Picture Book Marathon Day Six and Seven/The Good, the Bad & The Ugly!

Children's Author Lynne Marie and Son Kevin (Now 22) 

Of course, we each want to be a superhero in this Picture Book Marathon, crossing the finish line first, with a satchel of twenty-six publishable picture book manuscripts strapped on our back.

Rather than get discouraged if looks like things are not going according to that plan, I think it's important to remember that in life, there's the good, the bad and the ugly. It's all part of the process.

Taking a look at my manuscripts for the past week, I would say that's EXACTLY what I have in the mix: Good, Bad & just plain Ugly. But I am a glass is half full person, and I must admit that two of my manuscripts drafts are rather darn good and I don't think they would have come out if it weren't for this process. It's like a clogged drain. Unclog it and see what comes out, be it good, bad or ugly. Again, process. You can't fight with it, just let it flow!

And don't be hard on yourself. Andrea Brown Literary Agent Mary Kole said in last Thursday's Writer's Digest webinar that usually only one in every ten picture book manuscripts is saleable, so you have to get your creative juices flowing, write those drafts, and then develop the most promising and publishable of the bunch. Again, that's part of the process. So just flow with it and enjoy it -- all of it, the good, bad and the ugly!

By the way, anyone who even writes one publishable picture book manuscript is a superhero in my book!

Writing Tips/Food for Thought from MG Author Rose Kent

Sweet Inspirations by Rose Kent

Both of my middle-grade novels, Kimchi & Calamari (HarperCollins) and Rocky Road (Knopf Books), have titles &  themes related to food. There is quite a bit of food references & symbolism in my stories too. Kimchi & Calamari refers to not only foods from my character Joseph's Korean birth and Italian adopted family cultures, but how he jokes about himself as an ethnic combo platter. My second book, Rocky Road, about Tess, whose family opens up an ice cream shop in the dead of winter, also captures Tess's spirit coping with her mom's mental health challenges.

I tend to see myself as a foodie -- not necessarily a gourmet cook, but someone who appreciates good food & how food nurtures our spirits. And as a writer I think food is a great tool for "showing" rather than "telling" about my characters' lives.

So of course, I come back to food when the writing gets tough.  When I struggle in figuring out what comes next in my story, I tell myself it's snack time. By that I mean I walk

away from my work-in-progress, put the tea kettle on, and make myself a tasty snack. Then I return to the computer, open a fresh document, and begin an interview with my character as I munch. You know, Q&A, italics for my questions, bold-faced text for my characters' response. I let the questions come naturally, not scripted. This technique relaxes me and doesn't feel as hard work as the writing. 

This starts out simple, even silly, with my character commenting on the weather or his favorite cookies as I eat mine. But like every good conversation, the interview moves about and ultimately returns to the story. More often than not, this foodie break I have given myself results in a breakthrough in my story with my character revealing something gets me unstuck. Of course this can be over done with too much snacking and too little writing, so I try to use this technique only occasionally.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rose Kent is a former naval officer who now happily writes for children. She has  four children & two stepchildren. She is from Long Island, like MOI, and although she no longer lives here, you can never take the Long Island out of the girl! You can learn more about Rose at http://www.rosekent.com/ (there is a link to her blog there, as well) and you can view her trailer for Rocky Road here:

 http://vimeo.com/11357915

Enjoy!

Writing Prompt/Interviewing Your MG Character with Kat Yeh

On our writing journey, we are often blessed to travel the path and sit a while with many fine spirits. For me, one of them is Kat Yeh, who I am always glad to catch up with, although sometimes she soars quickly on her flying dragon with her magic brush!

Here is her wonderful contribution to my blog, for which I am thankful.

MG Novel Writing Prompt from Kat Yeh:

In the midst of a writing frenzy the other day, a strange thing occurred. The protagonist of my middle-grade novel did something I did not plan. Reacted in a way I hadn't expected. I couldn't decide how to feel about this. Betrayed? Pleased? Or simply puzzled? It made me wonder how well I really knew her. She had always been a decidedly complex and secretive little thing, but I realized there was one way I could at least begin to figure her out. I would interview her.

Ah, but the catch is: I would do it twice.

The first time, I would ask my questions and write down her off the cuff responses.

Then (please don't judge me!) when she wasn't looking, I'd slip her a serious dose of Truth Serum, wait for it to take effect, and then see how her answers changed…

We all have several levels of The Truth within us. Things we reveal to anyone - a reporter, a stranger.

Things we reveal only to some - like family and friends. And things that would only see the light of day if a very liberal amount of Truth Serum were to be administered.

These were some of the questions for my character -- based on what I needed to find out about her…what would you ask yours?

            1) What is your biggest dream?

            2) What are you most afraid of people finding out about you?

            3) Who are you closest to?

            4) What is your deepest, darkest secret?

            5) Who would you tell this to?

            6) Describe your family and your relationship.

            7) If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be? What about your family?

Kat Yeh Biography

Kat grew up reading, doodling and scribbling in Westtown, Pennsylvania. She worked for many years in advertising and sports marketing -- while writing for herself in the wee hours of the night. She currently lives on Long Island where she can see water everyday and explore all the bay and harbor beaches with her family. She is the author of children's books You're Lovable to Me (Random House) and The Magic Brush (Bloomsbury).

About The Magic Brush: 

Combining a heartwarming family story, a magical adventure, and a multilingual primer on Chinese language, The Magic Brush tells the story of Jasmine, a young girl who learns Chinese calligraphy from her Agong, or grandfather. As Jasmine learns how to paint the characters for dragon, fish, horse, friend, and more, she and Agong are magically transported to the wondrous world they are creating. The Magic Brush, beautifully rendered in traditional cut-paper, is perfect for young readers and their parents to share, steeped in Chinese traditions and full of magical adventure.

Picture Book Marathon Day Five!

With four picture book manuscripts under my belt, I'm excited to begin Day Five of the Marathon.

I woke up with a terrible, terrible migraine and had to take medicine that makes me woozy and now can't go to my Saturday morning ice skating lessons (RATS!), but I am not going to let that stop me from my using my brain muscles today.  I'm eager to press on and make the best of my day!

I have a whole stash of great ideas from the PIBOIDMO, but I'm feeling a bit antsy from being steered off my course, so I wanted something new to chew on today. So I headed over to the Picture Book Marathon Blog to re-read the posts and found just what I was looking for, buried under all the snow...

Of course, I always have had an affinity for little scurrying creatures!

No matter what obstacles befall you today, I hope you all can write on...

And be sure to check out previous posts from this blog for some fabulous writing prompts and inspirations from picture book writers like Lisa Wheeler, Tammi Sauer, Kelly DiPucchio and more!

UPDATE: I am pleased to say that despite headache and medicine I have completed PB#5 based upon the afore-mentioned inspiration. So far, it is the most promising of the bunch. This proves that you never know when the good ones are going to pop up (if you are paying attention that is a little pun)! And, at Lora and Jean's recommendation, I have generated three ideas to choose from for tomorrow.

Feel free to guess what my picture book is about.

Lynne Marie

Writing Advice/Taking Over the World with Janice Hardy

How to Take Over the World

by Janice Hardy

Since I write fantasy, my worlds are one of the first things I create, sometimes even before I flesh out the characters. But it can be hard to create an entire world from scratch. One thing that saves me a lot of time, is to base my worlds on an existing culture or geographic area. This gives me a fully developed locale that offers ready to go details when I need them.

I change things to suit my story of course, but having that real-world base means I’ll know what the climate is, the types of flora and fauna, how people in that area make a living. If my protag orders a meal, I know what food she’ll most likely find. If she has to climb a tree, I’ll know if it’s a palm tree or a redwood. Best of all, since the details all come from a real place I know that I won’t accidentally have animals living somewhere they don’t naturally live, so the world works together as a whole.  And every time, I discover some really interesting detail I can use in the story I never would have thought of on my own, because it’s unique to that area.

So the next time you need a world – real or imagined – consider looking at places that already exist and making them your own.

Bio

A long-time fantasy reader, Janice Hardy always wondered about the darker side of healing. For her fantasy trilogy THE HEALING WARS, she tapped into her own dark side to create a world where healing was dangerous, and those with the best intentions often made the worst choices. Her books include THE SHIFTER, and BLUE FIRE. She lives in Georgia with her husband, three cats and one very nervous freshwater eel. You can visit her online at www.janicehardy.com or chat with her about writing on her blog, The Other Side of the Story.

Book Info

Fifteen-year-old Nya is an orphan struggling for survival in a city crippled by war. She is also a Taker—with her touch, she can heal injuries, pulling pain from another person and storing it inside her own body. But unlike her sister Tali and the other Takers who become Healer’s League apprentices, Nya’s skill is flawed: she can’t push that pain into pynvium, the enchanted metal used to store it. All she can do is shift it from person to person, a dangerous skill that she must keep hidden from forces occupying her city. If discovered, she’d be used as a human weapon against her own people.

Rumors of another war make Nya’s life harder, forcing her to take desperate risks just to find work and food. She pushes her luck too far and exposes her secret to a pain merchant eager to use her shifting ability for his own sinister purpose. At first, Nya refuses, but when Tali and other League Healers mysteriously disappear, she’s faced with some difficult choices. As her father used to say, principles are a bargain at any price, but how many will Nya have to sell to get Tali back alive?

Writing Inspiration / Picture Book Marathon

Having just landed from a four-day whirlwind of creative inspiration called NY11 SCBWI,  I am thrilled to be a part of the 2011 Picture Book Marathon. This is my very first Picture Book Marathon, in which my goal is to write one complete draft of a picture book for twenty-six days in the month of February. I'm going for the gold (all 26)!

Even with just one day falling between the NY11 SCBWI and the Picture Book Marathon, I am pleased to share that I am on track with three (3) picture book manuscript drafts completed so far! My very first picture book draft, A LETTER TO BEAR, was inspired by my little one and the little lovey she carries around. Although bear friends are often overdone, hopefully I found a way to make this idea fresh! I guess we'll see...

I wanted to share something I ask myself when things (like perhaps writing twenty-six picture book manuscripts in one month, or even something else) feels overwhelming.
QUESTION: How do you eat an elephant? ANSWER: One bite at a time!

Hope you can see the wisdom in this and that it helps you work your way toward your goal in times of stress.

Have a great day, and good luck to all who are participating in the Picture Book Marathon!

Lynne Marie
http://www.hedgehoggoestokindergarten.blogspot.com/

Writing Prompt - Inside Your Character's Head with 2010 National Book Award Winner Kathryn Erskine

It is my privilege to share a writing tip from the 2010 National Book Award Winner Kathryn Erskine. In addition, recent announcements reveal that Mockingbird made the 2011 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults List and the 2011 ALA Notable Children's Books List!

☆•*¨*•.¸¸❤CONGRATULATIONS❤¸.•*¨*•☆ Kathryn, on these well-deserved honors!

GETTING INSIDE YOUR CHARACTER'S HEAD

by Kathryn Erskine

How well do you know your characters?  I mean, really know them?  Have you been inside their shoes, their skin?  To write truly authentic characters you want to experience the world through their eyes.  That means being your character and knowing him or her inside out.  So go all the way (short of illegal activities, that is!).  Does your character get crammed in a locker?  Try it out!  How does it feel?  Where does it hurt?  What does it look like, sound like, from inside that locker?  What about the smells?  If there are things you can’t or won’t experience (I will never try skydiving, for example) talk with those who have.

So here’s my challenge:  Be your character for a day.  Try walking and talking like your characters and wearing those character’s clothes.  Even if you can’t use the language your character uses while you’re at school or at work, ask yourself what, exactly, would my character say/do in this situation?  Listen to the music your character listens to.  Eat the food and drink the beverage he or she does.  What are the mannerisms and nervous habits?  What are your characters dreams and hopes?  And at the end of the day, ask yourself (i.e., your character) the key question:  What do you really want? 

Kathryn Erskine, a lawyer-turned-author, grew up in six countries, an experience that helps her view life, and her writing, from different perspectives.  Her novels include Mockingbird (Philomel 2010), the 2010 National Book Award Winner for Young People’s Literature, Quaking (Philomel 2007), an American Library Association Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, and upcoming, The Absolute Value of Mike (Philomel, June 2011), described as Cannery Row meets Seedfolks.  While covering weighty topics, her books have warmth and humor, making difficult issues approachable.  She is a writing instructor and frequent workshop presenter.

For More About Kathryn, visit:

Website:  http://www.kathrynerskine.com/

Blog:  http://kathyerskine.wordpress.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/kathy.erskine

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/KathyErskine

*.*.*.*

As a fellow alumnus of the Highlights Foundation Workshop at Chautauqua, I wanted to share the following press release from the Highlights Foundation regarding Kathryn Erskine:

If you've heard about the Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop at Chautauqua, it's likely you heard from a fellow writer who has attended and is urging you to go. Our writers celebrate us and we celebrate them in return! This year we're celebrating with Kathryn Erskine, whose amazing novel Mockingbird was the 2010 National Book Award winner for Young People's Literature.

Here's what Kathy has to say about her experience attending our Chautauqua writers workshop.

"Chautauqua is a launching point for your writing career. You'll join a community of authors and editors who want to help you get to the next level. They'll meet you wherever you are and encourage you, challenge you, cajole you to step it up. Soak up as much as you can and don't worry about processing it all in that one week. You'll find what you've learned coming out in your writing–in your own voice–and you'll realize that you carry their wisdom with you long after you leave.

. . . I will always be grateful to the Highlights family for giving me my start with those wonderful Founders Workshops and Chautauqua."

–Kathryn Erskine, 2010 National Book Award winner, Young People's Literature for Mockingbird.

This summer, things will come full-circle for Kathy as she joins Patricia Lee Gauch–one of her Mockingbird editors–as a faculty member for the 27th Annual Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop at Chautauqua, July 16-23, 2011. For twenty-six years, the Highlights Foundation has been helping children's writers and illustrators like you to reach their goals. We invite you to join us this summer for an unforgettable workshop experience.

For more information, visit our Web site or contact Jo Lloyd, toll free, at 1-877-512-8365.

Please feel free to share this e-mail with others who might have an interest or to include the information in blog posts or through other social networking forums.

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Highlights Foundation, Inc.
814 Court Street
Honesdale, PA 18431
Phone: (570) 251-4500
E-mail: contact@highlightsfoundation.org
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