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HOST - Lara Zeises: Hello, everyone! Welcome to the YA Author's Cafe! Thanks for coming! I am Lara Zeises, the host for tonight's chat. Before I introduce tonight’s multi-talented guest, I would like to explain our format. We will be asking our guest a few questions. Before the last question, I will invite the audience to get ready to participate. If you would like to ask a question, when I give the signal, type "?" and hit SEND. Then type out your question so it is ready to SEND when I call on you – but please do not press SEND until I call on you. Violators will be asked to clean up the room at the end of the night! ; ) HOST - Lara Zeises: I will make every effort to call on you in the order that the "?" are posted. I will type: (Your name GA) when it is your turn. GA stands for GO AHEAD. Let's begin! HOST - Lara Zeises: Tonight we’re extra-special pleased to have with us Lisa Jahn-Clough, who last fall published her first novel for young teens, COUNTRY GIRL, CITY GIRL (a winter Booksense pick!). Lisa’s no newbie to children’s writing, though – she’s been writing and illustrating award-winning picture books for the past decade. HOST - Lara Zeises: In addition to creating her own art, Lisa has helped foster the work of several YA authors, including Tea Benduhn, Laurie Faria Stolarz, Kim Ablon Whitney, and me. So it is a particular honor to be able to host this chat for Lisa, who has been my mentor since I met her my first semester in the MFA creative writing program at Emerson College. HOST - Lara Zeises: Here to help me give Lisa the party she deserves is Laurie Stolarz, who’d like to say a few words herself. Laurie S: Lisa is an incredible teacher. When I was writing Blue is for Nightmares, my first novel, Lisa was supportive and enthusiastic about my work, offering helpful suggestions that gave me new perspective. She was constantly keeping the class abreast of the goings-on in the YA market, bringing the field that much closer – it made all the difference. We weren’t just writing in a vacuum. Lisa would tell us we could indeed publish our work, that, if we wanted, we too could contribute to the market. Lisa JC: Thanks, Laurie! HOST - Lara Zeises: By the end of tonight, you'll all understand exactly why we love Lisa so much. So, let's get to the Q&A. HOST - Lara Zeises: First, why don’t you tell us a little bit about COUNTRY GIRL, CITY GIRL, and what inspired you to write it. GA Lisa JC: The novel is about a very shy girl on a rural farm in Maine. She ends up falling in love with her first best friend--a hip girl from NYC. Lisa JC: I started it as a story while I was in grad school, about a girl on a farm and a horse accident. Lisa JC: Then I finished a draft for my grad thesis, but at the same time got a contract for a picture book and started teaching full time HOST - Lara Zeises: (Lisa - just a reminder: when you're finished with your answer, type GA so we know when to ask the next question.) Lisa JC: okay GA HOST - Lara Zeises: Laurie? HOST - Lara Zeises: I think the next question is yours. Lisa JC: I always wanted to write a book about farm life since I lived on a farm for my early childhood Laurie S: Both Phoebe and Melita are so distinct. How did you go about brainstorming each? How long were they “alive” inside your head before you started to tell their story? Lisa JC: I identify with both girls. WHile a teenager and through college I was often torn between wanting to live in the country or the city, btwn being a tomboy and being "girlie." Lisa JC: I think writing both girls gave me a chance to experience both sides, though they are each very different from me. Lisa JC: Phoebe's voice came very naturally. I love writing in first person. Melita was also a lot of fun, just because she is so bold Lisa JC: GA HOST - Lara Zeises: In CGCG, Phoebe finds herself physically attracted to Melita. School Library Journal said, “The lesbian issue is unresolved and relatively low-key, allowing it to be as important or unimportant as readers