Are writers born with a natural gift that some have and others don’t? Or is writing a skill that can be learned by those who work hard enough? This ages-old debate has always had proponents on both sides. Annette Masters is no stranger to the idea that writers either “have it” or they “don’t.” In high school she was told she was clearly the latter, and the consequences of that kept her from writing for twenty-six years. But now this multiple award-winning author and leader of writing groups has certainly proven her abilities and encourages others to practice, practice. Her book, Citrus Green, not only won First Place for Unpublished Middle-Grade Novel, it also won Children’s Book of the Year in the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Awards. Read about Annette’s amazing journey and her advice for writers in this week’s RPLA showcase.
Annette’s Writing Journey
I began writing on my Holly Hobbie typewriter in second grade, imagining great stacks of novels that featured my name. In high school I took as many creative writing, poetry, and literature classes as possible, until someone told me writing wasn’t a “choice,” it was a “talent”—that I lacked. I quit writing for twenty-six years. I became a teacher; it seemed sharing my love of reading and writing was as close as I’d get to actual writing.
I began writing again eight years ago. My lifelong best friend passed away, and writing was a cathartic way to document the journey of my grief and the celebration of her life. That process became my first finished novel.
The Winning Entry, Citrus Green
Logline: When Little Tillie is abandoned on a Florida plantation in 1864, she fights to survive while waiting to be rescued. After months alone, Tillie musters the courage to save herself.
Citrus Green is an exploration of what makes us who we are. My childhood included bitterly divorced parents whose respective families shared a hostile, vocal, restraining order kind of loathing. As the single common denominator, I didn’t know to which side I belonged, how either side loved the other half of me, or whether I could erase a few of my genetically predisposed traits. Then a family secret added more confusion to my self-definition: Granny was half Cherokee, and I wondered why grown-ups discussed her heritage in hushed tones.
A few years ago, a friend had an emotional breakdown over unexpected AncestryDNA results. When her ethnic pie chart wreaked havoc, my reflections on what made me me, and what made her her, consumed my walks, showers, and red lights the way new story ideas gnaw at writers. I wondered whether one’s mind or soul created one’s sense of self. Did DNA create identity? Nature versus nurture? Free will? A colorful pie chart?
These questions sparked the idea for Little Tillie, the protagonist of Citrus Green and a vehicle for my discovery. I created an only child in a family of diverse misfits, who is uncertain of her origin and oblivious to the world beyond her gates. During the most difficult of times, I abandoned Tillie on a barren plantation and watched her fight to stay alive while discovering her strength, courage, and genetic identity. Tillie reckons her sense of self, contrary to the labels and opinions of others, and eventually musters the grit to leave the desolate plantation—unaware she’s heading into the Battle of Marianna.
Tillie’s adventures taught me about the human spirit, and I hope her life will touch my readers’ hearts. I dedicate the story to Granny and anyone else who has hidden their dreams, opinions, or identity.
Two Truths and a Lie, Writer’s Edition
Writers need a writing group.
Writers must produce grammatically perfect, typo-free work.
Writing takes practice.
The lie? Making perfect work: write without restrictions! The writing process can be chaotic and messy, and putting words on a page is more important than perfection, especially if perfection stifles creativity. (Disclaimer: I believe writers should polish work for submission. Honor your craft by hiring a copy editor to ensure you’re putting your best work forward. I am a certified copy editor, and I always hire an editor prior to submission.)
Most people agree that learning to play the piano takes practice, but some assume a first-draft manuscript equals a masterpiece. The benefit of practicing a musical instrument is the immediate, audible feedback. It’s more difficult to see, hear, and pinpoint mistakes in one’s writing. Like musicians or athletes, writers need instruction and practice, lots of practice. Every other art form, career, and sport requires practice. Why would writing be different?
It is imperative to submerse oneself in a community of writers. I serve as the president and critique-group moderator of Tampa Writers Alliance, and without my writing friends, I wouldn’t be the award-winning writer I am. Writers need one another for honest feedback, encouragement, accountability, and commiseration. I’ve written about the importance of my writing friends in my FWA Volume Ten Collection piece, “My Village of Muses.”
Other Works by Annette
My first middle-grade novel, And Then There Were Three, received a third place RPLA in 2017. This coming-of-age story highlights a young girl’s grief process, the significance of loyal friendship, and the importance of fighting for one’s dreams. My first flash fiction, “Terra-Cotta Triggers,” was the result of a writing group prompt, and it received a second place RPLA in 2018. I also have a handful of picture books I’m revising for submission. My silly dachshunds, noisy chickens, and aloof chameleons are never-ending sources of inspiration for children’s literature.
Coming Next from this Author
I plan to spend 2019 begging and pleading for agent representation and publication.
Connect with Annette
Come over and hang out in my barn. When I’m not writing, I’m usually grooming horses, cleaning stalls, or chatting with my chickens. (Yes, they do talk back.) Writers can also connect with me at Tampa Writers Alliance events. Go to tampawriters.org for more information on meetings, or contact me through my website: amastersediting.com
More about RPLA
The Royal Palm Literary Awards competition is a service of the Florida Writers Association established to recognize excellence in members’ published and unpublished works while providing objective and constructive written assessments for all entrants. Judges include literary agents, publishers, film producers, current or retired professors, teachers, librarians, editors, bestselling and award-winning authors, and journalists from across the nation. Entries are scored against the criteria set by RPLA using rubrics tailored to each genre. Winners are announced at the annual FWA conference during the RPLA awards banquet. To learn more about RPLA, click here for the guidelines.
