Hope you’re feeling lucky this St. Patrick’s Day week. In case you’re looking for good fortune, check out some of these middle-grade books with the work “luck” in the title.

Hard Luck

Mary Anne’s Bad Luck Mystery

Lucky Strike

Written by Bobbie Pyron
A rich, southern voice tells the unforgettable story of two vulnerable outsiders, the lightning strike that turns their world upside down and the true meaning of lucky. Nate Harlow would love to be lucky, just once! He’d like to win a prize, get picked first, call a coin toss right, even! But his best friend, Genesis Beam (aka Gen), believes in science and logic, and she doesn’t think for one second that there’s such a thing as luck, good or bad. She doesn’t care what names the other kids call them. She cares about being right, about saving the turtles of Paradise Beach, and she cares about Nate. Then, on his birthday, at the Goofy Golf mini-golf course, Nate is struck by lightning – and survives! Suddenly baseballs are drawn to his bat – popular kids want HIM on their side. It seems the whole town of Paradise Beach thinks Nate has the magic touch.But is there room for Gen in Nate’s lucky new world? Lucky Strike tells the unforgettable story of two vulnerable outsiders and what luck is really all about.

The Thing about Luck

Written by Cynthia Kadohata & illustrated by Julia Kuo
The winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, from Newbery Medalist Cynthia Kadohata. There is bad luck, good luck, and making your own luck–which is exactly what Summer must do to save her family. Summer knows that kouun means “good luck” in Japanese, and this year her family has none of it. Just when she thinks nothing else can possibly go wrong, an emergency whisks her parents away to Japan–right before harvest season. Summer and her little brother, Jaz, are left in the care of their grandparents, who come out of retirement in order to harvest wheat and help pay the bills. Having thoroughly disappointed her grandmother, Summer figures the bad luck must be finished–but then it gets worse. And when that happens, Summer has to figure out how to change it herself — because it might be the only way to save her family. Cynthia Kadohata’s ode to the breadbasket of America has received six starred reviews and was selected as a National Book Award Finalist.

Lost in Ireland

Written by Cindy Callaghan
Book #2 in the Lost In Series
A superstitious girl must try to turn her horrible luck around during a family trip to Ireland. Meghan McGlinchey is the most superstitious girl in her family–and probably in the entire state of Delaware. When she receives a chain letter from a stranger in Ireland, Meghan immediately passes it on, taking only a tiny shortcut in the directions. But after a disastrous day, made complete by losing the election for class president and embarrassing herself in front of the entire school, Meghan realizes that tiny shortcut was a big mistake. Thankfully, her family was already headed to Ireland on spring break, and Meghan makes it her mission to find the original sender and break her extremely unlucky streak. With the help of an eccentric cast of characters–and one very cute Irish boy–can Meghan figure out a way to stop her bad luck? Or is she cursed forever?

– Bookroo.com contributed to these summaries.

The post Looking for Luck in All the Write Places appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.

Like you, I’ve got a full lineup of goals for 2023. The new year offers a time to look at what’s most important.

My most pressing concrete goals are a home run revision that grabs the reader (my writing world), and to meet my financial goals (personal world).

But my general goal is to make a difference on all fronts. If I tackle each goal with the idea of making a difference, thinking of others, good things tend to happen.

In that spirit, here’s my top 10 list of writing goals for 2023:

1. Keep the reader turning the page. Keep the reader turning the page. Keep the reader turning the page.
2. Give the reader just enough detail so they’re dying to know what comes next.
3. Choose a setting that adds to suspense and advances the story.
4. Immerse myself in the main character so the reader feels like they’re experiencing the story through their five senses (think “Avatar”)
5. Keep the reader turning the page. Keep the reader turning the page. Keep the reader turning the page.
6. Each scene has urgency for the characters to reach their goals (or not).
7. Conflict. Every scene filled with conflict. Conflict between characters. Inner conflict. Think all the “Rocky” movies.
8. Transformation. How do the characters change? What do they learn? How do we journey through their transformation?
9. In revision, know what to take out and what to leave in. I know this one’s easier said than done. A mentor once told me to defend each word like a lawyer defends each client.
10. Keep the reader turning the page. Keep the reader turning the page. Keep the reader turning the page.

