Heather Taylor Price

Of Painting and Writing

2011-11-15T21:59:00.001-08:00

So my life has been consumed for the past three months by the underworld. No, I have not been overindulging in paranormal romances--I've been obsessed with the world beneath my house. Yes, I've been finishing my basement, and yes, at times it did feel like something was sucking the life and energy right out of me! (Okay, enough with the vampire references and on to the paint.)

Yes, paint. The real threat to any mortal's existence.

Now I consider myself quite a handy girl. After all, part of this new basement is a shop for my woodworking and a new tie-dye sink. (Yes, I put in a sink just for that--you try to avoid technicolorizing your white kitchen sink with a sopping pile of jewel tone belly dancing veils!) So when I was looking for ways to save money on this little project, I decided to tackle the painting myself. (Well, technically I was also volunteering my entire family for said tackling. Because I don't like people to feel left out. I'm considerate like that.)

A full month later, I've learned a lot about painting. And as I've spent a lot of time painting, I've also thought a lot about writing.

Prep Work
This the part you forget to plan for. Because really, don't we all just want to jump right in? If only it were that easy. Pick the colors, slap them on the walls! Do you have any idea how much tape it takes to mask off all that trim? How much caulk it takes to fill all the little holes? How much time you'll spend sanding things down so they look just so? There's a lot of work that goes into painting before you even pick up a brush. Let me tell you what happens if you rush ahead and start painting without doing the prep work--you get to go back and re-do things. A lot of things.

In writing, take the time to do your research first, or you'll waste a lot of valuable time correcting your goof-ups when you want to be polishing instead. Do character sketches. Do some webbing or brainstorming. Do a spreadsheet of your chapters so you know where you're headed. Do whatever works for you and gets you on the right path.

The Ecstasy of Fresh Paint
Oh, that first roller full of paint on drab drywall is heavenly. Heck, the whole first coat of primer wasn't bad. Starting a new writing project is always fun because it's new, and exciting, and you have no idea what is in store for you. Weeks and weeks of. . .

The Miserable Middles
Will this ever be done? Is it too late to call in a professional? Isn't the primer that came on the baseboards good enough? (It is already white, after all?) I don't need to say much here, because you know what I'm talking about. Night after night of just plowing through when it seems that the end is about as far away as China and you're wondering why you even started the journey in the first place.

We all have writing drawers containing half-painted basements. That manuscript that popped into your head when you read that line? Pull it out. It needs a few more coats.

A Deadline...Never Done, Just Due
So we got burned out about halfway through, and gave ourselves permission to take some time off. After all, did we really want the contractor's workers smudging up our hard work? Wouldn't we be better off just waiting to finish after they were done? It was nice to have a respite, but carpet installation day was bearing down upon us. We re-discovered our passion for our abandoned rollers and trim brushes and got back down to work.

Yes, give yourself a writing break if you need it. But also give yourself a deadline--even if it's a fake one. Promise something big to someone if you don't meet it. My sister is the master at this, as you read in an earlier blog post. She has held cruises, fancy dinners at French restaurants, and recently a trip to see Mickey Mouse over my head. I don't submit a query by my deadline? The trip will be at my expense. It sounds silly, but it's effective.

Revise, Even If It Feels Like It Will Kill You
Ah, if only you were done when the last of the tape is taken off. Standing back a few feet, things look fantastic! You are done! Burn that painting t-shirt in celebration. Besides, is anyone really going to notice that drip? That smear? That spot underneath the windowsill that you didn't quite reach? That bare drywall showing through where the celebratory tape removal got a little too enthusiastic?

Yes. You will notice.

I spent an entire night with a tiny paintbrush going over all of the spots where the painter's tape leaked, or I splattered, or a roller didn't quite reach. Yes, you wouldn't notice them if you were standing in the middle of the room. But I knew they were there. And I knew I would see them and feel guilty every time I noticed something I didn't take the time to make right. Even days later, I'm still finding spots I need to fix.

