ReviMo Day 5 with H. Joseph Hopkins

Thursday, January 15, 2015

We love Joe's book, The Tree Lady! AND Joe has LIVED on a houseboat. How cool would that be??!! I think that would be very cool. :D  And now, heeeeeere's Joe!


When I write I describe the pictures—images—in my head into my MacBook computer. I look for words that will provoke the reader to create similar pictures—images—in his/her head.

That’s what I strive for:


Hence the saying,




That goes for all kinds of writing, essays, poems, shopping lists, and this post.

I came to writing for children late in life, after decades of writing professional reports and a bit of newspaper work. As a newbie I have only a few ideas to suggest.

For me writing is re-writing. Even shopping lists have crossed-out items.

SCENES:

Let scenes tell a story. I’m at my best when I describe a scene. In my head I often picture a cartoon, stick figure drawing, or diagram that illustrates what I want to write. All around my messy house you will find backs of envelopes and sticky notes with my little cartoons or diagrams.

After I have a picture on paper or in my head, I use words to describe that drawing or design.

While writing I repeatedly ask myself,
 


One big value of re-writing—or “revising”—is:  




Or, the scene in your head may change and you realize that what you really want to say is different than what you originally thought.

In this way you clarify your thoughts by writing. Some writers call this process, “Letting ideas percolate.”

Note: you may have to ask old uncle Jigs what “percolate” means. 


Or, others say,




I know of only one writer— only one! — 
who did not depend upon re-writing: 
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894). 
Stevenson wrote “Treasure Island,” “Kidnapped,” 
“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” 
and other action packed adventure fantasies. Stevenson’s books
were popular in his day and remain so today. 
I am told that Stevenson would sit or pacefor long silent periods, deep in thought,
and then proclaim with the mighty voice of a Pentecostal preacher, 
complete sentences of fully developeddescriptive prose. A secretary copied 
Stevenson’s literary utterances, and thus his works were written. 
Everybody else—including all the geniuses—depend upon re-writing. 


So, re-writing is not an admission of guilt or a badge of shame. Re-writing is a proclamation that you are doing the work of writing.

The fun of re-writing is discovering the exact words to express the precise idea that is in your head.

Discovering the precise word brings joy.


PUSHING WORDS AROUND:

Your computer lets you push words around on the page. So easy!

Two processes occur while you push words around on a computer screen:
  • First, you glory in the freedom of being liberated from crossing out, writing in a crimped hand above a sentence, or squeezing notes in the margin. 
  • Second, when I push words around on the screen I develop a deeper, richer understanding of my major ideas and the minor ones. So I get a deeper understanding of what I wanted to say.                                                               Then I keep pushing words around until I get the combination that satisfies me. 
Thus, by re-writing and revising I get to a place in which I understand my topic more deeply and clearly than ever before.

And note: I get to that place of understand by writing.

It’s true what they say:


And 


Have fun!
Joe Hopkins


Thank you Joe!! I wish I were like Robert Louis Stevenson, but since I'm not... good thing I get lots of great revision advice from great peeps! :D 













H. Joseph "Joe" Hopkins lived for many years on a houseboat on the Columbia River in Portland OR. Joe came to writing through a series of happy accidents after retiring from life as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Joe's picture book, The Tree Lady, illustrated by Meg McElmurry, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2013 and has won numerous awards from librarians and groups interested in biography, sustainability, environmental science, and the lives of independent women. The Tree Lady is a picture book biography of Kate Sessions, an independently minded woman who spent her life bringing plant color to San Diego and Balboa Park in Southern California. Reactions by reviewers children and parents have been uniformly positive and passionate. Sales have been brisk and The Tree Lady has reprinted three times.  Contact Joe at Josephhopkins65@gmail.com

72 comments :

Marcy Pusey said...

I am subbing in a HS Acting class right now... and one of the themes that keeps coming up is that if you don't know your character... your audience won't either. I have the kids (according to the teacher's guidance) picture every detail of a scene before they read it... and if they can picture it, so can the audience while they are reading it. This deeply resonated with me as a writer... and it again all throughout your post. When we take the time to imagine and study the details in our mind... we can then communicate it in such a way that our readers can "see" it too... beyond just the illustration or perhaps in conjunction with. I haven't necessarily tried this in my own writing, but as I'm so busy REVISING right now, it seems like a great time to try it out. So thank you for our words!

