A Tale of Two Stories
I love 12 x 12: the community, the support, the opportunities to learn! So when I was asked to be a featured author, I jumped at the chance. Then, the challenge — how do I share my experiences in a blog post that might help others? So I offer this, a blog post inspired by the title of one of Charles Dickens’ best (but in a very different style than his): a tale of two stories.
The Tale of ODE TO GRAPEFRUIT: HOW JAMES EARL JONES FOUND HIS VOICE
In the summer of 2016, I started the first draft of ODE TO GRAPEFRUIT: HOW JAMES EARL JONES FOUND HIS VOICE, my upcoming picture book biography with the incredible Bryan Collier about the iconic actor and his childhood stutter. As a speech pathologist, I’ve recounted James Earl Jones’ story to many clients over the years. This is the book of my heart, and I am still pinching myself that it’s actually going to be a real book out in the world.
A few things I learned while working on this project:
Embrace rejection
Since that first draft in 2016, I’ve revised it (conservatively) hundreds of times and had R&Rs with five different editors. I queried dozens of agents and editors. At some (low) point, I decided to create a goal for myself to receive 100 rejections. Changing the framework of how I perceived rejection made all the difference in my perspective.
Perseverance
Perhaps any story is publishable if you keep playing with it. I absolutely took breaks on this manuscript when needed, but I never could fully quit working on it. I knew this story needed to be in the hands of readers, and I was determined to do whatever was necessary to see it through.
Use the story to motivate you
As a speech pathologist, I knew how passionate I was about this story and its importance. In the moments where I felt stuck or intimidated, my subject was right there to remind me that pushing through challenges is always worth it.
“One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can’t utter. If you live in an oppressive society, you’ve got to be resilient. You can’t let each little thing crush you.”
-James Earl Jones
(Thank you, Mr. Jones!)
Take your work seriously.
I spent countless hours reflecting about whether this story should even be written by me. I could share more about this topic alone, but ultimately, I decided I needed to be brave (just as I encouraged my clients to be!), put the extra work in and create this story for my friends who stutter. I’m hopeful readers will connect with James Earl Jones’ story because of the blood, sweat, and tears I put into it, but I can’t control that. I can control the final result—a narrative that adds to the (underrepresented) stories about stuttering.
And now, an entirely different publication experience…
The tale of BUTT OR FACE?
Like many, my creativity was not strong during the pandemic. So when I read an article about farmers in Botswana painting eyes on the back of their cattle to confuse predators, I thought about how that lioness might feel approaching a cow (“Is that a butt? Or a face?”). Out of that curiosity, the idea for BUTT OR FACE? was ignited.
A few things I learned while working on this project:
Play and have fun!
Researching and writing BUTT OR FACE? was pure joy for me. Did I think my agent would like it? Probably not. Did I think it would get published? Not really. But I was having so much fun learning and writing I didn’t care. And if we’re not having fun writing (at least some of the time) then really, what’s the point? Thankfully, I did send it to my agent, Elizabeth Bennett.
Don’t take your work too seriously.
Yes, yes, I know what I wrote three paragraphs ago but hear (read?) me out. When BUTT OR FACE? went out on sub, I had low expectations. I did not refresh my email inbox every ten seconds. It was purely icing on the cake when Kelly Barrales-Saylor at Sourcebooks expressed interest (and a healthier approach to going on sub for my anxiety-prone self).
Embrace the love
Celebrate when and where you can! When you get positive feedback from a critique partner, a champagne rejection from an agent or editor, it’s a big win! No one is more surprised than me to see BUTT OR FACE? on eight state lists and an ALA Notable Book award seal on its cover. Hearing a kid share with me it’s their favorite book is the best! The path to publishing is full of disappointments, so it’s important to celebrate the wins.
Work in small chunks.
As busy humans, it’s hard to fit in the time to write. I like to set timers and do writing/revising/researching sprints. There are fantastic YouTube videos with Pomodoro timers and breaks with fun themes (this Harry Potter themed one is my favorite). The amazing Linda Sue Park sets a timer for twelve minutes—sometimes she does more and sometimes not. Heck, I wrote this blog post basically in five minute chunks this month (because I’m on a deadline for Butt Or Face? #3 — eeps!). If I don’t make the time, the writing won’t happen, and it’s a priority. Ten minutes may not sound like much, but I can fit that in every day.
My books and my journey to publish them are vastly different. This industry is full of ups and downs and plot twists galore! Your path to publication will look different from mine (or anyone else’s!). Wishing you the best of times, wisdom, and belief wherever you are in your writing journey!
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity…”
-from Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities
KARI LAVELLE is the award-winning author of WE MOVE THE WORLD (HarperCollins), the BUTT OR FACE? series (Sourcebooks), and the upcoming ODE TO GRAPEFRUIT: HOW JAMES EARL JONES FOUND HIS VOICE (Knopf). She has always had a love for words: as a kid reading books, as a speech pathologist helping children communicate, and now as a writer creating stories. She grew up in the Midwest, but now lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, their two children, and doggo Dobby. Learn more about Kari and her books at karilavelle.com/.