You know where the flaws are in your manuscript. Don't just hope people aren't going to notice them; take the time to fix them.

Sometimes the fixes aren't touch-ups, they are major. I'm pulling the painting clothes out tomorrow night because I didn't do an accent wall I should have. Despite the fact that I had declared the job "done" and the carpet is already in, I'm not happy with it. Just when you think you're done with your manuscript, you'll come up with a great idea to improve things. Don't be so exhausted you talk yourself out of it.

Painting and writing. . .both exhausting, both frustrating, but both very rewarding if you stick with it!

No work of art should be without its own soundtrack; any recent author's blog will attest to that. So here it is, the official Price Sisters Painting Soundtrack. The opening notes of any one of these songs makes me long for my paint-spattered jeans (that are so caked with Lulled Beige that they can now stand up on their own) and a good roll of Bloc-It painter's tape. Enjoy!

1. "Moves Like Jagger" by Maroon 5
2. "Love You Like a Love Song" by Selena Gomez
3. "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People
4. "Someone Like You" by Adele
5. "Stereo Hearts" by Gym Class Heroes
6. "You and I" by Lady Gaga
7. "Last Friday Night" by Katy Perry
8. "You Make Me Feel..." by Cobra Starship
9. "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry

Please note that I do not particularly enjoy and/or recommend these songs, but they played so repeatedly during our weeks of painting that I'm sure I'll still be humming them when I'm a ditzy old lady rocking out in my easy chair as I knit scarves. So if your grandma sings the same songs repeatedly, somebody probably made her paint a basement long ago. Be nice, and just sing along--she's earned it.

BYU's Books for Young Readers Conference

2011-07-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights of my summer is attending BYU's Books for Young Readers conference each July. I began attending back in 1996 when I was working for BYU, and now I consider myself extremely lucky to be serving on its planning committee!

In fact, I credit the conference with guiding me to my current profession--after years of attending just for the pure love of children's literature, I become a librarian! I love that the conference gives me the opportunity to hear from some of the best writers and illustrators in the world. Their insights are invaluable to me as a teacher librarian; I love to hear the stories behind some of my favorite books and then share those with my students.

For more information on the conference, go to http://bfyr.byu.edu. The graphic is from their website; as you can see David Wiesner was one of our guests this year!

Somebody at Disney is a Browncoat!

2011-06-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

My little brother is at Disney World this week, just in time for one of my favorite events, Star Wars Weekends. He's graciously sending me updates via text so I can be appropriately involved/jealous. He just rode the new version of Star Tours, and sent along this little gem of a galaxy map:

What I want to know is if Miranda ends up being your randomly picked destination, does it come with the appropriate captain and pilot? That Starspeeder cockpit door comes sliding down and you see Wash and Mal standing there? Epic.

Nookcolor, FTW!

2010-11-18T21:27:00.000-08:00

I've sat on the fence for quite awhile on the whole e-reader thing. Although I love the convenience, I hate the idea of being locked into a format. And no device so far has had an interface or the capabilities that really tempted me to take the plunge.

I bought a Kindle for my school library last year, and loved some things about it. It's a fantastic tool for a librarian--being able to read first chapters for free, and use it for booktalks, has been great. But the organization is truly awful--when you get more than a few dozen things on it, finding things becomes cumbersome at best, and frustrating at worst.

Today I got my Nookcolor, and I'm officially off the fence.

The screen is beautiful. I was concerned about how a non-e-ink screen would look, but honestly I feel like it's closer to the "feel" of reading a book than my Kindle was. And I love turning pages without feeling like I'm clicking a deafening button each time! Since I also regularly read when I should be sleeping, the lit screen is actually a big bonus for me--no more stumbling to turn off the lamp when I'm finally getting drowsy.

The shelf feature is wonderful--you can make custom "shelves," and then choose which books you want to organize there. It makes finding things quick and easy. I can't wait for the app store to get going--I think this going to be the ultimate device for those of us who primarily want an e-reader, but also would like a little extra.

