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Picture Book word counts in Current Children’s Book Market
It was June 2010 when I finally had an idea for a picture book and I had to get it down on paper. Before that time I stared at my computer screen for years trying to come up with stories and characters that just didn’t work. I was so eager to get my idea in story form that I “winged it”. I figured hey, I had taken a course in Writing Books for children and I tell stories to kids all the time. I can do this. No problem. Well guess what? My story had promising structure but the word count was way off. In the current picture book marker…
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The Sunflower Scribe
I hope everyone is having a bright, sunshiney week! I have been trying to think of the perfect blog title for my children’s writing blog for quite some time now. So far nothing had stuck. It’s like having a nickname. I couldn’t just use any old name — it had to stick. And more importantly, I had to like it. Unlike a nickname, I actually got to choose this name. I have finally decided upon, “The Sunflower Scribe.” I have always loved sunflowers and they hold a special significance for me and my family. My grandmother-in-law loved them and they always seem to be around on special family occasions. For…
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Book Review: The Hunger Games
I have recently finished The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I’ve seen these books on bestseller lists for quite some time, but whenever I read the synopsis for the first book I couldn’t envision myself getting into it. In my younger days I loved horror and had no problem with watching or reading about gory situations or war. But I have to confess — I’ve grown to be a bit squeamish. One particular quote from School Library Journal made me hesitatant to read it: “Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their…
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Research!
Last week I got the chance to visit a Scholatic Book Sale Event. All the books for sale were 50% off their cover price! You know that feeling you get when kids are playing with a toy? Maybe with a barbie doll for example — my personal favorite? Sometimes they ask you, “will you play with me?” Secretly on the inside you’re ecstatic, even if all you out say out loud is, “sure.” It’s fun to get the opportunity to let loose and be a kid again. That’s how I felt at the book sale. I enjoyed picking my books out lovingly. I will also be able to use them…
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The Magic of Story Time
Imagine the following scene… A room full of children varying in ages from 5-11 playing with toys. Two children are throwing toys, two others rolling around on the floor, and still two more are playing very loudly and not following directions. The adults in the room have tried redirecting to new activities, attention getters, giving warnings, separating children, etc. And yet the room does not get any calmer. Enter the storybook… The group has been gathered together for story time. Amongst the moans and groans comments can be heard such as “picture books are for babies” or “I don’t want to read a story…it’s boring.” And yet the storyteller ignores…
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Writer’s Day in L.A.
Yesterday I attended the SCBWI-LA’s 30th Annual Writer’s Day. It was my second official writing conference since taking up writing seriously again. I was a little anxious about attending at first. I kinda felt like that little five year old girl I once was. I was always nervous about having to move for the 3rd time in two years and then go to a new school and make new friends all over again. Well I’ve come a long way since then and I am happy to report – I loved every minute of it!The camaraderie with fellow writers was excellent. I also felt very inspired by the speakers of the…
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I’ve joined SCBWI!
At the recommendation of several fellow writing friends and Children’s book author Merrily Kutner I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in October 2010. As I am not yet a Published Author I am currently an Associate Member. Here is a link to my profile page if you’d like to take a peek! I cannot express to you how invaluable this organization has been for me thus far. The bulletins are jam-packed with information ~ inspirational stories, online resources, contests, workshops, and much more. When I read the March/April 2011 issue I was more inspired to write that I had been in some time. Ideas that had been…
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A story reborn…
Out of the ashes rose a phoenix…wait scratch that, a raven. When I was thirteen years old I began my love affair with dark, paranormal fiction (back then I think the whole section of the bookstore I was drawn to was simply called “Horror.” One of my favorites was Of Saints and Shadows by Christopher Golden. Some of the vampires in the story could transform into animals. This inspired me to write a novel about a young shape-shifter on a quest. I called it Ravyn’s Quest. I began typing the story on my tiny Mac Classic. I actually made 3/4 of the way through the manuscript before I realized I didn’t…
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My Personal Journey
I think it is quite apropos that my new music obsession (actually an old music obsession that has been rekindled) is with the rock band “Journey,” because I have been on quite an interesting personal journey of my own. You might notice my lack of blogging the past few months. Well, in a nutshell…here is what happened. I was blessed enough to enjoy a family trip to one of the most beautiful places on earth ~ Tahiti, in early Nov. 2010. When I returned to a gloomy, rainy California I had a bit of a case of the post-vacation blues. Okay, more the a bit, more like a lot! Just…
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Query Time
I am so excited to have sent out my first set of queries and manuscript submissions for my first children’s book, Iris the Colorful Spider in the past few weeks! If the query package process is foreshadowing the road I’m on it is going to be a bumpy one! I spent several weeks researching publishing houses, manuscript submission guidelines, how to write query/cover letters and more! I also spent a big chunk of time on getting to know the books each publisher produces and whether or not it seemed like my manuscript would be a good match for them. Once I had completed all of these things I was ready…
