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GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Sara Kruger, Children’s Picture Book and Middle Grade Writer
Hello and welcome to my new blog series, ‘#GrowYourWriting Creator Interviews’. My goal with this series is to shine a spotlight on kidlit creators and their fabulous projects and allow them to share their tips and tricks to grow your writing. Today I’d like to welcome picture book and middle grade writer, Sara Kruger. She’s been writing picture books on and off for nearly a dozen years, and actively querying for the last four years. One of her stories, Waiting for Faith, was featured in the winter 2023 edition of Little Thoughts Press and her MG micro fiction story, The Glitch, won third place in the 2023 Kids’ Choice Kidlit Writing…
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GrowYourWriting Creator Interview: Tara Trudel, Children’s Book Author and Songwriter
Hello and welcome to my new blog series, ‘#GrowYourWriting Creator Interviews’. My goal with this series is to shine a spotlight on kidlit creators and their fabulous projects and allow them to share their tips and tricks to grow your writing. Today I’d like to welcome our first participant, Children’s Author and Songwriter, Tara Trudel. Tara, can you please tell us how the idea for FRACTURED came about and a little more about your process as songwriter for kid’s books? FRACTURED combines my background in children’s songwriting, comedy, and musicfor kidlit. I wanted to write a family music album that was structured like a sketchcomedy show with elements like comedic characters, callbacks, and an…
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Grow Your Writing Resource: KidLit Podcasts
Do you spend considerable time in your car, out and about, or on the go? I spend extensive time daily in the school pick-up line or walking around the school. My children get out 45 minutes apart, and parking is a little daily dance of making sure you park on the right side of the road, so you don’t get stuck in traffic later on your way out. How do I best make use of my waiting time? Well, of course, writing is always my first choice, but sometimes it flows; other times, it just doesn’t. What I’ve found super helpful during these times is listening to podcasts. But how…
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Meet the #MidWeekCritique Team
#MidWeekCritique is a monthly initiative started by children’s writer Lori M. Keating to giveaway 3 – non-rhyming PB critiques of up to 700 words. It’s gone over wonderfully, and Lori felt called to build a team to reach more writers each month. This past month I joined the #MidWeekCritique team along with April Berry and Elizabeth James. Learn more about the group and its founder, Lori M. Keating. To enter the weekly contest, follow the #MidWeekCritique hashtag each week on Twitter and comment with your favorite GIF! Lori M. Keating How long have you been writing picture books? The very first picture book I wrote (and illustrated) was for a…
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12 Days for Writers: Day 3
Children’s author Julie Hedlund, challenged participants of her 12 Days of Christmas for Writers series to post SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) on our blogs this year. She believes the way New Year’s resolutions are traditionally made come from a place of negativity – what DIDN’T get done or achieved in the previous year. Instead, she suggests we set goals for the New Year that BUILD on our achievements from the previous one. I decided to participate in this Anti-Resolution Revolution! Here is my list for 2021. My writing successes in 2021! First and foremost… I’m showing up! Whether thinking of ideas while homeschooling my children or taking them to the park, or writing during…
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12 x 12 in 2021 – Back after a long break!
It’s official! I’ve signed up for the 12 x 12 Challenge hosted by Julie Hedlund! My first time doing so since 2013. I had started participating the previous year, in fact here is my original badge from 2012. I can hardly believe it’s been that long! So far I have 1 full draft, 2 partials & 2 revisions under my belt for 2021. 12×12 will be the extra boost needed to stay motivated this year! There’s still time to sign up if you’d like to join in on this fun picture book writing journey. Now-Feb. 28, 2021. What is this challenge all about?The premise is simple. Write 12 full picture books…
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My first picture book ever written
Yesterday I visited my Mom in Pinon Hills, CA. We ate delicious organic plums from her local co-op and celebrated her soon-to-be born baby bull terrier puppies. We also rummaged around in old boxes and shared old memories. That’s when we found the picture book that started it all “Kimberly’s Time Machine”, written by 10 year old yours truly. This book single-handedly stirred up the creative-writing bug in me for years to come! I did all the writing and illustrations. I even went through revisions with my editor (teacher). The story was about a young girl who built a time machine to visit the future, and all the mishaps…
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Hats, hats, and more hats…
Today I spent a relaxing Sunday in Del Mar, CA with my sister and her fiance. We had brunch at The beautiful Brigantine situated adjacent to the Del Mar Race Tracks. They are preparing for the first horse race of the season. I spent much of my youth in San Diego and not once have I headed out to the races. That is going on my bucket list for sure! After brunch, we made our way to the Cedros District. And we could not help but try on all the gorgeous hats! We can’t show up to the races without fabulous hats after all. Several wonderful picture books featuring hats…
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Library Days: Mission Viejo Library
The return of summer means the return of library days for me. I always find them to be bustling with excitement. On my way inside I observed this beautiful mosaic butterfly. The tiles reminded me of tiny replicas of the delicious books that awaited me inside. Of course, I always make a beeline for the children’s section, specifically the picture book wall. I like to start by looking at the return cart. This way I can see what books fancy young readers. Today I picked five books from this cart to study. Ah … I just love devouring new picture books. It helps me improve my craft and reminds me…
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Giveaway Winner for Away We Go by Chieu Urban
It was such a delight interviewing Chieu Urban last week. She is such an amazing and creative women. Can you believe she designed this diaper cake? The colors a vibrant, bright, and bold. A wonderful reflection of the colorful that awaits AWAY WE GO readers. I can just imagine mom-to-be’s face when she saw this display. Today’s winner is in for a delightful treat. So without further adieu, I’d like to announce today’s giveaway recipient is … Romelle Broas Congratulations Romelle! Enjoy!