Downloading things via Adobe Digital Editions from Netgalley and my local library is slick. My only disappointment so far has been that those items don't show up on my home screen, or with my purchased books--they are under "my files" instead until you add them to a shelf. But this is a small annoyance.

And the fact that I can load up all of my Firefly episodes on it? Epic.

Guilty pleasures

2010-08-03T22:05:00.001-07:00

There's nothing like a good YA romance-ish novel! I just finished Wolves, Boys, and Other Things That Might Kill Me by the very talented Kristen Chandler. I can say I knew her when. . .how many BYU writing conference classes were we in together? I'm always thrilled to see fantastic writers I know get published. And equally thrilled that it gives me a swift kick in the rear to get querying again. Sigh.

But yes, run get a copy. Well written, very funny, great setting, fantastic characters. Love, love, love it.

And there's also nothing like a good celebrity "Read" poster from the ALA! My good friend (and fellow Firefly fanatic. . .sorry Holly, introducing you to it was for your own good) found this new gem on the ALA website. I bought it. For the kids. Of course. No way would I just hoard it in my office and imagine Mr. Fillion saying, "Yes, I've read a poem. Try not to faint" as I catalog books. Good choice, ALA. DRATW.

Summer. . .vacation?

2010-07-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

"It must be so nice to be on vacation all summer."

People seem to forget that teachers aren't paid over the summer. I once overhead a charter school board member talking about the ingratitude of teachers who want to take time off during the school year. I believe her exact words were, "We give them the entire summer off--what more do they want?" (Note to administrators--please don't discuss a faculty member's request to take a vacation while holding the meeting in the library of said faculty member. It's very difficult not to giggle out loud while ducking behind your computer monitor and pretending to be cataloging books instead of eavesdropping.)

My summer vacation? So far it has involved Europe, a fantastic children's literature symposium, selling and buying a house, refurnishing my library, and reading piles of books. Oh yes, and writing and querying a bit on the side.

Yes, it is nice to be on vacation!

Lessons learned at the Muse concert

2010-04-06T10:08:00.000-07:00

My fabulous sister took me to see Muse for my birthday last night. It was a stellar show, and visually stunning. Amazing effects, laser lights, and great camera work shown on huge LED displays. It was like you were watching a concert video mixed on the fly--amazing!

Concerts are also great for people watching. Writers are always looking for material, people. You've been warned.

Arriving on time is not being on time. Give yourself time to a) hit monstrous e-Center traffic and b) enjoy the pre-show. (The Silversun Pickups were quite good. How many things do we miss in life because we are running behind?)

Dress appropriately. Light-up equalizer shirt guy? Full-out nerdiness that was much appreciated. Base player in the aforementioned band? Fantastic red dress. Blonde fighting the crowds in general admission? Leave the miniskirt and heels at home...and don't ask the tech guys to watch your ginormous purse. If it won't fit in your pocket, you don't need it.

You may think it's cool that your dad is taking you to a concert, but keep in mind you will have to stand next to him. All night. While he does what he considers dancing.

And while we're on the topic of dancing, by all means do so with reckless abandon. But if you are unfortunately situated underneath an aisle spotlight, the entire arena will be watching you. And laughing. And gathering video for YouTube.

You paid good money to see these people live. So why are you watching it through a tiny viewfinder? Give up trying to take pitiful pictures and videos with your cell phone. Besides, if you are jumping up and down, that video is going to make you sea sick.

It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye...filled with confetti!

The Dark Devine is. . .devine!

2010-03-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

And no, I'm not just saying that because I knew her before she was famous. (Wahoo BYU WFYR!) =) I started this last week and haven't had time to finish it until today and it's been killing me. . .no pun intended! The story unfolds slowly, but in such an engaging way that it isn't frustrating--it's deliciously drawn out. Well written, fantastic depth of characters, and an intriguing background. I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I had to give it a shout out.

Guilt. . .and major expenses. . .averted!