Lori Mozdzierz said...

"The fun of re-writing is discovering the exact words to express the precise idea that is in your head. Discovering the precise word brings joy."

I couldn't agree more, Joe! Many times I've listened to critique partners say they immensely dislike revisions. I'm like, "What!?"



At a conference an illustrator was kind enough to take a peek at my manuscript. He'd said to me, "You're a screenplay writer." Bewildered, "No, I write picture books." LOL! He explained that this type of writer visualizes the screens while writing them, even before. Much to my surprise, I thought everyone wrote in this way, but apparently not. Mr. Illustrator's critique was more helpful than he could ever imagine! It helped me as a writer to select more descriptive words. More active verbs that paints pictures the reader.
(Disclaimer: When a critique partner tells me there confused by a scene, it, "Oops! Need to transfer an idea from head to the page :D )

Nat Keller said...

Thanks Joe! I completely agree. Visualizing is something I do quite naturally, but for me, its getting the words down that translate those images in the way that I intend. And that's where revision comes in! And that's the messy part :D..

landersen74 said...

Joe, I got tickled at your comment about shopping lists having crossed out lines. Sometimes, I'm guilty of not picturing a scene fully. I guess I thought of that as infringing on the illustrator's creativity. I like your take on it. I will do my best to picture scenes my way and let the illustrator change them, as she feels fit. Thanks for helping me strengthen my writing.

flintsuter said...

Am glad I am in as good company as Joe when it comes to grocery lists! I have had people tell me they have been able to absolutely picture what I have written some of my poetry about, hoping the same is true for my picture book hopes! Thanks Joe!

Rebecca Sheraton said...

Really enjoyed. Particularly you won't know what you want to say until you write it.

Cecilia Clark said...

Thank you H. Joseph Hopkins - Joe, pushing words around seems like a fun way to spend time. I love when a description brings a story to life and hope all this revision will bring my stories to life for others. I appreciate your repetition of your salient points especially in colour.

Kimberly Cowger said...

I've always preferred revising on paper so I could "see" the progress I made. But pushing words around sounds interesting. Perhaps I'll try it with track changes turned on so I can still decide which way is best for my story!

Cathy Ballou Mealey said...

Discovering the precise word brings joy.

Yes! Wonderful post - thank you.

Nicole Popel said...

EVERY BOOK IS ABOUT THE AUTHOR...yes! I had never thought of that until I read it. PUSHING WORDS AROUND...another thing I do but never thought about that either. So now I am doing a lot of thinking. Thanks you, H. Joseph!

Cathy Ballou Mealey said...

And congratulations on THREE printings of The Tree Lady. We love that book!

Laura Zimmermann said...

A great post! Thank you for sharing your process.

Sue Heavenrich said...

I really like The Tree Lady - and now I know why. And I really like what Joe says about illustrating scenes with stick figures.

teresa m.i. schaefer said...

"Re-writing is a proclamation that you are doing the work of writing." I think this one is for the quotes page, Meg.

Carrie Finison said...

I sometimes think there should be a word other than "writing" for the work that writers do! I guess I am a 're-writer' since that's what I spend most of my time doing.

Tracey Cox said...

Thanks Joe. Guess we all need to tell our words, "It's moving day. So pack up!" ;)
I'm going to see what stick figures start to move today!

pathaap said...

What a wonderful post, Joe! I think I will tape these words on my wall - strive for imagery that will transport my mental picture into someone else's head!

Debra Shumaker said...

Love the Tree Lady! Thanks for a great post!

Joy Delgado said...

Really enjoy your thought process Joe. I have pictures dancing in my head when I write too, it makes the story more 'real' to me. I haven't read your book yet, but I'm putting it on my list. Thanks.

Doris Stone said...

Thank you, Joe for a wonderful post. I love- "strive for imagery that will transport my mental picture into someone else's head." Those words are now on my screen saver.

Tina Cho said...

What a coincidence--my son just read your book today, as I received it for Christmas! Way to go for your debut picture book! Thanks for your thoughts on re-writing!

Sylvia Liu said...

Nice--thanks for inspiring me to push words around today.

Juliana Lee said...

Haven't read THE TREE LADY yet, but it's now on hold at my library! Thanks!

Kathy Halsey said...

