From the Writing Desk:

Friends! Did you have a good October? I hope so. Seems like there’s something world-changing/shattering happening every day, but no matter what, I hope you’re keeping on making good things and keeping on finding joy.

The main focus at this writer’s desk…well, the main focuses, because there were two:

Lower Middle-Grade: I met with my agent about the lower MG I sent her, and folks, it’s good news! She liked it and said it’s in quite good shape, so now I’m 1) making some simple revisions based on her notes, which I thought were spot on, 2) creating a bit more sample artwork to go with the pitch, and 3) writing up short pitches for the next books in the series, since that’s the goal here. We’ll see how this goes!

Adult Novel: This poor book has been so patient with me. This story started as a TV pilot years ago, then morphed into a novel, and then a novel with a very different plot, but still the same basic premise. I can still envision this story as a TV show or a movie, but I think the shape its taking as a novel is the right novel shape for it. I’m about 25k into it now, so maybe 1/3 of the way. The pace is slow on this one, but getting steadier.

So basically its just plugging away time! I’ve got too many kid lit idea glimmers for after I get all of this current lower middle grade project work back to my agent and off the docket, and we’ll see what comes next. I’m enjoying having two projects going in very different categories, and hopefully we can keep that up.

And here’s your periodic reminder that if you’ve got a kiddo or student with a big feeling, I’ve probably got a book for that!

Your turn:

What’s something joyful that happened to you in October?

Onward!

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Become A Clown, Save Your Writing (with Travis Nichols)

The absolute best part of deciding to interview people for my newsletter is the excuse to reach out to and learn from creatives of all kinds. And when I saw just how much creative work engages in, I knew I wanted to talk to him.

I discovered him through The Terribles, a kids graphic novel that I absolutey adored. The exact kind of book that makes me want to draw, and goes on the I-wish-I-had-made-this shelf.

Here’s his bio from his own website, because he’s just so fun and voicey its best to let him speak for himself: “Books o’mine have been published by Chronicle, Penguin Random House, Macmillan, and Viz. I’m also the creator of The HECKADECK. Oh yeah! I’ve written and illustrated comics for SpongeBob SquarePants, Uglydoll, Nickelodeon Magazine (RIP), and Hello Kitty.”

Aaaaand now he’s teaching himself clowncraft.

Like, how freaking cool is that?

And that’s exactly what I wanted to talk to him about today.

Welcome Travis!

1. So, let’s just get a basis to begin with...what do you learn in clown school? What’s it actually like?

OH HI. Well, I’m not exaaaactly in clown school, per se. Rather, I’m in what I call “a clown school of my own cobbling”. That means a weekly class through Brooklyn Comedy Collective (I just finished Clown 3 and had my class show), plus as many workshops as I can squeeze in (the bonus here is learning all sorts of things from tons of different teachers), as well as some private coaching, loads and loads of shows and lots of books.

I’m learning all of the things. CONNECTING with audiences. Loving them and taking care of them. Being present and in my dang body. Honesty. Accessing the GUT. Moving quickly, finding the game, leaving room for the unexpected and poking at it. Some people will tell you there are no RULES in clown, but there are. Rules and history and legacy and ideals. I love and need a bit of order in the chaos. Or I at least need to see all of those things stacked in a little pile next to the stage.

2. What are 2 or 3 things you’ve learned from clowncraft that you think will change your writing and illustrating?

I was in a huge writing and illustrating rut last year. I had spent, oh, 20 years defining myself by my books. I was disappointed by it and bored of it, and really, I didn’t want to do it anymore. From the very first moments of my very first clown class, I realized what had been missing the whole time—connection in real time. When I’d write a book, I’d be in my little cave, chiseling away in solitude. Then I’d send it off and kinda hope people found it and liked it. And since I write books for kids, I’d hope that parents and teachers would find it and give it to kids. So there’s an even bigger separation.

With clown, I’m making something in real time with the people it’s for. So now, as I’ve started crawling back into my cave a little bit, I find that I can sort of access that energy and intimacy in my writing.

Okay, that was one thing. A second thing is that there’s a massive vulnerability in clown that can absolutely apply to writing. I tend to hide behind a joke wall in my books and in my life, but I’m learning that what’s behind the oh-so-cleverness is potentially more interesting and exciting to people. Maybe? I don’t know. Oh no.