make it.” When you began writing the book, did you intend for Phoebe to experience a mild sexual awakening? Or is that just something that happened along the way? GA Lisa JC: I did not think I was going to have any sexual attraction in the novel when I started it. But as soon as I brought Melita in I knew something would be between them. I wrote the kiss scene early on and then was encouraged by my advisor to make it a lesbian novel. Laurie S: Which do you find more rewarding, writing for the young adult market or writing picture books? What challenges do you encounter in both? GA Lisa JC: The first draft had a lot more lesbian overtones, which didn't feel right to me. When I pulled the novel out again (after ten years!!) I cut back a lot. I wanted it to be about the fine line in girls friendship--to explore the difference btwn friends and romance. HOST - Lara Zeises: It's interesting - I never thought of it as a "lesbian novel" particularly. To me, the friendship is equally as important as the physical relationship. HOST - Lara Zeises: It's beautifully done, in my humble opinion. Lisa JC: I wanted it to be about unrequited love more than anything else, and it just happens to be with Phoebes' best friend Lisa JC: Thanks, yeah I purposefully left out words such as lesbian and gay. I didn't want to label anyone HOST - Lara Zeises: I don't want to lose Laurie's question: Which do you find more rewarding, writing for the young adult market or writing picture books? What challenges do you encounter in both? GA Lisa JC: Ok , I missed Laurie's question... oops HOST - Lara Zeises: I think a lot of people who write for both audiences would be interested in your perspective on this. Lisa JC: But I can't answer it!! You're not going to make me choose! I love both! HOST - Lara Zeises: *laughing* But each must present different challenges. Lisa JC: They are different, but there was no doubt that Country Girl was going to be a novel Lisa JC: Yes, when I began the novel, I'd never done a picture book before, but I fell in love with picture books before grad school Lisa JC: And I love the simplicity of them. I love cutting them down to 300 words Lisa JC: but the simplicity is also the hard part. HOST - Lara Zeises: I can totally see that. Have you found
that people react differently to Lisa JC: with the novel (when I got back to it) it was so
refreshing to be able to describe Lisa JC: Yes, it's strange, but people seem to pay more attention
to me now that I have a Lisa JC: as if I've finally proven myself as a writer. Kyle517: I'v seen a lot of people reading/looking at COUNTRY GIRL CITY GIRL Lisa JC: but picture books are always marginalized and the lowest rung on the pole. I'm used to that. Lisa JC: Kyle==Really?? Lisa JC: you never told me that. HOST - Lara Zeises: See, and I always think of the YA'ers
as the lowest rung. I mean, they Laurie S: What is your next project? Tell us about it. GA Lisa JC: YA is very hot now Lisa JC: picture books are suffering... Lisa JC: I am working on a picture book about a stray dog. Lisa JC: I've missed my art. And I've been wanting to do a book about a dog for eons. HOST - Lara Zeises: Is the dog based on Happy at all? Lisa JC: But I am struggling. The first draft was over 1500 words!! Lisa JC: criminal for a pb, but I've gotten it down to 850 and it's better. kyle517: sounds kool Lisa JC: Yes, the dog is totally Happy, which is hard since
I tend not to write about things HOST - Lara Zeises: (All right gang, I am going to ask our
guest one more question and Lisa JC: I usually change them enough to have distance. Laurie S: Aside from Lara, Kim, Tea, and myself, what YA writers most inspire you:)? GA Lisa JC: Ha, I love you guys! Lisa JC: Since I haven't been teaching a regular weekly lit
class I am a little out of date with Lisa JC: I read alot of my Vermont collegues, Carolyn Coman, Tobin Anderson, Ron Koertge Lisa JC: I love The Misfits, and Perks of being a Wallflower, Hilary Franks' Better Than Running at Night Lisa JC: I also absolutely adore Isabel Allende!
