Archive for March, 2010

Fairy Tale Retellings

28
March
2010

Author Sarah Prineas has an interesting discussion going on in her livejournal on fairy tale retellings. You can read it here.

I’m reposting my own comments here, for my reference and in case any of you want to join the conversation.

For me, I would divide fairy tale retellings that I enjoy into three categories:

1) The almost-literal retelling, which are really more a reinterpretation into more beautiful or poetic language. I used to subscribe to Parabola magazine and they would always have several retellings of this sort — more like short stories where the central events are unchanged, just recast in pretty language. These work, I think, because they are short. So pretty language can carry them.

2) The “bones given flesh” version as another commenter called it — where the central story is there, and the reason that it works as a novel is that the rest of the world has been filled in around it — we get reasons why Rumplestiltskin wants the baby, or why the princess is locked in the tower. The single motif is woven into a greater tapestry. I also did enjoy A Curse as Dark as Gold and McKinley’s Beauty, as examples of this. Or, explanding to myth and “mythic feel”, books like Elizabeth Wein’s The Winter Prince (Arthur) and the Attolia books (not based on actual myths, but I could totally imagine they could be. With these books it’s almost like you’re seeing the real original story, that was simplified and turned around over the years into something told over a campfire or to a child at night. So the appeal is in going deeper, in feeling the setting and the characters richly and truly.

3) The “cool idea” retelling: where the basis of the story is some fairy-tale element or archtype is reinterpreted in a particularly neat fashion. I suspect these are almost always humorous. Ella Enchanted the Enchanted Forest books by Patricia Wrede, for example. For me, these don’t need to be as deep or rich in character or setting, because that’s not why I’m reading them. I’m looking for cleverness and humor and something cool and unexpected. That’s not to say the examples I named are not deep or rich, of course, just that books in this category can get away with being more… over the top? caricatureish?… and I will still enjoy them.

I tend to think that probably a lot of the books that don’t work for me so well fall between these too — they aren’t rich and deep enough to satisfy my one need, nor are they clever or funny enough for the other. Having written this out now I think I was going for category 3 in my own Fortune’s Folly, so I know I did not build my world as richly as other things I’ve written. If I did it over again that’s something I’d probably focus on more, but all I can do now is apply these thoughts to the future.

And one other thought I had: while not a book I think the musical Into the Woods (one of my all-time favorites!) is another example of #3 done well. The setting is straight fairy-tale and some of the characters are very archetypal at times (although they do deepen quite a lot, especially as the story progresses) but it works marvelously. The plot does so many clever things and asks so many interesting questions (and it doesn’t hurt that the music is brilliant).

What about you guys (or, you guys who haven’t already commented on Sarah’s post)? What do you look for in a fairy tale retelling?

Book Reports

16
March
2010

I’ve been remiss in posting about what I’ve read lately, so here are a few highlights, in no particular order:

Marcelo In the Real World by Fransisco X. Stork
Contemporary, YA.
I loved this. I suspect it will end the year on my “favorites” list. This book somehow manages to pack in so many different threads and themes and to ask so many questions, yet it all feels effortless. And I found it very readable – Marcelo is so sweet, so compelling, so strong.

Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones
Fantasy, MG
I want to be Diana Wynne Jones when I grow up. Book after book she just has this something: a quirkiness, an inventiveness that is unique. Honestly, this particular book is not one of my favorites of hers, but even so I found many clever, enchanting tidbits to enjoy in it.

Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev
Fantasy, YA
This one isn’t out yet, so I’ll just say this: what luscious, gorgeous prose! And I really appreciated that the love triangle wasn’t just about “which boy do I belong with” (or worse, to) as in some books/movies, but also made her ask “what is mine? who am I, myself?”

Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith by Deborah Heligman
Nonfiction, YA
Another likely candidate for my year-end favorites list. Thought-provoking, engaging, readable, and very, very moving. It made me cry (only the fourth time a book has done that, if you don”t count sad-dog books). And while I appreciated the exploration of science and faith (not just science versus faith), I think my favorite thing about this book was how real Charles and Emma became to me as I read it. It closed that gap in my mind between the textbook historical figures and the real people, who ate and slept and got sick and had little household jokes and laughed and cried and dreamed and loved. Wonderful.

Mistwood by Leah Cypess
Fantasy, YA
Readable and engaging high fantasy. I particular liked the depiction of the protagonist, who manages to be both otherworldly and inhuman, and also sympathetic. The mystery kept the pace rolling along nicely.

The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
Contemporary, MG
Fun and charming! It appealed to me in the same way my much-loved Beezus and Ramona books do: depicting the trials, tribulations and joys of elementary school life (though in this case with a Taiwanese-American protagonist). Lovely!

A Most Improper Magick by Stephanie Burgis
Fantasy, MG
A delightful romp through an alternate Regency England! I appreciated the fact that although this is the first in a series, it stands alone as a satisfying, independent story. I have been thinking that this book made me think of what you might get if you let the youngest sister in Sense & Sensibility tell her own story (and you added in secret magic orders and highwaymen). Which is a good thing!

Black Stars in a White Night Sky by JonArno Lawson
Poetry
I am not generally a big reader of poetry but I really loved this. My favorite aspect of Lawson’s poetry is how much FUN it is to say them aloud. As I sat reading through this I had to keep stopping to read them out to my husband (who also appreciated them). If you love wordplay like “Bartleby startles me” and “All of a sudden”/”All love is sudden” check this out!

