A Review of What Can(t) Wait by Ashley Hope Perez

WHAT CAN(T) WAIT by Ashley Hope Perez brings to us Marisa Moreno, a seventeen-year old from Houston, Texas, eager to break free from her immigrant Mexican family’s traditions in order make something more of her life. Marisa excels at math and her calculus teacher encourages Marisa to continue excelling so Marisa can apply to the engineering school at University of Texas, Austin. But her father is far from impressed with Marisa’s talent and intelligence. Instead, he expects her to stay at home after graduating high school to help take care of the family – her parents, her older brother, older sister, and her five-year-old niece. To him, college and math are for men; women don’t pursue those things. So while walking a tightrope with her father, Marisa also finds herself being a surrogate mother to her older sister whose life is one drama after the next, while also shielding her niece from as much of the drama. Adding to that the complications of young love with her longtime crush Allan, she finds herself conflicted on what should be most important – her family, her boyfriend, or herself and the dreams she has for her future.

Ms. Perez nails the authentic voice of a young Latina and the real-world issues they face. Marisa’s life is in stark contrast to the majority of young American girls whose families expect them to attend college. But the beauty of this book is the inspiration it can inspire to any teenager of any ethnic background. The bare-bones of it: dreams can come true; believe in yourself and follow your heart to find your happiness. I adore Marisa and her fortitude and I believe others will too. WHAT CAN(T) WAIT is a wonderful read, giving strength to those who may feel they have no choices in life. I highly recommend reading it.

The Writers Book Shelf - My Favorite Books on Writing - Tricia Goyer

Tricia Goyer is the author of 20+ books and has published over 300 articles for national publications such as Guideposts for Kids, Focus on the Family, Christian Parenting Today, Today’s Christian Woman and HomeLife Magazine. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from American Christian Fiction Writers, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion Book Award in 2005.

Check out her website http://www.triciagoyer.com/ especially On Writing.

Here are some of the books on writing that Tricia recommends...

. Sally Stuart's Christian Writers Market Guide:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=074617&event=1

. Writers Market Guide:
http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Market-2007-Deluxe-Online

. Sandra Glahn's amazing tutorial about great writing:
http://www.aspire2.com/Editors%20desk

. Sandra Glahn's information about magazine writing:
http://www.aspire2.com/notes%20journalism%20I.htm

. Sandra Glahn's How to Break Into Publishing:
http://www.aspire2.com/writingbreakingintopublishing.htm

. On Writing by Stephen King. A bit raw, but one of the BEST books on
fiction writing I've ever read.

. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Again, a bit raw, but very, very good
advice. Anne writes crazily (if there is such a thing) but it works. She's
got a terrific voice.

. Randy Ingermanson's Advanced Fiction Writing Ezine:
http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/ezine/

Also, Donald Maass' Writing the Breakout Novel.

NaNoWriMo 2008

NaNo's Chris Baty wants to know what you liked about 2008 and what you think needs to be improved in 2009. Please send your response by Monday February 2. Here's the link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=h6208B_2fPhGh72AEWyn2Viw_3d_3d


What is NaNoWriMo? - National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.

John Updike Dies

Read Michiko Kakutani's New York Times Article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/books/28appr.html?emc=eta1

There is also "A Conversation with John Updike" from October 2008 where he talks about the craft of fiction and the art of writing.

Reflections on Editing

Read "Editing Is Essential" here:

http://patriciapunt-writing-coach.blogspot.com/

All Over But The Selling

Publishers and literary agents are becoming increasingly selective about the books they are willing to look at. As fewer books are purchased it is even more important to submit your best work. Yet revising, editing and polishing can be daunting. There is so much to look at.

For hints, tips, techniques and services available please stop by:

Reflections on Editing is my new blog

http://patriciapunt-writing-coach.blogspot.com/

Judging Great Characters

Great character models are all around us ... even on the bench. Phil Williams, an investigative reporter for WTVF-TV in Nashville found that many local judges are simply too busy to come to work. One judge works a second job as a funeral home worker (he was working his second job the day Phil tracked him down). Meanwhile, a courtroom full of folks waited. Another judge (she admits to having issues with being late) came in late and had to leave early (despite a packed courtroom). Her reason, she had to pick her dog from the kennel. According to the report most judges in the area earn around $150,000.00 a year. Instead of sitting on the bench however, they are golfing, pulling up shrubs from around the house, stopping by for a beauty treatment or two. Or picking up the family dog. Are you thinking what I'm thinking....

A Good Editor Is Hard To Find

Cynthia Crossen writes about authors, books, publishing and editors in her Wall Street Journal column Book Lover. Today's column talks about Australian author Steve Tolz's first novel "A Fraction of the Whole" (short-listed for the Man Booker Prize in September). The novel is long, 576 pages.
According to the cover quotes (paperback edition) the book is "devastatingly funny," even "laugh-out-loud-funny" and Mr. Toltz is compared to Mark Twain, John Irving, Martin Amis...even Charles Dickens. Ms. Crossen asks the question "What more could I want?" Her answer is quoted below:
__"A plot, compelling voices, believable characters and an editor with a machete for starters. There were a lot of funny moments and lines, and Mr. Toltz is obviously an exceptionally imaginative and witty guy, but where were his minders? Someone should have sat him down in an interrogation room and offered a plea bargain: Lose 100 pages or go to jail.
"Editors are the invisible heroes of the publishing industry, and as publishing companies cut corners, they cut editors. On the most basic level, that means more typos, grammatical errors and factual contradictions...
"But without strong editors, writers are like cars with accelerators but no brakes. While reading many of Mr. Toltz's long passages, I pictured him at his computer (or typewriter), entertaining himself with his own wit and wisdom. That's as it should be. Then an editor should tell him, "Steve, you're a great writer (always start with the praise), but let's do some judicious whittling and makes this fabulous book (more praise) even better."

I can't say enough about good editors. As a writer I value their feedback and direction. They are, after all, trying to help me write well and connect with the reader. As a reader I appreciate a good editor because they keep me turning the page. Those who read Ms. Crossen know that she has a "strict no-skimming rule." As a reader I don't have the same patience to wade through a novel I don't like, no matter how long or short. I'm not sure why she sticks with the author, I can't. There are simply too many other good books waiting to be read.
My work as an editor however, puts me in a very different place. I can't stop reading. I endlessly turn the pages looking at the story line, picturing the characters and listening for the author's voice. What does the author want me to know about this world that she has created? Why has the author chosen to present the characters in this manner, what changes, if any will I see in their character by the end of the story? Why has he chosen this plot, these characters and this particular setting? And what is this book, this manuscript, really about?
My job as a freelance editor is enjoyable, because I get to choose whom I will work with. I work with writers I think I can help. This is why my initial reading is free. I love being the first to read an author's work. It is an honor. And when I've finished those first five or seven pages and I'm wishing I had more I'll call the writer and say let's get together.
Talk to me I tell the writer, tell me where we're going, help me to see what you see. Who are these characters? Where have they been? And where are they going? And they do. The serious writer can answer these questions. They know what they want to say, they just need someone to listen to them and help them get it down. I think the nicest thing anyone could say about me would be, "She's a good editor."
To quote Ms. Crossen one final time, "It's hard work for both author and editor, but it's only fair to those of us who still invest in books."

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

If you have a novel idea you're invited to join NaNoWriMo for a breath taking month of writing. Think first draft ... quantity vs. quality ... a chance to write the novel you have been putting off. Forget editing as you go, instead the goal is to create a 175 page (50,000 words) first draft. Its free, the website is great, and there is round the clock support online.

http://www.nanowrimo.org/