Join the Writing Pad community!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Heather Havrilesky: Writing Like Your Life Depends On It

Heather Havrilesky, Author of "Disaster Preparedness"
By Erin Auerbach

Whether reliving childhood experiences, analyzing the psychological underpinnings of sitcom parents or exposing the unglamorous absurdity of greeting card holidays, Heather Harvrilesky injects her writing with candor and zinging wit.

A regular contributor to The New York Times Magazine, she spent seven years as the TV critic for Salon.com. Prior to that, she co-created the cartoon “Filler” for Suck.com. Her work has also been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Book Forum, Spin and NPR’s “All Things Considered.”

Of her 2010 memoir Disaster Preparedness, The New York Times said, “This amusing coming-of-age memoir is not Oprah bait. Ms. Havrilesky didn’t sleep with her dad, become an addict or become addicted to sleeping with her dad.”

In fact, Heather will emphasize that you need not have survived catastrophic experiences to write a great story when she teaches Memorable Memoirs: Make Your True Tales Thrilling on February 19. You can also study with her at the Mountain Retreat in Idyllwild March 9-11, and hear some of her thoughts on memoir writing at Writing A Life Worthy Story this Friday, February 3rd. Until then, Heather shares with us a bit about how she got started in her career, found inspiration for "Disaster Preparedness" and her methods to tackle the challenges of writing:

1. You have an impressive list of publishing credits. When did you start writing essays and articles and how did you break in?


I started writing essays in college and loved it. Once I decided that I wanted to write professionally, I took an internship at a financial magazine in San Francisco. About six months later, I was hired as an editor and writer at Suck.com, where I collaborated with the illustrator to create a weekly cartoon called Filler. It was really a dream job. Thank you, dot-com boom!

2. What was your inspiration for your memoir Disaster Preparedness? Do you think that  memoirs must focus on harrowing experiences to be effective?  What do you think the qualities of a good memoir are?

Disaster Preparedness grew out of a piece I wrote for "All Things Considered" about the emergency plans my sister and I developed for every potential catastrophe, so that we'd be prepared to face everything from an earthquake to a dog-napping. My memoir isn't focused on harrowing experiences so much as the harrowing ways I experienced the world as an oversensitive kid. Harrowing experiences are by no means a requirement for writing a memoir. If anything, publishers are turned off by dreary or depressing material unless it's handled in some unique or inventive way. The big question is: how does the writer bring the experiences to life and make them entertaining for the reader? My focus with my book was to entertain and to reexamine ancient history and question my old assumptions about my life and myself.

Unless you're a major public figure or escaped a shark attack, your story isn't inherently interesting. You have to figure out a way to make your story interesting, funny, suspenseful, or all of the above. Mostly, this comes from distilling your unique perspective and voice, and then allowing that voice to guide your story. It's also important to read a lot of good memoirs, so you see how other people do it. Three of my most recent favorites (along with mine!) are "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls, "Fiction Ruined My Family" by Jeanne Darst and "The Journal Keeper" by Phyllis Theroux.

3. In your Rabbit Blog, you specifically dealt with a writer's question about criticism and how to keep it from paralyzing you creatively. What advice do you have for newly published writers to cope with criticism, especially in the Internet era where analysis of your work can be brutal and immediate?

I began my career in 1996 at a pretty aggressive publication (the name "Suck" should give you some idea), so I was indoctrinated into the harshness of internet culture early on. Luckily I was in my 20s then, young enough and sociopathic enough not to mind when strangers hated me or my writing. In 2001, when I became a regular TV columnist for Salon.com, criticism in the comments section had more power to get under my skin. Ultimately, though, if you live by the ego sword, you die by it. If you're bolstered by praise from strangers, you have to accept that you're also going to be criticized by them. When you make any of it too important – the praise or the criticism – you're moving away from trusting your own voice as a writer.

Likewise, if you're obsessed with "becoming someone" by publishing a great book, you may never write it. Writing will become something you beat yourself up with. "I should be writing more! I'm a failure!" It's better to focus on how much you enjoy the writing itself, getting lost in it, learning to improve on what you know. Throwing yourself into the process, and recognizing, "Hey, I feel good when I write a nice paragraph." Or "I love to wake up early, drink my tea, and write just one page before work. It makes my whole day go better." That turns writing into a part of life that you enjoy, instead of defining your entire life as "not there yet." When I'm in touch with how much I love the process itself, without fixating on the end results, I tend to be a lot happier and more prolific.

