Welcome to our newest blogger, Carol Coven Grannick! ~ by Patricia Toht

The GROG has added a new blogger to its roster:

Carol Coven Grannick!

PT: Welcome, Carol! How did you get started as a writer?

Carol: As a child, it seemed natural for me to write, to put thoughts and emotions to paper. From childhood on, poetry and wonderful stories delighted and moved me, and the most natural thing in the world seemed to be for me to create the same. I suppose without putting it into words at the time, it felt like this - this thing, this experience is 'me.'

As far as I've meandered from full-time writing, being a writer has always figured into my multi-faceted identity. But there did come a time, once I was writing for children in a committed way, when I said to myself that whether or not I ever became book-published, I was a writer, and would keep writing. For several years, I put submitting on the back burner, and that freed me to write exactly what I needed and wanted to write. I still do. The deepest joy is in creating and re-creating.


PT: What inspires you?

Carol: Everywhere I go, everything I do, every moment of my life, can inspire a poem or idea for a picture book. It could be something a child does or says, something I observe or experience during the day, but it's always something visceral and something that my brain sees in language. An idea comes from this kind of response to anything - always something that catches me, sparks a sensation of wonder, even awe. Something tiny, but breathtaking, whether beautiful, joyful, painful, sorrowful, will catch my attention, and I'll hear an opening line of a poem, a title or opening lines for a picture book.

Advice Image source and CC link

PT: You've written quite a bit for newsletters and blogs. What are your favorite bits of advice for writers?

Carol: It's true that I've written lots of articles on the writer's inner life for newsletters and blogs. In fact, before I had a professional interest in the writer's inner journey and the strengths needed for persisting on the journey, I wrote columns for my high school paper, and later longer papers and articles that always leaned "internal." 

I never offer advice that I don't take myself, and so the small pieces of advice I'd offer - as a writer and clinical social worker - are these overarching things:

1. trust or learn to trust your emotions and refrain from judging them; 
2. if a pessimistic framework seems to inhibit your work, choices, and life, learn - with help and practice - to reframe language into a heartfelt, optimistic framework; and
3. when preoccupied with the self-absorbing issues of working at being creative, make certain that your life has "other-balance" - focusing on what you can do for others or the greater good.

PT: Which books and authors are among your favorites?

Carol: Many authors have impacted my writing life, from the ALL OF A KIND FAMILY books I received as a child and classic picture books like BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL, MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, and THE STORY OF FERDINAND, to the extraordinary books I discovered at Skokie Solomon Schechter Day School, where Irene Sufrin had created and shared a magnificent K-5 library that took my breath away and turned my writing journey toward children. I read and re-read Jerry Spinelli, Linda Sue Park, Katherine Applegate, Kerry Madden, Karen Hesse, Lois Lowry, Claudia Mills, Deborah Wiles, Frances O'Roarke Dowell, Richard Peck, and so many more I don't have room to mention.

PT: Tell us a little about your upcoming book. What was your path to publication?

Esther Hershenhorn

Carol: My middle grade novel in verse, REENI'S TURN (Fitzroy Books, 2020), is a story of becoming, as one of my mentors, Esther Hershenhorn, so aptly said - really, a story of a shy, self-conscious preteen girl becoming the girl she'd like to be, without giving up the person she already is. It is a body-positive story that challenges the cultural notion that who we are, what we achieve in our lives, and what we even allow ourselves to want, is dependent on the size and shape of our bodies. 

The seed story for the novel appeared in Cricket Magazine in 2001, and inspired the award-winning experimental film, La Folia (Filmelodic, 2018). For now, I'll say that REENI has been through many years and more drafts and versions than I could have imagined, with me facing plenty of obstacles not unique to our business, but important to learn from, and to share. The degree of help and support I received from so many people in so many different arenas was a true gift. I took a turn toward independent, traditional publishers in early 2019, and found my good (and best) match with Fitzroy Books and publisher/editor Jaynie Royal.

Carol spent time this summer on a creative retreat, led by
Esther Hershenhorn in Landgrove, Vermont.

PT: Do you prefer the initial writing or the revision process?

Carol: I prefer revision, hands down! I love revising and have learned to revise with the eyes of a stranger. The benefit of putting away a manuscript for some period of time cannot be overstated. Our brains need the distance in order to see clearly.

PT: What's next for you?

Carol: I believe I've circled back to where I began my writing life - with poetry, whether verse or poetic prose, it feels like where I belong.

Heidi Bee Roemer

Poetry for the very young is my primary focus right now. When I began writing full-time, for the first time in my life, in July 2018, I took an intensive class with Heidi Bee Roemer. I felt like my brain exploded into a garden. I couldn't stop writing poetry for the very young, and I didn't want to! My inspirations were, and still are, the beloved children at the cutting-edge early childhood center where I'd worked for six years, and continue to serve as a volunteer story-reader. Heidi is a wonderful teacher, and a loving and supportive mentor. My classmates and I continue to exchange valuable critiques online.

