pleasure of critiquing with my writing group and a special guest, author Kelsey Timmerman.

Timmerman lives with a humorous punch and writes with one, too. He even adds many “lol” moments when writing about topics that activists go crazy over. In his book Where Am I Wearing he travels to the countries from where his favorite clothes flow. But he wasn’t there to investigate the many wrongs in the form of child labor and sweatshops. Nor was he there to write a dry academic account. He went to meet the people who made the clothes and spend some time in their world.

His story and writing are as enjoyable as his company which is saying a lot.

Recommended: Where Am I Wearing

Write or Sleep?

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Schedules. Schedules. Schedules. I need a new one and I need it fast. I love my wife so I have to give her attention (no complaints with this one). My dog needs love and exercise (again not a problem).I also have to help around the house (slight grumble). I have to plan to teach middle school and grade papers (excessive groans, especially the grading). But, I also need to write.

Here is the dilemma. There aren’t enough hours in a day to do all of these things and write as much as I want to. So, do I add more hours to my day by sleeping less? I have to think that I could condition my body to six hours instead of seven or eight (sometimes ten or twelve). I will be adding grad courses soon and within a year (or two) a baby to the family. I’m only getting busier and sleep seems the only element that I can control.

Do I write at the expense of sleep? Time to crunch the numbers (maybe the student’s papers too).

Writing Journal

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I’m working on: A major overhaul of my first novel, Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend. I will end up cutting and rewriting 50-75 percent of the original.

I’m listening to: Celtic Thunder: Heartland

I’m happy because: I’m finally learning how to write fiction.

The devil on my shoulder says: Murder every word, sentence, paragraph, and scene that isn’t 100 percent necessary. That’s right, I said murder.

Writing Journal

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I’m working on: A major rewrite of my first novel, Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend.

I’m listening to: The soundtrack to the movie 300.

I’m happy because: It is the weekend and time to write!

The devil on my shoulder says: Take a weekend off of school and just get this novel up to par.

Find your voice through critique

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One might think that the act of writing helps one find their voice. You know…the way one puts words on a page and sounds like him or herself in actual conversation (although a bit more formal). I have found a better way to discover one’s own voice. The secret: critique other’s work.

It doesn’t matter if that critique is based on an already published book or something from a critique partner at a workshop or writers’ group. Trust me there are plenty of books out there that are written poorly and you can help yourself by reading through and deciding which words and phrases you would have tweaked.

Personally I’ve found that I tend to write action and dialogue over internalization. I am always looking to raise the stakes in a scene, and I discovered this by suggesting such in others work.  In reality it may not work for them, but by attempting to help, I have done myself an immense favor.

I found my voice.

Writing Journal

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I’m working on: Another edit of my first novel Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend. I received some great feedback recently on how to improve the writing and the story. It’s amazing how a “finished product” is far from complete even after a professional edit.

I’m listening to: Heavy metal tonight, Disturbed: Indestructible.

I’m happy because: Monday is almost over.

The devil on my shoulder says: More chocolate-chip cookies.

My Critique Group (aka call to action)

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Work can get us all down at times, draining our energy and provoking us to the couch upon arriving home. This has been me for the last three weeks. My writing has been down (reading up however). My creative muse has disappeared. My conscience screams “help, this can’t happen.” Then comes Thursday night.

My writing critique group has pushed me to write and edit even when the rest of my being is trying to sloth on the big comfy couch. Critique groups are invaluable. Every group has an Irene (crazy/fun lady) that makes even a slow meeting peppy like popping corn.  If you are a writer without a critique group, you need to get one and fast.

It will improve your writing!

Finished for her Birthday

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So, I kicked my own butt this past weekend. It was well worth it. I finished the first edit of my second novel, Treasure Hunter Tales: The Spirit of Steel. It was a great feeling to see the story come together. When you’ve been writing something for the past year, you forget a lot of the details that you included early on. Now my first reader (wifey) can start her editing.

And the best part is that I finished it for her birthday. She’s been bugging me for months. Write on people.

Writing Journal

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Now is when I test my writers mettle, having precious little time to write at the beginning of the school year. Then on the weekends there is the temptation to watch football instead of writing. And, of course, the house needs cleaning etc.

If you let all of those things get in the way of writing on a regular basis then stop torturing yourself and admit that it isn’t really important to you.  For me, I’ll just be efficient and keep wifey happy by taking breaks from editing today and helping her for a few hours (you can dust, vacuum, and pick up while watching football).

 I’m working on: Editing Treasure Hunter Tales: The Spirit of Steel, book two of my trilogy. Only eighty pages to go.

I’m listening to: Annie Lennox: Into the West

I’m happy because: It’s the weekend and I have time to write.

The devil on my shoulder says: Pull an all-night-write and you might finish this edit of your book.

Why I love writing for middle grade readers and young adults

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The more I work with middle schoolers, the more I like my audience. I don’t appreciate the occasional rudeness (sometimes often), and I slowly burn inside when I ask a student to stop doing something and he/she does the same thing five minutes later. But the beauty of this group lies in their only predictable behavior…

UNPREDICTABILITY

I value this as a writer because it is much more fun to make irrational, sometimes crazy, characters in my stories. That is what this readership expects. Not neat and perfect characters, but people who have outbursts, sarcasm, evil thoughts, and an underlying sense of invincibility. Come and visit a middle school classroom and you’ll know what I mean. Write on.