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Summer Writing Workshops
Hello everyone!So I have every intention to keep blogging throughout the summer, but at the moment I can’t make any promises. And why is that you ask? Well, I have signed up to take two online writing workshops simultaneously. I have my summer off from work so it should be no biggie right? Seeing as how the last class I took was two years ago when I took a Wilton Cake Decorating class, I’m actually a bit anxious about it. I know it will be a fun, exhilirating experience. But I can’t help but feel like an incoming college student all over again. Wish me luck and if all goes…
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Fairies on the brain: A book review and book trailer
It’s no secret that I’m a little obsessed with fantasy books. One of my favorite types of fantasy characters to read about are fairies. Give me evil fairies, quirky fairies, invisible fairies, or MC’s that are part fairy (like Sookie Stackhouse) and I am instantly intrigued. My latest read was Justine Larbelstier’s How to Ditch Your Fairy. This book fulfilled my fairy craving and thensome! It is a quick read, centered around a teen girl who is trying to ditch her parking fairy in lieu of something better — like the clothes-shopping fairy her best friend has. I love how Larbelstier’s pulls you into a world where fairies exist (or…
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RemembeRed: A Real Meal, Finally!
I gazed up at the menu with excitement. This was it, the first real food I would have in two weeks. This was the third restaurant in the food court I’d been to already, staring up at the menu deciding whether or not I could eat here. My husband didn’t say so but I could tell he just wanted me to pick something already. Would any of this food be ok and not get caught in the four gaping holes I had in the back of my mouth? I’d waited until I was almost thirty to get my wisdom teeth pulled out. Now I realized why this would have…
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5 Things to do while playing The Waiting Game
I have to confess, I have become a little preoccupied with checking my e-mail and mailbox for the past few weeks…wishing and hoping to receive news about recent manuscript submissions. Of course, it can take many months to hear anything however, I’ve been told one of my stories is currently under consideration. (Squeal!) It is so hard to contain that shred of hope I have in my heart without getting carried away. I have desperately been trying to find other things to keep those pushy little — “today’s the day, go check the mail!” monsters at bay. If you are playing the waiting game like me, here are five things…
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Adventures in Rhyme
If you’re an aspiring children’s writer like me, I’m sure you have heard the following plenty of times: Stay away from rhyme. It no longer sells and new writers rarely get it right. Truth be told I never have had a gift for rhyme or poetry. But, I have a silly story idea, which I have written in prose. The magic and silliness is just not working the way it is currently written. Every time I stare at the letters on the page, I think to myself, “how can I fix this?” Each time I do this the story starts trying to make a rhyme or song in my head.…
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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…