I'm also working slowly and carefully on a poetry chapbook for adults that deals with an experience in a major hospital that jeopardized my husband's life, and had a major impact on me that I'm still processing.

PT: Wow, Carol! What an interesting journey you've had. Your path and persistence are an inspiration to me. We're so looking forward to having you join us on the GROG!

Hello, Carol!

************ WINNER ALERT!!! ************

Congratulations to Andrea Page,

the winner of Michelle Schaub's

new picture book/poetry collection,

FINDING TREASURE!

Andrea, please contact Michelle via her website
HERE.

A New Season of Writing ~By Kathy Halsey, Janie Reinart and Suzy Leopold

Don the new lenses over those peepers, GROG readers. Time to go back to school, back to cool. Sunglasses as our logo...gone. Not setting alarm...gone. But cool new "nerdy" glasses, yup that's us. Ready for a close up of collective curiosity? That's us, your GROGers. 

What IS here is sharpened pencils echoing sharper minds...with a definite point. As writers, we need to know our direction, our theme, our new school year resolutions. Yup, it's time to sharpen up our writing, time to delve into craft, maybe even delve into a new genre. 

School may be near or far, depending on your perspective.

From the Desk of Kathy

  Actually, I cleaned up my desk for this shoot. (If this is clean, you shoulda seen it before!)  A new school year means pushing aside clutter and old things and finding something new. We have new foci and news galore for you this  new season. Several of us now have agents. Several of us have nuggets to share about great summer retreats and conferences we attended. We hope you will share your summer news, too, in your comments.

So Happy New School Year! With the new you in a new do or view, I challenge you to do a few risky things, Hey, I am doing them, too. Try a new genre - what can you lose? I am attempting a middle grade and a board book which was inspired by the birth of my granddaughter Rosie. Read a new craft book. I confess I have not read Bird by Bird by Ann Lamont, but we are taking it up on FB in the Word by Word Book Club group, Join us. Finally, make new writer friends this new year. Find out their fav books, their preferred genres, and if they'd swap an ms with you. Bound to energize you. So let's move on to another GROGer and friend, 

 who energizes me... Janie Reinart.

From the desk of Janie

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious (WRITING) life? ~with thanks to Mary Oliver

 

Make everyday a writing day, with Judy Reeve's A Writer's Book of Days. Named one of the five hottest writing books by Writer's Digest, get going with prompts, inspiration, tips, and techniques. New seasons equals new goals. Even if you set your timer for ten minutes a day. Sit down and write! Post your goals in the comment section. 
 

 Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and the pupil are located in the same individual.~ Arthur Koestler

Get inspired with Patti Digh's book Creative is a Verb. "This book is for everyone who courageously creates their life as a work of art, sometimes beautiful, sometimes messy, sometimes painful, sometimes mundane, and always an expression of their unique vision." As life long learners, we grow everyday. We learn from each other. Share with us your favorite books on writing. 

From the desk of Suzy

Suzy Scribes

The calendar page for the month of September is now on display as the new month is well under way. 

September 2014

The Season of Autumn

The last hurrah of summer was celebrated during the Labor Day weekend.  School bells began ringing in August for many students. This week, additional eager, excited learners are seated in classrooms throughout the nation. 

Time for a new season with Back to School.  Time for the first day of Autumn on September 21st. With a new season, comes a new look and focus for our GROG Blog. 

Ride, Suzy, Ride.

Time for a New Season of Writing as we post about the following topics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday:

• Interviews with the GROGgers 
• Guest Posts
• Reading, Writing Teaching and Learning
• Book Reviews and Recommendations
• Travel Tales
• Writing Conferences & Workshops
• Top Ten Lists
• How To for the Craft of Writing
• Prizes and Contests

Read, write and create every day.

And so much more! We are great folks who care about readers and writers. Join us for this new season.

BE THE GIVER by Jackie Wellington

 
With all the chaos in the media, I find myself longing for an UTOPIAN society, a good place. A place where everyone respects each other. A place where everyone trades and barters services for the good of all. A place where each member of society contributes what they can and will not be shun for it.  And a place where each and everyone is accepted no matter his or her flaws. But I thought what I was wishing for did not exist until I found the GROG, WOW, and the Week of Writing Retreat -  a place where writers collaborate, cooperate, and communicate together.

The GROG is a group of collaborators. Writers coming together to offer advice, support, and solutions to social and personal problems. WOW, our Facebook group, offers cooperation. Over 400 members who are willing to answer questions about anything from writing nonfiction picture books to publishing. And Week of Writing Retreat allows us to come together, sit in a close setting, and communicate with each other.