In the end, it’s about writing a book that makes a difference. Didn’t I say that somewhere?

Here’s some goals from some of the children’s book writers/agents who’ve had a huge influence on me:

Author/illustrator Fred Koehler:

1. WORD COUNT:I’m keeping it simple without any sort of overall word count resolution–just a single manuscript to revise, however many words it takes. For 2023 it’s a middle grade treasure mystery where editors LOVED the first half but thought the ending was too over-the-top. Keep what they loved. Slash and burn the rest.
2. REJECTION:Rejection is a great measurement of how close you are to success. (Here’s my thesis on Rejection.) My resolution for 2023 is 50 rejections. Between a graphic novel already out on sub and several picture manuscripts at various stages, I should be able to achieve that no problem.
3. COMMUNITY:Through my work with fellow writers at Ready Chapter 1, various critique groups, and other awesome communities like this one, my resolution is to help create the ‘aha’ moment or make the connection for ONE writer to land their first book deal. This will be more meaningful to me than anything I achieve for myself.

Aurora Dominguez, award-winning teacher and aspiring YA novelist:

1. Finish the draft of my first YA novel
2. Write for fun more, not just for freelance journalism purposes! *more for fun
3. Take the time to write meaningful and purposeful, as well as uplifting messages, to loved ones and colleagues.

Jonathan Rosen, agent, The Seymour Agency:

1. Make time to write. Period.
2. Stretch outside my comfort zone to write in new genres
3. Write what I like and let it find an audience

Author Marjetta Geerling:

1. Finish writing book 1 of a new series.
2. Remember writing is fun!
3. Stop stressing about social media.

Joyce Sweeney, agent, The Seymour Agency:

1. Do not keep scheduling meetings on writing day!
   2. Remember that every client is an individual and needs individual strategy, attention and care
   3. Always be kind, especially to beginning authors who query.

Hope you reach your goals for 2023!!

The post Hitting a novel home run in 2023 by making a difference appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.

If you read my last post, you learned about Ready Chapter 1, a year-long, interconnected workshop series that meets you where you are at as you write your middle grade novel.

In March’s class, agent and author Joyce Sweeney, along with moderator Fred Koehler, discussed Character Development with an emphasis on the Plot Clock. The Plot Clock is a great tool for planning out any piece of fiction—including middle grade books—and is also a powerful way of determining what is missing is a story once you’ve completed your first draft. Just by looking for each component of the Plot Clock you can easily see where a hole is in your plot, where you’ve spent too much time or not enough, and how to add more dramatic tension to your writing.

The Plot Clock is often used by writers to develop the plot of the stories, to see where a story might need more oomph, and to find places to add suspense.

One of the main questions Sweeney addressed in the Ready Chapter 1 March session was, how does the main character (MC) change from the beginning of the story to the end? The plot centers around the main character’s arc.

What does the Main Character (MC) need to change? Are they too shy? Too aggressive? What are they fighting against? How do they resist change? How do they overcome the obstacles you, the author, place in their path and how does it shape them?

One thing Sweeney said was that story telling is a part of human nature and we all have an internal plot clock. Sometimes we read a story, hear a story told, watch a movie or television show and it just doesn’t feel right, but we can’t say why. Our internal plot clocks tell us that something is amiss. We don’t want our readers to get this “amiss” feeling. This is where the plot clock comes in handy.

The Plot Clock is a circle divided into four equal quadrants making up four acts. Some acts might be longer than others, but the clock works best when the book balances all fourth quadrants in length and substance.

The picture below shows a plot clock with the four acts. Sweeney actually wrote and published a short book in 2019 called Plotting your novel with the Plot Clock that goes into much more detail. This book helped me immensely with my MG The Save, which is being shopped around by my agent.