Writing Space

14
March
2010

Happy Pi Day!

So far, March beats the socks off February in terms of fun, energy and good stuff. I’ve been drafting away on CIRCUS2, engaging in all sorts of crazy preparations for a LARP that I’m staffing next weekend, and entertaining my Mom during her recent week-long visit (and by entertaining I mean gallivanting around Maine having fun and eating tasty food).

But one of the most exciting things this month, for me, is that I finally have my new Library set up! This is pretty much my dream writing space, which I’ve been planning and saving for since I sold my first books. I got book cases, my family helped me strip the walls and paint them purple, and then last week we finally got the crowning glory: a new desk!

So here it is:

(more…)

Skyping, Drafting, Dreaming

08
March
2010

Three good writing things:

First, I did a Skype visit! I had not done one before, but I certainly hope to do more because it was so fun, and so easy! Author and teacher and generally amazing person Kate Messner invited me to visit her Advanced Writing class to answer questions. And they were some GOOD questions! We talked about beginnings, since all of us were at the start of new projects. You can read Kate’s account here (she also talks about what sounds like a fantastic in-person visit by Newbery-award-wining author Rebecca Stead).

Things I learned about Skype visits:

  • Kate is an awesome host. Everything went smoothly, she had the setup ready to go, and she organized her class so that each student came up to introduce herself and ask her question in front of the camera.
  • It’s just so cool that I can be talking with students in another state, about books and writing! This kind of thing makes me grateful I live when I do.
  • I should try not to wave my hands around like a maniac (I talk with my hands a lot when I get excited, and writing excites me).
  • My dog is perplexed when strange voices start emanating from my laptop.

Thank you so much for inviting me, Kate! And thank you to the students as well!

Second good writing thing: After struggling to find my footing in the first draft of the sequel to CIRCUS GALACTICUS (working title: CIRCUS SPECTACULAR) I think I finally found it. Fortunately I have learned to recognize my own patterns, so I know it’s not unusual for me to flail around writing several different first chapters, throw them out, stick them back in, etc before finally finding the right one. It doesn’t make the flailing any more fun, but it makes me a little less prone to despair.

This weekend I had one of those moments I covet when I really fall into the story. I had written a good chunk in my morning session, but when I came home after running errands and walking the dog I didn’t want to just flump down and watch my new netflix video (She-Wolf of London — did anyone but me ever watch that?). No, I wanted to go back to the circus world. I even (shockingly!) ignored my vegetable sushi dinner in order to finish the scene I was on. It was the best feeling! I know there is slog to come, but moments like that are what give me the strength to get through the slog.

Third good writing thing: my new writing office furniture is on the way! Soon my new bookshelves will be in place, and I can put away the piles of books trying to take over the guest room. Even better, I will have a roll-top desk. With cubbyholes! I still don’t know what I will put in the cubbyholes, but I am excited to have them, because I’ve always dreamed of having a cool roll-top desk with cubbyholes, in a room with bright walls lined with books, and sunlight streaming through sheer-curtained windows.

I’m very grateful for all my dreams that have come true.

What I learned in February

01
March
2010

Cutting out Facebook, Twitter and blogging did not really give me more time, because I just found other things to fill it up.

I did miss the connections to my online friends

I did not miss having to filter massive quantities of data to strain out the few things I really care about.

I am much happier not reading reviews. Especially Goodreads reviews.

The cute new shop that just opened two blocks from my office is selling TEA and CUPCAKES. I am doooooomed! But it was so much fun to go in on a rainy day and have my beautiful china pot of Assam and a delicious lemon cupcake on a pale green etched glass plate, with Enya playing and flowers in the window.

Blog Tour: Kristin Walker

01
March
2010

I don’t read a lot of contemporary realistic fiction. I’ll admit it. I like my elves and my spaceships. But I also love characters with heart and wit who pop off the pages, and that perfect mix of side-splitting humor with real emotion, and the sharp perfection of well-done banter. And I love good voice. It’s what I adore about books like Dairy Queen, by Catherine Gilbert Murdock, The Boyfriend List by E Lockhart, and the book I’m here to talk about today: A Match Made in High School, by Kristin Walker. I read MATCH back in May of 2009 (it was originally slated to release last year) and I still remember the characters fondly (even the ones I thought I would hate). I loved the mixture of humor and emotion, the sharpness and determination and very human flaws of the main character Fiona (who reminds me a bit of Veronica Mars as she deals with the High School experience, the ins and the outs, the yearnings and the humiliations). I’m so excited it is finally out in the world, so other folks can have the fun of reading it. Note: it is YA, and there’s some colorful language.

So today, here’s Kristin to talk a little about her debut!

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.

A: Sam’s character was really easy for me to write, probably because I’ve been around kids pretty consistently for the past 15 years.

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why? Or alternately, what fairy-tale or myth do you dislike, and why?

A: The Seven Chinese Brothers is one of my favorites. I’ve always liked the theme of people using their separate, specific talents to work together toward a common goal.

I also love the Maori folktales about Maui. I have a special affinity for all things New Zealand, since I lived there as a child.

Q: So, what has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?

A: Besides getting the offer of representation from my agent, and getting the offer of a sale from my publisher, I’d say it was holding the ARC of MATCH in my hand for the first time. Then later, seeing them lined up on a shelf. That made it all tangible and real.

(more…)