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Leaving Room
When writing picture book texts have you ever heard the following advice? ‘You must leave room for the illustrations.’ I know I have. As a largely intuitive person, I have soaked in the knowledge from classes, conferences, workshops, and reading slowly over time. I can compare my picture book texts from two years ago to texts from today and see a difference — more room. So how can you achieve this in your own writing? Here’s a few things that have worked for me. 1) Reading at least 30-40+ classic & new picture books. I don’t just mean flip through the pages, get the general gist of the…
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Pick of the Month: January 2012
I have a confession to make…this post is almost a month late. My oh-so-wonderful-plan was to choose my favorite books I’ve read, as part of the 75 Book Challenge, and write a lovely post about them each month. I still love the idea and intend on following through with it. So, without further ado, here are my top picks for January 2012. It was a hard decision, as I read a number of ‘curl up with a cup of cocoa and eagerly read me’ kind of stories last month. Wait — that’s every month! Picture Book: Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton Sharks and Trains! I think I hear those…
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Getting out of my bubble — My SDSU Writer’s Conference Experience
I love attending writer’s conferences, workshops, and critique groups with fellow children’s and young adult writers. I get to spend time with like-minded, spirited individuals who love children’s books as much as I do. And, I don’t get people looking at me funny for enjoying them either! This past summer, I received a wonderful piece of advice while attending a Children’s Writers Schmooze — ‘Expand your horizons. Don’t limit yourself to events just for children’s writers. Branch out! Explore events for other genres as well.’ I percolated over the idea for some time and finally decided to take the plunge. I signed up for the SDSU Writer’s Conference in San Diego, and will…
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12 x 12 in 12
It’s official! I’ve signed up to for the 12 x 12 in 2012 Challenge hosted by Julie Hedlund! What is this challenge all about?The premise is simple. Write 12 full picture books (with a beginning, middle, and end) in 2012. It’s ok if they’re not submission ready. The idea is just to put pen to page, while motivating yourself and other writers in the process. You can even earn prizes!! How about that? I know, I know — writing 12 full length picture books sounds like a daunting task, but as long as you have the intention of completing them, it’s worthwhile to sign up! I have heard of so many…
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How will you say 2012?
Happy New Years! It’s 2012! Like the old saying goes, “You say tomayto, I say tomahto.” Some will call it Two-Thousand-Twelve, some will call it Twenty-Twelve. Personally, from the years 2000-2011, I referred to the years by their long names. Two Thousand, Two Thousand-one, etc. But, a very wise friend, who also happens to be my brother-in-law, pointed out to me that historically this is not how we have referred to the years. 1900 is not referred to as One Thousand-Nine Hundred, but rather Nineteen-Hundred. It makes sense to me! So, in 2012, I’m gonna try changing it up, and see if it sticks. I will refer to the year…
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Goodreads Challenge 2011 — Completed! Onward 2012!
Happy New Years! I am so excited to announce I completed the Goodreads Reading Challenge 2011. I finished with 47 books total. I entered the challenge late — in May, as I wasn’t aware the challenge even existed. So, I am hoping to read EVEN MORE in 2012! I am setting my goal with Goodreads as a conservative one to start, at 60 books, but hopefully I can increase it later in the year. (On my blog, I have challenged myself to read 75 children’s, middle grade or YA books here. Yikes! Wish me luck!) I truly believe reading, reading, and more reading has helped me become a better writer. Truth…
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Free Kindle Children’s E-Books
My hubby got me a Kindle Fire for Christmas! I am loving it. I’ve also been anxious to read more children’s books on e-readers in full color. I get to do research while enjoying beautiful covers and illustrations. There are some great FREE kindle children’s books. Here are a few worth checking out: Snowed in Together by Ann Herrick – YA, (free for a limited time.) Garbage! Monster! Burp! by Tom Watson – Picture Book. A fun story with environmentally friendly theme. It is told in verse and very charming. There’s a few words and phrases that might be over the head of its audience, but they can be explained easily…
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Susanna Hill’s Holiday Writing Contest
Author Susanna Leonard Hill is having a Holiday writing contest where you could win prizes! Be creative and write a post with your own version (350 words or less) of The Night Before Christmas (it can be about any winter holiday). Please visit Ms. Hill’s website for all the details HERE. My entry is posted below. I have been interested in writing a picture book about the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal for quite some time, but have not done it yet. So, for my entry today the monk seal takes center stage, as I play around with the idea of what a monk seal might want for Christmas. Enjoy!!…
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PiBoIdMo: I’m a Winner!
From Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo site:I do solemnly swear that I have faithfully executed the PiBoIdMo 30-ideas-in-30-days challenge, and will, to the best of my ability, parlay my ideas into picture book manuscripts.Signed: Christine Marie AlemshahPhew!! I can’t believe I made it through! In 30 Days I have managed to come up with 32 picture book ideas. It was much harder than I thought it would be. The first two weeks were smooth sailing. Then, thanksgiving week came and it was like my ideas were separated from my brain by a brick wall. (It probably didn’t help my mushy brain spending the week in Kauai. My whole body felt like jello!) Luckily some days I had…
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Dinosaurs!
For two days in a row my picture book ideas have been about dinosaurs. Bah! There are so many picture books about dinosaurs already. Good ones too! How will my little ideas ever compete? Oh well, I will think about that later… It’s just, well — let’s face it, children are fascinated by dinosaurs. In the past week, I don’t think a day went that I did not hear a mention of them by one or more of the children I work with. No wonder I had a PB idea about dinosaurs!! I will keep my ideas tucked away for a rainy day. In the mean time, check out the…