Kari is offering one lucky winner a signed copy of one of her picture books or a 15-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom at our July 2024 check-in. Share your comments below. Which tips inspired you?
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53 Responses
Thank you for this inspiring blog! I am going to implement the ten minute sprint! Congratulations on both books!!!
Thank you! I hope a ten minute sprint is helpful to you!
I love your philosophy about counting rejections. “It is a far, far better thing” and way to “change the framework of how you perceived” them! Congratulations on all your books and the different paths you took for each.
Hi Kari – thanks for a great post! All your tips are helpful especially perseverance and finding time for writing sprints! Looking forward to your upcoming books!
Thank you for the inspiration! As a speech/language pathologist and children’s author myself, I fully relate to writing the stories that drive a burning passion from our experiences. I look forward to reading ODE TO GRAPEFRUIT. Congratulations on your success. I loved the reminder that persistence pays!
Thanks for sharing your publishing experiences, and congratulations on your success thus far!
Love this practical and inspiring advice, and it’s lovely to see your success, Kari. Thank you!
Everything you said here resonated with me! What’s the point if we don’t have fun at least some of the time! I need to try doing writing sprints! Thank you for your wise words!
I can’t wait to read ODE TO GRAPEFRUIT. Thank you for persisting and sharing your experiences.
I really enjoyed reading this! Thank you for sharing your inspiring words and congrats on all your amazing books!
Thanks for sharing your story, tips, and inspiration! I especially like the reminder to use a timer for writing/revision/research sprints, and the goal of collecting rejections. Congrats on all of your books!
Thank you for sharing! My biggest takeaways are “have fun” (I needed this reminder today), “work in small chunks” (reminder to self – You can do THAT), and “embrace the love” (celebrate each victory, no matter how small.)
Thank you again for an inspiring and insightful message.
Thank you for sharing your tips. And congrats on the books!
I love the two stories behind your two stories. Thank you so much for this insight into your road passionately travelled.
Great advice, Kari and I know so many children love the Butt or Face series! I see it on the hold shelf at my library ALL THE TIME!
Great post! Keep going, seriously, and have fun with it is what I’m taking away from this. I figure as long as you’re having fun or excited about your idea, it’s worth it.
I love this post. Thank you for sharing your journeys with these two books. I absolutely adore what you said about embracing rejection. I’m about to start querying (which I haven’t done in a couple of years now) and I look forward to earning my rejections. I had never thought about it that way. This was a wonderful read.
Thank you,
Kari, thanks for the inspiring post. I especially love the Harry Potter themed Pomodoro session on YouTube!
Kari, Thank you for sharing your story (stories?) and the reminder to never give up on the “book of my heart.”
Thanks for inspiring us with your story behind the stories and your writerly advice, Kari!
This is so helpful. Thank you for sharing your wisdom! And congratulations on your achievements!
Thank you, Kari! I love your attitude and approach to writing…you’re an inspiration!
What a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing such brilliant advice and for using one of my favorite authors as your jumping off point. My son is nonverbal, learning to use an AAC, so SLPs are pretty much my favorite people ever! Thank you so much for your book, for telling such an encouraging story and for the work you do. My son’s “voice” is at the center of many of my story ideas, but separating myself from my subject in a way that truly does the story justice is super challenging. I’m going to think of this post whenever that struggle, which is so intricately intwined with both the hardest and best parts of my life, tries to get the better of me.
Very inspiring! I can’t wait to read Ode to a Grapefruit!
Kari, what a great post! I particularly love the duality of taking your work seriously and also not taking your work TOO seriously. Isn’t that the truth–particularly when writing for kids! 🙂
I think if a writer is truly enthusiastic about a story, that comes through in the writing, and this is a great example of your lovely writing voice–paired with some well-earned wisdom–being such a winning combo!
🙂 Thank you for sharing–can’t wait to read Ode to a Grapefruit!
Thanks for your insight. I, too, am an SLP. Yes- words and communication are everything!
Thank you Kari, I loved Butt or Face #1, and We Move the World. I enjoyed reading your post, written with such heart and feeling. I’m eager to read Ode to a Grapefruit. You have certainly got me curious, with the title and his journey overcoming a stutter.
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and motivation! Went straight to your pomodoro link for keeping focused today! Many congrats on all your current and future success!
This was such an inspiring and helpful post, thank you so much!
You are right about having fun. I fully believe that many of my stories aren’t publishable, but they sure were fun to write. I also totally identify with you on writing that bio. I have one I’ve been revising and revising and revising. I hope to get it right AND published some day. Thanks for the post.
Congratulations on your success and for such an inspiring post.