HOST - Lara Zeises: Okay, I lied. I do have one more really
important question before I turn Lisa JC: If I could write like her I'd die happy. John Irving, too. They are so close to YA Lisa JC: I don't think I could finish my novel while I was
teaching at Emerson. It took too Lisa JC: But somehow I could do my picture books in the winter
and summer break. I loved Lisa JC: Teaching at Vermont (a low residency program) fits into my writing life much better. Plus I still get some great students (Liz!!) Lisa JC: blush.HOST - Lara Zeises: *grin* I just think it's
a sign of a fabulous teacher when HOST - Lara Zeises: Okay, fans. Those of you who want to ask
questions should flash Lisa JC: YOU did all the work, Lara! You still amaze me.. HOST - Lara Zeises: Patrick, GA thingschange: what made you pull out the ms after 10 years Lisa JC: HA! You know I'm not exactly sure. I'd been thinking
about it for a long time. I think not teaching full-time had
a lot to do with it. And my Vermont colleagues were very Lisa JC: Plus, my editor said he'd be willing to look at it. I'd sent it out to other publishers after grad school but it was always rejected. Lisa JC: Timing is everything. thingschange: publishing the rejected manuscript: a dish served cold kimmar: Hi Lisa, it's Kim Marcus, another former Emerson student and huge fan :). Do you find the actual writing routine to be different as you move between pb and ya? If so, how? Lisa JC: Oh, but I revised it a ton! Lisa JC: It wasn't the same ms ten years later. Lisa JC: Hi Kim! Lisa JC: No, it's all painful most of the time. kimmar: Ha! Lisa JC: With the novel I did have to physically change my
environment and really isolate Lisa JC: With the picture books, when the writing isn't coming, I can always go to my art table, blast music and paint. Andrew: Hi Lisa! Andrew Auseon here. Since CGCG was ten years in coming, what's next for you in YA? Plans? Lisa JC: Hi Andy, nice to hear from you. I have another novel sort of in the works. Actually two. One I read from a while ago at Vermont. The other is a bad first draft. Andrew: Isn't it nice that all first drafts are bad Lisa JC: But I'm not sure, I need to mull on them a while.
After this current PB is done, I Lisa JC: Funny Little Monkey is the title of his first novel. Coming soon. Cathy: What are some benefits to an already pubbed writer in pursuing an MFA? Lisa JC: Cathy, thanks for the question.. and a good one at that.
HOST - Lara Zeises: (always plugging her students' work ...
such the teacher, even when Lisa JC: If you want to teach you need an MFA. Lisa JC: If you go to the right place (personally I think
VC has an incredible program and Lisa JC: Funny Little Monkey is the title of his first novel. Coming soon. Cathy: The program looks great...but is soooo expensive. Lisa JC: It depends on what you want. You don't NEED and MFA to get published, by any means. IT's a big expense. HOST - Lara Zeises: Patrick, let me jump in real quickly with
a follow-up - Lisa, how do you Lisa JC: Andy, Laurie, Lara, Tea, Kim can all speak to the
MFA question perhaps better Lisa JC: My MFA was totally worth it, cause I got to work
closely with Jack Gantos, AND I Lisa JC: But without a publication I wouldn't have been able to teach. Laurie S: I think it was totally worth it - I learned so much with Lisa and others. HOST - Lara Zeises: (MFA = $70k in loans but so totally worth it ... for the most part) Patrick, GA thingschange: what music do you blast when u paint and/or write Lisa JC: hmm. it depends, I have ecclectic taste. Sometimes
Bob Dylan or the Beatles or Lisa JC: I cannot write to music. Ever. thingschange: thanks (ELO?) Andrew: ELO rocks. Lisa JC: ELO dates me. yikes! Lisa JC: thanks, Andy, I feel better. HOST - Lara Zeises: Did we lose Liz? lizgallagher: I just wanted to thank lisa for calling me a great student back there. Thanks! And I second the motion on Funny LIttle Monkey (Andy -- I'm halfway through and I love it. Hilarious, sad, sweet, and, you know, vengeful. Excellent.) And, Lisa, what's the bad draft about? Lisa JC: Liz, You get the scoop before anyone!! I'm jealous of your knowledge of the field. lizgallagher: I had to wrangle for it. : ) Lisa JC: The bad draft is really bad. It's too early to say.