2010-03-26T20:55:00.000-07:00

Query mailed, office clean. If I didn't have a craft room full of unsewn fabric, I would be in for a guilt-free weekend!

Which brings up a discussion I had with my coworker today--are all librarians' offices messy? Is it a subconscious reaction to the fact that we have to keep things organized for everyone else, so we allow our own areas sink into atrophy? I'd like to think that there is a psychological reason, rather than the other explanation--that my lesson plans and book catalogs are replicating themselves at night while I'm away. Mitosis of office supplies would be just plain disturbing.

More overheard conversations, and my sister's corporate training pays off

2010-03-24T16:52:00.000-07:00

To continue the last post's theme, here's my favorite overhead conversation from the library this week.

A class is looking up song lyrics for a presentation they'll be making, and passing them off with their teacher. They've been warned that they can't choose anything with foul language. As is expected, a bunch of kids test where the line is by checking on certain songs. One kid points out the word he's worried about, then adds, "I mean, because it's not the kind you use in a garden, you know."

Ah, teenagers. Gotta love them.

In writing news, I have found something that works better than dark chocolate for writing motivation. My sister works for a corporate training company, and last night she decided to apply her mad skills to my lack of writing progress. This is the contract she made me sign last night, although I have serious doubts about the legal impact of a document written on a refrigerator white board.

Our dry erase markers have seen better days, but this evil document says that I owe her dinner at La Caille and a cruise in June if my query isn't mailed by Friday. And if that weren't enough, she also posted a little go-fight-win to me on Facebook, so well-wishes have been pouring in from tons of people that I will now have to answer to the next time I see them. Craftiness that borderlines on blackmail, I say.

Ah, sisters. Gotta love them.

Why I love teaching at a junior high

2009-03-31T17:17:00.001-07:00

I love the reactions I get when I tell people I'm the librarian at a junior high school. I don't know if the accompanying look of horror is inspired by the person's flashback of their own painful early teen transition time, or if it's their media-slanted perception of what teens are like today.

I absolutely love working with kids this age and here are three reasons why, based on today's adventures:

Brutal honesty without meanness. Change your hairstyle, and adults feel obligated to compliment you ("Oh, your hair is different--it's cute!"). Kids, on the other hand, tell it like it is ("Miss Price, are you having a bad hair day?"). The seventh grader who asked me that at lunch had such a look of complete sincerity on his face, I had to answer, "You know Mitchell, I didn't think I was, but maybe I am!" I've been giggling ever since, and am rethinking my new 'do.
Sincere appreciation. Two kids who aren't my normal audience (i.e. never set foot in the library unless assigned to do so) both thanked me profusely for helping them with their projects today. It makes me wonder, if they're so shocked to find an adult willing to help them, how badly are we failing them?
Spontaneous amusement. What room of adults would laugh out loud when someone does an impersonation of the great and powerful Oz to try out her new classroom amplification system? I love using that microphone almost as much as I like using Lanschool to send messages to their computer screens ("I don't think the Laker Girls are part of your research project, so please close that window and start researching Utah geography.").

Writing: still working on a daily goal that will get me to my goal. Is it pages? Time limits? I'm still deciding.
Reading: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Truly inspiring stuff for those of us who look cynically at books of inspring stuff. I need to re-read this book every year.

Top 5 fun things about today...

2009-03-28T23:25:00.000-07:00

Unexpected early morning Saturday visitors.
Rare finds in used CD stores.
Two of my favorite movies back to back on the Disney channel, Tarzan and Hercules, both totally under appreciated.
7 Guys for 7 Others, a.k.a. blind dating en masse.
Truth or dare bowling, without the bowling.

Writing goal update: 30 minutes of plot brainstorming on the topic of how on earth do I end this novel?

Drats! First slip-up

2009-03-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

At least I slacked off on my blog, and not my writing! I look forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning to make up for some rather late nights when I was determined not to go to bed until I'd gotten in my 30 minutes of writing. It's amazing what a little peer pressure can get you to do.