I so enjoyed your tale of two stories approach to sharing this blog. And two of your tips will be cemented in my practice: Setting a timer for a brief period reminds me of the intervals that athletes do when they “sprint-all-out.” And having an end goal for rejections is simply brilliant as it recasts the experience so well. A thousand thanks!
Kari, thank you for loving one of your stories enough to stick by it even when being rejected. I think that is what comes when you believe in what you know and write. I find I do a lot of chunk writing, because that is how my life seems to flow. Thanks for your words of encouragement.
I’m a big fan of your work, Kari!! Thanks for writing this post to remind us that the path to publishing is different for every author and, even for a published author like yourself, different book to book. Your thoughts on perseverance and sticking to the work that makes you happy are perfect reminders for all of us fellow writers who (probably too often) question whether we should be doing this or whether we’ll reach our dreams. I completely agree with you that staying positive, seeking out every win (no matter how small), and finding joy in our work are critical for being successful as a writer. Congrats to you, and I can’t wait to ready Butt or Face 3 when it comes out! 🙂
Thanks for the practical helps (like the Harry Potter pomodoro link). I’m always inspired when hearing how many rejections you must get before an acceptance.
What an inspiring commentary. Thank you for sharing your journey to publication.
Kari, thank you for sharing your journey with the James Earl Jones bio. I’m experiencing something similar as a writer and accessibility consultant and services provider. The book of my heart is on a topic under represented in kidlit, so rarefied that most feedback I receive is full of misconceptions. Hoping that some day I too will be able to help others appreciate the community I write about and further serve my friends therein (who endorse my book, but that hasn’t swayed an agent yet!) 70+ drafts and 4+ years in, but I’m not giving up! Thanks for the reminder to keep at it and have hope!
Thank you for the reminder that persevering sometimes is easier if we adjust our perspective. I also appreciate that you have validated my set-a-timer/small-chunks approach! Congratulations on your success. I’m looking forward to the upcoming releases.
Thank-you for reminding me that 5-10 minute writing chunks in a day is not only doable, but also a strategy that pushes a project forward. My stories are almost always on my mind, but too often I don’t take those chunks of possible time to do the work. Thus little progress. But I can do 10 minutes most days.
Thank you for this post. I enjoyed hearing about your books and their different stories and paths to publication. I appreciate hearing about how many rejections you received. It can feel very daunting sometimes.
Finding time to write–ugh! I also wind up doing small chunks, often late at night when everyone else is asleep. Thanks for sharing your journey!
I always enjoy the journey of a tale or two!
Kari, congratulations on all your success. I know two little boys ages five and seven who love, love, love BUTT OR FACE. They will be thrilled to learn book #3 is on its way!
Kari, thank you for sharing your inspiring story! I have to check out BUTT OR FACE! I have a 4-year-old who will absolutely love it!! Also, thanks for the tip about using a timer. I’ll have to try that technique!
Kari, Thanks so much for your “A Tale of Two Stories” post. My brother dealt with his stuttering throughout his life with an unending fortitude! I will be reading your book “Ode to Grapefruit: How James Earl Jones Found His Voice”. Your insight of rejections was perfect! I believe that our revisions is our own rejecting of the current draft for the opportunity to make the draft even better! Just as revision request can be. The best to you on your current journey!
Thank you, Kari, for sharing your writing journey and your tips. I like remembering to take breaks while writing a story, having fun while writing, and celebrating when and where you can. I read “Butt or Face?” with my grandsons and we enjoyed it. I’m sure we’ll enjoy #2 & #3 also. And I’m looking forward to reading about James Earl Jones. I never knew that he suffered from stuttering.
Best wishes for continued success with your writing.
Thank you for your post, Kari. Congratulations on publishing your books and for not giving up. I plan to use the timer idea because it’s true if you don’t make some time every day for writing, it won’t happen. I also admire your attitude about rejections and I’m working to change my perception on them. Thank you for sharing your journey and for having such a positive attitude. It is catching. 🙂
So many great tips and reminders! I’ve reframed “rejection” to be “not selected.” Seems softer and also true to the state of things, where an agent or publisher might even love the story, but, for one reason or another, can’t move forward with it.
I totally loved the tip that Jennifer gave with regards to working in short chunks of time. I do that all the time and her words confirm what I’ve been doing for a long time. I even call it my ‘writing style’. I also seem to do other things in my life in the same way because I’m so busy I can’t do many things within long periods of time. Thank you Jennifer for confirming this approach!
This is great. I love the encouragement and wise advice. Thanks Kari!
Such an original idea about Butt or Face! I have always empathized with stutterers. One of my short story characters stutters.
Thanks for the inspiration! The ten-minute sprint idea was the boost I needed.
Thanks, Kari for the inspiration and tips. I like the idea of sprints and breaking down the tasks so that you feel like you have accomplished something even if there is still much to do.