ACT 1

Ordinary World—The story begins in what is normal for the main character. Are they a star athlete in a troubled family with a sick parent? A young girl in Kansas who yet to realize “there’s no place like home”. You can’t care about what will happen later in a story or see the ramifications of it, if you don’t know what the status quo is for the main character.

Inciting Incident—Somewhere in ACT 1 (or even multiple times in ACT 1), something happens that shakes up the norm. The apple-cart of the plot is turned over or, at least, upset in some way. The Inciting Incident gives a clue to the reader what the Special World the character is entering will be like (even though the character may or may not realize it himself/herself).

Binding Point—The Binding point is where the character does something that causes him to be bound to the Special World. He has bitten the forbidden fruit, climbed onto the pirate ship, followed the rabbit into the woods, shook hands with the devil. And that turns what was the normal, ordinary world on its ear.

ACT 2

Special World—After the Binding Point, the MC enters into a Special World. That doesn’t mean he/she is transported to the past in a Delorean, but now the character is dealing with the problem of the story. The Special World could be a psychological state, a problem, a challenge, a recognition, an experience, and it could even be a magical place. “It is the place where the character goes to do all the work of the story.”

Tests and Challenges Failed—During this act the character tries to deal with his/her problem and fails—over and over and over. Usually the situation is growing worse and worse and worse.

Low Point—Often in ACT 2 the situation gets worse and worse and worse ending with the Low Point. The Low Point is usually the worst thing the MC is dreading comes to pass. And then leads to the Change in the MC.

Change—The main character comes to realization that he/she needs to change and gets a clue that the old strategies he/she was using aren’t working. The main character makes a Change and moves out of “all is lost” and into ACT 3.

ACT 3

Tests and Challenges Passed—ACT 3 mirrors ACT 2. However, the main character begins to figure out what will work and may even get cocky with success. But as the main character is getting stronger, the antagonist is getting stronger, too.

Turning Point—The Turning Point comes at the end of ACT 3. It’s something unexpected that shocks the reader (“Luke, I am your father”) and makes the character move towards the climax.

ACT 4

The time period between the Turning Point and the Climax of the story is the darkest of all for the main character. This time leads to the Climax.

Climax—This is the battle to end all battles and answers the dramatic question of the story. The Climax may also resolve other sub-plots. The Climax may take as much or as little of ACT 4 as needed.

Denouement—This is where the story resolves and is often the ah-h-h-h-h moment of a story. In the original Star Wars, it’s where Princess Leia puts the medals on Luke and Han. In Return of the Jedi, the party with the Ewoks. You get it.

The Plot Clock is a lot (hence the need for an entire book on it) but’s super helpful. You should give it a shot and plot your book with it.

Ready Chapter 1 has more plotting action next month. The April 1 class features “High Impact Plotting” with award-winning author Janice Hardy. Visit www.readychapter1.com. Happy plotting!

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Ready Chapter 1 begins its inaugural year-long workshop dedicated to propelling writers into publishing in February.

The faculty is an All-star group of writers, agents and editors, including middle grade gurus Jonathan Maberry, Greg Neri, and Henry Neff.

Writer/illustrator Fred Koehler, who facilitates the first class on “Story Ideas the Sell”, is the mastermind behind this new and innovative project.

Here are some thoughts from Fred on the website, www.readychapter1.com, as they prepare to launch:

Writers are the nicest people you will ever meet. There is nothing quite as refreshing as finding yourself surrounded by fellow creatives who are passionate about the same things that ignite your spirit. Any place you find community within the writing world will become a refuge for you, especially as you deepen your roots. Because in those communities of like minded creatives, you discover that you are not alone. Others share your brand of weirdness. And every time you return to your normal life after hanging out with fellow writers will leave you feeling wistful. Like making friends at camp and then having to say goodbye till next summer. 

There are two writers inside each of us, and success requires both of them. The first writer, and the one that comes most naturally, is the pure creative. It’s the one that revels in the descent of the muses. The one that finds joy in the perfect turn of phrase or the plot twist that not even they saw coming. The second writer is the public persona of an author. It dresses up. Pushes past insecurities. Delivers the keynote. Invites others into the circle. Without the first writer, the writing itself will be transparent and shallow. Without the second, your stories may never see the light of day.