The not so bad draft is the one I Lisa JC: It's trying to be a comedy. HOST - Lara Zeises: Hey, I remember that one! You read from that at Emerson! lizgallagher: Yeah . . . you better finish that one Lisa JC: but everything can change. I just totally rewrote my picture book yesterday! Lisa JC: it's soooo much better now, It was plaguing me, even
though my editor said it was Lisa JC: but I digress, GA kimmar: Lisa, in writing novels, do you consider yourself
a plotter (outlining and knowing HOST - Lara Zeises: Our favorite topic here at the Cafe! (Or, at least, one of them.) Lisa JC: I have to write to an end before I have any idea what I am saying! Lisa JC: So I guess I plunge. Though I am not fond of the
word. Nor am I fond of the word kimmar: I find I plot a bit, then I plunge, then replot, etc. Yikes HOST - Lara Zeises: You do write out of sequence though, right? Lisa JC: Yes, that's probably a good thing, a little plunging a little plotting and so forth. Lisa JC: No, I try to write in sequence as best I can. But I allow room for change. Lisa JC: And I always try to NOT have a plot, then realize I HAVE to have a plot and struggle with one. HOST - Lara Zeises: What's your revision strategy when working on novels? kimmar: you were so helpful with pbs Lisa. Now that I'm writing YAs I need you again! Lisa JC: Print it out, read it hard copy as if I am reading a published novel with a pen in hand. Make notations, scribble new passages, pages etc, on the side in the margins on the back, type in changes, reprint, read with pen in hand, make notations on side....etc... literaticat: how much would you say your books change from first to final draft? Lisa JC: hmm. good question. Each book is slightly different... Lisa JC: some have changed considerably, almost new books
altogether, others have Andrew: TEN years is a pretty long time. I know other writers who have also chosen to revisit early novels. How does one go about doing that? Where do you start HOST - Lara Zeises: Great question. Lisa JC: I guess I am a slow writer, even though I do a book a year. I think about them years in advance. I just pulled the draft out of my file cabinet and read it with an open mind.Lisa JC: Oh gosh, where DO you start? Lisa JC: I really wanted to publish a novel. Though for a long time I wasn't sure I wanted my "first" novel to be a lesbian novel. Lisa JC: So I thought I'd wait til I wrote another one, but this one was the most polished. HOST - Lara Zeises: Did you think there would be an expectation
for you to write more gay- HOST - Lara Zeises: BTW, I would be remiss if I didn't pimp
one of Lisa's upcoming HOST - Lara Zeises: For those of you in the Maryland, Delaware,
and West Virginia area, Lisa JC: But now I realize it doesn't really matter what anyone
else thinks of ME as long as kimmar: (kim promises to not call Lisa a "plunger"
when I see her at the NESCBWI Lisa JC: Oh, it'll be nice to see people again. Laurie S: Will you be doing any signings/readings in the Boston area any time soon? GA Lisa JC: no. sorry. I'm really off signings these days. unless
someone asks me I'm not HOST - Lara Zeises: We have time for one more quick question. Cathy, GA. Cathy: As a teacher, do you find it easier or harder to detach from criticism directed at you? Lisa JC: it's never easy to get criticism. this is a loaded question Cathy: Can you take it in stride more, knowing the other side? Lisa JC: I don't think teaching has anything to do with it.
My editor can make me feel very Andrew: Lisa's weak. Attack! Lisa JC: I hate reading reviews of my books, yet crave it at the same time. ARGHH! Cathy: (I ask as a teacher and someone who struggles with criticism) Lisa JC: But at the same time, Andy, my editor is incredible
because he'll give me a HOST - Lara Zeises: I find I crave MORE criticism. Like, if
I don't get a lot of heavy criticism Lisa JC: Cathy, yes, a writer needs a thick skin. Andrew: A contract on a paragraph shows amazing faith in your talents. Cathy: Yep--trying to detach from it and take the good. Lisa JC: I never show my work to anyone except my editor and my friend Pam and her kids. Lisa JC: I mean, when I'm working on it. Andrew: Of course. HOST - Lara Zeises: This has been a great chat, but unfortunately,
our "official" time for HOST - Lara Zeises: Thanks to Laurie Stolarz for pitching
in on this chat, and to Lisa for Laurie S: Thanks so much, Lisa! Great job, Lara! HOST - Lara Zeises: Join us at the YA Authors Café
on February 15th for an exciting chat HOST - Lara Zeises: Good night! Thank you all for coming! See you next week! Lisa JC: Thanks everyone! This was fun... I can hang for a while if you want. Thanks Lara! Cathy: Thanks, Lisa, for an interesting chat! And Lara, too. tea_ta: Very enjoyable, thanks guys! maryp: Thanks for a great chat!
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