Lisa Young

Well, I’m working on a poetry manuscript. It’s going along well. Just about finished the first round of editing. (I still don't have a title for the collection yet.)   You have to be very Zen when you’re editing, because there’s no rushing through the process. If something’s not working, you just have to keep searching. Sometimes it seems like I’m on a goose chase trying to track down the right word or words. And if it’s a fairly big change, you have to let it sit for a few days – to see if it’s still working when you pick it back up again. I’m not sure you can ever be 100% objective about your own work, but you can be more or less objective. What else is new? I’m all set to be a first-reader for one of my friend’s novellas – looking forward to that. Just have to print out all the pages and put aside an evening for it. There are tons of literary events going on right now: I’m excited about the Quattro Books launch on October 24. An old friend that I haven’t seen in ag...

 I know my book launch isn't until November, but it's starting to feel like it's getting very close all the same. I don't usually make collages  –  however  –  I decided I'd "get out" all my anxiety about the launch by putting it into picture form. It was a great relief somehow. So here it is for your general entertainment. I continue to be taken by Julia Cameron's writing. The book I have of hers now is called, The Sound of Paper. She's the one who "believes" in collages. She has interesting exercises in her book including one where you write about yourself in the third person  –  distance yourself and write yourself as a character. I've done this exercise once before. I tried it again today and I seemed to be just a little more honest the second time around. It's amazing how I edit myself as I write  –  well I can't say this or that  –  and let's not get maudlin or overly dramatic,...

We are so lucky to have those who are experienced writers circulating in our community and holding workshops. Nothing could be more helpful than direct person-to-person exchange with someone who has gone down the path you hope to go down. Rosemary Aubert is one such person. I was fortunate enough to attend her workshop on the topic of publicity and promotion at Quattro Headquarters. She has a wealth of information that you are not going to find anywhere else. She was a criminologist – so she is good at gathering clues and following up on leads. Aubert talked about how promotion and sales should be fun. She told us it’s an opportunity you’re offering someone – it’s not about forcing anyone into anything. If you’re offering something, you’re already in a better position than asking something from someone. It’s a shift in attitude that makes all the difference. Every time you come in contact with potential readers, you’re also giving them a chance to get to know you (and you th...

You may have noticed I deleted my page "News in the Writing Community"  –  as I realized I can post all the news on Twitter. I just finished posting a bunch of noteworthy items in the writing world  –  not the least of which is the fact that my brother, Mark Young, is going to be published in Measure   –  a highly esteemed magazine. I also tweeted about Sarah Selecky  –  she has some great tips for writers! Everyone should read her article, "The Ten Biggest Mistakes Short Story Writers Make"  –  which is available on her site now (as a gift to new subscribers of her free email dispatch). Click here to go to her site. Follow me on Twitter to find out all the news. So what is this post "Reality" all about? Good question. It's about the reality of working on a poetry manuscript. It's a very different reality  –  full of surprises and steep learning curves. This is my first time going through this p...

Guest Blogger: Maddy Curry, Assistant Publisher at Quattro Books, Tells Us About Quattro’s Second Spring Launch Hello digital world! I feel very privileged to be a guest on Lisa’s blog; she is a remarkably talented writer and her blog is always chock full of great advice to writers, established and aspiring alike. I’m also thrilled to talk about Quattro’s latest event. Last Tuesday (May 17th), Quattro Books packed the house once again for the second wave of our spring 2011 line up – even though it was a rainy night (that was far too cold for May), the Supermarket was full to the brim with an attentive audience. (Working the book table has its advantages, one of them being a guaranteed seat.) The room had a great energy to it; this is my sixth launch of Quattro titles that I have worked at, and each time I am always blown away by the dedication and enthusiasm of all those who attend. It can be difficult, sometimes, to believe that people actually like to not only read but be read to; t...

I'm feeling pretty quiet - in need of hiding away - turtle-style. It's my introverted side rearing its head. But that's okay - I don't really have time to hibernate - but whether I'm out and about or not - the feeling is with me - quiet. Even in the busyness. What I've been slow to accept is that the life of an editor means always being busy. Hello denial. I kept thinking if I could just get a handle on things - it wouldn't be so busy. Wrong. After almost six years as an editor, I'm starting to realize busyness is a way of life. I mean of course all the deadlines that surprise, surprise, never stop. Writing of course has deadlines - I guess all of life is a kind of deadline. But the thing is, I'm learning to accept my lifestyle/career. I don't run around telling everyone I'm busy (as much). I'm not constantly surprised anymore by the piles and piles of paper on my desk. Eventually the deadlines get done and the paper is recycled and the...

There’s so much going on lately. First off, I experienced my first Quattro Launch last Tuesday night. The author readings were spectacular – it was their night. Even the author introductions were riveting. John Calabro introduced Vanessa Smith, author of the novella Grace . We learned how John met Vanessa at a writer’s festival. John read Vanessa's blog and found her to be a talented writer. As it turned out, Vanessa was working on her story Grace , which John asked to see. The rest is history. A.F. Moritz introduced poet Luciano Iacobelli, author of Book of Disorders . We learned from Moritz that Luciano lives in such an eclectic apartment that it should be called a “togetherment”. Moritz ended by saying that Luciano is a poet who addresses the reality that thought and passion are not separate – but one. With incredible ease and charm, Beatriz Hausner introduced poet Rob Rolfe, author of Saugeen . Apparently Rob’s book needed little to no editing – but then again...

Last week, Luciano Iacobelli of Quattro Books held a workshop for blocked poets at the Toronto Reference Library. “We’re going to produce a lot of nonsense today,” Luciano announced. Out of the nonsense – he assured us – something would emerge. Luciano gave us permission to have fun. “Language is Plasticine; it’s Lego; it’s like sand in a sandbox,” he told us. He wanted us to get out of our usual way of approaching writing and be ready to experiment. He asked us to be aware of what we’re telling ourselves, even before we begin writing. What is our “editor-self” or “censor” saying? In order to quiet this censor, we have to give ourselves permission to write badly. Our first exercise began with a free write. The censor was not invited. We had to write whatever came into our heads and keep writing no matter what. Luciano coached us through several other writing exercises, including one that I found one particularly challenging. We had to pick a phrase from the wri...

I'm going to be speaking to the fine writers' group, WriteNow!@King, in King City . In order to prepare, I've been researching resources for writers  –  what a treat! I never seem to make time for researching all the opportunities for writers to get connected with their readers. I'm happily overwhelmed by the abundance of free services out there  –  from Goodreads and shelfari to the good old fashioned Writer's Market. It's good to get reacquainted with some of these resources and expand my knowledge of who's who in the publishing industry. I will be talking about Quattro Books and why the novella is the perfect form for writers and readers. I'll also be talking about Existere   –  the literary journal  –  and how my work as a poetry and fiction editor there has expanded my knowledge and experience as a writer. Can't wait! You’re invited! An evening with Lisa Young On Thursday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. At the King City Library 1970 King ...