Joe, THE TREE LADY is one of my mentor texts for an nf bio on a strong woman. I have even typed it all out. I've probably read it 5 times. Thank you for this great info. Thi spine really resonates with me: "The fun of re-writing is discovering the exact words to express the precise idea that is in your head." Absolutely.

Rachel Stones said...

Thanks for the post! I just reserved The Tree Lady at my library and am excited to read it.

I lived in Samoa, the last home and resting of place of Robert Louis Stevenson. They called him Tusitala (writer of stories). It's fascinating to learn more about him.

saputnam said...

Terrific post, Joe! I loved it when you said, "strive for imagery that will transport my mental picture into someone else's head." I totally agree that trying to find the right words to describe the pictures that are in my head are the hardest part of rewriting.

MegMillerWrites said...

That's a great exercise! We should have done that when I was in school. Lots of flat monotone reading. O_o

Linda Schueler said...

I love "The Tree Lady". I will try thinking about what stick figures come to mind when I am writing my scenes. Thanks for the post.

Maria Marshall said...

Great post. Thanks.

mona said...

OMGosh, OMGosh, OMGosh, I have the imagery in my head every time I write. I just haven't sorted out and pushed my words around! Thank you so much. Hit post then go back and read this post a few more times!

Rene` Diane Aube said...

Thanks, Joe, for sharing your process. I used to think I was weird for calling my thinking phase "percolating," but I guess it might REALLY mean I'm really a writer. *I'm still weird, though ;) * LOL I, too, began writing for children late in life and habitually use pen and paper. I suppose I should try learning to use the computer for revising instead of cramming all my thoughts and ideas between sentences on paper and trying to decipher them later. Thanks again for the motivation on using imagery, too. :) Happy ReViMo

Rebecca Colby said...

So true--re-writing is definitely the work of writing! Thanks for a great post!

Kirsti Call said...

Thanks Joe, for a fantastic post. It's always good to remember that every book is about the author and that I might not really know what I want to say until I write it. And rewrite it over and over!

Vivian Kirkfield said...

I absolutely adore The Tree Lady...so I'm thrilled to get to 'meet' the author. Thank you, Joe...'writing is rewriting'...I totally agree (since I am also not Robert L. Stevenson). :) And I love your insight that 'every book is about the author'...I never thought of it that way...maybe that's why it's important for us to play and have fun as we write...our joy and happiness will shine through our words.

Maria Oka said...

Great post! Thank you for sharing your wisdom, and I loved all of the quotes. It's amazing what can happen when you give yourself the freedom to think before you write, and then to CHANGE what you've written! Thank you!!

Bethany Roberts said...

Thanks for the inspiration! I have occasionally gotten some great images in my head, but didn't know quite what to do with them. Your post has given me some ideas....

Gabi Snyder said...

Thanks for the fantastic post, Joe. We really are lucky that we live in the computer age and don't have to revise with cross-outs unless we want to. I'm going to check out The Tree Lady!

Dawn Young said...

Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to reading The Tree Lady.

Tracy said...

Thanks so much for this, Joe, a lot of great nuggets here. I enjoyed the part about how even shopping lists have crossed out items (so true) and laughed about asking "old" uncle Jigs about percolate ~ mainly because yesterday I was watching a video and the woman in it said "percolate" then stopped and said: "ok for the younger people who may be watching there was a process of making coffee where..." (or maybe I'm just receiving the "nudge" to let things percolate more...hmm...) ;)


I can't wait to check out your book, not just because it is my nickname ("Tree") but I love trees so the Tree Lady is right up my alley. (should that be forest? I'll let that percolate.) :D

Nina said...

This post has given me lots to think about. Once question that comes to mind is about the writing of description. Does that create problems with the illustrator since you've done such a good job of writing the description and may not need the pictures as much?
I'm looking forward to reading The Tree Lady and realize that in doing so, I may answer my own question. lol Thanks Meg for Revimo.

Tracy Molitors said...

Thank you, Joe. Just recently bought my daughter a typewriter because she so desperately wanted one. There's nothing like spending 10 minutes typing on one of those to illuminate the freedom to 'push words around' on my computer! Great post!

AJ Irving said...

I think drawing stick-figures is an excellent idea! I'm going to try it right now and revise some more :). Thank you, Joe!

Jen Swanson said...

Stick figures are about all I can manage. Thanks for the great post!

Robyn Campbell said...