Oh! I’m also having a lot of fun making actual physical things (and digital things about physical things) again. There’s a thick gloominess the day after a performance, and I’ve found that making something helps lift my dang spirits. This can be a prop or a dumb little object (like a clown mirror or clown coins), or a really hacky edit of a show. Or a poster—I’ve had lots of fun drawing posters for clown shows. I feel like I’m in my 20s again and trying to convince people to come see my band at a mini golf course. I have officially derailed from your question.

3. Who are your clown idols, and what do you admire about them?

I love love love Slava Polunin. I’m in awe of how he builds worlds and stories. The way he plays with shapes and colors. When he moves sooooo slowly. He’s a little ball of warmth in the middle of a long winter.

I have a workshop with Christopher Bayes next month, and I’m obsessed with his book Discovering the Clown. It’s my favorite resource for the culture, the legacy, the RULES. I’m… rules-y and a bit of a purist. There’s a time and a place to color inside the lines, Sarah. Here’s a piece from his book that I love a lot.

I’ve been watching a lot of Gardi Hutter videos, and she’s so LOUD and expressive. She’s very vocal in a way that transcends language, which is really exciting for me—I recently realized that I do NOT like talking much on stage. But I’m really curious about playing with gibberish and noise. But probably my favorite thing about Garda is her PROPS. Swirling dress forms, boulders, pots and pans, fabric, paper, giant scissors. She makes things on stage and just HURLS her body around everything.

And I’ll also mention a trio I love and admire, my three teachers at Brooklyn Comedy Collective. Tallie Medel, Chris Manley, and Jeff Seal. I’ve learned so so so much from them, and they are all incredibly knowledgeable, supportive, generous, and talented. For anyone reading this anywhere near NYC, consider doing a drop-in class at BCC, or do what I did and sign up for a seven-week class without thinking about it too much.

4. What is something specific and odd that’s been bringing you joy lately?

When I was up in the Catskills last week, I made a lil’ guy. His name is Maple. Polymer clay, wire, wool (needle felted), and lichen-covered sticks. I think there’s also some pine needles hot glued onto his body under the fir. I think it’s gonna be a lil’ guy winter.

Thank you so, so much Travis! The third Terribles book is out now, and also check out the ongoing scifi comic on his Substack! Make sure to check out all his comics and books on his website, and if you’re a New Yorker, don’t miss his upcoming shows!

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What I’m Reading:

I haven’t finished this one yet, and I know I’m REMARKABLY behind the times with it, but holy potatoes I am loving it. If I’d known that it was about old people and that one of the POVs is an octopus then I would have picked it up so much sooner!

What I’m Watching:

I made a whole list of Octobery movies to watch with your family, and a lot of my watching is from this list. But let’s be honest, those movies are fun all year long. Other then that, I went on a bit of a Danny Kaye kick. The Court Jester is a classic, and still my favorite, but of the new ones I watched, I think A Song Is Born stuck with me the most. It’s Danny Kaye at his sweetest, and if you are at all interested in Jazz, then this is a must watch. (Bebe Louis Armstrong is in it, among MANY others.) ((I also really enjoyed Knock on Wood and Wonder Man)).

The Maladjusted Jester: Since we’re talking Danny Kaye and Clown, I couldn’t not post this song from The Court Jester. This is Danny Kaye’s best song, imo, and includes the lyrics, “For a jester’s chief employment is to kill himself for your enjoyment, and a jester unemployed is nobody’s fooooool!” So…yeah. Genius.

What I’m Drawing: Shadow Cat thinks you’re doing a great job.

Also check out the bookish swag I’ve got up for sale in my new little swag shop!

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”

- Leo Tolstoy

Writing Opportunity: Write flash fiction or flash CNF? Check out Claudine! Accepting speculative too, and pieces up to 400 words. Due Nov. 30.

Teacher’s Table

Some goodies especially for the teachers:

November is a perfect time for these Appreciation Stations.

Everything needed to get your young writers started is here in Tools Not Rules: A Writing Guide for Young Creatives.

Free activity sheets up on my Teachers Pay Teachers store! More added all the time, so check back regularly.

I am so, so excited and honored to now be on the roster at the Macmillan Speakers Bureau! For school and other events, you can find my speaker page here.

You guys are rock stars!

Thanks for coming along everyone! The best way to support is to 1) subscribe, 2) get a copy of the book bebes, and 3) keep glowing, you shining star you.

-Sarah

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Thanks for reading!