4. What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

All writers, aspiring or not, should write as much as they can every day. It's hard to remember that sometimes. Whether you're freewriting or writing in a journal or experimenting with a new genre or just venting about something that makes you furious, it helps you to find your voice as a writer. I think it helps to write in a lot of different ways, too. If I work on these precious little descriptions of the color of the sky too long, I lose touch with the big ideas and concepts that I want to explore. If I write detached, controlled passages about this or that, I forget how much my writing wakes up and leaps off the page when I'm pissed off or giddy. So, try not to write the same stuff over and over. And you know, I hate to say it, but a lot of people find that their productivity triples when they get up early to write. That means you have to go to bed early. If you're truly committed to becoming a writer, that one change will really shift you into high gear.


5. You have been able to pursue a career as a journalist, you have an active blog, and you finished a book, in addition to having a family.  What advice do you have for people trying to find the time for a regular writing practice?



When I was finishing my memoir in 2009, I was still writing full-time for Salon, which meant watching 20 hours of TV and writing 4,000-6,000 words a week. So I didn't really have a choice, I had to get up super early and write like hell every day, including on weekends, to finish the memoir and do all of my regular work. I couldn't waste any time daydreaming or second-guessing myself, I had to treat writing like it was this concrete task that was keeping me alive. Last night I was reading the first chapter of "Little House in the Big Woods" to my kids, you know where Pa is out shooting at bears and deer and catching fish and then smoking the meat and salting the fish so the family won't die when winter comes and the cabin is surrounded by snow drifts? That's the way writing feels when you're under extreme pressure.

Even once you're an established writer, you still have to light a fire under your ass to write. If the fire isn't big enough, you won't do shit. Today, I'm not allowed to leave my desk until I write a new essay. That's my version of wandering around in the snow looking for furry things to blow away with my rifle. It's cold and I want to go home and eat some lard cakes in front of the fire, but I can't.

6. How did you learn your craft?  How much of it did you teach yourself (and how did you teach yourself) and how much did you learn from people you worked with?


The three most important precursors to my writing career: 1) writing in journals a lot when I was young, and 2) taking a typing class in high schooI and 3) reading a lot. I took a good nonfiction class in college and took some classes after I graduated. The classes mostly taught me to believe in myself and to trust my own instincts as a writer and editor. As a professional writer, on staff or freelance, you're sort of on your own. It's a hectic profession, and no one has time to stop and teach you anything. A good editor will demonstrate how to cut out repetition in your writing or make your point more clearly, but typically you look at a heavy edit and say to yourself, "I should've done this stuff before I turned this in, instead of rushing and being sloppy." I think writers at any level can benefit from writing classes that shake up what you know, get your juices flowing, give you confidence, show you cool tricks and help you to strengthen your unique voice. But it's also important to know that you're your best teacher, and you learn the most by feeling your way in the dark every single day.

7. How did you find your voice as a writer?  Do you recall one singular moment where everything clicked, or was it a more deliberate process?



It was a gradual process. Again, I think you have to write about things you care about, things that stir up your emotions. You push yourself into these melancholy or frustrating or traumatic spaces, and then see what springs to mind. That's the work that tends to define your voice.

Thanks, Heather for sharing this helpful advice with us.  Don't forget to sign up for the Mountain Retreat for your chance to study with Heather. We can't wait to see you in Idyllwild in March!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Writing Prompt: Culinary Disasters and Triumphs

By Marilyn Friedman
Writing Pad's scrumptious class offerings will tantalize your taste buds and your imagination this winter.  For instance, on Sat. Mar. 3rd, we will be having  Literary Feast: Writing A Culinary Masterpiece with successful food writer, Carol Penn-Romine, I have created a special writing prompt in honor of this class below. If you have ever dreamed of writing a food based memoir, a recipe book, or a food review, this is the class for you!  Picture it: you are hopping from one decadent restaurant to another, scribbling notes about the tasty short ribs and gran marnier creme brulee you are sampling.  Lucky you, your meal is paid for the newspaper or magazine that you are writing reviews for.  Make this dream a reality this Thursday!  Also, you can check out some of our other irresistible classes below.