As I converse with the members of these groups, it reminded me of one of my favorite books, THE GIVER by Lois Lowry. (If you have not read it, you should or go see the movie to whet your appetite.) The main character is a 12-year-old boy who recieves the job he will hold for the rest of his life from the previous GIVER. . As he learns about his new job, he questions his destiny and what his community offers. The book is a great book, wonderful read; but what I loved is how these children are chosen for their jobs and the sense of community.

Looking at the chaos in the world, I realized why we need GREAT books, especially with strong characters and awesome plots. I also realize that we are desperately in need of a UTOPIAN society, a happy place with people who loves and support what we do. Even though we do not agree with the thoughts and beliefs of some of the people in our world, they are entitled to their opinions.

We have to stop focusing on the negative people who drains us emotionally. We cannot allow others to steal our joy. And that goes for our characters as well. It is important that our books have satisfying endings. Build characters that are not afraid to stand up for social justices, defend herself, and fight ignorance.

I am challenging all my writer friends. Write a book to change the world. Be the Giver! Give the world characters for whom to cheer. Give them plots to decipher. And give them problems to solve. Take us into a different world, place, or realm. Give! Give! Give!

 I would like to see more kidlit books with an "acceptance" theme. It is okay for a character to say, "I don't agree with you, but I accept it." If there are more books like these, I will be the first to curl up on my sofa and read. I want to use a book to escape a chaotic world. I want to turn those pages and visit the minds of my characters. I want to see what they see. Taste what they taste. Smell what they smell. Hear what they hear. And feel what they feel. For me, we can learn a lot from a book.

So while America is running around in chaos, I am creating my UTOPIAN society. My good place. My place free from chaos. I suggest you do the same. Do not allow others to define you. I can't allow the media to affect me negatively. It is bad that our children have to watch chaos play out on TV and social media daily. We can be the Givers they need. I am so sorry, we cannot live in an accepting world. But I am not here to judge. I am here to read and relax in my UTOPIAN society. My happy place.

First Barbara/First Reader by Jan Godown Annino

I like to keep up with my First Ladies.

Maybe this little hobby dates to third grade, when Martha Washington & George were my living history project.

And also maybe it’s because I know that many of them love to write. 

And, to read.

Can you find First Lady Barbara Bush in the book cover? Center front, 3rd from the left, in FIRST LADIES, above. Barbara Bush is the author of four books. One of them is from a dog’s point of view,  MILLIE’S BOOK, which our daughter owned as a middle-schooler.

Mrs. Bush’s father was in charge of the McCall magazine empire. Her parents encouraged reading in the evenings. This and other glimpses of her unusual life are shared in BARBARA BUSH: A Memoir, & also at her comprehensive biography created by the extraordinary resource,
National First Ladies Library in Ohio.

If you are a reader or children's writer, you will likely make time to visit the Barbara Bush Foundation, which is all about achieving a 100 percent literacy rate in the U.S. This hard-charging Foundation recently awarded a grant to a deserving public elementary in our area. If it is anything like the local school I visited weekly during a school year so I could to sit with a little boy in kindergarten, to help him begin his path to reading, those children are needy & will rocket ahead with this BBF project.

I exchanged emails with Liza McFadden of the Barbara Bush Foundation.

Later this month I expect to collect our conversation in one piece at Bookseedstudio. 

Please look for Part Two of this interview on Monday, May 12, 2014.

Part One - Barbara Bush Foundation interview

Q

How might a family whose parents don’t demonstrate reading, affect their children's interest in books?

LIZA McFadden for the Barbara Bush Foundation

 As I talk to moms, I realize many of us have almost a collective memory about reading:  that as children we loved our parents wrapping their arms around us and reading.  We remember our favorites—mainly because we made our parents read them to us hundreds of times.  Those simple rhymes, the shape of those letters, the conversations about the pictures, all of those things were our parents being our first -- and best -- teachers.  

Too many people fall away from being in love with books – sometimes scarred by the way books were used in school, and frequently, I think, because watching TV or other activities seem more companionable.  I can provide lots of great physiological reasons to read:  reading has benefits similar to meditating like lower stress, and deeper sleep and lowered memory loss, and I can provide great psychological reasons to read:  a strong working vocabulary is the best defense we have against manipulation -- that’s why lawyers live and die by words.  

In the end, I think we pass on what we love. Having a child is a great time to remember that as a child reading brought you not only those stories you loved, but also, your vital vocabulary that’s helping to ensure you have a good job, and a healthy life.

Q

Should children have to read books that they don't want to? (Outside of school assignments) 

LIZA

I have a confession.  I’m a bibliophile.  In the last few months I just changed our living room into a library.  I’m guessing with Nooks and Kindles, those libraries are passé, but I love my books.  That said, you could guess I strongly believe children shouldn’t “have” to read outside of school but should “want” to read outside of school. 