You can’t make Luck, but Luck can make you. I have had several serendipitous moments in my writing career to which I can attribute no amount of effort or talent on my own part. There was the TV station manager I met in line at the coffee shop. A month later I was on the CBS morning show. And then there’s the editor who thinks I bear an uncanny resemblance to their firstborn son. That editor always responds to my submissions. The more time you spend putting yourself out into the world, the more chances you will have to cross paths with Luck. And if you have a great manuscript ready when Luck comes knocking–that’s when the real magic happens.

Getting discovered is a dream come true for more than you. Yes, I realize that sounds a little bit like Dr. Seuss but we’re going to run with it. Everyone gets excited about the buzz of a shiny new talent. Publishers love to debut their latest rockstar, fingers crossed for chart-topping sales. Editors and agents build reputations on bringing brilliant books to life from previously unknown voices. And let’s not forget about all of your writing friends who get to dress up for the launch party. When and if it happens, embrace it. You only debut once so enjoy the ride!

Publishing takes its own sweet time. The publishing industry is the grocery store equivalent of that person who gets in the ten items or less lane with 25 items, asks for three price checks, tries to use expired coupons, and then insists on paying with a personal check for the part that the gift card doesn’t cover. Put otherwise, publishing is slow. If you write a story about the latest greatest pop culture moment of today, it will be forgotten by the time your book comes out. So write to trends instead of fads. Better yet, write from your source and ignore everything that is currently popular.

The book is never done until the publisher sends it to print. There are so many times I have thought that a story was (mostly) perfect just the way I wrote it and nobody else better say otherwise thank you very much. The crit group loved it. The agent said it was ready for submission. Editors who got a chapter asked to read the full. The story never would have gotten that far unless it was good. But good isn’t good enough for a publishing deal, much less a publishing success. Be prepared to trust your editor when they say that it needs a lot of work. Perhaps even a substantial revision. Fight for what matters in your story. Rewrite the rest.

If you’re not careful, you can forget why you’re here. If it’s money and fame you’re after, you will never be happy no matter how much money or fame comes your way. But if you create for the simple delight of exploration, letting your curiosity roam free until it hooks on an idea you can elevate to art–you have a lifetime of joy ahead. Everything else is gravy.

In addition to Koehler, Maberry, Neff and Neri, the award-winning faculty contains authors Janice Hard, Lisa Cline Ransome, agents Michaela Whatnall and Joyce Sweeney, and editor Lorin Oberweger and Harold Underdown.

Sweeney, also an author of 14 YA novels, represents a plethora of middle grade authors and will deliver the August workshop on Stakes and Tension for Ready Chapter 1.

Here are some of her thoughts on the website:

For RC1 Academy, you will be teaching Stakes and Tension in August. Can you give us one example of who has done this brilliantly in a book?The last thing I read like that was a graphic novel. THIS WAS OUR PACT by Ryan Andrews. It was non-stop surprises, yet every plot turn was satisfying. In recent picture books, I felt it in DRAWN TOGETHER by Minh Le and Dan Santat. In middle grade, Christina Diaz Gonzalez would get the prize from me.

Describe the perfect client. No wait. Describe an imperfect client that you are willing to invest in. Perfect client participates in the process, wants to be an equal partner with me, trusts my business judgment but also holds to their own creative vision, is willing to pivot, revise or do whatever it takes to get to the goal. Is fun to talk to. The imperfect client has all the same traits, but perhaps projects that are harder to sell.

If your goal for 2022 was to finish drafting or revising a novel with a community like Ready Chapter 1, how would you prepare? I would pick a project that I know has a good hook and could sell, regardless of how much work I feel it needs. RC1 is the place to do that work. And I would write down every question I could think of to ask this amazing assembledge of teachers.

Hope this information on Ready Chapter 1 was helpful. To register, visit the website  www.readychapter1.com/ The first class starts Feb. 1 and there are still some spots available.

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