Making Connections

Guest post by Sara Shacter

Practicing is not only playing your instrument, either by yourself or rehearsing with others - it also includes imagining yourself practicing. Your brain forms the same neural connections and muscle memory whether you are imagining the task or actually doing it. -Yo-Yo Ma

Hi Writers!

Thanks for all your good wishes. I am finally feeling better and the words are FLOWING. After making my story a good 9000 words lighter, I have learned (the long way…again…) that when I delete, I make room for better stuff. For connections. For the obsessions of my subconscious.

It takes time, but it’s cool to realize that when I’m stuck, the answers are already there, sometimes banging on my door. In the words. Between the words. In the connections between myself and the characters, the characters themselves, and the characters with the readers. In the ideas that have made the words, but still aren’t fully on the page.

This week, I also found connections in conversations. Like this one with author, Sara Shacter:

Dear Writers,

I’m finding that’s all I care about right now, in both my life and my writing.

My worry about the shocking partisan divide in our country led me to Braver Angels, a political depolarization group. Braver Angels brings reds, blues, and purples together for respectful and thoughtful conversation. Participating in their events has been a revelation. I’ve watched perspectives shift and worlds open. Though I may not agree with all ideas expressed, I’m now inclined to ask why others believe as they do and hence find common ground.

Perhaps the divided nature of our country is why I’m driven to strengthen bonds with friends via phone calls, lunches, and parties. Touching base more regularly with family has also become a priority.

Not surprisingly, the theme of connection keeps surfacing in my writing. It’s the focus of my debut middle grade novel, Georgia Watson and the 99 Percent Campaign (Regal House Publishing/Fitzroy Books). Georgia, after mistakenly sowing social chaos in her 6^th grade classroom, finds healing wisdom in science: turns out, all humans share more than 99% of their genetic material. Georgia is struck by the idea that we’re all much more alike than we are different, and she is able to repair social rifts by looking for what connects her to others—from hobbies to life experiences to loneliness.

Sarah adds: Sara’s being really modest. (Maybe that’s what happens when you don’t have an H!) First of all, her novel is great. Obviously, I loved it!

Go get it here. Tell your librarians. Spread the word. Now, back to Sara!

I’m now analyzing the connective tissue in every manuscript. How is the protagonist connected to me? To the antagonist? How complex is the web of connections among my characters? The more ties, the more push and pull in the plot.

Embracing connections exponentially increases the number of pathways forward, in both life and art.I’m finding that’s all I care about right now, in both my life and my writing.

Are you ready to reach? To look at the body of your story to strengthen that connective tissue?

I love what Sara says about connections. When we create connectivity and overlap between characters and their wants and fears, we set the table for TENSION and CONFLICT.

So, let’s start with the connection between the protagonist and the antagonist. What do they want? How do they get in each other’s way? What is the worst thing that could happen? What scenes do they share? How does the antagonist change?

And the connection between the protagonist and allies: even if they want the same thing, they may get in each other’s way. Obstacles can come from good intentions, too.

And the most important connection: between YOU and YOUR STORY. Why is this your story to write? Why is it so important to you? How do your memories reinforce the why in your story?

Both Sara(h)s agree: MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS!

I’ll be at NCTE this week. Will. you be there? I’d love to see friends! My signing is at 5pm on Friday!

Have a great writing week!

xo Sarah