Institute Childrens Literature

Rx for Writers

Transcripts

PART 2 OF CAROL GORMAN'S INTERVIEW

MODERATOR: Do you have a "funny file" where you jot down humorous things you see or hear? Also...

bernie: How do you get ideas for your characters and their quirks?

Carol: I don't have a file. But I make a mental note of great lines I hear. I went to a theater production in C.R. A character talks about his wife Marjean, describing her matter-of-factly as "a complex and difficult woman." I loved that line. It said volumes about her. Of course, I wouldn't use it because it was written by someone else. But I pick them up and remember them. They're good to pull out before writing my own stuff.

Ducky: I have little notes about character and plots all over the place. Are all writers disorganized?

Carol: Ha! I don't know. I think writing is the ONLY area of my life that's organized.

buchholz59: What about your children's librarian's opinion of your story? Would a librarian be a good critique person?

Carol: Sure. So would other writers, teachers, people who know books.

Sasquatch: Are there any publishers or series that really stand out as ones who love humor?

Carol: To find them, I think it's a good idea to go to the bookstore and look at CURRENT humorous novels. See who publishes them. There are many, although I'm not aware of any one in particular. Be sure to look at new books. Tastes and styles can change.

Annie: Do you work on more than one book at a time?

Carol: I try not to. It's hard to mix styles (serious, funny; older, younger) in the same day. When I write, I think about that book all the time. It would be hard to focus on two different books at once.

Dee: Do you write and send a synopsis of your story to editors first? If so, can you explain how you pick what to put in and what to leave out?

Carol: Yes, I do send a synopsis. They're fairly long, maybe 15-20 pages that outline the major scenes in the book.

MODERATOR: What exactly goes into your synopsis, Carol? And do you use a particular format?

Carol: Really, most every scene goes in. But I describe them in a few paragraphs each. For sending proposals and synopses, there's no special format. Just narrative. And I include dialogue to give the editor a sense of the characters.

MODERATOR: One of the best resources I've found and used is Michael Larsen's book How to Write a Book Proposal, in case anyone out there is like me and needs a step-by-step, how-to-do-it approach with examples!

Ducky: Is it important for a writer to specialize in writing, or just write what they enjoy?

Carol: Well, if you want to make a living at it, you need to be fairly versatile. But choose books you WANT to spend several months writing. I write both funny and serious novels.

Willie Willow Tree: Is a synopsis only for chapter books? What exactly IS a synopsis?

Carol: A synopsis is the plot in a nutshell. In maybe 10-15 pages.

Norene: Does it always have to take several months to get a decent book done?

Carol: Depends on the length of the book. But it's a good idea to let it set after you finish, so you can come back and reread it.

bernie: How many drafts do you usually go through before you know a book is finished for you?

Carol: When kids ask me that, I say, "Oh, about 30." You see, I don't do full drafts, but I rewrite as I go. But I over and over and over. Every day, I go back 10-20 pages and rewrite and polish. I do this every day, so I go over every sentence at least 30 times.

Willie Willow Tree: In writing humor, is it a good idea to have a straight character with your funny guy?

Carol: That's been a tradition in humor forever. But it's not a rule. I don't think there are any rules.

Ducky: Is it sufficient to keep the original and the most recent rewrite?

Carol: I only keep the most recent version.

GreyWolf: Is it a good idea to let someone read your work before it's completely done? Or should you wait until it's completed?

Carol: It's up to you. I let my husband read the first chapter. Then I finish the book before asking him to read again. Usually.

Norene: Do you find yourself going back several paragraphs and changing things as you write?

Carol: ALL the time!

Dee: So, is going back 10-20 pages also a way to get you back in the "zone" of your book?

Carol: Yes, exactly. It gets me warmed up, plus I get to revise again.

Norene: I have a tendency to draw very heavily on childhood experiences and on my friends' children's experiences; could this become a legal problem?

Carol: If you change the characters significantly, it shouldn't be. Writers write what they know. I use stuff from my own life all the time.

Dian: Hi, Carol--what is your newest book?

Carol: Well, DORK IS DISGUISE is coming out in the next couple of weeks.

MODERATOR: I'm sorry to interrupt, but our time is up this evening. Thank you so much, Carol, for sharing with us tonight!

Carol: Thanks for inviting me, Kristi. It was fun!

MODERATOR: Do come back next week for our last Thursday night "Open Forum" with me, your web editor. I've published 20 books and over 50 articles, plus taught writing for fifteen years, all while raising a large family. Come and bring your questions on writing in general, time management, getting started, or anything else you'd like to discuss. Bring all your unanswered questions to the "Open Forum" and we'll try to get them answered! See you next week!

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