Events
Writing The Story Worthy Life: Memorable Memoirs (Fri., Feb. 3)


CLASSES THAT START THIS WEEK:
From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Writing For Kids and Young Adults Pt I
From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Writing For Kids and Young Adults Pt III
So You Want To Be A Writer?
Finishing School
From Aphrodite To Zeus: Myth Fueled Stories
Lights, Camera, Action: Screenwriting Boot Camp 

OTHER CLASSES BY GENRE:

Fiction, Memoir, Romance
Storytelling at Light Speed: The Art of Flash Fiction
I Love You Silly: Crafting The Perfect Romance Novel
Memorable Memoir: Make Your True Tales Thrilling

Journalism, Personal Essay and Web Writing
Literary Feast: Writing A Culinary Masterpiece
Blogger's Paradise: Creating Irresistible Content
You in 1200 Words: Writing and Publishing The Personal Essay

Playwriting and Writing For Actors
Ex’s, Bosses, and Crazy Relatives: Creating Characters For The Stage
It's All About You: A One-Person Show Workshop
From The Page To The Stage: Finish That One-Person Show

Screenwriting
Meet Me Now, Squeeze Me Later: Crafting the Studio Romantic Comedy
Work The Room: Mastering The Power of The Pitch



Writing Prompt: Make a list of the 3 worst (or best) things that your Mom cooked when you were a child.  Pick one and add a sensory detail to it (smell, taste, sound, touch) and write for 10 minutes about it.  Then, post your writing in the comments of this blog for the chance to win a free writing class. My mother is an amazing cook, but her spaghetti and meatballs resembled stuffed cabbages or sweet and sour chicken--too sweet and oily to eat.  This week, I will be writing about her pasta horror show.

What is the worst or best thing your Mom cooked for you when you were a kid?  Post your 10 minute write in the comments of this blog, and you could win a free class!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Writing Prompt: Celebrity Sighting

By Marilyn Friedman
We have lots of wonderful classes to help you stay on track with your writing resolutions, including these fantastic classes that start next weekend: From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Writing For Kids and YA (only 2 spots left) and Lights, Camera, Action: Screenwriting Boot Camp (only 1 spot left) which includes a pitch session to creative execs at the end of the class!  I hope to see you soon, and I can't wait to see your response to the prompt below.

Book Publishing 
How To Hook An Agent

Children's Writing and YA
From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Writing For Kids and Young Adults Pt I
From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Writing For Kids and Young Adults Pt III

Creative Writing/Multi Genre
So You Want To Be A Writer?
Finishing School

Fiction, Memoir, Romance
From Aphrodite To Zeus: Myth Fueled Stories
Storytelling at Light Speed: The Art of Flash Fiction
I Love You Silly: Crafting The Perfect Romance Novel

Journalism, Personal Essay and Web Writing
Personal Essay II: The Advanced Class
Literary Feast: Writing A Culinary Masterpiece
Blogger's Paradise: Creating Irresistible Content
You in 1200 Words: Writing and Publishing The Personal Essay

Playwriting and Writing For Actors
Ex’s, Bosses, and Crazy Relatives: Creating Characters For The Stage
It's All About You: A One-Person Show Workshop
From The Page To The Stage: Finish That One-Person Show

Screenwriting
Lights, Camera, Action: Screenwriting Boot Camp
Meet Me Now, Squeeze Me Later: Crafting the Studio Romantic Comedy
Work The Room: Mastering The Power of The Pitch


Writing Prompt: Make a list of 3 memorable (or imagined) celebrity sightings that you've had.  Pick one and add a sensory detail to it (smell, taste, sound, touch) and write for 10 minutes about it.  Then, post your writing in the comments of this blog for the chance to win a free writing class. A few weeks ago, I sat behind Jake Gyllenhaal on a plane back from San Francisco so I probably will write about that!

What memorable celebrity sighting have you had?  Post your 10 minute write in the comments of this blog, and you could win a free class!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

October/November Comment Contest Winner

By Marilyn Friedman
 
I know that you've all been waiting to find out who won the October/November comment contest.  Well before I tell you, let's talk about New Year's resolutions.  If you are like me, you're trying to motivate yourself to shrink your backside and WRITE MORE!  Let Writing Pad help you make your 2012 literary goals come true.  Check out our fantastic January/February roster below!