I have two middle school children and they attend a school where they are required to read a lot.  In fact, the better reader you are, the more “Accelerated Reader” points you have to earn.  The difference between my two children is this: one loves to read, and this boy reads Hardy Boys and 39 Clues and every adventure book he can lay his hands on.  His sister, though an excellent student, is not in love with reading.

But, here’s what I have discovered: she does love books, she just prefers it when someone else reads them to her.  This weekend as we drove from South Florida to North Florida coming back from spring break, I read to them out loud, Waiting For Snow In Havana:  Confessions of a Cuban Boy. Everyone in the car loved hearing the story. It combined a love of killing lizards with a philosophical discussion on the proof of God – not always issues easily aligned.  Anyway, so here’s my belief:  I think reading can some in many forms, and I’m excited that the Nook and Kindle can read out loud for oral learners, as long as they have truly mastered the skill of reading.  
As I recently heard, language defines our palette of thought.  It allows us to be part of the intellectual discussion of our community and our country; it allows us to share memories of killing lizards, and to wonder in-depth about the proof of God. 

Note: Thank you, Liza. We hope our readers will return for more insights from Liza McFadden/Barbara Bush Foundation, tomorrow, Thurs., May 8, 2014

Jan Godown Annino is on twitter @BkSeedStudio. She is the author of an ALA-listed picture book, SHE SANG PROMISE: The Story of Betty Mae Jumper.

CLARA BARTON (National Women's History Month & Red Cross Celebration Month)

 

March is NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH & RED CROSS CELEBRATION MONTH.

 

This honor is bestowed upon : Clarissa Harlowe Barton/Clara Barton

 

As you read this story, you will notice phrases quoted throughout. This is my way of documenting someone else's work that I've weaved into my story. When writing nonfiction, it is important that we stay true to the facts. But I would like to tell the story from my point of view. Also, you can see that I did some research.



 

It was Christmas Day in 1821. The blustery breeze beat against the cottage window. Snow blanketed Oxford, Massachusetts. Gifts were being delivered all over the world. And Mr. and Mrs.  Barton received the best gift anyone could ask for – a baby girl.

Mr. and Mrs. Barton named their daughter, Clarissa Harlowe Barton. But today, she is widely known as Clara Barton, educator, traveler, nurse, and founder of The American Red Cross.

Clara Barton was a shy child, but still a bundle of joy. She grew up in a big, loving family. She had siblings to teach her and taunt her. They read to her and play with her. And they were readily available for whatever she needed.

After nursing her brother Davie back to health when she was a young girl, Clara knew she wanted to become a nurse. And she did!

 But first, she became a teacher at the age of 15. She opened a “free public school in New Jersey.” Years later, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked as a clerk in the United States Patent Office.

It was always in Clara’s nature to help others. So when the Civil War began, it was no secret she wanted to help; and she would find a way to do it.

First, she “collected and distributed supplies for the Union Army.” But she still wanted to do more. So, she “served as an independent nurse.”

In 1862, Clara traveled to Fredericksburg, Virginia.  She “cared for soldiers wounded at Antietam.” To the soldiers, she was “The Angel of the Battlefield.”

Even though the war ended, Clara’s fight to help others didn't stop. In 1865, she “worked for the War Department.” She had goals, “either reunite missing soldiers and their families or find out more about those who were missing.” And she did!

Clara had a way with words. When she spoke, people listened. “Crowds of Americans came to hear her talk about her war experiences.”

Clara was a traveler. She travelled near and far. While travelling to Europe, “Clara worked with a relief organization known as the International Red Cross.” Clara loved working with them. She loved what they stood for. And she loved that they were all about helping people.

Upon her return to the states, Clara lobbied for a branch of the International Red Cross right here on American soil. She got it!

In 1881, The American Red Cross was established. Clara’s hard work of lobbying, helping, and garnishing support paid off. She became its first president. “As its leader, Clara oversaw assistance and relief work for victims of such disasters as the 1889 Johnstown Flood,” and the Galveston Flood of 1900.

After serving as president for twenty-three years, Clara resigned. She wrote an autobiography “which was published in 1907”, The Story of My Childhood.

On April 12, 1912, Clarissa Harlowe Barton died. But her efforts remain to help those who need it; heal those who want it; and hear those who cry for help.

Clara Barton ~ Educator, Traveler, Nurse, and Founder of the American Red Cross.

 

Work Cited

Clara Barton Biography. (2014). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved March 4, 2014 from http://www.biography.com/people/clara-barton-9200960

List of Picture Books about Clara Barton

THE LIFE OF CLARA BARTON by Kathleen Connors, 2014, 320-words, Gareth Stevens Publishing

Check out the list here on "CLARA BARTON" BOOKS

Check out BOOKS ABOUT CLARA BARTON