Love the stick figures idea. I am glad that's all it is. I am not an artist. But maybe I can manage some lopsided stick figures. Thank you for giving your time to us, Joe. Pushing words around in NC.

Ellen L. Ramsey said...

I love The Tree Lady--and I love this post. Thanks, Joe.

Sandy P said...

What a fun post! Playing with words to find just the right one is one of my favorite things, especially when writing in rhyme. Can't wait to check out Joe's book!

Tanya Konerman said...

Love the idea of making a drawing to help me decide how I want to write about something...and mine will definitely be a stick figure drawing!

Joanne Roberts said...

I love rewriting up and down the margins and in between sentences, but I think I'll try your method of pushing words around in my revisions tomorrow just to shake things up. Thanks for a great post.

Shirley Johnson said...

I enjoyed this post! Thanks for sharing some great ideas.

Julie Rowan-Zoch said...

Love the tid-bit about RLS! I'm glad I enjoy rewriting too, kinda like working on a puzzle to me. Thanks, Joe!

Charlotte Dixon said...

Thank you, Joe, for this insightful blog. I had not thought about pushing my words around-so easy on a computer :)

jan annino said...

Dear Capt. Joe,
Kate Sessions sounds marvelous - thank you for bringing her story to students & appreciations for all these shipshape ideas. What was the name of your floatable?

Kirsten Peavy Bock said...

Great ideas! Revising is actually my favorite part of writing. I've got all of my ideas down (the painfully difficult part), I just have to work and rework them to make them shine.

Ramona said...

A great post - cutting and pasting works a treat!

Katie Gast said...

Thanks for the post. Revising is the way to find the perfect word and to bring joy.

Laurie J. Edwards said...

So true about books being about ourselves. Often even when we think they aren't.

Lynn Anne Carol said...

I haven't read THE TREE LADY, yet I know I would love it.
I learned many thing here. One is that coffee and my ideas share the same experience.
Thanks, Joe. I loved your post.

Sydney O'Neill said...

Yes, thank goodness for computers that allow us to push words around the page! I enjoyed this post. Thank you.

Rena Traxel Boudreau said...

Living on a house boat would be neat! Revision is def. fun at least when it's going smoothly. Lol.

Pamela Courtney said...

I think I'm starting to understand the ramifications of the process more. Yes, and GOLLY. "Every book IS about the author." Our perspective, our placement of words, all of it is about the creator (very small "c"). Sometimes we need to be reminded with this kind of kick butt encouragement. thank you.

Janet Smart said...

I need to ruminate and then go push some words around. Thanks for the post.

Joanne Sher said...

FABULOUS post. It's amazing what happens when you let ideas percolate (and yes, I know what it means LOL) - and I AM in every story I write. Thanks so much!

Carol Munro said...

Oh, YES! I love pushing words around on the screen. LOVE it!

pennyklostermann said...

I'm with Carol...I love pushing words around the screen :-)

Sharalyn A. Edgeberg said...

Every post has been so wonderful! I loved every word of this post. I also like the reminder to write /draw/rewrite scenes. Thanks Joe

Donna Cangelosi said...

Thank you for sharing your process Joe! This post has so many helpful and inspiring ideas. P.S. I love "The Tree Lady!"

Kelly Vavala said...

THE TREE LADY sounds like a wonderful book and I am going to look into it after I write this comment. Thank you for such wonderful advice...You won't really know what you wanted to say until you have written it....love it! Thank you for sharing your time with us!

Lauren Kerstein said...

It is SO satisfying to find the right combination of words. Thank you for the reminder of the importance of revision, and the role it plays in understanding our characters, our stories, our topics more deeply.

Lauri Meyers said...

Thank you Joe. We have the Tree Lady in our library. It has been fun for the kids to think about what is basically a different people habitat than the east coast one we live in. Also they get a feel for the kind of difference one person can make. Lots of layers, which doesn't surprise me after reading your post.

Suzy said...

After I allow a story to percolate, I will continue to keep pushing the words around on the paper until I find a satisfying combination. Thank you, Joe. ~Suzy Leopold

Yvonne Mes said...

Thank Joe! Will keep pushing those words around. Though I do like to write in margins and scribble everywhere till my paper looks like one smudgy doodle and then start pushing around on the computers, quite liberating really.

Annie Bailey said...

Great post Joe! Love the info. about Stevenson. So interesting!