Events:
Footprints Screening

Book Publishing 
Get Your Book Published
How To Hook An Agent

Children's Writing and YA
Bullies, Werewolves, and Monsters: Creating Characters For Children’s Books and YA Fiction
Write A Book That Sells Itself: Crafting A Killer Premise
From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Writing For Kids and Young Adults Pt I
From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Writing For Kids and Young Adults Pt III

Creative Writing/Multi Genre
The Found Story: Finding Your Story In The Street
So You Want To Be A Writer?
Finishing School

Fiction, Memoir, Romance
The Found Story: Finding Your Story In The Street
Write A Book That Sells Itself: Crafting A Killer Premise
From Aphrodite To Zeus: Myth Fueled Stories
Storytelling at Light Speed: The Art of Flash Fiction
I Love You Silly: Crafting The Perfect Romance Novel

Journalism, Personal Essay and Web Writing
So You Want To Be A Freelancer?
Blogger's Paradise: Creating Irresistible Content
Personal Essay II: The Advanced Class
Literary Feast: Writing A Culinary Masterpiece
You in 1200 Words: Writing and Publishing The Personal Essay

Playwriting and Writing For Actors
Ex’s, Bosses, and Crazy Relatives: Creating Characters For The Stage
It's All About You: A One-Person Show Workshop
From The Page To The Stage: Finish That One-Person Show

Screenwriting
Get Your Foot In The Door: Develop Your Dream Script
Lights, Camera, Action: Screenwriting Boot Camp
Meet Me Now, Squeeze Me Later: Crafting the Studio Romantic Comedy
Work The Room: Mastering The Power of The Pitch

The October/November comment contest winner is: David Sanchez.  Congratulations, David!


When I asked David what inspires him to write, he said, "I've been reading as long as I can remember, everything from newspapers, magazines, and ketchup packets. Things I read or hear - be it a random quote in a news article or a lyric in a song - are often a trigger for the stories I develop."  Sounds good to me!  I'm going to have start paying more attention to ketchup packets, David.  Fascinating!

You can check out David's wonderful story here:
http://wellfedmuse.blogspot.com/2011/10/writing-prompt-your-very-own-tall-tale.html

I hope that you will all keep commenting on this blog.  Your stories are amazing!  A new comment contest is on for Dec./Jan. so I hope that you will enter. 

Writing Prompt: Collections

By Marilyn Friedman
Happy New Year! Writing Pad has plenty of fantastic classes to make 2012 even more memorable than 2011.  Check them out along with your first free writing prompt of the year below!

Events:
Footprints Screening

Book Publishing 
Get Your Book Published
How To Hook An Agent

Children's Writing and YA
Bullies, Werewolves, and Monsters: Creating Characters For Children’s Books and YA Fiction
Write A Book That Sell Itself: Crafting A Killer Premise
From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Writing For Kids and Young Adults Pt I
From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Writing For Kids and Young Adults Pt III

Creative Writing/Multi Genre
The Found Story: Finding Your Story In The Street
So You Want To Be A Writer?
Finishing School

Fiction, Memoir, Romance
The Found Story: Finding Your Story In The Street
Write A Book That Sells Itself: Crafting A Killer Premise
From Aphrodite To Zeus: Myth Fueled Stories
Storytelling at Light Speed: The Art of Flash Fiction
I Love You Silly: Crafting The Perfect Romance Novel

Journalism, Personal Essay and Web Writing
So You Want To Be A Freelancer?
Blogger's Paradise: Creating Irresistible Content
Personal Essay II: The Advanced Class
Literary Feast: Writing A Culinary Masterpiece
You in 1200 Words: Writing and Publishing The Personal Essay

Playwriting and Writing For Actors
Ex’s, Bosses, and Crazy Relatives: Creating Characters For The Stage
It's All About You: A One-Person Show Workshop
From The Page To The Stage: Finish That One-Person Show

Screenwriting
Get Your Foot In The Door: Develop Your Dream Script
Lights, Camera, Action: Screenwriting Boot Camp
Meet Me Now, Squeeze Me Later: Crafting the Studio Romantic Comedy
Work The Room: Mastering The Power of The Pitch


Writing Prompt: Make a list of 3 things that you collected as a child (or your fictional character collected).  Pick one and add a sensory detail to it (smell, taste, sound, touch) and write for 10 minutes about it.  Then, post your writing in the comments of this blog for the chance to win a free writing class.  I collected seashells so that's what I will write about!

What did you (or your character) collect as a kid?  Post your 10 minute write in the comments of this blog, and you could win a free class!