Writing report: 30 minutes tonight and yesterday night. Some good character brainstorming and the beginnings of a good fight scene. And a reconciliation.

Juxtaposition

2009-03-25T21:57:00.000-07:00

King Lear and Enchanted. Watched on the same night--quite the contrast. Glad I ended with the sweet syrupy stuff. I'd rather have dreams of waltzing than eye gouging, thank you very much. (Lear was impressive though--Ian McKellen is amazing, and the costumes were very cool.)

Pages written today: none yet. Timer starting now, 30 minutes less sleep tonight. Sigh.

The guilt-free feeling of meeting two goals today!

2009-03-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

Ah, the joys of an evening well spent! My newly-found rededication to writing led me to revisit another hobby I've been neglecting. I popped in my East Coast Tribal bellydance DVD and danced for the first time in months. I'm sure my long-neglected muscles that only get used for things like ribcage isolations and Mayans will be screaming out in betrayal tomorrow, but it did feel good to let loose a three-quarter shimmy again.

Pages written today: three! two different scenes!
Extra curricular: East Coast Tribal combination #1 semi-learned, although I still can't get the arms right

Ah, ambiguity!

2009-03-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

Two pages. . .how many ways can I measure my progress with that simple measuring stick? Is that two cleanly written and grammar mistake-free pages? Two hastily scribbled and raw pages? Double or single spaced? Margins? Font size? The quagmire of rationalization looms.

Increments of time seem less prone to such moral dilemmas. 30 minutes per day minimum is the new rule.

Pages written today: two, heavy on dialogue but heading in a good direction.

Things that do not count as writing...at least for my goal, anyway

2009-03-22T22:53:00.000-07:00

Posting to this blog, as fun as it may be.
Discussing my writing, as fun as it...isn't.
Re-reading what I've already written (which inevitably leads to re-hashing it, rather than writing anything new).
Watching a film based on a young adult novel.
Discussing said film at length, and why poor Jasper was little more than scenery when we all know he's the coolest character.

Pages written today: two, of the very messy variety.

Spring brings new beginnings...

2009-03-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

Today was a beautiful day. The kind that inspires you to break out those capris and strappy shoes for the first time of the season. The kind that makes you open the sunroof and blast your new Joshua Bell CD for the cultural edification of passersby. The kind that slaps you in the face and says, "Look what a fantastic world you live in--and what have you done about it lately?"

Sigh.

Today was our first meeting for this year's WIFYR conference. It's a fantastic week of writing workshops, helpful how-to sessions, and networking with some of the best writers, editors, and agents in the business. The author's assistants met to go over details and plans for the small part we get to play. Since I missed the conference last year due to a trip to Europe (I know, poor me), and since I get assigned one of my favorite authors this year (I know, poor poor me) I was feeling more than a little excited.

That was, until our fearless leader Cheri announced that this is the conference's ten year anniversary.

Ten years.

Surely there is some mistake. Cheri is, after all, a writer, not a mathematician. There is no possible way that I have been plodding along at this for ten years. A decade of filling my hard drive with scenes that I rarely let anyone peek at? A decade of telling people I'm a writer, when I feel like I haven't done much to earn that title?

Ten years.

After the meeting a few of us stuck around to share our mutual apprehension about the upcoming conference and our feelings of unpreparedness. (Cheri may not be a mathematician, but she is a great therapist.) We came up with a plan--why not set some goals for ourselves, and make it into a little friendly competition?

So here's my declaration, for all of the world to see: a daily goal of at least two pages per day and a daily blog update of my progress, with a final goal of a completed manuscript of the novel I've been working on by the time the conference starts. And I probably should take a stab at a revision of my first novel too. Improbable, but not impossible.

The prizes mentioned so far have included puppies or tiaras, so that should be quite an incentive for everyone. Although I think no longer dealing with the guilt of having a half-finished novel banging around in my head trying to get out will be prize enough.

Pages written today: none, but I did finally make a blog post!
Currently reading: My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison