tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12953798880069250642024-03-19T02:16:14.947-04:00Group BlogSue Heavenrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550259613381458435noreply@blogger.comBlogger814125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-39236225649524842024-03-13T02:00:00.030-04:002024-03-13T02:00:00.299-04:00Why Authors Need to Self Promote and How to Go About It ~ Guest Post By Joyana Peters<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIp8Mi6O4fwFmns2RJVhAgiu_qEslGfNaXstimHmPCyPDHAls0POon7FxwcJPa_lu-Oxj4jewp1Ah6SwLuR9LCe7uQlkEGxZqge0UW1yl7WBeHFBCA1H02ruHlQfJ7-NBZWKTcpphbksVR2HMa6VYSe3tjPC2BeXZIT7JLl0P3tAPg_mcr3Gq9SNDz8W0/s1920/Guest%20Blog%20Header.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIp8Mi6O4fwFmns2RJVhAgiu_qEslGfNaXstimHmPCyPDHAls0POon7FxwcJPa_lu-Oxj4jewp1Ah6SwLuR9LCe7uQlkEGxZqge0UW1yl7WBeHFBCA1H02ruHlQfJ7-NBZWKTcpphbksVR2HMa6VYSe3tjPC2BeXZIT7JLl0P3tAPg_mcr3Gq9SNDz8W0/w400-h225/Guest%20Blog%20Header.png" width="400" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></b><h1><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></h1><h1 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Self Promotion! Do I Have To?</span></b></h1><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Many writers
shy away from self promotion. They don’t like the idea of tooting their own
horn. But if we don’t promote ourselves as authors, no one else will. It’s all
about believing in ourselves and our work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></p>
<h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">What Exactly is Self Promotion?</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">We constantly hear about marketing and how important it is. But what about
self promotion? What exactly is self promotion and why is it important? Join me
below to discuss the differences and learn how authors can incorporate some
simple self promotion examples into their tool belts.</span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Differences between Self Promotion and
Marketing</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Let's start by defining marketing. Marketing is defined as the activity of
promoting and selling products or services. Simple enough, right? You want to
sell your book- you need to market it. But one of the biggest mistakes I see
authors make is thinking their marketing should focus solely on their book.
That's where <b>self promotion </b>comes in.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Technically, self promotion is presenting yourself as an accomplished,
skilled, capable person. But in fact, it's more about building a connection
with your readers and building a brand that supersedes one individual book.</span></p>
<h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why You Need an Author Brand</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I recently had an intake coaching session with an author. While doing a
website audit for her, I discovered that her website name was not her own name,
but her book's name. When I asked her what she'd do when she wrote a new book,
she was stumped. "I hadn't thought about that," she admitted. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">This is not uncommon for new authors. They're understandably excited about
launching their first book and all their efforts are on selling and marketing
that book for success. However, you need to think about the long game.
Hopefully, you WILL write more than one book and you'll want readers to buy
that book too. That's where brand identity comes in.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-size: large;">What’s Brand Identity?</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Brand identity is necessary for a business. It helps build loyalty and a
trust in the style and quality of a book with your name on it. If you want to
make being an author your JOB and your BUSINESS, you must promote your brand—you
have to commit to self promoting.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">You can do this by first determining what is the common theme in your
current stories and what you want to write about in the future. For instance, I
write historical fiction. I can see myself writing about different time periods
and different kinds of people. But one thing I know my books will all have in
common is that they'll all be about women. And those women will be fighting for
change. So, my brand identity? <em>I write about women in history overcoming
obstacles to fight for change.</em> This is what I tell people when they ask
about my books. It’s what I've built my website and social media platform
messaging around. When readers find and follow me, they know exactly what to
expect from my books.</span></p>
<h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">More Self Promotion Examples</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The other important part of self promotion is <b>selling yourself</b>. We need
to build relationships with our readers and allow them to see us as people. I
know some of you authors are shaking in your boots right now. The last thing
most of us want to do is spotlight ourselves. That's why we hide behind our
books, right? But if we're unwilling to open up and share, our books will
languish and never get read. So, let's see if we can find a comfortable way to
work some of these self promotion examples into our regular routines.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaiOLEQJrhTqKceyLvtO3mPkxK2umqz5FN-FlTmgAZ1_0Q2UPzS88qmy37jPRoveAcBcDMmLR-AGPe3iHJ5ZoWfJsRI-wYJFWrg2SLx4t3ZbxBXwPC-lSZ5ouZ33hvf8eba9iUMGCgz_6p0apUYhkQleuNLCXBzbUkHTj6XbPDY37Q5X-FXCqCNiROJA/s1080/Guest%20Blog%20Image.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaiOLEQJrhTqKceyLvtO3mPkxK2umqz5FN-FlTmgAZ1_0Q2UPzS88qmy37jPRoveAcBcDMmLR-AGPe3iHJ5ZoWfJsRI-wYJFWrg2SLx4t3ZbxBXwPC-lSZ5ouZ33hvf8eba9iUMGCgz_6p0apUYhkQleuNLCXBzbUkHTj6XbPDY37Q5X-FXCqCNiROJA/s320/Guest%20Blog%20Image.png" width="320" /></a></div></span></h2><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Work Your Livelihood into Conversations</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I tell people I'm an author. I'm not saying I walk around introducing myself
that way. But I do seize on natural opportunities to bring it into conversation.
And with my books on Amazon, there's an immediate opportunity to make a sale
once I do. I've sold books in the pediatrician's office, in the dentist chair,
on an airplane, on the sidelines of a soccer game. When there's an opportunity
to bring up what I do, I take it. But to make sure this feels natural and easy,
I've made sure to perfect an elevator pitch synopsis of what my book is about.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Perfect Your Elevator Pitch</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Have you ever been asked what your book is about and find yourself freezing
or launching into a long-winded explanation where you can see the person's eyes
glazing over? We've all been there. That's why it is crucial to master your
elevator pitch synopsis. This is simply a two or three sentence description of
your book. For me, I say- <em>"I created a fictional character who escapes
from Russia at the beginning of the revolution. She settles on the Lower East
Side of New York and is involved in the 1909 Garment Worker's Uprising. She's
then involved in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and its aftermath.</em>"</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">My elevator pitch immediately identifies my book's genre--historical fiction--and
the time period I'm writing about- early 1900s. It also gives an overview of
the main historical events and obstacles my character faces. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Using this elevator pitch and being nervy enough to bring my book up in
conversation, I've not only gotten sales, I've landed speaking engagements,
bookstore signings and invitations to and festivals other events. I'm
constantly on the prowl. Both for selling opportunities and also chances to
network and add to my Rolodex of contacts. You never know when they'll come in
handy.</span></p>
<h1 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Promoting Ourselves on Social Media</span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ah,
social media: the dreaded word. I find that one reason people have such
apprehension about using social media to market is they don't know what to
post. For starters, you need to know that social media is not where you'll sell
books. Social media does not translate to sales. So why waste your time? What's
the purpose? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To
network and build a community of followers. If nurtured with a targeted purpose
that follows your brand identity, social media can translate to an engaged
audience who WILL sign up for your newsletter, like your posts, be your beta
readers and early reviewers--and yes, some will also buy your books. But more
importantly, they'll be loyal because they feel like they know and care about
YOU. That will go a lot further than one person who buys <i>one</i> of your
books from Amazon or a shelf in a bookstore.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Think
of it this way—you can market to sell one book once. This can be done with
targeted ads, book promo newsletter features, virtual book tours, etc. All this
can and should be done, too. But if you promote yourself—you'll be nurturing a
loyal base of readers who will buy every book you ever write. You do the math.</span></p>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;">
<hr align="center" size="0" width="100%" />
</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joyana
Peters is the award-winning Indie author of the historical fiction novels <i>The
Girl From Saint Petersburg </i>and <i>The Girl in the Triangle. </i>She is also
an author business coach offering guidance and resources for authors at all
stages of their publication journeys. You can follow her @JoyanaPetersAuthor on
social media and check out more of her author business resources at </span><a href="https://joyanapeters.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://joyanapeters.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.
You can also sign up for her free author newsletter with weekly tips and tools
at </span><a href="https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/j5k6i3"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/j5k6i3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be sure to sign up to subscribe to the GROG Blog in the box on the top right of the page!</span></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></span></div></div><br /><p></p>Julie Phendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16259981386939798048noreply@blogger.com8New York, NY, USA40.7127753 -74.0059728-39.011149699266049 145.3690272 90 66.6190272tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-16401622091903641812024-03-06T01:30:00.060-05:002024-03-06T01:30:00.348-05:00Celebrating Women's History in Picture Books<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666;">by Sue Heavenrich</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It’s Women’s History Month and Calkins Creek has a bunch of wonderful women’s biographies for kids. These picture book biographies are aimed at the 7-10-year-old crowd and range from 40 to 48 pages. The women featured in these stories followed their passions and curiosity. They met with challenges and persevered. Some helped create something new; some raised awareness about an issue; all will have you asking: why haven’t we heard their stories before?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH3VTwM0gXkUN5sxyhSGbs2FvX1vtqDG2gMlx1PX8q0rUbwXdFLyA53hHGjOyNLGEf_MdBy453sKUR1pcc7V7Hhr_XTwYTSpJuFXGC0kJZONpOlWqZnLolgJfHS8HfI6PF2mFNcbJT-SoUmNIwdRZq7_0v6_uuaayd4cFWwV8kPZjlzVhE0CtktCR55_S/s1500/fabulous%20fannie%20farmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH3VTwM0gXkUN5sxyhSGbs2FvX1vtqDG2gMlx1PX8q0rUbwXdFLyA53hHGjOyNLGEf_MdBy453sKUR1pcc7V7Hhr_XTwYTSpJuFXGC0kJZONpOlWqZnLolgJfHS8HfI6PF2mFNcbJT-SoUmNIwdRZq7_0v6_uuaayd4cFWwV8kPZjlzVhE0CtktCR55_S/s320/fabulous%20fannie%20farmer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><b><i>The Fabulous Fannie Farmer: Kitchen Scientist and America’s Cook</i></b>, by Emma Bland Smith; illustrated by Susan Reagan (released January) </div><div><br /></div><div>I grew up with The Fanny Farmer Cookbook on a kitchen shelf, so what a pleasant surprise to see this book celebrate her life. When you want to make a stew or bake a cake, the recipes in your cookbooks list how much of each ingredient you need: a cup of flour, a teaspoon of baking soda… But back in the 1800, when Fannie was learning to cook with her mother, recipes were often “cloudier than clam chowder, and the measurements could be downright silly,” writes Emma Bland Smith. A recipe might call for a “suspicion” of nutmeg, a “pinch” of salt, or enough yeast to make the bread “light” – whatever that means.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Fannie cooked food, something revolutionary was simmering in her mind. You see, she was a scientist, and she noticed (through trial and error) that consistent and precise measurements made a difference in the outcome of cakes and other foods. So she created a cookbook with recipes written so that no matter who cooked them, the result would be the same. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDH-sB8TEhojW6DRVW1cyWuY9YnecH2Yeq3TM_KVhemQDw_kA5JtCCzY1tRIpg7X1cx2-Q96X3U93SnVI3osmb25swNWjk-7KEayz_bGW-zCnEacXCU7zvDPx41ZeeoTz9asFtEVIC-YYTG9bUNJU77BrP7WnpafT8felDE8McJel1TXrT27m0JdiwLwI2/s1500/One%20of%20a%20Kind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1182" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDH-sB8TEhojW6DRVW1cyWuY9YnecH2Yeq3TM_KVhemQDw_kA5JtCCzY1tRIpg7X1cx2-Q96X3U93SnVI3osmb25swNWjk-7KEayz_bGW-zCnEacXCU7zvDPx41ZeeoTz9asFtEVIC-YYTG9bUNJU77BrP7WnpafT8felDE8McJel1TXrT27m0JdiwLwI2/s320/One%20of%20a%20Kind.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div><b><i>One of a Kind: The Life of Sydney Taylor</i></b>, by Richard Michelson; illustrated by Sarah Green (released February)</div><div><br /></div><div>This book is about books, writing, and an author driven to write her stories because she didn’t see her family and culture mentioned in the books she read as a child. Sydney Taylor didn’t set out to become an author; she simply began writing stories for her daughter. Stories about growing up Jewish, about celebrating the holidays, about family life. She never expected her stories would see publication, but they did – and they appealed to a broad range of readers. More than that, they won awards and inspired others to write their stories. Perhaps you have heard of the Sydney Taylor award, presented for books that authentically portray the Jewish experience. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdKhkIzC06PLhHt49FPkRZYK-6fxPcG34SmY-Mhp8X_Vs_0PaghlVW9JGILBQtC54cdpDc7-3hG4XW-AGkeJaD6a1x9SuY-YD450dKF2ROF5jygZlGqOJVcl8Shc7Q7f53lXs-lcmR3Ad7D0N_rHa902XDvPd0nZLGRgHGRrM2GcFN2a3v7azACC5GSsl/s1500/Pedal-balance-steer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdKhkIzC06PLhHt49FPkRZYK-6fxPcG34SmY-Mhp8X_Vs_0PaghlVW9JGILBQtC54cdpDc7-3hG4XW-AGkeJaD6a1x9SuY-YD450dKF2ROF5jygZlGqOJVcl8Shc7Q7f53lXs-lcmR3Ad7D0N_rHa902XDvPd0nZLGRgHGRrM2GcFN2a3v7azACC5GSsl/s320/Pedal-balance-steer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><b><i>Pedal, Balance, Steer: Annie Londonderry, the First Woman to Cycle Around the World</i></b>, by Vivian Kirkfield; illustrated by Alison Jay (released February)</div><div><br /></div><div>Annie Londonderry wanted to cycle around the world to win a prize - $10,000! That would really help he pay the bills… but first, she’d have to learn how to ride a bike. So she signs up for lessons from a local bicycle academy and began pedaling. </div><div><br /></div><div>“Neighbors scoffed. Strangers sneered. But Annie persevered.” Author, Vivian Kirkfield introduces us to this intrepid adventurer using lyrical language, teasing us with internal rhymes and alliteration. She layers in the details, such as how Annie took off from Boston with only one extra pair of underwear. And she includes important stuff, like how Annie took only a single pair of extra underwear with her – tucked into a pocket. And then there’s the delicious repetition of “pedal, balance, steer.”</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HE2aTNzkCL8yGHzM-WW-UWNtWR-up4S2MCfbfAJ77z8cE3uu3K7hzB00DC0YiSNeQLaaYJ3KpLCFluEqeEQfy5y1PttI5Ejx2gdcBTf24TUQM8DpgABqt_zRr5tFxslAyq4T8P56JhBB6d0GIkJ-SyqiZM2zKQHcGcKxKigpSZ2VhNSo2ox4PTvTKi1h/s1500/Cactus%20Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1245" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HE2aTNzkCL8yGHzM-WW-UWNtWR-up4S2MCfbfAJ77z8cE3uu3K7hzB00DC0YiSNeQLaaYJ3KpLCFluEqeEQfy5y1PttI5Ejx2gdcBTf24TUQM8DpgABqt_zRr5tFxslAyq4T8P56JhBB6d0GIkJ-SyqiZM2zKQHcGcKxKigpSZ2VhNSo2ox4PTvTKi1h/s320/Cactus%20Queen.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div><b><i>Cactus Queen: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National Park</i></b>, by Lori Alexander; illustrated by Jenn Ely (released this month)</div><div><br /></div><div>What if you knew a place that was filled with thorny, spiny beauty and dainty wildflowers, but all other people saw was a wasteland? In the early 1900s that’s how people thought of the Mohave desert. It was a place where you could dig up Joshua trees and yucca plants to put in your garden, and the trees provided wood for furniture. But it was so desolate. There was nothing there.</div><div><br /></div><div>What if you noticed that, after a few years, the desert plants didn’t grow back? The wild animals, having lost their homes, moved away? If you were Minerva, you’d find a way to help the desert recover – even if it meant going all the way to Philadelphia or Washington to show others how important the desert is. This is a great story about a desire to save an iconic desert area – Joshua Tree National Park.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJjvcmkbqinopCcadZVfZra6o7LFfRkpqUGV51J15TMpRSSS_gzcs-NO5w3tePN2HSyG9fJmoY0JvcZ7SL6f09QO9yhOGWHs3jfkcFC91W0w1dikHFzhyVJeAlOkCaR6jerNQaqbWicXZd8VNruldGwEoMmE4-QGuiBbiOB3t7MjzkOMlxNJqlncL_lhI/s1500/Bird%20Girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1500" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJjvcmkbqinopCcadZVfZra6o7LFfRkpqUGV51J15TMpRSSS_gzcs-NO5w3tePN2HSyG9fJmoY0JvcZ7SL6f09QO9yhOGWHs3jfkcFC91W0w1dikHFzhyVJeAlOkCaR6jerNQaqbWicXZd8VNruldGwEoMmE4-QGuiBbiOB3t7MjzkOMlxNJqlncL_lhI/s320/Bird%20Girl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><b><i>Bird Girl: Gene Stratton-Porter Shares Her Love of Nature with the World</i></b>, by Jill Esbaum; illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon (releases next week)</div><div><br /></div><div>Geneva loved birds. After feeding the chickens, she’d head out to watch the birds around her family’s farm (even the hawk family that occasionally snacked on chickens!). She watched nests and wrote stories about birds and their behavior. And when an editor said they’d publish her stories, Gene was excited – until she learned the illustrator would use stuffed birds as models to draw from. Nope! She wanted photos, and that meant getting a camera and learning to use it. And then lugging the 40-pound beast through brambles and hip-deep swamp water. This book may inspire the young birders in your family!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoPTG37RfGaSTpcIb5qGZJ5dVbuvUbbByNiAEHOjXtB9M6n234mgkHwoXrtlPkHZy1D-nAAuC9GjzVYEsI7tlFdusdOWddf_MTvCmN7kzMKy-IxtUthKEatOmqE0j5gVST8y73J76O1npqCPx6u1tf1hJzqBU97hh_K_JvudMbbtuZmGDC6DuRCnCD76I/s1500/Skybound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1227" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoPTG37RfGaSTpcIb5qGZJ5dVbuvUbbByNiAEHOjXtB9M6n234mgkHwoXrtlPkHZy1D-nAAuC9GjzVYEsI7tlFdusdOWddf_MTvCmN7kzMKy-IxtUthKEatOmqE0j5gVST8y73J76O1npqCPx6u1tf1hJzqBU97hh_K_JvudMbbtuZmGDC6DuRCnCD76I/s320/Skybound.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div><i><b>Skybound: Starring Mary Myers as Carlotta, Daredevil Aeronaut and Scientist</b></i>, by Sue Ganz-Schmitt; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno (releases in April)</div><div><br /></div><div>When Mary grew up, young girls were expected to marry, have children, and “stay tethered to their homes.” But not Mary. She dreamed of flying. Even when she did marry, she didn’t settle into the kitchen. Instead, she began researching aeronautics and meteorology. She and her husband developed a fabric for making hot air balloons, and also designed balloons. But Mary had questions: which balloon shape performs best? How do currents and weather affect them? She became an aeronautical science, going up into the air to answer those questions – and more.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">What stories do YOU want to share with your children, your friends, your students? Why not write them down?</span></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><i>Calkins Creek provided copies of these books for review. They are an imprint of Astra Publishing. You can learn more about their books - and check out activity guides - at <a href="https://astrapublishinghouse.com/imprints/calkins-creek/" target="_blank">their website here</a>.</i></div></div>Sue Heavenrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550259613381458435noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-2482909388564390902024-02-28T08:30:00.000-05:002024-02-28T08:30:00.140-05:00MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH AND I WANT THIS BOOK! Debut Picture Book by Pam Vaughan (review by Kathy Halsey)<p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTim1mDYuJtLuyd7FSp5VOtjyS9vlP3pW63n8Kr_n6d1AHR5GQMTQ7NtVF1Opl900os49TokDDeXs0G6TdWyERdN05UwLW_zAxXfWz68x01zaR8HamKZl0zoAzbWfyTI9dWOk_nrogEXevuQUGPqQ4J9k1Kun0mEn3WR_R_QGulGoTeZBNFRHKKhoDJY/s1352/Image%201-18-24%20at%209.30%E2%80%AFAM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1352" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTim1mDYuJtLuyd7FSp5VOtjyS9vlP3pW63n8Kr_n6d1AHR5GQMTQ7NtVF1Opl900os49TokDDeXs0G6TdWyERdN05UwLW_zAxXfWz68x01zaR8HamKZl0zoAzbWfyTI9dWOk_nrogEXevuQUGPqQ4J9k1Kun0mEn3WR_R_QGulGoTeZBNFRHKKhoDJY/w400-h350/Image%201-18-24%20at%209.30%E2%80%AFAM.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Launching Summer 2024!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span id="docs-internal-guid-4c5b0f34-7fff-ec62-4101-628a698e01b9" style="font-family: times;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why do I love blogging? Part of it is the thrill of featuring friends and their books. Today, I’m featuring my long-time friend, hockey player, cheerleader for those of us still in the query trenches</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">—</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #9900ff; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000;">PAM VAUGHAN and her debut MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH!</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #9900ff; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Missy and Mason’s first book in this new picture book series features the pair at the Natural History Museum, a perfect setting to wonder, wander, and… think about mammoths! (A bit of our history: we met 2013-14 on a now defunct online critique group when we were new to children’s writing. Over the years, Pam introduced me to the NE SCBWI conference, The Writers Loft, and Whispering Pines. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsse7l6g47mjGclsZEf97B40uBC7XXiXQcmzYqEmYWR77h_FKVvpPsGORhUL3jVdxZvV7offcfQAsvs1MIyWQ32LM2TBzfpWoREuP4R9aus8rDBOYPzA_c1mcaJkSWQs-rtNWaOteu4Ri5B4qrZSdbEK1KINxgKBS6Qlp_q-LZb85XjIQkEjIjNelr3jY/s1434/Image%202-27-24%20at%2010.10%E2%80%AFAM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1334" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsse7l6g47mjGclsZEf97B40uBC7XXiXQcmzYqEmYWR77h_FKVvpPsGORhUL3jVdxZvV7offcfQAsvs1MIyWQ32LM2TBzfpWoREuP4R9aus8rDBOYPzA_c1mcaJkSWQs-rtNWaOteu4Ri5B4qrZSdbEK1KINxgKBS6Qlp_q-LZb85XjIQkEjIjNelr3jY/s320/Image%202-27-24%20at%2010.10%E2%80%AFAM.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Without Pam, I wouldn't have known about all these great writing events!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Missy Wants a Mammoth Book Review </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Idealistic, determined Missy has all sorts of plans for mammoth Malcolm, each idea sillier, and more farther-fetched from the one before. (Swinging from Malcolm's tusks? Yes, please!) However, Missy imagines him more as a friend than a pet. But practical, patient brother Mason can’t seem to reign in her imagination or her hope for a BFF, the extinct kind. Missy eventually gets her way and even manages to gift Mason with his own one-of-a-kind pet. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-be50e777-7fff-6eb9-ba2d-3d860c9e52c4" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Illustrator Ariel Landy’s illustrations are bright, engaging, and bring their own energy to Vaughan’s unique telling. Throughout the book, Mason plays hide-and -seek with readers!) Landy’s final illustration makes for the perfect ending with a “mammoth” twist!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjga6kdob_GPl66Ju3-TicW10r8hhXh49TscsUrqmKfLlg5M1i8e9bqD1g52oudKyylpE_TZnvTtEIycHfzB5Pa5yyBWeirYv4y63y3RKgkKCZam-nu1WhtAig8lU6uGaaFbm9XnyR1JjvK5yjYU1UW6BJGAifyaXbW5FZGtX-jlaRqRnymsLvn6_Pb2HA/s1448/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjga6kdob_GPl66Ju3-TicW10r8hhXh49TscsUrqmKfLlg5M1i8e9bqD1g52oudKyylpE_TZnvTtEIycHfzB5Pa5yyBWeirYv4y63y3RKgkKCZam-nu1WhtAig8lU6uGaaFbm9XnyR1JjvK5yjYU1UW6BJGAifyaXbW5FZGtX-jlaRqRnymsLvn6_Pb2HA/w400-h240/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Do you see Malcolm's tail? I do!</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pam Vaughan’s debut picture book re-envisions </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;">sibling stories and stories of outrageous pets </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;">with out-of-the-box ideas and her trademark wit. Add the whimsy and charm of mammoth Malcolm, and you have a read-aloud-again-please book that will have kids imagining their own over-the-top pet wishes. (LOL, parents be warned!) </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH is also more than a pet story, it’s </span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">a sibling series where the siblings get along (in their own way)</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">a look at de-extinction and a lens into science discovery for fascinated kids and educators</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A main character with spunk and imagination.</span></span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Readers will root for Missy to get her way. Children’s writers will want to study the voice and dialogue that reveal personality with such skill. Best, of all, new Missy and Mason books are coming! </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsopDtqRozLgEIPhVEbIBWsPJbV95G2Yxd_lchz-WJ3AK2h7sDauEReh8s1Uj4ROMDrMp6Z2WNkoqH22ZkaF4zaZd01r0-ewz_sZXwuXN36wEu2tDNbppHq-ASBQ-CvEv8AfamT20VToKS1_Xf3943uKABkdYxJttbf-8Q-mjAb7e1MmmofxF1O68UAFY/s1280/Pam%20Vaughan%20author%20photo%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsopDtqRozLgEIPhVEbIBWsPJbV95G2Yxd_lchz-WJ3AK2h7sDauEReh8s1Uj4ROMDrMp6Z2WNkoqH22ZkaF4zaZd01r0-ewz_sZXwuXN36wEu2tDNbppHq-ASBQ-CvEv8AfamT20VToKS1_Xf3943uKABkdYxJttbf-8Q-mjAb7e1MmmofxF1O68UAFY/s320/Pam%20Vaughan%20author%20photo%203.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Author Chat with Pam Vaughan</span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Kathy: It seems ever since we met, I knew about Missy and Mason. Missy and Mason feel like people I know. Can you tell us the origin story of these stories?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Pam: Yes, I’ve known Missy and Mason for quite a while.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">One night, I was in bed thinking about a character who wants something she can’t have, and how might she get it. Missy and her wild imagination came to me very clearly as did her realistic-thinking brother, Mason. I had to get up and write down their conversation.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000;"> The fun and funny thing about Missy and Mason is that they say stuff and my job is to write it down.</span></span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></div></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Kathy: It’s amazing to have characters talk to us, right? You wrote what called to you, and these stories are now becoming real! You persevered doing what you enjoyed. Pam, your dry, subtle humor comes through in these stories. Did you think about marketability or series potential as you wrote about these siblings?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Pam: Thank you! I’m happy to hear that you find the story humorous.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">At first I didn’t really know if there was anything to Missy and Mason’s stories. The first time I brought one to a critique group meeting everyone liked it. The funny thing was, at the next meeting, I brought a totally different project and people asked, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“This story is good, but do you have any more Missy & Mason stories?” Then they started offering up titles of things that Missy & Mason could want!</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> That gave me confidence that maybe they were worth writing more stories about them.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Since then, I’d always thought about Missy and Mason as a series.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Kathy: You bring up an important point for writers, if we’re unclear about our, ideas, our critique partners will let us know! Another topic we’ve debated about Missy and Mason is the choice of dialogue. Did you experiment with first person or third person? Why did dialogue work best?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Pam: For some reason these characters come to me in dialogue. When I first started querying I remember a particular pass from an agent that said dialogue-only books don’t sell. That surprised me. So, I searched my library and took out as many dialogue-only picture books I could find. Turns out there were tons! I realized that the pass wasn’t personal and it was an opinion, not a fact. But even still, I did play around with writing in narrative, and tried changing POV. But Missy’s voice always comes to me in dialogue. It’s an interesting way to write because all of the context of the story must be conveyed through conversation and assisted by the illustrations.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: times; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4T3N69h0IzEnwpKPMogUYr71FugJpUD70BXA4g1vtpcWqJtJ9g6IyiGmYfGew0QEZepX7JN5hCt2lCuf63-J4YltilYbJ4YucWWGfIDak9AoputV-eGJkL1FvPvlEYvqAabQrEBN68ATvHgbtU4W-e6ViqANpv6yjO7q83aP3mnLqZjGPD-ipk6t86s/s1546/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1546" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4T3N69h0IzEnwpKPMogUYr71FugJpUD70BXA4g1vtpcWqJtJ9g6IyiGmYfGew0QEZepX7JN5hCt2lCuf63-J4YltilYbJ4YucWWGfIDak9AoputV-eGJkL1FvPvlEYvqAabQrEBN68ATvHgbtU4W-e6ViqANpv6yjO7q83aP3mnLqZjGPD-ipk6t86s/w400-h230/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Imagine all the fun they'll have! Mason, he's not so sure.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Kathy: Speaking of illustrations, did you have many illustrator notes? How did the characters match with your imagined ones?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Pam: I did have some illustrator notes but not a ton. I immensely respect the talent and expertise of illustrators and want them to have room to do their thing. I did give context that the story takes place in a Natural History Museum and a few other locations throughout. And the end needed some notes for clarity.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I tried not to imagine what the characters would look like so I was thrilled with what <a href="https://thebrightagency.com/us/childrens-illustration/artists/ariel-landy" target="_blank">Ariel Landy </a>created. My heart melted when I saw that she made Missy with strawberry-blond hair like me! We’ve never met or even spoken so I think she may have looked me up, or maybe it was a mere coincidence. Ariel totally knocked the illustrations out of the park! I love them SO much! The way she captured Missy and Mason’s energy, exuberance, and exasperation is remarkable! And how about the vibrant and vivacious palette she used? She totally made magic in MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH!.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Kathy: Yes, Missy magically has a Pam Vaughan vibe! Ariel created a color palette that really jumps out and hooks readers' eyes. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Tell us a bit about your writing journey. What was your path to publication like? I know #PBChat Mentorship in 2019 was a big step in your querying process.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Pam: I’ve been on this kidlit writing journey for a while. It doesn’t feel like a long time because it’s been so much fun. I love learning, so that played into the fact that there is a lot to learn especially writing for children.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I pretty much read all sorts of craft books, blogs, & mentor texts. I attended workshops, conferences, retreats. I stopped being afraid to ask questions or be the most clueless one in the room. I inundated myself with trying to learn everything I could about writing.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I went all in and attended conferences and joined online groups and in person communities like The Writers’ Loft. I signed up for a few mentorships. Finally, in 2019 I was picked as a mentee by Anika Denise in #PBChat hosted by Justin Colón. I was so grateful to work with Anika who helped me get Missy/ Mason where it needed to be. In November of 2019, I queried an agent that I was super excited about. He asked to have a call and I signed with him in January of 2020. We sold Missy/Mason in June of 2020.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Coincidentally, I originally met my editor a long time ago at an SCBWI conference and my agent at a Whispering Pines Writers’ Retreat. That’s a whole other story!</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CXLu6H-TQCkJzG6lcadW20JHK2AklyPw0mX3COJQrBP4gp16-NaI8FlYsA3kRMrORzQUhiZ8cgDmJ91FUfEwoSGY2LzB15ua2sVm2gF8OQvL6T7Qk7wSVFBH6CWgn2cSDBUAfKOfeNGaNUbCLlT6rcwgstYFtin9_Uy_XNwUJ1vsZUcOlnwRKobgTA0/s1246/Enicott.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1246" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CXLu6H-TQCkJzG6lcadW20JHK2AklyPw0mX3COJQrBP4gp16-NaI8FlYsA3kRMrORzQUhiZ8cgDmJ91FUfEwoSGY2LzB15ua2sVm2gF8OQvL6T7Qk7wSVFBH6CWgn2cSDBUAfKOfeNGaNUbCLlT6rcwgstYFtin9_Uy_XNwUJ1vsZUcOlnwRKobgTA0/w400-h343/Enicott.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Pam, Co-Director of Whispering Pines, MIT Endicott House, 2022</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Kathy: Readers, remember, keep putting yourself out there. Say “yes” like Pam did to all the opportunities you can take on.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Those of us who know Pam, know of her ability to create community in the children’s literature world. She is passionate about helping others and has done so through her leadership roles with SCBWI, The Writers Loft, and the Whispering Pines Writing Retreat. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000;">When I first started it was hard from a community perspective because I didn’t have one. I remember attending a few SCBWI conferences in New England and being super nervous. I ate lunch by myself because I didn’t know anyone. Even though it was hard to sit alone, I kept attending because I knew I had a lot to learn.</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #9900ff; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now that’s grit at work!) </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">My local kidlit writer friend Donna Woelki told me about SCBWI local meetups. I attended a couple hosted by Kris Asselin and got to meet a few people. At one of those meet ups, I met Heather Kelly, the founder of The Writers’ Loft which was a community of local writers. I attended meetings and workshops and joined a critique group at The Writers’ Loft and met more people. Then I joined the board and helped coordinate events. Eventually I became the NESCBWI conference photographer, and guess what? I met more people. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I also had the privilege of attending the Whispering Pines Writers’ Retreat a couple of times run by Lynda Mullaly Hunt – and I met more children’s book authors and illustrators and learned so much. Then, I took over running the retreat.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000;">But no matter what event I’m at, I remember what it felt like to sit alone, so I always make a point to talk with people (especially if they look lost or alone) and introduce people.</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #9900ff; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(Great suggestion!)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Kathy: Pam, I know we both feel it’s important to join and give back to our community? Why is that important? </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Pam: It’s wonderful and helpful to be a part of a community of writers, and/or have writer/illustrator friends, who truly understand the ebb and flow of the whole process. Also, it’s a difficult and challenging industry with many ups and downs. My writing friends have been so helpful by sharing insights, experiences, and inspiration. I’m so lucky to have met so many phenomenal people on my journey.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">One really big thing about community is that doing anything is so much better when you are having fun and doing it with others!</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_5p8jP0JlpxDSb7ol1K34AcY6wkYb5SaCeB9FpJYSVPV3tdE7dN9oZafi68WsEoKDEOJiXQ1qnpqRfJ7kb3vprr2_PC4m5O4COEF4HqstcAJNh5slyPhnyhMzGFsexKzZSIKEgXlIaAKOH79yPKfsx_I5-GirOCx3mz5nNT-gLgqyFP7VN2xzg0iYUI/s978/PVcoach.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="978" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_5p8jP0JlpxDSb7ol1K34AcY6wkYb5SaCeB9FpJYSVPV3tdE7dN9oZafi68WsEoKDEOJiXQ1qnpqRfJ7kb3vprr2_PC4m5O4COEF4HqstcAJNh5slyPhnyhMzGFsexKzZSIKEgXlIaAKOH79yPKfsx_I5-GirOCx3mz5nNT-gLgqyFP7VN2xzg0iYUI/w400-h294/PVcoach.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Coach Pam motivates on the field with athletes, off field with writers! </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Kathy: Yes, that idea of play and camaraderie comes through in our writing. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Anyone who has met you knows that you are a source of encouragement and, like me, see you as “Coach Pam.” Does your background in coaching influence you and your writing career? </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Pam: I believe that everyone has unique skills, abilities, and incredible experiences. People forget how special and amazing they are and how important their stories are. Children out there need these stories. Maybe I’m just trying to remind people of that. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #990000;">Plus, it is such a privilege and honor to write for children and to create beautiful books that reach children physically and emotionally where they are. If we quit, the kids miss out. </span><span style="color: #9900ff;"> </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Kathy: And now, inquiring minds want to know WHY does Missy want a mammoth? </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 12pt;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Pam: Great question!</span></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><span><div style="color: #990000; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Who doesn’t want a pet mammoth like Malcolm? He is so cute and cuddly with his fuzzy head and furry belly and he is as sweet as a kitten. He can do tricks and loves picnics and dancing.</span></div></span><br /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-family: times; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81uYWtG5DXsNmt3e3P7w0TqNGlnT_dkhy2U8jqIU5gYP5T-_B-LiuY9pWs1Hr25fP_eWa6fa4DKODLN9cegC5P-SFtwyEZadNVaVvLCSeMh-JxpLFqBcfZRra0_tgUOPOmJXezLHaYrmARkWMZNGyni0u4pl-WYn98kS0a7Ug08mYsENlgXxHrp02XXo/s680/PVhat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="680" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81uYWtG5DXsNmt3e3P7w0TqNGlnT_dkhy2U8jqIU5gYP5T-_B-LiuY9pWs1Hr25fP_eWa6fa4DKODLN9cegC5P-SFtwyEZadNVaVvLCSeMh-JxpLFqBcfZRra0_tgUOPOmJXezLHaYrmARkWMZNGyni0u4pl-WYn98kS0a7Ug08mYsENlgXxHrp02XXo/s320/PVhat.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p dir="ltr" style="color: #990000; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.50545; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Preorder MISSY WANTS a MAMMOTH at Pam's local indie,the Silver Unicorn,</span><a href="https://silverunicornbooks.com/item/2wJn2c0AgM5Kp0MsTH7gtw" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> here</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> . Pam will sign them and they will ship them. Yo</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">u can use the Bookshop link </span><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/missy-and-mason-1-missy-wants-a-mammoth-pam-vaughan/18011907?ean=9781645950844" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">here</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Order wherever you choose. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.50545; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pam Vaughan: </span><a href="https://linktr.ee/pamvaughan" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://linktr.ee/pamvaughan</span></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.50545; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Website: </span><a href="https://www.pamvaughanauthor.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.pamvaughanauthor.com/</span></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.50545; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Bluesky: </span><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/pamvau.bsky.social" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://bsky.app/profile/pamvau.bsky.social</span></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.50545; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pamvau.12914/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/pamvau.12914/</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">X: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/pamvau" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/pamvau</span></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.50545; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ariel Landy : </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ariellandyart/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.instagram.com/ariellandyart/</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #990000;">Facebook:</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.facebook.com/ariellandyart</span></span></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-20cd6a56-7fff-c250-8653-9c3dded17a2e"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Pam Vaughan</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> lives with her family across from a pond on a cul-de-sac in central Massachusetts. She’s director of Whispering Pines Writers’ Retreat and co-ARA of New England’s SCBWI chapter. When she’s not writing books for kids, she loves walking in the woods and playing ice hockey. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Missy Wants a Mammoth</span></span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times;"> is her first book.</span> </span></span></span></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><br /><p></p>Kathy Halseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11600954824509054774noreply@blogger.com17New York, NY, USA40.7127753 -74.0059728-35.05840543208766 145.36902720000003 90 66.619027199999977tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-28762403615197120102024-02-21T07:00:00.007-05:002024-02-21T07:00:00.135-05:00Author Interview: Hope Lim and Sourgrass<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Today I welcome author Hope Lim to the Grog Blog! I first heard of Hope with her first picture book, <i>I Am a Bird (2021). </i>Since then, she's had two more picture books published, with her fourth one, <i>Sourgrass,</i> a beautiful friendship story, out on March 26th from Beach Lane Books. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyharIUoN8vSKC7IAv6h1CQPckUOtyMotqQJWZsWhheut9sroe4ztVOmeK3xOrK973UtzUbcls7thzPyWuofROrfqkFLveWxu3mj39841LvYNje4ZQ6fRDpPxVGU8PkMIrKX3sI9sE0T8m7C55mgRCnbZwjYIVNHsFUacPkpl-36imwNcUhp-SU87OqdI/s3300/Image5_SOURGRASS%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="3300" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyharIUoN8vSKC7IAv6h1CQPckUOtyMotqQJWZsWhheut9sroe4ztVOmeK3xOrK973UtzUbcls7thzPyWuofROrfqkFLveWxu3mj39841LvYNje4ZQ6fRDpPxVGU8PkMIrKX3sI9sE0T8m7C55mgRCnbZwjYIVNHsFUacPkpl-36imwNcUhp-SU87OqdI/s320/Image5_SOURGRASS%20cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">1. Tell us a little about yourself.</span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I love to run. I started to run when I came to America and did not enjoy it at first because of cramps I would get. But I kept running because I felt much lighter in my heart and body in the end. After I experienced a runner’s high for the first time, running became an integral part of my daily life. I use my running as time to reflect or connect with the many sights and sounds around me. It’s amazing how I encounter something new every time I’m out running. In addition to the wonders in nature, seeing so many people out running and being in that anonymous group of people with the bond of running always lifts my heart.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;">2. What inspired you to write <i>Sourgrass</i>? How did you get the idea?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The idea for SOURGRASS came to me when I spotted the single stem of sourgrass poking through the tiniest crack in our fence. Its five leaves were in my yard and the rest of stem and roots were in our neighbor’s yard. I pondered about its meaning and named it ‘hope,’ after noticing how the way it grew through the fence, a wall of separation, seemed to showcase nature’s wonderous power of making the impossible possible. I knew there was a story in that single stem of sourgrass and later created a first draft, which marked the beginning of a year long journey to SOURGRASS, a story of friendship, memories, and hope. I also happened to ruminate on the meaning of trust and wanted to convey the act of placing trust in a friend as something beautiful and perhaps even noble.</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRjLEMbJicQhC9jwkUmjJ4MNQ77OchxhTZ_la9fYqv7KkAgBsw2y93xVgoGoW6tr8bsez-_2G2vYzAP8ekvja8Uu1dIOLQZnftdm_Bi5ydWdYxy4zYcs7RsvEWAAzHL3QSvu6jVNpw4wxWg8b6FzSa_p828Hau10VZbFV3IiLQm0gv9oxvUmye4Lj_Z4/s2774/Image1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="2774" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRjLEMbJicQhC9jwkUmjJ4MNQ77OchxhTZ_la9fYqv7KkAgBsw2y93xVgoGoW6tr8bsez-_2G2vYzAP8ekvja8Uu1dIOLQZnftdm_Bi5ydWdYxy4zYcs7RsvEWAAzHL3QSvu6jVNpw4wxWg8b6FzSa_p828Hau10VZbFV3IiLQm0gv9oxvUmye4Lj_Z4/s320/Image1.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">3. How long did it take to write this story?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I wrote my first draft shortly after I spotted the single stem of sourgrass back in February 2021, and spent much of that year writing and re-writing SOURGRASS until it was finally ready for submission. After it was sold, I revised it more following my editor’s thoughtful revision notes that not only resonated with me at every level but also added depth of emotion to SOURGRASS. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">4. How long did it take to sell this story?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">After I finished my “final” version of SOURGRASS in November 2021, my agent submitted it in February 2022, and it was sold in the same month. The flurry of exchanges with two amazing editors was quite unforgettable, and I’m so grateful for their vision and love for bringing SOURGRASS to the world.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">5. What do you hope readers take away from reading this book?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I love how spring returns every year with so much hope and promise. In SOURGRASS, a story of return and renewal, Sofia learns to live in hope, trusting that what she loves will eventually return and appreciating her friendship with May. I think hope and trust go together, and like Sofia, I want readers to feel hopeful and optimistic in a difficult time of inevitable changes, such as parting with a friend. Sofia rises above the uncertainty and doubt brought by distance and finds a way to keep her trust in May and their friendship. I wanted to write a story where this take on the world prevails and gets rewarded in the end.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">6. What is your favorite part of the illustrations?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This was a hard question to answer, because I can’t pick just one. I love everything Shahrzad Maydani did in SOURGRASS, including her choice of vibrant colors reminiscent of spring, the additional storyline she created using two stuffed animals, and the child-like expressions and movements Sofia and May share. I was particularly impressed by the cinematic way Shahrzad captured significant moments in SOURGRASS, where readers are facing the same direction as the characters, and this perspective is repeated later in other meaningful scenes. The two stuffed animals coming alive is another magical touch, and they always make me smile. One of the best parts of being a picture book writer is when the final art of the book arrives like a gift, and I get to re-live that special moment every time I open the book.</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWGH20X92_yYbVCES6yaMD57cQ1L61niODhR_9LOYk9O-YfCDmA5hvnzha1v5L74MWEuIdOJAsT5Ie2sbhWUHwRXw6lMncYTYI6mkuzeWG5qvyhJH3JsF-YKtWpQlOGw43R-ARJYmP6IZixhBoueoVbq3t13mcImfN1PQb7f-Nt_DalyK_oo0XN4rZU4/s2766/Image2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="2766" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWGH20X92_yYbVCES6yaMD57cQ1L61niODhR_9LOYk9O-YfCDmA5hvnzha1v5L74MWEuIdOJAsT5Ie2sbhWUHwRXw6lMncYTYI6mkuzeWG5qvyhJH3JsF-YKtWpQlOGw43R-ARJYmP6IZixhBoueoVbq3t13mcImfN1PQb7f-Nt_DalyK_oo0XN4rZU4/s320/Image2.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">7. What was most surprising about the illustrations? </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I remembered my heart beating fast during the first read of the color proofs of SOURGRASS, and I was moved to tears when I closed the last page. Some of Shahrzad’s illustrations brought back memories from childhood, which had been stored in colorful still images inside me, mirroring what sourgrass does in the story. I often use the word, ‘glorious’ to describe one bright afternoon when I ran through the golden fields, catching dragonflies, and tasting wild berries off bushes. Those childhood images have a dreamy quality, even surreal, in part because they only exist as memories. And I see and feel the same emotive quality in the way Shahrzad captured Sofia and May’s shared memories. And I would say that was most surprising about her illustration. I am still awed by the bittersweetness she conveyed in her art.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">8. What advice do you have for writers?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Once I was told that every book has its own journey, and I think the same thing applies to writers. I have learned the importance of being gentle and patient with ourselves while making our journeys uniquely our own.</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">9. What’s next for you?</span></span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have a new book, AT THE WINDOW, illustrated by the amazing Qin Leng, scheduled to come out in spring 2025 by Candlewick Press. It’s a story about a special connection, changes, and a shift of perspective told through the eyes of a child whose relationship with her neighbor enables her to discover new things in an unexpected way.</span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfwWU2lcROM0_f7aMH0J5Ylc1J0ZbVWou5vp-uMZSIPIUk566VUdnmUXj-nYX0tSMbF5I8pQPk7Q0cXKqFfDh9I5zPycX11IBPQb9TKEVRG-zJTBYTaoG-VhwCX0HyFS4iMEuoCOcmeUaj3ujUtz84y9QKZsvEFkjqjDfgfc3zlcsSuLCuzY4R_bLuVc/s1535/Hope%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="1270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfwWU2lcROM0_f7aMH0J5Ylc1J0ZbVWou5vp-uMZSIPIUk566VUdnmUXj-nYX0tSMbF5I8pQPk7Q0cXKqFfDh9I5zPycX11IBPQb9TKEVRG-zJTBYTaoG-VhwCX0HyFS4iMEuoCOcmeUaj3ujUtz84y9QKZsvEFkjqjDfgfc3zlcsSuLCuzY4R_bLuVc/w265-h320/Hope%20(1).jpg" width="265" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.hopelim.com/books.html" target="_blank">HopeLim</a> is the author of I AM A BIRD by Hyewon Yum; MY TREE by Il Sung Na; and
MOMMY’S HOMETOWN by Jamie Kim. She lives in San Francisco, where she spots the
yellow flowers of sourgrass every spring. Her upcoming book, SOURGRASS, will be
released by Beach Lane Books/ S&S on March 26, 2024</span></span></div><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: collapse;">**</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: collapse;">Please follow our blog! Subscribe on the top right blue box!</span></span></div>Tina Chohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02808651865125809841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-62985167790249513652024-02-16T19:54:00.002-05:002024-02-16T19:54:50.766-05:00What's It All About? An Idea for Focusing Your Manuscript by Fran Hodgkins<p> As part of some freelance editing I've been doing lately, I've been writing marketing materials. I realized that this would be a useful tool for focusing your manuscript.</p><p>First, there are short and long book summaries. You can think of these as jacket-flap copy or a back of the book copy, or as an elevator pitch. I start writing with the short summary, with a hook—a snappy sentence that will catch interest. Questions and startling statements are good attention-getters!<br /></p><p>For example, I've written this short summary for my picture book, <i>How People Learned to Fly</i>:<br /></p><p><i>Do you dream about flying? People have wanted to fly like birds for centuries. But how? What did people need to learn before they could fly? In this picture book, readers explore the experiments and discoveries that human beings made before they soared.</i><br /></p><p>The short summary, which should run less than 50 words, is the basis of the long one (about 150 words). (I suppose if you're more of a subtractor than an adder, you can reverse the order!). <br /></p><p>Then, think about who would enjoy your book, and write statements about them that complete this sentence: "This book is for anyone who . . . ." For example, if you're working on a maritime adventure, your statements could include: "This book is for anyone who loves seafaring history." </p><p> BISAC subject codes come next. These are classification codes produced by the Book Industry Study Group. Find them <a href="https://www.bisg.org/complete-bisac-subject-headings-list">here,</a> The codes are grouped into topic areas that range from Antiques and Collectibles to Young Adult Nonfiction. Each topic is then broken down into subcategories. I've found browsing the categories has helped me get a firm idea of what my story is about, whether I'm working on fiction or nonfiction. </p><p>When you open a topic, you'll see a listing like this:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9mgwJJpzaZbHNYuiI99LcE80zLWHDKpezGagsXtFKL2fu5aNXl_SB_pSh2K1eELFO5Tf82lJWkWt25T8NCv_k2JwcMN5NcBmneTHz2ccky0iyp9s7R8ULXQ0Idm8fiYoYSUcyrvoNSdvcse_uORngPlyXjarhC2NEvXgzRiscHoMHssyy_QnkfHUdRI/s672/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%207.08.29%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="672" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9mgwJJpzaZbHNYuiI99LcE80zLWHDKpezGagsXtFKL2fu5aNXl_SB_pSh2K1eELFO5Tf82lJWkWt25T8NCv_k2JwcMN5NcBmneTHz2ccky0iyp9s7R8ULXQ0Idm8fiYoYSUcyrvoNSdvcse_uORngPlyXjarhC2NEvXgzRiscHoMHssyy_QnkfHUdRI/w640-h384/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%207.08.29%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>As yout can see from the listing for "Baby Animals," the list gets fairly granular! However, I'm not staying that you should include the BISAC codes in your cover letter or proposal? No. However, this will give you idea of where in the great galaxy of books your book may fit. That will help libraries and booksellers to understand your book and decide where to shelve it. What if there's no BISAC code? As granular as this list may be, it is also inclusive because every topic area starts with a "General" category.</p><p>The BISAC topics also help me to figure out where to look for comp titles. Comp titles have been the biggest stumbling block I face when working on a proposal, but having the BISAC at hand saves me hours of time searching for titles. I use them on Amazon or WorldCat, typing keywords from the topic into the search bar and narrowing the search down with the tools available on the site:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoynyuxFYFbXCbo_qub533kvEjnGCbl3U7KdgTwBK-OlRgFSXK3FZJnWsrEIgsSa5Y2qpMJy8To9NDwWoBg7qQv2a-qtLFbrkgVMVcOsVvgZmbh-1YLyfKylzJS7azZ2ewveSMTM1FNiDFyRydsnJea7JZhE-bIsJIAMQy9Lc5wmtLtcHX5CSdk858G5Y/s505/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%207.22.50%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="505" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoynyuxFYFbXCbo_qub533kvEjnGCbl3U7KdgTwBK-OlRgFSXK3FZJnWsrEIgsSa5Y2qpMJy8To9NDwWoBg7qQv2a-qtLFbrkgVMVcOsVvgZmbh-1YLyfKylzJS7azZ2ewveSMTM1FNiDFyRydsnJea7JZhE-bIsJIAMQy9Lc5wmtLtcHX5CSdk858G5Y/w400-h381/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%207.22.50%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><i>An Amazon search based on a BISAC code.</i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SSVtyxoDc5032OXri8_PGr5rWU0WpRuVhfr-c4ZnXqLFC4dfBVzaNeI5sNMzbYdK-K_nxBcsCEWGGIOtJ5T7gvUSKCw_I_cXjN0D4Z3F7h2YwBe6YXCHUTbtCq5NxXt3an36wEwx1eTBsneAffggSt_qVaJCi6aPHUcAm57Qsj9x-zNIr-3YGOZE4Z4/s900/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%207.26.00%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="900" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SSVtyxoDc5032OXri8_PGr5rWU0WpRuVhfr-c4ZnXqLFC4dfBVzaNeI5sNMzbYdK-K_nxBcsCEWGGIOtJ5T7gvUSKCw_I_cXjN0D4Z3F7h2YwBe6YXCHUTbtCq5NxXt3an36wEwx1eTBsneAffggSt_qVaJCi6aPHUcAm57Qsj9x-zNIr-3YGOZE4Z4/w400-h220/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-16%20at%207.26.00%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></i></div><i><br /> WorldCat allows you to find titles held in libraries around the world. </i><p></p><p>When you've gotten your search underway, you'll be able to narrow your search to recent titles to include on your proposal. (And discover which publishers have titles on the same topic, so you know they may not be best to approach!)</p><p>I'm going to try this method for my next manuscript, and I'll let you know how it goes! If you try it, please let me know how it works for you.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Fran Hodgkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123449608519251317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-12946561769763156252024-02-07T05:00:00.197-05:002024-02-07T05:00:00.178-05:00Introducing Illustrator Marta Álvarez by Tina Cho<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eafstw4mBckhOOIPQ3bvodHSEG0-9q31D3sXehm2plcccL1q8xtEQAWmsBbKEGOQSPgRmpiCVhF4YdTzLq1_8AL2zy_6LLiPgo5oyeRR16au3Z3m9ndPh_5ZiKgutUa2RxvrJ6sazO-ALv0KE0bppOFpon1dv8Ib0ljFl3yCpLqw8pHvSdj-iljEjsg/s2627/God'sLittleAstronomercover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2625" data-original-width="2627" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eafstw4mBckhOOIPQ3bvodHSEG0-9q31D3sXehm2plcccL1q8xtEQAWmsBbKEGOQSPgRmpiCVhF4YdTzLq1_8AL2zy_6LLiPgo5oyeRR16au3Z3m9ndPh_5ZiKgutUa2RxvrJ6sazO-ALv0KE0bppOFpon1dv8Ib0ljFl3yCpLqw8pHvSdj-iljEjsg/s320/God'sLittleAstronomercover.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Today I welcome award winning illustrator, Marta Álvarez </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Miguéns. She is the illustrator of our new picture book, <i>God's Little Astronomer</i>, out February 20, from Penguin Random House's Christian Imprint, Waterbrook. You might recognize her name from other books she's illustrated, most notably, <i>Shark Lady. </i>To see a sneak peak of our book, click this <a href="https://waterbrookmultnomah.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Gods-Little-Astronomer-Sneak-Peek.pdf" target="_blank">link. </a></span></span></span><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Tell us a little about yourself.</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b> </b>I am a
children's book illustrator who lives in Coruña, a city in northern Spain
facing the Atlantic Sea. I have been illustrating books since 2001 for Spanish
publishers and since 2014 for publishers mainly in the US and UK, although many
of my books have already been translated into many languages such as Chinese,
Swedish or Japanese.</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 1sp;">How many books have you illustrated?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I
have illustrated around 40 children's books and some textbooks as well.</span></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">What made you decide to take on <span class="Ninguno"><i>God’s Little
Astronomer</i></span>?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I
have always been interested in topics about science and nature</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;"> and</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> I had barely had the opportunity to
illustrate about the universe and its mysteries</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">. S</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;">o when they offered me this project
with such an original approach</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">,</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> it seemed great
to me. The </span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">story</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> is </span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">engaging</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;">,</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;">educational and
combined with an inspiring Bible verse</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">.
Because Faith and Science should not</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> be</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">
incompatible</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;">.</span></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">What kind of research did you do for this book?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Since my job
is to add images to the story, my </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">re</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">search is quite visual. I have to see
photos of everything, of what the Milky Way looks like, the appearance of a
comet, a rocket, the planets, stars</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">…</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">etc</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">. A</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">lways looking for reliable sources</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">.
Then</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> I have to digest
everything to simplify it and show it in a </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">way </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">that is attractive to children.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Tell us about your illustration process.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">First I
usually make a design of the main character of the story. </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">Then
i</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">f the book is
non-fiction, I document and take references to start with the first line
sketches. In this phase I pay close attention to the composition and point of
view of each scene and what I want to show or </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">where</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> I want to show more emphasis. Here I
try things until everything fits like a puzzle. Sometimes my sketches are not
very defined and are like scribbles and I think “my goodness, I hope the editor
understands this”… I don't like to define them too much, because as they can
undergo many changes, I prefer that they simply point to a general idea of
composition. Then I like to be more specific, especially in the final art
phase. Once the sketches are approved </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">I </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">would move on to color, where I
usually add more details or elements that did not appear very specific in the
sketches.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">How did you come up with the girl main character? And I’m happy the other
character</span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">is an Asian boy, which isn’t as popular in books, especially
nonfiction. I’m glad to see a diverse cast of characters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The truth is
that at first I thought of the character in a practical way and with a color
palette. I like my illustrations to be with very vibrant and contrasting
colors. As the illustrations about space could all end up being a very dark and
monotonous blue, the color had to come from the characters. So I wanted the
protagonist to have red hair, which my editor liked, but there also had to be a
lot of diversity among the protagonists. Although red-haired people usually
have white skin, there is also a percentage of red-haired people with other
skin tones and we decided to design it that way. Then I remembered a British
sci-fi series with puppets from the 80s</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">:</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> “Terrahawks” and one of the
protagonists, Captain Kate Kestrel, was black with pink curly hair and I
thought it was fantastic. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We also included an Asian child who would expand the range of
diversity and who would interact with the protagonist to give a little more
life to the space. In the end I think the two characters turned out super
adorable.</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">What is your favorite spread and why? <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p><span class="Ninguno"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I
think it's hard for me to choose just one. I have many favorites! I love the
illustration of the comet because of how simple it is and at the same time
impressive.</span></span></p><p><span class="Ninguno"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0__bOqm-0o0MKnouwuAAUxwi7kU0-QcjeIRjPcJbHAXzPWrfXmoOvKSpWbQ1nmBEW3hutP34zEyGYUz0XfZCkR3QB09EbPCpJSJyKe3MSEbY6BEhRtJfTIfTQhjJjcCpExeEZzN4_tdHAnQN0KkV14SE4JZfsBqbyfjvMFtCDWgSc_aQ84oPa2Th3OII/s1000/GLAstronomer%20Comet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="1000" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0__bOqm-0o0MKnouwuAAUxwi7kU0-QcjeIRjPcJbHAXzPWrfXmoOvKSpWbQ1nmBEW3hutP34zEyGYUz0XfZCkR3QB09EbPCpJSJyKe3MSEbY6BEhRtJfTIfTQhjJjcCpExeEZzN4_tdHAnQN0KkV14SE4JZfsBqbyfjvMFtCDWgSc_aQ84oPa2Th3OII/s320/GLAstronomer%20Comet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I really like the two children inside
the rocket, one floating </span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">right side
up </span></span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">and one upside down, showing the lack of gravity. I really like playing
with symmetry in illustrations.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOo8u2t2lIHODG1tPGKVceUQ-ifghe6A1xtLlDvHDIW_BpMDQ-MwzyXVY66U_57nZoDrAYrdOgJEj4FBGDQSsKciakBhEAxNGOcP8kzU6l1OdHqtXmrbk2v9tmmEgAt3I2zL1fXRFSEL_9LftdH2vI80av7zpWgw6wGj-mOaHw7IzaDl6C0iT7hwj-xw/s1000/GLAstronomer%20inside%20rocket.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="1000" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOo8u2t2lIHODG1tPGKVceUQ-ifghe6A1xtLlDvHDIW_BpMDQ-MwzyXVY66U_57nZoDrAYrdOgJEj4FBGDQSsKciakBhEAxNGOcP8kzU6l1OdHqtXmrbk2v9tmmEgAt3I2zL1fXRFSEL_9LftdH2vI80av7zpWgw6wGj-mOaHw7IzaDl6C0iT7hwj-xw/s320/GLAstronomer%20inside%20rocket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Ninguno"><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">
And also the illustration of the girl shining like a star. All thanks to the
inspiring text of the </span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span lang="ES-TRAD">story</span>.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Ninguno"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaj7lYWks4ssmx5uB1KOuea5ZGrXcznKSF5ZWSCXpXn_o7UvyLIb6TuU_TTUCfIPlhoe4rqPHVBZVMDBzYlmWSTgcWLAzbRaXzeDqxIvv1spoOs6aObCF61zx_ABIx6rSLNcLvihFvoodackclGtBKdLnmRGAhDKxa7a305HwBt_JfR2pkNEW3J3mscU/s1000/GLAstronomer%20Star.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="1000" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaj7lYWks4ssmx5uB1KOuea5ZGrXcznKSF5ZWSCXpXn_o7UvyLIb6TuU_TTUCfIPlhoe4rqPHVBZVMDBzYlmWSTgcWLAzbRaXzeDqxIvv1spoOs6aObCF61zx_ABIx6rSLNcLvihFvoodackclGtBKdLnmRGAhDKxa7a305HwBt_JfR2pkNEW3J3mscU/s320/GLAstronomer%20Star.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What was the hardest part about illustrating this book?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span class="Ninguno"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The hardest
thing sometimes is trying to be as scientifically accurate as possible but at
the same time keep</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">ing</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> things simple and accessible for children.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">And since a </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">picture
</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">book is made between the
collaboration of </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">a writer, an i</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">llustrator and</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;"> an</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> editor, we also always have to find
a point at which we are all happy with the result.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">What’s next for you?</span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Well, now I
am working on the next book in this series, “God's Little Oceanographer” which
this time </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">is starring </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">the Asian boy who appears here. I think</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">
it</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> is looking beautiful.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Any advice for budding illustrators/writers?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">My advice is
to be persistent. At first it is difficult to enter this world, but once you
start, if you do it well, more and more projects tend to come. </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">It’s
necessary to</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> work on a
good portfolio of images, and if possible, present </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">your</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> own project or in collaboration with
another writer/illustrator.</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">
It’s </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">also</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">
good to</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> illustrate a
classic story so that </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">publishers</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> can see how you perform in a
narrative sequence. And always, always, once you start working on this, join an
association of writers or illustrators to guide you with </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">agreements</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> and how to budget</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">.
We </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">should not give away
our work in exchange for publication, or in exchange for promotion, </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">w</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">e already have that in our social
networks. At the end this is like any other job that has to pay the bills.</span></p><p class="Cuerpo"><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="DA" style="line-height: 115%;"><b>What do you like to do for fun?</b></span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Cuerpo"><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Many things! I like to dance lindy hop, learn to play the piano, watch a
lot of movies, make delicious meals, play with my cats, walk through the
forest, listen to music, travel</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">…</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="Cuerpo"><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Favorite working time:</b> </span></span></p><p class="Cuerpo"><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Something between
10 a.m. and 7 p.m. I'm not a person before 10 in the morning</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">…</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="Cuerpo"><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Favorite snack:</b></span></span></p><p class="Cuerpo">70% chocolate with almonds or hazelnuts</p><p class="Cuerpo"><span class="Ninguno"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Favorite part of outer space:</span></b></span></p><p class="Cuerpo"><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The constellations. I love those imaginary figures drawn in the sky that
come from Greek mythology. It is a gift to be able to see the starry sky at
night and feel that you are a small dot in the immensity of the universe, that
we are part of something much bigger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="Cuerpo"><span class="Ninguno"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Anything else you</span></b></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>’</span></b></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">d like to tell us?</span></b></span></p><p class="Cuerpo">
</p><p class="Cuerpo"><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It has been a pleasure to participate in this interview and illustrate
this </span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="line-height: 115%;">beautiful </span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;">book. Thank you
very much Tina.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="Cuerpo"><span class="Ninguno"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Ah, thank you so much, Marta! I love your work and can't wait to see our next book together, <i>God's Little Oceanographer</i>, coming in 2025!</span></span></span></p></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi5G89op80HTjRtu4DcWYkj_wUyovJy923sq0_sMYT9nwmVJID7jhZwc2VUbGlQI_64zfj2mrj_XmrRAU_hEevFo6E7pcJq5mCbsvJjaNndfcReJKgBdnmxUs6cO1SOjxnkLqS9kuUd4qA4A1HMhylBKclVgiUFncAGLx-9UGJfy66Aidu5Iab64RofE/s800/Marta%20Alvarez%20%C2%A9%20Photo%20by%20Alberte%20Peiteavel.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi5G89op80HTjRtu4DcWYkj_wUyovJy923sq0_sMYT9nwmVJID7jhZwc2VUbGlQI_64zfj2mrj_XmrRAU_hEevFo6E7pcJq5mCbsvJjaNndfcReJKgBdnmxUs6cO1SOjxnkLqS9kuUd4qA4A1HMhylBKclVgiUFncAGLx-9UGJfy66Aidu5Iab64RofE/s320/Marta%20Alvarez%20%C2%A9%20Photo%20by%20Alberte%20Peiteavel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="Cuerpo"><a href="https://www.martalvarez.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Ninguno"><b><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: FR;">Marta </span></b></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Á</span></b></span></a><span class="Ninguno"><b><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD;"><a href="https://www.martalvarez.com/" target="_blank">lvarez</a> </span></b></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">is an author and children</span></b></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span lang="DE" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: DE;">´</span></b></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">s book illustrator living in A Coru</span></b></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD;">ñ</span></b></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">a, Spain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="Poromisin" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">She graduated in Psychology from the
University of Santiago de Compostela in 2001, however her real passion was always
drawing doodles in the margins of the notebooks.</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Poromisin" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Marta debuts in 2002 writing and illustrating
her first picture book "</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="ES-TRAD" style="color: #414141; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">¡</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">C</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="ES-TRAD" style="color: #414141; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">ómo est</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">á o gali</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="ES-TRAD" style="color: #414141; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">ñ</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">eiro!" published by Xerais. Since then, she has worked for
several Spanish and international publishing houses.</span></span></p>
<p class="Poromisin" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #414141;">In 2007 her artwork was selected and
exhibited at the Bratislava Biennial of Illustration (BIB).</span></p><p class="Poromisin" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">She illustrated<b> "Shark Lady: The True
Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean</b></span></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="DE" style="color: #414141; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">´</span></b></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s Most Fearless Scientist"</span></b></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">, which was named one of the Best Children</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="DE" style="color: #414141; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">´</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s Books of 2017 by Parents Magazine, and won
the Blue Spruce Award in 2018. She also </span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="ES-TRAD" style="color: #414141; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">illustrated </span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">the funny and charming illustrations of <b>"What
is Poo?"</b>, which won the Silver Award at the Junior Design Awards 2017</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="ES-TRAD" style="color: #414141; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">
and <b>“</b></span></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The Girl Who Heard the
Music: How One Pianist and 85,000 Bottles and Cans Brought New Hope to an
Island</span></b></span><span class="Ninguno"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="ES-TRAD" style="color: #414141; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">” </span></b></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">a 2023 Cybils </span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="ES-TRAD" style="color: #414141; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">award
</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="DE" style="color: #414141; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Finalist</span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="ES-TRAD" style="color: #414141; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">.</span></span></p>
<p class="Poromisin" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="FR" style="color: #414141; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Marta </span></span><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Álvarez is a member of the Galician
Illustrators Association (AGPI).</span></span></p><p class="Poromisin" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Ninguno"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #414141; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Follow her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/martalvarez.art/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> @martalvarez.art </span></span></p><p class="Poromisin" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: red;">**********************************************************************************</span></p><p class="Poromisin" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: red;">Please follow our blog! Subscribe on the top right blue box!</span></p></span></div><p><br /><span class="Ninguno"><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Ninguno"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p>Tina Chohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02808651865125809841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-69267869467639188472024-01-31T06:30:00.001-05:002024-01-31T08:08:21.843-05:00Introducing the GROG’s Greatest HIts: Happy 10th Year Anniversary! by Kathy Halsey<p><br /></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-af0f7c70-7fff-4c49-a295-b9cb054439a9"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">2014 to 2024! Happy 10th year anniversary to the Grog. Woohoo! Let the celebration begin. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Throughout this year the GROG team will be featuring a “blast to the past" with our most popular posts through the years. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look for these gems and other surprises to be revealed as we celebrate 2024. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">How about a book giveaway? </span></li><li><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">An AMA (Ask Me Anything) chat? </span></li><li><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A critique?</span></li></ul>Stay tuned every Wednesday for our weekly posts! Let's dance through 2024 in writer style!<p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVcVzMDmmMDIFhGw_tQVPrEKdRDO0aamP4McCH1p9oDJ5gToBi0oKVGl4z_8G9-bMEtvNdmUq4RQrbDvk4HBUVrB6BXDJmwOS8ueXzgtmspB4sL4zSgoaiQyoi6NVZgGXMzuFqD2-oPWIukNQrQmU_TAoZk79tvkr_-nV_w-oeFxgms5b0DyUHrAKXkw/s1080/pop%20style%20(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVcVzMDmmMDIFhGw_tQVPrEKdRDO0aamP4McCH1p9oDJ5gToBi0oKVGl4z_8G9-bMEtvNdmUq4RQrbDvk4HBUVrB6BXDJmwOS8ueXzgtmspB4sL4zSgoaiQyoi6NVZgGXMzuFqD2-oPWIukNQrQmU_TAoZk79tvkr_-nV_w-oeFxgms5b0DyUHrAKXkw/w400-h400/pop%20style%20(1).png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not Gangnam style or Tiktok style, but writer style!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>A GROG Greatest Hit: Nonfiction vs. Informational Fiction: A Former School Librarian's View with NF Maven Melissa Stewart</b></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Waaaay back in 2020 before we all added N-95 face masks to our fashion ensembles, there were burning questions about nonfiction: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What is nonfiction? </span></li><li><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What is creative nonfiction? </span></li><li><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What is informational fiction? </span></li><li><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Are these terms interchangeable? </span></li></ul><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Melissa Stewart and I got together and had a confab about it. Can you believe we are still discussing the intricacies of nonfiction in 2024? And like</span><span style="color: #050505; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Back to the Future</span><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, we mentioned NF Fest in that post and it's coming back in February 2024, too! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujOBw-X4oHTGmUb3huCDlu_G2vmko-xhs67gMzCWLFld1P1qCw0e9Fmda15xvrdEKm2668uPonCLtl3tM2xeCXIuZ62-5rWiLRzFq_8q98NekL8fA0BZHVXbBNe0TdIE2dNEAnki2moyITxEwRb5wgiO3-dCbJpnmeqX4v0t91XdU3T4X-EEEXi7uqBs/s1080/NFFest.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujOBw-X4oHTGmUb3huCDlu_G2vmko-xhs67gMzCWLFld1P1qCw0e9Fmda15xvrdEKm2668uPonCLtl3tM2xeCXIuZ62-5rWiLRzFq_8q98NekL8fA0BZHVXbBNe0TdIE2dNEAnki2moyITxEwRb5wgiO3-dCbJpnmeqX4v0t91XdU3T4X-EEEXi7uqBs/w400-h400/NFFest.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NFFEST begins February 1. NFFEST.COM</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In our 2020, post Melissa and I gave pointers on how to tell if a book is fiction or nonfiction by reviewing how librarians catalog books as well as sharing examples and an exercise useful for writers, teachers, and students on classifying a book as informational fiction or nonfiction. Check that post out</span><a href="https://groggorg.blogspot.com/2020/02/nonfiction-vs-informational-fiction.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> here</span></a><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Fast forward to 2024, and <a href="https://www.melissa-stewart.com/" target="_blank">Melissa Stewart</a> and <a href="@MarleneMpc" target="_blank">Marlene Correia’s</a> 2021 book </span><span style="color: #050505; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">5 KInds of Nonfiction </span><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">we mentioned then is becoming the preferred way for nonfiction writers and school librarians to categorize nonfiction.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Drum roll, please. . .and the 5 categories are Active, Browseable, Traditional, Expository Literature and Narrative nonfiction. Informational fiction still has “made-up parts" and creative nonfiction is synonymous with unique ways of crafting all types of nonfiction.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhembV3mvhb7b9OYI9aOXp-uuGC4gedzyiTc7QJNFQptWMYqB_1zI_I3G33Nq-kMoeh4pRbe-lTIvJ3Pz8okXszZBLOPsoi0dCCzm7ScLXru1JdWbF43Aks3pcn-g53NY6S934ihSRDHcDEhp2pM4DAvSZhRjw6vzBC2encpPfj0VAmRBAeCImdN9UnOL8/s1108/Image%201-25-24%20at%208.54%E2%80%AFAM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="886" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhembV3mvhb7b9OYI9aOXp-uuGC4gedzyiTc7QJNFQptWMYqB_1zI_I3G33Nq-kMoeh4pRbe-lTIvJ3Pz8okXszZBLOPsoi0dCCzm7ScLXru1JdWbF43Aks3pcn-g53NY6S934ihSRDHcDEhp2pM4DAvSZhRjw6vzBC2encpPfj0VAmRBAeCImdN9UnOL8/w320-h400/Image%201-25-24%20at%208.54%E2%80%AFAM.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm using this book now to decide what type of NF my WIP should be.</td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>A Look Back and a Look Forward </b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cWfymykyKGWxup9myUx44_MrN7OwFv764BA7j3W00ya0RkC21hh71-M-kPwE_DowOpl5svmUSJTyrAXMrN_bTbzFeyBNS5cA5QcjZtu6p1CFRUlKlsZlsE9qsLcXixdFlR964kMkqWfgXYB7Ki1fRIfhV2SNdvq-vJyfcplpZuzlSK2ESETpu-JnsTI/s1080/Before%20&%20Aftere%20IG.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cWfymykyKGWxup9myUx44_MrN7OwFv764BA7j3W00ya0RkC21hh71-M-kPwE_DowOpl5svmUSJTyrAXMrN_bTbzFeyBNS5cA5QcjZtu6p1CFRUlKlsZlsE9qsLcXixdFlR964kMkqWfgXYB7Ki1fRIfhV2SNdvq-vJyfcplpZuzlSK2ESETpu-JnsTI/w400-h400/Before%20&%20Aftere%20IG.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"> Then: NESCBWI Now: NCTE Columbus OH</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"></span></div></span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To win a prize of an </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ask Me Anything 20 minute Zoom chat</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> or </span><a href="https://www.kathyhalsey.com/ask-infowoman.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ask Infowoman: A Library Consult </span></a></b><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>from Kathy,</b> share your look back to 2020 or 2014 and look forward to 2024 with us in the comments.</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> They don't have to be fancy, either. (I did mine in Canva.) If you haven't done so yet, please subscribe to our blog in the blue box at the top right side of this site! Thank you!</span></span></span>Kathy Halseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11600954824509054774noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-90325811195071604812024-01-23T23:58:00.001-05:002024-01-23T23:58:00.160-05:00Grammar Goblins by Fran Hodgkins<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Besides writing, I do a lot of manuscript editing. Recently, I've run across many instances of one particular group of goblins: misused homophones. These words sound alike, but are spelled differently and have
different meaning. They can be sneaky.And that’s what makes them goblins. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">You’re probably familiar with two sets of familiar goblins:
to/too/two and their/there/they’re. They’ve been addressed in other places and
I won’t be reviewing them here. Instead, I’m shining a light on some homophone
goblins are more elusive.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Pour and pore.</b> Pour is what you do to orange juice,
and a pore is a tiny hole in your skin. And this is where the goblin strikes:
there’s actually another pore — a verb that means to study closely. When you’re
reviewing stacks of papers, you’re poring over them. And yes – pore as in study
closely always travels with the word over.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Flare and flair.</b> This pair also makes trouble. When
you dress with style, you have flair. When something bursts into flame, it flares
up. Horses’ nostrils <i>flare</i> when they run. Bell-bottom jeans <i>flare</i>
at the ends of the legs. If you’re in trouble on a boat, you set off a <i>flare</i>
(which, in turn, flares brightly). And a brand of felt-tip pen is a Flair.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Flaunt and flout. </b>When someone shows off their fat
wallet, they are flaunting their wealth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re showing off. Although they’re being
annoying, there’s no law against it. However, if there was a law against
showing off and they defied it, they’d be flouting that law—flouting the
anti-flaunting law. Hm, I may be getting a bit carried away.<b></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Assure, ensure, and insure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>This tricky trio confuses many people –
mostly because they may have heard of two out of the three. Let’s start with <i>insure</i>:
that means to take out an insurance policy to protect something against loss. <i>Ensure</i>
means that you’re making sure of something; for example, you fill your gas tank
before a trip to ensure that you don’t run out of gas. And <i>assure</i>? That’s
when you tell someone that something is true or is definitely happening.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>Loose and lose.</b> Two o’s or one? That makes a
difference. Lose is a verb (“I might lose my polar bear in the snow”). Loose is
an adjective – such as in “a loose end” or “My polar bear is on the loose.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">So, why worry about the goblins? Will they stop an editor
from buying your work? Every editor is different; some are more forgiving than
others. But remember: you’re worked hard on your words. You deserve to give
your work the best chance possible. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Fran Hodgkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123449608519251317noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-80650658046905932422024-01-17T05:00:00.013-05:002024-01-17T05:00:00.132-05:00Have We Done Enough? Diversity in Children's Lit by Tina Cho<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Note: I’m writing this from a mom, teacher, and
author’s perspective.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>December
19, 2023, my 18-year-old son, a freshman in college, faced racial
discrimination by two high schoolers at our local YMCA, where he has been a
member over the past few years. He reported it to the person at the front desk,
who alerted the owner/boss. Aside from her filing a report with her supervisor
and just talking to the boys, I don’t think anything was done. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
sister said my niece, an 8<sup>th</sup> grader, who is half Korean, but doesn’t
look Asian, receives racial discrimination daily at her school, such as a book
being thrown in her face. I asked why she doesn’t report it. “It will make
matters worse,” I was told.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As a
mom (and aunt), I’m outraged. How can racial discrimination still be going on,
especially among youth? Just turn on the news, and we’ll all see it sadly is. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Putting
on my teacher hat, (I’m a kindergarten teacher at a public school), I’ve seen
over the past years, literature slowly changing. More books showing people of
color have been published. Yay! Librarians have been challenged to check the
number of books on their shelves featuring white characters versus people of
color. However, many diverse books seem to focus more on a cultural holiday or
how to say someone’s name, rather than just a regular story that happens to
have a diverse cast of children. In my classroom, I read lots of books that
feature children of color, especially those represented in my class, so kids
can not only see themselves, but to make diversity the norm. I saw evidence of
this when a couple of my Caucasian students drew their parents with Crayola’s
skin-colored crayons, but colored dark skin. Ha!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXyuiSKQWM1IrD81R74sIsdt8HjIPIrj_2jlYRmUE1zqs9xfntDidhZqhl9tO_dSKLjC_zz1XYCIdUnG40obgs_PwUIkzADrA74_IMRlLaT4DasfHNlIBcA_yzRLYvQxAN9H1PwzBpaQbIw7AGapWqHLf_EJYxpLrwOd3KVuHAKoYzTcFs8iYRIL9FRA/s640/IMG_8945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXyuiSKQWM1IrD81R74sIsdt8HjIPIrj_2jlYRmUE1zqs9xfntDidhZqhl9tO_dSKLjC_zz1XYCIdUnG40obgs_PwUIkzADrA74_IMRlLaT4DasfHNlIBcA_yzRLYvQxAN9H1PwzBpaQbIw7AGapWqHLf_EJYxpLrwOd3KVuHAKoYzTcFs8iYRIL9FRA/s320/IMG_8945.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
same day my son faced discrimination, in my inbox was the listing of acquired
books in Publisher’s Weekly’s Children’s Bookshelf. I read through the picture
book section, and noticed that most picture books listed had animal characters.
How can we teach diversity if most children’s books feature animal characters?
Don’t get me wrong—my kindergartners and I love reading books with animals.
But, if we want students to accept each other, they need to see children of
color in books, not just animals. (And I know, reporting in PW isn't a total representation of books, and some reportings were acquired long ago.) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Data: There were 9 picture books listed in the weekly
list.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">4/9 or 44% featured animals. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">2/9 or 22% featured white characters as far as I could
tell.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1/9 or 11% featured a black character.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">2/9 or 22% featured Asian characters (but like I said,
they seem to be holiday or folklore themed, not about current life).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Now, putting on my author hat, I say, we’re not done
in this area. Sure, a lot more diverse books books have published over the
years. You can see stats for 2022 from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center </span><a href="https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/literature-resources/ccbc-diversity-statistics/books-by-about-poc-fnn/"><span style="line-height: 115%;">here</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">.
I don’t think the 2023 data is available yet. And <i>Scientific American </i>has
a recent article titled, </span><a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-childrens-books-improving-representation/"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Are
Children’s Books Improving Representation?”</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"> My advice to
illustrators is—please don’t change an author’s characters to animals. Instead,
illustrate with a diverse cast of races. My advice to authors, especially those
of color, not only write stories about your culture’s traditions, holidays, and
folklore, but also current everyday life stories that feature a
family/character of color. Teachers need books showcasing diversity for all
different topics, not just when it comes to holidays, etc… A good read is “</span><a href="https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/teachers-push-for-books-with-more-diversity-fewer-stereotypes/2019/06"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Teachers
Push for Books with More Diversity, Fewer Stereotypes</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">”
in <i>Education Week</i>. I appreciate Instagrammer & video creator <span style="background: white; color: black;">Maya Lê of </span></span><a href="https://maistorybook.com/category/themedbookcollections/"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Maistorybooklibrary</span></a><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 115%;"> who showcases children’s books with people of color in themed topics as
well as other Instagram reviewers who highlight these books. Thank you so much
for what you do for educators and parents.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 115%;">From Martin Luther King
Jr.’s “I have a dream speech”:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 115%;">I have a dream that my four little children will one day live
in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the
content of their character.</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">I'm thankful my forthcoming picture book, <i>God's
Little Astronomer</i>, features characters of color in a nonfiction book.
More about that later, in another post. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">Thank
you, Grog Readers, for sticking with us. Please support people of color
creators by checking out their books (or buying them) and sharing them on
social media, reading them to your kids and grandkids and students.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And if
you haven't yet, please subscribe to our blog in the blue box at the top right
side of this site! Thank you!</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoxXmwgZLZols8lLyCXaYDgApFWtQDVLiuIygjKjzYjBYbZip_iSRxqmVk9bcCB6k7Wo_JRzFX63Q853MdQ_A-6A4bUFBdO00bO2RkN567nCIJ28BwMDhmWNBccMbps6i1050XAA663Bd-o4tqlWqiNLGEMKzAJIXRUXe6lRiN4Z8Ov4w_PxEoL7XOoI/s1986/4-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="1324" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoxXmwgZLZols8lLyCXaYDgApFWtQDVLiuIygjKjzYjBYbZip_iSRxqmVk9bcCB6k7Wo_JRzFX63Q853MdQ_A-6A4bUFBdO00bO2RkN567nCIJ28BwMDhmWNBccMbps6i1050XAA663Bd-o4tqlWqiNLGEMKzAJIXRUXe6lRiN4Z8Ov4w_PxEoL7XOoI/w154-h231/4-6.jpg" width="154" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Tina Cho is first a teacher of 20 years with a master's degree. She is the author of </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">(Little Bee Books 2018), </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Korean Celebrations</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> (Tuttle 2019), </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">My Breakfast with Jesus: Worshipping God around the World </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">(Harvest House 2020), </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">The Ocean Calls: A </span><span class="SpellingError SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Haenyeo</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Mermaid Story </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">(Kokila/Penguin Random House 2020), </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">God’s Little Astronomer </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">(Waterbrook 2/20/2024) & </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">God’s Little Oceanographer</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> 2025.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Her lyrical middle grade graphic novel, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">The Other Side of Tomorrow</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169962229 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, debuts from Harper Alley (11/12/2024). After living in South Korea for ten years, Tina, her husband, and two kids reside in Iowa where Tina also teaches kindergarten.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW169962229 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p>Tina Chohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02808651865125809841noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-35795087765285189642024-01-10T00:30:00.136-05:002024-01-10T00:30:00.144-05:00Who, Me? Present at a Conference? ~Christy Mihaly<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A conversation with Kathy Halsey</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: 400;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>Subscribe to GROG </b>===></span><br /></span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-NxIIH1nOSk3X8ruDs1hFRLHdZcGN6klYz9QFxBpKXuA-CiNv9-FTjXKvf3v09SRqJQDBw6A5wxjtnfuSj3rQsddO9ljjKbj9DMAQPdRy1-0xjRdYG-Ja0wMCN8g0FUZEch-bTfS5siIadUC3DERPNUtB7RZBEnea8PasZ7yulWpY_ZUmhP96Gc_it-R/s2539/20231206_130432.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2539" data-original-width="2393" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-NxIIH1nOSk3X8ruDs1hFRLHdZcGN6klYz9QFxBpKXuA-CiNv9-FTjXKvf3v09SRqJQDBw6A5wxjtnfuSj3rQsddO9ljjKbj9DMAQPdRy1-0xjRdYG-Ja0wMCN8g0FUZEch-bTfS5siIadUC3DERPNUtB7RZBEnea8PasZ7yulWpY_ZUmhP96Gc_it-R/s320/20231206_130432.jpg" width="302" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kathy Halsey</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.kathyhalsey.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kathy Halsey</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has blogged with GROG for almost ten years now (have we mentioned? GROG is celebrating our </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>10th anniversary </b></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this year!). Kathy is an author who also has volumes of wisdom from her decades as an educator, librarian, and presenter. She recently moderated a panel of children's authors at the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) convention – which is a Big Deal. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When I learned that Kathy offers consulting services to assist authors and others in creating winning conference proposals, I had to know more. If you're a teacher, librarian, or author, you probably have questions about this. Kathy has answers! Here's what I learned when Kathy and I sat down to talk about how authors can break into the conference scene. Kathy got my brain spinning with ideas – see if the same thing happens to you! </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hgSVMXCx47oXbnXJlAnC-8afa4OmzuJ0gqneLa7-iO5OgmmZ5JTgEXYvSfPMibAa75jCMLoRebFZNyEiZ3wfl_0pR4z85k0OOvMZuYHibmjDpNUl_oGhT4fVw5_Fj0nIDv3c7pDWJLWCF_AUacnWgsisJwPhgljJPjrD3s5U8MSPRpx98PuXOnzdfXcH/s1396/Image%2011-26-23%20at%203.17%E2%80%AFPM.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1396" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hgSVMXCx47oXbnXJlAnC-8afa4OmzuJ0gqneLa7-iO5OgmmZ5JTgEXYvSfPMibAa75jCMLoRebFZNyEiZ3wfl_0pR4z85k0OOvMZuYHibmjDpNUl_oGhT4fVw5_Fj0nIDv3c7pDWJLWCF_AUacnWgsisJwPhgljJPjrD3s5U8MSPRpx98PuXOnzdfXcH/w400-h319/Image%2011-26-23%20at%203.17%E2%80%AFPM.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>✔ Start Small </b></span></span></h3><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Kathy's advice for newbie presenters is to seek opportunities to present at local or state level events and smaller venues to gain experience, confidence, and a resume of presentations. For example:</span></span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Smaller group</b>s that might be looking for speakers include: </span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">your local SCBWI chapter </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">your local parent-teacher organization</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> your local library </span></span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Medium-size</b> or state level opportunities include: </span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">nErDcamps, which are more informal gatherings of teachers and writers and sometimes have organized panels as well as less structured conversations. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">State or county library associations</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">State or local literacy organizations</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">State level teachers conventions</span></span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUy-O2VqdJ0_k7jNZVAPqLPkYzVPPdDPYOhO3l604h8feNHIJ_pukk6OmX5EbFkXu8SBlYHzSYspR67ep-O7D7ezb_FuAm6tl99eWWpV-3En5ZA9IJC7TH2U8y7jhyYMJ3MzavcfLbJYsDy9atjVXXJ5IepENY0LzBXUsuNGHSHT3kn7sOphcg0NXFq44/s1302/honespeaking.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1302" data-original-width="954" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUy-O2VqdJ0_k7jNZVAPqLPkYzVPPdDPYOhO3l604h8feNHIJ_pukk6OmX5EbFkXu8SBlYHzSYspR67ep-O7D7ezb_FuAm6tl99eWWpV-3En5ZA9IJC7TH2U8y7jhyYMJ3MzavcfLbJYsDy9atjVXXJ5IepENY0LzBXUsuNGHSHT3kn7sOphcg0NXFq44/s320/honespeaking.jpg" width="234" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kathy presenting locally</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The <b>Big Deals </b>include: </span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">NCTE (English teachers)</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">NCSS (National Council for the Social Studies)</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">NSTA (National Science Teachers Association)</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">ALA (American Library Association)</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Other major STEAM conferences</span></span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">✔ Attend conferences</span></span></h3><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If there's a conference you might be interested in presenting at, consider attending it first. It costs money, but you'll have the chance to watch, learn, network, and observe the presenters.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pay attention to how the event is organized, and what makes a presentation stand out. </span></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Plus, connections! I recently attended the Vermont Association for the Social Studies because I wanted to meet teachers who share my passion for teaching civics. I made some great connections (the "cool teachers") and learned about what's happening in civics education in my area.</span></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">✔ Plan ahead</span></span></span></h3><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">For national conventions, themes are announced and proposals are due well in advance of the event. The 2024 NCTE theme has been announced and proposals are due this month – for the conference in <i>November.</i> If you're an author with a book in the pipeline, start thinking about an appropriate conference where you might like to make a presentation related to your forthcoming book. Kathy recommends starting to plan two years before publication.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvM5sYrYoy7Lu5sfs-0ptJ_c8i8KZOeEWzLMNDFUtRxIUp4iDLySaUNvnRFNW3EhJ00OLsC6OROrDmobulFS3MNSKdkFf7jsmhMPEeNZ4_2IwjAqKRK_b8WRFCFqBZjCa4mMzU57szidvRbNtR8Ou_RAuwb2rbccCoRoe6ozpDIjM5H13u2ULwrMxeQFCD/s1313/NCTEpanel.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1313" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvM5sYrYoy7Lu5sfs-0ptJ_c8i8KZOeEWzLMNDFUtRxIUp4iDLySaUNvnRFNW3EhJ00OLsC6OROrDmobulFS3MNSKdkFf7jsmhMPEeNZ4_2IwjAqKRK_b8WRFCFqBZjCa4mMzU57szidvRbNtR8Ou_RAuwb2rbccCoRoe6ozpDIjM5H13u2ULwrMxeQFCD/w400-h189/NCTEpanel.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ellen Leventhal,Kathy, Nancy Churnin, Vivian Kirkfield, Pam Courtney, NCTE</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">✔ Identify what the organizers need</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In preparing a proposal, you want to give your host or the event organizers what they need. Kathy has the inside scoop on what conference organizers are seeking because she has organized conferences herself. As the vice president of OELMA, the Ohio Educational Library Media Association, Kathy created the schedule and handled the logistics for a 3-day statewide conference. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So – research your hosts. What is the theme for the event? Do you have a topic that dovetails with that? Who is the audience? What are their expectations? If it's a major event, you can probably find prior years' presentations online.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In particular, Kathy points out that in most cases organizers want to see a clear take-away from your proposal. That is, after your presentation, attendees will have a new skill, or they'll be able to present a new classroom program, etc.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The money question</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I've been paid for an SCBWI presentation and received a stipend for a keynote speech at a state Department of Libraries event, as well as payments for smaller library events. But many speaking and conference opportunities are unpaid. Kathy points out that the sponsoring organizations are nonprofits that rely on revenues from their annual conference to balance their books. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In fact, if you're presenting at NCTE, for example, you must actually pay as an attendee at the conference, along with hotels and other expenses. Sometimes there is a reduced rate for presenters. Sometimes, your publisher might agree to pay your expenses. But generally, it's unpaid work. Which leads to the next question . . . </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYRPQVyyC-vnVzvYi3XAJwLSuNm2IfdznkkslfaKt3X4e9lK2NTEt9WmyJRm75_rKckhLvmWJJtfQIwTgdIPZSEKMSWCN3kGbXRG-vt3N7EaoCPFbSp8SRYZNExnmJKUOoZebt3EaR6dXvZ-_ulyrwFdtAfcZLr3DhVvl5dCXici9ycJo5JxoLw62cs5v/s1080/Professiional%20Development.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYRPQVyyC-vnVzvYi3XAJwLSuNm2IfdznkkslfaKt3X4e9lK2NTEt9WmyJRm75_rKckhLvmWJJtfQIwTgdIPZSEKMSWCN3kGbXRG-vt3N7EaoCPFbSp8SRYZNExnmJKUOoZebt3EaR6dXvZ-_ulyrwFdtAfcZLr3DhVvl5dCXici9ycJo5JxoLw62cs5v/s320/Professiional%20Development.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. . . Why do it?</span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Presenting your work and your ideas publicly offers many advantages. You're getting your name out there, of course. Speaking at events establishes you as a serious professional with an area of expertise (perhaps it's the subject of your book, or poetry writing, or motivating reluctant readers, for instance). Doing presentations helps you meet people who share your interests, and expand your network. And often you'll have a chance to sell books. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Some may disagree, but to me, these aspects of presenting feel like important parts of being an author -- sharing books and ideas.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Kathy Provides a Peek at Two Accepted Presentation Proposals</span></span></h3><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Kathy, here. I’m blushing at all the kind comments Christy shared, thank you, Christy! (BTW, her interviews are so thorough. Must be that lawyer background.) </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>[We’re not done chatting yet. Look for us to chat about school visits here on GROG on March 28.] </i></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you're interested in proposing a presentation, then reading accepted presentations, whether small or “big deals,” is like learning from mentor texts. Read, observe active verbs and what the takeaway for attendees is. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ll share two examples here. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Example 1: </i></b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Ohio Educational Library Association Presentation (State presentation, 2019) </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The STEAM of Picture Books: Inquiry into Picture Book Creation </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">by Kathy Halsey</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Picture books go beyond typical literacy constructs. They are the heart of many STEAM elements: design process, art as object, visuals, and economics. An inquiry-based model of examining picture books will be demonstrated by a professional children's writer to empower learners as effective users and creators of picture books in many formats and genres.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Methods to engage students with mentor texts that showcase STEAM across disciplines, and a model for examining picture books as professional writers do will be presented. Attendees will leave with resources to collaborate with kid lit writers in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>partnerships to extend the power of the medium.</span></span></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Example 2: </i></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">NCTE 2023 Presentation by Pam Courtney, Nancy Churnin, Kathy Halsey, Vivian Kirkfield, and Ellen Leventhal</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Growing a Mighty Forest of Writers: Nurturing Young Writers in Collaborative Networks of Teachers, Children, and Authors</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Teachers and authors share a root system, like Pando, the massive grove of quaking aspens. Networking together, we can nourish, protect, and provide a strong foundation to help students find their unique voices within a collaborative writing community. Panel members provide writing processes based on NCTE research that employs authentic purpose, topics, and revision in a safe environment.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Audience Level:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Elementary</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Session Type:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Panel Presentation</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Strand: </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Early Childhood Education </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Presenters:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Tradebook Author/Illustrator</span></span></p><p><i><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I’m including last year’s NCTE link </span><a href="https://convention.ncte.org/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">here</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> so our readers can compare the conference theme to how we crafted and worded our submission.</span></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">++</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We hope this has been helpful, whether you're contemplating attending a conference or thinking there might be a conference presentation in your future!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Please add your tips on conferences or your questions in the comments so we can help each other. Thanks for visiting GROG.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Kathy Halsey</b> serves on the State Library of Ohio's "Choose to Read Ohio" program and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="text-size-adjust: auto;">as Ohio SCBWI Central/South region’s co-ARA.</span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="text-size-adjust: auto;"> Her </span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="text-size-adjust: auto;">move-the-shapes board book, BE A RAINBOW, releases fall 2024 with KiwiCo Press.</span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="text-size-adjust: auto;"> Kathy enjoys gardening and writing haiku. Her haiku has been featured on the Poetry Pea podcast and in poetry journals. In November 2023, she moderated and presented an NCTE panel encouraging teachers to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Grow a Mighty Forest of Writers</i>. She is a former K-12 school librarian and seventh grade English teacher who lives in Columbus, OH with her husband and silly Corgi Scrappy Doo.</span></span></p>Christy Mihalyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944814793031197203noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-40514267594200474482024-01-03T00:30:00.582-05:002024-01-03T00:30:00.148-05:00Two New Little Golden Book Biographies ~Christy Mihaly<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </p><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><i style="font-size: x-large;"></i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gh6Q7CBvORjK3v2zgqsqsTEIt5oh2Y-xY-d6q0N3Osz2dqUlRHOsfYxj-GpZFKFmdJxHANoJPGd_C_WYc4pKFSrzoiivr2V_54eohQoUnWL62QDG65smUfqf4Czj9jmJRXSnF-9_fxoN56kXQFYfxdnV6XFHkWf87yBsFQDvBFrNMFX3b9SCSnbpAQ6B/s253/DianaMurrayBio9small.jpeg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gh6Q7CBvORjK3v2zgqsqsTEIt5oh2Y-xY-d6q0N3Osz2dqUlRHOsfYxj-GpZFKFmdJxHANoJPGd_C_WYc4pKFSrzoiivr2V_54eohQoUnWL62QDG65smUfqf4Czj9jmJRXSnF-9_fxoN56kXQFYfxdnV6XFHkWf87yBsFQDvBFrNMFX3b9SCSnbpAQ6B/w253-h320/DianaMurrayBio9small.jpeg" width="253" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana Murray</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Happy New Year, friends! We're celebrating </b></span><b style="color: #800180;">GROG's 10th year in 2024! (More to come.)</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180;">If you're not receiving email notices of our posts, you're invited to subscribe with the </span><span style="color: #800180;">button to the right: =======➤</span><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2PS7U9yqadN6QOW4aJDncrX-_dfSkLzUjEhziw4UCDiM-YLbcHj_9uQI9C5yEpNODQxWqRw5acVBTyYDcCK1k6Q5OT4FQFt-M5m5Fe_nFqBHNjCDrvIVq8R0Zf786qODu8gLP-ZBchzzmiZbZziypD3QKHXJHNb3oVxVKbCgCRpqFzfg_Xem4JeKV3fI/s3000/Mihaly%20rocks%20lo%20res.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2PS7U9yqadN6QOW4aJDncrX-_dfSkLzUjEhziw4UCDiM-YLbcHj_9uQI9C5yEpNODQxWqRw5acVBTyYDcCK1k6Q5OT4FQFt-M5m5Fe_nFqBHNjCDrvIVq8R0Zf786qODu8gLP-ZBchzzmiZbZziypD3QKHXJHNb3oVxVKbCgCRpqFzfg_Xem4JeKV3fI/s320/Mihaly%20rocks%20lo%20res.jpeg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christy Mihaly</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Today I (<a href="http://www.christymihaly.com" target="_blank">Christy Mihaly</a>) am excited to be interviewing the prolific and talented picture book author <a href="https://www.dianamurray.com/" target="_blank">Diana Murray</a>. Diana and I are friends who met in an online poetry critique group, Poets' Garage. We're </span><span>both clients of the amazing </span><a href="https://henandink.com/">Erzsi Deak of Hen&ink Literary Studio</a><span>. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">And yesterday (1/2/24) we both celebrated book birthdays of books in the Little Golden Book Biography series. Diana wrote about Arnold Schwarzenegger, and I wrote about Mel Brooks, and we thought we'd chat about them a bit today.</span></span></p><br /></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPJnJabpeiHe9lofYvNZ7HiyQL0ZcTK9JPs0EExXZxudQcw8eERU5InLiCbTOe31RdwsH5H6YGImZJfZ-AHsWyozuF-XWdWGEPLWGKgXhyy4UMV_7opmBXk_X9pTbrmOg8txNZOUBPGOOGd0xwbhZcBReQhPNTUM1dEQmhk12gpW9ubl3RJ9QiMo3NJPG/s2400/MelBrooks.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2015" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPJnJabpeiHe9lofYvNZ7HiyQL0ZcTK9JPs0EExXZxudQcw8eERU5InLiCbTOe31RdwsH5H6YGImZJfZ-AHsWyozuF-XWdWGEPLWGKgXhyy4UMV_7opmBXk_X9pTbrmOg8txNZOUBPGOOGd0xwbhZcBReQhPNTUM1dEQmhk12gpW9ubl3RJ9QiMo3NJPG/s320/MelBrooks.jpg" width="269" /></span></div><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><span>You may have noticed LGB has begun a series of bios of a range of artists, celebrities, political figures, and famous folks -- most notably the million-copy-selling </span><i>Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography.</i><span> </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><span>For Diana and me, writing these LGB biographies was a fun change from our usual work.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK-9xpMpu8S7tDKtgNhHy3MsPycTxN6qbYzX9tB_A41I3ZgyhR3xnNDiW2_lBemN5-x-_4nVjsO5l19gZ7A-U4ygMNuZjYAzcyei-tQvdfhWUmjNYXpA4PpZko2mmN-9FTZT7HpQ9JxE1hJq6gMDPbIr3ztWzPtkaiRBj0X5z-SHCHnot-yKSEYrXGdUo/s2400/Arnold_cvr%20final%20REV.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK-9xpMpu8S7tDKtgNhHy3MsPycTxN6qbYzX9tB_A41I3ZgyhR3xnNDiW2_lBemN5-x-_4nVjsO5l19gZ7A-U4ygMNuZjYAzcyei-tQvdfhWUmjNYXpA4PpZko2mmN-9FTZT7HpQ9JxE1hJq6gMDPbIr3ztWzPtkaiRBj0X5z-SHCHnot-yKSEYrXGdUo/w266-h320/Arnold_cvr%20final%20REV.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">We each asked one another three questions ... here goes:</span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>Christy:</b> So, Diana, you are known for writing wonderful poetry and rhyming books about knitting pirates, unicorns and witches ... not exactly nonfiction works. Why did you want to write a Little Golden Book biography?</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Diana:</b> This was a huge departure for me. Not only is it my first nonfiction book, but it's the first book I've written in prose! I was thrilled to be asked to write it because I love a challenge and I love writing to a prompt. The chance to explore another genre was very exciting and fun for me. Plus, I'm a huge fan of Arnold's movies. "Conan the Barbarian" was one of my favorites during high school -- I must have watched it 50 times. I'm also a first-generation immigrant so I related to him in that way. I understand what it's like to feel grateful for the opportunity to be here. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1_59p4hcJGBKDGI19haF81Mkrt4By8xDC8DRgS7EMNus7eh8dycmE6Crc755g5_YSYsn4a_-gNCeHmsJOKbs1glfeADAhLjqL89xKw95K0ypBdEntbtHtaqcM4XHfBJCEZSwDkrTEY6Aewh6HjxMIRWrUrMYccV_v_gyaWR_WGKlJrwyYe1MNDdJWNt-/s1000/arnoldspreadinterior1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1000" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1_59p4hcJGBKDGI19haF81Mkrt4By8xDC8DRgS7EMNus7eh8dycmE6Crc755g5_YSYsn4a_-gNCeHmsJOKbs1glfeADAhLjqL89xKw95K0ypBdEntbtHtaqcM4XHfBJCEZSwDkrTEY6Aewh6HjxMIRWrUrMYccV_v_gyaWR_WGKlJrwyYe1MNDdJWNt-/w400-h255/arnoldspreadinterior1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>CM:</b> You certainly rose to the challenge, Diana. I'd say on your first prose nonfiction work, you nailed it! I also liked learning a new fact about you. What is a favorite fact that you learned about Arnold in the process of writing this book?</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>DM:</b> I thought it was funny that they dubbed over all his lines in his first movie, "Hercules in New York," because of his accent. And, without his permission, they even changed his name on the movie posters to make it sound less "foreign!" That was in 1970. If only those producers knew what a huge star he would become!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShAxavrShx5Wpv4NAv3hNR6zVQb_-LxoycDsEZJcDzPSoZw5r8efAB3zRCshLCUI0DQTUILX-RlzAauTIMB1YTCNH-DzvVYvljpGvW13Ts6cm5m1-Q4nwSMJyvF7RWfyT_kzmkFgyXshyphenhyphenvq8aVIa-N6yg1oZUZhyphenhyphenmjh1QzEB5Z7bvKENX33gfNo7T6DUX/s1000/Arnoldspread2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="1000" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShAxavrShx5Wpv4NAv3hNR6zVQb_-LxoycDsEZJcDzPSoZw5r8efAB3zRCshLCUI0DQTUILX-RlzAauTIMB1YTCNH-DzvVYvljpGvW13Ts6cm5m1-Q4nwSMJyvF7RWfyT_kzmkFgyXshyphenhyphenvq8aVIa-N6yg1oZUZhyphenhyphenmjh1QzEB5Z7bvKENX33gfNo7T6DUX/w400-h256/Arnoldspread2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>CM:</b> Oh, that is so wonderfully ironic. Talk about overcoming challenges! I know you previously wrote a very adorable fiction/colors LGB, <i>Firehouse Rainbow. </i>I'm sure writing about Arnold was quite different -- were there similarities in writing the two books?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXbDAmDViIQaYnl0wfnw7nGNJCeFDRYfMOoGXXMzZgWRo0SxIcPMt4zXB1AaMB1LUSrMwbf3QnDkWR7wKCYR3aYlwj0UNIXDcF3-6iV6LEaF3qH3D79xMeKPnxX5tBEerNnCPnGwN_Q8tmM7EEqlBLYSgO2KsWzFg6p4AI2II773dG6s2dVfljXk7ZRLr/s997/firehouserainbowtruckwindowInsta.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="997" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXbDAmDViIQaYnl0wfnw7nGNJCeFDRYfMOoGXXMzZgWRo0SxIcPMt4zXB1AaMB1LUSrMwbf3QnDkWR7wKCYR3aYlwj0UNIXDcF3-6iV6LEaF3qH3D79xMeKPnxX5tBEerNnCPnGwN_Q8tmM7EEqlBLYSgO2KsWzFg6p4AI2II773dG6s2dVfljXk7ZRLr/s320/firehouserainbowtruckwindowInsta.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>DM:</b> There were two main similarities. One was keeping in mind the audience and making the text appealing for that age group. The other was thinking about page turns and illustrations. You want to create a little tension between page turns. Something that will make readers want to flip the page to learn what happens next. And you need to vary the scenes and locations to create variety -- you can't have the action happening within a single location so it's the same illustration across several spreads.</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Now it's my turn! Here are my questions for you, Christy:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iHuJJmyw7zBW9Ltm6VPr-INBL-KEaJHDdIPSU4w3zmB15Kc_qvZ-pp5Xg1fakarqg_yWk5zeiZfGKtSpPpc2bO__q0oT1c4MkiNN1KIn4O66S8OEmM3T2DuOKSTUuRmwQL8P8rYInXJdl5N-_e__1dC6NBtFi8OUpQiRzwF0jCDBQKw7SP0jTvTH-eEW/s500/2023%20Mihaly%20books.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="500" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iHuJJmyw7zBW9Ltm6VPr-INBL-KEaJHDdIPSU4w3zmB15Kc_qvZ-pp5Xg1fakarqg_yWk5zeiZfGKtSpPpc2bO__q0oT1c4MkiNN1KIn4O66S8OEmM3T2DuOKSTUuRmwQL8P8rYInXJdl5N-_e__1dC6NBtFi8OUpQiRzwF0jCDBQKw7SP0jTvTH-eEW/s320/2023%20Mihaly%20books.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>DM:</b> You have written several other fabulous nonfiction picture books, such as <i>Hey, Hey, Hay! A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make Them </i>and <i>Free for You and Me: What Our First Amendment Means. </i>Did that experience make this project easier? How is writing a biography different? </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>CM:</b> It's true I think of myself as primarily a nonfiction writer (and I've written many purely nonfiction, educational books), but in picture books I tend to write informational fiction, inventing a story line to convey information in a kid-friendly way. So the challenge in writing the LGB biography was to tell a compelling story for young kids in a few words without making anything up and without leaving out anything important. Honestly, that's always going to be a challenge!</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>DM</b>: It's such a good question that I have to ask you, too: What's a favorite fact that you learned about Mel Brooks?</span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>CM:</b> I learned a great deal, but found Mel's childhood particularly fascinating. He grew up as Melvin Kaminsky in Brooklyn, without a father and with very little money. He says that he and his three older brothers didn't just share a bedroom -- they all slept in one bed.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTcHOaq9uTqwu96_dEiG4vH49IfXy-AIIseP4NilezIwSZr4xmaYEEYgd9NZOYLpJxliUpdhkPkYP55Nqp8Yu81UkeBeYDiqPx6pfnLAdddLYHpD1KHnJC-K52T_Luicbk3tAvgbBVnXFjLaeitdgfIj_xfOBDOO_DQFH965Re0008rAiG6qeTXOEeJ3b/s1812/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-29%20at%204.26.56%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1812" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTcHOaq9uTqwu96_dEiG4vH49IfXy-AIIseP4NilezIwSZr4xmaYEEYgd9NZOYLpJxliUpdhkPkYP55Nqp8Yu81UkeBeYDiqPx6pfnLAdddLYHpD1KHnJC-K52T_Luicbk3tAvgbBVnXFjLaeitdgfIj_xfOBDOO_DQFH965Re0008rAiG6qeTXOEeJ3b/w400-h230/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-29%20at%204.26.56%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>DM:</b> I was impressed by how kid-friendly and fun your biography text is. What are some strategies you use to keep nonfiction from sounding too dry?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQGbLlP-8SDHlprlZMG-2XJapOpVUcr2fL2ldDtrASFfeUK7lMDg5sRJuJYG33A2kzdyhiqexuUGqs86tBEzBcu0HSQyLpMwh5vwE9k2qF27Epcc0GlwVKIMPPtI5x5sYGt-aHlYodF11BC5jnyonvDNFxo45gm3p3rHd4NNmOmw-UAIM9p0LGiO08XOM/s1188/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-28%20at%205.23.20%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQGbLlP-8SDHlprlZMG-2XJapOpVUcr2fL2ldDtrASFfeUK7lMDg5sRJuJYG33A2kzdyhiqexuUGqs86tBEzBcu0HSQyLpMwh5vwE9k2qF27Epcc0GlwVKIMPPtI5x5sYGt-aHlYodF11BC5jnyonvDNFxo45gm3p3rHd4NNmOmw-UAIM9p0LGiO08XOM/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-28%20at%205.23.20%20PM.png" width="267" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>CM</b>: Oh, thanks, Diana. One of the first things I did was read a bunch of other LGB biographies to get a feel for how other authors were approaching these short, 24-page biographies. The whole ethos of Little Golden books is to make these stories accessible. </span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">As I wrote, I paid careful attention both to word choices and to which areas of Mel's life would interest kids. For each spread, I asked: What would a kid want to know? What would a kid think was funny, interesting, intriguing? What would make a young person care about Mel's story? I wrote quite a bit about his childhood, showing how his upbringing affected his life. In describing Mel's later life, I let kids know how important his best friend Carl Reiner was in his life, and also how he overcame many setbacks along the way. And as I chose words and cut excess, I tried to keep the tone light and humorous -- because, Mel Brooks.</span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><i>Thanks for the great questions, Diana, and your great answers!</i> </span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">GROG readers, we'd love to see your comments ... Who do you think should be the subject of the next Little Golden Books biography?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpnCboN1P_55cQ30lQeCiBqwjZaGtAHGiSfBmoWuTgmcTvArv9vE6uYM7kK6Ar6meOXx78MeQREyCBm0KfLF-KsIziMJznEf-doXQVM8AURlfRVieLziw9k97Hy8O0hsRj7UyWy4Wil0o312pjBGJ1BLq93QhfK3FfbYOshV1qb-K53Ueooa-ZUbPqvMC/s4032/IMG_3195.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpnCboN1P_55cQ30lQeCiBqwjZaGtAHGiSfBmoWuTgmcTvArv9vE6uYM7kK6Ar6meOXx78MeQREyCBm0KfLF-KsIziMJznEf-doXQVM8AURlfRVieLziw9k97Hy8O0hsRj7UyWy4Wil0o312pjBGJ1BLq93QhfK3FfbYOshV1qb-K53Ueooa-ZUbPqvMC/w400-h300/IMG_3195.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Christy Mihalyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944814793031197203noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-1477721434848109712023-12-13T20:05:00.000-05:002023-12-13T20:05:16.351-05:00<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i> </i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i></i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYR8CbeqIfWF-Fkkp_Akt7FKadc6ndAnxZYdG8XtnfdY2LBlGz2KezJRPvuyOcFKcvacmpIeD3WSYDyO9f5HliL1ivEN2a8XMUcWQA68k-MJbZoiuGytypsIsZBGXRwIhpOGJASaQySxp03tStshHp_NtfBL3t6qv4KmWBdzXR2NJRwGJlHkFYsM4YKNi/s4032/IMG_3141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #800180; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYR8CbeqIfWF-Fkkp_Akt7FKadc6ndAnxZYdG8XtnfdY2LBlGz2KezJRPvuyOcFKcvacmpIeD3WSYDyO9f5HliL1ivEN2a8XMUcWQA68k-MJbZoiuGytypsIsZBGXRwIhpOGJASaQySxp03tStshHp_NtfBL3t6qv4KmWBdzXR2NJRwGJlHkFYsM4YKNi/w640-h480/IMG_3141.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Holidays</span></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>from all of us at GROG</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>We're taking a holiday break </i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and look forward to returning in the New Year.</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Meanwhile, keep your spirits up, </i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and keep on spreading the light.</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>Christy Mihalyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944814793031197203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-7277860062933609992023-11-29T06:00:00.004-05:002023-11-29T06:00:00.143-05:00So--You Want to Be an Author! by Tina Cho<span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">Before I start today's post, can you please do me a favor? If you enjoy reading the Grog Blog, can you please re-subscribe on the right side of this site in the blue box? Our email subscription service quit a while back, and so we've had to figure out a different way to get our posts out. Thanks so much!</span><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvVI4tCsvqoKfMy0Nd6_jUkqT5r_aJM-g-5kqMa1VWddpZdiiKwU0ngk5qR0uTAwQ-W2zI_Mhyphenhyphend4VdZm6mNan4tOYPDWr3t-29psGrs2mwy6vL1DXF-5mkzUNoF6jYWmiMTORogdwKa37_rBzCxpA9P40gto9QUGoidBKT9PBmPiojzcHXbCpx5TxR1A/s640/pexels-ravi-kant-2877338.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvVI4tCsvqoKfMy0Nd6_jUkqT5r_aJM-g-5kqMa1VWddpZdiiKwU0ngk5qR0uTAwQ-W2zI_Mhyphenhyphend4VdZm6mNan4tOYPDWr3t-29psGrs2mwy6vL1DXF-5mkzUNoF6jYWmiMTORogdwKa37_rBzCxpA9P40gto9QUGoidBKT9PBmPiojzcHXbCpx5TxR1A/s320/pexels-ravi-kant-2877338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many people
think the life of an author is exciting because you become rich and famous for
having written a book(s). Perhaps so, if you’re J.K. Rowling with a world’s
bestselling series. But for ordinary, non-famous authors like myself, an
author’s life is still very exciting but filled with lots of tasks that aren’t
even writing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Let me
describe to you the writing tasks of today, the day after Thanksgiving. First,
it started with a creative call on Zoom. An MFA graduate student interviewed me
about haenyeo (Korean diving women) and my work with The Ocean Calls. Then, I
spent an hour and a half inspecting sketches for one of my forthcoming
books, <i>God’s Little Oceanographer</i> (PRH Waterbrook 2025). I love seeing
the illustrations, but this also included revising sidebars to fit within the
pictures. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Afterward, I
signed one of my work-for-hire books that’s going out of print. I had posted on social media
that the publisher sent me a box of them. So I was selling them cheaply to get
rid of them. I packaged up the books and ran to the post office. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then I took
time to fix my poorly neglected blog. The email subscription service I used is
no longer in service. So I had to figure out how to install a new one. After
that I reviewed an author friend’s forthcoming book and wrote a short review
for Good Reads. And now I’m writing this blogpost and still need to revise my
own picture book manuscript. I’ll save that for tomorrow. Phew! So much. And
that’s because I have the day off from school. (I teach fulltime.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So here’s a
growing list of tasks an author might do:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">research <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">go on research trips <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">write<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">market their books on social media<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">critique other stories<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 6.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">creative calls on Zoom<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 7.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">review sketches/illustrations<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 8.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">sign books<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 9.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">mail books at post office<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 10.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">order/design bookmarks & stickers<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 11.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">plan/schedule author events <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 12.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">do author visits at schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 13.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">read new books to stay current with the market<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 14.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">write blogposts and articles<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 15.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">be interviewed & interview others<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 16.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">speak at a library or other events<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 17.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">write book reviews for other authors’ books<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 18.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">email with editors, agents, & publicists<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 19.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">create and maintain an author’s website<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 20.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">connect with readers on social media or in
person<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 21.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">participate in critique groups online or in
person<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 22.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">attend writing conferences<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 23.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">take writing classes<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 24.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">teach writing classes<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 25.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">write a lesson plan or activities to be used
with their book<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 26.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">getting picture taken for an author photo (to
be done many times over the course of a writer’s life)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 27.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">listen to authors’ podcasts and webinars to
grow in the writing craft<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 28.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">radio, newspaper, and TV interviews<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 29.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">plan for a book launch<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 30.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">find new book ideas<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Whew! And if you think of more tasks an author
does, leave them in the comments! So after reading about all the nitty-gritty,
are you SURE you still want to be an author?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE being an author. But
some tasks I like better than others. That might be true for many of my writing
friends. But all in all, just like having a baby, you kind of forget all the sweat and work to birth a book. And once you hold it in your hands, it's true love.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12pt;">So go forth, write, put on a smile, and finish all those writing tasks waiting for you! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN4OQTV_TJtEd6JUyXL5zNrEPAi-mX7O2-kbQOyparVWFDJPpNCDXvJW7vIH5-_30hsADe43dBneP16U4MQ1pZOspohb2uipLNr3ih6Om7RpHsfE0pQsZoU_n_4RLI9dLOdopyb219LERK_Tw0ChNWHj9sX3asQPY2uYRBcIf8crpKvkOJdfUu1ROcag/s640/IMG_7249.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN4OQTV_TJtEd6JUyXL5zNrEPAi-mX7O2-kbQOyparVWFDJPpNCDXvJW7vIH5-_30hsADe43dBneP16U4MQ1pZOspohb2uipLNr3ih6Om7RpHsfE0pQsZoU_n_4RLI9dLOdopyb219LERK_Tw0ChNWHj9sX3asQPY2uYRBcIf8crpKvkOJdfUu1ROcag/s320/IMG_7249.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">Tina Cho is the author of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans </span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">(Little Bee Books 2018), </span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">Korean Celebrations</span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"> (Tuttle 2019), </span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">My Breakfast with Jesus: Worshipping God around the World </span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">(Harvest House 2020), </span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">The Ocean Calls: A </span><span class="SpellingError SCXW121377975 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Haenyeo</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Mermaid Story </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">(Kokila/Penguin Random House 2020), and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">God’s Little Astronomer </span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">(PRH Waterbrook 2024) & </span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">God’s Little Oceanographer</span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"> 2025.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her lyrical middle grade graphic novel, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">The Other Side of Tomorrow</span><span class="TextRun SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">, debuts from Harper Alley September 2024. After living in South Korea for ten years, Tina, her husband, and two kids reside in Iowa where Tina also teaches kindergarten.</span><span class="EOP SCXW121377975 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont, Times New Roman_MSFontService, serif;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">www.tinamcho.com
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;">@Tinamcho</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont, Times New Roman_MSFontService, serif;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tina Cho, finding her book at Pottery Barn Kids</span></span></p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;"></span></div></div>Tina Chohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02808651865125809841noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-87127091429079652912023-11-22T09:25:00.000-05:002023-11-22T09:25:05.227-05:00Holiday Break for the GROG by Kathy Goobler Halsey<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial;"> <i>Gobble, Gobble, Gobble.</i> <span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate! </span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b9ef5656-7fff-48f3-afe1-2328dcd5b6ad"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial;">The GROG blog is taking a holiday break until Wednesday, Dec. 6. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the meantime, check out</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Fran Hodgkin's</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <a href="https://groggorg.blogspot.com/2023/11/gifts-for-writers-by-fran-hodgkins_01538470349.html" target="_blank">great post on holiday gifts for writers.</a></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial;">We're back with "Work for Hire: What is it, and should I do it?" Look for it in 2 weeks. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial;">We wish you a peace this season of thanksgiving. WE are so thankful for your readership and comments!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKbKrtHEfNgKhUXgLFdn8w9B0tizEWNjSDAOXJHHVvWxS9jwoODsT-XmiLeMvT_iXdsTykNzD09BwG5kgrOCMdnODbWd7u7sEkZ6iB2XYUapjCM3XXZ13jOvKSAuG2dbB7l_xMOg8Pp3RV-DmLtgU8W3A42DCWU_r-NWKQbar1Um2jVo2r6YhNr5sA1s/s2000/Red%20Illustrated%20Thanksgiving%20Document.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1414" data-original-width="2000" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKbKrtHEfNgKhUXgLFdn8w9B0tizEWNjSDAOXJHHVvWxS9jwoODsT-XmiLeMvT_iXdsTykNzD09BwG5kgrOCMdnODbWd7u7sEkZ6iB2XYUapjCM3XXZ13jOvKSAuG2dbB7l_xMOg8Pp3RV-DmLtgU8W3A42DCWU_r-NWKQbar1Um2jVo2r6YhNr5sA1s/w400-h283/Red%20Illustrated%20Thanksgiving%20Document.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #050505; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div>Kathy Halseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11600954824509054774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-72214707313235825102023-11-15T00:00:00.001-05:002023-11-15T00:00:00.138-05:00Gifts for Writers by Fran Hodgkins<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3URwR9zN3KaNeK3OFI9XnumrtvwNQInaxWmW1qbXx31VEM4GySGTdsiUvIRNAeTn5kFK1Q6rlrcZ2HMp3t44_QqiK8BFLEbgfNltssJ0-qt-gvi9YHCgtAi0bYmiZ6J-5PABfZgr05MLBRS5kiVx2g4yZEOes5gnpYzE0WTGSxZkRpER1NnkLtIqdOQ/s4465/AdobeStock_540572466.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3360" data-original-width="4465" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3URwR9zN3KaNeK3OFI9XnumrtvwNQInaxWmW1qbXx31VEM4GySGTdsiUvIRNAeTn5kFK1Q6rlrcZ2HMp3t44_QqiK8BFLEbgfNltssJ0-qt-gvi9YHCgtAi0bYmiZ6J-5PABfZgr05MLBRS5kiVx2g4yZEOes5gnpYzE0WTGSxZkRpER1NnkLtIqdOQ/s320/AdobeStock_540572466.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It’s getting to be that time of year, and you as a writer
may be fielding the question “What do you want for the holidays?” or you may
have writer friends that you want to give a special, writing-related gift to.
While contracts and agent services are notoriously hard to wrap, here’s a list of ideas that will keep on giving throughout 2024!<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Notebooks.</b> Of course I start with notebooks. Every
writer has a secret stash, but you can never have enough, can you? Some of my
personal favorites include Cognitive Surplus, which are science-themed and come
in an astounding array of formats, from wee little Observation, just perfect
for the pocket (which attracts less attention <s>as you eavesdrop on strangers</s>
do research) to the Science Lab notebook, which is 9.25 x 11.25. The covers depict
different scientific disciplines, which you can stretch to non-scientific writers with a little imagination. got a language lover? Try linguistics! A
gardener? Botany! Check out notebooks, mugs, and other fun stuff <a href="https://cognitive-surplus.com/">here</a>.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"> </p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">You
may have seen them, odd-looking notebooks books that are bound with plastic disks. The
disks let you move pages around to your heart’s content. Ideal for your
favorite non-linear thinker. Disk-bound notebooks are available from a variety
of places, including Staples, Happy Planner, and Levenger. Different sizes,
formats (lined, dot grid, grid), and orientations are available. So are punches
so you can make your own task pages or add a printed document to your notebook.
Very handy. (Levenger is also a source of elegant ballpoint, rollerball and
fountain pens from manufacturers such as Conklin, Sheaffer, Cross, Parker,Lamy,
and Montblanc. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!)</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Pencils:</b> What good is an awesome notebook without
something to write with? There are lots of fantastic writing implements out
there, but I’m going to share a few favorites.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"> </p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">Musgrave Pencil is located in Shelbyville, TN, and has
been making pencils for nigh on a century. Pick up their heritage collection of specialty pencils, or one of their sets in beautiful cedar boxes. They’ve also got
notebooks, sharpeners, shirts, and hats. Explore this historic company <a href="https://musgravepencil.com/">here</a>. </p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"> </p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">A favorite of many illustrators, Blackwing pencils provide a distinct line and are so smooth! These pencils have distinctive rectangular erasers that can be replaced by pulling out the metal clip that holds the eraser and popping in a new one. Blackwing also has notebooks, pencil sharpeners, and even metal tip protectors. If
you don’t know where to start, I suggest the Audition Pack, a set that includes
the four pencils Blackwing features. Check them all out <a href="https://blackwing602.com/">here.</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Books.</b> What writer doesn’t need more books? Well,
none of us, really, but hey, come on. Some excellent choices for writers
include:</p>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li class="MsoNormal"><i>Bird by Bird</i>, by Annie Lamott</li><li>
<i>On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft,</i> by Stephen King</li><li>
<i>The Artist’s Way </i>and related works by Julia Cameron.</li><li>
<i>On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction</i>
by William Zinsser</li><li>
<i>Line by Line,</i> by Claire Kehrwald Cook (this title
came out in the 1980s, but I find it has an immediate impact on my work every
time I read it. </li><li>
The Save the Cat books, including the original book on
screenwriting by Blake Snyder and Save the Cat Writes a Novel, by Jessica Brody.
These books will get you thinking about structure in a whole different way! </li></ul><p class="MsoNormal">Thesauruses are helpful when you just can't think of the right word. A new favorite of mine is the <i>Emotion Thesaurus</i> (thanks, Weezie and Sue!). It not only defines emotions, but also provides physical signs and behaviors. Available in hard copy, ebook, PDF, and as an online subscription that can be bought for a month, six months, or a year. </p><p class="MsoNormal">The website is a treasure trove of information, too; visit <a href="https://onestopforwriters.com">https://onestopforwriters.com</a></p>
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{page:WordSection1;</style>to learn more. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You can get any of these print titles from your helpful and
best-beloved indie bookstore!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>A break.</b> If the writer in your life needs time and
space to finish (or start) their work, consider giving them a break – literally!
You can book them a hotel room that will give them peace and privacy, and a
chance to concentrate. Bonus points if your writer can order room service, and
if the hotel has a gym in order to work out frustrations. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>A bigger break.</b> Related to the above is the gift of a
writer’s retreat. The retreat can be paired with a class, such as those offered
by the Highlights Foundation. The advantage of the “bigger break” gift, versus
the weekend at a hotel, is that your writer will be able to meet and socialize
with other writers, should they choose to do so!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>An online class.</b> If the writer in your life can’t
travel (or doesn’t want to), an online class will let them learn more about
their craft. Online course providers include Coursera, which offers classes
from universities around the world; the Gotham Writers Workshop, and Writer’s
Digest University. You will find a variety of topics and a range of prices. They
can last just an hour up to a full year. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Fingerless gloves.</b> I love my fingerless gloves, and
in fact am wearing them as I write this. I find that they keep my hands and
wrists warm (I’m lookin’ at you, Maine in November!), and I’m less achy at the
end of the day. Some have half fingers, others none. Some go all the way up to
the elbow, and beyond! As with the other gift ideas, you can go from basic
(around $6) to fabulous (cashmere, for about $100). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Help.</b> Is your writer on deadline? Help is always
welcome. We sometimes forget to eat, so meal delivery is an idea, as is the
attention of a house cleaner. Okay, so these can't be wrapped, but they are great way to show the writer in your life that you support them. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Silence.</b> Noise-cancelling headphones are an excellent
choice, especially if your writer lives with other people. They may not cancel
out the roar of everyday life, but they certainly tone it down a lot! These
headphones are available from a variety of makers, Bose, Apple, and Anker.
Prices range from $40 to $400.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The gift that keeps on giving.</b> One gift you can give
is a positive review! Amazon reviews are important. If you’ve bought your
writer’s book, leave them a starred review! </p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style> <br /></p>Fran Hodgkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123449608519251317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-71335405326108385582023-11-08T02:00:00.296-05:002023-11-08T02:00:00.153-05:00GOT WRITER'S BLOCK? by Mona Pease<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I personally don’t believe there’s such a thing as writer’s block. When I sit and stare at the blank page, I like to think of it as brain rest! There’s no point sitting there trying to have words magically appear. Instead, it may be best to get up and walk away, just for a bit anyway. Do something else for awhile until enough’s enough and naptime is over! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“But I’m still drawing a blank.” </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADqfMzJ8bXn7MjwTZJVJRGBor7OPiNGNTky59JhPI6WcPOlN2AvDCPbHXvOKxg6ZAVFOb9Bd1u0xERxH4OrFoBUuUF-08nky_SkQnzSdEgAvbHnr7mjq63L_Rb1QOM29NHuXA1i-ojYw9s_2kCk030sMQo6k-hIAqfzhSn2AbwJPKKCgezXb0kWTQrRxH/s900/clipboard-blank-page-pencil-clipboard-blank-page-pencil-overhead-view-clipboard-blank-sheet-white-118616893.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADqfMzJ8bXn7MjwTZJVJRGBor7OPiNGNTky59JhPI6WcPOlN2AvDCPbHXvOKxg6ZAVFOb9Bd1u0xERxH4OrFoBUuUF-08nky_SkQnzSdEgAvbHnr7mjq63L_Rb1QOM29NHuXA1i-ojYw9s_2kCk030sMQo6k-hIAqfzhSn2AbwJPKKCgezXb0kWTQrRxH/s320/clipboard-blank-page-pencil-clipboard-blank-page-pencil-overhead-view-clipboard-blank-sheet-white-118616893.jpg.webp" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So let’s shake things up and get back to creating those wonderful stories that we know are resting in there somewhere. Here are some ideas and resources that help me find light again. Maybe a few things </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">that </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">could help start your sparks flickering again too. </span></p><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thrive on deadlines, prompts, and contests. Not that I have editor or agent deadlines. I make my own. The ones that I set for myself to keep me accountable to me and my critique partners. </span></p><p><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">WRITING PROMPTS</b></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Start here, right where you are. Look outside your window. What do you see? Leaves fluttering to the ground but only one whirls away. Where is it going? An unusual bird at your feeder, not like the others? Mmmm…where did that one come from? How about the kids across the street trying to find their dog who has broken its leash. Is your mind turning this into an exciting adventure? What are you cooking? A family recipe that you could write about, its origin and tradition. </span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here’s another way to activate your writing muse again. Members of our critique group post random photos or videos as prompts then we quickly spill out 50 words or less. Just ramble on the page without thinking much about it. Totally different thoughts and words burst from this exercise. Each writer has a different story to tell. Some are lyrical, or family oriented, maybe nonfiction or mysterious. A few might make it to your storyboard! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Still not there? </span></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Here's a site that offers 100 ideas of things to write about.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://kindlepreneur.com/childrens-book-ideas/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://kindlepreneur.com/childrens-book-ideas/</span></a></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">And this one could be my favorite for grabbing random prompts. Maybe because it’s like a wheel of fortune or a mysterious grab bag.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://wordwall.net/resource/418403/writing-prompts" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://wordwall.net/resource/418403/writing-prompts</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Round and round and round it spun and this is the prompt it found for me—</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span>You are walking through a forest when one of the trees</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">starts talking to you. What does it have to say? What</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">do you do?</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">My mind takes the nonfiction path with researching trees, forests, production, photosynthesis, maple syrup, deciduous, evergreen…..</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7vYLrEht7s3fCWbjeQjJazkyCfUAnqG0SusfxR4jqqrulGK7GtaxhfZiF0wpdfrMtxYt_PrIlFS0VzK4UUNKqC9e_MMPrdrhx7xT2rBNmk1gS0FOXu4Me6hP62PmdNwu-gD-EYlNpBh64tDN09nx7Ne6Q9G8fgh-G3rx6cSGD1bWZCQ_dPKcKMSu7AIx/s474/th-3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="474" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7vYLrEht7s3fCWbjeQjJazkyCfUAnqG0SusfxR4jqqrulGK7GtaxhfZiF0wpdfrMtxYt_PrIlFS0VzK4UUNKqC9e_MMPrdrhx7xT2rBNmk1gS0FOXu4Me6hP62PmdNwu-gD-EYlNpBh64tDN09nx7Ne6Q9G8fgh-G3rx6cSGD1bWZCQ_dPKcKMSu7AIx/s320/th-3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Or, you may take another path that leads to a mysterious new world where all the trees talk and you are the alien! That’s kind of an interesting twist, isn’t it? And I certainly wouldn’t have thought of it without the random wheel spin.</span></p><p><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CONTESTS AND BLOGS</b></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">They’re all about deadlines and themes and prompts and wise advice from professionals. And, often PRIZES!</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We’re heading into a new year and that means new story ideas, especially if you start off in January by joining <a href="http://taralazar.com">Tara Lazar</a> and her </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">StoryStorm. Presenters will take you on their publication journeys, offer helpful hints, or glimpses of book pages. Your mission is to jot at least one story idea for thirty days. And, who knows, a few of them might explode into new manuscripts! You must be registered, comment on the posts, and then sign a pledge saying you’ve come up with at least thirty story ideas to make you eligible for randomly drawn prizes. That’s it! </span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then in February, if you love nonfiction and biographies as much as I do, you may want to join the NFNinjas over at </span><a href="http://www.nffest.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.nffest.com</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The blog is full of information and inspiration. The Ninjas describe the NFfest as a “month long crash course in nonfiction.” </span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdr_CWA2ROO6IoCg0CpsogCc9e2rv9eGtwkklg3xraRWsRWMTLnvzGQUCVf1GoNq5NFB1m0KDacYOmtDgpFogEi33701l9CwxKw8X9AxUV3XGGWhcK0emcX28SbPaeZxYL-4cAAwa2QGrT9yTSt-vne9t88bvyCLTHXARtpsAAuliDWcZ7BLWbqbV89qst" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="2048" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdr_CWA2ROO6IoCg0CpsogCc9e2rv9eGtwkklg3xraRWsRWMTLnvzGQUCVf1GoNq5NFB1m0KDacYOmtDgpFogEi33701l9CwxKw8X9AxUV3XGGWhcK0emcX28SbPaeZxYL-4cAAwa2QGrT9yTSt-vne9t88bvyCLTHXARtpsAAuliDWcZ7BLWbqbV89qst" width="320" /></a></span></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Here they are going off on a planning retreat because after the Fest, they hang around for the year offering nonfiction writing tips and advice. N</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ow, I bet you’re full of inspiration and ready to write! </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Not quite? </span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well then, how about going over to spend March with Lynne Marie at </span><a href="http://www.rateyourstory.org/march-on" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.rateyourstory.org/march-on</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It surprises me at how much I can learn by reading other authors’ children’s books. I have a special notebook for this one. I literally “copy, cut, and paste”! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitTnS-iL1BDql5QtWJxj0aQPYPWlOCu4dQ1XmAepEiV7SFz3lddgFpXrfawtUGDaSow6OFkAhOf5c6IM26DAzpjpTzVlh3gXGguQ5uMv3BX29UhbvAjLjMCFn9MOTacGEV_ZUQEWasfQRZgW1vbwKF56eS5hD69mTzEVCRo2rDBk0_Lj5M0YPSerbDE_wQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitTnS-iL1BDql5QtWJxj0aQPYPWlOCu4dQ1XmAepEiV7SFz3lddgFpXrfawtUGDaSow6OFkAhOf5c6IM26DAzpjpTzVlh3gXGguQ5uMv3BX29UhbvAjLjMCFn9MOTacGEV_ZUQEWasfQRZgW1vbwKF56eS5hD69mTzEVCRo2rDBk0_Lj5M0YPSerbDE_wQ=w634-h640" width="634" /></a></b></div><p></p><p><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>AND MORE!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The wonderful, yes, wonderful person/author, <a href="http://viviankirkfield.com">Vivian Kirkfield</a>, offers us the <b>50 Precious Word</b>s contest in March. Fifty words don’t seem like many, but try and write a children’s story with a beginning, middle, and end, with a plot in just fifty words!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then there’s </span><a href="http://susannahill.com" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Susanna Leonard Hill</a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">, who gives you opportunity to sharpen your pencil and writing skills with Valentiney, Halloweensie, and Holiday contests. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.kaitlynleeansanchez" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kaitlyn Leean Sanchez</a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">, literary agent, gives you a chance to “create connections and grow as writers” with her Fall Writing Frenzy. Isn’t that what we’re looking for, to grow as writers?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are so many more sites and authors who can help us get out of that writer's block we thought we were in. Look around, visit their sites, and I'll bet you'll find lots of help to get your muse motoring again! Which ones have I missed? Where are your favorite story igniters?</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Be </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">inspired! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Get excited!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Write!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><br /></span></p><p><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12798895753247353517noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-56043639880490874142023-11-01T01:30:00.146-04:002023-11-01T01:30:00.132-04:00Creating Characters with Melquea Smith<div style="text-align: left;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmFaNRMAHqYVa7GLbfl85qsY7kn7NqHPYku-mdbIlm-ZYkAVKrvRUeyyD4w6SAVO8HM9T5yvCwmz2ItEzRss18Ghl2Z7xfj4CbGUEmdFdkuMmGcmuvL_wPiAXtbSxpXtCG4Ir7mV4wCCcmyGDRJzxeG6v8pB0R2mkWHiyEZCYeHvx3TY4CtiV_QI1bA0-/s564/Photo%20by%20Pablo%20Izquierdo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="548" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmFaNRMAHqYVa7GLbfl85qsY7kn7NqHPYku-mdbIlm-ZYkAVKrvRUeyyD4w6SAVO8HM9T5yvCwmz2ItEzRss18Ghl2Z7xfj4CbGUEmdFdkuMmGcmuvL_wPiAXtbSxpXtCG4Ir7mV4wCCcmyGDRJzxeG6v8pB0R2mkWHiyEZCYeHvx3TY4CtiV_QI1bA0-/s320/Photo%20by%20Pablo%20Izquierdo.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Pablo Izquierdo - <a href="https://www.capturingbelief.com/" target="_blank">Capturing Belief</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Melquea Smith (pronounced "Mehl-kwee-yah”) is an award-winning children’s book illustrator based in New York. She is an administrator for <a href="https://www.blackcreatorshq.org/" target="_blank">BlackCreatorsHeadquarters</a> and also a PAL member of the West-Central New York SCBWI region, which is how I met her. And – she has two books that release this fall: <b><i>The Time Machine</i></b> (October 2) and <b><i>The Biggest Gift of All</i></b> (November 16).<br /><br />I’ve been wanting to chat with her about illustrating kids’ books, and we finally got together (virtually) a few weeks ago. It was a delightful chat; Melquea bubbles over with joy when she talks about the characters she has illustrated. I asked her all kinds of questions about how she goes from an author’s manuscript to creating a three-dimensional, very much alive character on the page.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocZp3Z6kdxrtFjndLmMPFOVaLyhEqBbBhbNoNI33MGxhbXcbVqHCLEhHuTdWUKzAd8_Yuklcu0ivH8tpQfQ1ae8NjJyMik-3EurZyT10bUt-qvreDsJd-rtq3Ph1d0YhuJ-0Q90A1Ht5lRnMOR4vCDLmTtjr0XlYIg_9gVh40H1nixtfB663P41nD3hdq/s1500/Time%20Machine.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1215" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocZp3Z6kdxrtFjndLmMPFOVaLyhEqBbBhbNoNI33MGxhbXcbVqHCLEhHuTdWUKzAd8_Yuklcu0ivH8tpQfQ1ae8NjJyMik-3EurZyT10bUt-qvreDsJd-rtq3Ph1d0YhuJ-0Q90A1Ht5lRnMOR4vCDLmTtjr0XlYIg_9gVh40H1nixtfB663P41nD3hdq/w162-h200/Time%20Machine.jpg" width="162" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardinal Rule Press</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Me: </b>What’s the first thing you do when creating a character?<br /><br /><b>Melquea:</b> I start with the story, and after reading it over a few times I begin thinking about what sort of character might inhabit the story. In particular, what sort of character haven’t I created before? I think about their features: are they light-colored or darker? Is their hair kinky or curly? Who is in their friend group, and how do they fit in? How do they dress? For example, in <b><i>The Time Machine</i></b> the main character, Bailey is very sciency. She’s not the type of girl to wear frills – but her best friend, Nia, is. <br /><br />Also important for me is to find a way to add the experience of black girlhood, from the accessories they wear to how they act. This is where I bring my lived experience, growing up a Black girl.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8ThCJ55wNrrL0rwxMAn5FYJjSsbxx6JV0UDr3MfstNF4hbrgPy7vfbeLzMNixLhKZFLQKiJwlQ2lQHSMQAI2zAtnC60-TuDJJER_UVWidEK-dHr56oMrU8PKL5NwQPdFKEhb7UklN3-YzBGcca972Dgcru0LjaRVdrMyaXVZ0XvN0cdjRD2IFOEF7x0O/s500/Biggest%20gift%20of%20all.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="381" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8ThCJ55wNrrL0rwxMAn5FYJjSsbxx6JV0UDr3MfstNF4hbrgPy7vfbeLzMNixLhKZFLQKiJwlQ2lQHSMQAI2zAtnC60-TuDJJER_UVWidEK-dHr56oMrU8PKL5NwQPdFKEhb7UklN3-YzBGcca972Dgcru0LjaRVdrMyaXVZ0XvN0cdjRD2IFOEF7x0O/w153-h200/Biggest%20gift%20of%20all.jpg" width="153" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Includas Press</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">I also think about what I don’t see in the media. I want to showcase the spectrum of personhood, celebrate the soft, dark-skinned black boy, for example. So many times we focus on spunky characters or those who have been hardened by life experiences. This is why we need more books, because one single book can’t be the catch-all to represent the spectrum of experiences.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Me</b>: I notice that you illustrate characters from diverse ethnicities and cultures…</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Melquea</b>: Yes, and I do research, just as an author does. Tia and Mia, in <b><i>The Biggest Gift</i></b>, are twins. They are also Asian. Whenever I create characters, I pay close attention to stereotypes of marginalized groups and steer away from them. Stereotypical images are like when you write a cliché. The other thing I do is try to add a little bit of myself to my characters. Mia, for example, wears cat ears. I’ve done that – and continue to do that!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_aQV7aEz1HrRlKBCq7x0oOxNVRlOYFyhrru2_ltB93j18EjqwdXIicPwIGolREE4kLq5euzXsbzaFp8IRfZfXNtN3ZcioO2916sVpkP6GNie2u2yDmJpo1BRv_mUHmvMJL3YomNlMBRroEy8MPtdtR6MJvf8j8vK_xHHx5F8R3JHNPQpRmVmVR1rUyUh/s1630/Character%20Exploration%20TBGoA_MelqueaSmith.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1630" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_aQV7aEz1HrRlKBCq7x0oOxNVRlOYFyhrru2_ltB93j18EjqwdXIicPwIGolREE4kLq5euzXsbzaFp8IRfZfXNtN3ZcioO2916sVpkP6GNie2u2yDmJpo1BRv_mUHmvMJL3YomNlMBRroEy8MPtdtR6MJvf8j8vK_xHHx5F8R3JHNPQpRmVmVR1rUyUh/w400-h220/Character%20Exploration%20TBGoA_MelqueaSmith.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Me</b>: Once you get your idea for characters, what’s next?<br /><br /><b>Melquea</b>: I begin working on “discovery sketches” – just to learn who my characters are. I grab a sheet of computer paper and a marker and I start playing around with shapes for their face. I might snap a photo with my phone for sketches I particularly like, Then when I get a good feel for the shape and language of my character, I’ll go deeper. I might play around with proportions, sketch different body types, try on some different hair styles: afro? ponytail? locs? I’m looking for what feels right for that particular character. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAwPAt1eA7shQmAlZi11tBTXDIFbX3nZ2uW4DM4zNgitNJ6xVIlQ3StC6xuBGB9wHaitQx922FeoUq7Hge4CPvKkLvUNGCDuNcIB2c-Th2sSLRqjYYcg6bTDTh8X5n69bb5T5b7ej9svOe4LfF-I4QR7oLmOCnqzzgn2BJbTHhMSGvuPw8JSaV1Nk26u3/s1840/Character%20Lineup%20TBGoA_MelqueaSmith.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1840" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAwPAt1eA7shQmAlZi11tBTXDIFbX3nZ2uW4DM4zNgitNJ6xVIlQ3StC6xuBGB9wHaitQx922FeoUq7Hge4CPvKkLvUNGCDuNcIB2c-Th2sSLRqjYYcg6bTDTh8X5n69bb5T5b7ej9svOe4LfF-I4QR7oLmOCnqzzgn2BJbTHhMSGvuPw8JSaV1Nk26u3/w400-h171/Character%20Lineup%20TBGoA_MelqueaSmith.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the same time, I want to make sure that my character doesn’t look like others I’ve drawn in previous books. I’ll also put them in a line-up with other characters in the book to see how they complement each other, as well as how they differ.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />When I get their looks down, I play around with how they move through space. I might invite them to go out for ice cream with another character, and sketch them together. I’m also attentive to visual and personality quirks that help them interact with other characters.<br /><br /><b>Me:</b> I’ve invited a character or two to share hot cocoa and cookies with me…</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg4L64Olf6zKnReYUay8Lelz2AZQErq5OYgolnBOXB2FCLFqOvopJW2p4SxgULvDvBCvF8WLJVbCCwFd-lYoCNNt12Bdy7aVJMte4eeVKHFNswKZh9HdNqlqnB7_T9jk6GWKP-BjGrVaSJ2PK53Nf6sDC98I5pPO6DBdLTU-DiRi2YcaJpeeWWnU-GTKo/s1060/Sam%20Before%20and%20After%20TBGoA_MelqueaSmith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="1060" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg4L64Olf6zKnReYUay8Lelz2AZQErq5OYgolnBOXB2FCLFqOvopJW2p4SxgULvDvBCvF8WLJVbCCwFd-lYoCNNt12Bdy7aVJMte4eeVKHFNswKZh9HdNqlqnB7_T9jk6GWKP-BjGrVaSJ2PK53Nf6sDC98I5pPO6DBdLTU-DiRi2YcaJpeeWWnU-GTKo/s320/Sam%20Before%20and%20After%20TBGoA_MelqueaSmith.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b>Melquea</b>: Yes, like that. Illustrators need to sit with our characters. We need to know how they move both within the story and outside the story. How are their fingers positioned when they talk to a friend? Sometimes adding a small detail to a face can really make their emotion come through – and we have to capture that emotion on the page.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><b>Me</b>: Thank you so much for inviting us into your illustrator’s life! <br /><br />You can read more about how Melquea designs characters <a href="https://www.prettykittypaintings.com/blog/designing-childrens-book-characters" target="_blank">over at her blog</a>. Learn more about her and her books <a href="https://www.prettykittypaintings.com/about " target="_blank">at her website</a> and on her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prettykittypaintings/" target="_blank"> Instagram</a> . <br /><br /></div>Sue Heavenrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550259613381458435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-73228576588034553392023-10-25T09:44:00.002-04:002023-10-25T09:48:24.383-04:00 Why Are There So Many Editors??? by Fran Hodgkins<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When you sell your book (notice I’m saying when, not if!),
you become part of the collaborative team that works to make your book the best
it can be. As you work with them, the number of editors may confuse you. Why are
there so many editors? What makes them different? What follows is a field
guide, of sorts, to editors. (Note: There are more people involved in the
publishing process than just editors; we’ll discuss them in another post!)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Acquisition Editor:</b> This editor is the person who
acquires manuscripts. At many houses, the acquisition editor has a special area
of expertise—for example, graphic novels or 19<sup>th</sup> century philosophy.
Will this person be hands-on and help you shape your book? Most likely, no.
Instead you’ll work with the . . .</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <b>Developmental Editor:</b> This editor is the one who
shapes the manuscript. They’re the one who identifies plot holes, for example.
They may suggest you restructure your manuscript. You may well curse this
editor as you follow their comments and requests, but in the end, your manuscript
will be better for it. Trust me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <b>Line Editor:</b> This person focuses on the language of
the book, thus the name “line editor.” While the Development Editor is the
macro view, the line editor is the micro. This editor will also have comments
and questions, and you may curse this editor as well. But again, it all comes
out better in the end.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Note:</b> Sometimes the developmental and line editors
are called “editor” or “senior editor.” It all depends on the publisher. Also,
the position of “acquisitions editor” may not be a separate job, but done by
editors/senior editors. Their days are often filled with meetings, emails, and phone calls, so their time is tight (never, never, call and pitch an editor over the phone -- unless you know them well and have a history -- because, well, do I have to say?) Between all these daily duties, editors work on mauscripts (both reading and editing), coordinate with production and design about covers, paper, and other details; work with marketing; and a million other things. There are so many tasks to be done to create a book and get it into a reader's hands that it's no wonder that there may be so many editors.<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Copy Editor:</b> These are the mysterious house-elves of
the publishing world, the people with a deep knowledge of the <s>old magic</s> language.
These are the people who know the difference between affect and effect,
stationary and stationery, and confident and confidant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For them, Chicago Style is not a pizza. They
are your friends. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may also have
questions for you. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <b>Proofreader:</b> Proofreaders and copyeditors are not the
same. Proofreaders look for errors (often they’re the last line of defense). As
they read, they look for typos, such as missing words, transposed letters,
misspellings, and so on. Again, possibly more questions will come from the
proofreader, but the editors may address these in house rather than send them
to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Assistant/Associate Editor:</b> These are editors who are
early in their careers; they may have been promoted from editorial assistant
positions (see below). Often, they are beginning to build their own lists and
as a result are often open to new writers, so meeting and building a rapport
with them can be mutually beneficial to you, as the writer who wants a career,
and the editor, who is building one.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <b>Editorial Assistants and Interns:</b> These young editors
are often recent college grads or, in the case of interns, college students who
working in the industry for experience. Generally speaking, they <i>love love
love</i> books (honestly, so does everyone else on this list!). They do all the
stuff that has to be done but everyone else in the office is too busy to do,
including sending PDFs of your book for your review. They are invaluable. I
don’t know how anything gets done without them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <b>Managing Editor:</b> These editors are the ones who keep
the trains running on time. Schedules are their milieu. They don’t have much
contact with writers and illustrators in the normal course of things.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Executive Editor: </b>This is the person in charge.
Sometimes called editor-in-chief, they hire and oversee everyone else. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, will you encounter all these people? Maybe not as
individuals; editors (especially at small houses) wear many hats, and perform
different functions at different times. The key to working with editors is to
remember that you and the editors have the same goal: to make good books. Remember, they are on your side. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Fran Hodgkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123449608519251317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-46594841121993377362023-10-18T07:09:00.001-04:002023-10-18T07:11:59.166-04:00Be a "Rule Breaker" with Jessica Fries-Gaither and Nature’s Rule Breakers: Animals that Don’t Fit In by Kathy Halsey<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ec8LMvb20rqKwTa-IRudZYxCLi49ZjTB_qkjMFR3w5Ui8LQcIJfOHtNcgwSV8VYJEamT1M2P5nxlRIHfciy3sqhEn8lY-sfuc9fUjd9Sm8QU-mcafG_hLQtIEOiMBhE0AaU1A0_L642YczqsKt55Ro5DUo13P7PmQW0-63nQgOaLrFCELNnH9JLmUcM/s600/Cover%20Image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ec8LMvb20rqKwTa-IRudZYxCLi49ZjTB_qkjMFR3w5Ui8LQcIJfOHtNcgwSV8VYJEamT1M2P5nxlRIHfciy3sqhEn8lY-sfuc9fUjd9Sm8QU-mcafG_hLQtIEOiMBhE0AaU1A0_L642YczqsKt55Ro5DUo13P7PmQW0-63nQgOaLrFCELNnH9JLmUcM/w400-h400/Cover%20Image.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What fun to be interviewing an Ohio author and SCBWI friend, Jessica Fries-Gaither this week for the GROG! We both love NF picture books and are educators. I’ve always admired the gorgeous books that come from Millbrook Press and editor Carol Hinz! Let’s take a look at </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Nature’s Rule Breakers: Animals that Don’t Fit In</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. </span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-42609125-7fff-de53-dd40-ab67307aaba8"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Book Review</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f888fca9-7fff-1336-9c5d-9d8e5adfd426"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There’s still such a market for engaging science nonfiction, and </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Nature’s Rule Breakers: Animals that Don’t Fit In </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">fits perfectly onto a school library shelf, a teacher’s bookshelf, or in the hands of curious kids who love unusual creatures. As Kirkus says this is “not your ordinary display of interesting and appealing animals, this offering has an important message for young readers and the adults who care for them." </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author-science teacher Fries-Gaither has crafted a lyrical, engaging book with questions that hook the reader and an SEL theme that can also be a point of discussion in a classroom/library setting.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> That theme applies to the animal kingdom as well as with humans– no one fits the parameters of rules perfectly. That quality makes us unique. As Jessica states in her newest picture book, “</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some rules are meant to be broken, even those in the animal kingdom”!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5d2c986e-7fff-fdc3-1b0a-3b9173c39b28"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As a proud rule breaker, an “inbetweener” who has felt that I don't belong, this is an affirming book for more than the target audience of 5 - 9 years</span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, </span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">K - 3. Go find out more about garden snails, tardigrades, and Sacoglossan sea slugs and other inbetweeners. This is an engaging, informative read </span></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">with useful backmatter that will delight educators! </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKG3Dkrz7PF7T-FjcF5e3R6i4r-PdJbRGNj_ZdvJOPCIlrwqxvaE9mFUcw12ftvYynXYtXP5zUuRymv9NzqDo8hM7TkuYiGSsOyQZYGS5TOCyGTe5UOz5Z2U4Bgzkl1j1gvZk8Vaa1v6clMNsZDMG217tyOpxAiJ3VCX_t67OVJ02kfEZf1kx82BepjU/s1492/headJessica.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKG3Dkrz7PF7T-FjcF5e3R6i4r-PdJbRGNj_ZdvJOPCIlrwqxvaE9mFUcw12ftvYynXYtXP5zUuRymv9NzqDo8hM7TkuYiGSsOyQZYGS5TOCyGTe5UOz5Z2U4Bgzkl1j1gvZk8Vaa1v6clMNsZDMG217tyOpxAiJ3VCX_t67OVJ02kfEZf1kx82BepjU/w290-h400/headJessica.jpg" width="290" /></a></span></div><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Craft Chat wit Jessica Fries-Gaither</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kathy:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I’m always curious about the “process” of how text changes over time to become a publishable piece. In your first drafts of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Rule Breakers</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> did you write straight exposition and add all the lyrical elements later? Was it ever written in rhyme? </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lines like “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This feathered flier is crepuscular, swooping silently through sky at dusk or dawn</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” are so poetic, full of consonance and assonance. How did you arrive at this lyrical version and prose like it throughout the book? </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jessica: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My initial drafts were almost entirely straight exposition. I’m a science teacher by day, and so my “voice,” both in the classroom and on the page tends to be clear and matter of fact when I’m trying to explain a concept. Thankfully critique partners and editor Carol Hinz pushed me to jazz up the language to make it more engaging!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Lyrical nonfiction is my absolute favorite, and it’s something I’m continually working on in my own writing practice.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As for rhyme…no. I’ve previously published two rhyming picture books with NSTA Kids, and it will take a special topic for me to want to go through that again. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kathy: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The use of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">questions on spreads is</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">another active aspect of your diction in Rule Breakers. How do questions help a reader connect with nonfiction?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jessica: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Again, I think this flows naturally from my life as a teacher. I spend my days asking kids questions to help them figure out and understand science concepts. I find that kids can rush through things, whether it be thinking through an idea or reading a book. Posing questions encourages them to pause, reflect, and engage more deeply with the content. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RFPYuBuzm3c-_AcusPDK7LlDLBVK0rw79b2A3CQU_WAR35lintz5CczPJ5dEIW5-crWNhq4Vzif2amYrnyOs8ETerB6RsNJuYYG8914GnWOiOjSzRUFGsRYAYfvKe6byah2KTDhq8JDYw-ZyblQKdltk16DovCC94jvOYv76ezTPGQ4yK92LW4KGBtc/s1372/Image%2010-17-23%20at%208.31%E2%80%AFAM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1372" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RFPYuBuzm3c-_AcusPDK7LlDLBVK0rw79b2A3CQU_WAR35lintz5CczPJ5dEIW5-crWNhq4Vzif2amYrnyOs8ETerB6RsNJuYYG8914GnWOiOjSzRUFGsRYAYfvKe6byah2KTDhq8JDYw-ZyblQKdltk16DovCC94jvOYv76ezTPGQ4yK92LW4KGBtc/w400-h399/Image%2010-17-23%20at%208.31%E2%80%AFAM.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kathy: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ah, I love that “pause, reflect, engage deeply”. That is what scientists do! On another note, I’m curious if there has been any pushback with your inclusion of living things moving between female and male behaviors, such as the garden snail or even terminology such as “hermaphrodite.” The facts are true, but some adults are hypersensitive to word connotations in our “politicalized” world. As a writer, did these issues come up as you wrote?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jessica: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Including sex as a category was a very conscious choice on my part, and I chose to place those examples later in the book to allow readers to get comfortable with the rule-breaking concept before tackling it. The only note I’ve received on this to date was from a colleague who read an early draft and mentioned that the use of “hermaphrodite” with regard to intersex humans is stigmatizing and offensive. We talked about the differences between the use of the word to describe an animal like a snail versus a human and I ultimately felt okay about leaving it in (and apparently, so did my editor). Sadly, though, given today’s climate, I can’t say I will be surprised if some pushback arises. Disappointed and perhaps angry? Absolutely. But not surprised. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kathy:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I am glad you took a stand and left the spread with “hermaphrodites” in. BRAVO. I’ve never thought about species that don’t fit in. Where’d you get this original idea? How did you decide which animals to include? Were there others that you didn’t include? Was there a process of elimination by you, your agent, or editor? The photos are quite compelling, too. Did the “coolness” or “strangeness” of the creature make it a contender for the book?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyA3k9HK4tJ7wHsXzaIypA9A_n5Mc0BEoVJrI7qGr0kYhJIVpE2tJxhm6SWrOierTYI0F1FA6XZbDBL-oTZthFqJPzPGhnuhnmp5pICJnPcmk26VfnGzBzKPI1SFtykLW1Ab_8owCeP_knPd8cy2QpPBHf5GJp_jbsyBk7RfCCPO2R8fuDrrQEulyYKM/s1392/Image%2010-17-23%20at%208.30%E2%80%AFAM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1342" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyA3k9HK4tJ7wHsXzaIypA9A_n5Mc0BEoVJrI7qGr0kYhJIVpE2tJxhm6SWrOierTYI0F1FA6XZbDBL-oTZthFqJPzPGhnuhnmp5pICJnPcmk26VfnGzBzKPI1SFtykLW1Ab_8owCeP_knPd8cy2QpPBHf5GJp_jbsyBk7RfCCPO2R8fuDrrQEulyYKM/w386-h400/Image%2010-17-23%20at%208.30%E2%80%AFAM.jpg" width="386" /></a></span></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jessica:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Believe it or not, my inspiration came from a tweet that simply read “Biology isn’t binary.” (Had I known where that tweet would lead me, I would have taken a screenshot of it back in 2021!) I kept thinking about it long after I liked and retweeted it, especially in the context of the way we teach kids about living things. It seemed like there was an opportunity for me to show them a new way to think.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I started brainstorming examples with a friend and science colleague and we came up with so many examples. Not just animals, but plants and human biology as well. It’s interesting to go back and look at my early drafts because there wasn’t a clear focus yet. Rounds of feedback from critique partners helped me start to narrow my focus. I worked on this manuscript with author Sara C. Levine in a virtual revision workshop through SCBWI Ohio North, and her expertise and feedback helped me continue to narrow. Some examples were more compelling than others, and the nuances of some categories proved to be too difficult to explain in the concise picture book format. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I don’t know if I consciously considered “coolness” or “strangeness” of an animal besides my own interest in it. My editor and I had some discussion about whether or not to include the sea slug, but I pushed to keep it in because I’m fascinated and a little obsessed with them. Google “leaf sheep sea slug” to see why! I do know, though, that while I love mammals and birds as much as the next person, I challenge my students to learn about other types of animals as well. I’m sure that perspective influenced some of my selection process, whether conscious or not. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kathy</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Have you begun author visits yet? I bet kids will love the “coolness” and "strangeness” of these rule breakers. So, how do the kids react to the creatures? What are their favorites? Any tips to pass on to GROG readers via school visits?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jessica: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m doing a “visit” with my own students this week—gotta take advantage of a built-in audience—and have a virtual visit scheduled with a school in California next month. So I don’t have visits to draw on yet, but I think they’ll be fascinated. And ironically, even though I’ve been in the audience for many an author visit, I’m feeling very much a newbie when it comes to being on the other side of the microphone! </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kathy:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> What are you working on now? Please share any virtual presentations or in-person events that are on your fall-winter calendar.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jessica:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> My writing always slows down in the late summer and fall with the return to teaching and coaching middle school volleyball. I’ve been working on a proposal for a middle grade science nonfiction book that I’m excited about getting back to. I’ve learned that November-March is a typically productive time for me as a writer, and I am excited to see what comes from it this year.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will be at the NCTE conference (here in Columbus) November 16-18. I’m part of a panel discussion, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All Hands-On Deck: Creating an Active, Climate-Literate School Community</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with authors Keila Dawson, Jeanette Bradley, Laura Gehl, Lindsay Metcalf, and fellow educator Alex Edelmann, although my involvement is around the books I’ve published with NSTA on science notebooks. I will have a book signing fo</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nature’s Rule Breakers</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> at the Lerner Booth (Booth 307) from 1:30-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 18. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I have other presentations and conferences focused on my writing for science teachers, but not much for Nature’s Rule Breakers, yet . . .</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #a64d79; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1BZSeDQ2kQubLHnJGvBFNjE9utI9tawSYtO_lshgj7MEius3SJLLiM7mKdeSP_x0t4ZrP0zcFR_vf7DPpy3KbxAW6sGKssFUR41hvvQAIjPydqZs8suWczq8LtQf9YVdSKNWfoAv2U-3DGY8mn9f3OIc82s0psqXy5tG6f9nTM-66RNWU3DuUBMXGsQ/s2110/Image%2010-17-23%20at%209.20%E2%80%AFAM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="2110" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1BZSeDQ2kQubLHnJGvBFNjE9utI9tawSYtO_lshgj7MEius3SJLLiM7mKdeSP_x0t4ZrP0zcFR_vf7DPpy3KbxAW6sGKssFUR41hvvQAIjPydqZs8suWczq8LtQf9YVdSKNWfoAv2U-3DGY8mn9f3OIc82s0psqXy5tG6f9nTM-66RNWU3DuUBMXGsQ/w400-h250/Image%2010-17-23%20at%209.20%E2%80%AFAM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Check out Jessica's professional books for educators, too!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.39; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jessica is an experienced science educator and an award-winning author of books for students and teachers. Her titles include </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nature's Rule Breakers: Creatures That Don't Fit In</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Notable Notebooks: Scientists and Their Writings</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exemplary Evidence: Scientists and Their Drawings</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Science Notebooks in Student-Centered Classrooms</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Find Jessica here!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">website: </span><a href="https://www.jessicafriesgaither.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #467886; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.jessicafriesgaither.com</span></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jfriesgaither" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #467886; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/jfriesgaither</span></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Instagram: @JessicaFGWrites</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">X (for now): @JessicaFGWrites</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Blue Sky: @jessicafgwrites.bsky.social </span></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Kathy Halseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11600954824509054774noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-8769898151910391542023-10-11T12:41:00.000-04:002023-10-11T12:41:32.482-04:00A Roundtable on Structure in STEM picture books<div style="text-align: left;"> by Sue Heavenrich</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Last month over at <a href="https://archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Archimedes Notebook</a>, Elizabeth Shreeve said, “Structure is so important for nonfiction! Otherwise we’re just relaying facts.” So this month I invited her, along with Heather Montgomery, here to the GROG so we could hang out around the kitchen table and chat more at length about writing nonfiction and structure. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLANtSpLK6tTzn_FQccWnm4H7ND_vyoDCrHt9vF_h5YRb683035d1ik_IB1OIVD7Qzh8BJno5z-lJyGCK26S7RgPV8F-YjRwbfDSFv6FbVR6dBxGzppBm2qjrkgVw74Qts7_WLe-ebwYdE_JAzZMc0CZ2K25kGeyD_ODMHM74b-4n-ywhFiOxoom7wLLBJ/s922/Shreeve%20books.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="922" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLANtSpLK6tTzn_FQccWnm4H7ND_vyoDCrHt9vF_h5YRb683035d1ik_IB1OIVD7Qzh8BJno5z-lJyGCK26S7RgPV8F-YjRwbfDSFv6FbVR6dBxGzppBm2qjrkgVw74Qts7_WLe-ebwYdE_JAzZMc0CZ2K25kGeyD_ODMHM74b-4n-ywhFiOxoom7wLLBJ/s320/Shreeve%20books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I was first introduced to Elizabeth through her book, <a href="https://archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/06/we-came-out-of-blue.html" target="_blank">Out of the Blue</a>, which highlights evolution. Her most recent book is <a href="https://archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com/2023/09/sloths-on-blog-tour.html" target="_blank">The Upside-Down Book of Sloths</a>, which you can totally read sitting right-side-up.<br /><br />I met Heather through her books, initially, and then in person at a Highlights science and nature workshop in 2022. Her picture books include <a href="https://archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/11/bugs-dont-hug-little-whale.html" target="_blank">Bugs Don’t Hug</a> and <a href="https://archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com/2021/09/whats-in-your-pocket.html" target="_blank">What's in Your Pocket?</a> She’s also written about <a href="https://archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com/2018/10/somethings-rotten.html" target="_blank">roadkill</a> and three years ago, when we were locked down for the pandemic, we had a great talk <a href="https://groggorg.blogspot.com/2020/09/heather-shares-poop-on-hands-on-science.html" target="_blank">about poop</a> right here at the GROG.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyHukmFkpJ3BwUyiqiRRrEsA8MO6_664hu4crHxsbXuSrufIez2UtQWL_Z8AWre9VzptdKYT7OJdaT4jkjIGuU2ap5lGuifHs2PwX_VGunqIujVYiKOOKJohnJ15Mul6siTqcQlmGcTwEFi8f1dVYss9ETm2eVTN96PaVlcJpOpQ2qVMeZsyceeeNv7cT/s941/Heather%20books.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="941" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyHukmFkpJ3BwUyiqiRRrEsA8MO6_664hu4crHxsbXuSrufIez2UtQWL_Z8AWre9VzptdKYT7OJdaT4jkjIGuU2ap5lGuifHs2PwX_VGunqIujVYiKOOKJohnJ15Mul6siTqcQlmGcTwEFi8f1dVYss9ETm2eVTN96PaVlcJpOpQ2qVMeZsyceeeNv7cT/s320/Heather%20books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So, let’s all grab our coffee and introduce ourselves before we dive into shop talk. I’ve taught science in the classroom and in my kitchen (homeschooling) and was a science/agriculture reporter for local and regional papers. I write because I’m curious about all kinds of sciencey things, but I’m particularly passionate about bugs! And fungi. And flowers. What about you?<br /><br /><b>Heather:</b> I am a curious person who loves to share my passion for nature with kids of all ages. I love all parts of nature but have a special place in my heart for bugs and am particularly fascinated with the way bodies work. I have a B.S. in biology, a M.S. in environmental education and over 25 years of experience teaching inside and outside of the classroom. Research is my life!<br /><br /><b>Elizabeth:</b> I consider myself a student of nature. To me, the history of life on Earth offers the most compelling and fascinating stories imaginable. There’s so much to learn! In college, I majored in geology and went on to a master’s degree in landscape architecture. After working for 35 years in a design firm (plus raising kids and writing a few books along the way), I decided to put that hodge-podge of science and art into full-time writing. I’ve always been a big scribbler, and working in the architecture field taught me the discipline of spare, concise writing. One more essential ingredient—I love children! I admire their joyful, open “beginners minds,” their curiosity and how they relate to the natural world without any sense of separation. My goal is to create fun, informative books that nurture those connections.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKQ07no0aB1_dYUznphPqjvv7WDgqJSarUrj__S7traqImTuLd40Rn3vCyp6pWggZ8Nt2e2ZdpanQATRa6QGsJbLuWbEiIS09yhv8QowAFzQZKnySBeLhxYp9taHnRZPGF6TtTSxWfBTlFwfWAknaIC4kDcnHQIyJ24uOr59L6d35V7iwxJr5LIT7Y24g/s940/my%20books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="940" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKQ07no0aB1_dYUznphPqjvv7WDgqJSarUrj__S7traqImTuLd40Rn3vCyp6pWggZ8Nt2e2ZdpanQATRa6QGsJbLuWbEiIS09yhv8QowAFzQZKnySBeLhxYp9taHnRZPGF6TtTSxWfBTlFwfWAknaIC4kDcnHQIyJ24uOr59L6d35V7iwxJr5LIT7Y24g/s320/my%20books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sue:</b> We all start with ideas and scribbles, but sometimes it takes forever to figure out how to write the book. When I first wrote <i>13 Ways to Eat a Fly </i>it wasn’t much more than a list. Like, yeah – here’s all these different ways to dine on diptera. An agent at a retreat said, this is great but it’s not a book. It took me a long time to figure out how to make it into something kids would enjoy listening to.<br /><br />When do you start exploring possible structures for your story? And how many different ways do you try writing it out?<br /><br /><b>Elizabeth</b>: For me, the discovery of structure depends on the initial idea. I start with a deep dive into research. Once my head is full, a structure usually emerges from the gloom when I’m first waking up or walking the dog. Sometimes it seems obvious. For example, a chronological sequence worked best for <i>Out of the Blue</i>. But the approach seemed boring, until I found a question that precedes the title page. For <i>The Upside-Down Book of Sloths</i> I was struck by the differences between modern tree sloths and their amazing prehistoric relatives, the giant ground sloths. So I fooled around with charts until a pair/compare structure emerged.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5dqsFXhvI8D7WytZKnHvGVS_mza5qdQe8BehufGCakqEHUaoiklMdogmqFfxFa15yzNB0qYrmwc0X8PbyAcHEaz64c3daFpLkmP1AvBCNWniCtX48-jIeMfd7ZCP2We2YYw6CJjgC5-bkM3oWTwRR6wA9eGcbLTPRVGpski-2GGulrk19V1s4oTPd3GO/s1089/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="1089" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5dqsFXhvI8D7WytZKnHvGVS_mza5qdQe8BehufGCakqEHUaoiklMdogmqFfxFa15yzNB0qYrmwc0X8PbyAcHEaz64c3daFpLkmP1AvBCNWniCtX48-jIeMfd7ZCP2We2YYw6CJjgC5-bkM3oWTwRR6wA9eGcbLTPRVGpski-2GGulrk19V1s4oTPd3GO/w400-h170/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">thinking about structure for <i>Out of the Blue</i></span> </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Heather:</b> Figuring out the structure has been my greatest challenge. And the shorter the book, the greater that challenge is. When I can't ignore the idea that one of my questions might need to become a book, my mind typically jumps to a structure right away. That's not a good thing because the brain has a way of latching on and not wanting to let go—and that first idea has never been THE structure that finally works. Take<i> Bugs Don't Hug</i> for example. The first time I submitted it was to Ranger Rick and it was a list of insect parenting behaviors written to celebrate Mother's Day. It took me about 3 years to let go of that idea. Sigh.<br /><br /><b>Sue</b>: What are some of the tools and techniques you use to explore structure? For example, I use word banks because sometimes that will help me see connections. I also use storyboards to look at page turns and see whether there’s enough space for the illustrator.<br /><br /><b>Heather:</b> I use sticky notes. I put one idea/concept/example on one sticky note, post them all on my wall or a huge piece of foam board. Then I move them around to see how I can put them together to build to one big idea. I'll often take a photo before I mix the notes all together and make myself re-arrange them in a different structure. I also do this digitally in PowerPoint to make it easy to save my work. I set up PowerPoint slides as spreads of a picture book and map out ideas (one per page or spread).<br /><br /><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2AANzcx5JMYqrsD36l2diMp5Ec5fVli9Hbu0vTGcXxE3TpotZizMaCklehZtKUKqx-ExPLq7H3_xfaCKXUTUyYrjeCv0pV1ELQv5m8OMrE-FJ7KNPAVHCDKzsxm379jAmMFceMnzJNMm1VvG9iTep7QUuKbGbuU0GaLoSBAUNOXNt3y0sbb0BQ379veu/s684/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="684" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2AANzcx5JMYqrsD36l2diMp5Ec5fVli9Hbu0vTGcXxE3TpotZizMaCklehZtKUKqx-ExPLq7H3_xfaCKXUTUyYrjeCv0pV1ELQv5m8OMrE-FJ7KNPAVHCDKzsxm379jAmMFceMnzJNMm1VvG9iTep7QUuKbGbuU0GaLoSBAUNOXNt3y0sbb0BQ379veu/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Elizabeth storyboarding <i>Upside-down Sloths</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Elizabeth</b>: I’m a fan of storyboarding, too. It’s something I learned from working in a design office. When an idea for structure pops up, I grab it! I outline and sketch in notebooks. Next I lay a picture book template on the table, roll out trace paper, and make a nice big storyboard. This helps with page turns and balancing content between spreads. It’s useful for revision, too, when you’re reviewing a sketch dummy.<br /><br /><b>Sue</b>: In addition to doing research about my book topic, I also spend time reading and studying other books to glean ideas for structure. When the idea for <i>The Pie that Molly Grew</i> started germinating in my brain, I began looking at other books that adopted the "House that Jack Built" as a structure. And I always look at what authors add in their back matter, both content and how they present it. <br /><br /><b>Elizabeth:</b> Want to know the best way to spend the day? Visit local libraries and bookstores for picture books to study and read. (I’ll also buy picture books - supposedly for our granddaughter, but actually for me.) If a book impresses me, I’ll type it out word for word. By typing, I absorb the flow and can analyze word count, page turns, repetition of key phrases and metaphors. When people ask me to critique their drafts, that’s my advice—get yourself ten books that you admire, type them out, and then come back. It’s helpful for understanding the pacing and content. <br /><br /><b>Sue:</b> I do that, too … typing them out. <br /><br /><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1la_Vz3KVIkxQU29rbFlP48z-EVMbAALaEjRb4Gil46N7u3cVROM6znTnyxZCom6EkLvy_66FJfQQRbmRQXjXASmpPzKRvr6ddA9h3myNpoZ9yzawpCb_VEpdcOEPcz4fb8bMmylCAzrb-vk454wqG_5DGCrP0pzlUOKBn5RnsFXR0I-gHxayWtbImlDc/s532/heather%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1la_Vz3KVIkxQU29rbFlP48z-EVMbAALaEjRb4Gil46N7u3cVROM6znTnyxZCom6EkLvy_66FJfQQRbmRQXjXASmpPzKRvr6ddA9h3myNpoZ9yzawpCb_VEpdcOEPcz4fb8bMmylCAzrb-vk454wqG_5DGCrP0pzlUOKBn5RnsFXR0I-gHxayWtbImlDc/s320/heather%201.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Heather, probably studying structure of a book...</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Heather</b>: I spend tons of time studying and teaching about the structure of other trade books. One of my favorite things to do is to find a structure (such as the mirror structure in Liz Garton Scanlon's <i>One Dark Bird </i>where the second half of the book presents information in the reverse order as of the first half) and try to apply that to one of my projects.<br /><br /><b>Sue</b>: When I wrote <i>The Pie that Molly Grew</i>, I thought I was writing about the growth process of a pumpkin plant. After I finished, I realized I was writing about connections – both natural and human. Do you ever discover something unexpected when you are writing your book?<br /><br /><b>Heather</b>: All the time! When I wrote <i>Bugs Don't Hug</i>, I thought it was a book about insect and human parental behaviors, but I discovered that my big idea about families could humans connect to each other as well!<br /><br /><b>Elizabeth</b>: I often cram too much information into a draft. As my brother, also a writer, says…sometimes it’s best to unpack an idea or a page. With <i>The Upside-Down Book of Sloths,</i> I’d included too much information on each page. That led to a major revision which made me realize I need to find the space between the facts. <br /><br /><b>Sue</b>: Well, my coffee’s gone and there's nothing left of the muffins but crumbs, so it’s time to skedaddle. A huge thank you to Elizabeth and Heather for joining me today. Please visit their websites to learn more about them and their wonderful books:<br /><br />Elizabeth at <a href="https://elizabethshreeve.com/" target="_blank">www.elizabethshreeve.com</a><br />Heather at <a href="https://heatherlmontgomery.com/" target="_blank">www.HeatherLMontgomery.com</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Sue Heavenrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550259613381458435noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-87063765119293224862023-10-04T02:00:00.809-04:002023-10-04T02:00:00.138-04:00A DIY Writing Retreat by Mona Pease<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-389a1ef9-7fff-a6e1-b78b-dcdf892dac07" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><a name='more'></a><b id="docs-internal-guid-389a1ef9-7fff-a6e1-b78b-dcdf892dac07" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">NOW WHAT?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-a6abf2ef-7fff-cb49-fcfe-5afe7e8078d6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You’re home from the conference with a writing toolbox overflowing with a plethora of new ideas, workshop material, contacts, and maybe even a great or not-so-great paid critique. You sort it all out and write or revise endlessly. But somehow everyday life takes over and you’re at the point where you just can’t concentrate. What can you do? Plan a Do-It-Yourself Retreat!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A DIY RETREAT</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sounds like difficult planning, or you don’t know where to begin. Or, you’re not an organizer. Neither am I, but someone else had an idea for the first writing retreat I attended. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My dear friend, <a href="http://tamrawight.com">Tamra Wight</a>, had to miss the New England SCBWI conference every year because it always fell on the dates she and her husband opened their campground for summer. So, at the encouragement of a camper writer, (Jeanne Bracken), Tami put a quick note online asking if anyone would be interested in coming to her for a week-end writing “Schmooze”. I responded as did about a dozen other children’s writers. She sent us her plan: rental campers or tent sites at discount prices, a recreation room to meet in, dine together, and read and round table critique if desired. It was a success! Even though Tamra and her husband sold the campground a few years ago, she still keeps the Schmooze going near her new lakeside home. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67y-nvJnuhxVr_tg_mID5_V1X3y4cjhQO7l7d4XgVt7VBM7pzou0gy1m2kmAOwLA8kF6TIg5J9P7KOtpew45ihoZhN4sbnj1AJgNP_lr6x3RKrzZCjYQalwQJaxZdlbQ9oCJk3SUTG6zj_G0-U0fmrd1TPetFtlRdCOfc5Pc8fHAL1i0N3reL0KblZ6Ww/s750/60C91ACD-B84E-4F78-8C26-EA391BED4BA8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="750" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67y-nvJnuhxVr_tg_mID5_V1X3y4cjhQO7l7d4XgVt7VBM7pzou0gy1m2kmAOwLA8kF6TIg5J9P7KOtpew45ihoZhN4sbnj1AJgNP_lr6x3RKrzZCjYQalwQJaxZdlbQ9oCJk3SUTG6zj_G0-U0fmrd1TPetFtlRdCOfc5Pc8fHAL1i0N3reL0KblZ6Ww/s320/60C91ACD-B84E-4F78-8C26-EA391BED4BA8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After that one, another Schmoozer, Valerie Giogas, thought we should have a winter retreat. She found a huge but chilly coastal Victorian home with many bedrooms and writing spaces. We rented it for the off season rate. Each of us grabbed a cup of tea and found our cuddled-in-a-blanket writing spot. If there were a mouse in that house we would have heard it because everyone was so quiet for hours on end. We did hear fluttering in the chimney once and one writer moved rooms because she honestly thought it was inhabited by @@??!! But, we enjoyed that winter retreat until the house was sold.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHO WOULD YOU INVITE?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioepKQQ0RLbszXvPatbzmwJgNyTKoJ5FlVvUaVPsUHAC5UvEJ7DtCHaxiyIM0e2bz1QwaqVjVjx592lvX_L1NqEST8gRwnlQK0Vy_l_a2FUGIgxwol8vY90IniAmRWZzjbNkEkX3wIjsppMbRc60HT7zmDgy0nJ3cjC1r0y91dwhqV2RJyh1iGiRfAuSF/s743/684946B6-1A02-46B8-83C5-F582B5CD7D70.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="743" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioepKQQ0RLbszXvPatbzmwJgNyTKoJ5FlVvUaVPsUHAC5UvEJ7DtCHaxiyIM0e2bz1QwaqVjVjx592lvX_L1NqEST8gRwnlQK0Vy_l_a2FUGIgxwol8vY90IniAmRWZzjbNkEkX3wIjsppMbRc60HT7zmDgy0nJ3cjC1r0y91dwhqV2RJyh1iGiRfAuSF/s320/684946B6-1A02-46B8-83C5-F582B5CD7D70.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-586ca38c-7fff-6c45-0883-8e8f10332dc3"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Would you be comfortable writing with eight or ten people in the same place? Or, would you want to keep it smaller and more intimate with a critique partner or a few writing buddies? I’ve had the privilege of being invited to a few bonus retreats with only a few people. Another one of my dearest friends, Cynthia Lord, sometimes rents a place in the town where her fictional story takes place, combining her writing with research. Her </span><span style="font-size: medium;">mornings are spent in deep revisions mode. She stays in her room with editor’s notes and printed pages laid out on her bed colored up with lots of sticky notes. Me? I write, revise, research, whatever it is, in my own comfortable spot. And believe it or not, I stay quiet until lunch time!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Afternoons are often for Cynthia’s local research: walking, boating, taking in the smells, sights, sounds, music, fishermen’s banter, and local folks' activities. When you read her MG novels, you’ll feel everything she felt while writing. As for me, with no editor’s notes in hand, I always manage to write endlessly during those uninterrupted quiet hours. Once, Valarie said to me, “I didn’t think I could write on demand.” I agreed with her then. But now I find that on these quiet writing retreats, words flow. In fact, the last time I went with Cynthia on a revision retreat I came up with a brand new picture book story.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now to finish writing it!</span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span><div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHERE WILL YOU HAVE YOUR RETREAT?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is where your resources come in. Do you know anyone, family or friends who owns a cottage or camp, or might need a house sitter? Are there seasonal cabins you might inquire about? As you’ve been reading along and getting ideas for your own retreat, you can see that I didn’t have much input into where we’d meet up. One day, my daughter said, “Why don’t you go to the island for a few days to write?” I checked with a few girls, and they were in…the lobster boat with food (no stores there), computers, and the usual baggage. My son-in-law navigated to the small Maine island and left us! We slept in the open chamber upstairs in comfy beds lined up summer camp style, got up before dawn to the sound of fishing boat engines, and drank our coffee on the dock to take photos of morning sunrises. All before getting down to the business of writing. Late afternoons were for exploring in kayaks, spotting soaring eagles and ospreys protecting their chicks, warning us to go away. A glorious place to fill our minds and souls and write. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT ABOUT MEALS?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With larger groups like the Schmoozers, we have potluck. With long tables lined end for end, one never knows what will appear; mac ‘n cheese, baked beans, chili, seafood chowder, muffins, rolls, cookies, whoopee pies, and berry pies (pies of two different genres!).</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For the smaller group retreats, we divide up the meals. For instance, I may bring two breakfasts, lunch, and a dinner. We don’t take time or money to eat out. Sometimes when writing is going well, a quick lunch is all that’s needed. Then back to work until the eyes say "no more"!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">READY! SET! GO!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now I have you all psyched up about going off somewhere with your writing tools and friends. Time to take action. How will you make a writing retreat work for you? Talk to friends and ask for their input. Even if you don’t have a pending deadline or project, you have something to take. And if you don’t think you do, “writing on demand”, might surprise you. And don’t forget to leave time to play. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNK9uOMrbXnEiETH1YmJ67ws_3yI20tST0raB3Sxn8nNEjC8CNtBYTjZxQjA6gArEeQ0oPW7rCpv-jtiXThM13TEHPCFUgQO20o9veaijXcvUTvBPtSZSj7SyvyLKrFFII6ZDeSNGMGQomu-9rc3a-J8EZxklepVowslkVeY41MdXWWvAor7Nf4ByYbIaj/s1024/0F41CD95-5643-4B10-B00D-033F69BA1116_1_105_c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNK9uOMrbXnEiETH1YmJ67ws_3yI20tST0raB3Sxn8nNEjC8CNtBYTjZxQjA6gArEeQ0oPW7rCpv-jtiXThM13TEHPCFUgQO20o9veaijXcvUTvBPtSZSj7SyvyLKrFFII6ZDeSNGMGQomu-9rc3a-J8EZxklepVowslkVeY41MdXWWvAor7Nf4ByYbIaj/s320/0F41CD95-5643-4B10-B00D-033F69BA1116_1_105_c.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />At our retreats, we chat, kayak, walk, take lots of pictures, or simply gaze at the stars with a glass of wine in hand.</span><p></p></div></div>monahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12798895753247353517noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-34603038370009023382023-09-27T00:30:00.020-04:002023-09-27T00:30:00.141-04:00Introducing THE PALACE RAT, and author Lynne Marie ~ Christy Mihaly<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQBAWC55EAuKJ_HKbocnp3TJceyJtWXaIqW_k07MpCQmUSQDL_WIKrF6Pt9jUySXu_xNNIPu36xKty8t4WfjQ4Aftc2Sx7nKfAjB_GCyLQAWdN18y5NaLEt7P3fJcRWIi6KUhULvGxJt8F_wM4yz9sf0T0OAeiSJHuq8B7vJSoR3rKBaEN8QIZ0GRQn8E/s3112/The%20Palace%20Rat%20Cover%200221.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3112" data-original-width="2489" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQBAWC55EAuKJ_HKbocnp3TJceyJtWXaIqW_k07MpCQmUSQDL_WIKrF6Pt9jUySXu_xNNIPu36xKty8t4WfjQ4Aftc2Sx7nKfAjB_GCyLQAWdN18y5NaLEt7P3fJcRWIi6KUhULvGxJt8F_wM4yz9sf0T0OAeiSJHuq8B7vJSoR3rKBaEN8QIZ0GRQn8E/s320/The%20Palace%20Rat%20Cover%200221.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I'm pleased to welcome author and picture book booster Lynne Marie to chat with GROG. She's celebrating the release of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Palace-Rat-Lynne-Marie/dp/1953458645">The Palace Rat</a>, </i>illustrated by Eva Santana,<i> </i>and she offered to share some insider's insights. (Also, check out the adorable book trailer at the end of this post.)</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">You may already know Lynne Marie's work. She has several prior books (listed below) and is the owner/director of the <a href="https://www.rateyourstory.org/">RATE YOUR STORY</a> critiquing and mentoring service, as well as the organizer of <a href="https://www.rateyourstory.org/march-on">March on With Mentor Texts</a>, among her other activities. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But let's get to our interview!</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Q: Welcome, Lynne Marie! Your latest book is about a rat in the palace of Versailles. How did you ever come up with this idea?</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Lynne Marie: </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">The inspiration came on a family trip to France in 1997. We took an excursion to Versailles. As we waited for the tour guide to pass out the tickets, a rat scurried across the courtyard. That inspired a game of "what if?" in my mind.
What if that rat was related to the rats of the French Revolution?
What if the (long-ago relative) rat was the pampered pet of King Louis XIV?
What if others in the Palace were jealous of the King’s attention for the rat?
What would they do to get rid of it? How would the rat react? The wheels started turning and never stopped.</span> </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Q: Wow! And the result was a great fairy-tale-like story. Nicely done. <i>The Palace Rat </i>is published by Yeehoo Press. I know they publish in China, too. How have they been to work with?</span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Lynne Marie: The Palace Rat is my first book published with Yeehoo Press. I am excited that it will also be published in China! The people I worked with were very accommodating and very communicative. It has been a pleasure working with them.</span> </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Q: You’ve published other picture books based on fairy tales or folk tales. What's the secret to making those work? </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Lynne Marie: When writing a folktale, it is important to find a way that today's children can relate to the retold tale. In the case of THE PALACE RAT, my thought was to support the message to bloom where you are planted (as many children don’t have control over where they go or who they go with, both in divorces and foster care, etc.), and doing what you love to do best (this helps with coping and discovery). I hope that my story will inspire little ones, no matter the situation, to bloom where they are planted and to make the best of their strengths. </span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YtsMuA8Kq3nFJEtaODzWrTVpSYFoHYUl0DZo0K8qaln0PYJJ_cy1byWWH7B5s6Sfk8_TfsNFR4WVyK3b1B8kGea01LgHN6FimIc4-4IbHISX2lue0ycAppuhYRB5WZPSsbz0HdRbrzv3VkbRAKSjrCI-XwH0MOeE0vC5hxjkPqdw7NVQbO3BH5OL4Wjl/s1248/moldilocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YtsMuA8Kq3nFJEtaODzWrTVpSYFoHYUl0DZo0K8qaln0PYJJ_cy1byWWH7B5s6Sfk8_TfsNFR4WVyK3b1B8kGea01LgHN6FimIc4-4IbHISX2lue0ycAppuhYRB5WZPSsbz0HdRbrzv3VkbRAKSjrCI-XwH0MOeE0vC5hxjkPqdw7NVQbO3BH5OL4Wjl/w160-h200/moldilocks.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /> In MOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE SCARES it is more about following your heart and being open to the fact that someday, when you least expect it, you will find your “place.” </span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsCHmKjf8yExgus_1_xW3czfmwN6JzchtHTZzrib-ypypQhoZMRc8DOWfGbPNzbhdOumbxnCPjdT_zny8p04p2PshPzauNjrcxTLyjw0sTn7I3pwR-xVxI-R-5XrhdOp8XR5XrC7JRLF_BGThUFj2O8EsXqLyTdjsj7ql3RJ0nYtriWc4KawUXnGppvRq/s1294/pigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsCHmKjf8yExgus_1_xW3czfmwN6JzchtHTZzrib-ypypQhoZMRc8DOWfGbPNzbhdOumbxnCPjdT_zny8p04p2PshPzauNjrcxTLyjw0sTn7I3pwR-xVxI-R-5XrhdOp8XR5XrC7JRLF_BGThUFj2O8EsXqLyTdjsj7ql3RJ0nYtriWc4KawUXnGppvRq/w154-h200/pigs.jpg" width="154" /></a></div><br />THE THREE LITTLE PIGS AND THE ROCKET PROJECT supports that sometimes the losers can be winners. It just matters that you use what you have to play the right game.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Q: Excellent points! You often discuss the importance of mentor texts. Did you have any particular texts in mind as you wrote this? </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Lynne Marie: For this story, I used a variety of Mentor Texts, including picture books that featured rat characters, were set in France, or were about moving. I also looked at retellings of <i>City Mouse/Country Mouse</i> and <i>The Prince and the Pauper</i>. </span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">I wanted to make sure that my story was new and different, a fresh retelling, and could stand out among and above the rest. I also really wanted to introduce this historic period to readers, to plant a seed and grow a history lover. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Q: Much of what you do is supporting other picture book creators. Tell us what motivates you and what you like best about that. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Lynne Marie: I was really fortunate to realize my dream of becoming a multi-published picture book author and it makes me feel like a fairy godmother to help others to achieve their dreams. I have worked as an editor for a few small presses and run a mentoring and critique service at <a href="http://www.thepicturebookmechanic.com">www.thepicturebookmechanic.com</a>. </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">And, I am currently an Agent Mentee with the Seymour Agency and am on my way to becoming an Agent. I am very excited about this as it makes me an official Fairy Godmother. 😊 My own literary agent, Marisa Cleveland of the Seymour Agency, is my Agent Mentor. I adore her and think she is the best of the best – so enthusiastic and supportive.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Q: You and I first crossed paths when you took over the administration of Rate Your Story. What made you decide to take that on? </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Lynne Marie: I was already a big fan of the Rate Your Story Rating and Feedback Service (www.rateyourstory.org). I actually didn’t want to become a Judge as I would no longer be eligible to be a Member. But Sophia Gholz, the owner at the time, finally convinced me that I should. Then after I'd been a judge for several years, Sophia was ready to hand over the torch and convinced me that I was just the person to take it. I love Rate Your Story and being an important part of many writer’s journeys so I am grateful she did! </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Q: And in addition to your writing life, you’re a travel agent, too! What’s your favorite part of that job? </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Lynne Marie: Yes! I am a Travel Agent with Pixie Vacations (<a href="http://www.pixievacations.com/lynne">www.pixievacations.com/lynne</a>) and I love that job. As mentioned, my travel inspired THE PALACE RAT so you can see that I am passionate about wearing both of these hats. I find travel and history very inspiring and often try to weave what I learn about the world through travel into my stories. I also love reading and collecting world folktales.</span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghI9ibR8BYvagOnI_t_4s6k5awcIWaflHWivYpGgeds1evQqZOeewq7qilZ2FB3yo0NZaaelbD5uQRIimH-MSSLdbMZ75Ka3OjWa0T1FDspImA1KRT9Qrf-OUrXVlpMDh0Cq6NkpVVnGUWQGDKtMa2c8kYfqmoboC_A5VPQA03-yjSoVRn2C4l3oUtdY5y/s2470/2023%20Headshot.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2134" data-original-width="2470" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghI9ibR8BYvagOnI_t_4s6k5awcIWaflHWivYpGgeds1evQqZOeewq7qilZ2FB3yo0NZaaelbD5uQRIimH-MSSLdbMZ75Ka3OjWa0T1FDspImA1KRT9Qrf-OUrXVlpMDh0Cq6NkpVVnGUWQGDKtMa2c8kYfqmoboC_A5VPQA03-yjSoVRn2C4l3oUtdY5y/s320/2023%20Headshot.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynne Marie</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Q: Okay, now our readers want to know: How do you have time to do it all? What’s your secret? </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Lynne Marie: I love everything I do and it feeds each other. I think that the fact that all the things I do are related and feed each other, it really helps! So no matter what I am working on (writing, reading, travelling, mentoring, giving feedback, etc.), I am learning and growing and creating. </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Thanks for taking the time to chat, Lynne Marie. And good luck with all you're doing!</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Thank you, dear Christy, for having me on the GROG blog. I am very happy to have you as a Judge at Rate Your Story and to be on this wonderful path together! </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Aaand, here's that trailer: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzl6FUBORZ6hdLpcUkG6Jd_fp0NKJmbcPYiip9mBTA7UmhbpZHY_3sK1JgBWwwEYIdCXaiXkhwrj6vWGH00Tg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">More about Lynne Marie: She is co-host of <a href="https://www.seasonsofkidlit.com/">#SeasonsofKidLit</a> along with Heather Macht. And she is a long-time Cybils judge and feature columnist at Children's Book Insider. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">When she’s not traveling the world in search of story ideas, she lives in the heart of Florida with her family, a Schipperke named Anakin and a Mini Pinscher named Marlowe Charlotte. Visit her at </span></span></div><a contenteditable="false" href="http://www.literallylynnemarie.com/" style="font-family: Calibri; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: auto;" title="http://www.literallylynnemarie.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.Literally<span class="searchHighlight" style="background-color: #ffee94; color: #070706;">Lynne</span>Marie.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-size-adjust: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="searchHighlight" style="background-color: #ffee94; color: #070706;">Lynne</span>Marie is represented by Marisa Cleveland and Jonathan Rosen of</span></span><a contenteditable="false" href="http://www.theseymouragency.com/" style="font-family: Calibri; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: auto;" title="http://www.theseymouragency.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a contenteditable="false" href="http://www.theseymouragency.com" style="font-family: Calibri; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: auto;" title="http://www.theseymouragency.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.theseymouragency.com</span></a><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-size-adjust: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are Lynne Marie's earlier (and forthcoming) titles: </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten</i> -- art by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic 2011)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Hedgehog's 100th Day of School</i> -- art by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic 2017)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Star-Christmas-Play-Lynne-Marie/dp/150643813X"><i>The Star of the Christmas Play</i></a> -- art by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books 2018)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Moldilocks-Three-Scares-Zombie-Tale/dp/1454930616"><i>Moldilocks and the 3 Scares</i></a> -- art by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling / Scholastic 2019)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Eat-Mealtime-Around-World/dp/1506451942">Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World</a> </i>-- art by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books 2019)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Three-Little-Pigs-Rocket-Project/dp/B09QJXBJ76"><i>The Three Little Pigs and the Rocket Project</i></a> and <i>The Three Little Pigs and the Rocket Project Coloring Book</i> -- art by Wendy Fedan (Mac and Cheese Press 2022)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Palace Rat </i>-- art by Eva Santana (Yeehoo Press 2023)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">forthcoming: </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Broommates</i> co-written with Brenda Reeves Sturgis – art by Nico Ecenarro (The Little Press 2024)</span></div><div><div><br /></div><div>And if you're looking for Lynne Marie, here are some of the places she hangs out:</div><div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="searchHighlight" style="background-color: #ffee94; color: #070706;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span>FACEBOOK: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a contenteditable="false" href="https://www.facebook.com/WordsandPictures.by.LynneMarie" style="text-decoration-line: none;" title="https://www.facebook.com/WordsandPictures.by.LynneMarie"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/WordsandPictures.by.<span class="searchHighlight" style="background-color: #ffee94; color: #070706;">Lynne</span>Marie</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">AUTHOR FACEBOOK PAGE: Children's Author<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="searchHighlight" style="background-color: #ffee94; color: #070706;">Lynne</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Marie</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><a contenteditable="false" href="https://www.facebook.com/LiterallyLynneMarie/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" title="https://www.facebook.com/LiterallyLynneMarie/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/Literally<span class="searchHighlight" style="background-color: #ffee94; color: #070706;">Lynne</span>Marie/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="searchHighlight" style="background-color: #ffee94; color: #070706;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">TWITTER: @Literally_<span class="searchHighlight" style="background-color: #ffee94; color: #070706;">Lynne</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a contenteditable="false" href="https://www.facebook.com/WordsandPictures.by.LynneMarie" style="text-decoration-line: none;" title="https://www.facebook.com/WordsandPictures.by.LynneMarie"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/WordsandPictures.by.<span class="searchHighlight" style="background-color: #ffee94; color: #070706;">Lynne</span>Marie</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">INSTAGRAM: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a contenteditable="false" href="https://www.instagram.com/pictures.by.pixel.pixie/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" title="https://www.instagram.com/pictures.by.pixel.pixie/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.instagram.com/literally.<span class="searchHighlight" style="background-color: #ffee94; color: #070706;">lynne</span>.marie/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">THREADS: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a contenteditable="false" href="https://www.threads.net/@literally.lynne.marie" style="text-decoration-line: none;" title="https://www.threads.net/@literally.lynne.marie"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.threads.net/@literally.<span class="searchHighlight" style="background-color: #ffee94; color: #070706;">lynne</span>.marie</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">GOODREADS:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a contenteditable="false" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4848931.Lynne_Marie" style="text-decoration-line: none;" title="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4848931.Lynne_Marie"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4848931.<span class="searchHighlight" style="background-color: #ffee94; color: #070706;">Lynne</span>_Marie</span></a></p><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">RATE YOUR STORY ON TWITTER: @RateYourStory </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a contenteditable="false" href="https://twitter.com/RateYourStory" style="text-decoration-line: none;" title="https://twitter.com/RateYourStory"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/RateYourStory</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">RATE YOUR STORY RATINGS AND FEEDBACK:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a contenteditable="false" href="http://www.rateyourstory.org" style="text-decoration-line: none;" title="http://www.rateyourstory.org/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.rateyourstory.org</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">CRITIQUE and MENTORSHIP WEBSITE:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a contenteditable="false" href="http://www.thepicturebookmechanic.com" style="text-decoration-line: none;" title="http://www.thepicturebookmechanic.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.thepicturebookmechanic.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Christy Mihalyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944814793031197203noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-17208063031775876782023-09-20T05:00:00.024-04:002023-09-20T05:00:00.150-04:00Interview with Author Nancy Churnin on Her Latest Picture Book, Mama's Year with Cancer<span style="font-family: helvetica;">I (Tina Cho) want to welcome author Nancy Churnin back to the Grog Blog. You can read a past post about her <a href="https://groggorg.blogspot.com/2017/12/an-interview-with-nancy-churnin_11.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Nancy coauthored a picture book with <span style="line-height: 115%;">Shayna
Vincent titled <i>Mama's Year with Cancer</i>, illustrated by Wazza Pink, published by Albert Whitman on September 28, 2023. </span></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">*Note: Sadly, on September 12, 2023, Shayna's five-year battle with breast cancer overtook her body and she passed away, three days after celebrating her daughter's 5th birthday. We think of her and her family and all those going through cancer. They are brave heroes. This blog post was written a week before her death. Shayna's family would love it if you purchased this book to help others understand cancer, perhaps buy a copy for your hospital or school or guidance counselor. Thank you! </span></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yZk7EbI29OJmRTgzAWakbUAGJZdREap55Pp8G_U9EwJm8S8iSupz42VXCk6z-5t47G5Isw2GzkKNAC_LkYF2Y3FUkxf_dIJEXMfq9hadQhxajcCPxrkgfs-GcnBlPDZfu2Zj88RUFKK1hn22YIVqX2WuIXbCitkbiIjp93fr2QJpm5PQfMUV0TGIy5c/s1280/image0%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yZk7EbI29OJmRTgzAWakbUAGJZdREap55Pp8G_U9EwJm8S8iSupz42VXCk6z-5t47G5Isw2GzkKNAC_LkYF2Y3FUkxf_dIJEXMfq9hadQhxajcCPxrkgfs-GcnBlPDZfu2Zj88RUFKK1hn22YIVqX2WuIXbCitkbiIjp93fr2QJpm5PQfMUV0TGIy5c/s320/image0%20(1).jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This book grabbed my attention because I went through a lumpectomy in 2021 and rung the bell after my radiation treatments, all the while I was still teaching. If you're looking for a book to talk to a child about cancer, this is perfect. Nancy also has a teacher's guide available.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My review (by Tina Cho)</span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">In <i>Mama’s Year with Cancer</i>, a little girl learns to deal
with her mama’s diagnosis of cancer, by making her cards, brushing her “new”
hair carefully, but also “hating the port on mama’s chest which makes it hard
to cuddle.” Speaking to a counselor makes the girl feel better. The girl and
Daddy work together to make each holiday through Mama’s year of cancer special
until Mama finally rings the bell. Lovely illustrations capture the emotions and headaches of going through cancer. Back matter includes author Shayna Vincent's story of cancer, tips for talking about cancer to children through age 8, further resources, and other books about cancer for children ages 4-8.</p><div><div><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">1. How did you come up with the idea
to write a book about cancer for children?</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">Shayna Vincent is a dear friend
that I met through her mother, children’s book author Johannah Luza. Shayna was
struggling to find a book to explain to her young daughters what to expect when
she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I said to Shayna, “Let’s write the book
you want to have in the world.” Shayna is an incredibly kind person who
celebrates her daughters’ birthdays as Kindness Days, where they do things for
others, just as we share in the book. The idea that she could help other
families with our book was a powerful motivation for her. That is the hope we
share, that the book will help families dealing with cancer feel seen and cared
about and give others understanding and ideas of how to support those in their
community with cancer.</p></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQrEVHhngL6cHFx0OUslCDQRfBYEFe7gJ-BYyHSvGM_SLnlAuq0HDrKqkW-LQNvO_6vTk3yIq3ikkqHarDCBRO5xnrGZv1vAADxgGQvZSxUz0IQTewdCG5HVTkh6EcvoUMobxqq3KRWTJN3ZYXOAXrlT6cOVhFMRwZy2KpzAyc1WyIBFoO3hI-jTF394/s2576/image1%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQrEVHhngL6cHFx0OUslCDQRfBYEFe7gJ-BYyHSvGM_SLnlAuq0HDrKqkW-LQNvO_6vTk3yIq3ikkqHarDCBRO5xnrGZv1vAADxgGQvZSxUz0IQTewdCG5HVTkh6EcvoUMobxqq3KRWTJN3ZYXOAXrlT6cOVhFMRwZy2KpzAyc1WyIBFoO3hI-jTF394/w240-h320/image1%20(1).jpg" title="Shayna Vincent with her daughter Avivah" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Shayna Vincent with her daughter Avivah</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">2. </span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">You and Shayna collaborated on
this book. I’ve never written a book with someone. How did that work? What was
your process?</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I asked a lot of questions. I
listened. I knew that my role in the collaboration was to channel Shayna’s
story and spirit and what she wanted to convey. I sent a draft to Shayna. She
got back to me quickly with her writing, with notes about what I’d gotten right
and what needed to be changed or revised. Drafts went back and forth until Shayna
felt the truth of her voice and vision and I knew it was in a form that could help
children understand, know their power to help, and the importance of expressing
their feelings and receiving help.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">3. </span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">How much research did you have to
do for this story?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I am lucky to have two doctors in
my family – my brother, Dr. Jon Churnin, and my brother-in-law, Dr. Carl Nash, as
resources. My sister-in-law is a breast cancer survivor, so I was able to
consult with her. I am also a longtime journalist who wrote for the Healthy
Living section of <i>The Dallas Morning News </i>before I became their theater
critic. As a health reporter, I am used to doing research and talking with
doctors. I remember – just coincidence – that I had taken a class on cancer in
college that I still remembered. I dedicated the book to my sister-in-law,
Suzanne Updegraff, and also to my niece, Jaimee Granberry, who was diagnosed
with breast cancer while the book was in progress. I am glad to report that
Jaimee, who has three young daughters, is doing well, receiving excellent medical
care, and loving support from her husband, Jared, and family. I hope she will
continue to do well. One of the many things I learned from Shayna, though, is
that cancer is never over. We hope for remission, and we stay vigilant. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM9_HVB7Nw9HVbXtVJlVv9R0hva_rVKmMHi0kpoRX6w93Uv1s07iGGGw7FwclAoFt4GS1sXTwMPs1dZ8RXpyVxS-U2hSGRkZ6rzkJCYdl3Uz6kTYwSyqh209Wiuvjg-j3zNs7YOA0fpMdPgwW3_S6ntJKtGxOayp5ZflnLDzYoycIo7IY-55Njr9BL_0/s1280/image2%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1280" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM9_HVB7Nw9HVbXtVJlVv9R0hva_rVKmMHi0kpoRX6w93Uv1s07iGGGw7FwclAoFt4GS1sXTwMPs1dZ8RXpyVxS-U2hSGRkZ6rzkJCYdl3Uz6kTYwSyqh209Wiuvjg-j3zNs7YOA0fpMdPgwW3_S6ntJKtGxOayp5ZflnLDzYoycIo7IY-55Njr9BL_0/s320/image2%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p>4. How long did it take to write this
book?</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This took a couple of months. It
was the fastest writing and turnaround I have ever experienced. I think part of
the reason was that Shayna and I were so in synch with each other, and our
mission and the universe felt that this needed to be in the world. Sometimes it
takes time for ideas to develop and grow. But in this case, we seemed to know
exactly the story we wanted to tell. It felt as if we were chasing the story,
trying to keep up, rather than pushing it along.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">5. This story is told in 1<sup>st</sup>
person point of view, and it works beautifully. Did you originally write it in
1<sup>st</sup> person?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It never occurred to either of us
to write it any other way. Remember, Shayna wanted this to be a book she could
share with her daughters to help them understand what cancer is, what the
treatments would be like, how their mom would be feeling, what would change and
what would stay the same, what they could do, and where they could turn to find
help and support. So, it made sense to tell it in the voice of one of her
daughters – Mila, who was four when Shayna received her diagnosis – and have
the child share her discoveries with the reader.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">6. Was it hard to find a publisher
for a picture book on a grim topic like cancer?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I am grateful that I have built up
relationships with editors and publishers over the years. I had five books
published with Albert Whitman and two more on the way when I emailed this manuscript
with Sue Tarsky, the senior editor there. I remember it was in December and Sue
was on vacation in London. She got back to me the next morning saying she
wanted to acquire it. From the start, Sue has been passionate about this story and
her care and concern about Shayna. I feel we are all on this mission together
to get Shayna’s story into the world.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p0Jy3F0u_AyEg73VZFdJHfX0U3JBHxnMgk753IPE8CfIcw6XSO72kmGRGNOMMM6IxdZMjRYEn-2ZOxC3stjVeMOXlhI5oRqWNmWXk4oEyPHSAvKjzTI3peYWMdtA2f5FN5mG_IzptdUgh6wDZAGrALT_Z-xCY2Up2krY93rzqKkn4cnOHuprGfmKaMQ/s1280/image3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1280" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p0Jy3F0u_AyEg73VZFdJHfX0U3JBHxnMgk753IPE8CfIcw6XSO72kmGRGNOMMM6IxdZMjRYEn-2ZOxC3stjVeMOXlhI5oRqWNmWXk4oEyPHSAvKjzTI3peYWMdtA2f5FN5mG_IzptdUgh6wDZAGrALT_Z-xCY2Up2krY93rzqKkn4cnOHuprGfmKaMQ/s320/image3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">7. <o:p></o:p>I like how this book addresses the
emotions a child goes through when a family member experiences cancer. I’m
sorry that Shayna and her family have had to go through this horrible
experience. Did you also interview other families?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This is very much Shayna’s story –
not a composite story. That said, I did draw upon medical experts, talk to
people I knew who had been on the cancer journey, and do research to make sure
everything is accurate. You will see a list of resources in the back matter and
a bibliography of children’s books about cancer. I hope these will help people
who want and need to know more.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">8. I like how Shayna addressed the
ringing of the bell in her author’s note, as there have been controversies as
to “when” the bell should be rung. Did you also come across that issue when
writing this book?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When we began the book, Shayna was
very joyful about being able to ring the bell at the end of her year of
chemotherapy. We capture that happiness and hope in the book. We felt that was
important for a book that would be an introduction to a child’s understanding
of having a parent with cancer. Shayna’s cancer journey didn’t end there,
however, which you will learn in the back matter. Shayna’s cancer spread and
she is now in Stage IV, undergoing new treatments. She addresses that in her
author’s note: “Whether ringing that bell marks the end of treatment or the
beginning of a new phase, I feel a family should look at it as only a part of
their path, instead of one single event or a short period of time. Cancer
doesn’t define a person, but even if a patient has been in remission for years
or will forever be in active treatment, it changes a person.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">9. What advice would you give to our
Grog readers about writing children’s books on hard topics?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ignoring hard topics doesn’t make
them go away. Children going through a difficult time need to feel seen, need
to know they’re not alone, need to see strategies for dealing with their
difficult situation, need to have their feelings of fear and anger and hope,
worry and love validated. These books can be mirrors for these children and
windows for children who know someone going through a difficult time. Shayna
and I hope that simply by talking about cancer, explaining that it is not
catching, how important it is to be a good friend, to share moments of fun, to
help as you can, that it will start discussions and open hearts. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">10. What are your next books coming
out?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This is a busy year for me! On the
same day that <i>Mama’s Year with Cancer</i> comes out, I have my first
historical fiction picture book: <i>Lila and the Jack-o’-Lantern, Halloween
Comes to America</i>. It’s the story of Lila, one of the many Irish immigrants
who came to America during the Potato Famine of the 19<sup>th</sup> century,
and how she tries to keep her beloved Halloween traditions alive in her new
home where people have never heard of these things before. The book is illustrated
by Anneli Bray and published by Albert Whitman. I hope it reminds kids to be thankful
of the gifts that immigrants bring us. I would love for kids to share images of
the jack-o’-lanterns they carve, whether they carve them out of pumpkins or
something else! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunuFYnhdHNhS7knbpFDihVmT5BCTKOnAzwIBoa2gcKQ12dk9uPTMK7ZYUn45lablGR-nMCFw3c1VMdAadMI4rXIhdfH15A77TjIsALATpblHu1-vM5AtcRjBjH40N_XxSid6vuO-C3M5-44eQuG_zj-eHJPI501eK_EABoxDvsgEgBIEJB1p1CEU-Kis/s1280/image0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunuFYnhdHNhS7knbpFDihVmT5BCTKOnAzwIBoa2gcKQ12dk9uPTMK7ZYUn45lablGR-nMCFw3c1VMdAadMI4rXIhdfH15A77TjIsALATpblHu1-vM5AtcRjBjH40N_XxSid6vuO-C3M5-44eQuG_zj-eHJPI501eK_EABoxDvsgEgBIEJB1p1CEU-Kis/s320/image0.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On Nov. 7, I have two books coming
out. <i>Valentines for All, Esther Howland Captures America’s Heart </i>brings
me back to the world of picture book biographies with the story of Esther, who
came up with the idea of creating and selling Valentine cards in the 1800s to
help others express their feelings. I have created a project for this one
called Valentines for All, encouraging kids to send valentines to people not
expecting them – other kids, other schools, seniors, people in community
programs, whoever would be lifted up by a loving note. The book is illustrated
by Monika Roza Wisniewska and published by Albert Whitman.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-VaC3WitU10sfxZYIKunhF5Re6nSYiTp2N4ZopzJCl41ku6XdHX-J10ZszjFLE_M-NWxFT3jr34lCd1zLEGDhm0nKgtb-GLbRT5FNamWYOHpL7C4WExQy8OzMiv_JXOfP_WVRppPo-IX_WF4ixnn1-G_tX9BxruZ92yEMDPbv1i-UESZ-zaNL_rsckk/s1280/image1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1030" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-VaC3WitU10sfxZYIKunhF5Re6nSYiTp2N4ZopzJCl41ku6XdHX-J10ZszjFLE_M-NWxFT3jr34lCd1zLEGDhm0nKgtb-GLbRT5FNamWYOHpL7C4WExQy8OzMiv_JXOfP_WVRppPo-IX_WF4ixnn1-G_tX9BxruZ92yEMDPbv1i-UESZ-zaNL_rsckk/s320/image1.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><i style="font-family: helvetica;">Counting on Shabbat</i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> is my
first board book. The 48-word rhyming text, aimed at toddlers, is about
counting, Shabbat, and kindness as an elderly person prepares for the weekly
celebration of Shabbat alone – and is surprised and delighted when there are
five knocks on door and a family joins him bringing food and cheer. I hope this
book reminds children to remember our seniors, to write notes, to visit, and to
share pictures of the caring things they do on my Counting on Kindness page.
The book is illustrated by Petronela Dostalova and published by Kar-Ben Publishing.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQ9ifq0R5qYQ41vGNNvQaURC_XyF--d9a9SgwsJNpRgdUgO_GQsQP2APSTi9wHxlLClqmO3mkX7u8dEWS0JKZRSI0wRh37yb-YXCnafLBq-MCAAtPia-07KBMUksJbnxC_zYF9m0p6AtlFQ0--yj02ZNDW0F58wpE8W-5Yn9CFYfSN3itdjysdUCJ2L4/s595/image2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="593" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQ9ifq0R5qYQ41vGNNvQaURC_XyF--d9a9SgwsJNpRgdUgO_GQsQP2APSTi9wHxlLClqmO3mkX7u8dEWS0JKZRSI0wRh37yb-YXCnafLBq-MCAAtPia-07KBMUksJbnxC_zYF9m0p6AtlFQ0--yj02ZNDW0F58wpE8W-5Yn9CFYfSN3itdjysdUCJ2L4/s320/image2.jpg" width="319" /></a></div> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCjGl9jr5eP0P7yztWDSVZBpWegx_C-vOSIuGXgcN2oGZnYghkI7Py6DMNuV1Xq8n9XMQIrvbx3ozdVJGgf32hIWuM-JX_ggsX5X5_weeuJ-4CWV3BuWlRg6FM2ImunZ1-lOemce1lYSqSqVSeFqFWyFIpwGrlVESUm9tEfyNoCEklmJKqw2T9pdSfVk/s1280/NancyTHUMBNAIL.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="1280" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCjGl9jr5eP0P7yztWDSVZBpWegx_C-vOSIuGXgcN2oGZnYghkI7Py6DMNuV1Xq8n9XMQIrvbx3ozdVJGgf32hIWuM-JX_ggsX5X5_weeuJ-4CWV3BuWlRg6FM2ImunZ1-lOemce1lYSqSqVSeFqFWyFIpwGrlVESUm9tEfyNoCEklmJKqw2T9pdSfVk/w200-h189/NancyTHUMBNAIL.jpg" width="200" /></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;">Nancy Churnin writes children's books about people that inspire kids to make a positive difference and encourage kids to be heroes, too. </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;">Dear Mr. Dickens</i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;">, the story of a woman who spoke up to Charles Dickens, won the 2021 National Jewish Book Award and a 2022 Sydney Taylor Honor, is a Junior Library Guild selection and is featured in an educational program at The Charles Dickens Museum in London, teaching kids to recognize and stand up to antisemitism. Among her other honors: multiple Sydney Taylor Notables, National Council for the Social Studies Notables, Silver Eurekas, Mighty Girl lists, Sakura Medal finalist, Notable Book for a Global Society, Anne Izard Storytellers Choice Award, the South Asia Book award, Bank Street College and state book lists and starred reviews. </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;">Mama's Year with Cancer</i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;">, co-authored with Shayna Vincent, is the story of Shayna's cancer journey told through her young daughter's voice. Nancy lives in North Texas. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;">You'll find free teacher guides, resources, and projects on her website at </span><u style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><span style="color: blue; outline: none;"><span dir="ltr" style="outline: none;">nancychurnin.com</span></span></u><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 16px;"> Visit her on Facebook at Nancy Churnin Children's Books, on Twitter @nchurnin and Instagram @nchurnin</span></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><br /></p></div></div></div></div>Tina Chohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02808651865125809841noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-24673383149219021172023-09-13T01:00:00.035-04:002023-09-13T01:00:00.145-04:00Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember~An Interview with Author Jacqueline Jules by Julie Phend<p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SL-zeQKT5dP7f1rsP4ifSF95aaCsq1r1wUnvRZxstnG_--b_vDt6WwPX0w5qBM3Wf6s1PRF_F4jlWrasfCAm4qV_rzox4fqZa78xczDec8hwefqOntjCQkbL0BFhWg6ZLC61eGcElQVFOtNEZh-Lzw16_tnYXQPbiDKM1DVuNUSaD4zt3tDA5KW8FKc/s810/CoverImageSmokeAtPentagon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SL-zeQKT5dP7f1rsP4ifSF95aaCsq1r1wUnvRZxstnG_--b_vDt6WwPX0w5qBM3Wf6s1PRF_F4jlWrasfCAm4qV_rzox4fqZa78xczDec8hwefqOntjCQkbL0BFhWg6ZLC61eGcElQVFOtNEZh-Lzw16_tnYXQPbiDKM1DVuNUSaD4zt3tDA5KW8FKc/s320/CoverImageSmokeAtPentagon.jpg" width="249" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><h3 align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to
Remember</span></b></h3><p></p>
<p>On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon
in Arlington, Virginia. One hundred eighty-four innocent people were killed.
The event was part of a coordinated terrorist attack against the United States
involving four hijacked flights.</p>
<p>In <i>Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember, </i>author Jacqueline Jules,
who was a school librarian in Arlington, Virginia on 9/11, tells the story of
that traumatic day through a tapestry of poems written from the point of view of
children who were affected. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">There’s
<b>Kelvin, Age 5</b>, whose class is on the playground when they see a big
scary cloud and smell smoke. Everybody leaves school early, and no one explains
why.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Delia,
Age 17, </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">who is home
from school after having her wisdom teeth pulled. Her house starts shaking, and
a vase crashes to the floor. When she turns on the TV and sees the news, her
head aches worse than her jaw.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Josselyn,
Age 14, </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">shops with
her family for canned goods. The grocery store is crowded, but everyone is
silent.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Cyrus,
Age 10, </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">waiting
for his fire-fighter father to come home.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;">Karima, Age 13, </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;">whose
Muslim family keeps her home from school because they worry that “some people think
we’re not American enough.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;">Leo, Age 15, </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;">was
at the doctor’s office that morning. His mother came with him, which was why
she wasn’t at her office at the Pentagon.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;">Ruben, Age 10, </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;">whose
neighbor <i>did</i> go to work, but never came home. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;">Michael, Age 8, </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;">whose
brother went to fight in Afghanistan and promised to come home safely. He broke
that promise.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">These
poignant stories, told in sparse, impactful verse, give voice to the fears and
worries of children on that fateful day. I found these poems to be moving and
powerful, reminding us of the vulnerability of children, who did not understand
what was happening. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75IbXpDpZ6yapZtC0Q0l3FDsoUhhP3C6KgmY-8dRsHG9aeUBdvXi7zy1-GCBy9L62oYqc327oS9FD9airbiSq_AtBBt8eFIrVtl23mFEMnp9KHXWfwwhpfwKnTY74tHqMOT42vsEu31OX2p8xrHyPyHz8TIUvV2dolvHXT_tX6AEejMxzwi6fiBYxodc/s4032/JJulesAuthorPhoto(2).jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75IbXpDpZ6yapZtC0Q0l3FDsoUhhP3C6KgmY-8dRsHG9aeUBdvXi7zy1-GCBy9L62oYqc327oS9FD9airbiSq_AtBBt8eFIrVtl23mFEMnp9KHXWfwwhpfwKnTY74tHqMOT42vsEu31OX2p8xrHyPyHz8TIUvV2dolvHXT_tX6AEejMxzwi6fiBYxodc/w150-h200/JJulesAuthorPhoto(2).jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Author Jaqueline Jules</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">An Interview
with Jacqueline Jules</span></span></b></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span> </span><span> </span>Julie: Thank you for
joining me on the GROG Blog to talk about <i>Smoke at the Pentagon</i>. I’m
curious about what you, personally, experienced that day. Where were you when
you learned the Pentagon had been attacked?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 0.25in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>Jacqueline: </b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">On the morning of the
attack, I was in Washington, DC. People gathered around the nearest television,
like they did all over the country. One woman began screaming that the Capitol
Building would be next, and we were in immediate danger. I didn’t feel the same
panic. I just felt numb. On my way home to Northern Virginia, I was caught in
bumper-to-bumper traffic. Turning on the radio, an ominous voice promised
details of the “Attack on America.” When I finally arrived home, I was greeted
by my teenage son, surrounded by a group of friends watching television and discussing
the terrible news. Later that day, my husband and I went grocery shopping and
were struck by how crowded, yet silent, the store was. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -27pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Julie: You say these
poems are composites drawn from the experiences of students and friends living
in Arlington at the time of the attack. Can you explain more about that
process?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Jacqueline: </b></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Smoke at the Pentagon:
Poems to Remember</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> recalls a history I personally lived. Some of the poems were woven
from my own memories of grocery shopping and of seeing my son and his teenage
friends processing the painful news. At school, a little boy whispered in my
ear that the Pentagon was broken. I will never forget how he cupped his hands
over my ear with an urgent desire to share what he knew. I used this experience
in the poem, “Calista, Age 16.”<br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5_GQUHjc55qXSqH1PVtXUFEuyxOGxz3IiIKPSfUvWa45PUb2YPlAQhYtnxu7LXb6pQ2bNMDY1mUBUTfjkXZVkZ3ztxJsZZDsm-RIuy_HhEXzmr58v2LIODEF6Uf9kzUA_AvmjVd6ZFHiij-mAOmGAyaYH1bX2TBVQCynaUT57hDxmoCvQWVXmWtGpbQ/s3465/DeliaSmokeatThePentagonPage_13.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3465" data-original-width="2678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5_GQUHjc55qXSqH1PVtXUFEuyxOGxz3IiIKPSfUvWa45PUb2YPlAQhYtnxu7LXb6pQ2bNMDY1mUBUTfjkXZVkZ3ztxJsZZDsm-RIuy_HhEXzmr58v2LIODEF6Uf9kzUA_AvmjVd6ZFHiij-mAOmGAyaYH1bX2TBVQCynaUT57hDxmoCvQWVXmWtGpbQ/s320/DeliaSmokeatThePentagonPage_13.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The detail mentioned in
the poem, “Delia, Age 17,” of the house shaking and a vase falling from a shelf
came from a friend who lived near the Pentagon and was home the morning of the
crash.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Where you were and what
you were doing on September 11<sup>th</sup> was a repeated topic of
conversation well into 2002, as people shared their stories. Though I didn’t
begin to write the book until 2019, my own memories and conversations remain
vivid. </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -27pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span> </span><span> </span>Julie: When and why did you decide to write this book? </span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -27pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Jacqueline: </b>In 2008, during a
conversation with a group of sixth graders, I learned that my students had no
knowledge that the Pentagon had been attacked on 9/11. I thought of this often
as the years passed. Would future generations of students remain unaware of what
happened in Arlington on 9/11? I discussed this with an author friend in June
of 2019. She suggested that I write a book giving voice to the Northern
Virginia experience. I began work a few days later. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkgBBB2e-jgyFZvCsEy2sP0p14FdTomRZ5qY-OkzCZkkQmg_wG3RhmX8IVEZSWErgxq18DwU3nKoMXH5-ROrp9HkmL9ePsDQClo6e24PE6QM0zaXvE0M0ANVamOdmoFDxyodFWoP5F3VxZ27gdLWfo4s0OClEszSpk7S_QFP9_F80FqXa_396FKTeDUU/s3465/CalistaSmokeAtThePentagonPage_24.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3465" data-original-width="2678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkgBBB2e-jgyFZvCsEy2sP0p14FdTomRZ5qY-OkzCZkkQmg_wG3RhmX8IVEZSWErgxq18DwU3nKoMXH5-ROrp9HkmL9ePsDQClo6e24PE6QM0zaXvE0M0ANVamOdmoFDxyodFWoP5F3VxZ27gdLWfo4s0OClEszSpk7S_QFP9_F80FqXa_396FKTeDUU/s320/CalistaSmokeAtThePentagonPage_24.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Julie: What were some of your
concerns and considerations in writing about this topic?</span></b><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 115%; mso-prop-change: "Julie Phend" 20230831T1624; tab-stops: list .25in !msorm; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span> </span><span> </span>Jacqueline: </b>As I discuss in the
author’s introduction, I did have concerns about exposing young people to this
painful day in American history. I didn’t want to arouse fear or animosity. But
I also feel strongly that September 11, 2001, is not a day we should forget.
Understanding the past can lead us to a better future. It can also show us that
we are resilient, and when bad things happen, we can rebuild.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -31.5pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Julie: Tell us about your
publisher. How long did the publishing process take?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Jacqueline:<i> </i></b></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Smoke at the Pentagon:
Poems to Remember</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> is my first book with Bushel & Peck. I pitched the manuscript
to the editor about six months before a contract came in early 2022. I was
delighted to see the book ready for a fall 2023 publication. This gives <i>Smoke
at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember</i> an opportunity to find its way to
library shelves, classrooms, and reading lists well before the 25<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of September 11<sup>th</sup> in 2026. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Julie: What other thoughts would
you like to leave with readers of the GROG Blog?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Jacqueline: </b>On my website and the
publisher’s website, you can find a four page </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="http://jacquelinejules.com/images/Teacher'sGuideSMOKE%20AT%20THE%20PENTAGON.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Teacher’s Guide</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> for <i>Smoke at the
Pentagon: Poems to Remember. </i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">One of the teaching ideas
suggests performing the poems as Reader’s Theater. I hope teachers will
encourage students to choose a poem to read aloud and act out. By performing <i>Smoke
at the Pentagon</i>, I hope students will feel a personal connection to what
young people experienced on September 11, 2001, and understand how this event
impacted the history of America</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">.
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Jacqueline
Jules is the award-winning author of over fifty books for young readers
including the <i>Zapato Power series, the Sofia Martinez series, My Name is
Hamburger, Duck for Turkey Day, Feathers for Peacock, Never Say a Mean Word
Again,</i> and <i>The Porridge-Pot Goblin</i>. Visit her website at </span><a href="http://www.jacquelinejules.com"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">www.jacquelinejules.com</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Congratulations on this timely book, Jacqueline, and thank you for sharing with the GROG blog. </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Smoke-at-Pentagon-Poems-Remember/dp/1638191522/ref=sr_1_1?crid=623ZPFAF4PQP&keywords=smoke+at+the+pentagon&qid=1693951244&sprefix=%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-1" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Smoke-at-Pentagon-Poems-Remember/</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Julie Phendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16259981386939798048noreply@blogger.com64PHM988P+R5-38.632995 113.3353977-90 -27.2896023 41.516507238560244 -106.03960230000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295379888006925064.post-73675818287509798822023-08-30T01:30:00.071-04:002023-08-30T01:30:00.137-04:00Becky Gehrisch Creates a writing program for Camp <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Last year Becky Gehrisch chatted with Kathy Halsey <a href="https://groggorg.blogspot.com/2022/07/summer-fun-escape-to-play-becky.html" target="_blank">here at the GROG</a> about her new book, <i>Escape to Play</i>. She mentioned that she did writing programs with kids for art camps and library programs, so I asked if she'd share some thoughts. She did! Without further ado, here's Becky.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjaNWtjCWMj-XyMwyFEwskLtDsvHmVWyqiumSkA6aD137qqeTyzaCyV6fnj5ecJ1xwWaP0OBQrHOZzWbVqZbOBjtPdPo5XJphCb2Tp8w2sLKGw9mFOYl4GpOKbk9D9f4mbAlCqL0V8TR_gl4ZEhwcsxAGGrAE0YWF8dAhHSkA27EdGEBEc9pticBnvA3N/s423/becky%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="423" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjaNWtjCWMj-XyMwyFEwskLtDsvHmVWyqiumSkA6aD137qqeTyzaCyV6fnj5ecJ1xwWaP0OBQrHOZzWbVqZbOBjtPdPo5XJphCb2Tp8w2sLKGw9mFOYl4GpOKbk9D9f4mbAlCqL0V8TR_gl4ZEhwcsxAGGrAE0YWF8dAhHSkA27EdGEBEc9pticBnvA3N/s320/becky%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've had the pleasure of teaching many classes on illustration, art, and writing but one specific example I’d like to share is the “Creating A Picture Book Dummy” class. The first thing I learned is to use any word except “dummy”! Kids just couldn’t get past that! I have renamed it “Get the Picture: How words in picture books are half the story!” A clever or engaging title is a fun way to engage an audience and pique their interest in a talk.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>I adapted my writing camp talks to address kids of different age groups from ages 8-17. One set of classes were at the Thurber House, in Columbus Ohio. The Thurber House is a non-profit literary arts center and museum and is located in the home of humor writer - and cartoonist - James Thurber. They offer camps, workshops, author presentations, and other literary events!</div><div><br /></div><div>Many writing camps and programs have a submission form on their website or at their facility. For the camps I taught, I had seen an advertisement on social media for an upcoming writing camp for kids. I reached out through email and they directed me to the submission form. It was great timing and they liked my pitch!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have found that presenting a slideshow helped the kids who are the auditory and visual learners. I broke down picture books that had great page turn and text placement.<b><i> After the Fall </i></b>by Dan Santat is an excellent example. We discussed the placement of text on a page, how words are chosen carefully, and how the illustrations tell half of the story. Good picture book writers don’t describe everything in a picture book. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX_6-KUX66oTepM9lQb2UC0DUKZKYuaz6Nd-AzHtHIXKNFqx8BoBto-Y_WvqkZBDGrMPzfRpWtUyMwuQqLGZqKPJJckyioXXU8XTDOuUP6Y6nzMsotuw6T94ZUVmUo9NoYXoNnYNrdaif9v7pl4lGbaQAgDXr1n3ag0x74HN8p31VwecLXaIOSPirQ8oi/s722/Books%20Sidebar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="332" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX_6-KUX66oTepM9lQb2UC0DUKZKYuaz6Nd-AzHtHIXKNFqx8BoBto-Y_WvqkZBDGrMPzfRpWtUyMwuQqLGZqKPJJckyioXXU8XTDOuUP6Y6nzMsotuw6T94ZUVmUo9NoYXoNnYNrdaif9v7pl4lGbaQAgDXr1n3ag0x74HN8p31VwecLXaIOSPirQ8oi/w294-h640/Books%20Sidebar.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky's list of Great Examples</td></tr></tbody></table> I also showed some of my past book dummies to critique in the slide show. As a group, we looked at how I could have simplified the story, both by showing in the illustrations and precise word choices. We broke down the text by highlighting phrases in order to determine where on the page they should go and when a phrase or word could come after a page turn for emphasis or surprise. Later in the class they would break apart their own sentences and words this way.</div><div><br /></div><div>I provided many picture book examples which demonstrate excellent storytelling and illustrations, especially those with fine attention to detail in both word choice and imagery. I took the time to read through a few and point out how the words were placed for a specific reason. Then the students could flip through these books during their working time to review how authors and illustrators choose their words and images carefully to further their story. This often included a secondary storyline in images. They saw how the images added to the story more than just mirror what the story was about. </div><div><br /></div><div>After these exercises, we moved on to tactile learning. To get the creative juices flowing, they could draw from a bowl of prompts for character, setting, problem, and emotion. Some kids had an idea already in mind but others who might be held up by idea paralysis, enjoyed pulling out random ideas to stitch together.</div><div><br /></div><div>From their prompts and ideas, the students created their own picture book dummy or story. A great resource is <a href="https://debbieohi.com/2015/11/free-picture-book-thumbnail-templates-for-writers-and-illustrators/" target="_blank">Debbi Ohi’s picture book Dummy template</a>. I have used this myself and it was great for kids to see how things are storyboarded. For the younger students, they worked on a larger format to accommodate their fine motor skill development. Students created a quick story and broke down their manuscript by how the words might work best with page turns. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoUSCPs7M6nwqag4e5ZSrzo1EAuVoNhCcZQCoAgVKRTr9yjWFsnDd-GGk8Qoao_t3_2eteiMOXRgaahJsno4cSQdw7rV7NNozquBPQTsiepFsDDwG7PuoY-gnrKR-bJGyYEksDWP5lcmt6Bx9fT-zMTjpgCNIMxAc8kxcodbhlvz7TD1BW3zCmXi2nqdI/s998/IMG_20220715_132703057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="998" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoUSCPs7M6nwqag4e5ZSrzo1EAuVoNhCcZQCoAgVKRTr9yjWFsnDd-GGk8Qoao_t3_2eteiMOXRgaahJsno4cSQdw7rV7NNozquBPQTsiepFsDDwG7PuoY-gnrKR-bJGyYEksDWP5lcmt6Bx9fT-zMTjpgCNIMxAc8kxcodbhlvz7TD1BW3zCmXi2nqdI/s320/IMG_20220715_132703057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Coming prepared or having the organization provide the supplies and paper gave the kids plenty of choices in how they wanted to express themselves. To keep it simple, we used pencils with erasers if the ideas needed changed. Because time was limited, we avoided colorful writing tools and art supplies to focus on the words. Another class, geared toward illustration, would have an assortment of supplies to show off their creativity.</div><div><br /></div><div> The camp provided spiral bound writing journals and many kids chose these to brainstorm in. Folded and stapled “dummies” were put together ahead of time for the kids to see how the physical page turns affected their writing.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYG11trsVMjAhJ9NA__tPmbc3lYNjeNxmNgllfZg4gBIsB_GP7CVSV7E4-noDXwQJIv8MMnIUpXAqM5TmLoAX3PLGgpqG7Xg229K1iZHjlENnnp6oPj7wIzbsbAnigjTklqfukEsF035ck6iEMHoJjiWHKz-D_0XlMVpO2LZEqXx826OYjdjqAKYaLFy3/s747/IMG_20220715_134045599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="559" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYG11trsVMjAhJ9NA__tPmbc3lYNjeNxmNgllfZg4gBIsB_GP7CVSV7E4-noDXwQJIv8MMnIUpXAqM5TmLoAX3PLGgpqG7Xg229K1iZHjlENnnp6oPj7wIzbsbAnigjTklqfukEsF035ck6iEMHoJjiWHKz-D_0XlMVpO2LZEqXx826OYjdjqAKYaLFy3/s320/IMG_20220715_134045599.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div>They could either focus on the writing side more or the illustrative side. There isn’t a right or wrong way. I encouraged them to find the best way that they could share their story. Some did better with images and others by outlining and mapping out their ideas. Folding blank paper helped to show physical page turns. </div><div><br /></div><div>The kids left the workshop with their own story idea, outline, illustration notes or sketches, and a picture book dummy which gives them a place to start to see how page turns work. Some left with a completed dummy while others just had a writing outline. Either way, they acquired a taste for the picture book writing process. Often, when our time was up, they had a hard time putting their pencils down. Now that was gold!</div><div><br /></div><div>Teaching these writing camps for kids was such a rewarding experience. Not only was I able to share my knowledge and creativity with the next generation, but I also got to see their creative minds come alive. Teaching camps where kids willingly sign up is heaven. They already came with a passion for writing, so my job was simply to direct them. </div><div><br /></div><div>Whether you are planning a workshop or looking for ways to engage kids with picture book creation, I hope this can help you organize a successful class!</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79;">Thank you, Becky, for sharing your picture book dummy camp ideas. Learn more about Becky at her website, <a href="http://www.gehrisch-arts.com" target="_blank">www.gehrisch-arts.com</a>.</span></div>Sue Heavenrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550259613381458435noreply@blogger.com4